Complications
by Lip Shakur
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss.
Author's Notes: Sequel to Runaway. Not much happens in this part, and i hate
writing in the shadows of a regular episode but it was neccesary for the return of Angel.
Next part should be better.
Buffy laid out the blanket that they were to rest the food on. Her and Faith were waiting on a small field opposite the school for Willow, Xander, Oz and Cordelia.
“So glad not to be grounded anymore.” Buffy said, as she sat across from Faith.
“Yeah, how’d you get out of that anyway?” Faith asked as she helped lay the food out.
“I calmly explained to my Mum that I’d learnt my lesson and I thought 2 weeks was long enough for me to be redeemed.”
Faith squinted her eyes at Buffy and then gave a knowing nod.
“You begged huh.”
“I cracked ok! I couldn’t watch any more chat shows. I was actually yelling at the TV. And then when Mum got back she was all ‘I had such an interesting piece at the Gallery today, it was Egyptian and over one hundred years old blah blah blah’. I love my mother but artwork? Discussing artwork with me?” Buffy shook her head in distaste.
Faith laughed.
“Aw c’mon B. I heard some Egyptian art is way cool.” Faith had no idea about art, she just liked to wind Buffy up.
“Oh no no no.” Buffy looked at her in horror.
“I was kidd…”
“Lalalala.” Buffy covered her ears. She saw the others walking her way and pretended not to see the way they strategically displaced each other into non-couples.
“Buffy. Banned from campus but not from our hearts.” Xander commented as they sat down. He was first to reach for the food.
“Oooh selection.” He smiled, pleased.
“Watch some home cooking shows between the chat ones B?” Faith asked, amused.
“Actually yes, and they all know squat when it comes to making hand cut prosciutto. They used a…” She saw Faith’s face and realised she’d been joking.
“I mean no. As if I’d watch that rubbish.”
They all laughed.
“Alright, alright. I just have way to much free time on my hands.” Buffy admitted.
“No excuse B. I don’t go to school and I never resort to cookery.” Faith admonished.
“Not gonna be a problem for much longer. Mum’s got a meeting with Snyde-man tomorrow."
“She’ll break him.” Willow assured him. Buffy smiled at her best friend and then saw her eyebrows go up as she looked beyond Buffy.
“Oh! Scott Hope at 11-o-clock. He likes you.” Willow told her.
Buffy and Faith both looked round at the dark haired guy.
“He does?” She asked, unsure.
“Totally. He wanted to ask you out last year.” Cordelia said. They all looked over at her.
“What? I’m a cheerleader! We get all the gossip. We all thought it was such a waste back then.” She said in that Cordelia way of sharing too much.
Buffy gave her a look.
“But that was then of course. Now it’s waste free.” She covered quickly.
Scott smiled directly at Buffy as he walked past.
“Hi Buffy.” He greeted.
“Hi.” She smiled back.
When he was out of hearing distance Faith passed comment.
“He looks like a dork to me.”
“Are you kidding? He’s a hottie!” Willow cried. Oz raised an eyebrow.
“But…er…totally in a good-for-Buffy way.” She babbled. Oz’s eyebrow lowered.
“You don’t like him Faith?” Buffy frowned.
“Do you?” Faith asked, her eyes challenging Buffy to something Buffy wasn’t sure of.
“I…I don’t know. He’s…cute I guess.” She faltered.
“Plus he didn’t try and slit our throats. Definite improvement.” Cordelia said it as she thought it earning herself another look.
“Don’t you want to date, Buffy?” Willow asked.
“Yes! I want to date, and shop, and hang out, and save the world from unspeakable demons. You know, I wanna do girlie stuff.” Buffy answered.
“All of which I can help you with.” Faith spoke and looked over at the blond who frowned.
“How are you gonna help me with…” The school bell interrupted what could have been an interesting conversation.
“Ah back to school. Back to hard, strenuous working that I’ve been plagued with all day.” Xander exaggerated.
“Xander, you fell asleep in first and second period.” Cordelia reminded him.
“Hey, my dreams are heavy, ok?” He defended himself.
“See you tonight Buff, Faith.” Willow touched Buffy’s shoulder and smiled whereas Oz simply nodded at her and Faith before leading the redhead away.
Buffy watched them go and wished she was walking back in there with them.
“Missing school is a sign of serious mental issues.” Faith said as she watched her.
“Don’t you ever wanna go back?” Buffy asked, helping the other slayer pack away.
“School was a big un-fun for me.” Faith shrugged.
“Well this is a new school. And you’ve got all of us now.” Buffy leant down to collect the basket.
“Yeah. I’ve got you.” Faith said slowly.
“Let’s go.” Buffy smiled at her and led the way back to her house.
It was a few hours later and Buffy and Faith were watching MTV at Buffy’s house. Well, Faith was trying to watch MTV. Buffy kept flicking it over to ‘Jerry Springer’.
“B, if you wanna watch it, watch it already. All this flicking is giving me a headache.” Faith sighed as Buffy turned it over for the 20th time.
“I don’t want to watch it! I…I just wanna see if the woman leaves him or not. He’s such a dog! How could you sleep with her best friend you asshole!” Buffy leaned forward as she yelled.
Faith laughed. Hard. She rolled around on the couch as she laughed.
“Oh my God! You even sound like them!” She said as she tried to breathe.
Without thinking Buffy grabbed a cushion and whacked Faith with it lightly.
“Shut up.” She huffed. Faith stopped laughing and sat up with a dangerous glint in her eye.
“Did you just throw down with a cushion?” She asked with a smile.
“Huh? No!” Buffy quickly backtracked.
“Oh really.” Faith grinned as she reached behind her to grab a cushion.
“I don’t do pillow fights Faith!” Buffy quickly stood.
“Aww are ya scared?” Faith mocked.
“It’s such a…girlie sleep over type thing.”
Faith dropped the cushion as if it had burnt her.
“That was harsh B.” She scowled. Buffy laughed.
“Doesn’t Faith wanna be a girlie girl?” She mocked.
Faith thought for a minute and then realised she had the winning argument.
“Faith doesn’t, Buffy does. I remember what you said earlier. You wanted to do girly stuff. I said I’d help you, so to stick by my word I’m gonna have to hit you over the head with this pillow.” Faith smiled a huge smile and whacked Buffy, who simply stood there knowing she’d lost.
“Hi girls. Everything ok?” Joyce smiled at the two of them.
“Hey Mrs S.” Faith smiled back at her.
“Faith, I wish you’d call me Joyce.” She sighed as the two girls followed her into the kitchen.
“Can’t. I have a…”
“Thing with names, we know. I got the worst end of that deal. Who’s called B anyway?” Buffy complained.
“I think it’s cute.” Faith smirked at her as they both hopped up to sit on the side. They both hopped back down a few seconds later after a look from Joyce.
“What have you got planned for tonight?” Joyce asked.
“Ah my first night of freedom. I was thinking a little dancing, some hanging out and a side order of slayage.” Buffy answered.
Joyce frowned.
“Be careful.”
“Always am. We’re not the chosen one’s for no reason.” Buffy smiled at Faith.
“I don’t understand why they don’t just send a whole bunch of slayers out here. Wouldn’t that be easier?” Joyce asked, confused.
“Doesn’t work that way Mrs S. A slayer has to die for another to be called.” Faith informed her. Buffy shot her look but it was too late.
“What? You died? You never told me you died!” She accused, her eyes wide.
“It was just for a minute.” Buffy said weakly, in her defence.
“Oh I hate this. I hate your life.” Joyce started pacing about the kitchen.
“Mum…” Buffy tried.
“No Buffy, I have tried to march in the ‘Slayer Pride Parade’ but…I don’t want you to die. I don’t want either of you too.” She looked at both of them with pain in her eyes.
“We’re not gonna die Mrs S. We know how to do our jobs. There’s two of us now and we never leave each other’s side when we’re slaying.” Faith assured her.
Buffy reached out and took her mother's hand, looking into her eyes.
“She means it Mum. No one can do this better than us.”
Joyce looked a little better.
“We rule!” Faith burst out and eased the tension. They all shared a smile.
Joyce went back to unpacking the shopping and Buffy gave Faith a thankful look.
It amazed Faith how one look like that from Buffy could send her on a high.
“So, Faith, you’re still staying at that horrible motel?” Joyce asked, her back to them as she rearranged the cupboard.
“Yeah. It’s not really that bad. I’ve stayed in worse.” Faith was a little embarrassed about her living conditions.
“It’s not right Faith. You and Buffy are nearly always together and we do have a spare room…” Joyce looked at her, hopefully.
“No, Mrs S. I told you before, I like my own space.” Faith shook her head.
“Well you would have. You’d have a whole room of you own space.” Buffy looked over at her.
Faith felt her throat go tight. Buffy wanted her to stay. Buffy was trying to convince her to stay in the same house.
“I… But you have all that art stuff in there.” Faith clutched at straws.
“That’d take me maybe 2 days to clear.” Joyce said hurriedly, knowing Faith’s resolve was cracking.
“C’mon Faith, you know you wanna.” Buffy winked at her.
Faith thought she’d fall over so she gripped the side hard and hoped they wouldn’t notice.
“I… I… guess… maybe. I mean if you’re sure…”
“Thank God! I thought you were gonna make us get on our knees and beg.” Buffy said as she hugged Faith.
The hug was brief and Faith didn’t have enough sense about her at that moment to hug Buffy back but she knew she’d relive that moment later.
“Go and pick your stuff up right now Faith. I can’t wait to get you out of there.” Joyce said excitedly and walked up the stairs, already making plans.
“My Mum’s very maternal.” Buffy said in way of explanation.
“Right…Maternal Mother…never had one of those before…I’m sure I’ll deal.” Faith smiled and walked out of the kitchen, not noticing the look Buffy was giving her as she walked away.
Faith swigged from the water bottle and watched Xander and Cordelia dance. She’d get back out there in a minute, maybe drag Buffy with her.
They were all at the Bronze and the music tonight was kicking ass. Faith hadn’t stopped dancing until now, but that was only under her body’s threat of collapsing.
A figure loomed over them suddenly and when Faith saw who it was she frowned.
“Hi.” Scott Hope said to them for the second time that day.
“Scott, hi. What are you doing here?” Willow beamed at him.
He gave her a small smile.
“You said if I stopped by around 8’ish I might catch Buffy.”
Buffy looked at Willow in surprise whereas Faith glared at her.
Willow neglected to see both as she hid behind her drink.
“Sorry, I’m a bad liar. It’s bad for the soul. And the skin, it makes me blotch.” He grinned.
‘Oh how lame. Was that actually meant to be funny?’ Faith thought to herself.
Faith glanced across to Buffy and saw her just give him a nervous smile.
“Would you like to dance?” He asked.
“Dance? I’m bad with um…Thanks…for asking…but…it’s just…” Scott continued to stare at her while Buffy stuttered.
‘Get the hint already asshole!’ Faith thought angrily.
“I tell you what, I’ll stand over there by the dance floor and if you decide to…you know…that’s where I’ll be.” He left and Buffy sighed in relief. As did Faith.
“Come on Buffy. The guy's a charm…and he’s normal. Which you wanted to get back into.” Willow said, disappointed.
If looks could kill, well Faith would have to look away from the redhead coz her eyes were in serious evil mode.
“I…I don’t think I’m ready.” Buffy sighed.
Xander and Cordelia sat down on the couch.
“Check out slut-o-rama and her Disco Dave.” Cordelia said in disgust, gesturing toward a couple on the dance floor.
Faith had to agree. That was the way not to dance.
“What was the last thing he danced to…KC and the sunshine band?” Cordelia shook her head and sipped her drink.
Faith noticed about the same time as Buffy. Their senses were alerted and they both squinted at the guy, who was leading the girl outside.
“I don’t think that guy thrives on sunshine.” Buffy muttered and turned to Faith, who was already standing up and on her way across the club.
Buffy was a few paces behind, unfortunately , Scott took this as his sign.
“Hi.” He stepped out in front of her.
“Hi…oh…no I…I have to…” She motioned toward the door.
“Oh. Uh…sorry. My bad.” He stepped out of her way.
Buffy quickly hurried past him and outside. She heard fighting sounds coming from the side and she rushed round there, stake in hand.
Faith was living large on the vampire, while a girl was cowering in the corner. Faith snatched the stake out of her hands and staked the vampire.
“Thanks B. Couldn’t have done it without you.” She said sarcastically and walked past her, back into the Bronze.
Buffy stared at the retreating girl's back in shock.
Why was Faith mad at her? It wasn’t her fault Scott had delayed her, and it hadn’t been a hard fight.
Buffy walked over to the girl on the floor and helped her up.
Faith slouched into the corner of her seat and sighed, inwardly. She looked across at Buffy, who was equally quiet. Only speaking when spoken too, and she looked upset.
‘Coz of me. I’m such a bitch sometimes. It’s not B’s fault Scott is stalking her.’ Faith thought.
“Faith?” Buffy said softly.
Faith looked up and saw Buffy standing in front of her.
“Yeah?”
“Come on, we’re heading home.” Buffy held out her hand to help her up. Faith slowly accepted it and pulled herself up, but she didn’t let go, and she was surprised that Buffy didn’t either.
They said goodbye to everyone else outside the Bronze. Buffy and Faith had to walk the cemetery way home, to do a quick sweep.
They walked all the way there in silence until Faith pulled her hand free from Buffy’s.
“What’s wrong?” Buffy asked finally.
“Nothing. I just need my hands for fighting.” Faith shrugged.
“That’s not what I meant. What happened earlier?” Buffy walked in front of Faith, stopping her from walking away.
“I’m sorry ok? I was just in a bad mood.” Faith shrugged again.
“Really? Coz you seemed fine before we followed that vamp. Was it Scott? I didn’t stop and talk to him, he was kinda in my way and I couldn’t just push past him.”
“Why not?” Faith suddenly demanded.
“What?”
“Why couldn’t you just push past him? He’s more important than I am?” Faith voice was growing louder.
“What are you talking about? Of course not! It was just one vamp Faith!” Buffy threw up her hands.
“There could have been a whole group outside for all we knew.” Faith snapped.
“Faith, I don’t want to argue with you…” Buffy tried.
Faith sighed.
“You're right. Neither do I. Let’s go.” Faith said, before walking ahead.
“So, we’re ok?” Buffy asked, uncertainly.
“Yeah. We know where we stand.” Faith called over her shoulder.
Buffy followed her quickly, ignoring the feeling of unease in her stomach.
Buffy was asleep. She must have been tired coz she fell asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow. Faith however, wasn’t.
Until Joyce cleared out the spare room Faith was sleeping on a mattress on Buffy’s bedroom floor.
‘Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid….’ The word was spinning round Faith’s head over and over.
She’d replayed the evening’s events in her head and couldn’t believe she’d overreacted like that. Buffy would probably think she was a psycho now, either that or a total bitch.
Buffy’s mutterings stopped Faith’s thoughts. She looked up at the girl, trying to determine if she was awake and what she was trying to say.
“Buffy?” She called softly.
“I had to…” She murmured, pain in her voice.
“Buffy.” Faith said a little louder. She sat up and watched the blond girl. She was struggling in her sheets, a look of panic on her face.
“Oh God! Angel!” She cried, and started thrashing about in the sheets.
Faith got up quickly and walked over to Buffy. She sat on the side of her bed and took hold of the girls arms, holding them down.
Buffy continued to struggle until her eyes opened a tiny bit.
“…Wha…” She muttered. She closed her eyes and then opened them fully.
“Faith? What are you doing?” She asked sleepily, looking down at her arms.
“You had a nightmare.” Faith said softly.
“I did?” Buffy tried to look surprised.
“You know you did. You talk in your sleep you know.” Faith told her.
“What did I say?” Buffy asked, already knowing.
“It was about Angel wasn’t it.” Faith said, sadly.
Buffy looked up at the girl before nodding her head mutely. Her face creased up and she started crying, silently. Faith pulled her up and hugged her.
“It’s ok. It’s alright now.” She soothed.
It was ten minutes later and Buffy had calmed down. She was still in Faith’s arms, though now she slowly retracted herself.
“Wanna talk about it?” Faith offered.
“I…I don’t know if I can.” Buffy admitted.
“Well, I’m far from tired.” Faith settled herself on the bed, showing she wasn’t going to give in.
Buffy looked at the floor and wondered where to begin.
“…but it was too late. I had to. I told him that I loved him. I kissed him, and then I killed him.” Buffy said, numbly.
Faith sat in shock. Buffy had told her everything. From the time she and Angel had first met right through until she’d killed him. She knew now with all certainty that Buffy Summers was the girl she’d always thought her to be and so much more.
To go through that and… Faith just couldn’t contemplate it.
“I’m sorry.” She said in all sincerity.
“Thanks. It feels good to get it all out. Thanks for listening.”
“B, you can talk to me whenever, about whatever.”
“You know that works both ways. You do know, right?”
Faith smiled at her.
“I think I do.”
“Good.” Buffy hugged her tightly and didn’t worry this time about the feelings that swept through her.
It was the next night. Buffy was at the mansion. Faith was at the Bronze with the others, waiting for Buffy.
She had to do this, she had to let go.
Buffy walked to the middle of the room and remembered. She’d never forget. Slowly, she placed the Claddagh ring Angel had given her on the night of her birthday on the floor.
“Goodbye.” She whispered, took one last look and left.
If she’d stayed a few more minutes she would have seen the room illuminate. Seen a portal open and a naked body drop from it.
The man opened his eyes and tried to lift himself up but was too weak. His face fell back to the carpet as he tried to catch his breath.
Angel was back.
“So you’re back in school. I don’t know weather to congratulate you or offer sympathy.” Faith smirked.
Buffy pushed her lightly.
“It’s all part of the ‘Getting back to my life’ thing. I think it’s going good so far.” Buffy told her.
“Two thumbs up.” Faith agreed.
“Except I have to go see the school counsellor. I get the feeling that’s gonna suck.” Buffy frowned.
“Ah counsellor’s, you gotta love ‘em.” Faith sighed. Buffy looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
“Been through your fair share?”
“Enough.” Faith gave her a small smile.
“Should I expect the worst?”
“Expect to go through your childhood in vivid 3D colour again. They’re all convinced that the secret’s lie in your childhood.”
“Oh goodie. Fun to be had there.” Buffy sighed and walked into the library, followed by Faith. As soon as they saw the look on Giles’s face and him doing the whole pacing thing, they knew something was wrong.
“What’s the deal?” Faith asked immediately.
“A body. In the woods. Mauled severely.” He continued pacing while Xander just watched.
“What are you thinking?” Buffy asked.
“He thinks werewolf, but Oz was locked up in here all night. I was here! The cage isn’t broken and the window’s unbreakable…and open!” He cried as he walked into the cage.
Giles walked in to take a look.
“But still…no need to panic. I was here. I may have rested my eyes a little.” He admitted, trying to convince himself it wasn’t Oz.
“How long?” Giles growled.
“A little here, a little there. But Oz was here in the morning when I…er…”
“WOKE UP!” Giles stormed and his pacing got even faster.
“If you wanna be Mr Technical…” Xander muttered and sat down.
“You think Oz broke free…killed somebody, then came back here?” Faith asked, doubt in her voice.
“We can’t rule it out.” Giles sighed.
“Hey guy’s. What up? Why’s Giles pacing?” Willow asked, Oz on her arm.
They all just looked at the floor.
Oz shut the cage door and laid down on the floor, waiting for the change.
Buffy pulled Faith to one side.
“I’m gonna go through the wood’s tonight while the guys are at the morgue. Stay here with Oz?” She asked.
“Why? He’s all locked up and I don’t wanna leave you out there on your own.” Faith complained.
“I’ll be fine. I just wanna take a look. If Oz does break free, only me or you stand a chance of controlling him.” Buffy told her.
Faith knew this was true so she nodded.
“Thanks.” Buffy squeezed her shoulders and then headed out the door. Faith watched her go before sighing and sitting in one of the hard library chairs.
It was gonna be a boring night.
Buffy made her way through the woods quietly and slowly. She didn’t expect to find anything but it was worth it just to check.
She was replaying everything the counsellor had said to her earlier and it actually made a lot of sense.
Something rushed past her, pulling her from her thoughts. She quickly ran after it and yanked it down to stop it running. She was thinking vampire, it was a human male body. When it turned to glare at her though she lost all sense.
Angel. It was him. At least it looked like him. He had blood smeared across his mouth but he wasn’t in game face.
He snarled and rushed at her.
Quickly regaining some composure, Buffy fought back and soon Angel had collapsed onto the dirt. He breathed heavily and tried to push himself up but he was drained. He fell into unconsciousness.
Buffy stared at him for what felt like an age. How could he be here? Was it even him? Running faster than she thought possible she got back to her house, went through her weapons chest and took the iron manacles and chain that Oz had used before, to lock himself up.
She was more than relieved when she got back to the woods to find Angel still there, still unconscious. She dragged him to the mansion and put the manacles on him, wrapping the chain around a ceiling fixture that should hold him.
He was waking up as she finished and he lunged at her, snarling like a beast. Buffy jumped back quickly and just watched him, letting it all catch up with her. The slayer part was over, the act first and then think now was taking place.
She looked over to where she had placed the ring only days before and saw the carpet, scorched and blackened around the shape of a body.
Buffy sat back on the carpet, out of Angel’s reach as he again tried to grab at her, and she let the thinking part begin.
Faith turned the personal CD player up as loud as it would go and let herself dance to it, not totally out of control as she normally did. She was meant to be on the look out here after all.
She felt something touch her from behind and instinctively lashed out. She cringed when she saw who it was.
“Buffy! Oh man…sorry!” She dropped her fighting stance immediately and dumped the headphones off of her.
“I didn’t hear you. What are you doing here?”
“Bleeding internally.” Buffy said with a rye smile as she cradled her face.
“You ok?” Faith winced.
“Yeah, I will be in the morning. I couldn’t sleep so I thought I’d cram for my French test.” Buffy motioned to her books on the side.
“Oh. Ok. You want me to hang about?” Faith hoped she’d say yes.
“No, it’s fine. I’m handing you a get out of jail free card.” Buffy said, not noticing the look on Faith’s face.
“Right. Guess I’ll get a few stakings in before sunrise then. Later.” Faith turned on her heel and left quickly.
Buffy waited until she’d gone before opening the draw to the card index. She looked for anything she could find on ‘Demon Dimensions’ and ‘Acathla’.
Faith looked over at Buffy and desperately wanted to hug her or hold her hand or something.
Buffy had just found the dead body of her counsellor and was trying not to show how upset she was about it. He had helped her in a way she didn’t think he could. She was about to open up to him just like she had to Faith, except she was going to tell him all the recent happenings. She couldn’t tell Faith about Angel, she couldn’t tell anyone. Yet again she found herself needing to talk, needing to let it all out and she couldn’t. What would Faith think if she told her?
That she was weak.
That she should kill him, no questions asked.
That she should have told the others straight away.
That she was a failure.
That she just wanted her boyfriend back.
After everything Angelus had done to her and her friends she should kill him. She knew that, and yet…
There was no point in denying it, Angel was a monster. Not the cold-blooded killer that was Angelus, but a monster that was void of humanity. Couldn’t talk, couldn’t understand when someone was trying to help him, she didn’t even know if he could understand her talking to him.
The torture he must have gone through for hundreds of years…Buffy shook her head trying to rid herself of the thoughts plaguing her.
Faith watched her and wished she knew what Buffy was thinking. Something was haunting her. More than the death of her counsellor, more than her nightmares, more than any of that. Faith wanted Buffy to confide in her like she had done a few nights before.
“Buffy…” She called, softly.
Buffy looked up at her and for a second all her pain, fear and worry was reflected in her eyes. And then it was gone.
“He was killed during the day. That rules Oz out.” She stated, back into investigating mode.
Willow sighed deeply, relieved.
“Speaking of Oz, shouldn’t he be here by now? Its 5.30 already.” Faith frowned.
“He went to meet Debbie in the quad. He should be here any minute.” Willow assured them.
“Right now we have to determine what kind of cold-blooded killer we’re looking for.”
Oz strolled in.
“Oz! It’s not you! It’s a killer-during-the-day for sure!” Willow hugged him, elated.
Oz gave a small smile, which everyone knew coming from Oz meant he was also ecstatic.
“Jeff Orkin and Mr Platt. What do they have in common?” Buffy said out loud, to no one in particular.
“Besides missing internal organs.” Faith joked to herself quietly.
“Debbie.” Oz said suddenly. They looked up at him.
“Jeff and her were in jazz band together. They used to horse around.”
Faith raised an eyebrow but kept her mouth shut. Her idea of horsing around probably differed with theirs.
“And Debbie was seeing Mr Platt.” Buffy added.
“Add this and stir. I just saw Debbie in the quad sporting a black eye.” Oz informed them.
“So maybe Debbie wanted Platt dead. He fought back?” Willow asked, confused.
“No, he was dead in an instant. He didn’t even drop his cigarette.” Buffy remembered.
“What if boyfriend Pete’s the one dishing out the punishment?” Faith asked, already standing up.
“Faith, you and I will team. Willow you go with Buffy.” Giles said as they all walked toward the door.
Faith opened her mouth to argue, and then realised that this way was practical. Damn Giles and his logical thinking!
Faith and Giles stopped dead in the hall as soon as they heard the scream. They quickly turned and ran toward it, meeting Buffy, Willow and Debbie along the way.
“What was that?” Giles asked desperately.
Running into the library, they all saw what it was. Oz was in his wolf state and Pete’s face was distorted. They were fighting and Oz-wolf had bit into Pete’s arm.
“Get the dart gun!” Giles ordered.
Buffy grabbed the gun from under the counter and aimed it at Oz but Debbie thought she was aiming for Pete.
“No!” She screamed and pushed Buffy’s arm away as she fired, hitting Giles in the thigh instead.
“Oh! Sorry!” Buffy cried as Giles muttered to himself and fell to the floor.
“Pete run!” Debbie screamed at her boyfriend.
Oz-wolf had the same idea, jumped over the counter and got free from the library.
Buffy tossed the dart gun to Faith.
“You get the wolf.”
Faith nodded and chased after Oz, followed closely by Willow.
Debbie looked at the angry face of Buffy and she ran out of the library, going the back way. Buffy tried to block Pete’s way but he shoved her aside and ran out into the school corridor.
Buffy gave chase until she couldn’t see him. Looking around she saw the blood smeared on the wall and quickly jumped up to go through it.
Oz-wolf was on top of Faith and she struggled to push him away from her.
“Get the gun!” She yelled at Willow.
Willow couldn’t reach the gun that was lying under Faith’s legs so she did the next best thing and distracted him.
“Get off her!” She yanked his tail. Oz growled and turned to her. Willow was already running and as he got off Faith to give chase Faith grabbed the gun and finally got the dart on target.
Oz-wolf yelped and slumped to the floor.
Faith caught her breath for a second before turning and running to find Buffy.
Debbie was dead.
Buffy saw her body crumpled on the floor as soon as she stepped into the storage room.
Pete rushed out from behind her and spun her around. He held her down so she couldn’t move and began backhanding her over and over again.
“You're all the same! All the same!” He yelled as he hit her.
Buffy struggled in his grip and then caught sight of the door opening behind Pete.
‘Please be Faith, please be Faith…’ She thought. Only it wasn’t Faith. It was Angel. In game face.
He growled and then ran forward, hauling Pete away from Buffy. The two creatures fought each other for a few minutes before Angel wrapped the chain that was still attached to his wrists around Pete’s neck and snapped it. Pete fell to the floor and Angel untangled himself.
He looked up at Buffy and his human features broke through the vampire ones. Buffy stood in shock, while her head screamed at her to take him down. Strike first, so he doesn’t have a chance.
But the hit from Angel never came. The monster that couldn’t understand anything stared into her eyes before saying her name in a broken, defeated voice.
“Buffy.”
He stared a moment longer before falling to his knees and hugging her to him.
“Buffy.” He said again, only this time there was nothing but relief in his voice.
Buffy just stood there, not moving. How could this happen? How could he remember her? A lone tear fell down her face.
As Buffy and Angel were reunited, neither of them noticed a dark haired girl watching them.
Neither of them saw her standing halfway in the door.
Neither of them saw her breathing deeply, her chest convulsing with the huge breaths she was trying to swallow.
And none of them, not even the girl herself noticed the tears she was crying.
The girl watched a moment longer and then walked away.
Buffy was walking Willow home. She’d met up with her coming out of the Bronze after she’d been to see Angel. It had been over a week since he’d been back. Buffy tried to sneak away every night to see him, take him some blood. They never did much talking though. What was there to say? She simply informed him that no one knew he was back and she was going to keep it that way for the time being.
“…acting strange lately?” Willow asked her, unaware Buffy’s mind was elsewhere.
“I have? I’m sorry, I’ve just been…um studying a lot, a-and I have tests to make up…” Buffy stammered to come up with an excuse.
“Buff, I was talking about Faith.” Willow looked at her worriedly.
“Faith? Faith’s been acting strange?” Buffy was almost relieved.
“Well yeah. She show’s up, she slays, she goes. There’s no…interaction?” Willow looked for a word.
Buffy paused for a minute and realised this was true. Faith had been acting weirdly. She avoided anything involving group time and had even split their slaying time down the middle so they were separate. Buffy cursed herself for not taking that as a sure sign something was wrong. Faith loved to slay together, to her it was part of the ‘fun’.
“I guess I should talk to her.” Buffy wasn’t relishing the prospect.
Sometimes it seemed like Faith could read her like a book just by looking in her eyes. Buffy actually liked this, especially when they were fighting. But not now, not when she had things to hide. It didn’t stop her feeling guilty for distancing herself from Faith though.
They arrived at Willow's house and said their goodbyes. As Buffy walked the rest of the way home alone, she wondered what she would say to Faith.
Faith was lying on her bed, staring at the same patch of ceiling she had been looking at for the past hour.
Buffy would be back soon. Maybe then she’d go out on patrol. The front door clicked but Faith didn’t move. She wouldn’t get up to go until Buffy was in her room. She didn’t like seeing the girl, didn’t like the way Buffy avoided eye contact with her, the guilty look on her face.
But the light tapping that came at Faith’s bedroom door a few minutes later told her that Buffy wasn’t interested in sleep right now. Faith stayed where she was, not moving, not speaking. Buffy entered the room and pushed the door shut behind her.
She walked lightly around the room, trying to assess weather Faith was asleep or not.
“B, What’s up?” Faith spoke finally. It amused her slightly when Buffy jumped.
“Faith, you’re awake.”
“Yup. What’s up?” Faith repeated.
“Nothing…nothing up. I just wanted to talk I guess. Is that ok?” Buffy asked nervously, fidgeting around.
“I told you before, you can talk to me about anything.” Faith’s tone of voice was emotionless, not letting anything go. She wondered if Buffy was going to tell her what she already knew.
“Is everything ok?” Buffy sat on the end of the bed near Faith’s feet.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“Faith, I’m serious. Is something wrong?”
“Why would you think that, B?”
“You seem kinda distant.” Buffy looked at her hands, glad Faith was looking up at the ceiling and not directly at her.
“And you noticed this from a distance.” Faith’s tone of voice changed a little, and Buffy picked up on the hint of bitterness. She knew what Faith was trying to say.
“Look, I know I’ve been no-show girl lately but I’ve had things to do. I…I do want to tell you…it’s hard.” Buffy sighed; she really wanted to tell Faith.
Faith finally looked at her. She pushed herself up onto one elbow.
“B, how is it hard to talk to me?”
“I don’t know how you’ll react. I know how everyone else will, but you…I just don’t know.” Buffy said sadly.
“Maybe I’ll surprise you.” Faith said, her tone softening when she saw the look of worry in Buffy’s eyes.
Faith held the blonde’s eyes for a moment longer until Buffy stood up and started pacing.
“No one will understand this Faith. None of the others, Giles, Willow, especially not Xander. I can take it from them. But…if you turned against me…if you think less of me because…”
“That’ll never happen B.” Faith sat up fully.
Buffy saw the sincerity and stopped pacing. She leant against the wall and closed her eyes.
“Angel’s back.” Those two words seemed to take all of her effort to get out, drained her.
“I don’t know how this happened. I didn’t do anything to bring him back, he just is. And he’s not…he’s Angel again. If I thought for a second that he’d hurt anyone I’d kill him. I swear. But he won’t. So…I don’t know what to do.” Buffy paused for breath and risked a look over at Faith who was looking at the floor.
“Faith…please…say something.” She pleaded.
Faith looked up slowly.
“Are you and him…you know…together again?” She forced the words out.
“No! Not even a possibility. We’re just…I’m helping him.”
There was silence around the room. Buffy was waiting for an outburst from Faith that wasn’t going to come.
“I trust you B. If you think he’s…’good’ now…. then I trust your judgement.” Faith stood up from the bed.
“You…you do?” Buffy looked at Faith and then rushed over to her, hugging her hard.
“I thought you’d freak. Or yell at me, o-or rush out and stake him.” Buffy whispered to Faith as she clutched her.
“I told you B, you can tell me anything.” Faith said for the second time that night and gently untangled herself from Buffy.
Buffy didn’t know that Faith hurt. It hurt that it had taken Buffy nearly two weeks to confide in her. It hurt that she assumed the worst of Faith. But it hurt even more that Faith wanted to do what was expected of her. She wanted to yell. She wanted to run out and kill the undead bastard.
“I’m gonna go patrol. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Faith gave her a small smile and then walked toward the door.
She was glad Buffy had finally told her. Now she wouldn’t have to keep avoiding her. Avoiding that damn ashamed and guilty look that Buffy had worn as frequent as the cross around her neck.
But as glad as she was, she also knew that a gap had come between them. A fixable gap, but it was still there, who knew for how long.
“You want me to come with you?” Buffy asked hopefully.
“No. I’ll be fine. Later.” And she was gone.
And that was all it took for Buffy to realise things were not yet fine between the two of them.
“Faith you ready?” Buffy called from downstairs.
“Yeah, let’s motor.” Faith descended the stairs.
It had been two days since they’d spoken about Angel’s return. Things were easier between them than they had been last week. There was no tension between them, no coldness or harsh words.
But that gap, it still made things hard.
Like when Buffy made her excuses to everyone else and disappeared at night they both knew where she was going. Their eyes would meet for a second and then pull away.
For the rest of the night Faith’s thoughts would be on Buffy. Not that this was a new thing, but thinking about what Buffy and Angel might be doing together made her want to scream.
Buffy’s thoughts were of Faith. Even when Angel would stare at her like he used to, his eyes almost pleading with her to let him in. Let him be close to her again. But she would look away, pointedly.
At least she had done, except for last night.
Buffy and Faith walked into the library laughing about something. They stopped sharp when they saw everyone staring at them.
“Dunno about you B, but I’m afraid to ask.” Faith eyed everyone sitting down around the table, all except Giles.
“What’s going on?” Buffy asked, moving toward them.
“We know.” Is all Giles said. Is all it took for both Faith and Buffy to twig.
Buffy looked at the floor, not knowing what to say, and knowing she wouldn’t like what they had to.
“We’re not here to blame you Buffy. I…we…think you need help.” Willow said sadly.
“It’s not what you think.” Buffy looked up at the redhead.
“So you’re not harbouring a vicious killer? Phew.” Xander’s voice dripped sarcasm.
“He’s better now.”
“For how long?” Xander demanded. He stood up from his chair, needing to do something.
“What is this? I don’t need an intervention here.” Buffy was getting angry.
“Don’t you? You must have known it was wrong Buffy or you wouldn’t have kept it from all of us.” Giles said sternly.
“Not all of us.” Faith interjected, earning her looks from everyone.
“You knew? And you did nothing?” Xander said in disbelief.
“Yeah, I knew. I knew before you told me B.” Faith admitted. Buffy looked up at her, shocked.
“Unlike the rest of you, I didn’t think forming a committee and jumping all over her would help. I may not have known B for as long as you guys but she does have a tendency of being right. I don’t trust Angel. I trust her.” Faith concluded.
Buffy was looking at her with an unreadable expression.
“Well that’s just great. Faith trusts you. Problem solved. Just one more thing Buff…how long it's gonna be before you give him another happy and he goes all psycho killer again?” Xander demanded.
“Xander back off!” Faith yelled.
“You weren’t here Faith, you don’t know what it’s like to have somebody trying to kill all of us while the slayer makes goo goo eyes at him still.” Xander turned his anger to Faith for only a few seconds before turning back to Buffy.
“We aren’t together like that.” Buffy whispered, her eyes fiery.
“But you were kissing him.” Oz spoke up from the back of the room.
Faith felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. All the air went from her.
Buffy looked over at her quickly, desperately wanting Faith to look at her and understand.
“How’s that trust holding up Faith?” Xander turned and walked back towards the group.
“You…kissed him?” Faith breathed.
“It was an accident!” Buffy said desperately.
Faith looked at her through pain filled eyes and then looked away.
“Did your lips just fall on his?” Xander snorted, bringing her back to the conversation.
“I know it was wrong ok? It won’t happen again, I know this. If he was going to hurt anyone…”
“You’d stop him. Just like you did for Miss Calendar.” Xander cut her off.
“Xander that’s enough!” Willow yelled.
“No Will, it’s not enough. It won’t be enough until he’s paid for what he did.” Xander said with conviction and started out, seemingly to make Angel do just that. Pay.
Buffy’s anger had been fuelled by Xander’s insensitivity and she grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.
“You’d love an excuse to hurt him wouldn’t you?” She said dangerously.
“I think killing dozens of people is excuse enough.” Xander pulled his arm free.
The two of them start eyeing each other up. Faith got herself together and stepped between them.
“That’s enough. This is getting us nowhere.” She said calmly, despite how she was feeling inside.
“I agree.” Giles stepped forward and turned to the group. “Go to your classes. We’ll talk further later.” He instructed.
Slowly but surely Willow, Oz, Cordelia and Xander left the library.
“Thanks…” Buffy looked up at Giles.
“You should have told me that he was alive. You have no respect for me or the job I do.” Giles said, clearly hurt before turning and walking into his office.
“B…” Faith began.
“Faith please, I can’t take this from you too…” And Buffy fled from the library.
Faith leaned back against the cage and exhaled heavily.
Buffy kissed Angel.
No, that’s not how she wanted to see it.
Angel kissed Buffy. Buffy was just an innocent bystander. It had to be like that. Buffy had told her there was nothing between herself and Angel anymore. Buffy wouldn’t lie to her. She wouldn’t break her trust.
‘Who are you trying to kid? He’s her first love. Killing him pushed her over the edge, and now he’s back. With a soul to boot. They could go back to how they were before, just without her giving him the ‘happy moment’’ Faith thought to herself.
“Hello?” A British woman’s voice invaded Faith’s thoughts.
“Hmm? Yeah?” She looked up and frowned.
“Is Mr Giles around?” The woman didn’t so much ask as bark it.
“Um…yeah, one minute. GILES!” Faith yelled toward the back.
The woman raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Giles came out of his office and looked over at Faith, thinking maybe she wanted to talk about what had just happened. He noticed the woman’s presence.
“Hello.” He said lightly.
“Mr Giles? Gwendolyn Post. Is there somewhere we could talk?” She cast a look over at Faith.
“Yes of course, please come though.” Giles ushered the woman into his office.
Faith was left with her thoughts once again.
Buffy walked away from the school. How was she going to fix this?
‘I’m so stupid! One stupid moment of….stupidness and now everyone’s mad at me. Even Faith. I have to make this better.’
Buffy walked with a purpose to Angel’s mansion. She pushed the thick blanket aside as she walked in and saw Angel immediately dive from the sunlight it threw in with its departure.
“Oh! Sorry!” She quickly reset the blanket. Angel moved away from the wall slowly.
“Buffy, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at school?” He asked worried, but she could see he was happy she had come to see him.
“Yeah, but never mind about that. We need to talk.”
“What about?” He asked, knowing full well.
“This. Us. I need to clear this up.” Buffy said, agitated. Angel walked closer to her, sensing her discomfort. Buffy walked backwards.
“They know.” She said simply, and he understood. Moving backwards, he sat down. Buffy followed suit, sitting as far away from him as she could.
“How?”
“Xander saw us last night. He saw us…” Buffy trailed off.
“Kissing? Did he tell the others?”
“Yes. Now they all think we’re back together and that you're gonna go evil again. To say that they’re pissed is an understatement. Xander was actually gonna come over here to confront you.” Buffy’s whole body was tensed.
Angel found that last bit of news amusing but he didn’t let it show.
“What’s going to happen now?” He asked, knowing the answer to that question decided his fate, one way or another.
“I don’t know.” Buffy sighed and looked over at his anxious face.
“Don’t worry, whatever happens I won’t let them hurt you.” She promised.
Angel wasn’t at full strength by a long way and if they attacked him, intent on killing him he probably wouldn’t be able to keep them from doing it.
“Thank you.” He nodded.
“You know that it’s not true don’t you?” Buffy looked at him as he stared at the floor. He didn’t answer.
“You know that we aren’t together, that we can’t be.” Buffy continued.
Angel nodded slowly, still looking at the floor. Buffy stayed a few more minutes before leaving.
Giles and Mrs Post came out of his office and found Faith sitting on the table, swinging her legs.
“Faith, this is Mrs Post.” Giles introduced them.
Faith looked up at the British woman. The woman gave her a sardonic smile.
“Hello Faith. I’m your new watcher.” She said, as if daring her to argue.
Which is just what Faith did.
“Huh? I have a watcher.” Faith said, confused.
“Mr Giles was never your official watcher. He was just to look over you until such a time when one was sent to you.” Mrs Post examined the library as she spoke.
“I don’t need another watcher. Sorry, lady.” Faith shrugged.
“Fortunately it's not up to you.” She said, giving the smug smile again.
“You're saying I don’t get a say in this at all?” Faith jumped down from the table.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Mrs Post turned her head to Giles, as if dismissing Faith.
“Where do you keep the rest of the books?” She quizzed him, wandering around.
“The rest?” Giles asked, bemused.
She began to reel off a list of books Giles didn’t have while Faith just watched, dumbfounded. They didn’t notice Buffy’s re-arrival.
“What’s going on?” Buffy asked.
They all jumped.
“New watcher.” Faith informed the blond slayer.
“Huh? We have a watcher.” Buffy frowned.
“I do believe we’ve just been through this. I assume you're Buffy.” Mrs Post’s already annoying voice asked.
“Uh huh. And you are?”
“Mrs Post. Faith’s new watcher. You will stay under the control of Mr Giles.” She almost ordered.
“But…what…” Buffy spluttered and then regained herself. “Does this mean Faith’s leaving?” She asked, stronger than she was feeling.
Faith looked over at Buffy and felt the girls fear. She wouldn’t leave. Not even if they ordered her too.
“No. Faith and I shall reside in Sunnydale. You shall still work together, but I am to be informed of all the goings on, as is Mr Giles. I take it you do take progress reports?” She turned to Giles, an amused look on her face.
“What? Oh…yes of course.” Giles nodded fast.
“And you train with them?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Good. Although I think my versions of training might differ from yours.” She dismissed Giles with a wave of her hand and turned back to Faith.
“We’ll train tonight. Here if that’s ok. Around 7ish. Then you can go onto patrol.” She went to turn away when Faith cut in.
“No can do, I’m Bronzing it tonight. Maybe tomorrow.” Faith said flippantly.
“Bronzing?”
“It’s a club.” Giles filled in.
“Socialising?” She sounded disgusted.
“Yeah. It’s part of the whole ‘I’ve-got-a-life’ deal.” Faith said slowly, eliciting a smile from Buffy.
“That’s not acceptable. You will train with me tonight.” She almost stamped her foot.
“Ok, ok. Don’t throw a fit lady. Why don’t we train at 6? Give us plenty of time and I can still go to the Bronze.” Faith negotiated.
“I suppose that’s acceptable. As long as you're prompt.” Ms Post huffed.
Faith tried to figure out if the woman had just insulted her.
Buffy gave her a sympathetic smile. That was, until Giles started to clear his throat and she just knew he was going to say something about her training too. She gave him a glare and he looked away.
“There is one thing in particular you girls should look out for. We at the council received word that a demon named Lagos is coming to the Hellmouth. He’ll be looking for the Glove Of Myhnegon. It's imperative that he doesn’t receive the glove.” She stressed.
“Where’s the glove?” Faith asked.
“We believe it to be buried in a tomb in a nearby cemetery.”
“Take your pick of which one. There’s 12 in Sunnydale.” Buffy said.
Mrs Post raised an eyebrow but carried on, nonplussed.
“Then you’ll just have to take them one at a time.”
“And if we come across Lagos?” Buffy questioned.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you kill him?” Gwendolyn responded, sarcastically.
Faith frowned at her. Where did she get off talking to Buffy and her like this?
Buffy’s face closed off a bit and she fixed the woman with a glare.
“Whatever. I’m outta here. Giles, I’ll patrol tonight and fill you in tomorrow?”
Giles nodded at her.
“Faith, you coming?” She asked, unsure of how the brunette was feeling toward her at this stage.
Faith nodded and walked alongside her.
“Don’t forget, 6 o' clock sharp Faith.” The annoying voice floated down the hall at them.
“So…” Buffy cast a nervous glance in Faith’s direction as they walked off of school campus. “Scary lady huh.”
“Uh huh.” Was all the reply she got.
“Faith…” She began, stopping and turning to face her.
“B, don’t. You don’t have to.” Faith silenced her.
“Don’t have to what?”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I told you I trusted you, I still do. If you wanna…kiss him…that’s your business.” Faith’s voice sounded strained.
“I don’t want to!” Buffy cried.
“Then why did you?”
“It was an accident. A mistake. It lasted a few seconds before I realised what I was doing and pulled away. I know me and Angel can’t be together like that.” She sighed.
“But if you could, you’d want to.” Faith stated.
“I don’t know. So much has happened, I can’t even look at him in the same way.”
“Have you guys spoken about it?” They began walking again, slowly.
“Not spoken as in discussed, but I told him there’s no chance of us…well being an ‘us’ again. He understands…I think.”
They continued in silence for a while until Buffy turned to Faith again.
“What about you? What’s your boy history like?”
Faith smirked.
“Well I never boinked the undead. But I have my share of losers. Ronnie, deadbeat. Steve, klepto. Kenny…drummer. After those I faced up to my destiny as a loser magnet. I kinda gave up on boys.” Faith glanced over at Buffy to see if she realised what Faith could be hinting at.
Faith didn’t consider herself a lesbian. She’d never even kissed a girl before. But she had given up on guys a long time back. She’d told herself that she was just waiting for the right one to come along, but pretty soon she stopped looking and didn’t even notice.
Faith knew she felt things for Buffy she shouldn’t. It wasn’t an I-wanna-throw-you-on-the-floor-and-have-you-now way like she’d felt for guys before. It was more of an I-wanna-be-with-you-all-the-time deal. Watching Buffy laugh, seeing her happy, the way she danced, the way she fought, all made Faith feel happy.
So as much as it had hurt her when she was told about Buffy and Angel kissing, as much as she wanted to yell and beat the shit out of him, she knew it would make Buffy unhappy, thus making her unhappy.
‘Could I be more complicated?’ Faith thought to herself.
“There’s no guys around here that have caught your eye?” Buffy quizzed her. Faith shook her head.
Buffy felt something for Faith. She knew that. Like a pull. Usually she’d analyse her feelings to within an inch of their lives, but with all of what was going on she really didn’t wanna think about how she was feeling. About Angel, about Faith, and now with her friends mad at her she had too much going on to think.
All feelings toward Faith were instantly placed in the ‘We’re both slayer’s’ explanation category.
“I’m gonna kill that Lagos demon tonight for sure.” Buffy said with sudden determination.
“Cool. I’m in.” Faith shrugged. “But I think finding the glove would be a better idea.”
“Yeah, we’ll do that after he’s not a threat. I kinda wanna give Giles a peace offering.” Buffy admitted.
“And what better present than a dead demon.” Faith smirked.
“This is useless.” Buffy threw her hands up in exasperation.
“Never can find a demon when you want one.” Faith shrugged.
“Guess I’ll just have to settle on the glove then.” Buffy hated it when she had to change her plans.
“12 cemeteries to check. We splitting up?” Faith had gotten used to patrolling alone in the last week, but nothing compared to doing it with Buffy.
Buffy glanced at her watch.
“It’s kinda late. I’ve gotta…There’s this thing I said I’d do…”
“You gotta go see Angel.” Faith nodded, understanding.
“Yeah. He’s pretty weak and I take him blood.” She explained, searching Faith’s face.
“Right. Well…I’ll go check the tomb’s down at Shady Hill.” Faith moved to go but Buffy touched her arm, stopping her instantly.
“Come with me?” She said, almost shyly.
“To see Angel?” Faith asked, surprised.
“It’s not that I don’t trust myself alone with him, it just if you're there it makes it easier for me to leave.”
“Why, does he try and stop you from leaving?” Faith frowned.
“No…but he does this thing…with his eyes…” Buffy smiled, a little embarrassed.
Faith laughed.
“Even the undead do the puppy dog eye’s routine huh. Sure, I’ll come with. If the answer to this is gross, then don’t reply, but…where do you get his blood from?”
Faith wrinkled her nose and the two slayers went off, arm in arm.
Angel walked around the mansion like a caged animal.
‘Which is exactly what I am.’ He thought bitterly.
This is what he did all day. Go over and over what he had done. There was no way he could ever make it right. He knew that he would try, but where to start?
He continued pacing around his front room, his face a picture of anxiety, torture, and despair. He heard footsteps coming from the entrance and turned towards it.
Buffy walked through and his face instantly opened up.
“Buffy…” He whispered and walked over to her. Then he saw another girl walk in after her.
He stepped back and eyed her cautiously.
“Angel, this is Faith. She’s a slayer.” Buffy informed him then looked over at the brunette.
“Faith, this is Angel.”
Faith looked him over. She could see he was weak by the way he was standing. He was cute, kinda. In a dark, broody way.
“What’s up?” She nodded at him.
“Hi.” He said in hushed tones, his eyes seemingly trying to read her before turning his attention back to Buffy.
“Everything ok?” He asked, itching to reach out to her.
“Fine. Here.” Buffy handed him his blood, which he took and set down behind him.
“Thanks. Are you…leaving?” He saw her glancing at the way out.
“Yeah. Me and Faith got some serious slayage to do.” She explained.
“Like?”
“Demon by the name of Lagos. Wants a glove. We find, we kill, we make everyone happy. Which would be a definite plus in my life right now.” She muttered.
“Oh. Ok.” Angel didn’t hide the disappointment in his voice.
Buffy bit her lip as she looked up at him. Faith walked over and touched her shoulder.
“C’mon B. Let’s go give Giles a happy.” Faith said and then frowned.
“Ew!” Both slayers said in unison and then laughed.
Angel looked up at them. Buffy would probably have stayed if it weren’t for the dark haired girl. He tried not to feel resentment towards her, knowing they had a job to do.
“I’ll be by tomorrow.” Buffy looked over at him, already walking out.
“Yeah, see ya.” Faith called as she led Buffy out.
Angel heard them laughing as they walked away. Pushing the sound of it out of his head he focused on what Buffy had said about Lagos. If he got the glove…Hmmm.
“I’m officially giving up.” Faith sighed.
It was 2.30am and they’d just finished checking the 4th cemetery.
“Yeah. Let’s go home. We can do the rest tomorrow.” Buffy moved over to Faith and helped her up from where she was leaning over a tomb.
“Sleep. Sleep is sounding good to me.” Faith mumbled. Normally a late night patrol didn’t bother her, but her new watcher had trained her hard. Then she’d been at the Bronze for a while dancing.
“Aww. Is Faithy sleepy?” Buffy mocked. She slipped her arm around Faith waist, helping her stay upright.
Faith let her head fall onto Buffy’s shoulder.
“Shut it Summers.” Knowing if she were more awake she’d think of a better comeback.
“Some of us have to be up in a few hours for school. Think yourself lucky.” Buffy reminded her.
“Lucky? Buffy you wake me up every morning. You’re like a sadist or something.” Faith complained.
“I wake you up to try and make you do something worthwhile with your day instead of sleep it away, or watch dumbass cartoons till I get home.”
“Hey, some cartoons are educational. The power puff girls taught me everything I know about world-savage.”
Faith’s eyes closed and she relied entirely on Buffy to steer her. Buffy smelled so strongly of vanilla that she must bathe in it. It intoxicated Faith.
Buffy just laughed and they walked the rest of the way in silence, concentrating on where she was going.
“Faith? We’re here.” Buffy whispered into her friend’s ear.
Faith was so nearly asleep she didn’t even open her eyes.
“Ok. Take me to bed then.” She mumbled.
“As tempting as that sounds I don’t think I can carry you and get the front door open.” Buffy chuckled.
Faith slowly opened her eyes and walked up the steps of the porch. Buffy opened the door and they stepped in. As she locked it, Faith made her slow crawl up the staircase. Crawl is the right word, as she was literally on her hands and knees moving up them.
Buffy bit back her laugh and gathered Faith in her arms. She lifted her with no complaint from the brunette.
As soon as Buffy gently dropped Faith onto her bed, Faith was asleep. Buffy looked down at her and smiled. So peaceful. Her hand gently swept the dark hair away from the girl's face. Taking one last look Buffy moved quietly out of Faith’s room and into her own next door.
Buffy was glad that none of the others had arrived at the library yet. It gave her a chance to talk to Giles alone.
“Whatcha doing?” She asked, walking into his office.
“Looking up a spell to destroy the glove. How was patrol?” He barely looked up at her.
“No demon and no glove.” She admitted. He looked up, now would be the time he’d give her a smile anyway, just to let her now he wasn’t let down.
He didn’t smile. He glanced her over and then returned to his book. Buffy sighed heavily.
“Look Giles, I know you’re mad at me and you have every right to be. I kept secrets and I know I should have told you, but it was hard. I wasn’t dealing. I just thought if I could find out why he was back before I told you that things would make a lot more sense.” Buffy looked down at her watcher, hoping he was listening.
Giles took off his glasses and began polishing them.
“It’s ok Buffy. I know that this would have been hard for you. I’m sorry for my outburst yesterday. But, and I’m sure you’ll understand why, Angel is a very sensitive subject for me. Learning of his…return, and the fact that you kept it from me was a bit much.” Giles met Buffy’s eyes finally.
He gave her a soft smile. That was all Buffy needed to feel almost 50% better.
She still had Willow, Xander, and on a lesser scale Cordelia and Oz to talk to.
“We checked 4 graveyards over last night. No sign of the glove but I guess we can cross tem of the list.” Buffy informed him which ones the two slayers had been too.
“Good work. How is Faith?” Giles asked, writing down the cemetery names.
Buffy smiled.
“Sleeping like a log. I didn’t have the heart to wake her. We had a pretty late night. I’m sure the sounds of Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles will greet me when I get home.” She joked.
Giles gave her a blank look.
“The Power Puff Girl’s, Giles.” She told him.
He gave her an even blanker look.
“So on a scale of one to a million, how much are you mad at me right now?” Buffy asked, stopping next to Willow’s locker as the redhead gathered her books.
“Zero. You were scared and you kept a secret. People do that.” Willow said, a bit jumpy.
“…Yeah…I guess…You sure you’re not even a little mad at me? I’m in grovel mode here, not sure how long it’s gonna last and I haven’t even seen Xander yet.” Buffy said, not convinced with Willow’s acceptance.
Willow just smiled reassuringly at her before walking to her next lesson.
‘K, that was easy. Faith, Giles, and Willow all back on the Happy Buffy Train.’ Buffy thought as she walked to her next class.
Faith was bored. Not even the cartoons were saving her from boredom. She needed to do something.
Glancing at the clock she saw it was 4pm. School was over but she knew Buffy was probably tied up doing something. Faith considered going to the library to wait, which probably meant running into her new watcher. The woman had phoned the house twice already. Faith let the machine get it and then wiped the messages.
Sighing, she pulled on her jacket and decided to risk it and go to the library. If cornered she’d make up some excuse. She was good at that.
“There was a cat.” She blurted out.
“A cat?” Mrs Post raised an eyebrow.
“Up a tree. A cat up a tree and a…um…little girl. She was crying. So I had to rescue the um…cat… you know…to stop her crying.” Faith shrugged.
“Of course. How helpful of you. And this took all morning.” She said, not believing it for a second, and leaving everyone else in the library knowing she wasn’t convinced.
“Faith’s a very dedicated member of society.” Buffy piped up from next to Faith.
The two girls shared a grin.
“Anyway…” Mrs Post dismissed any more talk of Faith’s antics. “Mr Giles informed me of the news from last nights patrol. I propose a lengthier one for tonight.”
“Lengthier? As in longer?” Faith said, dumbly.
“Yes. We need that glove.”
“We were searching all night. Right into the morning actually.” Faith told her.
“I suppose if you didn’t stop to…rescue any cat’s or anything else that your patrols could prove more fruitful.” Faith’s watcher said sarcastically.
Faith opened her mouth to argue but was stopped by Buffy.
“Come on Faith. Sooner we get the mitten thing sooner we can shut her up.” Buffy made no attempt to lower her voice and Mrs Post just glared at her.
Faith smirked and made to follow Buffy out of the library.
“Er, not so fast. Faith, we need to train. It’s only just gone sundown. Stalking around crypts this early isn’t really something I encourage.” Mrs Post shot a look over at Buffy.
“Alright. I’ll go take care of Angel. Saves me doing it tonight. I’ll stop by to get you later, ok Faith?” Buffy received a nod from the other girl and left.
Angel was reading when Buffy entered.
“Buffy. Everything ok?” He wasn’t expecting Buffy for another few hours at least.
“Yeah. Figured you’d be asleep and I wanted to drop this off.” Buffy handed him the blood. “Got a busy night. Saving time.”
“Busy night looking for the glove?” He clarified.
“Yup.” She nodded.
“Sorry to ruin your plans. Guess what I picked up after you left last night.” He reached into the chest and pulled out something wrapped in a bundle of rags.
Buffy went over and discarded the rags. When she reached out to touch it, Angel stopped her.
“Don’t. Once you put it on you can’t ever remove it.” He told her.
“I should really get this to Giles. He’s looking up a spell to destroy it.”
Buffy thought.
“Angel, will you hold on to it a little longer?”
“Of course. Will you…bring Giles here?” He asked, cringing at the thought. Buffy looked up at him.
“Yeah. It’s the easiest way, and you’ve got to face him some time.”
Buffy turned and walked, heading to the library, taking a short cut through a graveyard. She heard grunting and banging coming from behind a tomb and she immediately went into a fighting position. Peering around she saw it was Lagos rummaging through a grave, looking for the glove.
Buffy waited until he was bending it, putting him off balance and then she launched herself at him.
“Good Faith.” Mrs Post finally said, bringing the training session to an end. Faith grabbed a towel and wiped her head.
“I’m gonna grab a shower.” She looked up at the clock and frowned.
“B should be back by now.” She noted.
“Maybe she went off on her own. That girl doesn’t exactly strike me as reliable.” Mrs Post scoffed.
“Hey. Quit it. If B said she’d be back to get me then she will.” Faith said, annoyed.
“She thinks she can do it on her own.” Mrs Post shrugged. “It’s a good thing that I’m here. It’s about time you two were taught separately.”
“Me and B are a team.” Faith snapped.
“It’s nice that you think that way. I’m afraid I think everyone else just sees you as the spare slayer.” Mrs Post watched Faith’s face close, but could see her eyes mulling it over.
“That’s not true.” She said, but with less conviction.
“Ok. Whatever you say. Go get ready. If Buffy decides to show up I’ll tell her where you are.”
Faith walked across the school to the gym showers with her shoulders in a dejected slump.
Giles picked the phone up on its 5th ring.
“Hello?”
“Giles, it’s Buffy.”
“Buffy, are you ok?” Giles frowned.
“Yeah, I killed that Lagos demon. He was tougher than I thought.”
“Are you ok? Where are you?” Giles asked, worried now.
“No, I’m fine. Just a bit bruised and cut but I came home to change. Listen, Angel has the glove. He’s gonna hold onto it until you can get over there and do that spell to destroy it. Ok?”
“Angel has it? How did he…never mind.”
“I’m going back over there now. Bring Faith with you.”
“Ok. I’ll see you soon.” Giles hung up.
“Was that Buffy?” Asked Mrs Post, knowing full well it was, having heard the whole conversation.
“Yes. She has the glove. Well, a friend of hers does. He lives in the mansion up on Cropper Street. It’s safe.”
“We have to get it immediately.” She demanded.
“I’ve found a spell. It says in detail of a way to destroy the glove. I think I’m going to perform it, see if it’ll work. We should wait for Faith though. Are you coming?” Giles asked.
“Yes, I shall be going. You shan’t though.” Mrs Post smirked at him. Giles looked up, confused.
Mrs Post grabbed one of Giles’ statues off of his desk and swung it hard at his head. Giles fell to the ground unconscious.
Faith was just walking back across the school to the library when she ran into Mrs Post.
“Hey where are you going?” She asked, following her.
“Buffy phoned. Someone in a mansion on Cropper Street has the glove. He’s trying to unleash its power. We have to stop him.” The English watcher carried on walking.
“Where’s Buffy?” Faith knew she was talking about Angel. Damn! She knew it meant trouble the moment he came back.
“She was hurt while fighting Lagos.”
“Hurt? Like bad? Is she ok” Faith demanded.
“Yes she’s fine. She’ll meet us there. Come on.” Mrs Post hurried Faith into her car, knowing she couldn’t let the slayer go back to the library and find Giles.
Buffy winced as she walked to Angel’s mansion. Lagos had got some pretty good shots in on her before she’d took his head off with his own axe.
As she got to Angel’s she saw Faith’s watcher’s car parked outside.
‘Why didn’t Giles come?’ She thought to herself, looking around for his car.
Shrugging lightly she walked in…and wished she hadn’t.
Faith and Angel were beating the hell out of each other. Mrs Post was searching the place for the glove.
“What’s going on?” Buffy yelled.
Faith was about to drive a stake into Angel until Buffy grabbed her hand. Faith looked up at her furiously.
“Let go B.” She demanded.
“Faith, what the hell’s going on?” Buffy cried.
“He had the glove. He was gonna use it. Now let go.” Faith tried to pull her arm free.
“Faith, I know he had the glove. I can’t let you do this.” Buffy pulled the stake out of Faith’s grasp.
“You knew?” Faith yelled.
“Faith…she’s blinded by love.” Mrs Post called over to her.
Faith instantly got a whole lot angrier.
“That’s what this is about huh. You love him still. I can deal with that. No one expects you to just fall out of love. But when you start letting him get away with stuff like this…it becomes my business. Now…either step aside…or I’ll make you.” Faith threatened as Buffy stood between her and Angel.
“Faith, you know me better than this. Don’t listen to her!” Buffy said desperately.
Faith’s mind was in overdrive. Buffy’s eyes were so honest, holding nothing back. But Angel did have the glove. And Buffy admitted she’d known. Why couldn’t things ever be simple?
As the two of them continued to stare at each other, both in fighting stances a flash caused them to look over at Mrs Post. She was standing in the centre of the room, and she was wearing the glove.
“What the…” Faith muttered.
“Faith. You are an idiot.” The woman grinned insanely, and then pointed the glove at them. She said something in Latin and a bolt of lightning flew at the girls.
Buffy grabbed Faith and dived for cover.
“Shit! How are we gonna get the glove off her?” Faith cried.
Buffy thought for a second.
“Can you draw her power?” She asked Faith, already knowing the answer.
“You bet I can.” And Faith ran across the room, the woman’s gloved hand following her direction. She uttered the same Latin words and Faith ducked just in time to miss being hit.
Buffy grabbed the biggest shard of glass she could find on the floor. She threw it across the room and it severed the gloved hand. A huge light went through Mrs Post as she screamed. And then she was gone.
Buffy breathed a sigh of relief and then scanned the room for Faith. She couldn’t find her.
“Faith? Faith are you ok?” she yelled, panicking.
“I’m right here.” Faith said, standing up.
Buffy rushed over to her and surprised them both when she hugged her.
The door to the mansion burst open and Giles, Xander and Willow burst in. They looked around and realised they were late. Giles, his head bloodied, picked up the glove.
“We have to get this back to the library. It must be destroyed.” He looked over at Angel and then walked out.
It was later that night and Faith and Buffy were in Buffy’s living room eating ice cream.
“Did I mention that I’m sorry?” Faith asked.
Buffy sighed.
“Faith, you can stop saying that now.” It was the 6th time Faith had offered an apology.
“I just feel like the biggest moron.” Faith moaned.
“And if you’d actually took a swing at me then I’d agree with you. But you didn’t. You still trusted me. And that rules you out of the moron category.” Buffy licked her spoon.
“What was that woman’s deal anyway?” Faith wondered out loud.
“Giles called the council. She was disbarred or something for the misuse of dark powers.” Buffy explained.
“She was a real watcher though?” Faith asked.
Buffy nodded confirmation.
“The council aren’t really doing a lot to change my whole ‘They’re crazy assholes’ view.” Faith told Buffy.
“I know. It’s weird thinking that Giles is one of them huh.” Buffy thought.
“Yeah, although I think we corrupted him. He’s definitely more cool than he was back when he first got here from what Xander tells me.” Faith laughed.
“I dread to ask.” Buffy looked over at her. “You know what you said earlier? About me still being in love with Angel?”
“Yeah. I was out of line. Sor…”
“Faith, apologise one more time and I’m gonna dump this ice-cream over your head.” Buffy warned. Faith smiled sheepishly.
“I was thinking about it, I don’t think I am. You know…in love with him.” Buffy sighed.
“I thought he was The big love?” Faith said surprised.
“He was. I do love him. I always will. I’m just not in love with him any more. I’m a different person now. You know what I mean?” Buffy looked over at Faith.
“I think so. Are you ok?”
“Yeah, totally. I’m kinda upset that I’m not more upset. I guess I never realised how much closure I had over him already. And it’s a good thing that I realise this now. I can get on with my life and leave this whole angsty, heartbreak, lost-love, saga behind.”
Faith gave her the biggest smile she could.
“You know Summers, sometimes you talk a lot of sense.” She informed the blonde.
“Sometimes? What do you mean sometimes?” Buffy said in mock outrage.
A few minutes later when they went back to watching TV, Faith snuck a look over at Buffy. She couldn’t help but smile.
The past few weeks what with Scott, and Angel, and Mrs Post, they were all just complications.
Dealing with jealousy, trust and security issues were draining.
And it gave you less time to think about how you truly feel.
But now, well now was the end of complications.
Faith couldn’t help but wonder what came next.
...to be continued...