Give Me The Light
by Freakysplatterz
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: There characters within are not my property except those not known of.
Note: This fic is a sequel to my fic, "Barred", a dark fic, as yet to be
finished, that can be found at the DarkSlash
group. I don't think it's necessary to read "Barred" since you'll still pretty much get the
fic, but you won't know some of the references that relate back to the story.
Warning: This fic contains references to rape, bondage, mind manipulation,
mutilation, and physical abuse.
Feedback: Yeah. You supply it. I won't deny it.
It had been so long. Oh so long since her escape. So long that the days began to blend together in her head. Much like the thoughts she rarely had. Thoughts of her past were a mixed mess that she hadn't the strength to sort out. Names and events were hard to recall. Almost as if they never even happened. Only one name and one event stood out in her ravaged mind. A name. Marin Reynolds. The event. One hundred and twenty days of Hell. A Hell with Watcher Marin Reynolds. Even that was hard to recall. Thinking of it caused chills down her spine, uncontrollable shakes claimed her body, her head would pound, her heart would race. Everything would spin out of control. Sounds and sights flashing and pounding in her head but too fast to make sense out of. A carousel of horror that spun faster and faster until it had her bent double on the ground, her body expelling the contents of the meager amounts of food that she did manage to keep down. Like now.
The wind whipped her hair behind her as she wiped the spit and vomit from her mouth. Her stomach continued to convulse harshly. She sat back on her haunches and held her stomach, wanting it all to stop. One moment of peace. Just one. A bug crawled toward her. A harmless black bug. She stared at it as it made its way toward her still warm vomit. Her mind flashed briefly. To her the bug was laughing at her. It was saying horrible things. Taunting her. The bug had a face. Blonde hair, and cold grey eyes. It was her. She had found her.
"I told you that you will never escape me Evil. I would find you. You still have to be punished. The Evil-doer must be punished! Evil must be eradicated! You are Evil!"
"No!"
She brought her hand down hard ontop of the bug, but she didn't stop. She continued to pound her fists into the ground, coating them with dust and vomit. Tears streamed down her face. Her hands were beginning to hurt, small rocks were cutting into the weak flesh. She barely registered the car slowing down on the side of the road. Didn't hear the driver's side door open. No, she kept pounding into the ground, until she had exhausted herself. Made herself even weaker than she already was. She fell into the dirt and curled up in a tight ball. Sobs shaking her body, tears streaming down her face.
"Miss? Are you okay?"
She opened teary eyes and just made out an aged face of an old man. His yellowed brown eyes stared down at her with concern. The wrinkles in his dark face made him gentle instead of rough.
"Miss you shouldn't be laying out here near the highway. Are you in some kind of pain?"
"No."
She tried to pull herself up but she hadn't the stength. She watched with some trepidation as the old man wrapped surprisingly strong arms around her and lifted her like she weighed nothing. Which was probably truer than she normally would have liked. Her dreadful experiences had left her body in a state of utter weakness. The over-sized jeans and button-up shirt that she had been given by Garrett after her escape further enhanced her loss. They hung off of her like sheets. The belt around her waist had new holes cut into it so that the belt could be pulled tighter around her waist. Under those clothes she had the body of a twelve year old rather than the lusty firm body of the 20 year old that she was.
"It's okay now Miss. I'm going to take you to get some help. You don't need to be afraid of me. I won't hurt you."
He carried her to the car and laid her gently in the backseat. He pulled a throw from somewhere in the car and put it around her. She watched him with something of surprise. She didn't know people this nice. People weren't this nice. Helping out complete strangers. He shut the door and then ran around the front to the driver's side and got in. The next thing she heard was the sound of the engine being started and then they were moving.
"You're going to be just fine Miss."
"Thank you," she whispered. The sentiment attached to the word foreign to her. When was the last time she said 'thank you' and meant it? Right after Garrett Armstrong unfastend the last restraint around her ankle. She hadn't said it out loud, but it was clear in her eyes what she felt.
She knew he understood. With that mixed into her head she closed her eyes trying to fall into a much needed rest. Her days had been hard these few weeks. She was owed this time, no matter how short it was. The fact that she was putting herself essentially in the hands of a stranger didn't faze her. She just.....trusted him for some reason. Her eyes closed slowly and before she knew it she was asleep.
Asleep to the sound of the old man still talking about how she was going to be alright. Eyes closed to the scenic route. Mind not even understanding that the old man was taking her back to the beginning of it all. Eyes shut so she didn't see the sign proudly saying, as they passed,..........
"Welcome to Sunnydale."
Something was shaking her. And calling to her. She didn't want to wake up just yet. Sleep had become a rare thing for her and now that she had gotten a few minutes of it, she wanted to savor it some more. That didn't seem to apply right now, as the persistence of her waker doubled. Her eyelids opened lazily, vision still a little fuzzy and unclear.
"Miss? I'm sorry to be waking you, but we're at a shelter. They can help you here."
She sat up and looked around her. There was something about this place that was so familiar to her. It was a pretty simple looking town, but something about it.... She shook her head and ran her fingers through her long dark locks. Her fingers didn't quite make the trip as numerous tangles and knots halted their journey. She sighed. Another reminder of what she had been through.
"Miss are you going to go inside?"
She looked up at the kind old man that had picked her up. She had a chance to really get a good look at him now, as it was considerably more light outside and she was able to focus on him clearly. A kind looking black man with deep brown eyes, numerous wrinkles, and a white beard. He held his hand out to her and she took it, smiling up at him widely. He smiled back at her and then helped her to get out of the car. She was still weak and it was hard for her to keep herself upright. Things wanted to spin if she concentrated too hard. She leaned up against the car and closed her eyes, willing the contents of her stomach to stay down. Her breathing became ragged and she felt like she was going to faint. The next thing she knew, those strong arms were around her, holding her close.
"I got ya. Still pretty weak huh? That's okay. Some mo' rest will do ya good. Let's get you inside and get some help."
She nodded and then turned to him. She frowned a little, thinking back on something. His name. She didn't know his name.
"What's your name?"
He turned to her and flashed a white toothed smile.
"Henry James Johnson, but you can call me Joe."
"I'm Faith."
"Nice to meet ya Faith, now lets get on inside and get you some help."
He put an arm around her waist and helped her walk toward the shelter. She leaned on him, noting that he smelled heavily of cigar smoke with the strangely out of place scent of peppermint mixed in. They walked into the shelter, comfortable with each other.
"I don't understand it myself Buffy. I've gone through every resource there is and there's still nothing. It's like she just disappeared or something."
Willow was just as puzzled and disappointed as her friend. She and the others had exhausted themselves ever since they had discovered through Angel that Faith was no longer in jail. They were instantly on guard, getting right to searching, and preparing for her if the brunette decided to come back and start trouble. Their searching had turned up nothing, but they were falsely confident that eventually the brunette would turn up, so they kept at it. Now almost four months later and they still had not one clue as to Faith's whereabouts.
"She has to be somewhere!" the blonde yelled.
"I've tried everywhere and everything. I've searched hotels, motels, bed and breakfast, any place there is to stay from Sunnydale to L.A. to Boston and there's still nothing. Even the tracking spells that me and Tara have been doing aren't any use. She's....gone."
Buffy sighed and plopped down on the couch. Sure she wanted to make sure that Faith wasn't planning on attacking them, and she wanted to be absolutely sure that no one else could fall victim to the Dark Slayer, but still deeper inside there was another reason why she desperately wanted to find Faith.
A little bit of hope, a minute inkling, that maybe, just maybe this time around, she and Faith could be the Chosen Two like they were meant to be. Be partners...in every way. Oh, she had held it in to the point of wanting to just take the dive and admit her hidden feelings for the brunette, but she was too afraid. And that same fear turned quickly to hate when Faith turned on her. It was that which hurt her more and pushed her feelings further away. She'd kept up with Faith those two years. Every week she would have Willow check the brunette's prison record and give her a summary. She had been surprised that Faith was behaving as well as she was. And then the letter came. A single letter with two words on it. Two powerful words, that had started to melt the ice on her heart. "Forgive me."
"Buffy...I know what happened to Faith."
The blonde's head snapped up and locked with her Watcher. She noticed that Giles looked extremely agitated. His eyes were harder than they usually were and his hands were clenched tightly into fists.
"What happened to her?"
The Watcher swallowed and walked over to where the red-head and his Slayer were seated. He sat down beside Buffy and looked at her with sympathy. He had figured out the Slayers the moment he had witnessed them together in battle. They were so beautiful together. He had hoped that his Slayer would realize her feelings long before things got as bad as they had but sadly it didn't happen. He felt responsible for that somewhat. He could have helped Faith. They all could have but they hadn't. His hopes were also sparked when he would get reports from Angel of Faith's progress in jail. He always knew that she was capable of doing good and he had planned to bring her back here as soon as she was released but......she disappeared. Now, he knew exactly what had happened. A fellow Watcher and confidante, Maxwell, had informed him of Marin Reynolds and her little crusade. The things he had heard that were done to Faith were enough to make Ol' Ripper flare up in him. He was glad that Garrett had managed to help the brunette escape but was saddened that he had to lose his life in the process.
"Giles? Tell me. What happened to her?" Buffy could sense that he was going to tell her bad news.
He gathered the courage and uttered the word.
"Council."
She closed her eyes and sighed. She knew it was going to be bad. The Council. She should have known that they would eventually get their sleazy hands on Faith. They had tried before so it was a given that they would try again. The blonde opened her eyes and looked at her Watcher. Giles looked back at her with something like sadness in his eyes.
"Tell me....what happened to her?"
He had to take his glasses off and rub the bridge of his nose. He still couldn't conceive of a Watcher doing the things he was told. How could anyone be that...inhumane? That cruel. He placed them back on his face and resorted to staring straight ahead, Ripper, biting at his mental heels. He wouldn't look at his Slayer. Didn't want to see her face when he finished telling her what he had found out.
"I've a colleague, a friend, still associated with the Watchers by the name of Maxwell Holmwood. His Mentor was a Watcher, Garrett Armstrong. Three days ago, Garrett's body was found in his quarters. He was dead, a poison of some sort had entered his system. The details of his death are not important. Maxwell received a package just yesterday, dated on the exact day that Garrett's body was found. In the package, he informed me, was a notebook and a videotape. The notebook contained the names of four female Watchers. Baranie Holstom, Helana Reighnhardt, Glenda Symms, and Marin Reynolds. He stated that under each name was their rank and numerous details of some secret operation that they were all a part of under Quinton's orders. Understandably he was confused but......."
"Giles, what does all this have to do with Faith?" An uneasy feeling settled in the bottom of her stomach. She could feel dread creeping up her spine.
"Buffy...I haven't finished. The notebook was written proof but the videotape condemned them all....." A tear slipped from his eye and trailed down his cheek. Buffy could feel her heart beating hard in her chest. It was bad. If it made Giles cry then it had to be something very bad. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it for comfort.
Willow, who had been witnessing the scene from her seat at the table, got up to take a place on the arm of the chair beside Buffy. She looked down at Giles with mixed emotions. It was obvious that something bad had happened to Faith and she didn't know how to feel. On one hand, if it was bad enough to make Giles cry a part of her wanted to sympathize, but then again the constant reminder of Faith's knife pressed to her throat made her want to rejoice that the Bitch finally got what she deserved. She decided that as much as she wanted to be happy that Faith suffered, she would hear what Giles had to say.
"On the videotape.....a young girl was chained to a wall. The Female Watchers were surrounding her. The video was only twenty min....." He trailed off to cover his face. The tears spilled out of his eyes, he didn't want to continue but he did. "Two of the Watchers were holding her down, while another was sticking what looked to be nails into her stomach. The last Watcher, Marin as I was informed, was raping her. The scene went on forever. Maxwell said that at the point before the tape stopped, it appeared that whoever was filming was discovered. He assumed that to be Garrett. There was no word that the girl was ever discovered. The place that she was held was abandoned, the only evidence were the chains and what looked to be some sort of electrical device."
He looked at Buffy. She was trying so hard not to shed a tear, but the shimmering wetness in her eyes betrayed her. His eyes drifted to Willow and she looked away. Guilt. He could understand that. Hopefully she would get over it.
"Do you.... Do you think she's dead?"
"Maxwell did some research into Garrett's death and found an airline purchase on his credit card. It was for a flight to California. It's the best lead we have that she might be alive."
Buffy squeezed his hand tightly, determination burning in her heart.
"Then we'll find her. We're going to find her," she said with confidence, although on the inside a doubt still lingered along with her mixed feelings.
Note: I have no knowledge of the inner workings of a shelter, so I'm winging it.
It took exactly thirteen days for them to track Faith down. It wasn't easy. A lot of over-night work and traveling had to be done but eventually with the help of the gang in L.A., a few of Giles' old Watcher pals, and Willow's computer skills, they found her. In the last place they expected her to come.
"She's here! Buffy! Giles! I found her! She's here!" yelled Willow. She was so excited. After nearly exhausting herself around the clock with research all her hard work finally paid off. She had tracked down Faith's whereabouts to here. The rogue Slayer was right here in good Ol' Sunnydale.
"Where is she Will?"
Buffy hovered over Willow's shoulder, staring down at the lap-top, scanning the words in front of her. Giles came up shortly and took up a position on the other side of Willow. He too stared down at the lighted screen and scanned the words.
"I don't believe it. She's been here the whole time." Her heart gave a familiar little jump.
"Well, not the entire time. It says here that, a man, um.....Henry James Johnson brought her into a shelter when he found her on the side of the road. She wasn't hurt or anything, just clinically exhausted. They released her into his care. I can have his address in a few seconds," said Willow, turning back to her screen.
"Get it. I'm going to pay her a visit."
"Buffy? Do you think that's wise? She's been through a great ordeal and is still coping physically and emotionally with it I presume. Perhaps seeing you will.....agitate her. Why not wait a couple of days before approaching her?"
Buffy paused, seeming to think it over. Something inside her told her to go to Faith at once. Be with her Sister Slayer, but Giles words rang too much sense in her head. She decided to wait. It was best that they start off on the right foot this time. She would wait for Faith.
"You're right. I'll wait a few days. At least I know where she is. That's good enough. Now, what are we going to do if that Watcher Bitch decides to come looking for Faith?" Buffy's anger for Marin was damn near deadly. She fervently wished to be alone with the woman for five minutes. She'd give the bitch hers for all the stuff she did to and put Faith through.
Giles didn't flinch at Buffy's harsh language, Ripper was still lurking under the surface. He too, wanted a go at Marin. "Well, Maxwell is keeping me posted on Marin. At the moment, she is being held in custody by the Council. The evidence of Garrett's was finally shown to the Board. Marin will face trial for her acts. The rape and abuse of Faith, and the possible murder of Garrett. Enough information was gathered to amount to a case against her."
"She deserves the worst," the blonde ground out through clenched teeth.
"Yes, and I'm sure that she will get it, however, there is some bad news. All but one of her accomplices.....Baranie Holstom...is being charged along with her." His displeasure at that piece of info was apparent with the way his jaw tightened.
Buffy was outraged. "Why the hell not?!"
"Yeah, Giles...the tape showed all four of them hurting Faith. Why is she getting immunity to all of this?" Willow had come to grips with her guilt and her anger towards Faith. It still simmered a little but it was slowly cooling.
Before he could answer, the telephone rang. "Excuse me." He left them to go answer the phone.
Buffy stood there seething. She wasn't even aware of Willow grabbing her hand and squeezing it. She smiled down at her friend and Willow smiled back.
"It'll be okay Buffy. I'm sure that other Watcher will be punished just like the others."
"Thanks Will."
Giles came back into the room. The girls noted the whiteness of his skin and a thin line of sweat forming at his hair-line.
"Giles? What...."
He interrupted her. "Get the address to Faith's whereabouts now Willow. We must retrieve her at once. That was Maxwell on the phone. Baranie has managed to smuggle Marin out of Council headquarters. Glenda Symms is also missing, presumed to be with them. It's possible that they are on their way here to find Faith....and kill her..or worse."
Buffy's face hardened. She stood straight. A sense of relentlessness was felt about her.
"That won't happen. The only way they'll take Faith again.....is over my dead body," she stated with deadly meaning.
"Here you go Faith. Some nice hot soup to fill that belly. You look like you haven't seen a good meal in a long time. This'll fix that, no problem." After taking her in, he had tried to fill her with some good home-cooking, but Faith would just throw it back up or refuse it. It'd taken awhile but finally she was able to keep down some soups that he had tried. Slowly he was building her back up to her right health. She was no longer as pale and as skinny as he had found her. She was a bit fuller and had a healthier looking complexion.
Faith watched as Joe slid a bowl full of hot steaming soup in front of her. She was surprised that the man had actually invited her to stay with him. She was sure that he would leave her at the shelter, but no, he had stuck by her.
"You're unreal Joe," she whispered.
He sat down across from her with his own bowl of soup, swirling the large chunks of meat and vegetables around.
"Why's that Faith? Just because I don't like to see a young soul go to waste. Naw. I'm just a kind person looking out for you. Now go ahead and start eating before it gets cold."
She didn't need to be told twice. Her hand trembled a little as she brought the spoon up to dip into the hot liquid. She concentrated on holding it steady as she filled it for a taste. Blowing over it, she tilted the spoon into her waiting mouth. It was heaven, the spicy flavor flaming her tastebuds. Joe noticed the elated look on her face and commented.
"That's good isn't it." She nodded quickly and went in for another taste. Joe watched her a moment, noting the slight tremble in her hands. His heart hurt to see such a pretty young girl like Faith to seemingly be in so much pain. That first night when he had accidentally gotten a glimpse of her after she had taken a bath.... He went into his room and shed tears. His soul literally ached for the brunette. When he went back to her, he wrapped her in his arms and just held her, like she was his own flesh and blood. Then he had almost been beaten to death that same night when he rushed into her room to save her from her own nightmare.
He was sleeping comfortably in his bed, when Faith's scream had awakened him. He burst through the door and found her drenched in sweat and pleading for someone to "Stop!". He gathered her in his arms and was surprised at the force of her blows. The girl was beyond weak and weary but her blows were like hammers to him. He hushed her until she came awake, crying and hugging him tightly. Their bond was cemented. Faith knew Joe would protect her and Joe knew he would do anything to keep Faith safe. Do anything or die trying. Yes, he would do anything for this girl, this woman, to make sure that she got back on the right path.
Buffy sat in her car staring at the address in her hand and then back to the small house in front of her. The numbers on the door matched the numbers on the paper. Faith was here. Not twenty feet away, her Sister Slayer was somewhere within. She could feel as much, but hesitant to get out and see. It was her emotions getting to her again. She wanted to, but then she didn't.
'Just get out and go Buffy!' she yelled at herself, but her body didn't seem to want to obey.
She glanced again at the house. It was white with wooden shutters and centered in a more unpopulated part of Sunnydale. The blonde hadn't ventured out to these parts seeing as how her job kept her from doing so. It looked like a nice place to live, not much traffic, alot of peace and quiet, and no apparent demon hordes waiting to strike.
'You have to go to her Buffy. You have to protect her.'
That was what made her go. That need to protect Faith. She got out of the car, glancing around, trying to find the slightest thing out of place. Knowing that crazy Watcher and her two croonies were probably on their way here, put her on guard. Noticing nothing out of the ordinary, she proceeded up the walk, up the steps, on the porch, and to the front door. Her heart raced a little. The sense of Faith was so strong now, it was almost like being right next to her. No doubt the other Slayer was here. She reached a hand up and tentatively knocked at the door.
A few seconds passed that seemed like an eternity to her. She was just about to knock again when the door opened and a kindly old man appeared.
"How are you doing today Miss? How can I help you?" He stared at the fidgeting blonde. Obviously she was wanting something.
"Um...Hi. Are you Mr. Henry James Johnson?" She noticed his eyes narrow a little at her. Well, she supposed that anyone would do that, a stranger showing up at their house unannouced like this.
"Most people call me Joe."
"Hi Joe. My name is Buffy Summers and I believe that you have a young woman here by the name of Faith."
He really tensed up then. The blonde almost took a step back. She didn't care that the man looked about 90 years old, she wouldn't try him. He just looked so strong despite his age.
"What do you want with Faith?"
Buffy was about to answer, when her eyes caught movement behind Joe. Huddled close to his strong back and peeking out at her were familiar dark brown eyes. The face was a little tired looking and the skin was lighter than she remembered, the eyes a little wider than expected but it was still...
"Faith...?"
Faith was curled up on the couch watching television with Joe. The meal had been good, and for the first time in a while she had a full belly. It felt so good, it had made her lucid and drowsy. She was just settling down when there came a knock at the door. Her eyes widened a little. The fear she felt that she would be captured again hadn't abatted even in the short time in Joe's company. Perhaps it never would. She could feel herself start to tremble. There was something else too. She could feel a sort of tingle in her belly. It was strong.
Joe quickly got to his feet and was at her side in a heartbeat. Taking her shaking hands into his own, he squeezed them and smiled at her.
"Don't worry Faith. If it's trouble out there, Ol Joe will take care of them. You just sit tight."
He gently stroked her head and got up to answer the door, Faith's eyes tracking his progress. When he disappeared from view, she got up and ran into the corner, curling up and rocking. She just knew that they had come again. She was going to go back, and she dreaded to think of what they would do to her for leaving.
".............Joe. My name is Buffy Summers........."
Her great sense of hearing picked up part of their conversation. When she heard the name, something inside her snapped taut. Memories started flashing in her mind. A face. Warm green eyes, and golden blonde hair. It was like something was calling out to her. Making her get up off the couch and go see just what or who made her feel like this. When she was in view of the door, she saw Joe's tensed hulk standing in the doorway. She could tell he was a little agitated because his arms were folded across his chest. She couldn't really see who was on the outside so she crept closer, using Joe as a barrier of safety.
She walked up behind him and peered over his shoulder. Her mouth fell open and she cuddled closer to Joe. There was the face. There was the warm green eyes, they looked a little startled right now, and there was the golden blonde hair, a little shorter than she remembered. Their eyes met. An eternity passed in that gaze, and then it was broken when the little blonde spoke.
"Faith...?"
Her throat felt dry and she started to tremble.
"Yo..u're...B?"
Joe watched the interaction between the two, waiting for any sign of ill intentions from the blonde. He still didn't quite trust her just yet. He had a little sense of something about her, he just couldn't figure out if it was a good thing or a bad thing. But Faith hadn't shied away from her or done anything to suggest that the blonde was here for trouble. Still he kept a wary eye upon her.
'Make sure she doesn't do anything to Faith. I don't know anything about this Buffy Summers.'
"Oh God...Faith." Buffy wasn't even thinking when she moved toward Faith, she just got the tremendous sense of fear and pain from the brunette. Her progress was halted when one of Joe's hands shot out to stop her from coming any closer. Her eyes traveled up his arm to his narrowed brown eyes.
"Just a second now..."
"It's okay Joe. She's a....friend." Faith smiled slightly at him, then turned her teary eyes back to Buffy.
He glanced back and forth at them and then focused in on Buffy again. He let a little scowl cross his features before he relaxed and went back to being lovable Joe again.
"Well, since you're a friend..why don't you come in the house. It looks like you two have a lot...between you." He had no idea. He turned and hustled Faith back into the house. Buffy followed after them, pausing to scan the area. Noticing nothing out of the ordinary she ventured into the house.
It was ordinary but it had a homey feel to it. She followed them down a long hallway and into the living room. Her eyes finally took in Faith. The brunette was so weak and pale that it broke her heart. She noticed the way Faith would cradle her stomach, how her hands seemed to just shake, like she was cold or scared. Images of what she had seen on the video-tape flashed in her mind. A tear slowly tracked down her cheek, she turned and wiped it away not wanting Faith to see it. Joe had seen it. He understood. How many tears had he cried for the brunette?
She turned back to Faith and again they locked eyes and held each other in an intense gaze. Joe sensed that the two needed to talk.
"Um...Ms. Summers would you like some tea? I'm just going to go in the kitchen and make some, give you two a chance to talk." He never did wait for her answer, just left them alone.
Faith tracked Joe out of the room, and then she turned to Buffy. Before she could open her mouth, the blonde was across the room and sitting beside her, cradling one of her shaking hands and tentatively stroking it. Buffy looked up at Faith catching her eye and then looked down again at Faith's hands, the hand that she was gently massaging.
"I....I know what happened to you Faith," she whispered.
The hand she held tensed up immediately, as she had expected. Faith closed her eyes, feeling the shame and humiliation coursing through her. She didn't want to see the disgust and pity in Buffy's eyes. A gentle touch to her cheek made her open them.
"You won't go through that again. I won't let it. I'll protect you from her, from them. They'll never have you again."
She felt Faith squeeze her hand and squeezed back. She was granted a small smile from the weary brunette. Joe returned a moment later with a tray and three cups of hot tea. He noticed the somewhat intimate way they were together and couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness.
'Looks like you've got another fighter in your corner Faith. Good for you.'
"How long until we touch ground Glenda?" she asked politely. The anger and rage coursing through her very fiber was honed to a pleasant and almost gentle countenance. She sipped slowly at her glass of wine, reading over a report that Baranie had just handed her.
"We should be in the States in approximately an hour," the blonde, now red-head replied.
"Good." She sipped at her wine again, seemingly without a care in the world. She looked at the report she held. Jumping from here to there, memorizing a couple of numbers and names. She stopped when she came to a very familiar name.
"Elizabeth Anne Summers. Rovello Drive. Sunnydale, California. Without a question, that's where my little Slayer will run. Run, run Little Slayer. Run until your feet stain the ground with blood, because after I catch you....I'll make sure you never run again."
She chuckled as she sipped at her wine, glancing at her watch and seeing only 50 more minutes until her games could begin again.
"Oh joy."
"I...I can't...go back there. I don't think they would like me back there.." Faith curled up inside herself. She wanted to go, knew that it would be safer with Buffy at her home, but she knew that the others would be there. She couldn't take seeing the anger and disgust they would surely have for her.
"No..Faith. It's not like that.. I admit it'll be a little strangled at first but they honestly don't hate you anymore, well Will and Giles don't. They know..." She stopped when she saw Faith's eyes widen at her words.
"How....how do you all know anyway?"
Buffy looked down, not wanting to look the brunette in the eyes. "Do you know Garrett Armstrong?"
Faith eyes glazed over as she was transported back to that place again. Being raped by Marin, being held down, and nails driven into her stomach. She curled her arms across her torso, grimacing slightly as she still felt a certain amount of pain there. She remembered vaguely Marin yelling a name in anger. That was when the pain had stopped and she could focus some. She remembered through her foggy thoughts a young man with dark hair. Armstrong. That's what Marin had called him. Mr. Armstrong. She remembered that same man taking her away, and getting her away from the psychotic Watcher. How nice and concerned he was.
"He...saved me..from them."
"Yes..he did, and I'm sorry Faith, but....he's dead."
She didn't cry. "Marin....." she said defeated.
"That's why you have to come with me Faith, she'll come for you again. You know she will. I can protect you from her."
"You don't understand..B...." Buffy smiled slightly at hearing the affectionate name again. "You can't stop her... I couldn't....you don't know the half of what she did to me... You don't want to end up in her hands... It's....worse than...Hell..."
Faith's words were almost hesitant and shaky when she spoke them. Buffy wanted to cry herself at how much the brunette had truly changed. She wondered if the self-assured, boastful, egotistical Faith that she knew and....loved would ever come back again.
"I'll do anything in my power to make sure that she never gets to you again Faith. I promise. Just....let me protect you."
Faith looked deeply into Buffy's green eyes, reading a fierce determination. She knew that what Buffy was saying was true, there wasn't a place any more safer for her than in the care of her Sister Slayer, but.... She glanced in the direction of the kitchen.
"What about Joe? I can't just take off away from him. He...helped me, cared for..me. He'll want to know...something. What do I tell him?"
"You tell me that...you're going some place where there are people that care about you and can take better care of you than some old man. It's okay Faith. You don't have to worry about me. Old Joe will be here if you need me. Hey, maybe I'll visit ya sometimes."
Faith started to tear up and turned her head away from the two looking at her. She curled into herself and cried, crying harder when she felt Joe pull her into her arms. She buried her head in his strong chest, hearing his heart thump loudly for her. She calmed down slowly, not pulling away. She turned her head in Buffy's direction, seeing the hint of something like affection for her in the eyes that she remembered hating her.
"I'll go...home...with you." she said simply.
The plane touched down and began the process of vacating its passengers. Three inconspicous women slowly exited the metal bird and walked through the exits heading toward the awaiting limo outside. They didn't stand out in the least. Just three old friends, perhaps, touring the States from England, or returning home maybe. The only thing that did give off an odd sense was the insanely blissed expression on the older looking of the three, or maybe it was the red-head with her penetrating blue ice blue eyes. So cold that you stood frozen in your place with a glimpse of them.
They made their way to the limo and got in. The divider rolled down and a voice in crisp English fashion asked.
"Your destination?"
"California. Sunnydale. It would please me immensely if you could try to make it there in the least amount of time possible. I do want to hurry and get my business under-way. I dread a long wait," she replied sweetly.
"Right away Miss."
The divider rolled up and a second later they were on their way.
"Relax Baranie. We're here, now it's only a matter of tracking down my poor misguided young niece. The girl does tend to get herself involved in the most sordid things. Positively dreadful life she's had. Her mother, my dear sister, cared almost nothing for the child. Took her into my own home and cared for her as best as I could, but the damage was done, you see. I just couldn't reach the poor Dear. I tried my best, but I can't give up. After all she is my loving niece. I would do anything to get her back into my arms again."
Glenda smiled ferally. "That was perfect Marin. Whoever shall hear that will have no doubt that you are simply a concerned and caring Aunt looking for her way-ward niece. She'll be with us soon I'm sure."
Marin smiled back at the red-head and directed Baranie to hand her the file on Faith again. She wanted to be absolutely perfect in her knowledge. She could afford no slip-ups.
"I'm coming Dear. Auntie Marin's coming."
Willow didn't know whether to try to help or to sit back and watch from a safe distance. Sure, when Buffy had first come through the door, she had gasped audibly at the state of Faith. The brunette didn't look like she could hold herself up to save her life. She didn't remember Faith being like this. All helpless and defeated like she was now. Where was the swaggering, gutter-mouth, slut she was comfortable hating. How was she supposed to hate this shell?
Faith could see the expressions going through Willow's face. She really hoped that there wouldn't be any yelling on the witch's part, even though she was justified in it if she had. There wasn't, but the silence and sense of discomfort wasn't all that much better either.
"Hi...Willow." She didn't think 'Red' would be the right way to start things over with.
"Faith." She wouldn't give in that easy.
Buffy lead Faith to the couch, sitting her down and covering her with a warm blanket. During the drive back, she had shed her own jacket to wrap around Faith when she saw the way the younger girl was shaking. She had even curled up against the car-door and huddled into herself, trying to get warmer.
"Is that better Faith?"
"I'm not really cold...I just....can't help it sometimes... It's ....inside..up here." She tapped herself in the head. The electro-therapy Marin had ministered caused the shakes and the frequent nosebleeds she had. Slayer-healing wouldn't get rid of half the bad shit Marin put her through. Nothing would.
"Where's...G.iles?"
Willow looked at Buffy. The blonde knew that she had noticed it too. The way Faith was talking.
"Um..he went back to his flat to see if any more mail came for him. While you were gone he got another phone call." She hitched an eye-brow trying to convey to the blonde that the call was another from Maxwell. Buffy nodded and nodded toward the kitchen. Just as they were about to go have a talk about the call, the front door opened and Xander came inside, Tara and Anya in tow.
"Hey two of my favorite gal pals!"
He walked through the door and into the living room where his eyes landed on the unexpected guest. His brow furrowed, and his eyes darkened as they beheld the brunette.
"What the hell is she doing here?!"
He continued staring down angrily at Faith, not bothering to take in her weakened state. He was too caught up in his anger. Buffy quickly went over to stand protectively in front of the brunette, holding her hands outward to stop Xander from any attempts to get closer.
"Xander, I know how this looks, but there is a good explanation for why she's here."
"Oh really? So you have a perfectly good explanation for why a psychotic murdering slut is in your house? I'd really like to hear that."
"Don't call her that again," she said with anger in her voice.
He folded his arms across his chest, not meeting Buffy's eyes but staring down at Faith. Faith looked back at him, sadness and shame in her gaze. She tried to sit up and started shaking slightly. Buffy went to help her, but she weakly pushed her away. She continued at her task, exerting the last bits of stored energy she had until she stood somewhat awkwardly. She walked over to Xander and stood before him. He then took notice of her and a regretful feeling pulled at his heart.
"I'm..sorry and..I understand that you feel that way ..about..me. You're..right. I..don't deserve to..be here..but..don't get mad at...B. She..only..wanted to help..me."
Tara stood on the side-lines taking in the brunette. She hadn't really gotten the chance to meet Faith before and from the stories that she had heard, this didn't look like the woman that they had all been more than eager to get rid of. This looked to her like a very emotionally and physically hurt woman. A woman that desperately needed love and care. She stepped from behind Xander and walked past Buffy to Faith. She held out her hand and smiled shyly.
"Hello Faith. I'm Tara."
Faith glanced down at the extended hand and then back up to the kind smiling blonde. She reached for it slowly and grasped the warm hand.
"Nice to..meet.you..Tara."
Xander scowled and scoffed reproachfully. Buffy grabbed his arm and started pulling him into the kitchen to have a private little chat.
"Kitchen. Now," she growled out, pulling him along, and nodding at Willow to follow her.
Anya merely rolled her eyes and went to stand beside Tara. She looked at the brunette, remembering that this was the woman that had slept with her Xander. She glanced over her, seeing nothing special to look out, but knowing this Faith girl wasn't exactly at her greatest peak.
"You're Faith. I'm Anya. Xander's mine now. You can't have him."
Having said that, she sat herself down on the couch, grabbed the remote and started flipping through the channels, leaving Faith a little bewildered and Tara utterly exasperated.
"Tell me why she's here Buffy. And why didn't you guys tell the rest of us?! I think something as important as Faith in town warrants that everybody know!" his loud angry voice echoed around the kitchen.
"Not so loud! I'm sorry I didn't tell you and part of that was because we knew how you were going to act. She's here because I asked her to come here. She didn't come looking for us, we searched for her."
He continued to scowl angrily. "Why?"
Buffy sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, leaning her arms back against the counter. Her eyes darted to Willow for a second and then focused on Xander.
"She was...she was being hurt Xander. Really badly. No matter what she did to us...she shouldn't have been hurt like that." It was Willow who spoke in a quiet voice. Xander looked at her still not willing to see their side of it.
"Hurt? Faith? So you mean she was getting what she deserved? They obviously weren't doing a good job, she's still able to stand."
She moved before he even finished making his insensitive comments. Xander found himself forcefully ripped from his seat and off his feet, dangling in the air with molten green eyes staring up at him. He instinctively tried to pry her hands away but she wasn't budging. If anything, it just made her tighten her grip on his shirt collar.
"You don't know what you're talking about. You have no idea just what she has been through. No human being, bad or not, deserves what they put her through."
She dropped him back to the floor roughly. Willow stepped up beside Buffy and put her hand on the Slayer's shoulder, a little pressure to stop her from doing anything else. Buffy glared down at Xander, who looked up at her with somewhat surprised eyes.
"I don't want to see you here again Xander. You either learn to accept that Faith's here or don't bother coming back." With a last disgusted look down at him she left, hurrying back to Faith's side. He watched her go and then looked at Willow, seeing some disappointment in her eyes as well. He couldn't stand it. Pulling himself up he gritted his teeth and stormed out of the kitchen into the living room.
"Come on Anya we're going." He grabbed her arm and pulled her from the couch.
"Xander what is wrong with you?" He didn't answer just pulled her bodily out of the room and out the door with a slam. Faith watched him go and turned her eyes downward.
"I shouldn't be..here."
Buffy put her hand under her chin and lifted so that their eyes met.
"Yes, you should. You belong here Faith. Always," she said smiling lightly.
...continued in part 11...