Runaway
by Lip Shakur
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer all belong to Joss Whedon.
Author's Notes: This is set after Buffy leaves in the season 2 finale.
Buffy struggled with the bag of groceries she was carrying as she tried to get her motel room door key out of her pocket. It had been 6 months since she’d left Sunnydale. 6 months since she’d killed the love of her life. Since her mother had told her not to come back, she’d been expelled and she’d put all her friends lives in danger. Giles had been tortured for hours. Willow been in a temporary coma that had left her wheelchair bound for a while. Xander had his arm broken and Cordelia had never been more scared in her life, as she’d run nearly clear out of town.
‘All because of me.’ Buffy thought, before shaking her head and going back to the task in hand.
“Need a hand?” She heard a voice. Awkwardly turning her head she saw a dark haired girl smirking at her.
“No thanks. I got it covered.” Buffy said as she struggled to hold the bag in place against the door with her hand and chest, as the other hand was digging in her pocket searching for the key. The bag was wobbling dangerously, threatening to spill its contents.
“Right, of course.” The girl said through her smirk. She didn’t leave though, just leant against the door next to Buffy’s and watched Buffy struggle.
Buffy was starting to get irritated. The girl was just watching her, amused.
“What do you want?” Buffy snapped, turning her head to face the girl. Bad idea. The bag tipped and everything it had previously held went sailing to the floor.
“Dammit!” Buffy banged her fist on her door in frustration. She bent over and started collecting the items. The other girl, apparently now taking pity on Buffy came over and helped her.
“Thanks.” Buffy grunted at her as she handed her a tube of toothpaste and an apple that had rolled away.
“No problem. Next time I suggest putting the bag on the floor while you open the door.”
Buffy looked at the girl's face to see if she was trying to be funny with her. Although the smirk was still there her eyes were genuine enough.
“I’ll try that.” Buffy said as she finally unlocked her door and pushed it open. She picked her bag up and walked in and kicked the door shut without another word.
‘S’pose I was rude.’ She thought as she placed the groceries on the side. ‘Oh well.’ She shrugged. It hardly mattered here. She’d probably never see that girl again. People came and went in this part of LA. Never really stopping long enough to care about what impression they gave someone. Buffy had surprised herself with how fast she’d adopted the same attitude.
Faith walked into her own room, which was directly next door to the blond girl's. She grabbed her jacket and searched through the pockets until she found what she was looking for. She pulled the photo free and looked it over for the hundredth time. She found herself captivated by the bluey green eyes, the look they held. The blond hair styled perfectly around her face. The cute little nose, and the mouth…Faith stopped her thoughts there, not wanting to get too carried away. A huge grin spread across her own mouth.
‘I did it. I found her.’
She reached for the phone blindly, never taking her eyes off the photo she held.
“Can I take your order?” Buffy droned in a bored voice. She didn’t look at the customer; just lifted her pen and notepad ready to capture their choice.
“Yeah, I’ll take a slice of chocolate cake please…Anne.” Faith said, casting her eyes over the fake name badge.
Buffy recognised the smoky voice and looked up. She groaned inwardly. So much for never seeing her again.
“Won’t be a minute.” She said before hurrying away. She was embarrassed about the way she had acted toward the girl earlier. Buffy pinned the order onto the wheel that the people in the kitchen would eventually turn.
“Can I take your order?” Buffy asked the people sitting opposite Faith’s table. They were a couple all over each other.
“Can we get cake?” The girl asked her boyfriend hopefully.
“No we can’t get cake. We have to eat healthy…can we get pie?” He looked up at Buffy. He spread a handful of change onto the tabletop.
“There’s a peach pie. Can’t guarantee there’s actually any peach in it.” She told them.
“You shouldn’t have spent all our money.” The girl complained, but her voice didn’t really object.
“Hey it was worth it. Check this out.” The boy said and showed Buffy their arms. They each had half of a heart with each other’s name written through it. When you put their arms together the heart was completed.
“It’s nice. And permanent.” Buffy said, not really caring.
“Hey, don’t I know you?” The girl said, looking intently at Buffy.
“I don’t think so. Is that all?” Buffy suddenly wanted to get away.
“Really? Where you from?” The girl questioned.
“Your pie will be here in a minute.” Buffy rushed away and over to Pam, the head waitress.
“I’m not feeling too well, cover for me?” She pleaded.
“Sure.” Pam shrugged. Buffy dumped her notepad and apron and was out the door fast; not noticing as the dark haired girl from earlier followed her.
“No job I ever had let me just leave like that. Must be your charm.” Faith said, as she caught up with her.
Buffy stared at the girl.
“What do you want? Are you following me?” Her voice held a threat to it.
Faith held her hands up in the age-old way of meaning no trouble.
“No. I’m just walking back to my motel which coincidentally happens to be yours.”
“Look, I’m sorry about earlier. You caught me at a bad time.” Buffy said, thinking the girl was harassing her for some kind of apology. Faith just shrugged.
“No problem. Your not the first girl to slam a door in my face.” She said, winking at Buffy and grinning. Buffy rolled her eyes and tried not to smile.
“So, coz we’re neighbours an all, we should do introductions. I’m Faith.”
“I’m B…Anne.” Buffy covered her slip as fast as possible. Faith frowned.
“B or Anne? Never mind, first impressions and all that I’m gonna go with B. It’s permanently stuck in my head now.” She grinned at Buffy again.
“Whatever.” Buffy said putting her head down. She just wanted to get away from this girl. Luckily they were just arriving at the motel. Buffy unlocked her door and not wanting a repeat of closing it on Faith she waited for her to say something.
“Feel free to come over for a cup of sugar or something.” Faith joked.
Buffy nodded at her.
“Uh huh, ditto. Bye.” And she was gone. That girl totally unnerved her. It was like she knew something about her.
‘Of course she doesn’t.’ Her voice snapped angrily at herself in her head.
Buffy looked at the phone hanging on the wall. How she wanted to pick it up and dial the numbers that raced around her head. Her house number, Willow’s, Xander’s, Giles'. Of course she wouldn’t let herself. They were better off without her. True, she was the slayer and her duty was there. Her friends could have been at risk when she left. She knew it was selfish but now she had hope. Hope that the new slayer was already there doing what Buffy should be doing. Protecting, fighting, saving. With Kendra dead she knew it was almost a certainty that the new slayer was in Sunnydale. Where else would she be than the Hellmouth?
That was the only thing that soothed her.
If only she knew.
THREE MONTHS EARLIER.
“I was hoping Buffy would just turn up today.” Willow told them as they sat in the library. School had started that day and even though Buffy had been kicked out, they all still thought it might have given her an incentive to come back.
“We know Will. We all did.” Xander said, giving her s sympathetic glance.
“How did it go last night?” Giles asked.
“Well we didn’t die. Big yay for that. But the vamp kinda got away, so…mark your own score.” Willow said, looking at the tabletop.
She didn’t want to see the same look of disappointment in Giles’ eyes. Not necessarily aimed at them, just at the whole situation. They were all trying their best and still it wasn’t good enough by far. Dammit this was Buffy’s job! She should be here no matter what. Didn’t she care that they were risking their lives night after night doing something that was her duty. Willow felt the anger course through her and then felt ashamed of it. Maybe if she’d been a better friend Buffy would have come to her instead of leaving. She knew now more than ever what it felt like to desperately need someone to talk to but have no one to turn to.
They were all thinking near enough the same things, how they wished Buffy were here, how they were angry at her, how they missed her with a passion. Their thoughts were interrupted by an unknown girl who swaggered into the library. She glanced around at them, stopping at Giles.
“Rupert Giles?” She asked.
“Yes, that’s me.” He stood up.
“Good.” The girl hopped up onto the library counter and grinned at them.
“I’m Faith.”
Giles closed the door to his office, shutting out the curious faces of Willow, Xander, Oz and Cordelia. The girl, Faith, was now propped against his desk.
“How can I help you?” Giles asked.
“I was sent here. I’m the new slayer. Was told to come find you.” She shrugged.
Giles mouth opened and yet no sound came out.
“They didn’t tell you I was coming, huh.” Faith observed.
Giles shook his head.
“No. No one informed me.” He regrouped quickly, found his manners and offered the girl his hand which she took with an amused look on her face.
“Pleased to meet you.” Giles said as they shook.
“You too. So what’s the deal here? You’re a part time librarian? The council don’t pay you enough?” She smirked.
Giles began polishing his glasses, thinking.
“What? Oh…very witty. My job here as librarian is a very convenient one. Buffy…and the others attend school here and the books at our disposal are handy. It doesn’t draw any attention to us.” He concluded.
“The others?” Faith raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, Buffy works…worked with a group of friends who are aware of her identity. They help out with research and such.” Giles explained.
“Those out there?” Faith peered through the glass in the door.
“Yes.”
“Look like a happy bunch.” Faith said sarcastically, as she noticed the depressed looks on all their faces.
“Yes well, it’s a rather difficult time at the moment. What with Buffy being…away, they have taken it upon themselves to do the slaying.”
Faith’s mouth dropped.
“Huh? Buffy’s not here? And those people out there have been going slaying?” Faith looked over at them and laughed a little, which angered Giles a little. He knew the gang were trying their hardest.
“As I said, it’s a difficult time.”
“Sorry.” Faith stopped laughing when she saw the anger flash in Giles’ eyes. “Where is the famous Buffy then? I’ve heard a lot about her. Don’t tell me she got holiday time.” Faith joked.
Giles looked at the dark haired girl and thought about what to tell her. He knew the others should know of this development before he divulged Buffy’s situation.
“I’ll explain later. Let me introduce you to the others.” He led the way out into the library. He had their full attention straight away.
“Ah…everybody, let me introduce you to Faith. It seems she is the new slayer.” He paused and let them digest this.
“A new slayer? But that means…God no! Buffy’s dead!” Willow leapt up out of her seat.
“No! No Willow calm down. Buffy is not dead. Even if she were to die a new slayer wouldn’t be called from her death again. The slayer line ran through Kendra…and now Faith.” He informed them. All eyes were now turned to Faith who was looking at them, with a bemused expression.
“So they sent you to replace Buffy. Well that’s just great. She’s gone 3 months and they send a replacement so we can all forget about it. Thanks for coming but we really don’t need you.” Xander said harshly to Faith.
Faith’s eyes darkened but she held her tongue.
“Xander!” Giles admonished. “There’s no need to take this out on Faith. She has no idea what’s happened here.”
“Yeah, anyone wanna step in and tell me…feel free.” Faith cut in, a demand in her voice. The four teenagers looked at her and then back down at the table, not wanting to go through why Buffy wasn’t here. It was left for Giles, which he didn’t find too surprising.
“Buffy has left. Runaway, if you will. Some occurrences took place which pushed her too far and she’s left. That’s why the group have been covering slaying, that’s why she’s not here. I’ve been searching for her as best I can but I have responsibilities here that I cannot abandon. I believe we won’t find her until she wants to be found, which evidently is not now. We’re just doing the best we can.” Giles couldn’t go on. The lump in his throat was constricting his voice and he knew he couldn’t show the children his fears that she may never return.
“Whoa.” Was all Faith said.
It was a few hours later and no one had left the library except Cordelia who had cheerleading practice. Faith had been let in on a lot of what had happened.
She knew Buffy had been expelled. She knew she’d had a fight with her mother and her identity had been uncovered to her. She knew that she had been wanted for the murder of the other slayer, Kendra. And the group had tried their best to fill in the details about Angel but not even they knew what had happened there.
Faith was a pretty open minded person and not much ever shocked her, if it did it was only for a few minutes while her head came to grips with it. But the knowledge that Buffy had been dating a vampire who ultimately had gone on to try and destroy the world, well that had thrown her for a full ten minutes.
“Sounds heavy.” Faith commented when they had finished telling her all they could.
“It was. It still is for Buffy. She must feel so alone right now.” Willow said sadly.
“I guess. But she left without saying a word and you guys have been doing the slaying? That’s pretty dumb.”
“Her leaving or us slaying?” Xander asked.
“Both.” Faith replied.
“Faith, I don’t think you can understand…” Willow started.
“Maybe not, but she left and put a lot of peoples lives in danger. And then you guys further that by going out and actually chasing the vampires. Dumb.” Faith shook her head.
“We can’t just leave the vampires to kill whoever they want just because Buffy isn’t here. We had to do something!” Willow raised her voice.
“Alright Red, chill. I was just making an observation. Like you said, I know squat about what was really going on.”
“Red?” Willow questioned. Faith grinned.
“I have a thing with names. Never remember them. I make my own. Humour me.”
Willow shrugged and Xander grew impatient.
“Ok, lets stay on track here. What happens now? There’s a new slayer. We don’t need to slay anymore. That’s great. But what about Buffy? Are we just gonna forget about her and carry on as usual?” He demanded.
“No! Of course not!” Giles almost shouted. “I shall continue my search for Buffy with just as much enthusiasm as before. She’s more to us than a slayer. You know that.” Giles got up and walked into his office to check his email. Hoping as always there would be a lead there from someone.
“Do you have a picture of her?” Faith asked suddenly. Willow looked up.
“Of Buffy? Of course. Look.” She searched through her back and pulled a picture out of her purse. It was her, Xander and Buffy all grouped together and rolled into one big ball on the ground. Willow remembered when Joyce had taken that photo.
Faith stared at the blond, laughing girl in the photo. She looked so care free and happy. Faith envied her for a second until she remembered what this girl had just gone through. She’d never met her, she might never but she felt defensive of her already.
3 months ago Faith’s life had changed in ways you couldn’t imagine. She’d been pulled free of her shitty life and everyone in it only to have this huge weight and responsibility placed on her instead. The pay was nil and the life expectancy was almost the same. She knowledge that she was made for this was sometimes more than she could bear. She was made for fighting, and then dying. Her life was something that didn’t mean a lot.
After her first meeting with the Watchers Council she’d decided they were assholes and they hadn’t changed her mind since. To them she was just a name, a body. Something for them to occupy for a while and then move onto the next when she was gone. She knew this, and yet she was still thrilled that she was the slayer. Not that she ever let them know that. She finally belonged somewhere. And when they told her about this girl, Buffy Summers, she thought someone might finally be able to understand her. The stories they told her about Buffy made her nervous to meet her. The girl sounded like a real hero. Courageous, brave, all the things Faith wanted to be and now had the chance to prove she could.
And now she was here. And Buffy wasn’t. Brave Buffy had runaway. Left her duty behind and gone. Faith was disappointed, sure. But it was more than that. She didn’t feel let down by Buffy because God knows Faith herself had run lots of times. She knew how it felt when things seemed to suffocate you, or drown you. No, she didn’t feel let down. She felt cheated. Cheated of this girl who was supposed to complete Faith. That’s how much she’d built Buffy up in her head. They were the ‘Chosen Two’. They shared more than anyone ever would. And they hadn’t even met.
Faith had never wanted or needed anyone to understand her. Even if she did she’d never show it. She wasn’t that kind or person. So she sure as hell wasn’t gonna get blubbery about Buffy in front of these people. She played it cool, while inside she was screaming.
It had been two months since Faith had arrived. Giles had offered to let her stay with him but she declined. She liked her own space, to be left alone with her thoughts, which wasn’t always a good thing but its how she preferred it. That’s why she was living in a motel that wasn’t exactly 5 stars. She’d stayed in worse though and she was glad of the roof over her head and the bed that she slept in.
Patrolling was the best time of the day for her. She became a force, a weapon of destruction. She let go of everything and loved every minute of it. Still, she wondered what it would be like to have this blond girl next to her, to have Buffy Summers fighting alongside her and they would congratulate each other after a hard fight. Complement a particular move that had been executed perfectly.
Giles came along once in a while to watch and assess her but it wasn’t his praise she wanted. When she was alone in the motel room afterwards, she would think that it wasn’t healthy to seek the approval of someone she’d never met or spoken to, or even seen from a distance. Then she’d push the thoughts aside and dream of it all over again.
It was when she began having pretend conversations with her that she realised she had to do something about it. She went to the library when she knew they’d all be there.
Giles looked up and frowned when he saw her. Not because he wasn’t happy to see her, just that he thought it was a sign of something bad. Faith never came when she wasn’t expected. The girl was very closed off and kept her thoughts in her own head.
“Faith?” He asked, questioningly.
“Everything’s ok. I just wanted to talk to you all.” Faith told them as she sat down in a chair. Xander, Willow and Oz where all in attendance.
“Concerning what?” Giles sat down also.
“Buffy.” Faith said simply.
“What about her?” Willow asked at once.
“Any luck in tracking her down? Any at all?” Faith asked. They all shook their heads no.
“I think I have an idea. But I’ll only do it if you all agree.” She looked them all in the face. Over the past weeks she’d grown to like the people here. The feeling was mutual.
“I want to…I want to go and find her. I think I stand a better chance than you. I don’t mean that in a bad way, to put you down for not being able to but…I’m a street kid. I know a thing or two about running away, what its like, where you go, what you do. Plus we’re both slayers, I’m thinking we have the same instincts.” Faith watched their reactions closely, she really didn’t want them to take offence.
“Faith, what do you propose?” Giles was the first one to speak.
“Where’s the closest place near here that runaways would go to?” Faith asked them.
“The arcade!” Xander cried. They all stared at him.
“You were 9 then Xand.” Willow gave him a little smile.
“Oh yeah. Sorry.” Xander looked down sheepishly.
“I was thinking more like LA.” Faith said.
“That makes sense! Buffy used to live there before she came here.” Willow cried.
“LA is the perfect place for runaways. People that just want to fade away, be alone and go unnoticed. I’m guessing…no…I know that’s where she is.” Faith stressed.
“Do it.” Xander said suddenly, capturing her eyes with his. She could see he meant it.
“Go for it Faith. You can’t do any worse than we have.” Willow said sadly.
“You got my vote.” Oz said, his expression never changing though he did give Willow’s hand a squeeze.
“Giles?” Faith turned to him.
“I think…” He seemed to be battling with himself. Sighing heavily he finally looked up. “I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard for a while.”
Faith grinned hugely. She had their approval. Everything else they could sort out, but now she knew she was going to LA, and she was going to bring Buffy back with her.
A week later and Faith was standing at the bus depot with Willow, Xander, Giles and Joyce. She’d only met Joyce in the last week and to say the woman was grateful for what Faith was doing was a severe understatement.
Joyce couldn’t stop thanking her and telling her that no matter how much money it would take, how much time or whatever Faith needed she would gladly supply. Faith knew she was a broken woman since her only daughter had dropped a bombshell on her and then left. For almost half a year she’d been in a kind of daze, not even wanting to think because of the contents of her thoughts. Buffy lying in a ditch somewhere, hurt, bleeding. Buffy shivering against the rain in a shop doorway.
They all knew Faith was their best bet. None of them knew the streets or had her knowledge of runaway life. If they thought for a second that they could do what she was doing and be successful they’d be gone in an instant. But it was Faith who was packed and waiting to go.
The others were going to take over the slaying like before. Not every night, but twice a week. It was a risk they were willing to take.
“That’s my bus.” Faith informed them as she picked her duffel bag up. Willow shocked her as she grabbed her into a hug.
“Take care.” She whispered.
Xander was next to hug her.
“And that’s not advice, it’s an order.” He told her. Faith just smiled at him.
Joyce took her hand and held it for a few seconds, trying to say as much as possible with her eyes. Faith smiled at her and hoped she wouldn’t let her down, or any of them.
“I want you to take this. It’s the best one I have of her.” Joyce said softly, pushing a photo of Buffy into Faith’s hands. Faith looked down at it and then back to Joyce.
“I’ll make sure you get it back soon enough.”
Giles simply gave a soft smile and walked her over to the bus.
“Even if you don’t find her…you’ll always have a place here Faith. Don’t ever think you can’t come back. And I expect phone calls every day.” He slipped into his fatherly role easy. He’d had a lot of practice.
Faith smiled again and wondered how long it had been since she’d smiled this much. Then she got on the bus and made her way to the back. Placing her bag next to her to ensure no one would disturb her.
‘Wherever you are Buffy, I’m coming to get you.’ She thought determinedly as she looked at the photo and the bus pulled away.
Faith surprised herself with how easy it was. Slipping back into her old life. She never stayed in one place too long, moving from motel to motel. Even though she had the money to stay in places a lot nicer with the money Joyce and Giles had given her, she knew Buffy wouldn’t have.
It had been 2 weeks. She’d kept her promise and phoned Giles everyday. It was always a disappointment when she told him there was nothing new. He never made her feel bad though, always managed to lift her spirits. One way or another she would find her.
She’d just checked into this new place. Only been there a day and she was coming back from her walk around town when she saw her. Not that it immediately clicked in her head that it was Buffy. Just that the girl was struggling and might need some help so she’d offered. It was when the girl turned and looked that Faith realised. And all she could do was smirk to herself. They didn’t get off to the best start. Buffy kicked the door shut in her face but who cares. She’d found her. The first thing she did was phone Giles.
“Hello?” The British accent sounded a lot stronger down the phone.
“Giles, it's me.” Faith couldn’t contain the excitement in her voice.
“Faith? Everything ok?” He asked.
“I found her.” She burst out.
Silence.
“Giles?”
“Are…Are you sure?”
“What kind of a question is that? Of course I’m sure!” Faith said, unbelievably.
“Yes…yes sorry. Where is she?"
“Her room is next door to mine. I just ran into her in the corridor.”
“Does she know why you're there? Who you are?”
“No. I saw her and then called you. I don’t know what to do next. She might run again if she finds out why I’m here.” Faith said, fearfully.
“Yes, that’s true.” Giles said thoughtfully. He was having trouble thinking. Buffy was fine. She was ok. She was safe and Faith had found her.
“I’ll stay here for a while. Watch her, find out what she does all day and if she does get away from me I’ll know where she hangs and stuff.” Faith told him.
“Good idea. I…I don’t know what to say, Faith. I have to call Joyce and the others.” He said suddenly.
“Right. Tell them what I’m doing. Let them know why I can’t just tell her, ok?” Faith wanted everyone's approval. It let her know she wasn’t being wrong or selfish in someway.
“Of course. Phone me later.” Giles instructed and hurriedly hung up to phone Joyce who he knew would be ecstatic.
Faith put the phone down and stroked her fingers over the photo.
“Anne…Anne… Buffy?”
Buffy stopped and then cursed herself. It was that girl from the diner who had recognised her.
“Don’t be mad. I won’t turn you in or nothing. I guess you don’t recognize me.” Lily stood in front of Buffy.
“Lily? I remember you from the diner…” Buffy said, uncertainly.
“Before then. I was calling myself Chanterelle…I was in a cult that worshipped vampires. You saved us.” Lily said, smiling at Buffy, grateful.
“You didn’t tell anyone who I was did you?” Buffy asked her straight away.
“What? No…not even Ricky.” Lily assured her. Buffy felt the relief wash over her.
The vampire slayer in her had been dormant for so long now. She hadn’t patrolled here, hadn’t even properly worked out. Being the slayer had cost her too much. She didn’t want to become that person again, the one that ruined everything and hurt everyone in her path. Not that she let anyone get close enough to her to hurt them. Not now.
Faith watched the girl follow Buffy and uncertainly call out her fake name before her real one. And Buffy had reacted. She’d given the game away.
Faith watched to see if this girl was a threat to Buffy but soon realised she wasn’t. It didn’t stop Faith from following them down the street as they talked though.
If Buffy had captivated Faith from her photo she’d well and truly put her in a trance in reality. She was so perfect, Faith thought to herself as she watched her. She’d followed her around for the past day. Seen where she worked, watched as she stood in the park and been lost in her thoughts. Faith had to stop herself from going over and wrapping her arms round her. Just to hold her. Faith shook her head. She had to stop thinking like that. Where were these thoughts coming from? It must be the slayer bond, she told herself, tried to convince herself.
Suddenly, an old man pushed through the two girls ahead of Faith. She narrowed her eyes as she saw Buffy stumble backwards from the man's shove. Buffy and the girl from the diner looked at him and spoke a few words. The man looked at them, confused before rushing out into the road…straight into the path of a car.
Faith knew before Buffy did that Buffy would run to save him. Which is why Faith started running first. Not to get to the old man, but to get to Buffy. She was too far behind though. Buffy pushed the man just in time to get him clear but not fast enough to move herself from the speeding vehicle.
Faith watched as Buffy bounced across the car and hit the road with a hard thud. She felt sick. She stood still and watched as people flew over to Buffy, seeing if she was ok. Faith saw Buffy stand up shakily and breathed a huge sigh of relief.
‘Thank God for slayer power.’ She thought and watched as Buffy run away from them all. Faith knew she’d never catch her. She’d already turned the corner and would be long gone by the time Faith was there.
Every time she heard someone in the corridor Faith would throw her door open and look out to see if it was Buffy. It wasn’t. Faith knew Buffy finished work 3 hours ago. She’d checked.
‘I knew I should have waited for her to finish work.’ Faith told herself. She heard someone walking on the floor outside and she opened her door to look out just in time to see the same girl that had been talking to Buffy yesterday let herself into Buffy’s room. Faith frowned.
‘Why is she just going in there? Does Buffy know? Maybe Buffy told her too.’ Faith felt a huge wave of jealousy wash over her. How come that girl could just waltz into Buffy’s life while she was condemned to the shadows? Faith fought the feeling back. She had to stay hidden. Soon Buffy would be home in Sunnydale where she belonged…with Faith as well.
Footsteps on the floor outside let Faith know again that someone was approaching and this time she peered out of the door, just catching a glimpse of Buffy as she went into her room.
Faith sat on her bed and fidgeted with her hands.
‘I wonder what they’re doing.’
“I think Ricky’s dead Lily. I’m sorry.” Buffy said, in an emotionless voice.
“But…he takes care of me.” Lily looked lost.
“There’s something else. The person I found was old…about 80…”
“That’s not Ricky then!” Lily cried.
“I think it was. He had the tattoo.” Buffy motioned at Lily’s arm. “It was like something had drained the life out of him.”
Lily didn’t understand. She wouldn’t accept that the guy Buffy had seen was Ricky. Buffy was beginning to lose patience with the girl.
“These things happen Lily. You can’t just close your eyes and hope they go away.” She said, a little more harshly than she’d intended.
Lily suddenly looked at in horror.
“Is it coz of you?” She almost whispered.
“What?” Buffy frowned, not liking the way the conversation was going.
“You know about monsters and stuff. You could have brought them with you.” Lily accused.
“I didn’t bring anything with me! And I didn’t ask for your problems. I just wanted to be left alone, if you can't deal then don’t lay it on me!” Buffy’s voice rose.
Lily stared at her tearfully before walking out of the room.
Faith heard Buffy raise her voice.
“…didn’t ask…left alone…don’t lay it on me…” Then she heard the door slam. Faith saw that it was the diner girl, and she was crying.
Faith thought about following her to see if she was alright and to ask her what had happened with Buffy but thought better of it when Buffy herself came out of her room and walked the opposite way from the other girl. Faith instantly followed.
Maybe if Buffy hadn’t of been the slayer Faith would have gotten away with making a slight mistake while following her. No such luck though. Buffy turned when she heard Faith walk on a coke can.
“Who’s there?” Buffy demanded. Faith thought about running. Buffy would never see her, but then she’d have to leave Buffy. Sighing, she walked out of the shadows.
“Faith?” Buffy frowned.
“Hey B. How you doing?” Faith asked casually.
“Why are you following me?” Buffy’s eyes were narrowed. Faith swallowed and thought fast.
“I was bored.” She shrugged, silently cursing herself for the lame answer.
“Bored?” Buffy wasn’t convinced.
“Yup. Thought I’d see what you were up too. You do know the blood bank is closed right?” Faith said as she looked up at the building Buffy had been trying to open the door to.
“Yeah I know that. Go away Faith.” Buffy snapped and turned her attention back to the door. She popped the lock easily and stepped inside, followed closely by Faith.
“What the hell are you doing?” Buffy hissed.
“Same as you. A little breaking and entering.” Faith smirked at her. They stared each other down for a minute before Buffy rolled her eyes and resigned herself to having a tag along.
“Just keep quiet.” She ordered and made her way over to the filing cabinet. Faith looked around.
“So what’s the deal? Stealing blood for your vampire like obsession with it?”
Faith knew that would at least make Buffy smile, considering her position. Buffy did indeed smile as well as think ‘If only she knew’. Only, Faith did know.
“Candidate…candidate for what?” Buffy murmured. She flipped through a few more files before a woman approached them from behind.
“What are you doing?” She demanded. Faith jumped at her voice but Buffy barely moved.
“Breaking into your office and going through your private files.” She muttered, nonplussed.
Faith couldn’t help but grin. Buffy was turning out to be like everything she knew she would be.
“I’m ringing the police.” The woman said, stepping forward. Buffy didn’t even bother to look up as she ripped the phone off the wall.
“Candidate for what?” She demanded.
“You’re getting yourselves into a lot of trouble.” The woman almost pleaded with them.
“Trouble? I don’t want any trouble. I just want to be alone, sitting by a fire with a tea cozy. I don’t know what a tea cozy is…but I want one. What are you doing to these kids?”
The woman shifted nervously.
“I…I just give them the names of the healthy ones.” She confessed.
“Give them to who?” Buffy practically growled.
“What now? We go confront the guy from the god squad?” Faith bounded alongside Buffy, struggling to keep up with the determined blond.
“No. I go confront him, you go home or go do whatever it is you usually do.” Buffy instructed.
“No way! You don’t get to have all the fun B.”
“Look, you don’t understand. This could be dangerous. I can deal with it.” Buffy stopped outside the ‘Hope House’.
“There’s no way you're stopping me coming in there with you.” Faith said with equal determine.
Again they stared each other out before Buffy relented.
“Fine. Just…keep your mouth closed and stay behind me.”
“Not a bad place to be.” Faith muttered, knowing Buffy could hear her.
A middle-aged guy opening the door leading inside. He blocked it. Buffy gave him a small smile.
“We’ve come to be saved.” She began.
“Don’t you look nice?” Ken complimented Lily. He was the leader of the whole thing.
“Really?” Lily was unsure.
“Absolutely. Anyway, you don’t want to wear your own outfit to the cleansing. It’ll get soaked.”
“A cleansing is like a baptism right?” She queried.
“Kind of.” He patted her shoulder, reassuringly.
“And I will get to see Ricky afterwards right?” She begged.
“Of course. He’s so excited. Come on. Let’s get this over with so you can see him.” Ken showed Lily to the ‘cleansing’ room.
“You know, I just…I woke up and I looked in the mirror and I thought, ‘Hey what’s with all the sin?’ I need to change. I’m dirty. I’m bad with the sex, and the envy and that…that loud music that us kids listen to nowadays.” Buffy tried to convince the guy to let them in.
Faith thought she would die if she didn’t laugh soon. It was too funny. Plus the guy wasn’t buying it for a second. He looked as amused as Faith felt. Probably thought they were just two kids looking for a place to sleep.
“…Ah I just suck at under cover. Where’s Ken?” Buffy’s whole demeanour changed and the guy noticed. He went to slam the door shut but Buffy was too quick for him and she booted it open. Faith was right behind her.
Lily kneeled down in front of the pool of water.
“We let the water run over the sin, the pain and the uncertainty.” Ken informed her.
“It…it looks kinda dirty.” Lily wrinkled her nose.
Ken smirked evilly. “Yeah.” Was all he said and he watched as Lily cautiously dipped her fingers then her arm in the water.
Suddenly the door burst open and Buffy and Faith stood there looking at them.
“This is a private moment!” Ken stormed, standing up.
“How’d you make them old Ken? You feed on youth or something?” Buffy demanded.
Ken smiled evilly again and acted like he didn’t care that the game was up.
“You really wanna know?” He laughed.
Lily was about to speak when she was pulled by an invisible force from under the water through it. Buffy ran forward to help but Ken grabbed her round the neck. Faith launched herself at him, knocking all three of them onto and through the water. They all landed with a bump on a concrete floor.
Buffy caught her bearings and looked over at Faith and Lily. They were fine. Ken had his back to them but was groaning loudly.
“My face…Ow! My face.” He moaned, turning towards them, his hands over his face.
“Do you…have any idea…how hard it is to glue that thing on!?” He ripped the face away to reveal his true demon one.
All three girls stood and watched in shock.
“Guards!” Ken bellowed.
“Run!” Faith yelled, grabbing Buffy’s hand who in turn grabbed Lily’s. They run through a maze of corridors until they came to a ledge and had to stop. Faith gasped in shock and heard the other two do the same. It was like a huge ironworks factory. Zombie-like-humans were working below. Guards like the ones they’d just seen, cracked their whips on them.
They stared and didn’t see Ken come up behind them. He hit them on the head with a club and motioned for the guards to drag their unconscious bodies to the cells.
When Faith came around, she was in a cell with Buffy and Lily. Buffy was still unconscious but Lily was awake. She was rocking backwards and forwards.
“Lily, you ok?” Faith groaned as she touched the back of her head.
“I always knew I’d end up here some day.” She whispered, in some kind of trance.
“Where?” Faith asked, confused.
“Hell.” She said simply.
“This isn’t Hell.” Buffy murmured. She’d just come to.
“Isn’t it?” They turned towards Ken’s voice.
“You asshole.” Faith hissed, standing up.
Ken grinned at her.
“You know, I’m gonna enjoy watching you grow old and die. Especially as we work you harder than you’ve ever been worked before.” He laughed.
Faith opened her mouth to give him some abuse.
“Faith.” Buffy said softly. Faith turned and looked over at the blond girl. “Don’t."
Faith sat down next to her and inspected the blonde’s head to see how hard they’d hit her.
“Your head should be fine. It doesn’t need stitches or anything.” Faith whispered to her, running a careful hand over it, trying to soothe. Buffy gave her a smile and Faith felt elated.
The door to their cell was opened and two guards were waiting for them with big clubs. They pointed in the direction they wanted them to move. When Buffy, Faith and Lily were in line where the guards wanted them they looked around. There was maybe another 12 kids the same age as them standing with them. All looking as terrified as each other.
“You work and you live. That is all.” The guard said in his demonic undertones.
“You do not talk, laugh or complain. You do not do anything other than work. Whatever you thought, whatever you were does not matter. You are nothing, you are nobody now.”
He made his way to the front of the line.
“Who are you?” He asked a young boy.
“A…Aaron.” The boy whimpered. The guard raised his club and smashed the boys head in one blow. He moved onto the next one in line.
“Who are you?” He asked again.
“No one.” Lily whispered.
The guard moved along to the boy next to Faith. Buffy found herself wishing the mouthy neighbour of hers wouldn’t tempt the guards.
“Who are you?” The guard asked the boy.
“No one.” He sobbed. The guard moved in front of Faith.
“Who are you?”
Faith grinned up at him.
“I’m Faith, The Vampire Slayer. And you are?” She asked. The guard roared and lunged at her. Faith was too fast of course and sidestepped, kicking him in the midsection and grabbing his club, to hit the guard who was advancing from behind her.
Buffy stood in shock for a few moments. Faith, The Vampire Slayer? Huh? She was…Buffy couldn’t think about this now. She had to help.
The fights went on, as Faith knew they would. Her and Buffy were unstoppable; sometimes splitting up, sometimes fighting together but one by one the guards fell.
“You're not supposed to fight back!” Ken roared from above.
“We’re the slayers asshole! Fighting’s what we do!” Faith screamed as she fought.
Buffy was still in shock. Her mind was buzzing but she had to concentrate right now...later. Later she would get the truth from Faith. Right now she had work to do, and she wasn’t at all surprised at how fast it came back to her.
“This is what happens when you fight back!” Ken called out, causing both slayers to look up at him. He was holding a knife to Lily. Faith and Buffy looked at each other. They knew they’d never be able to get up there on time.
“Let this be a lesson to all slaves. This is the price of rebellio…” he never got to finish. Lily took her chance and shoved him from the ledge.
She shrugged as the slayers stared at her and each other. Pushing the guards away, Faith and Buffy scaled a chain to get to the ledge and followed Lily through to a gate. It was made of metal, and extremely heavy. Buffy tried to lift it but to no avail.
“Faith…Help me.” She breathed as she tried to push it. Faith immediately was at her side and hauling it up as well. The gate slowly creaked up and the slaves made their way under it. As the two slayers were going under it they got shoved from behind. The gate slammed down but they were both clear from it.
Ken wasn’t.
He screamed in pain as the gate impaled him legs, holding him down.
“You…you two...ruined…you…” He gasped.
“Hey Ken, wanna see my impression of Gandhi?” Buffy asked, picking up his club.
Buffy and Faith were sitting in Faith’s hotel room. They didn’t know what to say to each other.
Lily was sleeping in Buffy’s room.
Faith sighed. “You have to come home Buffy.”
Buffy looked up at her.
“You were there? Sunnydale?” She asked.
“Yeah, how else would I know who you were?”
“You know the whole time? Why didn’t you say something!” Buffy yelled.
“What if I had, would you have listened? Accepted it and came back with me? No, you would have run again and they need you…we need you. That town…it needs 2 slayers. It needs us.” Faith looked directly at Buffy.
“I can’t go back.” Buffy whispered.
“You have to! They miss you. They need you. Your mother's a wreck. Giles was flying all over the country following up stupid leads. Your friends were doing the slaying themselves!” Faith tried not to yell but it was hard.
Buffy wanted to be outraged. She wanted to say how stupid it was of her friends to do that, how dangerous and how she hadn’t known they would but she did. She’d known they’d try and cover for her. And she felt ashamed. She buried her face in her hands and tried not to think of her Mum and Giles.
Faith softened and crouched in front of where Buffy was sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Buffy…” She said reaching up to pull her hands away. Buffy let her and Faith saw that she was crying.
“I don’t know everything that happened, but I know that they need you. I need you. I’m going back tomorrow. If you don’t come with me I’m pretty sure we’ll all die sooner or later. Hell, even if you do we probably will, but could you forgive yourself if you didn’t try?” Faith’s gaze was intense and it was boring straight into Buffy’s eyes.
“I’m scared Faith. God, I’m so scared.” Before she’d even finished saying it Faith had her arms around her.
Buffy laid the waitress uniform out on the bed where Lily was sitting.
“I spoke to Mitch. He said you can start on Thursday. He’s uh…well he’s repulsive but he shouldn’t give you any hassle.” Buffy assured her.
“The rents paid up for the next three weeks.” She looked over at Lily who was smoothing out the uniform. She wished she could say something that would make the girl’s life better. So she could stop running. But she couldn’t.
“Hey…” Lily said softly. Buffy looked over at her. “Can I be ‘Anne?’” She asked, tapping the name badge.
Buffy smiled at her and nodded. Faith poked her head round the door and smiled at them.
“You ready to go B?” She questioned.
“Yeah. Ready.” Buffy breathed deeply and picked up her bag.
“I’ll call you soon Lil…er Anne.” Buffy amended.
‘Anne’ smiled at her and Buffy and Faith left.
As they got off the bus Buffy looked around. Every one in this town had memories. It was too damn small.
Faith touched her arm. “You ok?” She asked. Buffy just nodded and smiled a little.
“Buffy!” She heard a yell from across the bus station and saw Willow and Xander running toward them. Buffy dropped her bag and let them crush her into a tight hug.
After a few minutes they pulled back and looked her up and down.
“Don’t ever do that again! Don’t you dare…we can’t…” Willow started to cry and Buffy hugged her again.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She started to tear up herself.
“It’s so good to see you Buff.” Xander grinned at them. He would have liked to think of himself as too manly to cry but he wiped at his eyes furiously.
Buffy slowly eased herself away from Willow when she saw who else was there. She walked almost in slow motion toward her, not knowing what reaction she would receive.
“Mum?” She whispered when she was standing in front of her.
Joyce grabbed her daughter and hugged her so hard Buffy’s ribs should have popped, but being a slayer had definite advantages.
Buffy freed an arm and reached it out to Giles who was standing opposite them. He took her hand and held it tightly.
“You're so grounded young lady.” Joyce whispered into Buffy’s hair.
“It’s never sounded so good Mum.” Buffy sobbed.
Faith stood back and watched the reunion. Yes, she had a sense of belonging. For the first time ever she was happy to be a part of something. She looked at Buffy and felt something she’d never felt before. She didn’t even know what it was. But she would find out. And she and Buffy would have plenty of time to do that.
After she got ungrounded that was.
...continued in Complications...