Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of BTVS. They are owned by Joss Whedon and Co.
Willow was cleaning the dinner dishes when the call came. Giles was on the other end of the phone. He sounded panic stricken - quite un-Giles like. "Willow, we must get to the hospital now!"
"What's wrong, Giles?" Willow asked frightened.
"Buffy's been in an accident, my name was in her wallet, so they called me?" He explained quickly.
"How bad is it?" She asked, afraid of the answer.
"It's obviously bad, they won't tell me anything on the phone. I guess you know Xander is out of town, Joyce has the kids. I'm going to pick her up and Xander's parents are getting the children." Giles told her trying to remain calm.
Willow arrived at the hospital to find Giles and Joyce already there looking through the glass windows into an ER room. Buffy was on the gurney, nurses and doctors and phlebotomist's were crowded in the room. Shouts of orders for "Chem 1, CBC, and get some O neg ready for emergency release, but draw her for a type and cross." came from the room.
Soon a lab tech came running into the room, handing the Doc the results of the cbc, he immediately ordered the blood. The tech returned with the blood and release forms. Soon the blood was going through the infuser into Buffy's limp arm.
The Doctor finally took a minute to come out and talk to the family and friends. "She's critical, I believe the spleen is ruptured, we'll get her to medical imaging and then on to OR." He explained trying to be optimistic.
Willow hugged Joyce and went to call Oz. She then called Cordelia and Angel. Xander's Mom called, they had reached him. but his flight wouldn't be in for a few hours.
Cordelia and Garrett showed up shortly. "Willow, did you call Angel?" Cordelia asked.
Willow nodded her head yes and pointed to Angel coming through the ER doors. He looked as if he had been in the accident. He rushed to Willow "How is she?"
"They've taken her to surgery. We're just waiting now." Willow explained to him.
"Good" said Angel and he began to pace the hallway.
After what seemed like unending hours, the Doctor appeared. "She's stable as far as the bleeding, we removed the spleen. But she suffered a head injury and has lapsed into a coma. I think after the swelling goes down, she will come out of it." The Doctor told the anxious group in the waiting room.
Xander pushed the doors of the waiting room open and found Willow and the others."How is she?" he blurted out the words. Joyce explained the situation to him. The Doctor agreed to let Xander in ICU for a minute. He advised the others to go home and get some rest.
Xander gently kissed his wife's forehead. "I love you Buffy, you have to be okay." The nurse shooed him out after a couple of minutes.
Giles convinced Joyce to go home. Angel decided to stay with Willow and Xander. Xander joined them back in the waiting room. Xander was in shock "She can't die, she's going to be okay."
Angel then spoke up "Why were you out of town Xander? You should have been here."
Xander turned and stared at him. "I work, I have a family to support. I had a conference and anyway it's none of your business." He answered harshly.
Willow looked from man to man. "Tonight's the night, truths are going to come out tonight." she thought to herself. She felt the tension mounting."Xander calm down, Angel didn't mean anything. He's upset."
"No, Willow, I meant it. If she were my wife, I'd never leave her alone." replied an angry Angel.
"Angel, even if Xander had been here, he couldn't have stopped the accident. It's no one's fault, except the guy who had one too many and decided to drive." Willw said calmly.
"You don't have to defend me to him, Willow. He's so very 'understanding', that's why he's so worried about my wife. It kills him that she is my wife." Xander spit out the words.
Willow was angry now. Buffy could die and they were acting like little boys in the schoolyard.
"Will, you know I'm right, he loves my wife." said Xander.
"She wouldn't be your wife, if I hadn't left town." Angel said the words deliberately.
Willow looked at Xander, the truth shown on his crestfallen face. Some part of Xander believed Angel's words. "After all these years, Xander can still believe that he is second choice. Willow hated that he felt that way, Angel might have been telling the truth. But, Angel had left and Buffy had fallen in love with Xander - true love." Willow thought sadly to herself.
Xander finally spoke "I guess your right."
Angel looked remorseful, "No, I'm not. I should have never said that. Xander, I'm sorry, I'm a little nuts, I'm worried about her. I can't imagine how you feel - the kids. If you want me to go, I will. But I would really like to stay."
Willow looked at Angel "It has to be hard on him, he loves her so much, yet he won't interfere. The truth always comes out, no matter how hard he tries not too, he loves her." She thought.
Xander thought a moment then replied "No, don't go. We're all a little tense. Apology accepted."
Willow smiled at both men, "Buffy would be proud of both of you" she said softly.
A nurse came out of ICU towards them. Xander stood up "Is itmy wife?" he asked fear in his voice.
The nurse nodded her head "It's good news! She's awake and would like to see you, but only for a moment." Xander followed her back into ICU.
Buffy looked, well...she looked bad. No other way to describe it. She was pale and had Iv's in both arms. But she also had a weak smile on her face.
Xander kissed her softly on the forehead. "I love you Buffy Anne Summers Harris. Don't ever scare me like that again!"
She smiled as he held her hand tightly in his. "I promise." she said weakly. She soon fell back to sleep.
Xander went to fill in Willow and Angel. "Go on home, Willow. Thanks for being here. I'll call in the morning." Xander hugged her and went to the pay phones to call Joyce and the others.
Angel remained in the waiting room, as Xander went to the phone he quietly slipped into Buffy's room. She was sleeping peacefully. He softly slipped her hand in his, a tear ran down his cheek.
Xander walked in quietly, he stopped at the door. He decided not to interrupt Angel's moment. He owed him this one moment. The two of them had almost lost one of the most important people in their lives tonight, Angel deserved this time with her.
Angel wiped away the tear and spoke softly "Buffy, you really scared us all you know. I was afraid I had lost you. I know we can't be together, but a world without you in it, is not a world I want to be in."
Angel gently kissed her hand and whispered "I love you." He ran into Xander at the door.
"I'm sorry Xander. Wait, no I'm not. I had to see her, I had to know for myself." he told him waiting for the anger to come, it didn't.
Xander smiled at him. "I know you had to see her. I'm not angry, go on home. I'll call you if there is a change."
Angel nodded and left. Xander took the chair beside Buffy's bed. He pushed a stray hair out of her eyes and spoke "I love you, Buffy."
She stirred slightly, opening her eyes, she whispered "I love you too, Xander."
And Xander smiled because he knew it was the truth.