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Timeless Faith	By : norwalker Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Faith Views: 3106 -:- 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
- 13
- 14
- 15
Timeless Faith

By Norwalker

Part 14 of ?

Rating : R for language, sexual situations and violence.

Category: Romance/Angst/Drama

Disclaimer: Most, if not all of the characters depicted here are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Inc. and Fox. This is a work of fiction; any similarities to anyone living or dead are purely coincidental.

Summary: Third in a series of stories started with " Summer of faith" and continued in "Seasons of faith". In the last book, Buffy died fighting Glorificus, the Hell goddess. This book picks up where that book ended. How does Faith deal with the loss of Buffy? How does life change for the scoobies? Buffy will be with them always, but is there more to it than just memories? Stay tuned.

Spoilers: Possible season 6 and season 7 spoilers. Hope you've watched them by now.

Timeline: Season 6, maybe season 7 and beyond( don't know yet).

WARNING: There is always the possibility of major character death. Romance between members of the same gender(duh). Sexual situations between members of the same gender. This is an Alternate Universe (AU) story. The real(by the series 'coda' ) relationship between Buffy and Faith never happened here. So if you're looking for the dark, knife wielding, don’t give a crap about nothing but me Faith, She's not here.(ok, bit of an exaggeration, as we all know by now that Faith redeemed herself, but the "dark, evil" Faith never got a chance to live here). Violence happens. Adult themes( someday, I plan on being one, too). Sexual situations. All the usual stuff.

Dawn seems to be floating.

She can't tell where she is, everything is gray and misty. There seems to be no up or down, no direction. Everything just is. It's featureless, formless, and infinite. She can hear the sound of her heart beating loudly in her ears. Tha- thump, tha-thump, tha-thump. Her breathing is slow and steady, but she can feel the air as it races through her, energizing and renewing her.

In what seems to be the center of where she is, a light begins to emerge. It starts out weak at first but then it brightens, until it glows with a blue-white radiance. She finds herself floating towards the light, as if drawn by it's energy, it's purity. It's alien to her, and yet somehow familiar. As she draws nearer, a comfort steals over her, as if she is drawing a sense of serenity and peace from the light. She smiles, because it's beautiful. She draws closer, and the light begins to resolve itself… and she knows… knows it's Tara.

"Dawn," Tara says, reaching out to Dawn. She lays her hands on Dawn's forearms, and draws her close. Dawn feels as if Tara is hugging her and surrounding her with a pure essence all at the same time. It's like a warm, soft mist… but much more, because each little droplet seems to give Dawn joy and calmness.

"Tara?" Dawn asks." Where are we?"

" I don't know… I know I was called here… by you" Tara says, softly.

" How? I don't know how I got here, " Dawn says, " it seems so empty… so big".

" I can only sense, vaguely, it has something to do with you, " Tara says, " You… opened it… as if it's a part of you".

" I… I … don't understand any of it. I felt …something happening to you… I felt you're pain… and I … I'm here," Dawn pauses, " What's going on?"

"Dawn, something is happening to Willow, " Tara says, concerned but calm, " Something…dark has taken her essence, melded with her."

" I know… I felt it" Dawn says, also calm, " I … felt it somehow… and I felt it take you".

" Not me, not my essence. I'm trapped within… the darkness has my body, my outer thoughts… but I'm fighting it…" Tara says, " Willow was to weakened to fight it".

"What is it?" Dawn asks, her concern floating softly in her voice.

" Something old, something dark…" Tara says, " Something that seems to be a distillation of hatred, pain and vengeance… and more… so much more…I'm afraid too look to closely… it's strong, and it wants me."

" No… Tara…you … can't let it have you!" Dawn says, feeling panic for the first time, " It'll… devour you".

" I know, Dawnie, it's ok, I'm fighting against it," Tara reassures her, " but it controls my body and parts of my conscious mind. It's part of whatever has Willow," Tara says. Her expression changes… to one of anxiety, " I've gotta go, Dawnie. It… senses my absence. I've gotta get back…you've got to warn the others. It plans to do terrible things…terrible things…" The light begins to fade.

" No…Tara… don't go… I don't understand, " Dawn says, " Why me? Why come to me?"

" It's you, Dawnie… it's … you… you're the one … " Tara says… and the light fades away.

"No… NO… TARA….." Dawn cries out. " Come back….I don't understand… don't leave me…. Tara…

Dawn sits bolt upright in the bed. She's screaming out Tara's name.

"TARA… TARA … YOU COME BACK!!!!" Dawn screams. Buffy and Faith, who were half drowsing in the chairs, jump out of them and come to Dawn's bedside.

" Dawn… Dawn, it's ok, it's ok honey" Faith says, trying to soothe the upset girl.

" Dawnie, it was just a dream, baby, " Buffy says, holding her sister back from trying to climb out of the bed.

Dawn struggles a little, then lies back, looking around. This isn't her room. Where is she?

" Where, … where am I?" Dawn asks, feeling disoriented, " I was in my room…."

" You're in the hospital, Dawn, " Buffy says, " you passed out, had a high fever… we brought you here."

" You scared us shitless, P-nut, " Faith smiles, " Don't do that… ok?"

" No, I'm fine, I'm fine!" Dawn says, trying to rise. She halfway makes it, gets dizzy, and falls back. "Ok, maybe "fine" is too strong a word, " She says, a little weakly, " But … Tara… something's … happened to her … Willow's done something to her … we've gotta help her!".

The two slayers look at each other. They turn back to Dawn.

" Dawn, you've been in and out of a delirium for the last few days," Buffy says, gently," You probably were just having a dream."

" NO! It's not a dream!" Dawn insists, angrily, " Just before this… happened… I … felt something happen to Tara. I felt a huge pain… her pain… something was … taking her… and then I passed out from the pain… and then I was talking to her…." Dawn looks at the two women, who are looking worried.

"Dawn… honey, " Faith says gently, " you …. You had appendicitis. You're appendix burst… that was the pain you felt".

"No…no…Dawn says, unbelieving, " It was more than that… I felt the pain gnawing at her soul.. as if something were trying to … destroy who she is… and she warned me… something bad is coming… ".

" Dawn… it was just the fever playing tricks on you…" Buffy says, gently, " you've been really sick for 3 days."

" No… you've got to listen to me!" Dawn says, feverishly. " It's important!".

" Dawn, get some rest, " Buffy says, quietly, trying to ease Dawn back into the bed, "It'll be better in the morning…"

Without warning the two slayers are shoved violently from the bed, then slowly float up…as if lifted by two giant hands.

Dawn, sitting on the bed… seems less.. substantial, somehow. Her basic form is there, but it's surrounded by a green energy, and it seems to waver in and out, as if not quite in phase with the rest of reality. Dawn's eyes glow green.

" I said, you must listen!" Dawn says, but it's not her voice. The voice is almost baritone, and an an unearthly quality to it.

" Holy crap, what's going on?" Faith says, floating in the air, looking a bit queasy.

" How in hell should I know?" Buffy answers, irritably. She addresses Dawn, "Who ARE you?"

" I am… as I was made, " comes the answer, " It would take too long to explain. It's imperative that you take heed of the warning!"

" Where's Dawn?" Faith asks, " If you've hurt her…."

" What? What're you going to do, mortal one?" It asks. " Dawn is here, with me, safe. I'm what was before the monks made me into Dawn. We are one."

The slayers look open-mouthed at Dawn…or whatever she is." The Key." They say as one.

Dawn, or what is with her, looks at the slayers, her eyes burning bright. " That is what Glorificus called me. But I'm more than a "Key". I am the one that rises and falls… the balance".

The slayers look confused.

" I was created by the forces of light and darkness. I'm neutral, I'm neither of one side, or the other. I exist" The figure says, "to keep the energies balanced… between light and darkness, order and chaos. What you call ' Good ' and ' Evil".

"Wait a minute!" Faith speaks up. All this is way too esoteric for her liking, " You're Dawn… P-nut… you're Buffy's little sister… what the hell is this all about?".

" The aspect of me, that you call Dawn… that was created by the monks that guarded me… is mortal. She will live and grow and die, like any human, but I will continue … go on, past her death" the glow says. " That who you call Dawn is barely aware of me".

" But Glory said…" Buffy starts, but is interrupted.'

" Glorificus is… was… a minor deity… barely more than what you are… she could only see a tiny aspect of me… she had no awareness of what I truly am."

" Ok, glow worm, still not getting it here, " Faith pipes up, "What exactly ARE you?"

" I do believe humans are probably the densest of species, but I'll try to draw you a picture, " The glow says, sounding amazingly like Dawn, " The universe is created of dark and light energies. To retain the balance, to it it from destroying itself, the balance between these energies must be maintained. I and the others like me… yes, there are others like me… we do that. We control the flow of those energies, and … how to put this? Absorb the overbalance. We tap into all dimensions to keep it flowing properly. That is how we have ability to open portals… but usually on a plane that won't be affected by the disruption."

" You coming back from the dead, " It pointed at Buffy, " caused a disturbance…an overbalance on the light side. This has to be corrected. However, the mortal one… the witch? … has again thrown off the balance, this time other way. You mortals seem to have a real talent for shaking things up, I have to admit. So, I've been called upon to restore the balance."

" How?" Both the slayers ask , together.

" Unfortunately, this mortal form has limited my abilities, " It says, " I have power, but not what I would have in my real form".

" Hold on, " Faith says, suspiciously, " what exactly are you thinking?" She eyes the … glow …. suspiciously.

" No, I'm not going to do that, " The glow says, " the monks created the … form… out of me. If I tried to destroy it, I would destroy myself. I just… will need help, is all".

Buffy looks at Faith, then herself, and then back at the … light. " Ummm… doesn't seem you need much help".

"This… darkness is old… it's powerful. It's bound with the witch, so it, like myself, is weaker. But I still need to have it …distracted… if I'm going to … rebalance it in the flow of things, " the glow says.

"I'm guessing here… that would be us?" Faith interjects.

" That would be you, " The glow agrees, " So, are we agreed then?"

"We have a choice?" Buffy queries. She finds herself lifted higher, and a not unpleasant, but not pleasant tingle goes through her, " Didn't think so."

" I can't force you to … cooperate, " The glow says, " But if you don't… I can't help you, either".

" Just a tiny bit of extortion there, glow worm??" Faith says, cynically. Suddenly both slayers are dropped unceremoniously to the floor. After they shake off the surprise they look at each other… a bit bemusedly.

" Ok, ok… we get it. We agree," Buffy says. " Why do I think we're gonna regret this?" She says, addressing Faith.

" Ummm… past experience?" Faith cracks.

" Good then. It's not time yet, but soon, very soon, " The glow warns, " get prepared."

When the slayers lift themselves up off the floor, things are back to normal. The glow surrounding Dawn is gone, and she's lying back on the bed, passed out. Her face is flushed, and her hair is matted by sweat. Buffy and Faith, still feeling the effects of the ' drop', walk over and get her situated back in the bed. They look down at her, and all that is left is a very ill young woman. They look at each other, wondering if they imagined it. bloody fool? Well, well.. look who's looking like a fool now, Rupert," She says, touching the barrier again…and again sending shock waves through Giles. " Just think, I once actually admired you. I thought you knew so much, had so much to teach me, " Willow gives him a scornful and pitying look, " What I didn't realize is that you were jealous of me. Jealous cuz I had the real power. But then I guess it always kind of bothered you, didn't it Rt? Ht? Having to stand back and let the people with any real ability get the credit. Must have irked the hell out of you. Putting in all that time, learning all that… and watching some teenager take all the credit. Tsk , tsk , tsk. Must really get your goat, eh Giles?

Fired from your cushy Watcher's job, lost your job as librarian… now in retail… sorta… anyone else would see it as going backwards… the the capper, Rupert? Two, not one, but two, who at best only half listen to you. Life sucks, eh Rupert?"

Rupert replies, through supreme effort, " Better, I guess, than being a jealous little twit who's been the sideman all her life".

The comment takes her by surprise, and for a moment Willow's eyes flare, but then she just smiles.

" Well… not the sideman anymore, Rupert" She says. She hits him with a sustained bolt of energy, and he falls to the ground, " Nope… not the sideman anymore." She turns her attention to the 'forbidden' books kept high on the upper level. Waving her arms, she directs the books to the table in the back area. She walks over to the table, and the books fly open. She places her hands on the books, and the arcane and forbidden magicks held within start to be absorbed by the demon within.

Tara, from the front of the shop, watches the action impassively at least, on the surface she appears calm. But inside there is a fight for her life…and her soul. Despite the Willow-thing's machinations, and the demon that she infested her with, she slowly, slowly is beginning to beat it back. It still controls her functions, her reactions, but she's gaining ground on it, driving it back… but it's hard, hard work, and painfully exhaustive. It's a struggle, yet she must retain an outer calm, and shield her thoughts, so 'Willow' won't sense what she's doing. It becomes particularly difficult when she has to watch 'Willow' attack friends … like Anya and Giles … and feel helpless to stop her. But until she can control the thing that has her body, she has to bide her time… fight … hope she'll have time to do something.

She's seeing things about Willow… the real Willow underneath that thing that has her… that're scaring her. She can feel her anger, frustration and resentment. She'd never seen these things in Willow… not to this degree. Or, maybe she hadn't wanted to see them. Hadn't looked for them, because she only wanted to see the brighter side. It makes her question if she really ever knew Willow … or just saw what she wanted to see. She knows the darkness within her, the evil she released by burning that book, is in control of her. But she also wonders how much of that darkness was already there?

Tara feels a break within her… a sudden dizziness. She almost collapses… and catches herself on the counter. As she leans, she realizes…she's back in control… whatever was in her has been shoved down. Quietly, but quickly she casts a potent binding spell on it. She doesn't want it reasserting itself. She then casts a small glamour spell on herself, so she'll look and sound like the demon that possessed her. Now she just has to shield her thoughts…

" I think we're done here" Willow says, coming over to Tara." I'm in the mood for a nice, roaring fire". Willow conjures a fireball, bouncing it playfully in her hand. "What do you think? A little barbeque? You know, toast some of the weenies that're bothering me". She looks pointedly at Giles.

"Wait!" Tara says, staying her hand. Willow looks at her, an odd expression on her face, " I mean, maybe best to not burn them right now. Tip off the Slayers a bit early."

"…and I should care because…?" Willow asks, unconcerned, " not as if they can stop me!".

" You know how they are about Dawn, though," Tara says, " They might decide now would be a good time for the three of them to disappear. Besides, we might still need Giles for help with some of the more obscure magicks you'll need to cast for …" Willow interrupts her.

" Naw, I don't think so, " Willow allows her glamour drop again, and Tara nearly gasps. Where before her aspect was dark, she's now nearly absorbing light… and her face is covered in angry looking dark veins. Her eyes have a reddish cast… almost like blood. Her voice has changed again, it's deeper, more alien still." I think I've got all I need", Willow chuckles, and the fireball she's been bouncing expands… she tosses it, setting the building on fire. Tara, as Willow watches the flames, carefully casts a protection spell on Anya and Giles, hoping her power is enough to shield them from the flames.

" Bored now" Willow says, her tone flat. She looks at Tara, and smiles … which gives Tara a bad case of the wiggins, " let's go have some real fun". She takes Willow's hand, and the air about her seems to shimmer, and clouds and lightning seem to revolve around them. In a blink, they're gone.

Giles wakes first, and is shocked out of his stupor. The shop's on fire… Willow. His countenance sets, he starts for the door. The protection spell around him drops, and he's overcome with the heat and smoke. Choking, taking out his handkerchief, he covers his mouth and makes his way through the burning building, trying to avoid the hot spots. As he passes the counter, he sees a pair of feet sticking out, and goes over, seeing Anya lying behind it. Already weakened from Willow's little game, and the smoke, he nevertheless stoops and picks up the unconscious girl, and struggling a bit, manages to maneuver her over his shoulder. At that moment, a beam falls at the front of the store, blocking that exit. He looks around, and notices the rear exit still seems unblocked, so he makes his way in that direction. Just as he makes it through the backroom door, another burning beam falls, blocking access to the store. " Bloody hell, " he swears to himself. If I'd been out another minute or two longer, we'd be… He doesn't finish that thought, just moving quickly to exit. He manages to get out into the alley, and pauses to take in clean air. He leans briefly against the building, but a loud crash startles him, and , re-shouldering Anya, negotiates his way out of the alley. Coming around to the front, he carefully sets her down, and checks her pulse. She seems ok, just unconscious still. Her eyes begin to flutter, and she opens them, groaning.

" What happened?" She asks, sitting up. Then she smells the smoke, and looks over to see the Magic Box burning. Her eyes go wide, " What… who did that?" She asks, looking at Giles.

"Willow, I fear" Giles says, his voice grim.

" Willow?, " Anya looks puzzled, " I remember I was thinking about her… and then she was there, grinning at me… and then I don't remember anything!".

" That's probably because you were insensible" Giles says, quietly. " She put a binding spell on me, then absorbed all the dark magicks from the restricted volumes on the upper shelves. Then this." He watches as the flames consume the building. In the background the emergency vehicles' sirens can be heard wailing. Anya, still a little unsteady, stands up and leans on Giles, watching her dreams burn.

What did you do?" Anya says, matter- of -factly.

"What?" Giles says, turning to her, "What did I do?"

"Well, you must've angered her in some way", Anya says, pulling no punches, as if what she's saying is indisputable, " How did you do that? I mean, why would she burn the Magic Box otherwise?" Anya sighs, as if it's all such a burden explaining it to Giles, " Don't you know it's never a good idea to piss off a witch?"

Giles looks at her sternly, " I'll have you know this is because of her fooling with things she doesn't understand, " Giles says, irritably and possibly a little defensively, " She's been possessed by some dark demon … perhaps someone of your former acquaintance? She's on a rampage… there's no telling what she'll do."

"Well, if it were me, and I just got hopped up on dark magic, " Anya says, "I'd probably go looking for someone who really…."

"… angered me. Faith." Giles finishes. He reaches for his cell phone, then realizes it must have dropped out of his pocket in the confusion. He looks around for a public phone, but doesn't see one. " Bloody hell… where's a call box when you need one?" He reaches into his et, et, extracts his car keys, " No time to look. We'll have to head over there, give them a warning."

The two of them take off as the fire engines pull up in front of the Magic Box.

"I'm FINE!" Dawn protests, as Buffy tries to get ho tao take her pills. She is more than a little cranky after being cooped up for the last few days, " I don't need anymore of that!"

" P-nut, you were pretty damned sick" Faith says, leaning on the door jamb, watching Buffy TRY to get Dawn to cooperate with some amusement. Buffy gives Faith a look as if to say " Help me here!". Faith is enjoying it too much to interfere.

" Dawn, if you don't take the pills, I'm going to take you back to the hospital. Is that what you want?" Buffy says, getting irked. " I'm not about to have you relapse and scare me half to death again!"

" Fine, fine, fine, "Dawn says, accepting the pills and water, " They taste ucky." She swallows the pills, making a face.
"Good, now get some rest, you're still not 100% yet" Buffy fusses, patting the bed, " You need to get well."

"God, Buffy, I've been doing nothing but lying down for the last few days," Dawn says, complaining, " I'm not even sure if I can remember how to walk! This is totally bogus".

" No, it's bogus you being so sick, " Buffy says, " this is what you gotta do to be … ummm… un-sick".

Dawn makes an impatient noise, and mutters something under her breath. She lies down, turning away from the slayers.

" I'm sorry, " Buffy says, her patience wearing razor thin, " I didn't hear that!"

" I said, " Dawn, louder this time, " I liked you a whole lot better when you couldn't remember anything". She turns her back on Buffy, who glares at her.

I wonder if Braticide is a crime in this state? Buffy thinks, seriously pissed at her sister. She sighs, picks up the glass and heads for the door, giving Faith a killing look as she leaves.

Faith, totally amused to this point, follows Buffy out.

"What?" Faith asks, really knowing what.

" You could've helped, you know, " Buffy says, a little exasperated, " She listens to you, God knows why. "

"Maybe cuz I'm not her older, annoying sister?" Faith says, grinning at Buffy's back.

Buffy whirls on her, her face flushed red. Faith, surprised, steps back a pace. " Whoa, B, calm down!".

" Calm down my ass, Faith!" Buffy says, clearly angry, " she nearly died. What's your deal, anyway? Don't you give a damn?"

" Hey!" Faith says, her expression instantly turning serious, " that's totally unfair. Yeah, I was scared, but it doesn't help getting all angry and everything. Try to take the stick out of your butt, ok?".

" Stick in my butt, huh?" Buffy retorts, "Well, that'd be an improvement over the two pains in my butt I got now!"

Faith looks at her. She's been trying to keep cool, keep things light because she knows Buffy's been worried sick over Dawn, and what's happened to Willow and Tara. But it's been tense for her too, and she's been worried over Dawn. She throws up her hand and makes an impatient noise.

" God, P-nut's right, " Faith says, angrily, " You were a whole lot easier to get along with when you didn't remember squat!". Not waiting for an answer, she storms downstairs.

" Faith!" Buffy calls out, " C'mon, I'm sorry… Faith!" But Faith's gone. I don't even know why I got so angry with her. Damn. Buffy runs downstairs after Faith, trying to catch up with her. She hears the front door slam, then a few seconds later, she hears Faith's bike roar to life. Aw, shit! Buffy runs out the front door, and manages to catch Faith before she takes off.

" C'mon, Faith, I'm sorry," Buffy says, her tone conciliatory, " I've just been worried and upset with everything that's going on". She leans in on Faith, and strokes her finger on Faith's sleeve, " Don't be all upset and grouchy, " Buffy says, her tone girlish and flirty, " though, you're kinda cute when you're all hot and bothered, " She breathes into Faith's ear.

Faith is all too aware what Buffy's doing, and is a hair thin line from giving in, " Stop it, B. This isn't helping, " She says, her voice a little harsh on the edges, " I'm damned worried, too. I've been tryin' to keep cool, but it aint easy, ya know?" She turns of the bike's engine, and turns to Buffy… who's incredibly close…God, not fair making it this hard! " B, I've been scared sick about P-nut, whether you realize it or not… and whatever the hell that was at the hospital? Totally freaked me out!".

" Isn't that just so like her?" Willow asks, falsely sympathetic, "She gets all righteous and pissy, then takes off. So typical, "

"W-W-Will?" Buffy says, her stomach turning to ice, " We can help…"

" No, thanks, Buffy, " Willow says, shrugging nonchalantly, " I feel… great" She smiles, but it's not a comforting smile," heard about poor Dawnie, though. Is she feeling better?" Willow's voice is full of false sympathy.

" L-Leave Dawn alone!" Buffy says, going into a stance, " You can't have her!"

"Now, Buffy, is that any way to talk?" Willow says, " We … me and Tara… thought we'd take her for an ice cream. She must be bored to tears, being cooped up and all".

" You leave my sister alone, " Buffy says, her voice growing low and angry. She advances on Willow.

" Buffy, Buffy, Buffy, " Willow says, " Always with the pesky hero thing." She waves her hand, and Buffy goes flying into a bush. " Tara, honey, why don't you go get Dawn while Buffy and I chat?". Tara nods, and heads for the door. Buffy gets up as if to block her, but Willow puts out her hand, says " Stay down" and Buffy falls back.

" Buffy, you still don't get it, do you?" Willow says, shrugging, " I'm not you're sidekick anymore. I'm way past you, I certainly don't need your 'permission' to do anything." Buffy starts to get up again, but Willow waves her hand, and Buffy's back down. " See? Now, why don't you be nice, and …."

Just then, the roar of a motorcycle drowns her out as Faith rams directly into her with her bike, knocking Willow off her feet. She goes flying for a few yards, and lands hard on the ground, stunned. Buffy, Willow's spell broken, runs over to where Faith is sitting on her bike.

" They're trying to take Dawn!" Buffy says.

" Don't think so!" Faith replies. Willow is getting up, but Faith puts on the accelerator. She almost makes it, but Willow says " Thicken" and suddenly it's as if Faith hits a wall… she goes flying one way, the bike another. The bike crashes into the house next door. Faith is lying on the ground, stunned.

" Now, that was just RUDE!" Willow says, scolding the stunned Faith. " Of course, what could I expect from you, huh, Faith?".

At that moment, Tara comes out of the house, carrying an unconscious Dawn. Buffy runs towards her, intending to get Dawn away. But Tara holds up her hand and says " Stop". Buffy freezes, unable to move.

"Well, well, " Willow says, brightly, " here's the guest of honor now. Looks a bit … tired. Guess we'll have to go for ice cream later".

Faith, having recovered, charges Willow, and manages to knock her down. She starts hitting on her, but then goes flying again as Willow casts a spell.

" Damn, Faith, you just have no manners at all, " Willow says, clearly angry now. " I was just going to retrieve Dawn, and leave, but I guess a little lesson is in order. Maybe next time you'll have respect for your betters!"

" Betters?" Faith says, standing, " You pathetic piece of crap. You hide behind magic. You couldn't even take me in a fair fight!"

" Willow!" Tara calls out, not liking any of this. But she can't challenge Willow yet. " I've got Dawn. Let's just go!"

" No, Tara!" Willow barks. She calms her voice, " Faith needs to be taught a lesson. This black haired slut comes her, takes over, thinking she's better than everybody. Time you learned your place, Faith".

"I suppose you're gonna teach me, huh?" Faith mocks, " I'll say it again. Without your powers, you're nothin' ".

" Tell you what, Faith, " Willow says, " I won't use magic, except to increase my strength to your level. After all, wouldn't be much of a fight otherwise you think?". Willow mutters something, and lights swirl around her. " There, that should do it".

" Fine by me, " Faith says, starting to circle Willow, " Now I don't gotta hold back."

" You know something, Faith?" Willow sneers, " You need every square inch of your ass kicked." Willow starts to follow suit, circling around Faith.

Faith sees an opening, and goes for it, landing a kick on Willow…who is pushed back. Willow counters, however, flipping Faith's leg up causing her to lose balance. Faith quickly recovers, and the fight is on for real.

For a while, it's a pretty even match. Each woman throws and blocks punches, throws and blocks kicks. They also get some licks in on each side, but it's pretty evenly matched. But after awhile, experience starts to show. Though her speed and strength are enhanced, and her ability to take blows increased, Willow is beginning to tire. Faith is starting to push it over the line, pushing her back. Faith comes at her with a flying kick, and at the last second does a scissor kick, knocking Willow over. Faith, on top, starts to rain blows on her.

" Get OFF me , super Bitch" Willow cries out, managing to grab Faith and toss her over her shoulder. Faith does a roll, coming back on her feet. Willow stands up, back to her, not realizing that Faith is already up. Faith does a forward Pinwheel kick, knocking Willow back down. She's about to jump on her when instead, she goes flying in the opposite direction, as if hit by an invisible truck. She lands heavily against Buffy's porch.

" Oh well, guess I lied, huh?" Willow grins. " But I have to thank you, Faith. You taught me a lesson. It's not about the violence, is it? It's about the power!". Willow turns to Buffy, who's still frozen from Tara's spell. She levitates her, and throws her next to Faith. She conjures up a fireball, and is ready to toss it at the porch when a crossbow arrow hits her in the shoulder. She screams in pain.

"What the FUCK?" She says, turning . There is Giles, holding a crossbow, aimed at her. Next to him is Anya, also holding a crossbow. " How the hell are you two here? You should be crispy critters by now!". She turns, and sees Tara seeming to be muttering a spell. "OH, I get it now. That's what you were doing back at the Magic Box, No wonder they're not dead!" Tara, startled, looks up and hesitates. That's all Willow needs, for she throws a black energy bolt at her, knocking her off her feet, unconscious. Dawn, still groggy, lands on Tara, hard.

" You know? You just can't get good help these days!" Willow complains. She pulls the crossbow bolt from her shoulder, wincing in pain. She passes her hand over her shoulder, and her wound is healed. Anya lifts her crossbow to fire, but it suddenly catches fire, and she drops it. Ditto with Giles' crossbow. Willow tosses a fireball at Giles' car, and it explodes, the force of the explosion knocking Giles and Anya both off their feet. " Think you're gonna need a new car, Giles, " Willow says, laughing. She walks over to where the unconscious Willow and the groggy Dawn are, and conjures a fireball.

"Gotta go, Kids, " She grins, tossing the fireball at Buffy's house, " Ooops. Guess that'll teach me to play with matches, huh? Shame on me. Oh well." She shrugs.

A whirlwind of energy and mist and lighting surround her, and she, Dawn and Tara disappear.

To be continued.
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Timeless Faith

Timeless Faith