So This Is It
by Holliday
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I own nothing just had an idea and wanted
to share. Promise to put the characters back when I’m
done.
Spoilers: None.
Katherine Murtoi stepped into the cool Boston air. She’d been stuck on a plane for two hours. In coach no less. The aftermath of Sebastion's death had still not settled, and now she was banished to hell as far as she was concerned. However she had no one to blame but herself. Now she was going to be spending her time as a normal joe more or less broke. Her parents more or so Sebastion's father had decided that she would learn to be an adult. Instead of the spoiled princess she had become. She couldn’t help but hate him now as she gathered her bags from baggage claim. Heading out of the airport she grabbed a taxi and headed off to her new apartment.
As the cab pulled up to the address Katherine truly realized how much shit she was in. Paying the cabbie she headed into her new diggs. Dropping her bags on the floor she began a through inspection. The apartment was a loft. One room and utterly inshambles. To anyone not privy of her wealth it was a joke. However the place was inhabitable. However not for Katherine. Tiring of the scenery already she opened the door and headed out. Not caring where she was going or who she met along the way.
Two hours and four bars later she ended up in southie. Not exactly the kind the of place for a rich New Yorker. Katherine soon realized she was out of her element when four beefy men began walking toward her. Moving to the other side of the street. She hoped to lose them however they had other ideas. Walking into an alley she realized too late the danger. “Well looky what we got here!” Beef stick one said. “Looks like dinner to me!” Two replied the others nodded in unison. “Not a chance in hell!” Katherine exclaimed.
“My thoughts exactly!” A voice called from the shawdows. The vampires turned to come face to face with a five-foot five brunette. A smile perched on her lips and a wicked gleam in her eyes. Snapping into there game faces the four began to circle her. She watched them as they moved lunging at her she kicked one in the face as she flipped over the other two. Sending a full force punch to his kidney. Piviting on her right foot. She slamed her knee hard in the fourth ones jaw stunning him she pulled out a stake and staked him as he turned to dust the other three took off running.
She almost took after them then she remembered the young woman. Turning to check on her she noticed she had passed out. “Whoa, hey are you okay?” She said as she picked the smaller girl up. “What happened?” “You where attacked?” “I oh my head” she said as she reached for her head the alley suddenly seeming really small and enclosed. “Come on whoops a daisy.” Faith replied picking up the girl. “Hey where do you live?” “7845 N. lake.” “Whoa pricey digs come on I’ll take you home.” Finding a cab she loaded her in and took her home.
“Hey you okay?” “Who are you?” “Nice way to thank somebody for saving your life.” “I.” “Sorry it’s cool, what where you doing out there anyway?” “No?” “No what not sorry.” “Yes, no. Who are you.” “My name is Faith. Just Faith and you would be.” “Katherine Murtoi.” “Nice to meet you K. But for future references stay out of Southie after nightfall.” “Thanks for the information but I’m fine so you can go back under what ever rock you crawled out of.” “Thank you I just was waiting for your blessing.” “Well you can go now.” “Fine I’m leaving.” “Good-bye.” Faith pulled her lithe from the chair. Turning to look at the her one last time she couldn’t help but feel there was something about her that wasn’t quite right. Exiting the loft she headed back down to the street.
The next few weeks found Katherine pacing her loft thinking about Faith. She didn’t know why she had been such a bitch the girl was only trying to help. But that was her problem she didn’t know how to let people in. Maybe it was her life. Hell she had the best of everything yet she still didn’t have it all maybe Sebastion had it all along love made him a better person. Yeah right he died for love. Hell it was his fault that she was in this situation anyway. If hadn’t been so stupid in saving Anette she wouldn’t be in this hell but then she wouldn’t have met Faith. Why the hell was that girl on her brain so much anyway. It wasn’t like she had never seen an attractive girl before all she had to do was look in a mirror. But nonetheless there was just something about Faith and she couldn’t place it.
Unbeknownest to Katherine, Faith couldn’t get the other dark haired girl out of her head either. She found herself out side of her loft staring up at the building. Turning to leave she bumped into Katherine. The two stared at each other breaths caught waiting for the other to speak. “Hi, K. I was in the neighborhood just making sure you were okay.” “I’m fine thank you.” “Cool cause I’d be hurt if you weren’t.” Smooth Faith she thought to herslf the girl is so straight it’s not even funny. “No, I’m fine really I just can you come in?” “Sure.” Faith fowllowed Katherine up to her loft. “So can I get you some water or something?” “No I’m cool.” Faith replied really wanting something water however wasn’t it.
“Okay I’m just going to ask.” Katherine said. Faith looked up not knowing where this was going. “Those guys weren’t normal.” It was more a statement than a question, and Faith knew it. “No they weren’t.” “And neither are you.” At this she was at a loss for words. Faith couldn’t tell her what she was if she did then her life would be in danger. It wasn’t even like she knew anything about her. She was just someone who didn’t know about all the demons of this world. Because they were to be busy living their own life.
Like she should be, not risking her life for people she didn’t know. But she was different. She felt it in the alley. There was just something about Katherine. “Faith?” Katherine called to her. “Huh?” “Are you okay?” “I was, you're right I’m different. Lets just leave it at that okay.” “Fine.” “So what’s your story?” Faith asked curious to learn more about Katherine.
Katherine looked at Faith not sure exactly what to tell her she didn’t want to ruin this before she knew what this was. “I’m just a girl.” “I’ll take that for now.” “Good.”
That night Katherine ordered in. She and Faith ate dinner. When Katherine asked Faith what time she had to be home. She saw the look of fear in her eyes. She wanted to ask her what scared her. But she couldn’t bring herslf to hurt her. At midnight Faith left to go patrolling. Katherine sat wondering what Faith was hiding. Maybe she'd tell her one day.
Faith stood face to face with her fear. She was a slayer. Yet to her the only demon that scared her was her parents. She always wondered how a savior for the world could be born to such heartless people. This was the last straw though. Faith gathered herself together and left this time not looking back. She really had no place to go. No watcher and no money. She could only think of Katherine. She didn’t want to go there. She feared Katherine would turn her way if she knew the truth. She headed to her loft anyway.
Faith was standing at the entrance to Katherine’s loft. She wasn’t sure if she should be here. Turning to leave the door flung open. “Faith.” “Uh – yeah that’s me.” Faith said shifting from side to side. “Faith?” Katherine called again. “I uh was wondering if I could stay here?” Katherine looked up at Faith she was shaking. “Yeah you can stay as long as you need.” “Thanks.” Faith replied.
The next few months went by. Faith stayed with Katherine. The two becoming close friends. Katherine still hadn’t told Faith about her past, and Faith was keeping quite. The last time Faith would ever see Kathrine alive. Was a day she never forget.
“Hey you going out again?” Katherine asked. Not really prying but she knew Faith went out every night. Some nights coming home with bruises and cuts. But by morning they were either gone or almost healed over. “Yeah I'll be back later don’t worry I’ll be fine.” Faith said flashing a smile. “I know it’s just I care about you and I know you have secrets so do I …” Katherine stopped before she finished instead she pulled Faith closer and kissed her. “Now go just come back.” Faith smile as she headed out the door. “I will.”
That night when Faith came home. Katherine was nowhere to be found. There was no sign of forced entry. Just a few drops of blood. She didn’t want to belive what had happened. She couldn’t belive she let this happen. It was all her fault. That was the day she got the call. She was now the new Slayer.
Faith left Boston, and Katherine that day. She had a job to do. She would find out who’d done this and she’d make them pay. Faith got on a bus and headed to Sunnydale. Not sure what was waiting for her.
Faith stood in the shadows. Her mood was foul. Since leaving Boston she couldn’t get Katherine out of her head no matter how hard she tried. Faith had been trying to deny it but she had fallen for Katherine. And now she would never get to tell her. Looking up Faith noticed a scuffel. From the looks of it there where two girls one was trying to fight a vampire. He had the upper hand as the other stood in shock.
Leaving her place in the shadows. She stepped up to her calling. “If I were you I’d let her go.” The vampire paid no attention to the young brunette. Pulling a stake from her coat. She rammed it into his back the vampire turned to dust. The blonde dropped to the ground to catch her breath. Her hair fell down covering her face. “Should’ve listened.” Faith said offering a hand to the other girl. Taking her hand Faith lifted her up as she did she brushed the hair from her face. “Thanks I’m Buffy.” Faith was frozen. She couldn’t stop looking. It was Katherine. “You okay?” “K?” “Yeah.”
“I thought you were dead.” “Well I woulda been if it wasn’t for you? I don’t even know your name.” “Huh?” “Name?” “Sorry I just.. you look like someone I know.” “Oh friend.” “Yeah. Oh and the name’s Faith.” “You’re a slayer.” “Yeah how’d you know?” “Slayer too. Just been out of commission for a while.” “Figures seein' as how I’d only be here if you died. B you're gonna have to teach me that one.” “Maybe I will hey come on my friends are in the bronze.” “Bronze.” “Yeah it’s the club." Faith followed Buffy into the club. Unbeknownest to both slayers they were being watched.
“Hey there’s Buff.” “Hi Buffy.” “Hi guys, this is Faith we met outside she saved my life. She’s a slayer too.” “Whoa two slayers.” “Down Xander.” Willow Rosenberg said fom the stool next to him. “Hey.” Was all Faith said. Buffy sat looking at Faith she wasn’t sure what to say it seemed like Faith had lost someone close to her. Buffy knew that look all too well. It was the same one she had after she sent Angel to hell.
“So Faith where you from?” Xander asked. “Boston.” “So any boyfriends, girlfriends?” Xander asked raising his eyebrows in unison.
“Xander.” Buffy said slapping him in the arm. “I’m sorry Xander was dropped a lot as a child.” “It’s cool, and in answer to your question no. There was someone but.” “Oh I’m sorry.” “Hey it wasn’t your fault.” Yeah it wasn’t her fault. But everytime I look at her I see Katherine. I can’t stay here. But I have nowhere to go. Faith thought to herself.
“Well guys I’m gonna bail tired from the slayin'.” “Faith I’ll walk you home.” “Thanks Xander but I’m cool.” “Okee-dokeey.” “Well I’m on my way out. If it’s cool with you I’ll walk with you.” “Sure.” As Buffy and Faith left the Bronze the two couldn’t help but feel like they knew each other. Being slayers they did have a lot in common. And heartbreak was their other link.
“So Faith where you stayin'.” “Actually nowhere.” “If you want you can stay with me.” “What?” “I mean at my house.” “Oh, I couldn’t impose on you like that.” “It’s fine we're sort of like sisters anyway. You know the being slayers.” “Yeah I guess you're right.”
Faith awoke breathing heavy and sweating. Buffy was down over her.
“Katherine you’re alive I thought you were dead.” “Shh Faith it’s okay.” Faith reached out and grabbed Buffy, thinking she was Katherine she kissed her. Buffy was pulled into the kiss. “God Katherine I promise from now on I won’t let anything happen to you.” “Faith?” Faith looked up at Buffy realizing she had just kissed her.
Faith got up. “I’m sorry.” “Faith it’s okay. Who was Katherine.” “You?” “Me?” “Not you exactly. You look like her just with blonde hair it’s confusing. I’m sorry B. I can’t stay.” “No Faith wait. I mean where will you go. Stay and we can figure this out.” “Figure what out B? I can’t stay everytime I look at you it hurts. I can’t move on because everywhere I turn it’s you or her there is nothing to figure out. B I gotta go.” “No. Faith it’s not that easy. You can’t just leave.” “Why?” “Because you can’t just let this eat at you. You have to deal and move on. You have your whole life ahead of you.” “Yeah until some demon corners me and kills me.” “Not going to happen unless you keep thinkin that way. Plus you got me on your side. We’re the choosen two. I’m sure Katherine would want you to stay alive.” Buffy said with a smile. “Okay I’ll stay.”
The next few weeks went by smoothly. Buffy and Faith were growing closer. Their slaying becoming snycronized. Slowly Faith began opening up telling Buffy things about her life in Boston and Katherine at least all she knew. Buffy found herself admiring Faith more and more. She couldn’t believe all that Faith had been through. It would have killed her had their lives been reversed. In a way they were. Buffy lost the only person she loved but she had caused Angel’s death unlike Faith who had her love taken away. They were alike in more ways than one.
Buffy and Faith were in the cemetery. Walking the two had just cut school a few hours earlier and were now on patrol. “You know Giles is going to kill us when he finds out.” “B. You worry too much. Sometimes you just gotta let out the bad girl.” “Yeah let out the bad girl like this.” Buffy said as she grabbed Faith and dipped her. “Something like that. But more like this.” Faith reached up and pecked Buffy on the cheek. “Oh alright I can play this game.”
Before Buffy could kiss Faith. They where flanked by three Vamps. “Well, well looks like dinner to me.” Buffy and Faith looked at each other nodding their heads in unison. They broke into fighting stance. “Well come and get it.” Faith called. As she egged them on. The first vamp was the first to attack. Faith side stepped his first punch. Smacking him in the back of the head with her elbow. Buffy jumped in the air delivering a roundhouse to the second's vamps jaw. Faith didn’t bother playing any games with the first vamp she had bigger fish to fry. Staking the first vamp she moved on to the last one. Buffy noticed the other slayers zeal and quickly finished her vamp.
“Hey seems like old times.” Faith said slamming into the third vamp. As he hit the ground Faith was on him pummeling him. Buffy caught up with her and pulled her off. “Come on Faith. He’s not worth it.” “He killed her. Buffy he killed her.” Faith was almost in tears. Buffy walked to the now bleeding vampire and staked him. Walking back to Faith she wrapped her arms around her as she slumped to the ground.
Watching from the shawdows. She couldn’t help but feel hatred for the blonde slayer. She was also angry this slayer was proving to be more trouble than she thought. Yet this was nothing new for her. Plotting was her thing and the blonde would be dealt with. And everything would be right with the world.
Faith felt the coolness in the air. Looking up she saw something in the shawdows. Buffy felt it too, looking up both slayers jumped into slayer mode. Faith was up in an instant. Buffy right behind her. Reaching the alley, she stood her back to both of them. Not bothering to greet them with her face she stood motionless. Faith felt it, this wasn’t happening. Not here not now. “K?”
Turning Buffy couldn’t believe what she saw. It was her. No not her but the woman she knew as Katherine. “No?” It was more a statement than question. Faith stood shell shocked. Katherine moved closer to her standing in front of her she pulled her closer and kissed her. Faith fought the kiss and jumped back. “Sebastion was right. I always get dumped for the innocent little twits.”
“WW-hat?” “What Faith cat got your tongue?” Faith looked over to Buffy who stood in silence. “As for you I should kill you.” Katherine was looking at Buffy game face already on. Moving towards her Faith stepped in between the two. “No.” “Faith you wouldn’t kill me.” A tear was willing itself not to fall as Faith looked into those blue eye’s. “We’ll finish this later.” With that Katherine turned and walked away.
The slayers each let out the respective breaths they each where holding.
“B. I’m sorry.” “Faith it’s not your fault.. Next time we’ll dust her.” “Yeah.” Was Faith’s reply. The two got up and headed home.
In the cold night. Of SunnyDale the heavens opened and dropped a lone figure into the city. Laying on the cold ground the naked man stood disoriented. Leaving the confines of the house he went in search of food.
Buffy entered the room. Laying on the bed she slowly pulled the clothes from her tired form. Faith was in the shower. Grabbing her short’s and tank top she changed and layed back down on the bed. Faith entered a few minutes later Buffy had dozed off. Faith just stood for a moment watching her sleep. Crawling into bed next to her she was soon asleep.
“Please somebody anybody.” The toe haired boy was screaming as he ran thru the woods. Stopping he came face to with her. “Please help me.” “I will help you I promise.” She stepped closer to him reaching out to him she sucked him dry. Leaving the body she sauntered off.
Katherine stopped in the clearing heading up to the mansion she spotted him laying in the grass. Walking towards him she knelt down towards him. “Buffy.” “Shh. It’s me come on lets get you inside.” “Buffy I missed you.” Angel was in and out of consciousness. “I know I missed you too.” The two were standing in the living room Angel lowered his head and captured Buffy’s lips. “I love you.” The two fell to the floor.
Katherine awoke the next morning a stake was hurled in the general direction of her heart. Catching it she soon realized her cover was blown. “Now Angel that really is no way to treat your lady love.” “Ha lady love, not even close and the names Angelus.” “Well Angelus. I have a proposition for you. You see your little slayer has moved in on my girl and I can’t get her back.”
“Unless Buffy leaves her.” “Exactly.” “Now what makes you think that I want the little bitch. I mean she sent me to hell.” “You don’t have to keep her. Kill her for all I care just keep her away from my slayer.” “Slayer. Take it from toots a slayer no matter how hot just isn’t worth the trouble.” Angelus replied smiling. “I’ll take my chances. Anyway do we have a deal.” “Yes we do.” “Good.”
Faith and Buffy were out on patrol. The two were still a little icy about what happened the previous night. “B. I’m sorry. I should have staked the other night.” “Faith. It’s not your fault. I know what it’s like to have to hurt someone you love.” “B.” “I had to kill my boyfriend he was a vampire. He was different he had a soul. We made love and he lost it. Literally. He tried to kill me and my friends and open the hellmouth so I had to send him to hell.” “Wow B. I didn’t know.” “Yeah well I thought I would die but that…” “B.” Faith looked up Buffy had stopped talking. She was walking towards someone she was sprinting.
He heard her coming. Yet he didn’t turn around. Buffy stood frozen stepping closer she called out his name. “Angel?” Angel turned around his eyes full of longing and sorrow. “Buffy.” “Hey B. What’s your hurry.” Faith said as she ran up to the older slayer. “Buffy I missed you.” Faith stood next to Buffy placing a protective hand on the small of the older slayers back. Buffy pulled out a stake. “Please Buffy it’s me.” Fighting back tears. “Meet us at Giles in one hour." Turning she left. Faith right behind her.
As Buffy paced Giles apt. Faith stood brooding in a corner. This couldn’t be happening of all the fucked up things not only was her current girlfriend’s boyfriend back from hell hers was the living dead. Well technical that guy Angel wasn’t her boyfriend anymore cause she was with Buffy. Still it was fucked up. Heaving a sigh Faith walked over to Buffy.
Standing in her path she just looked at the blonde slayer. “So what do you want to do?” “I don’t know? I mean if Angel is good then he’s a good ally and if he's Angelus then I have to kill him.” “Just like that B.” “Faith what can I do I don’t want him around.” “Why?” I have no idea why I’m asking her this I should be praying the bastard's crazy so I get but there’s something telling me that I have to let her go so she can have closure. Where the hell that came from I don’t know but I’m going with it. “B what I mean is you need closure.” Stepping into her Faith took her hand. “You need to deal with the Angel not who was but now. If we are ever to get to the us part you have to handle Angel and I have to handle Katherine.” Faith said as she stepped away.
Buffy watched as the raven haired slayer headed towards the door. She knew Faith was right before either of them could make heads or tails of what was going on between them until they got rid of or killed the respective ex’s.
Five minutes later Angel stood in Giles apartment. His eyes kept glancing a pleading look on his face he was begging for her to believe him. Buffy stood walking towards him she wrapped him in a hug. “It’s good to have you back.” “It’s good to be back.” He said a small smile curling his features. The scoobies were not happy about the fanged one’s return.
“I uh guess I should head on patrol” Buffy said as she headed towards the door. “Maybe I should go with you?” Angel asked hopefully. Buffy’s head shot up. “Uhm Faith never mind sure.” Angel was going to say something but he stopped before he continued hoping Buffy would tell him what was on her mind.
The Slayer and the Vampire had reached a silence since they had left Giles. It was driving Angel crazy. He wasn’t sure if he could take it. “So Buffy I mean how’s it. Okay I can’t do this Buffy what’s going on between us I mean what is this.” “This Angel you do remember what happened right. You lost your soul went crazy tried to kill everyone I love we can’t just go back and pretend none of this never happened. So forgive me if I’m not hanging all over you.” “Buffy I’m sorry that’s not what I was expecting I just I’m sorry.” Angel said as he began to walk away. Buffy grabbed his arm as he turned around he seemed to be crying. “God Angel I’m sorry.”
Angel was moving in Buffy was aware of this he was leaning in to kiss her. No he was kissing her what is he doing. “A-ANGEL.” Buffy said pulling back away from him she heard looking up she saw Faith. “Oh god Faith.” Buffy took off running trying to catch-up with the younger slayer. Faith ran she couldn’t believe it. Buffy and the vamp, what she was just gonna have her kill Katherine while she and her vamp boyfriend got love each other and she got B’s body. Well that wouldn’t be so bad. Faith thought. No he wasn’t going to just get her heart she was gonna stake the dead son of a bitch.
Buffy had lost before she even got out of the cemetery. She didn’t know where she would go maybe she just went home. Buffy headed to the house in hopes Faith would be there.
Angel was unaware of the figure following him. As he reached the mansion. He felt two hands begin to circle his back. “Katherine my sweet.” “So Angelus how did it go.” “Better than I thought. I was hoping Buffy’s new girl would put up more of a fight but she didn’t. I kissed Buffy and she went off running.” “Running.” “Yup just like she’s doing now.” “What, go get her.” “No it’s fine you see she’ll tell Buffy and I’ll be the avenging Angel yet again.” “What?” “Now my sweet Katherine you can’t honestly believe I’d give up a slayer for you.” “Now, now don’t worry it’ll be quick.” Angel said as he pulled a stake from his coat. Plunging it into Katherine she turned to dust. “Pitty about her could had two of em.” Angel dusted off his hands and headed towards Buffy’s.
Faith was thru the front door in a second. Angel surprisingly was hot on her tail. “B. Angel.” “What gonna announce my arrival.” Angel replied as he kicked the door open. “What the hell.” Buffy said as she noticed Angel’s game face. “Angelus.” “The one and only baby.” Buffy grabbed the stake out of her jacket. “Let’s finish this.” “What not gonna save my soul. Wow Buffy I mean you get a little dykey and now you want to grow a backbone. I gotta say I like it but I told you it’s you and me forever.” Angel said as he backhanded Faith.
“C’mon love give us a kiss.” Angel said as he planted a kiss on Faith and sent her flying thru the glass doors. “Faith.” Buffy called to her now unconscious girlfriend. Moving towards her Angel side stepped her. “Let’s finish this lover.” The two were soon engaged in hand to hand combat. For every moved Buffy had Angel countered.
Buffy leaped out with her left leg connecting with Angel’s jaw. Sending him crashing to his knees, he was stunned the last thing he heard before it all went black was, “This is forever.” Buffy ran over to the fallen slayer. “Faith.” “Man B. I’ve got a wicked headache.”
“Faith. I’m sorry. I love you.” “Whoa B. I love you too but what happened.”
“Faith.” “Just kidding.”
The two slayers looked around the house and sighed tomorrow they had a lot of cleaning to do. Tonight they were just going to cuddle.