Old Friends, New Beginnings
by Net Girl
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: The Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters belong to their
respective owners as well as the Xena characters, but it's all too
many to name. All characters belong to them. Dr. Moore is mine.
Spoilers: Nothing, much, almost nothing about Dawn as I said, just a
sister of Buffy's and for Xena? I guess season 5, 6 or below if you
haven't seen it. I have no idea. If there are, please tell me.
Setting: About two months after Problems In Paradise.
Symbols: [] indicates a flashback. <> Indicates a thought. <<>> Is a
place or time stamp
Warnings: Riley has never existed in my stories, so if something is
wrong with a description that is because Riley never existed.
Author's Notes: Full blooded Crossover.
Dedication: The whole willtara list for liking the story and
supporting me, you guys keep me going :-). And a special dedication
to Vlumila, a friend of mine, who told me never to stop writing.
And a special dedication goes to Kimberly who helped me out with a
couple of things ;-)
"I hate men you know" Anya said, "I really hate them."
"Yes we know Anya" Willow replied. She had been hearing that for the past 2 months and was getting tired of it.
"Maybe I should be gay" Anya suddenly said. Both Willow and Tara got a surprised look on their face, "Maybe I should be, coz you two have been together for like ages and Faith and Buffy. And men pfff, don't even get me started on them!"
"Anya!" Willow said, "Could you just not speak for a moment" Tara was rubbing Willow's lower back for comfort, she knew her girlfriend had a lot of trouble with the ex-demon being at their house. There was no other choice, Buffy's was full and Giles… let's just say it would drive him insane more then it would Willow.
Anya walked back to her room and closed the door, "You know what we should do Tara?" Willow asked her girlfriend.
"What honey?"
"Stay away from hospitals for a while."
"What do you mean?"
"Well every time one of us has to go to the hospital for any reason we seem to have a small reunion, first Faith now Anya, I mean who's next… Cordelia?"
"You worry too much love."
"Maybe, just getting a little tired of these reunions" Willow said as she curled up to Tara on the couch.
"I know what you mean love, but you shouldn't be worrying too much, everything will turn out ok."
"But…" Willow was about to speak again when Tara stopped her by passionately kissing her. Willow didn't mind it at all, she was glad whenever Tara stopped her that way. Willow put her hand on Tara's neck and deepened the kiss.
<<Sunnydale Bus Depot>>
"God, I never thought I would travel with a bus. How low is that." The girl stepped out of the bus and looked around, "Wow, it's been a while now, but this hasn't changed at all."
"I wonder how our two favorite witches are doing" Faith said as she walked in the bedroom.
"Me too" Buffy replied, "I can imagine the pain both of them are going through" Buffy said laughing, "Tara could handle it, but Willow… she hasn't been patient gal whenever Anya was around."
"That bad?"
"Don't get me started."
"So what you think we should do now?" Faith asked her girlfriend.
"Don't know, I'm kinda tired."
"How long did they say you would be?"
"Another week or so, then it should be over" Buffy replied, "So that kinda means that you still have to go patrolling alone."
"Damn, I was hoping on a nice night in front of the telly with you" Faith replied pulling Buffy to her for some snuggling.
"That's what I want, but what about patrol?"
"What about Willow and Tara? They could take Anya with them and blow of some steam and they can take Giles with them."
"O god… Giles!"
"What?"
"He doesn't even know about Anya being back."
"You didn't tell?"
"No" The blonde slayer replied with guilt written all over her face, "Guess he'll see it tonight then. I'll call Willow and Tara."
"Sure, we can do that."
"Thanx Will" Buffy said on the other line.
"Did you tell Giles about Anya being back?"
"No I didn't."
"You owe me big time Buffy."
"I know. Just remember I love you."
"That'll do for now. Love you too Buffy" Willow replied and hung up the phone.
"Patrol?" Tara asked.
"Patrol" Willow confirmed.
"Yay!" Anya yelled. She was actually excited about the patrol. Maybe it could take her mind of some things, "So we're going to Giles' first?"
"Yup" Willow replied, "Come on let's go."
"Giles! Down!" Willow yelled as she held up her hand. She said some strange word and the vampire flew against a branch from a tree. Giles got up and staked him.
"I am glad you ever gave up on the witchcraft Willow."
Willow gave an ear to ear smile and looked around to find Tara and Anya, "Tara, Anya. Where are you?"
Two hands came from behind a memorial stone and waved, "Right here honey" Tara said as she stood up. When Tara tried to hit a vampire earlier Anya bumped in to her and they both fell down. Tara hit her head against a rock and now had a cut on it, the vampire that attacked them was the same they had just defeated.
"Can we go home now?" Anya whined.
"Yes we can" Giles said. He was getting not only tired as in real sleep, he was tired to hear anymore of Anya's ramblings.
"Finally" Anya said.
"Ok, so see you later Giles?"
"Yes Willow, goodnight."
"You too."
"Bye Mr. Giles."
"Tara, when are you just going to call me Giles?"
Tara let out a small giggle, "I like Mr. Giles."
"Don't do that, it makes me feel… old."
"I don't get it, you are old."
"Thank you for pointing that out Anya" Giles replied sarcastically.
They said goodbye and walked back to their homes and since Anya lived with the two witches she followed them. Once they got there, Anya immediately went to the bathroom and took a shower. After she finished Willow and Tara went... together. Anya saw them walking to the bathroom and couldn't help it, "Aren't you ever tired of each other?"
"Anya!" Both girls said.
"Sorry, I'll shut up."
"Great now she spoiled it" Willow said, "Just a shower then."
"We'll make it up" Tara whispered in her lover's ear and pulled her in the bathroom.
The next events weren't seen by either Willow or Tara. Anya went in her room and curled up on her bed, she just stared at the wall until a small tear came rolling down her cheek. Then she couldn't take it anymore and started crying.
She wasn't sure about what she was crying, the fact that she was now human and had lost the person she loved most or that she wasn't good at life completely. She didn't have a job, didn't have a boyfriend, no place in the world at all.
She continued crying not knowing Willow and Tara were finished in the shower and had gotten dressed already. They had heard something coming out of Anya's room and were looking through the opening to a crying Anya curled up on bed.
Willow was about to ask her what was wrong when Tara pulled her away and told Willow to just leave her and let her cry, "But…"
"No Willow, let her be. She needs this" Tara said. Willow reluctantly followed her lover to their bedroom. In their room, Tara was the first the speak, "Besides, I promised you something didn't I" Tara pulled Willow closer and passionately kissed her, Willow was still worried about Anya, but after Tara deepened the kiss, she couldn't think of anything else other then touching her lover.
The young woman from the bus depot entered a dusty old hotel near the border of the city, <Am I this low> she wondered, <oh well, better to stay low for a while.> She walked up to the reception and booked a room for a week.
When she entered the room she had been given, the young woman sighed <At least I have a good view> She thought to herself when she walked up to the balcony. "I should get some sleep" the dark haired girl said out loud and changed her clothes.
She stepped in the bed and noticed it was better then she could have ever dreamed of. "This is good, very good." She said, "Crappy hotel, good bed. I should remember that." The girl laid down and closed her eyes hoping to fall asleep after a very long day.
<<The Next Morning>>
The young woman woke up in a strange bed, after a few seconds she remember where she was; a dusty old motel in Sunnydale. Despite her room being far from good, she had slept really good in the bed that was in it.
She walked in the bathroom to take a shower and to her surprise it looked rather good. She took another look around and decided she could shower in there. It was the hotel that was dusty, not the things she needed like the bathroom and bed.
The bathroom and bed was all she needed for now, "I wonder how they are" the dark haired girl said thinking of her `friends'.
She hadn't seen them since she left, they called and stuff, but that was it. And now because of some stuff that had happened in the other town she had to move back, she needed to be away from the memories. "Come on Girl, don't bring yourself down like that." She said looking at the mirror, "Ok, shower time." And with that she stepped in the shower and turned on the water.
"So what do you want for breakfast?" Willow asked her lover. They were still in bed, not really wanting to get up.
"Hm let me see" Tara replied kissing Willow's neck, "How about you…" Tara looked in Willow's eyes and passionately kissed her.
"Tara" Willow said as she pulled away from her lover, "We barely had sleep last night. I just want breakfast and sleep."
"Ok" Tara said with pouting.
"Don't be mad" Willow said, "You said we were going to make it up, but you didn't say that many times!"
"I guess it was a lot" Tara replied, "I just love that" Tara said and followed Willow's body with her eyes. Willow smiled and kissed her lover.
"Ok, you know what. You stay in bed, I'll get breakfast." When Willow was about to get up Anya walked into their room with two trays. Anya had actually made them breakfast, "Not that I don't mind" Willow began, "But what's that for?" She said and pointed at the two trays she was carrying.
"Hey if you don't like it I'll put it back."
"No! She didn't mean that" Tara said and looked at the trays, she also was getting hungry. After she and Willow grabbed the trays from Anya, she looked at the ex demon and also wondered why she did this, "So Anya, why did you do this."
"Just to say I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Willow asked.
"For barging back in to your lives like this and in your home."
"You're already staying for like 3 months now Anya."
"Yeah, but still" Anya replied, "But don't think I will do this anytime soon. Next time get your own breakfast." And with that she walked out of the room and closed the door.
"She is the strangest" Tara said and continued eating. Willow just nodded and did the same thing.
"So what to do?" the young woman asked herself. She just finished taking a shower and got dressed. Not knowing what to do was the hardest part of returning to Sunnydale after 4 years. But there was a reason for returning, a reason that she didn't like at all; the death of a family member, her niece.
She hadn't visited her family yet, she was only here for the funeral. She owed that to her niece, she was the person who helped her with everything, after what happened to her parents when they had lost everything. She was the one who would help her.
The young woman curled up on bed and started crying, crying for the loss of her niece and that she didn't even had the courage to see her old friends.
Her time away from Sunnydale made her insecure of what she was, is and would become. Even if she did want to leave Sunnydale 4 years earlier, she never knew how much she had missed it until now. Somehow even with the demons it made her feel safe.
Right then and there she made up her mind, she was going to stay in Sunnydale. Now all she had to do was telling her `friends' she was back, get her stuff send out here and break the news to the person she loved more than anything; Kate Lockley.
"Finally!"
"What Buffy?" Faith asked.
"Last check up at the hospital."
"Couldn't you just go to the physician?"
"Dr. Moore said I should go to the hospital."
"That's strange."
"Yeah well, doctors know best" Buffy replied, "You coming with me?"
"If you want."
"I do" Buffy said and leaned in to give Faith a passionate kiss.
"How late is your appointment?" Faith asked after breaking loose from the kiss.
"Half an hour" Buffy replied, "Snuggling?" She asked Faith with puppy dog eyes.
"You know I can't resist that look, come here" Faith said and pulled Buffy to her. They remained like that for twenty minutes, it was only a 5 minute drive to the hospital, at least the way Buffy drove, so that wasn't a problem.
The young woman got a glass from the cupboard and poured some water in it. As she reached out to put it on a table it slipped out of her hand and fell on the floor. She reached out to clean it up but cut her hand on one of the pieces of glass.
"Shit" she cried of pain, "Why does this always happen to me." The cut was pretty deep and she hurried outside to get to the hospital, luckily for her it wasn't that far away and could get there easily on foot without losing much blood.
Once inside there was already a doctor waiting for her, she didn't pay any attention to it as she just wanted to be helped. Then the doctor spoke to her, "Hello, I'm Dr. Moore, come with me and I'll take care of that hand."
Buffy and Faith walked in the hospital and asked where they could find Dr. Moore since Buffy had an appointment with him. One of the nurses pointed where he was and they went over to the room where the nurse said he would be.
"Does that voice sound familiar or what?" Faith said as they walked closer to the room.
Buffy opened the door and saw exactly the person she thought she heard talking, "Cordy? What are you doing here?"
Cordelia looked surprised at Buffy, but not real surprised. It was Sunnydale sooner or later she had to run in to her, the real surprise was to see Faith standing next to Buffy holding her hand, "Never mind me." She said, "What about her" and pointed at the dark haired slayer, "And why is she holding your hand?"
"Chill Queen C" Faith replied, "I'm good."
"Yeah right."
"She is" Buffy added, "Can't you see that, why else would I be holding her hand."
"Yeah why is that?" Cordelia asked.
"Should we tell her?" Buffy asked Faith.
"Why don't we show it."
"Show me what?" Cordelia asked and on that note Faith leaned in and gave Buffy a passionate kiss. Cordelia's reaction was to drop her jaw and look surprised at the two slayers, <Who would have thought> She thought to herself and laughed.
Faith pulled away from Buffy and looked Cordelia, "Ok the jaw dropping I got, but the laughing?"
"It's nothing" Cordelia re-assured.
"Your laughing is always something" Buffy added.
"Alright, alright" Cordelia said, "But you gotta help me, I'm kinda tied up." She added and pointed at her hand, "Grab my purse and give me my wallet."
Buffy did so and handed Cordelia her wallet, "What's the big deal about your wallet?" Faith asked.
"You'll see" Cordelia said and was struggling to get a picture out of her wallet.
"Need some help?" Buffy asked. Cordelia nodded and gave her the wallet. Buffy took out the picture and looked at it.
"Did I ever told you that I was seeing someone?" Cordelia asked, Buffy said she didn't, "I really should have called you more." She added.
"So who's the guys" Faith asked.
Cordelia pointed at the picture and now it was time for Faith and Buffy to drop their jaws wide open, "That's not a guy" Faith said surprised.
"No SHE isn't" Buffy added and looked at Cordelia, "Who is she? How long have you been together?" Buffy asked Cordelia.
Before she could answer Cordelia grabbed her head in pain and screamed, "What's happening?" Faith asked. Cordelia couldn't answer, never had a vision been this strong and with this much pain. After a few seconds everything calmed down and the vision was gone.
"What was that all about?" Faith asked.
"Vision" Cordelia said, "I just had a vision."
"What did you see?" Buffy asked already knowing about the visions.
"Gods… War… two really good looking women… and death" Cordelia said and tears started rolling down her eyes.
"The death of who?" Faith asked.
"Her" Cordelia said and pointed at the picture, "Kate Lockley. My girlfriend."
"Who?" Willow asked on the person on the other line, "I told her."
"Told who what Willow?" Buffy asked.
"Nothing, never mind" Willow replied, "Ok we'll be there" Willow hung up and was still surprised on the news she just got.
"What is it honey?" Tara asked.
"Remember when I told you who's next to be in the hospital in Sunnydale?"
"Yes you did, you said Cordelia."
"Guess what…"
"She's here?"
"Yup" Willow said, "And we're expected at Giles' in a few minutes. Where's Anya?"
"Right here" Anya said and came walking out of her room, "So the bitch is back?"
"Anya!" Tara said, now she was the one getting angry at the ex vengeance demon, "Don't do stuff like this when we're there alright."
"Yes mom" Anya replied sarcastically.
"Anya!"
"Sorry" Anya said and started walking to the door, "You coming or what?"
"Yes" both witches replied and followed Anya silently. She always pulled something like this before they went to Giles' for the weekly Scooby meeting. Always one little comment that would annoy both of the witches.
<<Giles' House>>
Just as Cordelia wanted to start again about her vision; Willow, Tara and Anya walked in. Cordelia saw Tara and Willow holding hands and already figured what was going on, "Well Willow never thought you would go that way…" Cordelia thought of what she said and continued, "The same about me."
"Is she saying what I think she's saying?" Willow babbled.
"Yes you are Willow" Faith said.
"Who's the lucky girl?" Anya said already knowing what was going on. Cordelia grabbed the picture and handed it to Anya, who seemed quite pleased with the result, "I know this woman" she said.
Everyone looked surprised at Anya and Cordelia seemed more surprised then the rest, "Know her from where?"
"Well we never actually met, but I saw her in the building of the LAPD" Anya began, "I had to do this really cool thing on a guy that cheated on this woman. I had such fun doing it too…"
"Anya!" Everyone said. They knew she was drifting of the good old days again.
"Sorry." She said and continued, "So after I granted the wish for that girl, the guy sued her because he thought she had given him the syphilis and he wanted payback. And I wanted to watch how everything went on and decided to follow the guy to the police department and she took the case. But that was only because I made him look like a demon."
"You made the guy look like a demon and let him walk in the building?"
"Yes Willow I did and that woman seemed to be very interested in him. Mostly because she was a rookie and wanted to do her best for the big bosses."
"Ok Cordelia, tell us about the vision" Giles said.
"Yes please" Buffy said, "I could do with more than just `Gods… War… two really good looking women… and death'. Although the death part isn't much fun for you."
"Ok" Cordelia said and began to tell them everything about her vision; That one god was planning war, about the two woman who seemed to be fighting the god, one dark haired woman and one blond short haired woman, who didn't seem to be living in the past and not the future.
"What do you mean past?" Buffy asked, "You get images from the future not the past."
"Still it seemed that way, but the scenery sure looked like the Sunnydale of now."
"So that would mean someone from the past coming here?" Faith asked.
"I guess" Cordelia said and took something to drink.
"So what are you anyway?" Faith asked Cordelia. She got looks from everyone and decided to explain her question, "I mean, you are human, so why do you get these vision."
"Doyle."
"Huh?"
"A half breed, he had them before me and before he died he kissed me and gave it to me, some kind of gift. I hated it at first but learned to live with it with the help of Angel."
"How is our favorite brooding vampire?" Faith said with a slight hint of sarcasm.
"Faith" Buffy said and looked at her girlfriend.
"Sorry B" Faith said and kissed her on the cheek.
"Cordelia, can you tell me a bit more on how that god looked like" Giles said.
"Sure" Cordelia replied.
"Got a hint G-man?"
"Perhaps."
After a few hours of research and hearing stories about Cordelia's `adventures' in Los Angeles, Giles jumped up from his chair and said he had found it. He showed a picture to Cordelia who nodded at the question if that was the god she saw in her vision.
"Who is it?" Willow asked.
"Ares."
"A-Ares?" Tara asked, "As in Ares god of w-war in Greece?"
"Yes Tara you are right" Giles said, "He's quite the colourful god."
"What would he be doing here?" Buffy asked.
"I don't know Buffy" Giles replied, "Looking for a war?"
"Very funny Giles."
"I'm sorry Buffy, but what else would he be doing here?"
"To r-rule the earth…" Tara said and everyone looked at her in surprise, "I-I read some things about him. He always wanted to rule the world and bring chaos to it, but Zeus never gave him the chance" Tara was surprised she could get that out without the stuttering she always did, maybe because she was interested in the subject.
"What about the two women" Faith asked, "Anything about them?"
"No nothing" Giles replied, "What did they look like again?"
"A blonde, short haired girl and a taller dark haired girl" Cordelia replied.
"Had one of them a round thing and a sword and the other the same three thing weapon like one of the Ninja Turtles?"
"Yeah they did, how did you…" Cordelia said.
"I'm sorry to say this Cordelia" Tara began, "But have you been watching too much television lately?"
"I haven't watched a thing."
"Ok, that's good coz what you just described were two women from television, Xena and Gabrielle."
"Oh, I know this" Buffy almost screamed, "Isn't that the show with Lucy Lawless and Reneé O'Conner? You know the gay icon thing, heard it on television."
"Yes it is" Tara replied, "So either you have been watching way too much television Cordelia, or they were real."
"But where would they know about it to make a television show from it" Willow asked.
"Well on one of the episodes it was said there were the so-called Xena Scrolls which Gabrielle actually wrote." Everyone looked surprised at Tara for knowing that, "What?" She asked them.
"You know about this?" Willow was the first to ask.
"I-I w-watched it s-sometimes" Tara said in full stutter mode.
"No biggie" Faith said, "I did too, they were cute… in an ancient Greece kind of way" Faith quickly added when she saw the look on Buffy's face.
"Where can we get those scrolls?" Giles asked immediately curious, it was something he had never heard of and was never told by the council. Or maybe they had never heard of it either.
"I don't know" Tara said, "Maybe that Robert Tapert guy. You know he is actually married to Lucy Lawless and they have a child together."
"Really? And what about that Reneé chick?" Faith said.
"She's married too and expecting a child" Tara said, "And… I-I'm babbling." She added and gave a small pout when she saw Giles' face.
"Yes you are?" Willow said and put her arms around the blonde witch, "But I like it" the redhead added and leaned in to kiss her.
Cordelia looked at Willow and Tara, "That is the cutest thing I've ever seen." The two witches looked up and blushed, nearly matching the colour of Willow's hair, "o shit" Cordelia suddenly yelled.
"What?" Buffy asked her.
"I have to call Katie and get ready for a funeral tomorrow."
"Who died?" Willow asked.
"Remember that girl that came to pick me up to bring me to LA?" Cordelia looked at the other for a yes or nodding, "That was my niece, she died in a car accident 2 days ago."
"I'm sorry" Willow said, "I didn't know."
"It's ok" Cordelia said, "But I should really go now, I have to call Katie."
"Ok" Buffy said, "By the way where are you staying?"
She hesitated a little before saying, not knowing which reactions to get and after she told she wish she hadn't. Everywhere came sounds like `No' and more where that came from. It was finally Giles who was the reasonable for once, "Why don't stay with me?" Giles said.
"No I couldn't" Cordelia said.
"No arguing about it, you're staying with me for these days." Everyone looked a little surprised at him. He was the one who disliked Cordelia the most, but he could see she was a changed girl and the others did too. In fact she wasn't even a girl anymore, whatever happened to her in LA it made her grow.
"Ok" Cordelia finally said, "But I need a little help to get my stuff, I could barely get it of the train."
"Sure I'll come with you" Buffy said and grabbed her bag. She kissed Faith goodbye and together they walked out.
"Tara, could you help me with more on those two women?"
"Yeah sure Giles."
"Willow and Faith could you find out how to get a hold on those scrolls?"
"Yeah sure, Come on Red."
"Not so fast Faith" Willow said, "We don't need to go away, we've got the internet."
"No need for hitting demons?" Faith pleaded.
"Not at all" Willow said and turned her laptop on, "See, just type in Xena Scrolls and you get a lot of information."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we got `em."
"I know, but a lot of information it will give us."
"Well who would have thought" Giles said after two hours of research. Two heads popped up from behind the screen of the laptop.
"What is it Giles?" Willow asked.
"Look what he found" Tara said pointing at some kind of scroll. Clearly happy that Giles found it between his books.
"I got a scroll!" Giles said happy.
"A scroll as in THE scroll?" Willow said.
"Yes it is" Giles said and studied it, but didn't last long when Willow took it out of his hand to study it. Faith took it out of her hands and Tara out of Faith's hands and ended back at Giles when he took it from Tara.
Everyone gave pouty face, "O bloody hell, you can see it later" Giles said a little angry and walked away from them. Willow, Tara and Faith looked at him and couldn't help it and started laughing at him.
"So how is everything in LA?" Buffy asked the dark haired girl.
"It's going" she replied, "Angel is still his brooding self and Wesley is just well like Giles only more… let's say fun."
"Giles is funny!"
"Well you've been around him longer so I can't really say."
"True, so… How's everything going with you?"
"I'm good and you?" Cordelia asked, "How long have you and Faith been together anyway?"
"It's been a while now, next month it will be one year and six months. It's been a while and I'm still loving it. How long have you and this Kate been together?"
"About 2 years" Cordelia replied, "It's been a total bliss."
"Good to hear" Buffy said, "Ok if I'm getting too personal just ask… When did you know… you liked girls?"
"From the moment I saw Kate."
"O that's so romantic."
"Yeah right, the romantic will last until she dies" Cordelia said and a tear rolled down her cheek.
Buffy put a hand on her shoulder, "We'll make sure that doesn't happen, just get her here and she's in the care of some of the best people around."
"I know, thanx Buffy."
"Sure."
Cordelia finished packing and put her stuff in Buffy's car and together they went back to Giles' place. When they got there and put her stuff away she called Kate and asked her to come to Sunnydale and she would be in one day.
<<Ancient Greece, Ares' War Chamber>>
"Callisto, remember when you went to the past to kill Hercules' mom?"
"Yes, why?"
"How do you feel about going to the future, to be my queen when we rule over the world?"
"Well, got a new plan Ares my dear?"
"Yes I do" Ares replied, "I'm going to take over the world and you'll be my queen. If I can't succeed here, let's try it in the future."
"Ok, I've got another thing worrying me."
"What's that B?"
"Dr. Moore."
"What's with up with him? He's the one that helped us."
"Exactly!"
"Ok, if you haven't lost me before then you certainly have now" Anya said and looked confused at the slayer.
"You haven't been here after since Tara came out of her coma" Buffy said, "And ever since one of us got in the hospital, we all been helped by him."
"Wasn't he just the attending doctor?" Willow asked.
"Yes exactly."
"Ok B, now you've lost me too."
"Don't you people understand anything." Buffy said and looked at them, "Ok one more time. When Me, Dawn, Faith and Tara were in the hospital at one point who was our doctor?"
"Dr. Moore?" Tara asked.
"Exactly, ok and when Anya came back who was her doctor?"
"Also Dr. Moore?" Anya asked.
"Exactly! And guess who was Cordelia's doctor?"
"Let me take a wild guess" Faith said, "Dr. Moore?"
"Yes! Now isn't that a little too coincidental?"
"What's with the expensive word B?"
"Faith!" Buffy looked at her pleading for help.
"Sorry…" Faith said, "But yes now that you mentioned it."
"Wasn't he also the guy who helped out the other coma patients?" Tara said.
"Yes he was. Finally, they finally get what I'm saying!" Buffy said and let herself fall down on the couch.
<<Ancient Greece, Ares' War Chamber>>
"So Ares, did you take care of everything?" Callisto said.
"Yes I do, I have information on them all, the two witches, the slayers, the one with the visions, the cop and all the others."
"What is a slayer anyway?"
"It's complicated, she or rather they, are the chosen ones… to fight of evil like vampires and stuff."
"Vampires?"
"The people who live at night and have pointy teeth sucking the blood from you?" Callisto still looked confused after Ares tried to explain it, "Never mind, you'll see when we get there."
"When?"
"Right now." And with that Ares held up his hand and made some kind of portal, "Take my hand" He said to Callisto and she did, both of them walked towards the portal and stepped in.
<<Meanwhile in the present>>
"So you're saying that he wants to hurt you?"
"That I don't know Giles" Buffy replied, "But doesn't it seem strange that he is around us whenever there is another of us in the hospital?"
"Yes it is" Faith said while looking at a newspaper, "And would you look at this."
"What is it Faith?" Willow asked walking towards her.
Everyone came closer to Faith and looked at the newspaper, it had a picture of Dr. Moore in it and a very disturbing headline; `Doctor Kills Five'. As Faith read the article it became clear that if they hadn't been with each other in the hospital, one of them could have been next.
"So he took playing doctor literal."
"A little too literal Faith" Willow said, "I can't believe he killed those people… I mean he could have killed…"
"But he didn't honey" Tara replied, "Mainly because you were with me most of the time and so were the others. And that also goes for Faith, Buffy and the others" Tara said and hugged Willow who buried her face in the blonde's shoulder. Buffy put a hand on the hacker's shoulder, "Don't worry Will, he's in prison and won't try to do it again."
Suddenly the ground started to shake, "O great that's just what we need, another world ending we stop in time."
"Huh?"
"Not now Faith" Buffy said to her girlfriend and found somewhere to hide. After a few seconds the shaking stopped and everyone got out of their hiding places and checked each other for injuries. "You ok Faith?"
"Yeah I am B" Faith replied and hugged the blonde slayer. Willow and Tara hugged each other and looked back at the others.
"So what is it this time?" Buffy began, "Killer frogs, killer snakes, or hey killer bunnies."
"Hey!"
"Sorry An" Buffy replied at Anya's yell. In the commotion she had forgotten about Anya's fear of bunnies.
"I don't think it was THAT kind of earthquake Buffy" Giles said.
"What do you mean, every time there is an earthquake the world is about to end."
"I don't think it is this time" Giles replied and looked at Buffy, "The other earthquakes were weaker, this was a pretty strong one."
"How can you tell?" Buffy asked him.
"Because it knocked the table over, not to mention ALL of the bloody bookcases" Giles said and looked around in the shop. There was a lot of damage done to all of the stuff in the room.
"Calm down G-man" Faith said.
"An earthquake is an earthquake" Buffy said.
"Yeah but the end of the world earthquakes were just a small warning, this was a normal earthquake. This IS California if anyone can remember…"
"So this was a real – real earthquake?" Buffy asked again for confirmation.
"Yes it was."
"Yay!" Buffy yelled excided, "Let's celebrate." She got looks from everyone, "What?" she asked. Everyone threw their hands up and started leaving the shop, "What?" she asked again.
"Come on B" Faith said and pulled her girlfriend with her.
"What did I do wrong?" Buffy asked with an innocent look on her face.
"Nothing love, absolutely nothing" Faith said and kissed the blonde slayer. Buffy shrugged and walked out of the shop with Faith and headed home.
<<Somewhere near the Magic Box>>
"What a ride!" Ares said excited as he stepped out of the portal still holding Callisto's hand.
"Yes it was" Callisto said and let go of Ares' hand. "You know Callisto, I'm already liking this town."
"Me too" the blonde replied and looked around her, <Night time, good then they won't notice us,> "Shouldn't we adapt to this world, I mean I really like my outfit and all, but I think we were going with subtle here…"
"I think you are right" Ares said, "Let's find something."
"And where are we supposed to stay?" Callisto added before they looked for a place to change their clothing.
"We'll figure that out later, first the clothing."
<<Summers' Home>>
"It's almost midnight, shouldn't you two go home?" Buffy asked the two witches.
"Or we could stay here and make it an all girl's night" Willow said, "Besides, Cordy is back and I want to hear all about LA."
"Uhm Willow, not to burst your bubble here…" Faith began, "…but wouldn't that be a lot easier if she was actually here?"
Willow looked around and blushed ten different shades of red, "Yeah, that would be nice." She quickly said before getting in to full pout mode. Tara pulled her lover close and kissed her on the forehead.
"So what's it like?"
"What's what like Anya?" Willow asked.
"The sex" Faith spit out her drink she just took and burst out laughing, while Willow and Tara heads turned redder then Willow's hair, "What?" Anya asked, "It's just a question."
"I think that's a private thing" Buffy said in defence of her two friends.
"What about you two?" Anya said pointing at Buffy and Faith.
Now it was their turn to blush, not because they had sex, but because they hadn't had sex. They hadn't told anyone about it and they sure as hell weren't going to do it now and Buffy tried to change the subject, but it was done for her as the ground started to shake again. This time it was coming from the backyard and they all hurried to the back door.
Once they got there a bright light surrounded them and they had to put their hands in front of their eyes not to be blinded. After a few seconds the lights disappeared and they could see what was in front of them.
"Wow" Willow said softly followed by everyone who just dropped they're jaws. Standing in front of them were two beautiful women, one tall dark haired woman and one shorter blonde woman. The two women looked startled but also familiar and it wasn't until the blonde spoke that they got their suspicions confirmed.
"Xena, where are we?"
Buffy, Faith, Willow, Tara and Anya looked at each other in surprise and it was Willow who was the first to speak, "Too bad Xander isn't here, I would have paid to see the look on his face."
Only a uh huh came from their mouths again as they stared in shock at the two women. After a few seconds playing `who can stare the longest' on both sides it was Buffy who took action and asked the women inside.
Xena and Gabrielle followed the others in the house and looked around, shocked of what they saw. This was a completely new world for them with new people and they didn't even know how they got here, "Ares has something to do with this" Xena said and looked at her friend.
"Wow back up here, did you just say Ares?"
"Yes, who are you people?" Xena asked and looked at the girls standing in front of her.
"I'm Buffy" the slayer introduced herself and then the others, "This is Faith, Willow, Tara and Anya." One by one hands went up to show who they were.
"Buffy mom asked you to be…" Dawn looked at the two woman and finished her sentence in shock, "…quite."
"And this is my little sister Dawn."
"I am not little!" Dawn said looking at Buffy, but turned her look towards the two women again, "Who are these two?"
"Remember that show I watch?" Faith said.
"Uh huh."
"That's them."
"They're real?" Dawn asked and walked towards the two women and started poking them with her finger. Xena kept pushing her finger away and so did Gabrielle, but it didn't stop Dawn from poking them again to see if they were real.
"This is a real obnoxious kid" Xena said and looked at the little girl. Dawn was startled to actually hear her talking and quickly stepped behind Faith for protection.
Faith just couldn't resist and started laughing, "Yeah you're not little alright. They won't hurt you Dawn."
"So ok for confirmation you are Xena and Gabrielle and not Lucy and Reneé?" Buffy asked.
"Who?" Both Xena and Gabrielle said.
"Never mind" Faith said, "B, I think we should call Giles."
"Yeah you do that, I'll just… watch them" Buffy said still not believing they were actually in the room. Neither could Anya, Willow and Tara who just kept staring at them with open mouths.
"You can close your mouths now" Gabrielle said looking at the three.
"Uh huh." Was all they could say, but they didn't close their mouths and just kept staring at them not even blinking. Gabrielle walked up to them and closed their mouths one by one, but it didn't kept them from staring.
Xena snipped her fingers in front of them, it didn't work, "Willow?" Buffy asked.
"Huh?" Willow said finally paying attention.
"Could you not stare at them?" Buffy finished, "And please make your girlfriend and Anya not stare either."
"Yeah sorry" Willow replied and poked both Anya and Tara so they wouldn't stare.
"Sorry." Both girls said and sat on the couch. Willow followed them and sat next to Tara taking her hand.
"Where are we?"
"Xena right?" Buffy asked, "You're in Sunnydale California."
"What year?" Gabrielle asked.
"2003."
Both warriors looked at each other and sighed, "Another time loop, great" Xena said and sat on the floor. The others looked at her and chuckled, "What?"
"You can sit on the couch or on a chair you know" Dawn said. Xena gave her another look and sat on one of the chairs.
"Could you stop doing that" Anya said, "It's annoying."
Everyone looked at Anya who was talking to Willow and Tara, "Doing what?" Willow asked.
"Kissing!" Anya said and sat on another couch.
"Giles and Cordelia are on their way" Faith said as she returned from the phone.
"Good" Buffy said and looked at the two warriors, "Would you mind changing in to something else, because I don't want to pick up Giles after he fainted."
"What's wrong with our outfit?" Xena asked a little angry.
"Let's just do what they say, it's not the first time somebody fainted when they saw you like that."
"It would be a good idea Gab, but change in to what?" The dark haired warrior replied.
"Uhm, come with me, I'll see if my mother has something" Buffy said and led the two warriors upstairs.
"That was something different" Tara said as the three were out of sight.
"Uh huh" Anya replied.
"What's with the uh huh all the time?" Dawn said annoyed. Before anyone could reply the doorbell rang and Dawn jumped up to get it, "Hey Giles, Cordelia. Come in."
"Thank you Dawn" Giles said and walked into the room, "So what was the big emergency?" At that point Buffy, Xena and Gabrielle decided to come down again. He looked a little surprised, he shook their hands and what expected happened, he fainted.
Xena and Gabrielle just looked surprised at the man and the other started laughing, "Faith could you help me get Giles on the couch" Buffy said and grabbed the man.
"What was that for?" Gabrielle asked.
"Nothing personal, he has that reaction sometimes around beautiful women… and did I just say that? Could somebody shut me up please?" With that Tara kissed Willow to stop the redhead from babbling any further.
"Could you two stop that already" Anya said, "I said it was very annoying."
"Shut up Anya!" Both slayers said.
After a few minutes Giles woke and was a little embarrassed that he fainted in front of the two warriors. They said not to worry about it, but he was still embarrassed.
<<Somewhere near Sunnydale Mall>>
"Look" Callisto said, "Clothes."
"Nice going" Both walked up to the shop and looked inside, "See anything you like?" Ares asked.
"Yes I do" Callisto replied and knocked out the glass window. An alarm went off, "What is that annoying beeping sound?"
"I believe it's called an alarm" Ares said and grabbed some clothes as did Callisto, "Let's go, we can change somewhere else." And with that both of them stepped out of the store and went looking for a place they could stay.
"We'll begin the plan tomorrow" Ares said and walked on.
<Your plan maybe, not mine. We've got some visitors> Callisto thought and followed him.
"We don't know how we got here" Gabrielle said as she talked about their trip, "We were just walking and then we were sucked in this portal thing and ended up here."
"That's quite an, er, interesting story" Giles said still not sure how to act around them.
"Does he do that a lot?" Xena asked Anya.
"Yeah he does, annoying isn't it" Anya replied and got a smile from the warrior.
"Thank you for that Anya" Giles said and continued, "So you don't know why you are here?"
"Maybe because of Ares, he did send Callisto back in time once" Gabrielle said and looked at a surprised face of Cordelia, "What's wrong?"
"I had a vision about him and probably her too, what did she look like?"
"Blond, about Xena's height, real annoying."
"That's her alright, she was yelling all the time, it actually hurt my head more than the vision did."
"That's her alright" Xena said and looked worried, "If they're here in this world, then there is going to be a lot of trouble."
Everyone looked at the two warriors being worried, they explained a few things about Ares and Callisto. Tara and Faith were surprised that it sounded like the television show, but then again, that Robert guy had the scrolls.
"Where did you keep your scrolls?" Tara asked Gabrielle.
"What scrolls?" Gabrielle asked, "Oh you mean the stories I wrote about us? Somewhere in a cave, I got a few here in my bag."
"O can I see?" Faith asked. After Gabrielle said yes she jumped up like a small child that had been given a Christmas present, which made everyone laugh. Gabrielle handed the scrolls to Faith and she started reading them, "Ok one thing I don't get, aren't these supposed to be your language?"
"They must have changed when they went through the portal" Giles said and turned to ask the two warriors a few questions while Faith was reading the scrolls.
"Faith what's wrong?" Buffy asked seeing Faith blushing. Faith didn't reply and kept reading a bit before giving the scroll back to Gabrielle never making eye contact.
Xena wanted to know what that was about and grabbed the scroll from Gabrielle reading the part Faith just read. Turning a shade redder then Willow's hair she returned the scroll to Gabrielle who read the part Faith and Xena just read, "O, right THAT part" Gabrielle said and put the scroll back blushing even redder then Faith and Xena combined.
"Is that even possible?" Faith asked the two warriors.
The two looked at each other and smiled then turning back to Faith, "Uhm yeah, it took a while, but yeah" Xena replied blushing more as she said that.
"What was that all about?" Cordelia asked.
"Sex" Anya just said and walked to the kitchen to get some water. Not sure how to react to Anya's comment all three women turned around trying to avoid eye contact with any of the people in the room. <I just gotta read that scroll> Anya thought as she grabbed a glass. Little did she know, Buffy, Willow and Tara were thinking the same thing.
<<Later that night>>
After they decided all the girls would stay at Buffy's house they went upstairs to get some sleep, except for Willow and Tara who had made a bed downstairs. After going up and making sure everyone was a sleep they went back down and looked in Gabrielle's bag for the scroll.
After a few seconds they found it and opened it when they heard someone whisper, "Would you be careful." It was Buffy, both girls put the scroll back and jumped in bed. They pretended to be a sleep and made sure they could see them, down the stairs came Anya and Buffy, "Good, they're still a sleep" the blonde slayer whispered to Anya.
"Where is the bag?" Anya whispered back and Buffy pointed at it.
Willow whispered in Tara's ear that they were looking for the same thing as they did and decided to let the other two know they were awake, "As long as were looking for the same thing." She said and saw the two girls jump up.
"Willow!" Buffy whispered a little louder then before, "What are you doing awake?"
"Looking for that scroll" the redhead replied getting herself and Tara out of the bed. Willow immediately grabbed the bag and pulled out the scroll and opened it. They all sat on the couch and started reading it, it didn't took Willow long to close the scroll and put it back in the bag.
"That was…" Buffy began, "…interesting."
"Uh huh" Anya said, she had done some pretty crazy stuff with Xander, but this was let's say interesting, "I'm beginning to feel sorry I read it. I mean… I've done some… That was just…"
"Wow" Tara spoke for the first time, "I just can't believe that was possible, but she said it was."
"I'm going back to bed and forget this ever happened" Buffy said as she stood up.
"I'm going to bed too" Anya said, "But I don't think I'll be able to forget THAT."
"Uh huh." Was all Willow and Tara could say before they went back in the bed on the floor of the living room.
Willow laid on the bed and closed her eyes when she felt Tara wrap her arms around her waist. She turned her head and saw a beautiful smile and kissed the blonde witch. She turned back again and felt Tara holding her closer, "I can't believe that was actually possible" she said.
"I know even if Gabrielle said it was" Willow replied, "But I guess she has got to know after all, SHE was the one who did it."
"I know" Tara replied, "Let's go to sleep" Tara said, but before she closed her eyes she placed a few butterfly kisses on Willow's neck. Willow closed her eyes and enjoyed the touch of Tara's lips, it wouldn't take her long before she fell a sleep in her arms followed by Tara herself.
When Gabrielle woke up the next morning she couldn't move and found that Xena was practically laying on top of her, "Xena, would you…" Gabrielle said as she rolled Xena over, "…get of me" she finished.
Xena woke up from the move, "Sorry" she mumbled.
"Well I'm awake now, might as well go downstairs."
She got dressed in the clothes Buffy had given her and went downstairs to find Willow, Tara, Buffy and Faith already up and dressed. They looked up to see who was coming down the stairs but immediately turned their heads when they saw it was Gabrielle, "What?" the blonde warrior asked.
"We uhm, kinda read the scroll" Willow babbled.
"Willow!" Buffy said.
"It's ok Buffy" Gabrielle said, "As long as it won't leave this room and do NOT tell Xena."
"Don't tell me what?"
"Nothing" all said.
"Look we have to get up and go to Giles' so we can figure this thing out" Buffy said.
"No we're not" Xena replied, "Me and Gabrielle are going to find Ares and send him back along with Callisto."
"Excuse me?" Faith said standing up from her chair, "You are NOT going to do that."
"Yes we are and you'd better stay out of this little girl."
"I. AM. NOT. A. LITTLE. GIRL!" Faith replied and took up a fighting pose and so did Xena.
"Stop It" both Buffy and Gabrielle yelled.
"Xena, I think it's best to listen to them."
Xena pulled Gabrielle away from the others, "What are you talking about? These are little kids, how are they supposed to stop a god let alone two gods."
"Xena, we were sent here for a reason, remember."
"They're just kids."
"I know Xena, but I think they know what they're doing."
"As much as I hate to admit it I think they do."
"Ok come on then, let's get something to eat."
They walked back to the group and let the other know that they would go with their plan, "For now" Xena adds quickly before she asks Buffy where to get something to eat. Annoyed with that last comment Buffy showed her where she could get some sandwiches.
<<Giles' Place>>
"Giles, we're here!" Buffy yelled as she opened the door to his house. She had been given an extra key for emergency, but she used it more than that to great disapproval from Giles who gave her the key in the first place.
"Coming" a voice yelled from one floor up.
"Make yourselves comfortable" Willow said to the two warriors as she sat on the couch followed by Tara who snuggled up against her, "What's wrong Honey?" Willow asked her.
"Nothing" the blond wicca replied, "Just a little tired."
Willow leaned in and kissed Tara on her forehead, "Sleep then." She said and closed Tara's eyes. It didn't take Tara long before she fell asleep.
After two and a half hour she woke up to find no one in the room. And next to her wasn't Willow where she had been laying against before she fell a sleep. She stood up from the couch still a little sleepy and looked around for any of the gang.
She heard soft footsteps coming from behind her and turned around, "No… you're…" Tara began, "Callisto…"
"Yes I am and you are dead." With that Callisto took her sword and held back her arm ready to strike.
"No!" Tara screamed and then she heard a distant voice.
"Tara, wake up."
"Willow?" she asked looking around.
"Wake up baby, you're having a bad dream."
Tara opened her eyes and saw two green eyes with a worried look. She looked around and saw she was still in the room, still laying against Willow. She looked at Willow again and then closed her eyes and let the tears come from her eyes.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Willow asked her but got no answer. She just held Tara closer and let her cry in her arms. Answer would come later, now there was only time to comfort. Gabrielle had always been the worry type and couldn't help it but feel sorry for the two.
"Can I do anything?" Gabrielle asked.
"No it's ok, thank you" Willow replied and held Tara closer, "She just had a bad dream."
"It was more than that" Tara said out of nowhere, "I-I could feel her in the room."
"What do you mean?" Xena asked.
"I could feel her here in the room" Tara replied, "She held up her sword and I could feel it coming at me."
"That's a pretty intense dream" Gabrielle said, "Are you sure?"
"She said she was, leave her alone."
"Will" Buffy said, "Calm down."
Willow looked at Gabrielle and apologised for snapping at the warrior, "I'm just… she never had these intense dreams before."
"We'll get her" Faith said putting a hand on Willow's shoulder, "We'll do whatever it takes."
"Does that mean dying?"
Everyone looked around and saw a blonde woman standing in the doorway, "Callisto" Xena said and got an angry look on her face.
When Tara saw the blonde woman standing she immediately panicked. Willow stood up and blocked Callisto's way to Tara. The blonde witch held on to her as if her life depended on it and seeing the look Callisto gave her it did, "Stay away from her" Willow yelled at the woman.
"Now, now. No need for yelling" Callisto said as she moved closer to them, "I only came here for the blonde witch, the rest of you can go."
"You are not taking her" Willow said, "Don't come any further" the redhead said and put up a fighting stance.
"Well, would you look at that. Red's got some attitude."
"Hey Will, that's what I call you" Faith said and smirked and then turned to Callisto, "But you are not going anywhere near the blonde… or person in this room."
"Wow, I'm being threatened by a slayer…" Callisto said, "…only one slayer, what's up blondie, cat got your tongue?"
"Go away before we really hurt you" Buffy said.
"Now, now. No need for getting physical" Callisto replied and moved in closer to the two witches, "I'm just here for the blonde remember."
"If you get near the blonde we will have to get physical" Xena said and stepped between Callisto and the others followed by Gabrielle who did the same.
"Well Xena, how is everything sweetie. And here I thought you were happy with your own blonde" Callisto said and looked at Gabrielle, "You really should give her what she wants Gab, I mean if she's looking for another blonde then…"
She was cut of by Gabrielle slapping her in the face, "Stop it and go away" Gabrielle said, "If you know what's best, you'll leave… NOW" Gabrielle raised her voice and looked like she was about to attack Callisto when suddenly Ares came out of nowhere.
"Callisto." He said, "Not now" He grabbed her shoulder and disappeared as fast as he appeared.
"That was interesting" Faith said and looked at the empty spot where Ares and Callisto stood just a few seconds before, "Really interesting. What are they… I mean what is she?"
"She is just like Ares, a god" Xena replied.
"O that's just great, like I haven't seen them enough in my demon days" Anya said and looked at the surprised faces of Xena and Gabrielle, "What? I was a demon for over thousand years, get over it!" And with that she moved to the couch and sat on it.
"Tara… Are you ok?" Faith asked still smirking at the comment Anya made.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Are you sure?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, thanks love, but I'm fine."
"Ok" Willow replied and kissed her.
"Ain't that true love" Gabrielle whispered to Xena.
"What?" Faith and Buffy asked at the same time getting surprised looks from the two warriors and then Faith spoke again, "We're slayers, enhanced everything including hearing."
"Those two" Gabrielle said pointing at Willow and Tara.
"O those two, yeah we noticed that already, them being soulmates and all."
"I know" Xena replied, "I can see it in their eyes, just like…"
"You and Gabrielle" Buffy said surprising the two warriors, "Yeah noticed that already especially after I read… never mind." She finished after getting a look from Gabrielle.
"Forget it, I already know you read it" Xena said surprising the slayer.
"You do?" Buffy asked surprised.
"When I heard Anya's voice it woke me up, I'm a light sleeper."
"Ok… one thing, was that ACTUALLY possible?"
"Yeah it was" Xena replied and saw Gabrielle was blushing, "O come one, you had fun doing it!" That comment made Gabrielle only blush more and made Buffy and Faith laugh even harder.
"If you girls are finished with your chit chat, could we get back to the two gods?" Giles said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Yeah sure thing g-man" Faith said and moved over to sit next to Willow and Tara. Buffy followed and sat on her lap followed by Faith putting her arms around her.
"You see, I told you Willow… I should be gay too" Anya said, "it's more cuddly."
"Anya!" Willow said irritated with the ex demon.
"What was that about?" Buffy whispered to Willow.
"Oh, she's just a little mad at the male species" the redhead replied.
"Why do you think Ares and Callisto are here?" Giles said directing his question to the two warriors.
"World domination, fun… The basic stuff" Xena replied.
"But why go thousands of years in to the future to do it?"
"I don't know Willow" Xena replied, "He is just lets say complicated. And why is everyone falling asleep?" She said looking at Buffy, "First Tara, now her."
It had been two minutes since she fell a sleep and woke up again but it felt like hours. She looked around and noticed it was just like Tara had described in her dream, no one in the room and soft footsteps coming closer, "Alright Callisto, come out. I know it's you."
"That's where you are wrong Slayer" a male voice said.
"Ares" Buffy said and turned around to face him.
"Good girl and if Tara was right about her dream, then this should come next." He lifted his sword and then it happened, for a seconds he changed in to Callisto and back to Ares again. He was about to plunge his sword in her before she heard a faint voice.
"B? Wake up."
"Faith where are you?" She replied, "I can't see you."
"Open your eyes love, your dreaming."
Buffy opened her eyes and saw she was still in the room but WITH all the people around her and safe in Faith's arms. She buried her face in the other slayer's shoulder and let out a few tears, "We've been through this already, I hate these dreams."
"What is she talking about?" Gabrielle asked.
"A while a go she had Inner Demons hunting her" Faith said, "And the dreams were as lively as this one she just had. That's what she meant."
"What is it with this place" Xena said and sat down on a chair.
"We are living on a Hellmouth" Giles began and told her everything that had happened from the moment Buffy first came to Sunnydale; Angel, Oz, The Master, Drusilla, Spike, Faith's rogue slayer time everything.
"That's…" Gabrielle said, "She's just like you Xena… only with a lot less killing of humans." She said pointing at Faith.
"Yeah well don't think I'm proud of it" Faith replied a little angry.
"I'm sorry Faith, I didn't mean to…"
"Forget it Gab" Xena said looking at Faith's face she wasn't in the mood for an argument, "Let her be." She said and put a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, "Look everyone, we have got to stop these two… or this world as you know it will end."
"End?" Cordelia said, "O god, Kate. I have to pick up Kate!" With that she ran out of Giles' house.
"I'll uhm go with her" Buffy said getting her car keys, "Just wait here until we get back." With that Buffy ran out to Cordelia who was actually waiting for her knowing she had a car and it was too long of a walk.
"Come on Buffy, hurry."
"What's the rush?"
"Her bus was supposed to arrive five minutes ago, she must be worried."
"Oh, ok then, let's go" Buffy said and stepped in the car, "Buckle up." She said and started the car.
Cordelia didn't know what was happening to her, she said they needed to hurry, but she didn't say she had to go that fast, "Buffy… You think you could slow down a little bit?"
"Why? You said we needed to be there fast."
"Yeah, but I didn't say THAT fast" Cordelia replied with a pale face, "Watch out for that… tree." She finished when Buffy almost rammed in to it. When they arrived at the bus depot Cordelia had her hands on the dashboard and was afraid to let go of it.
"Cordy, we're here."
<Thank god> She thought and stepped out of the car. They walked to the busses and searched for the one from LA and found it pretty fast, "One thing, can I drive? I miss my car and want to drive one before I'm getting one here." It wasn't the real reason, but she would do whatever it takes to get Buffy to stop driving.
"Sure thing, if you want" Buffy replied and then thought of something, "Wait a minute…" Cordelia already was getting the chills for Buffy finding out she didn't want her to drive, "…are you staying in Sunnydale?"
Cordelia let out a small sigh of relief and answered, "Yes I am, don't tell Kate yet. I want to do that."
"O that's great" Buffy said and hugged Cordelia. The dark haired girl put her arms around the small slayer and thanked her for welcoming her back, "No problem Cordy, even if we didn't get along all the time… I missed you."
"What no hug for me?" they heard a voice say. Cordelia looked up and saw her lover standing in front of her, "Hey Delia" the brunette broke free from Buffy's hug and walked to Kate.
"Katie…"
"Hey love" Kate replied and hugged her girlfriend who suddenly started to cry, "Cordelia, what's wrong?"
"I missed you" Cordelia replied and looked in Kate's eyes, "And I love you."
"I love you too Delia" the blonde replied and gave her a passionate kiss, "Come on let's go… I'm sorry you must be Buffy."
"It's ok… and yes I am" the blonde slayer replied.
"I heard a lot about you and your friends."
Buffy gave Cordelia a look and smiled, "Yeah well there was a lot to talk about those days… has she ever said anything about herself back then?"
"No she didn't why?"
"Then you and I have a lot to talk about" Buffy replied and winked at the blonde woman. She took Kate's bags and walked to the car followed by Kate.
"Buffy, you're not going to… Buffy!" Cordelia tried, but she was already at the car. Cordelia hurried up to the car and Buffy winked at her too.
"Don't worry Cordy, I won't tell anything bad." And on that note she got in the backseat of the car leaving a surprised Cordelia behind her, "What you wanted to drive, so drive."
Cordelia got in the car and started the engine. What she really wanted to do was take Kate in her arms and make love to her, but there would be plenty of time for that after they solved this god problem thingy.
After everyone of the Scooby gang got introduced it was time for Xena and Gabrielle to come out, "Hey! That's Lucy and Reneé" Kate said, but she got a no from everyone in the room, "It's not Lucy Lawless and Reneé O'Conner? Then who…"
Kate's eyes grew wider when she finally knew who they were, "Katie, meet Xena and Gabrielle" Cordelia said and looked at her lover.
"But how?" Kate asked and looked at the others of the gang. This was Giles' cue to tell everything that had happened the day and night before. The only thing what Kate could do was listen and be amazed. After a few seconds of absorbing the things she had heard she spoke, "So I guess this means a long time in Sunnydale then."
"Do you mind?" Cordelia asked.
"No not at all, I actually got a surprise." She replied and got her wallet and opened it.
"It's a badge" Cordelia replied, "But I thought they fired you?"
"Read the letters honey."
"SPD" Cordelia said, "What's so special about SP… Sunnydale Police Department" Cordelia finished excitedly, "So we're staying?"
"Yes we are, I have nothing left in LA and through the LAPD I found out they needed people down here, because they seem to die a lot." She finished with a smirk, "And I saw you were getting a little down lately, not because of your cousin, but because you missed your friends."
"Oh this is so great" Buffy said happily. Of her earlier mood was nothing left and she was as happy as a child who had just been given permission to do whatever she liked, "This is so great." She repeated, "Now can I say it?"
"Uh I guess" Cordelia said.
"She was staying in Sunnydale anyway."
"Yeah, I realised I missed the gang and wanted to stay here. I actually already went to the SPD to see if they were taking new people."
"Always thinking ahead aren't you?" Kate said and kissed Cordelia.
"There's just one thing you need to know" Cordelia said, "I don't know how to say this with tact, so I'll just blurt it out."
"You're going to die" Anya said before Cordelia got the chance to say it herself.
"Uhm yeah, I saw it in a vision" Cordelia said and started to cry again, "I don't want to loose you."
Kate took Cordelia in her arms, she needed a to let the news sink in but thought of something, "Your visions are of the future aren't they. Send to you to stop what ever will happen" Cordelia just nodded, "That's it then. Delia, you are NOT going to loose me. You got the vision in time so it can be stopped and that's exactly what we're going to do."
"Welcome to the Scooby gang" Willow said and stood up to give Kate a hug, even if she barely knew her. And so did the others.
"Well, do you greet everyone like this?"
"No, only family" Buffy said and did the same followed by the rest which led in a very big group hug.
Gabrielle looked at Xena, she was getting all warm and fuzzy feelings, "O go already" Xena said and saw Gabrielle being welcomed by the group and smiled. Then she noticed something else, Gabrielle was waving her to come and so were the others.
Xena shook her head and backed up a little, if there was one thing she hated it was being hugged like that. There was no backing out of this, Gabrielle took her hand and pulled her in the group. Everyone hugged Xena and boy did she hated that, she smiled a little to Gabrielle and was trying to get away from the group as soon as she could.
Gabrielle noticed it and slowly asked everyone to let go of Xena. They did so and in the middle of the group stood a very grumpy warrior who backed up slowly. Willow was feeling bold and stepped forward, followed by a `don't even think about it' from Xena. But it was too late and Willow hugged the warrior again, followed by everyone else except for Gabrielle.
"Uhm guys… or rather girls" Gabrielle began noticing something was wrong, "Do you usually do these things?"
"No" Buffy said still hugging Xena.
"Then why don't you let go of her before she gets mad."
At that moment everyone looked very confused at each other and immediately let go of Xena, "Uhm I'm sorry, we're not always like this…" Giles said slightly embarrassed.
"Figured as much" Xena replied and sat on a chair, "Something is really wrong here. When there's a fight it gets worse then your usual friendly quarrels. And when you do the friendly things... well you saw what happened."
"Still apologising" Buffy said as she raised her hand.
"It's ok" Xena said and smiled at the blonde slayer, "But we really need to figure out what's going on here. What has been going on lately?"
"Well…" Buffy began, "Anya came back, Cordelia came back, Cordelia had that vision, a doctor killed five people…"
"Wow, back up there" Gabrielle said, "A DOCTOR killed five people?"
"Yeah" Buffy said, "And if he wasn't caught we would have been the next."
"I think an explanation is necessary here" Giles said and began to tell about all the hospital time and that Doctor Moore happened to be the doctor of all of them.
"What did he look like?" Xena asked, "Did he had a beard or whatever you can say."
"Yeah he did" Anya said, "He kinda looked like that guy yesterday only… fatter."
"Could he have looked like his brother or something or like a cousin?" Gabrielle asked.
"Yeah he did" Anya said.
"What are you thinking Xena?" Giles asked.
"Does relative give ya any ideas?"
"Oh! Like a grand child, but way, way, way older?"
"Yes something like that Buffy" Xena said and saw a huge smile coming on the girl's face, "You know that gods sometimes had affairs with mortals? Well that could be an offspring from Ares and some woman."
"That's interesting" Giles said, "Does the man know it?"
"Probably not" Xena said, "Where is he now?"
Faith looked up from behind Buffy who was sitting on her lap and had her arms around. "Prison" Faith said with a small tremble in her voice remembering the time she had spent in a prison. She held Buffy even closer and the blonde slayer knew exactly what she was thinking about.
The time Faith had spent in prison had left deep wounds on her soul. The things that had happened in prison with her… She never want anyone to know that, especially Buffy, the thoughts of… No she wouldn't think of it at all, it was too painful.
"What are you thinking of?" Buffy whispered in her ear, but she got didn't get anything back but a soft `nothing'. And Buffy turned her attention back to the others. Faith wished she could have told her right then and there, but she couldn't. Afraid of what Buffy would think of her if she knew.
Afraid that Buffy would think less of her when she found out what happened in prison. Afraid Buffy would find out that she didn't fight back and just let it all happen, that there was a time she would give it all up. Even wanting to give up the chance of being with Buffy after she got out of jail.
"Faith?" Buffy said snapping Faith out of her thoughts.
"Hmm? What?" the dark haired slayer replied.
"You, me equals patrol tonight?" Buffy said, "Giles didn't want us out, but there are still vampires out there."
"Yeah sure."
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked hearing a depressing tone in the other slayer's voice, "Are you ok."
"Five by Five" Faith replied with the same tone, "Come on, I feel like hitting something."
Buffy stood up from Faith's lap and pulled Faith up from the couch after a few seconds they were out and on patrol. They had gotten a few supplies from home, Faith hadn't spoken since they left Giles' house.
Buffy tried to walk hand in hand on their way to one of the cemeteries, but Faith was always a few steps in front of her trying to avoid any kind of touching or talking. The blonde slayer was getting worried about her girlfriend, she didn't know what to think of it.
<<Twenty Minutes Later>>
"Faith!" Buffy said with a loud voice that even surprised her, "Faith! Could you stop for a second."
The dark haired slayer turned around and saw Buffy coming at her, "What B?" She said and crossed her arms.
"What's been going on with you lately?"
"Nothing B" Faith said and turned around again to continue patrolling. She was stopped by Buffy who grabbed her arm and pulled the dark haired slayer against her. Buffy put one hand against Faith's lower back and gently moved her hand up and down in a soothing way.
She took her other hand to wipe away a few strains of hair that were covering the other slayer's right eye. She leaned her forehead against Faith's and looked at her, "What's going on Faith?" the blonde slayer tried again.
This time she got no reply, but she got something else. Faith gently kissed her and then leaned her head against the blonde's shoulder sobbing softly, "Faith…" Buffy let out in a small sigh. She still didn't get a reply, just two arms hold on her tightly and still sobbing.
Buffy knew Faith wasn't going to tell her anything until she was ready to tell her. She put her free hand on Faith's head, still soothing Faith by stroking her back with the other hand. They stayed for several minutes like that until Faith abruptly broke contact.
Faith wiped away the tears on her face, she took out her stake and continued the patrol. It had Buffy startled that Faith could go on like nothing happened, she wouldn't think of it now. <Maybe she just needed a shoulder> Buffy thought and silently followed her, <Faith, what is going on with you why won't you tell me?>
The thought wasn't meant to be heard by Faith, but she heard it anyway. Right then and there Faith wanted to tell Buffy everything, but she couldn't how could she live with her after she did? The dark haired slayer knew Buffy loved her, but would it be enough to understand why she acted the way she did.
<<Ten Minutes Later>>
"Faith! Watch out!" Buffy yelled and saw a vampire coming at her girlfriend. Faith didn't seem to hear her, she was to deep in thoughts. At the last moment Faith turned around and the vampire hit the dark haired slayer in her stomach. The blow was so hard that she lost consciousness and fell down on the floor.
Buffy ran as fast as her slayer legs could get her there and jumped at the vampire. He was faster than her and blocked her kick, she quickly turned and hit him in the face realizing that the only effect was the vampire getting more angry.
The blonde slayer knew that the only way to get out of this alive was to get a lucky shot at the heart. That lucky shot proved to be more difficult then she initially thought it would be as he threw her to the floor again. She got up and got her stake, she didn't care about anything anymore she just wanted to kill the vampire and protect the one she loves.
After few seconds she finally got that lucky shot, after the vampire had threw the blonde to the ground again he turned around and headed for the dark haired slayer who was still unconscious. Buffy jumped up and softly came closer to the vampire holding her stake in her hand. Before the vampire knew it he had a wooden stake through his heart and turned to dust.
"Faith!" Buffy screamed and ran to the dark haired slayer. She took the younger slayer in her arms and checked for other injuries, but she couldn't find them, "Wake up honey" Buffy softly said and stroked Faith's cheek.
When Faith woke up she saw two green eyes with a worried look, "What happened?" She asked.
"You got hit by that vampire we fought earlier."
"I got hit one time and I go down?"
"He was very strong Faith" Buffy said and helped the girl up. She put one arm around her waist for support.
"I can walk you know" Faith said and walked away from Buffy only to fall down again.
"Yeah I can see that, come on" Buffy said and pulled Faith up supporting her again. They decided to go back to Giles' home and call it a night.
<<Giles' House>>
"Can Kate stay here tonight?" Cordelia asked.
"Well.. uhm.. If she doesn't mind" Giles replied.
"It will only be until we got our own apartment" Cordelia pleaded.
"Uhm" Kate said as she raised her hand, "We kind of already had an apartment."
"What?" Cordelia said amazed, "What do you mean?"
"Well, there was an apartment free from one of the officers that died here in Sunnydale" Kate began, "And when I said that we needed a place to stay until we had enough money they told me about it and I said yes."
"BEFORE you looked at?"
"Of course not Delia" Kate replied, "I took an earlier bus so I could look at it and then pretended to get from the same bus when you and Buffy were here."
"O" Cordelia said.
"I wanted to show it right away, but I didn't count on Buffy coming with you."
"Sorry" Buffy said and sat on the couch.
"No it's ok" Kate replied, "It was nice to meet you. I just didn't think Delia would go back."
"I wasn't planning on it until I started to think about it and I really missed them all."
"Well Cordelia, didn't know you had it in you."
"Faith."
"Sorry B."
"And we kinda met by accident" Buffy said, "She was in the hospital when me and Faith were there."
"What? You were in the hospital?"
"It was nothing, I cut my hand on some glass."
"Yeah forget about the killer doc" Buffy said.
"What killer doc?" Kate asked worried.
"It's nothing Katie, he is in prison now, don't worry about it" Cordelia said and took Kate's hand.
"So what are we going to do next?" Gabrielle asked.
"Find Ares and Callisto and destroy them of course" Faith replied.
"It's not that easy you know" Xena said and looked at the rest, "I tried once, she came back, tried again, she became a god. And as for Ares, we tried, we failed."
"Not this time, if we can't kill him, then we'll send him back" Giles said.
"The only thing that can kill a god is hinde's blood a golden hinde."
"Then we'll get the hinde's blood" Faith said and stood up and started heading for the door but turned around, "I forgot something."
"What?" Buffy asked her girlfriend.
"Where are we supposed to get it?"
"That won't be so easy" Xena said, "The last golden hinde died."
"Bummer" Anya said and grabbed some snacks.
"What's her deal?" Gabrielle asked, "Wait don't tell me, an ex demon thing right."
"Uh huh" Buffy said and got a more serious look on her face, "How can we get it?"
"Get back in time" Willow simply said, "No biggie."
"No biggie?" Gabrielle asked.
"Don't worry you'll hear phrases like that more" Tara said and smiled and took Willow's hand in her own.
"So our redhead has got an idea?"
"Yes Faith I have" Willow said, "And it will be able to send 4 people back in time."
"I'll go!" Faith said immediately.
"No you're not" Tara said, "You can't go, not with that injury on your head" Faith placed her hand on the back of her head where she hit the rock, "We can't have injured people on this trip and besides none of you are going, spots are all taken."
"What are you talking about Tara?" Buffy said.
"Me, Willow and our new friends here."
"What?" Xena yelled, "No you're not."
"It's the only way" Willow said supporting her girlfriend.
"Then we'll find another way" Xena said, "I'm not putting innocent people in danger."
"We're not innocent and we're not ordinary people" Willow said a little angry, "We're two powerful witches and the only way we'll get the hinde's blood is if we're coming with you."
"Go Willow" Anya said still taking snacks.
"Come on Xena" Gabrielle said, "You know it's the only way, from what I've heard they can take good care of themselves."
"Don't blame me if you end up dead."
"Uhm, I don't think they can blame you when they're dead" Anya said.
"Then you really don't know a thing do you" Xena replied and stood up, "Could we go now?"
Willow, Tara and Anya stood up, the ritual would be done at Willow and Tara's apartment and Anya would make sure everything would be ready for when they returned. They walked to the door when Willow was stopped by Anya, "What did she mean by that?"
"I don't know, ask her."
"I sure of that" Anya said and walked out the house.
"Neither one of you are going on patrol tonight."
"What!" Both Slayers said.
"Faith is injured and it's too dangerous for Buffy to go out alone."
"I can too."
"No you can't Buffy" Giles replied, "As much as I hate to admit it you're no match for them if you're alone. If Faith was with you, you would still have a fighting chance, but without her..."
"I can go!" Faith interrupted him.
"No you can't Faith" Giles said, "Look at yourself, you can barely stand up." He said looking at a very disorientated slayer, "You are both going home."
"But..." Both slayers said.
"No!" Giles said angry, "You are both going home. And Buffy makes sure she gets better soon, we need her."
"Yes Giles" both slayers said like little children who were just being punished by their teacher. Both girls stood up from the couch and headed for the door.
"And girls..."
"What?"
"Be careful."
"We will. Thank you Giles" Buffy said and walked out.
"What are we supposed to do now?"
"Nothing Gabrielle, me and Tara will perform the spell." Willow replied, "You and Xena just have to change back in your… uhm normal clothes and stand in the circle when we begin the spell."
"And she's here to make sure we get back."
"Yes Xena she is, don't worry, before she became human, she could do spells too."
"Who said I was worried" Xena replied, "Ok changing it is."
While the two witches and Anya were preparing the spell Xena unbuttoned her dress and dropped it to the floor landing in front of the three. Looking up they just stared at the dark haired warrior with mouths open and eyes wide.
"Xena!"
"What is it Gabrielle?"
"It's not just the two of us in the room." She said pointed at the three young woman beneath the taller warrior.
"Sorry" Xena replied and just turned around, "Better?"
"Yes" Gabrielle replied and gave Xena a look.
"What?" The taller woman asked.
"Nothing" she replied, "Just look at them, they're kids."
"I know, but like you said… they seem to know what they're doing."
"I know, I just don't want them getting hurt" Gabrielle replied, "I think they will have a great life together, especially the two witches. And even the two slayers will have a great life together."
"Yes, I can see that too."
Gabrielle looked at Willow and Tara who just finished creating the circle and were leaning against the opposite wall holding hands. Constantly squeezing each others hand for comfort, support and love. Looking at each other with more desire than Gabrielle thought was humanly possible.
"They know they're soulmates" Xena began, "But I don't think they know the real meaning of it. I think they're just glad they are, every time I'm standing close to them I feel a warmth that I never felt before."
"I think they do know what it means on a certain level, sharing their mind, body and soul" Gabrielle replied, "And I can feel that warmth too. It's even stronger then when we…"
"I know" Xena replied.
"And we know the real meaning of soulmates" Gabrielle finished, "And we are soulmates."
"I know" Xena said again, "We also have an undying love, but we now the true meaning of being soulmates and they don't. It's new to them, they are fully aware of the fact they are soulmates, but the passion between the two is even bigger than I have ever felt in anyone before."
"And what about Buffy and Faith?"
"The two slayers…" Xena said, "Yes, they have it too. The history between the two girls is big, have you noticed the small scar on Faith's abdomen?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"Buffy did that."
"You're kidding… right?"
"No I'm not," Xena replied, "It was before they got together."
"How do you know all of this?" Gabrielle asked.
"I can see it in the blonde's eyes" Xena began, "She has guilt in her eyes, guilt I've never seen before, not even the guilt I…" Xena choked up, thinking of the time she almost killed her soulmate. Gabrielle put a reassuring hand on Xena back and made circles with her finger.
"Haven't they talked about it then?"
"I don't think they really talked, but I know Faith has already forgiven her for whatever Buffy did" Xena said, "Have you noticed they way Buffy sometimes places her hand on the scar and caresses it with her fingers and Faith gives her a comforting look?"
"Yeah, I thought that was just affection."
"It is… on some level. But for Buffy it goes deeper than just the affection." Xena said, "Faith knows the guilt Buffy is feeling, she has the same guilt for doing what she did."
"I saw the guilt in Faith's eyes, but not in Buffy's" Gabrielle replied, "That goes much deeper doesn't it?"
"Yeah it does" Xena replied, "For a long time those two were the each others worst enemy, doing thing to each other that another person could only dream of."
"How did they end up together then."
"They're soulmates" Xena replied, "That's how we got past everything."
"Yes we did" Gabrielle replied and gave Xena a smile.
"There's one thing I'm worried about with both couples."
"What?" Gabrielle asked.
"They love each other so much that they would sacrifice themselves to save the other person."
"That's not a good thing."
"I know" Xena said, "They say they don't want to hurt the other, but by sacrificing themselves they do just that."
"Are you finished yet?" Anya suddenly said trying not to look at them while they were changing.
"Yes we are" Gabrielle said, "When do we start."
"Right now" Willow said and walked in the circle with Tara, followed the two warriors. Willow looked at Anya and then back at Tara and the two warriors who all nodded that they were ready. Willow began chanting something in Latin and Tara repeated it in English.
A few seconds later there was a bright light and Anya covered her eyes, when she opened them again the four were gone, "Guess it worked." She said and shrugged, "Let's see what's on TV." She said and walked to the couch.
It took Buffy and Faith only a few minutes to get home, especially with the way Buffy drove. Faith never figured out why she always drove like a madman… or madwoman in this case. When they got out of the car Faith was even paler then when she was at Giles' house.
"What's wrong Faith?"
"You" Faith said taking a breath and seeing a very upset slayer, "Your driving style honey."
"Oh" Buffy replied. It didn't cheer her up and Faith noticed that. She took the blonde slayers hand and pulled her in the house.
"Your mom home?"
"No, she and Dawn are away for the weekend."
"Good, coz we're getting comfy on the couch here" Faith said, she had a total mood swing in like half an hour and Buffy was liking it, "Get us some snack and drinks." She said to Buffy, "I'll get the blankets and pillows."
After a few minute both of them were laying on the couch, Buffy first and Faith snuggled against her. They were watching a movie, but neither of them paid much attention to it. They were to wrapped up in their own thoughts.
Thoughts they kept well hidden for the other person, because they knew they would be heard by the other. Buffy was thinking of Faith, why she had been so down earlier and why her mood had changed so sudden. The dark haired slayer was thinking about her time in jail, her coma, Buffy stabbing and if she should tell Buffy about prison. She jumped up when she heard one of Buffy's thoughts <Does she even love me and if she does, then why won't she tell me what's going on with her.>
Buffy was startled when Faith jumped up and she knew the younger girl had heard her thoughts, "Faith." She tried, but Faith didn't answer and just sat in the other corner of the couch staring at the television, "Faith please." She tried again.
She still got no answer from the younger slayer and tried another way, if they were really linked then she would be able to hear it, <Faith, listen to me.>
"Get out of my head" Faith said and stood up from the couch.
"Then talk to me."
"What's there to talk about?" Faith said a little angry, "You don't think I love you."
"I do… it's just" Buffy said, "Why won't you tell me what's going on with you."
"It's not that I don't want to tell you. It isn't that easy B."
"Then why don't you make it easy and tell me what's going on with you."
"I can't."
"Why not?" Buffy said, "What is it that you can't tell me? You can tell me everything you know that."
"No I don't know that B, how can I be sure you won't judge me."
"Faith…" Buffy said as she reached out for her girlfriend. She was shocked when Faith pulled away from her, "Tell me…"
"I can't" Faith said, "Just leave me alone."
Faith walked out of the house and Buffy just stood there, when she got to the door to try and stop the younger slayer she was already gone. Buffy went back in the house and sat on the couch, she tried to hold back the tears but couldn't and started crying.
<<Ancient Greece>>
All four women opened their eyes, "I guess it worked" Gabrielle said and looked around, "Yeah, we're back home."
"Yes we are" Xena said for confirmation.
Suddenly Willow fell on her knees and Tara rushed by her side, "What is it."
Willow had tears streaming on her face, "Remember that connection I have with Buffy? I felt her… she's hurt, deeply hurt."
"What happened?" Gabrielle asked.
"I don't know, but we have to hurry."
"Let's get ourselves some hinde's blood then" Xena said and helped Willow up.
"Any idea where to start?" Tara asked the tall warrior.
"Yes I do, but we have to find Hercules."
"H-hercules as in half god, son of Zeus Hercules?"
"Yes Tara, that Hercules" Xena said and then looked at the two witches, "Uhm but I think you two have to dress a little less of that and a little more of what people wear here."
Both Tara and Willow looked at their clothes and knew what Xena meant, they weren't really low profile in the clothes they wearing now, "We have to hurry. The pain is getting worse."
After what seemed hours the four woman finally found a village and could ask for information. It seemed they were in the right village, because Hercules should be in one of the inns in the village. And they were in even more luck when they found in the first inn they walked in to.
"Herc!"
"Xena" he replied, "How is everything going and who are these two beautiful ladies?" Both Willow and Tara blushed ten shades of red which made Gabrielle and Xena laugh.
"Willow and Tara, meet Hercules" Xena said, "Herc, these are two friends of us from the future."
"Whoa, back up… did you say future?"
"Yes I did, long story… don't have time for that right now" Xena replied, "Ares and Callisto are up to something."
"I thought Callisto was gone."
"This is the Callisto from when she just turned a god and Ares from the same time."
"Hercules, sorry that I have to ask, but do you know where she is?"
"The Hinde."
"Yes the hinde, or Serena."
There was a sad look on Hercules' face.
"She died, didn't she?" Tara asked.
"Yes she did." A flash of pain went through his eyes.
"I'm sorry" Willow said, "And also sorry for us, sorry to say, but we needed her blood."
"For Ares and Callisto" Hercules said.
"Yes" Gabrielle said.
"Take this" Hercules said with anger in his voice and took the bottle that was hanging on a necklace around his neck.
"Why are you so eager to give it?" Xena said not sure of what she had to think, normally it was Hercules who would be holding back.
"Ares killed her, didn't he" Willow said.
"Yes he did."
"Thank you for this Hercules" Xena said, "We'll talk when we get back, if we get back."
"You'll get back to your own time, me and Tara will make sure of that."
"We have to go" Tara said to Hercules and the others.
"Nice meeting, you two are lovely ladies and a perfect couple."
And again Willow and Tara blushed, "How did you?" Willow asked.
"Well you two holding hands was enough to know." Both Willow and Tara looked at their hands and smiled, "Take care."
"You too Hercules" Willow said, "I'm sorry to say, but we really need to go now."
Xena, Gabrielle and Tara said goodbye to Hercules and walked out of the inn with Willow, "We have to go back to the exact spot we entered this world."
"How will we find that?" Xena said.
"Burned ground, the ground was burned where we entered. I'm just lucky I did a protection spell in our apartment so the floor wouldn't burn" Tara finished for Willow.
"Oh" Xena said and followed the two witches.
After again a few hours of walking they returned to the place where they entered this world, "Just step in the circle again" Willow said and did the same, she grabbed Tara's hand and chanted the same thing before and Tara repeated it in English.
"Who is disturbing me when I watch television" Anya said and looked at the clock, "Damn" she said. She knew what the sounds were about, Willow, Tara, Xena and Gabrielle were coming back. She hurried back to the place where they first disappeared and hurried o get everything in place and she was just in time.
After a few seconds of bright light Anya opened her eyes and saw the four women standing in front of her, "Well that's what I call a new look" Anya said and starting laughing at the two witches.
"Very funny Anya" Willow said and gave her a look. Willow was getting impatient, she needed to check on Buffy, "I'm going to take a shower."
After Willow left the room Xena turned to Tara, "Go with her and reassure her that everything will be work out with Buffy." The tall warrior whispered.
"How do you know these things?"
"Just go, I'll explain later."
A soft `thank you' escaped Tara's lips as she followed her lover to the bathroom.
After Faith and Buffy had left, Kate, Cordelia and Giles had dinner. Kate and Cordelia would go to their apartment after that, Giles had invited them to stay for dinner and accepted it.
"Dinner was great Mr. Giles" Kate said.
"Please call me Giles, everyone else does the same."
Kate smiled and said she would, "When are we going to the apartment?"
"As soon as we pick up our car Delia" Kate said and smiled at her girlfriend who had the most surprised look on her face ever, which made Giles laugh soon followed by Kate.
"What, how?"
"Remember that car you saw last month when we were still in LA?"
"Yeah…" Kate shot her a look and Cordelia knew exactly what she meant, "O Katie, thank you!" She said and gave her girlfriend a kiss that made Giles blush.
"I… er… I'll leave you two. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sure Giles, bye" Kate said and stood up from the chair, "Come on Delia." She said to her lover and grabbed her hand, "Let's pick up our car."
<Why do I always run away> Faith thought as she walked down the street. The fight between her and Buffy had been pointless, she just needed to tell her everything. She shouldn't be running away from her.
She wanted to tell Buffy everything, everything that had happened to her and why she let it be done to her. On some level she knew she could tell Buffy everything, but the bigger part of her thought Buffy wouldn't or couldn't understand and blame her.
Faith knew she had to talk to someone, it couldn't be any of her friend. Maybe she could talk to, no she wouldn't understand… or would she. There was a time when that person was much like herself or rather Faith was a lot like her.
She had done things a person could only dream of. That was it, Faith needed to talk to Xena. <Maybe she knows something> Faith thought and started walking to Willow and Tara's apartment. Now all she had to do was see if they were home and open up and talk to Xena… talking, easier said then done.
<Why does she always run?> Buffy thought tears still coming from her eyes. The fight between her and Faith shouldn't have happened, why couldn't she just tell her what was wrong. Was it that horrible? <Doesn't Faith know I would never judge her about anything…>
She desperately needed to talk someone and she knew the perfect person for it. She also was kinda in the same situation, at least when the other changed her ways. <Gabrielle could help me.>
<<Willow and Tara's Apartment>>
Willow was already standing under the shower when Tara entered the bathroom, "Hey." She softly said.
"Hey" A soft reply came from the redhead.
Tara took of her clothes and stepped in the shower with Willow. Willow was standing with her back towards Tara, completely still and just let the water fall on her. Tara put her hand on Willow's hip and turned her around, when she looked at her face Tara saw that the redhead had red and puffy eyes… she had been crying, "Baby, what's wrong?"
Willow just stood there and said nothing, Tara put her arms around the redhead's waist and pulled her closer. Willow rested her forehead on Tara's, "It's Buffy" the redhead finally spoke, "I've never felt her this hurt before, not even with Angel."
"Did she broke up with…"
Willow interrupted her, "No she didn't." She said, "It's not that kind of hurt that I feel, but it has something to do with Faith."
"We'll find what it is" Tara said, "But now we're taking this shower and you are going to relax." She turned Willow around and place her hands on her shoulders and gently massaged them. Willow leaned back her head and rested it on Tara's shoulder, a soft moan escaped her mouth when Tara kissed her neck.
Tara's hands worked their way all over the redhead's back, Willow still had her arms hanging clinging to her side when Tara worked her way to Willow's side and slipped her arms around her waist. She rested one hand on Willow's belly and made circles with her fingers and with her other arm she just held Willow close.
Willow turned around to face Tara and looked at her, "More." She said with a husky voice and leaned in to kiss Tara. Willow placed her hand on Tara's neck and deepened the kiss. The blonde wicca was full aware that there were still other people in her house but she didn't care. All that mattered was this moment with Willow.
Tara put her arms around Willow and pulled her closer, moving her hands up and down Willow's back and still pulling her closer. Tara wanted to taste Willow and when the redhead partially opened her mouth she knew Willow wanted the same and slipped her tongue inside.
"You know" Anya began, "They're probably not even talking anymore. They do that all the time, I've lived here for a while now and whenever they go take a shower or wanting to talk they show up like an half hour later then the talk should be."
"Wow Anya" Xena said.
"What?"
"I can't believe you could get that sentence out in one breath."
Anya glared at the warrior, but turned her head back to the television. She knew that the warrior would `out glare' her so she didn't even try anything more then one look. Then both Gabrielle and Xena jumped up from their chair when they heard a very annoying noise.
"It's just the phone" Anya said and took it off the hook, "Hello?"
"Anya? Why are you picking up Willow and Tara's phone?"
"The two warriors don't know what a phone is and your little witches are having a lot of sex in the shower" Anya said. Both warriors rolled their eyes and turned their gaze toward the other.
"Could you get Gabrielle on the phone?"
"Uhm, hello they don't know what it is or what to do."
"Could you just ask her to come to my house" Buffy replied annoyed, "She knows how to get there. Please tell her to hurry." Both said goodbye and hung up the phone, "Blondie" Anya said.
"What?" Gabrielle said a little angry <Why do they always call me blondie, first that kid who wanted to take my place beside Xena and now… I hate that.>
"Buffy asks if you could come to her house."
"When?"
"Right now" Anya said and then her face actually had a serious look on it, "She sounded a little upset."
"I'll go right away" Gabrielle replied, "Xena could you…"
"Yeah I'll stay here, just don't be surprised if you find a dead ex demon here."
"You won't do that."
"What makes you so sure."
"Because I ask you not to do that."
"Can't refuse you anything" Xena said and walked to the couch, "See ya later" Gabrielle walked out of the apartment, still amazed of the buildings they had here and all of the other stuff, which she had no idea of what it was.
"Come on Ares, let's kill them already."
"No we aren't going to do that." He replied still angry that Callisto had gone to the house and wanted to take the blonde witch. Ares didn't know what Callisto's connection was to her or why she wanted her.
<I know what your thinking Ares> Callisto thought to herself, <Why I wanted the witch, you'll see… And you'll be in for a big surprise.>
<I wonder what's wrong> Gabrielle thought as she was getting closer to the Summers home. After a few minutes she stepped on the front porch and knocked on the door. Buffy had already seen her coming and opened the door the second Gabrielle knocked on it.
"Hey."
"Hey" Buffy replied and asked her to come in. Gabrielle could see she had been crying and was now really curious on what was going on, but let Buffy take her time to tell it herself, "Want something to drink?"
"Sure" Gabrielle said and sat on the couch. Buffy grabbed some drinks and sat next to the blonde warrior. The next few minutes there was complete silence in the room until Buffy started to cry. Gabrielle couldn't help it but to feel sorry for the girl and held her in her arms, "What's wrong?" She asked but got no answer.
After a few minutes Buffy calmed down and pulled away from the hug, "Thank you."
"Sure" Gabrielle said.
"I never do this, I never cry with a total stranger… O sorry, you're not a total stranger, I mean…"
"I understand" Gabrielle said.
"It's Faith" Buffy suddenly said.
"I already got that part" Gabrielle said and gave a little smile to the blonde.
"There's something wrong with her and she won't tell me" Buffy said knowing she would be in full babble mode, "I told her she could tell me anything, then she told me she didn't know if I would judge, why would I judge her? I would never judge her, I reached for her, but she pulled away and then she left… listen to me, I'm babbling. I'm not sure if you understand what I'm saying."
"I can understand you perfectly" Gabrielle replied, knowing that Buffy wasn't finished yet.
"I stabbed her you know" Buffy said, "There was a time when everything was really messed up between us, she had killed a real human and not a demon."
"That scar."
"Yes" Buffy began, "At that time I was with Angel, a vampire with a soul, and she shot him with some kind of poison. The only way he could survive was by drinking the blood of a slayer and I went after her. I went after her and stabbed her, she fell from a balcony and landed on a truck. She ended up in a coma for eight months."
"Angel?"
"He drank my blood."
"And you survived?"
"He stopped in time, I went to the hospital, got some blood and thanx to the slayer healing I was out in no time."
"Amazing."
"I know."
There was yet again a few minutes of silence until Gabrielle spoke, "Why do YOU think she ran?"
"It is what she always does" Buffy began, "She has always run away from things, afraid to face them."
"That's not the real reason" Gabrielle said.
"What do you mean?"
"She's afraid of loosing you" Gabrielle simply said, "That is why she ran. Whatever it is that she needs to tell you, she thinks it will mean that she'll loose you."
"How do you know that?"
"I've seen it in her eyes and in your eyes too."
"What are you talking about, I'm not afraid of loosing her because I have her."
"Yes you are afraid and you know that" Gabrielle said and saw Buffy turning her gaze to the floor, "You two are so afraid of loosing each other that it eventually will lead to that."
"No! It can't lead to that, I can't loose her. I can't live without her… I mean, we haven't even… And I need it, I need to touch her, feel her on my skin."
"Then tell her that, tell her that she will never loose you no matter what, tell her what you just told me" Gabrielle replied.
"I don't know where she is."
"I've gotten to know you and her over this couple of days and if I'm not mistaken she'll be at Willow and Tara's."
"What would she be doing there?"
"Talking to Xena" Gabrielle replied, "She's thinking that because of Xena went through a similar thing she would know what to do."
"I'm sorry, but I don't really see Xena as the talking type."
"No she isn't… normally, but she'll do everything to help a friend in need."
"I should go to her" Buffy said as she stood up but Gabrielle held her back.
"Give it a few minutes more." She replied, "Besides, I haven't finished my drink yet."
"Are you two finished yet?" Anya yelled.
"Just a sec" Willow yelled back. After a few seconds both Willow and Tara out in their bathrobes.
"Finally, I thought you two were going to die of to many orgasms."
"Anya!" Willow squealed, "Stop talking and take a bath."
"Yes m'am" Anya said saluting her and then headed towards the bathroom.
"Thank you" Tara said to Xena.
"Sure."
"Thank you?" Willow asked, "For what? What did she say?"
"Nothing" Tara replied.
"Well whatever you said, thank you very much" Willow said making her lover blush.
"Don't mention it." Then she jumped up from the couch, "What is that sound, first that thing and now the other."
"It's the doorbell" Willow replied and giggled, "I'll get it."
"Hey." A familiar person said when Willow opened the door.
"Faith" Willow said a little confused, "What did you do?"
"Nothing, I need to talk to Xena."
"If you've hurt Buffy I'll…"
"I know, you'll kill me, don't worry I will have killed myself before that" Faith replied and put a hand on Willow's shoulder, Willow sighed and let the dark haired slayer in. Faith walked in and saw Xena sitting on the couch, she tried to speak, but Xena already knew what she wanted.
"Yes we can."
"Me and Tara will go to our room, it's almost bedtime anyway."
Faith smiled at the two witches and got a soft and understanding smile back from Tara but nothing from Willow, <Willow.>
<What?>
<Could you at least smile back at her.>
Willow did so and then entered their bedroom followed by Tara, <That was great.>
"What was great, Faith hurting Buffy?"
"No I meant reading your thoughts. It has never been this strong."
<I know.>
"Why do you act so hostile towards Faith, you didn't know what went on between those two."
"She hurt her, that's enough for me."
"Did she leave her?"
"No" Willow replied.
"Then she didn't hurt her" Tara said.
"What do you mean?"
"I've known you and Buffy for 3 years now" Tara said, "And ever since Faith came in the picture and they got together… I've never seen her happier. The only way Faith could really hurt her is by leaving her and they both know deep inside that they would never do that to each other."
Tara didn't get a reply from Willow, she just looked down at the floor. Tara cupped her chin and met Willow's eyes with her own, "And I think deep inside you know that too."
<I do.>
<Then let them work it out, Faith came here for a reason.>
<I know.>
"Come on let's go to bed" Tara said and led her girlfriend to their bed.
After a few seconds of silence Faith finally spoke, "I can't tell her."
"Why can't you tell her" Xena asked, "She loves you I know that."
"I can't because she'll judge me."
"No she won't" Xena said, "She would never do that."
"What are you talking about, what the hell do you know?"
"Then why did you came here to talk to me" Xena said remaining calm.
"Because…"
"Because you feel it too" Xena said, "We are alike. We're family."
"What are you talking about?"
"I didn't know it until I saw the first real look you and Buffy shared since we were here. It's the same way Gabrielle and I look at each other, true and pure love. No judgement, only understanding."
"I'm still not getting the family part" Faith said confused.
"You part of my family line, I couldn't see it until I saw the love in your eyes towards Buffy and the love that she has for you."
"I love her more than anything, she knows me better than anyone… I want to touch her, feel her on my skin, but we haven't… I mean, I didn't think she would be ready yet and I respected it."
"Trust me, she has been more than ready" Xena said.
"I can't believe I'm actually talking about this stuff with you" Faith said, "And I… Wait a sec, about the family thing again, what has that got to do with Buffy?"
"I thought you figured that out by now."
"You mean, she's related to…"
"Gabrielle, yes she is. That's why I could see it."
"I need to talk to her" Faith said determined to do just that.
"I know, go home. Go to her."
"Thank you for…"
"It's ok, anything for family."
"Yes, family…"
Faith did the unexpected and gave Xena a hug, normally the tall warrior wouldn't have liked it, but she hugged Faith back, after all, she was family.
"She's coming" Buffy said and looked at Gabrielle.
"I know" Gabrielle replied and looked at the blonde. Gabrielle wondered if she could tell her that they were related, no she couldn't not now. She needed to let her and Faith talk first, "I should go back now."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes of course" Gabrielle replied and walked to the door followed by Buffy, "And Buffy… tell her."
"I will, thank you" Gabrielle replied with a `thank you' and then Buffy hugged her, "Really, thank you."
"Anytime" Gabrielle left the house and Buffy went back inside waiting for her soulmate.
"What do you think she wanted from you?"
"Who wanted what from me Willow?" Tara asked.
"Callisto" Willow said, "She specifically was after you, not Buffy or Faith, not the other, but you."
"I don't know honey" Tara replied, "I really don't know."
"Little Tara, you have no idea what's coming to you," Callisto said. Ares had gone out and she was left alone, thinking of a few things. Like how she was going to get the little witch away from her lover and her friends.
She was going to tell her about why she needed her, <I'm going to do that right now.> She thought and disappeared.
"How do you think Faith is doing?" Willow asked her lover.
"I don't know," Tara replied, "Let's not think of that… come here," with that she pulled Willow on top of her and kissed her.
'Vixen' Willow thought and got a sheepish grin back from Tara and deepened the kiss. Tara had her hands on Willow's lower back and was making circles with her fingers.
"Well… would you look at that, the couple is getting all snugly," Willow and Tara immediately broke apart and looked at the figure in their room, "How did you?" Tara asked.
"I'm a god love," Callisto replied, "I can do this and a lot more." She looked at Willow who was eyeing the door, "Try it and die red!"
"What do you want?" Tara asked angrily.
"You, haven't you figured that out yet?" Callisto replied with a grin.
"You're not getting her," Willow said and was on her way to block the path between Callisto and her girlfriend when Tara put a hand on her shoulder.
'It's ok love' Tara pulled her lover back and held her in her arms, "Why do you want me?' She asked Callisto as she held Willow closer to her. She knew that if she didn't Willow would explode and go after the god.
"You are going to make me complete," Callisto thought about what she said and looked at two confused witches, "Ok might have said that wrong, but in a way it's true."
"I'm still not getting it."
"Well Tara, that was your name right?" Not waiting for an answer Callisto continued, "someone told me my future once. There was going to be a powerful witch in my family one day and with the blood of that witch I would become stronger then all the gods."
"What has that got to do with… No! That's not going to happen!"
"So red here figured it out?"
"H-how can I b-be y-your f-family?" Tara said in full babble mode, "I'm n-not s-strong."
"How cute, she stutters."
"Hey! That's my cuteness not yours!" Willow replied to the comment Callisto made.
"Don't worry love, that's not my thing."
"You are still not getting her!"
"Yes I am, just not yet," Callisto replied, "Soon." She said and disappeared from the room.
Willow and Tara looked at each other, "We need to tell Buffy," Willow said as she got up and got dressed. Tara just nodded and did the same thing, together they rushed to the door and opened it but only to find Xena stopping them, "Where do you think you're going?"
"Callisto was here, we have to tell Buffy," Willow said.
"No you're not. I just spend an hour with Faith to keep her from running and now she's going back and you're not going to stop that."
"But Callisto…"
"I know," Xena replied, "Tara is her blood, she needs to be 'complete' I heard. Don't worry she'll do nothing as long as I'm here."
"But…"
"I said no," Xena said angrily, "Now go do whatever it was you were doing," she added with a wink and made the two witches blush.
"Ok," both said and walked back in their room.
"Good" Xena said and went back to the living room, <They'd better not disturb them.>
Buffy was sitting on the couch waiting for Faith and trying to figure out how on earth she was going to start this conversation. She knew Faith had things to say to her but she didn't want to push her. <The only thing I want is just hold her… kiss her and… ok stay focused Buffy> The blonde slayer was so wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't hear Faith coming through the door.
"B?" Faith said with a soft voice.
Buffy looked up and walked towards Faith who was too busy trying to burn a whole in the floor with her eyes. The blonde slayer cupped Faith's chin with her hand and brought her eyes up to meet her own. Then she did something that surprised the dark haired slayer, Buffy brought there lips together and kissed her with more passion then ever before.
After a few seconds Faith broke apart from Buffy and the blonde slayer saw something she thought she would never see… The smaller slayer was actually blushing, but Buffy broke the blush off and turned back to the real problem, "Don't you ever leave me again," Buffy said and stepped back. Faith would have none of it and pulled Buffy back, "We need to sit down Faith."
"I know… just…"
"… a few seconds."
"Yes," Faith said and put her arms around the smaller slayer's neck. Buffy put her arms around Faith's waist and pulled her closer, "A few seconds," Faith said again.
Buffy could feel a few teardrops on her neck and pulled away from their embrace, "Faith what's wrong?" she asked the younger slayer.
"Nothing… I…"
"Let's sit down." The two slayers moved to the couch and Buffy took Faith in her arms, "Talk to me," Buffy said before placing a kiss on Faith's head.
"What's there to talk about?" Faith asked bitterly.
"Don't do this Faith," Buffy replied, "You and I both know we need to talk. Tell me."
"I was raped ok… Happy now?" Faith blurted out and moved away, leaving a shocked Buffy on the other side of the couch.
"What… How… You're a slayer…"
"I WAS a slayer B" Faith replied, "I gave up being a slayer when I killed the deputy mayor."
"How… You can't deny you destiny," Buffy replied moving closer to Faith.
"I did, and look where it got me…"
"It took you to me," Buffy looked at Faith who was dumbfounded by her comment.
"It never took me to you B, I never had you."
"You've always had me Faith, you just never saw it," Buffy replied, "And I never believed it could happen."
"I wonder how they're doing," Gabrielle said snuggling against Xena.
"They're dealing," the dark haired warrior replied, "they'll get there."
"I know they will," Gabrielle replied, "how are Willow and Tara doing?"
"They had a visit from Callisto."
"What!" Gabrielle said and jumped up but Xena pulled her back.
"They're fine, she just came to tell them something."
"Tell them what?"
"Apparently she and Tara are related," Xena said, "and Callisto has to use her blood to become more powerful then the other gods."
"And they haven't told that to Buffy yet because…"
"Because she and Faith needed time alone," Xena replied, "And don't give me that look, you know they did, besides Callisto won't do anything unless they're all there to watch it. She likes to see people suffer."
"And we'll be there to stop her?"
"Yes we will" Xena replied and pulled Gabrielle in for a passionate kiss.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you never let yourself believe it?"
"Because I was afraid Faith," Buffy replied, "but we're not here to talk about that, we're here to talk about something else."
"What's that?"
"You know what," Faith took a deep breath and pushed Buffy down so she was lying on the couch. Faith lay next to her, it was a small space but neither paid much attention to it. Buffy brushed a strand of hair from Faith's face and locked eyes with the younger girl, <Tell me.>
"You really want to know what happened do you?" Buffy only nodded and Faith sighed, "then I'll tell you what happen." Before she spoke Faith gave Buffy a kiss as if it would be their last and left the blonde slayer amazed.
"Faith…"
Faith put her finger on Buffy's lips to prevent her from speaking, now it was her time to speak, whether she liked it or not. Faith took another deep breath an began to tell Buffy what happened, "When I killed that deputy mayor and told you I didn't care… I did care; it killed me inside for saying that. And then lying to Giles and telling him it was you who killed him that was the final thing… after that I couldn't take it anymore. I had betrayed you while you were trying to help me."
Buffy was about to say something but Faith stopped her, "then it all went downhill, I tried to kill you, Angel and the others. You stabbed me and ended up I a coma." Faith could see a tear rolling down Buffy cheek and wiped it away, "when I woke up everything was different, you had killed the mayor, I saw him, strangely enough, as a father figure. And I went nuts again, tried to go out with a bang, but once again you stopped it.
"And then I went to L.A., tried to kill Wesley, Cordelia and Angel. Or should I say I tried to kill myself by letting Angel do it, but he wouldn't, he still believed in me."
"I believed in you," Buffy said a little shocked.
"I know you do, but didn't know it at that time," Faith said and stroked a few hairs out of Buffy's face, "Then you came back and I turned myself in, knowing it was the only thing to do."
"You did the right thing Faith."
Faith closed her eyes and let a few tears fall and that's when Buffy knew that the rape wasn't the only thing she had endured during her prison time. She pulled Faith closer and let her cry for a few seconds whispering words of comfort in her ears.
After a few seconds Faith pulled away from Buffy's embrace and began to speak again, "in jail… I completely shut down on everyone and everything and that's when it started," Faith took another deep breath and continued, "in the beginning they were just trying to be friends, trying to get close and I let them… After a month it happened the first time."
"The first time as in more after that?"
Faith only nodded and continued, "it was at night, somehow they got out and got in my cell. There were three of them. I tried to stop them, but I was too weak… too weak to fight them."
"God Faith, why didn't you tell me this before?"
"You know me B," Faith said as she stood up from the couch, "I never tell anyone anything." She walked to the kitchen and opened the door to the backyard for some desperately needed fresh air. Buffy silently followed her and watched her.
"I let it all happen to me B, I was too weak to fight them." Faith said, "This isn't like me," and that's when the first blow to the wall came, "too weak." Second blow, "too weak." Third blow it continued like this for a few seconds until Buffy couldn't stand it anymore and stood between Faith and the wall and took the blow full in her stomach, but she didn't move a muscle.
"I'm sorry B, I'm so sorry" Faith said and placed her other hand on Buffy's stomach.
"Don't worry about it, let me see your hand," Buffy took Faith's hand and placed a kiss on it. That's when Faith lost it and collapsed on the floor letting tears fall down. Buffy dropped to her knees and took Faith in arms letting her cry once again.
<<Sunnydale Prison>>
"Hello Doc."
"What… who?" Doctor Moore said and looked up. After a second a form appeared in front of him, "who are you?"
"I am Ares, God Of War."
"Yeah right," the doctor replied. Ares grabbed his neck and lifted the doctor in the air, "ok I believe you," he said through breaths.
"Good," Ares said and put him down on the floor, "a great destiny awaits you, but first… let's get out of this filthy room shall we?" With that Ares grabbed Doctor Moore and the two of them disappeared.
"What you think?" Kate asked a dumbfounded Cordelia, "I'll take that as good…"
"Oh Katie, it's more than good, it's perfect!"
Kate got a evil smirk on her face and pulled Cordelia in, "so I'm thinking this is our place now?"
"Yes it is," Cordelia replied happily.
"Good, coz I'm thinking about things we can do in it."
"You little…" Every word that would follow was cut off by Kate when she kissed Cordelia.
Buffy was still holding on to Faith as she cried, she picked up Faith's hand that she had hit the wall with earlier. It didn't look too bad but it needed to be cleaned or it could get bad. Even if Buffy was the smaller slayer she could lift up Faith easily thanks to her slayer strength. She lifted the girl up and brought her upstairs to the bathroom.
"Give me your hand," she said to Faith when she had put her down on her own feet, "we need to clean this," Faith gave Buffy her hand and let her clean it.
"B…"
"Shh, don't talk."
"I want to thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
"For this… for everything."
"It's ok…" Buffy replied, "I love you Faith, you don't have to thank me for anything… that's what I'm here for."
"I love you too," Faith replied and had tears rolling down her cheeks again.
Buffy tilted her head so she could meet Faith's eyes with her own, 'Don't cry.'
'Not anymore' Faith replied and locked eyes with Buffy, "I love you."
Buffy cupped Faith's chin and brought their faces closer together, "And I love you" Buffy replied and closed the distance between their lips. It was like their first kiss: a lot of passion but not wanting more or demanding more, just a soft kiss.
Faith parted her lips as an invite for Buffy who was happy to oblige. When their tongues met Faith let out a soft moan and so did Buffy. The blonde slayer took it as a cue to deepen the kiss and she did, she put her hand on the back of Faith's head and the other on her lower back and pulled Faith closer trying to make sure every part of her body touched hers. The dark haired slayer didn't protest to it, but wasn't sure if she wanted to go on, even if Xena had said Buffy wanted it.
Buffy pulled back a little and started to unbutton Faith's blouse, she trailed her lips along the same route her hands took. Faith pulled Buffy back up who was startled about this, "are you sure?" Faith asked the blonde.
Buffy kissed Faith and pulled back, "I've never been so sure about anything before." That was all the confirmation the younger slayer needed and pulled Buffy close again to kiss her. Buffy was trying to say something, but Faith wouldn't let her. After a few seconds Faith pulled back reluctantly, "bedroom!" It was all Buffy said before Faith lifted her and carried her to their bedroom.
The ride to the bedroom didn't go as well as they had hoped, since Faith was too busy kissing Buffy they bumped against the walls more than once which made both of the slayers giggle. When they entered the bedroom Faith kicked the door close and walked to the bed, she laid Buffy on the bed on her back. Buffy pulled Faith on top of her and held her close, both slayers laid like that for a few seconds when Faith pulled back from their embrace.
The dark haired slayer gave Buffy a gentle but passionate kiss before placing her knees at each side of Buffy's waist and sat up. She started to unbutton the rest of her blouse when Buffy stopped her, "why don't you let me do that?" She said in a husky voice and sat up, Faith was now sitting on her lap and legs wrapped around Buffy's waist.
Every unbuttoned button was replace by a kiss, which made Faith crazy with desire. Faith arched her back and enjoyed every single bit of contact Buffy made with her hands and lips. Buffy pulled of Faith's blouse and gave a little moan when she saw what was in front of her.
Faith decided it was time to get Buffy equally undressed and took off Buffy's t-shirt. They couldn't take it anymore and both undressed until there was nothing left but underwear. Faith got a little bold and pushed Buffy on the bed face first and sat on her, but not touching.
"Didn't know you had it in ya."
"Just wait and see B, just wait and see." With that Faith unclasped Buffy's bra and pulled her back up again. Faith took off Buffy's bra and cupped her breasts from behind making the blonde slayer moan under the touch. This was everything Buffy wanted, she had been craving for it for a long time. Craving to feel Faith near her, to touch her, feel every inch of flesh.
"You're not equally UN-dressed," Buffy said and turned around to face the younger slayer. She reached to Faith's back with her hands and unclasped her bra, a second later it flew to the other side of the room.
"You are so beautiful," Buffy said in an awe like state, making Faith blush again from the attention.
Faith leaned in and recaptured Buffy's lips. "You too," she managed to mumble through the kiss. Faith let her hands wander down Buffy's body, stopping at the waist band to her panties, she pulled away and asked the silent question, Buffy nodded and Faith slipped her hands inside to cup Buffy's butt, bringing them even closer together.
Buffy moaned and recaptured Faith's mouth, slowly pushing herself into the younger slayer. She pulled back and let her lips descend to Faith's neck. "Mmmm, taste so good," she mumbled as she licked and nipped at Faith's neck and collar bone. Faith was in heaven, everything she cou