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Independence	By : norwalker Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Faith/Willow Views: 7379 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- 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
- 22
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- 24
Independence
By Norwalker
Part 23 of
Summary: What did Willow and Faith discuss in that little car trip from L.A. to Sunnydale in season 7? And what were the consequences? A Willow/ Faith story
Rating: R, Very R
Category: romance/drama/angst
Spoilers: Possible season 7 spoilers. Possible season 4 Angel spoilers. C'mon, you must have seen 'em by now!
Time Line: Mid season 7(after the return of Faith) and beyond
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon , Mutant Enemy and Fox own them.
Warnings: Adult themes, violence, sexual situations between members of the same gender. Please be aware, character death is always a distinct possibility. It can happen here, so don't say I didn't warn you!!! Any racist remarks are spoken by the characters, and are in no way shared by the author. This story is not meant for children.
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Night
Queen of Mercy Hospital
Los Angeles
Kira sits by her bedside, holding her hand.
Her memories of the last few hours come in flashes, like fast edits on a horror movie. For her, this was a horror movie.
She remembers kneeling by Buffy, holding her head in her lap. Watching her breath, hearing it. The wheezing sounds like an old concertina. Rubbing her arms, her hands, her face, trying to keep the blood pumping, the life flowing through her.
The flashing lights of the emergency vehicles, and all the people. The EMT's, the police. Trying to answer questions, not able to think, to see anyone but Buffy lying there, breathing. Only really hearing the voice in her head, praying, begging for her to live.
Faith gently pulling her away so the EMT's could work. Watching as they pumped, and poked, and did the voodoo magic they do to keep the person alive. All the time, she's clinging to Faith, begging her not to let Buffy die.
The ride in the Ambulance. The sound of the siren wailing, the jolts and bumps, the EMT working on Buffy. Buffy lying there, so still. The smell of antiseptic and deodorizer trying to mask the smell of blood and death.
In the emergency room, hanging back as the ER team worked on her. The shouts, the orders, everyone moving like it was a loved one on the table. Feeling sick seeing and smelling all the blood.
- The blood, god, all the blood. Where does she put all the blood in that tiny body?-
Watching them roll her to the OR, following along, trying to get close, saying meaningless things like " It'll be ok, honey, just hold on. I'm here, I'm here." Being forced out of the way by impatient, overtired hospital staff.
" Please, Miss, you're going to have to move if you want us to help"
" Get out of the way, please!"
Watching them roll her between the OR doors, watching them close behind them. Taking Buffy away from her, closing her off. Standing there, feeling so alone, so lost, so utterly helpless. Wondering if she'll ever see Buffy alive again.
Then waiting, pacing. Giles arrives, to give support. Pacing. The time seeming to go on forever. Sitting. Standing. Pacing. Getting angry.- What's taking so damned long?- Sitting, trying to read the outdated magazine. The words moving like ants over the page. Throwing it down, getting up, pacing. Trying not to worry, trying to trust that it'll be ok. Failing. Trying not to cry, trying to hold on. Looking at the clock again. The hands seem frozen... -Wasn't it that time hours ago?- Sitting down, trying to unknot your nerves, breathing. Remembering to breathe. Giles putting his arm around you, to comfort you. Gently disengaging him, because if you give in now you're gone. You're lost. Leaning back, closing your eyes. Trying to block it all out. Seeing it again, and again, the shot, Buffy hit, Buffy falling. Your heart pounding in your chest. You feel like you're choking, opening your eyes, and staring. Having to pee, so bad it feels like you'll explode, but not wanting to leave. Waiting. Waiting.
The doctor comes, and you're up. But Giles is there first, talking to him. Hearing , as if through water, the words " Critical" and "50/50 chance" and " Will to live". But not the dreaded word. Not the D word. Feeling your heart start beating again, your breathing not feeling like fire. Feeling dizzy, feeling faint. But gripping your fists so tight the nails dig into your palms, to keep you conscious. Breathing, god, breathing.
" When? When can we see her?" Kira hears her voice, as if from far away. She feels lightheaded, barely able to stand up.
" She's in recovery. They'll move her to her room in a couple of hours," The doctor replies.
" I need to see her, I need to. Please!"
" Miss, she's unconscious. She won't know you're there."
" I need to see her. I need to know she's alive. Please, " Kira feels her nerves breaking. She's millimeters from losing it.
The doctor, seeing her face, relents. He leads them to an ICU unit, and points her out.
" This is all I can allow. She'll be moved to her room in a couple of hours."
Kira presses herself against the window, peering in to the semi-lit room. � So small, she's so small. Like a little girl. She looks so... fragile, god.�-
Now she's here, in Buffy's room. Holding her hand. Watching. Buffy breathes harshly through the breathing tube down her throat. She's pale, and quiet. So still. As if the life has gone out of her. The beeps of the vitals monitor, the whoosh of the breathing machine, are the instruments of the background music, playing a monotonous, insane rhythm to Buffy's life.
Kira stands, putting her ear to Buffy's chest. Hearing the bubbly, raspy sound of her breathing, the steady beat of her heart. It's the most beautiful thing she's ever heard. The tears well up, but she pushes them back, holding them off for later.
" It's ok, Buffy. I'm here. I won't leave you, baby. I promise. It's gonna be good, baby, it is . It's all gonna be good now. Just stay with me baby." Her tone is soft and calm, almost cooing." It's all gonna be ok, honey. I love you, itty-bitty, so don't leave me now, ok?"
She straightens up, and reaches to brush away a stray hair when Buffy gasps. Then she starts to convulse, and the alarm goes off on the vitals monitor. A nurse rushes in, then out, calling " Code Blue, STAT!"
A team rushes in, and a nurse tugs on Kira, pulling her out of the room.
"No, let me go... Buffy?... no... BUFFEEE...." Kira calls out, desperately. She struggles to go back in, but is blocked by an orderly.
" You have to go. We need to work in there. " They push her out of the room and shut the door.

" NO... BABY... NO... STAY WITH ME BABY.... PLEASE!!!! "She pounds on the door, but no one answers. She stands, looking at the door. She leans against it.
" Please, Buffy, don't leave me" She says quietly, almost to herself. She feels like she can't breathe. She pushes off the door, but feels dizzy. She stands, trying to keep her balance. She feels her heart pounding, the blood seems to be exploding in her head.
She starts to walk to the waiting area, but her legs are like rubber. She can't stand on them, they give out from under her. She falls heavily to the floor. The room seems to start spinning.
Then the world goes very dark.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Her eyes open, and it's very dark. It's neither cold nor warm where she is. She pushes off the floor, and stands up.
She looks around, trying to figure out where she is. But it's dark everywhere... almost everywhere. Off in the distance, there's a light. A bright light. Shrugging, she walks towards it, figuring that was the way out. Out of what, she didn't have a clue.
" I wouldn't be going there quite yet, if I were you" A voice comes out of the darkness.
A light, similar to a spotlight, appears around a figure standing close to her. A lot closer than she expected. She steps back a step, and crosses her arms over her chest.
" Really? And, just for giggles, want to tell me who you are?" She gives him the once over, her whole demeanor reflecting the skepticism she feels.
" A friend."
" Great, " her lip curls into a small sneer, " What if I don't want a friend?"
" I didn't say I was your friend," He smirks.
Her expression changes. She's rather taken aback by the remark. She stares at him suspiciously.
" Who ARE you?" She demands. She's tired, way tired, of this game.
" Now, lass, that hurts. We met once, way back when. In L.A." The man, slight of build, approaches her. He's dressed like a tout just fresh from the racetrack. He's slight of build, and has short black hair. His face can't be called handsome, the features are too sharp. But it's not unattractive, and he has a sweet smile which belies his dress. " Of course, it was only briefly... and you had other things on your mind... I think his name was Angel." A smile tugs at his lips, and a twinkle in his dark eyes dances merrily.
" Ok, you're like vaguely familiar... kinda, " Buffy says, shaking her head. " Now, go away."
" Alan Francis Doyle, at your service, " Doyle smiles, giving Buffy a slightly mocking salute. " But my friends call me Doyle"
" Fine, Alan" Buffy grins tightly, " now, seeing that you don't listen much, I'll repeat myself, once. Once! Get lost." Buffy turns away from him.
" Tsk, tsk, lass, so hostile, and here I'm being my charming best" Doyle seems to appear in front of her. " Anyway, I can't 'get lost'. Kinda on a mission here, you see."

" Mission. Got it. I'm guessing I'm that mission, " Buffy looks askance at him.
" A little full of ourselves aren't we?" Doyle grins at her, " not saying you don't have reason." Doyle gives her the once over appreciatively." No, you're not my mission, just a part of it."
"Great," Buffy grumbles, "I get the one that's not only looking like a bookie on a bad day, but also is a smart ass. Thanks, PTB. Always great to work with you."
" Look, Buffy, I'm here to show you some stuff..."
" Oh, big whoop! And then, do I dig into my jeans and find Su-su's petals? The we cry and hug and get all blubbery and exclaim it's a wonderful life and all that crap?"
" No, actually Buffy, this is where you make a choice. Where you go from here. Though, not dissin' the hugging part. Might be tough, me being all incorporeal and all."
" Aren't I like... dead? Kinda puts the kibosh on choosing, doesn't it?"
" Not exactly. You're kind of in an in-between place, you know, sort of like that place that's between sleep and wakefulness, between day and night... that kind of place. And now you've got to make a choice. Do you live, or do you die?"
" Whoa up, ghost guy. Why am I being given a choice here? I mean, doesn't it kinda go: You live, you die, and that's it? Not hearing much in the way of getting a choice in this situation... at least, not til now."
"Well, that's the deal, Buffy. The Powers are kind of split on the question. Some say you've done your share, you deserve your ' eternal reward'. Others see that you have more to do, and that you should be allowed to do it. So, being the decisive folk they are, they decided to leave it to you."
" Oh, swell. The biggest brains in the universe can't figure this out, but I'm supposed to? Well, can I say... that sucks!"
" Don't look at it that way, Buffy. Think of it as an opportunity. You get to choose what your path's going to be."
" Well, aren't you just the half-full glass guy?" Buffy rolls her eyes. " Ok, Monty, I'll play. What's behind Door Number 1? What happens if I choose to die?"
"Well, that's pretty easy, lass. You go through the door there" Doyle points to the light, " you're finished. Eternal happiness, all the good stuff. Oh, and I promise. No Jonathan, Andrew and Warren dressed in Togas running through the flowers playing harps and singing."
" There is a GOD!" Buffy exclaims sardonically. Her mood shifts. She becomes pensive.
" Will I see my mom?" Buffy asks. Doyle nods.
" Celia? My cousin Celia... her too?" Again, Doyle nods.
Buffy hesitates. " Angel?" she almost whispers.
Doyle's expression changes, almost becomes grim. " Angel's not there."
" Not there? I don't... don't tell me... not after all he's done... don't tell me they sent him to ..."
" No, no Buffy. Nothing like that. Just, he's not done yet. He's still playing the champion... just on anther plane of existence, so to speak."
" Oh, " Buffy says quietly, not really understanding. " Will I be happy?"
" Buffy, why're you askin' me that? You've been there before, you know what it's like."
" Vaguely. I mean... it's kind of faded. It was nice, though, I remember. And I was happy..."
" Yes, that's right. "
" Ok, so ... why wouldn't I want that? I'm done, it's wonderful, everything and everybody is ok..."
" Well..." Doyle turns away.
" Everybody's ok... right?" Buffy asks, and when Doyle doesn't answer right away, repeats. " RIGHT?"
Doyle is still silent.
" Everybody's ok, right? No one's hurt... I mean... no one got... they're ALRIGHT... yes?" Buffy starts to panic.
" Yes, yes, after you got shot, Faith took down the shooter. They've got him tied up right now. No one else was shot... or anything." Still, Doyle's expression is less than happy.
" Don't SCARE me like that!" Buffy growls at him. She looks at him, and noting his expression, asks him warily, " ok, what aren't you saying? What aren't you telling me?"
" Nothing," Doyle evades, " everybody's ok, just like I said."
" Uh-huh. Hey, I didn't just get hit with the stupid stick. You're hiding something. What is it?"
" Nothing, I told you," Doyle sees she's not buying it, " I can't tell you."
"Whattya mean, you can't tell me?" Buffy demands.
" I'm not allowed to influence your decision, Buffy. You've got to decide with the facts on hand, so to speak."
" Ummm... ok, just a few minutes ago, you're singing the praises of me going into the light. How's that not influencing things?"
" You asked about it."
"So, I'm asking now."
" No... you don't get it. You asked about it. Understand?"
" Oh, I see... huh?" Buffy says.
" You asked about it. Get it?" Doyle wonders if he'll have to draw pictures next.
A light goes on in Buffy's head.
" What about my friends. If I die, what'll happen with them?"
Doyle half grins. He's really not good with drawing.
" They'll be ok... they'll go on..." he trails off.
" Ok, that really clears things up. NOT. What else? "
Doyle looks up, as if looking for permission. A smile breaks out over his face.
" You're friends? They'll go on, do what they have to do. But things won't quite go the same as if you were there."
Buffy looks puzzled. " Can you vague that up a little for me, please? I almost understood that."
" Buffy, all of life is connected. Each bit contributes by its very being to another bit, which affects actions and consequences. At some point, of course, that purpose is fulfilled, and the life can ... pass on. Nothing ever really dies, it just ... changes, you know?" Buffy looks like a first grader being explained calculus. " Ok, maybe not. But understand this, Buffy. At this juncture in your life, you can leave it, and things will happen as they should... but..."
" But?"
" But it won't go exactly like it should. It'll happen, but it'll take longer, and be harder on everybody, but in the end, things will go alright."
" So, my being there... alive... would make things easier, then?"
" Well... yes and no."
" Again, I say... huh?" Buffy's beginning to get perturbed. " Make up your mind, would you?"
" It's not that simple, Buffy. In certain ways, you do make things easier. But you also are full of contradictions and conflicts. So in others, you make things ... harder. But your presence has meaning."
" But your saying that whether I'm there or not, thing's will work out?" Buffy asks, her brow furrowed.
" Well, yes, " Doyle replies.
" So, I guess it doesn't matter if I die, then," Buffy says quietly, " everybody will be ok. Not like I'm really needed." She turns away, frowning.
Doyle looks up again, as if looking for answers. His expression goes glum, not liking the answer. He remains silent.
" I mean, lately I've been... ok, I've been a total fuck-up, ok? They'll probably be better off without me..."
Doyle smiles. At last.
" Better off? That's what you think?"
" Well, yeah."
" And why would you be thinking that?"
"Well, duh! I'm like been next to useless lately, or haven't you been paying attention. I've messed up like, everything, and I'm pretty sure that no one's gonna really be missing me." Buffy looks sad and defeated. " I think even Will is pretty disgusted with me."
" I see. So, you're thinking, you're friends won't be missing you too much, that it?"
" Why would they? I mean, I've been the total bitch lately, totally selfish and all I've managed to do is make life worse for them. God, I don't even know why I'm doing it half the time. But, look at me. I'm a mess... better I just get my stupid ass out of the way, don't you think?"
Doyle shakes his head. " Angel said sometimes you can be incredibly thick."
" HEY!" Buffy protests, " Tell Angel next time you see him, I love him, too."
" I see it's time for some pictures." Doyle walks to a space, and spreads his hands. A dim glow appears, and it's as if a light has been turned on. In the space is the hospital corridor outside Buffy's room. Kira is lying on the floor, unconscious.
" What... hey... Kira! What's wrong with her? You told me they were ok!" Buffy tries to run to Kira, but bounces back off the image. " What the hell? Help her! Don't just stand there, help her!" Buffy yells at him.
"She's ok... physically. She's in no danger." Doyle turns to her. " She was there when it happened. When you went into cardiac arrest."
" Cardiac arrest? Heart attack? Then, I'm dead!"
" C'mon, Buffy, that only happened less than a minute ago... there. You know time is different in other dimensions. You're still alive... well, not dead, anyway."
"Why is she lying there? Why isn't anyone helping her ? Where's Faith and Willow?"
" It's only been a second since she fainted, Buffy. Don't worry, Giles will find her. Willow and Faith... have some business to take care of."
Buffy stands by the image, staring at Kira. She turns around, looking puzzled.
" Why? I don't understand..."
"She's rather torn up, inside, Buffy. It's the only way she can try to deal with losing you..."
Buffy looks bewildered.
" Oh, c'mon, Buffy. Don't you get it? She cares about you... more than just 'cares'." Doyle comes over to Buffy, and stands by her. " She loves you, Buffy. She's in love with you, Buffy."
" That's... just crazy! I've... she... I've just made her life miserable. I just get her in trouble, and she's always having to get me out of scrapes, and she's always having to defend me..."
" Yeah, true. And she's never been happier in her life... well, until you got shot, that is."
" That's... insane!" Buffy doesn't know what to think.
" Really? Is it now?"
All of a sudden, it's as if Kira's voice is coming from Doyle:
"No, let me go... Buffy?... no... BUFFEEE...."

" NO... BABY... NO... STAY WITH ME BABY.... PLEASE!!!! "

" Please, itty bitty, don't leave me"
"Now, then, does that sound like someone that doesn't care... that doesn't love you?"
Another scene appears. It's earlier, back in the hotel lobby. Buffy is lying on the floor, shot. Kira is holding her head in her lap, caressing her face. Her expression is grief - stricken.
Then another scene. Much earlier. Giles and Buffy are in the garden. But the focus is on Kira. The look on her face, as if she's looking at something wonderful. She's staring at Buffy.
Then another scene. In a bar. Buffy and Kira are dancing. It's a slow dance, and Buffy's holding Kira in her arms. Kira's face is alight with happiness.
Then another scene. In the ice cream parlor. Buffy is paying for the ice cream. Kira is looking at her, again her expression is saying this is the most special thing in the world.
Then another scene. Vague and indistinct. Almost like a dream... Buffy and Kira are in bed, making love. Buffy is between Kira's legs, her face pressed to Kira's mound. Kira is moaning, and a look of utter satisfaction and joy is on her face.
" Hey... hey! That never HAPPENED!" Buffy protests, turning pink.
" No, that's her fantasy, Buffy. What it would be like to be with you."
" Really?" Buffy says softly, almost reverently. Then her tone and expression changes. " That's nuts. She likes guys. She's straight... hell, I'm straight... I think... I don't know... but I mean, she doesn't ... she isn't into women... not that way."
Again, in Kira's voice:
"... Well, I can tell you one thing... for now, I'm off men"
"Well, shit that doesn't mean anything. I swear off men at least 5 times a day. I still jones for them, sometimes. Sorta."
"Exactly how many anvils am I gonna have to drop on your head, girl? She's nuts about you."
"Please..." Buffy dismisses the idea.
" Buffy, you're the first person that's seen her as more than just a... sidekick, or little sister, or as a cover" Doyle's tone is serious, " You saw her... as her. As someone different. Someone worthy of a little attention. Even Faith didn't see her that way... though there was a little ... well, never mind, you understand that about Faith. She has that affect on lots of people... but you... remember how you described Faith... meeting Faith?"
Buffy's voice, coming from Doyle:
" She ... she's like a force of Nature. I mean, the first time I met her, she was... awesome...do you understand? I'd never seen anyone like her before... not really..."
" I really wish you'd stop doing that. It's creepy, " Buffy says.
" The point, Buffy is she noticed you first time she saw you... and then you paid attention to her... and ..." Doyle shrugs, " Go figure."
" I never even guessed..." Buffy goes back to the first image of Kira, looking at her." I just thought she was... well, babysitting me for Faith. You know?" She turns back to Doyle. " But, I don't feel like that about her..."
" Yet"
"Huh?"
" You don't feel like that about her, because you've closed off your heart. You don't want to feel like that again, or so you tell yourself." Doyle walks over to Buffy, and looks at her sadly. " Faith'll never be yours, Buffy."
Buffy's face hardens in the face of THE TRUTH.
Then it collapses, as she realizes it's the truth.
" She's meant to be with Willow. She loves Willow. You know that, don't you?"
Very quietly, almost inaudibly, Buffy answers, " yes"
"Maybe it's time to let it go, Buffy. Time to move on."
" Yeah, that's real easy to say. Move on. Yeah" Buffy sounds a little bitter.
" No, it's not easy. I know Buffy. But, you can do it, " Doyle looks over at the prone Kira." I'm suspecting there's someone who would love to help you..."
" But I don't..."
"Yet."

" You're sneaky, you know that?" Buffy grumbles.
" And, if you let her help you, you'll help her. Help her realize her power."
" Power?"
" Kira is a middle child. She's always been overlooked for the younger and older children. But she's powerful, Buffy. That dream she had... the one that 'warned' her something was coming? That's just the very tip of her power, Buffy. She's had those dreams, those 'visions' if you will, for a long time. But she's hidden them. Suppressed the power. Because she's been afraid of it. Afraid of what she's seen, afraid she was a freak."
" Faith can help her. She's in the know. She's Kira's friend."
" Not enough, Buffy. Not enough to overcome a lifetime of hiding. She needs someone who believes in her, utterly, truly, and totally. Someone who'll stick by her, no matter what. Know anyone who could be that someone?"
" Did I mention, you're sneaky?"
Doyle smiles. " That's not all, Buffy. If you die now, Willow, your friend, your best bud, will turn away from magic. Not right away, but it'll happen. She'll turn towards her other love, computers, and cease to be a factor in this war we're fighting. "
" Ok, now I know you're lying. Willow wouldn�t do that. She's strong. She'll go on."
" Her heart will go out of it, Buffy. She 'got into it' because of you, Buffy. Because it was important to you. Losing you once almost made her quit. But she held on, because she thought that's what you'd want... and she resurrected you, because she thought that's what the world needed. What she needed. She almost quit again, when she went dark. She was afraid of what she was, the power she had. But she kept on, because you needed her to."
" Well, Faith'll need her to. She'll go on."
" No, that's not what Faith needs Willow for. Faith has her own Willow. That's Kira."
" This is ... I don't believe you. Willow won't turn her back on the fight."
" Not turn her back so much, as turn away. The darkness is still within her, Buffy. It frightens her. Faith can't be her anchor in the light, because she has her own darkness to contend with. You're that anchor, Buffy. She needs you around to keep her centered."
" Maybe it's best if she turns away. Maybe she should be allowed to have a normal life, you know? Why should she have to give up her life to this battle? Doesn't she deserve to have a life?" Buffy frowns, " why shouldn't any of us have a normal life?"
"She could, and probably, things would be ok. But she plays a role in the ongoing struggle, Buffy. In the future, she does something ... something that seems minor, but eventually proves to be key. Without that, it'll be a lot more costly in terms of lives to achieve the same results."
" Stop! Stop it! It's not up to me, it can't be." Buffy sits down on the floor, trying to close herself off. " Why're you doing this? Putting this on my shoulders? How much do I have to give? Faith... Faith is stronger, better and smarter than me. She can do more than I can. It's her turn, right? Isn't it her turn?" Buffy tries to squeeze herself into a small little ball, shrinking away from Doyle. " I can't go back, I can't do this anymore. I can't."
Doyle stands looking down on her. He shuts his eyes, squeezing them shut, as if he had a headache. Failure is never easy.
" I understand, Buffy. It's your choice." Doyle starts to walk away, but turns back." But don't you think you owe it to Faith? I mean, you're the only one who knows what she has to go through. Being alone, having the weight of the world on your shoulders? You, at least, had your scoobies. Faith... won't"
" That's wrong. She'll have Kira, and Willow... and thousand of slayers to back her."
"No, it won't be the same. She won't have Kira as her Willow, because Kira won't realize her power. Willow will be supportive, but the power she has? She'll subsume it, like Kira's denying her power. And the other slayers? They can't know what it's like to be Faith. No one can, except you. You've been where she is. You know what it's like to be alone, all alone. No one else but you can do what you've got to do. And she'll be alone, because she won't have anyone who really understands. She'll get through, like you got through. But you said you love her. Do you really want her to go through that?"
" You don't understand, " Buffy cries, " you simply don't get it. I can't go back. I'll just ruin their lives again. Every life I've touched, I've hurt. You say I need to be there for them, but look what I've done. I pulled Willow into a life she didn't need to be in, nearly destroying her. I nearly killed Faith out of obsession and jealousy. I drove everyone I loved away from me. Spike, Riley... Angel. Look at Angel. I made his life hell, making him feel love, never being able to have even one happy day out of it! How can I go back and do that again?"
" You really believe that, don't you?" Doyle looks at her intensely. " It's you who doesn't understand, Buffy." He shakes his head in wonder. " I can't convince you with words, but maybe this'll do it." He squats down next to her, and reaches out towards her. " I have a little gift... something from Angel."
He touches her, and she reels back , the force hitting her like a ton of bricks. She's knocked over, and the memories come flooding back. The memories of the lost day. The day in L.A., when Angel was human. All the sensations, the feelings, the incredible sights and sounds and tastes and smells overwhelm her. She remembers it all, all of it, into her very cells. She remembers that last moment, when she learned that Angel asked to be turned back, how she cried, how her heart broke. How she held him, held him... and then it was gone. She looks at Doyle, and she starts to cry.
" So you see, darlin'? You can give happiness, you can give love. It's your gift, Buffy. Just as the PtB told you."
And she knows. She knows she has to go back. She has no choice. She has too much to do to stop now.
And in that moment, the scene fades, and she's slammed back into her body. She's in incredibly enormous pain, the breathing tube nearly choking her, her heart feeling like a hot knife has been stuck into it. But she's back; all the pains, and trouble, and everything else is back.
And she breathes.
And lives.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Night
The Hyperion Hotel
Lobby
Faith pulls out her cell phone as the last of the police cruisers pull away from the front of the Hyperion Hotel.
" This is Faith. There's been a situation, I want some slayers here to provide security." She listens impatiently to the person on the other end." Not caring, this takes priority!" She listens again, and her lips tighten." When? Great. Just fine." She covers the mouthpiece, and lets of a couple of choice words. " Ok, how many are left, then?" Pause. " That's all? Ok, fine, send them. Yes, now." Faith thinks for a minute. " Are any of the trainers still... oh? Who? Good, send her. Yes. Ok, I want them here ASAP, as in yesterday?" She listens, rolling her eyes. " Fine. Just get them here. 'Bye." She shuts the cell, and almost crushes it in her hand. Shaking her head impatiently, she slides it back into her pocket and walks to the lobby entrance.
She pauses at the lobby doors, sealed with Police tape, with a sign saying " Crime scene investigation. Do not enter." Laughing a humorless laugh, she breaks the tape and goes inside.
She pauses at the bloodstain on the floor. Looking down, her expression softens, just a little.- Why? Why'd ya have to do it , ya dope? S Why'd you have to go play the hero again? Haven't you died enough times already, you moron?- Faith reaches out, and touches the now sticky stain. She retracts her hand, and stares at the blood on her fingers. � My fault. My stupid fault. I got soft and lazy. I shoulda had security in this place... Idiot. I'm an idiot. I thought we'd be safe here... god... what is this Triad, anyway? Some old enemy of Angel's? Something to do with the black thorn? Shit, probably trying to wipe out whatever's left of his friends. Well, fuck me, not gonna get any answers here.- Faith stands up abruptly, and walks over to the office. She enters, and seconds later, exits, carrying the gunman.
He's been bound and gagged, and bruises are beginning to appear on his face where Faith hit him earlier. Looking at him, her expression turns to a scowl. She lifts him, and tosses him across the room, into one of lobby sofas. He slips off the sofa and lands on the floor, on his knees.
She strides swiftly over to him, pulling back his head and ripping the duct tape gag off of him.
" Ok, worm-boy, time to 'fess up. Who sent you? Who are they?" Faith leans over him, slapping him.
" Fuck off, cunt. Not tellin' you shit!" The man, sneering, replies.
" Really? Ya know, that's really a crappy attitude to have, considering I got you tied up. Now, let's see if you can be more cooperative." She kicks him in the side. " So, what do you think? Feeling like being more talkative?"
The gunman just stares at her defiantly. She kicks him again, this time in the stomach. He groans, and tries to double up, but the ropes hold him tight.
" C'mon now, lover, you can't be that stupid. I mean, I can keep this up all night." She kicks him again. " You, on the other hand? Gonna start fading really soon."
" Fuck off" he groans. He braces for another kick, which doesn't come.
Faith lifts him and deposits him on the sofa. She goes around back of the sofa, notices something and picks it up. She leans over the sofa, whispering into the gunman's ear.
Willow comes in from the garden, but Faith doesn't notice her. She's focused on the prisoner.
" All comfy now? Is that better?" She asks softly. She brushes off his shoulders, and musses his hair." Now, cutie, we can do this the hard way, or the really painful hard way. But it's gonna get done. It would go a lot easier on you, if you just give it up now. But, you're gonna give it up. Cuz, I'm gonna make you my special project." She pulls out the linoleum knife she found behind the sofa, and shows it to her 'guest'. " Know what this does? Cut's tile. Very sharp, you know? Wanna see?" Faith turns the knife and makes a little cut on the man's cheek. He yelps. " Awww... now, don't get all wuss on me, just a little cut, you know?" She smiles at him, " Aint it wicked? Whattya think? It's all nice and curvy. Looks just right to slice along your throat. Or..." She quickly slashes at his ear with the knife, nicking the lobe. The man screams loudly.
"FAITH!! What the hell are you doing?" Willow shouts, running over to where Faith is standing. She sees the knife.
" Awww, nothin' mom. Just playing, weren't we?" She pats the man's head. " He's such a baby, getting all pissy over a little cut."
" Faith, give me the knife, " Willow orders, holding out her hand. Faith just shakes her head and makes a face.
" Forget that, Red. Finder's keepers, you know?" She turns to the gunman, " anyway, we're not done playing yet, are we baby?" Too quick for Willow to stop, she nicks the guy's other cheek. " That's better, all even now."
" Faith, I'm not kidding around. Give me the damned knife," Faith, turned away from Willow, doesn't see her eyes turn black.
" Ya want it? Fine. Here ya go, " Faith jabs the knife into the man's leg. He screams horribly, and falls over.
Faith finds herself flying through the air, and hits a wall, sliding down it. She's stunned, but not unconscious.
" Real good, faith, really," Willow snarls, " Now I gotta bandage him up. What're you thinking? If he dies, he's not gonna be worth crap to us." She inspects the wound.
" Help me, god , keep that bitch away from me," the man moans, the knife still sticking in his leg.
" Shut up, you're not hurt that bad." Willow gets up, and walks to the office. She turns to Faith, who's still sitting by the wall she hit," You know nothings gonna get that blood out." Her tone has a strange sound to it. She walks into the office.
Faith, trying to shake the effects of hitting a wall, slides up it, balancing herself. She starts to walk over towards the gunman. Willow comes out, and mutters under her breath.
" Oh, no, you've had you're fun, " Willow says, as Faith hits a barrier. " I'm thinking, you stay right there for now." She walks over and kneels down before the man. She pulls the knife out of his leg.
" What the hell?" Faith bounces into the barrier again, " What're you doing? You forget that asshole tried to kill us? Maybe, he killed Buffy? I mean, I don't know if she's gonna live, do you? Why're you protecting him?"
" Not protecting him, I'm protecting you, dummy, " Willow says, as she starts to wrap the wound. " I mean, what happens if your ' games' kill him, Faith? How we figure out who sent him then? Oh, yeah, and how do we explain the body? Think the police might be interested how a dead and cut up corpse happened along? " She stands up, finished with the prisoner, who's fainted from the pain, " here's a better one, Faith. Ever think at all? I mean, your solution to getting what we need? Beat the bastard up 'til he's dead. Yeah, that works." All this time, Faith has been running against the barrier, trying to break through it. Willow, with a smirk on her face, drops it. Faith rushes it again, and falls forward. " Anyway, Faith, there are other ways to get the information."
Faith, pissed, on her hands and knees, glares at Willow. " Oh really, how? Maybe give him cocoa and cookies, and hope he feels like talking?"
"Don't be an ass. I gotta look some stuff up, but I'm pretty sure I can make him talk, without having to cut him to little pieces."
" Know what, Red? Really not getting all weepy over his feelings, you know? Maybe you forgot, out in the garden there, staring at the sky, but hey, he tried to kill us, and he shot Buffy."
" No, Faith, I didn't forget, " Willow's tone goes cold, " Buffy's MY best friend, remember? Not so long ago you were ready to give her the toss, seems to me. Now all of a sudden it's all worry and heartache. So I'm wondering, just exactly what's with YOU?"
" ME? I'm not the one acting like we're at a tea party here. You're acting pretty weird for someone who watched this asshole shoot her best friend. You're acting like nothing happened at all. I say we kick the crap outta the creep until he spills his guts."
" Not gonna tell you sluts nothin' " The gunman says.
" Know what? No one asked you!" Willow turns on him, and waves her hand. As if by magic, a thread appears, and sews his mouth shut. His eyes go wide.
" Oh, well, there you go, that'll sure help. How's he gonna say shit like that?" Faith walks up to Willow, and stares at her. " Do you even give a crap about what happened?"
" How dare you!" Willow slaps Faith, hard. " That's MY best friend in the hospital. Yeah I care, Faith. Who do you think you are, anyway, coming down like Moses off the mount? Huh? Telling me how I should feel, how I should react? Maybe some of us can do more than beat people into the ground, you know? Some of us think, not just let our glands do the thinking. You gotta lotta fucking nerve, Faith , with your record when it comes to Buffy." She sees Faith's expression, and sneers, " Oh, did we forget that? How convenient. You're not Buffy's friend. You couldn't care less about her. You're just pissed because he shot at you."
" Bullshit. That's crap, and you know it, Red. You think you're the only one that cares about Buffy? I've been trying to help her, trying to understand and help her get over whatever the hell she's been going through. I've covered her ass, gotten her outta some really good jams... you know, the kind that get you thrown in jail? What've you been doing for her? Let me see... oh yeah, squat. Some friend you are. Best friend my ass, all you care about is giving me grief because I haven't figured out everything yet. You're right, I'm probably not as smart as you are, Red. But at least I can tell when something needs to be done. Sitting around, trying to figure out what to do next? So not gonna happen. So, what're we gonna do, Red? Just wait around til his buddies show up, and kill us all? Got a clue as to how many are out there, or what they're about? I don't . C'mon, you're the smart one, tell me. What do we do, huh?"
" Well first thing? WE DON'T KILL HIM!" Willow shouts at her. " You want answers? We interrogate him."
" Wasn't GOING to kill him, Red. Just make him wish he were dead, if he didn't talk, " Faith yells back, " What, you think he's just going to talk if we ask him nice? If you care so much, why're you fighting me on this?"
" Because you lose it way too easy, and I know you, you get started you're gonna wind up psycho-bitch again, and kill him, and then we are we?"
" At least, I didn't go all psycho, and try to kill my friends, and end the fucking world because it hurt too much!"
" No, you just betrayed your friends, and joined up with some snake demon who wanted to wipe us all out!"
" Friends my ass. You were about to betray me, turn me in for Alan Finch's death, you , none of you, gave a crap about me!"
" No," Willow's voice goes soft, but it's icy, " She didn't care! At least, that's what you thought, and you couldn't take that!"
" That's a load of crap! I didn't care about her that way!"
" Didn't sound like that the other night! So, exactly WHO is it you love, Faith? Maybe it's Buffy you want, not me..."
" You're outta your fucking skull..." Faith, pushed to her limit, advances on Willow, threateningly.
" Back off, Faith, " Willow says quietly.
"You back off, Red!" Faith keeps coming.
" I said..." Willow gestures, " BACK OFF!"
Faith again finds herself flying through the air. This time towards the garden entrance. She crashes through the doors, ramming hard into something right behind the doors.
Right into Kennedy, who's was entering the hotel through that entrance.
Kennedy looks up at Faith, lying on top of her, and smirks.
" Hey, Faith, what's up?"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Faith makes an impatient noise, and struggles to get up.
- Well, can it get worse? Gotta give Ken-doll credit. Her timing sucks, per usual �
" Please, don't get up on my account," Kennedy, grinning, pushing on Faith .
Faith gets up, and reaches back to help Kennedy stand. Kennedy, however, bats away her hand and stands up on her own .
" Don't stand on ceremony, Ken-doll, " Faith shoves Kennedy back down. She grins down on her. She reaches her hand down for Kennedy, who figures she best take it, or stay down there for the rest of the night. Faith helps her up, and then grabs her, giving her a kiss on the forehead. " So, Ken-doll, how've you been ?" Faith gives her the patented wise-ass look.
Kennedy sighs, knowing that once again Faith's turned it around on her. � It's just not fair!- She shrugs.
" Been good. You?" Her tone is tight, as are her lips. Faith has once again used the hated nickname she has for Kennedy. She just swallows her anger, figuring one of these days, she'll get Faith back, in spades.
" Been better," Faith says, getting up, and walking back into the lobby. Kennedy follows her in, and then stops cold, seeing Willow standing inside.
" Hey, Kenny, " Willow smiles. " Been awhile."
" W-Willow!" Kennedy stutters, at a loss for words." Y-Yes, awhile. How've y-you been?"
Faith smiles to herself. � At least I'm not the only one Red can fluster.- She walks casually to the reception desk and leans against it. She folds her arms over her chest.
Willow, on the other hand, walks to Kennedy, and gives her the once over � twice. She smiles.
" Well, you're looking good," Willow says, flirting just a little, " very good."
" Thanks, " Kennedy says rigidly. She seems to turn her attention to Faith, but her whole body language is screaming "Willow Alert! Willow is in the building!". Her whole body language, stance and confidence are affected by Willow's presence. Faith doesn't fail to notice, and chuckles internally. She never gets tired of seeing Kennedy squirm.
" So, what's the big incident that dragged me down here, anyway?" She surveys the room, and notices the police tape and blood stain by the Lobby entrance. She walks over and kneels by the stain. " What happened?"
Faith ignores her question, for the moment, " Where're the other slayers? I thought you'd have some with."
" I already deployed a group around the perimeter. The rest are awaiting orders."
" How many, total?"
" A dozen, not counting me."
Faith frowns. "That's it? That's all you could scrape together?" She looks angry. " I suppose they're the bottom of the barrel, to boot."
"Actually, these are some of my top troops. I didn't figure they'd benefit from the little ' field trip' like the others, so I kept them here. Good thing, I guess." Kennedy walks over to Faith, but it's clear her sonar is still focused on Willow. " So, what's the what, anyway?"
" The ' what' is that Buffy was shot earlier this evening, " Willow answers.
Kennedy looks at Faith for confirmation. Faith nods. Kennedy turns to Willow. " Oh, god. I didn't... I'm sorry, Will."
" You didn't know," Willow says, giving a sidelong glance at Faith. " Guess Faith wasn't real forthcoming with the details."
" Thing is, " Faith interjects, dismissing Willow's comment, " we don't know who sent the shooter, or why." She walks to the sofa, and lifts the gunman off and holds him up in the air. " This is our only clue."
Kennedy looks over at the gunman on the couch." Looks kinda ragged " She notices his mouth, and walks over to get a closer look. " What happened to his mouth?"
" Wanna field that one, Red?" Faith says, lounging against the reception desk, trying to look casual.
" He was saying some things I didn't like to hear" Willow says. Her tone makes Kennedy look up, and she thinks she sees a flash in Willow's eyes. It gives her an uneasy feeling.
" I was trying to get a little information out of him, but Red here stopped me."
" Yeah, well, I figured a corpse wouldn't do us any good. I mean, you had a knife on him, and looked ready to slit his throat. But that's you, huh, Faith? All guts and glands. If you can't get him to talk, beat him down til he's senseless, or dead."
It might have been the tone, or the words, or the attitude, but that was just one cut too many for Faith. Something inside snaps.
" Goddamnit, Red. What the hell was I supposed to do? I don't KNOW anything else to do!" Faith explodes, red faced." I doing my fucking best here, and you're fighting me every step of the way. I don't know what this clown was even sent for, except to shoot me. I think. I'm not even sure of that. I don't know where he's coming from, who he's trying to kill. Is it me, is it you, is it Buffy? Is it some old grudge against Angel, the black thorn, maybe, coming to exact revenge on who's left? I don't know. All I know is I got this guy here, and I need to get info out of him, and you block me at every fucking turn." Faith pushes off the desk, pacing. " I know I fucked up, Red. Don't you think I know that? I screwed up big time not having some kind of security here... and I got Buffy shot. I know ... it's MY FUCKING FAULT!!!! I'm not brainy like you, Red, but I know that much. So, how come, instead of like making me feel like shit, you don't do something? ANYTHING? Easy to criticize , Willow. Lot harder to figure it out. Goddamnit ... I gotta get outta here!" Faith starts to storm out the garden entrance.
Kennedy, uncomfortable being around, especially alone with Willow, starts after her. Faith stops, seeing Kennedy's reflection in the glass, and turns.
"Where are YOU going?" Faith asks, impatiently.
" Uh... with you?" Kennedy, chastened, stumbles a little.
Faith looks almost sad. " Ken-doll, I'm storming off. Kinda ruins it if you come along. Stay here, ok?" She whirls around, and exits into the garden.
Kennedy stares after her, and almost jumps out of her skin when someone lays a hand on her arm.
" She'll be ok ... she just needs... some time to cool down, " Willow says softly to Kennedy. She squeezes Kennedy's arm. " And she's right. I need... I've got to help... somehow... " She starts off towards the stairs. " Why didn't I... no, I understand now... gotta help her... yes..." It's almost as if she's talking to herself, except out loud.
It kind of creeps out Kennedy, who watches her going upstairs. Willow stops mid-stair.
" If Faith comes in, just tell her I'm looking into something, ok?" She seems almost normal. Almost. She turns and starts up the stairs. She stops again, comes down a couple of steps. " it's good to see you again, Kenny, really. Nice. You look good, you know?" She starts up the stairs again, and stops, and turns. " Good you're here, we can use the help. Thanks." She disappears up the stairs.
Kennedy looks up the stairs, and then she looks out into the garden, but she can't see Faith. She's somewhere in the shadows. Kennedy has a major case of the wiggins.
She walks over, and stands opposite the prisoner, looking down on him. She notices the bandaged leg this time, and the bruises and cuts are pretty obvious. She squats down in front of him.
" Bad day, huh?"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Willow pulls a book out of one of her suitcases. She stares at it, hesitating.
The book is old, almost ancient. It's a heavy tome, with a tooled leather cover. The title is in Latin " Caligo Veneficus " (Darkest Magic).
She stands, staring at the book, her expression going back and forth. � I can't do this. I swore I'd never open this again!!!- - You gotta do this. She needs help. You're useless like this. She needs to know what that man knows. Do you have the guts to do it without help?- - It's wrong!- - You're a coward, that's the problem, you can't deal with your power!- - I'm not a coward! I just know what can happen!- - Wimp, baby. Afraid of the dark? The Bogeyman? Gimme a break. You can do this, so do it!- - I can't, I can't! I'm afraid. I don't want to ...- - Fine, then watch your friends die, one by one. Just like you let her die, right? Remember Tara, weakling? You let her die! Now, it's Faith's turn?- - NO!!!- - Then stop stalling...-
Shutting her eyes, Willow opens the book.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
" Hey, where the hell is everybody?" Faith looks around the lobby, not seeing anyone. She's just walked back in from the garden, having cooled down somewhat, and now she feels her blood pressure rising again.
" Here" a voice comes from behind the sofa. Kennedy stands up, looking at Faith. " You feeling better now?"
" Where's Red? Where's the prisoner?" Faith asks, a little anxiously.
" The prisoner's right here" Kennedy points out the couch, " He was getting a little too wriggly and rambunctious, so I gave him a little sedative." She indicates her fist.
" Crap, Kenny, I didn't want him unconscious. I need him awake so I can ... interrogate him." Faith walks over to the sofa.
" Don't get your panties in a twist, Faith. I didn't hurt him, just gave him a little love tap, " Kennedy leans over and pulls the prisoner upright. She slaps him a few times. " Hey, wake up. Wakey-wakey!"
" Forget that, Kenny. Just help me get him upstairs. Don't like the public exposure down here, if you get my drift. Kinda thinking we can put him in the supply room upstairs until we're done with him." She directs Kenny to grab his legs, while she grabs him under his arms. They lift him, and start towards the staircase. " You didn't tell me, though. Where's Willow?"
" She went upstairs. Said she had to do some research... wanted to help you." Kennedy's tone has a strange note in it.
" What?" Faith asks, picking up on Kennedy's vibe.
" Nothing. No, not nothing. She was acting... well... weird."
" Weird? How, weird?" Faith asks.
" I dunno, just ... weird." Kennedy seems to shiver. " What'd you do to her?"
" Do to her?" Faith repeats, puzzled but irritated by the implication, " I didn't ' do ' anything to her. You don't ' do ' things to Willow. She's pretty much her own person, if you haven't noticed."
" Don't remember her being weird before, " Kennedy mutters as they climb the stairs.
" Maybe you just didn't notice it before?" Faith gives her a sidelong look. " You never were big on noticing things, Ken-doll."
" Yeah, well I know Willow wasn't all spooky til she started hanging with you, Faith, " Kennedy asserts. " What's that about, huh?"
" Maybe, girlfriend, " Faith growls a little, " You don't know Willow as well as you think you do."
They've reached the top of the stairs. Both are staring at each other.
" I think I knew her well enough, Faith. I knew she didn't use to wig me out just by talking to me. I think YOU got something to do with that!"
" Kenny? Do you really want to go there, now? I'm already in like 1000 levels of bad, and my fuse is way short. I kinda like you, Kenny, and I really don't want to be doing a tap dance on your face, but if you keep getting bitchy and snippy-like, I'm gonna have to put you down. Now, do you want to dance that dance, or do you wanna back off?"
They stare each other down, but it's Kennedy that blinks.
" Fine, whatever, lets just get Al Capone here in the room and get it over with." Kennedy mutters.
" Great, this way, " Faith says, starting down the hall.
They reach the supply room, and Faith is opening the door, when Willow comes out of her room. She makes a bee-line for Faith.
" Hey, aren't you answering your cell phone, or what?" Willow asks.
" Huh?" Faith asks. She , with Kennedy, carries the prisoner into the supply room. There's a folding chair in the corner. She grabs it, and sets it up. They put the prisoner in it.
" Your cell. The hospital has been trying to call you., All they get is your voice mail."
"That's weird. My cell never rang. " Faith digs her cell out of her pocket. Her back pocket. It comes out, in pieces. " Oh, crap. Well, that explains it." She throws it a waste basket close at hand. " So, what's the deal, anyway?"
" Ooops, " Willow says, looking at the remains of the crushed cell in the wastebasket. " Ummm... anyway, there's some kind of problem with the insurance at the hospital. Something needing your signature. The hospital refuses to continue treatment until you come down and take care of it."
" That's bogus ! Kira's there, why doesn't she..."
" They won't accept her signature. It has to be you."
" Bite me!" Faith curses, " I was just getting ready to ask junior here some more questions. Dammit!"
" Faith, please?" Willow argues, " This is Buffy. If they don't treat her..."
Faith notices Kennedy looking on. She gets a little annoyed. " Why don't you go outside and watch the door? This doesn't really concern you, ok?"
Kennedy also looks annoyed, but holds her tongue and walks out of the room. Willow watches her leave.
"What's that about?" Willow asks, looking at Faith.
" Nothing... she just ... bothers me sometimes." Faith shakes her head, " Anyway... the hospital. They need me down there, now?"
" Yeah... I'm sorry, I know you want to do other things, " Willow looks pointedly at the prisoner, " but ... please?"
"Ok, ok, of course. I'll go down. Just so weird, and all. Kira should be able to handle this" Faith looks puzzled, but shrugs. " Keep an eye on junior here til I get back, ok? And, don't let Ken-doll hit him again? Really don't want to wait for him to stop napping to ... question him."
" Everything ok with you and Kenny? You seem a little... tense," Willow observes.
" Yeah... it's cool... well, good as it's gonna get, anyway, for now, " Faith sighs, " Anyway, I'll be back as fast as I can. Just wait for me, and we'll do this together, ok?"
" Sure Faith, whatever you want," Willow says. She goes over to Faith and lays an hand on her arm, " hey, ' bout before, I'm really sorry... you were right, I..."
" No, you were right. I've been going all psycho on him... but... well, I've been kinda upset, I guess. I guess that's pretty obvious... I didn't mean to blow off on you."
" Don't worry baby, it's ok. Just go do what you need. Things'll be just peachy here."
" I'll be back soon, ok?"
" Ok, honey," Willow says.
Faith leaves the supply room. Willow watches her go. Her eyebrow arches a little, and there's a smirk on her face.
" God, I thought she'd never leave, " She mutters softly. She walks to the supply room entrance and looks out. She notices Kennedy leaning on the wall by the doorway.
" Hey, what's up?" Willow asks solicitously.
" Just keeping an eye on the dickhead, like Faith asked, " Kennedy says, a little grimly. She's tight lipped.
" You ok? Did you and Faith have a fight or something?"
Kennedy shrugs, not saying anything.
" It's ok, you can tell me. I mean, you know, we go back, right?"
" She's just being such a..." Kennedy censors herself, " sorry, I mean... just so... bitchy, you know?"
" Don't take it personally, Kenny. She's just been under a lot of stress."
" Well, it was kinda personal..." Kennedy trails off.
" What do you mean?"
" It was about you." Kennedy note Willow's expression, and goes on, " I mean, sort of. I was trying to find out if things were ok with you two, and she gets all hostile, you know?" She pauses, and turns to Willow. " Is she treating you ok?"
" Yeah, sure."
" Really?"
" Really, Kenny. She just sometimes gets a little... well, she's under a lot of pressure, you know?"
" Uh-huh" Kennedy's not buying that story.
" Hey, know something? I'm really glad you showed up tonight. Really glad."
" Really?" Kennedy looks a little surprised.
" Oh yeah, I mean, last time we met, it was kinda... weird, you know?"
" Yeah, sorry. I was just hurting..."
" Shhh, " Willow puts her finger to Kennedy's lips, " Don't. I wasn't very nice to you, I know that. I just want you to know how sorry I am, the way I treated you."
" Will, it's ok."
" No, it's not ok. Really, it's not." Willow takes her hand, and laces her fingers with Kennedy's. " I didn't realize how not ok, until tonight, when you showed up. I didn't realize how much I'd missed you." Without Kennedy realizing how, Willow is suddenly in front of her, and very, very close to her.
" I've missed you too, Will, " Kennedy says, gulping. " I mean, I know you and Faith are a couple and all..."
" Sometimes, you know, I kinda wonder ' what if ' " Willow says softly. She trails her fingers up Kennedy's arm, and lets her hand rest near Kennedy's neck. " What if things had worked out differently, if you and I got together? Know what I mean?"
" Uhhh... sure, I mean... yeah..." Kennedy is getting flustered. " I mean, I get that."
" I mean, you're hot, you know?" Willow is almost leaning against Kennedy, her lips barely an inch from Kennedy's. " Don't you think about it sometimes? About me... and you...?"
" Yes, " Kennedy almost whispers. She's flushing, and feeling a little... no, a lot dizzy.
"Me, too, " Willow says very softly, and then she kisses Kennedy.
Kennedy is beyond lost. All she can feel is the soft press of Willow's lips on hers. All she can hear is Willow's voice, and all she can see is ... well, nothing really, because her eyes are closed.
Willow steps away, smiling softly. She waves her hand across Kennedy's face.
" That's it, baby, just be there, don't even move. Now, enjoy the kiss baby, but you won't remember any of this. All you'll remember is that you've been guarding the prisoner. You won't hear anything, and nothing, nothing, unusual happened. Do you understand?"
" Yessss, " Kennedy sighs, lost in the kiss and Willow's spell.
" If anyone asks, baby, I left right after Faith. Understand?"
" Yessss."
" Good, " Willow smirks. " So easy, " she says to herself.
Willow walks back into the room, and stands in the shadows, away from the prisoner.
" Hey, cutie, I think it's time you and I had a little chat, don't you?" Willow asks. " Oh, yeah, better take care of that little mouth thing." Willow waves her hand, and the cord binding the man's mouth disappears.
He moves his mouth making sure he can talk. He snarls at Willow.
" Bitch, you won't get crap outta me. But I gotta say, I'm glad that other cunt's gone. She's crazy!"
Willow turns towards the doorway, still in the shadows.
" Yeah, Faith? She can be scary, I agree, " Willow says softly, almost as if he wasn't there. " Know what?"
" What?"
Willow moves out of the shadows. Her eyes are totally black , as is her hair. Her face is veined.
" I'm scarier!" She walks over to the man, who's watching her warily. " Oh, don't get all scared, not yet anyway. " She grins, and reaches out towards him. Her finger brush lightly over his head.
" Now, let's see what really scares you."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Night
Queen of Mercy hospital
Los Angeles
Kira sits by Buffy's bedside, serenaded by the beeps and whoosh of the various machines hooked up to Buffy. She doesn't remember ever hearing anything so beautiful, so sweet.
All she knows is that Buffy's alive. Alive, and fighting. That's all she cares about right now. She holds Buffy's hand, and sits quietly in the darkened room. The only lights are those on the various monitors, and the small florescent tube built into the bed's headboard. The lights emphasize the hollowness of her cheeks, and the dark rings under Buffy's eyes. Her color is pale, and ghastly. Her hear is stringy with sweat, and half her face is obscured by the breathing tube/ mask combo. She has tubes running from her arms and legs, and probes seem to be attached everywhere.
To Kira, she's the most beautiful thing she's ever seen.
Kira is struggling to stay awake. Through bleary teary eyes, she watches over the diminutive woman, not wanting to sleep. Wanting to be awake in case Buffy wakes up. She wants Buffy to know she's here for her, always. But she's exhausted, emotionally and physically. The night has been extremely stressful for her, and her body aches, cries out for rest. But she struggles on. � Can't sleep now. Gotta be awake. Gotta stay awake, be here when Buffy wakes up. Damn you, girl, how could you scare me like that? Are you trying to kill me? How could you almost go and die on me? Damn you, Buffy, that�s just so... selfish...God, I don't mean it, baby. I'm just tired. I can't think straight. You just scared me so much when you... damn, not fair, feeling like this. Do you know how much it hurts to think about losing you, you idiot? No ... I didn't mean idiot. I didn't. Just tired. I meant, I just... itty bitty, you dying is just wrong, don't you get that? I love you so much, how can you even THINK of leaving me? I know you don't feel that way about me. I know that. You love Faith... ahhh... that really hurts, too. It's not fair. She has two wonderful women to love her, and I ... oh, stop it Kira. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. I'm sorry, itty bitty. Don't mean to put this on you. Just... god, you're so...so... just a little tired, here, not making much sense, you know? Maybe... think I'll just put my head down... just for a couple of seconds. Just close my eyes for a minute, ok? I promise, baby...I'll look into those beautiful eyes of yours when you wake. Just so tired... so tired...
Kira puts her head down on the bed, close to Buffy's hand. Her exhaustion overwhelms her, and soon she's sleeping, snoring lightly.
Pain. All she feels is pain. White hot, nasty ass pain. Her chest feels like someone drove a hot poker through it. But more, every little bit of her hurts. Her toes hurt, her hair hurts, her fingernails even hurt. Her throat feels like someone cleaned it out with an electric sander. Even her eyelashes sitting on her cheeks hurt. She can barely breath, it hurts so much. �God, if I knew it'd hurt this much, I wouldn't have come back.- Slowly, very slowly, she opens her eyes.
The whole room looks like she's looking through a fogged glass. Everything is reflecting funny, and the edges are all blurry. And it's dark, so she can't really see much anyway. But she can feel... and she feels a hand holding hers. Oddly, it's the only thing that doesn't hurt on her entire body. She starts to move her head, but a shooting pain in her neck tells her that's not going to happen. She tries to move her eyes to see over, but can't quite make out what or who's on the bed. But she can hear light snoring, so she knows whoever it is , is sleeping. Her curiosity is killing her, however. � Might kill me, if I try to move-. But it's like that itch that's just out of reach... you strain a little extra to reach it anyway. Slowly, very slowly, Buffy moves her head in the direction of the snoring.- Ow, ow, ow... and if I might say... ow!- But finally, she gets her head turned enough to see who's on the bed, and despite the utter pain, she smiles. Which also hurts like hell. But she doesn't care, because the picture of Kira leaning over, laying her head next to her hand on the bed, is just so sweet, her heart aches with joy.
In that moment, a little seed planted much earlier begins to grow in her heart, and she realizes exactly how special this woman snoring softly on her bed is. Buffy knows that she has like a million other things to do; more important than sitting here in the hospital with her, and yet here she is, sleeping peacefully by her hand. As if this was the most important thing Kira had to do in her life... be here with her. If it didn't hurt so damned much, Buffy would probably be bawling at the moment. As it is, she uses all her will , grits her teeth til they hurt, too, and slowly, very slowly lifts her arm off the bed. She moves it over(- can you say agony?-) and gently as she can, lowers her hand onto Kira's hair. She moves the fingers gently back and forth, rubbing Kira's head. Somehow, this makes her feel better. Kira stirs a little, and Buffy stops rubbing, and just let's her hand rest gently in her hair.- Poor baby, she must be exhausted.�- Buffy, tired by the exertion, feels her own eyes slowly close. � I'll just rest for a minute.- she thinks as she drifts off to sleep.
Neither of the room's occupants sees the face pressed to the viewing window in the door. Faith watches as Buffy puts her hand on Kira's head, and a smile, the first genuine smile she's felt all evening, breaks out on her face. Pushing off from the door, Faith almost runs right into Giles, who's come up behind her.
" Cripes, G! Don't you ever make noise? God, you wanna give me a heart attack?" Faith whispers intensely.
" Sorry, Faith. I saw you staring into the window, and became concerned. Is everything alright?"
Faith makes a 'hush' gesture, and points at the window. Giles bends down a little, and he looks in. Even his British reserve cracks a little, and a small smile graces his lips. He looks at Faith, and they give each other the ' thumbs up'.
" I'm glad to see you made it to the hospital," Giles says, as he and Faith walk away from the room. " Is Willow with you?"
" No, she's back at the hotel, still. I was going to come tomorrow, to give Kira a break. I'm thinking now it might be better if I just bring her some fresh clothing, and some supplies."
Giles frowns a little. " I'm rather surprised that Willow isn't here. I would expect she'd want to be here with Buffy, all considered."
Faith hasn't told Giles many details about what happened, or that she and Willow have the shooter at the hotel, secured and waiting to be interrogated. She's rather cautious around Giles, still, because she knows his sense of right and wrong can sometimes lead him to do things that may not be exactly what she feels is best. -Not lying... exactly. Just not always forthcoming with the entire story. Yeah, uh-huh.- However, she sees the look in Giles' face, and she knows she can't exactly wiggle out of this � not without making either herself or Willow look bad, or uncaring. Or worse, raise his suspicions until he finds out what is going on, anyway, but doing it in a way that focuses a lot of unneeded attention on what's going on.
"Giles, I need to speak to you," Faith says, as they reach the waiting area. " Please, sit." She waves to an available bench, and he sits. She sits next to him.
" Willow can't be here right now, Giles. I didn't exactly give you the full story when I spoke with you earlier." �Well, that sounds weasely enough, Faith.-
" I'm not sure I understand," Giles says calmly.
" The guy that shot Buffy? Didn't exactly get away ..." Faith says, quietly.
" Indeed?" Giles looks at Faith," well, that's good, isn't it? The police caught him then?"
" No. We did. I did." Faith says.
" Oh... so, Willow is turning him over to the police, then?" Giles asks, beginning to get a little suspicious.
" Well... not exactly." Faith turns away, not really wanting to see Giles' expression.
" I see, " Giles says with his usual reserve. His face, however, is not exactly expressionless. It's taken on a stern cast. " Exactly what is she doing, then?"
" She's keeping watch on the man. He's bound and gagged, and were holding him at the hotel."
" Do I need to tell you what you're doing is illegal, and can be considered a crime. Kidnapping, I believe." Giles says, quietly. But the disapproval is plain to hear." It's not up to you to mete out justice for the crime, Faith. That's the duty of the courts."
" It's not simple like that, Giles," Faith says, turning back to Giles. " This wasn't a botched robbery attempt, like I told the police."
Giles remains silent, letting Faith explain.
" The man isn't a robber, Giles. He's an assassin. He was sent to shoot me. He would've , too. If Buffy hadn't dived in front of the him." Faith betrays a note of guilt.
" I see, " Giles seems to sigh out the response, " so, I guess my next question is, who would want to kill you, Faith."
" I... I don't know," Faith is obviously upset. The night, the emotions are wearing on her nerves. She's feeling as if the whole world is coming at her, " god, it could be anyone, for anything. I'm not even sure it's for me, though the gunman called me by name. Angel had that Black Thorn thing, that ... well, they were baddest of bad. They could be looking for revenge. Or it could be someone with an old grudge against me. You know, I haven't exactly been a saint or nothing. Shit. Or what if it's against Red, or Buffy? I'm flying blind here, Giles. I'm seeing monsters in the shadows, and not liking it.
" So, you really don't know then?" Giles asks, " It could be anyone?" He moves away from Faith, standing up " Do you really think it might be directed against Willow or Buffy?"
" No, not really, " Faith admits, " I'm grasping at straws here, Giles. I don't know who would be coming after me, I really don't. I've been wracking my brains for clues, but I'm coming up empty. That's why I gotta get that guy to talk... I gotta!"
" Even if you break him, Faith, what are you going to do then?" Giles tries to read Faith, seeing if she understands what he's hinting at. " What if you hear something you don't want to hear? Something that makes you question what you think is true?"
" What're you getting at, Giles?" Faith looks at Giles warily. Something in his words and manner is starting to freak her.
" I'm just saying, you have to be open to all possibilities," Giles retreats. He's not sure he can actually come out and say what he's thinking.
" Well, yeah, I mean... I'm trying to think of everything I can here, Giles, but you're being a little vague here, don't you think?"
"Let's reason it out, then, Faith. You've been in L.A. a few months, but this is really the first attempt on your life, right?"
"Are we counting the memorial for Angel?" Faith counters," I mean, lots of attempts there."
" I mean, you specifically, Faith. The memorial was more a vampire attack, not really against you specifically..." Giles says, " I know it's hard, but I need you to think about what happened. Did the gunman say anything unusual? Something that may be a clue?"
Faith shakes her head impatiently, " He didn't really say much of anything. Just said my name, then ... what... yeah... something about a triangle?. No, wait... triad? Something like, " the triad sends its regards" something like that..."
Giles starts at the name, but recovers quickly. He's heard that name, somewhere before. He'll have to do some research... but there's something ... off about this.
" Faith, has anything unusual happened lately? Something unexpected?"
" No, not really... not that I can think of, " Faith says evasively. She has no intention of sharing information with Giles. Not when it comes to the clan.
" What about those three strangers that showed up a few days back?" Giles asks, " What was that meeting about?"
" Giles, that's company business, and private. Really not your business."
" Then, they weren't from the Lehane Clan?" Giles asks, almost nonchalantly.
Faith stares at him in surprise.
" I know about you, Faith, and the organization you're associated with. The Lehane Clan is almost as old as the Watchers. They actually claim to be older. They're more a shadow group, working in the background to effect change. Influence and politics seem to be a specialty. Surprised, Faith?" Giles can't help but have a small self � satisfied smile.
" Blown away, G." Faith falls back into her old nickname for Giles , " I... god, how did you know?"
" I know you and Buffy and the rest rather think me clueless, Faith, but sometimes I'm not. The Watchers are well aware of the Clan, simply because they're old, and powerful, and sometimes have been a threat to us." Giles puts his hand on hers, " but mostly, we've gotten along, tacitly ceding certain... spheres of influence to each other, simply because we both go by the old dictum " the enemy of my enemy is my friend." We both essentially want the same thing, we just have different... viewpoints on how to achieve it."
" How long? How long have you known?" Faith asks.
" Since the beginning, Faith. No, I don't mean when you learned about it, but since I first met you, and even before that." Faith stares at him dumbfounded. " Don't look so shocked, Faith. You know how fond I am of old volumes and texts. I read Aaron's Prophecy. I did some research into it, and I found out about you. I know, when you arrived in Sunnydale, I acted as if I didn't know or expect you. But I was expecting you. You're the one in the prophecy. "
" Why didn't you tell me?" Faith looks at him suspiciously. " Why did you just let me go on and do what I did? God, don't you know how much crap that was, how much I paid for that ? How could you just let me twist in the fucking wind?" Faith's anger begins to rise.
" Faith, think. If I'd told you about your destiny, your true destiny, would you have believed me? You weren't ready, Faith. " Giles tone changes, " and I so wanted to tell you, believe me. When I saw what you went through, what happened to you, I wanted to scream it out to you. But I couldn't. I couldn't interfere, because if I did, it would change things... and then the prophecy wouldn't have come to pass."
"WHO THE FUCK CARES?" Faith shouts, then remembering where she is, lowers her voice. " Dammit, Giles, I was lost and alone, and I needed someone to understand me. Fuck, I didn't even understand me, but I needed someone who would try. You could've done that , and you didn't. I was a goddamn kid, Giles, and I needed someone ... and you let me ... damn you." Faith gets up, turning away from Giles to hide her angry tears. " You and the goddamn rules, Giles. Couldn't you once have bent the fucking rules?"
" I'm sorry, Faith, " Giles stands up and goes to her, putting a hand on her shoulder, " I can't tell you how many times I wish I had..."
Faith shrugs off his hand. She walks away from him, not wanting to look at him.
"Regrets are bogus, Giles. Don't do diddly, and they don't change what's happened. You're rules kept you from saying anything, fine. But maybe if you bent those rules, what happened... what we went through in Sunnyhell, wouldn't have had to happen?" Faith turns on him, her face red. " Sure didn't mind bending those rules when it came to Buffy, did you? You ... don't you think I saw how you looked at her? Like she was your daughter. I'm pretty sure that's not what the council intended for their watchers. You even got fired from the council because of your closeness to Buffy. Think I didn't know that, huh?"
"That's different, Faith. Buffy wasn't like you. She needed ...."
" And I didn't? I didn't need? Is that what you're gonna tell me, Giles? Buffy had family, Buffy had friends. What the hell did I have, Giles? Not a thing. My 'family' didn't want me, my watcher was dead, killed right in front of my eyes. I had nothing, and so of course, I didn't need anything, right? Not Faith uh-uh she's tough, she doesn't need squat." Faith sits down, feeling discouraged, " All that time, you knew what I was, what it must've been like for me. Feeling that darkness within me, not understanding it, not really having a grip on it. And not once, not ONCE, did you even try to approach me, let me know I wasn't alone... not once did you help me. Did you?"
Giles stands silent. He has nothing to say.
" Every day, Giles, every day I have to fight this... living thing inside me. It's part of me, like my arm, or my leg. It wants to rule me, take me back down that dark path. I fight it, and I fight it alone. Because I have to," Faith looks up at him, " you wonder at my loyalty to Angel. He, at least, knew what I was going through, and he never turned his back on me. Not once . Even when I nearly killed him in Sunnydale, he still tried to help me, despite what others thought. Including Wes, including Cordy, and especially, including Buffy. All considered, I can understand their reaction to me. But you? You knew, and you didn't do anything."
" I'm sorry, Faith, I can't express to you how much..."
She waves him off. Too little, way too late.
" We're past that, Giles. Can't change what's already done. Just gotta live with it," Faith gets up, " I don't have time right now to wallow in what- mighta- beens. Someone is trying to kill me, or us. So, you didn't bring up the clan just for giggles, I'm sure. What're you thinking? I don't have time to dick around here, just spit it out. What do you know?"
" I don't know anything for certain, Faith, " Giles says, truthfully, " but it seems very coincidental that you're paid a visit by your clan one day, and the next day, you're dodging an assassin's bullet. You should know that your organization, so to speak, is rather factional. Bad as the Watcher's council is, we tend to get together and agree on our goals and objectives. From everything I've read about the Lehane clan, and everything I've observed, they don't. While they all agree on the key goal, how they go about achieving that goal is often in contention. A goodly portion, from what I've been able to discern, don't believe in Aaron's prophecy. You've been rather forced down their throats as head of the organization, because they're in the minority. But that doesn't preclude them from seeking your ouster, one way or another."
Something in Giles' words clicks in Faith's brain. Something about that meeting the other day, just doesn't sit right with her. Something has been off.
" All I'm hearing is speculation, Giles, " Faith says, not wanting to admit her thoughts to Giles, " there's nothing solid here, only your opinion. But you're right in one respect. I'd be an idiot not to keep an open mind, check out all possibilities. " �Something's not right... and I gotta find out what. Now, more than ever I gotta get that creep to spill it. If the clan is involved...- " So, lets get this insurance problem straightened out, so I can get back to the hotel and start checking into it."
" Insurance problem? I'm not sure I'm following you there..." Giles looks bewildered.
" Willow got a call that there was some insurance snafu. That it needed my signature on some form or other, or the hospital would have to stop treatment." Faith looks at Giles, " know anything about it?"
"Frankly, no," Giles looks bewildered, " I was with Kira when she filled out all the forms, and there weren't any questions at that time. Far as I know, everything's in order."
"Alright, this is making like no sense at all. Why would the hospital call and want me... oh, crap. I'm a moron. It's a fucking setup, and I fell right in it. Someone wanted me out of the way. Maybe they know their attempt failed, and they're trying to ... I gotta get back to the hotel, pronto. Something's really wrong here, and I gotta find out what!"
Faith starts off, but Giles catches up with her, grabbing her arm. " Faith, wait. They might want to isolate you, make you an easier target... you shouldn't go alone."
" Not lots of choice, Giles. You need to stay here, keep an eye out for Kira and Buffy. At least, until I can get someone over here... you can do that, right?"
"Yes, of course," Giles sounds a trifle offended, " just be careful. It may be a trap."
" Don't worry about me, Giles. Just keep them safe." Faith turns, and exits.
Giles watches her leave, then turns towards Buffy's room. As he's walking down the hall, something that's been nagging at him pushes to the front of his mind. Willow, alone? Watching over the gunman? The one that shot Buffy?
And it was Willow that told Faith about 'call' from the hospital. What if there wasn't any call? What if... ?
Giles reaches in his coat, and pulls out a rather new looking cell phone. He flips it open, and starts to dial. He puts it up to his ear, and listens. Nothing. He looks at it quizzically... then remembers he has to push the send button to start a call.
" Bloody hell, " he curses softly. Giles, and technology? Never a good mix.
He listens as the phone rings, and rings, and then Faith's voice comes on the line.
" This is Faith's phone. Leave a message."
- Dammit!-
Giles hits the 'end' button, and stares at the phone, trying to think of what to do next.
Frowning, he dials another number.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He wakes to his face being slapped.
"Well, hey there, you went out on me for awhile. Guess they don't make assassins like they used to," Dark Willow says, smiling.
" You fucking sow, if I get out of these ropes..." The man threatens.
" You'll what? Shoot me?" Willow laughs. " You boys and your guns. Gee... don't you know?" She holds the gun to his chest , " These things? Never useful!" She pulls back on the hammer, watching the man blanche. "Don't worry, cutie. Not gonna shoot you. Like I said, we need to have a little chat."
The man looks at his arms, which are bound to the arms of his chair. He feels an incredible burning itch in his arms. He squirms a little in his bonds.
"What's wrong? A little uncomfy? Oh, sorry about that. But you know, we do have to keep you securely tied up. " Willow holds out her hand, which at the moment is closed. " But hey, I don't want you to think we're angry or anything. A mistake. That's what it was, right? Shooting my friend like that?"
" If the dumb bitch hadn't gotten in the way, she wouldn't have gotten shot!" The mans scowls. He wriggles some more...his arms are really itching.
" That's my friend alright. Sweet, not too bright. But just to show you I've got no hard feelings, brought you a little present." She opens her hand, and in it's a wiggling mass. The man pulls back away as far as he can.
" What the hell is that?" He asks, but he already knows. Little beads of sweat pop out on his forehead.
" Aren't they cute? They're the larvae of the calliphora vomitoria. The bluebottle blow fly, to use the common name. But, I guess you'd know them better as maggots, " Willow pushes the mass close to the man's face.
" SHIT. Get those things away from me!" The man is really sweating right now.
" Oh, now, don't be that way. They're just part of nature, you know. Might say, their natural garbage scows, eating away and digesting rotting meat. Just part of the cycle of life and death."
"Get. Those. Fucking. Things. Away. From. Me! " He looks at the squirming mass of maggots with disgust and fear.
" Oh, that's right. Silly me. You're deathly afraid of maggots. Ever since you were twelve, right? When you found that dead body. Got curious, didn't you? Turned it over, and saw the face had been eaten away with the little critters. Some fell on you, and you ran away screaming, like a sissy boy!" Willow pulls back the maggots, and grabbing a jar, puts them inside. She wipes her hand, then shows it to the prisoner. " There now, see. All gone."
The man coughs nervously. His arms are itching worse and worse... and he could swear it feels like something is crawling under his skin. Willow leans over, her face close to his.
" You know, we're all afraid of something. For some people it's rats. Some, really hate snakes. Me? Well, don't get frogs too close... god, slimy creatures," She shudders, " but everyone fears something. You, it seems, really, really hate maggots. I get that." She reaches over, and grabs the jar. She brings it close to his face, shaking it. " Scary, huh?"
He's breathing harder, and the itching has spread. It feels like his whole body is itching.
" If you think you can scare me with some bugs, lady , you're nuts. " The man despite his words, watches the jar warily." I'm not afraid of you, or some lousy bugs!"
" Of course not, silly boy, " Willow pats his face. " I mean, who can these little fellas hurt, huh? All bottled up. Of course, if it should drop..." She lets go of the jar. The mans nearly screams, but she catches it, "Well, that could be scary, huh?"
" I'm not scared, bitch, " the man lies. " and not telling you jack."
"Yeah, kinda scary," Willow ignores him, bouncing the jar in her hand." But this," she reaches over, and with her nail, traces a line on his arm." Scarier!"
The skin seems to erupt where her nail touches, and splits open, Out of the wound, hundreds of maggots start to crawl.
" My, my, look at that, " Willow smirks.
The man screams, straining against his bonds.
" Get 'em off... get 'em off me. God, what the hell have you done?" The man is fully panicked." GET 'EM THE FUCK OFF ME!"
"Sure, baby, soon as you tell me what I want to hear," Willow says, caressing his face. " Who sent you?"
" Can't tell you... they'd kill me, " the man, scared silly, tries to wriggle out of his bonds." PLEASE... GET 'EM OFF ME!"
" Now, you see, that's just not what I wanted to hear, " Willow says, " Bad boy!" She draws her finger over his other arm. The skin , like on the first wound, splits apart, and more maggots pour out of the wound. The man goes nuts, straining and shaking in the chair, trying to escape. But the bonds are too tight, and he can't do anything but feel the larvae crawl over his skin.
" PLEASE, PLEASE HAVE MERCY... GET THE FUCKING THINGS OFF ME!!!" The man screams. He wets himself in fright.
"SSHHHH" Willow passes her palms over the wounds, and they disappear. The man slumps in the chair in relief. "See, I can make them go away... or..." She runs her nail over his upper arm, and again the skin erupts with maggots. The man starts to panic again. " I can make them come back. Now, isn't that fun?" She giggles." Now, be a good boy, and tell me what I want to know. Who sent you."
" I CAN'T. HE'LL KILL ME IF I TELL YOU. I CAN'T!!!"
" Now, you see, he's far, far away, right? But I'm right here, " Willow's tone grows cold, " And believe me, I can kill you just fine, and a lot faster than he can." With that, she runs her nail over his legs, and chest. Wounds erupt, maggots crawling out of all of them.
" GOD! GOD! GOD! GOD! GOD! GOD!" The man screams, then moans. " Get em off, please get em off" His face is a mask of fright.
" Just tell me what I want to know, and I'll make all the nasty little buggies go away," Willow says, soothingly.
" Anything, anything god, just make them go away!" The man blubbers." Oh, god, get them off me... please!!!"
He starts screaming as he feels the maggots crawling around on him.
At that very moment, Willow's cell phone rings.
"What in hell?" She pulls out the cell, and looks at the display. " Oh, oh, daddy's calling. He might not understand what's going on. Guess we'll have to put you on mute, huh?" Willow waves her hand, and the man's mouth is stitched up once again.
She looks at the man, who's struggling against his bonds. He's in full panic mode, and his eyes are wide in fear.
But there's not a mark on him. Not a cut, not a maggot, not a thing. All of it's in his mind. Planted there by a spell Willow cast on him. She smiles, and turns to the phone.
" Hi, Giles, what's up? Is everything ok? How's Buffy?" She pauses to listen, " Yeah, I'm fine. Everything's hunky dory over here. Faith? What about... oh yeah, I remember that call... did she get it straightened out? What? I don't understand... yes, a Mr. Purvis from the hospital's business office called here, wanting to speak to Faith... no insurance problem? Are you sure? It sounded... oh, my... you don't think? Is she alright? Yes... everything's ok here. Yeah, Faith had some of the slayers come over... yeah... No, I'm in my room at the moment. I was looking up some stuff... stuff I thought might be helpful. Kennedy's here, she's guarding our... well, guest, I suppose. Do you want to talk to her? Yeah, sure, it's not a problem ... hold on." Willow pushes the mute button on her phone.
" Now, you be good, " she admonishes the prisoner... then notices he's fainted. " Oh my. You went and got all sleepy. Tsk, tsk, well... more fun to come."
She walks out of the supply room, and goes to the still enchanted Kennedy. She waves her hand.
" Giles wants to speak to you," Willow tells her softly, " remember what I said earlier?"
" Yes"
" Good then." Willow hands the phone to Kennedy.
" Hey, Giles, what's going on?" Kennedy, in her normal tone, asks," Huh? No... I've been here since Faith left. Everything's quiet... sure I'm sure, I've got some of the slayers deployed around the perimeter. No one's getting in without me knowing about it. Huh? No, Willow hasn't been with the perp. I'm sure, Giles. I've been here the whole time. Yes, geeze, I'm not a child ... I can see, you know. I think she's been in her room... that's where she came from, anyway... yeah, ok, here she is..."
Kennedy hands the phone back to Willow. Her eyes glaze over, and she's back in her dream.
" Hi, it's me again, Giles. Ok I understand. I bet you think I was in with the guy, using hot pokers or something, huh?" Willow smirks at the phone, " No... I understand, you're just concerned. No big, Giles. Yeah, sure, I'll have her call you, soon as she gets here... sure... ok... ok... Bye Giles." Willow hangs up the phone.- Moron- She shakes her head. She pockets her phone, and then walks back into the supply room.
"Well, cutie, guess we're just going to have to postpone fun time, " Willow talks to the still unconscious man," too bad, we were so making progress. But, mommy's on her way home, and you know how bitchy she can get. You just keep sleeping, cutie." She pats his face. Waving her hand over his mouth, the stitching disappears." Guess we don't need that anymore."
She starts to exit the supply room, and realizes she's still in major veiny mode." Hmmm... Faith might not like the look. Guess it's time for Willow of Sunnyhell farm to make an appearance." She waves her hand across her face, and her hair changes back to red, her clothing looks more ' Willow-like", and her veiny complexion is back to freckle face freshness. She sighs.
" Boring, but hey, what a girl's gotta do to please her lover!" She shrugs.
Whistling a little tune, she exits the supply room, closing the door after herself.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Faith rushes in, a little breathless. She looks around the lobby.
- Well, everything looks ok, down here.- Still, she's wary, and she looks around carefully, just to be sure. She's just approaching the stairs when Willow appears at the top.
" Hey, you!" Willow smiles down at her, " Welcome back. You ok? Giles called here earlier, all worried like. Maybe you should give him a call?"
" He called here? Why?" Faith asks
Willow shrugs, " I dunno. He asked how things were, but I'm thinking he was checking up on me. I'm guessing you told him we have the guy here. He seemed to think, at least I think he thinks, I was in using hot pokers on the guy."
" Yeah, well, he's got some pretty weird ideas, anyway," Faith says, deprecatingly.
" Did you and Giles have a fight?" Willow asks, giving Faith a sidelong glance, " You're sounding kinda hostile."
" No. Not really. It's not important, " Faith says, changing the subject, " hey, that call? It was bogus. There was no insurance problem at the hospital. What do you think about that, huh?"
" Yeah, Giles kinda mentioned that. Weird, huh? What do you think that was about?" Willow turns the question back on Faith.
" I think someone was doing their damnedest to get me away from here..."
" Really? Why?"
" How the hell should I know?" Faith asks, irritably. She sighs. " I'm sorry, just everything's been so ... fucked up. I got worried they try something funny here...and I got some disturbing information from Giles..."
" Oh yeah?" Willow asks, " What was that?" Willow prepares to take on Faith, if she has to.- Hate to hurt that hot little body, but hey... girl's gotta be ready!-
" Just that... never mind, it's really not important." Faith looks up the stairs, " So how's our 'guest' ?"
" He was sleeping, last time I looked in on him."
"Naptime's over, then. I'm thinking we're going to have to be a little more 'persuasive' with our 'guest', " Faith, her tone hardening, reaches the top stair, and heads for the supply room.
" Faith... FAITH!" Willow calls after her, running and getting ahead of her, blocking her." We talked about this. You can't go in there and get all homicidal on him. I know, it's tempting, but a dead man's not going to get us what we need!"
" Oh, for god's sake, Red, I'm not some mindless savage, you know!" Faith explodes, reaching her limit. " I'm gonna have to get rough with him. I'm sorry... no, wait ... after what he did? Not so sorry, but I'm not going to kill him. I promise you that. Ok?"
" I want to go with you!" Willow insists.
" I ... look, Red, you're kinda tenderhearted, you know? This might not be for you..."
" I'm not a child Faith. But I'm also not going to let you go nuts, do something you'll regret later. I just won't, Ok?" Willow stands firm. " I know if I'm in there, you'll be more... restrained."
" Fine, if you don't trust me, fine. Just stay the fuck outta my way!" Faith growls.
" It's not that I don't trust you, Faith, " Willow exclaims. � No, baby, not that I don't trust you. Just, I want to do it myself.-
Faith just cuts her off with an impatient gesture, and walks over to Kennedy.
" So, Ken-doll, how's our prisoner doing?" Faith asks, stopping in front of Kennedy.
" Just dandy, Faith. He's been quiet as a mouse since you left."
" Yeah, hear he's been napping."
Kennedy shrugs.
"Whatever, anyway, don't come in, no matter what you hear going on. Ok?"
" Yeah, sure, whatever you want, Faith, " Kennedy says, a little irritably.
" You ok?" Faith asks, not liking the attitude.
" Oh yeah, 5x 5, Faith," Kennedy smirks.
Faith stares coldly at Kennedy for a moment. She feels, after all the crap of the evening, like belting her. Her and her oh-so-superior rich girl attitude. But she decides to save the love taps for her victim inside the supply room. � One of these days, real soon, me and doll face here's gonna have a little smack-down. She's getting just a bit too attitudinal for my tastes- Faith, without another word, enters the supply room. Willow follows silently behind.
Faith senses something's wrong. She can't put her finger on it, but something's off about the scene.- Aw, fuck, it's just a case of the nerves, Faith. Get over it.- She walks over to where the man is sitting.
Willow, as agreed, fades back into the shadows, out of sight. Unseen by Faith, she smiles a tight little smile, and her eyes go dark. She wants a good spot to see the show.
Faith slaps the man, and when he doesn't stir, she slaps him again.
" Wake up... come on, wake up!" She slaps him a third time.
The man's eye's flutter, and they open. A brief flash of fear flashes across his face, replaced by relief, then anger.
" Fuck off. I'm not saying nothing. Not to you, and not to your little witch-bitch friend!" the man spits at her.
Faith, disgusted, wipes the spittle off herself. �What the hell is he talking about? Witch?-
Behind her back, Willow comes out of the shadow. She's in full dark mode again. She smiles, and holds something up for the man to see. It's a maggot, wiggling between her fingers. She puts her other finger to her lips, to shush him.
The man freaks. He starts to strain against his bonds But he's not trying to get at Faith, it's more he's trying to get away from something; something horrible.
" NO... NO ... NOT AGAIN... I CAN'T STAND IT AGAIN... KEEP AWAY FROM ME... I'LL TELL YOU ANYTHING... JUST DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!!!" The man screams, startling Faith." GET 'EM OFF ME, GET 'EM OFF ME!!!" He struggles against the ropes.
Faith whirls around, but doesn't see anything. Puzzled, she turns back to the man.
" Alright, boyo, I'm tired of your games. I don't know what's going on, but talk, or..." She raises her fist to hit him.
But she doesn't even have to. The man breaks down, and starts talking. It comes out in fits and starts, he's still obviously scared out of his mind. But he tells the whole story. How he's a member of the Triad, a secret society within the clan. A new member, this is his first kill... his bones. He's supposed to off Faith, and anyone with her to witness it. How he was sent by a man he only knows as Sean. An older man. His mentor in the Triad. He goes on to tell how the Triad decided Faith was an abomination, an evil thing, to be destroyed. She not only had no right to be in the clan, as it's leader, but no right to live, period. How they were going to keep coming for her until she was dead. Kill him or not, more would follow. At the end of it, he was just blubbering, knowing no matter what, he was dead. He'd betrayed the Triad, and they wouldn't let him live. But something had scared him more; more than death.
Faith's expression hardens. Her eyes glitter in anger, and she turns to the man, and hits him. Again, and again. �Giles was right. My own... people... want me dead! My own... people. I was such a imbecile, thinking I could trust them... trust anyone...- She pulls out her knife, and gets ready to slice his throat. Her anger is total, consuming. She's brings her arm up, to do a quick slash across, and stops. � NO!! I won't... I won't let them win. I won't do it.- Struggling against her own anger, she lowers her arm, sheathing her knife. In control again, but still angry, she spits on him.
"Get out of my way, Faith" A voice comes from behind her. A familiar, but unfamiliar voice. �Willow!- Faith turns, and gets another shock.
Willow is in the light, fully dark. Her hair, raven black, seems to stream behind her in a phantom wind. Her eyes are black, and a dull red glow outlines her pupils. Her face, her soft face is covered in pulsating veins. Her hands almost seem claw-like, and her expression is full of hate. Her lip is curled in a sneer.
" Move, Faith, so I can give this... worm... his reward." Her voice is soft, but deep, lower than normal, and full of icy malice.
The two stare at each other briefly, then Faith comes to a decision. She sets herself.
" No." Faith says simply and quietly.
" I said...MOVE!" Willow waves her arms, and Faith flies against the nearest wall. Willow raises her arms, gathering her power. The very air about her thickens, and clouds and lightning seems to swirl about her.
" You're gonna die, you little maggot. But not fast. Oh, no... it's going to be slow... and long... and it's going to hurt. Hurt like nothing's ever hurt before. You're going to scream, and scream, and I'm going to love it!" She raises her arms, and releases a bolt of energy.
But Faith has recovered, and moving quickly, she stands in front of the prisoner. The bolt hits her, and she almost screams, it hurts so much. It rocks her, nearly knocking her over. But she steadies herself, and stands fast.
" I said, no" Faith gasps out. But she stands steady, not moving.
" Get out of the way, Faith, " Dark Willow commands, " don't do this. Don't make me hurt you!"
"No. I won't. I won't let you do this, Willow, " Faith says. She doesn't move.
A force like a huge fist hits her, stunning her, driving her to her knees. For a second she's dizzy, but she hauls herself up, and stands again, bracing herself for another blow.
It comes quickly, like a sledgehammer. Again, she drops to her knees. Again, she gets up. Her breathing is labored, she hurts all over, but she's not moving.
" Why? Why're you protecting this... slime?" Willow yells at her. " He's scum, less than scum. You heard him, he's going to kill us all if he gets the chance. Why are you trying to save him!!!!"
"Save him?" Faith asks, feeling groggy. Nevertheless she turns around, and hits the man, knocking him and his chair over. " I don't give a crap about him. " She turns back to Willow. " I care about you."
" Oh, goodie. Is the lame 'let's save Willow from herself' part of the evening? I don't NEED saving, you moron," Willow raises her hands, directing them at Faith." That yellow crayon trick? So isn't going to work again." She lets loose a bolt of energy, which strikes Faith.
Faith screams this time. She feels as if a thousand wasps have stung her simultaneously. Her skin goes red, boiling up in blisters in places. But she doesn't fall. She takes a step towards Willow.
"N-No tricks, Willow, " Faith mutters, aching in pain. She's weaving, but she can't... won't let herself fall. " I just love you, and I can't let you do this."
" Who's gonna stop me? You? You're barely standing!" She lets loose another bolt of energy.
Faith whirls around and hits the wall. For a second, she leans against the wall. Her knees are shaking, feeling like water. But she can't fall now. If she does, it's over. Somewhere, somehow she gathers strength from within. She pushes off the wall, and again, she's standing in front of Willow.
" WHY? Why won't you just get out of the way? Why're you making me do this?" Willow cries out. Something is cracking within her. " I don't want to hurt you. Just move!"
"No. If you don't want to hurt me, then don't!" Faith growls, "but I won't let you kill him. If you want to kill him, you'll have to kill me first."
" You think I won't? You think I won't kill you, if I have to?"
" You could kill me in an instant, Willow, and I can't stop you," Faith whispers, her strength flagging, " and if you kill him, I want you to kill me first, anyway."
"ARE YOU INSANE!?!?!?" Willow sends a bolt, but it doesn't hit Faith as hard. Faith weaves, but she remains standing.
" If you kill him, Willow, then I've lost you. You, whatever's left of you in there, is gone." Faith pauses, and tries to smile. It's rather ghastly to look at. " You... I love you, Willow. You're my... you're my everything. Why would I want to live if you're gone?"
"SHUT UP!" Willow yells. Her tone has a desperate note in it.
Faith feels like she's been slapped by a giant. Again, things start to get very woozy, but she grips herself, and holds on.
"Anyway, if this is revenge... if you want revenge for Buffy... then you should kill me. It's my fault." Faith mutters. She leans over, hands on knees, to keep from falling over.
" Shut up... SHUT UP!!! You're insane. How is this your fault? He tried to kill ... he shot her!!!"
" I fucked up, Willow. I should've had security in place. He never should've made it to the door. But I got soft. I thought we were safe here... that's a joke, you know? We safe, anywhere? So, no security. And he got in, and shot Buffy. So, it's my fault, you see." Faith is barely able to keep standing.- If she hits me one more time, I'm done �
" No...no, no, no, no!" Willow says, " it's him... he did this.. it's his fault!" She points at the man, now lying unconscious on the floor.
" You're wrong, Willow. He's just a tool. He doesn't mean anything. It's my fault." Through her haze, Faith can sense that somehow, she's hit on something. "So, if you're laying blame, it's me, Willow. I did it. Kill me!" She forces herself to stand up straight again.
" No... I won't listen to this. It's wrong... it's wrong!" Willow says. " Please, don't make me hurt you anymore. Get out of the way. I've got to do this, don't you see, Faith? I've got to. I've got to make it right. I've got to!!!" Willow's voice cracks, and so does her dark demeanor. She seems lost and confused. Gradually, her hair starts to change back to red. She can feel the change happening to her. " No, not now... not now... I haven't made it right... not now!!!"
Willow begins to change back and forth. Her color goes dark, then lightens... then darkens. She stands, and starts to mutter a spell... then stops. Her coloring changes again, lightening to her normal self. She curses, and tries to recapture the rage and anger... but she can't. " No... not now...not now..."
Faith watches in horror and fascination. Through her pain, she sees the fragile shield Willow's been protecting herself with, the feelings she's been cutting off, re-emerge. The life seems to drain from Willow, and she collapses to her knees.
" I couldn't stop him," Willow cries, staring at the floor. " I froze. It would've been so easy. I could've thrust him away, or put up a barrier... but I didn't... I got scared. I froze... and ... and Buffy... she... oh god... Buffy... he shot her... he was going to shoot you... and I stood there... like an idiot... oh god... it's all my fault..."
Faith, using her reserves, walks shakily over to Willow, and puts her arms about her. " Shhh... shhh... it's ok... it's ok now."
Willow looks at Faith , and her tears come. " Oh god, what've I done to you! Oh no, Faith I... oh god..."
"I feel kinda... shitty..." Faith, the adrenaline receding, lays down." Think I'll sleep now, ok?"
She passes out.
" Kenny! KENNY!" Willow calls out, standing up.
Kennedy rushes in, and stops, stunned.
" What the hell happened?" Kennedy reacts as if waking from a dream. She looks at Willow.
" Call the police, and tell them we caught Buffy's shooter." She kneels down by Faith. " And call an ambulance."
Kennedy hesitates, staring at the carnage in the storeroom.
" NOW!!!" Willow barks.
Kennedy pulls out a cell, and starts dialing.
Willow kneels by Faith.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To be continued.
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Independence