Of Slayers and Angels
by Bob Head
Parts 12-14
[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
OF Slayers AND Angels
Part 12
Faith's POV
Son of a BITCH! Where the fuck are they all coming from! It's like a Vampire convention! I dust one and two more pop up. I swing the sword around my head to clear a space and backflip to get a little distance then I see a mausoleum off to my left. I spin and decapitate one vamp then slice the arm off another with the backstroke. I dropkick another one and roll to come up with the wall of the mausoleum at my back and do a quick head count. Shit! Twelve. And I've already dusted seven!
I grimace as I feel ribs grinding together in my left side. When the fuck did that happen? I take a better grip on the sword hilt and get ready to take as many of them down as I can when I go.
Buffy's POV
I'm still running flat out when I hit the cemetery. I slow for a second as I hear the sounds of a fight in the distance. Then I take off again at full speed praying to whoever might be listening to let me be in time! I'm inside of fifty yards when I can finally see them. I draw 'Mr. Pointy' and increase speed as the Slayer in me takes over and assigns threat levels to the Vamps I can see. The two closest to Faith have to go right now! I throw 'Mister Pointy' on the fly and it passes through them both leaving Faith facing two clouds of dust. I do a handspring and spin using the steel toes on my boots to crush two Vamps' skulls. Then pop up to put the knuckle saps to good use by slamming my fists into the chests of the two Vamps in front of me and ripping their hearts out. Faith yells.
"Buffy! Catch!"
I whirl and catch the sword she throws to me as she slumps to the ground. I continue the spin and six strokes later I'm moving through a cloud of dust to check on Faith.
Faith's POV
I growl deep in my throat as two of them start to move in. Then without warning they're dust. That's when I feel her. Then she's among them, moving so fast I can barely follow her with my eyes. She's taken down six of them in about as many seconds. And that's when I realize she doesn't have a weapon. I call out to her as my knees start to give way.
"Buffy! Catch!"
I throw the sword to her as I collapse to the dirt. She snatches it out of the air and the damn thing seems to come alive in her hands! She keeps whirlin' and spinnin', the blade a silver blur. It's almost like she's dancin'. As far as the Vamps are concerned it's a dance of death and just like that it's over. Almost before the dust settles she's at my side. A serious look on her face, even so she looks like an angel, my angel. Shit, where the fuck did that come from? Must be hurt worse than I thought.
Buffy's POV
I do a quick once over to see if she has any major wounds, I don't see anything too serious. She might need some stitching up though.
"Faith, can you walk?"
"Yeah, if we don't go too fast. I got some busted ribs on the left."
"We'll take it slow then, but we need to move in case these goons have friends."
We move as fast as Faith's injuries will allow, which isn't very. But we make steady progress toward my first goal, to get us out of the cemetery. I head us straight for the wall instead of the gate. Fortunately this is one of Sunnydale's older cemeteries and the wall is only about three and a half feet tall so even hurt Faith shouldn't have too much trouble getting over it. Besides, once we get over the wall it's just a few blocks to Giles' apartment. I help Faith climb over as gently as I can and she still groans in pain. Knowing Faith that means she's hurt worse than she's letting on. Dammit!
Faith's POV
Fuck, this REALLY hurts! Side feels like it's on fire. Can't let on to B though. Then she'd think I was a wuss. On top of thinkin' that I'm useless as a Slayer. Goddammit I HATE bein' weaker than B! How the hell does she DO it? I train, I practice and I'm still nowhere near as good at Slaying as she is! There shouldn't be any difference between us but she's just stronger than me and it's pissing me off! What is it , why is she better at this than me? And is she hot in that outfit or what? Huh? Where the fuck did THAT come from?
Giles' POV
I have been trying to reach Quentin for days, with no success! That blasted assistant of his insists that he has been passing on my messages but why hasn't he returned my calls then? Does he know that I'm having doubts about this... this barbarity? This dosage cannot be correct. As I understand it, this drug is supposed to reduce the Slayer's power. But at this level it will virtually strip her of it. Buffy will have no more strength than a normal... Damn! That's my phone. I lay down the text I've been reading and answer it.
"Hello, Rupert Giles here."
"Rupert, I understand you've been trying to contact me?" Quentin! And from the sound of it this is NOT a transatlantic connection.
"Yes Quentin, it's about the preparation for the Cruciamentum. The dosage of the drug, it... um, it seems much too high.."
Quentin sighs into the phone. I take note of a distinctive sound in the background. "Have you begun administering it yet?"
"Of course not. According to my calculations Quentin, the dose should be at LEAST one third less than what your instructions call for. I have researched this very thoroughly and all the records of past Cruciamentums that I have been able to uncover stress, in no uncertain terms, that a very specific formula must be used to determine the correct dosage to administer in order to weaken the Slayer's abilities. Deviating from this formula risks leaving the Slayer completely defenseless or... killing her outright."
"Rupert! What possible reason could the council have to kill a Slayer? ANY Slayer! Especially your Miss Summers. Who is the most successful Slayer in our histories. Now I admit we consider her methods... unorthodox to say the least. However, considering who her first Watcher was, it is entirely understandable that she would be more independent than most Slayers."
I grow quickly annoyed at this unwarranted criticism of Buffy's first Watcher and my friend.
I put a warning tone in my voice. "Merrick was a good man Quentin."
"No one is suggesting otherwise, I assure you. I am merely saying that had another, more traditional Watcher been available, perhaps Miss Summers might be a bit more... tractable. More inclined to take instructions."
"Be that as it may Quentin, I am still concerned that the dosage of the Cruciamentum drug is too high to be used safely." I say.
"Yes, well." He says. Then adopting an official tone, "The Council, after careful review of Merrick's journals and your own evaluations, has determined that Miss Summers is without question the most powerful Slayer ever. We felt therefore, that to ensure the validity of the test, the dosage would have to be increased to compensate."
"Validity of the test..." I begin, the there is a knock on my door and it immediately opens to reveal an oddly clothed Buffy supporting an obviously injured Faith.
"I'm sorry, you'll have to call me back at another time" I hang up the phone and hastily cross the room to help Buffy move Faith onto the sofa.
Buffy's POV
Just as Faith and I make it to Giles' apartment I hear his voice thru the door.
"Validity of the test..." I knock and open up without waiting for a response. Giles looks up with this shocked expression and says;
"I'm sorry, you'll have to call me back at another time." He drops the phone on the cradle and helps me settle Faith on the couch.
"What happened?" He asks.
"Got jumped by a nest... ow! Take it easy G! I'm kinda banged up here." She replies.
"I'm sorry Faith, I'm trying to determine the extent of your injuries." Giles says, gently examining her.
"Is she going to be alright Giles?" I ask.
"Yes, I think so. Some of these lacerations will need sutures and her ribs will need to be wrapped, but she should be fine in a day or two."
"Good." I pat her knee and say. "I need you mobile, not laid up or dead.
"Shit, B. I don't think you need me at all." She says quietly. "I was fighting those Vamps for a good twenty minutes and only staked seven of 'em. You show up and take out a dozen in less than a minute. If you hadn't... I'da been Vamp chow."
I sit there next to her, listening, and I realize that she sounds depressed. Which is very un-Faith-like. Damn. Shadow's right, She needs something, well some ONE. And I just SUCK at matchmaking Maybe Wills can help. In the meantime, I've got to say something to try to make her feel better!
"Vamps are very single minded. When they thought they had Slayer on the menu, that's all they were focused on. It gave me the advantage of surprise. That always makes things easier."
"Well I hope I made a good diversion at least." She says dejectedly.
Shit! Smooth move Buffy. Way to make the girl feel worse. While I've been putting my foot in my mouth, Giles has been going through his medical kit, laying out supplies to patch Faith up with.
Slayer metabolism being what it is it's hard to get local anesthetics to last very long on us. So the Council came up with what Giles calls 'an effective combination of painkillers, muscle relaxers and tranquilizers'. I just call it a Slayer cocktail. It makes it easier to work on a Slayer if we need stitches or to have a bone set. Or my personal favorite, putting a dislocated shoulder back into place. I don't like it much cause it makes me feel... kinda loopy, but it's nice to have when you really need it.
Giles fills a syringe with carefully measured amounts of different colored liquids from several bottles.
"Faith, it'll be much easier to tape your ribs and suture these wounds if I use this medication to relax you." He says.
"Will it make me sleep?" She asks, in a kind of little girl lost voice. Again, very un-Faith-like.
I answer, trying to reassure her. "Eventually yeah, but not for a couple of hours. Until then you will definitely be felling NO pain. If you don't let him use it it's gonna hurt like a bitch when Giles tapes you up."
She looks at me. "So you've used this shit before B?"
"A couple of times. 'Course I had to learn the hard way. Once I dislocated my shoulder fighting a
BIG demon. Giles wanted to use the cocktail to make it easier to fix. I told him 'no' because I was the big tough Slayer."
Faith asked; "So... what happened?"
"Um, I almost passed out when he popped it back in. One of his neighbors even called the police because they thought he was murdering someone because of the screams."
"Screams, from you B?" She looks like she doesn't believe me.
"It hurt." I said simply. "But I never argued with him again about using it after that!" Then I noticed the smirk on Giles' face.
"Hey! That story wasn't supposed to give you a happy!"
"Well, I was simply recalling that you seemed more inclined to listen to me afterwards. I did tell you to be careful using any throwing techniques against that particular creature due to its mass."
"I listened before that." I say with a pout. Giles just glares at me.
"Yes well, back to the question at hand," he holds up the syringe. "Yes, or no."
Faith looks away as Giles holds up the syringe. That's when it sinks in.
Faith, are you... are you afraid of needles?"
"No!" She snaps. "I am not AFRAID of anything!" Then more quietly, "But I don't fucking like
needles."
She's looking at me so Giles gestures to keep her distracted. I take her hand (to keep her from punching me) then I reach over and gently prod her ribs.
"Oh, fuck B! What'd you do THAT for!" She's twisted away Giles in reaction to the renewed pain. He jabs the needle into her right hip and injects the contents quickly.
"Hey." She looks at Giles venomously. "Damn sneaky... W-whoa. What the fuck was IN that shit?" She asks woozily.
Did I mention how fast that stuff works? Two minutes after injection a horde of Demons could charge right by and you'd just smile and say 'ooo what a pretty shade of green.'."
Giles' phone rings and he's starting to stitch Faith up. "Buffy can you get that please? Faith! Hold still." Faith giggles. Oh yeah, she's feeling NO pain.
"I got it Giles, you take care of her."
I move around to Giles's desk and pick up the phone. Trying not to laugh as he struggles to stitch one of Faith's cuts while at the same time ducking her attempts to hug him.
"Hello, Giles walk-in clinic, can I help you?"
My smart-ass comment gets me another glare from Giles and a panicked cry from Willow over the phone. My foot is going back to it's favorite home, my mouth!
"Buffy! Are you hurt? Your Mom can drive me over if..."
"Willow, I'm all right, calm down! Baby I'm okay." Mentally kicking myself for speaking before thinking.
At the mention of Will's name Faith starts yelling. "Hey! Is that Red on the phone? Tell her I said 'Hi'!"
"For God's sake! Sit still Faith, and please DON'T take that off!"
"Buffy, was that Faith I heard?"
"Hold on a minute Will. Faith!" She looks up. "Stay still for Giles and leave the bra ON! He doesn't need you THAT undressed to tape your ribs." She sticks her tongue out at me and I have to fight not to laugh as I turn my attention back to Willow.
"Sorry about that Will, what's the up?" I ask.
"What's the... Buffy do you know what time it is?" Uh oh, I've heard that tone before.
"I thought you and Mom were at the movies Will?"
"We were Buffy, until they closed!"
"Oh, uh... Why didn't you call me on my cell?"
"You mean the one I'm using to call you now?"
"I left it at home huh?"
"Yup. Buffy, did Giles give Faith one of those shots?" Okay, that's kind of a weird question.
"Uh, yeah, she got a little banged up..."
Willow interrupts me. "I'm on my way Buffy. I'll explain when I get there, DON"T leave with Faith, Okay?" She hangs up without waiting for an answer, and I'm left staring at the phone wondering what the HELL was that all about?
Part 13
Interlude
So, the new girl is just as big a screw up as I've heard. This little attack was meant to feel her out, learn her strengths and weaknesses. If Buffy hadn't shown up though, even my fledglings could have taken her out! Fool girl doesn't know when to run when she's facing hopeless odds. She's a walking death wish. Buffy though, I've never seen her that strong, that focused. I wonder what's changed?
End Interlude
Willow's POV
Boy, explaining to Buffy's Mom that I needed a ride to Giles' at this time of night without telling her the real reason was hard enough. I mean I didn't exactly lie but it wasn't the whole truth either. I've seen how Buffy reacts to that shot. If Faith does the same, there is no way I'm letting Buffy take her home by herself!
Shadow's POV
So much for talking to Giles about that damn test tonight. Both Slayers have been in there for a while now and there comes Red with Buffy's Mom. From what I heard before the Slayers arrived, it might be a moot point anyway. Giles hasn't started doping her up yet so maybe there's still hope for him.
Buffy's POV
Between the two of us, Giles and I manage to get Faith's ribs taped, stitches done and her fully dressed by the time Will and Mom arrive. Which is kind of a good thing. I'm not sure how Willow would react to me holding Faith's hands. Especially since she was half dressed at the time. Giles answers a knock at the door.
"Joyce, nice to see you again." What's going on with those two? The first name thing is starting to give me the wiggins.
Faith asks a question that worries me. "B, why are you so good at Slaying and I just suck at it?"
"You don't suck Faith, you're good at it, you've just gotta be more careful. Besides, I found out some stuff tonight that might help you to do better."
"Yeah, what?"
"We'll talk about it tomorrow. Cause if we do it tonight, you won't remember when you wake up."
"'Kay. Hey Red!" She calls to Willow.
"Hey, Faith." She says with an odd look.
Will gestures for me to follow her and Giles heads into the kitchen to make tea, as usual. Sometimes I wonder if it's just him or if all English men use everything as an excuse to make a pot of tea.
"Mom, can you sit with Faith?"
"Sure, honey." She sits down on the couch and I follow Willow back to Giles' bedroom. We stand there for almost a minute, not speaking.
"So..." I start, then I see Will's 'Resolve face' and I know I'm in trouble and I'm not even sure why.
"What's going on, Willow? Why'd you feel you had to rush over here and why didn't you want me to leave with Faith?"
Her face goes red and then she launches into babble mode. "Well it's not that I just didn't want you to leave with her. I know she's hurt and needs to be taken care of and she's had that shot so she can't be left alone, it's just that if she... and then you... it would be bad."
"Wills I can usually tell where you're going with the babbles, but this time you kinda lost me. Wanna try again?"
She turns away and looks at the floor. I walk up behind her, putting my arms around her. Her hands find mine and lace our fingers together.
"What's wrong Baby? Tell me."
"It's just stupid." She says softly.
"If it's got you this upset it's not stupid, but I need to know what 'it' is so I can fix it."
"Well, you remember the last time you had one of those shots?"
"Yeah, it was just after Faith got here, I took a little fall."
"Off the roof of a two story warehouse!"
Oh yeah, I remembered that one. I'd chased a newby out of the Bronze, he ran up a ladder to the roof of a nearby warehouse. I followed, maybe not the brightest thing I'd ever done considering what happened. As soon as I stepped foot on the roof the Vamp tackled me, sending us both over the edge. I managed to stake him on the way down but it was too late to reposition myself. I twisted my right knee and gashed my left arm on a broken bottle when I landed. Willow had to help me get to Giles.
"Okay, so it was more than a little fall but that still doesn't explain why you're so freaked tonight Will." I make her turn to face me.
"Remember what you said about secrets being all that can hurt us?" She nods, but still doesn't speak.
"Well you heard my secret that night and from the way you're acting you've got one that's bothering you. So spill Willow. Let me make it better."
"After Giles took us to your house I helped you upstairs. When we got to your bedroom you were really feeling the effects of that shot. You were VERY happy, and kinda... grabby." She says.
"Grabby? What do you mean by... " Then it hits me; "Oh! Oh shit Will, I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"Oh no, Buffy! You were just... really..."
"Horny?" I asked, feeling heat rush up my face. I think that, for once, I'm giving my little hacker a run for her money in the blushing department.
"Uh huh, and if Faith reacts like you did... I thought you might need a little warning to prevent... misunderstandings yanno?"
"Yeah, you were afraid I'd punch her out."
"Sort of..." She says softly not looking at me. Oh shit! She doesn't...
"Will you don't think that I'd... with Faith? Oh GOD no! Baby, come here." I pull her into my lap as I sit on Giles' bed.
"I said it was stupid." As tears start running down her face.
"No Baby, it's not stupid. But Willow." I pull her face around so I can look in her eyes. "You never, EVER have to worry about me sleeping with anyone else. You are the only one I want Wills EVER!"
"Buffy, I've seen how she looks at you and I know that look. I've worn it myself. I don't think she even realizes it, but Buffy, she wants you."
"Huh?"
Willow's POV
Sigh. I love Buffy but sometimes she is so dense! Particularly when it comes to how people see her. After all, I practically had to hit her over the head with it to get her to realize I was in love with her.
"Will, are you serious? You think Faith wants ME? But..."
I interrupt. "No 'buts' Buffy. I know the signs."
"Signs of what Willow?" She asks.
"An affliction I know all too well. It's called Buffyitis and Faith has it."
"Okay Will, I've still got my doubts but I trust you. So what do you think we ought to do about tonight? Faith still can't be left alone and I don't think Giles is up to fending off a horny Slayer." She
grins. Then starts laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"Can you imagine the look on his face if he had to?"
Then we both break into giggles. After a minute we calm down and catch our breath.
"O-okay, here's what I think we should do for now. We have your Mom drop you, Faith and me at her motel. Between the two of us we should be able to keep anything... embarrassing from happening."
Buffy looks thoughtful then agrees. "Yeah, that should work. And when she goes to sleep we can
have a talk about some things I found out tonight from Shadow."
Part 14
Shadow's POV
Finally! Thought they would NEVER leave. Gotta admit though, it was pretty funny watching Faith stagger out between Willow and Buffy. What wasn't funny was listening to her slur apologies to the blonde and the redhead. Hope they don't realize what she's apologizing for. Buffy killing Faith wouldn't be good at all. I knock on Giles' door and he opens it looking annoyed.
"This had better be... oh, it's you." He says.
"Pleased to see you too." As I push past him into the apartment.
"Please, do come in! After all, it's not as if it were 3 o'clock in the morning!" He says sarcastically.
For a moment I consider being subtle, but that's never been my strong suit.
"Her eighteenth birthday is ten days away Giles. Have you made up your mind yet? Are you going to hypnotize her? Poison her? All so a group of old men half a world away can feel like they're in control of something?"
For a moment he just stands there, stunned. Then he sinks into a chair and puts his face in his hands.
"Dear God. That's all it is isn't it. An exercise in control. A way for the Council to beat the Slayers into submission."
I nod. "And a way for them to dispose of the ones who prove themselves to be too 'difficult'. After all, accidents happen, a Vampire, more vicious than they thought. A Watcher, not careful enough about the dose he gives his Slayer."
Giles looks up at that, a stricken expression on his face.
"Usually in those cases the Watcher ends up dead too. Suicide, because of guilt or grief. Of course, some of them need... a little push let's say."
"My God, how could they have come to this... this madness?"
"It's not exactly a recent development Giles. They've been like this for centuries. Scheming, lying even killing their own people to maintain control of the Slayers." I sit on the couch across from him.
"Surely it wasn't always this way? At some point the Council had to be... true to the tenets that they have always espoused to the rank and file."
"In the beginning maybe. The change didn't happen all at once Giles. Over the centuries as the Council gained more power, both mundane and mystical, they felt the need for more control over the Slayers. So they changed their methods. Over time, instead of teaching and guiding the Slayers they began issuing orders."
"And the Cruciamentum?" He asks.
I sigh and sink a little deeper into the couch. "It wasn't always what the Council has perverted it into.
It was supposed to be a right of passage, a graduation of sorts. To see if the Slayer was ready to be sent out on her own without a Watcher overseeing her every move."
"Without... is that even possible?"
"Haven't you been listening Giles? That's how it was MEANT to be! After a Slayer passed the Cruciamentum the Watchers Council was only supposed to provide support! Research, weapons, and living quarters or whatever else she might need. The Council was supposed to work for the Slayer, not the other way around!"
Giles looks down at the floor. When he looks up his eyes are hard and filled with fire.
"It will be that way again Shadow, somehow." Huh, I know I got no reason to, but I believe him.
Mayor's POV
In all my time here I don't think there has ever been quite this much activity, Demonic or otherwise in my little town. Two Slayers, a very nasty Vampire on the loose, and now this report. According to this, The Watchers Council has descended on Sunnydale in force. Is it possible that they know about my plans? About the Ascension? No, no I don't think so. If they did I feel sure that the Slayers would already be on my doorstep. I think perhaps I should send Mr. Trick with an invitation to this new Vampire so that I can offer him a position in my administration. After all, he's killed Slayers before. I think he'll find two to be... fun.
Spike's POV
After a few pints at Willies I take my leave of the place. And walk right into a group of Vampires waiting outside. Their leader (wearing a suit and tie no less) introduces himself as Mr. Trick. Says some one wants to see me. And since I just sent all my people to the lair the odds seem a little one sided. So...
"Lead the way mate." I say with a flourish.
My 'host' leads us to a limo and we get in and travel downtown. When we stop I get out and find myself in front of City Hall no less!
"What in the bloody hell are we doing here Trick?"
"Patience, my man patience. All will be made clear in a minute."
We go up in a private elevator and come out in an office with a big desk and an average looking Human behind it. My eye is drawn to the nameplate on the desk.
"Well, well, well. Hizzoner the Mayor! Tell me Mr. Mayor, what does a guy like you want with a guy like me?" I ask as I drop into the chair in front of the desk.
"Well, Spike I have a vision. A vision of a neat, orderly Sunnydale; followed by a neat, orderly world. But I have a problem. You see certain people are standing in the way of my vision, even though they don't know it yet. Now I have never been one to just wait and let a problem develop until it's insurmountable. So here's what I propose. I would like you to take care of my little problem, not to put too fine a point on it, kill the Slayers. What do you say? You up for it?"
I chuckle as I ask, "Now why would I want to take on not one, but TWO Slayers for you even if one of them IS Damn near useless?"
"Actually, I was thinking about a large amount of money and a place in my new order. Otherwise I don't think I'm gonna have any use for you at all."
He gestures and I look behind me to see a large number of heavily armed Vampires.
"You know, I just had the carpet cleaned in here and while I'd hate to get it all dusty... but I will if I have to."
"In that case Mr. Mayor, I guess you've got yourself a deal."
Buffy's POV
I've been awake for a while now, thinking about what Shadow told me last night. I told Willow the whole story after we got Faith tucked in. And yeah, Will was right, she was a handful until she finally went to sleep. Between us though, we managed to keep anything 'embarrassing' from happening, at least at first. Will says she might know someone that Faith might find 'interesting'. Her word not mine. Afterwards we tried sleeping on the floor but the carpet smelled like things I don't even want to imagine.
So we joined Faith on the bed. Which was okay at first, Wills and I were wrapped around each other (no funny business... well not much anyway) but at some point Faith must have felt lonely cause when I woke up I was spooning Willow and Faith was spooning me! So much for not being embarrassed. So here we are, a brunette, a blonde and a redhead. I haven't tried to get untangled yet because I don't want Will to wake up with Faith's arms around me. She's already insecure about Faith and this will sooo not help.
Faith's POV
Umm... warm, comfy. Strange scent, that smells... like strawberries and vanilla? Slowly I open my eyes as I realize that I am not the only one in this bed. Right in front of me is a mass of tousled blonde hair and my arm is around the waist of the body attached to it. And the scent belongs to...
"Oh shit! Buffy?"
"Shush, I don't want to wake Willow yet." She says quietly. "Faith, can you give me some room to get up. I need the bathroom."
"Sure B, just let me... ow, ow! Fuck me, THAT hurt!" As I gently ease myself into the only chair in my crappy motel room.
"Stiff?" She asks as she goes thru the bathroom door. "Try stretching, it always helps me."
Yeah, well stretching isn't gonna help the jumbled mess in my brain. What the fuck happened to me last night? I mean I know WHAT happened to me; I just don't understand what's going on in my head. I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I knew what I wanted to do. I was gonna take everything she loves away from her, especially Willow. But the more I think I know Buffy, the more confused I get, She just... keeps helping me! Even when I make it clear that I don't WANT her help. And now... fuck! I don't know what I do want. All I know for sure is that if B finds out about me sending those pictures to Red's parents, she'll fucking KILL me!
Willow's POV
As I wake I realize that Buffy's not with me. I look around and see Faith in the chair across the room. Uh oh, I know that look, she's thinking about Buffy.
"Faith?"
"Huh? Oh, mornin' Red." She says, obviously distracted. Yeah, my girlfriend has that effect on people.
"Where's Buffy?"
"Bathroom." One-word answers are never a good sign.
I sit up and put my shoes on, surreptitiously keeping an eye on Faith as she stretches to get the soreness out of her muscles. She has a troubled look on her face. I think about what Buffy said last night about Shadow and what he told her about himself and about Slayers. I mean a lot of it makes sense. Like the part about mated Slayers living longer. But I can't help but think that he's leaving something out, something important. And if it's something that might endanger Buffy, maybe I should find out what.
Buffy's POV
After I use the bathroom and wash my hands, I notice that there are no clean towels. Dammit! We have GOT to find Faith somewhere else to live. I dry off on my shirt as best I can and it suddenly occurs to me. There's more than one apartment in the Pierson building. They may not all be as nice as the place Angel gave to Wills and I, but they've got to be better than this dump. We'll have to talk to Angel about it but I don't think he'll mind especially if I show him this place. I shudder as I look around the dingy little bathroom with its tiny shower stained with rust and maybe other things. I head back into the bedroom to see Will awake and getting dressed and Faith doing exercises.
"Morning Wills. Faith, you might want to take it easy today. You don't want to hurt yourself."
She gives me a sour look and says, "I... uh, I can take it B."
Damn Slayer stubbornness, Willow is doing her best not to laugh. I give her my best Slayer look and ask, "What's so funny Will?"
With a dangerous edge to her voice Faith adds, "Yeah Red, share with the rest of us."
"Actually I was just thinking that now Buffy knows how I feel when I'm trying to get HER to take care of herself." She says with an innocent look on her face.
"Heh... heh... Hahaha...ow! Oh Fuck, ow, ow, ow... don't make me laugh Red please, my ooo... my ribs ain't up to it.
"Anyway, now that everybody has had their morning chuckle at my expense, what I was going to say was that Will and I are going to the Bronze on Saturday night and YOU are coming with. But if you
don't give yourself time to heal you're not going to feel up to it. So rest up."
Well I don't think Faith could look more shocked if I'd staked her and Will, bless her, turns on one of her thousand watt smiles as the brunette looks back and forth between us.
"Uh, I, uh..." She stammers.
"We'll take that as a 'yes'! See you there at nine then?"
While Faith is still groping for words, I pull my boots on and grab my jacket and head for the door.
"Bye Faith, c'mon Wills Mom'll be worried."
I take Willow's hand and drag her out the door leaving Faith still stuttering behind us.
"Buffy? Why Saturday?"
"Two reasons. One: It's the day after tomorrow so that gives you time to talk to your prospect for Faith. Two: It gives us tomorrow night free."
"Free for what?" She asks.
"Well," I squeeze her hand and give her a wicked grin, "I thought we might take an elevator ride together."
Her head snaps around as her mouth forms a silent "O". God, she's so CUTE when she blushes!
TBC...