Switcheroony
by alicorn
Chapter 19
[reviews]
Buffy sat stiffly on the training room floor. Three hours in Giles' arm chair seemed to have done something to her back. She cursed the swapping of bodies. Aches and pains usually only came after combat, not after something as simple as sitting quietly in a chair. She tried to maneuver herself into a more comfortable position with little or no success. 'If this is what I feel like after just sitting still how on earth do Willow, Xander and Giles even move after a battle?' she pondered.
"If everyone is sitting comfortably, I think we'll begin," Giles commented passing the vision rod to Buffy, who seemed wince slightly before taking the rod.
To her left was Xander and Willow to her right. She held the rod forward and slightly towards Xander so that his hand would be above hers. Remembering Willow's earlier almost painful reaction to her touch with sadness, she thought this best. Willow stared at the rod for a moment and then reached out to hold it above Xander's hand. Once the three were in place, Giles moved to sit on the other side of Willow and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Buffy, I want you to concentrate on Faith and the Orb," Giles instructed.
Concentrating on her breathing Buffy began to meditate, forming the image of the Orb, remembering its distinct color, glow and size before she moved on to Faith. Anger filled her and the first image that came to her was of Faith with the knife she had used still firmly protruding from her gut.
(Oh ... Oh god,) Willow thought.
(Sorry. Oh hell...) Buffy said as she was once more filled with regret at the thought that she had yet again failed and upset Willow.
(It's fine. I expected that. You have to shake it off, Buffy. Concentrate,) Giles told her, breaking through her mild panic.
She concentrated on her breathing and finally an uninjured image of Faith formed. Satisfied that she had her control back, Buffy made Faith pick up the Orb. Concentrating on this she let the vision rod guide her. A vision of Faith began to clarify, clearing away the created images, washing them aside. She was slouching in a black leather chair in the middle of what looked like an office.
(Very good,) Giles encouraged, as an image of Faith and her surroundings began to clear.
Her left leg hitched over the arm of the chair as she listened to the Asian man behind the desk. His eyes seemed unwilling to meet hers as he spoke. To his left stood a short brunette woman in a grey suit and to his left a large lump of a man in blue.
"I am glad we were able to assist you. Mayor Wilkins was a valued client of this firm for many years. I trust your journey was comfortable."
"Bitchin' limo," Faith replied. "So why am I here? Not that I don't mind leaving Sunnydale and its Wal-Mart pickings behind me," she grinned. "Kinda worn out my welcome there, if you get what I mean. So you another politician with a snake wish?"
He didn't seem to acknowledge her gibe or even miss a beat before responding. "I'm a lawyer, Ms. Lehane, and as my colleague will have explained, Mayor Wilkins was one of our most valued clients. Richard Wilkins the Third left very precise instructions should you ever regain consciousness. He seemed to feel that you could benefit greatly from our assistance and to that end our resources will be made at available to ensure the successful use of your inheritance," he finished, his tone somehow lacking in any emotion.
Faith studied him for a moment before asking suspiciously, "So what'd I get?"
"I believe that it would be best if I leave it to the Mayor to explain," he replied, and lifting a television remote control from the desk turned to his left.
His comments had obviously caught Faith by surprise as she sat up and turned expectantly.
(She thinks he's still alive,) Buffy commented.
A TV screen lights up to her right and on it a familiar image appears --- Mayor Wilkins sitting behind his office desk.
"Hello, Faith. If you're watching this tape, it can only mean one thing. I'm dead. And our noble campaign to bring order to the town of Sunnydale has failed ... Utterly and completely." He stands. "But on the other hand, heck! Maybe we won," he laughs as he moves around the desk to stand in front of it. "And right now I'm on some jumbo monitor in the Richard Wilkins Museum surrounded by a bunch of kids sitting indian-style and looking up at me, their small faces filled with fear and wonder," he chuckles and leans forward. "Hi, kids!"
Faith smiles knowingly at this. Wilkins' voice takes on a serious tone as he leans on the edge of his desk. "But the realist in me tends to doubt it. Now, Faith, as I record this message you're ... uh . . . sleeping. And the doctors tell me that you might never wake up. I don't believe that. Sooner or later you will wake up and when you do you'll find the world has gone and changed on you. I wish I could make the world a better place for you to wake up in but . . . tough as it is to accept we both have to understand that even my power to protect and watch over you has its limits. See, the hard pill to swallow here is that . . . once I'm gone . . . your days are just plain numbered." Faith blinks at his words. "Now I know, I know you're a . . . you're a smart and capable young woman in charge of her own life. But the problem, Faith, is that, uh, there won't be a place in the world for you anymore. Right now I bet you're feeling very much alone. But you're never alone. You'll always have me. And . . ." He picks up a small black box from his desk and holds it up for the camera. "You'll always have this," he chuckles. At this point Faith caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. Sitting up quickly she came face to face with the same small black box, held towards her by the woman. "Go ahead. Open the box," the mayor's voice instructed her.
Faith picks up the box and looks at it as the recording continues to play. "Don't worry. It's not gonna bite. That's my job." Looking back towards the screen, Faith sees him motion to her with his hand. "Go ahead! Open it!"
Faith slides the panel of the box open and looks inside.
"Surprise! See, you don't get these in any gumball machine. When you've been around as long as I have you make friends. And some of them can get neat little things like the one you're holding right now," Wilkins explained.
Faith holds up the strange looking Orb to examine it. Then she glances at the screen.
"And here's the good news -- just because it's over for me, doesn't mean my Faith can't go on with a clean slate," he smiles proudly at her as if he can see her. "These people will be able to help you find a new place in this world. I'm just sorry it can't be the way we planned it."
(The world is really missing a big snake right now,) Xander commented.
Wilkins smiled at her one more time as the screen faded back to black.
Faith turned back to the Orb in her hand. "So how exactly are you supposed to help me with this?"
The Asian lawyer smiled, for the first time, before responding. "A felony arrest warrant from Sunnydale was issued in your name this morning. The physical description is quite accurate. The photograph, however, is . . . not flattering. You have a problem. Therefore we have a problem. This Orb will allow you to swap your body for another's, either temporarily or permanently. But as you can imagine that in itself will not solve all your problems," he paused for effect before adding, "I had a perfectly good murder case go up in smoke yesterday and you seem to . . . have a certain expertise in that area. So to make a long story short, I think if a service is rendered we can be of use to each other."
The large man to his right added, "We'll get you off."
Faith grinned before responding, "You don't know how many men have promised me that."
The grey suited woman interjected, "I'm certain you won't be disappointed in our performance."
"Who am I supposed to kill?" Faith asked cutting to the chase.
The Asian man leaned forward, "Please understand that we would never advocate the killing of another human being . . . His name is Angel. He's somewhat of a private . . . "
"No problem," Faith stated
The big man stepped forward, "Don't you want to know anything more?"
"Yeah. Besides getting me off, how much are you going to pay?"
The lawyer continued, "It might behoove you to know more about your intended. So, before we discuss remuneration . . . "
"Huh?"
"Payment," the big guy explained stepping forward yet again and laughing. "I want to make sure you understand that this firm is in no way connected to . . . anything you do. It's my ass on the line here. I don't want you to make me look bad."
Faith moved like lightning and grabbed him by the neck slamming his face on the table. "How do you look now?" she asked, as she kept pounding his face on the table.
The Asian man turns to the grey suited woman with a smile, "She shows initiative." He then turned to use his intercom. "Jesse, I think you better make it three for dinner instead of four."
The vision faded as Buffy lost hold of the slim thread that seemed to be all she could grasp, while her mind took in what she had seen. Something had seemed to take the thread.
As the vision cleared again, Angel appeared before them. He was sitting on a set of steps overlooking a large lobby with Cordelia by his side. Angel was staring at the floor, his brow furrowed with frown lines.
"You're sure?" Angel asked without looking up.
"Yeah," Cordelia replied, throwing him a concerned glance. "Sorry."
Angel sighed and shook his head, "I can't believe it. How could I not know?" He looked up to stare off silently, his face awash with deep thoughts. Whatever was going on, it wasn't making him happy and there was something very personal about this in his expression. He looked like he had lost something very precious.
(Does the guy ever smile?) Xander asked.
(Shhh,) Giles hissed.
Cordelia remained silent. She didn't seem to want to interrupt him. Buffy was rather impressed by her self-control.
"But at some point in time he's going to hurt her if this isn't resolved?" Angel asked, a certain desperation in his voice as if he didn't want it to be true.
"Yes, at some point in the future. He'll use it to hurt her, abuse and generally make her life hell," Cordelia replied with such conviction that no one could have any doubt that she meant every word she was saying.
"I have to stop it from happening," Angel replied, turning to look at Cordelia. "Just how do I . . . " he trailed off at a loss for words.
"Big guy, I don't see this as an intervention that you're really . . . you know, going to excel at. Maybe you should leave it to us girls. Not that we're big on this kind of intervention but at least . . . you know," Cordelia suggested, smiling warmly at him. "I think throwing you into the mix would pretty much rekindle stuff that would just get in the way."
"Really?" Angel asked hopefully, searching Cordelia's face for confirmation. "I always hoped . . . "
Cordelia gave him a very stern look which stopped him dead in his tracks before she raised an eyebrow and added, "Angel!" in her best school ma'am voice.
"Sorry. But I mean . . . how did I . . . not know? You'd think . . . I mean I thought we were . . . close. I should have known," he rambled, almost muttering to himself raising one hand to place its palm to the side of his head. "You know how I feel about her."
"Who doesn't? But I'm pretty sure she's never felt . . . this way before," assured Cordelia before offering him a half smile in place of words she couldn't find. "She may not even know it herself yet."
(No!!) Buffy exclaimed, jealousy rising within her. Was Angel talking about Faith? The vision blurred as anger rose. How could he fall for . . . (No!!)
(Buffy?) questioned Giles.
(Faith! They're talking about Faith,) Buffy almost screamed. Visions of the time she had seen the two of them at the mansion exploded in her mind. How could she ever have been so foolish?
(Buffy,) Giles called to her again, desperate to break her away from this train of thought.
(That Skanky Bitch,) Willow stated, speaking for the first time.
(Will?) Xander exclaimed, somewhat amused by Willow's outburst.
(Will everyone just be quiet?) Giles almost boomed, before adding in a softer but strong tone (Buffy? Please listen to me. Will you try to concentrate? I know this is hard but we need to move past this vision. We need to move on.)
Buffy's mind flew back to the balcony of Faith's apartment. How had everything gone so wrong?
(Buffy,) Giles tried again. (You have to concentrate, take control. Concentrate on the Orb. Specifically how Faith got hold of the curse?) Suddenly inspiration came to him and he added (We need to know why she swapped you and Willow.)
(Willow?) Buffy asked, feeling herself drawn back, her mind slowly filling with the need, the desire and the promise to keep Willow safe. (Willow!)
(I'm right here,) Willow responded as if realizing that Buffy needed her to speak. (You need to concentrate on the curse and why she swapped us.)
At the sound of Willow's calmer tones she regained her composure allowing her to concentrate and focus.
A room appeared before them. It looked dank and cold. Standing in the middle of the room was a somewhat short man slowly rolling up what looked like a large scroll.
"And this will throw the seer a view of the future? If a somewhat tailored view?" a voice asked from the darkness.
"Indeed," confirmed the short man. "She will see just what you wish her to see and no more."
"Thank you. Now I need to speak to you about one of our clients who will soon be visiting you for help," the voice added.
"There is more? I was led to believe that this was all that would be required to secure the relic," the short man complained, turning to look into the darkness as suddenly a tail seemed to swish from under his long coat when he turned.
(Did anyone else just see that?) Xander asked nervously.
(Shhh,) Giles instructed.
"Plans change. It will not be enough to just mislead them about him. We need to ensure that events develop before he regains his soul. That will require something more," the voice explained.
"Has this been sanctioned by Holland Manners?" the short man questioned.
"This comes direct from the senior partner," the voice advised as he emerged from the darkness. It was the same Asian man who had dealt with Faith.
(What the hell is going on? Who is this guy?) Buffy asked.
"Be very aware that unless the senior partner's instructions are fully complied with, you will never see the relic," the lawyer threatened in an uninterested even-toned manner.
(I think I know who they're talking about — it's Cordy,) Willow offered (they're going to give her a false vision).
(Why?) Giles asked, (And what do Faith or the curse have to do with this?)
As their minds all flew to Cordy and Faith, the vision blurred and tilted. The colors seemed to lighten and soon a new scene unfolded before them.
Faith seemed to be carrying a pile of towels. Large white fluffy towels and a bottle full of bath oil. She was in Cordelia's apartment, standing just outside her bedroom door. "Okay, are you ready yet?"
"Just tell me I have hot water," Cordy replied.
"Yeah. Okay, all ready?" Faith asked, a slight annoyance in her tone. "Why do you feel you have to hide this from the guys?"
"Because it has nothing to do with them and you know it," Cordy replied as she opened the door and gave Faith a raised eyebrow look. "Okay?"
Faith nodded, if a little begrudgingly. "So you ready?"
Cordelia looked away and nodded. "You sure you're okay with this?"
"Babe, I'm five by five."
Cordelia shrugged, "Okay then. Did you get the right one?"
"Will you just get in the bathtub and shut up?" Faith grinned.
Cordelia laughed and moved into the bathroom closely followed by Faith. As she entered, she removed her bathrobe -- to reveal that she was wearing only a thong. She stepped into the bathtub facing the tiled wall.
(Oh!) Willow and Buffy said in unison.
(Oh, yes!!) Xander piped up, suddenly thankful that Anya was minding the shop.
(Xander!) Giles exclaimed, wondering exactly how you averted your eyes from a vision.
"Front or back first?" Faith asked, as she raised an aerosol can towards Cordelia.
(Front,) Xander pleaded.
(Xander!) exclaimed Willow and Buffy in unison.
"Back," Cordelia replied.
"Okay." Faith moved forward and raised the spray can. "How they haven't noticed that despite working mostly nights you keep your tan up ...," Faith mumbled. "Detectives, my ass," she added as she began to spray the tan over Cordelia's back.
(Tan in a can!) Willow and Buffy yelped.
(What?) Giles asked.
(The faker!) Willow exploded. (Do you have any idea what I did to my freckles, trying to get a tan like that?) Willow moaned. (I looked like a giant "connect the dots" puzzle. I can't believe ... the big phony!)
Much Thanks to Lilly a beta treasure