Chapter 2-

Earlier in the day, Buffy had been rushed into the ER and assessed quickly before heading to the OR. She had internal bleeding. It took an hour to get the bleeding under control. After the operation, they wheeled Buffy to ICU, where they’d added casts to her right arm, left knee and right leg.

Riley had been notified through his offices, but he was in court all day long and wasn’t available. When he finally did get the messages, he just went home; waiting for any updates the hospital may be able to give him.

Joyce and Hank were out of the country and didn’t leave an address or phone number of where they would be staying at. Her best friend Willow had rushed to the hospital as soon as she heard about Buffy’s accident. She waited in the waiting room patiently and ever so often she’d curse Riley for not show up.

As Buffy lay in the bed, she had been hooked up to various machines and had tubes coming out of her arms and nose. The nurses checked on Buffy all through out the day, but hadn’t noticed that blood had seeped through the bandages at her stomach. Winifred Burkle called the doctor immediately when she noticed the blood on the bandage, seeping through.

Dr. Giles assessed wound and then called for an OR immediately. It didn’t look like Ms. Summers was going to make it.

“Someone needs to let Ms Rosenberg know what’s happening,” Dr. Giles stated before leaving for the OR.

Fred headed down the hallway. The wallpaper was cheery with pink and blue flowers, but this nurse didn’t feel cheery. She felt horrible for delivering bad news. Making a right, Fred walked into the waiting room. A red head was sitting all by her self, reading a magazine that was three months to old.

“Ms. Rosenberg?” Fred asked, stopping in front of the woman.

Willow looked up and set the magazine beside her. “How’s Buffy?” She stood up a few moments later.

“Please, sit.” Said Fred, sitting down and Willow followed a few moments later. “There was a bit of a complication and Ms. Summers is back in OR.”

”Oh dear goddess,” Willow placed her hand on her mouth, stifling a cry. “Is…is she gonna be all right?”

“We won’t know until the surgery is over,” Fred placed a hand on Willow’s hand. “I’ll let you know what happens.”

“Thank you!”

Fred rose to her feet, heading out of the waiting room. She went back down to the nurse’s station and waited to hear any news on the young woman.

“Oh Goddess, please help her through this,” whispered Willow.

***

William had walked aimlessly through the hospital before heading back to his room. He had a dull ache in his head, but ignored as he walked back into his room. His sister was awake and not in a happy mood by the look on her face.

“William, where have you been?” She asked, concerned.

God love her, he thought with a smirk. Sometimes his sister was way too protective of him. And hey, when did that happen. I’m the big brother in this scenario.

“Geez mom, I just went for a walk,” he said, walking towards her. “Tara,” William began seriously as he stopped in front of her, and held her hands out front of them. “I’m 28. I don’t need my sister treating me like I’m 10.”

Smiling up at her brother, she relented. “I’m sorry. It’s just that ever since mom died…” She trailed off, a tear glistening in her eye. “Well, I just worry about you, that’s all.”

When the McClay’s moved to Sunnydale, Anne, their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. It had spread through out their body and there wasn’t a thing the doctors could do. Two months later, Anne had quietly slipped away in her sleep. Michael had left his children in the care of his sister Molly and her husband Liam. They had already had a son named Angel, about Will’s age. Michael went back to England and they never heard from him since.

Since living in the US, William kept his English accent to remind him of his mother but Tara lost hers over time. People never really believed she was from England.

“It’s ok Tara,” he pulled her into an embrace. “I’ll be fine. I go home tomorrow.”

She pulled back, “I’m still going to worry about ya know.”

“I know.”

“All right, now get back into bed. Now scoot.” She stepped aside, and smacked him the ass.

Rolling his eyes, he complied, getting back into bed. She pulled the covers over him, and then sat back down. Buffy was never far from his mind. To take his mind off of her, he picked up a book and began to read it.

Chapter 3-

The next few days were touch and go for Buffy. She had to have one more surgery to stop the bleeding, but for the most part she was going to be ok. Everyone was just waiting for her to wake up.

William had gone home the next day, but after work, he made it a point to check on Buffy; however, the nurse he’d asked before, wouldn’t give him anymore information. Even with him being an firement/EMT, he still couldn’t get the information her. He was determined to be by her side no matter what.

Riley was to busy with his current case, but he’d never once shown up. He had his secretary check up on her when he thought of it. Hank and Joyce still were unreachable, but Willow tried every chance see got, when she wasn’t with Buffy.

***

After William’s shift at one thirty in the morning, he went back to the hospital in hopes to see Buffy, but he was directed to Willow, who was in the cafeteria getting coffee. He headed down to the cafeteria shortly there after.

As he walked in, he noticed a mousey red head sitting in the corner drinking her coffee. He didn’t move, he just watched her for a moment, giving her the privacy she needed. When he was standing there, he observed her very carefully. She wore her long red hair in pony tail, and jean overalls with a sweatshirt over them. Her eyes were red and swollen from all the crying she had been doing.

The cafeteria looked like any other. As you walked in, the dinning area was right there as you walked in, and off to the left the food dispensing area. The walls were decorated with various prints of famous paintings, making it a neutral environment.

Standing there for a moment, William sighed. He didn’t want to intrude, but he had to know. He knew she wasn’t dead. It was something that he felt strongly about.

As he got closer to the young woman, she looked up as she took a drink of coffee, watching him walk closer to her, and then he finally stopped next to the table.

“Yes?” She asked and curiously looked over his attire. She suddenly got a worried expression on her face and she thought something was seriously wrong. “What is it?”

Looking down, William realized why she was worried. “Oh! This?” He pointed to his jacket. “I am an FIREMENT/EMT, but off duty now.”

She relaxed a bit as she sighed in relief. She just couldn’t deal with something else right now. One trauma was enough.

“Are you Ms Rosenberg?”

“Yes I am.”

“May I?” He gestured to the unoccupied seat a crossed from the red head.

“Yes, please, sit.” She gestured for him to sit. “What can I do for you?”

Suddenly William felt shy and couldn’t find the words he was looking for. Willow smiled at him as if encouragement for him to continue.

“I’m…I’m William McClay.”

It didn’t seem to register with Willow as to who this man was.

William continued, “I’m the one that pulled Ms. Summers out of the wreckage.”

“Oh…Oh William, I am so grateful that you saved my friend. Thank you!” She reached a crossed the table and took William’s hand into hers. “Thank you!”

Bashful, William smiled brightly. He was happy to see that she was happy, especially with the circumstances as they were.

“I was…wondering if…you could give me an update on her. I’d really like to know,” thought William, still holding Willow’s hand.

“She’s holding her own,” began Willow delicately. “She went to surgery yesterday to contain the bleeding, and all we’re waiting for is for her to wake up.”

As William listened, he shook his head, acknowledging what she said. “Is there anyway…Can I see her. I just have to know she’s ok.”

Willow slid out of the booth and stood up in front of William, arms outstretch. “Come on, I’ll take you.”

William took her hands and let her lead him to the floor Buffy was on and into her room. Buffy lay quietly on the bed, with tubes still sticking out of her. When he saw that, he stopped, gripping Willow’s hand tightly.

“It’s ok,” She urged him to go sit next to Buffy.

As he released Willow’s hand, William hoped that by him being here, she’d miraculously wake up, but he knew that it wasn’t possible. She’d wake up when she was ready. Willow left, giving him a few minutes before any nurses might happen by.

William crossed to Buffy’s bed, and pulled up a chair next to her being quiet as he can. The woman in the next bed was sleeping.

“Hi Buffy,” William said a few moments later as he took her hands in his. “I’m William. I…I saved you. I just wanted to make you were ok.” He didn’t know exactly what to say now and he noticed book laying on the nightstand beside the bed and picked it up. “Guess Willow’s been reading this to you.” He opened the book to the page that was marked and he began to read.

Half hour later his cell phone vibrated. William set the book down and answered his phone.

“Hullo,” he answered.

The lady on the other side of the curtain was getting restless.

“What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?” The raven haired woman pulled the curtain back. “Can’t you see that I’m resting?”

Drusilla Wolfram had a breast enlargement, but something went wrong with the procedure and it landed her in the hospital. The doctors wouldn’t say how extensive the surgery was going to be. She wasn’t in happiest moods at all, especially since she didn’t have a private room. Anyone who got in her way, well, they wouldn’t see tomorrow.

As William took one look at her, he could tell she was very beautiful, but he certainly wouldn’t want to be married to her. If she was that cold and icy to a stranger, just think how she’d be to her family.

“What?” She snapped.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to stay, but you’re…” William trailed off as a man walked in the room. He was dressed in designer black suit and had briefcase in hand.

“Hello honey,” Parker Wolfram said as he kissed his wife on the cheek. “Sorry about the room not being so private, but they assured me you wouldn’t be disturbed.” He took a seat beside his wife. She instantly calmed down.

“How’s Conner?” She asked softly.

William turned back towards Buffy and then he heard the irritating voice of his fiancé.

“WILLIAM!” Harmony Kendall yelled into the phone.

Rolling his eyes, William answered, “I’m at the hospital, so keep it down.”

William had dated Harmony on and off for a few years, until he’d popped the question a few months before. Ever since then, he was beginning to regret it. She’d been on him for every little thing, but he had to think about his seven year old daughter.

Harmony never wanted kids, and arranged for Dawn to attend private school. When William found out, he wasn’t too happy, but agreed to discuss things after they were married. He did that in hopes Harmony would drop it, but she brought it up every chance she got.

Amy, William’s first wife, died in a fire shortly after Dawn was born. Shortly after that, he became a firefighter.

She sighed exasperated. “Whatever!”

He rolled his eyes once again. “What do you want?” He asked through clenched teeth. “Forget that question, why the hell are you calling me this late?”

Her voice softened and she said, “I missed you my Blondie bear.”

Ignoring her, he continued, “How’s Dawn?”

“I don’t know. She’s with Tara.”

He hated himself for letting that woman into his life and looked down at Buffy. He wished she was in his life instead of Harmony.

“Well, I’ll see you later.” He flipped the phone shut and hooked it back to his pants.

Sighing, he picked up the book and began reading softly once again.

***

Buffy was now standing in a long white hallway. She looked from left to right, but there were no doors. And as she stood there, she could hear someone speaking of into the distance. It was voice she’d heard before, but she didn’t recognize who it belonged to.

She began to move towards it, it seemed farther away. And no matter what she did to get closer, it just got farther away.

“Hmm,” Buffy stopped, placing her hands on her hips. “Where am I?” She looked around once again. Then she looked down the hall away. She saw a blonde haired man sitting next to something, reading a book. It was still fuzzy to her. She headed towards it once again and as she did, she reached out, grabbing a hold of him.

Chapter 4-

William stopped reading the passage and looked down as he saw a petite hand holding on to him. He then looked up into Buffy eyes as they began to flutter open.

It took Buffy several moments to focus her eyes and adjust to the lighting. As she began to look around, William couldn’t help but stare into her beautiful emerald green eyes. When Buffy didn’t recognize her surroundings, she started to panic as the tears began to fall.

“It’s ok, love. Calm down.”

As she looked up at him, her dream instantly returned and Buffy felt comforted by him, and so she began to calm down.

”It’s ok. Let me go get Willow. I’ll be right back.” He rose to his feet, but she didn’t want him to leave and she grabbed a hold of his arm again. She was saying please stay with her eyes. “I’ll be right back.” He smiled at her and she let go, watching him leave the room.

First he headed down to the nurses stations, alerting Fred that Buffy was awake. She called Dr. Giles as William headed to the waiting room, where he thought Willow would have been.

When he walked in, she knew something was up. She stood up, and walked over to William and they both stopped in the middle of the room.

“What is it?”

“Buffy.”

“What’s wrong?” She asked, suddenly feeling lightheaded. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing her best friend.

“Nothing’s wrong. She woke up!” William smiled brightly.

Willow didn’t have words for what she was feeling, and tears began to spill over. She was so happy that Buffy finally woke up. She didn’t want think of what her life would be like without her. William wrapped Willow in his arms and let her cry. A few moments later, she stepped back and smiled sweetly at him as a thank you for giving her that moment. A moment she needed more than she as willing to admit.

“Let’s go!” She told him as they headed back down to Buffy’s room.

By the time they walked in, the doctor had been examining Buffy and was just about to take the tubs out. Willow and William stood back, waiting for the doctor and nurses to finish.

After the doctor and nurses cleared out, William and Willow went to Buffy. She tried to speak, but found it hard to.

“Don’t try to speak right away. The tubes just irritated your throat,” explained Spike, helpfully as he took a seat at the other side of the bed just as Willow sat down.

“Here,” Willow grabbed a pad and pen that had been sitting on the night stand and handed it over to Buffy.

‘What happened?” Buffy wrote on the pad.

“You don’t remember?” Willow asked, worriedly.

Shaking her head, Buffy wrote ‘no’.

“That’s ok. Its common thing to have happen,” William explained once again. “It’s one of those things where it may return or may not return.”

Buffy’s next question was to William and she turned towards him. ‘Who are you?’

“Oh,” William started surprised. He hadn’t been expecting her to not remember him. “I’m William McClay. I was the one…” He paused a moment choosing his words carefully. “I helped you.” Was the only thing he could think of and Buffy accepted the answer to that.

Buffy turned towards Willow, and wrote down on her pad, ‘Where’s Riley?’

Willow shrugged. “I’m not sure. Do you want me to call him?”

Shaking her head yes, Buffy wrote yes on her pad.

“S’pose that’s my cue to leave,” William rose from his seat and again Buffy stopped him.

“No, don’t go,” she said slowly in a horsed voice.

Nothing more was said at that moment between William and Buffy. They didn’t need words. Their eyes were conveying exactly what they were feeling. Willow noticed right away and smiled happily, and then excused herself, telling them she was going to make a call to Riley. As soon as Willow broke the connection, William looked away shyly, placing his hands in his pockets, feeling more nervous than ever.

Buffy, of course, was confused. She didn’t know how she felt about this man, and then there was Riley. How did she feel about him now?? She couldn’t answer those questions right now and she pushed them away, concentrating on something else.

“Um, you get some rest now,” William looked down at his watch. “It’s getting late and I should probably be going. You’ll want to spend some time with Riley when he gets here.”

Buffy shook her head yes, and replied, “I suppose you’re right.” She pulled the blankets closer to her.

“I’ll be seein’ ya then,” William flashed her, his pertinent smile, excused himself and left.

Buffy didn’t know if or even ever if she’d be seeing that man again, but she’d like to.

Willow returned a few moments later and saw that William had gone.

“Where’s William?” Willow asked, perkily.

Buffy picked up her pad and wrote, ‘He left.’ She looked up at Willow with sad eyes.

Feeling bad for her friend, Willow smiled weakly. “I called Riley. He should be here soon.”

Buffy mouthed ‘O’.

****

Half hour later, Riley arrived when Buffy was asleep. He’d sat by her bedside and relieved Willow. Told her to go home and get some rest, which of course she did.

As Riley waited and waited until he’d gotten bored. After awhile, he began snoring and it woke up Buffy. She lightly shook Riley awake.

“Hi,” he said, opening his eyes. “Feeling any better?”

She shook her head no.

“Well, I’m gonna see about getting you home, ok?”

“Ok,” she said in soft whisper.

He stood up, kissed her on the forehead, and left her side. A little while later, Riley had her release forms, and he and Buffy went home.

William watched from afar as Riley helped Buffy into the car and drove away. He’d never felt so alone in all his life.

TBC...