"This isn't some fairytale, when I kiss you;
you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live
happily ever after."

Angel burst through the glass doors of the emergency room, bowling over two nurses, a doctor, and several bystanders. During his frantic search, the odor of blood almost overwhelmed him, then she came into site and all else faded. She was still, seemed lifeless. Blood from deep gashes and tears across her stomach and rib cage soaked her body. He raced towards her, hurtling patients and calling her name, silently begging for her response. Four security guards attempted to bring him to a halt, but were easily tossed aside by Angel's irrational force.

He was at Buffy's side within seconds, stroking her face, and pleading with her. "Please don't leave me. Buffy, please." Again guards were struggling with him without success. He turned to them with such pain and fire in his eyes. "I won't leave her." With those calm, fierce words Angel was left in the peace by the hospital staff. He didn't question their actions, he was only thankful… until a moment later…

Her lifeline went flat and he couldn't move as they wheeled her away. She wasn't breathing and she had no pulse. As he heard screams of 'code blue', he crashed to his knees in a puddle of her own blood. Blood, from his own wounds, was streaming down his arms to join hers. An orderly escorted him to the waiting area and offered to dress his injuries, but Angel refused. It was explained there was nothing he could do but wait.

He sat motionless, speechless, and deep in thought. He wouldn't even have even noticed Xander, Willow, and Giles appearing before him, if it hadn't been for Willow's hand on his shoulder. He looked up at them with a tear stained face. Funny, he didn't even realize he had been crying.

"She's in surgery." was all he said. His head fell once more and the small group sat for hours without saying a word. There would be time for explanations later and for now, they all did something none of them had done in a very long time; they prayed.

At 3 a.m. Buffy's doctor met with them. They all stood, anxious for his words. "She's stable… for now, but she's… in a coma… and there's no saying… when she'll wake."

"Can we see her?" Willow's soft voice had spoken the question that each of their minds was wondering.

"Are any of you… family?" They all shook their heads in response. "Then I'm sorry… I can't let you… not now."

"WHAT?" Xander was outraged.

"I'm sorry. I'll… keep you posted."

Angel just stood there with almost no expression or movement until the doctor left; then he disappeared. They all knew where he had gone and wished they could follow.

He entered the small, white room and stared down at her fragile figure. He sat next to her and placed her hand in his, then waited. He waited for three months; never leaving her side unless he knew someone else was with her. Even then he didn't go far. Her mother watched him in confusion, yet said nothing. She didn't know much about him, or his relationship with Buffy, but it was obvious he cared… a lot, so she left it at that (despite her nagging curiosity).

It was a Monday night and the nurse had just caught Angel in Buffy's room past visiting hours. She was forcing him to leave, so he only had a minute or two to say goodbye.

"I love you." he whispered softly. "Please don't give up. I'll be back soon." He leaned over and gently pressed his lips to hers, to his surprise he felt her react. His heart soared when he realized what was happening. Tears again dripped from his eyes, melting into hers as they landed on her cheeks. They parted slowly and he gazed into her glistening eyes in disbelief.

"I love you too." She replied quietly and then kissed him again. "I thought you said this wasn't a fairytale." She cracked a weak smile and so did he.

"I missed you so much." Once again she pulled him close and began to enjoy the taste of his lips; that's when the nurse re-entered.

"Sir, I thought I told you… Doctor, doctor, Ms. Summers is awake!" The doctor came to a screeching halt out side the door only to witness Buffy and Angel just a little bit preoccupied.

"Ah hum, excuse me, Mr. Angel, Ms. Summers?" the doctor interrupted. The couple broke apart abruptly and rather embarrassed. "I need to examine Ms. Summers."

"First of all, call me Buffy. Second, would you call my mom, Willow, Xander, oh, and Giles. And third, I'm fine. I just have some catching up to do." With that she proceeded to ignore the hospital staff trying to check her vitals and assumed her former position in Angel's embrace. That is until her mother showed up not to pleased with the scene, but don't worry, they all lived happily ever after.