The rain poured down in buckets, soaking him from head to toe as he hurried toward his crypt. "Bloody damn Slayer." He muttered. "Get your own umbrella sometime...." He scurried inside the stone structure and shut the door tightly behind him. "Always pickin' on me... stupid bint..." He sighed, knowing that he'd have given it to her anyway. He pulled off his wet clothing and changed into something dryer. "One of these days, I'll get the bloody chip out, and then we'll see." See what? he wondered. More of me tagging along like a puppy behind her? Angrily, he slumped into a chair and turned on the tv. It was then he realized that he'd missed Passions too. "Oh hell...."

Buffy hurried inside her house shutting the door behind her after shaking Spike's umbrella dry. She called out from the hallway while looking through a stack of todays mail that lay on the table." Mom I'm home" When there was no answer she walked into the kitchen searching for Joyce. " Mom?" Joyce looked up from the papers she as pouring over. " Oh hi honey. I didn't hear you come in." She evaluated her daughter and added the rain factor. " You're awfully dry for a night of slaying in the rain." Buffy jumped up on the kitchen stool and absentmindedly said "Spike just happened to have an umbrella. He lent it to me" Joyce gave her a knowing smile " And how many times have you ever seen Spike carry an umbrella?" Buffy thought "Well never. But then you never can predict what Spike is up to. Anyhow I don't want to talk about Spike anymore, what are those?" She ask trying to sneek a peek.

Joyce sighed " Just work. I really should have left it there." Buffy nodded in agreement. "Work is work and home is home. You shouldn't confuse the two." " you're right honey." She replied folding them up and stuffing them in a briefcase. " Why don't you run upstairs and get Dawn, we can make popcorn and pop in a movie?" Buffy got down off her stool and shook her head " Sounds great. I need a diversion from tonights adventures. Not that they were dangerous, they were boring, very boring which is uh why I have to get my mind off of it." Buffy tried to reassure her very worried mother.

She also tried to reason in her mind why Spike even cared if she got wet or not. Even stranger yet was the fact that he had an umbrella at all. She normally saw him just pull the duster up over his head and be on his way.She shook her head free of Spike for the night and got Dawn. A night of family would be a nice change.

There was a knock at the door suddenly. When Buffy opened it, Spike was standing on the doorstep. "Spike! What the hell are you doing here?"

"Uh, I came to talk to Joyce."

"Well too bad, because you can't. Go home." Buffy started to close the door. Spike stopped it with his hand.

"Oh come on. I can't even get into the house. I can't do anything anyhow..."

Joyce heard the commotion and walked into the hallway. "What's going on in here?" She looked at Spike she ask him sweetly "Is there something you need Spike?"

"um, yeah. I missed Passions, and I know that you tape it, and I was wondering if I could borrow your tape. I want to know if Ethan really ended it with Theresa." Joyce'eyes lit up. "You know I haven't watched it yet. I had work to do when I came home. The girls and I were just about to sit down for a movie.You want to join us?" Buffy winces " MOM!! I thought this was a family night?" Dawn appears and smiles " hey Spike!"

"I'd love to join you." grins Spike. "hey Dawn. Been up to no good?" Buffy covers her face with her hands " This is so not happening." Buffy retreats into the living room, plops on the sofa and sulks. Dawn laughs " More no good than you" She teases.

"I should hope not. I can't have a human beating my rep now can I?" Motions over at Buffy with his thumb " whats up big sisters bum?" Dawn sighed " Who knows, shes always like that"

Buffy glares at Dawn. "Traitor." Spike smiles at her. He is shivering a bit. Dawn sticks her tounge out at Buffy. " Well you are." Joyce pops in a tape " girls, try not to fight with a guest in the house" She notices Spike shiver " you alright? You look cold. But then I guess you always are aren' you?"

"Funny" says Spike "we don't shiver..." Buffy's ears perk up. She was trying to block out his voice. " You shivered? Give me a break. Mom, hes probably just faking it.Look!" She points " Movie trailers for *The Man In The Iron Mask." Dawn touched him " He is, Buffy, he really is shivering!"

Buffy reluctantly looks. "Wow! Weird..." Spike is looking confused. "This doesn't make sense..." Joyce is also looking baffled " So this is not normal right?" They all give her the of course not mom look. She puts up her hands in defense. " Hey, I'm just the slayers mom. Not big on knowing all the details here" Buffy asks "Its just nothing, muscle spasms right?" she looks to Spike hopefully for an answer.

"yeah, probably one too many beatings, courtesy of the Slayer." Spike mutters. Buffy frowns " I don't hit you that hard do I?" Dawn nods. " your so mean to him, and all he does is help you."

"yeah, like the time I helped you with the Troga demon, and you STILL kicked my ass." He looks at Joyce. "uh, butt." Joyce laughed " Thats OK Spike." Buffy threw her hands up. "So I need to say I'm sorry because he has a little twitch? He pinched my butt that night. Was I supposed to let him?" She stood hands on her hips staring at them all.

"jeez Buffy, don't have a cow" mutters Dawn.Spike laughed and imitated Dawn "yea slayer, don't have a cow. Lets just watch the bloody movie, I'm sure its nothing"

Buffy grumbles and sits down, glaring at him. Spike and Dawn grin and sit on either side of her, squasing her. Dawn happily says "Buffy sandwich!" Buffy moans "Why aren't I out slaying?" Joyce brings in a tray of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn. " Think you kids can share and not make a mess?" Spike dives for the popcorn, " I love this stuff!" Takes a handfull and sits back down. Dawn laughs. " I thought vampires didn't eat?" With a mouthfull he says " I'm not your average vampire." Buffy rolls her eyes " I'll agree with that one" Sips her own hot chocolate.

Spike gives her an amused look, then returns to his popcorn. Dawn looks over at Joyce " So what movie did we pick tonight mom?" Joyce picks up the cover and reads it..."Its The Mask Of Zorro.I just love Antonio Banderas." Spike moans " Oh not you too. What does this guy have that makes women go gaga for?"

"He's the exact opposite of you, that's what." said Buffy meanly. "Thats not very nice Buffy. I'm a guest in your house." Spike teased. Dawn chimed in " Anyhow, he played a vampire once. So hes sorta like Spike"

"That's true." Said Buffy. "Spike pretends to be a vampire too." Spike gave Buffy a hurt look." I do not, I am a bloody vampire Slayer! I don't need this." Spike stands up and throws on his coat "Joyce Dawn, I'll catch you all later." As he heads for the door, Dawn smacks Buffy's arm " Now look what you did!" Dawn and Joyce follow. Joyce looks cross at her oldest daughter " really Buffy, I never knew you were so mean. Spike, heres todays Passions. And yesterday also." He took the tape in one hand, placing it in a hidden pocket in the duster. With one hand on the door knob and the umbrella in the other, he told Joyce " Thanks, I'll bring it back then" Joyce nods. Dawn crosses her arms " This bites!" Buffy looks at Spike. "Something around here has to." Spike glares at her, hurt, then storms out. Joyce gives Buffy a disapointed look. " I know hes a vampire and all but did you have to be so mean to him?" Dawn glares at Buffy " Yea, just cause you don't like him don't mean the rest of us have to."

"Guys, this is Spike. Evil killer. Psychopath." They both roll their eyes and leave Buffy alone in the hallway. Dawn looks back on her " Angel was a killer. He was worse than Spike." then she continued up the stairs.

Spike made his way home, dry this time. Slamming the crypt door he lied to himself he'd swear her off this time. As he sat down to watch his soap, he felt weird. Hungry. Not vampire hungry, mortal hungry. Rumaging through makeshift cubbords found him a bag of Doritos. Sitting down once again he found himself devouring the entire bag. "bloody hell" He looked at the empty bag. "Since when do I eat so much? I swear, it's GOT to be her fault." He sighs. "One of these days she'll drive me completely batty. I'll be just like Dru"

"Willow I'm telling you its just not fair! They all ganged up on me about it. Like Spike was some kind of angel of mercy or something. Its creepy" Willow was on the other end of the phone painting Tara's toe nails a light lavender. With her phone resting between her shoulder and ear she talked to Buffy. " Well, he and your mom do have their soaps in commen. That alone...." Buffy interupted " No, he and my mother can have nothingin commen. He'd kill her the first chance hed get just to spite me." Willow frowned " Not latley. Tara and I really don't mind him at all" The two girls smiled and nodded at each other.Buffy groaned " Not you too! Am I the only one that realizes what he is?" She layed back on her bed in frustration. Willow tried to help." If it helps at all Buffy uh, we can act scared of him for you." Buffy winces " No,That would make me feel worse." She sighed heavy. " "I'm going to get some sleep. See you tomorrow?" Willow was cheery " Yep, bright and early like a rooster. Well maybe not that early." She laughed and the two women hung up.

Buffy lay on her bed, her head giving her a pounding headache." I need some asprin." She got off her bed and headed into the bathroom. "Damn" She muttered. The bottle was empty. After a quick check in the kitchen she gave up and decided to head to the Turkey Hill down the street.

Spike looked frantically for more food. Something, anything. He found an old Hershey bar and smiled fondly " Harmony was good for something." Unwrapping it revealed it had turned white. A sign on old age. " Damn" He muttered. Tossed on his coat and grabbed a few bucks from last nights pants. He also headed out to the local Turkey Hill.

The two of them managed to arrive at the exact same time. Buffy glared at him. "What are you doing here Spike?" She demanded.

He glared back at her. "I was hungry. I came to buy food."

"Vampires don't get hungry for food Spike. Try again."

"It's true! But of course, you'll never believe me.You know Summers,you don't own this whole bloody town. I can shop where ever I want and its none of your buisness!" He stood there staring at her with a daring look in his eyes. Buffy stared back with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed. " Whatever. Just leave me alone, I have a headache." She walked away from him twards the back of the store. Spike grumbled to himself and went to find some food.

Two men enter the mini mart and start collecting armfulls of snacks. They were both wearing ski masks and carrying shotguns. The tall one held it up to the store clerks head and in a gruff voice demanded all the cash in the register. Spike looks at them, then slowly moves between them and Buffy. The younger and much shorter of 2 the men panics at the movement, and shoots him. Spike falls down, clutching his abdomen. He looks up at Buffy " It hurts, more than it should."

Buffy kneels beside him. "Spike... there's too much blood..." She rips off her sweater and presses it to the wound. Her eyes meet his. In that one moment he thought he saw her demeaner twards him change from loathe to love. He reached up with his one unbloodied hand and touched her cheek." I'm sorry" He managed to tell her before he passed out. The tall man again demands money from the clerk. The clerk quickly handed over the money in a small bag and cowered behind the counter. In the distance there was the sound of police. " Alright, everyone just stay put!" The shorter one yelled. They took off out the door.

"Spike... Spike!!! Wake up..." Buffy chokes back a sob. "be ok... I'm sorry I was mean..."

Police and paramedics arrive like a mob inside the tiny store. "Step aside miss." As the paramedics rush over Spike pushing needles in him, pounding on his chest, the cop is questions to anyone that is listening. Buffy stands in shock at what just happened, not hearing the officer at all. Strapped onto a backboard they wheel Spike into the back of the ambulance. Buffy snaps to alertness. "I want to go with him!" They motion her in and take off. Spike lay there eyes closed, looking so peaceful. The medics work on him asking Buffy questions as they drive. " Miss, is he allergic to anything?"

Buffy thought hard, remembering that he had once mentioned that. "P... pennicillan..." She said, weeping. One man jotted stuff down as the other watched the moniters. " We have a flatline,grab the paddles charge to 145 and clear." But his heart is already dead. It has been for over a hundred years She reasoned with them in her head as the worked. The man tried to jumpstart Spikes heart. His body seemed to leap off the table when the electric currant went surging through his body. He places the paddles back to thier place and tells the other tech " We have a pulse. Heart rate is 140bpm" Spikes eyes flutter open and focus on a terrified Buffy. He winks at her as they arrive at the ER entrance. Buffy processes what they said. A pulse? Spike couldn't have a pulse... unless... She looked at him, locking her eyes into his. Hes wheeled into the ER operating room immediatly. A large male nurse named Bubba held her back gently. " You have to wait here, you won't do him any good in there" Buffy faught the man.

"Let me in, right now. I have to see him."

"I'm sorry miss. Family or significant others only." Buffy challenged the man. " How do you know I'm not his significant other? You never asked me. Besides, I'm the only thing he has that resembles family." Using her slayer strenght she shoved the large man aside and made her way inside the operating room. She saw him on a table, the doctors preparing to knock him out. "Sp... William!" A nurse all decked out in blue scrubs came to Buffy's side. " Miss, we are about to start. You need to step outside." She puts a reassuring arm around Buffy's shoulder. " The doctors will take good care of?"the nurse prompted for a name. Thinking society may frown upon his vampire name, she offerd his mortal name. " William" Buffy answered absently. She stared ahead at him,lying there with tubes and breather machines. The blood. There was so much of it all over his stomach. " William then, alright, can you wait outside for me now hun?"

Buffy looked at him. "you'll let me know when he's done here? When you move him to a room" The man nodded. " Certinly. Theres a waiting room across the way and a cafeteria down the hall to your right. You want to keep up your strenght for him."

With one last look at the closed swinging doors, Buffy wandered to the cafeteria. "should I call Giles?" She wondered.

The last thing he saw and heard before he was put under was Buffy.Her eyes, her voice, consuming all of him. Now there was just a bright light. Two oracles stood before him dressed in flowing white robes. Their heads were crowned with golden leaves and they were holding what looked like notepads

One, blonde, looked at the other. "He won't pass the test Sister. You're wrong about this one..." The female one looked cross at her companion. " He will too, just give it a go. I let the demon slide for you last week and he passed." Spike stared at them confused. " What bloody test? Who are you people?"

The two oracles looked at him. "We are your jury. You are on trial." " Trial for what? I've been shot you know, protecting others. Does that help?"

The pair look at each other. "We have to decide if you are worthy to live. To be part of life, and a part of her life." groans " I haven't been alive for over 100yrs. You must have the wrong fella"

They smile a bit. The female steps forward. "But you are now... We have plans for you." He stares at her curiously. " I'm what? alive? Your off your bird!" She smiles.

"Fate has decided to give you another chance at life. But what will you do with that chance?" Spike thinks a moment. I'd like to be a doctor again. Make lots of money, give her a proper home, kids. All the stuff shes scared she can't have."

The glowing being came closer. "Would you rather be a vampire and chip free, or human?" He is quiet. Stares off into space and thinks. What would Buffy want? Shes always yammering about haveing a normal life. He stares at the light. "Make me mortal again." Spike asked quietly.

The oracles looked at one another, then the female approached again. "So shall it be. But you realize that humanity does not guarantee she will love you. Perhaps all you will win is her friendship."

Spike sighed. " A fellas got to try. And if thats all I get, its just better than what I've got now."

The female turned to her companion, exultant. "I told you he'd pass."

The male scowled. "This is only the first test. He'll have others."

The woman smiled and looked at Spike. "I believe in you William. You shall be allowed to live, as a human being. You shall also be given your wish to be a doctor again. But remember, you must lead your life as befits your gift, or it will be revoked. You must earn your mortal life, and banish your demons." She smiled. "No pun intended..." Waving her hand to him then she said "Go back to her now William... go back... and remember to keep this a secret to the mortals William, promise me you will." He nodded and smiled "I will."

Hours later finds Buffy dozing in the waiting room. Her hair is dishevled form running her hands through in waited frustration. A half eaten bag of Cheeoto's lay beside her and Giles wait by her side reading a book about Midevil weapons. Giles loves his toys. A middle aged docter with the first signs of grey peeking throught the bottom of his hospital cap. walked in the waiting room, still covered in dryed blood and wiping his hands dry. He spoke to Giles first, seeing Buffy's eyes shut. Giles looked up from his book and quickly closed it. Stood up and offered his hand " Rupert Giles, how is he?" The docter looked down at Buffy and shook Giles hand back "Dr.Shiffler. Is she his.....?" Giles shook his head. " No, they are merely friends. Hes just very far away from home and we are really his own family." The docter nodded. Buffy awoke to hearing the men talk.

She sprang from her seat trying to look wide eyed and awake. " How is he? Can I see him?" Doctor Shiffler laughed. " Calm down miss, he should be just fine. Hes in the recovery room and you can see him in about an hour. His wound will have serious scarring, there was no other way around that right now. He can undergo sevral corrective surgerys if its a bother to him. His vitals are good though, we have very high hopes for William."

Buffy sighed in relief. "That's great news." She looked at Giles. "Um, can I talk to you in private for a sec?" She dragged him to a corner. "Spike shouldn't HAVE any vitals..." Giles rubs his head " I realise this. And I'm quite concerned about it. Just keep quiet untill we can see him"

Buffy nods. "Ok. But I want answers soon..." Dr.Shiffler leads them to the recovery room where Spike is laying on a portable hospital bed, under a white sheet. His eyes are fighting to open under the effects of anestasia. Focus is diffucult but he can hear just fine.

"Hey it's me, Buffy. Giles is here too..." He tried to focus on her. "Giles came to see me too?" Spike weakly lifts his hand to hold hers, " Thanks for comming"

She looked at his hand for a moment, then holds it. "Well, couldn't miss the chance to see you in a blue paper gown." She looked at him. "Spike, what's going on? It's almost like... almost like you're alive." Spike's free hand went to his chest. For the first time in years, he felt a heartbeat. Their eyes locked at the realization. Giles gasped. "Oh dear heavens, is it possible?"

"No way! There's no way!" Spike felt scared. He was not used to fear. People feared him, he didn't fear people and certinly not his emotions. They came back in a rush now. He was fearing he'd made a horrid mistake and this was going to be more painfull than he imagined. This is what she wanted. A mortal to love her. Please let her be happy "Buffy your angry aren't you? I...I..." He stammered. His sexy british voice was hindered by the effects of the anestesia yet. "I thought this would be the right choice, and your angry." He drew his own conclusions in fear.

Those deep blue eyes of his were filled with fear for the first time since Drusilla turned him all but 128yrs ago. He searched her face for a reaction, and was comming up negitive. She was not readable this time. Looking to Giles, Spike asked "Its the right choice isen't it? To be mortal?"

Buffy pushed past Giles and looked at Spike. "You chose this? How Spike? And why? I dont understand...." He coughed from the scrathy feeling in his throat left from the tube during surgery. "I can't explain it. I'm sworn not to." He sighs heavily. "I wanted to be a doctor again. I want to see the sun, hell I want to have a tan." He takes her hands in his. "And I did it for us pet. Not that there is an us." Again his voive stammered as he searched for words. "I mean that maybe one day we can be friends. Not just mortal enemies." He looked hopefull at her.

Giles let out yet another sigh. " This is all the work of the Powers That Be isen't it?" Spike shrugged without taking his eyes from Buffy. "Your still disgusted with me aren't you? "

Buffy looks down at him. "Not disgusted... just... confused. Why would you give up being a vampire? You love being a vampire! YOu've even bragged about being a vampire." The grip she had on his hand tightened. "Why would you want to be friends with me?" A nurse came over to review his chart. "I'm sorry miss, we have to move him upstairs for the night for observation. You can see him tomorrow." Two men in blue jumpsuits with the names *People Transit* took each end of his bed. They spoke silently to each other with their eyes and quickly wheeled him around and twards the doors.

Buffy ran along beside him. "I'm not angry, don't worry, ok? I'll be here in the morning... Please don't worry..." Spike smiled up at her best as he could with the new emotions running through him before they wheeled him out of site. Giles put a comforting arm around her shoulders. In his mind he could not place in incident like this. He searched his library of books mentally to locate just the one to look in for answers. The closest he could come was one on ancient curses. Curse a vampire for all the wrong hes done, such as in Angel's case. He may just have to call the Watchers about this. He needed to know how and why Spike had been restored to his human form. Why him? Also how had he chosen this?

Buffy stared blankly at the elavator. "Giles, I...I don't get it." She shakes her head."Than again, Spike never makes sense. Lets go home. I feel very tired all the sudden." Giles laughed lightly "I should imagine so Buffy, its 6am by now. I do hope you will take the day off classes and rest?" Looking down on her with that fatherly look, she caved."Alright, I'll stay home. Then I'm waking up and comming here." They drove home both involved in their own thoughts.

Buffy replayed the events from the entire day through her head, over and over. Seeing him lying on the operating table cavered in all that blood. The way he looked up at her and was scared. Shes never seen Spike scared. Ever. People were scared of him he would tell her. Terrified even. Confusion tore at her heart for the sudden rush of compassion she felt for him. Just hours ago she had a splitting headache. Now shes got a heartache that she is too scared to listen to.

Spike lay awake in his hospital room. It was private. That was good. A paper bag sat on a nearby chair. It held what remained of his clothes. All was quiet in the hallway save for some nurse chatter. First shift was comming on and the docters were making their rounds. Spike noticed the impecable cleaning job. Much cleaner than the crypt, that was for sure. There was the annoying smell of hospital clorox,Ajax or whatever that stuff was they hose the walls down with. His bed was getting more uncomfortable by the minute. And the pain was comming back in his stomach. The nurse last night had shown him a button to push when it hurt, where was it again?

In tiny bits, memories of his vampire life floated in and out of his mind. People he murdered, children that screamed, and mothers that wept after him seeing their husbands killed by him. The pain in his chest was too much to bear. Inbetween the horrid bits, there was Buffy. He saw her anger, her saddness, her confusion and painfully, he recalled the looks she always gave Angel. Looks that he wished he could get from her. the Oracle said he may only ever get friendship. his heart said the same as it had. Its better than what he has now with her.

Just then, a nurse scurried in to change the IV drip. She glanced at him. "How are you feeling William?" she asked as she worked. Groggily he managed to tell her that his stomach hurt badly. She pulled aside his hospital gown and looked at the bandages."Alrighty then, I will look at your chart and see what the docters have ordered for you for pain." She slides open the blinds, letting in the first of the days sun. Spike cringed at it, pulling up the covers over his head. The nurse looked strangly at him.

I can close them if you like." Slowly he lowered his blanket and stared out the window. "No, That's fine."

He tilted his face a bit, marvelling at the touch of the warm beams on his face. The nurse watched him, amused.

"My goodness, you'd think you never saw the sun before William". He didn't answer her. he just stared. The pain in his stomach was forgotten now as he just enjoyed the morning sunshine. The nurse smiled at him. "Your lady friend should be getting back soon. She called ahead and had us order you a tv. Said something about you not missing Passions..." He looked over at her and smiled."Is she comming soon?" The nurse nodded. Visiting hours are at 11am. You've got a few hours to freshen up. Breakfast is almost here."She reminded him and left the room.

Breakfast? Thats someting he must get used to again. Eating food. And he reminded himself, now those buffalo wings would be bad for his figure if he ate too many. A few moments later, an orderly brought in a bowl of oatmeal and 2 pieces of toast.The toast was a bit soggy as is always the case with hospital toast, but he ate it all up just the same. he frowned at the oatmeal. Having it once too many times as a child, but did the same.

Buffy came early. She stopped in a tiny gift shop in the main lobby of Sunnydale Medical Center and looked around for something else to stuff into the bag she brought him. There were stuffed toys, candy, Sunnydale postcards. Ewww she thought. Who wants those? Oh hello, welcome to the hellmouth she thought sarcastically. Finally just deciding on a Hershey bar and balloons, she headed to his room.

Spike had just stepped out of the shower and was standing in front of the mirror, just staring, How he forgot the way he looked. Last time he was curious he had some bloke in London paint it for him. Then in a fight with Dru she set it on fire in spite.

Buffy knocked lightly on the door."Spike?" She called. Looking down he realized that he still only wore a towel. Opening the door fully she gasped."Oh I'm so sorry." "Don't be, I don't mind you know that." He gave her a silly smile.

Are those for me?" he noted the Get Well balloons. "Well, of course, here."

He tied them on the small bed-side table. Buffy turned her back so he could get back into the hospital gown. As he changed, she asked him a question.

"Spike, how are you able to be up and about? You got shot... Are you still healing like a vamp would?" "Alright you can look" He sat in bed with a thin blue blanket covering him to his waist. "No, I just have this really neat medicine that they give me" He points to his stomach."Hurts like hell when it wears off"

She grins at him. "Does it hurt as much as when I kick your ass?" "Funny, no its worse. I don't think I like this part of being mortal. But the perks are worth it. Did they catch those two fellas?"

Buffy nods. "Yes. They go to trial as soon as you can testify..." She looked at him. "Spike? Thanks... I mean... you got shot for me." she said, looking upset. Avoiding her gaze, he glanced out the window. "Yea well, I can't see having a new slayer around, kinda grown used to you."

She blushed a little. "Thanks..." She walked to the other side of the bed and smiled at him. "Hey, you'll have a cool new scar." There was an akward silence between the two of them as they looked out the window that viewed the parking lot, both searching for the right words to fill the empy space with. Buffy broke the silence having a more serious look on her face now "Spike... when you get out... you should come stay with my family. You'll need someplace warmer and drier than the crypt you know."

He thinks for a moment. Stares at her strangly. "You want me to stay with you? And mum and sis? Thats real nice and all but I couldn't." "You have to, your mortal now. Dark and cold places will make you sick. You need better." The pain returned in his stomach and he winced a little. "Are you alright? Should I get a nurse?" Shaking his head no, he resettled himself in bed. "I'll manage, don't want any interruptions. Your probably the only person that I'll have for a visitor."

Buffy shook her head. "Mom and Dawn are coming later. I'm not supposed to tell, but they are brining you some new clothes to change into when you can. Your old ones aren't wearable..." She sat in an uncomfortable plastic chair next to the bed and looked around. "Wow... must be boring..." She looked at him. "up for some poker? I brought cards..."

Stares at her with pure happiness. His heart ached of it. "Sure, why don't you sit on the opposite side of me, better than the chair. They played cards for hours. Talking and laughing. Dawn and Joyce came later, closer to dinner. They brought McDonalds.

Buffy smiles. "how would you like a Big Mac Spike?" His eyes get big, hunger was creeping up on him anyhow. "Did they bring fries? I love the fries." He smiled that loveable smile of his.