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Initiative	By : wright99 Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 9187 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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
The Initiative, Part 15

1

Faith sits away from the others, staring at the plans for the Rayne estate. She has to find some weakness in the security, something, anything. She has to find a way in. Willow's there now, and unless she can find a way to break the security, she'll be lost.
Faith won't; no, can't accept that Willow is lost to her.
My fault. This is my fault. If I'd only been stronger, if only I'd found some way to reassure her, she wouldn't have gone out, trying to run. Those bastards have her because I couldn't be what she needed!
She jumps up, unable to sit still. She strides over to where the others are trying to work with the 'bot. She stops at the edge of the crowd, glowering at them.
" Anything yet, for Christ's sake? How long is it gonna take for this overbuilt garbage disposal to tell us what we need?" Faith's voice is as edgy as her nerves.
" We've been able to retrieve a more detail analysis of the Rayne security set up, along with deployment of security around the estate. But we're still working on whether she has the appropriate codes to get us in, " Giles says, himself feeling the pressure. " Unfortunately, her retrieval of the stored data in the old memory banks is hindered by built in security algorithms and a generally sloppy organization of data. Never mind the overwhelming sexually oriented material we've had to get through. You'll just have to be more patient Faith."
" Yeah, well, why you boys are sitting here droolin' over this electronic version of the Kama Sutra, Willow is �." She gestures angrily. She turns to Giles, her expression cold. " Maybe, Doc, you need some reminding exactly what the what is, " Faith gets in his face. " Don't think I won't keep my little promise I made you," Faith rears back her fist, ready to deck Giles.
She finds herself suddenly gripped by the arm, and it's twisted around behind her back. She's being shoved away.
" What the fu�" She looks over her shoulder to see Buffy doing the pushing. " Let me go, Blondie. I just wanted to scare him a little. Wasn't gonna hurt your precious professor."
" Not until you promise to calm down, Faith," Buffy says, holding her with her arm twisted behind her back," Not helping you attacking Giles. He's doing the best he can, and you threatening him? Just delaying things."
" Let me go, dumb ass. I�m gonna hurt him. I just wanted to bring his priorities back in line," Faith struggles, but she's pretty well caught. " I won't hurt him. Let go of me!"
" Promise!"
" Ok, ok, I promise!" Faith grumbles.
Buffy releases her, and she turns around and punches Buffy square in the face. Buffy reels back.
Angel, seeing this, starts to come over, but Buffy waves him off. " I got this, just stay out of it, Angel."
Faith comes at her punching, but Buffy dodges it, and sweep kicks her, knocking her legs out from under. She jumps on Faith, holding her down.
" Ok, what part of knock it off didn't you get?" Buffy say, glaring at her.
" Well, screw you, Buffy. Protecting that asshole. It's him and his buddies that did this to us. You forget that, freak?" She glares back at Buffy." Maybe we shouldn't be trusting him so much. Maybe he's still working with that insane-o bitch!"
" C'mon, Faith. Even you're not that stupid to believe that. He put everything on the line to get Oz free. He's doing the best he can. You attacking him? Just making things go slower!"
" Yeah, well, how'd you feel if it was Angel ? Would you be so fucking cool about it? Huh, Blondie?" Faith's anger breaks, and she stops struggling. " I can't just sit here and do nothing while those monsters might be hurting Willow�" she looks up at Buffy, her eyes sad and pleading.
Buffy gets up, releasing Faith. Faith lies there, not moving. Buffy squats beside her.
" I get it, Faith, I really do. I'd be going postal if it were Angel. I just wanted to stop you before you did something stupid," She strokes Faith's hair. "We'll get her back, I promise."
" I just can't sit here doing nothing, Buff. I gotta do something. I'm going nuts, worrying about her."
" Well� I gotta an idea of something we can do� might be a little risky. You up for it?"
Faith sits up. Her grin says she's feeling better. She's action girl. This sitting around waiting is making her itchy.
" Damn right I'm up for it, Blondie, " she looks at the others, gathered around the 'bot." What about them? Should we tell them?"
" Already told Giles what I wanted to do. He's ok with it. I was coming over to tell you when you went postal on him."
" Shit! Ok, I'm a moron, " Faith gets to her feet. " So what's the plan?"
" I'll tell you on the way. C'mon, we're gonna need a few things�"
The two of them head for the van for supplies.

2

Dr. Marguerite Walsh sits back in her chair, an unsatisfied expression on her face.
Of course, she was very happy to have Willow back in her custody. That girl was the pinnacle of her work to date. Not only, by all reports, has she the ability to change from human to her primal state; but she's pregnant, with Faith's child.
She's already done some testing while Willow's been asleep, and affirmed that the child indeed is healthy and growing. DNA testing would have to wait for childbirth, but that wouldn't be too long with the accelerated gestation period she's programmed into the clones.

No, as far as Willow and Faith were concerned, things seemed to be right on track.
What bothered her were the other pair from that generation of subjects. Buffy and Angel. She had it on good word that they've had intercourse. Yet, the last time she examined Buffy, there was no indication she was pregnant.
What if Willow and Faith are flukes? What if on the whole, the newest generation is still sterile? That would set things back again! I know we worked out the problems with fertility. We tested it thoroughly. Something else must be going on. I can't believe there's another generation of sterile subjects. No, there must be something about Buffy and Angel that just isn't right.
Maggie opened the files on her desk, the ones containing the data and progress on Buffy and Angel.
As she reads over the files, her mind flashes back on the time she first laid eyes on them.
Dr. Walsh walked into the ER section of the hospital, going over to the gurney containing the body of Liam McConnell. She looked down, grimly, as the staff stood watching.
You were a handsome one, weren't you, Liam? Well, you're going to make a fine source for my experiments. Don't worry, doctor. You'll still be saving lives� just in a different way now.
Taking out a sampling kits, she retrieves some tissue and saliva samples from the cooling body.
" Ok, you understand then? The body is to be transported to this address. I'll need it for further research, " She addresses the rest of the staff.
" What about his family?" Dr. Johanssen, a colleague of Liam's asks. " They may want to bury him."
Dr. Walsh pulls a folder out of her attach� case, and removes a signed document from it.
" Dr. McConnell donated his body to science for research. I'm here, on behalf of the University of Sunnydale to collect it. This was his final wish."
Dr. Johanssen looks over the document. It looks legal enough. He looks at Dr. Walsh, however, and finds he still isn't convinced.
" Do you have some proof you're who you say you are?" Dr. Johanssen asks, looking at Dr. Walsh with a some suspicion.
Dr. Walsh smiles, and pulls out her I.D., along with a letter from the president of the University identifying her as the head of the Bioengineering department under the School of biology at the university.
Despite his reservations, Dr. Johanssen has no choice. She's obviously the person mentioned in the letter. Shrugging, her returns the document. She still gives him a creepy feeling.
" I'm sorry, I know Dr. McConnell was a friend of yours. If I seem to be a little� ghoulish, it's just because I've had to become used to dealing with post mortem remains. I try not to think of them as people, because that would just� well, you understand." Dr. Walsh looks concerned. " Please, believe me. The work we're doing is going to help save countless lives. I know Dr. McConnell would want that."
Dr. Johanssen nods. Maybe I misjudged her. This can't be easy for her to do. God, if it were, she wouldn't be human.
"What else can we do to help?"
" The university will be sending a team to collect Dr. McConnell's remains. If you could, to preserve the integrity of the cell tissue, if you could keep his � remains cool to prevent degeneration, it would be very helpful."
" Of course. When can we expect them?"
" They should be here in a day or two." Dr. Walsh says, her tone sympathetic. " Again, thank you for your help, Dr. Johanssen. It could mean a lot in our research."
Dr. Walsh watches, suppressing a smile as Dr. Johanssen takes a last look at his friend. He then directs the body to be taken to the morgue, and walks away. The ER is busy tonight, and he doesn't have time to grieve for his friend right now.
There'll be more than enough time later.
The scene shifts, and now Dr. Walsh is sitting in a visiting room, at the holding cells for prisoners awaiting trial. Across from her is sitting a young woman in an Orange jumpsuit.
She can't be much more than 20, if that. Perfect. Her DNA will prove quite useful, Maggie thinks, as she stares at the young woman.
" So, what, bitch? You just come here to stare at me or what?" Terese Soldano grunts, staring at Dr. Walsh. " My lawyer here says you got a deal for me? You from the D.A.'s office?"
" No, Ms. Soldano, my name is Dr. Walsh, " Maggie extends her hand. Terese just stares at it, then lifts her own hands. They're cuffed. Maggie withdraws her hand. " But I'm here to offer you a 'deal', as you put it."
" What the fuck is this about?" Terese turns to her lawyer, " You said I had a deal going here. What's up?"
" Terese, frankly? You're case looks pretty bad, and the D.A. wants to make an example out of you. For shooting the doctor. So, pretty much, you're looking at the death penalty."
" Yeah, well, that's your job, dude. To get me not dead, you know? Not introduce me to �" she nods towards Dr. Walsh "� some dykey science nerd."
" Let's get real here, Terese," Her lawyer continues, " the evidence against you? You were caught close to the scene. Test firings from the gun they found on you match the bullets in your gun to the bullets in Dr. McConnell's body. Further, there are witnesses to you threatening the doctor's life. and you're not exactly Miss Innocent, Terese. You have a pretty long, violent record. To be frank, you're chances at anything less than the death penalty are slim and none." He turns to Dr. Walsh. " You said if my client cooperates, she'll live?"
" Yes," Maggie lies smoothly," If she cooperates." She looks at Terese. " I've had a legal team look over the evidence the state has against you. It's pretty grim, young lady. If you don't cooperate, you can pretty much expect to be executed."
Terese swallows hard. Dammit! But what choice I got? Live or die. Life, even in prison, is better than taking the big dirt nap!
" What do I gotta do?" Terese asks, quietly.
Dr. Walsh smiles.

Once again, her memories shift, and Dr. Walsh is in another hospital waiting room. This time she's sitting next to Joyce Summers, who looks drained. Her daughter is in intensive care, her body covered by 3rd degree burns. Her chances of recovery are almost nonexistent.
Joyce looks at the burned body of her child, then back at Dr. Walsh. She can't believe she's even considering what Dr. Walsh offered. Then she looks again, and knows she has to do it. She's desperate.
" I'm still not clear, Dr. Walsh. You say you'll be able to grow Elizabeth a new body?"
" Not exactly, Joyce. We'll be able to clone Elizabeth. Create a new being with her DNA. It won't be her, but essentially a new child. However," she puts a hand on Joyce's arm, " with your help, we'll be able to recreate Elizabeth's personality, filtering out the psychological problems that led to this tragedy." She smiles at Joyce. " She won't have her memories� we'll have to recreate a new life for her."
" But it won't be Elizabeth then, " Joyce says, looking again into the ICU unit. " She won't be my little girl�"
" Ahh� but we can program her to be you're child, Joyce. She'll think of you as mom. Just, all the problems you had, all the heartache, will be gone. It'll be a fresh start�for both of you."
" I just don't know�" Joyce, feeling uneasy, stands up and walks to the room that her daughter is being kept alive in. " It sound so � out there."
" Joyce," Dr. Walsh gets up to follow her." I know this has been an awful time for you. It's not easy to accept your child had such serious problems that led to this tragedy," She looks at Joyce. " But think of Elizabeth. This is a second chance for her. A clean slate, free of the problems that drove her to this. A chance for her to grow up, be happy. Have children. Don't you want that for her."
Joyce feels her heart ache. She looks in at her daughter, now burned , and wrapped up like a mummy. I never knew she was so miserable. So troubled. Maybe I should just let her go. But I can't live without my little girl.
Even though she still has doubts, she knows what she has to do.
" Ok, we'll do this." She says softly. God forgive me if I'm wrong. But I can't imagine my life without Elizabeth in it.
" I'm glad you made that decision, Joyce," Dr. Walsh says, quietly. She takes Joyce by the arm. "I'll need you to come with me, so we can finalize the legal requirements."
As the two women leave the ICU, Joyce looks back at the dying body of her daughter.
I'm so sorry, baby. Please forgive me�
Dr. Walsh closes the folder, bringing her back to the present time. She ponders awhile, then nods. Perhaps that's the problem. Perhaps the sample DNA we took from Elizabeth was just too damaged. Even with the augmentation of Joyce's DNA�
She remembers being in the lab, Joyce Summers on a table, legs in the stirrups. She's unconscious. Various members of the Moreau Project team are standing about.
" We're going to augment one of the clone's DNA by taking samples from her birth mother, and combining them with the human DNA we recovered from the body. This hopefully will fill any gaps in the sequencing pairs, completing the RNA nucleotides." She directs the two staffers, in white surgical garb to begin.
The two staffers lean over, about to take scrapings from Joyce's vaginal region�
� whatever the cause, I wish I had her here now. I could run tests. This not knowing is murder.
Well, if they take the bait we left them, they'll be here soon, and I'll be able to conduct the tests. I hope there's some way we can fix the problem. I'd hate to have to recycle Buffy� Dr. Walsh shrugs. � oh well, c'est la vie.
She gets up from her desk, and walks out of her office.

3

"Are you sure about this?"
Faith looks at the tree. She's climbed up it before, but it seems a pretty hinky way to get in the house.
" Why don't we just go up to the door, knock it down and go in that way?" Faith says, her impatience overruling her caution.
" Good plan, Faith. And then maybe Ira can knock us over the head, or shoot us," Buffy says, "Look, I've used this lots of time to get in, ok? Not my first time up this tree. It'll work out fine." Buffy starts up the tree.
" What? Why? I mean, you're regular Little Ms. Sunnydale. Why should you have to sneak in to the Rosenbergs?" Faith starts shinnying up the tree after her.
Buffy stops on the large branch leaning over the roof.
" Yeah, says you. But Sheila? Didn't like me all that much, you know? And lots of times, I'd come over after Will's curfew, or something, cuz she needed to talk, or I needed to talk, or something. "
" Or something, huh?" Faith gives Buffy a look, " Get down with your bad selves." She smirks.
" Hey, not like we�" Buffy shakes her head, " It was just two friends getting together, you know?"
" Did I say anything else, Buff?" Faith grins. " Got something to confess?"
" You're an ass. How's that?" Buffy growls," Anyway, like the one at home, it's an easy way to sneak in."
" Yeah, genius. If they haven't locked the window. " Faith says. " If this don't work, we're doing it my way."
" it'll work. Geeze, don't get so touchy, ok?"
"Not touchy. Just usually, sneaky plans? Blow up on you."
The two move over the roof to Willow's room. Faith gets there first, and tries the window. It opens.
" See, told you, " Buffy says, being a bit of a smart ass. " This is gonna work great!"
" I 'm really not liking this, Buffy, "Faith mutters.
" Swell. Tell you what. You go downstairs, ring the bell and let Ira know you're here. Then he can invite you in and knock you over the head or something," Buffy smirks, " Me, I'm gonna sneak up on the idiots. You're choice, Faith." Buffy waves at the window.
"Fine, whatever" Faith slips in the window.
Buffy sighs, and slips in the window. Why doesn't she ever just believe me? Sheesh!
Faith is already in the hall when Buffy finds her. She puts a finger to her lips, indicating Buffy should be quiet, and then points downstairs. Buffy moves quietly to stand next to her.
"� tonight? You want us there tonight? I see� yes, I understand� no, it won't be a problem. Oh, black tie� yes, still. We'll be there. Yes, I know where it is. Yes. Fine. Goodbye, Dr. Walsh."
Buffy looks at Faith, who nods. They crouch down to listen.
" What was that about, Ira?" Sheila Rosenberg asks from below.
" That was Dr. Walsh. Evidently, they're having some sort of dinner party/ presentation at Ethan's manor tonight. They want us to attend. Evidently, there's going to be some kind of demonstration, and Willow's involved."
" Tonight? That isn't much notice."
" Have you ever known Dr. Walsh to be considerate." Ira complains, " So, is my tux here, or at the cleaners?"
" It's upstairs. Oh dear, I wonder if I have anything to wear?"
" You have a closet full of clothes, dear. I'm sure you can find something!" Ira looks at his watch." We need to be there by seven p.m. , so we don't have time for one of your shopping trips."
" Well, I better go upstairs and lay out your tux. And figure out what I'm going to wear."
Faith signals that she's going around to the other side of the banister. Buffy nods, and crouches down out of sight.
Sheila appears at the top of the stairs, and starts for her room. Faith steps out of the shadows.
" Faith? What�"
Before she can say anything else, Buffy is on her, hand over her mouth. Faith hits her, and Sheila collapses like a house of cards. Faith drags her into the bedroom.
" Sheila? Is everything ok up there?" Ira calls out. Not getting a response, he starts up the stairs. " Hey, I'm sorry. If there were more time, we�d do this right. I can't help it that� hello? What are YOU doing here?" Ira sees Buffy. He starts up the stairs, turning to confront her.
" Hi, Mr. Rosenberg. Long time no see�" Buffy says, smiling.
Faith sneaks up behind Ira, and coshes him with a vase. He falls like a ton of bricks. Faith grins at Buffy.
" And now, we've got a matched set."
Buffy grabs his feet, and the duo carries him into the bedroom.
Awhile later, Ira and Sheila Rosenberg wake up to find themselves tied up to chairs in their bedroom. They're gagged.
" Ira! Sheila!" Buffy effuses, " So nice you could join us," Buffy moves to each of them. " So, been a long, long time since we've had a nice chat. I'm feeling chatty. How 'bout you two?"
Various muffled sounds as they try to talk through their gags.
" Gee, Buff. I think you forgot you gagged them!" Faith goes to each, and removes the gags." There, that better?"
" How dare you! What's the meaning of this!" Ira, red faced, shouts. " I should call the police!"
" Bunny Summers. I should've known! I always felt you were trouble. And Faith! Well, did I tell you, Ira? These two are no� OW!"
Faith slaps her, then goes over and gives Ira equal time.
" Shut up!" Faith yells at them. " You're lucky I don't slit your throats right now!" Faith holds up a wicked looking knife." Any questions?"
Both the Rosenbergs go wide eyed, and very quiet.
" Better," Faith growls. But she keeps the knife well in sight, so they don't forget she has it.
" Ira, Sheila! I'm hurt!" Buffy mocks them, " Thinking I'm trouble? Geeze, don't you guys ever watch movies? Good cop, Bad cop. I'm the good cop�" Buffy smiles. " Now, Faith here? She just wants to kill you. She's very upset about Willow. But I convinced her that we should at least give you a chance to tell us where she is."
" What? We don't know where Willow is!" Ira protests, " We thought she ran away� with you !"
"EEEEHHH! Wrong answer!" Faith says. She delivers slaps to each of the contestants.
" Hey! I didn't even say anything!" Sheila complains.
" Aw, well, Mrs. R, see, I'm an equal opportunity torturer�"
Sheila and Ira look at each other nervously.
Buffy and Faith lay out some items they found around the house while Ira and Sheila were napping. Included are a baseball bat, a gun, a can of aerosol spray starch, and a lighter.
The two of them groan, looking more scared than ever.
" That's right, Rosenbergs," Buffy agrees. " See, I want to do this without violence. Faith on the other hand? She just wants to hurt you bad. Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. But either way it's happening. I'd suggest you start talking before�" On cue, Faith goes and slaps each one again. " Faith here loses her temper. She can be sooo touchy."
" We just told you. We don't know where Willow is!" Ira says.
" Well, you see, that's where Buffy and I think you're lyin. We heard you talking to Dr. Walsh a few ago, and boy if it didn't sound like you were all cozy with her. What do you think, Buff? They lyin?"
" Oh, yeah. I think they're pretty much lying, Faith."
" Yeah, me too." Faith bends over, and picks up a baseball bat. " Recognize this, Ira? Got it out of your closet."
Ira stares at the bat, but doesn't say a word.
" Now, how you think this is gonna feel across the knees?" Faith gently taps it against his knees.
In the meantime, Buffy has picked up the aerosol can and lighter, and goes over to Sheila. She hits the button, and lights the lighter. A long flame shoots out of the end of the can. She grins, and turns to Sheila. " Pretty, huh?"
" So, Buff. Who you think we should do first? Ira here?" Faith taps his knees again, " Or Sheila."
" Oh, I'm thinking Sheila, Faith, " Buffy leans over Sheila, resting her head on her shoulder. She smiles wickedly " She bugs me, you know. I mean, she's known me all this time, and still� SHE DOESN'T GOT MY NAME RIGHT!" Sheila yelps at the noise next to her ear. " it's Buffy , you idiot. Buffy! NOT BUNNY! " Buffy moves away a few steps and turns, facing Sheila. She holds up the can and lighter, pointing the nozzle towards her. " So, what's it going to be, Sheila? Talk, or do I start warming things up in here?"

" We told you! We don't know where she is!" Sheila cries out.
" LIAR! " Buffy screams.

She lights the torch, just missing Sheila with the flame. Sheila wiggles in her bonds, trying to duck away. She groans, and a wet spot appears on her pants.
" Aw, gee, Buff, you made her wet her pants. You're a real bitch, you know?" Faith chuckles.
" Yeah, but that's why you love me baby, " Buffy winks. " Sheila looks a little out of it. Maybe you should chat with Ira." She walks over, and holds the can next to Sheila's face. " Don't worry, Sheila. We'll keep things warm and cozy." She pulls it a little away, and lights it again. Sheila screams. Buffy slaps her. " Shut UP!"
" See, thing is , Ira, " Faith comes over, and taps his knees with the bat. " I've been thinkin'. Willow's not a moron, unlike her lying parents. There were no signs of struggle when she disappeared. She wouldn't run off by herself. She was as scared of Dr. Walsh as the rest of us. So I figure, she went with someone. Someone she trusts. Now," Faith taps his knees, this time harder, with the bat, " Whom would she trust more than Dear old mom and dad, huh?"
Faith picks up the bat, and swings it hard. At the last second she adjusts, hitting the mirror on the dresser next to the bed. It shatters, glass flying everywhere.
" Ooops, Clumsy me," Faith says, " Look what I did. Well, coulda been worse. That coulda been you're head." She shakes her head, " I got lousy aim, ya know? Maybe I should try something else."
Buffy in the mean time just keeps lighting the torch, waving it closer and closer to Sheila. Faith looks at her, and calls out.
" Hey, Buff, catch!" Faith throws the bat to Buffy, who catches it. " Use that for awhile. You just like that flamey thing way too much."
" Yeah. What can I say? Lady bad, fire pretty," Buffy giggles, But she sets aside her homemade torch, and starts tapping on Sheila's knees.
Faith picks up the pistol, chambering the bullet. She turns back to Ira, and walks over, smiling.
She puts the gun barrel right at Ira's knee cap.
"Yeah, Ira old guy, I got lousy aim. But I figure from here, " She jabs the barrel into his knee," even I can't miss. So, whatcha say, Ira? Feeling like you need to get something off your chest?"
" Last chance, Mr. Rosenberg," Buffy says softly She raps the bat across Sheila's legs. Sheila moans, "Speak up, or Faith's gonna really do a number on those knees of yours. You won't be walking much after she gets done." She turns and winks at Sheila," Or you either."
She cocks the trigger, " I'm waiting Ira. On 5� Five, Four� Three� not kidding, Ira�. Two� "
" Ok, ok, god. Just make her put down the gun! I'll tell you everything." Ira's face has gone white.
" Aw, man!" Faith groans, disappointed. She raises up the gun, and when the barrel clears Ira's shoulder, she fires, the bullet missing him by inches. " Ooops, silly me!" She chides herself. She's smiling, seeing the expression on Ira's face, and the wet spot on his pants.
" Finally, Ira! You came to your senses!" Sheila says, bordering on hysteria. " Tell them anything. Just don't piss off these crazy girls!"
Buffy backhands her across the mouth.
" Why'd you do that?" Sheila complains.
" You just really piss me off," Buffy says, " Bunny Summers my ass!"
" Ok, Ira, " Faith puts down the gun, but brings out the knife, " let's chat. Where's Willow?"
For the next twenty minutes or so, the Rosenbergs, under threat of the knife, gun, and with the gentle persuasion of a slap or 12, told what they knew of the Initiative and their plans. Also where Willow was, and anything else they could think of.
" Honestly, we didn't know what she was up to," Sheila says, towards the end." We thought it was a sociological experiment, testing the effects of reconditioning on troubled youthful offenders. We had no idea, until recently, what was going on." She turns to Buffy, " by that time, we were in so deep, we couldn't get out. She had us � and we had to play along. It would've ruined our careers, otherwise."
" And yet, ruining our lives?� didn�t seem to bother you too much," Faith says. " Our lives were just nothing to you, were they? We were just toys for you to play with. Bugs under a fucking piece of glass for you to study." Faith feels the rage building up in her. She reaches for the bat, and starts swinging it, " Didn't matter to you what happened to that little girl that trusted you, loved you, did it?" She swings, smashing furniture and knick knacks in the room. " You hurt her, betrayed her, and who the hell cares, right?" There goes the vanity and mirror. " All you cared about was your little project, and the money, right?" the nightstand falls victim next. " Right?" the other nightstand. " and you pieces of filth have the right to call US the freaks???" she draw closer to the Rosenbergs, knocking the bedposts off the bed. " YOU MONSTERS!!!" She looks like she's going to hit Sheila's head with the bat, but at the last second throws the bat at the wall, making a nice dent in it. " She loved you and trusted you, and this is what you did to her??!!" Faith pulls the knife. She goes to Sheila, and pulls her head back by grabbing her hair. Her neck is exposed. " I should slit your throats right now!" She raises the knife over her throat.
Sheila makes a gurgling noise, her eyes wide in fear.
" Faith, no! Don't!" Buffy yells. " We still need the pricks. They can get us in the party!"
" No, don't � please�" Ira begs from the other chair. " Don't� we cooperated� don't kill us�"
Faith turns the knife, running the flat of the blade across Sheila's throat. She lets go of her hair, and kicks her chair instead, knocking it over.
"See, that's the difference between you and me, Ira. Situation reversed? I'm sure you woulda killed me!" Her face sets, her eyes glittering with cold fire. " No, you two? Like Buffy said, you still got value to us. You're getting us in that little soiree. Got it, Ira?" Faith walks over, and gets the gun. She puts the barrel under his chin. " Don't make me persuade you."
" Yes� yes� we'll do it, we'll do it." Fear and remorse color his tone. " We're sorry� god, we're sorry."
Buffy upright's Sheila's chair.
" Now, just because I can't kill you, doesn't mean I can't hurt you a little," Faith says. She reverses the gun in her hand, grabbing the barrel.
" Faith!"
" Buffy, stay out of it."
" No, don't wanna stop you. Just� let me have her, please, " Buffy says, her own face cold and hard.
" Of course, Buff."
Buffy walks over, and picks up the bat. Faith leans her hand on Ira's shoulder.
" Don't hit 'em where it'll show, Buffy. We want 'em nice and spiff for the party."
" Just once, Faith. We want them to be able to walk."
" Once will do� for now," Faith says.
A moment passes, and two loud yells are heard emanating from the bedroom. A few more seconds pass, then the two girls emerge.
" Don't be long dressing, kids. We'll be right out here. Oh, and Ira? Sheila? You try anything, either of you, and it's gonna hurt a whole lot worse." Faith calls back into the bedroom.
" I feel better. How ' bout you?" Buffy asks.
" Yeah� I guess, " Faith sighs. " I'll feel better when I know Red's ok."
Buffy moves closer, putting an arm around her shoulders.
" It's ok, Faith. We'll get her back. I promise," Buffy gives her a hug.
" Thanks , Buff, " Faith smiles for the first time that day," really, thanks." She diverts the subject. " So what now? We go get your mom?" She sees Buffy wince. Smart one, Faith. Real smart. " Sorry, I mean Mrs. Summers?"
" Think we should involve her, Faith? Maybe best to just not�"
" Buff, let me do you a favor now? I know it's hard, thinking your mom's not your mom? But she really does care about you, 'K? She'd want to help." Faith gives Buffy a return hug. " Let her choose at least, ok?"
The Rosenbergs emerge from the bedroom, dressed for the party. Despite the clothing, they still look a bit frazzled from their recent encounter.
" Well, don't they just look spiff, Buff?" Faith asks, smirking. " Ira, your keys, please," Faith holds out her hand.
" What?"
" Well, kids, this is your night to howl, ya know? I insist, I'll play chauffeur for the evening. Nothin' personal, but I don't trust you father than I can see ya. Hand them over." She starts waving the gun.
Ira swallows hard, but hands over the keys.
" Good boy. Now, be good, you kids. Don't do anything I have to punish you for, " She smiles brightly. " After you" She makes an exaggerated gallant gesture.
The Rosenbergs warily make their way around the two girls. As they pass, Buffy lightly taps them on the rear with the bat. They jump, and the two girls are hard pressed to keep from giggling.
A little while later, the Rosenberg's Cadillac pulls up in front of the Revello drive address. Faith and Buffy are in the front seat, Sheila an Ira in back. Buffy has taken the pistol from Faith.
" Handy this, thanks, " Buffy, waving the gun, says to the couple. She hands the pistol over to Faith. " I'll go get � Mrs. Summers, and then we'll head back."
" Buffy?" Faith feels her friend's mood," are you ok? Do you want me to get her?"
" It's cool, Faith. I got it, " Buffy says, slipping out of the car. " I can deal now."
Buffy walks up the path, hit by a wave of nostalgia. It feels like home. It's not home, not anymore. But it so feels like it.
She stops at the front door, and for a second, hesitates to knock. Then she does. Softly at first, then a little louder.
The door opens, and Joyce is standing there. For a moment, the two just stare at each other.
" Buffy?" Joyce says, everything she feels for the younger woman in that one word.
Then Buffy just throws herself on Joyce, hugging her tightly. Joyce, amazed but also pleased, just gently puts her arms around Buffy.
Buffy looks up at Joyce, her eyes bright with tears.
" I know you're not my mom. But you feel like my mom, " Buffy says, hugging Joyce again. " I know things have been bad, and we'll talk. But not now. I need your help. They got Will. They're holding her somewhere, and we're gonna go after her. I need you're help. Help me?"
Joyce's heart melts. She holds the young woman in her arms, and for a second feels perfect happiness. " Of course, baby. I'll help."
Buffy smiles, leaning against the older woman. " Thanks, mom," She says softly.
Joyce gently breaks her embrace. " Just let me get my coat, ok?" She walks back into the house. She grabs her coat and purse, and surreptitiously grabs out a hanky, drying the tears in her eyes. She sighs, stands up straight, and smiles. She walks back to the door.
" Let's go, honey."

4

Oooo, my poor head, Willow thinks to herself, feeling the throbbing at her temples. A little left over from the trank darts. She keeps her eyes tightly shut, because she really doesn't want to see anything yet. She just wants to crawl back under that rock she just crawled out from under, and pull it back over herself.
Slowly, carefully, she opens her eyes. Then her eyes go wide when she sees the room.
She feels she's just stepped into a time machine, and it left her in 1896.
Everything in the room is suggestive of late Victorian era: the furniture is dark and heavy, the wallpaper looks like�she reaches out and touches it� yup, velvet� crushed red velvet. Even the bedspread on the four poster bed she's on is heavy, and either damask or some heavy material.
" Ok, when did I fall into an episode of The Forsythe saga?" She looks down and almost gasps when she realizes she's been dressed in a flannel nightgown. " Ok, when did this happen?" She realizes, with a blush, that someone had to strip her down to nakedness to get her in this. " Ok, now I'm wigged." She says softly.
She gets up off the bed, and stands still for a second for the spinning to stop. She turns around, and in the corner is a bird in a large floor to ceiling gilded cage. And, it gets weirder and weirder. She thinks, as she approaches the bird.
The bird itself has beautiful iridescent wings of various shades. Its crown is capped by a ridge of brightly colored feathers, making it appear that it's wearing a feather crown. It's beak is unusual� longer than a parrot or macaw, but shorter than say a toucan. And it's very large. It looks to be nearly 4 feet long. She moves closer, because it's pretty and she wants to get a better look. Then she stops cold. Its eyes cause her to stop. They're distinctly not birdlike. Worse, they look human�and appear to be watching her. Oh god. It's one�it's a hybrid� like me.. oh god, oh god, oh god! They're gonna do that to me. They're gonna put me on display in some big old cage. Willow doesn't realize she's already in her cage.
Freaked, she backs away from the cage, towards the wall. She's so focused on the mutant in the cage she doesn't notice the hiss, nor see the wall slide open. It's not until she feels a couple of pairs of hands on her arms that she realizes she's not alone anymore.
" Hey!" She looks at the two women that came in, and her heart sinks." Oh, oh."
Her new companions are Drusilla, and the revamped Cordelia. It's rather hard to tell it's Cordelia these days; with her golden blonde hair, changes in facial and body structures, she's just not the same spoiled rich girl she used to be. Rather, these days she's pretty much the pampered sex slut for Ethan Rayne.
Yet, still, even though she doesn't recognize her, Willow has a strange feeling she does know this blonde girl. Ok, really weird, because I've never seen her before� at least, I don't THINK I've seen her before� but somehow, I know her� ok, weird has just kicked it up 10 notches� and speaking of weird, where did this one come from? I remember her too. But I remember where� when we hit the Initiative. And she was playing for the bad guys. Oh, not good. Very not good.
" So, ummm�" Willow says, nerves taking her mind every which way," � how've you been?"
" Oh, I'm very well, dearie," Drusilla says, smiling. The smile gives Willow a major case of the wiggins. " I'm glad we found you awake. How are you feeling, little sister?" She pats Willow's tummy lightly. " How's the precious little one?"
" Uhhh� not your sister, " Willow says, nervously.
" Oh, now, luv. We're all sisters here. You, me� Cordelia here." Dru smiles her insane smile, and weaves a little. " We're all sisters in the test tube, don't you know?"
" Cordelia?" Willow looks hard at the blond girl holding her other arm. No, no way. That's not Queen C. What the hell is this mad woman talking about? She looks closer, however, and really looks in her eyes. Oh� oh dear� oh, my god! " Cordelia! It's you? It's really you?" Willow stares at her. " What have they done to you?"
" Look, girl. I don't know you, or the nut job here. All I do know is that you're supposed to be ready for tonight, and we're supposed to do it, " Cordelia says. " Somehow, Walsh and Ethan think you're special." She gives Willow the once over, " Not really seeing it."
" C'mon, Cordy. I know it's you in there�somewhere," Willow looks at her again. Maybe I'm wrong?" It's me, Willow, you know� Willow Rosenberg?"
"That's supposed to mean something to me? In what bizzaro universe, exactly?" Cordelia gives her a snooty stare." And why do you and several-sandwiches-short-of-a-picnic over there keep calling me that name? My name's Anne, you morons."
That's Cordelia. No one can do bitch like Cordelia. She might not remember she's Cordelia�but that's her!
" She's a bit mean, isn't she?" Drusilla says, looking at Cordelia. " She thinks she's better than us, she does." She turns to Willow, " now, now dearie, time to get you all clean and sparkly for tonight." She starts to drag on Willow. Cordelia drags her by the other arm.
" Tonight?" Willow asks, feeling her tummy starting to do jumping jacks. " What's tonight?"
" Why, little mummy, we're going to make you a star, don't you know?" Drusilla starts to sing a little ditty. " Rub a dub dub, three girls in a tub."
" Eh?" Willow isn�t exactly liking the sound of that.
" Oh, for god's sake. Loony tunes here thinks you're like some kind of salvation of something, " Cordelia shrugs, pulling Willow down the hall towards the bath. " Something about you being pregnant or something� and how special that is. Right, well, getting knocked up. That takes talent." She sneers. " Must be hard spreading those legs so wide, huh?"
Gotta be Cordelia. No one can be that mean consistently and not be named Cordelia Chase!
" But she is special, Cordelia, " Dru says in a sing song voice. " She's the future of our race, don't you know? Our little mummy here's the first to get preggers. Proves we can, she does. She's going to be the first of many of her kind. Once they study her, see how she did it."
" Our race?" Willow looks at Dru. " You mean you're� oh crap� that's what I have to look forward to?" Being a primo nut job?
The enter a room, and the lights come on automatically
It's a large room, 20x20, all marble and hand cut tile. The walls are covered by full length mirrors, only broken by one area set aside as a vanity/ dressing area. In the center is a large sunken tub, accessible by carved steps. Flanking it, and connected on one side is a Jacuzzi .
Drusilla smiles, looking at Willow. " Here we are dearie. Lets get you out of that dressing gown, shall we?"
" Thanks, but I can do it myself, " Willow says, backing off a little. " And really, can bathe all by myself now. Been able to for years and years."
" Don't be a silly, pet, " Drusilla says. She pulls a string on her gown, and it drops to the floor, puddling around her ankles, She casually kicks it away. " Mummy wants you fresh and squeaky clean for the presentation, and that's why were here, to do so."
Willow blushes a little. Despite her relations with Faith, she's still rather shy about getting nude around strangers, even female strangers.
" I think she's shy," Cordelia says, sounding amused. " You weren�t all that shy when it came to Faith though, I hear."
"What do you know about� oh�" Willow turns to Cordelia to give her a bit of it back, and notices that she has also removed her clothing. She has somewhat the same reaction she had to the Anne-bot. Attracted and at the same time rather unnerved. " What's with all the naked, anyway, if I'm the one bathing?"
" Well, we're here to help you, dummy," Cordelia replies, as if it's the stupidest thing she's ever heard, " They want you shiny clean and looking your best. So, lets see what we've got to work with. " She walks over, and pulls the tie on Willow's gown. Like the others, with a little help from Cordelia, it drops off Willow. Cordelia gives her the critical once over, frowning just a little. " Well, adequate I suppose. Geeze, you'd think they could've enhanced her a little." She shrugs." Oh well, we'll do what we can I suppose."
" Hey, what's wrong with me!" Willow says indignantly, " I'm just fine, thank you. I don't need help like you, Ms. Silicone."
Cordelia gives her a ' gee, you really don't know do you?' look of pity. " Well, you're breasts are too small, your bottoms a little too big, and those thighs, " She just shakes her head, " And haven't you ever heard of a trimmer?" She stares straight a Willow's crotch.
Willow covers herself best she can, and the blush comes back. " Everything works just fine, thanks," Willow starts for the tub. " Think I'll take my bath now."
" Oh, don't worry, we'll take care of the obvious stuff today, " Cordelia nods. " Drusilla, do get me the trimming scissors and razor please."
" Ok, enough, " Willow says, "what exactly is going on here? I want some answers!"
" Well, I guess we can tell you. No harm in it. You're being groomed, Willow. Tonight is the first night of your new destiny."
" Destiny?" Willow gulps. Not really loving the sound of that." What's that mean?"
" It' means, you little twit, for some reason, you got pregnant first. And because of that, Dr. Walsh intends to show you off to some ' interested' parties tonight at the demonstration. Once you shoot out the kid here, " Cordelia pats her belly," You're going to give Dr. Walsh lots of research material. You see, you're the first of our kind that can reproduce. You, my dear, are going to become the mother of a new race of being on this planet. Not human exactly; not entirely animal. But a blending� keeping the best parts of both." She smirks. " Not exactly my idea of ideal, but what do I know, right?" She shrugs. " You and your little friends are going to provide the blueprints for a whole new race. You should be proud."
" You mean Angel, Buffy, Faith and Oz are all part of this?" Willow looks upset, " what is this about?"
" You're part of a warrior race. All of you. Super-soldiers. Get it? You have enhanced abilities, you're bred to fight and die. And you, Willow, are proving that you can be replicated outside the lab. You're exactly what Walsh and Rayne have waited for. You're special." Cordelia smirks, " Well, anyway, you're different." She grabs Willow by the arm. " So, girl, lets get you all cleaned up and ready. Tonight's your night to shine."
" Wait a minute," Willow pulls back. " Ok, you guys got me� but the others are safe. You can't get them."
" Oh, I'm pretty sure that once they get the little note Ethan left for them, they'll mount some half-baked rescue attempt to try and get you out. And they'll fall right into Ethan's little trap," Cordelia comes around, and starts shoving Willow towards the bath.
" Now, lets get going. I've got other things to do today."
None too gently, Cordelia forces Willow into the bath.

5

The Rosenberg's Cadillac pulls up beside an abandoned warehouse . Faith pulls the car up beside the loading dock doors, and kills the engines.
"Well, here we are, kids. Home sweet hovel, " She says. She looks at the Rosenbergs with some asperity. " you can get you're butts outta the car now, idiots."
" Buffy, Faith! That's rather rude, don't you think?" Joyce says, " After all, the Rosenbergs are here to help."
" Only because we've got a gun on them, Mom, " Buffy explains. "These fine folk are part of Dr. Walsh's team, you know? They helped kidnap their own daughter, all in the greater interests of science. Isn't that right, Sheila?" Buffy glares at her.
" I don't understand," Joyce looks at Ira and Sheila," What're they talking about?"
" They think we're like some bugs under glass in a microscope, Mrs. Summers," Faith adds, "this whole thing is like on big experiment to them. Oh, and Dr. Walsh? Has them on their payroll. The only reason they ' agreed' to be Willow's parents? Is cuz they're being paid rather handsomely for it. They don't give a rat's patootie about her, otherwise. Aint that so, Ira?" Faith points the gun at him.
The Rosenbergs don't say anything, they just look down at their hands.
" They're spies, mom, The as much as admitted it to us. They've been reporting everything back to Walsh and Rayne since this all started. They're in it for the money, pretty much."
Joyce looks at the Rosenbergs, not believing it. She sees their expressions of guilt and fear, and she gets a disgusted look on her face. She opens the door.
" I think I want out of the car now, " She says, closing the door behind herself.
" Buffy, why don't you get the others. I'll watch the bozos," Faith says, taking the pistol from Buffy. " Me and Ira and Sheila. Have a good ole time. Won't we, kids?"
" Don�t do anything stupid, Faith. We still need them to get into the estate, ok?"
"Hey, not stupid, Blondie," Faith says ," Anyway, for some dumb reason, Willow must still love these creeps. Or she wouldn't have gone with them, would she? I wouldn't hurt her for anything, " She stares at the Rosenbergs, " Unless you make me."
Buffy sighs, and slides out of the car. I guess I should care if Faith does something to them. I guess I should. Just can't, for some reason.
" Hey, mom, over here, " Buffy says, walking over to Joyce. " In there." She points at the warehouse.
" You live in that?" Joyce looks a little pained.
" Beggars can't be choosers, mom. Especially when you got bad people chasing you." She take's Joyce's hand. " C'mon, it's not all that bad, " She looks at Joyce," Especially since we got rid of the bigger rats." She deadpans.
Joyce blanches, and Buffy laughs.
" That's not FUNNY!" Joyce protests. " Thinking of you living in a place like this�" Joyce shakes her head.
" It's ok, mom, really." She leads Joyce inside the warehouse.
" Buffy! It's about time! We were growing concerned. Hello, Joyce, " Giles looks at Buffy, " Do you think it wise to bring her here?"
" I'm figuring we can use all the help we can get, and mom wants to help."

" Really, Dr. Giles, I can help." Joyce asserts." I need to help."
" Very well, Joyce," Giles has a tiny smile on his lips," We can use all the help we can muster."
" Oh, we're just overloaded with volunteers, Giles," Buffy smirks, winking at Joyce, " We got two more in the car outside."
" Car? Two more?" Giles looks at Buffy warily. " Who else did you bring here?"
" Oh, just good old Ira and Sheila Rosenberg�" Buffy grins.
" What?" Giles looks aghast. " You brought them here? Why?"
" Well, once Faith and I had a little chat with them, they saw the error of their ways, and so wanted to help out," Buffy is having a hard time keeping a straight face.
" I don't know how advisable that is, Buffy. We were going to make an attempt tomorrow night. I don't know where we'll put them up�"

" Actually, we gotta talk about that, Giles. Seems old Ethan's having a little party tonight. Inviting just a few close personal friends� the kind of friends he does business with? And it seems, Willow is the star attraction. I got a feeling the shit's going to hit the fan tonight," Buffy says. " Oh, sorry, mom� didn't mean to swear there."
" Tonight? I'm not sure we're ready to go tonight�" Giles says.
He thinks for a minute, then slowly a smile spreads across his face. " You think he'll have some associates of rather questionable repute there tonight?"
" Uhhh� if he's sellin' what I think he's gonna try to sell? Who else would be there?"
Giles eyes narrow. " I think I might know a few people that might be very interested in that guest list." Giles nods. " Very interested indeed." Then he frowns. " But I need access to a phone."
Joyce smiles, digs in her pure and extracts a cell phone.
" Mom to the rescue!" Buffy smiles. She turns to Giles. " So, who're these guys you're talking about?"
" Let's just say Dr. Walsh isn't the only one with contacts in Washington." Giles opens the cell phone, and looks puzzled. " How do you work this infernal thing?"
" Geeze, science genius, medical doctor, and he can't work a cell phone," Buffy shakes her head. " dial the number, Giles, and press " send". Simple."
Giles, grumbling a little bit, moves away to make his call.
Angel, followed by Oz, comes over.
" Hey, guys, good news," He says. " Oh, Hi. Mrs. Summers." He looks at Buffy. " What's she doing here?"
" She's here to help, " Buffy says simply, " So, Angel, what's the good news?"
" Oh. Right. The bot has dug up the security code to the estate from its memory chips." He smiles," We should be able to disarm the security system with it."
" Really? Good timing, as we need it tonight." Buffy says.
" What do you mean? We're not going until tomorrow night."
Buffy briefly explains the situation to Angel and Oz. Angel gets a worried, broody look on his face.
" That doesn't sound good at all."
" No. That's why we gotta go tonight. To get her out of there before�"
" Well, that's it then, " Giles says, coming back to the others. " took a little convincing, but I believe I've got� how do you Americans put it?� oh yes, I've got the cavalry on the way."
All of the others look at Giles, puzzled by his remark.
" Let's just say there are other parties interested in Mr. Rayne's little parties. And they're going to meet us out at the estate."
" So we go tonight, then?" Angel asks.
" We go tonight."
To be continued.
- 14
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- 16
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