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The Slayer	By : norwalker Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 19613 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
The Slayer

By Norwalker

Part 11 of a multipart story.

Summary: What if Faith came first? If she were the slayer before Buffy( if Buffy even became a slayer)? Just my take on what might have happened. AU, of course.

Pairings: Not sure yet. You might be surprised.

Rating: M( R )

Disclaimer: Characters depicted in this story, except for original characters created by the author, are the sole property of Mutant Enemy, Fox and Joss Whedon.

1

She's back in Southie, and she's running hard down the street. She's late, maybe too late, but she still has to try.

She sees the house, and it looks like most crack houses in the hood. That is, dilapidated and ready to fall over if someone sneezes too hard. She hops the fence, and runs up the walk, reaching the front door.

She pounds on the door , but gets no answer.

" Bree? Bree! BREE! Are you in there?" Faith calls out, pounding louder.

Someone answers the door. They look awful. Disheveled, hair lanky and dirty, tats everywhere. His eyes, bloodshot, stare at her.

" What the fuck do you want, Girlie?" He growls at her.

" Bree. Bree Hannigan. Is she here?"

" Fuck, Who the hell is that? I don't know no Bree." He starts to shut the door.

She kicks the door, and forces it open. He tries to block the way, but she pushes him out of the way.

" Hey, bitch, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

" Finding my friend, asshole. Get outta my way."

" Fuck you, and get out," The guy brings up a gun, pointing it at her.

She turns, and hits him like a hurricane. She's all fists and feet, and soon he's a heap on the floor. She takes the gun and pockets it. She kicks him in the head, again, to keep him down.

She starts running through the house, calling out her name. " Bree, Bree, c'mon girl, answer me. I know you're here."

She's slammed hard from behind, and hits up against the wall. She pushes off and turns around.

" Hey, stupid. You wandered way into the wrong place, " the pale girl behind her sneers. " Gimme your money, or I'm gonna rip your head off your neck."

" Try it, bitch," Faith rejoins. " I'm just itchin' for a fight."

" Then you found it."

The girl vamps out, and Faith smiles. Even better.

She launches into the vampire, hitting her with a kick-fist combo. The vampire grabs her, and swings her around, throwing her up against the wall. The vampire is on her in a moment, pinning her. She leers at Faith.

" You're kinda cute. I bet you taste real sweet, too, " She goes to put the bite on Faith.

Faith head butts her, and the vampire jerks back, releasing her. Faith reaches in her back pocket, and pulls a stake.

" Got something for ya, baby. Hope it's your size," Faith shoves the stake into the vampire's chest. The vampire looks nonplussed when she turns to dust.

She hears a scream from upstairs, and take the stairs two at a time. She looks around, and the scream, lower now, pulls her to the right, down the hall.

She burst through the door just in time to see the vampire finish draining Bree. He's tall, dark and familiar looking. He turns to Faith, and it's Angel, vamped out.

" Well, Faith, late again. You know the old saying, A day late, and a dollar short." He laughs, throwing Bree's body against a wall. " So, you here to give me seconds?" He turns to her, laughing.

" You BASTARD!" She screams, throwing herself at him. The force knocks them both into the wall. " I trusted you!" She starts to pound on him, insane with rage and grief. " How could you do this to me?"

Angel shoves her away, then grabs her by the hair. He slams his fist in her faces, stunning her, and causing her nose to bleed. He pulls her into a bear hug, pinning her arms to her sides. Her back is to him.

" You just don't get it, do you Faith?" He grins broadly, showing his teeth. " You just never learn."

" Learn what, dead boy?"

Faith slams her boot down on his toes, and he growls, but loosens his grip enough that she can wriggle free. She turns and slams her fist in his face, then another in his solar plexus. She grabs him, and swings him around, throwing him against the opposite wall.

Angel is up in a moment, and charging her, pins her against the wall, His hand circles her throat.

" Once a vampire, always a vampire."

She struggles to free herself, but can't break his grip. He leans in and sinks his fangs in her neck.

" NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Faith shoots up off the couch, and looks around, confused and disoriented. She still feels Angel's hand on her throat, and his fangs in her neck.

" What the fuck?" She blinks her eyes rapidly, and looks around. " Shit, it was a dream."

She notices the sun on windows, and realizes the sun is setting. What time is it? She hops off the couch, and shakes her head, trying to clear it. Fuck me, it's after 6! God, I haven't even showered yet. Man, I was just gonna close my eyes for a couple of minutes. Man, shit. Damn!

She starts to undress, feeling icky and desperately needing a shower. She's just unbuttoned her blouse when a soft knock comes at her door.

Who the hell? Man, what's going on? Fuck, if that's Cor again, I'm so gonna…

She grumbles , trying to button buttons as she rushes to the door. She flings it open, saying " I told you! I'm ok! Get over it! "

Willow is a little taken aback.

" Ok" she says, a little confused.

" Oh, sorry, Red. I guess… uhhh …" Faith backpedals quickly, to explain her reaction. " … I'm still feeling a little bitchy. About being in the hospital, you know? Hate the places." She shrugs. " So, uhhh… what did you want?"

" I just wanted to be sure you were ok," Willow says, " Giles asked me to tell you he'd be late picking you up at the hospital. When I got there, they said you'd checked out. I was a little worried. You ok?" She looks in the room over Faith's shoulder. " I tried coming by earlier, but no one answered. I thought you might be out or something."

" I'm peaches, Red," Faith half grins, leaning against the doorjamb. " Like I said, me and hospitals, not great buddies. I just kinda fell asleep. I didn't sleep too good last night."

Hah, knew it. She was lying to me. I knew Giles wouldn't send her to pick me up. I wonder what little Ms. Cheerleader really wanted?

" You sure? I mean, that was a pretty serious head wound, you know. Maybe you should lie down or something?"

" Geeze, Red, who elected you my mom? Weren't you listening? I was just lying down. Anyway, I'm the slayer. Part of the package is accelerated healing. I'm 5 x 5, girl."

" Yeah, well, you were close to 6 feet under yesterday. You scared the bejeesus out of us," Willow complains, " We really thought you were taking the dirt nap." She inspects Faith closely, " maybe you should skip patrolling tonight."

" What? Let the vampires party alone?" Faith sighs, seeing Willow's concern, " I'm fine, really. Anyway, I'll go crazy if I'm just sitting here all night. Don't worry, I'll be careful, ok?"

" Not really, but I don't think I can take you, even in your weakened condition, " Willow smiles ruefully. " But if you're feeling up to it, you can join me and Xander at the Bronze later."

" Maybe," Faith says doubtfully.

" Hey, you really should you know. You're alone way too much. Gotta get out and circulate some, socialize. It'll be good for you."

" Uh-huh, " Faith is non-committal. " Look, if I'm there, I'm there, ok?"

" Faith, you really should…"

" Gotta shower. Later." Faith closes the door in Willow's face. God, really not lookin' for a mom! Faith shakes her head.

She pulls off her blouse, and throws it into the bedroom. She starts unbuttoning her jeans as she walks in it, shaking her head.

What is it with those guys? They think I need a social director now? " You really should get out more, socialize. You're alone way too much." Yeah, well, maybe I prefer it that way, ok?

Dropping the rest of her clothes on the floor, she exits into the bathroom.

Awhile later, she returns to the bedroom, wrapped in a towel. She grabs fresh underwear out of the drawer, and grabs a t-shirt. She walks over to the jeans, and picks them up, inspecting them.

They'll do.

She's just about to get dressed when there's another knock at the door.

What IS it with these guys?

She looks around for a robe, and realizes It's in the dirty clothes. Crap! Oh well, not like she hasn't seen a semi naked girl before.

Grumbling, she goes to the door, and flings it over. " I told you, I'll be there if I feel like it…"

Angel is standing at her door, grinning. He gives her the once over.

" Ok, but maybe you should put something on first?"

Oh, crap, what is this?

" What do you want, Angel?" Faith says, still a little freaked from her dream. God, it's just getting freakier by the moment.

" Giles sent me to get you." He gives her another glance, " I think he'd prefer you dressed."

" Yeah, ok," Faith says, turning and walking towards her bedroom. " What's going on?"

" Uhhh… Faith?" Angel presses against the invisible barrier keeping him out. " I need you to invite me in."

" Huh? Oh, that's right. You can't come in unless I invite you in, " She turns to him, and again the image from the dream slams her mind. " Look, Angel, I'm sure you're a nice guy and all, but you're still a vampire. I'm still a slayer. I'm thinking, right now, I prefer you not coming in."

Angel shrugs.

" Ok, anyway, the Harvest is happening tonight. At the Bronze. He wants us to meet there, to figure out what we're going to do."

" Tonight?" Faith calls from the bedroom. She walks out, fully dressed. " I gotta say, this Master dude has brilliant timing. Figures he'd show up on the night I'm feeling a little punk." She walks over, and grabs her bag.

" Maybe you shouldn't face him, then. We'll handle it, " Angel says.

" Yeah, like you handled it when he caught you?" Faith says. " Naw, we gotta do this, so I guess … "

" Faith, I don't want you to get killed, " Angel protests.

" I don't want to get killed either, Angel, " Faith says, walking back into the room," but it's not really a choice. I'm a slayer. This is what I do."

" Don't be a fool, Faith!"

" Little late for that, don't you think?" She walks out the door, and turns to him.

For a second, he can see the fear and doubt in her eyes. Then the curtains drop back into place. " Listen, Angel, I know you mean well and all, but I really don't need you watching over me, ok?" She sighs, and starts down the stairs. She stops. " Did you say the Bronze?"

" Yeah," Angel says, coming down the stairs, " by the way, have you seen Willow or Xander today? Giles wanted me to warn them to stay away."

" You're a little late, Angel. I talked to Willow awhile ago. She and Xander are meeting at the Bronze. Maybe I can catch her." She runs to the back door of the Rosenberg's, and knocks. And knocks. Damn, no answer. She peers in the house, but sees no light. Great, nobody's home.

" Too late, " Faith says, starting down the driveway. " She musta already left." She reaches the end, and looks back. "Well, you comin' or what? We gotta get there before the vamps show up and ruin the fun." She takes off towards the Bronze.

Angel sighs, and shrugs. No use talking to her. She never listens.

She's going to get herself killed if she doesn’t watch it.

I really hate that idea, a lot.

He trots down the driveway after her.

2

Rupert Giles spreads the maps across the table.

One map is a scale representation of Sunnydale, present day. Another is a historical map of the area, the place where Sunnydale would be is marked out as ' Boca del Infierno'. The final map is one drawn by a mystic used by the Council. It details the concentration of mystical forces and demon presence in the area.

He looks from one map to another, his face becoming grimmer. He overlays the Sunnydale map with the map the mystic created. He frowns deeply.

The largest concentration of Mystical force is revealed to lie just where the new City Hall was built.

Coincidence? I wonder. He rolls up the maps, and puts them in their paper tubes. That has to be the Hellmouth. It's the largest concentration of mystical forces in the area. He looks at the historical map, and notes up until 1933, a church had been on that spot. Very strange.

He looks up at the clock, and frowns deeply. Damn, I'm late. I've got to go.

He rushes out of the library, in his haste forgetting the maps.

I only hope we're in time to stop this!

3

Cordelia Chase enters the Bronze, looking around to see if anyone she normally hangs with was around. Not that she wants to hang with them; she's avoiding them. The way she feels right now, she can't deal with their National Enquirer minds. She's really not wanting their enquiring minds to get wind of what's going on with her.

This day has been confusing for her. Actually, since Faith showed up, it's all been confusing for her. Ok, face it. Faith is confusing me. She's not sure how she feels about it, and THAT'S confusing the hell out of her.

Cordelia has always been on top. She knows top. She's rather comfortable with top. Top is what she does. Problem is, Faith takes that away from her. When she's with Faith, it's like the ground is cut from under her, and she doesn't have a clue where she stands. She can't read Faith, she can't figure her out. She doesn't fit in the neat little categories she puts people in. Faith just won't stay in her little slot.

She's obviously not rich, and besides the physical, not powerful. But she doesn't fawn on me, or play up to me. She defies me, spits in my eye, and then sneers at me. She doesn't want anything I can give her; nor need anything I could do for her. I get the feeling when she looks at me, she looks right through me, as if I didn't exist. How can she do that to me? ME! I'm Cordelia Chase. My daddy owns this town, or practically does. I could make her life miserable, I could have her killed. And she doesn't care. She isn't even the least bit afraid of me.

I'm afraid of her. Totally afraid. I haven't a clue what she'll do next.

Why do I like that? Why am I so attracted to her? How the hell does she get my heart racing and my hormones raging? God, and how do I tell her I want her to keep doing it? I want her sooo bad, and dammit, I'm not supposed to! First there's the whole lesbo thing. I mean, geeze… and then there's the fact, we're totally different. And … aw screw it, this is stupid. Not going to think about her anymore!

Cordelia gets up, determined to find someone to dance with, a male someone, someone she can wrap around her finger. Someone to help her put a certain dark haired slayer out of her mind. She crosses the Bronze to the dance floor, and seeing an eligible( that is, not with anyone she can see) victim, starts to cut across the dance floor to snag him. Only to be blindsided by Willow and Xander, who dance across her path.

" Well, look who's here. Gilligan and Mary Anne. So, losers, wanna get out of my way?"

" Lots of dance floor, Cordelia, " Willow pipes up, " why don't you find a way around?"

" Rude much? You danced in my way, Willow. Well, if you call what you were doing dancing…"

" Gee, Cordy," Xander puts in, " I don't care what they say. That outfit doesn't make you look like a big old slut."

" Oh, sorry I have a sense of Fashion, Xander. I don't shop at the goodwill like your mom does. My clothing actually fits me."

" Yes, especially around those extra wide hips, " Willow says, " you should get a sign that says ' Wide load' so we can watch out for you."

" Listen, Twiggy, at least I have hips… and something upstairs. Still shopping for bras in the girls department?" She arches a brow, and turns to Xander, " or is she stuffing her bra these days?"

" Well, at least I don't get the urge to moo when I walk, or chew a cud"

" Are you calling me a cow, you little geek?"

" Heaven forefend!" Willow grins, " that's udderly ridiculous! But if the hoof fits…"

" … it's still better than being a flat- chested monkey girl."

" Hey, Cordy, we were worried about you today, not being in school and all. Thought maybe you got exposed to something nasty, you know? I really hate topicture you that way, " Xander shrugs, " actually, I hate to picture you at all. I guess you were just tied up?"

" Well, I could sit here and trade insults with you all night," Cordelia covers, " But really, I've got a life."

Cordy starts to walk away, but then turns back towards them. She stares at them for a moment.

" Oh god, she's baaaack" Xander says softly to Willow." What did we do to deserve her?"

" Just play it cool, Xander. She won't get too bitchy long as I have those photos of her…"

" Hey," Cordelia says, coming up to the couple, " why you two?"

Willow and Xander look at each other, then at her.

" What're you babbling about, Cordy?" Xander asks, " why us two what?"

" Faith. Why does she hang with a couple of fashion victims like you?"

" She doesn't…" Xander starts, but Willow elbows him in the side.

" Maybe because she's not looking for a friend who's a snobby, spoiled air head who's idea of fun is shopping and putting down others, " Willow replies, " maybe she likes real people."

" If by real, you mean geeky, hopeless losers, I'm guessing you fit the bill," Cordy shrugs, "well, she's weird anyway, so I guess it makes sense…"

" Weird because she doesn't like you?" Willow smiles, " that's not weird, that's normal."

" Why would I want her to like me?" Cordy makes a rude noise, " I just wondered. Seems she could do better ." She shrugs and walks away. " Oh well. Go figure."

" What was that about?" Xander asks, starting to dance again.

" It's Cordelia. Who the hell can figure her?" Willow says, " but even for her, she's been acting kind of weird lately."

" How do you mean?"

" Don't you ever pay attention?" Willow asks, a little annoyed.

" Can't, baby. I've only got eyes for you," Xander says, doing his best Rhett Butler.

Willow smiles, and pats him on the butt. " Well, that was the right answer, thank goodness," Willow smiles at him, " but she's been… not mean as a snake, lately. Tonight's the first time since the ' pole' incident that she's even gone out of her way to insult us. And she doesn't even pick on Jonathan anymore. You notice that?"

" Ok, the world is turning backwards now. " Xander says, looking surprised. " Everyone picks on Jonathan. It's a rite of passage. Like driving, or trying to get a fake I.D."

" Xander Harris. Don't tell me you pick on Jonathan! Sure, he's the punching dummy for the jocks, but you?" Willow gives him a stern look.

" But it's so fun, and he's so easy, " Xander whines. " Who do I get to pick on, then?"

" Larry. You can pick on Larry. He's such a dolt, you can insult him and he doesn't even know it."

" Yeah, but if he figures it out… ok , if someone tells him, then he'll be after me with that granite head of his," Xander winces at the memory.

" Maybe you'll think about picking on people then."

" You're no fun. You've got Cordelia to pick on, "Xander complains, " That's not fair!" Xander pouts.

" Poor baby," Willow coos, " I guess we'll just have to find other ways to use up that restless energy of yours, huh?" She smiles, with the tip of her tongue just peeking out from between her lips.

" You're evil," Xander says, but with a large grin on her face.

" No, I'm nice. Cordelia is evil," Willow corrects.

" Cordelia!" Xander says, exasperated. " God, if I never see her again, it would be way too soon."

At that moment, the lights in the club go out.

" Ok, Xander, now what did you do?"

4

" Well, where is he?"

Faith is pissed. She can't keep still, feeling on edge. She looks at Angel as if this is his fault.

" I don't know, " Angel shrugs. " He told me to meet him here. He must be running late."

" Great," Faith grumbles, " you'd think he could be on time for the end of the world, at least. Well, screw this, " she starts walking towards the door.

" He asked us to wait."

" I'm just going inside, to have a look around, see what the what is. If he shows, beep me."

She walks over to the door, and the first weird thing hits her. Where's the bouncer? She tries the handle, and it's locked. What the fuck?

Then she sees the sign on the chalkboard.

Closed for Private Party

" What the hell…?" Faith turns around, " Angel, did you see this? Closed?"

" What?" He comes over, " that wasn't there earlier."

" Well, this sucks."

" No, actually, that blows," a voice behind them says, " We suck"

Angel and Faith turn around, to see a group of vampires behind. Faith gives Angel a dirty look; he just looks sheepish and shrugs.

" The Master thought you might show up, Slayer. He's rather pissed at you. Something about putting your head on a pike? He wasn't too happy with what you did with Darla. Anyway, he sent us to ' fetch' you."

" Down, Rin Tin Tin. I'm not you're bone. But hey, I gotta stake with your name on it," She rushes the vamp, stake out. " Hope you like it well done."

" Are you morons just going to stand there?" The lead vamp calls out.

Suddenly, the group comes alive and the fight is on.

Angel puts on his game face, and wades into the crowd.

" What the hell is your deal, man?" A vamp, dressed ala sixties, including the big peace sign and headband, attacks Angel. " You're like fighting us. That's a drag, man. When did you join up with the man?" He throws a punch, which Angel catches with his fist. Angel squeezes hard, and crunching noises are head." Oh wow, man, that like hurts. You really should give peace a chance."

" That's Angelus, moron. He's been a ' goody-goody' ever since he got a soul." A second vampire sneers, " how's pig blood working out for you, dufus?" He jumps on Angel, wrapping his arms around his neck.

" Soul man, huh? Wow. Like Sam and Dave?" The first vamp kicks at Angel, trying to break his thighbone. Angel blocks him, and grabs his leg.

Angel backs into a wall, hard, crushing the vampire on his back between him and the wall. He moves forward, and the vamp falls off him. He pulls in the second vampire, and slipping out a stake, drives it through the vamps heart.

" God, I hated the sixties when I lived through it," Angel sneers. " You stink."

" That's so uncool…" The vamp turns to dust.

The second vamp is back up, and again he jumps on Angel's back.

" You just don't learn, do you?" Angel backs him into the wall again. This time he whirls around, and as the vampire is falling, stakes him.

" Moron," Angel rushes back to the group.

"So, you're the slayer huh?" The lead vampire backhands her across the face. Faith reels back." You're just a little girl. You're not so tough."

He leaps at her, to knock her down, only to kiss air when Faith sidesteps him.

" Maybe. But I'm not stupid, either, " Faith says, kicking him in the ribs. She pounces on his back, and drives a stake through his back. He turns to dust.

Two vampires come up behind her, grabbing her and lifting her. Before they can get a good grip, she does a head over heels backwards flip, landing behind them.

" You guys really should've thought that out before you tried it. Maybe you should put your heads together on that, " She helps them, grabbing there heads and knocking them together. " Ouch, that's gotta hurt."

" Not as much as this will, Bitch." Faith is hit across the back with an iron pipe. She flies forward, into the other vamps, who having recovered, grab her. The third vamp comes up to her. " The master really wants you to suffer, slut. So, what first?" He taps her knees, " Knees?" he taps her across the chest, " Ribs?" He grins , " Naaaw, I'm thinking, head…" He raises the bar to strike her when he gets a worried look on his face. He looks down, seeing the point of a stake sticking out of his chest. " Oh…" He turns to dust. Angel is standing behind him, grinning.

" Don’t just stand there, " Faith uses the distraction to bring her foot down hard on one of the vamps holding her. He yells, and lets go of her." Get him!"

She pulls away from the one that releases her, and swings around, bringing her fist into the second one's face. His grip loosens, and she grabs his head, smashing it down on her upraised knee. He shakes it off, and reaches to grab her. She does a hop kick, and then next kick hits him in the family jewels. He groans, and grabs his crotch. She brings her fists together, boxing his ears. He screams, and then charges her. She almost casually holds out the stake as he impales himself on it.

" So, that's the best he's got?" She says to herself, grinning. " Pretty pathetic."

She turns to help Angel, just in time to see him stake the last vampire. She walks over to him.

" Some nice moves there, Fang. A couple more years, and you might turn into a decent fighter yet."

" Yeah, you did ok, too. You didn't stink up the place too badly, " He retorts, " Though I notice I had to get your butt out of a jam."

" What? Those guys? I had them, I was just playing with them." Faith grins, " but nice anyway."

" So, this makes us even then?" Angel grins.

" In your dreams, Angel. I fought a whole lot more vamps to save your dead ass …" she smirks at him, " … and I didn't have to be carried out after."

Giles rushes up, looking harried. "Sorry I'm late, " He stops, and looks a the duo, who are a little rumpled. " Did I miss anything?"

" Naw. Angel just got a little frisky, and I had to put him in his place," Faith straightens up a bit. "So what's the haps, Giles? Why the lateness?"

"Sorry, I was looking at some maps of Sunnydale."

" Geeze, Giles. I know you don't get out much, but hey, I could've told you where the Bronze is, If you'd asked."

" Very witty, Faith, " Giles says dryly," I was looking at a map that charts the mystic forces emanating from this region, and the greatest concentration looks to be under the new City Hall."

" Golly gosh , Giles, that's peachy keen," Faith says acidly, "but we gotta get in the Bronze. I've got a feeling the party starting inside."

Giles starts towards the entrance, but Faith stops him.

" It's locked. C'mon, lets go around the side… see if we can get in the back."

Grabbing her bag, she leads the way to the alley entrance. She tries it, and grumbles.

" Still locked. Damn."

" Break the lock, Faith," Angel says.

" And let them know we're coming?" Faith shakes her head," I'm sure they'd have a welcoming committee inside, too. " She looks up on the roof. " but hey…" She sees the air duct, " maybe there's another way."

She leaps up, and grabbing the roof edge, swings herself over onto the roof. She starts towards the air duct.

" Where're you going?" Giles asks, looking a little worried.

" Air duct, and keep it down!" Faith hisses. " C'mon."

" A little problem here, Faith." Giles stage whispers. " I can't get up there."

Faith frowns, then looks at Angel.

"Angel?"

Angel puts on a ' you're kidding' face, but Faith is adamant.

" C'mon, we don't got all night." She turns and starts away.

" What is she talking about?" Giles asks, a little worried.

" Hold on Rupert, and don't wiggle a lot."

" WHAT?"

Angel grabs him, and holding him to his side, skitters up the wall.

" Oh good lord!" Giles says, when he gets back on his feet. He looks over the roof, and sways a bit. " Oh dear."

" You ok, Rupert?"

" I'm really afraid I don't do well with heights," Giles says, feeling a little woozy.

" Well, looking down isn't going to help, " Angel says, starting towards the air duct. " Just look at the roof, and follow me."

Angel takes off, leaving Giles alone to look down at the ground. He gingerly turns around; almost stooping over to use his arms for support, follows Angel up the roof.

God, what the hell have I gotten myself into? Next time you're asked if I want a slayer, politely decline, you burke.

I really hate this job!

5

Cordelia Chase freezes when the lights go out.

" Ha, ha, very funny. Now the moron that turned out the lights? Turn them back on!"

She feels a rush of bodies push past her as the crowd begins to panic. God, how lame; running blindly in the dark. Oh, that makes sense.

" Hey, watch it, moron!" She calls out a someone bumps into her, hard.

"Cordelia? Is that you?" Willow's voice floats out of the darkness.

" Willow? Did you just ram into me?"

" No, I think that was Xander."

" Figures."

" What's going on? Who killed the lights?" Xander speaks up.

" Hey. HEY! Loser, get your hands off me! Xander Harris, I swear, if you're trying to cop a feel, I'm so gonna…wha...???… oooohhhhh!" Cordelia is suddenly dragged away by a pair of powerful hands.

" Cordy?" Xander calls out.

" Cordelia?" Willow echoes.

" Let me go! Let ME GO! Do you know who I am? I'm so gonna…!" Cordy shouts, and tries to wriggle free of her captor. " I'm…"

" You're a meal, human. Shut up!" Something slaps her hard up against the head.

Faith? Cordelia thinks as the blackness swirls with stars, and she passes out.

" What happened to Cordelia?" Xander whispers in the darkness.

" Don't know. She sounds like she was dragged…"

" Good Evening ladies and gentlemen." A voice calls out from the darkness. Someone screams. " There's no reason to panic." A spot light from above shines on the stage, revealing Luke. He's holding someone under his arm in a headlock.

" Well, actually, there is reason to panic. It just won't do you any good."

More screams, and sounds of people struggling.

" Welcome to the Harvest. My name is Luke. I'm your host for the evening."

Luke stops, seeming to sniff the air.

" Ah, Fear. I smell lots and lots of fear. That's good. Fear is like… the icing on the cake. It just makes everything all the more tasty."

He drags his victim from under his arm, and stands him up before him. He runs his nose close to him, smiling evilly.

" This one stinks of fear. It's heavenly… wait, no, hellish actually, " He laughs, then bites into his victim. He drinks deeply.

Down in his lair, the Master feels the power surge through him as Luke drains his victim.

" Yes… yes!" He cries out, beating at the shield that holds him there. " More, more! I need more power!"

Lucas tosses the body into the crowd, eliciting more screams. He laughs, enjoying the fright.

" You all are part of a grand and noble purpose. Today is an unholy day, wherein with your sacrifice, we'll unleash a powerful corruption on the earth. A new day is dawning, people, a day when the plague known as humans will cease to be.

You all have a rare honor. Your sacrifice will make history… end." He looks around at the sea of faces before him, and looks somewhat puzzled. " What? No volunteers?"

Something offstage shoves another victim towards him. Luke grabs the girl, and turns to the audience.

" Very well, then. We'll just have to make do."

He bites into the victim.

6

" Watch the hands!'

Faith is crawling through the air duct, making her way forward in the darkness. Behind her is Angel, and bringing up the rear, Giles.

" Sorry, but I can't see anything," Angel says, trying not to bump into Faith.

" Uh-huh. What about that famous vamp night vision?"

" There still has to be some light, Faith. There's nothing here, it's pitch black."

" Well, try not to get grabby again, ok? I think we're almost…. Ooof!"

Faith runs into the grille. " Damn." She mutters, and tries to push it out. " Double damn!"

" What?"

"There's a grille, and it's screwed in!"

" Well, can't you tear it out." Angel asks, irritated.

" Noise, remember?"

" Pretty sure their busy now, by the sounds of it. Don't think they'll hear or care."

" Well, good to know you haven't gone deaf, too, " Faith says. She grabs the grille, and starts working it, trying to rip it out of the airshaft.

*

The Master stands near the edge of the barrier that traps him, feeling the power surging through him as his ' vessel' feeds him the strength of the victims taken. He smiles, knowing soon he'll be free of this prison. Free to walk the earth, taking victims, consolidating his power.

I've waited seventy years for this moment. Seventy long years trapped by an act of nature. Bah, I know the powers that be had something to do with it. Now I'll be free, and I can spit in their faces, and bring forth what they fear the most. The return of the old ones.

" Hurry you fools" He cries out, lifting his arms and shaking his fists at the heavens. " Hurry. I've been here too long. More power… it's so close!"

*

" We gotta do something, " Xander whispers to Willow. " We can't just sit here and watch."

" Great, got a plan?" Willow asks, " I'm open to suggestion. We got no weapons, nothing at all. What're we going to do? Scold them?"

" That's really not helping, Will, " Xander says, irritated, " there's something we gotta be able to do." He looks around, and spots the wooden chairs up on some of the tables. " Look, we can break off some of the legs, and use them as stakes. We'll be armed, at least.

" Swell, and then what? There's got to be dozens of vampires in here. Plan on fighting your way out? We'll get maybe one or two apiece, them we're dead."

Xander looks at her, and frowns. " You think we're not dead, anyway? Think they're gonna let anyone live? I'm kinda doubting it. I'd rather fight going down, you know? Not just gonna stand here and get killed."

Xander starts making his way to the chairs, looking around for vampires.

You're an idiot, Xander. Ok, brave, but an idiot. A brave idiot. Oh, damn, I gotta go help him!

Willow rushes after him.

Faith gives the grille one more, hard shove, and the screws give. It busts from the wall.

" Damn, finally, " Faith says, holding the grille in the air. Slowly she makes her way to the opening, and looks down. The catwalk is ten feet below. Below that are people, and if she drops the grille and it misses the walk, somebody's at best going to have a major headache. More likely, they'll be very dead.

" Shit." She scoots back, and holding the grill with one hand, leans over and slowly lowers it down to the catwalk. Lower, lower, it's still a few feet off when she runs out of grille to hold. She lets it go, and watches it slide the rest of the way down, and bounce…then lean back into the catwalk. Whew, that could've been bad. She pushes her way back up, and pants a little.

" Ok, we gotta get down to the catwalk. It's ten feet below, straight down. An easy jump."

There's a slight choking noise from the rear of the air vent.

" Are you ok back there, Giles?"

" He's got Acrophobia."

" Huh? There're no spiders here."

" No… a fear of heights."

" Nice if someone had mentioned this a little earlier, " Faith sighs. " Well, you can't stay up here Giles." She looks at the two of them. " Any ideas?"

" If you go down, I can kind of lower him down to you. You catch him, and bring him down to the catwalk. That way he's not out of contact. And he can face the wall, so he doesn't see down."

Faith rolls her eyes. Great. I always get the A-team, don't I? " Fine, I'm going down."

She slips out the opening and jumps down, hitting the catwalk. She moves the grille, then looks up.

Angel is at the opening, holding Giles. He slowly starts to lower him down.

Giles, feeling his heart in his throat, does his best not to think about what's happening. I hate this job, god I hate this job. Whoever heard of a watcher going out and climbing buildings? I really hate this job!

Faith grabs his legs, and lowers him down to the catwalk. She grins at him.

" See? Not so bad, and you got a free feel. What more do you want?"

Giles makes an impatient noise.

Angel crawls down the wall, then walks over to Faith.

Faith looks over the situation, not liking what she sees. Sure it's dark, they can see in the dark. Holy crap. Is that … fine, fine, and fine.

She waves at the others, and doesn't see the vampire sneaking up on her. He's just about to grab her when her Spidey sense kicks in, and she ducks. The vampire overreaches, and falls over her, knocking her to the catwalk. There's a brief struggle as Faith moves to get on top. She stakes the vampire, and gets up, covered in dust.

" A little help wouldn't have hurt, " She says, looking out at the crowd. " Ok, I guess we need to get an exit open, and start getting these people outta here. Angel? You go to the rear exit, and take care of what you find there. Don't get crazy on me, just take out the vamps, and guard the exit, ok?"

" Got it, " Angel says, starting down the catwalk.

" Giles, see there?" She points at the crowd. " Red and Xander are here. Get them, then get them out. Then help Angel with getting the others out."

" What if they don't want to leave?"

" Do what it takes, Giles. This isn't any place for amateurs, you know? If you have to knock them out, go for it." She looks down, " What isXander doing with that chair?"

*

Xander struggles with the chair, trying to break off the leg.

" Damn, this looks so easy on TV, " he says, sweating.

" Yeah, well, I'm pretty sure they saw the legs first." Willow hands him something. " Try this."

Xander takes the pool cue, and looks at it.

" Don’t think this is going to help." He looks at the chair, then tries leverage with the cue.

" No … use it to stake vamps," Willow says, " stop with the chair, already."

Xander blushes, and then puts the chair back.

" Let's go, " Willow says.

They turn and run straight into a vampire.

" Hey," Xander says, grinning foolishly.

" Hi," Willow is also grinning foolishly. " How's it going?"

" Where do you two think you're going?"

" Uhhh… pool, we like pool, " Xander says, holding up the stick, " we're dying for a game."

" Oh, you're dying all right," The vampire comes at them.

Willow and Xander take the sticks, and start beating the vamp with them. They start driving it back and away.

" Dammit, stop that. Just die like the stupid blood cows you are, and quit beating on me," The vampire whines, not liking how this is going.He grabs Xander's stick, and takes it away from him.

Willow keeps batting away, and Xander tries to kick him. The vampire blocks Xander, and grabs Willow's stick, tossing it away.

" Ok, buttheads, let's see how you like it?" He raises Xander's stick, and then turns into dust.

" GILES!" both Xander and Willow call out.

" Keep it down, " Giles says sternly. " Come on, we're getting you out of here."

" Whose we?" Xander whispers, as they make their way towards the back entrance.

" Angel 's at the back door, clearing the way. We're trying to get people out."

" We'll help," Willow says, " after all, we can't just stand around doing nothing."

" No. You're supposed to get out, and that's what I need you to do, " Giles says," Angel and I can handle the rest."

" No way, we're not just leaving," Xander puts in, " we're part of the team."

" Who said we can't help?" Willow grows suspicious.

" Do I have to tell you?" Giles says, grim faced, " And I really don't need any arguments."

" No arguments," Willow says, " We're just not leaving." She stops.

" We don't have time for this!"

" Sorry, but we've been over this before. We're part of the team, and we stick it out."

" You're courage is admirable. You're sense, however is questionable. But I don't have time. Help me at the door, and maybe Angel can help Faith inside." Giles turns and starts for the exit.

Willow and Xander give each other a high five.

" Now!" Giles growls.

Embarrassed, they follow Giles.

*

Faith moves down the catwalk, trying to get to the stage. She knows she needs to stop Luke from feeding, but the catwalk is almost as crowded as below, and she's dusting and fighting her way to get closer.

Just let me get close enough to jump, and boom, I got him.

She's making good progress, almost getting close enough to jump onstage when a scream lets out from below, drawing her attention.

" Let me GO! I don't want to die. Just let me go!" Cordelia, caught by two vampires, is being led towards the stage. " My daddy's rich. He can give you anything. Your own personal blood bank. Just let me go!"

" God, where did you get this one?"

" Ran into her in the dark. She seemed plump enough. God, she's a loud one."

" Well, shut her up! I'm tired of listening to her whining."

" You shut her up. She bit me!"

" Yeah, that Cor? She's a biter, " Faith calls down from above." Never could cure her of that."

" What the …" The two vamps look up.

" Faith! Oh my god, help me! They're going to kill me!"

" Really? Gee, guys, sorry to interrupt you. Go for it."

"FAITH!" Cordy screams.

Oh my god, she's going to let them kill me! Oh, god, Oh god, I’m going to die. I'm too young to die! How can she do this? I'm an innocent here. She's supposed to protect the innocent. Oh, wait, what's she doing?

Faith swings off the railing, and drops down behind the vampires. She pulls a stake and drops into a fighting stance as the two vampires turn.

Oh thank god! No, wait, She's going after the other one. I'm over HERE, moron!

" Who are you?"

" Gee, didn't you get the memo? I'm the Slayer!"

" Get out! The Slayer is big… almost 7 feet tall. And she's blonde!"

" Yeah, well she was busy, so she sent me, " Faith cracks. She throws a kick, which the vampire blocks.

" If you're the slayer, well… then I'm the Master."

" No, actually, " Faith whirls, around, and stakes him. " You're history."

" What …" The vampire crumbles to dust.

Fine. He's dead, and this one still has me. Thanks heaps, Faith! Ok, gotta do this myself!

Cordelia, realizing the vampire holding her is distracted, brings her heel up, hitting him in the groin. He groans loudly, letting her go to grab himself.

" Nice move, Cor," Faith acknowledges, " Now, move."

Huh? HEY!

She shoves Cordelia to the side, and kicks the bent over vampire in the head. She raises her stake, and plunges it through his back. She nods, congratulating herself on a good kill when something hits her in the back.

" What the …" she turns to see Cordy glaring at her. " What the hell's your problem? You wanna die, stupid? Get out!" She ducks as Cordy swings her purse again." Are you terminally brainless? What the hell are you hitting me for?"

" You told them to kill me!" Cordy yells at her, " Then you pushed me! What's your problem?"

I'm looking at it, Faith fumes, wanting to knock her into Tomorrowland. She sees something move behind Cordelia.

" Cordelia! Duck!" Faith raises her stake to throw it.

Cordelia hits the deck, thinking Faith has finally snapped.

Faith throws the stake, hitting the vampire square in the heart. It dusts.

Faith comes over to Cordelia, " you can get up now." She offers her a hand.

Cordelia bats it away, and gets up. She looks at her dress.

" Oh, man, it's ruined!" She looks up at Faith. " You did this!"

Faith does snap this time.

" HAVE YOU GONE INSANE? GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I KILL YOU MYSELF!" She raises her fist, coming at Cordy.

" Ok, ok, don't get all …" Cordy sees Faith's rage, and decides running is good, really good. She turns and does that.

I swear. Next vamp nest I find? I'm bringing Cordy as a treat for them before I burn it down.

Faith, furious, turns back towards the stage.

*

" Hurry, bring me more!" Luke shouts at the other vampires. " The Master grows impatient to be free." He glares at the others offstage. " I need more souls!"

A vampire backstage, feeling peckish, starts to put the bite on one of the humans.

" Hey, knock that off. Weren't you listening? They're for the master!" Another vampire stops him, grabbing the human.

" I'm hungry. I haven't had a thing all day."

" you should've taken care of that before we went out."

" Did you taste the leftovers? They were starting to get ripe, I wanted something fresh!" The first vampire grabs the human back.

" I know, but until the Master is free, no one eats. Now hand her over."

Luke comes over, and glares at them.

"What's going on? Where's the sacrifice?"

" Here , Luke," The second vampire grabs the girl, shoving him towards Luke. " This moron got greedy."

Luke shoves the girl back at the vampire. " Hold that." He storms over the first vampire. " I guess you feel your stomach comes before the Master?"

" Uhhh… no, Luke, it's just… there's so many, and I was just….hungry…"

" Well, I get that, " Luke says, smiling, " you won't have to worry about that anymore."

" Thanks, Luke I…"

Luke comes over, and twists off the vampires head, watching him turn to dust.

" The rest of you. No snacking. We have work to do." He goes to the second vampire, and grabs the girl. " Now, get more. "

He walks out on stage, holding the struggling girl.

" Stop struggling, cow. This won't hurt a bit." He pushes her head to the side, and begins to feed on her. He drains her, tossing her carcass aside.

" Another, bring me another."

" Now, didn't you're mommy teach you anything? Never gulp down your food. You might get a tummy ache!"

Luke whirls around, to see Faith jump up on stage.

" You!"

" No, YOU!" Faith corrects him. " You're being a real pig tonight."

" I want you!" Luke starts to come at her.

" Gee, guy, you sure know how to make a girl feel special, " Faith frowns, " but where are my flowers?"

Luke lunges at her, but she flips away from him, landing across the stage.

" Over here, guy!" Faith dances on her toes.

Luke pushes himself up, and faster than his size would suggest, runs towards her. Faith waits, and at the last second, moves aside. Luke runs into the wall.

" You really gotta get a little more graceful there, guy. You'll never catch the girl that way."

" Stand still, damn you!" Luke roars, rushing her again.

" What fun is that?" She moves, and leaps on his back, grabbing his neck. " I mean, gee… what kind of girl do you take me for?" She rears back, trying to stake him.

Luke grabs her arm, and tosses her off like an annoying fly. She crashes into the drum set sitting at the back of the stage. She lays there, stunned.

" So, slayer, where's the witty banter? Where's the snappy come backs now? What's wrong, did that hurt? " He starts towards her, " Let me…"

Something hits him across the back , hard. He roars out in anger, turning.

Angel is standing there. He's holding a large pipe, tapping it on his palm.

" That's just so like you, Luke. Always wanting to get in their pants before you even buy them dinner," He swings it again, hitting him upside the head. " Darla always complained about that."

"Angelus, " Luke says, softly. He grabs the pipe, wrenching it from Angel's grasp. He returns the favor to Angel, knocking him off his feet. Luke walks over to him.

" The Master is going to be particularly pleased. The slayer and you in one night All on the same night he's freed!"

" Hey, lunkhead?" A voice from behind him calls. " Wouldn't have the Master counting his eggs quite yet."

Luke turns, and the last thing he sees is a cymbal thrown at him, aimed at his neck. He doesn't move fast enough, and it slices through his size 21 neck. His head goes flying as his body falls and crumbles to dust.

" Ok, that really tears it, " Angel jumps to his feet. " Where the hell did he go?"

Faith points at the pile of dust onstage.

" Damn, I really wanted to stake that guy, " Angel complains.

" Don't worry, big guy, " Faith says, coming up to him. " Sure there's plenty more to dust."

" Yeah, but I had him!"

" Sure. I could see that. That was one hell of a plan, letting him beat you senseless with that pipe, just to get him where you wanted him."

" You know something?" Angel jumps off the stage, ready to start on the other vamps. " You can be a real pain in the ass sometimes."

" Really?" Faith grins, and jumps down to join him. " Sometimes?"

" Strike that. All the time."

" Aw, I bet you say that to all the slayers."

" Just you," Angel rushes towards a group of vampires. " You're special."

*

" NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

The Master throws a fit, throwing himself on the ground, and generally acting like a brat.

" It's not fair! Not FAIR!" He cries out, shaking his fists at the heavens." I planned it so well. Nothing could go wrong."

He throws himself at the mystical barrier holding him, and at that moment a huge flash of light goes off, nearly blinding him. The energy released causes the ground to shake violently . The Master finds himself not being stopped, but hurtling through the air at a particularly large rock formation. He hits it, and stunned, slides down it.

A moment later he's back on his feet, shaking it off. He looks, and sees he's no longer in his prison. He goes over, and touches the air, and feels nothing. He looks puzzled. He walks back to where he used to be trapped, then walks across the threshold again.

He smiles hugely, then begins to laugh insanely. He dances around in joy.

" Free! I'm Free!" He cackles, rubbing his hands and dancing to and fro." It worked, it WORKED!" He stops dancing, and looks over at the seal of the Hellmouth. He walks over, and touches it. It's still shut tight.

" I don't get it. It was supposed to open when I was freed. "

He stands puzzled for a moment, then shrugs.

" Oh well, no matter. I'm free, and that's what's important. I can come back another time, and open it. I have that book around here somewhere, I know it." He glances around, then shrugs again. " Never mind. I just want to get out of this place. Gad… 70 years of looking at crosses and religious statues. I'm sick to death of this place."

He pats his stomach.

" Anyway, I'm feeling a little peckish. Been a long time since I could hunt, " He grins, starting towards the tunnel that leads to the surface. " And there's a young woman that's been rather a pest to me. Time I took care of that annoyance." He rubs his hands together. "Been an awfully long time since I killed a slayer with my own hands. This should be fun."

He walks along the tunnel, humming a little tune. Feeling happier than he has in almost 70 years. Now that I think about it, I'll need to do some planning before re-opening the Hellmouth. After all, I want to be sure I've got control of this little town before I release the masters. They should have a staging area to retake the earth. Yes, this is going to be good. Kill the slayer, seize control of Sunnydale, and then let out the Old Ones.

Ah, Un-life is good!

He comes to the door, and opens it. He steps through the threshold, and looks around, puzzled.

" Well, I wonder what they built here? I mean, after the church was lost in the quake?" He stands a moment, shutting his eyes. I don't feel anything particularly… holy… here. I'm going to guess, not another church!

He opens his eyes to see himself surrounded.

" What's this?"

The leads from about 5 Taser guns hit him. The charges go off, and he's wriggling like a hooked fish on a hot August day. He falls to the ground, twitching.

One of the men comes over to him, and while he's helpless, binds him in chains.

" What is the meaning of this!" He means to roar, but it comes out a whimper.

"Mr. Chase would like to see you," the man says, " knowing your temper, he decided you should be … restrained from exhibiting your usual proclivities."

" You… insect, " The Master rages, somewhat impotently, " If I were at full strength, I'd rip your head off and drink you're hearts blood as it spouted from your neck!"

" Which is precisely why you're restrained." The man says. He signals to a couple of the men. " Pick him up, and take him to the Boss's office." He turns back to the Master, kicking him in the head. " Oh, and have a nice night."

Two of the guards pick up the Master, and carry him out.

7

Faith sits quietly on the stage, legs hanging over the edge, hands clasped in her lap. She looks out on the darkened club, and sighs.

Well, that was fun. If you define fun going through the washer three times on the mangle cycle. I'm just glad it's over. This day has been way too long, and way too weird.

Willow walks up to her, and leans against the small stage.

" So, how're you doing?"

" Well, better than the vamps. Barely." Faith says, " I see you're still here, even after I told Giles to get you and Xander away from here. I take it that was probably you being stubborn, again?"

Willow feels her hackles rise. " Are you going to start lecturing me again? Because if so, I've got to say what I said before. I live here, and …"

" Whoa, Red!" Faith reaches out, tousling her hair. " Chill, girl. I'm too damned tired to lecture. Anyway, from what Giles said, you did some good. I mean, if you wanna get killed, I really can't sit there and nursemaid you," Faith frowns. " Don't ya get it, though? I kinda like you and the big dope enough not to wanna see you get killed." She shrugs. " You got lucky, just remember that. And, no fighting nothing until you and Xan start training. I don't care, I'll kick your ass from here to Beantown. Don't think I can't." She tousles Willow's hair again. " But I guess ya did good. You and Xander. But you didn't hear that from me."

Willow doesn't say anything, just smiles broadly.

" What?" Faith gets suspicious. Her frown gets more severe. " Don't get all full of yourself now. You're not that good, you know."

" You like me, " Willow starts in her sing-song voice. " You really, really like me. You wanna be my friend, don't you?"

" Gimme a break, would ya Red?" Faith heaves herself off the stage, " It's been too long a day."

At that moment, the clubs shakes.

" What the fuck?" She looks around.

" Earthquake. Not unknown in California." Willow says, seeing Faith's concern. " Nothing serious. See? It's stopped already. Just a little one."

Faith isn't entirely mollified. Not liking this too much. Way too close to an apocalypse. Oh screw it, we got him, he's done. She looks around, worried. Isn't he?

She looks at Willow, who looks like she'll drop off to sleep at any moment. She pats her gently on the back.

" C'mon, Red. Lets motor. I think I've had enough of this joint for tonight." Maybe for a long time.

The two girls make their way to the exit.

8

The master wakes up, finding himself in an office with the lights dimmed. He tries to move, but finds himself bound to the chair he's sitting in.

" What's going on?" He growls, straining at his bonds." Where am I?"

" Oh, there you are. You're awake, " Cornelius Chase comes over and looks at him. " Hmmm… nasty head wound you got there. Frank gets carried away at times." He gives it a closer look. " You'll live."

The Master, furious, tries to break free and attack him. He growls in frustration.

" There, there now. Calm down. Quit acting like a caged animal."

" You puny human! Do you think these will hold me? Once I'm free, I'm going to tear you limb from limb. I'll rip open your chest, and eat your heart like a sweet treat. You don't have any idea who you're dealing with!"

"Actually, I do. Those bonds are made from Titanium. They're about twice as strong as steel. I know, with your limited mind, steel is still a foreign concept, but don't sweat it. Just know you're not getting out of those. Unless I let you out."

The Master growls, and struggles against the bonds, until the futility hits him. He sits glaring at Cornell.

" Fine. You've got me human. For a lowly thing like you, you're moderately clever. But remember I have an army of followers. They will come and destroy you, freeing me."

" Oh, yes, you're little army, " Cornell nods his head, chuckling softly. " Well, thing is, seems the slayer made a pretty nice little dent in that. What's left is pretty much scattered and demoralized. Imagine their surprise when they find their Master gone?" Cornell comes back to the desk, and sits behind it, leaning back in his chair. " Wonder how long they'll stick around, waiting? No, I'm afraid you're pretty much on your own, Aurelius."

" How do you know that name?"

" Oh, I know a lot about you." Cornell leans forward. "Aurelius is only the latest name you used before you dubbed yourself ' The Master'. Pretty pathetic, considering, " He gives Aurelius the once over. " Let's see, before that you were known as Oerisios, before that Menoch the Terrible, before that Carbanal, and prior to that Katatal. And a whole lot of other names that are in languages long forgotten, and rightfully so. I believe you were a Canaanite before you were turned, a worshiper of Baal. Now there's a loser. Nearly 4000 years old, Aurelius. Impressive. For a vampire, anyway."

" How do you know that?" The Master, Aurelius, hisses, " there's no record of me anywhere."

" Ah, yes. Well, we have our little ways," Cornell shoves off from behind his desk, and walks over to the window. " I know you're not one big on views, living underground and all. But you really have to see this."

He pulls the curtains away, revealing the night sky and in the distance, the lights of a small city. The sky is still black, but dawn is threatening.

" Beautiful, isn't it? I located my house so I could always look out my study window and look down on Sunnydale." He turns, and indicates the view." So, Aurelius, what do you think?"

" Close the curtains! The Sun is rising. It'll burn me!" Aurelius calls out, fear in his voice.

" Ah, yes. I forgot. That dratted weakness your kind has for sunlight. Tsk, tsk, where is my mind?" He closes the curtains.

" What do you want, Mortal?" Aurelius struggles to bring his temper into check. I can't outthink this fool if I'm raging. "Why did you bring me here?"

" What do I want?" Cornell says, standing by the question. " What do I want? A very excellent question, Aurelius." He walks over to the Master, and backhands him across the face. " I want you dead a millennium ago, like you should've been. But I guess I don't get that, do I?" His face shows his anger. " I want you back down in your hole, but you screwed that up too, didn't you?" Cornell smiles, and walks back to his desk, sitting down. " Frankly, you're a fly in the ointment, ’ Master' , and I'm tired of it."

" You insignificant collection of blood, bile and pus, what do I care about your little plans? I serve the ones that came before you. The true masters of this and many other dimensions. You're plans mean nothing to me, human."

" See, there you go again, making assumptions, " Cornell grins, and picks up a full drinking glass. " As I'm sure, you assume this is ordinary water? Right?" He throws some at the master, and it begins to burn on contact. He screams loudly, unable to do anything but burn. " Holy water. Looks like water, " Cornell raises it to his lips, and sips it. " Tastes like ordinary water, but since it's been blessed by a priest? Well, you can feel the difference, can't you?" He walks over to the master, toweling off the remaining liquid. " Looks can be deceiving, wouldn't you agree?"

The Master merely glares at him. As he stares, the shadow of Cornell on the wall behind him becomes larger and broader. The Masters eyes grow wider and wider, as the shadow behind him grows. Finally, for the first time in almost 2500 years, his jaw drops open in surprise… and fear. The shadow behind him is huge. Long protrusions, resembling tentacles, wave about.

" As I said, Aurelius, " Cornell, his voice sounding alien, gloats," Looks can be deceiving. You called me … what was it? Oh yes, an insignificant collection of blood, bile and pus. But what're you but an insignificant, pale, bloodsucking leech? You fool. You seek to release the ' Old Ones' On this dimension. Do you really think the Powers that Be got rid of us all? Well, they did, except for one. ME!" A tentacle with stingers lashes out, slashing across the Master's face. " Pay attention, worm! The others, being pretty much the mud brained fools they are, were bullied out of here. But I got smart. I knew I couldn't defeat the Powers. Not alone. But I could hide. So I did. While the others were thrown out, I went underground."

" I bided my time, feeding on vermin and other creatures I could snare, for three millennium, waiting. I finally sensed the Powers grew weary and bored with this dimension, and moved on. For the last 1000 years, I've been working, fool. Consolidating my power, shaping events to my liking. Unlike my brethren demons, who don't have the attention span of a 12 year old human child, I have patience. I don't need to destroy what these monkeys create. That's there strength. They're very creative. They've made some very interesting toys. I've merely pushed them to follow their naturally aggressive natures, and sit back to watch the results. Things are going well…"

" And then, about 70 years ago, you show up here, at the Hellmouth, bent on releasing those dolts that the powers threw out of here. To have my plans stomped on by their horned hooves and oversized feet? Well, that just really burns my … well, I don't have a butt, but you get the point. You're little plan could've really made things difficult. So I arranged for a little earthquake to hold you in your prison. I could've killed you outright, but that's not in my nature. I've learned patience in the last 10,000 years I've been here. I thought you being confined would be enough. And it was. Until now."

Another tentacle wraps itself around the Master's neck, and Cornell tugs lightly on it. " Oh, I know I can't choke you. But with a flick, I canbehead you and end your miserable little existence. I should, but I have to admire your tenacity, Aurelius. To live 4000 years as a vampire? Indeed, there must be more in that pimple you call a head than bone."

" So, I'll give you a choice, little one. This… monkey, the Slayer, annoys me. I have my own plans for dealing with her, but as you proved to me, the best of plans can be spoiled. So, if it should fail, I might have need of a clever, strong vampire to take care of this," It chuckles, a very alien, and awful sound. " The only thing it hinges on is you acknowledging who the TRUE master is . So what do you say, Aurelius? Want to live?" Cornell tugs harder on the tentacle, " Or are you tired of it all?"

Aurelius, the Master, has not known fear in two millennia. It's an alien emotion for him, but now it courses through his body like fire.

" I want to live, " He hisses, defeated.

" Ah, you're not as stupid as you look. Good."

Cornell morphs into his human form, and goes to Aurelius. He pats him on his bald pate.

" Now, Aurelius, what do you say?" Cornell smiles down on him.

Aurelius looks up at him, puzzled.

" I just spared your life, fool. What do you say?" Cornell growls.

" Thank you, " Aurelius says, begrudgingly.

" I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you properly." Cornell's hand elongates, and encircles Aurelius' head . He begins to squeeze it slowly.

Aurelius groans in pain, blood red tears streaming down his face.

" Thank you… Master"

To be continued.
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The Slayer