Chapter Two Willow cringed as she watched the doctor thread the needle he was going to use to stitch her up. Oh Goddess how she hated needles. They only brought pain. �It helps if you look away.� The doctor said. Willow bit her lip and obeyed. Tears welled in her eyes, and she felt like such a loser for crying. She had faced the end of the world how many times? Never had she shed a tear while in battle. Maybe afterwards she�d crawl into bed, pulling the covers over head, and have herself a good cry. But that was different. That was releasing pent up emotions. This was plan and simply acting like a baby. She wished that Xander were here so he could make her laugh. Or Giles, who would give her Fatherly, concern. But Angel and Cordelia were out in the hall, two people Willow hadn�t seen in over a year, and she would feel uncomfortable having them see her like this. So much had happened since the two had left Sunnydale. And Willow still harbored some resentment towards Angel for not saying goodbye. She knew she was being silly, but he had really hurt her feelings. She had considered him a close friend, had risked her life restoring his soul, *and* saving him from hell. He may not know it was her that helped him escape, but still there had been the whole soul thing. Even without that, all that they had experienced together should have accounted for something...right? Sure she wasn�t the love of his unlife, but she had been his friend, something she took seriously. And Cordelia was another story. While Willow may trust her life in the other girl�s hands, she really didn�t know Cordelia all that well. She knew the superficial side of the brunette that she used like shield. She knew of the girl who loved Xander in her own odd way. That Cordelia was capable of showing strength when least expected. But Willow could never honestly say she *knew* Cordelia. �All done.� The doctor was taking off his protective glove and gave his patient a caring smile. �Now I want you to stay off that leg and get some rest. The directions for your medications are in the bag. I want you here in two weeks for me to check on the stitches.� Willow looked down at her leg and sucked in a deep breath. There had to be at least fifty stitches keeping her skin held together. The area around her skin was red and inflamed. It sure wasn�t a pretty sight, but considering all the fights she had lived through she was lucky this was the first time she had ever been truly injured. When blood was involved. �I�ll tell your friends that it�s okay to come in.� With that the doctor was gone and Willow sat on the narrow hospital bed, waiting for Angel and Cordelia to join her. The brunette was the first to appear, knocking softly on the door. Willow put on a brave face and welcomed her in. Angel followed, looking a little uncomfortable. �How are you feeling?� Cordelia asked walking hesitantly to her bedside. �A little tired, I think it�s because of the drugs.� Willow squirmed under their stares. �We talked to Giles. He thinks its best if you stay here for a few days until you can get around.� Angel took a seat in a chair furthest from her bed. �I can�t! I�m needed there. We have to stop Glory; I can�t be here and do that.� Willow sat a little straighter, making her head swim in dizziness. �Willow you can�t help in your condition.� Cordelia looked at Angel for assistance. �This is nothing. You should�ve seen Spike after what Glory did to him. I�m needed there; I will not abandon my friends.� Willow edged herself to the side of the bed, and was ready to haul herself off. �Willow you can�t walk, you�ll tear open your stitches.� Angel stood and blocked her escape. Stinging words were on her lips. Words that if spoken would put a wedge further between herself and her old friends. Instead Willow sat back, defeated. ********************************************** �So Wesley you�re what again.� Xander asked a smile on his lips. �A rogue demon hunter.� Xander started to laugh, but Gunn�s glare cut off his mockery. �What do you find so funny?� Gunn turned in his seat to get a better look at the annoying guy that sat in the backseat. �From what I remember of Wesley he couldn�t last a fight for more than a minute before he ended up on his ass. Just the thought of him as a Rogue Demon whicha-ma-call-it is hilarious.� Wesley tightened his hold on the steering wheel a little tighter as they headed for Sunnydale. The car ride had been tense to say the least. Gunn and Xander took an immediate dislike to one another, and wouldn�t stop taunting one another. When the annoying youth wasn�t insulting Gunn, he was verbally attacking Wesley. The ex-watcher had always thought Xander was annoying during his brief stay in Sunnydale, but at the moment he was one hundred times worse. Not to mention Xander looked different than he had just a year or so ago. He looked worn down; his eyes had dark circles around them. He looked like he had been to hell and back. The rational side of Wesley�s mind was telling him that Xander�s induced obnoxious behavior had something to do with this Glory person. �Xander why don�t you tell me what�s going on in Sunnydale.� The young man in the backseat fell silent for a moment. �Death... We�re up against a God. She�s unstoppable. I mean you should have seen Spike...� Xander looked out the window and fell silent again. �What do you mean a God?� Gunn asked in alarm. �She�s a God. She�s scary. She looks human, so it�s not like she has to stay dormant all day. She has consistently kicked Buffy�s ass. Not even Spike can stand up to her. Willow�s tried a few spells and they do no good. We�re all going to die trying to stop her.� His words were whispered, and gave the other two men goose bumps. �The book is our last option.� ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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