Ten Thousand Days - 4 - Wings
by Valyssia
Unconditional
[reviews]
Andrew stood defiantly staring at the view screen. When he saw Giles' expression turned to one of pure contempt, he strengthened his resolve by taking a sharp breath, and said, "Look, Giles...Buffy's totally right. The Slayer's been a puppet of The Council for too long. You have my resignation."
"Listen here... You can't do that," Giles replied heatedly.
Andrew couldn't restrain a chuckle. "Giles, I can do whatever I want. It's not like I signed a contract. I'm your employee, and I quit." The elder watcher was still sputtering when Andrew terminated the connection. He leaned back in his chair, and laced his fingers behind his neck. This is too funny. She gutted The Council in one swift move. I thought Giles was gonna choke to death on his tea when he figured it out. Best part was the disappearing act. No one seems to know where she is. She's like Trinity or something... No, she's even cooler...like Trinity cubed.
***********
Lounging back casually against a wooden picnic table, Faith said, "Right, B., I'll let 'em know. Be safe, girl." After reflexively nodding to the expected platitudes, she pressed the disconnect button, and flipped her phone closed, pocketing it as she stood. She took a deep drag off her cigarette, and flicked it into an ashtray next to the large warehouse. Making her way to the door, she tapped a code into a keypad, and waited for the machine to identify her. An audible click emitted from the door, and she grabbed the handle, pulling it open. As she tromped into the lobby she caught the attention of one of the young slayers. "Anne, any idea where Xan-man is?"
"Aye...2-C I believe," Anne replied, looking up from where she was lounging on one of the large couches. "Bloody slave driver, dat one, 'e is..."
"Know whatcha mean. He figured out I knew which end of the hammer to hold and it was game over," Faith shot back with a chuckle as she moved out of the lobby through a set of large wooden doors. Turning left, she pushed open a steel door, and bounced up the stairs two at a time. As she hit the second floor landing she opened the door, and made a left down the hall. She tapped on the door of apartment 2-C, and made her way in.
Xander stood in the bedroom with a drywall knife in hand, looking at the wall. "What's up, Faith?" he said without even refocusing his attention.
"You're a bit scary sometimes," Faith commented as she entered the room.
Turning around to look at the brunette, Xander asked, "How so?" The look she gave him told him all he needed to know. "It's the way you walk...heard you coming."
Faith nodded. "B. just called, she and Red'll be in tomorrow evenin'. There's sumpthin' she wants to do in L.A.. No clue...not askin'. She said the truck'd be here tonight."
"Cool... They travel okay?" Xander said. Scooping up a blade full of joint compound, he turned back to what he was doing before the interruption.
Faith shut the door, and moved into the room as she spoke, "She said it was okay. Tried to talk her outta it, but you know B."
"They needed the time. It's all good, Faith," Xander replied bluntly as he skimmed a long line of compound down the joint, and moved to the next.
"Yeah...'kay...whatever works for 'em. I would've taken a real cruise," Faith offered with a chuckle. "So, I finished up the paint in 1-L. Anything you need here?"
Xander shrugged. "If you feel like more painting, bathroom's ready here."
"'Kay," Faith replied. As she moved to the bathroom, she added, "This place is really shapin' up. Had my doubts when we bought it."
"This place was a steal. The rest is pretty much no big. Still can't believe the deal we got. Someone lost their job over it," Xander remarked offhandedly as he moved to the next joint.
Faith unfolded some plastic sheeting and began to cover the floor, vanity and tub. "Sounds about right. Findin' space for you and a hundred of your closest friends—no a small job. You done good."
Xander swept his brow with his sleeve. "Thanks. The zoning thing was an easy fix. You just have to know the system. And with a coven working for you—making the right people agree—less of an issue."
***********
Umm...they're closed, Buffy. Whatcha doing?
You'll see. Buffy steered the R1SP into an alley, and moved around to the rear of the shop row. Coasting down the back of the building, she located the correct door, and pulled in between two cars. She parked the bike, and waited for her witch to dismount. As she pulled her helmet off, she considered, Y'know some people think I'm...I dunno...a little dense. And maybe I am when it comes to some stuff. She swung herself around to sit side saddle on the motorcycle, and beckoned Willow closer. "See thing is...reading people—not something I—"
"I never said you were dense, Buffy," Willow replied, looking completely perplexed.
"Didn't say you did. Lemme finish," Buffy offered patiently. After hanging her helmet from the mirror stalk, and running her fingers through her hair, she continued, "I'm really good at reading people, Will. I have to be. It keeps me living. And the thing is...the thing I think you need to hear, and believe completely is this: you're not a replacement," she gently placed her forefinger over her partner's mouth to silence her, "I know, you know that, but you needed to hear it too. Situations just don't get any weirder than ours. I also know this is really new to you—not so much for me... That'd be a big part of the weird."
Willow nodded, and tried again. "Buffy, what're we doing here?"
"Oh this? We're getting tattoos," Buffy replied straightforwardly.
Willow lifted an eyebrow, and said "Umm...they're closed. Didn't you hear me?"
"Yup...every word. They're closed to walk-ins, but we have an appointment," Buffy remarked, pausing for a moment to allow her witch to comment. "I called them last week on the sat phone. It took a bit of talking, but I got them to see reason. Well, that and dollar signs. Called and confirmed last night."
Willow couldn't suppress a hint of surprise. "You did what?"
"You heard me," Buffy responded patiently. Taking a deep breath, she held it for a moment, and released it. "You said you wanted to mark me. Here's your chance. See...I knew most of what you told me earlier. I just needed you to admit it. I'm actually really sensitive to that stuff. I have two requests. Request one: nothing from the shoulders up. I have to look like me. Second request: That scar on my right side from the Turok-Han. Do whatever you have to—make it so you can look at it without— I understand the why...just fix it."
There was a deep crease between Willow's eyebrows, and she chuckled softly as her partner reached up, and smoothed it with her fingers. "You do know how deeply insane this is, right?" she whispered as her brows knit again with worry.
A warm smile lit Buffy's face before she spoke. "Maybe... See—thing is, Will, I don't wanna be with anyone else 'cept you, so the only ones that'll see this is you and me. Unless I go swimming or something, and then—embrace the miracle that is the one piece... Really, Will, I trust you," she sighed, "Anyway...this is your wedding present."
"You're sure about this?" Willow asked pensively. An extended soft sigh escaped her and, she prompted, "Deeply, deeply...insane," in a muted tone as she shook her head.
Buffy slipped down off the seat of the motorcycle, and grabbed her helmet. As she snatched the key out of the ignition, pocketing it, she began to explain, "Look, Will... If you're afraid to do something, just ask and I'll tell you how I feel. I know you'll do that, though—part of the trust. Right now we should get in there so they can take a picture of your tattoo to work from. Then sushi. Kat said there's a great little restaurant down the street. When we get back here, I'm gonna strip, lie down, and close my eyes. When I open them again I expect to be different."
Willow set off after her partner with a curious look on her face. "So, you've been planning this?"
"Of course I planned this. 'Called last week,'" Buffy reminded. Stopping in front of the door, she said, "You know how I am about how I look. That hasn't changed. You should understand exactly what this means."
Stepping up behind her partner, Willow put her arms around her, and whispered, "You don't have to prove anything to me."
"Got that. I wanna do this, Will," Buffy said as she knocked on the door.
***********
Giles paced anxiously in his large office staring at the box that sat on a table in the corner of the room. Its rich, black finish shimmered in the low light, beckoning him forward. He studied the golden symbols that seemed to shift and flow with the shadows: moon, sun, and five pointed star; next: fire, water, earth, and air. A chill ran down his spine, and he shivered reflexively as the next set of symbols began to wash over the surface of the radiant black cube: the earth, the demons, the men, the girl, the chain, and the darkness. The last symbol vanished, and he walked over to open the box, unable to resist the impulse.
One coherent voice echoed as many in his mind, 'What have you to tell us, Rupert Giles?'
Warily, Giles backed away from the box. Carefully moving out of the shadows, he replied, "The Wells boy is leaving us."
'You will kill him,' the voices commanded.
"What? No, I cannot," Giles pleaded earnestly. Adding moments later, "He's little more than a boy. Surely, he is of no threat to you."
'Are you questioning us?' the voices prompted impatiently. Its manner turned cold and hostile as it said moments later, 'If you cannot fulfill your role, Rupert Giles. We will find one who can.'
Giles chest tightened, and he dropped to his knees, gasping.
'You have failed us for the last time. You will kill the Wells boy, and bring the Summers woman to us. You said you had the situation under control: playing your silly games, breaking her mind. You failed miserably, and she only grew stronger for your efforts. If you fail us again, you will die, Rupert Giles.'
Struggling to speak, Giles asked, "What do you intend to do with Buffy? Please, I must know."
'Relax, Rupert Giles, the girl's of no use to us dead. Dead she becomes a martyr. Living she is a great destructive force, unlike any of her kind. You will bring her to us.'
Giles wiped his brow when the box slammed shut, and the light level in the room increased. He walked over to his desk, and took his phone into a trembling hand. Hitting speed dial nine on the pad, he listened to the call connect, and nodded automatically at the voice on the other end. Silly thing to nod, he chided himself, then said, "I would like to arrange passage to Rome for this evening, if I may."
***********
"Go get sumpthin' to eat, and I'll work on the design," Kat directed as she turned on her light table.
Buffy took her witch's hand, and offered in a light, cheery tone, "Sure, you two want anything?"
"Yeah...actually if you don't mind—spider roll?" Alice confirmed with a smile. She ducked behind the counter, and began to fish through her purse.
"We got it, Alice. It's cool. Kat? Anything?" Buffy prompted, smiling warmly at the artist, who already seemed lost in her work.
Jerking slightly at the sound of her name, Kat replied absently, "Oh...yeah, spicy tuna roll, lots of wasabi. Like my food to leave a mark."
"And somehow—not surprised," she chuckled, "'Kay so...nuclear spicy tuna and a spider roll. We'll be back in a few." As she finished speaking, Buffy set off for the back door. When she reached the alley, she heard her witch mumble, 'Let the spell be ended.' Shooting Willow a look, she asked patiently, "What'd you do?"
"Nothing," Willow replied as innocently as she could muster. Paying close attention to her lover's body, she felt the weight slip off, and used her magic to retrieve the item. She opened her purse and dropped it inside as her slayer gave her another dirty look.
"That was mean, Will," Buffy remarked, trying to press the amusement down. Evil... Breathing a deep sigh of relief, she added, "And what was with this morning? I mean if you—doesn't make sense."
Willow appeared more than a little guilty as her slayer glared at her again. As they rounded the corner onto the main street, brushing past another couple apologetically, she said the words to open her thoughts. Let me ask you this, Buffy. If you had a chance—a perfect opportunity to wake up to a beautiful blonde spread out on your bed all naked, and—well umm...waiting patiently for you, would you pass it up? It's a good way to wake up.
Buffy rolled her eyes. You're evil, Willow Summers-Rosenberg; you do know that, right? Answer: Blonde 'no', redhead 'yes', but I see your point.
Am not. I'm a good girl. Think I wanna wake up like that every morning, though. Willow picked up the pace to keep up with her slayer. Hungry?
Dying...food on that ship sucked, Buffy confirmed.
Buffy, I wanna start something with you tomorrow, and you're not gonna like it. As they reached the restaurant, they paused to allow a middle-aged Japanese couple to leave. Willow nodded politely when the man held the door.
"Thank you," Buffy said, moving through the doorway into the small restaurant. While they were waiting on the hostess, she silently asked What? trying not to fidget at the overtones.
It's a really old practice designed to improve mental discipline.
A warm smile crossed her face as the young Japanese hostess greeted them, then led them to their table. Buffy seated herself, then looked across the table to make eye contact with her witch. When they'd ordered their drinks, she finally replied, "'Kay so...doesn't sound bad so far," in a voice just above a whisper.
Willow met her lover's gaze. I never cared much for the approved council training methods. They always struck me as a bit—well, mean. This is an offer. You don't have to it. If you do...it'll be really hard, and you won't like it.
Offer, huh? Well, that's way better than the council already. Buffy smiled warmly. 'Splainy.
It's pretty simple. I create a list of words you can't say, a new one each day. Over the next month, thirty-three days actually, the words will gradually become more common. On the last day it'll be a really, really common one, like 'the.'
And what happens if I say the word? Buffy thanked their server for the drinks and ordered while she awaited the reply.
Once Willow was done ordering, she supplied, traditionally pain. Usually scarification so the adept has to wear their failure. Not so much interested in doing that to you. I'd rather do it to myself, but somehow that just seems worse.
Buffy lifted an eyebrow, and took a sip of her soda. We're gonna skip that.
Agreed. Willow tipped her chin gently in affirmation. We could stick with the sexual, but it'd have to be pretty unpleasant. It's a punishment so... Thing is, if you do this... I'll be doing it with you. It's a pretty high level practice, and I could use the discipline too. So...
Buffy's expression broke into a bright sunny smile. You know...that's one of the things I love most about you. 'Kay...I'm in.
Willow sipped her tea, and returned the smile. After a moment her expression muted to a more pensive manner. You don't wanna—
Nope. I just won't say the word, and if something stupid happens...we'll figure it out.
Your first word is 'slayer', mine's 'witch'. We begin tomorrow. Each cycle will be twenty-four hours, from o-seven-hundred to o-seven-hundred. I'll post the lists on the fridge after we get home. From there it's all on you. Check the word off each day, and keep track of your errors. Honor system...if one of us screws up—admitting it—part of the practice. Willow graciously accepted her food, and began to prepare the condiments.
***********
Xander flipped his phone closed, appearing very disgusted. As he pocketed the phone, Faith said something from the bathroom that he didn't quite hear. "Say again?" he prompted, trying to push the angst out of his tone.
Entering the room, Faith offered, "Gonna have to get you a hearin' aid too, X.?" She took one look at Xander, and immediately asked, "What's up?"
"That was, Giles," Xander offered, punctuating the thought with a heavy sigh.
"We sorta expected that, didn't we? I mean...it just wouldn't be any fun if they played nice, would it?" Faith replied in a flippant tone, trying to lighten the mood.
Xander nodded. He stood for a few moments staring blankly at the wall as the slayer observed him.
Her brow was furrowed with worry as Faith prodded, "You're freakin' me out, Xan. What's the up?"
Xander laid the paint roller back in the tray and sat down, facing the slayer. Deep lines creased his features, making him look years older as he spoke, "I'm not sure... Just something—there's something really wrong," he raised a finger to silence the brunette, "I've know Giles for years. Pretty much seen him run the gamut. I'm not really 'Mister Perceptive Guy' when it comes to the whole 'human emotion' thing. Something in his voice though... He's scared, Faith."
Faith almost began to speak, but held her peace seeing that there was more on his mind.
"I know this'll totally piss Buffy off, but grab Satsu and head south. I don't want those two out there alone. Just a hunch. Blame it on me and I'll deal with the fall out," Xander directed, appearing completely lost in thought.
Faith stood up. Making her way across the room, she turned back to note, "I'll grab a change of clothes for 'em too. My bet's—on the bike...they're pretty much travelin' light, so—might help thaw a layer of frost."
Looking up from his place on the floor, Xander said supportively, "Good thinking. Yeah...keep your distance, but let 'em know you're there, and the why. Stalking Buffy—"
"Bad plan," Faith supplied with a grin.
Xander cracked a smile. "Depends on how much you wanna die," he quipped, completing the thought with a snicker.
Faith tapped on the doorframe with the palm of her hand. "Alright, Xan, I'll ring ya from the road when I find her," she offered as the left the apartment.
As he heard the door close, Xander called out, "Thanks, Faith."
***********
Buffy had been sitting for what felt like forever in relative silence. It almost caused her to jerk when a soft voice disturbed the room.
"In my business, it's pretty much smart to look the other way—not ask a lot. Thing is...you two seem okay. So, Alice and I got this little side bet goin'. Maybe you can help us settle it," Kat whispered.
"'S'pose...whatcha need?" Buffy replied in a thick sleepy voice. Squeezing Willow's hand reassuringly, she tilted her head slightly to look at Kat.
Kat glanced up for just a second to make eye contact, and went back to work as she asked, "What are you?"
Appearing moderately baffled for the sake of gaining more information, Buffy queried in a slightly more alert manner, "Whatcha mean?"
Kat glanced up again. Her brows were knit in a look of temperate curiosity. "No offense but... You've been sittin' for an hour like a statue—arm on the crown of your head while I worked on your ribs. No one does that. You got your tongue pierced like two hours ago," she sighed nervously, "By all rights...you shouldn't be talkin'," she remarked in a completely neutral tone.
"Slayer," Buffy replied with marked disinterest masking her curiosity.
Smiling wryly, Kat raised her voice slightly and said, "Cough," to her business partner.
Unable to suppress her interest any longer, Buffy asked, trying to mute the uneasiness, "Wait...huh? What'd you think I was, Alice?"
Alice looked somewhat sheepish as she came around to face the slayer. "I-I...it was the eyes that threw me off," she offered apologetically. Pausing to sigh when Buffy glared at her, she said, "Alright...alright...I said succubus, but...witch right?" she motioned at Willow, "Not as uncommon as you might think."
"Right," Buffy answered dryly. Cocking an eyebrow, she wasn't sure whether to be flattered or not. Her grip firmed on her partner's hand. There was no reaction. Willow had been in a meditative trance since before Alice worked on her. She gave Alice a quizzical look, then sighed, and closed her eyes.
Alice shot Kat a scathing glance, stalked off into the back room.
"Sorry 'bout that," Kat offered sincerely.
"It's no big," Buffy replied grudgingly.
Taking a quick glance up to assess her client's mood, Kat said, "No, not buyin' it. It's written all over your face...and I get why. Bein' seen as somethin' other than human...gotta be rough," she paused to dip the tip of the gun into a tiny cup of ink, "Funny thing though, like I said...in my business you get good at spottin' 'em—the fakers and the freaks sorta start to stand out. Anyways, you always want what you aren't. Just a fact."
Buffy sat rigid and silent for several minutes, considering what the artist said, before she remarked in a distant voice, "If they had a clue, they'd be happy right where they are."
"Didn't need to say it." Hoping she wasn't stepping over the line again, Kat asked, "What's that from?"
Buffy opened her eyes, and looked down just in time to catch the artist's gesture at the scar on her stomach. "One of the many somethings that should've killed me...again," she answered honestly in a voice just above a whisper.
Kat rose to her feet, placed the gun on the tray, and stretched. "Right... So, let me clean you up, and you can tell me whatcha think." After carefully cleaning the area with a several warm cloths, she retrieved a mirror and handed it off.
The first thing out of Buffy's mouth was a simple statement, "Why the different."
"She didn't want it the same. That's what you get for leavin' it up to someone else." She watched a warm smile pass over her client's face, and intentionally switched back to the previous topic, "Look...I'll leave it to the redhead to explain the why. All I have to say is thanks. I dunno exactly why I'm sayin' it, and...truth...really don't wanna. But you can't live in L.A. for years and not see some strange shit. After awhile, whether you want to or not, you start to believe. So...thanks."
Buffy's relaxed as she heard the words, but she saw no reason to reply.
Kat winked. "I'd like to catch a smoke, then we can start again. That okay with you?"
"Umm...sure..." Buffy replied aloofly, still studying the changes when she felt Kat leave the room.
***********
Gently correcting, Faith slipped the Mitsubishi Evolution behind the car she was drafting as they rounded a semi. She snapped her cellphone closed, and bit back the impulse to throw it. "Y'know, B.'s totally funny... Before she leaves, she goes out and gets this really wicked phone. Kind that lets you call from anywhere. She checks in every night—makes sure everything's straight. What's she do when she gets to L.A.?" Pausing to grumble, she finally answered her own question, "Course, the silly bitch turns it off. Makes all kinda the sense that's not."
A soft smile affected the Asian slayer's features, she offered in a reassuring timbre, "I'm certain she is fine, Faith."
After slipping her phone back into the console, Faith replied vaguely, "Yeah...yeah... Know she is. It's just...Xander seriously spun me," perceptibly lost in thought.
"How do you intend to find her?" Satsu asked pensively. Sighing softly, she noted the obvious, "L.A. is a very large city."
Glancing over to look at the other slayer, Faith replied in a matter-of-fact tone, "B. and me...we got this thing. I'll find her."
***********
Willow stooped down, forcing her partner to meet her gaze. "Look at me, Buffy. Now breathe," she said in a soft soothing manner. Pausing to quietly incant the spell to share her thoughts, she took her lover's hands.
Appearing extremely uneasy as she heard Kat pick up the tattoo gun, Buffy breathed in, holding the breath, and slowly releasing it. Will, this is the one thing I asked you not to.
"Gonna be okay?" Kat asked, waiting for reassurance that she could begin.
Willow nodded to Kat then turned her attention back to Buffy. Just breathe. Trust me.
Buffy shoved back the unrest she was feeling. She was the picture of perfect placidness when the needle began to puncture the skin on the back of her neck. I just don't see why.
It's simple really... You asked me to mark you. Everything else was pretty much your idea, even the tongue piercing. Something I'd never ask you to do. Now trust me.
Her manner gradually tempered as Buffy sat and studied her witch's face. I trust you, Will. Now tell me why the different...and why there's no name?
Because there doesn't need to be. Buffy, this tattoo— Willow put her hand to her breast. It wasn't something that gave me warm fuzzy feelings. In fact, just the opposite... It was a marker signifying your death. There wasn't anything sexual about where I put it. Fact of human anatomy...my heart's here. Again she clutched her hand to her chest. The fact you saw it was so far outside the realm of any possibility I ever entertained that calling it unexpected seems laughably inadequate. The fact that you loved it...while it's something that made me happy...
Buffy reached out slowly and gracefully, careful not to upset the remainder of her body. Cupping her lover's cheek, she swept away a tear with her thumb. I got it, Will.
A gentle loving smile warmed Willow's features as she leaned into the touch. The orchid symbolizes: a delicate beauty...you Buffy; the ivy: fidelity, a steadfastness of being... Symbolically this tattoo meant I would never forget you, never let you go.
And mine?
Irises mean inspiration—creativity...but, honestly I just like them. I think they're pretty. Willow winked. Can never have too much inspiration. It's a useful thing to invoke. Yours are pale blue, not purple...again 'cause I thought it'd be pretty. You should recognize the rest.
Sounds like you. Calm inspiration. Blue's a soothing color. Even when you were totally wigged... Just knowing you were there calmed me down... Helped me focus... So, tell me the rest.
'Kay...the rest...is willow. What a branch separated from a willow tree looks like on its own. Kat spaced the leaves a little further apart 'cause she thought it'd look better, the color's a bit darker than what you'd think if you were to picture a classic weeping willow. What most folks think of...
Buffy grinned. Definitely you...
Yeah...that one's a bit thinly veiled. I had Kat scale it down a lot. You wanted it to cover the scar, so that's exactly what we did. Your first tattoo was gonna end up huge if—and you've got such a beautiful body. Lots just seemed like it would take away. So, we decided to just cup the outside of your breast and work down to the scar. Two flowers, I have six... If you want more later, it'll be easy to add. Thing is, you can pretty much wear whatever and it won't show.
Funny...that part didn't bother me. The huge thing. You'd think it would. I just wanted to cover it up... I mean...
Yeah... I'm sorry, Buffy. Y'know how hard it can be to let go the past.
Buffy resisted the urge to nod.
"So, you ready for this?" Kat asked as she put the tattoo gun down. Pulling out another warm cloth, she started to gently clean the back of her client's neck.
Buffy sighed. "Sure."
Willow led her over to the floor mirror, and handed her a hand mirror so she could look.
When Buffy saw the design soft smile covered her features. "Umm...wow..." she said in a distant voice.
I thought you'd like it. Happiness...another thing—well invoking that—never a bad plan... Willow stood silently and let the cascade of emotions that radiated from her lover wash over her. Sadness, sentimentality, a sense of loss oddly complimented a feeling of hope.
After a few moments of complete stillness Buffy finally reflected, It matches the willow leaves...looks sorta the same.
Willow wrapped her arms around her lover. Yup, I had her draw the kanji up to look organic like the leaves, same colors. It's really pretty.
And really...umm...perfect...? But it's so small...
Does the size make it mean less? Willow didn't wait for a response. Remember Dawnie saying I should get that? Or, well... More I thought about it...the more sense it made to me for you to. Me getting it would feel like the trying to replace. Like you said earlier, not a replacement... For you...it becomes a memorial...and a little bit more.
So, are we done?
Depends on what you want. I had Kat draw something else up, but if you wanna wait or whatever... It's no big.
I'm here for you, Will. Seeing that Kat had moved to another station, Buffy went to her; lay down on the table, closed her eyes, and began to relax.
Willow nodded, and came over to claim her slayer's hand.
***********
"You appear to know where you are going," Satsu remarked as she watched the exit sign fade into the distance in the car's passenger side rearview mirror.
"Clueless," Faith offered with a smirk.
Satsu glanced over at the brunette trying to assess her mood.
Noticing the curiosity, Faith began to explain, "It's like I said...B. and me... We got this thing. You had the dreams, right?"
"Yes," Satsu replied, growing markedly tenser.
"Hey... It's cool. Goes that way for all of us. You'd have to be really twisted to enjoy 'em," Faith said, trying to calm the other slayer. After a thoughtful pause, she continued to try and clarify, "See...thing is...with me and B., the dreams were shared. No clue why, but there was always this connection, even with the hate."
Grabbing the handrail when Faith whipped the car around a corner, Satsu finally queried, "You don't hate her now, though?"
A soft grin tugged at the corners of her mouth as Faith countered, "Got any sisters?"
"A brother," Satsu answered dully.
The grin took hold when Faith asked, "Love him?"
Satsu looked over at the brunette, and smiled knowingly.
"Yeah so...good times," Faith said absently. Clearing her throat, she glanced back over at Satsu, and offered, "Heard what happened. I was a little surprised you followed. Glad you did. Lemme share something with ya 'bout B. If B. tries to kill ya...it means somethin'. Girl doesn't just try very often. She's more of a do'er. You made a pretty special list, one that includes me and Red."
A dark pensive appearance settled on the Asian slayer's face as she turned to gaze out the passenger window.
***********
Buffy lay on her stomach, rotating the Baoding Balls Willow had offered by magic. She'd been hopelessly bored, to the point of wanting to scream and 'remodel' the shop, when her witch had produced the first metal sphere from her purse, holding it between her thumb and forefinger in front of her, and releasing it. The second sphere was added moments later, and she'd managed to focus into a deeply relaxing meditative state. No clacking, move the spheres apart and back together in a steady swirling motion. She was barely disturbed from her peaceful place when Kat's voice chimed in.
"That'll about do it for me. Think I need a drink," Kat said in an amused tone. Meeting Willow's gaze, she asked, "Next Wednesday good for ya?"
Willow stooped down and retrieved a box from her purse before she replied, "Sure."
Buffy cracked an eye when she felt the warm cloth on her back. She dropped the Baoding Balls into the box her witch held out in front of her.
Kat smiled brightly. "It's a date then. I wanna do ya on the house, so..."
"You don't have to do that," Willow protested as helped her slayer stand.
Stretching and yawning first, Kat moved to the back of the room while she spoke. "I don't have to do much. It's a 'want' thing... See you Wednesday. Four o'clock good?"
"'Kay...see you then," Willow confirmed as she followed Buffy to the mirror.
Staring into the mirror again, Buffy turned to look at her back, and gasped softly. On her right side where there had once been an ugly scar, sat an angel with wavy long light auburn hair. The angel's back was turned, and her legs curled under her to the right causing her left arm to extend to prop her up because her posture was slightly curved. Her head was turned to the left as if she was looking over her shoulder at the viewer, exposing her profile. She wore no clothing, and while her right wing was folded neatly, curving around her body as if for the sake of modesty, her left wing was extended, obviously broken. The broken wing fell across the small of Buffy's back at an angle in a fan of golden feathers, each delicately detailed. As she studied the image, she realized that the small face of this angel was actually very similar to her own, but gaunter and more haggard. From the expression of pain and the state of undress, it occurred to Buffy that it looked as though she'd been cast down unaware.
"That what you meant?" Willow asked in a hushed pensive voice, trailing a finger down her lover's spine to just above the tattoo.
Buffy subtly tipped her chin, still trying to comprehend what she was seeing. I fell from heaven just like the story. Does that mean I'm cursed? But I have a soul. Putting the two ideas together for the first time, she exhaled an extended deep sigh. It's funny... Hard to do something like this and not expect, anticipate...plan. What I planned—not even close to what I got. She never fails to surprise me. I would've never picked this, but again...it's perfect...
After several minutes of silence they were disturbed by Kat who asked in a hushed voice, "You know some chick named Faith?"
Buffy wasn't sure which one of them rolled their eyes first, just that they both had. "Yeah...Faith's a friend," she said in an amused tone.
"Good 'cause she's lookin' your bike over," Kat replied, turning to make her way back outside.
Buffy chuckled. "Tell her I'll be out in five to kick her ass."
"I'll pass it on," Kat called out from the back room.
When she heard the backdoor shut, Willow went to get her purse. She reached in and found the charm, handing it off then took a quick look at her partner's back. "Put your shirt on. Should be fine," she whispered soothingly.
Buffy began to dress as soon as she heard the words. "Weird as hell spending the day naked in front of strangers."
"I didn't enjoy sharing you. You're mine. And some of the looks Alice was giving you—inches from rathood—think that's why she bailed," Willow grumbled.
When Buffy casually flopped down on the wooden bench to put her boots on, her face flushed, and a soft groan slipped out. She sat still for a moment, breathing in a deep controlled manner before stooping to accomplish her goal.
"Intense?" Willow asked, trying not to look too amused.
Cocking an eyebrow, Buffy snarked, "Not at all... I always cum when I put my shoes on."
Willow snickered. "Yeah...you do have a major thing for shoes."
Buffy cautiously stood up, trying to get over the spaghetti legs. After a moment or two of just pacing to get used to the new sensations, she grabbed her jacket and helmet then headed for the back door. She felt her witch wordlessly follow her. Once outside, she began to search for Faith. She made her way around the car parked closest to the door, placing her helmet and jacket on the trunk, and stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the brunette slayer.
"Oh hey, B. Your phone was off, so... Sorry for just showin'," Faith offered as she inspected the tires of the R1.
Unable to resist the urge to screw with Faith, Buffy remarked bluntly, "Always turn it off when plans include needles. Next time you'll know."
Faith glanced over her shoulder to look at the blonde, and assess her mood. Her eyes fell on the fresh tattoo on Buffy's stomach that peeked out under the half shirt, and she chirped, "Well look at you, gettin' ink done. Didn't think you had it in ya, B."
"Wasn't talking about ink, F. Now what the hell are you doing?" Buffy replied dryly, glaring at the brunette. She worked to keep a straight face as her witch and Kat both chuckled.
After a brief pause, Faith froze when the implications of her friend's words sunk in. Her mouth dropped open, but her back was turned. Realizing that she was genuinely shocked, and looked it, she quickly composed herself, grateful that Buffy hadn't seen it. She hopped up from where she was sitting beside the front tire of the R1, then turned to face the blonde with her hands up in a 'time out' gesture. "Wait...time out, B. So didn't want to know that," she retorted, trying to quell the curiosity.
Buffy looked over Faith's shoulder at Satsu who was leaning casually against a black Lancer Evo IX. The Asian slayer looked utterly bored and unruffled by the conversation. When she glanced back at Faith, she lost her composure, and broke into a smirk despite herself. The look on the brunette's face was priceless. I finally got her. Totally shocked. Score one for B. Giggling softly, she asked again, "Whatcha doing?"
A warm grin spread over her face as Faith replied, "Oh...that? I was lookin' the bike over."
"Got the what, looking for a why," Buffy sniped, cocking her hips to the right to punctuate her mood.
"Oh...umm...yeah...why we're here," Faith stumbled, still trying to catch up. After a moment of silence, she finally offered, "Xan-man got a call from Giles tonight. Totally flipped him out. We came down to—" She broke off when the blonde's expression grew hostile, and she opened her mouth to speak.
"I don't give a fuck what Giles had to say," Buffy spat angrily.
Faith put her hands up, gesturing for the blonde to settle down. "It wasn't what he said, B. It was how he said it. X. said he sounded scared."
"So?" Buffy replied heatedly. When she felt a pair of soft hands on her stomach, she calmed almost instantly as her witch took her in a gentle back-to-front embrace.
"Buffy, if Giles is scared, something's up. Listen to Faith, sweetie," Willow whispered into her ear.
"And the bike?" Buffy asked patiently.
Faith raised an eyebrow, and replied bluntly, "If I wanted to screw with ya, B....it's what I'd pick." Wow...plus one for the witch. I've never seen anyone shut B. down like that.
Willow was already on the same page when the brunette spoke. She hastily interjected, "Continue, Faith, and show Buffy what you're looking for, please."
Faith confirmed, "'Kay, Red, not a problem," gesturing for Buffy to come closer.
As Buffy and Faith went over the motorcycle, Kat approached Willow, and offered, "If you guys want...we can roll the bike in the shop for the night. You can pick it up tomorrow mornin', ten o'clock. There's a hotel down the street, or my place. I've got lots of room."
Willow smiled warmly. "That's sweet of you. We were planning on crashing up the road, but sounds good. I'm totally beat. We'll hit the hotel, and see you in the morning."
Once the two slayers had finished with the inspection, Kat opened the shop up, and held the door open. She watched in mild amusement as the two women stood on either end of the bike and guided it backward through the narrow doorway. When they exited, she switched the security system on, and locked the door. "Alright...time to bail. I'll see you ladies in the mornin'." She handed Buffy a business card with her cell number scribbled on the back, and said, "Need anything, call," getting into her car to leave.
A warm smile tempered her features as Buffy replied, "Thanks, Kat."
***********
Lying patiently on the bed in their temporary room, Buffy rolled onto her back and stretched. In truth, she was starved, but she pressed the discomfort down as she lounged. A bright smile lit her face when her witch entered the room wearing a towel.
"Definitely a good way to wake up," Willow whispered as she made her way to the bed. Dropping the towel, she picked up her purse en route and set it on the nightstand, taking a seat next to her partner.
Buffy reached up and caressed her lover's face, before she asked, "What's with the purse?"
Placing a finger over her slayer's lips to silence her, Willow began in a temperate voice, "Remember what you agreed to, Buffy?" she paused as her partner nodded, "Three days, but yesterday...you came four times. I'll forgive you one of them, but the others were just sloppy. Get control...or badness..."
Anxiety tugged at her face as Buffy lay there feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry," she offered sheepishly.
"Four days," Willow directed in a firm tone.
Jeeze... Four days? I'm so screwed. Buffy followed the silent instructions, moving to lay with her legs spread-open before her lover. Yup...screwed... Wonder what kinda badness? She was trying to think back when her witch took the circular barbell into her mouth, and swept her tongue across the surface of the nerve bundle. Any coherent thought left her at that instant. Her body twitched as she felt the flood come. Biting back the sensations, she struggled for control. Not again. Who knew? That other thing was just sorta uncomfortable. This? This enhances what's already there. Soft breath blew across the engorged flesh and she trembled. Then something cold slid inside her. She closed her eyes, fighting to master her body as a second cold object slipped in. Ben Wa balls. Makes sense...Will's always been into the Eastern right along with the Wiccan.
"Those are mine. No playing," Willow commanded as she got up to get dressed. "Get some clothes on, sweetie. You're starved," she prompted gently.
Buffy carefully sat up. Her muscles clenched involuntarily. This is just peachy. Taking a deep controlled breath, she pressed down the tension and rose to dress. "How do you do it, Will?" she asked pensively.
"I just do... It's like the pain thing, Buffy. You focus on anything else but—force your mind to suppress," Willow commented while she buttoned her blouse. Reaching for her jeans, she continued as she put them on, "I'm not going to cum until you can, so...more you stretch this out, crankier I get."
And more with the badness... "Any good news?" Buffy asked facetiously. Moving next to her witch, she turned her back.
Willow tied the halter top, and offered, "Faith has great taste in your clothes." She stood for a moment appreciating the view. The dark blue, midriff length halter exposed nearly the entire surface of her lover's back. "Do you like it, Buffy? You never said," she whispered thoughtfully.
"Umm...'like it' doesn't quite cover—feelings are severely mixed. On one hand it might be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. On the other it's probably one of the most disturbing," Buffy replied frankly as she looked over her shoulder into the dresser mirror.
Silently following her partner into the bathroom to put on makeup, Willow peered thoughtfully down at the tattoo. After a couple minutes of study, she finally offered, "That's what tattoos are about. They're a way of wearing your dreams and pain on the surface." She fell quiet for a moment, and then teased, "Mark of Eyghon," she chuckled, "Avoiding bad flashbacks, also good..."
An amused look warmed Buffy's features as she commented, "Oh god... I'd totally forgotten that." She drew silent as she gazed into the mirror, studying each of their faces carefully. Finally she picked up her mascara and began to apply it. As she finished, her expression grew pensive. "Why the red hair? It's supposed to be me, right?" she asked in a hushed tone.
Willow picked up her mascara before she spoke. "No...but umm...yes, well sorta... Narcissism aside...it wasn't just you that fell from grace that night. I-I went to the lord of the underworld to bargain for your life, Buffy. The falling just doesn't get much more wanton. More like I dove...an-and dragged you down with me," she babbled nervously. Drawing silent, she struggled to compose herself before adding, "The angel is a blend of us—both our faces—something different."
Buffy watched tears well up in her partner's eyes, and turned to face her, taking both of her hands. "I don't blame you, Will," she whispered.
"I know that...but I think you should. I'm sorry, Buffy. I know it seems like I'm picking at a bunch of really old scabs—making stuff bleed that should be healed. Thing is—" Willow remarked in an apologetic tone, falling silent when she saw her partner wanted to speak.
"No, Will, you never got to deal with this," Buffy replied tolerantly. Pausing to scan her witch's face, she prompted, "Tell me."
A delicate sad smile conflicted Willow's features for a moment. Then she admitted in a restrained trembling voice, "I felt," she sighed, "I feel...Tara was a price. I paid for one love with the other." She released her partner's hands, and turned back to the counter. Grabbing a tissue, she mopped at her face and slumped against the vanity. She hung her head and peered down into the sink. When soft hands began to caress her back she trembled. A deep sigh escaped her, and she continued, "It was karmic. The Powers said, 'You can't have both.' After the crazy, I came to accept that. It felt like justice. Then you died again, and I wanted to die too. Kennedy was...s-she was punishment for my arrogance...and my cruelty. Then you came. An angel." As she drew silent, she looked back into the mirror, and began to numbly fix the mess she'd made of her makeup.
Buffy quietly scanned her lover's face. Her expression had turned impassive. I wonder if the other Will felt that way about Tara's death? She never mentioned it. She thought back over the events of their final months in Sunnydale. The only times we really talked about it was to fight over Warren. There was something about her... Defensive...like she didn't really believe what she was saying—just trying to hurt and shock. Totally pissed me off. Doesn't so much matter though. What matters is my Will...this one. It's like she said... Hell. No wonder she's so possessive. Makes tons of sense now. She picked up an eyeliner pencil, and went back to mechanically applying her makeup. After tracing the lower lid of each eye with the pencil, Buffy queried nervously, "If I asked...I-I mean...if I wanted...would you stop the g-game we're playing? I dunno if that's even the right way to put it. It's not really a game. It's something deeper, more intense, and way more personal."
Willow held the mascara wand away from her face, and replied plainly, "Yes, if that's what you wanted," immediately returning to the task of applying makeup.
"After the 'four day' thing I want a couple days off just to be us. I've sorta forgotten what that's like. I need to see it again," Buffy stated in a flat voice, hoping she wasn't upsetting her partner.
Finishing her eye makeup before she offered comment, Willow took in the nervous appearance of her slayer, said in a soothing voice, "There's no reason to be upset. I actually understand. And yes...whatever you need. Just ask."
A bright smile transformed her sullen features. Then Buffy stated the simple truth, "I love you, Will."
Returning the smile, Willow responded honestly, "And I love you."
***********
Buffy followed the black Mitsubishi down a winding, two-lane blacktop, veering right at a Y in the road. She was reluctantly grateful when Willow had suggested she make last leg of the journey alone. It wasn't that she didn't love the company, but the ride was long and tiring and it was easier alone. She raised an eyebrow as the car rounded a corner, and disappeared from view. Glancing up the hill, she looked at the two large buildings at the top, following road as it flowed into a tunnel. This is neat. The tunnel quickly emptied out into a large parking garage that was partially filled with a variety of cars and trucks, most of them sitting at one end. She started to pull into a slot when Faith leapt out of the car and flagged her to stop.
"Follow us, B." Faith directed.
Buffy did as instructed, inching the R1 along behind them. She pulled up in front of a large freight elevator that sat next to a doorway at the far end of the garage, and watched Faith stab at the button. A soft green light swept the brunette's face as she stood there, and the doors slid open. Buffy fanned the clutch, and rolled the motorcycle into the elevator when the others made room. Then she shifted the bike into neutral and removed her helmet. "I'm having Initiative flashbacks again," she snarked lamely as she hung her helmet off the mirror stalk of the R1.
Faith smiled, and pressed the button to take them to ground level.
"We're much cooler," Willow replied with a smile.
"And we still dress better," Buffy confirmed. Goddess, my body hurts. She was pressing the pain down when the doors on the back of the elevator car slid open. After the others exited the elevator, she clicked the bike into first gear, and rolled it out into a huge lobby. She looked around the expansive room, then switched the ignition off, dismounting the motorcycle. The space was cavernous, three stories tall with an ancient-looking, red-paving-brick floor and painted block walls. Institutional beige... Cheery. A large, rectangular, cream-colored, Berber area-rug lay in the space just in front of her with a couple of matching sectional couches arranged around it. There was what she could only describe as a guard's desk to her right; the young slayer who manned it glanced up from her book, smiling when Buffy looked her way. The remainder of the area was open. Thirty slayers could easily train in it and not kill each other.
Recognizing the curious look on the blonde's face, Faith offered, "This is the oldest part of the place. Looks like they sorta added."
"What was this place?" Buffy asked, taking in the blackened beams that hung three stories over their heads.
"Foundry. Other building's a warehouse...or it was. Now it's slayerette apartments. All the Sunnydale gang's in the foundry," Faith answered. Motioning them to follow, she walked the width of the building toward a square staircase in a far corner, stopping just short of it in front of a pair of double doors. Then she motioned for Satsu to help. Together they swung the doors open and kicked down the rubber stop at the base of each door. "This was an old break room," she remarked as she motioned the others inside.
Buffy followed pushing the R1. Her face lit up when she saw the room. The floor was finished in rough earth tone ceramic tiles. Otherwise it was pretty much just an off-white box like you'd expect, but her motorcycles were parked along the otherwise empty walls. She slid the R1 in at an angle parallel to the Interceptor.
"Me and Xan figured you could buy a couple more before things got tight," Faith remarked offhandedly. A warm smile lit her face as she took in the amused look the blonde was giving her. "'Kay so...home's through that door. Keys on the kitchen counter," she pointed at the doorway on the opposite wall from the entrance, "I'm gonna go check in."
Satsu nodded, then silently departed with Faith.
Buffy followed her witch through the doorway, and found herself looking up. There was a large, exposed-beam, wooden L-shaped staircase in the foyer, and the entire room was basically one large stairwell. A wooden railing ran around the area upstairs. Dropping her gaze, she looked at the two archways. She turned left while Willow went forward under the stairs. The room she entered was a formal dining room with a table large enough to seat eight. This might be a hint. Subtle...
Turning right, Buffy passed under another arch and found herself standing next to her witch in a large sitting room. A pair of comfortable looking recliners sat in the far corner separated by an end table. In the middle of the room was as curved sectional sofa. She passed under another archway to her left, and entered an ample modern kitchen with counters on two walls set in an L and an island in the middle. "I'm thinking they're expecting dinner," Buffy offered wryly as she walked around the island, sweeping the keys off the counter as she moved.
"Ya think?" Willow quipped, taking the key her partner offered her.
"Know what's missing?" Buffy prompted.
"A TV?" Willow responded intuitively.
Buffy met her witch's gaze. "Yeah...I can't see Xander... TV's like—"
"Practically his religion," Willow remarked, completing the sentence for her slayer.
As Buffy put the key on her key ring, she made her way back into the living room. Instinctively, she moved through the dining room and entered a small cozy room on the far side. "Found it... Knew there was no way," she noted in a mildly elevated voice.
Willow entered the room and was a bit stunned. "Wow... Looks a lot like your old living room back in Sunnydale."
Scanning the room, Buffy started for the stairs, commenting while she moved, "Bit creepy, actually... The lack of windows is pretty weird too."
"Don't think foundries have many windows," Willow commented nonchalantly as she bounced up the stairs in her partner's wake.
While the lower floor had been floored in either hardwood or tile, the upstairs appeared to be entirely carpeted. Buffy looked around the open room at the top of the stairs, and asked amusedly, "Three doors. Where you think the prize is?"
"I'm going for the one in front of me," Willow answered thoughtfully.
"'Kay... I'll take left. Meet back here in ten minutes. Yell if you get into trouble," Buffy teased as she made her way around the railing. She popped the door open, and poked her head inside. "Office. Nice office actually. They must like you," she commented while she took in the shelves of books, and the large wooden desk in the moderately sized office space.
Buffy shook her head, and turned around to try door number three. Her face lit up when she entered the room. She bounced out onto the wooden floor in the large training room, and immediately regretted it. Pressing down the unrest in her body, she stood in the middle of the room, controlling her breathing. After a moment she walked over to the far corner, and slammed her fist into the heavy bag. It felt good so she reflexively hit the bag again. Soon she was circling the bag beating on it without much thought or care.
***********
When she'd finished unpacking the few remaining boxes in their bedroom Willow made her way to the room her slayer had called the office. She stuck her head inside, and looked around. Nice cozy space.
Crossing the landing area, she poked her head in the other door, and quietly entered. She stood and watched as long as she could bare it. I'm amazed she hasn't ripped it off the ceiling. Finally she broke down, and said in a soft voice, "Buffy?" No response. Again she tried a little louder this time, "Buffy?" On the third try her partner looked at her. "Buffy sweetie... You should tape your hands," she said patiently.
Shaken out of the daze, Buffy glanced down at her hands when her witch prompted. She tentatively moved her fingers as she stared at the blood. "Oh..." she gasped.
Willow walked over and held her hands out. "Lemme see."
As she offered her hands, Buffy tried to excuse herself, "Sorry... Cabin fever, remember?"
"It's not so bad. Follow me," Willow offered serenely. Taking her partner's forearm, she led her out of the room and through the large master suite. When they entered the bathroom she turned on the first sink, then stepped back so Buffy could rinse her hands under the cool water.
Buffy stood in front of the sink watching the water swirl down the drain. The skin on the backs of her knuckles was raw, but she knew it would heal so quickly that wrapping them seemed pointless. "I'll be fine, Will," she whispered.
A soft sigh slipped out, and Willow commented sardonically despite herself, "I can tell." She stood quietly observing her slayer when a chime from downstairs interrupted them. "Just stay put, sweetie. I'll deal with it," she said in a reassuring voice. Making her way quickly through the apartment, she answered the door. "Now's not really a great time," she said apologetically to Xander.
Xander put his hand up. "Andrew Wells is dead, Will."
"What?" Willow gasped without thinking.
Xander bowed his head, appearing ashamed and angry. "I was so hung up on making sure Buffy was okay. I missed it. I didn't even think—" he answered in a heated voice. Turning to leave, he added, "Dawn's majorly wigged. She was supposed to pick him up, and... I need to get back. Just thought you should know."
"Xander, wait," Willow called after her friend as he left.
Xander put his hand up to silence her again, and said, "It's okay, Will. I got it." He drew quiet, and gave the witch a reassuring smile. Then he swept out the door, ignoring her protests.