Yellow Skies
By:Isis
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, or anything related to, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon and ME do.
Summary: Takes place after As You Were. Spike leaves town so that Buffy can sort out her feeling. Thing is, you know Spike; he can't stay away from Buffy long. He comes back to town, only to find out that she and Dawn are missing. This all leads up to S/B getting back together- Spuffy will take place, I promise.
This is a S/B centered story, but other characters are also involved.
Rated: PG-13
Author's Note: I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Thanks to my beta, MadRog, as always. She's what keeps me going... and I know she'd kick me in the ass if I looked back... so I don't dare:) And also thanks to Barry for the help he has put into our new site. (I will do a shameless plug of our site at the end of this chapter)
Reviews: I've been getting lots of positive feedback, so thanks to all that took time to do so. Want to give a shout out to Meri- since she has stuck by me since the beginning.
Email: isis_fanfic@hotmail.com
Distribution: Yes, but only if you ask first, and let me know where it's going.
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Chapter 8
On the Edge of Love
For the fifth time in two hours, Spike held onto Buffy as she threw up into a bucket by her bed. At first she tried to shoo him away, but he would have none of it, and she didn't have the strength to argue. He knew she hated being so helpless and was probably on the edge of resenting the fact he was around to see it. When Buffy didn't have control of a situation, he knew her hard side was usually going to come shining through, with all the nosebleeds and bruises that come along with it. But this time it was different; though her eyes warned him not to pity her, she had let herself relax in his embrace as he gave her some sips of water during the quiet times. Sure, he loved her strong side, but he knew he wouldn't mind getting some snippets of this more vulnerable, I'm-just-a-child-in-your-arms side, more often.
The lack of sleep was getting to the both of them, and Spike knew he couldn't watch her go through this much longer. Buffy was just about asleep, her head half- resting on her pillow, half on the side of his arm. He hated to wake her, but he knew it wouldn't last long anyway. Not at the rate things had been going.
After gently moving away, Spike went downstairs to call Xander to fill him in on Buffy's condition, and that he was bringing her to the hospital. Then he went to wake up the girls to tell them, also. Tara offered to drive them, but Spike informed her that Xander was already on his way, and just to meet them there later with some of Buffy's stuff. That done, he went back to Buffy.
He wiped some wet strands of hair from her forehead. "Buffy...Luv," he whispered as he maneuvered his arms under her. She woke up, an alarmed look about her as she realized her body was being lifted. "Shhh...gonna take you to the hospital, pet."
Buffy struggled against his hold on her, but soon realized it was useless. It was quite pathetic, he thought, compared to what she was usually capable of. By now he was already descending the stairs, and she was back in relax mode. Her voice was soft and distant, "I want to stay home. I hate hospitals."
"I know," he said, as the possible reason why crossed his mind.
Xander was already waiting in the car by the time Spike made it out the door. After they settled into the back seat, Xander said hi, and then drove them off toward the hospital. Buffy rested her head against Spike's shoulder. He grabbed her hand to reassure her, but he wasn't quite sure which one of them needed it more.
****
After a long wait in the waiting room, and one nurse scared out of her white tights by threatening-Spike, Buffy finally had been escorted to a room. Spike paced outside the door, and Xander left to go back to the Summer's house to get the girls, then pick up Anya.
Spike was hungry, he hadn't had any blood for hours, and he was starting to feel a little queasy. The thought crossed his mind that he was in the perfect place to get a meal, but he didn't dare leave. Once again, he looked up at the clock. Ten minutes had passed. "What the hell is taking so long?" Spike said out loud, agitated. Just then a nurse came up to the door with a wheelchair, and Buffy was led out the door, and into the chair. Spike looked at Buffy, who was hugging herself, and looking at him though half closed eyelids. Her breathing seemed to have increased, and this worried him. The doctor nodded to the nurse, then turned his attention to Spike, who was watching the Slayer be wheeled away. Not wanting the girl out of his sight, he started after her, but the doctor grabbed his arm.
"We are taking her to her own room. She's seriously ill; it's a good thing you brought her in." The doctor took a clipboard from under his arm. "I'm doctor Garrison," he said as he shook Spike's hand. "So, do you know what happened? She wasn't up to talking...are you related?"
Spike hesitated. Doctors, so damn nosey... "Ahhh...not related, just friends. Found her that way."
"Do you know how she got the puncture wound on her neck? She said something about the sewers."
"All I know is her little sis was missing, so she went looking for her."
"In the sewers?" Dr. Garrison cocked his head.
"Look mate, does it matter? She needs your attention, doesn't she?"
"Yes," he said, as he turned on his heel. "I'll keep you informed."
Spike followed him."Oh no, I'm coming along."
Dr. Garrison stopped walking. "Right now, we are doing some blood work...once she is settled, I'll come get you."
Spike decided against throwing the git into the wall, although his nerves were quite on edge. "Fine then. But make it snappy, a bloke can stand the smell of bleach and death only for so long." Spike wondered when the smell of death started to become unappealing to him. He puffed up his chest a bit. 'Only cause I'm not the one that caused it.' he thought, but not as convinced by his words as ought be. He left to go find some blood.
****
Spike watched as the others petted and talked softly to Buffy, but he could tell she just wanted sleep. He figured this past half an hour was enough merriment and sympathetic words she needed for a while, and decided to rally them out the door. But then Dr. Garrison stepped into the room, and they all quieted down to see what he had to say. Willow moved out of the way so he could be close to Buffy as he filled them all in.
"Miss Summers, are you feeling a little more comfortable?"
Buffy slightly shook her head, but didn't open her eyes much. The doctor patted her hand and then half-sat on the edge of her bed. "Ok, earlier we took a culture, from your neck wound...do you remember that?" Buffy shook her head yes, as she let her fingertips graze the gauze pad that now covered it.
"Yes, well it is a puncture wound, and it was quite deep. Although it probably didn't bleed much, it still can cause risk of infection. That is why I was concerned by the looks of it when you came in. I could tell it was an abscess, which is characterized by pus and swelling, both of which you have. Also, the red line that was extending from it is a sign of blood poisoning." Dr. Garrison referred back to the papers in his hand, and then continued after a moment of study. "Your blood has been checked for bacteria, and blood gas levels. The tests indicate that you do have blood poisoning, or septicemia. A form of staph infection."
Buffy opened her eyes a bit more, and Spike could tell she was trying to grasp every word he said. "Septicemia is almost always a complication of an infection and occurs when bacteria escapes form the primary site and enters the bloodstream. You see, the bacteria that caused the infection, and endotoxins released by your immune system to battle those bacteria, can impede the blood flow to your body tissues. This causes high fever, chills, headache, nausea and rapid breathing, all of which you have been experiencing. If the bacteria continues to multiply without being stopped by your immune system or medical attention, you run the risk of septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition." Dr. Garrison's face softened as he gently touched Buffy's shoulder. "Don't worry. I think if you had waited any longer, the chances of you developing septic shock would be more possible, but it looks like your friend here brought you here just in time." With a wave of his hand he indicated to Spike, who was more filled with worry to let any self-pride develop.
Dr. Garrison got up as a nurse came in, but continued, "Here's the problem. You have a drug-resistant strain of staff - which unfortunately is becoming more common. While the resistant-strains themselves do not cause any different or worse infections, than non-resistant strains, they can be much harder to treat because the most common and easiest to use antibiotics may not be effective. So, you will need to stay here for a while to receive your antibiotic through IV." As he said this, the nurse was getting the IV bad ready. "Actually, you are also dehydrated, so we will be giving you an IV for that also. I will be back tomorrow to check in on you."
Buffy tried to sit up more. "I'm fine. Really, I swear I feel much better already."
Spike stood up from his resting place against the wall, and walked over toward Buffy more. "Do as the doc says, Pet."
Buffy widened her eyes at him and pressed her lips together. "Really, Spike, I'm fine."
Xander shook Dr. Garrison's hand and said thanks, before the doctor left. Then he went to Buffy and told her that they'd all be there for her.
Buffy hunkered back down under the covers. "You guys know I'll heal fast."
Tara rubbed one of Buffy's upper arms. "Buffy, we know that, but it's best that you came here. Some things you just can't do alone. Now that they've got you started on your meds, you probably won't have to stay long. But give it some time."
Buffy was quiet for a while, then nodded her "ok".
Dawn put a fast food bag by the bed. "I brought this, probably kinda cold by now though. Sorry." She leaned over and hugged her sister.
Buffy took a sip of water, and then looked at everyone with a sorry expression. "I'm really tired, guys. I don't think I can fight it much longer. I think they gave me something earlier that made me even more drowsy then I already was."
Tara nodded her head, as if to tell the others to get going. "It's ok, we understand. Heck, that is why you are here, to rest and heal. Your body is fighting an infection, and you will probably be feeling tired for a while. We'll keep in contact with you and never far away."
Buffy squeezed her hand. "Thanks."
They all headed out, but Spike lingered behind. "What do you want me to do? Stay or not, either way, I'm not going past the waiting room."
Buffy couldn't help but smirk at his hardheaded ways. "Why does that not surprise me?" Then she scowled at him, "And why didn't you stick on my side of the whole "I'm fine and will go home today" plan?"
Spike opened up the bag of food and picked out a few French fries. "Hmm, grease for the sick lady."
"Spike."
Spike looked up. "Just want you to be safe. And after seeing what you went through at home, forget that idea of yours. Just stay here and be a good girl." He started munching on the fries. "Do you mind?" Spike asked.
"Ahhh..no. Not hungry."
Spike chuckled and pointed a fry at her, before popping it back into his mouth. "Don't waste away, Slayer, or I won't have anyone around to beat me up."
Buffy didn't feel so great thinking about beating up Spike, once again. She knew he was joking, but she also knew there was a serious side to the comment. Buffy knew she had hurt him...and that hurt her. She never denied that, not to herself anyway, she just didn't know exactly why she felt that way.
Spike pulled a chair up by her bed, and she looked over at him as he fell in to it. He settled into his usual sitting position- very relaxed and looking like he couldn't care less about what was going on around him. But she knew this wasn't true, he cared very much. Her gaze found his blue eyes studying the room a bit, before settling onto her face. Not caring if he noticed, her eyes followed his lean, muscular arms all the way to his hands. Hands that had touched her...and they were now resting by his... "Mmm." Buffy looked up, started by her own sound. 'Oh my God, I can't believe I just did that,' she thought to herself. Spike's face was serious, and his eyes were still locked on her. She saw his mouth twitching, like he was about to say something, so she figured she better change the subject.
"Spike, thank you."
Spike shook himself out of the stupor he was in. "Huh?"
"For saving us...how did you find us?"
"Xander helped."
Buffy's eyebrows went up. "You two?"
Spike stood up and then sat on her bed. "Yes. Actually, the whelp isn't that bad. Think I may give him a chance after all." Spike's face got serious again. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to be inviting him over to watch the telly, or go out for drinks."
Buffy, patted his hand. "I don't think he'll be too upset over that." She tried not to notice her touch made him uneasy. "Spike, thank you for taking care of me." There was so much she wanted to say, but she didn't know how. All the feelings she had developed for him over the last few years were still there- some had faded, some had grown stronger and some were slowly becoming more clear and recognizable...still, she was confused. The last couple of weeks had opened her eyes to some of the "unknowns" that floated around in her heart. The best thing she could do, she had decided, was try to let go of her over- analyzing mind, and let her heart have it's own free-will. "Looking back, I don't know what I would have done without you. And I don't mean just these last couple of days, either. I can always count on you."
Spike looked down at her hand that was still on his. "Buffy.." his voice caught in his throat. "I..I'll do anything for you."
Buffy looked him strait in the eye. "Just be yourself. I like you."
Spike figured it was her fever talking. "Pet, you need rest." He grabbed his coat and pulled out his cigarettes. "I'm going for a quick walk, but I'll be back soon. Probably catch up on some sleep, myself."
"You could go back to your place, if you want."
Spike pulled his coat on. "And what do you think, luv?"
"I think I'm going to wake up and find you still here."
"Always..." He gently touched her face. A nurse came in to take Buffy's blood pressure. "I'll be back in a bit, luv. Rest up."
****
Spike finished his fag, and then picked up the receiver of the payphone, just outside the hospital's main entrance. It rang on the other end a couple of times before he heard Willow's voice. "Hey Willow, it's Spike...Yes, Buffy is fine, just resting...I have something I want to ask you though."