I'll Stand By You
by Jacks
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine, they belong to Joss,
Mutant Enemy, Fox, and the WB. No copyright infringement intended.
Also, The Pretenders and co. own the song at the end "I'll Stand By
You."
Spoilers: Up to "This Year's Girl" in Season Four.
"This is certainly a very interesting piece," Giles stated holding the silver "present" Faith had gotten from the Mayor.
"Yeah, whatever, I don't know what I would do with it," she replied.
Her and Buffy had gone over to his place the next morning. Faith had given Giles her gift and after Buffy had explained everything to him, then the three of them sat down and Faith made her apologies. He had just seemed very concerned over her well being, to her relief. Now she just had to deal with the rest of them.
"I will definitely research this," Giles exclaimed happily as he carefully placed it in a wooden box.
"Yea, Giles has a project," Buffy exclaimed, "now he will have something to do instead of moping around."
"I beg your pardon, I do not mope," he informed her. Buffy turned and smiled at Faith, who in turn just let a small grin show. Yeah, this was going to be hard, Buffy thought, but I know she can do it. We can do it together.
"Well, we'll let you get to it right away," she grabbed Faith's hand and stood them both up. They walked out the door and left Giles to his new activity.
They walked along the streets of Sunnydale, back to the campus. "My mom will be gone for another week, so we can stay there," Buffy told Faith, "but I want to get some clothes and let Willow and the gang know." Faith just walked along, taking this all in. It seemed so surreal. Her and Buffy walking together, holding hands none the less. It really was nothing compared to last night. Faith smiled at that thought.
"What are you smiling like that for?" Buffy asked her.
"Just thinking," she answered her.
"Yeah, right," Buffy laughed poking Faith in her side.
"Ow, really," she whined back. Then it got quiet. Faith stopped walking.
"What?" She heard Buffy ask. She looked in Buffy's questioning eyes.
"Do you really think I can do this?"
"Of course! I know you can. You know why?" Faith shook her head. "Because I will be here, you won't be alone, ok?" Buffy kissed her lightly on her lips. Faith nodded and smiled, even though she still wasn't sure.
They walked into Buffy's dorm room. Faith lagged behind, just in case. But Willow wasn't there.
"C'mon in," Buffy insisted. Faith walked in, shut the door, and laid down on Buffy's bed. "I'm just gonna get a few things," she said as she walked into the closet. Just then the door flew open, and a giggling redhead and blonde came in. Faith sat straight up and the pair stopped short in front of her.
"Um hi," Faith whispered.
"Faith," Willow acknowledged. Buffy came back out.
"Hi guys!" she said nervously, "uh, Willow, can I talk to you outside for a minute."
"Yeah," and the two stepped outside into the hall. Faith apprehensively looked around and was fidgeting with her hands. Tara sat on Willow's bed.
"I, uh, n-never got to thank y-you for saving me last night," she stammered. Faith looked at her in surprise, "no problem."
"I'm Tara."
"Faith, but I guess you knew that."
"Yeah," she murmured.
Willow listened while Buffy explained last night's events.
"Willow, I'm just so glad I realized that I love her. I mean I really love her, y'know?"
"I know," Willow replied, her eyes glazing over as she thought of Tara.
"Willow, you have that look on your face. Willow! What are you not telling me?" Willow turned a bright shade of pink.
"I, uh, um .."
"Will," Buffy whined.
"IkindasortathinkI'minlovewithTara," she spit out as fast as she could.
"No way. That is great. Have you told her?"
"Oh no, not yet anyway."
"Well, you should follow your own advice."
"What would that be?"
"And I quote, 'tell her everything . . .' and so on."
"Oh that."
Faith looked at Tara, watching the door with a look of hope on her face. She also remembered the way Tara looked at Willow when they had first came in together. She had seen it before. Yep, it was love.
"Tara?" she said gently, breaking the blonde out of her trance.
"Yeah?"
"How long have you and Red, I mean Willow, been friends?"
"Oh, a couple of months, why?" Faith took a deep breath and went for it.
"Have you told her how you feel yet?" Tara looked at her in astonishment.
"Wh-what do you m-mean?" Faith just sat patiently. "No, not yet."
"Hmm, well if there's one thing I've learned, it's not to wait a long time to tell someone how you feel," Faith said as she looked wistfully at the door.
"Y-you mean, you and Buffy . ." But before she could finish, Willow and Buffy walked back into the room.
"Faith, can I talk to you now?" Willow asked. Faith looked at Buffy, who nodded her head in reassurance. She got up and followed Willow out of the room.
"Ok," Buffy said happily, "time to pack." She looked over at Tara, who was still sitting on Willow's bed. "You know, Tara, I'll be spending the next few days at home, if you want to stay here with Willow."
"Oh, ok, y-yeah, s-sure," she managed. Buffy laughed to herself and started putting clothes in her overnight bag. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a blinking red light. She had a message. She walked over to the answering machine and pushed play.
"Hey Buffy, it's me," Riley's voice spoke, "haven't talked to ya for a coupla days. I was wondering if everything was okay, and how it all turned out with your friend." Buffy felt faint. She had forgotten completely about him. She sat down on her bed and closed her eyes. What was she going to do? His voice continued, "well, I guess I'll try to call you later. Talk to you later, hun." Oh, man. This was not going to be good.
Faith and Willow stood outside the door.
"Listen Faith, you know I can't just automatically forgive you for what you did, and I really don't know how to give you a second chance . . .,"
"I know, Willow, I'm . . .,"
"when I didn't really give you a first one," Willow finished.
"Huh?"
"I guess I was pretty jealous of you and I thought you were going to steal one of the only best friends I had. I know differently now, and that doesn't mean I condone what you did, but I'm trying to understand. And right now you're what's making Buffy happy, so you and me are on better terms."
"Wow. Thanks Willow. And I am sorry. I know that word can't change much, but I need to say it."
"Ok." They turned to go back in when Willow grabs Faith's arm gently. "And, if you ever do anything to hurt her like that again . . ."
"You don't hafta worry about that."
"Good."
After they had gotten all of Buffy's bags together, they headed back to the house. Buffy dropped one of her suitcases on the floor. Faith dropped the two she was carrying as well.
"Do you really think you needed all of this?"
"A girl has to have options!" Buffy defended herself, "what now?" Faith looked at her and smiled while raising her eyebrows in question.
Buffy smiled right back.
"Patrol!!" they both yelled in unison.
"Whew! We kicked some major ass!! God I missed that!" Faith exclaimed as she limped into the Summers house, with Buffy leading.
"Yeah, that was fun, but now I am starving," she announced.
"What do ya want, B?" Buffy smiled, she loved when Faith used that nickname.
"I dunno, how bout pizza?"
"All righty then," Faith said as she grabbed the phone. Buffy threw herself down on the couch and flipped on the TV. An army movie was on and her thoughts turned back to Riley. He deserved to know the truth. While Buffy did love him, she wasn't in love with him. She was in love with Faith. Faith who didn't even know about Riley. Oh God. Faith who had just jumped onto the couch next to her and laid her head in Buffy's lap.
"It should be 30-45 minutes, or so he said," Faith informed her.
"Great," Buffy replied as she ran her fingers through Faith's hair, as she flipped the channels. She had to tell her about Riley. She deserved to know. "Faith?"
"Yeah, B?"
"I, um, gotta tell ya something." Faith's turned her head to look up at her. Her face had a painful look on it, as if to brace herself for something bad. "I have, uh, been seeing this guy for a while, and . . ."
"I know," Faith said as she sat up, her back facing Buffy, "I've seen him. And if you love him and all, I understand . . ." Buffy interrupted her. "Faith, I'm not in love with him, ok," she pulled Faith back down into her lap, "I'm in love with you." Faith looked back at her.
"Really?" Buffy smiled.
"Really." Buffy leaned down to make contact with Faith's lips and they stayed like that until the doorbell rang.
"Pizza guy?" Buffy murmured.
"Pizza guy," Faith said looking up in Buffy's eyes meaningfully,
"Dinner!" she yelled as she jumped off the sofa and ran to the door.
Buffy looked down at her plate in agony. She felt like she was going to burst, and she had only eaten two and a half pieces. She glanced over at Faith who was working on her fifth piece.
"How do you do that?" she asked.
"Do what?" Faith questioned through a mouth full of pizza.
"Eat like that. I've only eaten two and I'm full."
"It's cuz you're a wimp."
"Am not."
"Okay, B, whatever." Buffy looked down at the half still on her plate. She grabbed it, closed her eyes, and shoved it in her mouth. After swallowing, she smiled triumphantly at Faith . . . then ran to the bathroom. Faith could not stop laughing even when Buffy came out and tackled her. Afterwards, they lay on the couch together.
"Faith?"
"Mmm-hmm?"
"I should go talk to Riley."
"Oh, okay."
"Faith, I have to break up with him, and the sooner the better. I won't be gone long. I promise."
"All right."
"What are you gonna do?"
"I don't know, I guess I'll watch a movie or something."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"Ok," Buffy said as she put on her jacket. "I'll be back as soon as I can," she promised as she kissed Faith lightly and walked out the door.
Faith sat on the couch watching at the TV. Buffy was going to break up with Beefstick, for her. For her. It was amazing, really. Two days ago, she would have never imagined herself in this scenario. She stared at the clock. Buffy had only left a half-hour ago, but it had seemed like forever. ** I cannot sit here and do nothing. Time is passing by so slow. ** So she got up, grabbed her stake and went out the door for one last sweep.
Buffy looked up at the house. It was the house Riley stayed in. She was nervous. What would she say?
"Riley? It's not working. I don't love you. In fact, remember my "friend" I told you about. We're together now, so that's about it. " ** No that would not work. This was not going to be fun. **
Faith strolled around the cemetery. "C'mon, I know there are more of you out there! Where ya at?" she said to no one in particular. And almost as if her wish had been granted, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
"Slayer," it hissed through its teeth.
"That's right pal, let's go." It started towards her, but stopped.
"Not the real Slayer," it pointed out. Faith stopped now.
"I am a real Slayer," she yelled at it.
"No," it said with its hands up, palms facing her. "No, you are not who I look for. I look for real Slayer, not second one."
"Oh, buddy, you are in for a world of hurt," she was getting pissed off now. She started for him again, when his hands started giving off a glow. Faith started feeling funny, her body feeling like it was on pins and needles. She dropped to her knees, but still watching him.
"You have evil in you, yes." It took a deep breath. "You betrayed those who trusted you. Yes, even now, you try to fight it, but it will win. You will betray them again," he was reading her, then his palms stopped glowing.
"No," she whispered.
"Yes, you cannot fight it. Anyway, you are not who I look for. I take my leave now." It turned to walk away, when Faith mustered up all the energy she could and ran towards him. He turned and flung her into a tree. She didn't get up. He turned once more and strode away.
Buffy knocked on Riley's door. Hoping he wouldn't be home, she waited two seconds, and turned to leave, when he opened it.
"Hey Buffy!" he said engulfing her in a hug.
"Hey Riley," Buffy replied, half-heartedly returning the hug. He moved in to kiss her, but she turned away.
"We need to talk."
"Uh-oh that doesn't sound good."
"Well, um,"
"Buffy, what is it? Is this about your friend?" He looked at her with concerned eyes. Buffy tried not to look in his face.
"Um, kinda yeah." She sat down on his bed. "See I found her and we talked about a lot of stuff," she paused and took a deep breath, " and I realized that, I, uh, that I'm in love with her, Riley. That I have always loved her." She closed her eyes and waited. When she opened them she saw a very distraught Riley looking back at her.
"In love with her?" he asked incredulously.
"Um, yeah. Look Riley it's not that I don't love you,"
"But you're in love with her," he finished.
"Yeah, Riley I'm so sorry."
"Yeah, whatever Buffy," his eyes turning hard.
"Riley . . ."
"Look, Buffy I, um, have a lot of stuff to do, so I'll see you around, okay?" Buffy saw that this was the end of the conversation.
"Yeah, okay," she replied and walked out of the room, hearing the door slam behind her. And as bad as she felt, she was glad that was over. Now she could get back to Faith.
Xander was walking around the streets of Sunnydale, recalling his phone conversation with Willow. She had updated him on the latest news on Faith. Apparently, Faith and Buffy were together now. Faith, the psycho slayer, and Buffy?? Why should he care? He had Anya. He loved Anya. But, for some reason, this didn't settle too well with him. This was Faith, who had used him, like he was a toy. Faith who had betrayed all of them. Faith who was lying by a tree in front of him. ** What? ** He ran over to her. She was unconscious and was bleeding from her forehead. ** Shit! ** The army skills within him kicked in, as he tore the bottom of his shirt, and wrapped it around her head, to stop the bleeding. He picked her up and started towards the Summers home, hoping Buffy would be there.
Buffy walked into her house. It was quiet. Where was Faith? She walked into the kitchen and saw a note on the counter.
B~ Got bored, went for one last patrol. Be back soon. Love, Faith
Buffy smiled at the note. She went upstairs to change, hoping Faith would be home soon.
Xander walked up the porch stairs to Buffy's house, carrying a limp Faith in his arms. He kicked the door open. ** God, I hope she's home. **
"Buffy?!!" he yelled. He laid Faith down on the couch and checked her pulse. It was faint, but it was there.
Buffy was in the bathroom washing her face when she heard a loud crash. Then she heard a voice, "Buffy?!!" It was Xander's voice. What was he doing here? She ran down the stairs. There was Xander kneeling next to the couch, and on the couch was Faith, her Faith.
"What happened?" she cried. She ran over to them.
"I found her unconscious next to a tree, in the graveyard. I don't know how long she was there. I think she'll be okay, but you need to bandage her forehead." Buffy noticed bloodied cloth wrapped around Faith's head. She unwrapped it and saw a cut on her forehead. The bleeding had slowed down.
"Xander, will you get the first-aid kit from the bathroom?"
"Sure, Buff." Buffy stroked Faith's hair.
"You can't do this to me Faith, not now. Now that we're together and happy. I need you," she whispered.
"Here you go," Xander said handing her the kit. Buffy wiped up the dried blood from the wound and wrapped it up. Faith's pulse was getting stronger now, and her breathing was more regulated.
"I think she just needs some rest," Xander offered.
"Yeah," Buffy agreed, "listen, Xander thanks for . . ."
"Don't mention it, what are friends for?"
"Yeah, I promise we'll talk tomorrow."
"Ok," he replied and let himself out. Buffy was on the verge of tears. This was too close. She couldn't lose Faith. She took a blanket and covered her up. Then sat in the chair across from the couch and cried herself to sleep.
"You will betray them again," the voice said over and over. Faith looked around, but she was surrounded by complete darkness.
"NO!" she shouted. "You're wrong!" But the voice just laughed, cruel laughter.
"You're wrong, you're wrong" she repeated hoarsely. She closed her eyes tight. This could not be happening.
"Remember how bad they made you feel?" a new voice asked her. Faith put her hands over her ears, but the voice penetrated them.
"They didn't need you then and they don't need you now! You were always the spare slayer, the mistake."
"No, Buffy loves me! She loves me," Faith cried.
"Does Buffy love you or does she just need somebody, anybody?" Faith was sobbing now.
"Stop it!" she yelled. She opened her eyes and started swinging at the voice, but her fists never came in contact with anything.
"Yes, let it all out! The evil is flowing within you. I feel it!" The voice cackled. Faith kept swinging; she wanted to kill this thing, this voice. She had to.
"See!" the voice yelled. Faith stopped. The scenario was changing, it was lighter. She saw Buffy standing in front of her, Faith let out a sigh of relief and walked towards her. But came to a halt. Buffy had this look of pain and shock on her face, and Faith looked down and saw her clutching her stomach.
"No," Faith whispered and looked down at herself. In her hand was a knife. Her knife with blood all over it. She looked back up but Buffy was gone. The darkness returned as did the voice.
"Remember how strong it made you feel? To take a life, destroy a future? The power? Faith squeezed her eyes shut, it had made her feel like powerful. Superior to anything that came in her path. It was addictive and uncontrollable.
"The day will come, yes. The power lies within you, and you cannot stop it. You were built for killing."
"I won't kill her," Faith screamed at the dark.
"Oh no? Why not? She tried to kill you! What makes you think if you screw up, she won't try it again?? That's right! Turn on her first. It is inevitable! You are evil!"
"No!" Faith shouted. But the voice was gone.
Buffy awoke to the sound of Faith shouting.
"No!" she heard. Buffy ran to the couch and knelt next to Faith. She placed a hand on her forehead.
"Faith," she gently shook her. "Faith?" she tried again. Faith eyes opened and darted around, looked all around, finally looking at Buffy.
"Buffy?" She asked trying to sit up, but her head was still spinning.
"Don't try to get up, hun. You have a pretty bad cut on your head," Buffy told her. Faith laid back down.
"What happened?" Faith asked.
"Well, Xander found you in the graveyard and brought you here. You've been sleeping since," Buffy explained. "What happened Faith?" But Faith had closed her eyes.
"Can we talk about it in the morning, B? I'm just . . ."
"Yeah, yeah you need to rest," Buffy told her. She leaned over Faith.
"I love you," she said and kissed a half-asleep Faith.
"Mmm-hmm," Faith mumbled. Buffy got up and went back over to the chair, and watched Faith until she fell back asleep.
Faith woke up first. She looked around realizing she was on Buffy's couch. She looked over and saw Buffy sleeping on the chair. Faith got up slowly, she didn't want to wake her yet. She went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. She saw a bandage wrapped around her head. She was hoping last night was just a dream, but this proved her wrong.
She splashed some cold water on her face. ** What if that guy is right? It's hard to deny the feelings I get when I kill someone. But I can't lose Buffy. What if Buffy really doesn't need me? Why would she fake it? What if I hurt her again? ** All these thoughts ran through her mind and she had to get some fresh air. She walked back into the living room and looked at Buffy sleeping. Deciding not to wake her, Faith walked out onto the porch and sat in one of the rockers. She rubbed her face with her hands. ** What am I gonna do? ** She thought as she watched the sun rise.
Buffy yawned as she awakened. She looked over at the couch, expecting to see her girlfriend, but finding only a tossed blanket. Her heart stopped. She shot up from the chair.
"Faith!!" she called out. ** She didn't leave. ** "Faith," she tried again.
"I'm right here, B," Faith spoke from the front door. Buffy rushed over to her and hugged her tightly. Faith's body reluctantly returned it.
"When did you wake up? Why didn't you wake me up?" Buffy demanded.
"You were sleeping, I wanted to let you sleep."
"You could have woken me," Buffy told her, "here, sit down and let me take a look at your head." She led Faith over to the couch and sat her down. Sitting next to her, she carefully stripped the bandage off. The cut had almost completely healed itself overnight.
"It's looking better," Buffy said.
"Good," Faith whispered. Buffy looked at her, but Faith wouldn't look her in the eye.
"So, what happened last night?"
"The usual, went out for patrol, ran across a demon, got my ass kicked," Faith explained, leaving out the greater part of the night.
"What did he look like?"
"I, um don't know. Maybe if I saw a picture or something . . ."
"Then we should definitely go to Giles. We're gonna find the thing that did this to you and it's gonna suffer." She started to get up when Faith grabbed her arm.
"Buffy, he, it was after you," Faith told her. Buffy leaned down and kissed Faith.
"Oh, he's gonna get me, don't worry."
Faith and Buffy were the last to get to Giles. When they got there, everyone was already there. Faith had explained last night's events to them. She was still a little nervous, this was the first time she'd been around all of them together, especially Xander, who had apparently saved her life last night.
"Hmm, interesting," Giles said when she had finished, "Let's all go through the books and see if we can find this demon."
"Sure thing Giles," Willow replied, smiling at Tara, who smiled right back. Faith walked over to Xander, who was already going through a book. She tapped him on the shoulder.
"Xander?" He turned and stepped back, instinctively.
"Um, yeah?"
"I just, uh, wanted to thank you for last night," she said..
"Hey, no problemo, y'know," he uttered nervously.
"And I wanted to apologize for everything I did before, I really am sorry." Xander looked at her in surprise. He looked into her eyes, but all he saw was sincerity.
"Yeah, thanks Faith." He said. Faith nodded and walked back over to Buffy, who was sitting on Giles' couch. She sat down next to her and Buffy grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"So what now?" Faith asked.
"Well, I guess we wait. We don't know what it is or what it is capable of yet." Faith knew very well what it was capable of, but she couldn't tell Buffy, not as long as Buffy wasn't going to look for him.
"Well, I think I'm gonna go over to Willy's and see if I can get anything out of him," Faith told her.
"OK, we'll go together," Buffy responded.
"No, I, uh, kinda need to go alone." Buffy looked at her with hurt eyes.
"Why?"
"Well, research isn't really my deal, plus I really need to clear my head."
"Well, okay, if you're sure."
"I am," Faith told her. She started to get up, but Buffy stopped her.
"Faith, please be careful," she said, "I love you." Faith took a deep breath.
"I love ya, too." She replied and walked out. Buffy watched her leave, worried and hoping she made the right decision.
Faith walked into Willy's place. He saw her come in.
"Hey Slayer," he stated loudly, partly to warn his customers. Several of the bar's patrons hunched over or left the bar. She sat down on one of the stools.
"Don't worry, I just have a couple of questions, I ain't here to make trouble."
"I don't know anything," Willy replied automatically.
"Or sometimes trouble can just come out of nowhere," she shot back.
"Okay, okay. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Yeah, tequila." Willy poured her a shot and she downed it.
"Now, do you know of any new demons in town?" she asked.
"What kind?"
"I dunno, any ones whose palms glow and they can kind of read their minds?"
"Well, not like that. There is one that came in a few nights ago, real ugly guy. Said he was looking for the Slayer, I think he meant Buffy, though." Faith's eyes shot up.
"Yeah, that's gotta be him. Anything else, like what he wants with her?"
"No, that's all."
"You tellin' me the truth," she asked suspiciously.
"I swear," he said holding his hands up.
"Ok," Faith said and started to leave.
"Wait," Willy called, " he did say something about some sort of deadline, like he had to have the 'job done' within a few days." Faith nodded and left the bar quickly.
Buffy leaned over Willow's shoulder.
"Find anything yet?" she asked. She was bored out of her mind, and she really wanted Faith to come back.
"Not yet, Buffy," Willow answered.
"It is quite hard," Giles stated, "seeing as how we're investigating solely on the 'big, ugly demon with a black cape' description Faith gave us. Let's hope she finds out something at Willy's. Meanwhile, you could make yourself useful." Giles nodded toward a pile of books. Buffy pouted as she flopped down on a chair and grabbed a book. Faith better come back soon.
Faith had just exited Willy's place. She really wasn't paying attention as she collided with someone.
"Hey! Watch where you're goin'!" She yelled.
"Faith?!!" a voice snarled. Faith looked up to see Stephen, one of the lead vampires the Mayor had working for him. They had been sent on a few "assignments" together, and usually did not get along.
"Yeah? What?" she asked gruffly.
"Nothing. Just nice to see you finally woke up. Too late, of course. And I hear you're back with the Slayer and her friends."
"Yeah, I am. Problem?"
"No, I just find it amusing. I mean, she kills the Mayor, blows him up none the less, and after everything he did for you, you turn your back on him."
"Look, Stephen," she said grabbing him by the front of his shirt.
"This is where I belong, ok??" She told him, but it sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than him.
"Yeah, right Faith," he snickered stepping out of her grasp, "we both know that you're not a 'do-gooder' like them. I seen the way you hurt and kill people. You enjoy their pain too much to stop. How long will the 'girl-scout' act last before you just hafta kill again, huh?" Faith paled. She grabbed her stake from her jacket and dusted him.
"Thanks, you've helped fill today's quota," she said to the air in front of her. ** God, is everyone after me? But what if he was right? ** Faith walked on. ** What if I can't be good? ** Her dream had told her she was evil, she had the lust for killing. ** But whenever I'm with B, I never feel evil. I feel loved. ** Her dream had also told her one day she would betray Buffy again. ** I couldn't live with myself if I ever hurt her again. ** Faith stopped and looked at her watch. ** Damn! ** She'd been gone an hour and a half. It wasn't much, but it was enough. She busted ass back to Giles'.
Buffy looked at the clock on Giles' wall. Faith had been gone a while. Xander noticed Buffy staring at the clock.
"I'm sure she'll be back any minute," he offered.
"Yeah," Buffy agreed, "but I'm goin' to go look for her anyway." Just as she got up, Faith came in the door, out of breath.
"Sorry, I'm late. Find anything?" she asked.
"Well, not much, but maybe a few things," Giles stated.
"Did you get anything out of Willy?" Buffy asked walking over to Faith.
"Same stuff; ugly demon looking for the Slayer. 'Cept he did say that he was on a schedule, needing to leave in a few days," Faith explained. Buffy was looking Faith over for scratches or bruises. "I'm okay, B. Nothing happened." Buffy smiled at her girlfriend and kissed her hard. She could taste the whiskey on Faith's breath. She pulled back and looked at her questioningly. Faith just shrugged and sat down on the couch. Buffy sat down next to her. She knew something was bothering her, but she didn't want to push her.
"So we should be expecting to see our friend sometime soon, then?" she asked.
"Probably, so we should be prepared. Apparently, it is very strong, so we might need extra weapons to beat it," Giles said.
"That would be my department," Xander offered happily.
"Let's meet back here tomorrow night, and we'll go looking for it," Buffy told them, "and if anybody sees anything before then, call me." With that, the Scooby meeting ended and everyone went home.
Buffy was holding Faith's hand as they walked home. Faith was unusually quiet. Now, if any, would be a good time for her mind-reading abilities to return.
"Faith?"
"Yeah?"
"Is everything okay?"
"Um, yeah. Why?"
"Well, you're quiet," Buffy paused. "Why were you drinking?"
"It's a bar, B." Buffy didn't respond. Faith sighed, "Look it was free and I didn't have a lot, just one."
"You'd tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?" Faith looked Buffy in her eyes, there was already pain in them. ** I'm already causing her pain, without even trying. How long will this work? **
"Yes, I would."
"All right, " Buffy replied and they continued the walk home.
Buffy awoke at the sound of her alarm. She leaned over and shut it off. Ugh! She had to go to class. But she couldn't get up. A certain brunette slayer had her pinned to the bed. Not that she minded at all, in fact she wished they could stay like this forever. Buffy brushed a strand of hair out of Faith's face.
"Faith," she whispered. Faith's eyes opened slowly. She looked at the clock.
"B, it is 7:30 in the morning. Go back to sleep," she said groggily.
"Honey, I need to get up. I have class." Faith mumbled something, but rolled off of her. Buffy got up and got ready for class. She walked over to the bed and kissed Faith on the lips, to wake her up. But Faith grabbed her and pulled her down onto the bed, kissing her back harder.
"Skip class," she instructed.
"You know I would, but I have a test. And mom would not be happy, if her daughter got kicked out of college her first year."
"Fine, leave me here all alone."
"I'll be back afterwards, I only have one . . ." Buffy tried to explain, but Faith had already fallen back asleep. Buffy laughed to herself, and left for class.
It was dark again. ** Please not this again. ** She moved to take a step forward, but there was an invisible plate blocking her. She tried all around her, but she was trapped in something.
"Don't try to get out, you get to watch this time," the voice said.
"Watch what?" She yelled. But she got no response. Then, right in front of her, she could make out figures. It got lighter and she could make out Buffy. She was fighting someone. It was pretty intense, and it looked like Buffy was losing. Faith pounded her fists against the 'window' trying to get out. She had to help her. She looked back up. Now she could see who Buffy was fighting, it was her.
"Payback's a bitch, huh B?" she heard the other Faith tell Buffy as she shoved the knife into Buffy's chest.
"No!!" Faith cried herself, now throwing herself at the blockade to break it. She fell down unsuccessfully and looked up, only to see Buffy collapse onto the ground, dying. The other "Faith" just walked away.
Suddenly, Faith was kneeling on the grass, a few feet away from Buffy's lifeless body. She held Buffy's head up.
"Buffy? I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Buffy's eyes fluttered open.
"Why Faith?" But before she could answer her, Buffy died. Faith gently laid her head back down and kissed her forehead. Then she stood up and looked at the sky.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she screamed.
"Just a glimpse of the future," it responded laughing. Laughing at her.
Faith woke up then. She sat up in Buffy's bed. ** Man this was going to have to stop. Maybe if I ignore it, it won't happen. ** She got up and went downstairs to watch TV. She flipped it to cartoons, and tried her best not to think about the dream.
Buffy sat daydreaming in her classroom. She thought about the perfect solution for Faith. Once they got rid of this demon, Buffy was going to plan a special dinner date for the two of them. But, it would have to be before her mom got home, which was in a couple of days. ** That doesn't give me much time. ** She looked at the clock. She only had a half-hour left and she had only done about a third of the test. She felt someone watching her. She looked up and saw Riley looking at her, he looked down quickly though, once he realized he had been caught. Buffy sighed. She really did feel bad, but he was better off without her. Buffy tried to concentrate on the test, but her mind drifted to Faith, again. The idea of the dinner date really excited Buffy, she loved to plan. ** Granted I can't cook, but maybe Willow can help. I'm also going to hafta get a karoke machine. If she's still there after I sing, then she's a keeper. ** She thought laughing to herself.
"Fifteen minutes," she heard Riley's voice give the warning. Shit! ** OK, now I have to concentrate. ** She hurried to finish the test.
"Honey, I'm home!" Buffy called from the door. Faith came around the corner, all dressed in leather and ready to go.
"Funny," she said, "like I'd be the housewife. Buffy?"
"Wow," Buffy gaped. She walked over and wrapped her arms around Faith's neck, and began kissing her. After a few minutes, Faith mumbled something about demons.
"Think he'll wait until tomorrow?" Buffy asked.
"Probably not," Faith replied.
"Ok," Buffy rolled her eyes and they headed out the door.
On their way to Giles' they passed by some stores. They passed by a jewelry store and Faith saw a necklace sitting in the window. It was a gold heart with a little diamond inside. She knew she wanted Buffy to have it, it would look perfect on her. But she couldn't get it with Buffy with her. Fortunately, Buffy did not notice Faith staring into the window and they kept walking. They got to Giles' place and, once again, everyone was inside. Xander handed Buffy a crossbow.
"Hey guys! Wanna hear a joke?" He asked them.
"Sure," Buffy replied, loading her weapon. "I'm always up for a little pre-slayage humor."
"Ok, Two pretzels were walking down the street." He paused dramatically, and they all stared at him waiting. He sighed heavily, "and one was assaulted."
"Xander," the group whined, well everyone, except Faith, who was laughing hysterically.
"Faith got it," he defended, secretly thrilled that someone thought it was funny.
"Get it?" She grabbed Buffy, "A salted- assaulted?"
"I get it, I get it, haha" Buffy said. Faith wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Yes, well, I think we should get started," Giles suggested. Xander walked over to Faith.
"Wanna hear another?" he asked.
"Yeah!" she said.
"A frog walks into a bank . . ."
"Xander!" Willow interrupted, "no more please."
"I'll tell ya later," he whispered to Faith, who nodded in agreement.
"Ok, everyone grab a weapon," Buffy instructed.
"Actually B, I hafta run an errand, can I meet you there?" Faith asked.
"Faith, could you not have done this earlier?"
"No," she responded truthfully. "Look I will be there, I promise."
"Faith, I don't know . . ."
"I swear," she promised kissing Buffy, "I'll meet you there, ok?" With that she ran out and left the remainder of the group staring at Buffy.
"I don't know!" she said exasperatedly.
Faith ran back to the jewelry store. She passed a group of guys, who were whistling at her. Ignoring them, she went inside. She pointed out to the clerk which one she wanted.
"This one is $1,000. But it is a great buy."
"Yeah, I'll take it," Faith said fishing the money out of her pocket. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing wrong with using the money the Mayor had given her, as long as it was for a good cause. And what was a greater cause then Buffy? She put the velvet box into her jacket and walked outside. The guys were still there. She walked the other way, stopping to throw away the receipt. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey babe . . ." she heard a voice say. Damn, she did not have time for this. She grabbed the hand and flipped its owner over her shoulder. She saw the guys stunned face as she began punching it. She only meant to do it once, to scare him, but she couldn't stop herself. Finally, realizing what she'd was doing, she looked up and saw the other guys running at her. She turned and ran down the street. She ran and ran until they were out of sight. She stopped to catch her breath and collapsed on the sidewalk. She looked up and saw she was down the street from her old apartment. ** It finally happened. I snapped. ** And it was such a little thing that made her snap. ** Oh my God, what if another little thing happens around Buffy, I could hurt her. Maybe this is what the voice is talking about. I can't control it . . . I have to leave before I hurt her. ** She made the painful decision. As much as the thought of leaving Buffy pained her, the thought of physically harming her was far worse. She went up to her old apartment, where she had left the rest of the money, gathered up some old clothes and some other stuff. She stuffed it all into an old backpack. ** This if for the best. ** She told herself. ** But I can't go without leaving her a note, she deserves that, at least. ** So she set out for Giles' place.
"Where is she?" Buffy huffed. Her, Xander, and Willow had already been in the graveyard for 15 minutes.
"Buffy, I'm sure she's on her way," Willow reasoned.
"What could be more important than this?!" Buffy exclaimed. Each of them had their suspicions, but no one wanted to believe them.
"Well," Xander said nodding over Buffy's shoulder. "Looks like the party's gonna start without her." Buffy turned around. She saw a hunched figure in a black cape moving towards her. ** Faith better get here soon. **
Faith stood outside Giles' door. She held in her hand a note with a pathetically scrawled message on it. She was fighting back tears.
"I hope you understand," she whispered to the air. "Please forgive me, Buffy," she said as she taped the letter to the door and ran away quickly, the tears now flowing freely.
Giles was inside, inspecting the piece Faith had given him, when he heard a soft thump on his door. ** Are they back already? ** He got up and opened the door. No one was there. He was just about to shut it when he noticed a folded piece of paper taped to the door. He got it down and read it.
"Oh, dear Lord," he said to himself. He ran inside and got his car keys. He started the car and drove to find Buffy. She would be the only one who could help Faith. He just hoped he'd find her in time.
"Okay buddy," Buffy told the caped figure, "you hurt my girlfriend and now I'm goin to hurt you." The caped figure stood up and the hood fell from its head, revealing a disfigured face. ** Damn! Faith was right, he is ugly. **
"Slayer." It seethed. "I come to kill you."
"Well, you're more than welcome to try." Buffy lunged at him, but he easily blocked her. Xander and Willow hid over to the side, waiting for the right moment. The demon threw a punch, but Buffy ducked and kicked his feet out from underneath him. He fell, but rolled away and got up. Buffy threw a right hook, but he blocked this too and kicked her in her chest. She flew about 20 feet away. When she tried to get up, she started to feel tingly. She managed to get to her knees and saw a light radiating from the demon's palms.
"You are a bold slayer, not so cocky like the other. You worry about your future. Will today be the day you will die? Yes, You are afraid of death," he read from her. She was stunned, how could he have known this about her.
"Funny," he paused, "she wasn't afraid to die." He continued. "You are worried, afraid that she, the other Slayer, won't make it here. She has let you down before, yes." His palms stopped glowing. Buffy felt dizzy. "Don't worry, she will do it again." He moved in on her. Xander and Willow, who were captivated by the light, now snapped out of it. Xander grabbed the sword that Willow had in her hand and charged the demon. It turned, knocked the sword out of his hand and struck him. Xander flew across the grass. The demon turned back to Buffy, who was slowly getting up. Willow ran out and screamed,
"Hey! You big, ugly, thing! Over here!." She waved her arms in the air, silently praying he didn't actually come over there. It looked up at her. This was enough distraction for Buffy to grab the dropped sword and stand. By the time it looked back at her, she swung the sword and decapitated him. The rest of its body fell to the ground and disappeared.
"You're wrong," she spat out. She walked over and helped Xander up. Then they walked over to Willow, well Xander limped.
"You guys okay?" Willow asked.
"Oh maybe in a few, I don't know, months," Xander grunted. They both looked at Buffy, who was looking around.
"I cannot believe she . . ." but the sight of a car driving across the graveyard cut her off. It was Giles' car. He pulled up next to them and got out, panting and out of breath.
"Buff . . . Faith . . . note," he wheezed, handing her the note. She grabbed it and read it.
Buffy, Look I tried, ok? But they're all right. I have this evil in me and I can't control it. I tried, I did, I swear. But I don't want to hurt you or them ever again, and I can't hurt you if I'm not here. So I have to leave, it's the best for everyone. I just don't deserve you. Please believe me. But I do love you, I will forever. Faith
Buffy couldn't believe what she was reading. She felt faint, the note dropped from her shaking hands. She steadied herself on the hood of the car. Willow picked up the note and read it.
"Oh man," she whispered and looked at her friend with concern.
"I have to find her," she stammered.
"We'll help," Willow offered.
"Yeah, Will and Xand, um, I guess just look, I don'. Giles, will you drive down the main highway, to see if she's hitchhiking?"
"Of course, Buffy," he answered.
"I'm gonna check some other places," she said. With that, they all departed, hoping they could find Faith before she left.
Faith sat in the bus terminal. She had tearstains on her face. She looked down at her ticket- it read: BUS 111; one-way to New York City, NY. She wanted to get as far away as she could. ** It's for the best. ** She repeated over and over in her head.
"We are now boarding Bus 111 to New York City," the speakers boomed. Well, this was it. She clutched her bag in her hand and stepped onto the bus. She headed for the back. There were only about five other passengers. She sat down in a seat. She took off her jacket, balled it up and leaned it against the window as a pillow. But when she leaned her head on it, she felt something hard. She reached into the pocket and pulled out the gift box. ** Damn, I forgot all about this. I should've left it. ** She had even had it inscribed on the back. "I will love you always, Faith." It read. She closed her eyes, but it didn't stop the tears from coming back.
Buffy ran down the streets of Downtown Sunnydale. Her first thought was the docks. Faith had gone there to leave the first time, but Buffy had found her. ** She wouldn't go there again. ** So the second place would probably be the bus station. She was almost there. ** She can't do this to me, I need her so much. ** She rounded the corner, and opened the doors, just as Bus 111 pulled away.
Buffy looked all around inside the terminal. There was no sign of Faith. She stood in the middle of the room. She had to have come here. Buffy couldn't think of anywhere else. ** What if she came here and left already? Oh God. ** She collapsed into one of the chairs and put her head in her hands. She began to cry.
Just then the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She lifted her head, stood up, and turned around. There, standing right in front of her, was Faith. Her book bag dropped to the ground next to her. Buffy slowly walked over to her, afraid that she would disappear if she went any faster. She now stood in front of her. Faith lowered her eyes.
"I, uh, forgot to give you this," she whispered, handing Buffy a small box. Buffy stared at it for a second, before grabbing Faith and pulling her close to her body. She held onto the brunette, as her body began to shake with sobs. She held her for a few minutes.
"Faith, why? Why would you leave me?" Buffy asked painfully.
"I couldn't stop myself, I didn't mean to, I just wanted to intimidate him a little," she sputtered.
"What?" Buffy asked.
"I can't stop it, Buffy. I don't want to hurt you. I'm bad and evil."
"No, you're not. I know you, and I know we can get through this. But you have to let me help you. You have to tell me everything. I need you, Faith." Buffy told her as she stroked her hair.
Faith looked up at her with tear-filled eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she had cried this much. She had never cried much at all. Well, Buffy had that effect on her.
"What do you say Faith?" she heard Buffy plead. Faith wanted to stay, now more than ever.
"I need you, too," she replied. Buffy grabbed Faith's bag with one hand, and her girlfriend's hand in the other. Together they walked out of the bus station.
"B! What are you doing?" Faith asked.
"Just stay still," Buffy answered as she wrapped the blindfold around her girlfriend's eyes.
"I hate these."
"I know," Buffy giggled. She led Faith into the dark kitchen, where the table was lit up with two candles and a specially-made dinner. Specially made by Willow and Tara, who so generously helped her out. She sat Faith down in one of the chairs.
"Where are you going? Where am I?" Faith questioned. All she could make out was the smell of food.
"Be patient, geez," Buffy responded. " You're worse than Xander."
"Am not," Faith mumbled. Faith was alone for a few minutes before she heard Buffy return. She felt the blonde walk over towards her.
"Ok, you can take off the blindfold now," she instructed. Faith eagerly ripped it off and gasped. Buffy sat at the other end of the candle-lit table and was wearing a white spaghetti-strap dress. She looked beautiful.
"Uh, wow." Was all Faith managed.
"Thanks, I wanted to do something special for you."
"Yeah, I'd say that this was special."
"Well, this isn't all."
"Really?" Faith said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Yeah. Listen I know how hard you're trying and I really wanted you to understand how much I'm here for you..."
"Yeah?" Faith always felt uncomfortable bringing this up, but she knew they needed to talk about it.
"So, I tried to think of the best way to show you, and there was this song that perfectly describes it, and well..." Buffy took a deep breath and walked over to Faith. She stood her up.
"Stand here," she told her and she went over and pushed Play on the stereo. She walked back over to Faith. As the music began, she wrapped her arms around her. Faith did the same. Buffy closed her eyes and started to sing.
~~ Oh, why you look so sad, The tears are in your eyes, Come on and come to me now. And don't be ashamed to cry, let me see you through, 'Cause I've seen the dark side too. ~~
Faith's body began shaking and Buffy held her tighter. They began to sway back and forth.
~~ When the night falls on you, You don't know what to do; Nothing you confess Could make me love you less. I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, Won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you. So, if you're mad, get mad; Don't hold it all inside, Come on and talk to me now. And hey, What you got to hide? I get angry too, Well, I'm a lot like you. When you're standing at the crossroads And don't know which path to choose, Let me come along, 'Cause even if you're wrong, I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, Won't let nobody hurt you. ~~
Faith rested her head on Buffy's shoulder and Buffy could feel Faith's tears run down her arm. She continued.
~~ I'll stand by you, Take me in into your darkest hour, And I'll never desert you, I'll stand by you. And when, when the night falls on you, baby, You're feeling all alone, You won't be on your own. I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, Won't let nobody hurt you. I'll stand by you, Take me in into your darkest hour, And I'll never desert you. I'll stand by you. ~~
Both Buffy and the music had finished, but the couple didn't stop dancing. Buffy lifted Faith's chin up and looked into her red eyes.
"I love you, Faith."
"I love you too, Buffy."