Thirteen Steps -10- A Stranger
by Valyssia
A Lamb in the Forest
[reviews]
Description: Season 8 - This is about as dark as fiction can get without straying completely from the established characters. The first subject is abuse, how we treat those who are different from us. I would hope that it might prompt more open mindedness. The second issue I discuss is how far is too far? At what point does a person become un-salvageable? It's a hard hitting combination that leaves a mess in its wake.
Disclaimer: Buffy, Willow and all things Slayer belong to Joss Whedon and the good folks at Mutant Enemy.
Lyrics: A Perfect Circle - The Thirteenth Step - A Stranger
Feedback: Any and all reviews will be welcomed. Feel absolutely free to tell me just how much you think I...ummm...errr...inhale sharply.
Cast the calming apple * Up and over satellites * To draw out the timid wild one * To convince you it's alright * And I listen for the whisper * Of your sweet insanity while I formulate * Denials of your effect on me.
Zay flipped off the television. "It's noon...where the hell is Buffy?" she whispered to herself. Pausing to grumble a few choice curses, she pulled on her shoes. Adding in a low tone, "We sorta had this little date. It'd be nice if the forest didn't eat me next time I get too close." Tossing on her duster, she set off out of the room. She ran down the road to Buffy's house, taking care not to get too close to the forest. Stay on the blacktop...should be okay. "Look, it's not my fault. Be nice, please," she whispered.
Standing in front of the house, Zay looked in amazement. "We'll find them...please chill." Vines had overtaken most of the outside of the structure, growing up onto the deck and clinging to the stonework. The house appeared to be nearly cocooned on the lower floor. The front door and patio remained fairly unobstructed, but she didn't think that'd last. It's mostly stone there. Give it time; The plants will break through.
Stepping onto the front patio, Zay rang the bell, waiting patiently for at least five minutes. Maybe she's not here? Where would she go? She should be out with me. Zay tossed off the duster. Taking flight, she moved to the second floor entry. The deck was so overgrown she was afraid to land. She chose to tap the door with her foot instead, paying attention so she could lift her legs should it open. Another five minutes passed and Zay was getting pretty tired. I'm not a hummingbird; she mused as she ascended over the roof. She landed in the drive. Moving to pick up her coat, she ran back to the castle.
Time to see whoever's in charge. Buffy could be in there, and if she is...it's bad. Zay tentatively entered the area they referred to as the Communications Center. Well this is a nightmare. I'm really not up for being filmed. She stood by the door watching a pretty, dark skinned woman engage a middle-aged Englishman in a lengthy conversation about some demons that were causing trouble. Imagine that. Resisting the urge to just throw something at the dark skinned woman, Zay fidgeted her nails against the doorframe instead.
You know what'd be really funny? I should take my coat off and pull my hair back, then walk into the middle of the room and join the conversation. Might end badly, but their reactions would almost be worth it. Damn it people...hurry the...up! Who knew you could care so much about a few rowdy demons? Demons aren't subtle creatures...they're supposed to cause trouble.
Zay felt someone brush past her; reflexively she grabbed the girl by her wrist. "You see the woman in the middle of the room? You're going to get her and bring her to me, okay?"
"Yes," the girl replied, sheepishly.
"Good...now run along..." Zay commanded, wearing a wolfish grin. She'll remember being scared of me sometime today, she considered with a shrug.
Zay watched the dark skinned woman approach her. She didn't give her a chance to speak. "I need you to stop screwing around debating about demon tribes who are too stupid to matter anyway, okay?"
Renee nodded.
"Okay...what you need to do is turn on the video surveillance at Buffy's house. I know you have it. Take a good look...the mental image you need to come back with is...this is a bad thing. If you don't do that naturally...you're stupid." She paused to give the woman a kindly smile. Poor thing looks like she's numb from the neck up.
"Then, I need you to send in whatever you send in when you do the rescue thing. I think she's in there and she so doesn't need to be. Finally, where ever Willow's gone, get her back. She's the only one who really knows what's been done to Buffy. Buffy's not normal...all I got...all I need. Odds are, Willow's the only one who can help her." Zay offered in a flat, kindly voice. Seeing that the girl still looked a bit befuddled, she added, "Now would be good. Move!"
Zay surveyed dark skinned woman; the look of shock evaporated from her face finally. Appearing mildly amused, she watched the woman jog back into the middle of the room. There was a view of Buffy's home on the monitor shortly after, followed closely by a page for the Alpha Team. These people really need to learn to pay attention, she reflected as she swept back down the hall.
Making her way to the front door, she turned to pass around by the stable. I think Xander lives somewhere back here. I should go find him. I get the idea he's pretty important to Buffy and it'd be good if someone actually checked on him. For all we know, the malevolent fey spirits are attacking him too.
Zay met Willow and Xander in the driveway of the home. They seemed to be rushing to the castle. Good thing. She looked at them through the car window and said one word, "Go." Turning as they responded, she made her way back. The team was just bringing Buffy in the front door when she returned. Wow, she looks bad. I'm a stupid, stupid girl...I should've checked on her lots earlier. I just thought she was blowing me off. I should bail...let them do their job.
As Zay turned to leave, she felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder. She swung around to find Willow giving her an annoyed glare.
"You aren't going anywhere. You're the only one Buffy didn't attack yesterday..." Willow paused, perceiving that Zay was about to cut her off.
"Yeah...Okay...absolutely correct... If you're willing to forget being pinned to a wall by your throat and accused of a murder... Forgotten already... See...easy..." Zay replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She kept pace with Willow as she started off down the hall.
Willow appeared taken aback by this. She fumbled for a moment before continuing. "Well...hummm... Still she responded to you. I'm guessing this...only because you spent time with her and still seem to have all your parts."
"That much is fair. I was helping her try to track the killer, though. She was pretty focused on wanting that. So...the being helpful...might have something to do with me still having appendages." Zay turned to follow the procession up the staircase. They must be taking Buffy to the dorm area.
"That's fair too... Look, Zay...I think there's more to it. I've known Buffy a long time. I sorta have a bit of experience reading her. I want you to watch something, and if you're willing to help after you see it, just come in and take my hand. I know you understand magicks better than most. I think you can help. I need to go start now." Willow stopped Satsu as she passed though the door of the room where they'd placed Buffy by asking, "Satsu, would you please show Zayin the footage from the mission last night?"
Satsu nodded, motioning for Zay to follow.
They walked down the hallway and up another two flights of stairs together. For a moment, Zay thought Satsu was actually taking her to her own room, but they passed by it, entering another room just down the hall. Zay hadn't left her own room much except through the window, so she had no idea who her neighbors might be. Looks like Satsu's one of them. Makes sense they'd put me next to their strongest fighters. I mean, I am sort of an unknown. I bet the only thing that's keeping me from seeing just how nice these folks really are is Buffy.
Satsu sat down at her desk and picked up the phone. "Renee, I'd like to see the mission footage from last night, please." Pausing for a moment to listen she added, "Thank you," and hung up the phone. "Zayin, if you'll sit here, please. It won't take a moment."
Zay did as instructed. She scrutinized the footage with a pensive look on her face. "Satsu, you do know that these...well they're pretty close to pure demon. Snakes over 15 meters long just don't happen any other way."
"Yes," Satsu confirmed.
"Buffy's just folding them up like they're nothing. Wow...sorta puts the whole thing into perspective," Zay offered, still considering the footage with interest.
"Yes," Satsu replied, watching the footage herself over Zay's shoulder.
As Zay watched Buffy turn on Satsu, her expression changed to one of mild shock. "Oh my...that's not good. Nice reflexes." Zay quickly added. "I know...'yes,' right?"
Satsu smirked and said, "Yes," with a slight chuckle.
"Right, so...Buffy's not driving anymore. I should've seen it. I need to go assist Willow. Thank you for your help," Zay said in a friendly voice, waving to Satsu as she left the room. At a fast sprint, she made her way back to the room where Buffy and Willow were, apologizing hastily to a few girls she nearly ran over in the process. Buffy helped me...I'll be damned if I'm not going to help her and Willow for that matter. They both deserve my kindness.
She entered the room; Willow was in a chair at Buffy's side holding her hands. Seeing no other real alternative, Zay climbed carefully onto the bed. Sitting cross-legged at Buffy's waist, she placed a hand over Willow's. The witch released her grasp allowing Zay to join the chain. Relaxing, Zay found herself standing at the foot of the cross with Willow. Well, this was the last thing I wanted to see again. Thanks, Buffy.
The impaled girl met Zay's stare, saying, "You're welcome, Zay."
Zay shuddered.
"Yeah...I could've done without this too. Sorry, Buffy, but could we move on? Surely there's a series of memories you need to show me?" Willow asked hopefully.
"Nah... This is pretty much it. Though there's one little tidbit Zay might enjoy," the impaled girl offered, appearing almost amused.
"Really? What might that be?" Zay watched as the impaled girl slumped. She felt a tap on her shoulder; turning around, she found Buffy standing behind her looking slightly healthier.
"Come with me...you'll enjoy this," Buffy said, motioning them to follow. She started off down the hill toward the valley below her home. "You know...it gets old being everyone's martyr. Seeing that just made me sorta understand some things. I'm really better off being nothing more than a Slayer. It sure as hell hurts a lot less. Like you said, Will, the only time I've really been at peace was when I was dead. 'Cept for a few other times with you...maybe few times with Angel... Otherwise...not so much..." Buffy walked deeper into the forest as she spoke.
"We're following the same path we walked yesterday, aren't we? I mean exactly the same," Zay asked, appearing concerned.
"Yes," Buffy confirmed. She gave Zay a meaningful glance. "You have any clue how many people expect stuff from me? They expect me to lead...expect me to be some sort of hero... Simple things up, and what am I really, some paragon of virtue? No, I'm a killer. Dracula told me that years ago. I listened, but not really... It's just up here," Buffy said, pointing ahead of herself. "We missed a little detail. Sorta came to me in the shower last night."
Buffy stopped, looking down at her feet. She pointed and watched as a look of recognition came over the faces of the other two women. "See...we totally blew it. We have no choice, Zay. Or rather, you don't...I'm not sure I wanna leave. I kinda like it here. Good view...lots of creature comforts...don't have to worry about much... That cross sucks a lot...not very comfortable, as you might imagine."
Willow crouched, putting her hand next to the mark. "Buffy, that's a human footprint...barefoot...just the pad of the foot and the toes. You're not telling us that the killer was human are you?"
"And a point for observe-y-ness to the witch... Nice one, Will," Buffy replied, looking very amused. "Oh...Kay...Now, Zay, you tell Willow what that means."
"It means we get to feed a very disturbed human to this forest...judging from the size, I'd say female," Zay answered, appearing troubled.
"That would be about the it...she's a slayer...you can bet on it. Now, tell me why I want to leave here?" Buffy inquired in a matter-of-fact tone, flopping down next to the footprint. "Think I'd rather go back to the cross."
Willow sat down next to Buffy, taking her hand. "You want to leave because there are people out here who love you."
"You left me, Will. One day of not getting what you expected, and you were out the door. You sure that's a good reason?" Buffy asked, considering the pained expression on the witch's face.
Willow sniffled, appearing close to tears as she spoke. "You were openly attacking us, Buffy. All the people you care for. You almost put your hand through Satsu's face. Yes, I saw that. I was worried...I left...I didn't go far. I'm staying in the spare room at Xander's. It wasn't like I never wanted to see you again. More like I was praying I could stop you."
"Yeah...trouble with teaching me... I learn how you work. And imagine...there are people out there that think I'm not very bright. Underestimating your opponent will get your ass handed to you every time," Buffy said, sneering wickedly.
"I never wanted to be your opponent, Buffy. I wanted to be the person who helped you with the hard stuff. I wanted to grow old with you. You're telling me that everything you said meant so little that you'd hide in here?" Willow queried, beginning to weep.
"No, what I'm tellin' you is everything out there hurts so fucking much...I wanna be in here," Buffy replied frankly.
"So what you're saying is that you're a goddamned coward?" Zay spat. Walking up behind Buffy, she lifted her up by one arm and spun her around. "I thought you were going to be important to me. I thought we were going to help each other. Instead you're going to hide? You know what? I have no idea what you've actually been through, but if you want to talk about pain...I know pain. And yes, I know you're the fucking Slayer... But if that's all you got...I'm outta here. You aren't worth my time." Zay turned and tromped off up the hill.
"Kid's got spunk. Gotta say...like her," Buffy said with a smirk.
"Kid's right. You're being selfish," Willow replied, getting up to leave. "Zay and I will heal your body. If you wanna come play, just open your eyes. If you wake up as just the Slayer...expect me...to help her...put you down."
Buffy watched as the witch walked up the hill.
***********
Willow opened her eyes, giving Zay a meaningful glance. "Help me...we need to heal her."
"Why...she's just going to hide," Zay replied, appearing annoyed.
Willow returned the gaze. "I don't think she will. That wasn't Buffy...at least, it wasn't all of Buffy. I think the fey convinced her to lie down and die. It was going to get its pound of flesh by whatever means. That was just the defendy bits that surface to protect her when there's too much pain to deal."
"So, you believe that once the fey's gone, Buffy will return?" Zay asked, looking pensively down at the Slayer's face.
Willow appeared lost deep in thought as she considered how to make her point clear. "Exactly...well sorta... I think that once the influence is gone...we should see the whole Buffy...not just that defensive stuff... Dunno how much she'll remember, but...should be her... Keepin' my fingers crossed...it's just a theory." She paused for a moment, adding in a firm voice, "Now help me, or go hide in your room."
Zay appeared hurt. "No need to get nasty about it."
"Not trying to be nasty...just telling the truth. Funny how the truth can hurt worse than just about anything else," Willow responded, giving Zay a stern glance.
"What do you mean?" Zay asked, seeming genuinely curious.
Willow concentrated on Buffy for a moment, channeling the energy needed to heal her. "Well...way I see it...you've got lots of offer. You're a very talented young woman. Yet, what you do is sit in your room and watch TV all day. Leave the room once in a while, and I'll feel differently."
"People are scared of me, Willow." Zay relaxed, allowing the witch to take the energy she needed.
"You're not helping by hiding. I have an offer for you. One that should appeal...at least I hope it will. I suspect you haven't had a lot of formal education in your life. You picked things up that interested you and learned them on your own. Am I right?" Willow looked thoughtfully at Zayin.
"Yes. You can see me in a public school, can't you?" Zay replied in a mocking voice.
"Give me a few hours a day, and I'll help you fix that. You'll have to work. And I mean work. You screw around on me, deal's off," Willow offered.
Zay looked down at Buffy's face; she was starting to look healthier. "Okay...works for me."
"I also want you to begin training in the mornings. I'll pick a class for you. One that'll know...they'll give you a chance...or I'll make their lives interesting. We don't play favorites here...just how it is," Willow said, considering Zay's reaction.
"Alright, I'll do my best," Zay replied, sighing deeply. "You know I'm not used to being around people, right?"
"I know. And I know it'll be hard for you at first, but I think you'll come to enjoy it. You need a place to belong, and we need good people. Sounds like a perfect fit. You'll mostly have your evenings free unless you have patrol." Willow smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Willow," Zay said, returning the smile.
Willow's smile turned wicked. "Oh, don't thank me. I'm gonna make you work. You do well and that'll be all the thanks I need." She laughed at the expression of mild amusement that washed over Zay's face. "I'm getting a bit worried. She looks better, but if she doesn't wake up soon..."
"There's no replacement for actual calories. We're going to have to get an IV in her and a catheter," Zay replied, finishing Willow's thought.
"The hell you will," Buffy said in a weak voice. "Nice to hear you two plotting my doom."
"I'm gonna go get a glass of milk. Think you can drink something, Buffy?" Zay asked, appearing excited. Seeing Willow nod, she set off out of the room.
"Think so...my head hurts. What happened?" Buffy asked, looking up at Willow expectantly.
"Not much...malevolent earth spirit tried to kill you. Same ole..." Willow smiled, seeming genuinely amused. Strange how simpling things up can make them funny... Even if they're too disturbing to talk about, really...
Buffy grinned feebly.
"What's the last thing you remember, Buffy?" Willow asked with interest.
"Crying...I remember crying...I remember being in pain," Buffy replied honestly.