Adult-FanFiction.org : Buffy

Wishing Changes Everything	By : Declan Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Faith Views: 9748 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy The Vampire Slayer Television Series. Joss Whedon does. This is done for simple fun, I'm not making any money from this.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Revelations Part 2 (The Magic Mitten And Other Important Stuff)

“Angel?” Buffy called out as she reached to fully open the French windows. She hesitated. She really didn’t feel a hundred per cent, but if Angel had managed to get the glove again she needed to know tonight. Buffy would feel a little better about letting Lagos get away if she could give Giles some good news in the morning.
Buffy glanced around; saw Angel in front of the fireplace as he looked up from a book. He saw her and his face turned to concern; dropping the book he hurried over. “Buffy!”
Buffy tried to wave him away. “I’m okay, really, it looks worse that it is...I hope.”
Angel gently took her by the arm, his other hand going to the side of her head. He led her over to the sofa and sat her down softly. “Take it easy. Was it Lagos?”
“Uh-huh, little rusty on the dismount...I don’t understand, I beat him the first time.” Off of Angel’s frown, “I mean, um, I’ve faced one of those guys before...before I came to Sunnydale. Beheaded it and everything. No big, and now I have a big head.”
Angel was peering at her wound. “What happened to Faith?”
“She’s fine, a little beat up though. We, um, decided to split up after.”
“She left you alone like this?” He sounded angry.
“Angel don’t, she didn’t...I’m fine, really. A band-aid with a little cartoon character on it and I’m good.”
“I have some clean towels and fresh water. Give me a second.” Angel stood up and left.
Buffy lowered her head onto her hands. “I wouldn’t say no to an Advil.”
She waited for him to return, her mind still a little foggy, and her body still buzzing from kissing Faith. Also the...everything else that happened with Faith.
‘I find Faith attractive. Me. Attracted to Faith. Faith the slayer who tried to kill me last year. Faith, who doesn’t date at all. Faith who is a girl, with girl-parts, really nice girl-parts... Ugh, this is crazy. A crazy lesbian fantasy dream caused by a blow to the head. Except... Except that it’s real and I don’t have the first clue about how to deal with it, any of it. I just need...’
“Angel...” She murmured as he touched her shoulder, He didn’t answer, just pressed a cold, wet towel against the side of her head. She winced at the sensation but the fog began to clear.
His voice was soft with concern. “There’s not much blood now, just a little swelling. But head wounds can be dangerous...”
“I know.” Buffy opened her eyes to look at him, seeing his love, his warmth. “But I don’t taste anything funny or have any floaty feelings. It’s just sore, getting better now, though.” She allowed a small smile.
They stared at each other for a long time and it was like always, as though the world had gone away; it was just them and the night. A girl and a boy and her head wound. His face, so handsome and sombre, that softened every time he saw her like she was the most important thing in the world, slowly leaned closer to hers.
Buffy realised what exactly was going to happen just moments before it did. The kiss was soft; Angel’s lips were cool, familiar and comforting. Buffy embraced him, automatically putting her arms around him as she rose up and he held her close. The thoughts that had been racing through her head minutes ago dissipated, she felt his strong arms on her waist as the kiss deepened.
This was simple, a simpler time when Buffy knew what she wanted, knew how Angel felt about her and how that had made her feel.
But she knew that was illusion, a child’s view of love, because they couldn’t ever be, not like she wanted. With that realisation her mind seemed to awaken and Buffy pulled back. Angel’s face was a mirror of her own, confused and guilty.
“Buffy...I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have...”
‘First Faith, now Angel. I’ve really gotta control myself.’
Buffy stepped away breathless, she shook her head. “I-I didn’t exactly try and stop you, Angel. But, I...you know we can’t.”
Angel nodded a little shakily.
Buffy took a breath before adding. “And...I have to tell you, there might be someone else...”
“But you said you and Scott...?” His voice was unsure.
“Not Scott, somebody... new. It wasn’t something I was even expecting, not in a million years. But they... they’re special to me.”
Angel looked at her steadily.
Buffy didn’t look at him. Should she really tell him when she wasn’t even sure herself? She knew there were feelings there, denial could only go so far, but still saying it out loud, admitting it to someone made it real. Undeniable.
“It’s Faith.” She said softly, her eyes went to his as part of her inwardly cringing.
Angel blinked, looked nonplussed for a moment. “Faith...the other slayer?”
“Uh-huh.” Buffy squeaked.
“But, she’s... Faith would be a girl.” Buffy heard the undertone of hurt and confusion in Angel’s voice.
Buffy nodded weakly. “Nothing gets past you, huh?”
Angel scratched the back of his head. “Is it...when did this happen?”
“Mostly, this past few weeks but...confirmed about an hour ago.” Buffy shrugged awkwardly, “You and her really have the same idea about TLC.”
“Well, that’s...new, like you said.”
Buffy gaze left him; she didn’t like looking at his pain. “Angel, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m just trying to be honest.” She smiled sadly, “I love you...I think I’ll always love you. But we can’t be together, and Faith makes me feel...”
She sighed. “You know, come to think of it you actually have a lot in common. You’re both complicated, um, with mysterious pasts. You’ve built up lots of defences to stop other people getting in. You’ve both gone through stuff- badness, I’m sure of that. And I want to get to know her, to find out what she’s like under all that cynicism and distrust.”
“You’re in love with her.” Angel stated simply.
Buffy shook her head and looked at him. “I don’t know...I really hope not. I just started out wanting to be her friend, share the whole slayer burden thing.”
Angel gave a sad smile in sympathy. “And now what do you want?”
“That’s the important thing.” Buffy blinked, “Actually the important thing is the glove. Did you...?”
Angel nodded and gestured to a nearby table. Buffy recognised the bundle of wrappings as she stepped closer.
Angel moved with her and unveiled it. “The glove of Myhnegon. Found it in the Von Hauptmann crypt.”
“As family heirlooms go it’s fairly freaksome...” She peered closer, remembering how dangerous this thing was.
Angel gently stopped her. “Don’t touch it. Once the glove is put on it can never be removed.”
Buffy nodded. “I remember, and anyway it doesn’t even go with anything I own so....”She looked down and Angel dropped his arm away, “So that’s the glove safe. I’ll tell Giles in the morning, he could use some good news. I better get home, thanks for the wet towel and the...um, just the wet towel.”
Buffy moved away from Angel, casting one last look back at him as she left the mansion and headed home.

*~~*

“So we are, again. Along with my lunch.” Mr. Platt put down his coffee and frowned at Buffy, although he seemed more exasperated than annoyed.
Buffy gave her best innocent smile as she stood in the middle of his office. “Well, isn’t it, like policy to always be on call for students and their...problems?”
“No, I believe that’s doctors.” Platt said dryly. “Buffy, I’m very happy to see that you’ve been staying out of trouble and that your grades and class attendants are both up, but...”
“But I might be going off the rails. Y’know, going from being a good student and then falling into a bad student, um, gorge. You have, like a duty to help me.” Buffy tried not to look too desperate, “Please?”
The man sighed. “You’ve got five minutes. Convince me.”
“Uh, okay.” Buffy sat quickly and tried to get her thoughts in order, “Well, there are girls and then there are also guys. And some guys like other guys, which is cool, y’know. And also there are girls who might like other girls.”
She paused. Platt merely raised an eyebrow.
“But, usually when you decide which you...not that it’s a choice, I mean not usually...” Buffy scrunched up her face, “I might’ve kissed a girl.”
“Faith.” Platt said flatly, he didn’t seem surprised.
Buffy raised her eyebrows. “Um, yeah. Yes, how did you know?”
“It doesn’t matter Buffy, what exactly has you worried?”
“Well, the whole ‘kissing -a -girl thing’ kinda threw me. How come you’re not thrown? Are you still irked? With me coming in here? At least now you see it’s an emergency.”
Platt leaned forward and steepled his hands. “Buffy the last time you were in here you were talking about Faith, and also the time before that. I could see pretty well even then that you’d developed a bond with this girl, a friendship. Sometimes these things grow in ways we don’t imagine.”
Buffy clasped her hands nervously. “But, what does it mean?”
Platt seemed thoughtful. “Let’s see if I can’t make a few educated guesses before I answer. You and Faith, you have a lot in common; you see the world in the same way. You sometimes both feel like outsiders and nobody gets you, but she understands things about you that nobody else can. She came into your life at a difficult time; maybe helped you see another side to things, a lighter side. How am I doing so far?”
Buffy shifted a little. “Um, pretty good actually. You could go pro...”
Platt sat up straighter and stared at Buffy. “Buffy, having feelings for somebody the same sex as you isn’t as freaky or as weird as you think. And I’m not talking about throwing any labels around or maybe having a crush on a teacher. Liking or loving somebody can be about a lot of things that resist category. It can be about two people connecting on some level.”
“How do I know if what I’m feeling even is even real?”
“Well, I’m pretty certain you’re not the kind of person who comes to a councillor willingly over an innocent kiss, am I right? Your instincts tell you this is something else, something serious. Put it this way, when you think about Faith, what do you feel, honestly? How would you feel if she went away? Or started dating somebody you both knew?” Platt smiled gently, “The murky world of teenage hormones can be difficult, Buffy. Trust your instincts, talk to Faith, open up to her just a little and see how she responds.”
Buffy nodded slowly as she let his advice sink in. He hadn’t seemed surprised by her confession, being a councillor and all. Maybe she’d been giving off more signals than she realised? Maybe she always had?
What about Faith, had she felt like this the first time around, had feelings for her? That might’ve explained the way she went of the rails last year.
‘After all, love makes you do the wacky...’
Buffy smiled at the councillor. “Thanks, Mr. Platt. I think I’ll do that. Um, and again sorry for the crazy-Buffy-stoppage.”
Mr Platt nodded and picked up his coffee as she stood up. “Good luck with the soap opera.”
Buffy left his office and checked her watch; she’d avoided Faith this morning, wanting to get all her feelings straight, or as straight as they can be when they were about another girl.
‘Heh, I made a funny. My head must be feeling better. ’

*~~*

Her friends were assembled in the library, grouped round the table when Buffy entered, they all looked pretty unhappy. She had a brief flashback to the ‘intervention’ from last year and her stomach swooped nervously. “Hi, guys.”
Giles looked at her, his eyes tired, but he frowned as he noticed her injury. “Buffy, are you alright?”
Buffy approached, gesturing to her head. “It’s a scratch really, next time Faith and I should have weapons. Where is Faith anyway?”
“With Mrs Post, training I believe.” Giles commented, adding dryly, “They’ll both be joining us later...when I have something more concrete to report.”
“Well, how about this for solid, I got the magic mitten. So Miss Post can suck it.”Buffy thought about it, “And also Lagos.”
“Hey, score one for the good guys. More importantly this group of good guys.” Xander said. It was obvious from all the tension that despite working hard they’d all made little progress.
Willow leaned back tiredly. “We cracked the books and got nowhere, we don’t even know what this glove does.”
Cordelia grumbled. “What does that even mean? You can’t crack books, they’re made of paper.”
Oz looked pointedly at the closed books where Cordelia was sitting. “I think it means opening them, so mystery solved.”
Giles walked around the table towards Buffy. “Yes, Cordelia, the marathon session of forty-five minutes you put in really was going above and beyond.” He addressed Buffy, “Are you sure you’re alright?”
Buffy smiled at his concern. “Peachy. Way better than Lagos is gonna be.”
Giles asked more pointedly. “And the glove is where, exactly?”
“Angel has it.” Buffy said softly, “He’s keeping it safe for us at the mansion.”
Giles still tensed at the mention of Angel but he simply nodded. “Good, I might have found a way of destroying this glove but until then it’s imperative that you and Faith locate Lagos. As long as he’s loose...”
Their soft conversation was overridden by Cordelia’s complaining voice. “Why is everyone picking on me all of a sudden?”
“Karmic cycle?” Willow muttered, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
Cordelia huffed and looked pointedly at Xander, whose eyes widened comically. “Uhh... “
Buffy decided to interrupt. “Guys, take a break okay. Will, could we talk?” Buffy gestured to the stacks.
Willow nodded and stood. She seemed worn down and weary from all the research, her shoulders slumped. Buffy followed her up the steps and put an arm on her shoulder. “You look beat; Giles shouldn’t work you guys so hard. You’re getting kinda cranky.”
“Well, Mrs. Post has got him all British and competitive, and also cranky. He’s like super-Watcher man all of a sudden.” Willow looked in sympathy at Buffy’s head, “And you need our help, this demony guy is really dangerous.”
“This, a tombstone did this. If Faith and I had just...” Buffy sighed, “There’s a whole bunch of ‘Faith and I’ stuff.”
Willow leaned against a wall and slid down to hug her knees. “Are you two having slayer-issues? Do you need to vent? ‘Cause, Buffy, I’m not sure I’m in top form right now...”
Buffy shook her head as she knelt down beside Willow, lowering her voice a little. “This isn’t a bitch-fest, don’t worry. But, I kinda need your opinion about stuff, things...”
“Oh, things..? Things I can do, I have great knowledge of things.” She gave Buffy a ‘seriously’ look.
Buffy ran a hand through her hair. “Alright, alright. Give me a break; I’m having an uncomfortable time with things. There’s all this confusion and worry and, okay, excitement, I won’t lie.”
Willow seemed to perk up a lot at the thought of gossip. “What is it? Does it involve Angel? Because Buffy, its okay if you slipped, maybe got excited. Just don’t be getting him excited, y’know?”
“It isn’t about Angel, at least not directly.” Buffy swallowed. “It happened last night, after Faith and I fought the...anyway things got intense during the fight and then after, we were recovering and then...”
Willow leaned forward curiously. “And then?”
“We kissed.” Buffy rushed to get it out, “And not just friend kissed, it was making-out, second base, trying to deny each other oxygen kissing.”
Willow’s eyebrows shot up, she blinked for a couple of seconds before leaning her head back so it thumped against the wall. “Ow,” She said dully.
Buffy grimaced before reaching out and patted Willow’s knee. “Sorry. Are you okay?”
Willow shook her head and smiled in bemusement at Buffy. “You kissed Faith? Wow, I mean, wow. I- I knew you two were getting along but...Oh; maybe it was because you bumped your head. That can change your personality, but only temporarily. Or maybe you got amnesia and forgot you were a girl and I’m not handling this very well am I?”
“Better than I did.” Buffy sighed, “I kissed her at Homecoming as well, Will.”
“You did, when?” Willow asked and then seemed to think about it. “Was it when you were being hunted? No, because that would be crazy...”
“Here, in the library after everything. I didn’t get to the dance and...I don’t know what happened, we ended up kissing.”Buffy felt like a weight was being lifted, finally telling someone about all the crazy stuff was so liberating.
“That’s why she went away, isn’t it? You two got all smoochy and then something happened?”
“Yeah, my brain freaked when I remember what gender I actually like.”Buffy shook her head at the memory, “I messed up and hurt her and she blew me off for a couple of weeks.”
Willow nodded in sympathy. “Well, to be fair, the whole gender thing is usually important, as things you like about a person go. So, is it a slayer thing, you think? Between the two of you?”
“I really don’t know, and I’m no way I’m gonna ask Giles. Can you seriously imagine that?” Buffy asked, “I’ve tried and all I keep seeing is me holding two Barbie’s up and making them kissy face in front of him, and then he’s all shaking is head and not understanding.”
Willow giggled. “I think Giles would be a bit more supportive.”
“And what about Faith? Does she even think about me in that way, y’know, with the holding hands and dating and smooching? Or is she ‘get some and get gone?’
Willow regarded the blonde kindly. “Buffy, have you tried asking her, I mean talking to her and being honest and stuff?”
“Well, no...but after the kissing she keeps on running off. It makes it kind of hard to have a discussion when all I’ve got to talk to are dust trails.”
“That’s tricky.” Then Willow grinned excitedly, “Ooh, but tonight, you’ll both be out looking for Lagos, right? You’ll be all stakeout-y. And you know what happens on stakeouts?”
Buffy brightened. “Wait, I know this one. Donuts and thermos’s of coffee?”
“No, you talk about your feelings, bond, and then smoochies.”
“Okay, I think we’ve watched different cop movies. Or maybe you’re thinking of that one with the dog, where he slobbers all over Tom Hanks?”
Willow mock scowled. “You’re being all avoid-y, Buffy. If you like Faith this is the perfect time to tell her, third time’s the charm. No more blowing off. Or slobber.”
“Alright,” Buffy pouted, “I’ll bite the bullet, whatever that means.” She then gave Willow a smirk, “Y’know, I didn’t think you’d be all...well, this supportive. Thanks Will.”
“Please, after spending most of last night staring at creepy demon books I welcome any human interaction.” Willow gave Buffy’s shoulder a pat, “Besides, I’m all about being there for my newly-gay best friend.”
“I’m not...gay!” Buffy hissed, “Not, um, that there’s anything wrong with that. I’m just not, ‘cause last night I kissed Angel. Does a gay girl do that?”
Willow’s eyes widened comically. “You kissed..? After kissing..? Oh, Buffy, that’s...a very complex life you’re leading.”
Buffy was about to defend herself, eloquently explaining to Willow everything that happened last night, when she heard Giles’ voice carry over. “Mrs. Post, how unexpected, and may I add quite well-timed.”
Buffy quickly got to her feet as Mrs. Post said something she couldn’t hear. She and Willow headed round the stacks to the top of the stairs to see Mrs. Post, hair down so she looked less school-ma’am evil and more lightning-throwing evil.
The Watcher stood, looking coldly over Giles and the gang’s researching efforts, to one side stood Faith, her hands in her pockets. The dark-haired girl looked unhappy, Buffy guessed that being around Mrs. Post would have that effect on anyone.
Still Buffy found herself smiling at the sight of the other slayer, Willow was right, time to take the initiative. If Buffy could have anything with Faith, she was going to find out tonight.
Mrs. Post smiled haughtily at Giles. “Well, it is nice to see you have your best...children working on this particular problem.”
“They’ve all worked hard.” Giles smiled patiently, “And call me haphazard but I like to use all resources at my disposal.”
“Quite so, have you yielded any results?”
“Um, possibly.” Giles motioned towards his office before addressing everyone else. “Everybody, I think we’ve done more than enough for today.”
Mrs Post walked over to Giles as Cordelia got up and hurriedly left. Xander rushed to follow, Cordelia giving him a sharp look as she exited the library. Faith, ignoring everyone, went over and slouched in one of the chairs.
Buffy hurried down the steps towards her but was intercepted by Mrs. Post. “Buffy, I just wanted you to know that Faith told me all about last night’s...encounter.”
Buffy wasn’t sure if her mouth dropped open. “Um, she did?”
“She told me that the fight went poorly because of lack of coordination. If she hadn’t been so reckless...”
“Oh, the fight!” Buffy nodded in relief. “Yeah, that was the thing...from last night, of course.”
Mrs Post smiled patiently. “Yes, quite. In future I have instructed Faith to defer to you in those situations. As the voice of experience that seemed the most sensible precaution in avoiding another blunder. I trust you will exercise your authority wisely?”
Buffy nodded. “Oh, sure. Team player, that’s me. I’ll take good care of Faith...with the slaying, just the slaying.”
Mrs Post blinked a couple of times at Buffy’s puzzling behaviour before turning and joining Giles in his office.
Buffy shook her head before crossing over and sitting down opposite Faith, didn’t want to spook her after all. “Hey.”
Faith glanced over and grunted. “Hey.”
Out of the corner of her eye Buffy saw Willow talking to Oz, but also sneaking glances at the two slayers as she did so.
Buffy leaned forward to catch Faith’s eye. “So, what did you do today?”
Faith thought about it. “Just training, y’know. Kicking, punching, stabbing, getting ready to kill some vamps.”
Buffy nodded in understanding. “Or in this case, a demon.”
Faith gave her a penetrating stare and then smiled sweetly. “Nah, actually. I was pretty much thinkin’ about killing vamps.”
Buffy nodded slowly, thinking she was missing something. “You feeling okay?”
That smile again. “Five-by-five. You know me, B. I heal up good.”
“That’s a relief, I...”
Just then Giles and Mrs. Post exited his office. “Mrs. Post and I are looking into the possibility of destroying the glove. We have some research to attend to but in the mean time. Buffy, Faith, you will go over to the crypt in Restfield and keep watch. When Lagos comes to collect it...”
“We kill him.” Faith said simply, examining her fingernails, “I’m down with that.”
Mrs. Post nodded in tacit approval. “Excellent, collect any weapons you require and return here when you’ve dispatched the demon. Mr. Giles and I will travel to the Crawford mansion when we have the particulars of the spell. We will then destroy the glove.”
“Is there any reason for us to stay?” Willow asked, gesturing at herself and Oz.
Giles gave her an encouraging smile. “No, I think you’ve performed above and beyond, Willow. You can go.”
That would leave Giles and Post alone together. Again. “Wait, Will. Didn’t you say that you were onto some big, Lagos breakthrough? Up there?” Buffy gestured back up at the stacks and stared pointedly at the redhead.
Willow looked questioningly at Buffy as she tried to read the other girl’s look. “I did? I...mean I did. That’s...I forgot, I should probably...stay? Stay and look for demon weaknesses. I’m almost onto something.” She gave Oz and apologetic look, but he seemed to guess that something was up and just nodded stoically.
Giles nodded distractedly before turning to Mrs. Post. “Well, we should get started then.”
Faith got up and went to the weapons locker while Buffy quickly made her way over to Willow.
“So, what is going on, exactly?” Willow asked plaintively.
“Just keep a lookout and don’t trust Mrs. Post. Don’t leave Giles alone with her; I think she’s up to something.”
“I’ll stay too, keep you company.” Oz stated. Willow looked relieved.
Just then B Faith called over. “Yo, B. You wanna move your scrawny butt and pick somethin’ while the night’s still young?”
Buffy gave Willow and Oz a long-suffering smile before walking over to Faith, who’d armed herself with a hooked club and was busy tucked a couple of stakes into her jacket.
Buffy wandered over, grabbing a sharp-looking axe and a dagger she turned to the other slayer. “See, quick and easy. Let’s go.”
Without saying anything Faith left, with a last look at Willow Buffy followed.

*~~*

Buffy and Faith sat outside the tomb on opposite ends of a nearby stone bench; their weapons propped up close by. Night had descended a little while ago but the air was still warm. The night was also quiet; the occasional rustle of night-time creatures, non-supernatural ones that is, was the only activity Buffy had noticed. Buffy was also noticing Faith, who, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, had spent the last fifteen minutes staring at the ground, rolling a stake between her fingers.
Even in repose Faith was beautiful; Buffy didn’t understand how she hadn’t realised that before. Dark eyes, sexy smile, dimples, pouty lips and wavy dark hair, and those were just the above the neck features. Of course Buffy had noticed those things before, but last night’s events had changed her...perspective, was that the right word? Whatever, it meant that this stake-out was a little bit more interesting, and that was fine with her.
“So, shouldn’t we be hidin’ or somethin’. ‘Case this guy actually shows?” Faith said grouchily. Buffy figured that Faith resented the fact Mrs. Post had put Buffy in charge of her.
“Lagos isn’t exactly subtle. He wants the glove he’ll come head on for it. He already beat us once; I doubt he’ll try anything subtle.”
Faith just grunted in reply.
Buffy moved her legs so she sat aside the bench and looked at Faith more directly. “So, um, last night?”
Faith shrugged. “Yeah, like I told Mrs. Post, I screwed up. Let the guy take us out one at a time.”
“Mrs. Post is too hard on you. We were just unlucky.” Buffy replied before adding coyly, “And that’s not what I meant.”
Faith didn’t reply. Probably because she thought Buffy was in denial or repressing. “You know, you never asked about my head. It’s better by the way.”
Still nothing, Faith looked like she was trying to bore holes into the ground with her stare.
“I could’ve done with someone to, um, maybe kiss it better.”
With that Faith looked up sharply at Buffy, the blonde girl smiled shyly.
Faith looked annoyed. “Yeah, well I figured you had that part all covered.”
Buffy felt her smile drop. “Huh?”
Faith got up and walked over to the crypt entrance. “Y’know can we just not do this, okay? I’m sick of your games.”
“Games? Faith the only reason I wanted us to stop was because of my head.” Buffy found herself reddening a bit, “I was...really into it and then you go storming off and left me alone.”
Faith looked around, her face in shadow. “I didn’t.” She said simply.
“What? Yes, you did Faith, I remember and I stopped imagining things that didn’t happen when I was like, eight.”
Faith sighed. “I mean I started too, then I realised you were still hurt, with the head and everything so I headed back.” Faith began pacing a little ways away from Buffy. “But you were headed off somewhere, so I thought I’d just...watch your back, make sure you got home okay.”
‘Oh, no....’
“And I didn’t say anything right away because I thought I was pretty stupid, runnin’ off and then comin’ right back. So I stayed back, and saw where you went.”
Buffy felt a sick feeling develop in her stomach as she realised what Faith was saying. “So, what, you were spying on me?”
“No! I...I just, saw you go to that mansion and lost sight of you so I followed. Heard talkin’ and peaked in.” Faith crossed her arms and looked at Buffy, “Figured you were in safe hands after that.”
Buffy straightened around and looked at Faith. “Listen Faith, what you saw...”
Faith stopped her angrily. “Ain’t none of my business. Things with exes start up again all the time, believe me I know from experience.”
“Angel and I...kissing him was a mistake...”
Faith smirked derisively. “Seems t’me you’re makin’ a lot of mistakes lately, B. Maybe y’should try keeping your mouth shut.”
Buffy felt herself getting angry. “Yeah, so, why do you care all of a sudden?” Buffy stared accusingly. “Didn’t you say it was just us ‘getting worked up’ or ‘horny’ or whatever little rationalization you’re using this week?”
Faith shrugged. “I ain’t ration...whatever, and I don’t care.” She said defensively.
It was Buffy’s turn to snort in disbelief. “Then you won’t care that the only reason I kissed Angel was because I got so worked up rounding the bases with you that I couldn’t think straight.”
Faith stared at Buffy. “Bullshit.”
Buffy stood up and stepped closer to the other girl. “No, its not. I felt something when I kissed you, and it wasn’t just physical, it was amazing.” Buffy tried to catch Faith’s eyes again. “You know that too.”
Faith turned away. “All I know is it ain’t over between you an’ soul-boy. That’s all I need to know.”
Buffy grabbed Faith by the arm and pulled her around hard. “Dammit, Faith!”
“Don’t touch me!” Faith snarled, pulling her arm loose and raising a fist in warning.
“Buffy!” Willow and Xander burst into the clearing, panting for breath. Willow looked in alarm at the two slayers before Faith quickly dropped her arm.
“We’ve got trouble.” Gasped Willow, “Has Lagos been here?”
“I’m guessing not with the...sparring you two were gonna get into?” Xander remarked.
Buffy ignored him. “No, no sign of Lagos, Will. Why?”
Willow looked worried. “Because the Lagos demon can hone in on a magical signature, something about the species means they have a way of sensing powerful magicks by proximity and can track their...vibration or something. Apparently it’s like an inner-ear thing.”
Buffy nodded as it dawned on her. “That means...”
“He can track it.” Faith finished, “If the dude’s already been here he could be on his way to the mansion right now while we’re here doing jack.”
Buffy shook her head. “That’s not possible, nothing’s changed since...” Except that Lagos had faced two slayers this time. He’d gotten away, sure, but maybe facing the both of them had made him more cautious, or more determined to obtain the glove, and he’d come and done some searching before they got here.
Buffy raced to the entrance of the crypt, opened it and peered in, hoping to see everything undisturbed. Instead she saw stone fragments scattered over the floor and a couple of holes in the wall where Lagos had pulled open the reliquaries. But it was also clear that the crypt hadn’t been completely searched, meaning...
Buffy ducked out of the crypt. “He’s been and gone, but recently I think.”
Buffy turned to Faith, all drama forgotten for the moment, “We need to warn Giles, now.” She glanced at Willow and Xander before grabbing her axe and taking off at a run through the cemetery, Faith hot on her heels.

*~~*
Buffy had that feeling again, the terrible sinking feeling that things were spinning irrevocably out of control. Like one of those common nightmares of hers where everything went wrong at once and she’d be gripped by the chilling certainty that if things just stopped for a moment, if she could think, then she could see the solution to the problem and fix everything, forever.
Now Faith, Post, Lagos, Angel. All of them whirled in her head as she raced to within sight of the mansion, seeing the front doors still intact and hearing no demonic roars or screams.
Buffy and Faith entered through the front doors almost simultaneously, and were greeted by the same shocking sight. Giles lay on the ground, unmoving, his head in a pool of his own blood. A vicious looking mace and a broken crossbow lay discarded across the floor. Mrs. Post was slumped against one wall, dishevelled and hurt, but obviously alive, her eyes were blearily open. Over her stood Angel, his demonic face showing, a crossbow bolt jutting from his wounded shoulder.
“Angel!” Buffy cried out, she froze, her eyes going back and forth towards Giles’ prone form and Angel.
Faith also froze, but only for an instant. “Mrs. Post?” She then glared at Angel. “I can’t believe how much I’m gonna kill you!”
Buffy caught her arm. “Faith, wait!”
Angel looked momentarily confused, and then agitated. “She attacked Giles, tried to...”
Faith snarled angrily and shoved Buffy hard to one side, surprised the blonde slayer fell to her knees.
“Bullshit!” She rushed at Angel, weapon up and ready and swung at him. Angel backed up and managed to dodge away from her attack, he instinctually lashed out with a foot to kick Faith’s weapon out of her hand.
Faith barely stopped, barrelling into Angel and backhanding him hard across the face, following up with a hard left before reaching out and grabbing the crossbow bolt in his shoulder and yanking. Angel cried out as the bolt tore free from his flesh. Faith grabbed his shoulder, spun and bodily threw him across the room, Angel crashed down face first and dazed near the French doors. Faith made her way over, gripping the crossbow bolt like a stake as she moved closer, eyeing where to jab the stake. But she hesitated, and Buffy managed to move around and get in a defensive stance between her and Angel. “Faith listen, please...”
“He’s turned, Faith.” Mrs Post rasped wearily, “She still loves him, that’s why he attacked us.”
Buffy glared at the downed Watcher. “Shut up! She’s lying, Faith. I would never do that. You know that.”
Faith stared at Buffy, unsure before glancing at her Watcher.
Mrs. Post straightened up, her voice steadying and gaining a measure of its usual assurance. “She’s blinded by love, no matter what the cost. Trust me, Faith.”
‘No, this can’t be happening again!’
Buffy, realised she was still holding her axe, lowered it, she could feel Angel begin to stir behind her. “No, Faith. Stop, think. We can figure this out.”
Faith, looked back and forth between the two of them, the bloody bolt still in her grip, her face twisted in indecision. Mrs. Post stood up fully now, her face triumphant, and Buffy saw Xander and Willow appear as they scrambled over to Giles.
“Great, gang’s all here, how much worse can it get?’
Faith looked up at Buffy, eyes narrowing. “Lying bitch!”
And then everything got worse.
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