Title:  She’s Gone

Rating:  R (For Language later)

Relationships:  X\F

Story:  Action\Adventure

Feedback:  In lieu of a Faithbot yeah.

E-Mail:  KeithWrestle@Yahoo.Co.uk

Disclaimer:  I don’t own the characters just worship at their altar.

Summary:  After Buffy’s death at the hands of Glory, Xander refuses to allow Buffy to resurrect her.  As a result Faith is released from prison and returned to Sunnydale.

 

She’s Gone 1 – Nightmares

 

“No,” Xander stood, his heart pounding but his voice remaining steady.  “I won’t do it.  Count me out, it’s wrong.”

 

“Wrong? How can resurrecting Buffy be wrong?” Willow demanded angrily.

 

“You ever read Pet Sematary Will?”  Xander’s palms grew sweaty as he remembered how Willow was the one amongst them who had the most success one on one against Glory.  And he was defying her – but it was long past time someone put their foot down with her.  “This is wrong, against the natural order.  This can’t have good consequences.  All the texts say so,” he shook his head, “I won’t be part of this.”  They’d turned a blind eye to Willow’s behavior for far too long.

 

“Who do you think you are, Gandalf?” he flinched at Willow’s harsh, mocking tone.  “Well fine, I’ll get someone else, Dawn, to help us.”

 

“Like hell!” his trepidation about confronting Willow fled at the thought of her involving Dawn in her mad schemes.  “You’re not raising her hopes!”

 

“But we need her!” Willow whined.

 

“Not at any price!” he shook his head.  “You know how miserable Buff was, how worn out she was after her mom’s death, let her lie.  We can’t even be sure she’d come back right!”

 

“Sweetie he’s right,” Tara broke in, her voice trembling.

 

Willow’s head snapped round to face her girlfriend.  ’You’re turning against me too?”

 

“You know that’s not true.  I..I’m just worried -,” Tara’s voice trailed off as Willow stormed out of the room.  Seeing the distress on Tara’s face, Xander took her in his arms.  “She hates me,” she sobbed.

 

“Hush Tara,” Xander soothed as he cast Anaya an anxious glance.  “We did the right thing.  Just give Will time to calm down.”

 

                                    *                                  *                      *

 

Faith glanced up at the sound of the visiting room door swinging open.  Outwardly she wore her customary cocksure expression, the look that had taught all the prison’s gangs and dykes to leave her the fuck alone, but inside her guts were churning.

 

“Damn.”  Her suspicions were confirmed with the entry of two snooty-looking bastards in their early fifties.  She didn’t know them but she recognised their type – Watchers.  Collecting herself she waited to hear what they had to say.

“Hello Faith,” the thin man who spoke had the same cultured upper-crust accent that Lin, G, and Wussley had all shared confirming her earlier forebodings.  She didn’t answer, preferring to wait to bide her time.  After a second the man continued.  “I assume you’re aware of Miss Summers’ demise?”

 

“Yeah,” she replied, her nonchalance masking her inner pain.  Angel had told her three weeks ago but she’d known ten days ago before that when her strength had suddenly increased.  And she’d never felt so alone, so scared not even when she’d been a street runaway.  “I know about B.”

 

“B?  Ah Buffy yes quite.”  Bones glanced down at his notes.  “Miss Summers’ death leaves the world unprotected at the moment.”

 

It was an effort to keep her shock from showing.  So that must mean she was the active Slayer, wasn’t that a kick in the ass?  And, Faith’s eyes widened, that meant she had to die for another Slayer to be called.  Her face hardened.  “So which of ya’s got the gun?”

 

The other man, a fat doughy-looking dude, shook his head.  “No, there was some consideration given to that idea in Council circles but you were an exceptionally successful Slayer, apart from Ms. Summers, the best of the past century.”

 

She squinted.  “Me?” that was news to her.

 

“During your time in Boston you managed to eliminate three separate Master Vampires.  In Sunnydale you slayed the oldest known vampire, a number of major demons, and survived an apocalypse.”

 

“And then it all went to shit.”

 

“Quite, owing to your previously exemplary record as a Slayer, your attempts at reform, and,” the Watcher paused for a second, “various arguments put forward by Mr. Giles and Mr. Whnydham-Pryce it has been decided that you should be given a second chance.” 

 

Faith hid her surprise that G and Wes had gone into bat for her.  “I don’t know guys; I’ve got a pretty sweet deal here, three square meals, a roof over my head, and a kick-ass weights room. Why would I want to give it all up to die for a bunch of stuffed shirts?”

 

The Watcher’s answer wasn’t long in coming.  “The world needs your experience.  But if we have to put an untested Slayer into the field..”

 

Faith registered the implied threat in the Watcher’s words.  Not that she cared, she knew the Council wouldn’t come at her face on, not unless they were really stupid.  No, she’d end up eating poisoned food and then her pain would be over.  But on the other hand it would give her the chance to re-pay Angel’s trust.  “Five by five, you two my new Watchers?”  Great a couple of middle-aged sleazes, like she hadn’t put up with that before.  They probably couldn’t wait ‘til she was injured so they could ‘nurse’ her back to health.

 

She was surprised when the tall skinny one shook his head.  “No, the Council has decided that despite his unorthodox,” there was a world of disdain in the word ‘unorthodox’, “methods, Mr. Giles is considered the most successful of current Watchers.  This, and his experience both of dealing with you and the hellmouth, has convinced the Council to give your stewardship.”

 

Faith felt the colour drain from her face.  “Yeah ‘cause he did such a bang-up job last time,” she muttered, holding her mouth away from the intercom so that the two men sat at the other side of the bullet-proof glass couldn’t hear.  She supposed it made sense to the Council.  When she fucked up, not ‘if’ the Council would be sure she’d screwed up, they would blame it on Giles’ methods, get rid of her, and discredit him in one hit.  Going back  to Sunnydale was bad enough but being constantly compared to St. Buffy…  But she wanted to prove to Angel…  Sighing, she spoke into the intercom.  “So when do I get out?”

 

Fatso beamed, displaying the yellowest teeth she’d ever seen, dear god all that money and he couldn’t afford dental care?  She was just glad the glass separated her from his inevitable bad breath.  “The paperwork will take a few days but then you’ll be released.”

 

“Five by five.”  All she had to do was wait.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Faith glanced from side to side as she hurried out of the prison gates, a small smile playing on her full lips.  She’d never thought she’d feel the sun on her face, never be free again.  She turned at the beeping of a car-horn.  “Shame,” she muttered as she sauntered towards the waiting black Saab, “I was kinda hoping to get drunk and laid before getting down to work.”  Reaching the car she grabbed the passenger door handle and opened it.  Her mouth dropped open at the driver.  “W…wes.”

 

“Get in,” the Englishman’s tone was stiff and formal, but then she wasn’t exactly expecting hugs and kisses – she had beaten and tortured the guy.


”Five by five.”  She slid into the car and had barely closed the car door when the Saab screeched away from the kerb.  For a while she just sat there, watching the city go by, as uncomfortable with the situation as the Watcher obviously was.  Finally she forced herself to speak.  “Um, sorry for torturing you.  And thanks for speaking up for me.”

 

“In winter my arms burn and sting where you slashed them.  Sometimes I wake up screaming with the nightmares,” Faith winced, yeah nightmares, she knew how much of a bitch they could be.  The Watcher glanced towards her, his eyes cold.  “I spoke up to you because Angel and Mr. Giles requested I do.  You could rot for all I care.”

 

Faith blinked, well at least she knew where her former Watcher stood.  Fighting back the urge to retaliate she closed her eyes and began to practice the meditation techniques she’d learnt in prison.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Yes Mr. Halford-Bull,” Xander moved to the chair Giles motioned him to, wondering who the Englishman was speaking to.  His best guess was another Watcher judging from the double-barrelled name.  He leafed idly through the magazines neatly stacked on the coffee table as he waited for G-Man to finish.  Giles had moved to the Summers house to help Will and Tara look after Dawn after Buff’s death.  “Sorry for dragging you here Xander.”

 

He looked up to see the Watcher hanging up the phone.  “No problem G-Man,” he grinned, “got me away from Anaya trying to get me into a nappy and feed me a bottle.”

 

The Watcher shuddered.  “Do you bloody mind?  There is no need to assault my mind with such images,” the Englishman’s face turned grim.  “That was a contact from the Council.”

 

“Oh, he’d been right.  “Has another Slayer been called yet?”

 

“Ah no,” Giles hesitated, “in point of fact Buffy’s death has revealed that the Slayer Spirit resides in Faith-.”

 

Xander’s eyes widened he realised the import of the Watcher’s words.  “They’re letting her out?  No way!”

 

“And what would you suggest Xander?  That we allow the Council to murder her in order to call another Slayer?”

 

“No of course not, but remember what happened.  She killed two people, tried to turn Deadboy bad, tried to kill me and Buff,” he still had nightmares where he woke with her hands around his neck choking him, “and kidnapped Will!”

 

“Xander we need her, we can hardly hold the hellmouth on our own.  Beside Angel assures me that she has made -.”

 

“Oh Deadboy says!” he threw his hands up in disgust, “let’s all believe the master vampire!  After all he’s the expert on murder!”

 

“Xander,” Giles’ tone was soft, “Faith wouldn’t be the first murderer you’ve given a second chance.”

 

Xander’s eyes widened.  “Hold on, Ben was going to end the world -.”

 

“I was talking about the Mark of Egyhon.”

 

“Oh,” Xander thought for a second before caving in.  “Okay I’ll give her a chance.  Why aren’t the others here for this?”

 

“Ah,” the Englishman paused.  “We’ve all got history with Faith.”

 

“Oh really?” he muttered sarcastically.

 

Giles ignored his interruption.  I’d like to have some support when I announce Faith’s return to the others.  Willow at the very least is likely to be hostile.”

 

Giles definitely had a point.  “G-Man,” Xander licked his lips.  He’d never been a rat but this was too important and too scary to keep to himself, “a couple of days ago Willow wanted to do a resurrection spell to bring Buff back but I wouldn’t join in.”

 

“”WHAT!  Tell me you’re joking!”  Looking into the Watcher’s blazing eyes he sincerely hoped Giles was angry at Willow for attempting the curse and not him for refusing to go along with it.  Xander shook his head.  “That bloody stupid girl!  Doesn’t she realise how reckless that is?” with an effort the raging Englishman calmed himself.  “I’ll have to have words that young woman,” the still fuming magic shop owner took a breath.  “There is another reason I wanted to discuss Faith’s return with you.”

 

“Oh?” Xander listened to Giles talk for a few minutes, his incredulity increasing as the seconds ticked by.  Finally the Watcher finished.  “You have got to be kidding me?”

 

                                    *                                  *                      *

 

“Hi Queen -,” Faith’s shoulders slumped as the former queen of Sunnydale turned and walked into the hotel’s inner office.  She brightened as Angel walked in from the elevator.  “Hi Fang, you five by five?”

 

Her mentor smiled back at her.  “How’s freedom treating you Faith?”

 

She winked and laughed.  “All this fresh air could make a girl giddy.”

 

The vampire chuckled before turning to Wesley.  “Thanks for picking her up for me Wes, could you watch the office for me?” the former Watcher nodded.  “Thank you Faith, come with me.”

 

She nodded and started after the vampire only to turn back towards the Englishman.  “Thanks for the lift -,” she sighed as the Watcher turned away from her.

 

“Wesley.”

 

“I agreed to help you prevent the Council from murdering her,” Wesley’s voice was cold as he shuffled through papers on the reception desk, “I never agreed to be civil.”

 

“Wes can’t you at least -.”

 

Suddenly the Watcher spun round, his eyes filled with raging fury; fuck Wes could be a scary bunny.  “Bugger off Angel!” the Englishman rolled up a sleeve, she bit back a gasp at the scarring she saw on the man’s forearm.  “You didn’t have to go through the agony, the weeks of physiotherapy that I did because of her!  So don’t tell me how to treat her!”

 

Angel glared at Wesley but to her surprise it was the vampire who lost the staring contest and turned to her.  “Shall we go up to your room?” she nodded numbly.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Big place you got here Fang,” Faith kept her tone casual but inside her stomach was clenched in pain.  Wesley’s outburst had shaken her, the anger and hate she’d heard in his voice directed at her.  What was worse was she deserved it.

 

“Faith,” she turned at the vampire’s soft voice, “I’m sorry about Wesley.”

 

She shook her head.  “Don’t be, he had the right, I gave it to him.”

 

“He should give you a second chance.”

 

“Why?” she demanded bitterly, all the self-loathing pouring out.  “I tortured him for fuck’s sake!” she began shaking.  “God Angel, I don’t know if I can do this, go back to Sunnyhell.”

 

“Of course you can Faith,” she looked up into the vampire’s gentle eyes. “You and I are a lot alike.  We’ve both got a darkness inside us, me my demon, you your childhood.  But we also have a choice.  We can choose to let the darkness swallow us whole or we can choose to rise above it.  What do you choose?”

 

She swallowed, god this was so hard, before nodding.  “I choose to go to Sunnydale.”

 

“Never had any doubt.”  Angel squeezed her shoulder before leading her into a room.  “This will be your room for tonight; tomorrow we’ll put you on a bus to Sunnydale.”

 

“Five by five,” her attention was drawn to the duffle bag on her bed.  “What’s that?”

 

“Yeah,” Angel shrugged an embarrassed look on his face.  “I went out and bought you some clothes, jeans, leather pants, T-shirts, sweatshirts, some basic cosmetics, and,” the vampire coughed, “woman’s things.”

 

Woman’s things?  Faith hid a smile at the thought of Fang standing in a chemist’s asking for sanitary towels.  “Get me any condoms?  Girl’s built up a hell of an itch, even Wes with his ‘tude was looking kinda interesting.”

 

“Faith -.”

 

“Joke,” she’d developed a hell of a technique for getting herself off in prison but while inside she’d decided on a complete lifestyle change and that included a steady.  ‘Course he’d have to be hung like a horse – she hadn’t changed that much.  She was surprised when the vampire passed her a thick leather wallet.  “What’s this?”

 

“Two and a half thousand dollars,” she gasped.  “A copy of your pardon in case of trouble, and a social security card.”

 

“I..I can’t repay you.”

 

“Just stay on the path that’s all payment I need,” Angel replied.  “How do you feel about Sunnydale?”

 

“Scared,” she admitted, the mask she always hid behind falling in the presence of her mentor.  “I mean Red hated me before I went bad, she always was an insecure little bitch.  Pip, well fuck I tried to kill her sister, threatened her mom, and locked her under the stairs and threatened to set it on fire,” from what Angel said that last bit was a false memory but she was pretty sure Pip would remember it.  “Then there’s Xman,” Faith closed her eyes as she remembered the look of desperate pleading in his eyes, the look of betrayal on his face as she’d choked him.  The first guy, even before Angel, to reach out and she’d repaid his trust by trying to kill him.  Pushing away the memories she continued.  “Then there’s G,” she smiled, “I tried to kill his daughter, me the misfit.  I mean god knows I can’t compare to her.”


”Faith,” Angel rubbed at his forehead, “you don’t have to compare, just be yourself.”

 

“Whatever,” she shrugged.  Angel’s words were all very well when she was secure in the big house but when she was about to be confronted by those she hurt…  “Angel, I get why you’re on my side with the Council, but why G?”

 

“In ’74 Giles dropped out of Oxford and started running with a bad crowd -.”

 

Faith snorted.  “What, they eat their scones without butter?”

 

Angel ignored her interruption.  “They did all the normal stuff kids in their late teens, early twenties do – drink, drugs, fighting, and sleeping around.  But they also got into the black arts,” Faith jolted with shock.  “Demons I’ve met that were in London at the time are still terrified of ‘Ripper’ Giles.  And in March ’78, Giles and his companions raised a demon called Egyhon,” the vampire’s face tightened, “and the demon possessed one of his friends and he was forced to kill him.”

 

“No way,” Faith whispered, stuffy G a murdering black arts mage?

 

“Giles believes he was given a second chance and that you deserve one too.”  The vampire turned to leave then turned back.  “Your bus leaves at four pm tomorrow.”

 

“Sooner I’m there sooner it’s over with.”

 

The vampire’s brow furrowed.  “What’s that supposed to mean?” she didn’t answer.  “Faith?”

 

She glanced down at the carpet.  “The Council made it pretty damn clear they’re expecting me to screw up and get myself killed.”

 

“Did they?” Angel’s tone hardened.  “Well prove them wrong.  Buffy lasted over six years in the field -.”

 

“I’m not her remember?” Faith pointed out, her tone bitter.  “Besides she had you watching her back for three -,” her voice trailed off at the amused look on the vampire’s face, “what’s so damn funny?”

 

“You know why you’re a Slayer?”

 

Faith stared at the vampire, confused at the question, for a few seconds before answering.  “Yeah, some chick called Kendra got offed by your childe.”

 

“Yes,” Angel winced.  “But do you know how the second line of Slayers was started?”

 

“Yeah B drowned by the Master and you and Xman revived her.”

 

“Yes,” Angel hesitated, “what you wouldn’t know because nobody but Xander and I know is I fell into a depression at the thought of Buffy’s death and hid myself in my mansion.  Xander broke in and forced me the tunnels at the point of a cross.”

 

“No way.”

 

“You heard about the Judge and the rocket launcher?” she nodded remembering how she’d mentioned it to B on their first meeting.  “Xander stole it from the local army base,” her mouth dropped open, she didn’t know that!  “Then,” Angel paused, his face drawn at the memories, “when I was Angelus I beat Buffy pretty bad when she was ill with a cold, would have killed her but for Xander putting my head in a sack and kneeing me in the face.  The next night I went to the hospital to kill her but Xander was waiting for me.”

 

“And?” Faith couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

 

“Buffy wasn’t turned was she?  Then there was the night we fought the Sisterhood of the Jhe, you remember?”

 

“Yeah.”  The night she’d helped save the world, one the few decent things she’d ever done.  “Xman saved my life the night, ran over this Jhe bitch that was kicking my ass.”

 

“Oh,” Angel looked surprised for a second.  “He saved all our lives that night.  A couple of nights later I heard a rumour about a group of zombies planning to use a bomb, to blow open the hellmouth.  I asked around and found there’d been a gang and alright.  They’d been boasting about blowing up the hellmouth the night we were battling the Jhe and how afterwards they were going to find this Harris kid and kill him.”

 

And yet Xman and the hellmouth were still there, while the zombies weren’t.  She wasn’t a genius but she could the math.  “Yeah but that was for B and the others,” she replied nonchalantly, hiding how impressed she was, “he wouldn’t do shit for me.”

 

“Just give him a chance.  Give him a chance.”

She’s Gone 2 – Almost Home

 

Faith took a breath as she stepped off the coach.  “Home, oh the warm fuzzy feelings,” she muttered.  Her heart stopped when she saw a figure leaning against a car in the parking lot.  “Xan.”

 

Gone was the scrawny youth whose cherry she’d popped two and a half years ago.  In his place was a well-muscled man with an air of capability.  Taking a second to calm herself she made her way through the bustling crowd, ignoring the voice inside her telling her to get the fuck out of Dodge.  “Hi Xman.”

 

The man stared wordlessly at her for a second before nodding curtly.  “Do you want to give me that bag?”  So no tearful reunion, Faith passed the bag over, watching as the man opened the back door and threw the bag onto the back seat before opening the passenger door.  “Get in,” the man started to walk away.

 

“Xander,” the man turned back towards her, his face stiff.  God this was so hard, she bit down on her bottom lips for a moment before continuing.  “It’s good to see you again,” she paused, “I’m sor -.”

 

“Save it,” the man snapped, “I don’t want to hear it.  I’m only here because G-Man asked me.  You want to prove how sorry you are, prove it by saving lives not by spouting cheap lines!”

 

Faith forced her temper under control before speaking, her voice low and controlled.  “So why did you visit me all those times in hospital Alexander?” She’d looked on her visitor sheet before running out and had been surprised to see the man had visited once a week from September onwards.   “Only way you could get near a babe was wait until she was unconscious is that it? Were you copping a feel Harris?”

 

“No,” she was surprised when the man stepped into her personal space, forcing her to back off, “I figured you didn’t deserve to be deserted, that you needed to know that someone cared.  That you should have a second chance.  And guess what, you screwed it up!  You stole Buff’s life, fucked her boyfriend, and tried to kill her mom!  Then you run off and find god with Angel!”

 

“Is that it Xander?” Faith felt her temper snap, “is that what’s got your prick in a knot?  That I chose a real man’s help over yours?”

 

Even as she said the words she regretting them.  Seeing the embarrassment on the man’s face she opened her mouth to apologise but the Scooby beat her to it.  “You know Faith I never got it with you and Buff.  I mean you I guess I can understand, you never were choosy,” she almost flinched at the disdain in her hoped for friend’s voice, “but Buffy?  Must be part of the Slayer inside you that attracts you to vampires.  Maybe Kendra would have gone the same way if she lived, but I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have ended working for a demon.  Do you want a lift or not?”

The car journey was completed in near silence broken only when Xander snapped at her for trying to change the radio station.  Her eyes widened as they pulled up outside a shop.  “The Magic Box?” she turned to Xander, “how come we didn’t go to B’s crib?”

 

“This is G-Man’s magic shop,” Faith noticed Xander’s face hadn’t lost any of its tightness.  “We use this as our operations base and Buffy’s training gym.  G-Man figured it was less confrontational if we met here.”

 

Made sense.  “Five by five.”  She slid out of the car and started towards the door only to stop when the man grabbed her arm.  She turned and looked into the man’s cold eyes.

 

“Bear this in mind Faith,” she swallowed at the Scooby’s tone, “you decide to turn bad, kill me first.  Because if you don’t, Angel, the Council, the army, and the devil himself won’t stop me from killing you if you hurt anybody in there.”

 

If was an effort to brush off the icy finger that crawled up her spine at her companion’s words.  “Damn it Xan I’m here to help,” her voice trailed off as the man stepped past her and shoved the door open.  Sighing she followed the man into the shop.  “Just give it time he said,” she murmured, somehow she figured she was going to spend a lot of time phoning L.A.  Once inside she was met by several pairs of hostile, and one pair of kind, eyes.  “Can you feel the love in the room?” she muttered.

 

A honey-blonde dressed in new-age gear stepped towards her, holding out a hand and smiling nervously.  “H…hello I’m T..tara pleased to meet you.”

 

Faith smiled, there was just something about this girl that relaxed her.  “Hi Tar, we met last time.  Good to see you again.”

 

Suddenly Red was beside Tara, her posture hostile and her eyes containing the sneering contempt that always made her bristle.  “She’s with me, keep away,” the Wicca hissed.


Quelling the urge to punch the red-head’s nose through to her brain, Faith turned to Dawn.  “Hi Pip,” she forced herself to meet the teen’s gaze, “sorry about your ma and sis they-,” her words trailed off as Pip burst into tears and ran into a room at the back.  That went well.  Finally she turned towards G and waved uncertainly.  “G, looking good.”

 

”Faith,” the Watcher’s stern mask didn’t slip an inch.  “It’s” the normally loquacious  Watcher struggled for words, “you’re looking well.”

 

Faith decided to cut out the bullshit, just stick to the business.  If she tried to open her heart she’d only get hurt – she’d learnt that with her mom and the Scoobies last time whatever Fang said.  “So what’s the sitch training and demon wise?”

 

“I still say we don’t need her,” Willow snapped, “we’ve still got Spike.”

 

Spike?  Faith kept her face expressionless but inwardly she was fuming.  They couldn’t be so dumb as to work with a soulless vampire could they?  Ignoring Willow she turned back to G.  “So what my sched?”

 

“I’ll expect you here at eight in the morning until eleven to train.  At six you’ll return here and practice your unarmed combat skills.  As I’m advancing in years Xander,” the Watcher needed to the young man, “has agreed to spar with you under my supervision.”  Great, more time with Bitter & Angry.  “I understand you completed your high school diploma in prison?”

 

Faith smiled proudly and nodded.  “Yeah, GPA 3.3.”

 

The buzz she always felt at the mention of her accomplishment disappeared as she picked up the red-headed Wicca’s muttered comment.  “Bet she slept with her tutors to get her grades.”

 

G either didn’t hear or care about what Willow said.  “I’ve taken the liberty of signing you up for Ancient History and Mythology classes at college in the hope they help you with the academic side of Slaying.  Xander also told me about your interest in bikes, so you’ve been signed up for Auto Shop,” well the last bit was kinda cool but the other classes, ugh.  “And on the weekends you will assist Anaya,” the Watcher nodded towards the blonde stood beside Xander, “and I in the shop.”

 

Fuck, she’d exchanged one prison for another.  After a second she nodded, her face impassive.  “Five by five.”  She glanced towards Xander.  “Can you give me a lift to the motel Xand?” It’d be just like old times, maybe she could get her own room back.

 

“Actually,” she turned back to G, “one of the mistakes we made,” Faith blinked, G was admitting they made mistakes?  “Was our isolation of you.  You’ll be staying with Xander and Anaya.”

 

“Rent will be a hundred dollars a week,” put in the blonde, her arm wrapped possessively around Xander’s waist.

 

“Um, I can’t actually afford that much,” she said.  Angel’s wad wouldn’t last that long – not with other shit to buy.

 

“Maybe you should start charging.  Mix business with pleasure.”

 

Faith felt her temper snap at Willow’s snide comment.  She was willing to take Red’s comments over the bad shit she’d done, she deserved it, but sheltered Red had no fucking idea what she’d been through as a kid, how her childhood made her desperate to feel something, anything.  She stepped towards the Wicca, a sneer on her face.  “What is your problem Red?”

 

To her surprise the lesbian didn’t back away or flinch at her approach, instead she stepped to meet her, pushing a protesting Tara aside.  “You’re my problem, you’re a lousy murderer.”

 

“Ah bullshit!” she shouted.  “Yeah, I’ve done stuff I’m ashamed of.  But you hated me before that.  Always looking down your nose at me, sneering-.”

 

“I…I’m sure Willow didn’t -.”

 

Willow interrupted Tara’s attempt at conciliation.  “So what if I did?  You’re nothing but a tramp!”

 

“Oh is that it?” Faith sneered.  “You’re just jealous that I had the nerve to go out and get what I wanted, jealous that I’ve had Xander and you didn’t-.”

 

“Oh no, keep me out of this,” she heard Xander mutter.

 

“Jealous that I had a connection with B that you didn’t.  Well you might have changed sides but you’re still the mouse you always were!”

 

“Am I?” the last thing Faith saw was Willow’s eyes turn black and then she was lifted off the floor and flung into the shop’s wall.

 

“Red’s got a brand new bag.”  Impressed by Willow’s power she started to rise only to stop when an invisible band of air enclosed her throat choking her.  She could dimly hear the others shouting at Willow over the roaring in her ears but the band continued to tighten.


Suddenly the pain was gone.  Her vision cleared to see Willow standing before her, a gloating look on her face.  “I’m the one with the power now,” the Wicca hissed.  She tried to rise only to find her arms and legs were impossibly heavy, as if encased in stone.  Her eyes burnt with tears of humiliation as Willow began to trace a finger down first her cheek, then her neck, and finally inside her denim shirt to roughly grope her left breast, she’d never felt this helpless, not since she was Called.  “You do what I tell you now.”

 

“Willow that’s enough,” suddenly Xander was between her and the Wicca pushing the red-head away from her.  She gasped in relief as the feeling returned to her limbs but didn’t move, unwilling to further antagonise the Witch.  “You are so out of line!”

 

“Out of line!” Willow screamed, “she needs to know who’s boss, what’ll happen if she steps out of line again!”

 

“Xander is quite right,” Faith turned to see G approaching Red, a worried expression on his face.

 

Faith looked from G to Red to Tar.  “What the fuck?” she muttered.  She supposed it was part of being a Slayer but she could now see auras surrounding the three mages.  G’s greyish one and Tar’s shiny white one crackled with power, but Red’s was pitch black and looked like it contained enough energy to power the whole state for the whole of the new century.  “That much power can’t be good.”  She realised G was speaking again.

 

“Yes Faith abused her abilities,” the Watcher growled, dam that scary tone had to be ‘Ripper’.  “And what do you think you were doing just now?  I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave here and home.”

 

Willow’s eyes widened.  “You’d chose that skank over me?”

 

“It’s not a matter of choosing Faith over you,” the Watcher’s tone was measured but Faith could see a dangerous glint in his eyes, “it’s a matter of creating a safe environment for Dawn.  Your continuing abuse of magic and worsening self-control combine to make you an unsuitable -.”

 

“Fine!” Willow snapped before spinning round to face Tara.  “Let’s go home and get our things.”

 

Tara shook her head.  “N…no.”

 

“What!” Willow’s eyes bulged, Faith’s hand edged towards her knife.  “You’d betray me?”

 

“W..what you did was wrong,” Tara’s face was pale but resolute, girl had serious spine, Faith had to give her that.  “You’re using magic too much -.”

 

“If that’s what you want, you can all go to hell!” her cheeks red with rage, the Wicca stormed out of the shop, slamming the door shut behind her.

 

“Are you okay Faith?”

 

She felt a warm glow at the concern she saw in Xander’s face as he helped her to her feet.  “Yeah five by five Xand.”  Maybe things might be alright after all.

 

“Anaya could you and Dawn take Tara into the backroom,” Faith felt her stomach tighten at the desolate look on the Wicca’s face, she’d help cause that with her big mouth.  “Xander and I will brief Faith on her duties.”  Brief?  Faith raised an eyebrow, she’d never known the Watcher be brief.

 

Ninety minutes later and the Watcher had finished.  Faith stood and glanced out of the window.  It was past nine and dark outside.  Crouching by her bag she pulled out her stake, a stake Angel had given her – seemed appropriate.  “It’s five by five by you G I’ll take a run through the vamp hot-spots.”

 

After a second the Englishman nodded.  “Very well, Xander will you accompany -.”

 

“No,” Faith shook her head, fuck she didn’t want that, not what she’d got planned.  “I wanna go stag.”

 

“Faith,” G let out a long-suffering sigh, god she remembered that sound.  “When you patrol you will be accompanied.  At least until you’re back in the swing of things.”

 

At least until you can trust me more like Faith translated before shaking her head.  “I’m not patrolling, just getting the lie of the land, doing a recon.”  She played her ace card.  “I can cover more territory quicker on my own.”

 

After a second the Watcher glanced at his watch.  “Very well, it’s ten past nine, I want you back at ten thirty.”

 

Faith nodded dutifully.  “Five by five.”  Now she could take care of business.

 

She’s Gone 3 – Loose Ends

 

Faith hurried through the shadowy graveyard, her heart thundering and her mind whirling at what had happened in the shop earlier.  Tar seemed nice, Xand and G looked like they might give her a chance, and the Council stipend of $250 a week that G had mentioned during his brief was wicked cool.  Pip was a problem though, she always kinda liked her, there had to be a way they could re-connect.  But Red, what the fuck?  She’d always been a bitch but what had turned her into the Wicked Witch of the west?  Faith shook her head, after the day she’d had she definitely needed a release.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Spike looked up at the sound of his crypt door opening.  He’d heard the heartbeat and smelt the human seconds ago but had figured she’d just walk past like they always did.

 

His mouth dried at the sight that greeted him.  The woman stood in the doorway was gorgeous, with glossy, jet-black hair that flowed down onto her shoulders framing a high-boned face containing a pair of knowing liquid brown eyes and thick pouty lips parted in a cocksure grin.

 

And the body, the brunette’s leather pants hugged every inch of her muscular legs and the sinful roundness of her arse.  The black silk blouse the girl was wearing didn’t stick to her body as much as he’d had liked but there was enough to suggest the athletic curves of her upper body and the generous swell of her breasts.  But it was more than that, while Buffy had been innocence waiting, needing, to be corrupted, this tart thought she knew the darkness but he could show her different, twist and warp her.  Maybe he wouldn't wait for Dawn to ripen to show his true self after all.

 

“Right there luv,” his greeting faltered as he realised something else.  Oh bloody hell, he began to back away his hands raised in surrender.  “Listen Slayer I’m one of the good guys, the White Hats-.”

 

“Chill blondie,” the slapper interrupted.  “I got the skinny from G and the others.  I’m here for something else.”  The brunette made her way over to him, her slender hips swaying seductively as she did so.  “Heard you got a Slayer kink.  Question is,” his eyes widened as the Slayer began to unbutton her blouse, “will any Slayer do?”  An expectant gleam in her eyes, the brunette allowed her shirt to fall to the ground.

 

Spike took a second to drink in the wondrous sight before him.  “Any port in a storm luv.”  He grinned as his eyes roamed over the woman’s flawlessly smooth skin, taut stomach, and her full but pert breasts, her long nipples erect with excitement.  Hypnotised by the sight before him he stepped forward but the Slayer pushed him back with a smoky laugh.  “Slow down blondie,” the brunette glanced behind him and grinned, “hey Spikey what I’d like you to do is grab that bottle of JD, pour half of it on my tits and lick it off while I drink the rest.”  The brunette winked at him.  “Well what the fuck are you waiting for?”

Chuckling slightly he turned away, oh this was going to be fun, he really wanted to test a Slayer’s stamina.  He reached for the bottle on the top shelf when the woman spoke, his voice smocking.  “Spikey didn’t your mama never tell you not to turn your back on a big bad Slayer?” He screamed as a stake entered his heart from behind.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Stupid bastard.”  Faith allowed herself a shudder before picking her blouse up and fastened it.  She’d been horrified when G had told her about Spike and his chipping.  What if the chip had failed for Christ’s sake?  Or if the vamp had lead the rest of them into a trap?  When she’d heard she was being sent back to Sunnydale she’d vowed that as B had died to protect Pip she’d do whatever she could to protect her and the first step was getting rid of the leech.

 

She snorted as she buttoned her shirt and pulled her jacket back on.  Human or vamp, men were all the same – show them a wicked rack and they started thinking with their pricks.  She could have walked in and started throwing punches, but she hadn’t wanted to leave anything to chance.  If the vampire had escaped he could have easily squealed to the others, causing them to distrust her.  And if he’d been faking, waiting for the right moment to take the others out she could be in a hell of a lot of trouble considering he’d already killed two Slayers.

 

Now though, she looked around the empty crypt, there was one less problem.  A smile playing on her full lips she brushed her hair behind her head, turned, and made for the door.  Pushing it open, she stepped out into the night and took a deep breath, savouring the air’s cold, crisp freshness after the crypt’s mustiness.

 

“You kill or fuck him?”

 

Her heart stopped as Xander stepped out from behind a near-by statue of a cherub.  Oh shit, she was in a world of trouble.  “”Y..you followed me,” her eyes narrowed, “I should have been able to sense you.”

 

Xander tapped his head.  “I’ve got the memories of a Green Beret who fought in Korea and Nam in here.  Now,” the Scooby’s eyes turned flinty, “don’t change the subject.  What happened?”

 

Faith licked her lips before answering, her palms sweaty.  “I…I killed him.”

 

She was surprised when Xander flashed her the lop-sided grin she remembered from the last time in Sunnydale.  “Good.”

 

“G..good,” now she was confused, “but I thought he was one of your crew?”

 

Xander’s grin disappeared to be replaced by a thin, grim line.  “He wasn’t part of our crew.  Not to me and G-Man at least, we both thought he should have staked the first day he turned up with his damn chip, god knows when it could have failed.”  Faith hid a smile, well at least he wasn’t pissed at her.  “Then he betrayed us to ADAM.  But still Buff wouldn’t let me stake her,” Xander shook his head, a disgusted expression on his face.  “I loved her like a sister, but it was like she needed a vampire to lean on.”

 

Faith decided to ignore the implied slight to Angel in the interest of harmony.  “So why you following me Xand?”

 

The man stared at her unflinchingly.  “Because G-Man wanted to know why you wanted to be alone.”

 

So, suspicious.  “Are you five by five,” she glanced over her shoulder, back at the crypt, “with this?”

 

“Not a problem.  We’ll have to tell G-Man though.”  The man turned away and then back to her.  “Have you cleaned up?”

 

“Cleaned up?”

 

“Make it look like he’s left,” Xander explained, his tone patient.

 

“Why?”

 

“The girls,” Xander scowled, “are attached to Spike see him as some sort of pet I guess.  When Dawn comes round after school -.”

 

“You let her come round to a vampire on her own?”  Faith couldn’t believe her ears.  “Do you deliver take-out to other demons to?”

 

Xander looked irritated.  “No we don’t let her, she come of her own accord.  Point is we have to clean up, get rid of his dust, throw out his possessions.  Make it look like he’s got bored with Sunnydale.”

 

She nodded, made sense.  “Five by five,” she followed the man back into the crypt and started cleaning up the dust left by the vampire’s demise as Xander began to sort through the vampire’s belongings.  “What are you going to do with his stuff?”

 

“Dump it,” Xander turned from bagging the vamp’s clothes.  “I’ve got a business trip to LA in a  couple of days.  I’ll tell Anaya I’m taking a Greyhound, but take Spike’s de Soto,” the young man grinned as he jangled the car keys, “always wanted to drive it, dump it, and catch a bus back.”

 

“Sounds like a plan Xman,” she squinted at a box resting on a shelf.  Intrigued she walked over and started rummaging through it.  “You don’t wanna throw this Xand.”


”Why not?” the man moved up to stand by her shoulder.

Slightly unnerved yet pleased by his closeness she glanced down at the box unwilling to confront her emotions.  “These records are all signed, there’s a guitar here,” she lifted it out of the box, “signed by Billy Idol, a drum cover autographed by Keith Moon, and a g-string,” her nose wrinkled, “autographed by Janis Joplin.  You wanna take this stuff to a dealer in pop music shit,” there was a word for it but she couldn’t remember it.

 

“A memorabilia shop you mean?” she nodded, that was the word.  “Whatever I get we’ll split 5 0 – 50 okay?”

 

She shrugged.  “You don’t have to do that.”

 

“Without you I’d have just dumped it, besides I owe you for staking Peroxide Boy.”

 

Sensing a melting of the ice Faith decided to try the apology thing again.  “Xand, I’m real sorry about what happened that night in my hotel room -.”

 

“Which night?” the tightness was back in the man’s face.

 

Thrown by the question she stared at the man for a second before replying.  “What the fuck does that mean?”

 

“You could mean the night you tried to kill me.”  Well that was a little harsh she’d just been trying to get him to shut up.  “Or the night I had sex for the first time, then got tossed aside like a piece of garbage!”

 

Faith’s temper snapped.  “You wanna try my first time!” she jabbed a furious finger into the man’s chest.  “You wanna try being a 13 year old kid whose drunk ma passes out on the sofa and whose boyfriend decides to turn her attention to the younger model!”

 

Shit.  Too late Faith realised what she’d said.  The man turned ashen-grey.  “Faith, I’m sorry-.”

 

“Save it.”  She attempted to retreat from her companion, anxious to get away from the memories.  Fuck what had she done, that part of her life was over.  “Just leave me alone -.”

 

“No way,” she tensed as the man grabbed her by her shoulders and pulled her round to face him.  She forced herself to look up into the man’s eyes, instead of the expected disgust and contempt she saw only compassion.  Suddenly the dam burst and she exploded into tears, her entire body shaking with unleashed emotion.  Immediately Xander pulled her into a hug, allowing her to sob onto his chest, her tears soaking his jacket.

 

After a few minutes she pulled away, her cheeks reddening as she realised what she’d just done.  “Sorry,” she mumbled.

 

“No problem.”  She started as the man began to rub her face clean with a handkerchief.  “I’ve been the shoulder to cry on for one Slayer already, I’m used to it.”


”Thanks Xand,” she whispered shakily.  “You won’t tell the others will you?” she asked in a small voice.

 

The man hesitated before replying.  “Not if you don’t want,” she smiled gratefully.  “Let’s head back to my place.”

 

“What about reporting to G?”

 

Xander grinned before reaching into his pocket.  “The wonders of new technology,” he waved a cell about, “I’ll ring him, tell him Spike was faking his chip, and put up a fight so you’re shaken up.”

 

“Okay,” she swallowed.  “Xand, we five by five?”

 

“We’re five by five.”

 

                                                *                                  *                                  *

 

Faith looked up at the house before her, a maelstrom of conflicting emotions churning up inside.  On the one hand the Christmas she’d spent there had been the happiest ever.  On the other she’d also threatened and beaten up the closest thing she’d ever had to a mother.  “Come on girl,” she muttered as she dragged herself up the drive, “this time last week you were Queen Bitch in a fucking prison.  What’s one little kid next to that?”

 

Her words sounded hollow even to herself.  But she wanted to be friends with Pip again, she’d always kinda liked hanging with the kid, basking in her hero-worship – she was kinda like the little sis she’d always wanted.  After taking a breath she knocked on the front door.  A few seconds passed and then the door swung open.  “H…hello Faith.”

 

“Hi Tar,” Faith hid a wince at the Wicca’s blood-shot and pained eyes.  Long experience of Slaying had taught her not to wait for an invitation so she stepped into the hallway.  “Hi Tar,” she repeated before taking a breath, might as well take a chance.  “Tar, I was kinda wondering if you’d like to hang out sometime, if you need someone to talk to.”  Might as well try and make friends with someone she hadn’t actually tried to kill.  She’d considered trying with Xander’s ex-demon chick but that girl was wicked protective of Xand and gave off a weird vibe to boot.  But she’d liked Tar from the get-go.

 

She was delighted when Tara nodded hesitantly.  “I..I’d like that.”

 

“Wicked,” she beamed before shuffling from foot to foot.  “Is Pip in?”

 

Tara nodded.  “She’s upstairs.  Her room’s the one with N’Sync blasting out of it.”

 

“N’Sync?” she shook her head before winking at the Wicca and waggling a finger, you’re sadly neglecting her musical education Tar!”  She smirked at the honey-blonde’s slight answering smile.  “Can I go up?”  Tar nodded.  “Five by five.”

 

“Hi little sis.”

 

The girl laid on her front on the bed leapt to her feet, stormed over to her, and began shouting.  “Little sis?  My sis died, my real sis!  The one you tried to kill, remember her?  If you’d have been here you could have done something.”

 

This wasn’t going well.  “Dawn I’m sor-.”

 

The girl’s palm smashed into her cheek, leaving a red handprint.  “Don’t tell me you’re sorry!”  Suddenly the girl burst into tears and fell against her.

 

After an uncomfortable second Faith put her arms around the girl’s shoulders, just as Xander had for her the previous night.  “Come on Dawn, let it out.”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Giles stared at the two fidgeting girls in disbelief.  “Faith that’s a ridiculous idea.”

 

“But Dawn’s made from Buffy’s essence right?” he nodded unwillingly.  “Well that means she’s a Slayer too?”

 

He pinched his nose, it appeared Faith and logic were still distant cousins.  “Faith, Buffy was called two months after her fourteenth birthday.  Dawn is now fifteen.”

 

“I was almost sixteen when I was called,” Faith responded, “Slayers aren’t called at the same age.”

 

Giles conceded the point with a nod.  “True, but as Dawn was created from her sister’s essence and is a Slayer, she would have been called at the same time.”  He shook his head.  “No I’m afraid -.”

 

“G-Man, can I have a word in private please?”

 

Surprised he turned and stared at Xander for a second before nodding.  “Very well.  Let’s go through to the back.” 

 

Once he’d closed the gym door he spoke to his companion.  “Xander, you can’t agree with this idea, it’s nonsensical!”

 

“Is it?” Xander replied.  “I don’t think Faith really believe that Dawn is a Potential Slayer.  Training with Dawn is just a way of bringing them closer together, and we both want her to be more involved with us.  Besides, Dawn could do with training – Hellmouth remember?”

 

“Oh dear Xander,” Giles sighed, “it’s not fair when you become logical.  I really don’t expect that from you.”

 

“I get a lot of practice living with Anaya,” Xander grinned.  “You might want to try it as an argument sharpening tool.”

 

“No thank you very blood much,” he shuddered at the very thought.  “Running a shop with her is quite bad enough.”

 

“Hey that’s my fiancée you’re talking about!”  Xander chuckled.  “Even if it is true.  So you’re going to agree”

 

Giles nodded.  “Let’s go back through.”  Once back in the shop area he made his way over to the waiting girls, hiding a smile at their shared nervousness.  “I’ve decided to agree to your request.”

 

“Wicked!” Faith high-fived Dawn.

 

Faith quietened at a look from him.  “There will however be caveats.”  Giles looked from Faith to Dawn.  “Firstly, your schoolwork comes first.  Secondly, training is not a game it must be taken seriously.  Thirdly, training with a Slayer does not make you a Slayer you will not patrol,” the younger teen’s mouth began to open only to close at his glare, “no argument Dawn.  And fourthly, your training will be purely unarmed.”  The thought of Dawn with sharp objects sent shivers down his spine.

 

“I’d like to add a condition of my own,” he turned to look at Xander back in his position with Anaya, “if Dawn is called the Council aren’t told.”

 

After a second he nodded.  “Agreed.”

 

She’s Gone 4 – First Steps

 

“Hello Angel Investigations?”

 

Faith smiled at her mentor’s voice.  However down she was feeling just hearing his voice gave her a buzz.  “Hi Fang.”

 

“Faith!” the vampire’s voice went from professional to friendly in an instant.  “How’s Sunnydale treating you?”

 

She grinned at the affection she heard.  “You were right,” she admitted, “things weren’t as bad as I thought.  I’m staying with Xand and his fiancée, got a new bud in Tara, getting closer to Pip, and G’s five by five too.”

 

“That’s great!” the vampire enthused, there was a pause.  “You didn’t mention Willow?”

 

“Yeah.”  Faith’s good mood fled to be replaced by bitterness at her humiliation at the hands of the Wicca as well as wariness of discussing Red with Fang, Angel always had a soft spot for her.  “Um, Willow’s kinda out of control.  She was going to resurrect B-.”

 

“She was what!”

 

She shuffled nervously at the hard note in the vampire’s voice.  “Yeah, but you need four people to do it and nobody would agree to join her, so she’s kinda sulking.”  She figured it would probably be pretty dumb to mention her part.

 

“And the Hellmouth?”

 

Faith grinned, thank god, safer ground.  “Quiet Fang, real quiet.”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Razor stared morosely into the bottom of his empty tankard.  The small town of Quaker, Utah had been good to his band of bikers but the last of the town’s men had been tortured to death, the last of the young girls had succumbed to internal bleeding or madness, and worst of all the drink was running low.  They’d have to move on, but the question was to where?

 

Suddenly one of his lieutenants appeared in the bar’s doorway, an excited look on his face.  “Boss!  Summers is dead!”

 

After a moment of stunned silence, the bar erupted into excited shouts, the decapitated head some of his men had had been playing soccer with kicked through the window in celebration.  As a raucous party broke out Razor smiled to himself.  He knew where they’d head next.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“What do you want to play tonight!” Dawn asked eagerly.

 

Tara stayed quiet, she hadn’t spoken much since Willow left, but Anya spoke up.  “Cards!”

 

Dawn resisted the urge to roll her eyes.  She had no proof but she suspected Anya cheated when they played for money.  And it was severely cutting into her weekly allowance from Giles.  Her eyes narrowed, maybe tonight would be the night she caught her.  Then she’d get her money back.  She let out a shriek as the window exploded and two demons flew through the window grabbing her and the others.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Are you okay Faith?”

 

Faith started at Xander’s soft voice cutting through the silent night.  She continued to stare in front of her, her fingers tracing the letters of the gravestone before her.  “He was thirty-five Xand,” her voice trembled, “thirty-five years old when I murdered him.”

 

“Faith,” she looked up at Xander’s voice in her ear and his hand on her shoulder as he crouched beside her.  “What you did was dumb but how stupid was he, running straight at a Slayer in full flow?  Way I see it, it had to be an accident.”

 

She shook her head, refusing to be comforted.  “Maybe but what about Worth?  I carved up the poor bastard like Lectar on acid.”  She closed her eyes as she remembered the blood splattering onto the walls and the man’s begging screams echoing in her ears.  She remembered how she’d got off on it – being the one with the power, being the one causing the fear for a change.

 

“Faith,” she looked up into G’s firm but kind face.  “The Mayor manipulated you into a situation, took advantage of your fear and youth to use you to further his own ends.”

 

“I fucking murdered him!”

 

“Yes you did,” she was surprised when Giles crouched down in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders.  “And you paid for it with eight months in a coma, a nervous breakdown, and two years in prison.  The best way you can pay them back is by performing your duties to the best of your abilities.”

 

After a second she nodded.  “Five by five.”  Rising she turned towards the town.  Her eyes narrowed as she noticed fires flickering throughout the town and the vague sound of screams.  “Fuck,” she’d promised B’s spirit that she’d look after her little sis for her.  Nothing was going to happen to Pip.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Faith stared around the devastated lounge her heart sinking as she took in the glass littering the carpet, the over-turned furniture, and the photos lying on the ground.  During their frantic journey through the ravaged town they’d passed scattered fires, occasional corpses, and wrecked shops and houses.  Whatever had caused all this shit was probably responsible for Pip and the others. 

 

Faith cast an idle glance towards her companions.  Her blood chilled as she saw their cold eyes and set faces.  Gone was the stuffy shop-owner and affable clown.  In their place stood two dangerous looking sons of bitches.  Resisting the urge to shudder she spoke.  “So what’s the -.”

 

Her head swung towards the opening lounge door.  Even as the seven foot tall, one-eyed, purple-scaled demon stood in the doorway opened its mouth to speak, its forked tongue lolling over its jagged teeth, Faith sprang forward, catching the demon under his jaw with an uppercut that lifted the monster off its feet and sent it crashing into the far wall.

 

The demon recovered immediately, bounding towards her.  She slid beneath a right cross, grabbing the arm at the wrist and biceps before flinging the beast back into the wall.  Spinning round she snapped out a side-kick that the demon swatted away with a forearm.  Instantly she moved into a leg-sweep taking the demon’s legs away at the knees knocking it down onto its side.

 

Before the demon could move she’d flipped it onto its front, knelt on its back, and hooked an arm around its neck pulling its head back.  “Now you better talk and fast.  Who are you?  And what’s happened to the girls?”

 

“I ain’t telling you shit bitch.  Arggh!”

 

The demon screamed as she thrust her knife and jabbed it into its side causing the wound to spew a greyish ichor.  “My shrink said labels are unhelpful and hurtful,” she said cheerfully before twisting the knife in the wound, “listen bud I can keep having fun like this all night.  Question is how long can you keep quiet for?”

 

“We’re a biker gang called the Hellions,” her captive babbled, “Razor heard that the Slayer was dead so we figured -.”

 

“Shit, what the fuck am I chopped liver?” now Faith was really pissed, it always came down to her not being as good as B.

 

“Faith,” Xander’s voice was tight with tension, “focus.”

 

“Yeah,” Faith sliced of the demon’s right thumb, “now where did you take the others?”

 

“The nightclub,” the demon sobbed.

“The Bronze?” the demon nodded.  “How many of you are there?”

 

“Twenty.”

 

Fuck that was a lot.  “Thanks,” she jerked the demon’s head back, ripping it off its shoulders.  “Now there’s nineteen.”  Standing she looked into G and Xand’s watching faces, and said words she’d never thought she’d say.  “Xand we need reinforcements.  Can you get in touch with Red?”

 

Xander slowly shook his head.  “She’s not at her parents, I’ve left her dozens of messages but she doesn’t answer them.”

 

Faith’s heart ached at the pain on Xander’s face.  He really missed the Wicca, that bitch didn’t know how lucky she was to have friends like him.  “We could ring Angel -,” she shook her head, “no that’ll take long.  We’ll have to deal with this ourselves.”

 

“Uh,” Xander raised a hand, “I know someone who’ll help!”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Come on move it!”

 

Dawn trembled as they were herded towards the back of the Bronze.  The demons were too busy emptying the nightclub of its liquor to notice them much but soon…

 

She jumped at a pair of hands on her shoulders only to relax as she looked up at Tara’s pale but smiling face.  “I. it’ll be alright, Faith wouldn’t let anything happen to us.”

 

“Oh I wouldn’t be too sure,” Anya interrupted, her tone lecturing, “I remember bands of rampaging demons from Europe.  Soon they’ll be torturing and raping, it’s in their natu-.”

 

“Not helping,” Tara snapped as Dawn’s eyes burnt with tears.  She was so scared, she wished Buffy was here.  She’d have saved them.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“This is your great idea Xand!  A fucking demon?”

 

Clem looked from little Dawn’s friends Xander and Giles to a repulsively tight-skinned female with fiery black eyes – even for a human she ugly, no sagging flesh at all.  But she had an aura of frightening power around her.  “Um, excuse me,” he said timidly. 

 

“Clem’s a friend Faith,” Xander interrupted, “he saved Dawn from two vampires about a moth ago.”

 

The anger in the girl’s eyes dimmed.  “Really?”  Clem risked a nervous nod.  “So you’re like the Jimmy Stewart of demons?”

 

Clem beamed.  Ah Jimmy Stewart, now there was an actor.  “I loved him in ‘Mr. Smith Goes To Washington’.”

 

“I prefer ‘Rope’ myself,” Giles broke in.

 

The brunette’s eyes rolled back.  “Fuck, great – movie review.  Can we get down to business?”

 

“Sorry,” Xander turned back to him, “we need your help Clem.  We’ll pay you in kittens-.”

 

“Kittens?” broke in the ugly brunette.

 

“They taste nice,” he explained, “and you can’t lpay kitty poker without them.”

 

“Gross,” the girl looked disgusted before shaking her head.  “Whatever.  However many kittens it takes.  You’ve heard about the biker gang.”  Clem nodded, suddenly breaking out into a sweat, no way was he dealing with them.  “Well they’ve kidnapped a ton of people including Dawn, Tara, and Anya!”

 

“WHAT!” his roar shook his apartment as he bounded to his feet, his rage causing him to forget his fear.  Someone was threatening sweet Dawn, the first human to befriend him.  Or gentle Tara who always had a smile or kind word for him?  Or Anya, well Anyaka the former vengeance demon scared him, but she was dating Xander, his good friend.  “Nobody hurts little Dawn.”

 

“Okay,” he noted that the brunette was eyeing him warily and forced himself to calm, “good to see we’re on the same page.  Here’s the plan-.”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Hello boys,” Clem forced his heart to calm as he walked towards the Bronze, his heading waving at the two guards lounging against the club walls beside the doors.  Clem figured the fact they were outside the club meant they were low in the gang’s hierarchy and therefore low in power.  At least that was what he hoped.  “I hear you’ve got a party going in there.  Lot’s of girls,” including little Dawn, he growled inwardly.

 

“Yeah there is,” the two denim-clad demons slouched their way towards him.  “And they’re all taken so piss off.”

 

Clem continued his advance, measuring the distance between him and the bikers.  “But that’s not very friendly especially as you’re in my,” he lunged forward, his hands shooting out to grab the demon’s heads and slamming them together, cracking like egg-shells.  “Nicely done.”

 

Clem nodded morosely at Giles’ praise as the Watcher and Xander moved out of the behind him.  Faith’s plan for him to be the one who’d approach the demons guarding the club made sense.  He hated killing but he wasn’t about to allow somebody hurt his friends – not after three hundred years alone because of his gentle nature making him an outcast amongst his people.  He waved away the offered crossbow.  “I use my hands.”

 

Giles nodded.  “I’ll ring Faith.”

 

                                    *                                  *                      *

 

Faith dropped her phone back into her pocket.  “Girl, your mom must have hit you upside your head one too many times.  This has got to be one of the dumbest fucking plans in Slayer history.”  Checking the grappling hook and rope tied to the roof she looked down through the skylight.  For her plan to work demon biker gangs had to operate the same as the human ones she’d hung with in Boston.  “I’m comin’ Dawnie.”

 

Letting out a war cry, she leapt through the skylight, sending glass flying to the club floor below.  Halfway down she released her grip on the rope she’d been clinging to and drew her sword.  Her knees bent to spread the impact throughout her body as she landed on a pool table she cast a challenging look around the hall at the seventeen demons surrounding her.  “Shit,” she muttered noting some of the lecherous looks she was getting, “this better work.”

 

Just as the surrounding demons shook themselves out of their shock and started towards her the double doors exploded and G and Xan walked in together with Clem.  Faith couldn’t help but smiled at the saggy-jowled demon’s almost apologetic expression, he was a fucking strange one that was for sure.  Seeing that demons had once again been stunned into stillness by her companions’ arrival she seized the advantage.  “Hi gang,” she said, her casualness hiding a pounding heart, “seems you thought this little burg didn’t have a Slayer.  Big mistake.”  She jumped off the pool table and onto the dance floor.  “See this girl’s Faith,” she smirked at the mutter that went through the demons, oh yeah they’d heard of her, “the bad-ass Slayer.  I’m in town to build a new rep for myself.  I figure challenging your leadership will be a start.”

 

“You?” a dog-faced demon spoke up, his voice a growl, she figured he must be their leader, Razor.  “We out-number you and your gang 4 to 1.  I figure we beat you down,” the demon’s mouth widened into a smile, “kill your buds and then me and you have some fun.”

 

Faith’s stomach flopped at the way the dog-faced bastard’s eyes were roaming her body. Somehow she figured the fun would be all one-way.  Forcing a sneer she laughed.  “No thanks, I figure you’ve probably got fleas. You beat me one on one and you get a hell of a rep,” she smirked, “if you’re good enough.  You come at me as a gang and you’ll win.    But me and my buds will take out maybe half of you before we go down.  And those who’ll be left will wonder if they should be led by a chickenshit.”

 

Razor roared and charged her, his claws shredded the air.  Faith winced as one of the claws tore through the left sleeve of her jacket, ripping open her forearm.  Ignoring the pain she slid away from the demon’s advance, snatched his arm and flung him into the pool table.

 

His mouth parted in a snarl the monster spun found and bounded towards her.  Instantly Faith flung the pool ball she’d picked up earlier at the demon, the ball smashing into Razor’s forehead above his left eye, blood spewing out of the wound.

 

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a demon creeping up on her.  She began to turn to meet his attack only to see a crossbow bolt fly through the air and tear through the beast’s neck spraying a greyish viscera across the dance floor.  “I like a fair fight.”

 

“Thanks Xand,” she turned back towards her adversary only to catch a right hand to the mouth that tore her bottom lip open.  Cursing she stumbled backwards only to catch another blow to the side of the head.  The snarling demon pressed his advantage with a foot to the stomach.  Ignoring the pain in her gut she snatched at the demon’s ankle and pulled.  The biker careered forward, into her straight-arm across his chest, the demon screamed as the impact of her clothesline flung him onto the pool table.

 

As she advanced on the demon he snatched up a cue from the table and slammed it into the side of her head, causing the vision in her left eye to momentarily blur and knocking her down on one knee.  Before she had chance to rise the demon kicked her in the chest, cracking a rib and knocking her onto her back.  A smirk on his hideous face the biker leant over her, grabbing a handful of hair and pulling until it was nearly coming out of the skull.  “You’re going to scream to die.”

 

“Bullshit talks,” she slammed the point of her combat boot into the demon’s groin, doubling him up, “money walks.”  Ignoring the pain coursing through her body she leapt to her feet, scooped up the cue and thrust it through the demon’s neck.  Even as the biker chief slumped to his knees another demon charged her.  “Down!”  At Xander’s shout she dropped face-down to the ground. Hearing the whoosh of a bolt over her she leapt back to her feet and watched the bolt slam into the demon’s milky-white eye before slumping to the ground.

 

“Thanks Xman,” she cast a challenging stare around the demons massed around her.  “So,” she forced a cocksure tone, ignoring her weariness, “you have two choices.  You can charge me and my crew,” she registered G and the others moving up to flank her, “and lose maybe half your gang.  Or you can fuck off and live.”  She smiled as the demons stampeded towards the doors.  “Good choice.”  She smiled as Dawn and the others hurried towards them.  They’d won.

 

She’s Gone 5 – Misfired Arrows

 

“Yeah Janice it’s all planned.  I’ve told Giles and Tara that I’m coming to yours and you’ve told your mom you’re coming here.  If I get caught I’ll be in real trouble, these guys better be worth it,” Dawn giggled at her friend’s reply, “real hunks uh?  I sure hope so.  See you tomorrow.”   A smile on her face she hung up the phone.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Hi Tar, you said you had those books for me?”

 

“Sure Faith,” Tara smiled at them, stepping aside to allow them entry but explicitly didn’t invite them in.  “They’re in the front room.”

 

“Hi Tara,” Xander smiled at his friend as he followed Faith into the house.  He was relieved that the Wicca wasn’t taking Willow’s disappearance as bad as he thought she would.  That was perhaps thanks in part to Faith, to his surprise the Slayer and the Wicca had become good friends.  They somehow complemented one another, Tara’s calm rubbing off on Faith making her less hyper, more thoughtful of others, while Faith had encouraged Tara to become more out-going.

 

“These the books?  Wic-,” Xander thought it sensible to hide a grin as the Slayer’s tone changed from excitement to studied nonchalance.  Her time inside had obviously awakened an unguessed thirst for knowledge.  Maybe like him she’d been told he was stupid and perhaps, unlike him, she’d believed it.  “Five by five Tar, these are fine.  I figure doing some pre-class reading will keep the school marm happy.”

 

“Yes,” Giles appeared in the lounge’s doorway, “once again your attempts at humour fall on stony ground.”

 

The Slayer raised an eyebrow before turning to him.  “Eh?”

 

“Queen Victoria is not amused,” he translated with a grin.

 

“Ha, ha, ha.  Bloody hilarious, Morecombe and Wise you most certainly are -,” whatever the Watcher had been about to say was interrupted by the phone ringing.  “Just a minute.”  Seconds later Giles returned, his face grim.  “Dawn isn’t at Janice’s on a sleepover.  Apparently Janice had told her mother she was sleeping over here.”

 

“Ah,” Xander nodded sagely, “the classics.”

 

“Shit G, what’s the red alert?  Girl’s just chasing some tai -,” Faith’s words trailed off at Giles’ look.   “Fuck G, don’t look at me like that.  I’m not Pip,” Xander heard the brunette mutter.

 

“That’s as maybe,” Giles replied, his tone stiff, “but the situation is urgent.  Need I remind you it is night time on the Hellmouth and we have no idea where she is.  Buffy bloody died for her I’m not going to allow her to endanger herself through her stupidity!”

 

“Calm down Giles,” he ordered before standing, “so what’s the plan?”

 

The Watcher took a breath.  “Quite right Xander.  Faith, I apologise for my outburst, most unnecessary.  Now,” the Englishman stood for a second gathering his thoughts.  “I’ll take Tara in the Citroen and trail the streets.  Xander, you and Faith scout the teen hang-outs.”  The Watcher glanced around.  “Where’s Anya?”

 

Xander reddened.  This was embarrassing.  “She was invited to join The Circle Of The Young Businesswomen Of  Sunnydale,” he ignored Faith’s snigger.  “Do you want me to ring her?” he asked, the last thing he needed was for Anya to get even more militant about money.

 

Giles didn’t appear to register his hopefulness.  “No it’s hardly an apocalypse situation is it?  We can manage it ourselves.”

 

“Besides you really don’t want to interrupt her,” Faith piped up, “she might be counting money.”

 

Xander groaned.  “Shut up Faith.”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“What do you think?”

 

Justin glanced over his shoulder at the two whispering girls a few steps behind and grinned.  “Dawn’s mine right?” 

 

“Yeah,” Zack nodded.

 

“She’s really pretty,” Justin turned back to the front, “nice too.  I can’t decide if I should just kill her or,” his eyes turned yellow, “turn her.”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Xander glanced with concern at the brunette waling beside him.  Since leaving the house some twenty minutes ago she hadn’t spoken and barely lifted her gaze from her feet.  “Faith,” he asked softly, “what’s wrong?”

 

The Slayer shrugged.  “Nothing.”

 

So convincing.  This time Xander put a note of firmness in his tone.  “Faith, last time you were in Sunnydale we let you cut yourself off from us.  It’s not going to happen again.  Talk.”

 

Faith snorted.  “Still got that big mouth Xand?” the brunette raised her head, her face unusually serious.  “It’s just when G was talking about B sacrificing her life for Pip it hit me how much you all miss her.” The Slayer looked down again.  “She’s this great hero who’s saved the world a ton of times.  Me?  I’m just a fucking former jailbird, who the hell’s going to miss me when I buy the farm?”

 

“Hey,” grabbing the woman’s chin he lifted her face until he was looking into her eyes, “Faith you’ve got a second chance to make a different rep for yourself, you’ve got already started running off those bikers last week.  As for who’d miss you, I would.”

 

Really?”

 

Xander’s heart ached at the desperate hope in his friend’s voice.  “Of course I’d miss my patrol buddy and roomie.  Now are we going to find Dawn?”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Wow!” Dawn’s eyes sparkled as Justin’s car pulled up by the sidewalk.  “This is so cool!  You have a car!”

 

“It’s my dad’s,” Justin lied smoothly about the vehicle he’d just stolen after murdering its owner, “you jumping in?  We’ll head up to Inspiration Point.”

 

“Sure,” Dawn dazzled him with a smile.  Oh yeah, he was definitely turning her.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Dawn laughed as Janice ran off into the woods, a shouting Zack in hot pursuit.  “Alone at last.”

 

Still smiling she turned back to Justin.  “Yeah at last,” she replied, cursing herself for the slight tremble in her voice.

 

“You nervous?”

 

“A little,” she admitted with a slight grin.  Her smile faded as she noticed out of the corner of her eye that her companion cast no reflection in the rear view mirror.  “Just great,” she muttered as she moved her right hand up to her neck.  Her first date and she picked a vamp, it must be genetic.  She blamed her mom; she just bet she’d dated some vamps back in the seventies.  “Can we kiss now?”

 

Justin smiled.  “Thought you’d never ask.”  She waited until the vampire was just inches from her before whipping out her cross and pressing it against his face.

 

“BITCH!” the vampire screamed as he recoiled, his face morphing into its demonic visage.  Taking her chance, Dawn leapt out of the car and ran away.  She’d barely taken a dozen steps when a weight hit in the back knocking her face-first to the hard ground.  As she struggled to get the air back into her lungs she was flipped onto her back to look up into Justin’s vampiric face.  “Dawn,” the vampire soothed, “there’s nothing to be scared of here.  I’m not going to kill you, I’m going to turn you.  We’ll be together forever.  Never age, be beautiful forever.  Okay?”

 

The offer was so tempting.  After a second she nodded.  “Okay,” her voice that only moments ago was so joyful was now hoarse with fear.

 

“Good girl,” after smiling the demon lowered his fangs to her neck only for her to butt him in his mouth.  “Bitch!” the vampire backhanded her across the face, snapping her head sideways and bloodying her mouth.  “You’re going to pay for that!”

 

“I don’t think so.”  Dawn’s heart leapt at the familiar voice.  A split-second later Justin exploded into dust.  She looked up into Faith’s cold eyes.  “Thanks for-.”

 

“Save it Dawn,” Faith’s tone was disapproving, “you’re in a world of trouble.”  Dawn winced, it seemed her problems were just beginning.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Inspiration Point eh Xan, you ever being Anya up here?”

 

“No.  Brought Cordy up here a few times though,” Xander’s voice trailed off as he realised what he’d said.

 

“Oh yeah?” he didn’t have to glance at the brunette beside him to know she was smirking.  “I’m a little short this week and there’s a wicked new Pumpkins CD out.”

 

“You’re blackmailing me?”


”Xan, Xan, Xan,” Faith tutted, “blackmail’s such an ugly word, and remember I’m reformed now.  I prefer to think of it as an incentive to silence.”  Suddenly the Slayer’s mirthful tone turned serious.  “What’s the plan?”

 

“I’ll check the forest, I’ve got the better woodcraft.  You check the cars.”

 

“Fuck Xand,” now the Slayer sounded disgusted.  “A few weeks of hanging with you and I’ve gone from being the one perved on to being the peeping tom.  You really know how to bring a girl down.”

 

“I try Faith, I try.”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Justine knew she should beg or scream for help but she couldn’t even speak or struggle against the vampire pinning her against the tree.  “Don’t fight it,” Zack whispered, “it won’t-.”  A puzzled look crossed the vampire’s face.  “What’s that-.”

 

Suddenly the vampire exploded into ash.  After a second Dawn’s big brother Xander stepped through the dust cloud.  Janice gasped, gone was the affable clown she crushed on, in his place was a cold-eyed killer.  “Where’s Dawn?”

 

“Over there,” she pointed in the direction of the car.

 

Xander’s face relaxed slightly.  “Good.  Faith can handle any trouble.”

 

“That was a vampire,” she looked down at the dust pile at her feet and began to shake violently.

 

“Yeah,” the man grabbed her by the crook of her arm and started to drag her in the direction of the car, “ I hunt ‘em, sort of a hobby.  Now move it.”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Damn it Pip!” Faith was running on a high, both from the kill and the relief of finding Dawn relatively unharmed, as she pulled the younger woman to her feet.  “Making out with a vampire!  What would your sister say?”

 

“Helloooo!  You remember Buffy Summers don’t you?  The girl who dated the Scourge of Europe for two years?”

 

Uh, the kid had a point.  “Well I’m seriously pissed with you!  How stupid could you be?  Even if he was just a boy do you realise the trouble you could have got in?”

 

“Yeah well you’d know.”  She winced at Dawn’s retort.  “Oh no, Faith I’m sorry -.”

 

Faith shook her head, mustn’t let the hurt show, show weakness.  “Whatever.  It’s none of my business anyway.  G will deal with you.”

 

“Faith, I’m sorr-.”

 

“Save it,” she snapped, “where did your friend go?”

 

“Into the woods.”

 

Where Xander was.  “Let’s go get her,” she brusquely ordered before setting off.  She’d barely covered a quarter of the distance when Xander appeared pushing Dawn’s friend in front of him.  “You five by five Xman?”

 

“Just peachy,” Xander sounded seriously pissed, and the daggers he was sending Dawn’s way had the teen squirming, “let’s get these two home.”

 

“Three babes.  You’re not going anywhere.”

 

“Crap,” Faith groaned as she counted the vampires stepping out of the shadows to surround them.  Ten of them, if she was on her own she’d cut and run but she couldn’t leave Xander and the girls behind. “See this is one of those situations were having two Slayers and an ensoulled vampire would come in real handy.”

 

Xander chuckled.  “Would a Citroen CV do you?”

 

Faith opened her mouth to ask what the hell Xander was babbling about when she saw a car’s headlights in the distance, illuminating the vampires.  She chuckled as G’s car slammed into three of the leeches, crushing them under its wheels and scattering the other, the Watcher had serious balls.  “How did you know?”

 

“Phoned him, told him where we were!  Let’s get the heck out of Dodge!”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

“Faith.”  Dawn’s heart tightened as the figure sat on the porch tensed at her voice.  The tongue-lashing she’d received from Giles had left her reeling, she’d never had his volcanic anger directed at her, but even worse had been the hurt look on Faith’s face when she’d struck out.

 

What a mess she’d made of things.  Faith had risked her life for her and she’d re-paid her by throwing her past back in her face.  “Faith I’m-,” she decided to change tact.  “I really miss Buffy,” Dawn felt a lump form in her throat.  She moved over and sat beside the Slayer.  “But having you back is really cool.”  She smiled as the brunette snaked an arm around her shoulders.  “Still friends?”

 

“You betcha kiddo.”

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

Willow smiled as she rummaged through her purchases.  The last few weeks she’d been travelling the U.S. looking for a magical solution to her problems, one that could bring Tara and the others to their senses. She grinned as she found the book she’d been looking for.  “Memory spells.”

 

 

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