Part 5

“So it's better this way, I said/having seen this place before/where everything we say and do/hurts us all the more.”

“Buffy was after the Circle. The Circle was this group-more like chain-of vampires who were powerful in the dark arts. Drusilla, against my consent, was part of the Circle, the upper links, and I happened to be nearby when Buffy and her Watcher raced in to attack. When I went after them, I saw Drusilla beating the hell out of Buffy and something it me changed, and I killed her. Giles and I took care of what was left of the circle after that. The head guy, Nathaniel or something, he went after the Watcher like a chicken with its head cut off. Giles… didn’t make it out. I barely got Buffy out before the building exploded into flames. That’s what’s wrong with her vision. With time, she’ll get better.” He looked like he was blind to the what-ifs, so Willow didn’t point out the possibility that her Slayer healing might not heal her.
“Giles… is gone?” She asked, finally.
“I’m pretty sure, yes.” Spike answered.
“Then he’s with Jenny.” Resolute, she found the good, masking the grief she felt inside for her old friend. “They’re finally together again.”
Angel, wincing, nodded to Willow’s optimistic viewpoint. Then he continued with the important questions. “Any other survivors?” Spike shook his head, no. “Have you taken Buffy to a doctor?” Again, he shook his head. “Willow, can you look at her?” Angel turned to ask, knowing of Willow’s childhood pastime.
“I… I don’ t know what I can really do… I can’t get her medicines or anything.”
Shaking his head as he stood up, Spike said, “Don’t worry about it. We’ll go. If she’s awake, though, you’ll have to come back later. I wasn’t supposed to even tell Angel-boy here.”
Willow got up and found her magick stuff, remarking that she could try a spell or two, also. Spike, visibly upset, swallowed and nodded, then pointed to the door. Willow went first, followed by a very protective Angel, then the bleached-blonde vampire, who closed the door behind them. Then he led them to his apartment, to Buffy.
Carefully opening the door as quietly as he could, Spike ushered the small redhead into the room. Buffy stirred in her bed, and Spike, worriedly, ducked back into the other room.
“Willow?” Buffy said weakly. “Spike… when I get better… I’m going to kick your ass.” A moan came from the now embarrassed vampire hiding behind the door. The Slayer sighed. “I suppose he’s brought you here to look at me?” Willow nodded, holding her backpack in front of her. “Okay. I suppose Angel’s here too? Is this his idea?” Angel laughed sharply in the other room, then strode into the room, trying not to falter at her appearance.
“Buffy.” He said simply, crouching down next to her bed. He took her hand and kissed it carefully. “I missed you.” She laughed bitterly.
“You’ve been here before. I was awake last time. And Mr. Gordo? Please.”
“We… all missed you, Buffy.” Willow pointed out. Angel motioned her toward the bed. Reluctantly, Willow obeyed, stifling a gasp as she saw the extent of her friend’s injuries. Her face was swollen and bruised-something easily fixed-and the witch noted that the Slayer’s right arm was bent at an unnatural angle. “Your arm!”
“Broke it. Healed wrong. Can’t move it, hurts.”
The redhead gritted her teeth. There were also long wounds, sword wounds from the looks, and massive burns along Buffy’s arms. Spike, you liar, Willow thought angrily. Buffy didn’t get out before the fire.
“Where’d these cuts come from?” She asked carefully.
Buffy sighed. “Half are from Nathaniel. The other half are from Drusilla’s nails.” Wincing, Willow chanted an anti-infection spell as she set to work. That finished, she set to work on the bruises. A simple mix of herbs Willow had premixed for painful accidents. Just add water, and Buffy’s face was poulticed. Then Willow touched on the burns. They’d blistered-second degree, Willow noted-but weren’t infected. Those would need medication. She closed the open wounds with a simple spell, then noted that some of those would scar with deep sorrow for her friend’s vanity.
“You’re very lucky, Buff.” Was all she could make out as she looked at what she had left. “You should have gotten infections in some of these wounds, seeing as you haven’t seen any care. Spike, I’m surprised you didn’t notice the extent of some of these! She should have seen a doctor!” Angry, she stomped over to the bleached-blonde vampire hiding behind the door. “She might not get better from some of this!” She turned her head away, shaking it gently. “How long ago did most of this occur?”
“A week ago, Will.”
“A week?! A bone doesn’t set in a week!”
“That happened earlier. Giles didn’t realize it was healing wrong, and it got worse with Drusilla… plus, Will, the Slayer healing…” Buffy pointed out. Willow knew she was right, and reluctantly went back to her friend’s side.
“I’ll need a splint, medical tape, and both you two to help me fix this. The bone has to be re-broken and put back right.” Said Willow, getting out her medical book. “Spike, I don’t have a splint. You got some metal strips?”
Angel broke the bone again, while Spike held Buffy comfortingly. The Slayer clenched her teeth and made no sound. Spike, however, jumped up, yelping, “Ow!” Buffy’s nails had punctured his skin. “Slayer, your nails are bloody sharp!”
“Spike, help.” Willow said quietly. “I’ll fix your arm LATER.” The reprimanded Billy Idol lookalike sat down to help realign the bone. Again, the Slayer made no noise. They quickly wrapped it and splinted it, and as they finished they all visibly relaxed. Spike’s bleeding arm was healed, and he stared at it in wonder for a second before Willow assaulted him again.
“Spike, her burns need medication. And her eyes… I can’t do anything about them. Either you take her to some kind of doctor, or they’ll just have to heal on their own. Either way, I’ve bandaged them, and she’s not to use them. Okay?” The vampire backed down, meekly acquiescing to the angry redhead’s demands.
“Yes, Red.” Willow smiled to see the fear she incurred in him. With a toss of her head, she turned back to her injured friend.
“Buffy?”
“Willow. Thanks.”
“That’s what friends are for, isn’t it? Anyway, I’m only a phone call away. I’ll be at Angel’s for a little more, then I’m back to Boston.”
“Okay, Will. So, how’re things with the rest of the Scooby gang?” Buffy’s voice sounded strange. Willow shooed the two men out and proceeded to fill her friend in.
“Xander and Cordelia are getting married. Isn’t it wonderful?” The weak smile on the blonde girl’s face told her she agreed.
“I’m glad those two finally put aside their differences. When’s the date?”
Laughing, Willow replied, “You know, I don’t think Xander ever got around to telling me! I had to leave again… and I think I fell asleep on him!” The two girls burst into laughter like old times again.

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