Buffy moved about the house packing up what they would need in Sunnydale while Cammie and Rachel did the same. They refused to stay behind and look after the club. As far as they were concerned, where Buffy went they went.
With Angel and Cordelia out of the way, Buffy decided Angel's mansion was the perfect place for everyone to stay. She made sure the utilities were still on and set about quietly using her connections to have it prepared for their arrival.
Gunn went on ahead to be in place when she arrived. Tara and Alonna closed the magic store 'due to renovations.' They would travel down with Buffy, as well. Doyle and Lorne would leave today. Spike planned to follow no later than tomorrow night. He said there were things he needed to take care of first.
The Coyote would remain open but the hours were limited. The staff they put in place would be able to handle everything for the two weeks Buffy scheduled for her campaign to last. Lorne closed Caritas. Every demon on Buffy's network already knew her battle with the Council was coming to a head. Several already made the trek to Sunnydale while others visited family. Still others stayed in LA to ensure Lady B's rules weren't broken in her absence.
Johnny assured Buffy enough men would be available to stay behind for any necessary backup needed. Tony agreed to postpone his retirement until Buffy completed her vendetta. Max stayed quiet about the whole matter. He would follow and protect Buffy wherever she went, no matter what she decided to do.
Max opened the front door to let Tara and Alonna into the house. "Hi, Max, how's it hanging dawg. You doin auight?" Alonna gave him a huge smile. They did a series of handshakes and grinned at each other.
"Hello, Tara. How are you this morning? You look very pretty in that dress."
Tara blushed at the compliment and gave him a shy smile. "Are you trying to make a move on my woman, Maxie?" Rachel came bounding down the stairs. She pulled Tara into her arms greeting her with a passionate kiss. It caused Tara's already red cheeks to flame even brighter.
"You betcha, Rachel. If that little sweetheart would look at me twice I'd steal her away." He winked at Tara.
"Are you trying to cause a fight, Maxie?" Buffy walked down the stairs dressed entirely in black. Her hair was pulled back in a high tight ponytail. A determined gleam made her eyes sparkle with excitement. Her energy ran like a current of electricity through the room.
"Hey guys, is everybody ready to go? I just got off the phone with Doyle. He said the mansion was ready for us to move into anytime. The taps Johnny and Oz set up have a lot of interesting info on them."
"Is my puppy being a good boy?" Alonna tried to joke about Oz being back in the same town as Willow.
"Lona, he loves you. You accept all of him. She's his past you make him happy." Buffy searched her friend's face to see if she believed her.
Alonna sighed. "I know. I just don't want to lose him. No one has ever treated me the way he does. He listens to me, really listens."
Buffy moved closer to hug the much taller girl. "He feels the same way. He told me, you make his wolf calm when you are around. That it knows its mate is near and safe. Now, enough of this mush. Let's get this show on the road. Johnny and Spike will be coming down later."
Spike and Johnny climbed out of a limo. They looked at each other and the same feral grin crossed their faces, with a silent nod they moved into the large 'empty' warehouse. Both men were looking forward to having a few words with Buffy's ex-lover, Angel.
Johnny remembered the day after losing Lil, Buffy came to him without a tear in her eyes. When they went into his private study to talk, she told him everything including that she was pregnant. Buffy explained what brought her to New York, to Lil. Then she told him who was responsible for the bomb. He still grew angry just thinking about the Council. The difference was his anger hot and ready to strike. Buffy's was a cold, steely anger with a determination for revenge Johnny had never seen before. Within 24 hours, she already had a plan of attack laid out that would provide them everything they needed to make the Council pay for their arrogance, for Lil and Lily's deaths.
Now here he was about to confront the 'man' who put the hurt into Buffy's eyes. She still hurt from everything that happened but it wasn't as much a living breathing part of her. She buried it long ago when Lil was born. Johnny couldn't help but smile thinking about his goddaughter. She was more of a grandchild really, the only one he would ever have anyways.
Lil brought Buffy back to life. Johnny was in the delivery room when they had to do an emergency cesarean because her appendix burst. Buffy's face when she held her baby girl for the first time took his breath away. He had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. Tears ran down his face when she announced the baby's name - Lil Summer Watson. Buffy said Lil was her past, present and future.
Johnny and Spike moved as a team toward the man they both blamed for so much of Buffy's heartache. Spike like Johnny was lost in thoughts of Buffy and how much her friendship and Lil meant to him. He knew that Buffy would protect him against anyone, even Angel. Spike wouldn't hesitate to stake Dru if it meant keeping her and that precious girl safe. He couldn't stop the soft smile that crossed his face when he though of the tiny princess. He had never been around small children before but everything Lil did fascinated him.
Spike remembered the first time Buffy brought him to the house and the streak of blonde that crawled up to her the minute she opened the door. Buffy laughed at his gaping mouth then bent down to pick up her daughter. She fussed playfully at Lil for not being asleep but the baby just laughed and patted her mother's face. Lil noticed Spike and launched herself into his arms. More laughter peeled from Buffy's lips at him trying to get away from a baby as if she were a hound from hell itself. Lil growled at Spike, who looked at Buffy in confusion then understanding hit him and he vamped out. Lil's sweet laughter could be heard intermixed with Buffy's. Spike was lost from that moment, as the tiny golden child seemed to inherit an even more potent dose of her mother's ability to gather people around her. The few people that knew of her existence would rob, kill or die for her.
Spike brought his thoughts back to the matter at hand - Angel. "Oy, Peaches, fancy meeting you here." The blonde vampire swaggered in with his trademark smirk and his black duster flapping behind him.
Angel swung around when he heard the door open and growled at seeing his insolent grandchild. "Spike are you responsible for me being here?" He moved forward to teach the smaller vampire a lesson when he heard a gun cock.
"That is far enough, Mr. Angel." Johnny pointed a 9mm at Angel's chest. "Move back and sit down or don't, I would love any excuse to take care of you once and for all."
Angel looked at the man with the gun and recognized him from the day he learned about Lil. He studied him closely now and recognized the hard look in his eyes which told Angel he would do exactly what he threatened. "Guns hurt us but they won't kill us." Nonetheless, Angel moved back and sat down on the bed.
"That all depends on what's in the gun doesn't it? Care to give this one a try?" Johnny leaned casually against the wall, the gun never wavering from Angel's chest.
Spike was impressed, he knew Johnny was a king pin but seeing him like this it was easy to understand how he rose quickly in the ranks and kept his seat of power for more than twenty years. Spike took in the look on Angel's face and had to work hard not to laugh; if he didn't know, better he would swear his grandsire was pouting.
"Who are you and more important what are you to Buffy?"
"I know getting that soul addled your brain and you aren't as smart as Angelus but even you shouldn't act like such a stupid git."
"Shut up, SPIKE! What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn't you be off chasing down Dru?" Angel snarled at the thought of Spike having entrance into Buffy's like when she slammed the door on him.
"That is enough!" Johnny's quiet, deep voice left no doubt that he meant to be obeyed. Angel and Spike quit snapping at each other and turned to look at the mob boss. "We have been asked to ensure that you and Miss Chase do not interfere with the plans that have been set in motion. You will be released when the plans come to fruition. Don't try to leave, my men have orders to use any means necessary to contain both of you. If you would like Miss Chase to join you here for the remainder of your stay that can be arranged." Johnny waited for his answer.
Angel shook his head. "Cordelia and I are no longer friends. We had a difference of opinion on the definition of friendship." His jaw closed firmly not about to explain everything the woman he thought was his friend did to him.
Spike snorted, "That chit wouldn't know how to be friends with anyone, let alone a man."
"I suppose you have lots of female friends. The sisters don't count since you are obviously sleeping with them."
"Of course they count, you wanker, my girls are my friends. But even if you take them out of the picture I have several friends of the female persuasion, not to mention my best-friend is a woman." Spike's eyebrow rose while he waited for Angel to process his words. He watched with amusement when understanding lit Angel's eyes causing them to darken.
"I'll leave you to finish up, Spike, while I go and attend to Miss Chase." Johnny left the room without a backwards glance. He had to get away from the dark-haired vampire before the temptation of his close proximity and the gun in his hand became too great.
Johnny moved to the next closed room and noticed Lou, one his top men, step quickly away from the two-way mirror in the door. Johnny didn't see Benny and could guess what Lou was spying on. He moved closer to peer into the window and wasn't surprised at what he found. He had an in-depth investigation done on each of the people from Buffy's past. Johnny knew information was power; so, while Buffy researched the Council, he looked deeply into the people's life that gave his girl no way out but to run to Lil.
He learned about Cordelia's parents but more than that, he learned every single one of her carefully hidden secrets. Johnny knew from Buffy how awful the brunette had been to her. Her knew all about her extra curricular activities when she went out of town. Cordelia used her body and beauty to get what she wanted from men, especially young men or old ones, who should known better. She was always careful never to do anything in Sunnydale itself that could besmirch her reputation. Little did her peers know that a wealth of ammunition was available to pull the resident queen from her throne.
Cordelia was bent over the side of the bed while Benny pounded into her. His large hands pulled on her breast as he alternately squeezed the large globes, then teased the brown nipples only to pull and pinch the elongated peaks. He repeated this over and over again with no pattern or rhythm to his movements. His taught buttocks flexed as he moved within her wet channel at a slow leisurely pace determined to take his time, no matter how much she pushed back against him. Benny thought how surprisingly easy it was to get Cordelia interested in a little slap and tickle. She took in his designer clothes, Rolex watch and diamond ring and practically tore her dress off and went to her knees before he made more than a subtle first move. He saw the light in her eyes and the self-assured smile on her face and decided right then and there he would have her but only on his terms. Benny was no fool and knew that Cordelia was more attracted to his obvious wealth than his dark Italian good looks. She wouldn't be the first gold-digger he used until he grew bored and she wouldn't be the last.
"Vinnie, please harder." Cordelia's husky demand, which she accompanied with a wiggle of her hips. Her eyes went round as saucers when she heard then felt a sharp slap on her rounded cheek.
Cordelia squealed in protest. No one had ever hit her before, not even when she was a child. Another smack was the answer to her protest. "Who, the hell, do you think you are? No one treats Queen C like that; that is it, buddy, get out." She tried to move away but found herself caught by his possession of her body and breasts.
"Listen, doll face, I say when, how and where we start or stop, got it? You want harder, well hold on for a good hard ride."
Using his knees to push her legs further apart, Cordelia had to grab the bed to keep her balance. One of Benny's hands let for of her right breast only to slap at her swollen clit. His firm hips slammed into her soft backside and his balls slapped against her in a loud staccato. The only sound in the room was their harsh breathing and the slap of flesh against flesh. Her eyes fluttered close and she bit her lip to keep from squealing again not sure what he would do and positive she didn't want him to stop.
Benny smiled to himself in satisfaction, he didn't want a placid lover but wouldn't allow any woman to lead him around by his dick. Speaking of dicks, his was ready to blow. He pulled out of her, flipped her onto the bed then straddled her chest. Before Cordelia could respond, he shoved his hard length in her mouth. She opened her throat, remembering to breath through her nose, she heard him, then hot steamy cum squirted down her throat. Cordelia swallowed furiously in an effort not to choke. No sooner had she licked him clean then he pushed up off her chest and stepped down to pick up his clothes. He pulled up his pants without saying a word to her.
Cordelia was used to several minutes of praise from her previous partners but Benny just ignored her and continued to dress. He worked hard to keep the smile from his face as he finished dressing and moved tot he door.
"WAIT!" Cordelia exclaimed in a panicked voice. "Wasn't I good? I mean didn't you enjoy yourself?" This position was one Cordelia never found herself in before, begging for compliments.
"You were fine, doll face, you're young yet. I'm sure you'll get better with a little more experience. If you stay here long enough maybe I can teach you a few things." He almost laughed out loud at the expression on her face. Benny whistled a silly tune while he closed the door behind him only to run smack into the boss.
"Boss, have you been here long?"
"Don't sweat yourself Benny, I don't care what you do with the girl as long as she never bothers Buffy again. Seems, Mr. Angel doesn't care either. The two have come to a parting of the ways. Since you have this well in hand, I'll be on my way." Johnny turned to leave then stopped. "Benny."
"Yes, boss." He waited to receive whatever last minute orders Johnny had for him.
"Make sure you teach her some manners and her place in life." Johnny walked away without another word.
A huge smile spread across the younger man's face, he had just been given carte blanche where the delectable Miss Chase was concerned. He rubbed his hands together as delicious hours spread before him, he would teach her all the things he liked. He all but skipped away whistling a happy tune.
Spike was waiting for Johnny in the car, neither man cared to discuss what had transpired in each other's absence. Spike was lost in thought wondering if he did the right thing or not. All he could do was pray that what he did wouldn't put any of the people he loved in danger, especially Buffy.
Buffy and the rest of her team were pulling up in front of the mansion at the same time Johnny and Spike pulled into the warehouse. Two long limos and several vans came through Sunnydale in a round about manner, ensuring not to draw attention. Buffy was lost in thought the entire trip back to a town of her greatest victories and defeats. She thought about Lil and hoped she was safe. Buffy knew as hard as it would be she had to stop thinking of her baby girl, she couldn't afford to be distracted, not now, not when she was so close to what she worked so hard for the last two years. She couldn't help the excitement of being close to her Mom and Giles, not to mention Willow, again. A frown creased her brow when she thought of her other friend - Xander. Buffy knew her plan depended on her walking a delicate line, but her anger at Xander's lie still flamed high ever after all this time. The idea that those precious minutes could have made all the difference in not only her life but her aunt's, her daughter's, her mother's and poor innocent Lilly's, as well. No, Xander had a lot to pay for but he was not the main focus here. Of course, if she could accomplish some payback without risking the success of the plan, who was she to deny herself that pleasure.
"All right, that is enough of the dark thought for you, shorty. Come on back and join the rest of us in the real world." Rachel's husky voice demanded from the open car door.
Buffy didn't realize that the car stopped and everyone but her got out. She smiled at her best friend and crawled out of the car. "Are they all here?" Rachel nodded and Buffy looped an arm around the other girl's waist as they walked into the place she sent her child's father to hell.
Taking in a deep breath of air, she walked through the doors into the living room then blinked. It didn't even look like the same place. Large luxurious carpets covered the floor hiding the scorch marks from Acathala's opening a gateway to hell.
Heavy cream curtains made of raw silk replaced the old velvet ones. The furniture was a lush cocoa and cream paisley print, rich wood tables were scattered about and fresh flowers and softly burning candles were scattered about for color and effect.
"Wow, this looks wonderful, who did all this?"
"Everyone pitched in sweet cheeks." Lorne walked over with a huge grin spread across his green face. He hugged Buffy and kissed her cheek. "People kept showing up to help then the furniture arrived with a note for you." He handed her a note of heavy cream parchment with dark scriptive lettering on the outside.
"Its from the leader of that Garlock Clan. You remember them don't you? The one that his grandson got kidnapped by that rival clan. He said he wanted to make sure my stay was comfortable and was only sorry that he couldn't stay to help but their migration was already started when he heard."
Lorne still couldn't get over the nightmares he had from that adventure. Garlocks and Shestars were age-old enemies who fought over migration routes for centuries.
The chief of the Garlocks only grandchild was kidnapped and Buffy marched into the middle of over fifty Shestar demons and demanded his release. Shestar demons were anything but docile and a full-grown male stood over seven feet tall while a female would reach six. Large spines stuck out of their backs as well as protruding tusks from a boar like face.
Buffy waited exactly five minutes and when they didn't respond to her liking proceeded to kick Shestar ass. Spike, Lorne and Gunn barely got there in time to see the finish. The clan chief ran forward with a Garlock not more than a baby and handed him to Buffy. She warned them to keep their pissing contests where they belonged and to leave innocents out of it and that include each clans young. The Shestars left that night for their migration taking the much harder trek though the mountains in the hope that the slayer wouldn't bother to follow them.
Oz and Alonna came downstairs while Gunn and Doyle could be heard arguing in the kitchen over how to cook. Buffy smiled happy to have almost everyone together. As soon as Johnny and Spike arrived, they would put the plan in motion.
"Come on in here you two and give me a hug," she called out to the kitchen.
Gunn and Doyle playfully pushed and shoved in an effort to reach her before the other causing Buffy to laugh at their antics.
After settling in and greeting Spike and Johnny, Buffy got down to business. "Do we know her normal route?"
"Yeah, she starts and ends at the Bronze. There are two paths she takes depending on if the boyfriend goes with her. She turns left she's going through Restfield then circles the town, right and she cuts straight through town to the college campus. Those are the nights the boyfriend tags along. He isn't much help but seems to muddle through. He gets caught a lot and she has to help him out, though we did see him stake one the other night but it was mostly luck."
Buffy nodded taking in everything that she already knew and what her friends and connections found out for her. She remembered the nights when Willow and Xander would follow her on patrol with Oz and Cordelia joining later. No matter how often Buffy begged them to let her patrol alone they wouldn't listen to her. It didn't matter that the noise they made warned vamps and demons that they were there. Or that Giles could really use their help with all the research living and slaying on the Hellmouth entailed. She shrugged off the memories and went back to working on the plan.
"You okay, sweetheart? There is still time to do it the old fashioned way." Johnny stood beside her as she stared out the French doors to the darkened patio.
"No, it has to be this way, Johnny. Don't you see it would have all been for nothing and nothing would change. We have to make this right for Lil, for both of them."
He nodded and left her to her deep thoughts and the memories that the mansion ignited. She was glad they chose to stay here, it kept it all real, a constant reminder. Buffy only had to look around the room and see the missing faces and the memories choked her until she thought she couldn't breath.
Faith left the house after dinner making her way through town towards the Bronze. Giles asked her to be especially careful that he found something disturbing in the Codex.
Joyce could barely contain her worry, she hadn't heard from Buffy in almost a week. They set up a routing where Buffy would call the gallery every Thursday evening before Joyce closed. She always had someone else make the call then would get on the line.
Giles went back to the library to do more research and Joyce found herself pacing the floor as soon as the door closed. She was tempted to call the emergency number but Buffy warned her never to use the phones at the house. Joyce knew the Council still watched her house, especially since Faith lived with them now.
Faith moved through town easily. She wore the fact she was a Slayer out for anyone to see, of course that was if they knew what they were looking for. Anyone that looked at her, no matter what they knew about the supernatural, knew Faith was dangerous. Men were attacked to the vibes she gave off and women hated her for the easy way she carried her sexuality. She was comfortable in her own skin and lived her life to please herself. It drove her wannabe Watcher crazy. After being Buffy's watcher for almost two years, Giles was used to a Slayer that thought for herself.
Wesley Windham-Pryce was another matter all together. His father was part of the upper echelon of the Council and Wesley strived for his approval, as he had since he was a child. It was the always out of reach brass ring, he tried desperately to grab.
Faith strode down the sidewalk towards the Bronze and Xander. She gave a soft snort at the thought of her 'boyfriend.' Faith never settled for one man in her bed before, her motto was - Get Some and Get Gone. Her whole life changed when she came to Sunnydale. She had a home, 'parents', friends and a steady guy in her life.
She couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking in someone else's shoes. She often wondered about her, the one that she replaced - Buffy Summers. Faith knew that Buffy would always be an important part of everyone's life. But, she didn't like the unattainable high standard as a slayer that was used against her as a measuring stick.
She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. It wasn't a vamp but her senses were going haywire, the closer she got to the alley behind the Bronze the stronger it got. Maybe this was what had Giles so worried. Carefully and as quiet as possible, Faith slipped into the alley. Whatever it was, it was close by and the feeling was getting stronger. She looked around but didn't see anything, stopping in her tracks when she heard a soft voice.
"Hello, Faith. It is nice to finally meet you."
"Come out here where I can see you." Faith demanded even as she moved into a ready stance. She saw a petite blonds step out of the shadows, Faith didn't know who she was but something about her felt familiar.
Buffy took in her sister Slayer. She watched her carefully from a distance this past week. Buffy admitted to herself that although her style was radical, Faith did a good job as a Slayer. She could also see what would attract Xander or any man for that matter. Dark chestnut hair fell just past her shoulders in large curls and waves, large dark eyes brought attention to her face with its strong jaw line and full lush mouth. As if her face wasn't enough to draw the eye, her body was just as lush with large full breasts, which led to a small waist, and sleekly muscled legs evident from her tight leather pants.
Faith felt a chill run down her spine while the blonde eyes her as if she was absorbing everything about her. She tried not to squirm under the scrutiny then couldn't suppress the question that rose to her lips. "Who, the hell, are you?"
"I'm the past and the future." Buffy walked closer to the younger girl with her hands at her side.
Faith didn't see any weapons but knew you didn't need a weapon to be dangerous and her senses told her this woman was dangerous. Not wanting to appear weak or defensive Faith went for sheer bravado. "Sorry honey, I don't swing that way anymore. I have all I need in my bed."
"Xander is that good? I guess he's happy to finally have bagged himself a Slayer." Her eyebrow rose in a challenge she knew the younger girl wouldn't let pass.
"Listen bitch, you don't know me or my guy so, butt, the hell, out and we'll be 5x5."
"I know more than you think. Let me see, Faith Dawkins will be 18 in three days, born in Boston to Tom and Louis. Father died when you were ten and your mother remarried when you were twelve. Stepfather liked tender, young flesh but your Watcher, Marianne Cross, found you before he got a real taste. Just a few little touches between friends wasn't that what he told you, Faithy? She got custody of you with help from the Council. When you were called, you decided to earn your wings by taking on Kakistos. He killed your Watcher and your scarred him. You ran and ended up her by way of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas with him hot on your heels. Surprisingly, he never showed up here looking for you, then you were told of his death. You're welcome by the way. Should I stop now or do you want more?" Buffy stood in front of Faith with only a foot between them.
Pissed off at this person for digging into her life and dredging up all the old memories that Faith tried so desperately to put to rest, she threw a punch at Buffy.
Fifteen minutes later, Faith walked into the Bronze. Her eyes swept the familiar club until she spotted Xander and Willow. Xander waved his hand at her but she ignored him to move out onto the dance floor. Her body already gyrating to the hard rock beat. Several boys moved closer excited at the opportunity to take a shot at the sexy brunette. Faith moved from one body to the next grinding her hips with whoever caught her.
Xander couldn't believe his eyes, it was like a scene out of a nightmare. His girlfriend was bumping and grinding against a pack of guys. She spun putting her back against one boys chest then pulled another one to her front. The two guys ground into her on the dance floor. Xander had seen enough and marched out to pull Faith from of the middle of her lambada sandwich.
"What's the matter? Oh, Xan-Man, hey guy how's it hanging?" Faith took in the look on Xander's face then with a shrug walked off the floor and out the door of the Bronze.
Xander took off after her as soon he realized she didn't go back to the table but out on patrol. He made it out the backdoor of the club just in time to see her take off around the corner. He ran after her yelling her name but by the time that he got to the end of the alley Faith was nowhere in sight.
This was her night to go through the cemeteries, which Xander hated. He preferred joining her on her nightly haunts when she went through town and ended up on the college campus. They always had time when they finished to end up in his dorm room. Thinking of the hours of wild sex, they shared every other night made Xander's body respond.
"Damn it, Faith where are you and what, the hell, is going on?" Xander trudged though town looking in cemetery after cemetery but never found his girlfriend. He didn't understand what set her off; he thought she was over her wild child days and was happy with him. He finally made his way back to his dorm room, slamming the door in frustration.
"Faith, is that you?" Joyce called out from the den. She was startled to see that it was only eleven o'clock, Faith normally didn't get in until 2:00 or 3:00 that was when she came home at all. Joyce knew that the young girl spent the night at Xander's but she was so happy with Buffy's old friend that Joyce didn't have the heart to scold her.
"Hey, Mrs. G. it's me. Tonight was a short night; there wasn't too much out there." Faith didn't like to worry Joyce, she was as close to a real mom as she could be as far as Faith was concerned.
Joyce's blue eyes looked at Faith closely knowing with that mother's instinct that something wasn't right. "Did you and Xander have a fight?"
Faith shook her dark head. "No, I just think that maybe we were getting too serious. I mean this is my last year of high school and I want to be free to enjoy myself not be tied down to one guy."
"What made you decide this all of a sudden, dear? I thought you were happy with Xander."
"I just talked with a friend and a lot of what they said made sense. I mean, Xander is great but so are a lot of other guys. I just never really gave anyone a chance before Xander but now that I see how nice it is to really date, I think that I should take advantage of it don't you?" Faith's dark eyes looked at Joyce for guidance and reassurance.
"You should do what is right for you, dear. I learned the hard way that you can't live someone else's life for them and you can't keep them from experiencing life just because you want to protect them."
A sad note could be heard in Joyce's voice and Faith knew that she was talking about Buffy. She didn't know what to do so she thought she would just go to her room and think about everything that she learned tonight. "I'm going to go on up to bed. Where is Mr. G? He isn't still hitting the books is he? You have to teach him how to lighten up or he will be old before his time."
Faith made her way up the stairs to her room not noticing the thoughtful look that Joyce gave her. She flung herself on her bed and her arm rested over her eyes. "Man that was close. She's no dummy but how do I tell her about tonight?"
Giles was indeed still at the Library studying the Codex like a law student preparing for the Bar Exam. He could not shake the ominous feeling he had that something was about to happen that would turn their world on its axis. He didn't think that he could live through a real death of his Slayer. Giles almost didn't survive the loss of Buffy, if it weren't for his and Joyce's leaning on one another and the subsequent marriage after that he would have quit the Council completely. He stayed as a tribute to Buffy and all that she sacrificed for her calling. Joyce refused to talk about her and Giles didn't push. She would only give him an inkling as to Buffy's status whenever they were out to dinner or a movie. It was as if she couldn't bare to talk about her daughter in the home she once shared with her.
He tried to be understanding but didn't think that Joyce fully understood the bond that a Watcher, a true Watcher, forms with their Slayer. He didn't mind that the Council sent a new Watcher for Faith, in some ways Giles felt as if he was betraying his own Slayer were he to become Faith's true Watcher. What he did do though was ensure the child had a home and people around her that she could confide in and trust. He knew that she didn't trust Wesley and that was why he had no success as her Watcher.
Speaking of Wesley, the younger Watcher was acting even stranger than normal. Giles had a bad feeling that he knew what it was about but had a hard time convincing himself of the truth of the matter since the practice had been outlawed some years ago. He knew that he would never have been able to perform the required test on Buffy's eighteenth birthday, no matter the repercussions. Giles had always thought the Cruciamentum was a barbarous test, which proved nothing. It was just another way for the Council to control their Slayers.
He heard a sound in the hall and some instinct told him to hide. Giles moved into the stacks, which gave him a clear view of the front of the library including the door, check out desk and his own office. His eyebrows went up when he saw Wesley walk through the doors.
The younger rather effeminate man kept looking over his shoulder like a guilty child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. A frown marred Giles' care worn face causing the little wrinkles around his eyes to deepen due to his concern. Wesley hated entering the school late at night but it was the only time that Mr. Giles wasn't there to watch his every move. He walked over to the weapons cage and pulled out the training staffs that he and Faith had been using for the past week. Pulling something from his pocket, he liberally coated the handholds with a substance that Giles couldn't see. He then took his own staff and put the same substance on the ends that would come in contact with Faith's body.
Putting the staffs away, he next moved to her hand wraps and liberally soaked them as well. Giles watched the other man methodically coat every piece of equipment that Faith would touch or could possible touch her with the substance from his pocket. Fear raced up Giles' spine, he knew what Wesley was doing.
There was a special drug that worked with a Slayers metabolism once it came in contact, which after enough exposure would render the Slayer defenseless. The fear Giles felt turned to anger. If Wesley had looked at Giles' face, he would have seen the Ripper looking back at him.
Giles was a real hellion in his days dabbling in everything from black magic to heavy drugs to violence. It wasn't until the death of one of his friends that he changed his ways but given enough provocation, the man he used to be would surface with a vengeance.
Wesley put everything away, took a last minute look around then quietly slipped out the doors. Giles waited several minutes then followed, knowing the pence that was Wesley he would never know that he was being followed but Giles knew all about stealth. He felt his old persona screaming to be let out and wondered if that was how Angel felt having Angelus inside of him. Shaking his head to clear it of the random thought he followed the young Brit to a nice hotel on the outskirts of town.
Giles watched Wesley's whole demeanor change. His back straightened and he all but strutted into the hotel and straight to the elevator. Giles followed close behind and watched the elevator to see which floor he got off on. Surprisingly quick for a man of his age, Giles took the stairs two at a time to the fourth floor. He hadn't used magic in a long time but didn't hesitate now that he suspected that his foster child was in danger.
Pulling from a dark place deep inside of him, Giles muttered a small incantation causing a red ember to appear. It circled around him then shot down the hall and hovered before a door marked number 417. Standing in front of the door another spell tumbled from his lips, it was like riding a bike and at any other time would have worried Giles but right now, his only thought was on keeping Faith safe.
Let that inside be heard tonight. Let that which is evil come to light.
A window opened in the door allowing Giles to see and hear everything inside as if he cut a real hole in the door.
Quentin Travers sat on a high-backed chair staring down his beak-like nose at Wesley Windham-Pryce. The only reason he gave this poor excuse for a Watcher a chance was due to the fact that he went to Eton with his father. Quentin couldn't figure out how Cedric had spawned such a poor specimen as the man that stood in front of him now.
"Well, I am waiting to hear that everything is ready to begin the Cruciamentum. You are sure that no one saw you and that all of the necessary objects have been treated?"
Wesley jumped when Quentin barked his questions at him. "Yyes, I covered not only her equipment but my own as well to doubly ensure that enough of the serum will get into her blood stream. She will be helpless as a kitten by her birthday." Wesley snorted at his own joke, although none of the other Council members joined him. He quieted down and pulled nervously at the collar that seemed to shrink the moment he walked into the hotel room.
"There is no time nor room for error in this matter, Mr. Wyndham-Price. I do hope that you are giving this endeavor your undivided attention. More than just Slayers have been known not to survive the Cruciamentum."
His cold, beady eyes bore into Wesley causing him to sweat. "I assure you sir, I have prepared everything according to Council standards. Although Faith is an unusual Slayer, I do believe that she will do well and make the Council proud."
Quentin had already dismissed him from his mind. He thought of the young potential next in line. She was an exemplary model of what a Slayer should be and would not cause them the trouble the last two had. No, once Faith was out of the way due to her unfortunate accident during the testing. Kennedy would step in and slay the way she had been trained since birth, according to the Slayer's Handbook, according to the Council's decree.
"That is all, we will be in touch if we need to provide you with any further information."
Wesley nodded and all but bowed his way out of the room. He headed for the elevator happy to have that portion of his assignment completed. He didn't see Giles hidden in the shadows of a door way several rooms down. Wesley would have ran for his life if he could have seen the storm clouds in Giles eyes or the stiffness of his body radiated his rage with every step he took. He had to sit and think this through on the best way to approach the problem. He knew that he couldn't take the Council head on. They would have no problem doing away with a Watcher that defied them and there was Joyce to consider as well. The Council was not above using a person's family as leverage in order to make them toe the line.
Buffy thought over everything she learned tonight - Faith, Xander, Willow, her mom, Giles and Wesley. Ah yes, Wesley the wannabe Watcher, he tried so hard to be someone his father would admire, not realizing that his father wasn't a person to idolize. How do you make a person realize that everything they were taught to believe was a lie? With that thought, her own Watcher crossed her mind causing a small smile to grace her lips. She wondered how Giles was going to feel about being a grandpa.
Buffy shook her head abruptly, refusing to allow herself to follow that train of though. She turned her mind to Willow. Tonight was the first time she'd seen her best friend in almost two years. She saw pictures thanks to her contacts but they didn't do her justice. Buffy took in the shine of her dark red hair and the happy smile on her face when she cuddled and talked to her date. A good-looking young man who attended Sunnydale University, his name was Graham Miller. Buffy had him checked out thoroughly and was happy to know that he was as good in person as he was on paper. The young couple had been dating exclusively for the last four months, from the look on their faces, Buffy thought were getting serious. She was happy for her friend, happy that she was able to have a 'normal' life and a nice, steady guy.
Speaking of guys, Xander came to mind causing a frown to crease her brow and cheeks to flame. Buffy started to pace her room then finally changed into some workout clothes and headed for the basement. She knew she wouldn't get any sleep until she worked off some of this stress. It pissed her off that she was allowing even the thought of Xander to get to her.
Faith was wound up over everything that happened tonight - meeting the famous 'not dead' Buffy and everything she told her. Faith looked at everyone with a new perspective, especially Xander and Wesley. Although, she never gave her 'Watcher' much thought, she understood him better, now. Funny thing was that she understood Xander less.
Does he really care for me or am I just a replacement for his real obsession - Buffy. What will he do when he finds out that she is alive? I wonder if we would even be together if she never left Sunnydale. I know he dated that snobby bitch, Cordelia, but she obviously wasn't doing it for him. Is that the only reason he is with me, sex with a Slayer? I hate this, I should have kept with the program - get some and get gone.
Faith clomped down the steps to the basement where a workout area was set up. She wrapped her hands and started pummeling the speed bag, cursing with each blow.
Several minutes later, a soft voice broke her concentration. "I thought I heard you down here. Is something the matter?"
The bag made a thwump, thwump sound, faster and faster as her hands became a blur. All her anger was concentrated in her fists.
"I thought I heard you down here, what's the matter?" Buffy turned around to see her dear friend's face.
Before she could say a word, he answered for her. "Let me guess, Xander. You can't let him get to you this way. There is too much at stake right now."
"I know its just hard. I can't believe that I never saw the jealous, selfish boy hiding behind his goofy grin and stupid jokes. I was so excited to have friends for once with him and Willow that I didn't look any deeper."
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, we always want to believe the best of our friends, it's human nature. If you are still wound up we could spar."
Buffy nodded with a smile watching him pick up the staffs - his favorite, since he joked, they kept him the farthest away from striking distance.
"Problems with Xander?" It wasn't a real question, more of a statement made in a soft voice. Faith's face grew sullen, her shoulder hitched in a careless shrug. "Was he really that obsessed with Buffy?" The question burst from her lips before she could stop it.
The moments ticked by in silence then he finally spoke. "He couldn't let go of the fact she only saw him as a friend. He played at being her friend but you could see it in his eyes when she thought no one was looking. He was obsessed with her. I think he probably would have still hated Angel but not to the same degree. Xander did everything that he could to make her break up with Angel. It didn't matter that she loved him and he loved her."
Faith's dark eyes sparked with emotion that warred with each other - confusion, anger, pain, love, hate. "I thought he hated Angel because he was a vamp, not because of her. Was she that special? I mean, what was so special about her? I know everyone still thinks about her but what about her made people care so much?"
He looked at her with kind eyes, then made a decision and started to talk. "When she cared, I mean really cared for someone, she protected them with everything she had no matter what it cost her. But it was more than that, Buffy could see into a person, who they really were, in here." His hand tapped his chest. "She didn't go with what was popular or everyone thought was right. She listened to some internal voice, which guided her. If she was wrong, she took her lumps. If someone owed her an apology she didn't demand it or withhold her friendship."
"So, she was perfect." Faith frowned feeling even more of a third wheel.
"No, she just gave out what she wanted in return. Buffy learned that to have a good friend you had to be a good friend. That was what she wanted - friends, real friends. Her life before Sunnydale was full of people but no friends. When she came here she decided to change all that."
"You really know, err, I mean knew everything about her, huh?"
"No, there was a lot Buffy kept to herself but we did become friends. The rest you only had to watch her with other people and you'd see it. If you took, the time to look and I did. Now, would you like to spar, so we can both get some sleep tonight?" Without another word, he went to retrieve the staffs that they used at home.
Joyce put breakfast on the table and went to make sure Faith was out of the shower and dressed for school. She knocked gently on the door then pushed it open. Faith had her back to the door as she bent over to brush her hair. She stood up throwing the dark locks over her shoulders where they bounced into full, saucy curls. When she turned, Joyce noticed her eye makeup wasn't as heavy. It was delicate smoky shading just near the lashed and corners making her dark eyes look sultry. The change startled her, she wasn't sure why but a sense of déjà vu hit her.
"Breakfast is ready, dear. Are you feeling better about you and Xander?" She watched her foster daughters eyes darken then clear.
"Yeah, I sparred with Mr. G last night and we talked. It helped me see things better. So, everything is 5x5, don't worry Mrs. G. Now, how about some grub? I'm starving."
The two women walked downstairs to find Giles already sitting at the table pouring tea and coffee in the proper cups. "Good morning ladies, I hope you are both doing well this morning?" His eyes went to Joyce first; as they always did then he looked at Faith with unspoken concern.
"I'm 5x5, Mr. G. Now, load me up on those pancakes."
A knock sounded on Buffy's bedroom door. Gunn walked in after hearing her call out for him to 'enter'. He looked around the Master bedroom with interest. The largest bed he'd ever seen stood between two large windows. Gunn noticed a set of steps beside the high mattress and couldn't hide his grin.
Buffy stepped out of the bathroom and her eyebrow rose in a perfect imitation of Spike, when she saw his face.
"Is there a pea under the mattress? Are you a real princess or do you just play one on TV?" He started chuckling when she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Everyone is a comic around here. Is breakfast ready? I'm starving."
Gunn nodded his shaved head. "Be prepared Doyle cooked, so there is no telling what we will be eating."
"It doesn't matter. I could eat a horse." Buffy grinned at him.
"You might be." Gunn shot back at her as they walked out of the room, still trading jokes while they walked towards the large dining room.
Xander was waiting for Faith in front of the school when she arrived with Giles. A frown on his face and a stubborn tilt to his chin. He didn't understand what was going on with her but he planned to find out. Xander thought he convinced her to change her ways that she shouldn't act like that, well, unless of course it was with him, for him.
Faith saw Xander first; she admitted that his construction job added some nice muscles to his body. She felt as if she were seeing him for the first time. She quietly walked up behind him and waited. Faith heard him muttering to himself, when she caught the words her eyes darkened dangerously.
Giles walked by the couple, not sure, if he shouldn't hang back just in case Faith needed him to help calm down. He decided to wait by the school entrance. Xander stopped muttering when he heard Giles' voice and turned to see Faith standing behind him with her arms crossed. "Hey G-Man, didn't hear you two arrive. I'll make sure that she gets to her first class." Xander reassured Giles that he was on top of the situation.
Faith stiffened at his tone. She never noticed before how condescending it was, as if she wasn't perfectly capable of finding her way to class on her own. "I'll be along in a minute, Mr. G, don't worry. Tell Watcher Wesley that I have fifth period free and will come in to train then." She saw something pass through Giles' eyes but it was quickly gone. He nodded then walked on to the school. "Why are you here, Xander?" Her question and the harshness of her voice took him off guard. She glared at him as if she saw him for the first time and she didn't like what she saw. He was nice to her and the sex was good but.. But, that was the real question, now that she looked back on their relationship and realized that she was the one doing all the compromising. She changed the way she acted, talked even the way she danced, all for him. She could kick herself for falling into this position, so easily. Faith knew that allot of it was based on her childhood. She also knew that Xander used it to make her get back in line to what he wanted her to be. She wondered how long it would have taken her to wise up if she hadn't had her Slayer-to-Slayer talk.
Xander crossed his arms and waited for her to apologize for her actions. He knew that all he needed to do was show his disappointment and she would act properly. He wondered all night long what could have happened to cause this backslide. "Well, I'm waiting to hear what you have to say for yourself."
"Then listen real close, we are through. I'm not going to let you or anyone else, tell me how to act. You were my boyfriend, Xander, not my father or my husband. So, now we are both free agents. I plan to enjoy my Sr. year. I do have to thank you for convincing me to stay in school, but for everything else, you can kiss my ass. Oops, you have already done that. Go and find someone else to control, cause this girl ain't taking it. We 5x5 on this?" Each word that came out of her mouth was colder and harder than the last.
Xander gaped at her like a fish. "What do you mean we are through? What, the hell, happened last night to make you act this way?"
"Had a little talk with some friends, it was a real eye-opener. After my patrol, I went home to think over everything they said and I didn't like what I saw. I'm not anybody's toy to play with and boss around. You might have treated Buffy that way but that dog won't hunt with this girl, not anymore."
Xander grabbed her arm. "What friends do you have other than me and Willow? What, the hell, does Buffy have to do with anything? You didn't even know her. Willow and I were her best friends and we would have done anything for her."
"Let go of my arm, Xander, before I make you." Faith warned him in a snarl.
"You wouldn't hurt me, Faith, you love me. Whatever happened we can work it out. I forgive you for the way you acted last night." His dark eyes softened as he looked at her. It was the look that always made her calm down and apologize.
"Don't give me those puppy eyes. Face it Xan, I'm a bitch and I like it that way. So, shove off, I have to go to class. There are several stud muffins that I need to let know that I am back in the game." She jerked her arm out of his grip then sauntered into the school.
Every male in close proximity watched her leather clad rear as she walked by hips swaying sensuously from side-to-side.
Xander just stared at her retreating backside wondering what just happened. There was no way that he was going to just sit by and let her walk out on him. As far as he was concerned, she was still his girl. He was determined to find out what caused this change in her and fix it. Looking down at his watch, he realized that he had to let it go for now. He was late for class and would be lucky if his professor let him into the room.
Marching towards his car, people quickly moved out of his way. There was a fanatical gleam in his eye that caused more than one person to want to call '911.' But, this was Sunnydale and the chances of the police actually responding to an emergency call were about as good as winning the Lotto.
Buffy walked downstairs with Gunn, hungry for breakfast and to put the plan into motion. She wanted this to be over so she could get back to her life. There were so many things she wanted to do when this was over. She knew she needed to be patient but that wasn't her strong suit. Buffy looked around the room at the people gathered around the table waiting for her. It was a very lucky person who had at least one other person in their life and she had ten who which made her truly blessed.
"What's good to eat around here? Girls got to keep up her strength, ya know." A huge smile spread across her face, as she looked at her family. The ones missing were Giles, Joyce and Lil. The thought of Lil caused the light in her eyes to dim.
Lorne picked up on the change as did Tara. The blonde witch walked over to wrap her arms around Buffy. "Don't worry Lil is fine. The Furies are taking care of her and no one can touch her while she's with them."
"I know but she's so little and has never been away from home. What if she is scared and crying for her mommy?" Tears stung Buffy's eyes thinking of Lil sad and lonely.
"She's a tough cookie, our little princess. She takes after her Mum. Don't you worry, Slayer, she's probably making the sisters play all her favorite games."