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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
- 24
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- 26
Independence

By Norwalker

Part 25A 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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Los Angeles, CA.

She runs through the field under the hot summer sun. Her breath comes in gasps; she's not used to this much running. But she knows she has to keep going, she can't stop now. The sweat on her brow trickles into her eyes, burning them. She can feel her feet pounding on the earth, trampling the grass. Where is she? Dammit, she should be here!
But she isn't there, or anywhere where Kira can see her. She stops, looking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. She has to find her, Kira knows something. Something critical, something that would save her life. But she isn't here. Her agitation grows. She knows that her time is running out; if she doesn't find her soon, it'll be too late.
" Faith! FAITH!!! Where the hell are you?" Kira calls out, hoping to hear an answer. But none's coming, and she stands in the middle of the field, feeling lost.
A sudden, cooling breeze comes up, and Kira stands still for a moment, appreciating the cooling. She closes her eyes, and reaches out, thinking maybe she can sense where Faith is. But all she sees is darkness, and blood, and death, and all she feels is the cold chill of fear creeping down her spine. She opens her eyes suddenly, and standing before her is Layne, her sister, hands on hips, looking perturbed. Kira, surprised, steps back a pace.
" Kira Hearne! What're you bellowing about? She isn't here, she isn't even close to here!" Layne says in her typical put down tone. " She's off doing battle, you know that. So why're you calling out to her!"
" Layne! Thank God. Do you know where she is ? " Kira asks, reaching out and grabbing Layne's arms. Layne shrugs her off, and turns. " I've got to talk to her. I know something. Something that'll save her life. But I can't find her. Where is she?"
Layne stays turned, speaking to Kira over her shoulder. " This is just like you, Kira. Always the troublemaker, always butting in where you're not wanted or need. Well, not this time, dear. Faith is doing what she should be doing, and you…" Layne turns around, and a long sharp knife is in her hand. "… are about to pay."
Kira, wide-eyed, steps back a few paces. " Layne… what're you doing?"
" You know too much, girl, and now I gotta shut your mouth, " Layne says, quietly and coldly. Without another word, she sticks the blade into Kira's gut. Kira groans, and falls.
" Layne?" Kira's eyes ask the unspoken question.
But there's no answer coming. Only laughter, as the scene grows darker… and darker…

Kira jerks bolt upright in her bed. She's covered in a cold sweat. She can faintly hear the fading echoes of her sister's laughter in her ears, and she feels an ache in her stomach. She looks down, and nearly faints. She for a second sees herself covered in blood. It quickly fades into nothing, but the feeling she has remains. Something's wrong, terribly wrong.
Even though it's a warm night, she's shivering as she gets up, wrapping herself in her robe. She walks to the window of her apartment, and looks out onto the city. From here, she can see the old Hyperion Hotel sign. The unease rises in her stomach as the elements of her dream whirl about in her mind. Something's wrong. I know it. Something I should be seeing, but I'm not. God, what if Faith … ? She shakes her head, trying to clear it.
She paces agitatedly for awhile, trying to make up her mind. On the one hand, it's only a dream, not very clear, and probably just her own tiredness and sense of frustration. On the other hand, she's had these kind of dreams before, and all too often the portended something happening, something important. It's probably nothing, just my over active imagination!! But she couldn't just throw off the dream. She feels alone, and scared, and really in need of a hug and reassurance. There was none of that here for her. She looked again out the window, at the Hyperion sign. She bites her lip, undecided.
" Aw, screw this! " she finally says, and walks to the closet. Grabbing a coat to cover her nightclothes, and her purse, she heads for the front door of her apartment. She hesitates before opening it.
This is totally dumb she says to herself, standing with her hand on the knob. As if you haven't done THAT before! She chides herself, and turns the knob.
She slips quietly out of her apartment

Buffy at first doesn't hear the soft knocking on her door. She's lost in her own dream.
It's rather a more pleasant dream than Kira had. She's in her room, but it's different. Soft light glows everywhere, from the multitudes of candles. She's lying in bed, between soft silken sheets, and she finds herself rather naked.
This is weird. Buffy thinks to herself. I don't have silken sheets, I don't ever sleep naked… and hey, where did all the candles come from? She snuggles down into the sheets, feeling them against her breasts, her tummy, her bottom and her legs, and she shrugs. Who the hell cares, anyway? Feels nice! She giggles a little, and starts to settle into sleep.
She's startled out of it when she hears a noise. Sitting up, holding the sheet against herself, she looks around. Out of the shadows, Kira appears, also very, very naked. Buffy gulps, and finds herself staring.
Kira has very long legs, topped by the soft curves of her hips, and a slender waist and chest. Her breasts are not overly large, nor overly small. They are topped by perky pink nipples, which at the moment seem to be somewhat erect. Her hair is down and loose, just covering her shoulders. Her eyes seem to sparkle in the candlelight, and her lips are curved into a sensuous half smile. She seems to float to the bed, and sits on it, next to the reclining form of Buffy.
" Hi, baby," Kira says softly, laying a hand on Buffy's leg. Buffy becomes very aware of the warmth of Kira's hand, even through the sheets. " Did I wake you?"
" N-n-no" Buffy says, nervously. What the hell am I nervous about? Not like I haven't seen a naked woman before. " I-I was awake."
" Really? You looked like you were asleep. All comfy and snuggly. You looked really sweet, " Kira leans closer, making Buffy feel anxious and excited at the same time. What the hell is going on here, anyway? Buffy feels her throat go dry.
" Things are a little weird, here, "Buffy croaks out, " I don't have silken sheets , and where did all these candles come from?" Never mind where YOU came from!!! " I thought this was my room… where am I?"
" Isn't it nice?" Kira looks around, smiling, " Isn't this where you want to be?" She leans in closer, and Buffy feels her hand slide up her thigh. Oh, crap! Buffy suddenly smells a sweet spicy scent. Is that incense? Or her?
" Kira, this is all … ummm… very nice… but I'm not sure…" Buffy moves away, feeling herself being cornered. " I mean, I'm not sure how I'm feeling about you… or an us… right now?"
" Don't you want me here?" For the first time, Kira frowns a little, pouting. Her voice sounds a little hurt, " I only came because I thought you wanted me here. " Kira sits back, giving Buffy some room. " Maybe… this is what you want…" Right before Buffy's eyes, Kira morphs into Faith. Buffy's eyes go wide. " Hey, B, better? Thinkin' this is more your style?" Faith moves on her.
"SHIT!!!!"
Buffy, startled, jumps out of the bed, trying to take a sheet with her for modesty. With Faith's weight on the sheet, however, that's not happening. She stands, staring at Faith. Faith returns the gaze, giving Buffy the once over … twice. She smiles seductively, and licks her lips.
" Hmmm. Kinda lookin' yummy, B, " Faith smirks, and hops off the bed. Buffy, for her part, tries to cover her private bits, not all successfully, and backs away, looking for an escape.
" Not happening, this is so not happening," Buffy mumbles to herself out loud, backing away from a very naked, very sexy looking Faith. She bumps into something behind. Something soft and warm and breathing.
" Oh, c'mon Buff. Don't be such a dope!" A voice behind her says. Buffy turns; Willow, also somewhat au naturel, is standing behind her, pushing her towards Faith. " You gotta choose someone, sweetie. Now Faith is looking rather… hmmm… what's the word? Inferno-ish? Don't you think? I don't mind, you know. It's ok with me if you sleep with her…" then Willow's eye gets a twinkle in it. " Maybe it's me you really want… since I'm kinda here, sans clothes. Gosh, Buffy, don't you think you should make a decision here, anyway?"
Buffy looks like a deer caught in the headlights. She looks at Faith, then back at Willow, then at the bed…and Kira's back, reaching out for her. Oh, shit!!!
" Who do you want, Buffy?" Kira calls out, " I love you, baby. Come to me!"
" Yeah, Buffy. Make up your mind. I'm getting all goose-fleshy here" Willow says, crossing her arms over her chest.
" You know, I'm thinking… B's jonesing for all of us," Faith says, moving on Buffy, backing her into a corner, " I'm thinking she wants us all ! So, what you thinkin' B? A Ménage a …er… four? That's kinda wicked kinky."
Buffy feels like her insides have all been turned upside-down and sideways-backwards, but that's nothing to the confusion going on in her mind. This is a nightmare! I know it's a nightmare, I know I just gotta wake up… but hell, why does it have to be such a fucking sexy nightmare? And Willow? Why the heck is she here? I get the Faith/ Kira thing… but I never… or… oh, I'm so beyond dead… Buffy feels like the walls are closing in on her, and she desperately looks for the escape hatch that always appears in the movies… but none here. Then she hears a tapping at the door. SAVED!!!
" Door… someone's at the door. Gotta get the door" Buffy ducks Faith and bolts from the others, rushing towards the door. Oh hell… what if there's a naked Cordelia at the door? This so sucks! And not in a good way!!! …

Buffy starts awake, sitting up in bed, covered in a cold sweat. The sheets are back to linen, no extraneous candles, and no naked women… but there is an insistent if quiet tapping at her door.
" What… what the hell?" Buffy mumbles and curses, throwing off the sheets. But inside, at least her stomach is not longer trying to get a scout merit badge for knots. She weaves her way to her door, still half asleep, noting that somehow she's become rather moist in a area she shouldn't be moist. And I'm a sick-o on top of everything else!
Buffy throws open the door, expecting to see one of the wanna-be slayers at the door, per usual, having gotten lost in the hotel again. Don't these girls like have a map or something. Instead, she sees Kira standing there, with a worried look on her face.
" Kira? What? What're you doing here?" Buffy asks, totally surprised, and somewhat taken aback. Way too weird. Way! She finally awakens enough to see that Kira looks a little disheveled, and is only wearing her coat over her nightgown. Ok, now it's going into Twilight Zone country. But she sees Kira looking lost, and confused, and worried, and shivering. She pulls her into her room. " What's wrong?"
" Oh, Buffy!" Kira cries out, clinging to Buffy. Which makes for an amusing picture when you realize that Kira is 8 inches taller than Buffy. Amusing if it weren't so serious. Her tone sounds strained, her calmness forced." Something's wrong, terribly wrong, I know it…"
Buffy, somewhat physically overwhelmed, still manages to take control, and leads Kira to the bed. Sitting down, she holds Kira in her arms, trying to reassure her.
" Shhh, Kira, It's ok… everything's ok," Buffy rocks the distressed woman.
" No, you don't understand…" Kira trails off, realizing suddenly that this is going to sound major foolish, " … I had a dream…" she feels herself flushing, embarrassed. She looks at Buffy, expecting her to be annoyed. Instead, she sees a look of concern on her face; concern and interest. " This is totally dumb…"
" It's not dumb, Kira, " Buffy says gently, remembering what Doyle told her, " tell me."
Kira pulls herself together, and relates her dream to Buffy. As she tells it, she realizes how weird it sounds, and she keeps looking at Buffy for support. Even so, she feels stupid now, rushing over here in the middle of the night. By the time she's done, she's looking away, figuring some way to explain away her fears. She knows Buffy's going to laugh at her.
She's surprised when Buffy not only doesn't laugh, but hugs her reassuringly. She turns and sees Buffy has a serious look on her face.
" Kira, do you get these dreams often?" Buffy asks, quietly. Kira sits there, not believing Buffy is actually taking her seriously. Everyone else always dismissed her dreams as being, well, stupid.
" NO!" Kira says, a little too quickly. She amends." Sometimes… " She shakes her head, curtly, " this is idiotic. I don't believe in that hocus-pocus-ESP- mystical- destiny & fate bull- …." She stops, realizing her faux pas. " Uh… sorry."
Buffy smiles. "Don't be. First vamp I saw? I thought it was just a guy with a really bad acne and dental problems. Took me awhile to believe in this stuff," Buffy turns Kira's face towards hers. " Thing is, though, I think you got something… something powerful inside you. Something that lets you see things coming… in your dreams."
" No … not me…" Kira protests, weakly, " that's impossible." Her voice drops to a whisper. " Do you really think so? You're not making fun of me?"
" Of course not" Buffy declares. " I can sense something about you. I guess I've always sensed something about you. Slayer sense, you know?" Buffy looks Kira directly in the eyes, " You're special ". She freights the last word with many levels.
Kira's defenses fall like lead weights. She starts to shiver again, and her coloring pales.
" I'm so scared, Buffy. I'm afraid something awful is going to happen to Faith. And I feel I know something; something I should tell her, to warn her! But I can't think of it. God, what if she's already hurt… or…" Kira starts cry.
" Hey, hey… it's going to be ok, trust me, " Buffy hugs her. " We'll call her… call her hotel… talk to her…ok?"
Kira nods, not trusting her voice. She stands, and Buffy sees she struggles to regain her composure. This is a new side of Kira for Buffy; a vulnerable, tender side that Kira seems to hide from most people. Yet, she tries to put a brave face on it, even though I can tell she's scared to death. Wonder why I never saw this before? Wonder exactly how stupid I am, anyway? Buffy stands and walks to Kira, taking her arm. She smiles at her.
" Let's go"
" … ok, ok I get it. She's checked out. When? Do you know where she went?" Buffy speaks into the phone, her frustration mounting. She looks at Kira, who's standing on the other side of the reception desk. She shrugs. " Ok, yes, thank you." She hangs up the phone somewhat noisily. " She checked out of the hotel yesterday. Evidently there was some trouble. They don't know where she went."
Kira stands by the desk, not looking Buffy in the eye. Her lips are tightly compressed, and her face looks bleak, but she refuses to give in. She just stands there, not saying anything.
" I'll try her cell, ok? Maybe I can get through." Buffy dials a number and waits. And waits. And waits. Finally a voice comes on the line.
" I'm sorry, but the cellular subscriber your calling is out of the network calling range. Please try again later. If you feel you've gotten this recording in error, hang up and dial again."
" Damn," Buffy says quietly. She looks up, and sees Kira's face. She walks over and puts her arm around her. " C'mon, it'll be ok, I promise. She's tough, you know that Kira. We'll figure this out. We'll find a way to get ahold of her. She'll be ok, she can handle herself." Buffy just wishes she sounded more convincing.
" Hold on," Kira says, pulling it together and going into her all-business mode. She picks up the phone and dials a number. She talks for awhile, then cuts the connection and dials another number. After about 3 or 4 calls, she puts down the phone and faces Buffy.
"I found her. She's staying with Layne," Her face looks grim and tired, " evidently there were a couple of shooting incidents, one in the hotel where she was staying. She's safe, and out of harms way." Instead of looking relieved, however, she stares into space. Her face starts to sag, and tears start rolling down her cheeks. Buffy quickly moves to her, putting a comforting arm around her.
" Hey… hey… she's ok, and she's safe. Faith is tough, I told you that. No moron with a gun is going to get her."
" I know, " Kira says, moving away from Buffy and her all too comfortable arm. If I let her hold me one more minute, I'm going to cry. Can't do that … just can't. " I'm just acting like a child. She'll be alright, it'll all be good." Kira stands up straighter, trying to get it all together. " I swear, sometimes I'm just so damned stupid…"
" Stop it ! "
" Huh?" Kira turns around
" I said, stop it ! It's ok to lean sometimes, Kira. Sometimes you need to lean… you can't be super-together-girl all the time, get it?" Buffy says, with conviction, " Ok, I'm not the poster girl for mental health and all, but I'm starting to get it. I… I know now that sometimes you need to lean on someone, catch your breath. Better with someone you care about; who cares about you, you get it? I mean, that's what we do… right? Help each other?"
" Well, it's about time you got it, Buffy, " A voice drifts down from above. Kira and Buffy look up quickly. Willow is standing at the top of the stairs, dressed in her flannel pj's. She's smiling down at them, mostly at Buffy. " Never thought you'd get that one, Slayer. Only took you what? 8 1/2 years?"
" Willow?" Kira says, surprised to see her up.
" I can't ever get away with anything with you, can I?" Buffy grins ruefully.
" Nope, but then, that's why you love me, " Willow grins brightly, " So, what?? Slumber party?" Willow looks at the two women , " and I wasn't invited?"
" What're you doing up?" Kira asks, " We didn't wake you, did we?" She blushes.
" Well, you two aren't exactly little going around tiptoeing on cat's feet, I gotta admit," Willow says, " But I was already awake, anyway. Not sleeping really great. Worried, I guess."
Buffy and Kira exchange a look. They silently agree not to tell Willow what they know.
" About Faith?" Kira asks.
" Who else?" Willow trots downstairs. " I know you're worried, Kira. I swear, Faith can be so…"

" Bullheaded? Stubborn? inflexible?" Buffy says, a slight mocking tone to her voice. " Pig-headed, mulish, obstinate…"
" Ok, ok, please, don't help…" Willow laughs, then frowns. " I know, I haven't exactly been support-o girl concerning Faith and her … mission… but …" Willow leans against the banister, looking tired, " I just wish she'd left on a better note. I didn't get to tell her what I feel, that I love her, and I'm here for her, and …" Willow trails off, dejected.
" Awww" Kira and Buffy says simultaneously. They come to Willow, and surround her in a huge group hug. Willow is comforted, then looks a little uncomfortable, then very uncomfortable.
" Guys… guys… loving the hugs… don't get me wrong… but gotta breathe now…" Willow is turning a little blue around the edges.
Buffy and Kira quickly break the hug. Willow breathes in hugely, and then looks around. " Well, you didn't have to leave town, either, you know !" She spreads out her arms.
" Sorry Will… forgot myself, " Buffy says, hugging Willow more gently this time. Kira joins her; the three take some comfort in the closeness. After a while, Willow sighs and breaks the hug, moving to sit on a lobby sofa. The other two join her.
"I just wish we could've talked before she left, " Willow says, plaintively, " I know I freaked her when Dark Willow came out to …"
Buffy looks at her sharply. Willow pales. She forgot that Buffy didn't know.
" Dark Willow?" Buffy's voice is tight, " You went dark … again?" She turns to Kira. " Why'm I just learning about this now?"
" Uhhh… uhhh…" Kira stutters, looking helplessly at Willow.
" Don't get on her, Buffy. I asked her not to tell you, " Willow says, defensively, " Anyway, it wasn't in a " Hate everybody destroy the world " kind of way… only … well… just that when I saw you shot and I thought you might be dying… and this little creep wouldn't say boo…"
" You thought, hey, lets make it better by letting out Willow the Terrible on the world?" Buffy says, angrily. " So, what was your next trick going to be? Flay the guy if he didn't talk?"
Willow looks down at her hands, tight lipped.
" Buffy, stop it!" Kira says, " She was upset, for god's sake. She watched you get shot. She messed up a little… don't get all righteous … not you, girlfriend. You know, the one we had to bail out of jail for trashing a bar?"
" Messing up a little?" Buffy conveniently ignores the rest of the speech, " Messing up a little is getting drunk at a party. Messing up a little is blowing a stop sign. You weren't there when Willow went Evil, Kira. You don't know, so don't interrupt…"
" I'm not going to sit here and let you tear into her for making one little mistake…"
" SHUT UP!!!" Willow yells, jumping off the couch. " Both of you, stop it now! We don't have time for this . I can feel it. Something's not right with Faith, and I can't figure it out. I just know that we've got to help her, somehow. IF you two are going to fight, GET THE HELL OUT OF MY LOBBY!!!" She glares at the two of them.
Kira and Buffy look at her open-mouthed, and for a moment silence reins. It's broken when Buffy starts to laugh. Small at first, then harder. Kira and Willow look at her as if she's gone mad.
" What's so funny, Buffy Summers !?! " Willow steams, still feeling cross.
" Your lobby, Will?" Buffy chokes out between whoops, " when did you buy the hotel, huh? I think it's more Kira's lobby than yours!"
Willow stares at her, amazed. She's trying to fight a smile, but it's a losing battle. A giggle escapes her, then another, and soon she's laughing as hard as Buffy. Kira stares at the both of them. Willow, feeling weak from laughter, sits down, but doesn't stop laughing.
" You two are nuts!" Kira declares, but the laughing is getting to her. She starts to giggle, then bursts out laughing. Soon the three of them are laughing helplessly, leaning against each other. Finally, after awhile, the laughing diminishes into an occasional giggle or chuckle, as each is red faced, teary eyed and gut aching from laughter. They sit there, afraid to move, or to speak, in case it breaks out again. Kira starts to hiccup.
" Shit!" Kira laments, hiccupping. " I get these every time I laugh too much."
" Well, I hear sex is a good cure for hiccups, " Willow says, lightly. She chuckles.
Kira and Buffy turn red. Willow notices the tension that suddenly descends on the couch, and looks at each of them. " You mean you two haven't…?" They shake their heads in the negative, " but I thought surely by now… I mean… geeze…"
Kira steals a glance at Buffy, who is turning deep red, remembering tonight's dream. Kira misinterprets Buffy's reaction.
" Look, Buffy's and my lack of sex life isn't the issue here," Kira says, covering her feelings, " Faith being in trouble is. What're we going to do now?"
" Maybe we should try calling her?" Willow suggests. The other two stare at her. " What?"
" We tried that. She's … moved from her hotel, and her cell is out of range, " Buffy says, quickly. " Kira spoke to her sister, Layne. She's staying with her. There was some snafu with the hotel." Buffy feels the pit of her stomach burning. She hates lying to Willow. " She was out when we called. Layne said she'd have her call us."
" Oh," Willow leans back on the couch.
"Maybe we're worrying for nothing!" Buffy lies " she might be partying down with Layne, for all we know." Willow looks at her as if she's from another planet. " Well, she might be!"
" Somehow, I doubt it, " Willow says, glumly. A pall settles down on the group.
" So, what do we do now?" Kira repeats, dispiritedly
" We wait."
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Ireland
County Limerick

Faith stands on the rise overlooking the River Shannon as it flows into the North Atlantic. It's a cool day, overcast and windy. She's wearing a cable knit sweater, jeans and boots. She watches the turbulence of the river as it joins the sea, and feels a kinship to its natural violence. She feels like the white capped waves breaking over the rocks below; her energy and flow being broken by stubborn, unmovable objects set in her path. She's seething inside. Nothing has been going her way since she left L.A.
Half her luggage was lost in the changeover from Dublin to Galway, causing her to discover all her business suits were history. She'd had to buy off the rack in Limerick, and she hadn't been exactly pleased with the results. Further, the 'driver' sent to pick her up was hours late, and dour to the point of hostility. Never mind he drove as if he were blind and drunk. Halfway through the trip, she began to be convinced it was an assassination attempt. She arrived at the hotel, only to find her reservation had been botched. After nearly an hour of haggling, pleading and threatening, she got a room… but she had larger closets at home. Oh well, I've been in worse, I guess. But all in all, those were just annoyances.
What really fried her was getting shot at… twice. The first time was the night she arrived. Not wanting to particularly be cloistered in her room, she went for a walk. The night was cool and crisp, and the air was amazingly clean. She was just getting into it, doing some power walking, when someone starts running up behind her. She whirled around, just in time to see the gun come up. She ducked sideways, and the shot missed cleanly. She was up in a flash, but the gunman was fast, too, and started firing. She moved from object to object, dodging bullets, ducking, swaying , running zig-zag; trying to make herself a hard target. She ducked into an alley, and swung up on a low hanging pipe, waiting for the gunman to follow. But he never showed. After awhile, she got back down, and peering out of the alley, saw it was clear. Her little walking tour ended with her hurrying back to the hotel.
But the second attempt was scarier, by far. She was sleeping in her room, trying to get comfortable on a bed obviously designed for a teeny-tiny person. She'd just rolled over for the 100^th time that evening, when she heard a thwack… really close. She turned over and saw the other pillow had a hole in it. With a bullet in the hole. She rolled off the bed quickly, and on her stomach crawled over to the window. There was a shattered pane. For what seemed like forever plus an hour or so, she hid under the window sill, waiting for the second shot to come. It never did. But that tore it. She already hated the room and the place. Now, whoever was trying to kill her knew where she lived. She had to get out of here. But when she called around, trying to get somewhere else to stay, there were no rooms available. What's that about? She called various members of the clan, but couldn't raise anyone. Finally, defeated, she just stayed in her room… hiding in a shoebox size closet, away from windows. In the morning she checked out. She almost … almost… wrung the snotty desk clerk's neck, but decided against it. She called around again… still no rooms. But she did manage to raise Layne, who invited her to stay with her for the duration.
Then there was the meeting itself. She wondered why she even bothered to show up. It was pretty clear from the outset that the board had made up its mind against her. The chairman, a cousin a few times removed, was particularly brutal. He chalked up her successes to blind luck; every bit of her spending was scrutinized and questioned. Her ideas for the direction of the clan were, at best, questioned. Mostly, she was ridiculed for her plans to transform the clan into an active force against such evil as Wolfram and Hart. To their minds, good change was no change, and status quo was just ok for them.
The best was saved for last. Her leadership abilities were raked over the coals. It was felt that perhaps, for the best of the clan, she should gracefully resign. When she reminded the board that she was the one mentioned in Aaron's prophecy, all hell broke loose. A goodly number disputed the validity of the prophecy. Others doubted her legitimacy as claimant. Still others defended her, but they were few. The deepest cut came when Layne stood up, and while smiling at her, drove the knife further in her back. Using the guise of " I like you, but…", she very cleverly spoke against the prophecy, never really dunning Faith's leadership, but making it clear that a mistake had been made in choosing her. Her voice was particularly telling; besides Faith, she was the youngest member of the board, and she represented the up and coming generation of Lehane. If they were against her… well, it was pretty clear that she had failed . That was how the board perceived it, anyway.
Faith stands looking down at the river, her mind starting to connect the dots. Gone. Nearly two fucking years of my life, wasted. And for what? A stupid dream that'll never come true now! All the work, all the time I put into this, shot to shit. Why? Because the dinosaurs running the board decided that I was too ' radical ' in my outlook. That changing the color of the paint in the bathrooms would be a bad thing, never mind anything else. So why am I smelling a rat here? A big, stinky rat with an attitude and agenda? Wasn't like this when I earned my props to be leader. When I passed their 'Gauntlet ', so to speak. Then everyone seemed eager to listen to my ideas. Now, 18 months later, it's all changed. Somebody's been stickin' it to me. Why? What's so fucking terrible about my ideas? Yeah sure, it aint gonna come on the cheap… but I told them that upfront, and damn, I earned the money to get it started. Many times over. No, someone doesn't want this to happen. Someone's got too much to lose. Or maybe, they want me to lose. They want the leadership. And the best way for that is to make me look like a fuck-up. Real nice. Real nice. Oh, and Layne, my buddy, my pal… yeah, she's a picture, huh? Standing up there, pretending to make nice with me while all the time aiming the missiles at my plans. That fucking hypocritical bitch! Her ' Oh, I can't follow you because my conscience won't let me ' crap. What a load. I know what she wants. She wants my job. You know what? I'm thinking, she can have it. The ungrateful fucking bastards. I gave my all to this, and what do I get? The fucking boot. I get the kick in the ass, because they're fucking cowards. They won't fight for what they supposedly 'believe'. We're the fucking good guys here. We're supposed to fight the bad guys, ya know? I'm beginning to wonder if they're the good guys. Maybe It's easier to get into bed with evil than fight it. Assholes !
Yeah, things have been way too fucking convenient and coincidental lately. Like everything going screwy, and that little ride from the airport… really wondering if that wasn't to keep me busy while they fucked me around at the hotel. Oh, and getting shot at? Funny how they just 'missed' me twice, and didn't try to finish it. Wonderin' if little Ms. Layne wasn't planning that … keep me off balance, and under her watchful eye. Then, after declaring her support for me in L.A., the bitch knifes me in the back at the meeting, all the time smiling at me. IF she weren't Kira's sister, I'd wipe that smile off her face with my fist. I might anyway. Fuck her, and fuck them!
Without realizing it, Faith has started pacing back and forth. Things are weighing heavily on her mind, and she has to decide her next move. It's not over, not yet. There's always the Cammaragh. Yeah, that's a great option. Duel to the death, winner take all. So, great… I get to murder someone else to get what I want. Yeah…that kinda sucks the big one, too. Another pair of eyes staring at me at night to keep me from sleeping. That's what I need. And for what? A bunch of back stabbing ungrateful slobs? What's the good here? What's important, anyway? Just because I'm not rich, does that mean I stop fighting the good fight? Hell, no! I can still fight. And what's important? Family, that's what! Not this bunch of losers… but my real family. The one back in L.A. Willow, and Buffy… even Kira, if she wants to hang with us losers… not losers, just not slaves to the fucking almighty…
" Wicked pretty, aint it?"
Faith looks up, startled… and nearly walks off the cliff. Standing close to her is … her. Well, her as she was about 6 years ago. Dressed as maxi-slut, leather pants, halter top and leather coat. Too much makeup, slightly vamp, and definitely on the prowl. All the things she left behind when she started on her journey to redemption. Seeing herself as she was is like looking straight into the funhouse mirror from hell.
"What the hell? This isn't happening, " Faith says, backing up. Nearly stepping too far and buying the big dirt nap a little early.
" Whoa, girl," her alter ego grabs her, pulling her back from the edge. " I mean, it's really pretty scenery down there, but I'm thinkin' you don't want to get too close up and personal with it."
" This can't be happening. I'm fucking hallucinating, " Faith says, shaking her head. " This isn't real… you're not real ! I've bought the nut farm for sure!"
" Uh-huh, " Alt- Faith walks over to Faith and slaps her, hard. " There, real enough for ya?" She smirks.
Faith rubs her cheek, bewildered. " this can't be… you aren't… I'm…no way this is…"
" Well put, dork. Of course I'm real. As real as you, realler sometimes I'm thinking, " Alt-Faith laughs at her. " So, what's the big? What's all the skull sweating about anyway? You know what you gotta do."
" It's not that easy," Faith grumbles, her face grim.
" The hell it aint. You go in, you claim you right to … whatever-the-fuck-you-call-it, and you break out the sword, kill the guy and we party! Sounds pretty damned clear to me!" Alt-Faith smiles, satisfied. " Where's the problem?"
" Where's the problem?" Faith, her temper up, mocks, " Are you insane? Kill the guy? I'm not murdering someone, not over this…"
" Over what then, bonehead?" Alt-Faith retorts. " Over a pack of cigs? " She pats her pockets. " Hey, where are my cigs, anyway?"
" Gave them up, " Faith says, " I don't want this. Not like this. It'd be wrong!"
" Oh crap!" Alt-Faith growls, " When the hell did you turn into Buffy for Christ's sake? ' it'd be wrong' " She mocks Faith in high falsetto. " What about what they're doing to you… us, I might add. That's not wrong?"
" There's no proof it's the clan shooting at me, " Faith defends, weakly, " and even if it is them, I'm not gonna start doing shit because they're doin' shit to me!"
" Since when?" Alt-Faith shakes her head." What's this crappolla you're spewin, anyway? Two wrongs don't make a right? God, pull the fucking cork outta your ass and listen up!"
" Hell no I'm not gonna 'listen up'," Faith turns her back on her alter ego, " I listened to your crap way too much already."
Alt-Faith reaches out, and grabs Faith by the shoulder, spinning her around. Her fist smashes into Faith's face, and Faith is down. She straddles Faith.
" Now, listen up, bitch. Like it or not, I'm part of you. Hell, askin' me, I'm the best part of you. So, get over this crap that you're not gonna listen." Faith starts to struggle up, but Alt-Faith pushes her back down. " Stay down!" She settles herself more comfortably on her alter-ego. " So, when exactly did you become a wuss, anyway?"
" I'm not a wuss, " Faith snarls, " I'm not the problem here. You're the problem, you psycho!"
" Shut up!" Alt-Faith punches her again, " God, you're so screwed up, you don't even know you're screwed up. ' Oh, no I couldn't do that. It'd be wrong. That's wrong. You better stop it, that's wrong! I'm gonna kick your ass, cuz that's wrong!' God, you sound more and more like B every fucking day. How the fuck I stand you, I don't even know!" Alt-Faith spits at her. " Tell you what, moron. Here's the sitch, so listen up real good. It's not, I repeat for the moron crowd, it's NOT, about right or wrong. God, you goody-goody types always fuck that one up. it's about power. Who's got it, how they use it, all that stuff. Do you think you can do crap if you're like… broke? Remember motel hells? I sure do, and I'm tellin' ya, I'm so not going back to sleeping in piss-stinky-roach-infested-pig sties again. I'm over that phase, get it? Spartan my ass; those are crap holes, and I'm not likin' crap holes, know what I mean?" Alt-Faith delivers another punch to Faith, " Pay attention, I'm talkin here! You think Evil's gonna go all shaky and quivery because you come along with your rag-tag band of losers? Evil has power, Evil knows power, Evil USES its power. Every fucking goddamn way it can. It's got the women, it's got the money, it's got the best fucking PR machine in this and every other fucking dimension. Know why every fucking asshole in the universe buys into it? Cuz they make it pretty. They know exactly what to say to whom, and what to offer and withhold. They got the power, and whatta you got? Nothin'. Jack. Not a damned fucking thing. "
" You're wrong!" Faith manages to free her legs, and wraps them around her tormentor. She pulls her off, and throws her on the ground, and the positions are reversed. She's on top. " Listen up, psycho-bitch," She punches Alt-Faith in the mouth," Got your attention now?"
" That's my girl" Alt-Faith grins, " Wonderin' where you been hiding." She spits the blood out of her mouth.
" I haven't been hiding, you moron. I've been here, all the fucking time. And hey, you're stuck in the past. That's your problem. You never learn crap. Because you're too fucking stupid to learn, " Faith leans over Alt-Faith, getting in her face. " Well, I'll talk real slow like so maybe you can get it. You say it's about power? Well, wrong-o, it's not about power. Get it? That's an excuse to do bad things, cuz you think it's all gonna come out in the wash. Hey, it's all for the greater good, right? So what if I hurt this idiot here, or kill that moron there. I'm special. Right and wrong? It doesn’t apply to me, right? Cuz I'm better than they are, right?"
" Well, look who suddenly shot up in the IQ points. That's what I been tellin' ya, dope !" Alt-Faith smirks.
"Well, you're the dope then, moron. That's the same crap the Nazi's spewed when they did the power trip, ya know? We're the master race, you all are the slave races, and baby, you kiss our ass. Well guess what? It doesn't work that way. Get it?" Faith slaps her alter ego again.
" Stop with the slappin already, ok? I'm getting a toothache!" Alt-Faith grins." So, that aint the way it works, huh? Ok, Professor Wuss, why don't you tell me exactly how it works then?"
" It's all connected, dope. Everything you do, affects others. Every little evil you do hurts echoes down the line. Everyone you hurt, everything you steal, each person you murder? Yeah, listen up, it's murder, girl. Everyone you do wrong to? Affects not only you, not only them, but everybody across the chain. What you do matters. You can't just go out and be for yourself, because what you do is gonna affect every little bit. Actions have consequences, and if you do enough, they're gonna come back and bite you on the ass. You don't get away with squat, don't you get it? Cuz somebody always knows. If no one else, you know what you did. Now, to you, it doesn't mean shit. Because you aint got a soul. You don't give a crap about what you… we… did . But baby, I do, and I do care. I gotta live with myself. I gotta look at my pretty face in the morning, and hope I don't vomit, thinking about what I did. The worst part, though, is the emptiness. Because you know you don't deserve anything better. You don't deserve to be loved, or wanted or any of it, because you just had to hurt, take and kill. Because it never goes away. Evil sticks. Like glue. You can never wash it out. I'm gray forever, because no matter what I do, I'll never make up for what I did. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna quit tryin'. Yeah, this world's fucked up. It's crap like you that fucks it up, " Faith punches her alter ego again, " but you know what? I'm gonna live in it, live like it's the way it should be. Not the way it is ."
Alt-Faith makes snoring noises. " Oh, are you done? Well, wasn't that…boring?" She bucks, throwing Faith off. Faith starts to get up, but Alt-Faith hits her square in the face with her elbow. Faith sits, stunned.
" that was a real pretty speech there, dork. I almost got all teary over it. Yeah, right, " Alt-Faith sneers, " but push comes to shove, you can't do nothing unless you got the power to do it. It's a fact, Jack, and you can't change that. So, while you're all playin the harp and singin' the platitudes, I'm the one doin' the dirty work. You got it right, Faith. You're soul aint no white snow bank. It's been pissed on, and it's got dirt and gravel and road crap in it. Guess what? So is everybody else's. It's called being human, Faith. Everybody's got darkness in them. You just got more than most. So the fuck what? It's me that does the heavy lifting, and you get the credit, or blame. That's the deal."
Faith starts to stand up again, but her alter ego shoves her back down
"Sit down. I'm not done talking yet. I don't frankly give a rat's patootie what you do with the power. If you wanna go wearin' a toga and trippin' through the marigolds, well, that's just fine with me. Piss it away any fucking way you want. But think, idiot, think. If you got nothin, you can't DO nothin'. Simple logic. Yeah, I know, you gotta do somethin' hard here. But hey, it's life baby. It's gotta be done. And you need ME to do it, cuz you?" She looks at Faith with disgust, " you aint got the brass to do it. So I'll do it again, like I always do, and you'll watch and fret. But it's gonna happen, because it's GOTTA happen, get it?" Alt-Faith smirks at Faith. " Probably not, you always were the dumb one. Listen, you need me to do it, cuz I'm the iron under the velvet. I'm the steel in your spine, I'm the one that lets you do the crappy stuff you need to do. You can't get by without me, and dammit, I can't get by without you. That's fucked, but it's the way it goes."
" I don't believe it. It's a fucking lie, like all your crap," Faith growls.
" Yeah, well lie to yourself any way you want. But you know I'm not lyin', " Alt-Faith grins. " We're stuck with each other, baby. Believe me, I'd get a smarter partner if I could!"
Faith, tight lipped, just stares at her. Alt-Faith grins.
"Oooo so hostile!" Alt-Faith teases, " c'mon, baby, gimme a kiss." Alt Faith reaches out, and grabs Faith's head, kissing her hard on the lips. She begins to glow, and the glow turns a dark deep red. She seems to turn into a mist, covering Faith. The mist slowly dissipates, and for a brief moment, Faith's eyes flash red. Then it's gone, and so is Alt-Faith.
Faith sits for a long time, not moving. Her hands claw into the earth, her expression angry and hostile. She stares out into space, as if lost somewhere, some time else. Finally, she pushes off, standing up. Turning around, she sees a rock near the edge of the cliff. She walks over, and using her heel, shoves it over the cliff. She watches it fall until it disappears into the water below. She stands for awhile, watching the whitecaps break over the black wet rocks below.
" Yeah, we'll get this done," she mutters softly.
Turning, she walks back to her car.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ireland
Limerick county
Layne's house.

Layne moves quickly around the living room, clearing the glasses and other debris from the meeting.
The meeting of the Triad.
By birth, Layne was a member of the Triad. She was the oldest child of her parents, who had been long time members before their deaths. The eldest child, by tradition, took up the gauntlet and carried it.
The Triad was an old, old secret society within the clan. It was a privileged and restricted organization. It's members only came from the cream of the clan families. Its purpose was the preservation and enforcement of clan law, as they interpreted it.
As a teenager she'd gone through the trials, and gained the mark of the triad, always on the back, below the left shoulder blade. It had been her proudest moment. She relished her role as law enforcer, giving it a particular zeal and devotion not common even amongst the group. Her devotion had been noticed; there had been talk, lots of it, that someday she would succeed the current leadership of the clan.
Then that prophecy had been resurrected. Some ravings of a madman banished to the New World. She'd been this close, within inches, of taking the leadership, when it was snatched away from her. ripped from her by some stupid, spoiled American of questionable heritage…Black Irish, to boot. The worst of the worst. She was put in the spot, given the power. Layne burned with resentment. To be so close, and to have it stolen from her. Stolen by someone not even learned in the traditions. Someone not even fully Irish. It was a slap in the face.
Layne wasn't a fool, however. She wanted power, and if she couldn't have the top spot, by damn, she'd at least be in the top hierarchy. She did her best to swallow her anger and to cozy to the new leader, one Faith Lehane. Yeah, sure it's Lehane. My ass. She took the name because she knew no one would buy her daddy's name. DeMarco… some fucking Italian! Her mother got knocked up by some damned Dago, and she gets it all. It's just a fuckin' rip. Layne put on a happy face, and listened to the idiot child as she tried to lead the clan, nodding and doing all the right things to grease herself a good spot. After all, who really believes that the Clan leader really runs things? I might not have the title, but baby, I'm gonna run the show. I'll put up with her prattle, and kiss her ass when necessary, but the real power's gonna be in these hands. Not hers!
Being the power behind the throne wasn't as easy as Layne thought it would be. She didn't like this girl, but Faith wasn't anybody's fool. She was smart, quick on her feet, and perceptive. She had her own ideas, and she was good, extremely good, with the financials. Grudgingly, Layne had to give Faith her props. She still thought she was a thief, and she'd be happy to kick her when she was down, but a slow respect for her ability grew in Layne.

Then Faith made her , in Layne's eyes, fatal error. She had a vision. God, don't these pretenders have a vision? It's damned sickening. She wanted to shake up Clan Lehane, make it a new, active player in the fight between good and evil. And she didn't know anything about politics, or the art of persuasion. Her style was to bull right through the china shop, and let the pieces fly where they may. This didn't set well all with the elders. A lot resented this new ' upstart ' as they began to call her. Layne saw her opportunity and ran with it.
Behind the scenes, she began distancing herself from Faith. Simultaneously, in the Triad meetings, she started talking up ousting the ' half-breed' demon bitch. Unlike Faith, Layne was well versed in the way the game was played. She never talked bad about her, only ' raised concerns' about her direction of the Clan. Similarly, she maneuvered her position, moving to get Faith out of the leadership while not endorsing any violence against her person. She didn't want her dead; that would be wrong. She was, after all, Lehane. Even if only a half breed. But she surely wouldn't mind if she were stripped of her title, and humiliated. She could relish that.
Tonight's meeting, however, proved that others had other plans for Faith. A more radical faction in the Triad, led by Sean, wasn't satisfied with Faith's ouster. They wanted more. They wanted to make her an example: trifling with the clan, and the Triad, had a price. A severe price. They planned to kill Faith, and make her a lesson to other potential upstarts. Layne started to protest, but found herself out-maneuvered. A majority of the quorum for the meeting supported the new plan, and she couldn't shut it down.
Their plan was to use an old relic. An amulet, pre-dating the existence of the Slayers. It was called Menoch's Hope. Its creation was for fight demons. It was forged in the holy altar fires to the Powers that Be, and blessed( some say cursed ) by the priests. Its wearer was rendered nearly invulnerable. All blows from it's opponent would be minimized, and each blow sucked some of the opponents life force from him or her or it. Since the time of the war between the Clan and the Watcher's council, Menoch's Hope hadn't been used. Active demon fighting was left to the council; the clan had its own agenda and way in maintaining the balance. But the relic was kept as a holy piece, a shrine to the past.
Somehow, someway, Sean's faction had stolen Menoch's Hope… and they planned to use it against Faith. They knew she was aware of the Cammaragh, and that she wouldn't just go quietly. They were counting on it. Once the Clan's champion had been picked, he would be presented Menoch's Hope to wear, as a symbol of support.
What wasn't known to most of the clan was how the amulet worked. Once it's put it on, it bonds with the wearer permanently. The only way to remove it is to kill the wearer. Also, its mystical properties hide it from view, so it becomes invisible. No one would be aware it was being used; except for the Triad. Since the Triad represented the leading families, one within their membership would be chosen as champion. The plan was sweet and simple; for Faith, it would prove deadly.
Layne listened in silence to their plotting. Her face was impassive, but inside she was in turmoil. There was no love lost between her and Faith. Faith was more than aware of where she stood on the leadership question. But what the others planned. It wasn't acceptable. It wasn't right. Is this what we've come to? Killing our own? This isn't, it just isn't right! She knew, however, not to speak against the plan. The Triad wasn't known for its tolerance against a plan, once it had been adopted by a quorum of the membership. Her own life could be forfeit if she actively spoke against the decision. She feared Sean, especially. Even if the membership didn't condone her death, that wouldn't stop him. So she made her argument before the vote. When it went against her, she acted as if she accepted the decision.
As she deposits the glasses from the living room into the kitchen sink, Layne makes her decision. Somehow, she has to tip off Faith to the plan. Layne, despite her machinations, despite her narrow minded bigotry, wasn't evil. Not at her core. And this plan was Evil. With a capital E. She has to find some method to warn Faith, so she can forgo the Cammaragh. That would be the smart thing to do. Of course, if she's an idiot, she at least was warned.
She knows Faith won't listen to her. Faith is aware of Layne's ambitions, and she will just think it's a scare tactic, something to drive her out and let Layne in. No, she knows she has to find some other way. She thinks about it awhile, trying to find any way but the most obvious. The last thing she wants to do is involve Kira in this. Not out of any familial concern. No, because she knows Kira doesn't trust her.
Kira has good reason not to trust her. While Layne, as eldest child, is head of the family, Kira is special. She's been granted mystical power. This is a rare gift from the Powers that Be, and any family member with the boon is exalted. She has the true power in the family, if she only knew it. But she doesn't, because Layne has done her best to keep it from being known.
Layne was the first to realize that Kira was gifted. When they were younger, Kira trusted Layne with everything. She told Layne of her dreams, and Layne soon realized that Kira was gifted with the sight. She could see what was going to happen, before it happened. Her jealousy , even then, knew no bounds. She'd be damned if she'd be robbed of her birthright by her little sister. So, slowly, she convinced Kira that her dreams were nothing special. In fact, she convinced Kira that her dreams were a form of madness, and that they had to hide them. Or she would be sent away. She would disgrace the entire family. Kira, younger and rather naïve, believed her sister, and never told her dreams to anyone else.
Kira might be naïve, but she wasn't stupid. When she grew older, and went to college, she realized her dreams weren't some kind of madness. She figured out her sister had been lying to her, but she didn't know why. By then, however, she didn't really care anymore. Layne annoyed and tortured her on many levels, and she felt the best thing she could do would be to have as little contact with her as possible. A rift developed between the sisters, and Kira went to America to work for Lehane North America to get away from her and her old life.
Layne fiddles with the phone, trying to put off as long as she could what she knows she has to do. Her pride stands in the way. This is against everything she's worked for most of her life. She's going to betray the Triad. There's no other way to color it. But what they're going to do is so wrong, so against what her parents taught her, that she has no choice.
She picks up the phone and starts dialing.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Los Angeles, CA
Hyperion Hotel

The phone behind the reception desk in the Hyperion Hotel starts to ring.
And ring.
And ring.

"Damn!"
Willow runs down the staircase, cursing. I only went upstairs for a minute. Geeze I had to pee for Christ's sake!
" Keep ringing, keep ringing. Don't stop ringing now!" Willow mutters as she hurries toward the phone. " Ring, ring, ring, ring, please ring." She rushes behind the desk and tears the handset off the phone. " Hello! Hello! Faith?"
There's a silence at the other end. For a second, Willow thinks the connection has been broken.
Damn, damn, and damn! I just had to pee. Goddess, why did you have her call now?
A voice on the line, with a distinctive Irish lilt, speaks. " Hello, who is this?"
Willow, puzzled and a little irritated, replies. " This is Willow. Who's this? "
" This is Layne Hearne. I'm trying to contact my sister, Kira Hearne. Is she available, by chance?"
" No, I'm sorry. She had to go out on business." Willow says, automatically. Then the name kicks into her consciousness. Layne? Kira's sister? " Layne? Kira's sister, right? Faith is staying with you, right? Can I speak to her, please?"
" No, I'm afraid not."
" Why NOT?" Willow almost yells into the phone. Her nerves are beyond frayed.
" Well, for one thing, she's not here at the moment," Layne replies, unperturbed. But her voice has a slight edge to it. " Who are you, anyway?"
" I told you. I'm Willow Rosenberg. I'm a friend of Faith's. Have you seen her? Is she ok?"
" She was fine this morning, when she left here. I'm assuming she's fine now." Layne replies. " Listen, do you know where Kira might be? I really need to get in contact with her. It's important."
Willow sighs heavily. She's ok, thank you Goddess, thank you! " I don't know where Kira went. She left here a few hours ago. She said she had some business to take care of. That's all I know." Willow plows on, " Faith, do you know where she is? Is there a number I can reach her at?"
" I'm sorry, dear, but Faith left this morning to go to a Board meeting, and hasn't been back. I'm afraid she doesn't report in to me. I'm just a flunky, you know."
Something about that statement just doesn't strike Willow right.
" I remember you now. You were here last month, with a couple of guys in tow. As I recall, You three and Faith and Kira were pretty much closeted in her office for the entire day. I dunno, but you didn't seem all that flunkyish to me."
Layne pauses a minute, trying to puzzle out a Willowism. " Flunkyish? Is that even a word?"
" I'm saying, you seemed to be pretty much in charge. So I'm wondering, exactly how much of a flunky are you? What's going on here?" Willow's nose is twitching; this woman's hiding something.
" Indeed. Did we meet? Wait a minute… Willow, that's a very unusual name…" Layne pauses. " Oh yes, I remember. You're the petite little blonde woman with Kira, isn't that so?"
" No, that'd be Buffy."
" Buffy? Yes, of course, Buffy. How…droll. You Americans have such colorful names. Let me think… Oh, I remember you now! You're the redheaded woman, with the freckles? Right?"
" Not so much with the freckles anymore, but yes, that's me. And you're the tall redheaded woman. Look, can we skip all this and get down to it? Why're you calling Kira?"
" I really don't see how that's any of your concern, Miss, " Layne says, her tone going a little frosty.
" I'm making it my concern, Miss ," Willow echoes her words. Her voice grows cold." Considering what I know about what the hell is going on here, I'm really believing this call is concerning Faith. Anything concerning Faith, concerns me. Are we clear?"
" I'm afraid this is Lehane business, Miss. I can't tell you anything more," Layne's voice also gets colder.
" I guess I wasn't clear before. Let me clarify," Willow's voice gets a deeper, brittle quality to it. " Have you ever heard the expression, " Don't piss off the witch?"
There's a silence on the phone as Layne puzzles out Willow's meaning.
" Are you threatening me, Willow?" Layne's voice is positively icy.
" I don't threaten, " Willow replies. She mutters to herself softly " Fio unus serpentus inermis."
Layne hears a strange rustling sound. She looks down at the phone, and sees it's turned into a coiled snake. Its head is up, weaving in the air. She drops the receiver.
Can you hear me, Layne? A voice says in her mind.
"Holy mother of God, what the hell?" Layne says, shocked.
Can you hear me?

" Yes, yes, I can hear you. Where are you?" Layne looks around, panicked.
In your head, Layne. Now, don't get all panicky. The snake is harmless… this time. It's only a king snake. It can't hurt you. But I'm tired of this game. Do you understand?
"Yes, yes, I understand. Just make it go away!!" Layne is deathly afraid of snakes.
No more games then, right?
" Yes, no more games. Just do it!"
Willow mutters under her breath. " Serpentus abeo!"
Layne looks at the phone…it's back to normal, the handset sitting askew of it.
Pick up the phone, Layne.

Layne gingerly pokes at the phone, not trusting it won't change into a snake again.
PICK IT UP!!!

She picks it up with some alacrity.
" How in heaven did you do that?" She asks, amazed and sounding a lot less pompous.
" Practice, " Willow says shortly, " Now, we're done with the games, right? Tell me what you wanted to tell Kira."
Layne pauses for a second. She's Faith's friend. Maybe she'll be easier to convince than Kira.
" Alright, but if anyone hears of this, I'll deny it. I'm putting my life in your hands, " Layne says, firmly, " Understand?"
"What're you talking about? Tell me!" Willow is already not liking this.
" You've got to talk to Faith. Convince her not to go through with her plans to do something called the Cammaragh" Layne says, quickly, " Do you need me to repeat that?"
" Not a moron here, thanks. And oh, hey? Not going to happen. I tried for a week to convince her not to go through with it."
" What? You know what the Cammaragh is?" Layne is again amazed.
" Duh. Duel to the death, yeah. Got it," Willow says with some aspersion, " Listen, you're there, she's staying with you. Why don't YOU tell her? Maybe she'll listen to you!"
" Faith and I…aren't exactly on speaking terms, if you catch my meaning, " Layne says. "She'd hardly believe it coming from me… but she might believe you."
" Hold on… what're you not telling me? Believe me about what?"
" IF your friend insists on the Cammaragh, she's in mortal danger. I can't tell you anymore than that."
Willow starts to fume on her side of the call. She speaks into the phone, her tone clipped, and low. " You better explain yourself, fast. Or you'll be having a whole roomful of snakes to be keeping you company… and they won't be particularly harmless."
" Listen, you little American twit, " Layne says, losing her temper. " I'm already putting my life on the line telling you what I've told…"
"Fio plurus serpentus mortifer!"
Layne hears the dry rattle of the rattlesnakes surrounding her chair. She doesn't even look
" Ok, ok, just stop !"
"Serpenta abeo"
" Now tell me everything, or…" Willow says calmly but firmly.
" Ok, alright. Just no more snakes!" Layne says, sweating profusely. " If Faith goes through with the Cammaragh, they have it rigged. They're using an old relic, called Menoch's Hope. It's an amulet, granting the wearer immunity from harm. More, it drains the life force of the attacker, slowly but decisively. Do you understand now? She has to quit. She can't go through with it, or she's …"
" How do you know this?" Willow grills her, " What's your part in this?"
" Listen, I'm not saying anything more. Kill me if you want, I'm probably already dead, and so it doesn't matter. But I'm not telling you anything about our…"
" The Triad?" Willow growls softly.
" How do you know about the Triad?" Layne lets it slip before she thinks. " Damn!"
" You're killer failed the last time out, bitch. But she nearly killed my best friend. Wanna guess how pissed off I am about that one?"
" Listen to me. I had nothing to do with that. I didn't even know about it til much later," Layne's voice is sounding desperate, " that's why I'm calling now. Sure I want Faith out… she's a danger to everything the clan is supposed to be about. But I never would kill her, or anyone. Never!"
" Listen to me very carefully. If you want to live beyond the next two minutes, you better be straight with me." Willow's voice has dropped a register, " Was Kira involved with the shooting? Is she a member of this Triad?" Willow closes her eyes.
I'm in your mind now, Layne. I'll know if you're lying to me! Was Kira involved?
" No, I swear on everything sacred. Kira's not involved with the Triad. "

Tell me more about the amulet. This " Menoch's Hope". Does it have any weaknesses? How can we counter it?
" I told you everything I know about it!"
Tsk, Tsk, Layne. I told you I can tell if you're lying to me.
Layne feels a pair of snakes crawling up her arms. She screams involuntarily.
Tell me!
" Ok, ok. It's mystical. It binds to the wearer. It can only be removed if he dies. And, as soon as it's put on, it goes invisible. But, if she can somehow find the stone, and smash it, it'll release the life force… but I don't know anything more! Honestly!"
Good. We're done here. I suggest you find a nice place to hide. And don't ever call here again. I don't think anyone will want to talk to you. Clear ?

" Believe me, I won't be calling again." Layne says, not sure if to speak into the phone or what. She listens, but the phone clicks and the connection is severed.
She stares at the phone. Her heart is racing fast in her chest. She turns to get up, figuring she better start packing. She's going on vacation for awhile. Maybe for the rest of her life. If she's ever found out by the Triad, she's dead.
" Layne Hearne. There are two things I don't suffer lightly. Fools, and traitors. And you're both!" A voice from behind her says.
Startled, she looks up, and the last thing she sees is the flash of the gun as it goes off.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To be continued.
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Independence