Adult-FanFiction.org : Buffy

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
- 14
- 15
- 16
Timeless Faith

By Norwalker

Part 15 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.

1630 Revello Drive looks like a war zone

In the street, Giles' car is burning down to the axles, occasionally flaring up when the fire hits another bit of combustible material.

Giles and Anya, knocked flat by the concussion of the car's explosion, are still out, lying prone on the sidewalk. Bits of burning car are scattered around them

The yard is torn up from the fight between Willow and the slayers. Also here and there are burning bits of car scattered about, causing the grass to ignite in places

The house itself is on fire. Willow's fireball has burned through the roof, and is starting on the second story. The wind has blown hot sparks, which has ignited one of the trees. The slayers, unconscious are lying prone on the porch. So far the porch roof hasn't caught fire, buarksarks are smoldering on it.

In the distance, the sound of emergency vehicle sirens can be heard.

Buffy, still woozy, lifts herself up, and on shaky legs, stands up. She looks at the disaster that was once her front yard, and groans. She is still trying to process everything that's going on. Willow…gone evil? No…can't be… no way! But…she took D som something's majorly wrong here. She…she tried to kill us… I don't get it… Faith…where's Faith? She looks around, and sees Faith lying prone on the porch.

Above her, a section of the burning house comes loose. It teeters on the edge…

Faith starts to stir, and Buffy waits, figuring she'll want to get up herself. Faith is so' don't help me, ok?' Sometimes makes me crazy. Buffy sighs, the smiles just a little. That's one of the 1 million reasons she loves her. Faith is so strong… she's Buffy's rock. She can count on her for anything….

The section above comes loose, crashing down through the porch roof.

Buffy is thrown backwards by the impact, and hits one of the posts, stunned.

Faith! Oh my god, FAITH!. Buffy runs to where the porch roof collapsed, but she can't get through. It's a solid wall of burning debris. She starts choking, but tries to get through… nothing. She's starting to panic, looking around for something to help her get through. She sees the porch railing, and vaults it. Maybe she can get through on the other side. Please, please, if there's a god …please…don't let her die… let me get to her!

Faith is just starting to lift herself off the floor of the porch, when the ceiling above her collapses. The debris falls on her, and pins her to the porch.

Well, fuck me. Faith groans, the pain … huge. She struggles to free herself, but the weight is too much. Shit. This so isn't how I wanted to die. Was thinking more… 90 years old in bed next to Buffy, all wrinkly and whatever. Buffy…shit…she's probably hurt…gotta get outta this. Faith strains, and starts to lift herself up again… when she feels the weight begin to lift off her. What the hell…? She looks up, and sees Buffy lifting the beam on her back like it's nothing…then she's being pulled out…HUH?... She turns to see Xander Harris gripping her by her arms, pulling her from under the debris.

”Xander? What?" Faith says, groggily. She doesn't understand. Xander shouldn't be here… he's been out of town… heading another project. What? Those thoughts are cut off when pain, real pain, hits her. She groans and passes out. Xander carefully lifts her, and then , hands her over to Giles, who having recovered, takes Faith and carries her a safe distance from the porch.

Faith, still half unconscious, feels something wet dripping on her face. She opens her eyes to a very scared, very concerned looking Buffy leaning over her, her cheeks wet with tears. In the background she can hear a lot of activity; the fire department has shown up and is trying to put out the fire. She looks around, and sees Xander and Giles standing by. Anya is missing…then she sees her… standing next to Xander, her hand wrapped in a large bandage. She's finding it hard to breathe… every breath feels like fire.

"Faith? Faith! Can you hear me?" Buffy says, her voice choked with emotion.

Faith turns back to Buffy, and sees the scared look on her face. She tries to smile, to reassure her, but it's more a grimace, as another wave of pain shoots through her. She makes a strangled whimpering sound.

"Dammit, where's the ambulance?" Buffy yells, to no one in particular.

" It's on it's way, Buff, " Xander says, looking befuddled. All this is very confusing to him. "It'll be here soon".

Faith struggles to get up, but Buffy gently holds her down.

" No baby, lie still" Buffy says, trying to make her voice calm and soothing, " it's ok, helps on it's way."

Faith struggles against her, but is weak… lies back. She finds her voice, but it sounds like someone else is talking "Buffy … Dawn … gotta find Dawn" Faith says, weakly, her voice sounding scratchy and harsh. She tries to rise again, and a harsh, stabbing pain shoots through her. She lies back, exhausted.

" Don't worry, honey," Buffy says, gently, " We'll find her… don't worry". She holds Faith's face, afraid to touch her anywhere else.

Faith feels as if everything is a little out of focus, and it starts to get darker. A little panic sets in. What's happening to me? Things start to get wavy, and the world seems to spin out of control. She loses consciousness.

"Faith…Faith! Stay with me, baby…don't leave me!" Buffy says, her mind going into panic mode. She starts to gently slap Faith, trying to revive her. " Baby, stay with me, please… I need you, baby…don't… don't do this!" She's getting more scared, and she starts to slap Faith harder, " No … baby…please… don't… stay with me, honey… pleeeaasse… don't do this!" But Faith isn't responding.

Two sets of arms reach down to grab Buffy. Xander and Giles pull her away from Faith, because she's slapping her too hard.

" Buffy, Buff.. Stop!" Xander says, trying with Giles to restrain the distraught slayer.

" No, lemme go, lemme go!" Buffy cries, struggling against Giles and Xander.

" Buffy… Buffy!" Giles says, and then does something he's never done before. He slaps Buffy across the face. Buffy, surprised, looks at him in shock. But she stopped struggling.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to do that, but you … were hysterical" Giles says, "Help's here, Buffy. Look!"

Buffy looks, and sees Faith being lifted by two paramedics onto a rolling stretcher. She begins to calm a little.

"Giles … Xander… I… is she going to be… I gotta go… I gotta go with her!" Buffy says, sing ing to follow the stretcher. She gets a few steps, then everything that's happened seems to hit her like a freight train. She gets dizzy, her knees get wobbly, and she starts to sink to the ground. " Help" she calls out weakly. Xander and Giles rush to her, lifting her gently to her feet. For a moment, she leans heavily on them, the world seeming to crush down on her shoulders.

" Miss… we've got to go. If you're coming…? " the Paramedic calls out.

It's as if someone hit her with a bucket of cold water. Buffy's spine stiffens, and she gently shakes off Giles and Xander" I gotta go" She says, and, straightening herself, she runs towards the ambulance. She hops in the back, moving forward towards where Faith is lying. The door swings closed, and the ambulance takes off.

Xander, Giles and Anya watch as the ambulance leaves. Xander turns, and looks at the scene. The firemen are still battling the fire, though now it seems they have the upper hand. The yard is wrecked, one of the trees is nearly burned to the ground, and everything is in general chaos. He turns back to Giles, his face a mask of bewilderment and worry.

"What the hell happened here, Giles?"

Tara wakes up in a semi darkened room.

She tries to move, but finds she's unable to. She's actually standing up, floating a little off the ground. But her body is encased in mystic energy, and she's unable to move. She glances around with her eyes.

She doesn't recognize where she is, she can only tell that it's nearly empty, the only furniture seeming to be a few chairs and a table. The only light seems to be coming from a bare bulb in a ceiling fixture. She sees Willow pacing by the light. She can't turn her head, so her line of sight is rather limited. She doesn't see Dawn, and she's a little worried. Where is she? God, I hope she's ok. She curses herself silently. Damn, why wasn't I more careful? She can only hope that Buffy and Faith are ok, and are looking for them.

"Oh, you're awake" Willow says, calmly. She walks over to Tara.

"What's … going … on?" Tara asks. It's like she's talking underwater. Her voice sounds distorted to her.

" I guess I could ask you the same question," Willow says, " I really believed you'd come around to my point of view. Saw how they used us, abused us, and threw us away when they were done with us," Wilow's voice takes on a tone of hurt and betrayal. "But no, you just pretended. Just like the rest of them. I thought you loved me, Tara!"

" I ….. do ….. love….." Tara begins, but Willow, impatient, says a small spell, and suddenly Tara can talk normally again, " I do love you, Willow, with all my heart"

" I wish I could believe that, Tara, " Willow says, sounding wistful, " but after what you did today? You betrayed me. You helped them against me, and … " her voice hardens, " I can't forgive that." Her voice changes again, going deeper, more alien, " Your like them. You want to hurt me. You fear me, because I have real power. You're jealous of me." Her voice changes back, sounding like Willow again, "Tara, Why? I would've done anything for you, given you everything. Why?"

Tara realizes that though the 'beast' is in control, somewhere in there, Willow, her Willow still existed. If only she could appeal to her… make her see the insanity of this.

" Willow, my love, I know you're hurt and angry, " Tara begins, " I know that you feel as if the whole world has targeted you, made you weak, held you down. But Willow, " Tara says gently, " is it really them? Are they why you feel this way? Or is it your own fear? I love you baby. When I look at you, I feel all good inside, I see the wonderful you. The loving, giving you. But lately, you've been shying away from that part of you that makes you so special. You've changed, Willow, and I'm not sure it's always for the best. You used to be open, but you've closed yourself off. You don't listen to anyone, not even me, anymore. You have your own way, and you're going to do it, no matter what the consequences. Ever since Buffy died…."

" Stop, I don't want to hear this!" Willow says, her voice getting edgier

" … you've changed, Willow. You've closed yourself off, you've become secretive. You used to love to talk about stuff, figure stuff out, find the truth in everything. Now, you just decide whatever you think at the time is right, and don't want to hear any other point of view. You try to make things fit into you're world view, rather than accepting that sometimes things just won't go the way you want them to."

" Not true, not at all true!" Willow says, trying to shout her down, " Lying, you're lying!"

"No, Willow, I'm telling you the truth. Think, Willow, think! Think about all that's happened since that night that Buffy died. Think of how you reacted, and what you've done… please, baby… " Tara is almost pleading with her, hoping to get through to her.

But Willow doesn't want to hear this. Or the thing inside Willow won't let her hear this. It fears and hates the truth. Willow casts a spell at Tara, and suddenly she can't speak.

"Be QUIET!" The Willow-thing says, angrily, the tone deep and alien, " You're like all of them. I was blinded, because I thought you loved me, but that's not true, is it? You don't love me, you want to make me weak, doubt myself. But I won't listen! I won't give in!" Her expression turns ugly, and she drops the glamour making her look like Willow. Any resemblance to Willow, the old Willow, is nearly gone. Her face is dark, a sickly purplish color. The veins have become more prominent, almost resembling a road map. They're red and green in color, and throb with power and tension. Her eyes, once an emerald green, are a dark red, the color of blood. The whites of her eyes are almost yellow, with veins blue and red running through them. Her mouth, before so easy to smile, has a cruel , hard cast to it, the lips almost a slash across her face. She almost snarls at Tara.

" You're the worst of them all," Willow says, her tone harsh and strange, " you've done nothing but betray me, telling me it was love when it was cruel hatred," The Willow thing cackles, "but I know you now, I know you're heart, you're true feelings. You hurt me worst of all."

It throws an energy bolt at Tara, which is slowly absorbed into the binding spell holding her.

" The others will die, painfully but quickly. YOU… you will not have that luxury. I will make you die slowly, painfully, " The Willow-thing approaches her, chanting a harsh rhyme in a long forgotten language. The energy around Tara's binding spell seems to shift, growing darker in spots.

Though Tara can't make a sound, you can tell she's in agony. Her eyes are wide, and her mouth is frozen in a silent scream. Though she can't move her arms or legs, her body seems to quiver within the mystical energies surrounding her.

Tara is in agony. She feels as if her body is being torn apart , then put back together, and torn apart again. Her blood feels like it's on fire, burning her insides unmercifully. She can't scream, she can't move, and she can't faint, because part of the spell keeps her awake. She can only suffer, and she knows she'll soon go mad if the pain doesn't stop.

" Tara" A voice, clear and strong, speaks in her head.

"Who? What?" She answers, in fear and pain.

"It's me, Tara, Dawn" The voice says, gently, "I'm with you, don't worry. I won't let her hurt you!"

"Dawnie! Oh goddess, Dawnie I'm glad you're ok… but it hurts…hurts so bad… I can't take it!"

" Sweet Tara, don't despair. Trust me, I'll make it stop".

Tara felt as if fingers were running through her mind, touching her, healing her. The pain… lessened. As the fingers moved through her, throughout her spirit, the pain got weaker, weaker then finally it was gone. Tara sighed, relieved at the cessation of pain. But when she tried to open her eyes, she found she couldn't.

"What? Dawn, I can't see… I can't open my eyes!"

" I have to keep you asleep, Tara. To keep the pain out. Don't fight it, just sleep. "

" But, Willow… I've got to ….’

" Don't worry. She will be taken care of. This won't last much longer. Things are happening. Trust me, and sleep."

"But…."

"Just sleep"

And she did.

" I don't understand, Giles, " Xander says, " You're saying Willow's evil?" His face is puzzled and disbelieving.

Giles and Xander are in the Visitors Lounge of Sunnydale General hospital. They’ve been here for a couple of hours, waiting for word on Faith. Buffy is with them, but off by herself. She can't settle down, but keeps popping up, pacing nervously.

" Not Willow, per se," Giles explains, patiently… again, " Something Evil was in the book she was…using. When she destroyed it, burning it, she released the evil, and it went into her, taking her over."

" I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one, " Xander says, " Willow tried to commit suicide?"

Giles nods.

" But… I can't believe that, " Xander says, " She… god, she's afraid of knives. She's afraid of death. I know that for a fact… how could she even think…?"

" Xander, " Giles says, " Willow is not the same as you knew her. She's been different for awhile. Ever since Buffy died, she's … been not the same. I put it down to grief at first. But… surely you've noticed it?"

Xander's brow furrows, in thought, " I noticed she seemed more… I don't know…bossy? God, I don't know… she just seemed like she didn't want to hear things that she didn't agree with"

" It's more than that, Xander, " Giles says, " I think something broke inside Willow when Buffy died. I don't know how else to explain it, " Giles says," She wasn't the same woman we knew. It's as if she turned something off inside, to protect herself. Whatever happened, she changed. I talked to Faith, Dawn and Tara… before today happened, and they all say the same thing. She became almost obsessively controlling… as if she couldn’t take things changing around her, " Giles pauses, musing, " I think that may be why she became so caught up in magic. To try to make things the way she wanted them. I know that on the night she tried suicide, she was still looking for a way to restore Buffy's memories. Even after my warnings to her about magic."

" I've known Willow nearly my whole life, Giles, " Xander says, " I don't think she has an evil bone in her body. I can't accept she's gone bad."

" Evil isn't absolute, Xander, " Giles remarks, "Very few, if any, are born evil. Most learn it, over time. It doesn't happen in a day. We make a decision, then another and another, taking us down a path we never expected to travel. I believe that's what's happened with Willow. Her intentions were good, but her decisions and her actions brought her to… this place."

" I know she was really wired into getting Buffy back. Didn't seem she could think about anything else," Xander says, " could using that mojo make her wig?"

Giles takes a second to translate the Xanderspeak, then replies, " I don't think just doing the spell alone did it. But I think it contributed to her…as you say… 'wigging'. I think it built up in her, until finally, with the despair and that dark … thing … entering her body just pushed her over the edge. I don't know how much of what she is now is Willow, and how much is the beast inside her. But it doesn't matter, because whoever or whatever it is seems determined to get revenge on everyone Willow ever knew or cared about."

Xander gulps, "Including me?"

" I don't think anybody's safe, Xander", Giles replies. Xander pales just a little.

" Where'd she get all the power, though? I mean, ok she was like Wiccan deluxe, but she never was … like Uber Witch… I saw Buffy's house… it looked like a bad war movie".

" I don't know precisely, but I believe she's drawing on the dark magic the thing that possessed her has. It's almost like it's feeding her, and I fear that each time she uses it, a little more of the old Willow, the one we know, is being lost," Giles looks worried.

" So , how're we gonna stop her?" Xander asks. Buffy seems to take notice of his question, and comes over.

" I … don't know yet, Xander," Giles says quietly.

" You don't know?" Xander looks puzzled, "but you're book guy. Research guy. You always know this stuff!"

" Dammit, Xander, " Giles retorts, the tension of the day catching up with him, " I haven't had time to really look into it. The Magic Box was destroyed,… Anya and I were nearly killed… then there was Buffy and Faith… so, no, I don't know yet!" He paces off, barely holding his anger.

"Uhhh… sorry, Giles" Xander says, backing off.

" I'll try to contact the Coven later in Devonshire…." Giles starts, but is interrupted by the arrival of a doctor.

" Excuse me, are you friends of Ms. DeMarco?" The doctor asks.

" Yes!" Buffy says, stepping forward, " how is she?"

" She's resting. She's surprisingly well, considering. She has a couple of cracked ribs, and broken foot. She sustained a concussion, but otherwise, she's ok. She's very lucky." The doctor looks puzzled.

What?" Buffy asks, reading his expression.

" Well, when the EMT's brought her in, they would've sworn she punctured her lung. Her breathing had a hissing sound to it, usually a sign of a punctured lung. But… the x-rays showed no trauma to the lung", the doctor says, " it's rather puzzling." His brow is furrowed, " nevertheless, we want to keep her a few days, just to be sure".

"Of course, Doctor" Giles says, from behind Buffy, " whatever is best".

" She's a very lucky girl. I understand a porch roof collapsed on her?" The doctor questions.

" Uhhh… yeah," Buffy replies.

" Just lucky I guess, " He says, still looking bewildered, "anyway, she should be ready for visitors in a few hours. She sedated right now."

" Can I see her now, please?" Buffy asks

" I really don't want her disturbed yet. I want her to rest, " the doctor replies.

" I… I just have to see her, see s … s … ok… please? I won't disturb her! I promise!" Buffy pleads.

" Are you her sister?" The doctor asks.

" We're… family, yes" Buffy replies, evasively.

The doctor sighs, " Alright, but only for a few minutes… and only you!" He relents.

Buffy, relieved and grateful, hugs the doctor. Forgetting herself, she hugs him just a little too hard. His eyes go wide, and he groans.

"Uh… sorry, " She says, releasing him, looking a little shamefaced. The doctor, giving her an odd look, just waves towards the ward and leaves.

Buffy enters Faith's room quietly, not wanting to disturb her. Faith is lying quietly, eyes closed, hooked up to an IV, and monitoring machines. Her foot is raised in a hanging sling. Buffy walks over to her bedside, and looks down on her.

God, she looks so pale, Buffy thinks, So tired. A wave of sadness and regret washes over her, as she remembers how much Faith has had to do since she 'came back'. How much of the load she's had to bear, how Faith has watched over her and her sister, protecting them. How she almost died trying to protect them. Idiot! Moron! What'm I gonna do if you're not here? Stop trying to … aw shit, how can I tell you that? You'd just laugh it off like you always do, saying I worry too much. Buffy takes Faith's hand. But you're always throwing yourself in the way, trying to save me… God, if I didn't love you so much, I'd kill you! You… You…You… despite her best intentions, the tears start to roll, and Buffy stands there, head down, holding Faith's hand. She bites her lip, not wanting to make any noise.

Faith opens her eyes slowly, feeling as if her eyelids have been gummed together. She sees Buffy standing there, head down, all teary. Her heart gets all achy … she so hates to see Buffy crying. She puts on a little smile.

"Hey…hey, now" Faith says weakly, her lungs feeling like they're on fire, " Knock off the blubber works, 'K? Not dead yet!"

Buffy, surprised, quickly averts her face, surreptitiously wiping the tears, not wanting Faith to see her upset. God, isn't she got enough to worry about?. Buffy turns back , smiling, tears wiped away.

" Hey, " Buffy says, lightly

" Hey, " Faith replies, " How come every time I wake up in this place, you're crying huh?" Faith chuckles, then groans. Damn, that hurts.

"Sorry, " Buffy says, quietly, " I didn't mean for you to see that. Just worried about you."

"Yeah, well don't sweat it. Get me outta here, gimme couple days. Be good as new!" Faith says.

"The doctors want you to stay for a couple of days," Buffy says, " they're worried about your lungs. 'fraid you mighta punctured one… though the x-rays don't show anything".

"Yeah, well… screw that. I'm fine, wanna go home" Faith says, trying to rise. She gets a few inches, then falls back, exhausted. " God, what'd they put in me?"

"Faith, you just stay where you are. You're not going anywhere. You cracked a few of your ribs, and you broke your foot… you're staying here til the doc says your good to go". Buffy is quiet and gentle, but her voice has a firm tone to it.

"B… no way. We gotta get Dawn back" Faith says. She starts to sit up again, but Buffy gently pushes her down. " Hey, stop that. We got work to do!"

"I got work to do… you got healing to do!" Buffy says, quietly, " You're not going anywhere. Get used to it!"

"That's bogus, B. I mean, she threw us around like rag dolls. No way you can go up against her alone!" Faith says," You need my help!"

" I need you well, is what I need!" Buffy says," And I'm not alone. I got Giles and Xander and …" She trails off, realizing that the team doesn't have Will or Tara on it anymore. It's just too weird, she thinks."… we'll handle it!"

"Dammit, B. You need me fighting with you!" Faith says, then coughs… and groans." I'll be fine!"

"Yeah, right, " Buffy replies, " Get it through your head. You're staying here, getting well. Period, discussion over!"

" But, B…." Faith is interrupted by Buffy.

" No buts, Faith" Buffy says," We're done talking about it."

Faith's face takes on a sour look. She turns away, and mumbles, " Yeah, well, who died and made you Queen?"

But Buffy catches it, and turns away, trying not to get upset. Damn you, do you know or care how much you scared me… again? I thought you were gonna die on me. Shit!!! Do you think I could stand losing you? Do you? She rages to herself, Faith is always doing these risky things, does she think I could go on without her? What the hell is she thinking, anyway? Then it her her like a ton of bricks. How do you think it was for her? Seeing you dead, burying you? Think maybe it tore her up a little inside? Think maybe you could cut her a tiny bit of slack? Buffy turns back to Faith, and takes her hand.

" Baby, " Buffy says, smiling at Faith, " I know you wanna help. And believe me, I want your help in the worst way. But right now, you'd have trouble going a round with a paper sack. Just concentrate on getting well, baby. I promise, " Buffy squeezes her hand, " I'm not gonna leave you out, 'K?"

" 'K, " Faith says, a little mollified. But she still doesn't want to be here. Not in this place. " Ummm… but couldn't I come home, B? I mean, I … I could heal just as good there!" Faith says, her voice calm, but her eyes pleading.

" Faith, honey, please?" Buffy says, " The doctors just wanna be sure you're ok. I promise, I'll bring you home soon as they say it's ok".

"Ok," Faith says, hiding her fear. She knows right now it's tough enough on Buffy. she doesn't need any more on her plate, " just promise me you'll let me help, I gotta, ok?"

"Don't worry, honey, I will, " Buffy says, " Now, you gotta get some rest. The doctor's already gonna kill me, we weren't supposed to be even talking… you were supposed to be sleeping and resting!"

"Yeah, well…what do they know? Slayer healing, remember?" Faith asserts.

" Well, even that needs time to work… so get busy and rest!" Buffy says, then laughs, " Ok, that was stupid. But you know what I mean!".

" 'K" Faith says " I'll be back later, ok?" Buffy says.

" Ok" Faith replies, a little wearily. She closes her eyes.

Buffy watches her for a few more minutes. When she's sure Faith is asleep, she lets go of her hand, leans over and kisses her on the forehead.

As she turns to leave, her facial expression is calm. She seems in control, composed.

But her eyes, her eyes give her away.

They're ice cold in anger.

"We've got to find her, Giles," Buffy says, her voice ice cold, " this has gotta stop!"

Giles, Buffy, Xander and Anya are all sitting in Giles' front room. Since the Magic Box is in ashes, and Buffy's house is unlivable, the 'meetings' have returned to his apartment.

"We're doing our best, Buffy, " Giles says, "But with her ability to transport herself almost anywhere, it's going to be extremely difficult to find her."

"Then we've gotta figure where she's gonna strike next, " Buffy says, " We've got to do something. She's got my sister, no telling what she has in mind for Dawn. But I'm so not going to sit here on my butt while she's out there getting away with murder!".

"Buffy, this is Willow we're talking about, " Xander says, " She's hasn't murdered anyone."

"Not for lack of trying, Xander. She tried to kill Giles and Anya in the Magic box, and she tried to kill me and Faith at our home, so excuse me if I'm just a little pissed off!" Buffy replies.

'Xander, you have to remember this isn't Willow," Giles interjects, " It's taken her form, and it's using her personality, but that's not the Willow you know. I'm not entirely sure that Willow, or any part of her, is still … there".

"But she might be!", Xander says, " I'm not going to sit back and let you kill her."

"Xander, nobody wants to kill her, " Buffy says, toning down the harshness in her voice, " But I can't let … whoever or whatever that is… go on destroying and killing. You gotta remember, Xan, that it seems to be targeting Willow's friends. That includes you. Want to wait for it to come for you?"

Xander looks upset. He's still having a hard time believing Willow… the woman he's known since kindergarten, is doing these things. I don't care what they say. Will's in there somewhere, and I can't let them destroy her, even to destroy the … thing controlling her. I've gotta save her, somehow.

" Ok, even if we do find her, " Xander says, " how're we gonna stop her? So far she's been playing racquetball with you guys. What's gonna stop her now?"

"There may be a way, " Buffy says. She briefly goes on to explain Faith's and her encounter with the 'being' inside Dawn. Everybody, including Giles, looks astounded. No one had considered that the 'key' that Dawn had been made from might be something more … something evidently a lot more.

" There was no mention of the Key being anything more than just that, " Giles says, obviously thrown off his game somewhat, " are you certain about this?"

"I'm telling you what it told me, " Buffy says, " I dunno what it's deal is, except that it lifted me and Faith like we were nothing. So I'm kinda thinking… yeah".

" Why hasn't it destroyed Willow by now then?" Anya, in her usual diplomatic way, joins the discussion," If it's so all-powerful and all, why hasn't it turned Willow into witch dust?"

Xander throws Anya a look. He's not sure if he just wants to kill her… or just kill her.

"From what it said, it's not as powerful since it was pressed into human form. That's why it needs our help… it needs whateverthemachacallit that has Willow distracted somewhat," Buffy says, recalling her conversation with the …glow… ," I guess to get it's mojo up and running, or something".

Xander doesn't look happy, " Ok suppose this…whatever it is can stop the …whatever it is . What about Will?" He's not letting that go.

"Xander, I just said, if there's a way, we'll save Will," Buffy says, " but we can't just let this go on like nothing's happening."

" I'm not saying we ignore it, " Xander defends, " but it's not good enough to just say' if there's a way', Buffy. Will's stood by you through a lot. We can't just let her die!"

" What do you want, Xander?" Buffy turns on him, her face getting red, " A guarantee? There aren't any, Xander, you know that! I didn't choose for this to happen. Maybe if Willow had listened, not played with the dark magic so much…."

"You wouldn't be alive, " Xander says.

"So you're blaming me for this, then?" Buffy says, incredulous, " I didn't ask for this, Xander. I was dead, I was in a good place… and you, and Willow, and Anya over there, ripped me out!" Buffy moves away, obviously upset. She doesn't look at Xander when she continues, "There was a slayer. You didn't need to bring me back. But you chose to play with these magicks. Do you think I liked digging myself out of my grave, Xander? Do you think I had fun wandering around not knowing who I was, what I was supposed to do? I've still got huge gaps in my memory… things I'll probably never remember. Think that's fun?," Buffy turns to him, " Now you want to put it on me. Typical, Xander, really typical."

" I'm just saying that …" Xander says, blustering

" No, I'm not wanting to hear it anymore, Xander. You've done this to me since day one, practically. With Angel, with Jenny Calendar, with Faith… all of it. You're great at the sideline quarterbacking, Xan… so, tell me, what're we gonna do? You gotta plan? Let's hear it."

"That's not fair, Buffy, " Xander says, " I've supported you a lot".

" When it fits how you think things should be. Or, like now, when I have to waste time arguing with you about it" Buffy retorts, " So this is your chance. Give me something… anything. Show me a better way. I'll be glad to follow!"

" Buffy, I think this has gone far enough, " Giles cuts in, " We need to be united on this."

" I'm well aware of that, Giles, " Buffy says, shortly, " Xander seems to have a better idea. I just want to hear it." Buffy waits, arms folded across her chest.

Xander is quiet.

"Anything? C'mon Xander, give me something here, " Buffy says, mockingly. She waits.

The silence goes on.

" I thought not, " Buffy says, harshly. " Here's the deal, Xander. I don't want anyone here that's not wanting to be here. I'm sorry to say, but if it comes to it, we're going to have to stop Willow, no matter what. Do you really think whatever's taken her over is going to stop at us? So, if you can't get onboard, then I suggest you leave."

" Ok," Xander says. For a moment, Buffy thinks he's conceding… but then he walks towards the door. " you coming, Anya?" He asks. Anya looks at the others, shrugs, and follows Xander. As he's leaving, he turns.

" I'm sorry Buff. I just can't" Xander says. He walks out. Anya follows.

" Was that wise?" Giles asks.

"Probably not, " Buffy concedes, " but if he's not 100% committed, Giles… he'll just get himself killed". And us, as well, she thinks. " Maybe it's for the best. He's out of it, he'll be safe, " Buffy says, but she doesn't look convinced.

" Are any of us truly safe?" Giles asks.

Buffy doesn't reply. She doesn't need to; her face tells all.

" So, now what, Buffy?" Giles asks gently.

" Now we wait," Buffy says, quietly.

It wasn't a long wait.

When Xander and Anya returned to their apartment, they found Willow waiting for them, standing in the middle of their living room. She stood there smiling; nothing was out of place, everything in perfect order. No broken pieces of furniture, knick-knacks or dishes. Everything was just fine.

Except it was on the ceiling. Even the drapes ran up the wall, adding to the illusion.

" Kinda confusing, isn't it?" Willow said, smiling, " I know how you love cartoons, Xander. Thought this might be right up your alley, " She mocked, " But you know? It just isn't right, somehow. Oh…yeah… just not right if you guys aren't in it… silly me!" She said. She waved her hand, and suddenly Anya and Xander went floating upward, sticking to the ceiling like magnets. " There… that's better!"

" Will… Willow… c'mon, let us down, " Xander says, a bit panicky, " Please, Will… we can help you!"

" Help me?" Willow asks, smiling caustically," I'm so touched, all my so-called friends want to 'help' me. Why do I think that means they want to strip me of my powers?"

"See, Xander? I told you!" Anya says, " She's crazy with power!"

" So not helping, Anya," Xander replies. He knows he's going to pay for that.

" See, Xan? Just what I thought. Everybody thinks I'm crazy, when I'm just pissed, " Willow says lightly. She waves her hand… and everything comes crashing down from the ceiling, including Xander and Anya. Willow, protected by a shield she threw around herself, smiles at the destruction.

By some miracle, nothing lands on top of Xander and Anya, but they lay stunned on the floor from the fall. Willow cocks her head, looking at them. Her expression registers faint interest.

" This should appeal to your sense of cartoony, Xander, " Willow says. She floats Anya up.

"Will… what're you going to do?" Xander says, clearly worried.

"Relax, Xan, you'll love it!" Willow declares. She flicks her wrist, and Anya goes flying through the apartment window. She hangs in the air, looking frightened.

"Willow, please… don't hurt her!" Xander pleads, getting to his feet. Then back down, as Willow knocks his feet from under him.

" Don't hurt her! Don't hurt her!" Willow mocks, then turns on Xander, leaving Anya to float freely in space out of the window, " God, Xander. Grow a backbone or something. You sure didn't mind hurting me in High School, did you? Going for everybody BUT me. Buffy, mummy girl, insect woman, Cordelia… god, the worst of the bunch… and now Anya… anybody but me, right Xander? Cuz I was just Willow… just nothing but a foil for you, someone to hang with until something better came along… right?" Willow smirks, " only when Oz took notice of me, all of a sudden I came on your radar. Then you noticed me. Too little, too late, Harris. I figure you only got comfy-cozy with me to ruin it for me with Oz… kinda blind to it then, but seeing things so much clearer these days".

" Willow…. I love you, I do!" Xander says, " please, don't do this!"

" Uh-huh," Willow says, her tone bored, " Oh…geeze… I nearly forgot Anya. Gosh, how stupid of me!" She turns to Anya, still suspended in mid-air outside the window. Suddenly, against her will, Anya's arms raise up, as if they're holding something. " I know how you love getting presents, Anya. So, I gotcha something. Hope you like it!" Willow calls out. Suddenly, a blacksmith's anvil appears in Anya's arms.

"Will…what're you…." Xander says, sounding genuinely scared. Willow turns to him, and at that moment her spell releases…. Anya and anvil plunge out of sight.

"Anya! ANYA!!! No!" Xander runs towards the window, but suddenly is stuck in space. Willow grins at him.

" Oh, don't worry. She's fine. I padded her fall. Go ahead, go see!" Willow says, Xander can suddenly move, and goes to the window, looking out. Anya is lying in what looks like a huge pillow, apparently unharmed. Xander turns back from the window, his face angered.

" Why…why're you doing this?" Xander says, almost growling.

" Now, temper, temper Xan, " Willow says, " I just came to warn you. I saw you walk away from Buffy today, but I know you. You get all pissed, then think it over, and go running to help Buffy. Here's a tip. Don't! This is between me and the bitch. Stay out of it, or my next visit won't be so amusing."

Before he can do anything, clouds seem to whirl around Willow, and she's gone.

For a moment, Xander just stands there, stunned. His face is a mask of shock and bewilderment. He can't believe what he's seen… more, he can't believe that Willow is doing this. But he has the messed up apartment, broken furniture and shattered window to prove it.

Window…god! Anya. He runs to the window again, to check on her. She is sitting up on the huge pillow, looking confused. He breathes a sigh of relief. But then his face hardens. He knows what he has to do, even if it means doing a little groveling.

He rushes downstairs to retrieve Anya.

Faith lays awake in the hospital, staring at the ceiling. There is a pronounced frown on her face. She isn't a happy camper.

She hates hospitals. Always hated them, for as long as she can remember. Something in her past, something she can't remember about hospitals… makes her queasy. She can't remember what, only that something happened… something bad.

She hates being inactive, and lying in a bed, staring at her foot doesn't help matters. Gonna kick a certain red-headed witch's bony butt when I get outta this place. IF I get outta this place…dammit all… why can't B just see reason and let me come home? Shit…what home? Faith's anger rises as she remembers what Willow did to the house on Revello Drive. Definitely gonna do some carnage on that… witch. Faith fumes, but knows that the condition she's in, she's useless in a fight, and it just makes her more frustrated.

She finally flips on the TV, looking hopefully for something to distract her awhile. As she's surfing the channels(God, don't they get cable in this joint?) she hears a noise. She turns, smiling, thinking Buffy's come to visit her. Her smile vaporizes when she sees who it is .

Willow. She's grinning broadly at the bed-ridden slayer.

" Gloat while you can, bitch" Faith says, growling, " Cause when I'm outta this bed, I'm gonna …."

" Now Faith, is that any way to treat a visitor?" Willow says, " Naughty, naughty!" She waves her hand, and some mass seems to cover's face mouth, rendering her silent. Faith looks at her with menacing eyes.

" My, my look at you. Looks like our last little tussle's taken it all out of you, " Willow says, a gloating tone in her voice. " Not so fierce now, huh Faith?"

Faith mumbles something behind the mystic gag Willow's put on her.

" I'm sorry, I didn't hear you, Faith. Speak up, please!" Willow mocks her," oh, guess you got nothing to say. Well, I can understand. You always preferred fists over words, didn't you, Faith?" Faith glares at her.

" You know, I've been thinking that maybe it's time you and I had a little 'alone' time, " Willow asks, " think we could talk it out, and work things out between us? Hey, maybe we could be best buds. Whattya say, Faith?" Faith's expression is hostile, to say the least. " No? Oh well, no matter. Just want to be sure that bitch-lover of your comes a lookin' for me. Have all you ' Summers' women all together in one place. What a hoot, huh?" Willow says, sarcastically, " All the easier to kill you in one little stroke… then get on with more important things."

With that, Willow casts a spell, surrounding Faith in an energy field. Slowly, Faith rises out of the bed, immobilized by the field. Willow takes a note, and drops it on the bed. Smiling, she moves her arm in a circle, and a storm of clouds surrounds her and Faith. When the clouds clear, the two women have gone.

All that's left is the note:

Buffy,

Well, well. You've ruined my life, now I'm ruining yours. I've got your sister and your slutty lover with me. So, what do you say, slayer ? Wanna come to my coming-out party? Hate for you to miss it, as you're the guest of honor! Don't think Xander'll be joining our little shindig, as he's … well, let's just say I paid him a visit already, and he doesn't seem so anxious to come. And Giles? Well, bring him along if you want. I'd be happy to kill him right in front of you. So, don't be late, or I'll just have to turn Dawn and Faith into road kill. I'll be waiting for you at the mansion on Crawford St. You know the one… the place you hid Angel after he came back from hell( where you so obligingly sent him in the first place. God, don't see why anyone is attracted to you…you're just plain bad for their health.)

Be there, or be square!

Kisses

Willow.

To be continued
- 14
- 15
- 16
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Timeless Faith

Timeless Faith