Princess of the Night
by Mystic Winds

Willow was standing over Buffy, trying hard not to cry. As Willow looked at Buffy, realization hit. Buffy looked so worn out. It was as if her will to fight was gone.

< What if Buffy didnt want to live anymore? > She thought as tears started to brim.

< Stop that! She wouldnt leave us like that. > Willow said as she scolded herself to herself. As she looked at Buffy, she thought that she saw Buffy smile.

< No, its my imagination > As Willow looked again, Buffy was really smiling, but tears were also descending down her bruised cheeks.

Giles! Xander! Get in here! yelled Willow as she saw both of them running in the room, expecting the worse. Look! Shes smiling! I think she is going to be okay!

Whoo-hoo! yelled Xander as he gathered Willow in his arms and hugged her tightly.

I knew it! I knew that our Buffster wouldnt leave us! Now, if only- But Xander was cut short by a loud piercing noise coming from one of the machines near Buffy. All three of them looked at the machine with dread. Buffys heart was giving out. Doctors and nurses rushed in, pushing the three out of the way. Willow broke down and was fighting the whole time as Xander and Giles forced her out of the room.

No! Let me stay with her, please! sobbed Willow as she hit Xander in the chest as he held her close.

Shhhh, its okay. Its going to be okay. Xander stated with more confidence then what he was feeling. They all knew that their slayer had taken a turn for the worse.

Angel stepped off the bus that took him back to Sunnydale and memories flooded his senses. It had been a while. To long for that matter, but he needed to be back. He needed to see her again. His soul cried out for her every day and it was tearing him apart.

< Okay, shes most likely slaying. > He thought as he made his way to the graveyard. Thank God she is on my side. He thought as a soft chuckle escaped his lips.

When he reached the graveyard, the scent of blood filled his vampiric senses. Angels soul cried out as he raced towards the scent, praying that it wasnt his beloved Buffy.

When he reached the smell, he knew a battle had taken place. Things were broken and a stake was laying there with blood on it. Hesitantly, Angel bent down to touch the stake when something caught his eyes. The cross that Angel had given to Buffy to protect her was laying in the grass, blood marring in shinny complexion.

With that, Angel let out a blood-curdling growl into the night, which alerted the two vampires Angelus was back in town.

Hey there Angelus. Welcome back to Sunnyhell. Said the first vampire as the two approached him. Angel didnt even know they were there.

We thought that you might like to know what happened to that bitch, the slayer. Well, Tanor and me took care of her.

Sure did. We beat her up bad. She isnt dead, though. She would have been, but Montrovont interfered. He said she couldnt be killed. Not yet any ways. By this time, Angel was enraged.

You said that she was still alive.

Yeah, well, at least she was when we left. Her two friends showed up.

Why do you care Angelus?

Come here and Ill tell you. As the two vampires came closer, Angel pulled out a stake and dusted them before they knew what hit them.

That was for Buffy! Angel growled as he left in a mad dash for the hospital.

Angel finally reached the front desk and demanded to know where Buffy was. When no one would answer him, Angel grabbed one of the receptionists by the shirt and asked again. When Angel finally received the answer he wanted, he wasted no time in trying to find Buffy.

< Please God let Buffy be okay. > As the elevator reached its destination, Angel rushed through the doors as soon as they opened, and started in a mad dash, trying to find Buffy. Angel knew that he had knocked off some guy, but didnt turn around to make sure he was all right. People heard the commotion and didnt hesitate to get out of his way. Those who where too slow to move were thrown up against the walls. With his vampiric senses, he could hear crying, and what sounded to be like Giles and Xander. Angel ran at brake neck speed and came to a sudden halt just short of landing on Xander. Angels sudden approach startled them all.

Wheres Buffy?! However, no answer came. They were all too stunned at the sight of Angel to answer. Angel was growing impatient and gripped Giles by the collar of his shirt and growled.

A-Angel! Shes in there. Angel threw Giles into a chair and took off for Buffys room when Xander stepped in the way.

Get out of my way!

No, listen. Why are you here? You have no right to.. However, Angel just shoved him aside and walked into the room as the doctors were leaving. Angel grabbed one of them, demanding answers.

We-well, she is stable for now. But it was close. It was as if she gave up trying to live. She is still comma tose though. Only time will tell. Im sorry.

Angel slowly entered the white, sterile room. What greeted his eyes made his heart brake and his soul cry out. Oh Buffy. What did they do to you? Why couldnt you stop them? Angel stopped and closed his eyes, trying to push back the tears that were threading to fall.  Come back to me, please. I need your strength. Angel knelt next the bed and couldnt hold back the tears anymore.  I dont want to walk the earth, knowing that I would never see your beautiful face, or the smile that shines like a beacon in my darkened world. Please Buffy. I need you. I love you. Angel cried harder as put his head on the mattress and held her hand in his. He prayed to whatever gods that might be listening, begging them to bring Buffy back to him.

Willow, Xander, and Giles all stood in the doorway watching Angel profess his undying love. It broke all three hearts to see Angel like this.

#######################

Buffy, please come back to me. Wake up. Angel cried gently shaking her. Then he remembered the old fairytales. The princess could only be woken up with a kiss. Angel slowly bent down and gave a kiss, praying it would wake her up.

Mmmm moaned Buffy. Angel?

Yes, Im here.

Oh, my head! Angel? Where are you? Help me please! cried Buffy in a panic. Her eyes were open, but they weren't seeing anything but some nightmarish visions.

Buffy, Im right here. Shhh, calm down. But Buffy was not listening. She was fighting off something in the darkness, and it would not let her go back to the arms of the man who loved her. There was an eerie silence and Buffy settled down. But that was soon shattered with a blood-curdling scream that was ripped from Buffys lips.

Aaah! screamed Buffy in the hospital room and Angel was immediately at her side, cradling her best he could. He could her soft whisperings of pain and horror as she watched something in the darkness of her mind.

Shhh, Buffy. Everything is going to be alright. Angel said as he rocked her slowly, trying to calm her down. By this time, Giles, Xander, and Willow were in the room waiting to see if Buffy would wake up.

No...Angel! No, please. Dont leave me. Buffy whispered softly with a voice full of pain and sorrow

Even in her sleep, you hurt her! Why dont you just leave? yelled Xander as he stormed out. Willow rushed out to get a doctor when Buffy sat up wide-eyed and screamed Angel! so suddenly, that Angel fell from the bed in shock. However, before he knew what happened, Buffy was lying back down, softly crying out his name.

Buffy, Buffy wake up please. Angel urged the slayer as he quietly sat back on the bed.

A-Angel?

Im here. Angel saw the most beautiful sight Buffys eyes were open and looking into his.

Angel, I couldnt fight them! I couldnt move or- But Angel silenced her with a tender kiss that made Buffy forget her worries for a minute. Giles, Willow, Dr. McChoy, and Xander rushed in the doorway and stopped suddenly, afraid to intrude. Angel sensed the four and pulled away from Buffy, as she put on a fake pout, making Angel laugh.

Buffy! Thank God youre okay! cried Williow as she rushed to hug her best friend. When Willow hugged too tight, Buffy gasped in pain.

Ow!

Oh, sorry, ah Buffy. Sorry.

Easy Willow, Im not going to brake. But I will get cranky if I dont get some sleep. Buffy said with a small smile on her face. She was determined not to let her friends know how much pain she was in and how scared she really was.

Quite right. Come on you three, lets let Buffy get some rest. Stated Giles, thinking everyone was going to listen. However, Angel never moved from his spot.

Angel, dont make me ask twice. Angel would have none of the sort. He felt himself angered at the thought of Giles making him leave. Angel stole a glance at Buffy who was smiling as he decided to have a little fun with Giles. So Angel put on his game face and just glared at him. He had forgotten all about the doctor until he heard him gasp in fear.

Angel morphed back into his human form and looked to Buffy for help.

Angel, how many times must I tell you not to do that in public? asked Buffy, who was quite amused. However, Giles was not, and neither was the doctor.

Ah, Ms. Summers, I think that I will, ah leave you alone.

No, its alright. Ill scold Angel when I get out of this bed. Angel heard this and bent down to whisper, I hope you do. Buffy just looked into his sparkling eyes.

Giles cleared his throat and looked impatient. Angel, I am not a patient man when it comes to the undead. Lets go! Angel just looked at Giles and growled. At that moment, the doctor made a mad dash for the door, which left a very mad Giles.

Angel, if you werent already dead- but he didnt finish, just stormed out leaving Angel laughing.

You really shouldnt do that, you know.

I just like to see Mr. Giles get his feathers all ruffled up. He said with a smile. Then his expression changed and held Buffy closer. He laid his chin on the top of Buffys head and softly whispered,  Buffy, what happened? Why couldnt you take those clowns? concern written in his voice.

I dont know, that is what bothers me. Said Buffy as she tried to get free of Angels grasp. Angel knew what she was doing and held her tighter, making her admit defeat. I was walking through the graveyard when I heard someone call my name. I started to get dizzy. Then a song evaded my thoughts until I could barely remember who I was. Two vampires jumped out of nowhere. I started to fight, but I barely had enough energy to keep my eyes open. I heard that voice again, calling to me, taunting me. By this time, Buffy was close to tears. She didnt want to remember any of this.

What did the voice say? When Buffy didnt answer, he held her closer, Buffy, please. This is important. What did it say?

It said that my timemy time was running out. And that there was nothing that.that you could dotosave me. The dam holding back the tears broke as they started to cascade down her face. Angel, I feel so helpless.

Shhh, its going to be okay. First, did he call you a name that might stick with you? Did you call you anything to do with royalty? he asked in a worried voice.

Yeah, he called me something likedark princess. With those two words, Angels body went ridged, as his mind started to swear. Why? Whats wrong?

Nothing. Dont worry about it. Just sleep.

Dont leave, please? Buffy asked in a small voice that reflected how vunarable she was.

Im not going anywhere. He reassured her as she snuggled in his arms. Soon her breathing became long and steady. Angel looked down and gently got off the bed. Buffy was in trouble, and this time, Angel didnt know if he would be there to save her. Angel stood, just staring at her, memorizing every detail of her face. Little did they know, they were being watched.

Rest now, my child. Enjoy these few moments with Angel. Be aware, your time end.

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