Bound

Chapter 10 Forget Me Not

Weeks past and Buffy still remained in a coma like state. Spike refused to leave her side, even though everyone tried to persuade him he needed to feed and to sleep. His devotion astounded everyone. Giles had returned from England . Much to his disgust , Darla, Dru and to his shock, the newly vamped Cordy came to visit and take care of Buffy. Dawn came and stayed with Spike , often falling asleep tucked up next to her sister. Dawn seemed to be the only one that would bring the occasional smile to Spikes face. Angel had tried once more to see her and begged Spike for forgiveness. After a near miss with a stake, he finally got the message. Nobody knew if Spike missed his heart on purpose or not , so nobody pressured the highly strung vamp.He looked ill. His face was gaunt, making his cheekbones even more prominent. Spike was paler than normal and he had lost weight. The nursing staff all thought the guy would die on them and tried to ply him with food and hot drinks . He always showed gratitude and was always polite.
It had been seven weeks and Spike sat in his chair and drifted off to sleep, finally.A nurse came in to changed the drip over. She briefly looked at the heart monitor . That was weird. The nurse popped out and came back in with Buffy's consultant. Her heart rate had soared and was dangerously high and her temperature had gone up to a dangerous level. The consultant barked out a list of tests he wanted to be done and promptly left. Spike woke up and saw the nurse taking blood and reviewing the notes left by the consultant. He noticed the rise in Buffy's vitals and strangely wasn't worried. He leant forwards and took Buffys hand in his as the nurse finished doing her checks , she smiled and left without saying a word.
Angel had quit trying to see Buffy and rang the nurses to get updates on her condition.The nurses would let Spike know that he had rung. The Scoobies visited often and would try and distract Spike with their tales of slaying. He didn't even seem worried that they would be out there fighting the nasties . All he seemed to care about was Buffy.
Willow stayed behind , intent on talking to him and maybe convince the stubborn vampire to take a break. Willow was naturally timid and the case of nerves she was suffering from didn't exactly help. She found a piece of cotton on her shirt that looked totally fascinating, so she focused on it.
"Spike, we're worried about you"
"Who would that be specifically then pet?"
"All of us"
"So that would include the Watcher and the Whelp?"
She just smiled at him
"That's a no, just you then eh Red"
" You won't be any good to Buffy if your close to dust when she wakes up "
"M'fine"
"Take a good look in a mirror Spike" Realising what she had just said she continued "Guess you can't but you know what I'm trying to say"
"Leave it be Red"
Willow huffed and said goodnight quietly to him and left, leaving Spike to contemplate what she had said and that lead to brooding, much to his own disgust. After all , brooding was Angels gig.He fell asleep , his thoughts running riot, causing him to have dreams that were disturbing and very realistic.

'She woke up in chains , he was tied to the chair . Angelus paced beside her bed ranting like a mad man, repeating everything to himself as if he expected an answer from some invisible entity. As Spike became more conscious he realised that Angelus meant to kill them, well him at least. The stake in his hand was clutched so tight , blood ran from his fingertips.He could feel the hate and anger radiate off him. Buffy stirred and Angelus froze. Looking at her and then back to Angelus, he saw the trademark smirk of his. Fuck. He was going to turn her. Was that what he would have done if she hadn't tried to off herself?Somehow Spike had to get free from his bonds and save her. He struggled against the ropes and found himself too weak. His demon was screaming at him to get free. His soul was crying out for her. For the first time since he had gotten his soul, the demon was in agreement with it. That wasn't helping matters though, not at this moment in time. Spike shifted to game face and drew as much strength as he could, finally the rope gave and he slipped his hands through, freeing himself. Angelus sat on the bed , stroking her hair. The look of pure fear on Buffy's face fuelled Spikes anger. He launched himself at the vampire sat on the bed and they rolled to the floor. Buffy's screams pierced the room and their eardrums, causing them to pause in their fight to get up. She looked down and tears stained her cheeks. Spike growled at Angelus and walked over to comfort her. Buffy shrunk back on the bed.
"What's wrong pet, I had to stop him from hurtin' you"
"What's wrong with you Spike? "
"Nothing luv, well part from him , which I was about to fix before your bloody screeching"
She shook her head
Angelus laughed causing Spike to turn and look at him , frowning at him he watched as he sat in a chair, still laughing
"What's going on ere, why do I feel like I'm being set up?"
"Cause you are, did you really think sitting by her bed for weeks and keeping me from my mate would make her yours again?"
Spike's eyes widened as he took in his words, looking back at Buffy he watched as she smiled at Angelus and then back at him
"No! No you can't, you wouldn't do that to me..... Buffy I......" he was cut off
"She wouldn't what? Love me? Leave you? Always the optimist when it comes to love aren't you boy? And yet you still haven't learnt anything . Who could love you, look at yourself, you haven't eaten or bathed in months... now how could she love you?Your weaker than a mortal now boy, you couldn't protect her from Harris right now, your no good for her now, and never will be."
Angelus' words hit him in the chest like a bloody stake.He couldn't stop the tears that coursed down his face.
"Buffy... please tell me this isn't what you want pet, please"
Buffy looked up at him with sad eyes " Go, leave me alone William"
Since when did she call me that? Somethings wrong here. I'm too weak to do anything. Think. I need to get out of here without him staking my ass to the wall.
Looking around Spike noticed it was dark, and they were on the third floor , the window was the best route of escape. He looked down at Buffy and then to Angelus, who was hovering over her.
"So, Angelus, you win, the bints yours now, M'not even gonna bother you two again, dunno why I wasted my time on the chit."
He shrugged on his duster and pulled his body up to it's full height, taking on his cocky persona. "Won't be around any more so don't worry bout me causing any problems for you. Like to say see you around but well.... I really couldn't give a toss now. Next time I see you slayer, you'll be my third"
Spike leapt at the window , smashing it with his fists as he went through. He somersaulted , landing on the concrete feet first. He looked up at the window and saw her and Angelus look down at him. He smirked and waved before turning and running off into the night, his duster billowing out behind him'.

Spike woke with a jolt, almost falling out of the chair. He had to do something before Angelus returned .He walked out into the hospital corridor and went straight to the phone.
"Willow get your bloody ass here and help me, get the rest of the Scoobies too , we got a problem. Bring me some blood, make sure there's plenty, m'gonna need my strength back, hurry!"
He hung up and returned to her room. Spike sat on the bed and took her hand in his. He sat like that for what seemed to him, like hours, only pulling away from Buffy when he heard the door to the room open. Willow slowly walked in and put her backpack on the table.
"Bout bloody time Red, did you bring the rest of the gang, and the blood?"
"In here" she patted her bag " Will eight bags be enough, it's all I could get from downstairs"
"You what?"
"When you said you needed your strength I went to the blood donor station downstairs, I ... I got you human"
Spike tried to be annoyed with her but , she was right, human was the best for him right now. Spike smiled at her " I should be bloody angry with you , let you off this once, now where's my grub" he smiled at her , putting her at ease. Christ that girl was coiled tighter than a bloody spring he thought.
"Here" she handed him the blood and then sat close to Buffy "Any change?"
Sucking the last bit of blood from the first bag he shook his head. "She had a turn last night, her heart was fast and her temp went up, not too bad though, maybe it was her bodies way of fixing itself, her being a slayer an all"
Spike finished his third bag and slumped into his chair "I feel better already, ta for that Red. Whens the rest of the gang gettin' ere?"
"Giles was just getting Xander up, I decided to leave as soon as you hung up. We have been studying this spell, it can wake up anyone in a deep sleep and restore health. We wanted to see if you thought it was a good idea"
"Your asking me? Why? Since when did you lot give a toss about me?"
"Well... um... Giles has had time to come to terms with everything and ... we can tell by the way you have been with Buffy , you won't hurt her and she obviously trusts you.. and with Angelus and with what happened ......"
"I get it Red... but still... do it, if it helps her, do it, can't hurt her though can it, if it goes wrong I mean"
"No, worse that can happen is a big smell"
Spike rolled his eyes at her " And Giles will be doing the little spell then?"
"I'll help but he will do it , yes, don't want to make a mess of it myself, we know how my spells usually turn out"
Spike sniggered with her . Giles walked through the door with Xander, both looked a mess.Dawn came in and sat on Spikes lap, he instantly put his arms round her.Wesley stood just inside the door and Cordy stood in a dark corner out the way.
Giles was the first to talk "Would you mind telling us what this is all about and why you summoned us here at this ungodly hour Spike?"
Patting Dawns bum , to get her to get up, he raised himself up and paced the room, telling them about his dream and Angelus' renewed threat.
The gang stood in their places trying to take on board the situation.Cordy was the first to speak.
"If Angelus wants to turn her, why didn't he do it before, I mean , he's not one to stop when he want's something."
"He would have if she hadn't tried to off herself , but then he likes all the pomp and ceremony, always was a git for it"
"So by trying to take her own life she inadvertently saved her own life?" Wesley said
"Got it in one Watcher"
Everyone raised their brows.
"Red said you found a spell that could wake her up and fix her?"
"Well, yes... do you think we should try it then?" Spike could tell it stung Giles to say that .
"Will it work?"
Giles rubbed the bridge of his nose "We think so, yes"
"Then what the bloody hell are you waiting for"
Willow smiled at Spike and retrieved the items needed for the spell. One they were placed around the bed and a crystal had been placed on Buffys chest, Giles took out the book that looked like it had seen better days , and read an incantation. The crystal glowed green and then turned bright red. Giles flicked an oil over her and then put the book down.
"That should be it. Buffy should wake up soon" Giles sat down , the spell had taken alot out of him.
Spike smiled at him as a silent thanks and then sat on the bed holding her hand. The room remained silent as they waited with baited breath.
It seemed like an hour had passed. Spike still perched in his spot on the bed, Willow and Giles stood at the foot of the bed, Dawn sat in Spikes chair and Cordy remained in her corner.
Her fingers twitched, then gripped his hand.
"She's waking up" Spike said quietly
Buffy's eyes fluttered but stayed shut. Her legs stretched out and she groaned. Dawn went to push the button that would call in a nurse, Spike stopped her.
"Leave it a sec Niblet, let her come too"
Dawns hand froze over the button and then she sat back down
Buffy yawned and opened her eyes, and stretched, almost kicking Spike off the bed . Slowly her eyes adjusted to the dim light and she frowned. The group moved closer to the bed and all smiled at her. Spike held her hand tightly which drew her attention away from the others . As she focused on him he smiled.
"Who...... who are you?" she croaked "Where am I ?" Buff pulled her hand out of Spikes and hid it under the covers.
"You don't remember?" Dawn asked, pulling Buffy's gaze away from Spike and towards her.
Buffy frowned "No.... who are you all? Are you my family?"
"Yes.... I'm your sister and Spike there... he's your ... um... boyfriend.. Giles is like our Dad, and the rest are our ... your friends " Dawn looked at Buffy, tears brimming her eyes
Buffy looked at her "My sister?"
"Yes"
"I don't have a sister " she looked at Spike " I get a bad feeling when I look at you so I doubt your my boyfriend"
Spike thrust himself off the bed and turned towards the window, hiding the tears that fell.
Giles picked up the book and read through the spell again, checking to see if it mentioned memory loss or they may have done the spell wrong.He turned the page and saw some footnotes. "Damn it"
The footnotes read ' The incantation must be performed on blessed grounds or the subject will have all memories erased '
"Bugger"
"What's wrong Watcher, what did you do to balls it up?" Spike fumed.
"It would appear that the spell should have been performed on blessed ground. "
"How do we fix it?" Spike looked at Buffy and saw the look of horror on her face "Maybe we should take this outside as well, seems we're scaring the girl" he pointed at Buffy.
"Right.... right, come, lets continue this outside " Giles walked into the hallway.
As soon as Spike was outside the room with Giles , he pushed the Watcher against the wall and snarled at him "Now you best find a way to get my girl back and do it fast, all the time she's like that she is in bloody danger from that prick, Angelus. Plus, Niblet an me are goin' through hell. Sort it out fast or I won't be able to stop myself" He dropped Giles and walked away , running his hands through his hair.
"I knew you were still a danger, I should never have let you near my slayer, I should have trusted my instincts"
Spike laughed " The only danger Buffy has ever been in , is from you, and that ponce Angelus. I'd never hurt her, you lot, never stop hurtin' her"
At a stand off, both Giles and Spike faced each other and sighed
"I just want my girl back... and your going to work your ass off to find a way to get her back. If anything else happens to her I meant what I said "
Spike left him stood with his back against the wall. Entering the room again , Spike stood beside the bed . Buffy pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes. He held her gaze and saw her frown. "What is it pet?"
"Nothing... something ... I'm not sure"
"You remember me luv?"
"Something familiar , not sure though. Can you get my nurse, I have a headache . Then all of you can explain what the hell is going on"
Spike smiled, she was still his Buffy, memory loss or not.She was still a bossy chit.
Cordelia had remained quiet but something seemed to snap back into focus. She pulled Wesley out into the hall, dragging him over to Giles.
"Wes, do you remember when we all lost our memories and went back to be awkward teens?"
"Yes, still trying to repress that episode"
"Well what if that spell Lorne did would help Buffy, we have to get him here to do it, or get him to tell us how to do it"
"Good idea Cordy, I'll make the call, you see if you can comfort Giles"
Wesley went off to make the call, leaving Cordy with a emotional Giles

Buffy sat in her bed confused and in a state of panic and shock. Willow cuddled Dawn, who was finding the whole situation hard. Spike was pacing the room, angry and emotional , none of it was helping Buffy's frame of mind.She had thousands of questions rattling around inside her head and it ached for answers. The nurse had given her some pain killers but they had yet to kick in. Watching the pale Englishman pace was distracting. His eyes bore through her and touched something inside her that she couldn't remember and didn't understand the feelings he evoked. Half of her wanted to kill him, the other half wanted to hold onto him and never let go. Yet, she couldn't remember him. The others talked about spells going wrong and about slayer powers, which unsettled her. What the hell was a slayer? The red head seemed nervous and the two other Englishmen were acting odd around her too. Where was her Mum and Dad? Did she have a Mum and Dad? She had a sister who seemed close to the bleached English guy, so maybe he was her boyfriend . The pretty brunette that left a while ago made her feel funny too, same as her boyfriend did, except not with the cuddly feelings for her, just the rip her head off feelings. Buffy couldn't remember being a violent person before, heck , she didn't remember much of anything!Buffy looked up at Spike and smiled. His blue eyes , god they were so pretty. She watched as he licked his lips and he went to say something, huffed and went back to pacing.

Wesley opened the door and stuck his head round the door "Spike, a word if you please"
Spike looked up at him and nodded. He turned to Buffy and excused himself "Right what you want, this better be a cure all for my girl in there"
"It is, well we think it will be, Lorne, a friend in L.A has a spell that returns lost memories and he's on his way to perform it on Buffy. He should be here within the next hour or so"
"Another spell, this best work or I'm not gonna be responsible for my actions" Spike stormed back into the room and grabbed a couple of bags of blood. Throwing one at Cordy, he stepped out of the room and drank it hungrily. His blood lust was overwhelming him and he really didn't want to sink his fangs into Giles' throat, nope not one bit! Cordy drank slowly, watching Spike, she felt bad for him. She was only a fledgling and she seemed to have more control right now.But then it wasn't her life that had been ruined by Angelus and it wasn't her lover lying in hospital with a severe lack of memories.He threw the empty blood bag in a bin and sighed.
"Lornes a good guy unno, and he will do everything he can to help. "
"I believe you, I do, but right now everything feels hopeless. " Spike sat down on a bench in the hallway and rubbed his eyes " I should have known this or something like it would happen, everything I touch gets fucked up unno, always end up loves bitch and losing it, always end up hurting. I should just go, leave , stop all this , it's not fair on Buffy or the Niblet"
"If she gets her memory back and you go, you'll hurt her more and leave her open for Angelus, and how do you think that will end?"
Spike slumped back , looking at the ceiling " I know your right but I'm not sure I have the strength to fight him, not physically or emotionally."
Cordy laughed causing Spike to frown at her "Kay, what's so funny?"
"I never thought vampires loved or had any feelings other than anger and the need to kill, now I am one and I totally get it. We aren't any different really, except for the need to kill for food thing, which is totally gross by the way"
Spike sniggered,"Well now, seems to me you've had a bit of a eye opener then pet"
"Yup! "
"Question is, where is Angel and what do we do bout him"
"I say stake him ass" Cordy looked at her shoes and shuffled her feet
"He's your sire , don't you feel anything for him?"
"Apart from the need to hurt him, nope, he's not been much of a Sire. Darla has helped me more than he has"
"Speaking of the bitch, what is she up to and is Dru still with her?"
"Seems Darla is a little more like us now and Dru is still as insane as ever, luckily Darla seems to have her under control at the moment"
"Don't need them causing any problems on top of everything else"
"Know what you mean" Cordy stood up and rested her hand on Spikes shoulder "Lornes going to be here soon, we should get back in there and see how Buffy's doing"
Spike got up and made his way back into the room.