She Who Was My Love
by Christopher Andrews
Rating: R
Buffy's POV
"What did this demon woman look like?"
Dawn... how could this all be about Dawn?
"She was... I don't know. She looked human. I didn't think she would be as strong as she was."
There are things that I remember, about Dawn, about growing up with her that I just can't accept that they never happened. Growing up with her, living with her, helping raise her, complaining about her. How could none of them have happened? Especially that last one.
"Is there anything specific you can remember about her? Anything that might give us a clue as to what she might be?"
"I remember a lot of things like... I remember her hand crushing my fist like it was filled with crackers. I remember her beating my ass till it was a brand new shape. I also remember fleeing in terror with that monk guy."
"Come on B, don't talk like that. We'll track this girl down together and slay her real good."
That's assuming she isn't already coming for Dawn. I don't care how she got her, she's my sister and I love her. And now that I know Dawn's not just my sister, she's also my daughter, it just makes me wanna protect her even more.
I look at Faith.
But she's not just MY daughter. She's Faith's daughter too. The monk was very clear that it was the love we share that made them send her to me. But I'm not even sure there is a love to share after everything I've been through. I do care about her though. I don't wanna put her in any danger. How do I know I won't put Faith and Dawn's life in danger if I tell her the truth? Faith was willing to kill me to save me. How do I know Faith won't kill Dawn to save the world? I can't let that happen, I have to protect Dawn.
"Buffy?"
"Hmm? What?"
"We were discussing the monk. There are a few orders that bare investigation, is there anything you can remember that might help narrow the search?"
"I... no, no I don't think so. He was just some religious guy in a brown robe."
I didn't even think to see if he had something on him.
"What about this key thing you mentioned? Did he say anything about where it might be? What it might be?"
"I... no, he didn't get to it before he died. He said the key was... energy. Some sort of mystical thing that 'opens the door'. Whatever that means."
"The door? What door? A Door to where?"
"I don't know..."
"Well, it's a place to start at any rate. Xander, you and Anya begin researching this demon woman Buffy encountered. Willow?"
Willow doesn't say anything.
"Willow?"
"Oh, uh, yeah?"
"Would you and Tara be so kind as to look into the key? I'll check the book of Karameth, see if it makes reference to either the key or this woman."
Research the key?
"I... maybe we should, focus more on the demon."
Everyone looks at me confused, especially Faith.
"Why's that Buff?"
I can't keep this to myself. I have to tell someone.
"Well I just, if we figure out who this woman is we might be able to find out what she wants the key for and then we can protect... I mean stop her."
"Knowledge of the key might help us to find it and as a result perhaps even give us a way to keep it from her."
Giles, I'll tell Giles. He'll understand, he can help me save her.
"You're right, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. Is there anything Faith and I can do?"
"Yes, we want to help."
"Perhaps the two of you should return to where you last saw her. You might be able to track where she went."
"Good, good.... we'll do that, right Faith?"
She doesn't look at me as she responds.
"Yeah, sure B. We can try."
"Good, Giles can I talk to you? Alone?"
"Sure... let's get to work."
I turn to Faith who still won't look at me.
"Would you mind waiting for me?"
"Uh-hun..."
"Thanks."
I turn and follow Giles into another part of the house.
Willow's POV
This is good. This is good, I can tell Tara that things are better between Buffy and Faith and she won't leave me.
I go into my room and I feel like my heart is gonna get ripped apart.
"Tara? What's going on?"
There's a suitcase on the bed and clothes all around it. Tara looks like she's been crying.
"I... I have to go."
"Go? Go where?"
"Away..."
"Why?"
She finally looks at me for the first time in days.
"You, you know why."
"Tara I'm sorry. I don't know how many times I have to say it before you know I mean it. I know what I did was wrong. I knew it before I did the spell, but I did it anyway. But things are better now, I think, and if they aren't completely better yet then they're at least heading in the right direction. You should've seen the two of them today, they look... happier."
She starts putting her clothes in the suitcase.
"This isn't about them anymore. This is about me... and you."
"I thought this was about what I did."
"It is... and it isn't."
What?
"Tara, you're not making any sense."
"A long time ago, I made a promise to... s-someone. Someone very important to me. I promised I'd never use magic f-for the wrong reason, and that's what I did when we ressurected Buffy."
"When I ressurected Buffy you mean. You weren't the one who did the spell."
"I was there, I was a part of it. And I ignored every instinct I had about the spell to do so. What kind of person am I that would do that?"
I walk up to her and she stops packing to take a few steps back.
"You're a good person Tara. You're a kind and gentle person, with an incredible heart. The heart that made me fall in love with you."
"That's, actually one of the problems."
"Tara don't say that."
She takes a deep breath.
"The reason I ignored all my instincts and morals, was you. Because I loved you so much and wanted to trust in you, but we weren't doing the right thing, and I knew that. I knew that and I still let it happen. I don't know that I can be with someone who would do that. I love you so much I'd do anything for you and, I don't know why but that scares me more than I'd like."
I fall to my knees and put my arms around her.
"Tara don't leave me. Please don't leave me baby."
Her hand reaches down and touches my head. Her breathing starts catching in her throat like she's holding back from crying.
"Willow..."
I look up at her, tears in my eyes.
"I love you, nothing will ever change that. I just, don't know who I am anymore. Until I know, I think I have to be alone."
"Tara please, we can work this out."
She pulls my arms from around her and kneels in front of me.
"And we will..."
Her lips touch mine gently.
"One day we will..."
"Don't leave me Tara."
"I'll come back to you Willow. My sweet Willow..."
She pulls me into her arms and I hold on to her as if my life depended on it, because it does.
"Nothing will ever make me stop loving you... NOTHING."
A tear rolls down her cheek as she stands up and takes a deep breath. All I can do is try to keep from falling apart as I stand up myself.
"Where would you go?"
She starts packing again and I turn away. I can't watch this happening again.
"I don't know exactly. Home, maybe? My 20th birthday is coming up."
Her birthday?
"What does that have to do with...?"
"I need to go somewhere I can be alone. Think things through."
No... no I won't let this happen, not again. First Oz, now Tara.
"So, what? You're just gonna give up on us? Give up on everything we have? Why?"
She stops.
"I haven't given up on us, I've given up on me. I've given up on the person I thought I was. Now I have to find out who it is I've become."
She throws a few more things into her suitcase and then locks it. She puts her arms around my neck and kisses me deeply and passionately, tears flowing with restraint. No sooner do our lips part then she picks up her suitcase and heads to the door.
"Tara?"
She stops and looks back at me.
"I love you..."
It takes her a moment to fight back the tears we both know are coming.
"I... love you t-too."
She lingers on her words for a few moments and then, she turns and leaves. I sit down on the bed, head in my hands and just let the tears flow.
She's gone, Tara's gone. I wanted her to stay. I would've begged even harder if I thought it would've made a diffrence, but it wouldn't have and that just makes everything so much worse. Knowing that there was nothing I could've done or said to keep her from leaving me. I couldn't make her love me enough to stay with me and work things out. She said she loves me but how can I believe her when she left me? I can't... but I want to. I love her, even if she doesn't love me back. I'll love her, even if I never ever see her again.
Buffy's POV
"I... I don't believe it."
I know.
"I didn't really want to believe it at first either. But I think it's true..."
"If it is true then we must find a way to protect her from this woman."
I knew Giles would understand.
"We must discover what she wants with Dawn."
"They sent her to me to protect her, and I'm going to. I don't care if my memories are fake, I still remember them. I still love her like a sister."
"We'll find a way to keep her safe, I promise."
I let out a deep breath.
"Thank you."
He smiles at me for a moment before getting pensive face.
"Have you thought about, telling her?"
"Dawn? I, no she'd freak. I can't tell her, not yet."
"No, not Dawn. Though I do think you'll have to tell her at some point, there's someone else you should tell."
I lower my eyes as I know who he's talking about.
"Faith..."
"She has a right to know the truth about Dawn. She must be a part of this."
"No, no I can't... she, she wouldn't understand."
"Why not?"
"She was willing to kill me to save me. How do I know she won't kill Dawn to save the world?"
"Buffy..."
"I can't. I won't put Dawn's life in danger."
"Dawn's life is already in danger. And more to the point, you don't know what Faith would do Buffy. She cares very deeply for Dawn, she has for many years even if she wouldn't admit it."
"Except that she hasn't. We don't know how long Dawn has actually been here. It might've only been a few months, or weeks, or even days."
"But you remember her for longer than that."
"Yes..."
"As does Faith. She may choose the same path you have."
"But she might not. I can't take that risk."
"Why not?"
I don't have a response to that.
"Buffy, are you sure this about protecting Dawn?"
What?
"Perhaps your inability to tell Faith stems not from wanting to keep Dawn safe but from fear that you can't trust Faith?"
"What? I, no I trust Faith it's just... we haven't always confided in each other but... I trust her."
"The way you trusted her when you found her over Riley's body? Or the way you trusted her enough to tell her the truth about where you were when you had passed on?"
"Well I... I had every reason to believe Faith killed him. I found her over his body with his blood on her hands."
"But when she told you she didn't do it, you wouldn't believe her."
"I, what the hell was I supposed to think?"
"This isn't about what you thought. This is about what you were or weren't willing to believe. You weren't willing to consider the idea that Faith didn't kill Riley."
"So what? Why does it matter?"
"Because you have a problem trusting Faith, and until you address that I don't think you should decide whether or not to tell Faith the truth about Dawn."
I look Giles in the eyes and take a deep breath.
"Maybe you're right..."
He smiles at me.
"But I can't just, tell her. I can't just go out there and say 'Hey guess what...' you know?"
"Perhaps not but I think you owe it to yourself and to Faith as well to find a way to tell her at some point."
My head drops into my hands.
"How?"
"That's something I can't tell you."
I should ask him. I've been meaning to ask him since I've been back.
"Giles?"
"Hmm?"
"Why didn't you stop them?"
He just looks at me for a few moments before standing, as if to start pacing.
"Willow and the gang..."
He walks over to his bookcase, moves it gently aside to reveal a safe which he begins to open. He unlocks it and pulls out a book.
Why would he lock a book in a, safe? Is that what I think it is?
He comes over and puts the golden coloured book down on the coffee table in front of me.
"The, Book of Karameth?"
"Yes..."
"What...?"
"In my own personal quest to help Faith I attempted to translate the rest of the text for guidance. Perhaps to find a way to comfort Faith in her time of need."
"And?"
"It doesn't make specific references to anything, but it does imply many hardships will be fall those mentioned in the prophecy over a large period of time. And the two of you were only together a matter of weeks before the fight with Omega, so when I heard about the resurection spell..."
I get it, sorta.
"You didn't interfere."
"I knew that whatever happened was meant to as were any consquences."
Consequences, like Dawn?
"My active involvement in the events, might only have served to change them in any number of ways. So while I believe the spell Willow cast was against the very laws of nature and that there could be very serious reprecussions, I felt I should leave the decision up to someone else."
"My mom..."
"She may not be impartial but she is your mother, and therefore would instinctively do what's before for you, and for Faith. Much in the way you must do what's best for Dawn, and for your relationship with Faith."
"You're right... you're right I should tell her."
I stand up and turn to the door to the living room. I walk up to the door.
"There is no need to rush into it. Take your time, wait until you are ready."
"No I... I should tell her before I loose my nerve."
I open the door and go out into the living room.
"Hey Buffy, everything okay?"
I look around before answering Xander's question.
"Yeah, it's all good. Where's Faith?"
"She left. Said she got tired of waiting for you and decided to go patrolling. If you want you can catch her at the Mansfield Cemetary. She said she'd be in that area tonight."
"Oh... okay, I probably should. Did you guys find anything?"
"You mean in the exactly 30 minutes we've been on the case?"
Giles comes up behind me and puts his hand on my shoulder.
"No, nothing..."
"There's no need for sarcasm Xander. We'll find something, don't worry. You should go."
I look back at Giles and smile.
"Thanks, I will. I'll see if I can find Faith, maybe see if she and I can take apart this demon chick."
He takes his hand off my shoulder to clean his glasses.
"Perhaps, but be careful. We don't know anything about her yet."
I head to the door.
"Let me know if you find anything?"
"We will."
"Thanks."
I leave and go find Faith.
Giles is right, I need to talk to Faith about Dawn at some point. But when? And why didn't she wait for me. I have to find her.
CHAPTER 33: Trouble in not so paradise
Glory's POV
My key, my key, my key... where the hell's my key?
"DREGG!"
He comes in looking to grovel at my feet.
"How may I serve you most spendiforus Glorificus?"
"My key, where is it?"
"We don't konw your most beautiful and gracious Glorificus."
"Why not?"
"We humbly beg your forgiveness oh great one but, finding the key in this dimension is proving to be most difficult. The key could have been pressed into..."
"Anything, yes I know. That still doesn't put my key in my hand Dregg."
"And what a powerful and silky smooth hand it is. We are working on finding a way to detect the key but the scroll with such a spell has been lost for centuries. It shall be a great quest to find the scroll and present it to you your sily-smoothedness.
"Well hurry up, I'm not getting any younger."
"You are the great Glorficus, you are immortal, you are timeless."
"I know scabhead, it's just an expression."
"Oh, oh forgive me oh great one. Your massive intellect overshadows my feeble brain."
"Mmm-hmm, what about that slayer who stole my monk? Did you find her yet?"
"Unfortunately not shiny special one, but we are looking for her. We suspect that being a slayer we might find her easier if we stick to the cemetaries at night."
"Well yes obviously you piece of carpet mold. A fruit fly could tell you that."
"Forgive me oh great one."
I look down at him groveling at my feet.
"Go away! Go find her so I can figure out where my key is."
"Yes magnificent one. It shall be done."
He slithers out of my room on his pathetic legs.
Ugh, that slayer took my monk. Monkey boy probably told her about my key what it is, where to find it? Whatever. The important thing is that slayer bitch may know more about where my key is than I do, and that doesn't bode well for the little slay gal. I'll just have to kill her, and anyone else who gets in the way of me finding my key. Hey, not now... not now I have better things to do then... then spend time as...
Ben's POV
Me...
Buffy's POV
Where is she? I went all over the Mansfield Cemetary, and when I didn't find her I went through 2 other cemetaries on my way home. I know things aren't all wrapped up in a neat little pink bow with me and Faith, she hates pink bows, but I kinda wished she'd waited for me. I probably would've told her right then and there, now I'm not so sure.
It's not like I've changed my mind about telling her, I have to tell her. It's just, now I'm all nervous, and worried about how she's gonna react to it all. I was still nervous back at Giles', it was just the kind of nervous where I'd blurt stuff out and now? Not so much. I want to tell her, I really do. I'm just not sure I can find the words to tell her. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it myself.
Dawn's my... my... I had the thought when the monk told me. I explained it to Giles, with little problem. So why is it so hard for me to talk to Faith about this?
I take a deep breath and go up to my house, going inside.
I'll figure it out, eventually.
I walk in and hear the TV going in the living room. I look over and Faith is sitting on the couch, eating chips and staring at the screen.
She just looks like she's mindlessly staring, and kinda angry.
I think I better play this delicately.
I go in and stand a few feet from the entrance, trying not to crowd her.
She knows I'm here, she knows I know she knows I'm here. I know she knows I know she knows I'm here... and yet, she all but refuses to turn her attention from the TV I guess I better make the first move.
"Hey..."
She barely reacts.
"Hey..."
I just look at her.
I guess I hadn't really planned beyond the greeting.
She actually turns her head to look at me for a split second.
"What?"
"Nothing..."
She looks at me for another second.
"Okay..."
All right that was a total lie. But at least she's talking to me, which is good. Especially since I'm not entirely sure why she's angry with me.
"I was at the Mansfield Cemetary earlier. Thought you said you'd be there?"
Oh that's smart. I'll make things better by making accusations.
"I was."
"Not when I got there you weren't."
How much of my foot do I actually wanna put in my mouth?
"Yeah well, got tired. Decided I'd come home and pack on a few pounds."
"I bet I can help you work them off."
Now, I'm hitting on her. Where exactly am I trying to go?
"I bet you could, so what?"
This is going to be a lot worse than I hoped.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound like..."
She turns off the TV and comes this way, never looking at me.
"I'm going to bed."
That was a little colder than I expected.
I stop her from passing me.
"Faith..."
"What?"
"What's going on?"
She just looks at me. The phone starts ringing and someone picks it up.
"Whatever's got you mad, we can talk about it."
She looks at me finally.
"Can we?"
"Yes we can. Just tell me, I promise I won't get mad. No matter what it is, I'll do whatever it takes to make it right."
She rolls her eyes at me.
"You wanna make things right?"
I put my hands on her shoulders.
"Yes..."
"You wanna know what's going on?"
"Yes..."
I really, really do.
"Why don't you tell me?"
Wait what?
"What?"
"If you wanna know what's wrong, you have to tell me."
"Faith I..."
"Whatever is going on, I'm not a part of it. I'm out of the loop on this one. There's something wrong, something bigger than this demon chick who kicked your ass..."
"She didn't kick my..."
"If you wanna make things right, start there."
Start where? Dawn?
When I don't say anything, she moves past me. I grab her arm to turn her back to me.
"Faith please, I'm sorry..."
"Don't pretend you're sorry B."
"I am sorry baby."
Again she rolls her eyes at me, letting out an angry sigh with it.
"Does it make it easier? Thinking of me like a child?"
"Faith no, that's not..."
"Treating me like a kid who need to be protected?"
"Faith I never..."
"Something's going on and either you're trying to protect me, which I so don't need, or you're scared of what I'm gonna do cause it somehow involves Dawn."
"What?"
"I'm not stupid B."
"I never said you were..."
"The first words out of your mouth to me after getting your ass kicked were 'where's Dawn'. And when we passed by her room, you just HAD to go in and tell her you loved her. She was sleeping B. You couldn't wait till tomorrow? Especially in the condition you were in? Come on B, something going on. What is it?"
I'm just... in shock. I wanna say something but the words get stuck between my head and my mouth. I wanted to make things better and in doing so she just unloaded everything my way. I wanna say I'm sorry, but that never really works out with Faith.
"I don't know what to say."
"Well why don't you start and end with what's really going on?"
My mom comes in, phone in hand with a serious look on her face.
"Faith I..."
"Girls..."
Faith's gaze never leaves me as I look at Mom.
"What is it Mom?"
"It's Willow. I think something's wrong?"
Faith finally averts her gaze from me to Mom as she hands the phone to me. I put the phone to my ear.
"Willow?"
Faith's POV
Fucking bitch...
I turn down the hall to Willow and Tara's place, following B.
She got away with it. She got away with not telling me what's going on, again. I know it's not her fault. Something's going on with Willow and I wanna be there for her just as much as B. Willow's my friend and she's Buffy's best friend, I'll help any way I can. Especially after the things she's done for me in the past. But that still doesn't fix things with B and I. Something's going on, something big, maybe even end of the world big I dunno, and she's keeping me in the dark because it's got something to do with Dawn.
But the question becomes, why? Dawn is a nobody. I mean I love her like a little sister but she's no one important. She's just a naive, kinda weird little kid. There's no way I'm letting this go, especially if it puts Dawn in danger. But for now I gotta focus on someone else... Willow. I get the impression from the side of the conversation I was in on that Willow didn't say much of anything, that she cried so much she really couldn't form complete sentences. I know what that's like. I just don't know what would cause Willow to be in that much pain.
"So, did she say anything?"
"Hmm?"
Again with the avoiding.
"On the phone, did Willow say anything about what was wrong?"
"Oh, no... she didn't."
"Like you'd tell me anyway."
We make it to just outside Willow's dorm room and she turns to me.
"Faith don't do this, not now."
"Do what?"
"We're here for Willow. Can't we just, leave our own problems out here? So we can deal with Willow's problems in there?"
I just look at her for a second before rolling my eyes.
"Fine, whatever you want B... again."
All of the sudden, the look on her face changes. Like she just realized I'm never gonna let this go.
"Faith I know you and I have a lot to talk about, and I want to talk with you about it. But we can't do that and leave Willow in there in the condition she's probably in."
Boy, did I not need a lecture right now.
"I said it was cool B, whatever..."
"Faith..."
"Oh for fuck's sake B."
I move past her, knocking her shoulder into mine as I get to the door. I knock on the door to Willow's room and in seconds the door swings open.
"Tara?"
The glimmer of hope in Willow's eyes quickly dissapears as she realizes it's us.
Shouldn't Tara be here with her? Unless this is about Tara.
"Willow, what's wrong?"
Oh good one B. Blunt enough for ya?
Then, the untinkable happens. Willow all but jumps into my arms, wrapping her own around me as she starts crying into my shoulder.
"Faith... oh Faith thank god you guys are here."
I put my arms around Red slowly, not entirely sure what to do.
I don't usually get this close to people I'm not boneing. Probably why I never had friends before coming to Sunnydale. But after falling for B and everything that's happened since then, I can honestly say I don't think of Willow 'that way'. Which makes this situation I'm in totally new territory, but I'll do my best.
"It's okay Red... we're here to help."
"Whatever you need."
I look at B, then up and down the hall.
Maybe we shouldn't do this out here in the open.
"Come on Red, let's go inside and you can tell us all about what happened okay?"
"O-okay..."
"Okay..."
I pull her rather strong grip off me slightly to lead her back inside her room. B follows close and shuts the door behind us. We move over to the bed and sit down, B and I on either side of Red. B puts her hand on Willow's shoulder.
"What happened?"
"T-Tara... she's... she's gone..."
What?
"What do you mean gone?"
"She l-left, m-me..."
"Left you?"
"S-she left t-town..."
"Why?"
"Because of me."
Because of her?
"What do you mean?"
"I m-made her leave me."
"I'm sure you didn't MAKE her leave you."
"No, I did... it's all my fault."
Buffy puts her arms around Willow, hugging her tight.
That doesn't make any sense.
"Why would Tara say something like that?"
"She... it was the s-spell."
Buffy pulls back a bit.
"The spell?"
She looks Buffy in the eyes and it dawns on us.
The spell?
I don't know what to say, but B does.
"Oh..."
"She said after everything that's happened, she's not sure who she is anymore. She needed time alone to figure it out and that she couldn't do that with me around, so she left."
Oh...
"I-if I hadn't, hadn't done the s-spell... Tara wouldn't have left me."
I don't have any idea what to do, or say.
"She... she didn't want to do the spell but.. but she did... she did it for me..."
And Willow didn't listen to her for me. She brought Buffy back for me, and it cost her Tara. God how much more screwed up can this get?
Willow starts crying again and all B and I can do is look at her as we fail to make it better.
Dawn's POV
Something's wrong. Something's really wrong with Buffy and Faith, and for some reason I think it's my fault. I don't really know what's going on, I didn't hear most of it but I did hear my name come up a few times. I wanted to get closer but I couldn't without them noticing. And then they got that phone call. Mom told me later on it was Willow, but wouldn't tell me why she called. I got the impression it was something bad, I hope she's all right.
Why is it everyone's talking to each other but no one will talk to me? What's wrong with me? What is it about me that people don't like? No one ever asks me if I can help. If this problem between my sister and her cooler than Buffy girlfriend is about me, should I do something about it? Or be involved or um, know about it?
Maybe I should talk to Faith about that plan thing she had a couple days ago. Maybe that'll make things better between them. I'll get Mom to help me... somehow. She knows more about this love stuff than I do. Plus they both talk to Mom, neither of them talk to me. I'll talk to Mom tomorrow.
Glory's POV
My key, my key, my key... where the hell's my key? That bitch of a slayer has my key and I want it back. I'm going to make her tell me, but first I have to find her.
I break down the door to this, rather pedestrian magic shop, and go inside.
That's why I'm here. Dregg and the other little piss-ants I have working for me said this is where I'd find the ingrediants for that little spell they scrounged up. Now, if I were a Sobekian bloodstone... where would I be?
Some grubby little human comes up to me as I start looking around. I didn't think humans stayed up this late.
"Wow, now that was just so cool. Can you teach me to do that?"
I roll my eyes as I grab him by the throat and snap it. Some chick comes over, kinda upset, she was probably screwing that sack of shit.
"Oh my GOD! What did you do?"
She checks out her moron of a dead lover's neck. Realizing what an idiot her lover was she comes to confront me.
"WHAT did you DO?"
She punches me in the stomach and all the bones in her hand and most of them in her arm break. I grab her by the hair as she drops to her meager knees. I snap her neck. By this time the rest of the customers have noticed me and decide to flee for their lives.
Geez you'd think the humans in this town had never seen people murdered in front of them before.
"Leave this place."
Another sack of crap starts annoying me by defending his business.
"Where do you keep your Sobekian bloodstones and Coles' amulets?"
"I will not tell you."
Not another one.
It takes me less than a split second to close the gap between us and grab him by his fleshy little neck.
"Sobekian bloodstones, where are they?"
He chokes on his own words as he points to a shelf of magical trinkets.
"T-there... t-top right... s-shelf..."
I drag him by his stupid fragile neck to the shelf. I see what I'm looking for and pick it up.
"And the Coles' amulet?"
"Three... s-shelves... over..."
I drag him 3 shelves over and pick up the amulet.
"Okay now, time to check out."
I pull his lazy bag of meat to the sales counter and throw him over it. I set my items on the counter and ring the bell next to the register. I tap my fingers impatiently as no one comes to serve me.
"HELLO! CUSTOMER with a PURCHASE here?"
He manages to get his lazy ass off the floor and hangs off the counter.
"Ah, there you are. I'd like to buy these please."
"Take... t-them..."
Damn fragile humans. He's so afraid of dying he'll give these away for free.
"Can I get a bag at least?"
He reaches down, severe pain on his face, and pulls out a little pink bag.
Ooh I love pink, it goes so well with my complexion.
I put my items in my bag and turn to leave.
Oh wait...
"I forgot to give you a tip."
I spin around, swinging my fist into his pathetic face. It shatters every bone in his soft squishy head. He doesn't even have time to scream as the blood splatters all over my hand.
Ugh, now I'm gonna have to take a bath. Fucking humans.
Buffy's POV
"So what do we do?"
She keeps asking that and I keep giving her the same answer.
"I don't know."
"Well we have to do something don't we B? I mean this is our fault."
I look at her, sorta half pacing in our room.
"How do you figure?"
She faces me.
"Did you go deaf? You heard what Willow said, Tara left her because of the spell."
"Okay but how do you get from that, to our fault?"
The look on her face changes like she's thinking about hititng me.
"Were you even in the same room? Of course this is our fault."
"Wasn't it you who told me the spell wasn't my fault? That it wasn't your fault either?"
"That's different."
"Is it?"
"B, that was about blame, not fault."
"So you think it was my fualt?"
"Oh for god sakes B. Are we really gonna go through this again?"
"Well we never really talked everything out did we?"
"And whose fault is that?"
I look down at my feet, sitting at the end of the bed.
"I know."
"I was the one who wanted to talk everything out. But you weren't ready for it. You needed time to figure things out."
"I know and I'm sorry about that. Things have been a little screwed up in here since..."
I stop there.
I don't want to give her any more reasons to yell at me.
"Well maybe that's why we're here now? Maybe things aren't so screwed up anymore and you've decided you don't want me around?"
"What? Faith no that's not..."
"Maybe that's why you haven't told me what's going on? Cause you want me to leave."
She's not even listening to me anymore. She's just decided we're breaking up, when that's not what I want.
"Faith..."
"I told you before B. All you have to do is say the word and I'll leave and never come back. I may love you B, but there's no way I'm just gonna sit around and wait till you DECIDE to let me in on everything."
I stand up to look her right in the eye, face to face.
This isn't about our feelings, this is about trust, and honesty. It goes way beyond love.
"Faith... the last time you said you'd leave I asked you to stay, and it's my fault that things got to the point where you have to make that offer again. So I'm asking again, if there's any hope left in you that we can work this out, then stay. Please don't leave."
She takes a deep breath.
"Tell me what's going on... and I won't."
I stare into her eyes, seconds ticking away. Every moment a lifetime in her eyes.
The door swings open and Dawn comes rushing in.
"Hey guys?"
Faith turns to Dawn and snaps.
"WHAT?"
Dawn trips and falls at Faith's anger.
Oh my god!
I rush to Dawn's side to make sure she's okay.
"Dawn?"
"Is she okay?"
I look at Faith as Dawn sits up, a little dazed but fine. Faith's just looking at Dawn, her look of concern slowly changing to a look of contemplation. As if she's trying to figure her out.
"You didn't have to yell at her."
"What?"
"No, it's okay I'm... I'm fine I just... I'm fine, it's fine. Everything's fine..."
I help Dawn to her feet.
"You shouldn't have yelled at her. She could've gotten seriously hurt."
"She just tripped B. Besides, if you hadn't made me so mad in the first place maybe I wouldn't have done it."
"Hey guys it's cool, I'm fine!"
"That doesn't give you an excuse to yell at Dawn."
"Excuse?"
"Maybe if you spent a little more time trying to control your emotions you wouldn't have done it."
"Controlling my emotions?"
Faith gets right up in my face.
"Well EXCUSE ME, but who was it that decided shortly after getting her ass handed to her that she just had to get a piece of mine in the middle of a graveyard?"
"Don't... you shouldn't talk about that stuff in front of Dawn."
"Why not? It's not like she didn't all but catch the show anyway."
"Okay guys, everything's fine. There's no reason to..."
Faith pushes Dawn out of the way, making her stumble back a few steps.
"Stay out of this Dawn."
Oh my god!
"Don't push her!"
I grab Faith by the collar.
"Geez B, freak out much?"
Fuck it!
I pull my fist back, only to hit Dawn in the face with my elbow. I spin around, realizing what I've done as I see her lying on the floor holding her face.
"Dawn?"
She looks up at us, tears in her eyes.
"You hit me..."
"Oh god Dawn sweetie I'm sorry."
I kneel down to see if she's all right.
"Get away from me."
She scrambles on the floor to put some distance between us. Faith comes over and stands next to me, but that only serves to make Dawn get up and back away even more.
"Dawn are you okay?"
"Does it look like I'm okay?"
We should take a look at that red spot on her cheek, which'll probably turn purple soon.
"Dawn, honey let's take a look at that bruise."
"Oh you mean the bruise YOU gave me?"
I take a step forward.
"Don't touch me..."
She turns and runs out of the room. Moments later we hear the door to her room slam shut. I stand up and Faith turns to me.
"Now look at what you did. Go get her an ice pack or something, I'll see if I can get her to come out of her room."
She leaves and heads to Dawn's room.
An ice pack, right... Oh god what have I done? What did I do?
I work my way down the stairs and head to the kitchen. I was so angry at Faith that all I wanted to do was hurt her, and I ended up hurting Dawn instead.
I move through the kitchen to the fridge and open the freezer side.
It's not like Dawn's bruise was life threatening.
I take out one of the ice packs I leave in there for after a big fight and head back upstairs.
But I should've known better. I should've known that getting into a fist fight with Faith never ends well, and not just for me and Faith.
I reach the top of the stairs and turn toward Dawn's room. Faith's standing outside her door and knocking.
"Come on Dawnie let us in will ya?"
"I SAID GO AWAY!"
I look at Faith and hold up the ice pack.
"No luck?"
She rolls her eyes at me and knocks again. There's no answer of any kind. I go to open the door but Faith grabs my wrist.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like? I'm going in."
She holds my wrist tighter as I go for the doorknob again.
"What?"
"Shouldn't we wait for Dawn to open the door for us? You know for when she feels ready?"
"Of course not. If we let her decide when she wants to talk to us she'll just sit in her room and sulk all night."
"Oh so she doesn't get to decide when she wants to deal with her feelings because you've already decided she has to deal with them now."
This so not about us.
"Faith, can we just deal with Dawn and leave our crap for later?"
"This ain't about us B, this is about Dawn."
All of the sudden her door flies open and Dawn's standing there, upset.
"STOP IT! Stop fighting... please just STOP IT!"
She turns away, hands on her head but not before I catch the tears in her eyes.
This is really hurting her.
"I just.. I can't take anymore fighting..."
"Dawn, honey we're sorry..."
"Yeah we really are..."
"Oh like you were SORRY about hitting me in the face?"
"I'm REALLY REALLY sorry about that..."
I hold up the ice pack for her.
"See? I even got you an ice pack to keep the swelling down."
She comes over and snatches it out of my hand before turning away and putting it on her cheek.
"Gee, THANKS!"
I look to Faith for help and suprisingly, even with everything that's going on, she gives it.
"Dawn, we really didn't mean to..."
Her audible whisper interrupts.
"What's wrong with me?"
What?
"There's nothing wrong with you Dawnie."
"Then why do you keep fighting about me? What is it about me that you hate so much?"
I look over at Faith and I can tell she feels just as bad for what we've done to Dawn as I do.
"Dawn, we don't hate you, or anything about you..."
Faith glances over at me before continuing.
"We love you, very much."
"Yes, very much."
"Then why do you guys keep fighting about me?"
I take a deep breath before stepping in.
"Dawn, sometimes couples fight about stuff. Faith and I in particular tend to fight a lot. But it's not your fault. Faith and I fighting is no more your fault than it was when Mom and Dad used to fight... remember?"
She turns around and seems a little more calm.
"Yeah..."
I close the small gap between us and take her in my arms.
"Oh Dawnie we're so sorry."
She wraps her arms around me tight and I swear I feel it.
I almost feel like a mother holding her daughter.
I look over at Faith standing a few feet away and I tilt my head a bit, encouraging her to join us.
"So there's nothing wrong with me?"
After a few moments of hesitation, Faith comes over and puts her arms around Dawn and me.
"Of course not kid. You're just fine the way you are."
We just stand there together in silence, comfortable silence, just the three of us. Dawn's head against my chest, Faith's powerful arms around us both, making all of us feel safe.
I can't loose this, any of this. Right here, right now, this means everything to me. I have to protect this, I have to protect Dawn from whatever's coming. No matter what I have to do. Faith and Dawn are my world, and I can't loose them for any reason. I have to tell Faith the truth about our daughter.
I'll get together with her and Giles tomorrow, and I'll tell her everything. Our sweet beautiful Dawn... our daughter.
Glory's POV
That damn slayer's got my key. She's got my key stashed away somewhere and I want it back. I'm never gonna get it back though if these munckey rejects don't finish the job they were supposed to have done 20 minutes ago. They've kept me waiting here for that STUPID urn to start the spell. Just because I'm gonna live forever, does NOT mean you can keep me waiting forever. I swear, if they don't come in with that urn before the next time I blink, someone's gona loose something.
I throw my perfect arms up.
"THAT'S IT! Someone's loosing an appendange!"
I've spent too long among these crap-filled quadrapeds. I had to kill all those stupid wolves cause they wouldn't stop barking at me. Then the monkeys started screeching and I had to get my hands dirty to squeeze all their little necks. Damn things actually tried to attack me when I broke the glass on their little 'habitat of crap' thing.
After that 3 minute kill-a-thon I decided to go down the hall there and kill the lion because... well just because actually. I needed something to do for about 5 minutes and I figured that was gonna be the best way to get it. I was right too. I love it when I'm right, which is actually all the time now that I think about it.
So after all that I've still been standing here for the last 10 minutes waiting for the stupid urn that goes with my bloodstone and amulet combo.
FINALLY!
I hear them coming down the hall and they walk in with the urn.
"What the hell took you puss buckets so long?"
"We apologize for the delay most magnificient one, but we had to be sure that the urn did not break for your spell. It is of the utmost importance that we..."
"Yeah, yeah... is the spell ready yet?"
"Not just yet your incredibly effervesant one. We must first..."
"Ugh!"
I hold out the objects I bought from that pathetic magic shop.
"Get it done already would ya?"
"Of course, of course your beautiful godliness. It shall be done with great haste."
Dregg, at least I think his name is Dregg, takes the things from me and the 5 of them get to work. About 30 seconds later I get bored and remember what I forgot to do.
"YOU!"
All five of them turn around and the one I'm pointing at puts his hands in front of his face in fear.
"Y-yes your gracefulness?"
I curl my index finger at him, beckoning him forward.
"Come here sweetie."
He inches this way and nearly craps his pants when I throw my arm over his shoulders.
"What was your name again?"
"Scrap, your loveliness."
"Right, right, Scrap... who the hell gave you such a stupid name as Scrap?"
"If I recall correctly most beautiful Glorificus, it was you who gave me my great and easy to remember name."
I take my arm off his shoulders and face him.
"Whoever gave you the name isn't important. What's important is that you do me a favor."
"How may I serve you your greatness?"
"Would you mind, holding out your arm for me?"
He looks at me terrified as he slowly holds his fleshy little arm out.
"Thank you."
I put one hand on his shoulder and grab his wrist with my other. Before he can protest I rip his arm clear off his body. He grabs his former shoulder with the hand he still has and screeches at the top of his lungs as he falls to his knees.
I hate stupid screeching animals. I grab the wrist with both hands and use the arm to smack him upside the head, knocking him unconscious so he stops screeching.
"That's better."
I look up at the 4 remaining pieces of crap I have working for me.
"The spell isn't gonna cast itself people."
They scrable like frightened rats to finish preparing. Just for good measure I give Scrap a few more whacks in the head.
"We are prepared Glorificus."
"FINALLY!"
I walk over to the urn and one of my minions hands me the bloodstone while another puts the Coles' amulet in the urn. I hear hissing.
"The thing is in there isn't it?"
"Yes Glory, the cobra is inside the urn."
"Good."
I hold the bloodstone over the urn.
"Sobek, grant the power... that it may mold this wretched creature. That it may be reborn, that it may serve. Arise to do my bidding."
The urn starts to shake but nothing else.
"Arise?"
It starts shaking more.
"Arise!"
MOre of the just shaking.
"ARISE!"
The urn breaks apart and a giant cobra grows out of it.
"Thank GOD! That took forever."
It turns to me.
"Spawn of Sobek.... find what it is I seek. Find for me the slayer and bring her to me. She knows where my key is and she IS going to tell me. GO!"
It turns to leave.
"Oh and one more thing."
It turns back.
"If you happen upon the key in your travels, feel free to kill the slayer and just bring me the key okay?"
It roars and leaves.
"Okie doke, let's go home. I think I need a shower."
Willow's POV
"I don't care. I'm sorry I don't."
I hang the phone up on Giles.
I don't care. I don't care if some horrible demon thing is gonna slaughter half of Sunnydale. I don't even care if it's the end of the world, I just don't. Tara's gone and I just don't think I have reason enough to see tomorrow. Whatever that demon chick is up to doesn't mean a thing to me because she's gone. If they get hurt, or killed then I'd feel bad, I'd cry and all that but I'd go on. I'd learn to live with it and go on, but why?
She left me and it's all Buffy's fault. It's always Buffy's fault. She's the reason Xander never loved me. Something might have happened between me and Xander if Buffy hadn't come along, but she did, so nothing did.
She's the reason Oz decided to leave me. If Oz hadn't spent time around Buffy and learned to be all noble and all that crap, he might never have left me "for my own good".
And now she's the reason Tara's out of my life. All I've ever tried to do is what's best for my friends and it never works out for me, it always works out for Buffy though. No matter what happens, things work out.
She died and things still worked, they're back together, but not for me. Things never work out for me. No matter how hard I work at it, or how much I love someone they always end up leaving me. And after this time, I've just stopped caring. Giles can talk all he wants about doing what's right just because it's right but that only works if you have a reason to do it, and I don't. I know I should care, I know I should wanna help people in trouble, but I just don't. I'm sorry I don't.
Faith's POV
Okay, now I'm confused... again. Things were so out of control last night I honestly don't know how it ended the way it did. We just stood there for like... I don't even know how long it was. I didn't really care how long we stood there, I still don't care. All I know for sure is that it was the most incredible thing I've ever felt, and all we did is stand there together, locked in each other's arms for however long it was and it was the greatest moment of my ENTIRE life.
More incredible than anything I've ever done with B alone, but what I don't know is why. What is it about being there with Dawn and Buffy last night that made me feel like that?
I look over at B as we walk toward that magic shop place Giles wants us to meet him at.
Does it have something to do with whatever B found out about Dawn? Why wouldn't she tell me something that important? Is she worried I'm somehow gonna fuck that up? I thought we were past that kinda stuff. I guess maybe she doesn't think so.
That was one hell of an incredible feeling, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna let this go. I don't wanna lose that, whatever that was feeling there, but I can't be in a relationship with her if she can't trust me enough to tell me things, especially important things.
There isn't anything I wouldn't tell her, no secret too painful that I wouldn't let her in on it. But I guess she doesn't feel the same way, and that bugs me more than anything else. I love her more than anything, but I can't live like this. If she can't be completely honest with me, then I'll have to find someone who can. Not that I want to, but if Buffy can't love me enough to trust me then what do we really have?
"What is it?"
"Hmm?"
B looks at me.
"You look like you've got something on your mind."
"It's nothing."
"Faith you can tell me you know that right?"
No actually I don't.
"It's nothing... really."
She puts her hand on my shoulder so I turn to face her and we stop about 50 feet from our goal. I look down at B's hand, not angry or anything but I just look at it and she pulls away.
"Faith I know I haven't given you much reason to trust me. I've done a lot of horrible things to you, none of which you've deserved, but I promise you that's all gonna change."
"And how's that?"
"Because..."
She closes the gap between us and looks me straight in the eyes.
"I'm gonna tell you everything, absolutely everything you want to know."
Sure whatever.
"Mmm-hmm..."
I roll my eyes at her and she puts her hands on my head to force our eyes to meet.
"Tonight, you, me and Giles are gonna sit down and I'll tell you everything."
Giles? What does he have to do with anything?
I let out a deep sigh.
"I know you felt what I did last night, when the three of us were standing there. That feeling of pure joy and safety greater than anything either of us have ever known. But you have no idea why. You will though, I promise, and I hope that once you know it will bring us closer than we've ever been."
Her hands move to my shoulders.
"I'm not saying it'll happen overnight, or that it's as easy as flipping on a switch. But what I want is for us to be together, in every sense of the word. And in order for us to do that, I have to be completely honest with you. Which I haven't been, until tonight."
I look in her eyes and I see something I haven't seen since she's been back, love.
"But why? What's different about now?"
"Because of last night. Because of last night I realized I can't be Buffy the fabulous super bitch anymore. Just because I think I'm right doesn't mean I actually am, I know that now. But I need you to know that I believe it too. So tonight, I want to tell you everything I should've told you right from the moment I knew it myself. Will you be there... please?"
I think... I think she actually means it.
I take a long, deep breath.
"Okay, but..."
"But if I don't you'll leave and never speak to me again... and I wouldn't blame you. Just please wait until we talk and then decide if you want to go. If you still want to leave me, then I'll let you. By that I mean I won't get in your way, I won't beg you to stay or stop you from leaving. I'll even leave the house for a few days to make sure you're not distracted. All I ask is that you let me try to make it right tonight, that's all."
She really means it, at least I think she really means it this time. Maybe it's not too late for us. Maybe we still have a shot at being together in every sense of the word like she said.
"As long as you keep your word about tonight, then I won't make any travel plans until tomorrow."
That look of gratefulness just boils over and she wraps her arms around me and squeezes.
"Thank you Faith, thank you SO much. You won't regret this I promise you won't. I'll keep my promise I know I will."
She pulls back quickly and kisses me briefly.
"It means everything to me that you would give me this chance, after what I've done to you."
"I love you B."
"I know I..."
Her eyes leave mine at her next words.
"I feel the same way."
I step back out of her reach.
"And yet you can't even look at me when you say that."
"This... Faith this isn't easy for me. I've been through a lot recently and I'm just now coming out of it all. I wanna say so much more than I just did. I wanna say the words I know you want to hear and mean them but I just... can't. And I didn't just promise what I promised to make you stay with me. I just... need you to wait until tonight before you make travel plans."
God do I not need this?
"I already said I'd be there, okay? Can we just focus on the multiple homicde and talk about our own stuff when we actually have time?"
"Okay..."
Thank god.
"Okay sure, we should do that."
She gets this little pained smile on her face before turning to the magic shop place.
Maybe there is still a chance for us, maybe not. Maybe we can still work things out, then again maybe we can't. I guess I'll just have to wait until tonight to find out whether we still have a shot. I mean it sounds like something really big, like something I should've been in on from the beginning. Can I really learn to be okay with her not telling me something that important? I guess it depends on what the secret is.
We go inside and the gang's already here, well most of them anyway. Willow and Tara aren't here for obvious reasons but Giles, Xander and Anya are here. Giles is looking through some book behind the counter which I'm guessing is the inventory list, while Xander and Anya are looking through the shelves.
"What's the what?"
"Hello Buffy, hello Faith, how are you both?"
I look down at the dead bodies on the floor and then at B.
"Things have been better. So anything thoughts on who had the bite- fest?"
Xander looks up from his shelf.
"No one."
"There were no teeth marks on the victims. But there was something interesting about them."
Interesting?
I go over and check out the guy in the middle of the room while B checks out the girl next to him.
"Whoever did this had some serious juice."
"Why would you say that B?"
I feel the guy's neck and know exactly why she said that. The guy's neck is completely snapped.
"Because their necks are completely twisted around."
B stands up and runs her hands through her hair, kinda nervous looking.
"What is it B?"
"It was her."
I stand up confused, again.
"Her? Her who B?"
She starts walking into the store a bit like her mind is going a mile a minute. Giles and Xander both stop what they're doing and look at Buffy, while Anya keeps working away.
"Who do you think? It's gotta be that demon chick who did a number on me."
"You can't know that Buff."
"Whoever did this, had fun. And whatever ran its fist into my face had a lot of fun doing it."
"While I admit those are plausible conclusions, such evidence is merely circumstancial. There are any number of demons which could've done such horrific things, there's no reason to think..."
"We have to find out what she was doing here."
Freak much?
"Whoa, okay chill B. Let's take a minute and just..."
"I don't have time to calm down Faith. We have to find out what she's up to before something bad happens to... to..."
"Dawn?"
"Yeah..."
No more Buffy the fabulous super bitch my ass. What the hell is it with Dawn that's got her so freaked?
"Then you're not gonna like this."
We all look at Anya, who had managed to get all the way across the room and looking through the inventory records without us noticing. Buffy all but jumps at Anya to hear what she has to say.
"What is it?"
"She stole a Sobekian bloodstone and a Kohl's amulet."
I don't even know what that means but I know it can't be good.
"What does that mean?"
"It means trouble with a capital S."
What?
Anya just stops talking and we all fall into silence waiting for the rest of the story. Xander finally breaks the awkwardness.
"An honey, we need more info."
Anya looks at Xander before pointing at Giles.
"Isn't that his job? He's the retired librarian, aren't librarians supposed to know everything about everything ever written down?"
"Yes Anya however you were the one who brought it up and thus you should be the one to furnish us with the details."
Anya just rolls her eyes and let's out a deep sigh.
"FINE! The Sobekites were reptile worshipers, snake worshipers specifically. Their high priest Kohl forged an amulet with a transmogrifying crystal which is basically used to turn a living thing into a different kind of thing. This pretty much means the only reason you'd want one of these amulets is to make a monster."
"What kind of monster?"
All of the sudden the front window smashes to pieces as a giant demon snake comes through it.
"I'm guessing that kind?"
The thing looks at all of us and then goes directly for B. So I do the only thing I can do, I put myself between it and her.
Buffy can handle herself I know that but this thing went straight for her and whatever it wants, it ain't getting.
It snarls at me as it towers at least three feet up. It attacks us with its long clawed hand and we just barely jump back out of the way.
Ow, damn it!
I look down and there's a piece of my shirt ripped. Thank god that's all he got his claws into.
"Faith what are you doing?"
"Protecting you?"
"I don't need protecting."
I sorta half turn to her.
"I know that B, but..."
The thing takes a bite of my shoulder.
GOD DAMN IT I...
Seconds later it spins around and hits me right in the back with its tail, sending me flying into the shelves.
FUCK!
I grab my shoulder as a few books fall on me and feel two holes straight through me, one in my shoulder, the other a little bit lower on my arm. I get to my knees despite the holes in me.
"FAITH!"
I see B panicking, wondering how much damage it did. It takes her mind off the big snake for a split second and it strikes, takes a bite out of her shoulder too and she screams.
"Buffy..."
I try to get up but things get kinda dim. The thing's tail wraps itself around B and squeezes her tight, so much she screams again.
We slayers can take a lot of pain, but this thing... damn...
I crawl a bit but it only makes things worse.
Can't...
Xander tries distracting it while Giles tries to get to B.
Can't let it...
They're both sent flying.
Take...
It makes off with her.
"Buffy..."
Everything goes black.
Dawn's POV
"I don't know Dawn. I mean it might work, but only if they are both willing."
"They're willing, of course they're both willing. Why wouldn't they be? They love each other a lot."
"Yes they do Dawn, but sometimes things get in the way. Sometimes people who love each other still can't make it work. Your father and I loved each other very much, but other things got in the way."
"But, I mean it doesn't have to be that way for them. They can still work things out and be okay right?"
"Maybe they can Dawn, but then again maybe they can't. There's just no way to be sure."
"So you won't help me?"
"Of course I'll help you honey. I want to see things work out for them just as much as you."
I give her a hug.
"Thanks Mom."
She smiles at me and pushes the hair in my face back behind my ear.
"Of course honey, I just wanted you to be prepared in case things don't work out."
"I will. I know things could go bad but I don't think they will. They love each other a lot and that's why things will work out."
The phone rings and Mom gets up to get it.
I know they've got a lot of problems, but at least some of those problems are my fault. I know they said it wasn't my fault but they keep yelling at each other about me, so it's gotta be at least a little bit my fault. Maybe if I can show them I don't want them to fight about me because all I really want is for them to be okay and happy it might give them reason enough to get better.
I want us to be one big happy family, all four of us. I just know if my plan works, that will happen.
Mom picks up the phone.
"Hello? Rupert?"
Giles?
"Rupert what's wrong?"
Buffy's POV
She... she will come for me.
I fall face first to the floor as the snake uncoils itself from me.
She, has to come for me.
I manage to pull my arms from my sides, my elbows throbbing in pain from where the snake's tail was coiled around me. I try to push myself up to my hands and knees but only a few inches off the floor my head starts spinning and my arms give way from the pain.
She's... she's gonna save me, I know she will.
"Ooh goodie! It's not even Christmas and you brought me a present."
That, voice... I know that voice.
I try to lift my head to see if it's really her but I can't. I don't have to wait long for confirmation though, because she walks over here and kneels down. She grabs me by the hair and pulls me up so our eyes meet.
It's her, that demon lady I saved the monk from.
She drops my head and it bounces off the carpet.
She... she has to come for me.
I try and get up again but a heeled shoe drives itself into my back, forcing me to stay down.
"And you got me just what I wanted. Thank you snakey-wakey. Now go, keep watch. I'm sure some sack of crap will be coming for this one sooner or later."
I hear the snake leave as the hissing gets quieter until it disappears. The heel between my shoulders is lifted.
"I always wanted a pet..."
She kicks me in the ribs where the snake had its tail.
"I guess now I have two."
She comes over and kneels. She grabs my hair again and our eyes meet.
"Now I can make it quick, or I can make it less quick."
She... will come for me.
"All I want is my key. Now I know monkey boy told you about it. So either you have it or you know where to find it. So just give me the key and I'll try really hard not to torture you too much."
I spit right in her face and she drops my head back to the floor.
"Ugh you sick, stupid BITCH!"
The point of her shoe hits me right in the ribs as she kicks me across the room. I slam against the wall before bouncing off the floor.
"Minions?"
I think about three or four people come into the room.
"Yes Glory?"
Glory?
"I want this slayer bitch strung up by her dainty little arms. I want her chained to the ceiling while I torture her."
"Yes your greatness."
Two of them grab me by the arms and drag me over to the middle of the room while the other two prepare the chains hanging from the ceiling. I start struggling against my captors' grip but a strong punch to my jaw stops me long enough for her lackeys to tie up my hands with the chains.
I know we haven't been in the greatest of place lately but it's not like she wants me dead... right? I mean she did try to protect me from the demon snake, that's gotta mean something.
Once her flunkies are sure I'm tied tight enough at my wrists they tie another chain around my ankles to make sure I can't use my feet. I struggle against my bonds but there's too much pain pulsing through my upper body for me to make an escape.
I'll bet there's gonna be a lot more pain to come if I don't get out of here.
"Are you going to tell me where my key is?"
I look right her.
"No..."
A swift jab to my gut and I'm coughing up a lung.
"Are you gonna tell me now?"
"No..."
She backhands me to the face and I have to bite my lip to keep from screaming.
I think she broke the skin near my cheekbone cause I'm pretty sure I'm bleeding.
"How about now?"
She will come for me.
"Screw you."
"Okay, this is getting us nowhere. Go get me a knife."
"Yes Glory."
One of her minions leaves as she walks up to me and smiles.
"You know, you really should have someone take a look at this."
She puts her hand on the shoulder where the snake bit me, her thumb resting gently on the wound.
"You never know what could happen to it."
She applies pressure to it.
I'm sorry Faith. I'm sorry for all the horrible things I did to hurt you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you... I love you.
I scream.
Faith's POV
Buffy...
The sound of a heart rate monitor beeping away wakes me up. I groan and stir as I open my eyes.
I'm in a hospital room, lying in the bed. Someone's with me.
"Faith?"
"Buffy?"
"No Faith it's me, Joyce."
I look over at her sitting next to the bed and my shoulder feels like someone's sticking needles in it. I grab my left shoulder with my right hand and feel the bandages on it. I immediately look down at the bandaged shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
The wound stings a little as I touch them through the red spotted bandages.
"I'm alive, apparently."
I have to see her.
"Where's Buffy?"
She doesn't answer until I look at her.
"Faith, you have to stay calm."
People only say that when there's something to get upset about.
"Where is she?"
"Faith if you don't calm down you might hurt yourself."
I clutch my shoulder to brace myself for the pain of sitting up. My head spins a bit as I do and it makes it hard to think.
"What happened?"
Didn't Buffy make it?
"She... she escaped right? Buffy's strong she.. she escaped... right?"
She stands up and puts her hand out to me.
"Faith I'll tell you I just need you to calm, down. I couldn't handle loosing both of you..."
Loosing?
"Both... oh my, god..."
The spinning gets worse and I fall back on the bed.
"She... she's... is she...?"
"No... I don't know... I don't think she is but... Rupert told me she was, taken by the snake demon so, we can't know for sure."
I force myself to sit up again to get out of bed.
"I... have to find her I..."
"Faith for god sake please..."
She stands up to block my path.
"Lie back on the bed. If you don't rest, you are going to do serious damage to yourself. You could die."
What?
"Are you really going to risk your life AND Buffy's on the slim chance that you might save her in your condition?"
She would do it for me. Hell she DID do it for me.
I look Joyce right in the eyes.
"Yes..."
"FAITH YOU GET BACK IN THAT BED AND LIE DOWN!"
I sit down on the bed and lie back, reducing the throbbing pain in my upper body.
"Giles had Xander go with Anya to speak with some of her old demon friends in case they know anything about this woman Buffy fought."
"So it WAS her then?"
Joyce takes a deep breath.
"I think it's more than likely. Though I don't udnerstand what she would want Buffy for."
Dawn?
"You're both slayers, if she were up to something, wouldn't it make more sense for her to want you out of her way? Not that I like that option anymore than this one but, I just don't understand what this woman wants."
I've gotta tell her.
"Dawn..."
"She's out in the lobby with Rupert, you don't have to worry about her."
"No I mean, whatever it is this woman wants... it has something to do with Dawn."
"What? How?"
"I don't know I... Buffy never told me how."
"Then what makes you think this somehow involves Dawn?"
"The night Buffy came back from patrol all beat up. The night she met this demon woman, her first words out of her mouth were 'Where's Dawn'."
"Why?"
"I don't know, but ever since then she's been a little crazy about Dawn. It doesn't make any sense to me, but I think Dawn and this demon woman are somehow connected."
Joyce stands up, and paces a bit.
"But... she's my little girl. How could she have anything to do with anything demonic? She's not a slayer or anything, she's my daughter."
"I know, but I promise no matter what it is I won't let anything happen to Dawn."
"I know you won't, thank you. Well, at least we know one good thing then."
We do?
"What's that?"
"Well Buffy would never do anything to hurt Dawn either, so whatever this woman wants she won't get it. And that means that if Buffy stay alive long enough for you to save her, then we'll get her back."
I guess.
"So is that why things between the two of you have been so stressed?"
"Yeah... Buffy wouldn't tell me what it was about Dawn that this demon wants so bad. And I can't protect Dawn properly if I don't know the whole story. Buffy promised to tell me everything tonight, but I guess that's not going to happen."
Geez what did I say that for?
"Faith..."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way I just.. I've got to save her. Whatever else is going on between us, I don't want her dead. We can settle our problems when I know she's safe. Things might work out, they might not but if she's not here then we'll never know for sure. I need to save her to know for sure."
"Are things really that bad between you two?"
"They really are. You know, for the longest time I believed that we were meant to be, that no matter what happened as long as we had each other everything would work out in the end. Now I'm not so sure. That's why I have to find her and bring her home, if for no other reason than to say goodbye without any guilt. I have to find her."
Joyce takes my hand in hers.
"And you will. You'll bring her home to us and then you'll say all the things you never got to say, you both will. If you're really lucky... maybe things will work out."
Yeah well...
"I'm not gonna hold my breath."
"Well we'll just have to worry about the future when it happens. We have more important things to worry about, like finding Buffy. I'll go get Rupert and he can give us an update on any news."
I go to get up.
"He can do that on the way, let's go."
"No, Faith you're not going anywhere."
"Why not?"
"Faith that demon snake that bit you was a cobra. It had poison in its bite. The doctors gave you some anti-venom and Rupert says that your accelerated healing will work in your favor, but if you stress yourself out you'll make things worse. So for god sake please just stay where you are. At least until the venom is completely out of your system. It should only take a couple of hours."
There's no telling what could happen to B in a couple of hours.
"All right."
Joyce turns and goes out of the room. I look at the window.
I could break it and escape if I wanted to, but Joyce is right. Risking my own life on the slim chance that I might save hers is a bad way to go. For all I know I could die before ever making it anywhere close to finding Buffy. I guess I gotta stay put to stay alive, but the second the doc gives the okay I'm outta here like Angel outta hell.
Joyce comes back in with Giles and Dawn. Giles stands at about my knees on the bed while Joyce and Dawn come right up in my face, mostly Dawn. She throws her arms around me and I cringe as her hand grabs the shoulder with the hole in it.
"Are you okay?"
I try not to sound hurt.
"Yeah, I'm good."
Dawn pulls back quickly.
"Oh... oh gosh did I hurt you?"
"No a giant snake with teeth like steel hurt me, that was a flashback."
"I'm sorry."
I use my good arm to pretend punch her in the jaw.
"It's cool. I'm a slayer, remember kid?"
She half smiles a guilty smile.
"So you were otherwise all right?"
I pat down my major body parts as if I'm checking.
"Looks that way, I'm kinda anxious to get out of here and start looking for B but otherwise I'm fine."
"Faith..."
"I know, I know, I gotta stay here if I wanna stay alive, doesn't mean I'm happy about it. So any word on B?"
Someone in a doctor's coat comes in before Giles can speak.
"Hey there, how are we all doing?"
"Faith this is Ben, he's in charge of making sure you don't die."
"Dawn!"
"Sorry..."
The doc smiles at me.
"I wanna get outta here Doc."
"Women are always trying to get away from me. Which is weird because I became a doctor to meet women."
Is this guy for real?
He comes around the bed and starts to check my shoulder.
"Let's see how we're healing."
Buffy's POV
Faith...
I slip back into consciousness and for one whole moment I forget where I am. But it all comes barreling back to me when I try and move and I can't. The chains are just as tight around my wrists and ankles as they were before, digging into my skin. My own blood is drying on my face and naked body from when she cut my clothes off and 'forgot' to be careful.
I groan as I start to feel the bruises again from when she used me as her human punching bag.
I'm bleeding on the outside, could be bleeding on the inside but I'm hurting too much to tell. I don't know how long I've been here, but it feels like a while.
I open my eyes slowly to see if I'm alone. I don't hear anyone so maybe I can make some kind of escape. My vision is kinda blurry but I don't think anyone's around. I'd barely make it two feet with the way I feel, and there's a giant snake somewhere that could catch me in a second even if by some miracle I get out of this room but I have to at least try.
I start to move my wrists in the chains, trying not to make much noise cause the second anyone hears me I'm not going anywhere fast. My right hand starts to come free and I feel a fingernail trace itself along one of the only semi-closed knife cuts on my back. I tense up instantly.
"So how ya healin there sweetie?"
She comes around from behind me.
"Peachy..."
"Good, can I get ya anything? Water? Something to eat maybe? A nice warm bath maybe?"
I start to move my right hand a bit more.
"No... I think... I'm good..."
I get my hand out to just below my wrist.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah..."
"Okay then..."
She grabs me by the hair and pulls my head straight back.
Fuck!
If she pulled any harder she could've taken my hair, and maybe some scalp, with her. She uses her free hand to tighten the chains on my wrists.
"Where's my key?"
I try to pull my head back up to look her in the eyes.
"Fuck you."
For a second she gets this wicked grin on her face before wrapping her arms around my ribs and squeezing me in a bear hug. She puts her head against my chest.
"Not tonight honey I'm too tired, maybe tomorrow."
It starts to get hard to breath and she sighs real deep.
"If I listen real hard I can hear that cute little heart of yours ticking away."
She releases her grip and brings a hand up to carress my bloody cheek.
"I can make it stop you know..."
She traces a finger over the shallow cuts on my breasts.
"I can make it all stop. The torture, the pain, I can make all stop."
She leans up close and whispers in my ear.
"All you have to do is give me my key."
She pulls back and looks me in the eyes.
Just for a second, I want to. I wanna tell her that Dawn's the key and she can have her if she would make the pain stop.
"Never..."
Just for a second...
She backs up, but not before a swift punch to the hole in my shoulder.
"What the hell is it with you damn humans being so god damn stubborn? It doesn't even belong to you. You stole it and I want it back!"
She punches me with every gimme.
"Now gimme! GIMME! GIMME!"
God... Faith where are you?
Faith's POV
She's close... I can barely feel her but she's there. That feeling I get when she's around, it's faint which can only be a bad thing, but at least I know she's around. Xander and Anya managed to rustle up that whatever it is set up shop in the rich part of town, and there isn't that much in the way of rich people here.
And it turns out if you threaten to kick the crap out of rich people, they'll point you in the direction of where they saw a giant snake go. I'm headed in the right direction, I know that much, but that connection B and I have isn't getting stronger. It's not getting weaker either, which can only mean that even though I'm geting closer she's getting weaker so it balances out.
I have to find her soon, it might not be long before... oh shit.
I jump behind a couple of bushes to avoid it, kinda landing on my bad shoulder. I bite my bottom lip to keep from yelling. I don't want that thing to hear me.
I don't think it saw me but still, it came outta nowhere. Normally I'd just take it straight on but the last time I did that I got a hole in my shoulder and nearly died, not to mention B was taken hostage.
I look up over the bushes at the snake on some kind of patrol.
This must be the place. I gotta surprise it somehow. I hear B scream from the house it's guarding.
Hang on B, I'm coming.
...continued in chapter 41...