Summary: My own take on the episode Normal Again...what she didn't tell the others.

Rating: Starts off as PG, but eventually becomes M. You've been forewarned.

Personal Note-- I came up with this writing idea on a whim, and I'm trying it out. I would absolutely love feedback from my dedicated readers and reviewers. That includes zigpal, and regan666, among others. Please tell me about what you think of it...and come up with your own ideas and send them to me! I love having many muses.

Los Angeles, CA

The doctor looked at the couple in front of him, who were holding hands tightly, trying to explain.

"Mr. and Mrs. Summers, I feel the need to tell you something." He leaned forward on his desk, his hands clasped in front of him. They looked at him expectantly. "We know that your daughter has been creating a world based on her own imaginings, except for a few things...and it’s been giving me an idea."

Joyce Summers looked at her husband, and then at the doctor, afraid to hope. "What do you mean, doctor?"

He looked at them hesitantly, finally divulging the information.

"We have a doctor here who came here at the same time that your daughter became a patient here. He has...somehow...made a connection with Buffy. He seems to still exist in her world as a prominent figure."

Hank and Joyce exchanged another look, curious as to what he was talking about.

"You mean how I was her connection?" said Joyce, looking apprehensive. "Before I, uh, died?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes, exactly. Except..."

Hank looked at him worriedly. "Except what?"

"Well," he said bracingly, "It seems that there's a much stronger connection with him than with any other person that she knows."

They stared at him in shock. "More than Joyce...?" said Hank, a bit disbelieving.

The doctor nodded. "Yes, and I would like for you to observe something rather unique. It happened the other day, and I must say that I was very surprised, and pleased, with the results. Please, follow me."

He stood up from his chair, motioning for them to follow him down to Buffy's room. They walked down the empty hospital corridors until he stopped them at Buffy's viewing window, where they could see her, but she couldn't see them.

The doctor pointed, and that was when they saw him. A man in white doctor's scrubs lay with their daughter on her bed, just holding her, running a hand through her hair lovingly, softly singing to her.

Moreover, Buffy was smiling...and not only that, she was also holding his hand tightly, as though he were her lifeline, clinging to him.

Joyce was surprised. "Who's that?" she said, slightly angry that this man was able to reach her daughter where she could not.

The doctor eased her mind. "That's the doctor that I mentioned, the one who has made the connection."

Hank slid an arm around his wife's shoulders, attempting to soothe her troubled mind, even though he was just as worried. "Who is he?" said Hank, trying to keep the contempt from his voice. "Where's he from?"

The doctor continued to look at the two in the room, still amazed at the connection, waiting a moment before answering him.

"He's from England, and his name is Rupert Giles..."

The suspense...!! Duh duh duh! (impending doom music)

Part 1/?