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Heart's Desire	By : PencilNeck Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Faith Views: 9582 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
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
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Chapter 22:� Black
Celebration

�B-Team!�� Buffy tries
to be encouraging.� But she�s tired.� Aching in places she forgot were attached to
her body.� �We�ve got them trapped, like
sardines�� Or like fish in a barrel.� Although why you�d put fish in a barrel�� And why fish?�
Is it always fish?�� Deliriously
tired.� That�s what Buffy is.

She shakes her head.�

�Whatever.� They�re
all crammed together.� Get stabby!�� Buffy used to have better speeches.

She can see the other teams getting into position, cutting
off the escape routes, pushing the army of demons into tighter and tighter
quarters in the centre of this cavernous battlefield.� It�s a good strategy.� Even though it�s Andrew�s strategy.�

Buffy shakes her head again.�
Yanks her sword from the chest of another carcass.� She struggles to raise it over her head,
fighting the pain in her muscles, the soreness of eyes that have seen for too
long.

A clatter, metallic and high pitched.� She hears it faintly over the clamour of the
fight, like music.� She turns her head to
it.�

The scythe.� It�s hit
the ground hard, sliding toward her through legs and arms and the sea of blood
covering the ground.� She�s already
bending to pick it up, her eyes tracing back along its path.� Looking for Faith.

She starts running, scythe in one hand, sword in the
other.� She can see a tight group of
demons, circling and attacking something, someone.� She sees a flash of black, a swift arm
blocking a heavy blow.� A fist pushing
through the sharp teeth of some awful looking thing.�

Faith is almost holding her own against ten or twelve armed
and armoured demons.� Almost.� They overpower her, sending her to the stone
floor.

Buffy adds a burst of speed to reach them, bringing her
blades down hard and fast, cutting through the enemy.� She can almost see Faith through them.� Feel where she is, how she�s fending off
their blows with her arms and her legs.�

She hacks and slashes without hesitation, giving Faith the
chance she needs to get clear.�� She
sighs in relief when Faith rolls free and stands up in one swift motion.�

�Thanks.�� Faith
punches through another jawbone.� She nods
to Buffy.� �Let�s cut �em down to size��

�That�s almost as lame as my fish speech.�� Without a thought, Buffy throws the scythe to
Faith.� Instinct and training puts them
back to back, weapons raised.

�Nothing�s as lame as your fish speech.�� Faith deadpans.

The enemy surges toward them, a sea of metal and might
attacking in a wave.

Buffy tilts her head.

She�s not tired anymore.

***********************************************

Giles paces along the outside of the shield.� Back and forth across its blue glimmer,
keeping an eye on the small group of Wiccas under his care, muttering the
incantation under his breath.� He keeps
his crossbow down, keeps his eyes up.�
Guarding his charges while they chant.�
Guarding the perimeter.

It pains him to listen to the chatter on the com, but he
strains to hear every word nonetheless.�
Every fibre of his being wants to take up his sword, and charge into the
battle.� Stand shoulder to shoulder with
his slayers, with his friends.� Fight
once again at their side.�

But he won�t.� His
place is no longer on the battlefield.�
He�s too old, too frail and too human.�
There�s no reason to risk his life unnecessarily.�� That�s what Buffy told him.� Less eloquently, of course.� But she�d been right.�

Giles swallows a breath, and his pride.�

And moves on.� Pacing
back and forth along the outside of the shield.

***********************************************

�D-Team S.O.S!��
Leah�s voice comes booming out of the speakers.

�D-Team, report!��
Xander taps his knuckles against his palm, his hands at his back.� Looking very much the soldier.�

�Ten dead!� Fifteen injured!� We�re getting annihilated out here!�

�On it!� Keep your com
line open Leah.�� Xander hits a button on
the makeshift com panel.� �Sniper
Teams!� We need reinforcements on the
ground.� Kennedy, I want Z-Team down
there ASAP!� Meet up with Leah and get
her clear!�

Kennedy�s quick acknowledgement is cut off.

�Everybody back!��
Leah�s voice is filled with panic.�
�Go!� Into the cave!��

�Leah!� Status!�

A few seconds of breathing feel like minutes.

�They�re right outside!��
Leah struggles not to lose it.�
�We�re cut off, and most of my girls can�t fight!�

�Help is on the way.��
Xander keeps his voice calm.�
�Take your injured deeper into the tunnel.� Don�t try to fight them unless you have to.�

Xander listens to Leah relay his orders.� He presses a different button on the panel.

�Kennedy, how long?��

�We�re pushing through, Xander.�� Kennedy�s words are punctuated with deep
breaths.� She�s running.� �We�ll get there.� Promise.�

Xander waits.� He
listens to Leah breathing and barking orders through the com.� He checks his watch.� One minute.�
He takes a few steps, checking the monitors.� Two minutes.�

�Z-Team swooping in to save the day, as promised!�� Kennedy grunts into the com, obviously
engaged in some fierce fight.

�Leah, Kenn�s got your back!�� Xander�s glad he can give some good news for
a change.� �Stay put, and we�ll send Meds
and an Evac squad to you.� Don�t��

�Xander!�� Leah
interrupts.� �You need to get Buffy and
Faith down here now!�

�Kennedy can handle it��

�It�s not for her.� We
found� in the tunnel�� I can�t even
describe it�� Leah trails off.

�Try.��

***********************************************

�Wow, that�s a big hole.��
Buffy stands with Faith at the edge of a wide circular pit, stone steps
cut into the smooth walls.� �Can you see
the bottom?�

�Nope.�� Faith stops
trying.� �But the stairway to hell
kinda��

�Implies bottom-ness.��
Buffy shivers, and takes a few steps away from the edge.� She turns away from it, facing Leah and
Kennedy.

�You guys get out of here.�
Kenn�s team can escort.�� She jerks her head back toward the pit.� Then back to Kennedy.� �I�m thinking this is the way to
what�s-his-name, so leave anyone you can spare to guard the entrance.�

She and Faith watch them leave.� Once the last of them is gone, they turn to
each other.

�So, we just go down there?��
Faith gestures at it.�

�I guess.�� Buffy
can�t look at it either.�

�Right then.�� Faith
steps aside.� �You first.�

�No chance.�� Buffy
backs up.� �You�re the boss.� You go first.�

�I can order you to go first!�� Faith ducks around Buffy, giving her a little
shove.

�But you won�t.��
Buffy veers away, stepping beside Faith.�
�That�d be just plain mean.�

They stand there, staring down into it.� Their eyes following the steps as they spiral
around and around and get lost in a deep thick black.� It�s dizzying.� That much empty.

After a moment, Faith clears her throat.

�So we just go down there?��
But she doesn�t move.

�You make it sound so easy.��

There�s a shifting, like stone against stone.� They turn together, and watch as an opening
appears in the thick walls of the tunnel.�

�It�s never easy.��
Faith says what they�re both thinking.

The passage widens, and a new sound follows.� Footsteps, heavy and in synch.� Like a heartbeat, a deep and frightening
rhythm.� The pounding gets louder,
closer.

They raise their weapons once again.�

What comes through makes Buffy choke on her breath.� She can hear
Faith�s gasp in her earpiece.� She
thought she�d seen monsters.� Seen
demons.� Seen everything.�

But these hideous creatures she�s pretty sure she�s never
seen.� Vaguely humanoid in shape, but
with wide legs that seem to bend the wrong way, and pinchy
insect faces.� Locusts
maybe.� Buffy�s not sure.�

�I hope they don�t have wings�� Buffy whispers, mostly to herself.

�Not my biggest worry right now.�� Faith points with the stake end of the
scythe.

Buffy�s eyes follow.�
One of the walking horrors is looming above them, something rising from
behind the thing like a snake.� But not a
snake.�

Buffy remembers now.�
From the meeting.

�The tail of a scorpion!��
Buffy blurts it out loud.� �I
never thought�� I mean, who�d believe
that!�

The creature strikes out at Faith, who rolls out of the
way.� The stinger hits hard against the
stone floor.��

Buffy raises her sword.�
Faith swings the scythe over her head.�
They both know it�s time.� The
connection between them opens, flowing through them, giving them new strength.

There�s a slight hesitation in time.� A brief moment in which both sides are
frozen, poised at the edge of attack.� Then,
as though some unspoken signal is sounded, the instant�s peace is
shattered.� The battle is on.�

Buffy tears through the tough shell of two of these
creatures.� At the edge of her vision,
she sees Faith behead another.�

Her arms swing out again and again, hacking away at whatever
comes near.� Faith is behind her, and she
ducks to avoid another sweeping arc of the scythe.�

They fight together.�
Two instruments finely tuned.�
It�s a shame there�s nobody around who can appreciate the true beauty in
their movements, the fluidity and grace they draw out of each other.� Sword and scythe, both
sharp and glimmering, equally beautiful and effective.�

Buffy does a quick head-count.� Five at the mouth of the tunnel, seven
blocking their way down the spirally steps.�
Faith hops out in front of her, claiming the seven for herself.� Buffy smiles, turning to take on the five
remaining.

�So, you guys have ears or what?�� Buffy slices cleanly through a stinger
heading her way.� �I�d hate to be punning
to myself.�� She raises her sword to
block a shredding blow from serrated steel.�
Ducks under and smashes her fist through the tough exoskeleton.

Never stopped you
before.� �Faith chuckles, grunting with each heavy sweep
of her weapon.

�Oh gross!�� Buffy
pulls her hand out, covered in goopy green innards.� �The reasons to kill you all dead just keep
piling up!�� She shakes off her hand,
using her sword to deflect her attackers.�
Not even conscious of the speed and skill coursing through her.�

She takes them out, cutting and spilling their insides on to
their outsides.� One final spin, and the
last head rolls.� Buffy keeps turning,
checking on Faith.

Faith uses the scythe like a staff, brute force and the
power of her will forcing the last two monsters back.� She needs room to swing the blade, room to
maneuver.� She cuts deep into the neck of
the closest, sending him to the edge of the deep black, teetering there, finally
starting to slip.

It happens in slow motion.

Faith turns to face down the last locust demon, swinging her
scythe around and bringing it crashing down into its head.� It seems to pulverize on impact, sending a
spray of green in all directions.

See, not a
scratch!� Faith turns to face Buffy,
about to raise her hand for the high five.

Show-off.� Buffy starts to smile, relief threatening to
relax her.�

From the corner of her eye, she spots something slithering
up from the black.� Hooked and knotted
and aiming for Faith�s turned back.

It�s not a thought.�
Not a conscious decision.� Faster
than eyes can see, Buffy�s there.�
Pushing Faith out of the way, twisting into its path.

She�s surprised by the pain.�
It�s heat and fire inside her.� It�s choking and pressure and cold.�� Her eyes can�t focus, her limbs are failing
her.

She catches a blurry glimpse of Faith, turning in
shock.� Her eyes visible through the
visor, through the blood and guts coated on thick and smeared.� Buffy watches them cloud.� Darken.�
But everything�s so dark, it could
be a trick.��

Faith drops the scythe.�
Rips the tail in two with her hands, sending the last demon into the pit
for good.� She turns to Buffy, catching
her in time, laying her gently on the stone floor.� Chokes at the sight of the sharp black barb
poking through her chest from behind.�
Through her heart, it looks like.�
She hesitates, not certain if she should remove the stinger.� Not sure which is worse, the wound or the
poison.

Buffy vomits blood.�
She�s choking on it.� Faith can�t
take off her helmet, can�t see her.�
Can�t��

The helplessness is too much.� Her rage takes over.

�WILLOW!��

Faith�s voice is louder than the battle, louder than the
com, louder than the damned volcano threatening to blow.� Anyone who hears it understands that sound.

Despair.

***********************************************

�Oh Goddess!�� Willow
falters.� The pain in Faith�s voice
cripples her concentration for a moment, and she drops tens of feet from her
perch in the sky.�

It�s the cry she�s dreaded.�
The one that means she�ll have to make a choice.� Either
way�

Willow closes
her eyes.� Takes a breath, focusing her
mind on Faith.� On that pain.

Before she blinks out of the sky, her thought completes
itself.

Either way, we�re
going to lose�

***********************************************

�Get back down there!��
Xander yells.� Still clutching at
his ears.� Faith�s howl still ringing
through the room.�

�Consider me there!��
Kennedy crackles through the busted speakers.� �Bringing the goddamned cavalry with me.�

�They�re not...��
Xander pushes down the dread.�
�They�re not answering the com, Kenn.�

�I got it, Xand.�� Kennedy softens her voice as best she
can.� �I�ll be your eyes and ears.�

Xander can�t respond.�
It hurts too much to force down.�
For the first time since it all began, he leans against the desk.� Letting his worry and fear take hold.� Letting out all the sorrow he�s been holding
back.� His tears fall freely, openly,
bravely.

No one rushes to him.�
Nobody speaks.� Not one word.�

He knows more about courage and responsibility, more about
compassion and loyalty than any of them.�
They have no right, no place trying to remind him of these things.

He�s Xander Harris.�
He knows, above anything else, when it�s time to grieve.

***********************************************

Willow snaps her
head up, opening her eyes.� Faith is
kneeling at Buffy�s side.� And Buffy�

�Buffy!�� Willow
rushes over, expanding her pocket of air to encompass the three of them.� Dropping down, she helps Faith remove Buffy�s
helmet.� Helps Faith unzip the rubber
suit, peeling it away.� The white tank
underneath is soaked in sweat, but still turning wine red with the constant
flow of blood escaping from around the puncture wound.

�Fix her!�� Faith
demands, her voice lost between pitches, between a screech and a cry. She tears
off her helmet and gloves, letting them fall.�

Willow puts her
hands on Buffy.� Trying to pull energies
from the earth.� Trying to see without
seeing, the damage that�s been done inside.

�I can�t.�� She falls
back, gasping.� �It�s all
contaminated!� I can�t risk it.�

�Do something!��
Faith�s voice falters farther.�
�We have to do something!��

�I can�t heal, not here.��
Willow searches for Buffy�s
pulse under her cold, white skin.� �Is
she��

�She�s alive.�
Weak�� She�s fighting.�

Damned right.

Buffy?� Faith�s voice is cracked, even in her own
mind.

You got other voices
in your head I should know about?�
Buffy sounds quiet.� Far away.

Nah, it�s always you.� Faith smiles a bit.� Reaches out and finds Buffy�s hand.

I figured it out.� Buffy�s face doesn�t change.� The
whole thing.� The prophecy, the dreams.

Oh yeah?

Yeah.� Buffy�s voice is warm.� Soothing.�

�We�re taking this� thing� out of her.�� Willow�s
voice is low.� Angry.� �Faith, you have to do exactly what I say,
when I say.�

Faith nods, tears spilling down her cheeks.

�When I tell you, you have to press here, hard as you
can...�� Willow
points to the wound.� ��or she�ll bleed
out before I can do anything.�

Faith waits, hands trembling.

�Defaeco!�� Willow
aims a blast of colour and light at the stinger.� It bursts into black flame and
disintegrates.� �NOW!�

Faith slams down on the hole in Buffy�s chest, her hands
trying desperately to stop the blood bubbling up through her fingers.�

Buffy�s body convulses.�
Her mouth opens, croaking and spitting up blood and ragged air.

Faith�s eyes are wide with panic.�

Faith!� Buffy�s voice is a whisper.� We�re
running out of time.

I�m here.� Buffy�s barely there, but Faith listens hard
to every word.� Straining to keep their
link open, pushing it beyond tested limits.��

Willow starts
chanting, casting her hands around Buffy�s body.� Something is happening.� Buffy�s body stops its wild flexes.� Her breathing sounds a little clearer.� The blood at her mouth and in her throat
disappears.�

�That�s the best I can do��
Willow�s voice fades away.

Faith doesn�t hear anything but Buffy.� The soft words she�s always wanted to hear.

And it�s not how she ever imagined it.� Not once in all the years of hoping did she
think it would be like this, a nightmare.�
Buffy�s blood on her hands.�� An
end instead of a beginning.

She leans in, and touches Buffy�s cold cheek.��

And carefully, perfectly, tenderly, Faith gives Buffy the
kiss that�s been waiting on her lips for ten years.�

There should be a sigh.�
A smile.� A flutter of lashes and
a miraculous awakening.� Faith has read
those books, she knows the rules.�

She presses her lips tighter against Buffy�s, pulling her up
and cradling her limp body.� She won�t
accept it.� This is not the way it�s
supposed to go.

That shudder, that rattling isn�t right.

She rocks back and forth with Buffy in her arms, as Buffy�s
soul leaves her body.
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Heart's Desire