Of Slayers and Angels
by Bob Head
Parts 9-11
[reviews]
Author: Bob Head
Disclaimer: None of the characters below (Except for the Slayer's Shadow) belong to me. All the BtVS people belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox. I'm just trying to have fun.
Pairing: Buffy/Willow, of course.
Spoilers: One for Season 1, a few for Season 2, more for Season 3. So if you haven't seen the first three seasons... Of course, if you haven't seen them, you've probably been living under a rock for the last decade, so what are you doing here anyway?
Rating: NC-17
Feedback: Well, Yeah! frank_8281@yahoo.com
Note: For the full version of Shadow's story see my first fic 'Missing Red'.
OF Slayers AND Angels
Part 9
Angel's POV
From the sound of their heartbeats, Willow's been asleep for over an hour. Not Buffy though. I don't think one night of passion is going to be enough to fix what Angelus... what I did. But it's a start at least. About an hour to sunrise, better head back to the mansion. I climb down from the roof of the neighboring building to the street and start the long walk home.
Shadow's POV
Well, Red and the Slayer have finally consummated their bond and it's about damned time! Maybe now they'll start paying more attention to what Faith is up to. Her words keep running through my head. Is it too late? Have we already lost her? I wish I knew, but foreseeing the future isn't one of my gifts.
Interlude
Sunnyhell, one of my least favorite place's on earth. Home of the Slayer. Well, home to two Slayers now I hear. The new girl's something of a screw-up I understand. Managed to get her first Watcher killed. Well I'm here on business or I'd look her up and add another notch to my scorecard. Sun's coming soon and I still have to scrounge a place to stay. I throw my butt away and get in the car. I stopped by the mansion earlier but it looks occupied. The last thing I want is to draw attention to myself by killing the new tenants. At least not till I'm ready for the Slayers.
End of Interlude
Joyce's POV
Sunrise. Perfect. You'd think they'd at least call to let me know they're alright. I knew they had plans but I did not know they included being out all night! Sigh. I know that Buffy being the Slayer means she can take care of herself. But I still worry; it's in the job description. And now on top of everything else she has this relationship with Willow. Don't get me wrong, I love Willow like she was my own daughter and as long as they make each other happy I'll support them in whatever they decide to do. But I know how society feels about those who are different. Buffy and Willow have a hard road ahead of them. I just pray they're up to the challenge.
Giles' POV
Good lord! Who would be calling at this hour of the morning! I struggle my way out of bed and go downstairs.
"Hang on, I'm coming!" Yes I know it makes no sense to shout at an inanimate object but it makes me feel better about being woken at this ungodly hour!
I pick up the receiver and growl; "Rupert Giles, speaking."
"Oh, Mr. Giles have you heard from the girls?"
"Mrs. Summers? Uh... no, I spoke to them yesterday before they left school. I believe they had um... a date last night."
"Yes, I know that but Buffy hasn't come home yet and no one answers at Willow's house. I just don't know where else they might be!"
"Please, calm down Mrs. Summers, I'll make some calls and if I can't locate them that way, I'll go and look for them. Um... you have tried her cell phone?"
"I'm a panicked mother Mr. Giles, not stupid! I've left several messages and still no answer."
"Right! I'll call as soon as I know something. Good bye."
"Good bye."
Faith's POV
Daylight. Not my favorite time of day. I'm more a night person. I kick the door shut and strip off my clothes on the way to the shower. Hope there's hot water today. Shitty motel anyway. Giles has got the council footin' the bill at least. I chuckle thinkin' about how he looked when I told him I wasn't gonna move in with him or B's Mom! Told him I'd been on my own too long to start abidin' by other people's rules now.
I step in the shower and soap up. Water's lukewarm, but at least it's not cold. God! Red and B's little show on the street last night is still runnin' through my head. I run the rag over my breasts and I feel my nipples start to get hard. I close my eyes and touch myself. Imaginin' it's Red, touchin' me kissin' me, lovin' me, not Buffy. God, I can almost see her now kneelin' between my legs. Lickin' and suckin' my clit!
"Oh god, Red! Sooo goood!"
Oh fuck, I needed that! Didn't realize how much till now. But it's not enough. As I rinse off and get ready to crawl under the covers it hits me. It's never gonna be enough until I take away everything B has. The Watcher, her Mom, the little Scooby Gang. And Red. Especially Red. And if she don't wanna come willingly... well there's always the hard way. That might even be fun, for me anyway.
Buffy's POV
It's almost ten o'clock and Will's finally starting to stir. From the smile on her face I hope she's dreaming about me! I tickle her nose with the corner of the sheet and she swipes at it with her hand. I tickle her again and she mumbles something unintelligible then opens her eyes.
"G'mornin'." She says sleepily.
"Morning, Baby."
"What time is it?"
"About ten."
A look of panic crosses her face. "Oh Goddess!"
She jumps from the bed and lunges around the corner and downstairs.
I follow a tad more slowly "Uh Will, are you sure you're not evil?"
"What! Oh Buffy no! Come down here Baby and I'll show you."
I walk down the stairs, never once taking my eyes off Willow. Taking in every inch of her, from her beautiful red hair to her cute little toes. Just looking at her gives me goose bumps. I reach her and she pulls me into a kiss. For long moments our tongues dance, our hands roaming each other's bodies stroking and caressing. Finally we come up for air. I lean my forehead against Will's.
"I love you sooo much Will, I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you."
"Shhh, look at me Buffy. I'm still here. I'm still me. I'm not evil. What happened to Angel is NOT going to happen to me. But right now as much as I'd love a repeat of last night we have to get going."
"Going where?" I ask, a little confused.
"My house. My parents called yesterday and said they were coming in today! They should be home in a little while And if I'm not there when they get there, there's gonna be all kinds of questions that I really don't wanna answer just yet, And Buffy have you called your Mom this morning she must be worried sick!"
Wow, from zero to babble in three seconds flat. A record even for Willow! She's right though, I need to find my cell, which starts to ring almost on cue. Shit! Where is it? I look around trying find the damn thing, and then I jump over the sofa that runs all the way around the sunken living room to snatch up my jacket and dig through the pockets to find it. Just as it stops ringing, shit!
I check the call log. Oh man, fifteen messages, mostly from Mom. I am so dead. Two are from Giles. Hey, that might work! I punch in his number.
Ring, ring. "Come on, Giles!"
"Yes, hello?"
"Giles, have you heard from Mom?"
"Several times this morning, where... um where are you? And is Willow with you?"
Uh, oh, think fast Buffy! "Yes Will's with me and we're at Angel's."
"Angel's? I thought he was well now?"
Oh, real smooth Buffy! "Well, he is mostly, but he had kind of a... relapse last night and Willow and I helped him get home. And we decided to stay to make sure he was alright."
"Well, as long as you're fine."
"Giles, could you call Mom and let her know that you found us?"
"And why can't you?" He asks suspiciously.
Whoops! "Um... my battery is almost dead." And she won't buy that line of crap I just fed you!
He sighs. "All right."
"Thanks Giles! Tell her I'll call from Willow's. That's where we're headed now."
I hang up and turn to find Willow standing behind me. Fully dressed, her hair damp from the shower and a pissed off look on her face. Uh, oh.
"Elisabeth Anne Summers! Did you just LIE to Giles? Have you forgotten what happened with the frat party? Giant Snake Demon ring any bells?"
"Yes, I remember the Snake Demon. No, I didn't lie to Giles... exactly. I just didn't correct him when he assumed that I meant we were at the mansion."
Okay! I'm splitting hairs and the look on Will's face says she's not buyin' it.
"Would you like me to tell him what we were REALLY doing last night?" I ask, giving her my best 'Slayer look' and she bursts into laughter?
"What the hell is so funny?" I ask, annoyed.
She struggles to answer. "Y-you are!" Another giggle fit!
"Willow this isn't helping my 'having sex with Buffy turns you evil' complex"
"I'm sorry, but you standing there all Slayery. In... in your... BITHDAY SUIT!! Hahahahah!"
Okay, maybe it would have worked better with clothes.
"Fine. I'm going to take my shower. When you get done with Giggle Fest 98' you can go get my clothes from upstairs."
That stopped her laughing! "Hey! Since when am I your maid?"
"We're in a hurry to get you home, remember?"
She pouts and mutters; "Okay. Grumble, grumble."
Willow's POV
After Buffy finished with her shower we called a cab and went to wait for it downstairs. Buffy insisted we walk down rather than levitate. She did say that we'd try the elevator next time we came here. It was the words 'next time' that got my attention! I hope that means she's starting to get over the whole 'me turning evil' thing.
We had the cab drop us a couple of blocks from my house, just in case my parents were already home, and walked the rest of the way. As we came up the front walk I heard something that stopped me dead in my tracks. My parents, yelling at each other in Yiddish. The only time they use Yiddish is when they're arguing about me.
"Will, what are they saying?"
"I don't speak enough Yiddish to follow it all, but Buffy I think it's about us."
"Us? As in us being together?" She asks.
"I think so. And something about, pictures?"
Buffy starts to say something but my father opens the front door and calls to us.
"Willow, Miss Summers, would you come in please? Sheila and I have something we would like to discuss with you."
Buffy took my hand and squeezed then we walked up the steps and into the house.
Part 10
Buffy's POV
Okay, Will's parents have been talking, and not in English, for almost ten minutes now and Willow's almost in tears!
"All right that's enough! Speak English please!"
That got their attention at least. Of course they're staring at me now like I've got three heads.
"Buffy..."
"No Will. If they wanna talk TO us it's gonna have to be in English so that we can all participate. Otherwise they're just talking ABOUT us and that is so not gonna work."
Willow's mother gave me a sour look but nodded and said; "She's right Ira, we're not going to get anywhere if we exclude Bunny from our discussion."
God, is this woman EVER gonna remember my name!
"Mama, her name is Buffy not Bunny." Will says.
"Look, what exactly has got you so upset?" I ask.
Mr. Rosenberg answers; "Five days ago we received this in Prague. As soon as we saw the contents we cancelled the rest of our lectures and came home immediately."
He slides an envelope across the coffee table and several photographs slip out. Photos of Willow and I, in different places around Sunnydale. Holding hands, hugging, mostly kissing. Damn! I know Willow didn't want to tell her parents about us yet because she was afraid of their reaction and them finding out like this is only gonna make things worse. If I... WHEN I find out who sent these... I'm gonna pummel them into a greasy stain!
Willow's POV
I stare at the pictures for what seems like a long time. I look at Mama and Papa then at Buffy. She looks like she's going to explode any second. I take her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.
"Is this true, Willow? Are you 'involved' with this girl?" Papa asks.
Buffy opens her mouth to say something but I interrupt; "I'm in love with her Papa."
"Oh Willow!" Mama says disapprovingly.
"You know what the teachings of our people say about this... unnatural liaison don't you?"
"I know."
"Then you know that you cannot continue this relationship, that you must give her up."
"Never." I say softly.
"What did you say?" He snaps.
"I will NEVER give her up! Buffy is my everything! And nothing you can say or do will EVER change that Papa!"
He just sits there for a moment, a stunned expression on his face. Then he rises up out the armchair his face twisting in rage.
"You defy your Papa! Turn your back on your people! Your faith!"
He turns to Buffy before I can answer. "You! This is your doing! Before she met you Willow was a good girl! Not some obscene..."
Buffy's up and in his face before he can finish.
"That's enough! I don't give a damn who you are; NOBODY talks to my Willow like that! I love your daughter Mr. Rosenberg and I fully intend to spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy. And if you can't handle that I'm sorry. But Willow IS my life and I won't let ANYONE hurt her."
Papa looks past Buffy at me and says; "Willow, if you persist in this relationship you will no longer be welcome in this house. Is that what you want?"
"Ira!" Mama wails
"No Sheila, if she wants to live here she must obey me in this. Well Willow?"
For an instant time seems to stop. Mama staring at Papa with a horrified look on her face. Papa staring at me with a disapproving glare. And Buffy looking at me out of the corner of her eye because the Slayer in her won't let her take her full attention off of a perceived threat.
I stand up and take Buffy's hand in mine. "Papa, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'll have someone come pick up my things."
I feel a little numb as I lead Buffy out the door and down the street. She doesn't say anything at first and I can't say anything. If I do, the tears are gonna start and I don't know if I can make them stop.
Faith's POV
From the look on Red's face her parents must've finally gotten my little 'care package'. About time, I only sent the fuckin' thing three weeks ago! Wish I could have been a fly on that wall. I am so glad that I swung by that place where Red and B went in last night. I wouldn't have missed this for anything! I got there just as they got in the cab. Thought I was gonna lose 'em for sure. But I just managed to keep 'em in sight long enough to figure out where they were goin'. Then I ran through the back alleys until I got here to the cemetery down the street from Red's house. Her old man called 'em into the house just as I got settled in my perch in the tree.
I've been up here before. Watchin Red's house. I've got a couple of different places around here I can watch from. One with a really good view of the living room but they're too close with B there. She'd know I was here and that would spoil the surprise. I've even been in the house before. That's how I found out where to mail the pictures. Awfully nice of them to leave that calendar complete with mailing addresses on the fridge.
Buffy's POV
Willow hasn't let go of my hand since we left her house. She hasn't said anything either. I'm afraid she might be in shock. I remember how I felt when Mom kicked me out last year. Well, when I let myself stop long enough to feel, anyway. Of course by that time I was in L.A. I'm really hoping Will says something soon. Cause she's starting to scare the hell out of me.
"Willow, we need to turn soon, if we're going to my house that is?"
Still no answer, but she turned, in the right direction even. So at least she can hear me, that's a good sign. Isn't it? I wish she'd say something!
"Will, Baby, you're starting to give me the wiggins here. Can you say something, please?"
For long moments she doesn't answer, then so softly that even with Slayer hearing I almost miss it she says; "Not yet."
Willow's POV
It's all I can do to keep going. One foot in front of the other. I almost miss the turn to Buffy's house but she reminds me.
"Willow, we need to turn soon, if we're going to my house that is."
I don't answer but I make the turn. After what feels like a long time she speaks to me again.
"Will, Baby, your starting to give me the wiggins here. Can you say something please?"
I don't answer right away cause I'm afraid I might be sick if I do. But finally I whisper; "Not yet."
Finally we reach Buffy's house and go inside. Then for some reason the floor comes up and slaps me in the face.
Buffy's POV
Neither of us says a word the rest of the way to my house. I keep glancing at Will but I can't read her expression. It's sort of a cross between her 'resolve face' and 'please god don't let me puke'! Then we get to my house, she opens the door we go inside and her eyes roll back in her head and she faints! I try to catch her but she goes from upright and mobile to boneless and on the floor so fast that I'm caught off guard.
"Shit! Mom!" I yell as I drop to the floor and pull Willow into my lap. "Oh God! She's ice cold."
"Buffy? What's wrong. What happened to Willow?"
"I don't know. Her parents... they found out... about us, she wouldn't leave me when they told her to. And her dad he... Mom, he told her that if she didn't give me up she couldn't live there anymore! Then we came here and she just collapsed! Mom, she's so cold!"
Joyce's POV
I feel Willow's forehead and she's very cold and clammy. From what Buffy just said she's probably in shock. Being kicked out by her parents must have been horribly... traumatic. I glance guiltily at Buffy, remembering my own less than stellar reaction when I found out Buffy was the Slayer.
"Buffy, I'm going to call Mr. Giles. Right now we have to keep Willow warm. Can you take her upstairs and put her into bed?"
She nods her head in answer, then stands up still holding Willow and carries her effortlessly up the stairs. I don't think I'll ever get used to how strong she is. Well I've got to call Mr. Giles and we've got to work out a plan to deal with Willow's situation.
Buffy's POV
I carry Will up to my room and get her under the covers. I crawl into bed next to her and pull her into my arms. Rocking her gently I smooth her hair away from her face and whisper into her ear.
"It's gonna be alright Will. It's gonna be okay, I promise. Just wake up Willow, please just wake up and come back. Oh Will, please come back to me."
We lay there for a long time and finally she begins to stir.
"Will, Baby? Please, Wake up."
"Um, Buffy?" Thank you God! She's awake!
"Will? How do you feel Baby?" I ask.
"Buffy, how did we get in your bed?"
Uh oh, that doesn't sound good. Fortunately Mom chooses that moment to poke her head around my door.
"Buffy I... oh Willow, you're awake! How do you feel sweetie?" She crosses the room to sit on the edge of the bed and feel Will's forehead.
"Well, you certainly don't feel as clammy as you did downstairs. Do you remember what happened?"
"Mom..." I start but Will interrupts me.
"No, Buffy. I remember most of it. My parents, their ultimatum, you jumping up to protect me and them kicking me out. How we got here, I'm a little fuzzy on." She says.
We sit up in the bed and I put my arm around her shoulders. Willow looks down at her lap.
"Well, you lead me here, you barely said two words, and as soon as we got in the door, you passed out. That's about the it. Are you sure you're okay Willow? I don't mind saying you passing out gave me a maxi wig."
She said softly, "I'm okay." With the chin trembling and the tears welling up in her eyes. Oh yeah, she's fine.
"Baby, that is not the sound of 'okay Willow'."
And that's all it takes. She throws her arms around my neck, buries her face in my chest and starts to sob. I put my arms around her and whisper soothing noises in her ear till she calms down enough to talk.
"Oh, Buffy, w-what am I-I g-gonna d-do? My p-parents h-HATE me!"
Mom sees the look on my face and jumps in before I can tell Willow what I think about them right now.
"Willow, honey, they don't hate you."
Will looks at her. "They don't?"
"No, sweetie. They're a little... confused right now, that's all."
"You... you don't understand. Right now, they're probably calling all our relatives and... and t-telling them I-I'm..." She starts sobbing again like her hearts been ripped out and trampled on. And that's the LEAST I'm gonna do to whoever caused my Willow to be hurt like this!
"What, Baby? What are they telling your family?" I ask.
She looks up at me through tear filled eyes and says softly. "That I'm dead."
"What! Will, that doesn't make any sense! Why would they..." Mom puts her hand on my arm and shakes her head.
"It's their religion isn't it Willow?" She asks.
Will nods her head. "In the Jewish faith, if a child goes against the teachings of the torah, the family, if the transgression is serious enough, can basically declare that person dead in the eyes of God. They go through all the rituals of mourning. Some even have funerals. And the rest of the family is forbidden to speak to the person or have any contact with them at all."
As she explains the enormity of the consequences of this afternoon's confrontation it finally sinks in just what Willow gave up for me and I can't let it happen. My heart sinks as I realize that she has given up her WHOLE family for ME! And I won't let her do it. It's just too much.
I get off the bed and go to the window. I can't look at her as I say; "Willow, go home."
"Buffy?" God, she sounds so hurt!
"Go home Will." My voice cracks. "Tell him he was right and you were w-wrong. Tell him you won't see me any more. Maybe he won't..."
I can't talk any more. The only reason I'm still upright is because I'm hanging onto the window frame with all the strength I can muster. I feel a hand on my shoulder but I don't turn around. Cause if I do I'll wrap my arms around her and I won't be able to let her go. She wraps her arms around my waist and puts her chin on my shoulder.
"Hey." She says. I don't answer. I can't. I don't trust my voice.
"I told them, now I'm telling you, so you better be listening. I. Will. Never. Give. You. Up, Never, Buffy. You're my everything. Nothing they or anyone else can do to us will EVER change that!"
Somehow I find my voice. "I can't let you, not for me. I'm not..."
"Don't you dare finish that sentence Buffy! You are the other half of me. And I can't live without you. I don't care if I end up living in a cardboard box! I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you no matter what anyone thinks."
I turn and put my arms around her. "Have I told you lately how much I love you Willow Rosenberg?"
She looks thoughtful for a moment. "Uh huh. Just now, when you tried to do what you thought was best for me. Just remember next time that you ARE what's best for me. You hear me, Missy?"
"Yes ma'am. I love it when you get all commandery on me Will."
I pull Willow towards me for a kiss, but "Ahem." Oops! Forgot Mom was still in the room.
"As much as I hate to interrupt this tender moment. We still have some things to talk about. I spoke to Rupert earlier, and he says he knows of a family court judge that might be able to help us." Rupert? Since when is my Mom on a first name basis with Giles.
"Help us how, Mrs. Summers?" Will asks.
"Please, honey call me Joyce. Well, he thinks that we can have the court appoint me your legal guardian. That way you can stay here and still go to school. If that's all right that is."
Will looks at my mother with tears welling up in her eyes and lunges across the room at her crying all over again. This time though, she's crying happy tears. And I stand there watching my mother hold my lover and I try to hold back my own tears of rage. One thought runs through my mind over and over. I am gonna kill whoever the FUCK did this to my Willow and I'm gonna make it HURT!
Part 11
Buffy's POV
It's been a little over a week since Willow's parents kicked her out, and as I understand it had her declared dead! I'm still seriously pissed about that. And totally amazed that Will loves me that much, to give up her whole family rather than leave me.
The legal stuff was a lot easier to deal with than I thought it would be. Mostly because Giles' 'friend' the judge, owed him some kind of BIG favor. I don't know what and I don't care, as long as it means Willow is safe from her fucked up parents. They didn't even bother to show up for the hearing. Of course that only made it easier for the judge to declare them unfit and to legally sever their parental rights. Right after that he made Mom Will's legal guardian, which basically means that Mom agrees to be legally responsible for her until she turns eighteen in six months.
The day after the hearing Giles went with the Sheriff to serve them with the papers and to get Willow's stuff. When they got there they found a 'for sale' sign and a pile of boxes in the yard. Typical. According to the realtor the owners were moving to Europe for an 'extended period' and just wanted to sell the house quickly. Wills had cried for hours after learning that they had completely abandoned her. All I could do was hold her and plot the demise by slow evisceration of the bastard who thought it would be a hoot to fuck with my Willow.
Which brings me to tonight. I made sure to get the photos before Wills saw them. Sorry bastards left the envelope in a box of her books where she'd be sure to find it! I had Giles use pretty much every source he had trying to find out who the photographer was. He found out nada, zip, and zilch. So I'm going to hit the streets tonight, emphasis on hit. I've got Mom taking Willow to the movies, there's a Three Stooges festival at the Sunnydale Cinema.
I don't ordinarily wear all black, but tonight I'm going for maximum intimidation. Leather pants, a black tank top, leather jacket, black steel toed work boots (they were a bitch to find in my size) and a little gift from Angel. They look like really expensive driving gloves. You know the kind, with no fingertips? Angel got them for me last year before... well, you know. He saw how torn up my knuckles got after a night of heavy Slayage. The next time I saw him he gave me these. The insides are nicely padded, but then they have to be. Sewn into the backs and the knuckle area are narrow pockets full of lead shot. They're called knuckle saps. With these things on I can remove the jaw of a Vamp with one back fist. I put my hair in a bun and put two miniature stakes through it. 'Mr. Pointy' gets tucked into my pants at the small of my back, and I'm ready to go kick some ass. Giles' sources couldn't find anything out about the damn pictures but when Willow was kidnapped by that frog demon he came up empty too. I'm gonna go have a talk with somebody who did come up with the info I needed. I'm gonna go find Shadow, and if he needs some 'persuasion'... well that's what the knuckle saps are for.
Interlude
Damn Slayers! I make six minions and they kill four! The only reason they didn't get these two is because they wandered in off the street the other day and I kept them here! There has to be a better way to raise manpower than this. I' m never gonna be ready at this rate. Damn Slayers!
End Interlude
Willow's POV
Buffy's up to something. I'm not sure what because she's being all secretive gal. That usually means that she's trying to protect me from something. I just can't seem to convince her that I don't always need to be protected. And her Mom has been sooo great about... letting me move in and all. She did make us sleep in separate bedrooms, but we expected that. Besides we have a date scheduled in a couple of days and if I have my way it WILL include serious smootchies.
Shadows POV
The Slayer is in a really bad mood. Last couple of days she's been kicking some serious ass and she's stopped patrolling with Red. Never a good sign, usually it means that she's planning something dangerous something ... Shit! I sense her just before she slams open the door, I watch as she stalks past Willie and heads straight for me. Two vamps step up and get turned into dust buster chow in less time than it takes to tell. She hardly breaks stride. I take in what she's wearing as she sits down across the booth from me.
"So, did we have a date after all Slayer?"
"No cryptic shit tonight Shadow, I am sooo not in the mood.
"I can see that, what's with the outfit? You look like Dark side Barbie."
She gives me her patented 'look'. "Not quite the look I was going for." She says.
"So what's wrong with Red?" the look on her face is priceless. Then she reaches across the table and grabs my jacket.
"What do you know about my Willow?" She growls.
"That you're crazed, and the only thing that does that is Red." I say quietly.
Slowly she lets go and sits back then pulls a manila envelope from her jacket and slides it across the table. I open it and look at the pictures inside.
"Someone sent those to Will's parents, they did worse than disown her. I need you to help me find out who did this."
Knowing that Red's parents are Jewish I understand what she's saying. "Tell her I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, help me! Help Willow." She hisses.
"What about Giles?" I ask.
"We've already tapped his resources and got nothing."
"Not surprising." I say.
"Why?"
"His sources are all in the Demon world right? Well, this doesn't have the earmarks of a Demon or Vampire plot. It's too personal."
"That doesn't make any sense. Will doesn't have any Human enemies. Well, outside of Cordelia, and not even she would do this. It's too cruel even for her."
"I never said it was Willow's enemy."
"You think someone did this to her because of me?" She asks softly, her eyes on the table.
"No, I think that someone is trying to GET to you through her. Is it working?"
"They hurt my Willow!" She said through gritted teeth, her fists clenched.
Willie, ever the king of bad timing, chooses that moment to bring the Slayer a drink. She looks at it like something smelly and gross, and then she gives Willie pretty much the same look.
"What the fuck is this?" She growls.
"Uh, Dr. Pepper, diet. That's what you drink isn't it?" Willie answers, terrified.
"And how do you know what I drink Willie? Do you have somebody spying on me and Will?"
Willie holds the tray in front of his chest and backs slowly away. I put my hand on her wrist and she shoots me a venomous look.
"Tell her how you know Willie." I say quietly.
"A-Angel, h-he used to have stuff delivered to the mansion. I-I figured the DP had to be for you. I started keeping a couple of six packs around in case you wanted one. That's all. I swear!"
"Okay," she says "Sorry I scared you Willie."
"Sure, no problem! It's on the House."
"Feel any better?" I ask as I release her.
"No. You know I came out tonight planning to kick your ass. Now you're making more sense than Giles. How is that?"
"I've been around longer than Giles."
"You don't look that old."
"Describe me."
" I think I speak for everyone that is me, when I say 'huh'?"
"When you look at me, what do you see?"
"Uh, a guy. Early thirties maybe, motorcycle jacket with lots of zippers. Heavy looking boots leather pants." She stops like she's finished.
I decide to prod her a little. "What color is my hair? Is it blonde, brunette, or am I a redhead like your Willow?"
She looks a bit confused. "You can't tell can you?"
She starts to rise from the table. "What the FUCK are you doing to me? Is this some kind of spell?" She ends in a defensive stance a couple of steps back.
"Sort of. It's like a glamour only I can't really control it. More like a natural defense mechanism. It helps me go unnoticed."
She sits back down warily. "So how come I can see you at all?"
"People I've interacted with can always recognize me. But they all see something a little different from each other."
"So if I ask Giles to describe you he won't be able to either?" She asks.
"Oh he'll have an idea of what I look like but it will be fuzzy. Probably no better than yours and I'm sitting right in front of you."
"So who ARE you really? You're not Human, are you?"
"Nope. If you concentrate for a minute, you might notice something else." I'm taking a chance with this, but something's coming up soon and I'm going to need her to trust me.
She closes her eyes and gets a thoughtful expression. Then she looks at me wide eyed and says; "I can FEEL you! Like I can feel Faith, but it's... different somehow."
"I know, we're linked, the three of us. Through your bond with Willow I can feel her too. Not as comprehensively but I know she's there. Usually Slayers can't feel my link with them but now that you're aware of it you'll probably continue to be."
Her expression gets hard. "So what the hell are you? And no more cryptic bullshit! It's starting to piss me off!"
"I'm the reason there are Slayers. The source of the Slayer Power."
I tell her the whole story. About the Shadowmen. What they did to a Human girl. To create the Slayer. About the Watchers Council and what they've done over the centuries to maintain their control over the Slayers. At that point she asks a question.
"Wait, why didn't they do that with me? Kidnap me away from my parents and take me somewhere so I'd be a good little robot."
"They don't find ALL the potentials. Sometimes they live in remote regions that are difficult to reach or the locator spell just misses them that's what happened with Faith. They didn't even know there was a potential in Boston until she was Called."
"So What about me. Did they just miss me too?"
"Not exactly. I hid your presence from their locators."
"Okay, before we rescued Willow, you were really getting on my nerves because of the way I had to pry answers out of you. You're starting to get on them again. So you wanna help me out here and tell me why."
"Because I knew you were going to be the next Slayer, maybe the best one in a long time. But not if the Council got their hooks into you so I made sure they couldn't find you by staying close. My proximity screws up their locator spells. Once you were Called it didn't work anymore. Active Slayers stand out like a beacon. That's when they sent Merrick, not their first choice but he was closest. He was considered a maverick, and he was mostly. He trained you a little differently than most Watchers train their Slayers. He didn't harp on that 'chosen one fights alone' shit. That's why you allow your friends to help you. And why you found your mate."
"Willow."
"Yep. Even just saying her name makes you look happier. Slayers who don't find their mate have a tendency to die sooner. Ask Giles to look it up if you don't believe me, all the longer lived Slayers had mates."
"These mates, were they all..." she lets the question trail off but I know where she's going.
"Women? No, but the ones that lasted the longest were in same sex relationships. I don't know why, so don't ask. It just seems to work out better for Slayers when they mate with females."
"So why tell me all this now? If you've been around all this time and never told the other Slayers. Why me?"
I sigh. "I can't tell you that yet."
She makes an exasperated noise and slams her hand down on the table; a crack runs across its surface.
"I think we talked about my lack of patience with cryptic bullshit earlier. So knock it the FUCK off, and tell me! Or at least tell me why not!"
"I need to speak to someone first, find out where they stand on something. And no I'm not gonna tell you who or what so don't ask. Besides you need to talk to Faith."
"About what?" She asks, looking confused.
"Tell her what I told you about Slayers and their mates. Maybe you can get through to her where I couldn't. Girls got a chip on her shoulder the size of Gibraltar."
"You have got to be kidding me. You want me to play matchmaker for Faith?" She asks incredulously.
"No, just try to get her to understand that being alone is bad for her and it couldn't hurt to find someone to spend time with. Maybe someone to share her life with. This 'get some get gone' mentality isn't gonna help her."
"I don't know where she is tonight." She says. Her reluctance is understandable but Faith needs help now or we're gonna lose her.
"She's about ten blocks south of here." She gives me a sour expression. "And she's fighting." I say.
"Is she winning?" She asks as she jumps up from the booth.
"What do you think." I answer.
"Shit!" As she takes off at a dead run.
I hope she gets through to her this time. Girl needs someone. I tell Willie good night and as I head out the door I look in the direction the blonde Slayer ran. I wonder if I should have told her that I think Faith sent those pictures to Red's parents. No, not yet. Cause then I'd have to tell her why I think she sent them. And I don't even think Faith knows the real reason. She thinks she wants to take Red away from Buffy. But that isn't quite right, I can hear it in her voice when she talks about her. Oh she wants to break them up but I don't think she's admitted the real reason even to herself. She wants a mate but she doesn't want Willow. She wants Buffy.
TBC