Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire

Chp.32

Orders from Above

All other info is in Chp.1

Sitting quietly, behind his desk, contemplating the news he was about to impart, and the two most inseparable patients he’d ever seen. Well point of fact, the two most inseparable people he’d ever seen. They were practically joined at the hip. His hand comes to rest against his chin, he rubs it slightly, trying to figure out how to break the news to the couple, and Dr. Wood. He knew that Robin wasn’t going to like the orders that had been given to him last night, by the board of directors at the hospital. He’d tried to argue it out with them, but they wouldn’t see his reasoning on the matter. Now he had to tell the other doctor, all because he’d taken the head of hospital job, when Dr. Hayber had moved to another state to open his own practice.

He snorts derisively, and shakes his head. ‘Being the head of the hospital means nothing to the wankers. Just because he’s not the head of the board.’

The board had gone over his head on it, although he really didn’t mind the outcome, he just didn’t have to be the one telling it to the other doctor. If there were any other word for it he’d use it, but he couldn’t think of one at the moment. He dreaded this, more than having a root canal without any Novocain.

He’d grown quite fond of the two patients in the past month or so, but he knew that Dr. Wood, had a fondness for the blonde girl, even when she was still comatose, the fondness had grown since she’d awoken.

“Dr. Giles?” He is brought from his reverie by the dulcet tone of Willows voice over the intercom.

He taps the button on the computer to let him talk to her. “Yes, Willow?” He asks, as he puts his chin back into his hand.

Willow presses the button again; he can hear the static, as she breathes. “Dr. Wood is here. Do you want me to send him on in, or would you rather wait for Buffy and Spike?” She replies.

“Just send him on in, Willow.” Giles says into the annoying contraption. “Thank You.” He lets go of the button.

Sliding his chair back, he stands, straightens his suit, shuffles some papers on his desk around, and looks over to the door. It’s a good thing that Dr. Wood has shown up before the other two. He thinks, as he sees the knob turn, and the other physician walks in.

His hand stretches out in greeting as he makes his way to Robin.

Robin looks at the offered hand, and shakes it in comradeship. “Hello, Dr. Giles.” He says, flashing his teeth at the other man, and nodding his head.

“Yes, hello, Robin.” Giles replies. “Why don’t we have a seat, and I’ll get to the reason why I asked you here.” He leads the man over to the two seats that are situated in front of his desk. Making his way back around the desk, he regains his seat, and smiles at the man across from him.

Giles clears his throat, before beginning. “Well, it’s most fortunate that you arrived before Buffy and Spike.”

Robins brown eyes look to him with a puzzled glint in them.

“I’ve some news.” Giles draws in a slow breath. “It seems the board sent down some orders last night. I want you to know that this is against my better judgment. Just for the record, I fought them on it. Yet they still went over my head.” He closes his eyes, taking his gaze from the other doctor. His head hanging slightly, against his chest, “again.” He states, dejectedly, and looks back up to Robin.

Robins gaze now shows a glint of interest, as he gazes upon the despondent doctor in front of him. “Well, if the way you’re talking in circles this news couldn’t be good, so what do you have to tell me?” He finally asks, as Giles looks over the papers scattered on his desk.

Trying not to make eye contact, Giles takes his glasses from his face, lays them on top of the stack of papers he’s just stacked, and pinches the bridge of his nose. Letting out a deep sigh, he resigns him self to give the news straight to the man. He deserves that at least. He plants a cold stare on his face looking back over the top of the desk, conveying his anger not at the man, but the board itself. “It seems that the wankers at the top want me to take over the medical treatment of Buffy, and as I said before it was against my vote. The orders are for me to oversee both she and Williams progress until the time I see fit that they can go home.” He explains, the venom in his voice, conveying the anger in his stare. “They’re adamant in their decision. There isn’t anything that will make them change their minds. But the crux of it all is that they want you to take over the two coma patients that came in at the beginning of the month, considering that the doctors overseeing them haven’t any experience in the treatment of coma patients.” He watches the few emotions that the black man lets show in his eyes, intently. “I’m sorry, Robin. I can assure you that she’ll be in good hands. I’ve grown quite fond of the girl recently.” He sincerely apologizes. “The pillocks wouldn’t listen to reason.” The venom returns with a vengeance, and his eyes turn cold again, as he says the word pillocks.

Robin stands up, planting his fists on the desk, and leans on them.

Giles thinks that he might have a confrontation on his hands, until he notices the other doctor’s shoulders slump in defeat.

“If you say that you couldn’t change their minds, then there isn’t anything I can really do about it.” The defeat comes through in his voice, and he takes a deep breath as he continues. “I know she’ll be in good hands. How else would you be the head of the hospital? Anyway, even though I disagree with them myself, I guess that I’ll just have to except the orders, that’s the only thing I can do, unless I want to lose my job. If I contest it, they’ll just laugh or dismiss me for failure to obey orders, or some stupid shit like that.” He turns to leave, taking a few steps towards the door. Then he notices the two people standing in the doorway.
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Willow hadn’t been at her desk as Buffy and Spike had come into the outer office so they figured that since they were already late they’d come on in the main office, but they didn’t know they’d walk in on the conversation they were now hearing.

Robin glances at Buffy, giving her a reassuring smile. The girl looks as stunned as he is.

Leaning against the door, Spike takes in the scene playing out in front of him. Taking in a deep breath, he pans the room, his gaze falling on the man behind the desk. “Not that I care, or anything.” His hand comes up and falls on Buffy’s shoulder. “But why change players, this late in the game?” He asks. Pulling Buffy the few steps back to him, and wrapping his arms around her waist. “It seems slightly off kilter, if you ask me.” He places his chin on her shoulder, and blows a strand of hair out of his face.

Giles looks over to the couple. “Well, it seems that Dr. Wood is a specialist on comas. Or so the board seems to think.” He rolls his eyes at the lame excuse; even the dumbest person could have come up with a better one, considering that he was also a specialist on the same thing. “But, anyway they want him to take over the two patients that came in at the beginning of the month.” He takes his glasses from his face, and lays them in front of him. “They had to make room on his schedule for two extras and decided the best course of action would be for me to take over Buffy’s treatment so he’d have free space on his schedule for them. What I don’t understand is why they couldn’t have given me one patient, and he the other?” He questions, not meaning to say the last out loud. “Their reasoning being that Buffy is doing so well that I should be the one overseeing her. Which really seems to be an inane notion, in the least.” He picks the glasses back up and they make their way back to his face, as he is finished with the subject, and doesn’t want to get frustrated and angry over it again.

Spike nods his acceptance of the explaination, Buffy still standing in shocked awe in front of him. His hands move from her waist and slowly turns her body in his direction. "Luv?" He smiles as she makes a fish face at him. He takes her hands in his and turns around to lead her from the inner office.

Dr. Wood watches the two a moment. "I'll be going now Dr. Giles," he says, as he walks past the couple just inside the doorway.

Giles doesn't bid him a farewell, as he to is watching Spike and Buffy.

"Come on, Sweetheart." Spike whispers, as he basically drags Buffy from the room.
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A/N: Okay, not much going on here, but it does move the plot along, just a smidge. Hope everyone enjoyed. There maybe another chapter up in a few hours. If I get a wild hair or something.