Better Days
by Heather Sinclair
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all of it's characters
belong to Joss W., Mutant Enemy, 20th Cen. Fox, Yadda...
Spoilers: All, up through season 6.
Author's Notes: I was really torn about how to write this next chapter.
I really didn't want it sounding like Phil's "Wild Side" Series with
the POV's change per chapter. Not that I don't like that, I just
didn't want to copy. So this is a duel First person chapter.
the"*******" will signify change between Faith and Buffy. Please give
me feedback if you think this is too confusing, or if you think this
way sucks rocks.
Feedback: "Doctor, just tap into that vein and let her rip" Life's Blood Yanno.
~*~ UC Sunnydale - Registrar's Office ~*~
I don't know what brought me to this town. Maybe it was the fast pace of the big city. I think I just got tired of the hustle and bustle. With Mom dying just a few months ago...I just had to get out of town. Houston was getting a bit weird. All of the places I went and all of the people I met were just a bit too intense.
"Maybe this quiet little town is just what I need."
~*~ American Literature 2301 ~*~
"Good morning class." The professor opened. "Would everyone please come up and get a copy of this semester's syllabus, please? And while you do so, please listen for your name."
Most of the students rose from their respective chairs and headed to the table at the front of the class to collect their assignments. A few people stayed behind to avoid the inevitable log jamb.
"Sara Ann Adams..."
"Here." A pert coed chimed.
"Beatrice Louise Dingelhower..."
"Here."
This is going to take forever. Sigh. I hate being the last on the list, plus the fact that I always have to take a seat in the back of the class when the Prof wants us to pick crap up from the front. No, don't...you aren't going to start a new college and a new town off thinking negatively.
So I wait.
"Willow Rosenberg..."
"Present."
She's kinda cute. I like redheads, but it looks like she's already taken. Dammit why are all the cute one's always taken. She seems to be the curious one. She's checking out all of the class. Probably one of those people that remember everyone's name and likes to flaunt it.
And I wait some more. Sigh.
"Buffy Ann Winters..."
"Here." I answer.
Then I notice the redhead...Willow, wasn't it? She was staring at me. She has gone white as a sheet. What? I look behind me to see if there is someone freaking her out on purpose. Nope. Now her friend is checking me out. More of the whiteness. Oh shit, they are getting up and headed this way.
I clutch my purse, just in case I need to bolt.
"Buffy?" The redhead spits out.
Uh...
"Yeah? Is there a problem?"
The two girls look at each other then back at me.
Red speaks up again. "Do you know who we are?"
I give a little attitude. "The welcome wagon? 'Cause if you are, then you aren't doing a very good job."
I start to ease out of my chair.
"Look, you two are starting to freak me out. Why are you staring at me like that?"
The girlfriend finally speaks up.
"It's not her...but it's her."
OK, enough of the Monday morning freak fest. I'm outta here. I grab my backpack and head toward the door.
"Buffy, wait."
Oh shit. Just what I don't need on my first day at school, a stalker. I make a dash for it.
I really wish I didn't have to sell my car. When Mom died, she left enough money for cleaning up the loose ends, credit cards, mortgage, and such, but if I wanted to make it through college without working, I couldn't pay all those annoying bills. Insurance, gas, upkeep, they all add up over time, so the car had to go.
I just wish I had it to get away from these two groupies.
"Buffy, wait up."
I stopped and spun around. "Look, I don't know you guys, so can you please leave me alone."
The redhead looked as if I just slapped her while her buddy just looked at me slack-jawed. I thought they both were going to tear up. What is it with the people around here?
I headed to the outskirts of the campus. I needed a drink and I had to find a place that might serve underage.
"Willie's Alibi. Sounds like my kinda place."
I push open the door and head in. The bar was deserted except for a couple of seedy looking guys in the corner with really bad skin conditions, and a bartender, polishing a shot glass behind the bar. When he saw me the glass slipped from his hands and hit the floor with a resounding crash.
"S...S...Slayer, I thought...I thought."
I didn't let him finish.
"Just give me a beer please, lite, if you have it."
Again with the slack-jaw. Do these people have nothing better to do than stare at every girl that comes in?
I noticed the two characters in the back slip through a curtain in the back. Oh, it's one of those places. That's why the guy is looking at me like that. Probably don't see too many girls frequent a gay bar.
He set the beer in front of me. "So...uh... what do you want? I hadn't heard of anything going on lately. 'Cept maybe Spike crying in his beer every night."
I give him the eye. "And I need to know this, why?"
He fidgeted around. "Well, uh..."
I reached for my purse to pay him, so he would leave me alone. He looked down and saw what I was doing.
"Your money is no good here, Slayer."
Again with this Slayer thing.
"My name is Buffy." I clarified.
He shook his head. "Yeah, I know."
I decided to try my second class of the day. Perhaps I'll actually get to stay in that one for more than five minutes. I kept an eye out for red and her cohort and was rewarded with blissful relief when I found neither hide nor hair of them.
I approached the Whitman building to attend my Advanced Chem. Class when I saw that they were building a new wing on the south side, which coincidently was the side that the classroom was on. I can't catch a break. I'll never be able to hear the Prof from the back of the class, which means that I'll have to sit in the front. I hate the front.
"Buffy?"
Ugh. I turned around and looked as a construction worker was staring at me from behind the worksite chain link fence. Damn, but I had a thing for guys in tight jeans, work boots and a tool belt. Yum!
I stopped at the steps in front of the building and flashed him a quick smile, just enough to tease a bit. Then I opened the door and went in.
I made tracks to my classroom. It wouldn't do to have him catch up to me in front of all of my classmates. One doesn't mix with the riff raff in public. One takes them behind closed doors and jumps their hot bods in private.
Ahh, one class down with no complications. I close up my backpack and head to the front door again. It's lunchtime. Only I think there are people that don't want me to eat. Red is back and she has reinforcements. The construction guy is with them, my luck, and some stuffy thirty-something guy with wire-rims.
"Dear Lord!" The stuff guy commented. "Buffy?"
I have to get rid of these guys once and for all.
"What!" I nearly screamed. "What do you want? Why do you keep following me? I'm gonna call the cops if y'all don't stop the whole David Hinckley thing."
Red stepped forward holding a book. A yearbook, I think.
"Buffy, are you saying you don't recognize us?"
I laughed, "Looks like we have a winner, folks. Give the redhead a prize. Now scram."
I started to push past when she opened up the yearbook to what seemed to be a pre-selected page.
"Look." She ordered.
I didn't bother and tried to push past, but she stepped in front of me. "I said look!"
I closed my eyes in exasperation. "Ugh! What!"
I looked and there before my eyes was a full-page photo of me holding an umbrella, with a caption at the bottom. 'Buffy Ann Summers: Class Protector'
Huh!
"That's weird."
"So you can understand our shock when we saw you walking around on campus." Giles said.
Uh, Giles is the wire-rimmed guy. He's British, and apparently really smart. Xander is the cutie construction worker guy, but it seems I'm too late on that front also, 'cause it seems that the harpy hovering him with that 'leave my man alone' look in her eyes, is his girlfriend or something. The redhead is Willow. I was right about that one. And her girlfriend is Tara.
I'm really being left out in the cold here, 'cause I'm not going to put the moves on the British guy; just a little too old for me.
"So, this other Buffy, she's dead?"
Xander chimed in. "Yeah, she died saving us all. Everyone...yanno...the whole world type thing."
"Uh huh." This guy has one too many stiff drinks.
"Well...uh...sorry and all, but I'm not her, and I have to get some lunch before my next class, so..."
Willow spoke up. "Giles, she might be in danger. If anyone...you know...recognizes her."
He nodded. "Quite right. Buffy, we need to explain something that you might not believe, but your life could be in danger if you don't know."
Now I was starting to get a little freaked out. "What?"
He glanced from me to the ground and back up again, then took a deep breath.
"There is a seedier side to the world that I am sure you've never seen and if you had, you might have dismissed it as impossible, but believe me when I say that it is entirely possible. This... element is a danger to the world and if not contained or destroyed...well it is very possible that the world as you know it wouldn't exist."
This guy is getting a little too Rod Serling for me.
"Thus, every generation a person is born. A female. She will defend the world from this evil. She will give her life if need be to belay the tide and hold the walls of sanity for the rest of humanity. She is beholden of extreme power, speed, strength, stamina, and character. She is the chosen one. She is the Slayer."
Slayer? That's what that bartender called me.
Xander, Willow, Tara, Giles, and Xander's girlfriend were all looking at me expectantly.
"She not buying it." Xander popped off. "Show her Willow."
I looked at the redhead. She grabbed Tara's hand, and looked over at the coke machine near the front of the building. I followed her gaze. The machine rocked for a split second and raised up off the floor a good three feet then in a blast of speed flew across the hallway and smashed into the wall. Exploding cans of soda flew in all directions.
Holy Shit!
"Holy Shit! What are you guys?" I backed away.
Willow turned her gaze to me. I thought I was next. I looked into her eyes. They had turned coal black, Jesus! Then just as fast as it happened, it stopped and her eyes reverted to normal. My heart was beating a thousand miles a second.
Giles grabbed my arm. "Don't be afraid, Willow is a good witch."
Witch? I think I am going to pass out. I can't get enough air.
Giles noticed my predicament. "Slow your breathing, Buffy. You are going to hyperventilate."
Too late.
~*~ Angel Investigations ~*~
How long has it been since I've been out of jail...three months? I still don't know why they let me out. I mean gheez; you'd think that they would want to keep people like me locked up.
I don't care what Angel says; I still think the Watchers Council had something to do with it. Ever since B died they haven't had a new Slayer called. I guess it's just one new one for every first death. I wish they hadn't had to rely on me.
I've been totally useless in the slaying field ever since Angel took me in so long ago. I just can't bring myself to pull a stake on anyone much less on any thing out there. I've tried; believe me I've tried.
And why in the heck Wesley, of all people, accepted me back, I have no idea. I torture the guy and almost kill him, but he is still watching my back.
The phone rings, and of course Cordy is nowhere to be found. I pick it up.
"Angel Investigations, we hope for the helpless...or something like that." I never could get that thing down right.
"Faith?"
"Uh, Giles?"
"Faith, is Angel around?"
"Uh, no. He skipped out with Gunn and Wes about an hour ago. What's up?"
~*~ 30 seconds later ~*~
I hung up the phone.
"New business?" Cordy said as she appeared with a fresh cup of Starbucks.
I was in a daze. "Uhh, no." I stalled for a second, and made up my mind. "Cordy, I have to go." I sprinted for the stairs.
She frowned at me. "Well hello, Miss Rudeness. Anywhere in particular?"
I took the stairs three at a time. "Sunnydale, Buffy's alive."
At last glance, before I rounded the corner, I saw the shocked look on her face and the last word I heard was...
"Oh."
~*~ On the Road ~*~
I couldn't get there fast enough. The motorcycle I was on could only do a hundred and twenty. That should get me there in just under an hour. That's too damn long.
~*~ Giles' Apartment ~*~
I slid the motorcycle to a halt just a few feet in front of his apartment. The engine was running hot. I pushed it just a little too much. I killed the engine and threw my leg over to dismount. The helmet was restricting my breathing, so I whipped it off and set it on the seat.
I hadn't realized I was out of breath. Weird. I spent the last hour at breakneck speed, avoiding three state troopers, my ass hurts from sitting on the bike for too long and I am still stalling... mere feet away from her.
I jumped as the front door opened.
It was Giles. "Ah, Faith. It is you. You made excellent time." He eyed me over. "Are you alright?"
I ignored his question. "Is she in there?"
He nodded. "I should warn you. She's not really in a decent frame of mind."
I still ignored what he was saying and pushed past him, through the doorway.
"B?" I called out.
There was Red and her girl, but no Buffy. I looked at them pleadingly.
Red nodded toward the kitchen. I rounded the corner. There she was, pouring milk into a tall glass. She looked up at me.
"Hey." She said pleasantly.
A lump formed in my throat and I croaked. "Hey yourself."
Smooth Faith. She was so incredibly un-Buffy. Her hair was a soft brown, not the trademark blonde, and her outfit, whoa. Black jeans, red tank, and black leather jacket, with work boots, no less. B never wore jeans. They weren't Slayer friendly, and tended to rip at inopportune moments.
A quizzical look appeared on her face. "I guess you know me too?"
"B?" I asked again, this time with a questionable tone.
She caught on, I guess.
"I'm not Buffy." She started. "I mean I am Buffy, just not the Buffy that you know." She shook her head to rid herself of the strange statement. "I'm Buffy Winters." She said holding her hand out for a shake.
There are not a lot of times that I am caught totally speechless.
She goaded me on. "And you are..."
...totally hot if you ask me. I mean all of these people that think I'm this Buffy Summers aren't anything compared to this one. Woof. I mean, wow! Look at her. I love that hair and those lips. I am definitely not going to get a good night's sleep tonight. I think Mr. Pointy is going to get a workout. I just hope that I remember the batteries on the way home.
She finally came out of her spell.
"Is this a joke?" she said flatly. "Buffy Winters?"
I nodded. "In the flesh."
Giles stuck his head in. "Faith, if I might have a word with you."
She nodded, still looking at me. Faith... it fits. Right down to those leather pants... those hip-hugging leather pants. Come on Buffy. Don't have a wet on right here in the kitchen. Drink your milk.
"I tried to tell you on the phone, but you hung up." Giles explained.
"What the hell is going on, Giles." I spat. "Who the hell is that chick, and why does she look like Buffy? And what the hell is it with that name... Winters? Is that some kinda joke?"
He pulled me further away from the kitchen. "I'm not quite sure what is happening. I know little more than you, at this point." He paused. "She says she's from Houston, Texas. Her mother died about the same time that Joyce did, and then she moved to Sunnydale about a week ago to attend the university. She knows nothing of being a Slayer."
I glanced back to the kitchen. She saw me staring and gave me a smile.
"Is it her, Giles?"
"I honestly don't know." He replied. "I want you to find out for us."
I snapped my head back to him. "What?"
"You are the only one that is strong enough to protect her, if she doesn't possess Slayer abilities," he explained, "and if she does, well then, I think we may have some work ahead of us restoring her memory."
I was stumped. "Protect her? From what?"
"Faith, think about it. If you were a vampire and didn't know that Buffy was dead..."
I nodded. "Never mind." I stared at Buffy as I considered my assignment. "I stole Angel's keys before I left. I'll be staying at his place."
This milk isn't doing the trick. I need a real drink. Faith started back toward me. I set my glass down.
"I'm Faith," she said coldly, "Come on, you're with me."
What crawled up her butt? I soooo don't need this shit.
Great, I'm stuck babysitting this uber Buffy. I straddled the bike's seat and motioned to her.
"Get on."
She grabbed the helmet, and got on. At least she follows orders. Is this chick really B or is she just 'the twin you never thought you had'? It's gonna get dark soon. I guess we'll find out then.
I flip the ignition and the bike starts rumbling between my legs. I click it into gear with my foot and we are off. I don't think that she is used to riding on a motorcycle. She is going to bust one of my ribs if she squeezes any tighter. I slow a bit, and yell back.
"Hold onto my hips, and scoot in more."
Her legs molded with mine and her hands squeezed into place on either side of my hips. We came to a stop signal and I got my first whiff of her scent. Vanilla, dammit. Is just too weird. I got mixed feelings about this whole situation.
If this is B, then I'm gonna be the happiest girl alive. I'll finally get the chance to make the last three years up to her, but if it's not... well then. I don't know what I'm gonna do.
I feel her loosen up a bit, and enjoy the ride a little more. I was hyperaware of the movement of her hands. It's probably my imagination, but I could swear that she was flirting with me back at Giles' place and the way she's moving right now. Weird.
God! This is so hot. I've never been on a motorcycle before and with this chick it is sooo... ahhh. She needs a major attitude adjustment, but damn she is yummy. I can smell her hair, even through the face shield, and the added smell of the leather is making her ever more...sigh.
Maybe what she needs is just a good lay. That would loosen her up. I just hope to all hopes that she plays for our team, or at the very least, inter-league play.
We regrettably pulled up and stopped in front of a really gothic looking mansion. I didn't know that southern California did goth. At second glance it looked more Mexican deco. Ah hell, I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. It was a cool looking place.
I pulled at the chinstrap to release the helmet.
"Do you live here?" I asked.
"No, a friend of mine does." She replied. "He's letting me... borrow it for the time being."
She smiled a bit at that one, and then continued. "We are just gonna stow our gear then go patrolling, so don't get too cozy."
"Patrolling?" I replied, "For what?"
She ignored me again. Getting really sick of the attitude. Please Lord just let me get laid in this one horse town, and don't make it when she's OTR.
"Do you have something to wear other than jeans?" She asked me.
"Not here, I don't. If we go by my place I..."
"No, not yet anyway. You'll just have to learn the hard way."
Learn what?
"This is creepy."
It's going to be even creepier if you don't shut up and pay attention. I was way too nervous. I still didn't know if I could pull the trigger and actually stake someone. Still too many bad memories. It's amazing what killing a guy will do to your nerves.
"What are we doing in a graveyard?" The uber Buffy asked.
"Patrolling." I answered back.
"For what, and don't ignore me this time." She snapped.
Cue the new vamp rising from the fresh grave.
"That." I pointed.
~*~ Krippington Cemetery ~*~
"Holy Fuck!" I jumped back like I had stepped on a rattlesnake, which me being from Texas, isn't all that unusual. "What the hell is that thing?"
Faith smirked. "That," she motioned to the thing tearing itself out of the ground, "is a vampire. You," she motioned to me, "are the Slayer. Do your thing." She punctuated her statement with a toss of a wooden stick to me.
I caught it. "What the hell is this?"
She frowned. "It's a stake. Put the pointy end into their chests and they leave you alone."
We had bantered too long. The creature had made it's way out of the grave and was charging me. I took a defensive posture. It must have not been too bright, 'cause it just charged me like it was going to tackle me. Probably a football player.
I side stepped him and he bounced off the tree behind me. It didn't slow him down much. He reoriented himself and tried a head punch next. I ducked under and jabbed him in the solar plexus. That should knock the wind out of him.
"Uh, Buffy." Faith called out.
She distracted me just enough. I felt the creatures fist connect with my jaw.
"Vampires don't breathe." She finished.
I was disoriented a bit so I took advantage of my position on the ground and swept his feet from under him. Down he went and in went my stake. Dusted.
"Thanks for the warning." Then under my breath. "Bitch."
Well I guess that's it then. The Slayer returns. I was still confused. Why was she playing this game with me and everyone else, pretending not to know us. I turned and walked away.
"Wait, what's next?" She said. "Is that it?"
I nodded, still walking. "That's it. You are the Slayer." Then I turned. "Why the game, B? What are you trying to prove?"
She got a confused look. "What are you talking about?"
That was it. "Quit fucking with me, B. I know you hate me, but why are you doing this to everybody else? They don't deserve it."
She shot back at me. "Why does everyone think that I am this other Buffy. I admit it's weird that we look the same and have virtually the same name, but I ain't her, and I am certainly not a Slayer."
I gave her a laugh. "Ha, then what do you call what you just did? You killed him real good, B."
She thumbed back. "That? That was fourteen years of Tae Kwon Do and Korean Kickboxing. I grew up in the big city, Faith. You have to know how to take care of yourself."
Shit. I need a drink.
~*~ Willie's Alibi ~*~
I watched as Faith threw back the third double Vodka of the night.
"I'm not mother Theresa or anything, but don't ya think you ought to go easy on that stuff."
She sat the glass on the table and motioned for a refill.
"The benefits, or should I say, the drawbacks of being a Slayer... Increased metabolism."
I was still nursing my first drink. Vodka is not my normal choice, but I wanted to make an impression. I threw back mine, also. Bad choice. I wheezed a bit. That got Faith to smile. At least she had the class not to say anything.
After I swallowed the burning sensation away, I spoke up.
"What was she like?"
Faith blinked. "B?"
I nodded.
She got a very thoughtful look on her face.
"She was a hero." She paused. "She was a real hero."
"What like Superman?" I replied.
Faith nodded.
"She cared too much... about her friends, family, any stranger on the street... everyone. That's why you have a world to live in."
She was looking at me, but looking past me.
"She tried to save me, you know."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I was a little screwed up a while back. I used to hurt people just for the fun of it. She tried to help bring me back over to the good side, but I screwed her over. Just like all the bad guys in her life."
She took another drink.
"Then just when I straighten up and fly right, she goes and gets herself killed, saving the world... again."
Another drink.
"I never got the chance to thank her, or even say I'm sorry. She wouldn't let me."
I could see her eyes tearing up.
"I couldn't even say I was fucking sorry."
I think I was getting a little too deep into some fresh wounds.
"Faith, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
She blinked away the tears and smiled.
"S'no big."
I decided to take a leap.
"Is that why you were pissed that I wasn't her?"
She nodded. "It's not your fault that you look like her."
She looked around.
"Let's go."
I threw a fifty at the bartender on the way out and grabbed the bottle that he was pouring from. We were only a few blocks from her friends house and I wanted to lighten the mood a bit. I swigged off the bottle and handed it to Faith. That was when I noticed the convenience store next door.
"Faith I need to pick up a few things. Do ya mind?"
She leaned up against the building. "Go ahead."
I puttered around and bought a few things that I needed for an overnight and a couple of extra goodies, paid and left. I noticed the bottle was considerably lower. Man this girl can drink.
We passed the cemetery on the way back and I noticed some motion behind the trees. I tapped Faith on the shoulder and pointed.
Vampires.
Faith set the bottle on the ground, and handed me a stake. We approached out in the open in front of God and everyone.
"Where's Tony? He was supposed to rise tonight." The lead vamp asked.
Faith answered. "He decided to fertilize the ground instead. Why don't you guys take off before I get angry."
She didn't sound too threatening. There was something in her voice... apprehension?
The lead vamp had a sour look on his face. "Well since we are here, it would be a shame to waste a midnight snack."
I heard a crack behind us and spun around. Two more, one of which was looking down at a dead branch that he stepped on.
I looked at Faith. "I'll take these two."
I didn't wait for an answer and dashed for the first of the two. I think I took him by surprise. I guess they are used to people shrieking and running away in fear. Guess what guys, I grew up in the inner city. I saw your type on every street corner when I was a kid. Well, minus the fangs, of course.
Anyway, he took a step back and I gave him a flying kick to the chest, which knocked him into his pal sending both of them sprawling to the ground. I heard the commotion behind me and took the spare second to glance back. Faith was in the thick of things with her three. I had to hurry and give her a hand.
I whipped the stake up and dove for the tangled bodies. The guy I kicked was scrambling to get off of his friend and saw me coming. He spun to the right to avoid me and I landed on the second, impaling him on my weapon. Dusted. I made a forward roll in case lucky boy had any ideas. Good thing I did, because his knee landed right where my head would have been.
Once I felt my feet hit the ground I was already crouched so I back-flipped over and landed behind him. The vamp spun around to face me and found the stake instead.
I whipped my head around and witnessed Faith getting her ass kicked. Her three vamps where knocking her around. She was trying to avoid their collective blows to no avail.
I sprinted to her aide.
"Faith!" I screamed.
She heard me, I know she did, 'cause that is when she took action. Her foot lashed out at the vamp behind her, striking him in the gut. Then she spun on her balancing foot to catch the second on the side of his head. The head vamp, the one with the mouth, ducked and avoided the second of kicks aimed at his head.
The first vamp that Faith back kicked was picking himself off the ground when I arrived to help. He didn't see me and I took advantage of the situation and staked him in the back.
Faith backed a step away from the lead vamp to deliver a snap kick to his friend's face who had returned for more. This sent him sprawling back into a tree, which apparently had a dead branch extending from its trunk... at heart level. What are the odds?
I started at the last of the vamps, but Faith held me back.
"He's mine."
She was pissed. He was suddenly nervous, and tried to make a run for it. Faith chased him down and head locked him. From behind. She turned, and I knew that she was going to break his neck. That was when I saw the fury in her eyes. She jerked suddenly and pulled with a massive jerk. I heard tendons snap and bones crack, then eventually flesh tearing, all in a split second. The vamps head separated from his body and blood spewed. A moment later everything turned to dust.
I felt my stomach heave.
I heard her tossing her cookies behind the tree. I can't blame her I guess, but she better get used to worse.
"You ok?"
Her hand waved me back. Guess so. We were lucky tonight. No humans. How long is that luck going to hold out? I waited a couple of minutes until she composed herself enough to come out from behind the tree.
"That was disgusting." She noted.
"Come on, we need to go." I replied.
The walk back was uneventful and quiet. I just sipped at the bottle and watched her as she tried to get the images of me ripping a guys head off, out of her head. When we got to the house she went straight to the bathroom with her bag. I heard the water being turned on. I guess I'll take the cold shower tonight.
I went into my bedroom and leaned back on the bed. I started to take another drink and realized the bottle was empty. Good thing too, 'cause I am finally starting to get a buzz on.
I must have dozed off for a second. I heard the bathroom door open and feet padding into the other room. I wanted to follow up, but I was just too tired. I closed my eyes again.
"Faith?"
Huh?
I opened my eyes and standing at the doorway was B. My B. The brown hair was gone and in it's place was the light blond tresses of Buffy Summers.
"B?"
She looked a little sheepish.
"I hope you don't mind." She said. "I just thought that her hair was so much prettier."
What is she talking about? She approached me, clad only in an overly large t-shirt, and sat on the bed beside me.
"B... I..."
"Shhh," she put two fingers to my mouth, "don't say anything. It's ok."
What was she doing here? Is she a ghost? Am I so fucking drunk that I am hallucinating?
"B, I'm sorry." I finally got it out. "I'm so sorry."
She took me in her arms and hugged me. "I know, it's ok."
I couldn't hold it back any longer. All the years of frustration and what-ifs just came out of me. She shushed me softly as I cried on her shoulder. After a few minutes she pulled me back and looked into my eyes.
"I missed you so much, B."
She smiled. "I'm not going anywhere."
Then she kissed me.
~*~ The Next Day - The Mansion ~*~
The sun woke me up. Just peeking its way through the blinds. I got up and pulled the curtain closed, so Faith could sleep a bit more. She was so tired last night, and a bit tipsy after all. I tiptoed out and closed the door behind me.
I thought since she was so attentive last night that I would make her breakfast. I really don't know what this Buffy Summers was thinking when she didn't jump on this chickie right away. Must be loony. I mean, wow, I lost count of the orgasms I had under her hands last night. Over and over. It must have been hours.
I opened the frig and stared at nothing. It was totally empty and smelt of something stale, like old meat. Guess I get to hoof it to McDonalds.
I went back up to my room and threw on some sweatpants and a halter top, grabbed my purse and was out the door. After about thirty minutes of looking for some type of fast food joint, I gave up and went into the first convenience store I saw.
Let's see... powdered donuts, honey buns, milk...
"Buffy?"
I turned to the voice. "Yeah."
Oh it was just wire-rims "Hey Giles."
He was looking at me really weird. Oh... the hair.
"Uh... Would you believe I wanted to go for a new look?" I joked as I fingered a strand of hair.
"Indeed."
I started to feel a little self-conscience. "I was just getting breakfast for Faith. We had a long night."
He seemed interested. "Yes, how did patrolling go?"
I smiled a little triumphantly. "We bagged six vamps last night. Four by my own little lonesome."
"Buffy, you know what this means." He said with concerned enthusiasm.
"Don't get the party favors out just yet. I know how to defend myself." I saw the same look on his face that Faith had on hers when I told her about my martial arts training.
"I'm not her, Giles."
I went to the counter and paid for the goodies. I turned and headed out the door, but I took on last glance back. He was still standing there, looking at me.
"Bye."
~*~ The Mansion ~*~
"Wake up sleepy head." I whispered as I kissed Faith on the forehead.
Her eyes snapped open. "Buffy?"
"The one and only...uh..." I pointed to the snack food feast. "Look, munchies."
She had a really confused look on her face. I started to open the bag while she sat up. I guess modesty got the best of her. She was still naked after last night's romp, and she grabbed the sheet around her. She was very disoriented.
"You didn't seem that shy last night." I commented as I opened a bottle of milk.
Her eyes widened.
"Did we... I mean... uh..."
I smiled and leaned forward to give her a kiss. She dodged me and rolled to the far side of the bed.
"What's wrong?" I asked. "Don't tell me that was your first time. I mean with a girl."
She shook her head, I guess in an effort to clear the cobwebs. "I thought it was a dream."
I laughed. "Darlin', if that was your idea of a dream then I've got to visit you more often."
She didn't seem to be taking it too well.
"Faith, look if you are in the closet it's ok, I won't blab."
She scrunched up her face. "What?"
"The closet. Being in it. As in not being straight."
She covered her face with her hands. "Buffy, what happened last night?"
I whistled. "You really don't remember? Damn. And I was good too." I picked up the doughnuts and tossed them to her. "Come on, eat up. You'll feel better with something in your stomach."
She snatched the package out of the air and threw them across the room.
"I don't want any fucking food. Now what the fuck happened last night?" she yelled.
I stopped in mid sip and got up from the bed. "Well I thought that was obvious. We fucked our brains out, and you don't remember for some fucking reason." I threw the milk at her and made my way out of the room.
I heard her bat the bottle away and her feet hitting the floor as I stormed out of the door.
"Wait!" She yelled.
"Fuck you!" I threw back. "Goddamn shit! I can't believe she's playing this fucking game with me."
I made it to my room and slammed the door. Faith was seconds behind me beating on the locked door.
"Buffy, open up."
"Fuck you!"
I piled everything in a ball and stuffed it in my backpack. I swear, I have been screwed over by some guys in the past, but she takes the cake. It must be the goddamn California chicks. I knew I shouldn't have left Houston, but noooo. I had to come to Sunnydale and escape the city. Screw that. At least in the city I knew when a fuck was a fuck. Apparently in Sunnyhell a fuck is a mind game.
"Buffy, open up the door." She called again.
"What part of fuck off do you not understand?"
Then something happened that threw me for a loop. Her hand came through the door. Well not came through it. Smashed through actually. The wood splintered and she grabbed the lock to undo it. I didn't care. I was done here, and was going to leave anyway. I swung the backpack over my shoulder and waited for her to made an entrance.
Faith pushed the door open and I tried to push my way past.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm leaving. Where the fuck do you think I'm going. You had your little fun and screwed the new chick. Now I'm gone." I blasted back at her.
"Wait, please."
I couldn't push past her. Must be her damn Slayer strength. Well two can play at that game. I flicked my foot behind her knee and pulled while applying pressure to her shoulder. She wasn't expecting a fight and went sprawling down, sheets and all.
I stepped over her and tried to dodge as she grabbed my ankle. I wasn't very successful and went down. My bag flew.
I rolled. "Do you really want to do this right now?"
"You aren't B!" She screamed.
"What? What the hell are you talking about?"
"You aren't B." She said a little more calmly.
I tried to process what she was saying and couldn't get it through my thick skull.
"Hey Faith. I've got one big word for you...DUH! What the hell do you think I've been trying to tell you and your damn friends for the past two days."
She leaned back to the floor, and exhaled. "I loved her."
Huh?
"What?" I asked.
"I loved Buffy Summers." She replied quietly. "And when you came to me last night, with your new hair... I mean..."
"Oh." Do I feel like a schmuck.
~*~ The Magic Box ~*~
"Are you sure about this, Faith?" Giles asked for the third time.
"I'm not sure about anything anymore." I sighed. "One minute she's kicking vampire ass and the next, she's in my..."
I realized I was going to blab a little too much.
Giles took his inadvertent queue.
"And the next, she's in your, what?"
I felt my face redden. Who would have thought that I could blush. This is for the birds. 'cept I didn't have to say anymore 'cause Giles figured it out, all by his lonesome. His eyes widened and his mouth hung open for a few seconds and snapped closed.
"Oh dear."
I drew my knees up and covered my face with my right hand.
"It's not her, Giles."
"Indeed."
~*~ Buffy Winter's Apartment ~*~
I closed the door, and backed up against it.
"Fuck, Buffy. What have you done now."
I set my backpack on the floor, and started to strip off my clothes on my way to the shower.
"You just can't leave well enough alone. You had to get laid."
I could still smell her on my skin. I stopped at the mirror in the bathroom after I started the water. I just looked at the person before me. Slut. Fucking, user slut.
"That's all you are."
I saw the tears well up in my eyes and felt them burn as they ran down my face.
I stepped in and pulled the curtain closed behind me. I stood still, under the cascading flow and let it wash away the last forty-eight hours. Somehow I don't think it was going to work.
~*~ Thirty Minutes Later ~*~
I shut the water off and reached for the towel. No towel. Great. I dripped all the way to the linen pantry, removed a fluffy towel and wrapped it around my wet body.
"Are you quite done, Ms. Winters?" Came a male voice from the living room.
Jesus!
I looked around for a weapon. The only thing I had was my stake and that was in the backpack by the door. My only other choice was my toothbrush. It was hard plastic, handy in a pinch. Don't knock it 'till you tried it.
I hid it in my hand behind my wrist, and stuck my head around to see who broke into my apartment.
Whoever he was, he was nicely dressed and sitting on my sofa.
"Who the fuck are you?" I called out.
"Now, Ms. Winters, is that anyway to speak to your creator?"
What?
I stepped out and made my presence known. The lean man in his forties stood up and walked slowly toward me, looking at my hair.
"Wonderful, you have adjusted nicely. The color is almost the same. However..."
"Who the hell are you and how did you get in here." I warned.
He seemed put back. "Oh, yes, I almost forgot." He paused. "My Eternal Champion." He said the last almost too slowly.
Then bright lights popped in my head. Almost incomprehensible flashes of dreams. A laboratory, hundreds of doctors, the moon, blood, falling from the scaffolding, killing Glory, Spike, the Knights, Adam, Angel, Mom, Giles, Merrick. All of them assaulted me until I couldn't hold it in any longer.
"AAAAAAAAAARRRGGggg." I grasped my head and went down to my knees.
I could barely keep my eyes open through all of the pain. Then I saw him, inches from my face.
"Hurts, doesn't it." He said, laughingly
I saw his neck exposed and I made my move. I gripped the toothbrush and plunged it into his neck. The end was a bit too blunt so it made a mess of things going in. The look in his eyes was almost worth it. The second the toothbrush made contact, the pain was gone.
"What the fuck have you done to me?" I screamed.
He gurgled for a minute then seemed to pass out from the blood loss. I was still in shock from whatever the hell happened, and scrambled away from the dead body in front of me. I couldn't think. I needed help. Faith. I rushed to the phone and paged through the directory. Fuck! She's not going to be listed, and I don't even know her last name. My last chance was the magic shop.
Seconds later the phone was ringing.
"Thank you for calling the Magi..."
"Faith! Faith!" I screamed into the handset.
"No I'm Anya. Faith is here, though, hold on."
Them moments seem as hours.
"Hello?"
"Faith?!"
"Buffy? What's wrong?"
"Faith...I think I killed him...Faith..."
"Buffy? You think you killed who, what happened?"
I felt kinda light headed after that, and don't remember much.
"Shit!" I called back into the phone. "Buffy? Buffy!"
Giles was behind me in a flash. "Faith what has happened?"
I gave the phone to Anya. "Giles do you know where Buffy lives?"
"Yes, I made note of it when we first encountered..."
I grabbed him by his shirt and hauled him out the door.
"Get on! Hurry."
I threw the helmet to him, jumped on the bike and keyed the engine.
He was behind me and grabbed me around the waist.
"Where are we going?" I yelled back.
"Bentley Arms Apartments." He barely got the words out when I kicked it into gear and laid about an inch of rubber on the sidewalk.
~*~ The Bentley Arms Apartments ~*~
I was beating on her door, room 713, and received no answer.
"Buffy!"
I reared back and gave the door a swift kick. It slammed off its hinges and fell on the floor. I stepped through the doorway with my stake ready, and saw the mess on the floor. What the hell is that sticking out of that guy's neck, a toothbrush.
"Good lord!" Giles said as he saw the same thing I did.
I made a scan of the apartment and saw a pair of bare feet poking their way out of the kitchen.
"Oh, my God, Buffy!"
I dropped the stake and ran to her side. She was laying there, half wrapped in a bath towel and totally passed out.
~*~ That Night ~*~
I sat with her for the rest of the day. As she laid there in her bed, I witnessed her thrashing through nightmare after nightmare. She seemed fine, physically. I just didn't know what to do. Giles was at a loss. He had called the rest of the gang and they were out in the living room waiting for some news.
They had combed through the guys belongings and had no clue as to who he was. He had a laptop computer which Red was going through, but most of the stuff was heavily encrypted, and it was going to take time to brake. She started another nightmare. I was starting to see a pattern, and as I noticed the signs, I moved in to provide whatever help I could under the circumstances. Mostly I just held her hand and whispered support.
"I'm here, Buffy...it's alright."
Something a little different happened this time. Her eyes opened.
"Faith?"
"Yeah, I'm here." I whispered.
"Faith, I remember."
"What do you remember?"
"Everything."
"Good then tell me what happened." I responded.
"No, I don't think you understand...I mean everything about me, Buffy Summers."
She went pale as a sheet. Who could blame her.
"I've got to tell the others."
I gripped her hand. "Not yet."
"What do you mean not yet?"
I had to trust someone and given the events of this morning, well I'm sure I could trust Faith.
"I am being watched."
She looked around the room. It was almost funny.
"Not in here. Out there. If the gang knew, then they might blow any chance we have to figure out who did this to me."
Faith set her jaw. Then I continued.
"We have to act as nothing out of the ordinary has happened. We can't let them know that I know."
"Who are you talking about, B?"
Time to drop the bomb.
"I'm not really me, Faith." I pulled her close. "You have to get me out of here so I can explain."
She nodded and left the room.
~*~ Spike's Crypt ~*~
Faith got rid of the gang, saying that she'd watch over me until I woke up with the answers to who the dead guy was. Xander and Giles disposed of the body in the apartment dumpster before they left, so it wouldn't stink up the place.
The only place that I knew they wouldn't be watching was Spike's place. He wasn't there when we arrived, so we didn't have to explain my sudden rise from the grave to him, though why no one has told him about me is beyond me.
"So spill, B. What happened?"
I sat down in Spike's armchair as I watched Faith pace back and forth.
"I died last May."
She laughed out loud.
"I think I got that much. Could you maybe get to the part where you aren't dead anymore?"
"From what I remember the doctors saying, I never made it to the morgue that night. I was put on life support and sent to a lab in Houston. I don't know how they did it, but they brought me back to life. Cloning new organs to replace the damaged ones, pumping all kinds of drugs in me, you know, doctor stuff.
"Then they brought in some magic user guys and they did some sort of hocus pocus, poof, new Buffy."
She stopped pacing and faced me. "So why all the Buffy Winters stuff?"
"I wasn't really me when they woke me up. Something didn't go right and I woke up totally blank. I was a vegetable. That was when they brought in another team of doctors. I spent the next two months hooked up to hundreds of wires going in and out of my head. They were reprogramming me. The problem was that for some reason they couldn't program the Slayer back into me. That's where you came in."
"What? I didn't do anything, B."
I smiled. "I know you didn't. They got a hold of you back when you were in a coma. We didn't know that they were here then. But you were under their care."
"Holy shit!"
"My thoughts exactly." I smiled again. "Or more to the point, yours."
"Huh?"
"They gave me your personality."
She was a little taken aback. "Why?"
"They wanted a rogue Slayer. For what, I have no idea."
She seemed to flinch when I mentioned the rogue part.
"Faith, these people are psycho. They took my dead body and screwed with it all different ways. Don't feel bad because they think that you are still bad. I know different."
She grinned, slightly, but still a grin.
"What do you want to do?" She asked.
"I think we should just go on as we were doing. It seems as if they think that by being around you, that I might be Slayer material again."
Faith nodded. "If last night was any judge, then I'd say they were right."
I had to bring the subject up sooner or later. "Uh Faith... About last night."
She held up her hands warning me away. "I'd really like to forget about last night, B."
"Why?" I asked.
"I was drunk... uh... you know, as in not in control, and out of it."
I stood. "And that explains this morning also?"
She clenched her hands into fists. "Damn it, B, it wasn't supposed to be this way. You weren't supposed to be you. You were supposed to be that uber-Buffy."
"But, I'm not." I replied. "I'm me... sorta."
She pleaded with me. "B, please just forget it happened, k."
I looked down, because I don't think I could look at her when I said this. "Faith, I don't pretend to make you think that I loved you when I was still... still the original me. But, when I...when they remade me, I wound up with you in my head. It's not a bad thing.
"It's kinda nice actually. I understand you so much better. I know why you act the way you do, 'cause I act the same way now. I know what it feels like to be the outsider, lost and confused, but I found something out that I don't think you have yet."
I looked up and she was looking at me.
"What?" she asked.
"I found out that I needed someone in my life to balance things out. I don't mean someone to boink and say bye to. I mean someone to share my life with. What makes me happy, what my dreams are, you know... real sharing."
It was her turn to look at the floor. "Buffy, I..."
I neared her, a breath away.
"Shhh. Faith this morning you said you loved me."
"I..."
I held a finger to her lips. "Shhh, let me finish. You said you loved me. I love you too."
I still couldn't see her eyes, but I did see something fall to the floor from her face. A tear. I pulled her chin up so that I could see her face. Her eyes were glassy. I saw her grinning and heard an intake of breath to ward away the choking sob that would have emanated from her throat if she would but let it.
Her arms flew around my body and she plunged her face in my hair. I returned her hug with closed eyes and a contented smile. Her voice whispered in my ear.
"I never thought that you... I mean..."
"It's ok. Don't even think about that part of my life anymore. We have a fresh start and a clean slate to write it on."
I heard the crypt door slide open and a familiar voice.
"Cripes, Slayer. Why don't you take your dates somewhere else."
I turned. "Hello Spike."
The look on his face was priceless.
"Bloody Hell! I thought the witch disposed of that damn robot months ago. Get it out of here, Slayer."
I actually think that he was more upset about seeing me than about the possibility that I was a robot coming back from the scrap yard.
I squeezed Faith's hand and let go then walked over to where Spike was standing. He looked at me with longing in his eyes.
"Spike," I whispered, "Thanks for watching after Dawn and not letting her get killed back when we were fighting Glory. It means a lot." I reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips.
A look of infinite confusion cross his face, and he touch his lips where I kissed them. Then finally realization appeared.
"Buffy?"
I smiled and nodded.
"BUFFY!"
He grabbed me around the waist and lifted me like I was nothing, spinning around and around.
"BUFFY!"
His eyes shined and his smile reached from ear to ear.
His good mood was more than contagious. Faith was laughing and I joined in also.
In a minute or two he finally put me down.
"Not that I give a care, just as long as you are here, Buffy, but how?" He said gesturing to me.
"It's a long story, Spike, and I'll tell you when we get a chance, but for now you can't tell anyone about this. Not even the gang. The only ones that know I'm me, are you and Faith."
He nodded and seemed to be pleased that he was ranked second of the only people that I could trust, even among my closest friends and Watcher.
"Don't you think that when they see you, they might wonder what is happening?" He asked.
"They think I am a new student named Buffy Winters, who has an uncanny resemblance to their friend, Buffy Summers."
"Pffft. They'd never fall for it, love. They are smarter than that."
"They already have." I corrected him.
He laughed. "Stupid gits."
Faith stepped in. "B, there's something I don't get."
"What's that?" I asked.
"How come you remember who you are now and didn't before."
I had been asking myself that same question all night.
"It has something to do with that guy at my apartment. After he came in, everything in my mind went bloowie. We have to find out more about him more about who those doctors were working for, and why they want a rogue slayer so much."
Spike chimed in. "What the hell are you speaking of, Slayer?"
I turned to Spike. "I need your help Spike. Are you with me?"
He set his jaw and smiled ever so slightly.
"Into the jaws of death, pet."
~*~ The Mansion ~*~
I still don't know where Buffy Winters ends and Buffy Summers begins. On the ride back to the mansion I found myself hugging onto Faith a bit more than normal. I know that the original Buffy would have never found herself doing anything so forward, especially with another girl. But, with the new personality implanted by those quack doctors, I feel... I don't know... close to Faith?
It's not far fetched to say that we are more alike than different. Before, I would have said that we were opposite sides of the same coin. My good to her evil, my firm belief that I was doing things the way that they should be done and her fly by the seat of her pants attitude. Now I am a mix of the two.
I wasn't lying when I said I love her. I do. I see things in a whole new light, now. Faith wasn't evil, just alone. She never went to the mayor's side during that whole fiasco. He just gave her something to hold on to that I never did.
Now we have each other to lean on. I find that I am just as needy when we are together. I only wish that she would let things progress past the 'getting to know you' stage.
When we got home, we went upstairs and separated into our own bedrooms. I had paused briefly to see if she wanted company, or maybe to join me for the night, but she just went into her room and closed the door.
I shed my clothes and stood by the open window to let the breeze flow over my body. The light was off, I'm not a perv. I just wish she would let me in. Sigh.
I didn't glance back as I entered my room. I knew B wanted to join me, but it was all just too weird, right now. I mean, gheez, how often does someone you know die, get re-animated, with your own personality no less, and who also winds up in your bed the night before?
Sounds like something out of some bad TV show.
I threw my jacket on the chair beside the bed and stripped off my boots and leather pants. It was warm tonight. I stared out of the window at the three-quarter moon and wondered what it all was supposed to mean. I have a chance now. We have a chance now. The old B wouldn't have given me the time of day, relationship wise, but with a piece of me in there, all the sudden she plays for both teams.
Ha! She gets all the deviant traits. Attitude, sexual desire, and a love for the softer side of sears. What the fuck are you doing in here Faith? You should be in there with B.
I was starting to get tired and after standing at the window, naked, I had finally cooled off enough to sleep. Why didn't Angel ever get air conditioning installed in here is beyond me.
I let go of the curtain when I heard the door open. I heard a whispered gasp and saw Faith at the door clothed only in her midriff top and panties. Then my breath caught.
"B, you mind if I come in?"
"You better, before I have to drag you in." I said all throaty. Where did that come from?
The old me would have died of embarrassment from being discovered in the buff. Now I just didn't care. Well I cared enough to flaunt it a little by moving catlike to the bed and to lay on the covers face down with just one leg bent up, swaying back and forth.
I watched her watch me with hunger in her eyes as I lay there. She was a little too quiet at the doorway. Almost as if she were timid. Faith, timid?
"You want to talk, or something?" I offered.
"Uh... something I guess."
I smiled. It's about time. I motioned her to the bed and to me. She approached slowly. I could hear her breathing deepen along with my own.
~*~ American Literature 2301 : The next morning ~*~
Willow almost fell out of her seat when I walked in. I kept forgetting about the hair. She and Tara were waiting for me in the back row, that was nice of them.
"Buffy, that's a new look for you." She noted.
"Thanks. Just a spur of the moment thing." I replied.
Tara was just speechless.
Once Willow, I keep wanting to call her Red, let it soak in she brought up last night.
"What happened? I really didn't think that you would be here, yanno, with having a dead body in your apartment and everything. I mean I know I wouldn't be..."
"Breathe." I said, trying to slow her down.
"Sorry, it's just..."
"I know Willow. Once I woke up, Faith took me over to her place and we stayed the night there. To tell you the truth I was kinda freaked by the whole thing."
I wanted so much just to tell her the whole story, but I remember what happened with Dawn and I learned to keep my mouth shut. The less people that know, the better.
"I don't know who that guy was and Faith and I are on the lookout for anyone else that might look suspicious." Then I tried to divert the subject a little. "Faith mentioned a laptop that the guy had. Any luck with that?"
She frowned. "No, I've never seen encryption so diverse. Every time I start to figure it out, it changes format and throws me for a loop."
Tara leaned in and comforted her lover. "You'll get it, baby. You always do."
That seemed to perk the little redhead up a bit.
~*~ After Class ~*~
"I'm going to get some coffee. Anyone want some?" Willow offered.
Tara nodded and I perked up. "Double Mocha Latte for me, please."
Willow stopped and stared.
Oops, I need to cover. "Let me guess, Buffy liked Mocha Lattes?"
She nodded and turned, walking away. I motioned for Tara to sit down. She did.
"Tara, I know it's hard for her. From what Faith told me, Willow was her best friend."
Tara nodded. "Yeah." She said sadly.
I had to find a way to break the news. "I need your advice about something."
She brushed away a stray hair that was bothering her. "Sure. About what?"
"Well, I kinda figured that you and Willow were...uh...you know."
She smiled and blushed.
"Yeah."
"Well, I'm kinda..." I didn't know how to put it. "Faith and I are..."
Tara's eyes widened. "Oh... you two?" She motioned back and forth with her fingers.
I nodded. "Yeah. I just wanted to know what to expect from the gang. Do you think it's cool?"
"Well, they accepted it pretty well when Willow and I came out about... us."
"Great, then they should be cool with me and Faith, right?" I said eagerly.
"Buffy, I don't think anything would shock them about you, right now."
Oh, I don't know about that. I could think of a couple of things.
"Look, don't say anything to the gang about it until Faith gives the ok. I don't want her to be outted before she's ready."
"What about Willow?" She inquired.
"I'll tell Willow."
She seemed relieved to hear that.
Willow returned with the coffee. "So watcha talking about?"
I couldn't resist. Just as Willow was taking a sip from her cup I let it out.
"Willow, I'm bi-sexual, and I'm having a thing with Faith right now, but she's not out of the closet yet so could you keep it under wraps?"
Foam sprayed. I know...I'm evil...blame Faith, it's her personality.
I woke up feeling something that I don't think I have ever felt before... peace.
I wasn't worried about what was going to happen next, or who was waiting around every corner, ready to pounce on me. Just peace. It was wicked weird. I never really believed in all of that spiritual crap about soul mates and everyone having another half to themselves, waiting to be found.
But, B was about as close to that as I could see. Not that I am going to tell anyone else that. Could you imagine me, Faith, bringer of doom and gloom, falling goofy in love. No thanks.
I can't wait to see her. Sigh. Ok, maybe a little goofy. Just not out in public.
I showered and dropped my new girl off to school for her morning classes. I had a few errands to run before I met Spike, at his place, for a little strategic planning.
~*~ Spike's Crypt ~*~
When I got there it seemed as if Spike had a whole new attitude on life. For one thing, he was actually clean. B's death really took a toll on him the most. From what the gang said, he was in love with her at the end. If he was then I know exactly what he felt like, and I understand what he is feeling right now.
"Quit being so happy," I remarked, "Aren't vampires supposed to be all broody and depressed?"
He laughed. "What, like the poof?"
I smiled.
"Slayer, I don't think there is anything that would make me act like Peaches. For one thing, I don't think I could afford the hair gel."
Oh, he's in rare form today.
"I came over to make sure you know what to do."
He stopped cleaning the crypt and looked up. "We went over it five times last night. I tail you and Buffy when you go on patrol tonight."
I jumped in. "But not too close."
"Yeah, yeah. I know." He edged up closer to me. "Look Slayer, I saw what you and Buffy were doing last night when I came in. I know you have it bad for her, and you know I have it just as bad. So don't go thinking that I'm going to let her get hurt anymore than you would."
He was very serious. I saw it in his eyes. I knew he wouldn't let anything happen to her as long as he could prevent it.
"We are together now... Me and B."
He laughed again. "Don't hold your breath for too long, Slayer. You weren't here for the last few people that said that. You and I both know she has a thing for bad boys and I am as bad as they come."
I smirked. "We'll see, Spike."
~*~ Later That Night : UC Sunnydale ~*~
I can't keep my mind on anything but Faith. She is very distracting tonight. Why did she have to wear that backless halter. I let her walk a couple of paces in front of me as I stare at her bare shoulders. I ease my eyes to her lower back and watch the spine curve in, ever so slightly ending in her leather encased...
"What's on your mind, B?"
"Huh?"
She was looking over her shoulder at me. Busted.
"Oh, uh...nothing."
I could feel my cheeks burning. Why the hell are they burning. After last night I should just throw her down on the ground right now and show her what is on my mind, but that would give Spike just a little too much to watch tonight, other than our backs.
He was there. I could feel him. He was too good to show himself, just as I had hoped, but I could still feel him.
Faith and I had covered Sunny D's three main cemetery's and came up dry. I guess it was just an off night for vamps.
"Want to call it a night?"
Faith turned and kissed me quickly on the lips. "I thought you'd never ask."
That is when we heard it. Something, I don't know what. I had my stake at the ready and backtracked to the noise behind us. We stopped to get our bearings when I saw a figure fly out of the bushes, literally.
"AAAAAAAAA." He screamed before the eventual thud onto the ground.
I looked behind the bushes where he came out of. Spike.
"Lookie what we have here ladies. This wanker has been spying on you for the past thirty minutes. I thought we would have a better look at him."
The spy guy started to pick himself off the ground. I was there in seconds to help. Well not exactly help. As soon as he got to his feet, I swept them out from under him again. He went flat on his back and the breath was knocked him. I had a minute before he could recover so I leisurely sat on his chest and pinned his arms with my knees.
I heard Spike whispered voice behind me. "Lucky bastard."
That brought a smile to my lips. I knew he still had feelings for me. I'll have to deal with that issue as well. Sigh, so much to do and so little time. The mystery guy started breathing again, although raggedly.
I patted him on top of his head. "Hi, I'm Buffy. Care to tell us whatcha doin' here tonight?"
His eyes cleared and he realized the situation he was in. He didn't say much after that.
"We have a quiet one, Spike."
He took my queue, put on his vamp face, and for effect leaned in and sniffed.
"Smells like dinner time, eh Slayer?"
The guy didn't even flinch. He wasn't afraid of vampires, and took that instance to speak up.
"That hostile doesn't scare me. With that chip in his head, he's as tame as a dormouse."
Hostile? "Just shot your wad, G.I. Joe. What is the Initiative doing back in town? I thought you guys learned your lesson last time."
He laughed, he actually laughed.
~*~ UC Sunnydale ~*~
When you have the bad guys by the balls, they don't usually laugh at you. I mean aren't they either supposed to give up and die or at least tell us their devious plot and go into how much we are going to regret messing with them, Yadda, Yadda, Yadda?
"As much fun as it is to have my face between your legs, would you mind if I get up now?" The spy said sarcastically.
For someone who hasn't said much, I was really getting tired of this guy. So I leaned forward a bit.
"You like this position then?"
He smiled a bit more.
So I gave him what he wanted and covered his face with my crotch. He smiled for another second, just long enough to realize that he couldn't breathe. Then he panicked.
Spike leaned in a little more.
"There are worse ways to die, mate. Count yourself lucky that it's between the Slayer's legs."
"Uh, B?" Faith interrupted.
I turned my head. "Yeah?"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm killing this dirt bag."
Have you ever listen to yourself speak? I never really did, but in that instant something snapped in my head. Oh my God, I'm killing this dirt bag!
I jumped, grabbed his shirt collar, and hauled him up as I stood. He was a bit unnerved and gasping for air.
"My... My..." he wheezed, "My... Eternal... Champion..."
Bright lights exploded in my head again. Flashes of the past lit up across the front of my mind. Killing Angel... "Hi, I'm Buffy"... Dracula sinking his fangs into me... "Spike and I are getting married"... "Mom... Mommy?"
Then blackness.
I was in the air and planting my left foot into the spy's face before he had a chance to make a run for it. Spike was at B's side catching her before she hit the ground. Normally I would have been the one to do that, but I knew Spike couldn't, having that chip in his head and all.
"Get your car. I'll watch her."
Spike was gone for only a few minutes, but that small amount of time seemed like an eternity with my lover limp in my arms. I heard an engine roar and saw Spike's car mowing over bushes to get to us as fast as possible.
The car slid to a stop mere inches away from spy guy's head. B's body was surprisingly light, I noticed, as I gently laid her in the back seat. Spike had spy guy by the collar of his shirt, dragging him to the trunk, and safely tucking him away until later when I was going to beat the shit out of him for hurting B.
~*~ The Magic Box ~*~
We entered through the back alley exit.
"Giles!" I yelled.
Red, Blondie, and the Watcher rushed through the shop door.
"Dear Lord!" Giles exclaimed. "What happened?"
I ignored his question. "I need a bed Giles. She's hurt and I don't know how bad."
Red was at the closet doors, opening them before I was able to complete my sentence. Apparently there was a pull-down mattress they had rigged up for just the occasion.
I laid her down as softly as I could.
Giles took command. "Tara get a bowl, some water, and a towel from the lavatory, quickly."
Blondie ran off.
"Willow, I need the first aid kit from behind the counter." Then he turned to me. "What happened?"
I was met with a dilemma. B wanted to keep this a secret, but under the circumstances, Fuck! I'm sorry B.
"We set a trap to catch whoever was messing with B. It backfired."
A look of anger crossed his face. He was about to say something, but thought better of it.
"Yes, well would you like to include the rest of us in on tonight's activities?"
Have you ever been sent to the principals office?
"It's not like it looks."
Spike came to my rescue. "Let her be, Watcher. There was nothing anyone could have done."
Giles' eyes burned holes into Spike.
"And just how would you know that?"
Spike was ready for his question.
"She was given a post-hypnotic suggestion that this wanker activated it."
Blondie returned with the bowl of water and Red set the first aid kit on the table next to Giles.
Giles was dumbfounded. "A post-hyp..."
Spike cut him off. "All the blighter had to do was say a certain phrase and bam, down she goes. 'Cept it wasn't painless."
I turned and gave him the eye. "Get him."
Spike nodded and exited the back door.
"Do you mean to say that you have the man that did this to Buffy?"
"Got some chains, Giles?" I said through gritted teeth.
~*~ Moments Later ~*~
I took one last look at B. Spike had the guy chained to the wall. He was starting to come around. I noticed a roll of duct tape on the floor and grabbed it. I tore off a half a foot and dropped it to the ground again.
"Wha..."
That is about as much that came out of the jerk's mouth before it was covered.
I gave him my most evil grin. "That's quite a lump you got on your head. Might be a concussion. Might not."
I took my thumb and pressed hard onto the lump. A muffled scream issued from under the tape.
"Faith, is that really ness..."
I whipped my head around fire burning in my eyes.
Giles was taken aback.
"Yes, I would guess that it is."
I saw Red pulling him back. "Giles..."
I returned to the jerk.
"Where were we?"
Fear danced across his eyes.
"You screwed with my girl, dickweed. What did you think I was going to do, ask you out for coffee?"
I let it sink in.
"Now are you ready to talk?"
I could see that he was still thinking it over, despite the position that he was in. That's no good. He's got to fear me. I reached up and took a hold of one of his pinky fingers.
"Snap, crackle..."
POP! The sound of his finger dislocating pitched into the room. I heard a gasp from behind me. One of the girls, I assume. The resulting muffled scream was somewhat satisfying.
"Faith, stop."
B?
I spun around, my mouth agape. Giles was kneeling next to her with what I guessed were smelling salts in his hand, she, pushing herself up on one arm
"B?"
She gave a weak smile. Everything else was lost in my mind. She was ok. I ran to her side and took her in my arms, burying my face in her neck.
"I thought he hurt you. I couldn't stand to lose you again."
"Again?" Red's voice intervened.
I felt B's body stiffen underneath mine.
Oh shit.
She put two and two together. It had to happen sooner or later.
"Hi Wills."
A collective gasp was uttered.
"Buffy?" She couldn't believe it. I could tell.
I nodded.
I couldn't read everything that was on her face. It was a whole lot of emotion, that was for sure. She came closer and knelt on the bed tentatively as if I would be whisked away at a moments notice. Faith backed off a little to allow Willow to see for herself that I was back in the flesh.
Her arms slowly encircled me and pulled close. I could hear her sobbing quietly in my ear, which brought on the waterworks for me. Next, I felt Giles on the other side wrapping his arms to include us both.
"I thought we'd lost you, Buffy." He whispered.
I tried to blink the tears away, but it only made it worse. Tara was hovering behind Willow, trying to hold herself back from what I'm sure she was thinking was a family thing. I waved her closer and she joined in, adding her watery eyes to the mix.
~*~ An Hour Later ~*~
"So you have Faith's personality." Willow repeated my last words.
I nodded. "Sorta. I did when I first came back to Sunnydale, but since last night, and the whole thing with the dead guy, something woke up the Summers side of me, but Faith is still a big part of me."
I tried to be more specific. "I feel like the new Buffy, but with the memories of the old Buffy. Does that make sense?"
Willow smiled a little. "Well that explains a few things."
Faith laughed.
I laughed a little too.
"I really hate to break up the reunion," Spike interrupted, "but what are we going to do with chuckles here."
Giles rose to get a better look at the guy that screwed up my evening.
"You said he activated a post-hypnotic suggestion. How are you so sure?"
Spike pffted. "Pfft. It wasn't too hard to figure out. He muttered a few words and Buffy did her passing out thing."
Giles wasn't convinced. "Are you certain it wasn't an incantation of some type?"
Spike shook his head in the negative. "It was three words, not magic related."
This piqued Giles' curiosity. "What were they?"
Spike was about to repeat them, but thought better of it. Instead he went to a side table and wrote it down on a piece of paper, and gave it to Giles.
His eyes lifted. "You're joking."
"It's what he said, Watcher."
I got tired of the suspense. "What?"
"If Spike's deduction is correct I should be able to tell you part of the phrase and it would not effect you, but prepare yourself just in case."
I closed my eyes and held onto my friends.
"Does the term 'Eternal Champion' mean anything to you?"
I opened one eye tentatively. Nope, no brain splitting visions of my past. I exhaled. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath.
Everyone else seemed to be doing the same thing while I answered Giles' question.
"Nope."
~*~ Shady Hills Cemetery ~*~
I don't know what brought me to this town. Maybe it was the fast pace of the big city. I think I just got tired of the hustle and bustle. With Mum dying just a few months ago...I just had to get out of town. London was getting a bit weird. All of the places I went and all of the people I met were just a bit too intense.
"Maybe this quiet little town is just what I need."
I really couldn't get used to the weird accents these Yanks have, which explains why I nearly jumped out of my skirt when I heard the voice of a countryman.
"Hello, Pet. I didn't think you were supposed to be out and about, what with all the MIB's runnin' around."
I whipped around and stared down a peroxide blonde. His skin was pale as alabaster and his lean frame spoke of rippling muscles underneath his red t-shirt and leather duster, which by the way, was a twin to my own.
He edged closer.
"What?" I asked.
His brow furrowed. "What? What da ya mean what?" He paused. "Buffy are you o.k.?"
He knew my name. That kinda scared me a bit.
"Get along, or I'll ring the bizzies."
He laughed. Really loud.
"You almost had me there, Slayer." He congratulated me. "Very good accent by the way. How did you get Mr. Dry Wit to coach you. I would have thought he was above practical jokes, being a watcher and all."
What the hell was this guy talking about?
"Look here dinlo, I can see you are a scouser, but don't think that pulls any weight with me."
His brow furrowed again and stayed that way.
"Buffy?" he queried.
"How do you know my name?"
"It's me, Spike?"
I backed away. "I don't know you, mister, and if you don't leave me be, I'll kick your bleedin' arse."
He reached into his jacket. Shit, he's got a gun. I didn't give him time to palm it. I was in the air as fast as I could and gave him a roundhouse kick to the jaw. He flew five feet to the ground.
"Bloody Hell!" He yelled. "Why'd ya do that for?"
I jumped on top of him and reached in to grab the pistol. Uh oh. All he held in his hand was a cell phone. Realizing my mistake I rose to my feet.
"Uh, sorry. I thought you had a gun."
He shook off the kick and stood upright in front of me. Damn, that kick should have took him out for at least an hour. I must be losing my touch.
He held the phone out. "Now if I can just make a call I can clear this up."
I nodded, embarrassed.
He punched his speed dial.
"Watcher, it's me. Is the Slayer still there?"
A crooked smile spread on his face. "Well, have everyone stay there. I have a surprise... you'll see, be there shortly."
He pocketed the phone and lifted himself on top of a tombstone.
"Mind coming with me for a bit, love. I want to show you something."
I would be stupid to go with him, but something in his eyes...
"Ok, but I need to be somewhere in an hour."
He smiled. "It's right down the street."
~*~ The Magic Box ~*~
I led the way with my British Buffy trailing a couple of steps behind. If what I thought was happening, was happening, then I felt it would be a little easier on her for now. We approached the back door and I rapped loudly.
The watcher open the door.
"Spike, now what is this that you have..."
I stepped aside and thumbed behind me. He stopped mid sentence.
"Good lord!"
I pushed by him and through to the training room. There sat Buffy as I left her, lying in bed, Faith beside, holding her hand.
"Don't you think you could let her in, Watcher."
He turned his head, still in disbelief at me. "Uh, yes. Please come in young lady."
Buffy entered and everyone gasped. I chuckled silently to myself. I always liked to drop the bomb on people. It's about the only way I can get my kicks these days.
I reached out for her hand and led her to the center of the room. It was then that the Buffys saw one another.
"Buffy, I'd like you to meet Buffy."
The bedded Buffy said. "Spike, joke's over. Put the robot up."
"S'not the robot, luv." I nodded to the new-found Buffy. "She's the real deal."
I felt my knees go weak. My twin was lying in that bed.
"Skin and blister." I whispered to myself.
The girl that was holding my twin's hand stood up.
"Spike are you stupid or something. She's a spy, probably sent here to kill B."
I looked over at Spike. He shook his head.
"Not possible, Slayer." He tapped his nose. "The nose, knows."
My throat tightened up. I turned to the elder. "I need to get ratted. Do you have any whiskey?"
The elder blinked.
Spike provided a open flask. I upended it and swallowed hard. After the bit of courage slid to my belly, I finally added my two cents.
"Who are you people?"
Spike took my arm and led me to a chair.
"You better sit down for this one, luv. It's a dozy, and don't worry, we aren't bent."
To here someone say that they aren't dishonest is disheartening, to put it mildly.
He continued. "Tell us a bit about yourself."
I took another pull off of the flask.
"Not much to say, really. I'm from London...Liverpool originally. Me mum died a few months ago, and I bungged a ministry official to give me some papers to the colony."
My twin shifted in her bed. "Can anyone translate that into Californian?"
Spike obliged. "She bribed someone for a passport." Then he turned back to me. "What's your name, luv?"
"Buffy, Buffy Springer."
He laughed. "Not very original, are they?"
"Who?" I asked.
Spiked kneeled in front of me. "Buffy, I want to try something that might make everything a bit more clear, but it might hurt a bit."
I gripped the chair arm. "What?"
He tried to calm me. "Nothing permanent. It is necessary."
I gripped the arm tighter. "I don't think...
He cut me off. "Buffy," he called to the bedded girl, "cover your ears."
I looked up at her then back at Spike.
He whispered something to me. "My eternal champion."
I dropped the flask and grabbed my head, because I could have sworn that it was going to split open. Then darkness.
"Unnnngggh."
I heard her starting to come around and I was to her side in a second.
"Feeling better?"
She cracked opened her eyes. "Spike?"
"I'm here, pet."
"That hurt."
"I know, pet. I'm sorry."
"Thanks."
She sat up. "Where is everyone?"
I nodded over to the store's back door. "They're out there doing research, or some such nonsense."
She looked me in the eyes and I thought my heart was going to break. "Spike, what is happing to me?" Then she wrapped her arms around me, her face at my neck.
I was a bit taken back, but recovered and returned her embrace. "I'm not sure, luv, but I have an idea."
She squeezed me harder. "Thanks for..."
I cut her off. "No need. This is all the thanks I ever wanted."
She pulled back and looked up into my eyes. I turned away. Dammit, some bloody vampire I am. I'm getting worse than the damned poof. I had to cut this off before I get the urge to slather some gel in my hair.
"Right...uh...can you get up?"
She seemed a bit thrown off. Her face hardened.
"Tip top." She threw off the covers and pulled her boots on, grabbed her jacket and made for the front of the store.
"Buffy..."
She ignored me and opened the door then slammed it behind.
"Bloody hell." I whispered.
There they all were, sitting around the table like nothing was out of the ordinary. Even I...she was there with her feet up, staring at me.
"Buffy, good, you are awake." Giles commented.
"Piss off." I made for the front door. I had to get out of here and do some thinking.
Faith cut me off before I could make it to the door.
"Out of my way, Slayer."
She tried to put up the resolved stance and I made to push her away. She grabbed my right wrist and spun me around so that my back was to her. I elbowed her in the stomach and flipped her over my back to the floor.
"Don't cross me, Slayer. You know I'm a better fighter than you."
Giles was in front of me next. "Buffy, please we need to determine what is happening..."
"We don't need anything, Watcher. And don't call me Buffy. I'm not her," I pointed back at my twin. "and she isn't her. We're nobody. We're..."
I couldn't take it anymore. Tears were stinging my eyes. Dammit!
I pushed him out of the way and sprinted out of the doorway... to nowhere.
~*~ Summers' House ~*~
I stood there, across the street, behind a large oak tree. I just wanted a glimpse of her. Just to see that she was all right. A late model Camero came around the corner and stopped in front of the house. A young boy hopped out and ran around to the passenger side to open the door.
Out she came. Dawn, My sister. 'She's not your sister' I said to myself. Just the same I yearned to talk to her. The boy walked her to the door and kissed her cheek.
"Bye." He said and jetted off to his car again. Dawn touched her cheek where the boy kissed her then waved goodbye. She smiled and went inside.
"She's got a gent." I said to nobody. "Good for you, Dawnie. I miss you."
I made sure that I couldn't be seen from the house and made my way along the street to the cemetery. Spike's cemetery. Spike's crypt. I knew he had an underground lair and decided that I would be safe there until nightfall when he was sure to return. I pushed the door open and looked around. Still the same ole Spike. Nothing's changed. I made my way down underneath to make myself at home. I noticed a makeshift closet on one of the cragged walls.
There hung his t-shirts. I pulled one of them down and held it to my face. Even after a wash, his scent was still on it. I inhaled deeply.
"Buffy?"
I jumped out of my skirt again. I whipped the shirt behind my back to conceal the evidence.
"Dammit Spike. Can't you whistle or something."
He didn't comment.
"I'm in there, aren't I."
I couldn't meet his eyes.
"I'm in your head." He closed the distance between us. "The damned commandos put me in your head, didn't they."
"No." I responded.
He was mere inches away. "Then how do you explain this?"
He snaked his hand around and reclaimed his shirt.
"Dammit!"
I tried to escape, but he held me. I didn't have the heart to hit him.
"It's ok, pet."
My face burned at being caught with the shirt and with him knowing the truth.
"Let me go Spike. I can't..."
He set his jaw. "You can't what? Hmmm? You can't love me?"
Tears swelled in my eyes and threatened to spill onto my face. "I can't love you Spike. I'm not her. I'm not Buffy. I'm some cheap rip-off hussy."
He pulled me to him and held me close. "Shhh."
I couldn't hold back anymore and let the tears flow.
"Spike, what am I going to do?" I cried.
He was brave for me. "You'll do what you always do, luv. You'll be true to yourself, whoever that my be. You'll dust off your pants rise to the occasion, kick the big bad's ass, and move on to the next day."
"I..." I tried to protest, but he cut me off.
"And I'll be with you every step of the way."
~*~ Later, Spike's Crypt ~*~
"The way I figure it, the commandos musta sucked my brain while they had me under the knife, putting that damn chip in my head. But that doesn't explain you."
I poured 'my' Buffy two fingers of the good stuff that I keep hidden for special occasions. She smiled her thanks, looking a bit thoughtful.
"In some ways I wish that you never 'woke me up'. I was perfectly happy being me."
I scoffed. "What, and have you walking around the Hellmouth thinking evil thoughts and looking like me?"
She downed the drink and looked at me seriously. "Spike, there are others."
...to be continued...