~*~*~*~
Willow screamed and turned around, throwing her cross in the vampire's face. He hissed and recoiled. Strong arms grabbed her from behind, jarring the cross from her hands. "Spike!" she shrieked.
"I'm trying, pet!" he said, fighting with one of the vampires. "I'm coming!"
Willow struggled, trying to get away from the one who held her so tightly. The vampire leaned down and buried his fangs in her neck. Her scream of pain echoed through the park.
"BLOODY HELL!" she heard Spike cry.
< I'm going to die, > Willow sobbed, stiff as a board. She could feel her heart slowing down as the blood left her body. "Please, goddess," she begged, "let my death be quick. . ."
Suddenly, the fangs were gone. The hands holding her up were gone, and she started to fall. Another pair of arms caught her. "Please," she begged softly. "Don't let it hurt anymore, just get it over with. . ."
"Shh," a voice murmured in her hair. "It's ok, Willow."
She turned her head to be gazing into Angel's big chocolate brown eyes. "Angel?"
"I'm here, Willow. No one is going to hurt you."
"Spike," she whispered. "What about Spike. . ." She glanced over to see Spike ram his stake home on the last demon's chest. He spun around.
"Pet!" he cried, rushing to Willow. "Willow, are you ok? Peaches, we gotta get her to the hospital or something!"
"Xander," Willow whispered before passing out.
*~*~*~*
Xander paced back and forth along the hallway of the hospital. Melynda watched him with huge violet eyes. Angel was beside her, face in his hands. Buffy, Riley, and Spike were in Willow's room.
She was in a coma.
"I can't do this again," Xander said sullenly.
Angel looked up. "What?"
"I can't go in there, not knowing. . ." He sobbed. "I can't. . .I just can't." He dropped to his knees and cried.
Angel went to the human, dropping to his knees. He held Xander and let him cry.
*~*~*~*
"Wills, you gotta wake up," Buffy cried. She was sitting beside her bed, stroking her hand. Spike was pacing back and forth, while Riley was sitting on the other side of Willow. She was in her hospital bed, eyes closed, looking as if she were asleep. "You have enough blood now. . .I gave them some of mine. Come on, Wills, I know you can hear me. Remember you and Xand? Tonight?" She laughed through her tears. "You acted so sly, trying to make us think you were tired. You've wanted this so long. . .you have to wake up now, Willow. Please wake up."
"Pet," Spike said, looking down at Willow. "I'm sorry I let him get you." The vampire frowned. "I have to go kill something." He stormed out.
As he came around the corner, he stopped. His heart constricted. Xander was sobbing on his Sire's shoulder. Spike went to them and wrapped his arms around Xander. Tears filled his eyes. Together, the three men cried for the sweet witch they all loved.
*~*~*~*
Willow slowly woke up, groaning. "Xander," she whispered. She blinked, tears coming to her eyes. She looked around, her heart falling. She was alone in the hospital. None of her friends had bothered to stay with her.
She reached over and hit the nurse's button.
An exasperated sigh came over the intercom. "Mr. Harris, I'm sure Willow moved. She's been known to do that. However, we aren't going to send a doctor in to check up on her every time a finger moves."
Willow moaned softly. "Water," she whispered. "Need water." In her mind, she was jumping for joy. Xander was there enough to drive the nurses crazy.
"Willow?" the nurse asked.
"Need Xander," she groaned.
"Rosenberg's awake! Get the doctors!" the nurse cried, clicking the intercom off.
*~*~*~*
Xander hated the hospital. The nurses were mean to him, telling him in so many words that he should go home and they'd call him if there were any change. < How can I just go home when the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with is in a coma? > he thought.
He'd barely been home in the two months Willow was unconscious. He sat by her bed, reading to her, telling her stories, and driving the nurses crazy.
He finally decided to raid the vending machine, knowing Willow would be upset if she found out he'd wasted away to nothing. As he was walking back to her room, he realized there were nurses and doctors rushing in and out of Willow's room. "Willow!" he cried, assuming the worst. He threw his Twinkies down and ran to her room.
He pushed through the people and stopped in front of her bed. He grabbed her hand.
Her red hair was bright against her white skin. Her eyes were closed and her lips were pale. "Oh, god, don't die, please," he begged. "I can't. . ." He looked away, tears filling his eyes. "I can't live without you, Willow. I love you so much."
Her green eyes slowly opened. A ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. "Were you off getting food while I was waking up?" she teased softly.
"Willow!" Xander exclaimed. "You are awake!"
She coughed. "And thirsty. I want some water."
Xander spun around. "Somebody get her some water!" he barked. "She's thirsty!" He turned back to the redhead, squeezing her hand. He smiled warmly at her, thankful she was awake.
*~*~*~*
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