* * * * * * * A soft knock echoed in Spike's hazed-filled mind. "How is he?" A female voice asked quietly. The owner of the voice, he assumed, walked over to the side of his bed and he forced his eyes to pry open. The girl lay a hand on his, letting the blonde man welcome the warmth. Smiling to himself, he closed his eyes in content and gently wrapped his fingers around her offered hand. Agatha Richards nodded, "The patient's doing fine." Buffy looked down at the man holding her hand, he was squinting at her. "How are you doing?" She asked softly, blocking the light that was glaring in his eyes from the window. Staring up at glowing green eyes, he gasped when he saw the light encasing her fragile form like a halo. "Is. . .Is this--Am I in heaven?" Buffy giggled at his question and his lips quirked into a lopsided grin. "You have a beautiful laugh," he complimented. Buffy smiled, "Thank you. You're sweet." "Just speaking the truth, luv." Agatha turned towards the two blondes and glanced at her watch. "Come on, dear," she commanded, shooing the girl with her hands, "It's time for-" Buffy cut her off, "Yeah, yeah. I know. . ." She squeezed his hand gently in goodbye and his eyelids drifted close, his grip on her loosening. Turning to her close friend, she asked shyly, "Can I come back tomorrow? When he's awake?" Agatha hesitated at first, but considered this, "Maybe. . .But he needs his rest." Her eyes sparkled, "I promise I won't take away much of his time." * * * * * * * The next day, she returned as promised, slipping into the white room and creeping towards the man's side. Agatha later entered the room with a glass of water. Seeing the couple together, it created a cute picture: two young lovebirds, ready to spend the rest of their life- Agatha mentally shook herself. Like that was anything close to the truth. She let out a breath and sat in her usual seat, half taking notes on his progress and half watching the two talk away. Agatha wasn't stupid. She could see the attraction there; anyone could. But it wasn't like they could take anything farther than that, she added sadly as she stepped out of the room, unnoticed, when she finished her notes. Returning 2 hours or so later, she found Buffy still sitting on the bed with her hand in his. They really *did* make a cute couple. "Buffy," she called. Buffy nodded and squeezed his hand gently as she did before, but he protested with a firm grip of his own. Smiling apologetically, she waved to the man in bed and was about to leave the room when he croaked, "Where are you going?" "I need to go take my-" Buffy stopped and thought quickly. If I tell him the truth now, I might never see if the two of us could ever work out. He seems like a really nice guy. . . She stared into his eyes and felt that same tug. Something inside of her was telling her that this was the one. He was the one she was destined for. Buffy almost laughed at herself for thinking such. I mean, "destiny?" Riiiight. . . She was about to tell him the truth, but paused. This was nuts. Destiny was only in movies and described in books. But still. . . "I need to go take my. . .self. . .I need to take my*self* to the next level upstairs." She backed up to the door, "I have to see some patients." Agatha frowned and gave Buffy a curious look. As she opened her lips to say something, Buffy sent her a pleading look that begged for her to play along. Hesitating, she sighed and nodded. "Patients?" He asked. Buffy played with the edge of her white shirt uncomfortably, "Um. . .Yeah. I'm a- err. . .a-a nurse." She nodded to herself, looking as if she was coming to a decision, "Yeah. That's it. I'm a volunteer nurse." The blonde's eyes brightened, "Does that mean I'll be seeing more of you, pet?" "Maybe." Agatha snapped her fingers, disturbing the longing stare the two had been sharing and finally closed the door with Buffy behind it. Seating herself back in her chair, she jotted a few notes down on her clipboard. After some silence, he finally spoke up. "She's nice." he stared out dreamily, "Is she seeing anybody?" Agatha jumped, hand over her racing heart, "Dear Lord, I thought you were asleep," she shook her head and took a calming breath, "Yes, she is quite a nice young lady." She went back to her papers. Without looking up, she commented on his other question, "And no, she isn't. Why do you ask?" He shrugged, "Just curious." Agatha gave him a doubtful look. And here comes another one, Agatha thought, that darling girl is gonna break so many hearts. She sighed and tapped her pen, "Are you sure that's all?" "Yes." "William," she said, using his name to bring him to pay attention instead of staring wistfully at the door, "are you positive?" Waiting a few seconds, she continued to press, "You like her, don't you?" He slid his gaze to her and a small smile graced his lips, "That's not a problem, is it?" He shifted and closed his eyes, dozing off. Agatha sighed. Yes, here comes another one. "Oh yes." she looked sympathetically at the sleeping form, "It is a problem indeed," The old woman replied quietly. Hospitals were places of healing, but she wasn't sure that what this young man was to face would ever heal the pain that was soon to come. * * * * * * * |
| ::How do I:: |