Nowhere To Hide
by Flame
Rating: R
Disclaimers: I do not own the Buffy crew, Joss does.
Buffy Summers sat behind her small desk which was covered with papers, and folders. There was no action in Sunnydale this evening, so she had time to catch up on some paperwork. She had been a police officer for barely a year, but she knew it was her calling. She had always felt strongly about honor and justice, and was more than glad to do her part in seeing that it was done. She had graduated police academy with high honors.
Although she was much better at the pyschical activities, than the book stuff. That's why she hated sitting behind this desk and writing up crap she was way behind on. She'd much rather be out on the streets patrolling. Granted this town didn't offer much action, this was a weekend so there would be the bar fights, and teenage pranks.
So when she got called out to the Bronze for a disturbance she was more than happy. Grabbing her keys she walked out the station doors, and into her squad car. Quickly she made her way to the club of choice for local teenagers. Hell her and her friends even still hung out there, just like they had in highschool. She just hoped they wasn't there tonight if something bad was going down. With her sirens blaring, and lights flashing she pulled to a stop by the front doors, and jumped out.
She ignored the whistles from a few young boys commenting on her tight uniform. She stepped inside to see an all out brawl. There must of been at least thirty people swinging punches at each other, and people were being thrown left and right. She screamed for them to stop, but she probably wasn't even heard, or was just ignored.
As backup arrived she was relieved. She along with several other officers stormed the place, and people began exiting quickly. They had several of the fighters now cuffed, when Buffy out of the corner of her eye spotted a girl in the open cash register pocketing the money. Buffy ran towards her when the girl quickly took off through the back door.
"Stop!" Buffy screamed as she chased after the girl but it did no good. She ran down a dark alley as she saw the girl barely in her sight hopping over a chain link fence. Fuck she hated this part. She hopped onto the shaky fence, and jumped to the other side and ran in her direction. As she made it to the end of the alley way the girl was nowhere in sight.
Buffy jerked her head from side to side, but she was nowhere to be found. "Fuck" she muttered to herself in between deep breathes before making her way back to the Bronze.
Faith Spencer waited until the cop turned around and left before jumping down from the fire escape she was hiding on. Fucking pigs always trying to get in people's way until you really need help. She stuck the wad of cash into the pocket of her beat up leather jacket and grinned.
Dumb ass people having a bar fight had given her the perfect opportunity to swipe some money from the register when the bar tender fled from behind the counter. At least she could get a motel now and not have to sleep on the street, and food too. Hell yeah she said as she headed towards a burger joint.
It had been three days since the Bronze incident and there was no action what so ever so Buffy was glad to have a day off. It was much better than sitting behind the desk. The thought even made her cringe. She sat in the coffee shop waiting for her friends arrival. She smiled over her Mocha Latte as she seen them coming towards her table.
"Hey guys," she said as the group sat down.
"Hey Buffster," replied Xander while his wife Anya nodded.
"Hi" Willow and Tara said in unison.
"How's work been? Yanno out there on the streets fighting the baddies?" Xander asked.
"Seeing as there's been no baddies lately, dull, not that I'm complaining of lack of crime." Buffy replied.
"Well it has to be more exciting than staring at dead bodies all day." Willow chimed in speaking of her job as a coroner.
"Try sitting behind a desk writing lame stories." Tara sighed she was a journalist for the local paper, but half the time she didn't even get the juicy stories.
"Anything is better than the army, well except for the fact I get free housing and food." Xander said causing envious glares from the others.
"And great discounts at local stores!" Anya smiled.
As the group drank their coffees and nibbled on their pastries they made their usual conversation which switched topics every ten minutes, but that's the way they were. Short attention span and all. Buffy loved when she got together with her friends, in high school, and college they were inseparable, but now they were out in the real world, and all had jobs, with the exception of Anya, but hey Xander took care of her, finding free time wasn't as easy. They managed to get together often though.
"So how is Dawn doing in school?" Willow asked about Buffy's sister.
"She's doing really good, can't believe she's a senior already." Buffy sighed.
"She's grown up so fast, and you've done such a great job raising her Buffy, your mom would be very proud." Willow smiled.
"Thanks but I don't think I'll ever have kids now." Buffy laughed.
"I want babies but Xander won't give me any." Anya said causing a look of horror from her husband while the rest of the group giggled.
"Someday honey, just not now." He said in his defense.
"So is Dawn still seeing Spike?" Tara asked changing topic.
Buffy rolled her eyes "Yes she is, I mean he's really good to her, but he's older than her, hell he's only a year younger than me."
"Age doesn't matter when it comes to love Buffy, remember you dated Angel when you were sixteen and he was twenty-one." Willow said.
Buffy huffed "That was different."
"Because it was you and not your kid sister?" Xander smiled.
"Exactly."
Buffy's mind wondered back to days long past. Her life sure had its share of ups and downs. When she had moved to this town Xander and Willow had instantly became her best friends, and along the way others came and went. There was Angel who at the time she considered the love of her life. He was older, and so sexy. It just didn't work out between them. They wanted different things in life, and so he headed to LA where he started a private investigation service. He had been a PI when Buffy met him and wondered if that had influenced her to go into the law field. Then there was Cordelia who had at first been a selfish rich girl, but in time became a friend. She and Xander had dated awhile but that didn't last. What surprised Buffy about her was that she now worked with Angel, small world huh? Not to mention they were dating for over two years now. They were good together though, when they came in to visit sometimes she could easily see the everlasting spark between them.
Willow had dated Oz through out school, before the rocker took off with a female rocker. Go figure. But Willow had Tara now, and they were great together. They had their problems at first, but now the two women were nothing but happy. Buffy was kind of envious of her friends. Xander and Anya were happily married, Willow and Tara lived together in bliss, Angel and Cordy were head over heels for each other, and even her little sister Dawn who she had raised after her mother's death had a long term boyfriend. What did Buffy have? Her work. She had been known to wrap herself up in work, always offering to work extra shifts, and half the time bringing the work home with her. She hadn't dated anyone seriously since college. Riley was the last real boyfriend she had, and she let him go. Even then she put work first.
The door chimed and broke Buffy's thoughts as she glanced back to see who walked in. She blinked her eyes a couple of times trying to figure out where she had seen the brunette before. As the girl took a seat in a booth on the opposite side, her back was turned to Buffy. Shit she needed a better look. Hmm think Buffy where do you know her from. Hey! That's the girl who ripped off the Bronze, and made me jump a damn fence. Buffy was in cop mode now, she excused her self from the table and slowly approached the girl's booth. One hand gripping her gun inside her jacket.
"Hey," Buffy said now standing beside the girl.
Faith's eye rose "What do you...want?" Fuck it was that cop.
"I want you to come down to the station with me missy." Buffy said with a harsh glare.
"Now why would I wanna do that officer?" Faith said with sarcastic tones.
"Uh well let's see because I saw you steal the money out of that register with my own eyes, not to mention you ran from me, and made me jump a fucking fence."
The girl laughed "Aww I think the workout was good for you."
Buffy was getting pissed, she grabbed the girl's arm and jerked her up "I'm placing you under arrest."
"I didn't do shit you can't arrest me." She shouted trying to pull her arm away.
"You robbed the club, you're a thief." Buffy said evenly.
Before another word could be said shots rang out busting through the cafe's window's causing glass and bullets to splatter everywhere. Buffy pulled the girl to the ground and shoved her under the table cuffing her hand to its wooden leg. She crawled over to her friends table making sure they were alright, and telling them to stay down. When the gun fire stopped Buffy ran out the door, and fired several shots at the fleeting car, but to no avail. She grabbed her radio and signaled for the police, they told her to stay there and the other local squad cars began pursuit.
She went back into the cafe to check on everyone, and was more than happy to see nobody had been injured. Thank God it wasn't crowded today. She went to her now frantic friends, and was so thankful for them not being hurt.
"Ok a drive by in Sunnydale..that's just wrong." Xander said as Anya clung to him.
"No kidding I've never seen something like that happen before." Buffy said rubbing her temples.
"Did you see who it was Buffy?" Asked Willow.
"No it was a black Lincoln with Boston tags." Buffy sighed pissed she couldn't of done more.
"Hey bitch you gonna let me fucking go or what?" Faith shouted across the room.
"By the way who is the cuffed girl?" Xander was curious.
"She's the one I chased the other night, remember I told you about it?"
"Ohh she looks like the typical trailer trash." Anya huffed.
"I'll be back guys I gotta deal with her." Buffy said walking away.
She uncuffed the girl and pulled her to her feet in one swift motion. She stood face to face with her and couldn't help but to notice her beauty. Her long dark hair hung over her shoulders in waves, and her deep brown eyes showed so many emotions she couldn't even make them out. Her figure was perfect, every curve showing from the tight leather pants, and white tank top that clung to her chest. Upon further expection however Buffy noticed the black eye, and the purple and blue bruises up and down the girl's strong arms.
"Why did you get into the brawl at the Bronze?" She questioned.
"I didn't." Faith simply replied.
"Don't lie to me and maybe I'll let this slip." Buffy couldn't believe she said that.
"I swear I didn't fight, I just grabbed the cash ok." The girl hung her head.
"Then why are you all bruised?"
Faith shifted from foot to foot "These are from a week ago I swear."
"Someone must of beat you up good then." Buffy stated.
Faith looked up into her eyes "Yeah they did."
Buffy now clearly read the girl's eyes, they showed pain, and fear "Why did you steal?"
"Because I didn't have any money, and I didn't want to sleep on the street again." She said honestly.
Buffy felt sorry for the girl, but still she was a criminal. "It's still wrong to steal, what's your name?"
"I'm Fai..Faith Spencer." She spoke quietly.
"Where are you from Faith?"
"Boston." She solemnly replied.
Something clicked in Buffy's head "The people who just shot up this place had Boston tags, friends of yours?"
The girl's eyes went wide and she quickly pushed Buffy back into the wall and bolted for the door. She's not getting away this time Buffy thought as she dashed after her. She had chased her a whole block before she finally caught up with her. She grabbed the girl and slammed her into the ground, pushing her own body weight on top of her, so she couldn't move.
Fuck! Faith thought. Why won't this bitch just leave me alone. I hate cops! Why the hell was she even answering her questions back there? She gave her her real name like a dumb ass, why didn't she make one up? She looked up at the piercing green eyes staring at her. Cop or not this lady was hot. If this hadn't been such a fucked up situation she'd probably get off on having her on top of her. Ok now's not the time for that.
"You shouldn't of ran Faith, chasing after you is really beginning to piss me off." Buffy stated.
"Get the fuck off me!" Faith shouted.
"Why so you can run again, don't think so." Buffy had a firm grip on her hands.
"Please just let me go, I promise I won't steal anymore, I'm heading out of town anyways." She was desperate, she needed to go now they knew where she was.
"The only place you're going is to jail." Buffy said flipping the girl over and cuffing her hands behind her back before pulling her to her feet.
"Please if I stay here they are going to kill me." She pleaded.
"Who's going to kill you?" Buffy asked.
"Those guys that shot up that place, they are after me." She said with fear in her voice.
"Why are they after you?"
She sighed she had no choice but to explain "I saw them kill somebody, and now they want me dead."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because it's the fucking truth! You don't know how dangerous these guys are."
"Well then we need to take you in so you can tell the Chief about this." Buffy said as she began pulling the girl down the alley.
"Nooo we can't, they have connections with the police everywhere, I tried that already."
"Listen I'm a cop and I can assure you our officers aren't corrupt."
That evening after statements had been taken at the cafe, and Faith had been brought into the station, Buffy sat behind her desk doing her paperwork for the shooting. The men in the car had gotten away. She should of done something more. She wondered what was going on in the interrogation room with Faith and Detectives Hanson and Peters. Was the girl telling the truth about witnessing a murder? Buffy was just a cop so she didn't get to do the questioning.
"Officer Summers can you step into my office please." The chief called to her.
Buffy stepped into the office "Yes Giles?"
"This girl you brought in Faith Spencer, you say she witnessed today's shooters commit a murder?"
"Yes, that's what she told me."
"Well she is refusing to talk, they been in there with her for an hour, and all they get is foul language." Giles sighed rubbing his glasses on his shirt.
"She told me she believes the police are corrupt, said these guys got connections everywhere, and she tried the police before." Buffy shrugged "Perhaps she's delusional."
"Drug test came back negative, perhaps she's just lying."
"Most likely."
It was after midnight when Buffy was finally getting ready to leave the station. For some reason Faith kept coming back to her mind. The girl with the tough exterior had really seemed frightened. Could she of really been telling the truth? Faith had already been booked and was being held in the jail downstairs. Maybe Buffy would take a quick peek at her before going home. When she made her way downstairs she noticed the guard wasn't as his desk. So she punched in a code and slipped inside to where the holding cells were. She had walked quietly down a second corrider when she heard a scream. Slipping into stealth mode she slowly made her way down the empty hall and peered around the corner. Holy shit. What she saw nearly made her faint. There was the guard and two cops beating the hell out of Faith. She saw the panic in the girl's eyes as a baton lashed against her back. Buffy had to stop this.
"What the fuck are you doing?" She yelled coming into view with gun raised.
The three men stopped and looked at her "Just trying to calm this criminal down, she tried to attack the guard." The taller cop stated.
"So you fucking beat her?" She asked stepping closer.
"Look it's none of your business, so get out of here." The shorter cop said.
"If you think I'm gonna stand by and let you hurt her, you're wrong." Buffy stated.
"Have it your way then." Said the guard before jumping towards her.
Buffy kicked him hard in the stomach sending him flying backwards and into the cement wall. The two cops came after her now, slinging fists that she managed to escape, until the tall one grabbed her from behind knocking her pistol from her hand, the other cop punched her in the jaw which brought tears to her eyes from the pain, he then kicked her in the stomach. The guard was up again and they had her pinned to the floor.
"Should of minded your own business rookie." The tall cop said ripping her shirt off her body. Buffy was screaming "Shut up bitch." The guard slapped her hard across her face.
"This is gonna be fun," chimed in the shorter cop grabbing Buffy's breasts roughly. Buffy was crying now, they were going to rape her "You know you want it," said the guard undoing her pants button.
"I don't think she does." Said a voice from behind him.
The guard turned around and was surprised to see his own gun pointed at his face. Faith had slipped it from his holster without him even knowing. She grabbed him and turned him around, wrapping an arm tightly around his throat while she pointed the gun to his temple.
"Get the fuck away from her now or I'll blow this fucker's head off." She said through gritted teeth.
The two cops slowly backed up "Come on slut you ain't got the guts to do this."
"Wanna try me?" She clicked the safety off "Now drop your guns and kick them over here." She ordered.
The two cops hesitantly did as she said, after seeing the look of pure evil in her eyes. Buffy rose to her feet now and grabbed her piece pointing it towards the cops. She couldn't believe this was happening. Faith had just saved her from God knows what. Her fellow officers were going to rape her, and who knows what else. She was torn. Faith had merely stolen money so she didn't have to sleep on the street, she shouldn't be here, these bastards should be the ones behind bars, not guarding them. There was a commotion from the back and Buffy turned to see several officers staring at them, before raising their guns too.
"Thank God you're here, these bastards tried to rape me, and they were beating her." Buffy said.
"Put your gun down Summers now!" Shouted Detective Peters.
"What? Did you hear what I said?" Buffy was confused.
"Drop it now or I'll shoot." He replied.
Faith now stood beside her with hostage still in hand "They're dirty please believe me," she whispered.
Buffy sighed and her gut told her the girl was telling the truth. She grabbed the short cop in the same manor as Faith held the other guy. She pointed her gun to his head, and clicked off the safety. "One move and they're both dead," she said.
With that her and Faith began backing down the long corrider. When they reached the end they pushed the guys away and took off running towards the door. Buffy grabbed Faith's arm and drug her to the through the parking garage. She quickly opened her door, and unlocked Faith's. She turned the ignition and her Mustang squeeled out of its spot as tons of officers came flying out the door, shooting off rounds at them. Buffy sped up and was out of the lot before a bullet could hit them.
Buffy's mind was racing. What the hell just happened back at the station? While she was first to admit that she wasn't actually chummy with most of the police force, she did know them. Well she thought she knew them. She assumed like herself, they were police officers for the same reasons. They were supposed to be a team. A group of individuals who fought for honor, and justice. Yet in the last hour, her world, and ideas had drastically been changed. Her own force had turned against her. For what reason? Simply because she had made a quick decision to help Faith. A girl whom she still didn't know if was innocent or not.
"Care to tell me what that was all about?" Buffy now turned her attention to her passenger.
Faith lifted her head, to reveal her bruised face "I told you they were dirty."
"How? I mean why would they be? I know most of those guys. They have families, and seem normal to me." Buffy still didn't understand what was going on.
"I don't know okay. Those guys who are after me, they are very powerful. They have connections every fucking where." Faith slumped down in her seat.
"But Sunnydale? This is a nice, quiet town." Buffy threw her hands in the air, before returning them to the wheel.
"Nowhere is perfect. People can hide behind a normal face, but it doesn't mean they aren't doing shit they shouldn't be doing. You don't know what people do in private." Faith was solemn.
"Faith who did you see them kill?" Buffy asked in a child like voice.
Faith turned towards her with a blank expression "The mayor. I saw them kill Mayor Wilkins in Boston."
"They killed the mayor of Boston?" Buffy questioned again.
"Yes, so you see a piece of trash like me would be nothing to get rid of."
"They know you seen them?"
Faith rolled her eyes "What the hell do you think?"
"Ok, no need to get an attitude. I just want to know exactly what I've gotten myself into here."
"More than you can handle. You should of let them beat me to death back there. It would of been a hell of a lot easier for both of us. Now I've just got torture to look forward to when they find me." Faith stated.
"Torture? Why would they torture you, and not just kill you?"
"Because I got something they want, that's why."
"What would that be Faith?" Buffy looked at her intently.
"A computer disk, but I have no freakin clue what's on it. It's all coded and shit." Faith sighed.
"Why don't you just give them the disk then, and maybe they will leave you alone."
Faith laughed "You really think it's that fucking easy? I saw them kill the damn mayor okay. I saw them shoot him execution style in his head. They killed him because of the disk. They have been chasing after me for a week. So no they will not just let me go. They won't stop until I'm dead, and now you are in danger too. This isn't some cop show, they will stop at nothing, and everyone you know could be a target now."
Buffy blinked a few times, to let the words sink in. Was this really as bad as it sounded? If she had compromised herself that was fine, but Dawn and her friends? If something happened to them, she wouldn't be able to live with herself. Okay she needed to think straight. She would call Chief Giles, and see what the hell was going on. Then she would take it from there.
Buffy pulled to a stop in the back of a two story brick house. Nobody could see her car back here. She instructed Faith to get out, and follow her. Climbing up the stairs to the back porch, she quickly banged on the screen door, and tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for an answer. Finally the door flew open and Anya looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Ever heard of the front door?" Anya asked.
"Not now Anya, please just let us in." Buffy said in a serious tone.
"You are welcome, but why did you bring a criminal to my house? She isn't going to steal my silverware is she?" Anya was being her normal self.
Faith meanwhile just flipped her off, but kept her mouth shut. "Anya this is serious, I'm in trouble." Buffy said.
"Okay Buffy come on in." Anya changed her tone, noticing Buffy's panicked look.
Once inside Buffy locked the door behind them. She ran into the living room, and pulled the shades shut, cautiously looking out to make sure nobody had followed them. Everything seemed to be clear. This was so weird for her. She filled Anya in on what was going on, and had her call Xander at the base. If this was government related, then he might be able to find something out. Pulling out her cell phone she dialed the station, and Giles extension number.
"Chief Giles Office, this is Giles speaking, may I help you?" Said the familiar voice into the reciever.
"Giles, this is Buffy Summers, and I got one question. What the fuck is going on?" Buffy said with gritted teeth.
"Officer Summers, I am surprised to be hearing from you. After that daring jail break, and all." He said flatly.
"Excuse me? Jail break? I was just trying to save her life, when those bastards turned on me. They tried to fucking rape me Giles. If it wasn't for Faith, they would have. Then they try to shoot me. Now you tell me what is going on?"
"Now officer Summers, it seems your story differs from at least five other agents, and officers. Who do you expect me to believe?" He asked.
"You're a smart man Giles. I've always looked up to you, and you know I'm a damn good cop. I don't believe you had a part in this. You're in charge though, and you ask yourself this. Do you think I'm really capable of doing something like this? Why would I? This girl she saw them kill the mayor of Boston. Look into it, find out the truth for yourself." Buffy was desperate for him to believe her.
"Why don't you just bring the girl in, and we can work this all out. Don't ruin your career Buffy, I promise you if you're telling the truth, then I will take the proper action against your fellow officers, but as of right now, you are the one running, not them."
Buffy looked at the girl sitting in the chair across from her. Her bruised face, her eyes looking like that of a lost child, and she knew what she had to do. "I can't do that Giles. You look into this, you find out the truth, and watch your back. I'll be in contact." With that she hung up the phone, and turned it off.
"It looks like we're on our own." She sighed, looking at Faith.
"The best thing for you to do is go down to that station. Tell them I forced you to do what you did, and just forget all about this. I can run on my own, I'm used to it." Faith said looking into Buffy's green eyes.
Buffy shook her head "No Faith, I am not about to sit back and do nothing, while you get killed. Who's to say they won't kill me anyways? They may think you told me vital information. We're in this together now. If I would have listened to you in the first place, maybe none of this would have happened. I should learn to trust my instincts."
"There's no point in arguing with you is there?" Faith managed to crack a smile.
"No, I always win trust me." Buffy returned the smile.
About that time Xander came in the door with Willow, and Tara in tow. A close knit group of friends like them, always had a quick connection. If someone was in trouble, the rest of the gang dropped everything, and rushed to be of help. That's why she loved them so much. Willow and Tara took a seat next to Buffy, as Xander stood beside his wife, at the end of the mauve couch.
"Anya, said you're in trouble. What happened Buffster?" Xander asked, still dressed in his army fatigues.
"Something really major is going down. I don't know what to do." She stated, before once again telling the full story of what happened, to Faith and herself.
"I'm so sorry Buffy." Willow embraced her friend "This is so wrong. Officers aren't supposed to be bad. I can't believe they would turn on you like that."
"I know, but there has got to be some connection to what Faith saw in Boston. I just don't know why two detectives, and a handful of police officers would be involved in it. I can't see a reason they would be connected." Buffy placed her head in her hands.
"Money is a very powerful thing. Once they found out Faith was here, they probably got some inside guys. They may not even be to blame Buffy. Those guys may have been told a totally different story. They may think Faith killed the guy." Willow offered.
Buffy looked at Faith. What if this was in fact the truth? Could she possibly have been taken for a fool? No, she believed Faith. Something deep inside, told her that she was being honest. Willow did raise a good point though. Her force may have been fooled. They may think Faith is a cold blooded killer, a killer of a political figure no less. Money, and politics are two big things when it comes to some people. So they may either have been paid to ask no questions, or they want justice for this guy.
"Will, do you think you can look up anything and everything you can on this Mayor Wilkins. See if he was clean, if he had any affiliation with Sunnydale, possible enemies, family, anything would be helpful."
"Sure, no problem Buffy. I'll get the laptop out of the car." Willow said standing.
"Faith, where is this disk at? If anyone can crack it, it would be Willow." Buffy asked.
"It's not here." Faith bit her lip.
"Then where is it Faith?" Buffy asked again.
"It's in Los Angeles."
"Why the hell is it in LA for?" Buffy asked.
"Because, if they killed me, I didn't want them to get the disk. Whatever's on it, they are willing to risk everything to get. I refuse to let them win." Faith said with a clenched jaw.
"Where's it at there? Is it with someone, in a safety deposit box, what?"
"It's somewhere safe. Somewhere where nobody would think to look for it."
Buffy rubbed her temples "Then we're going to have to go get it."
An hour later Tara had retrieved Dawn and Spike from his apartment, and plans were being made. Buffy was afraid to go to her house, because common sense told her that the police would be watching it. The key to all of this was the computer disk, that was hidden somewhere in Los Angeles. She still needed to get the full story from Faith, but thought it better to wait until they were alone. That way she would be more comfortable. So for now she would have Dawn, Willow and Tara go to the house and pack her a bag. They were to do it quickly, and make sure nobody was following them. Buffy and Faith would meet them at the gas station a block away. Xander hid Buffy's car in the garage and gave her the keys to his old '57 Chevy that he had restored. In case they were to track her cell phone she decided to leave it.
They wished her good luck and Xander promised he'd sneak into the restricted files at the army and see if he could dig up anything. He also loaded her up on arsenol, filling a bag with hunting knives, a small revolver, and a few more powerful rifles, and clips. They had no idea what they were up against, and Buffy only had the two weapons she left with. They borrowed some of Anya's clothes which Faith totally bitched about. Apparently she didn't like her taste, but ended up in a pair of jeans, and a black hooded sweatshirt of Xander's. Buffy opted for jeans, and a lavender t-shirt, with a hat, and her own sunglasses. Incognito was the key word here.
After she made Spike promise to make sure Dawn was okay, and don't let anything happen to her, she hugged her friends goodbye, and they headed off to the rendevous point. That so sounded like something from a movie. Buffy laughed to herself for a moment, then stopped, when she realized unlike a movie this was real. This was a more than deadly situation. Right now all they could do was get this disk, and pray that Willow could figure out what was so important on there.
Buffy pulled the hot rod to a stop at the side of the service station. After the girls arrived with her belongings, and some things for Faith as well, they would be on their way. Los Angeles was only a few hours away, so hopefully it wouldn't be too bad. Thus far her passenger had remained strangely quiet. It was actually starting to unnerve her, as she rapidly drummed her manicured nails against the steering wheel. That is until a hand grabbed her wrist.
"Excuse you, rude much." Buffy rubbed her wrist, looking at Faith.
"You were driving me fucking crazy. Enough with the damn tapping." Faith sighed and opened the door.
Buffy grabbed her arm "Where the hell do you think you're going? Get back in the car."
"If I'm going to be stuck in a car with you for hours, I need some damn smokes." Faith patted her pockets "Which reminds me, got a few bucks I can borrow?"
Buffy just looked at her "Smoking is bad for you. Besides I don't want to be inhaling your second hand smoke all day."
Faith nearly growled "For Christ sake, what are you some holier than thou goody goody?"
Buffy gasped "No I am not. It's just bad, that's all. How old are you anyway Faith?"
"I'm eighteen, I'm legal. Look are you gonna give me a few bucks or am I gonna have to go in there and swipe em?"
That's all she needs is more charges against her. Buffy reached into her purse and handed Faith a five "Here, and hurry up damn it."
Faith flashed a cocky grin, before grabbing the bill, and strutting off into the store. Buffy just shook her head. What have I gotten myself into? She had alot to learn about Faith yet. What made this girl the way she was? Was she normally like this, or was it just the current situation. Where were her parents? What was she doing, to see the mayor get killed? All good questions, and in due time she hoped to have the answers.
There was a knock on the window and Buffy nearly jumped out of her skin. When she realized it was Willow, she regained her composure and rolled down the window. "You scared me to death Will."
"Sorry Buffy, we got your stuff." Willow held up two bags.
"Thanks Will. I appreciate this. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."
"No problem at all. Now listen though. This situation is really scaring me Buffy. I don't want anything to happen to you. Are you sure you can't just work something out here?"
Buffy shook her head "No Will, I don't know what else to do. Without that disk we have no proof of anything. The way it's looking right now they are gonna put the blame on Faith, and suddenly I'll be an accomplice."
"I hate this so much. Please be careful Buffy. Just get that disk and get back home. We'll take care of it from there."
"I will Willow, and you and Tara please take care of Dawn for me. These guys are dangerous, and I don't want any of you to get more involved than you are. Just watch her please. I hate to leave her, but she's got school, and it's probably safer here."
"We will, don't you worry about that."
As Faith came back out of the store with some cigarettes she witnessed Buffy being hugged, by her friends, and what appeared to be her sister. She could see the tears rolling down all of their faces, and she felt horrible. She was used to getting herself into trouble, but now she's dragged someone else into her shit. Why did this cop help her anyway? The only cops she ever knew were fricken pigs. Not this girl though, she was....something special.
...to be continued...