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Seasons of Faith	By : norwalker Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Faith Views: 4355 -:- 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
Seasons of faith
Chapter 14
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
Giles looked at the sphere the slayers gave him.
He holds it up to the light, he feels it’s heft in his hand. He measures it, and studies it’s exterior. Frankly, he is puzzled.
“It’s clearly mystical in origin, but as to what it does…well, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Who did you say gave it to you again?” Giles asks, holding it to his ear.
“ Actually, it was Spike” Buffy replied, wondering what the hell Giles was doing.
Giles nearly drops it.
“Spike! There is no telling what mischief he’s up to. After all, just because he has that chip and can’t kill, doesn’t mean he’s reformed” Giles says, a bit nervous. He looks around, and finds a nice, heavy box. He deposits the sphere into it, and locks it tight.” Best be safe, rather than sorry”
“We think it might be a clue to why everyone’s going nuts” Faith says, looking at Giles. Getting a kick out of seeing him sweat.
Giles looks at the box nervously.
“Don’t worry, Giles. We had it all night, and we’re not crazy.(weird voice) are we, Faith?” Buffy puts on a goofy grin.
“Nooo…we’re not crazy(weird voice) Must kill. Must kill NOW…” Faith is near laughing.
“Ha, ha, very amusing. But there is no telling what it does. Until we can figure out what it's, and what it’s purpose is, I think it’s safer in there” Giles says, taking another glance at the box.
“Whatta ya think, B? Maybe we should check out that place where Spike said he found it? You know, that old abandoned warehouse where they have the Raves?” Faith says. She’s had enough talk, time to do something.
“Just wish we knew more about it.” Buffy said, “ It might give us a clue as to what we’re up against.” Buffy says.
“Well, I’ll check my books, see if there’s any mention of the sphere in them. Maybe get Willow to help by checking the ‘Net. But Faith has a point. Might be a good idea to…” Giles is interrupted by the phone.” I better get that.”
“Yeah, Giles. We wouldn’t want to interrupt your march to rampant Capitalism” Buffy mocks.
“See, B? I was right. As usual” Faith says, smirking
“Grrrrrr. Smartass. If it wasn’t so full of adorableness kissage, I’d smack that smart mouth of yours” Buffy growls, but flirting.
“Hmmm…kissage sounds nice” Faith smiles.
In the background, we can hear Giles on the phone. His face looks concerned.
“Yes, she’s here. Yes, I’ll tell her” Giles hangs up the phone. He walks back to the counter.
“So, what are you waiting for then?” Buffy says, flirting a little more.
“Buffy” Giles says, his tone serious.
Buffy, smiling, turns to Giles. She sees his face, and her smile fades. Faith, looking on, grows concerned.
“Giles, what? What is it?” Buffy asks.
“ It’s your Mother, Buffy. She’s had a small accident” Giles says, clearly concerned. Seeing her expression, he continues. “She’s alright, Buffy. But they’ve taken her to Sunnydale General”.
“What happened Giles?” Faith asks, as they head towards the door.
“ She evidently passed out in the kitchen. That’s all Willow told me on the phone.” Giles says.
“Will? Will was with her?” Buffy asks. “ Oh, Dawn! How’s Dawn? Is she ok?”
“ She’s fine, Buffy. Willow is with her at the hospital.”
“ God, I knew something’s been wrong with her” Buffy says. She’s blaming herself. “ Damn, this is all my fault. I should have been more at her to get those headaches checked. Oh, god, poor Dawnie. She must be freaking!”
“ B, it’s not your fault! You tried your best to get Joyce to go to the doctor. You couldn’t have done more without using a gun on her” Faith says, trying to reassure Buffy. “ She’s gonna be ok, B.”
“ Let’s just go. We can …we can find out how she is there. Here we’re just guessing” Buffy says. She wants to be gone now!
The three of them leave the shop. From the box on the counter, where Giles stored the sphere, a bright glow can be seen briefly from under the lid. Then it’s gone.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
Dawn and Willow are sitting in the waiting room, waiting for news about Joyce.
Willow is doing her best to reassure the younger Summer’s sister, but it’s an uphill battle. Dawn is really freaked. She’s scared, and Buffy isn’t here. Any of her practiced poise and ‘cool’ is gone, because her mommy is in there, and they WON’T TELL HER ANYTHING!!!
“ It’s ok, Dawnie, honest.” Willow says, holding Dawn’s hand and rubbing her back.” You’re mom’s gonna be fine.”
“What—what if she isn’t Willow?” Dawn says, her voice anxious.” She…oh, god Willow, What if she isn’t? What am I gonna do? Where do they have her? Why won’t they tell me ANYTHING? Where is Buffy???” Dawn is close to panic.
At that moment, Buffy, followed closely by Faith and Giles, comes into the waiting room. Dawn sees her sister, and yells at her.
“Where have you been? Mom is sick!!! Why weren’t you here? “ Dawn says, clearly upset and hurting.
Buffy, seeing her sister, doesn’t say anything. She just goes over and takes her in her arms, trying to comfort her. Dawn at first is resistant. She’s pissed at Buffy. But she settles down, and accepts Buffy’s embrace.
“ I’m sorry, Dawnie. I was with Giles and Faith at the Magic Box. I got here as soon as I could. As soon as I heard” Buffy says, holding her sister.
“Oh, god, Buffy. It was awful. We were having breakfast. Mom was making us omelets, and was bring them to the table…she just kinda got a weird look on her face…and said “ Who are YOU?” and then fainted.” Dawn sobs, her tears flowing. “ God, Buffy, she didn’t even know me!!!”
“ Shhh, shhh, shhh” Buffy holds Dawn, trying to calm her.” It’s ok. Sometimes things get a little weird when you faint. That’s all that happened. Mom’s gonna be ok, I promise Dawn” Buffy tries to soothe her sister.
“ How can you say that, Buffy? How do you know that? You weren’t there!!!!” Dawn says, but clings tighter to Buffy. She needs her sister to reassure her right now.
“ I know, honey. I know. I’m sorry” Buffy quietly holds her sister.
A man in a lab coat and surgical garb approaches the group. He is in his mid forties, and looks like he’s done this a lot of times.
“ Ms. Summers?” He addresses Faith. She points at Buffy, who’s holding her sister.” Ms. Summers? Can I speak with you a moment, please?” The doctor addresses Buffy.
Buffy looks around, and spots Willow.
“ Will? Could you stay with Dawn, please?” Buffy asks.
“ Of course, Buffy” Willow says, and moves towards Dawn, leading her back to the chairs.
The doctor, followed by Buffy, Faith, and Giles, moves a little off. Out of earshot of Dawn and Willow.
How is she, doctor?” Buffy asks, very concerned.
“ Ms. Summers, your mother is fine. She had a brief episode, but she’s awake and alert. We’re discharging her, and you’ll be able to take her home in a little while.” The doctor says, reassuring her.
“ Do you know what caused her to pass out?” Buffy asks.
“ We’re not sure, Ms. Summers. That is why we want her to come in, so we can do some tests. From our exam of her when she came in, everything seems to be alright, but we want to err on the side of caution” The doctor says.” It could have been caused by something as simple as excessive stress. Has she been having a lot of extra stress, lately?”
“ She did mention that there was extra pressure and work at the Gallery” Buffy says. She is still doubtful.
“There you go, then. It might simply be that. But, we do need to do those tests. So we’ll schedule her to come back in the next few days”
“She’s been having a lot of headaches lately” Buffy says, trying to be helpful.
“ Really? Well, again, that might be due to stress. But we’ll know more when we run those tests”.
“ Can we see her now?” Buffy asks.
“Yes, that should be ok. Just don’t tire her out too much, alright?”
“ Promise” Buffy says.” Ummm…where is she?”
“I’ll have one of the staff show you to her room” the doctor says, and departs.
Buffy, Faith and Giles make their way back to where Willow and Dawn are seated. Dawn looks up anxiously.
“It’s ok, Dawn. The doctor says it’s probably just stress. They have to run some tests, but their pretty sure she’s going to be ok” Buffy said. The look of relief on Dawns face was all that Buffy needed.
“ We’re going to be able to take her home soon.” Buffy continued. “ And we’ll be able to see her as soon as…”
A young woman approaches the group.
“Ms. Summers? I’m Cindy. I’m here to show you to your Mother’s room”
“Now” Buffy finishes.” Thanks “ She says to the aide.
They follow the aide down the hallway. As they approach Joyce’s room, they hear laughter coming from it. It’s their mom. Faith looks at Buffy, Buffy back at Faith. A virtual shrug passes between them.
They enter the room, and there is Joyce sitting up in the bed. A young man, in his mid-twenties is standing by her side. He is wearing the ubiquitous white lab coat and surgical scrubs. A stethoscope is draped around his neck. Dawn rushes to her mom and gives her a hug, causing her to lose a little bit of her breath.
“Mom! Are you ok?” Dawn asks, hugging her.
“Hi, Mom” Buffy says.” How’re you feeling?”
“ A little foolish, actually. Don’t know what caused me to faint. But I’m ok, Buffy, Dawn.” Joyce smiles, trying to reassure her daughters.
“Well, Mrs. Summers, you’re not looking too bad. Seems you haven’t lost your touch” Faith says, taking in the young man. She grins.
Joyce blushes a little, and replies “ Dr. ….?” Joyce starts. She can’t seem to remember his name right off
“Ben” The young man replies
“Ben, then, is an intern here at the hospital. He was just checking up on me, and was nice enough to stay and chat for a minute” Joyce says, smiling.
“ Actually, I’m here on Dr. Bowen’s instructions.” Ben says. He sees the puzzlement. “ That’s the doctor that was supposed to talk to …Buffy, is it?” He looks at Buffy. She nods.” He wants me to schedule some tests for you in two days, Mrs. Summers”
“Oh, that’s silly. I’m feeling fine” Joyce Summers says.” I just fainted. Not a big catastrophe”.
“Mom!” Buffy says, a little miffed at her mother.” You scared poor Dawn, and me, and everyone, half to death. No more putting it off. You’re going to take those tests.”
Joyce gets a rueful grin.” Ok…. Mom”. Buffy blushes a little as everyone chuckles.
“ Ah, c’mon Mrs. S, if your gonna get personal attention by cutie hotties like Dr. Ben, here, what’s the bad? Heck, I might faint myself” Faith says, giving Joyce a wink. Joyce turns pink. Buffy gives Faith a look. “ Aw, now Buffy, honey, don’t get jealous. I was only kidding” Faith grins at the blonde slayer. Buffy just rolls her eyes.
“Anyway” Ben says, trying to divert the attention away from himself.” Once we get these tests scheduled, we should be able to release you”
Joyce sighs. “ Very well. Two days you said? Ok, when I go into work today I can make some….” Buffy interrupts her mother right there.
“Uh-uh. No way you’re going to work today. You’re staying home and rest” Buffy says. She isn’t brooking any arguments.
“But, Buffy, I have a ton of work to do” Joyce complains.
Buffy, Faith, Dawn and Willow all give her the look. The “ You're so not pulling that on US “ look. She looks to Giles for support, but he shakes his head. She shrugs.
“Ok, ok…I’ll call into work” She looks at the four. They half relent.” And I will make arrangements to take some time off”.
“Good” Ben smiles.” Now, why don’t you wait for Mrs. Summers down by the main desk? I’ll finish up here with her, and then arrange to have her released. Once the wheelchair arrives, we’ll zip you right down.” Ben adds.
“Wheelchair?” Joyce says.” What? I have to be wheeled out of here?” She doesn’t sound happy about that.
“Sorry. Hospital policy. No exceptions” Ben smiles.” Don’t worry, it’s not all that bad”
Joyce looks resigned. The stuff I gotta do, her look says.
“We’ll see you down front, Mom” Buffy says. After the stress of the last few hours, she’s beginning to breathe again.
“ IF we can tear her away from Dr. Hottie here” Faith grins. Joyce throws Faith a look, but Faith just winks and leaves.
The group leaves Joyce to the tender mercies of Ben.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
“Now, this is just getting silly” Joyce says.
They are back at the Revello Drive house. Joyce is seated on the couch. Well, entombed might be more appropriate here. She has lots of fluffy pillows behind her, she is wrapped in blankets, and is surrounded by the Chosen two, Dawn, and Willow.
“I’m fine, for the 40^th time, I’m fine” Joyce says, getting a little exasperated. She loves the attention, but this is overdoing it.” I still have a lot of stuff I have to do.”
“What you have to do” Buffy says, not listening to her complaints” is rest. You’re staying right here, and relaxing.”
“Buffy” Joyce says, her irritation growing.
“Mom!” Buffy says, her resolve growing.
“Enough. I’m still in charge here. I’m fine. I don’t need 4 guardian angels watching over me. Don’t you and Faith have to patrol?” Joyce says. Or something…anything to get you to let me breath a little?
“Buffy, we probably should check out that warehouse.” Faith says. She caught Joyce’s silent plea. Please, get her out of here before I have to kill her.
Buffy can tell she’s outnumbered.” Alright” She says.” But no marathons, young lady” She smiles.
“Promise. Willow, Dawn and I will find some way to entertain ourselves” Joyce says. She throws a silent “thanks” to Faith. She loves her eldest daughter, but sometimes…
Buffy and Faith head for the front door.
“So, what do you want for dinner Mrs. Summers?” Willow asks
“ I like chicken fingers when I’m sick” Dawn volunteers
“I know honey. I’ll make some in a little while….” Joyce says
“No, you won’t! You’re to sit right there and REST” A familiar voice drifts back.
Joyce sighs. This is so going to be hard.
Buffy and Faith leave by the front door.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
Buffy and Faith are headed towards the warehouse.
Buffy is really quiet. It’s obvious she very worried about her mom. Faith walks beside her, also quiet. Worried about Buffy.
“Look, B, are you ok?” Faith finally breaks the silence. “ I know you’re worried about Joyce. We can check this out another night”
“No. Probably best. Keep my mind off things.” Buffy says.” Anyway, even * I * know I was driving mom nuts” She grins ruefully.
“ I know you’re worried, B. But you’re going to have to lighten up a little. Joyce is made of tough stuff. I’m sure she’ll be ok” Faith says.
“It’s hard, Faith. That’s all. I’ve never seen my mom sick. She’s always been the strong one. All the headaches she’s been having lately. Now this. It’s … scary” Buffy says, her face showing her unease.
“ B, it’s going to be alright” Faith said. She takes Buffy’s hand and squeezes it gently.
“I wish I could believe that” Buffy says. Her voice betrays her deep felt anxiety.
“Baby” Faith says, stopping. She turns towards Buffy ,who’s also stopped. “ It’s going to be ok. You’re mom’s tough. She’s gonna be ok. It’s probably just stress, like the doctors said. But even if it’s more serious” Faith says, taking Buffy by both hands, “ You gotta know this. I’m here for you, and her, and Dawnie. No matter what. Don’t get all strong and distant on me. Lean on me, that’s what I’m here for. I’ll be with you through the whole thing. Promise!”
Buffy looks at Faith, and she just melts into Faith’s arms. “ Thank you, Faith. God, I don’t know what I’d do without you” Buffy says, her head on Faith’s shoulder.
Faith holds her, and she thinks she’s never been happier in her life than at this moment. What Buffy just said made all the problems and pain and worry that they’ve had in their relationship worth it. Faith has never wanted anything more than someone to need her, like Buffy needs her now. She’s going to do everything in her powers to be sure she doesn’t let her down… ever.
Faith breaks the embrace, and smiles at Buffy.
“So, whatcha say, blondie? Wanna go kick some demon butt?”
“Yeah, sure dimples. Sounds good to me” Buffy grins. She knows that nickname really pisses Faith off.
Faith makes a growly noise, but secretly is almost getting to like the nickname. Almost. Don’t push it, though.
They approach the warehouse. They notice a new fence has been put up around it. They wonder what the deal is, but decide to try to get in anyway. They are approaching a gate in the fence when they hear a voice calling to them.
“Girls! Girls!” The voice cries out. They stop, and turn. There running towards them is a security guard. They wait for him.
“Hi. Look, I’m sorry, but no one is allowed in. I know you kids hold your...whatchacallem…raves in there. But they don’t want anyone trespassing. Sorry, but you’re gonna have to leave.”
“Oh, Darn” Faith says.” And we were in charge of the dip”
The guard shrugs, not getting the sarcasm.” Look, personally, I don’t care. They don’t use it for anything, can’t see the reason for keeping you out. But, I guess they have some reason. Anyway, they sign my checks. So…” .
“Look, it’s ok. We’re leaving” Buffy says. She takes Faith’s arm, and they start to walk away.
“ So, now what, B?” Faith says, puzzled.
Buffy smiles.” If at first you don’t succeed, sneak in the back”
Faith looks at Buffy. She grins her wickedest grin. “ B, I’m proud of you. There’s hope for you yet”
Buffy punches Faith’s arm lightly, and they make their way around the back.
They are at the back of the facility. There are no gates on this side…but, there’s more than one way to get through a fence. Or, in the case of the slayers…hop over it. And they do, landing gracefully on the other side of the fence. They look for a way in. They finally find a small side door, but it’s locked. Faith grabs the handle, and breaks the lock. The two slayers enter quietly.
The warehouse is huge, and poorly lit. Buffy pulls out a flashlight, and carefully takes a look around.
“ I dunno, B. looks pretty deserted to me. Nothing here I can really see.” Faith whispers.
“ Yeah…looks like another one of Spike’s little pranks” Buffy says, quietly. “ Don’t you think he’d get tired of them?”
“ Oh, I don’t know, slayer” A familiar voice floats over to her.” Kinda like having my fun”
“ Spike!” Faith grimaces.” What are YOU doing here?”
“Hullo, pets. So nice you could join me. Or, should I say, us?” Spike says. He flips a switch, and the lights come up in the warehouse. Buffy and Faith find themselves surrounded by what must be a dozen or so vampires.
“Oooo…look, B. Spikey’s using hired fangs now” Faith mocks.
“ Well, you know how it goes, Faith. Ever since he visited the vet, his have been rather…limp” Buffy grins.
Spike growls, and puts on his game face.” Do you really think I’ve forgotten what you did to my Dru? Me and the boys here have decided we’re tired of having you around town. So, kiddies, it’s play time.”
“You’re real good with the threats, Spike. A little short on the delivery, though, don’t ya think?” Buffy sneers at him.
“Ya, Fang Jr. What about your chip? Or did all that bleach you use make you forget about it ?” Faith says.
Spike grins.” Well, I’m sure it’s gonna hurt. For a couple of hours. Thing is, you two’ll still be dead!” Spike sneers. He turns to the vampires behind him.” Well? What are you waiting for? This IS Audience participation, you know!”
The Vampires start to move on the slayers. Without a word, the slayers get down to business.
Like a well oiled machine, the two slayers begin working on the vamps. It's almost beautiful to watch. They kick, punch and stake their way through the crowd. But it’s the perfect timing the two show that is the best part. One will literally throw a vamp into the other’s path, who then dusts them. Still, 12 to 2 odds are pretty hefty, and the two slayers are kept busy awhile. Vampires, though no match for the slayers in skill and grace, are not weaklings. They get a few good licks in, also All the while, Spike is watching, but he itches to get into the fight. Finally, despite the pain, he starts to attack the two slayers.
Even with the chip, Spike is no ordinary vamp. He is strong, fast and resourceful. Faith breaks off to take him on, while Buffy concentrates on the other vamps.
Spike comes in to punch Faith, but she easily blocks it. The chip zaps him, and he staggers. She goes for a roundhouse kick, but he manages to deflect it, throwing her off-balance. He gets in a kidney shot, and while he’s grabbing his head in pain, Faith is skidding sideways, and lands on her butt. ‘hmmm…seems Fang jr. still has a bit of fight left in him’ Faith thinks. She’s quickly on her feet, just in time to duck as Spike takes a swing at her with a steel bar. She grabs the bar, and pulls him towards her. She gives him a kick to the stomach, which doubles him over, then a kick to the face, which flips him backwards. He lands on his back, and Faith is making to jump on him. But he quickly recovers, and is on his feet again. He shakes off the pain, and grins.
“Now, slayer. Is that the best you’ve got?” He mocks. He makes to lunge at her, but she sidesteps and uses his momentum to throw him behind her.
All the while, Buffy is playing with the crowd of vamps, which are slowly dwindling. Finally, when it’s down to three, they see that they’re outmatched. They aren’t getting paid enough for this. They turn tail, and run. Buffy slaps her hands together, making as if to clean off the dust. She turns to watch how Faith is doing.
Faith is circling Spike, but he doesn’t seem to be getting up. He’s just lying there. She walks over to him cautiously, but he doesn’t move. She kicks him, and he groans. Slowly, he gets to his feet.
“ Alright, alright, you win. Damn it. Just do it. Just stake me” he puts his arms out, exposing his chest.” Living like this isn’t living. I can’t feed, I can’t do diddly. Just kill me now”
Faith looks at him. Disgust, not pity rises in her chest. She doesn’t even bother. She just turns away.
“Get out of here, Spike. I’m tired of you” She walks towards Buffy.
“Please, do it. I’ve got no purpose, nothing. Do you even KNOW what that’s like? I can’t even scare the kiddies without this bloody chip going off. Where’s the fun?” he whines.
“ God, Spike. Don’t beg. It’s pathetic” Buffy says.
At that moment, the building shakes. All three look around.
“Earthquake?” Buffy asks
“Don’t think so. Doesn’t feel like one” Spike says.
The building shakes again. This time harder.
“What IS that?” Faith asks. Then they hear someone screaming on the upper level.
“What the hell?” Buffy says. She looks around, and sees stairs. The screams are heard again. She rushes towards them.
“Where are you going?” Faith asks. She starts after the blonde slayer
“Well, someone’s in trouble up there. We better check it out” Buffy calls back over her shoulder.
Spike watches…then follows. What the hell? Maybe at least there’ll be something to do.
“Where you think you’re going, Fangless?” Faith says, halting him.
“Hey, I might be able to help…if it’s demons or what. C’mon, what’s the harm?” He says, almost pleading.
Faith sighs, then just follows Buffy upstairs. He follows her, a grin on his face. Hey, it’s better than sitting around crying in a pint, aint it?
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
“ Where is my key?” The young woman asks the man bound in the chair.
She is attractive…in a psycho-bitch sort of way. Blonde curled hair, pleasant looking face. Comely figure. Attired rather inappropriately in a red cocktail dress and spike heels. But look at her eyes. They reflect a kind of madness.
She slaps the bound man again, and her face is contorted in rage.
“WHERE. IS. IT?” She screams at him. Then her tones changes, to a whine. “ I don’t get you. Why won’t you tell me? It’s not YOUR key. It’s mine. It belongs to me. And I want it. I need it. God, you’re so stubborn!” She presses her fingers to her head.” And now, you’re giving me a headache!” she whines. Her tone changes, and becomes wheedling.
“Now, monkie. You see what you made me do? I got angry at your…stubbornness, that I forgot I taped over your mouth.” She goes to him, and pulls away the duct tape from his mouth.” Now, little one, why don’t you just tell me where you hid my key, and I’ll let you go” She gently pats his face.
The monk is obviously in bad shape. A short man, slight of build, he has seen a lot of recent abuse. His face is bruised and bleeding, his lip swollen, his yes bloody and blackened. Despite this, he remains defiant.
“ I will tell you nothing!” he says, spitting on her shoe. Her face contorts in disgust.
“Now look what you’ve done! God, why don’t you just tell me? This is NOT about you, it’s about me. And my key. It's MY key, and I want it. I’m tired of playing around. Tell me where it's.” She kicks the monk, then slaps him. Though it looks normal, the effect is anything but normal. It’s like he’s been hit with a sledgehammer.
“You know, Faith, someone goes psycho over losing her keys. What’s wrong with this picture?” Buffy says
“ I don’t know, but whoever sold her on that look has to be responsible. Didn’t anyone mention slut is out?” Faith ridicules the woman.
Glory looks at the two slayers, and her face is a mixture of annoyance and surprise.
“So, exactly who are you two, anyway? And why are you bothering me?” She says, clearly unimpressed.
“Oh, just a couple of girls out for a little party. And we heard ya goin’ postal up here. Thought maybe this is where the fun was” Faith says, grinning.
“Look, losers. Why don’t you just run along and let me get back to what I was doing” Glory says, turning away.
Buffy shrugs.” Sorry. Can’t do. We don’t like you playing beat up on the little guy.” With that, Buffy runs in, and lands a kick on Glory. She is surprised, and staggers back.
Faith goes in, and moves toward the monk. She takes out a knife, and begins to cut his ropes.
“Hey, now. That’s my monk. You leave him alone” Glory says. She goes over, picks up Faith, and tosses her against a wall.
Spike, standing back, can’t decide whether he wants to participate, or just watch the slayers get tossed around some. Getting restless, however, he decides to join in. He starts to make a move on Glory.
Buffy, while Glory is distracted, finishes the job on the ropes. She gets the monk free…and then moves with him over to where Faith is lying.
Spike says, as he moves in” Well, well…aren’t you the strong one. Guess someone has been eating their porridge in the morning.” He lands a couple of blows, but then finds himself flying across the room from a rather nice haymaker thrown by Glory. She turns to where Buffy is reviving Faith. Faith sits up, and sees the blonde bitch coming back their way.
“YOU TWO!” She yells, in a snit.” I was all nice and gave you a chance to just walk away. But no, you have to go and make it unpleasant for me. Never mind trying to steal my little monkie . Well, that’s what I get for being nice.”
Buffy whispers to Faith.” Look, I’ll distract her. You get this guy outta here”
Glory storms over, and Buffy is up, attacking her. By this time, Spike has recovered, and is more than pissed. He comes up from behind Glory. Buffy gets a few punches in, but glory hits her hard, slamming her against the wall. She just ducks a punch at her head, and Glory’s fist goes through the wall ,creating a rather large hole where Buffy’s head was a second ago. Buffy manages to get a kick in, driving her back. But she quickly recovers and is at Buffy again.
While this is going on, Spike comes up behind her, and grabs her from behind. He tries a neck twist break, but that doesn’t work, so he knees her at the base of her spine. She groans a little, but then grabs him and flips him over her and into the wall, hard. He slides down the wall, stunned.
Faith has gotten the monk in a fireman’s carry, and is making for the exit…when the building shakes. Glory has put her foot down, literally.
“And just where do you think you’re going with my monk?” Glory asks, starting towards Faith.
Buffy, however, jumps on her, and starts waling on her. This distracts Glory long enough for Faith to decide she’s not going to make it down the stairs and out of the building. She sees a window, and runs towards it, carrying the Monk on her shoulders. Glory, pissed and seeing Faith making for the window, tosses Buffy off of her, and starts after her. But Faith makes it through the window, and manages somehow to land on her feet…
Spike, recovering from his little commune with the wall, rushes at Glory, who, taken by surprise, is tackled. She quickly recovers, but Spike somehow hangs on. She is turning around, trying to get him off her back…literally. Buffy, recovering, stands up and starts for Glory. But Spike calls out to her.
“No, slayer, get out of here. I’ll keep her distracted. But go NOW!” Buffy, taking his cue, sees the window Faith went through, and jumps out….and down to the ground. She sees Faith struggling to get the monk out of here.
Glory, enraged, tosses Spike through the window after Buffy. Fortunately, she moved before he landed on her. He doesn’t look too good, not exactly being ready for the jump. For some reason, still unknown to herself, she picks him up and carries him out of harms way.
Glory, enraged, goes into a tantrum. She stomps and stomps at the floor, cursing and screaming. Each stomp shakes the building, and finally, the structure already weakened from years of neglect, collapses around her. She gets out a single “ Oh, crap” before the whole building collapses around her.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
Buffy, carrying Spike, catches up with Faith. She is looking at the monk. He looks none too good.
Buffy lays Spike down(none too gently) and goes over to Faith. Both look at the monk. They almost believe he is dead, ‘til he manages to open an eye and look at them. He struggles to sit up and speak to them. They try to get him to conserve his strength.
“ Just rest. It’s ok. We’re going to get you some help” Buffy says, trying to keep him calm.
“No, no” he says, croaking out the words. He is in really bad shape. ”It’s too late for that. I’m dying”
“You’ll be fine” Faith lies. She can see he might not make it.
“No…it’s …important. You must listen carefully.” He says, his breath coming in gasps.” The key. You must protect the key.”
“The key?” Faith asks “ Is that what that psycho-bitch wanted? The Key?”
“We don’t understand. What’s so important about this key, anyway?” Buffy asks.
“The key… is a force…old, almost as old as The Beast” The monk nods toward the building, indicating Glory. ”It…has the power to open a portal between dimensions….the …beast…must not get … the key….” The monk is weakening.
“But…where is this key? How can we…protect it, if we don’t know what it is ?” Faith asks. She is puzzled by all this, as is Buffy.
“Me and my brothers have made it …flesh…and sent it to you…to protect” The monk says, his voice barely a whisper. He is looking directly at Buffy.
“I…don’t understand?” Buffy says, looking confused.
“It…is the …one you think of as … your sister” The monk says, weakly.
Buffy is...stunned…and totally confused. This monk must be mad.
“That’s impossible. Dawn IS my sister. I remember her…I have memories of her going back into childhood.” Buffy says. She is so not believing this.
“We …made those memories…of her…for you.” The monk says, gasping.” She …is the…key”
“No, I don’t believe it…it’s not true” Buffy says.
“It …is ….so…all that she is…we created, and sent to you…to protect her. Protect the key…from the beast” The monk is starting to fade.
“But…does she know? That she’s the key?” Buffy asks. This is too much to handle.
“No…she is human…innocent…” The monk gasps out…then…his eye fixes…and he dies.
This is too much for either of them. They look at each other, and both look confused…and scared. They get up, and Buffy, seeing Spike is still out, picks him up. They leave the warehouse grounds, and make for Giles(after they make a little pit stop to get rid of Spike). They need answers, and they need them now.

From back in the ruins, a figure emerges. Glory…and she looks pissed. She sees the monk, and moves towards him. But she sees he’s dead, and is angry all over again. She starts to storm off, vowing vengeance on those two women who interfered with her. And then , she thinks… the monk may let them know where her key is. Hmmm… maybe there is hope for some good out of all this, yet.
She smiles, and leaves.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
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Seasons of Faith