A Family Matter: Chapter 4
by spudicus87
Summers’ Residence (Afternoon)

Buffy and Willow arrived at her house. Willow had tried to keep Buffy occupied as long as she could, but Buffy insisted she wanted to see how Angel was doing. They entered the house to find the rest of the Scooby gang in the dining room, and the couch empty.

“Where is he?” Buffy asked.

She demanded when she saw the empty couch.

“We moved him upstairs. We didn’t want to wake him unnecessarily.” Giles told her.

Buffy nodded, and ran up the stairs to her room. She found him on her bed. Lying on his stomach, his head buried in her pillow. She approached the bed carefully, not wanting to wake him up. She stood at the side of the bed and warily brushed her hand through his mussed hair. He stirred slightly and pushed back against her hand. She slowly sat on the bed next to him and continued to stroke his hair. He turned his head towards her and opened his eyes.

“Hey.” Buffy said.

He blinked a few times before answering.

“Hello.” Angel answered.

“Should you be sleeping like that?” Buffy questioned.

“Like what?” He asked in confusion.

“On your stomach. From what I saw last night of the condition of your ribs you shouldn’t even be moving.” Buffy told him.

She said removing her hand from his hair and placing it on his shoulder.

“It doesn’t hurt that much.” Angel assured her.

“Giles said that they moved you up here. We’re you awake for that?” Buffy asked.

He nodded.

“Did you need help to get up here?” Buffy asked.

“A little.” Angel replied.

“So it looks like you’re going to be staying here for a while until you heal all the way.” Buffy informed him.

“I’m sorry that I showed up here like that. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Angel apologized.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. How long have you been asleep?” Buffy told him.

“I didn’t really sleep that much.” Angel told her.

“Because of the pain.” Buffy inferred.

He nodded.

“You do look tense.” Buffy told him.

Buffy stood up suddenly and took her shoes off before she got back on the bed where she straddled his back.

“What are you doing?” Angel asked.

“Hush. You’ll find out.” Buffy replied

Buffy placed her hands on his shoulder blades and began to massage gently; aware of his injured ribs. He moaned softly and Buffy couldn’t tell if it was from pain or relaxation. She continued her ministrations until she felt him relax completely. His eyes were closed and she could have sworn he was snoring lightly. When she stopped and slid off his back he opened his eyes groggily. She came to rest next to him on the bed.

“Feel better?” Buffy asked.

He nodded.

“I wish I could give you something for the pain, but pain killers don’t really work on vampires do they?” Buffy asked.

“Not really. I usually sleep through the worst part of the pain.” Angel said.

“You were pretty much out of it last night. I thought Giles was going to slap you to get you to stay awake for more information.” Buffy said.

“I’m glad he didn’t, half of my face doesn’t feel so great right now.” Angel told her.

“Maybe you shouldn’t lie on that side of your face.” Buffy suggested.

She touched the skin around his eye gently.

“It’s really swollen. Maybe I should put some ice on it.” Buffy said.

She got up quickly and left for the kitchen to get some ice. She returned with a dishcloth full of ice. She came and sat next to his left side and placed the dishcloth over his eye.

“You got it?” She asked as he took hold of the dishcloth.

He nodded.

“So, how much of last night do you remember?” Buffy asks.

“I remember walking down an alley and being attacked. It gets a little fuzzy after that. I remember waking up and heading for your house, but not much else.” Angel answers.

“Do you know how many attacked you?” Buffy offers.

“At least four, I remember two of them holding me and the others did most of the damage.” Angel says.

There’s a knock on the door and Dawn enters the room seconds later with a mug.

“I brought Angel lunch.” Dawn says as she makes her way to the bed and hands the mug to Angel. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks, Dawn.” Angel tells her and puts the mug on the nightstand.

“You’re not going to eat?” Dawn asks.

“I’ll eat. Just not right now.” Angel says.

“Okay. Well anyways, Giles wants to talk to you Buffy.” Dawn tells her and leaves the room.

“Looks like our little break is over.” Buffy says to Angel. “Why don’t you eat while I go have a chat with Giles?” Buffy suggests while standing up from the bed.

Angel nods and she leaves the room. Angle carefully picks up the mug after she closes the door and starts to drink.

TBC

Please read & review. Sorry for the wait. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please review. Thanks hopefully the next chapter will be up soon.


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