(Untitled)

[fredburkle]

Move on.Those two tiny words were rolling around my head like rocks, knocking into one another and making a deafening noise. My entire body ached, my mouth was dry, and I couldn't feel the tips of my fingers. But all I could think about were those two small words: move on. The conduit, whatever it was exactly, had been inside my body. It had been

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[_wes_pryce_]

I had no idea what all happened. Everything went so fast. Everything they told us was so hard to believe. Angel dead? Spike was our new champion now? And they showed Cordelia how he died. They had shown Fred, they had used Fred. When we landed back into the lobby I only had eyes for her. I could only stare at her.

I didn't notice Faith or Cordelia leaving. I didn't notice the smug look on Lilah's face. Nor the way Spike as in awe. Just Fred. Hesitantly I take a step forward as she looks at me and tries to talk. It takes her several times before she finally manages. I nod at her confused as she tells us about how she'll need to talk to us. Tell her what they showed her, told her? When she suddenly starts to waver.

"Fred? are you alri-.." My voice trails off and I run forward catching Fred as she fall down. "Fred!" Gently I lower her to the floor and look around helplessly for anyone to help me. "Spike! Help me. We need to get her to medical or something. God only knows what they did to her." Carefully I lift her up in my arms giving Spike a desperate look, glancing over at Lilah for help as well.

[buffys_bitch]

Everything happened so fast. And it was over before any of us could lift a finger, or react. Now we are in the lobby again trying to make sense of it all. I take in the shocked and devastated faces, aside from Miss 'L' that is, who seems to be looking too chirpy for her own good.

Angel dead, gone forever? Hard to believe it's true. For so long he'd loomed over my undead life. His shadow always covering me, keeping me in the dark with him. Mentor, rival, brother. I might have hated his guts but he was family. A part of me feels stripped away.

Then of course there is the part of me that feels put back together. I don't know why or how but I can feel and touch things again. I'm corporeal and have my body back. I'm really back. I look down at myself with disbelief.

Fred talks to us and I am barely paying attention but then I see her crumple and Wesley goes to catch her, getting there just before I do.

"Spike! Help me. We need to get her to medical or something. God only knows what they did to her."

I nodded and move over to him, holding out my arms.

"Give her here. You're strong, but I'm stronger. I can move faster too."

Let me help. At last.

[da_lilah]

Can't say I was surprised at the outcome. In a way it was fitting. Angel being the biggest stubborn fool since Samson, going out in a blaze of..complete futility. Kinda poetic really. What the hell had he been thinking of when he'd gone to confront them? At least he could have taken his band of merry men with him, then he might have stood a chance or gotten them out of my hair.

I stood with the others, a smirk playing on my face. Was I petty? Hell yeah. I hadn't forgotten what he'd done to me in that office of his, or the fact that I'd died while actually trying to help save our collective asses, and not to mention the years of having my hands tied behind my back because we couldn't kill the vampire with a soul yadda yadda. Now I was free of that. So count me in as a happy camper.

Fred had gotten a conduit colonic, another reason to smile. Better her than me. And I still owed her some major payback. For Wesley.

But when she collapsed into Wesley's arms and Wesley had given me that look, I'd felt a pang. Of what? Guilt? No damn way. But something. So I'd dropped the smirk and nodded, flipping open my cell and calling ahead to the medical wing, alerting them we were on our way.

Spike was insisting on carrying Fred. Guess having a body back meant he had to get into the action now.

"Take her to that service elevator. It'll be quicker than the main one." I offered. And I was helping, why?

One look at Wesley's face told me why. I turned away, refusing to look at him any more. Time to be a prime bitch again.

"Once this mini crisis is all over, like Fred said, we need to all have a talk. Some things are gonna be changing around here now that I'm in charge. I'll set it up and be in touch."

With that I turned on my heel and walked away.

[_wes_pryce_]

Cradling Fred against my chest I look back and forth between Lilah and Spike helplessly. I could've sworn I had a working brain at some point. I hesitate for a moment, a bit longer then just a moment actually I think. Biting my bottom lip I slowly lift Fred higher and then mover her over to Spikes arms. "I suppose you're right," I say softly, touching her cheek lightly with my hand.

I glance back at Lilah and nod at her. "Thank you." I don't know why she helped us, or why she gave me that odd look. I'm just grateful for her help. Talk? Bugger that, talk can wait. We need to help Fred first. Quickly I run after Spike as he makes his way toward this service lift Lilah pointed out.

I run in and press the button for the medical floor. "How is she?" Leaning over I glance at her face. Her eyes are still closed, she's still unconscious which only worries me more. "Come on, Fred. Wake up sweetheart." Grasping the hand that dangles uselessly I squeeze it, hoping to get through to her. Startled I look up as the lift doors ping and slide open.

[fredburkle]

My head was pounding as I opened my eyes and heard Wesley's voice. He was whispering softly, holding my hand and rubbing my arm gently. I was laying in a hospital bed and for a second I had no idea why or how I'd gotten here. And then everything came flooding back to me and I just wanted to go back to sleep and forget again.

I licked my lips and tried to talk, but nothing came out. I gently touched Wesley's hand and gave him a smile as I mouthed, "Water." He gave me a cup with a straw in it and I drank an entire glass of water. I nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Wesley..and yes I'm alright." I leaned my head back on the pillow and sighed, "How long was I out?"

[_wes_pryce_]

I quickly followed Spike into the medical wing and watched as he carefully put her on the bed. "Thank you," I say softly mustering up a smile for him. I walk over to the bed and glance around for some medical personal to take care of her. I'm about to yell for them when Fred touches my hand.

"You're back." Grasping her hand, I kiss it lightly and grab some water for her when she asks for it. Worried I look as she drains the entire glass of water and then tells me she's alright. Alright my arse. She just was taken over by...something and then fainted.

Brushing my hand through her hair, I touch her face gently and look back toward Spike concerned. "Not that long," I tell her softly. "Why don't we let the doctors take a look at you anyway?" Just to be sure, just to make sure she's alright.

[buffys_bitch]

It means something that Wes handed Fred over to me. Not sure quite what, but it feels good. Take her up to the medical wing with Wesley hovering at my elbow, still in a panic.

Watcher boy frets over Fred like well, someone in love. I remember how that felt, once.

They lead me to a room and a bed, and I'd place her down gently on it. Such a slender girl, hardly weighed a thing in my arms. Wes takes over, grabbing her hand when she opens her eyes looking up at us. Not before he says thanks though, and damn if he doesn't toss me a grateful smile too. A bloke could get used to that.

Then I step back, don't want to intrude on their private moment. Gotta hand it to the ponce, when he falls he falls hard.

"You're back."

"Thank you, Wesley..and yes I'm alright. How long was I out?"

"Not that long," I tell her softly. "Why don't we let the doctors take a look at you anyway?"

I take that as my cue to go collar someone for them. "Back in a jiffy, and you...no more fainting, alright?" I grin at Fred and then go off in search of a doc or medic of some sort.

[fredburkle]

I smiled at Spike as he walked away...our new champion. I softly squeezed Wesley's hand, "Looks like he's already stepping into the role of protector...." I looked at the door and nodded, "He'll be able to handle it...even if he doesn't think so."

I turned and smiled at Wesley, "And you, with your worry-face on. I'm alright...honest." The doctor came over and smiled, "Let me make sure of that, ok, Ms. Burkle?" I nodded and let him do his examination. "We've done a thorough work-up of Ms. Burkle's blood and have run numerous tests of all her body systems. She seems to be going well, maybe a little more tired than she needs to be, but other than that..she's fine. You can go home as soon as I've signed some papers. But make sure to take it easy...ok? Not everyday someone gets taken over by The Conduit and lives to tell the tale."

I nodded and watched as Wes thanked the doctor and then looked at me again, "See...I told you I was alright." I softly rubbed my fingers over the worry lines in his forehead, "Now, tell me what I can say to make these go away..."

[_wes_pryce_]

"Yes. He'll do fine, even if he doesn't seem to think so." Odd, but for some reason I've grown to like Spike. I can't be resentful toward him for taking over Angel's role as champion. And thinking about Angel being gone, still hurts too much to really think about. Pushing away those thoughts, I look up startled when the doctor arrives.

Worried, I listen to what the doctors say about Fred's health. They can say all they want. She got taken over by this conduit, that just can't be good. There will have to be some damage or something. Not that I don't trust the doctors, I'm just...worried, I guess. But how can I not be worried, frightened about her, about what happened to her?

Nodding as the doctor goes to get the papers, I glance back at Fred again. My eyes fluter close for a moment and I reach up to catch her hand. "I can't help it," I say softly. "What happened to you frightened me. I can't help but worry about you." Kissing the tips of her fingers, I sigh and sit down carefully on the bed.

"Are you sure you're alright? You're going straight to bed when we get home and...and rest. A lot of rest and...and healthy food and...things." God, I almost thought I was going to loose her with all that happened up there in the white room. That meeting can wait. Faith and Cordelia went off to god only knows where anyway and Spike...I don't where he went. Lilah will just have to schedule the meeting for when Fred is better.

Dammit, I'm getting a headache. Squeezing my eyes shut, I rub my temples and look at Fred who seems to be swimming a bit in my vision. Shaking my head to clear it, I muster up a smile for her. "As soon as those papers are in order I'm taking you home." Why does the name Connor suddenly come to mind?