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The Slayer	By : norwalker Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 19613 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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The Slayer

By Norwalker

Part 3 of a multipart story.

Summary: What if Faith came first? Was a slayer before Buffy?( if Buffy even became a slayer?). Just my take on what might have happened. AU, of course.

Pairings: Not sure yet

Rating: M( R )

Disclaimer: Characters depicted in this story, except for original characters created by the author, are the sole property of Mutant Enemy, Fox and Joss Whedon.

I hate surprises…

1

"Surprise!"

The three of them, Faith, Willow and Xander, freeze when they see Jesse and his crew standing in the doorway leading to the living room.

"Now, didn't I tell you?," Jesse says over his shoulder to his companions. " Dork here would lead his girls over here after that little tussle at the Bronze. I'm betting he was all worried about me. " Oh, poor Jesse. Something's got to be wrong," Jesse chortles. " You're so predictable, Xander."

Xander glowers at him.

Faith nods with her head towards the back door. " You two, out the back, I'll hold 'em off."

" By yourself?" Willow asks, looking worried.

" Yes, why don’t you do that?" The little blond with Jesse, who's been hanging a little back, comes to the fore

Xander opens the back door and herds Willow out. Two seconds later they're back.

"There are a couple of vamps out there in the back yard."

" Oh, did I forget to mention that?" Darla smiles." Yeah, I figured you might want to slip out back, so I put a couple of my boys back there. Kind of a welcoming party," Darla shrugs, " of course, they might be a little hungry, and will forget their manners. Maybe you should stay right here."

"So, you're in charge of this little party, huh?" Faith looks her over.

" Yeah, what? Did you think Goofy here was in charge?" Darla nods towards Jesse. " Naw, he was just bait. And you stepped right into it."

" Hey!" Jesse protests.

" Oh shut up, idiot, " Darla pushes him back behind her, " he can barely tie his shoes, you know?" Darla vamps out, and moves over towards Faith, giving her the once over. " Hmmm… so you're the slayer, huh? Don't look like much to me. But, fashion tip? The slutty whore look is kinda out."

" So, that's why you went for the catholic school girl look," Faith takes in her costume." Fashion tip. The look? Not working. You look worn, especially 'round the eyes."

" Funny," Darla grins, showing her fangs, " Luke said you were funny."

"Luke?" Faith puzzles that for a second. " Oh yeah, the slab o' beef vamp. Right. Funny, didn't impress me as having much of sense of humor. More, he was into preaching about the end of humans."

" Yeah, he's a bit stiff… a real true believer, " Darla smirks. " Gotta say though, you're really coming on the Master's radar. Not many people fight Luke, and live to tell the tale."

" So? I'm not like many people."

" Are we going to fight any time soon?" One of the other vampires grumbles, " Or you planning on chatting each other to death?"

" Rude!" Darla walks over to the vampire and with a quick motion, breaks his finger. " I was talking here!"

" Owww… shit!" The vampire yells..

" Kids. I swear, no manners these days, " Darla walks back to Faith. " No offense."

" None taken, " Faith shrugs. " So, now what?"

" Now? Well, since we out number you 6 to 3, I think we take you and your friends, eat them, and deliver you to the Master." She turns to her companions. " So, what're you waiting for? Grab the snacks, you idiots!"

" Good plan," Faith nods. Her brow furrows. " Just… there's something wrong with it."

" Oh?" Darla, a little surprised, looks at her, " What's that?"

Faith doesn't answer; she just grins

" Uggh" Darla reels back from Faith's blow." You bitch!"

" Thing is, you don't have me yet, moron." Faith smirks.

The other two vamps run at her, but Faith quickly dispenses of them, staking them in turn.

" Guess things are a bit more even now, huh?"

" I'm so going to enjoy wiping that grin off your face," Darla yells. She attacks Faith." Get the others, if you can manage that, idiot." She drives Faith into the living room.

Jesse walks over to Willow, grinning.

" Hey, Will, " Jesse says, sounding like his old self. " How's it going?"

" Leave her alone, Jesse. If you touch her, I swear…" Xander moves towards him.

" Xander, buddy. Don't sweat it. You'll get your turn." Jesse pats him on the face, then shoves him hard into the sink. " Just you be patient, " he turns to Willow. " Know something? I've always liked you."

" R-R-Really?" Willow stutters.

" Yeah. You just look so tasty, " His face vamps out. " Why don't we find out?"

Xander recovers and runs at Jesse, knocking him away from Willow. " I told you, leave her alone."

Jesse looks annoyed. " Still trying to play the guy, huh, Harris?" Jesse backhands Xander, knocking him back into the wall. " You never learn, do you?" he turns to Willow, who's backed into a corner." Where were we? Oh yeah," He grins, and approaches Willow.

Willow, however, is tired. Tired of being threatened, tired of being scared and shaking, tired of feeling defenseless. She brings her leg up, to kick Jesse, aiming for the crown jewels. She misses however, and hits him in the thigh. Jesse, however, pauses briefly.

" Now, that hurt," He frowns. Then shrugs, " but not as much as this will." He raises his arms to grab her.

Xander grabs a pot and crowns Jesse. He falls over, stunned.

" I said, leave her alone!" Xander growls. He turns to Willow. " You ok?"

Willow nods. Then she blanches.

Jesse is back on his feet. He grabs Xander and twirls him around.

" Well, Xan, looks like you finally grew a pair. Who knew?" Jesse punches him. " Won't help though. I'm going to kill her, then you." He punches Xander again. " Don't you get it yet, Xander? You're a loser." He punches him again. " Born to lose, and fulfilling your birthright."

" Leave him alone!" Willow, seeing Xander threatened, loses it. She starts hitting Jesse with the closest thing at hand; that being a cast iron skillet. " Get away from him, you monster!"

Jesse shoves Xander away, and on the next swing, grabs the frying pan from Willow. He tosses it away. He grabs Willow and shoves her against the wall.

" You and lover boy really got me pissed, " He hisses at her. " Now be a good girl , and die!" He leans in to bite her.

Willow screams.

In the front room, Darla and Faith are fighting. Both get in good shots, but Darla being a vampire has the advantage. She can see in the darkness. Faith throws a punch and misses. Darla slams her in the face, and grabs her around the neck.

" You know?" Darla says, "I don't get what's so tough about slayers. You're not that tough," She vamps out , and draws Faith close, going for her neck. " Maybe it's just the legend. What do you think?"

Faith struggles, but can't break her grip. She does manage to grab the crucifix on her neck, however, and presses it against Darla's hands. Darla screams, and lets go. Faith turns, pushing the crucifix in her face.

" You BITCH!" Darla screams, backing off. There's a cross shaped burn on her cheek.

" That looks painful. Gonna scar, probably."

Faith takes the advantage, and starts kicking Darla. She drives her back to the front door. She doesn't let up, and Darla, bloodied and burned, crashes through the window.

" This isn't over, slayer," Darla disappears into the night.

Faith gets up, ready to pursue her, when a scream is heard coming from the kitchen..

" Shit! Red!" Faith runs towards the kitchen.

Xander is leaning on the counter, holding a broken wooden spoon. Willow is on the floor, covered in dust. She's not moving.

Faith rushes over to Xander. " Are you ok?" When he doesn't react, she shakes him. " Are you ok?"

" Willow… she's… hurt…" He mumbles, looking zoned.

" Xander, don't go out on me now, " Faith barks. " Grab Willow, and lets get out of here."

Xander, as if in a dream, goes over and picks up the unconscious Willow. He just stands there, not sure what to do.

" C'mon, out the back door" She opens it, and sees the vampires waiting there. " No, wait. Front door!" She slams it on them, putting a chair by it so they can't get in.

" Hurry, follow me," She starts running towards the living room. They make it to the front door, which she flings open. Standing there is Darla, with a couple of fresh vampires backing her up.

" I told you, this isn't over ".

From behind them, the sound of breaking wood indicates the vamps from the back yard have gotten in.

Faith doesn't even think. She just throws herself into the three of them, acting like a force of nature. She beats them back, opening a hole for Xander to escape.

" Run, dammit!" She yells at Xander. " Run like your ass is on fire!"

Xander, as if coming out of a dream, throws Willow over his shoulder, and bolts through the hole. He takes off down the street.

The two vampires from the back yard appear at the front door. They stand, watching the fight.

" What're you standing there for?" Darla shouts at them. She points down the street, " go get them, now!"

They take off down the street.

Faith, fighting furiously, is surrounded by the two vampires. Darla stands a little ways back, watching. One of the vampires rushes her, and she ducks, shoving him into the wall of the house. The other vampire grabs her however, while her back is turned, and lifts her, throwing her into the trellis running up the wall. She hits it hard, breaking the wood. She lays there, stunned.

" Well, looks like you're done, slayer, " Darla smirks, coming over. " Too bad. This was almost like fun." She turns to the vampires. " Well? What're you waiting for? This isn't a spectator sport!"

The vampires come at Faith, one on each side. Just as they reach her, her eyes flash open, and her hands, each holding a piece of the broken trellis, comes up, staking the two simultaneously. Faith leaps to her feet, emerging out of their dust.

" Guess I'm not quite done yet, Blondie, " Faith growls, holding out the two stakes. " Wanna have some fun?" She advances on Darla.

" No. I'm not liking the game so much, " Darla starts off. " And you might want to catch up to your friends, before my friends catch them. Better hurry. " She disappears into the gloom of the night.

Faith takes off in the direction Xander went. She only hopes she catches up to him before Darla's playmates do.

She doesn't see the dark figure emerge from the shadows. He watches her go, then turns and walks away.

2

Faith catches up to Xander, nearly too late.

The vampires have him surrounded. Willow is on the ground, and Xander is in front of her, protecting her. The vampires are playing with him. One feinting him to the left, then the other going to Xander's right.

Faith comes up behind them, and grabbing them by the collars, bashes their heads together. They turn on her, growling.

" So, you got away from Darla, " the first vampire says, " too bad, you should've kept running."

" Who does your script writing, guys?" Faith mocks them, " You should ask for a refund."

The vampires come at her, but she pulls the scrap wood she tucked in her belt, and dusts the first one. The second one hits her, however, knocking her off her feet.

" This is gonna be sweet," He says, leaping on her.

He turns to dust, as Faith shoves the stake into him.

" They never learn, " she lays there for a moment, catching her breath. When she hauls herself up, she sees Xander crouching by the prone Willow. She comes over to them, kneeling down.

" How is she?" Faith asks, looking down at her. Her heart almost stops when she sees how pale Willow looks.

" I dunno… I dunno if she's breathing," Xander sounds scared.

Faith reaches out, and touches the artery in her neck. She looks up at Xander. " She's alive… barely."

She scoops Willow up into her arms, and turns to Xander. " Where's the nearest hospital?"

" Sunnydale General. That way, about 10 blocks" Xander points east. " I'll call an ambulance, " he digs in his jeans for a cell phone.

" No time, " Faith says, taking off. " Follow me as fast as you can!" She disappears up the street, heading east.

For a moment Xander just stands there, watching her disappear. Then he starts off running towards the hospital.

3

Rupert Giles is worried. He looks at the clock for the 15^th time in the last hour. Faith is late coming back from patrol.

She was supposed to be here at 9:30. It's nearly 10:30 now. What's keeping her? He moves over to his favorite chair, and sits down. Like he's done off and on for the last hour. He stares into space. Damn, I hope she hasn't run into trouble. She was only supposed to do a sweep , then come here for further instructions. What if she ran into a pack of vampires? What if she got hurt? He thrusts himself out of his chair, towards a cabinet on the wall. He opens it, revealing an assortment of weapons. He reaches for a crossbow.

He's learned something about this mysterious " Master" Faith was talking about. There wasn't much on him; evidently he prefers ' life' out of the limelight. Even the council didn't know much about him. But apparently, he's a very old vampire… one of the oldest in recorded history. So old, his physical form is no longer entirely human. His facial features are more like that of a bat, and his hands are said to resemble claws.

He couldn't glean much more from the hearsay and rumors about him. What he does know is that he has a cult of vampires, called the Order of Aurelius, and that some of his followers date back to the first century A.D. There have been occasional reports of his movements; evidently his style is particularly whimsical and viscous in nature. He has a disdain for human kind, considering them a plague upon the earth. He awaits the return of the old ones.

The last reports of him are nearly 70 years old. He's rumored to have left Europe, and headed for the New World. After that, there is nothing. About either him, or his cult. It's as if he one day walked off the face of the earth.

If this is him, and he's here, there's bound to be trouble brewing, Giles thinks to himself. If he's at a Hellmouth, he's obviously has plans … something maybe to open the Hellmouth. But how? And why hasn't he done anything before now?

Giles looks at the clock again, and his face tightens. Where is she?

A knock comes at this door. God, at last! He rushes to the door, and flinging it open, starts into a tirade.

" Do you know how late you are? Do you even…" He stops, when he sees not Faith, but a stranger standing at his door.

The man standing at the door is tall, a little taller than Giles. His face is obscured by the shadows, but he looks to be in his twenties. But it's the eyes that catch Giles' attention. They seem to be looking through him, rather than at him. They are dark, and there is a hint of sadness in them.

" Can I help you?" Giles asks, a little taken aback.

" Actually, I'm here to help you, " the stranger says, cryptically. " Are you Rupert Giles?"

" Yes, " Giles replies, feeling a little wary. Who is this?

The stranger seems to be inspecting him, assessing him. " I expected you to be… older."

" See here! I don't have time for your games, " Giles says, " If your selling something, I'm not interested."

The stranger seems to find that amusing, and chuckles. " No, I'm not selling anything," He turns serious." But you're right. You don't have time. You're slayer needs you."

" I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean, " Giles replies, cagily.

"As you said, there isn't time for games. The Harvest is coming, and if you're unprepared, things will go badly," The stranger stares at Giles. " You need your slayer to be on top of it, and right now, she's in trouble. Go to her."

" Faith? Faith is in trouble?" Giles demands.

" How many slayers do you have, Rupert?" The man asks. " Go to her, now."

Rupert turns away, walking towards the weapons cabinet. " Just a moment, I need to get some supplies."

" No, she's not fighting. She's at the hospital. Sunnydale General."

" What? She's hurt?" Rupert almost does a ballet spin. He runs at the man. " What do you know? Tell me!" He grabs him.

The man grabs at Giles' wrist, and breaks his grip. Giles can feel the power in his grip.

" All I know is she needs you. Go to her." The man turns, starting to walk away.

" Wait! What's this about a harvest? What does that mean?" The man continues walking, not looking back. " Who ARE you?" Giles calls out to him.

The man stops, back to Giles. " A friend." He starts walking.

" A friend? I don't even know you!"

" I didn't say I was your friend, " The man calls over his shoulder as he disappears into the gloom.

4

Xander pushes his way through the double doors of Sunnydale General, then stops just inside the lobby, breathing hard.

He just ran the ten blocks to the hospital without stopping. I gotta get in better shape, he says to himself, leaning over and gripping his knees.

When he's caught his breath, and straightened up, he looks around. He sees Faith over by the admitting desk, talking to the nurse. He walks over.

" How is she?" Xander demands, " Where is she?"

" She's being looked after, Xander. The doctors are with her now. They're giving her blood."

" Blood?"

" For her blood loss? From the accident? With the barbecue fork in her neck?" Faith pretends to prompt his memory.

" Oh, right, barbecue fork. Right. Is she going to be alright?"

Faith looks at the nurse, who replies, " The doctors are with her now. She's lost a lot of blood. We'll let you know as soon as we know anything." The nurse looks at him. " What happened to you?"

" Huh?" Xander says, feeling his face. He's just starting to feel the pain. " Accident. Fell down some stairs. I'm ok."

" You don't look ok, " the nurse looks him over, " You look like you've been fighting."

" No, no fighting. Just an accident, " Xander insists.

"Uh-huh," the nurse frowns, but doesn't argue. " Come with me. You need to see a doctor."

" I need to see my friend, " Xander says, pulling back. " I want to see her now".

" Xander, you're pretty beat up. You should get it checked out, " Faith says.

" Nobody asked you, " He scowls, turning to the nurse." Let me see her."

" We'll see about that, after you get looked at," The nurse says firmly. She grabs Xander by the arm and starts to push him towards the triage room. Xander gives up for the moment, letting himself be led off.

Faith , alone now, looks around for a place to sit. She tries to settle down, read a magazine, but she's too keyed up. She paces, and looks at the clock.

Dammit, I'm an idiot. Why didn't I make them go home? What was I thinking? God, I only hope we got her here soon enough. If she dies… Faith doesn't complete that thought. She slams herself onto one of the benches, leaning against the wall, staring into space.

Awhile later Xander reappears in the waiting area. He has a bandage over his black eye, and a few stitches around the mouth. His hand has been wrapped. The nurse accompanies him, and he's talking low to her.

" Ok, I did what you wanted. Can I see her now?" He asks.

" She's still unconscious. The doctors want her to rest." The nurse replies. " You'll have to wait until tomorrow."

" I have to know if she's alright. Please, I won't disturb her. I just want to see her."

" Sir, I'm sorry, but that's the…" she sees the desperation in his eyes. She sighs." Wait here. I'll ask the doctors."

" Thank you." He goes and sits, away from Faith. He stares at the floor.

Faith gets up, and walks to him, sitting next to him.

" How're you doin?"

" Fine," Xander answers curtly.

" Willow? Have you heard anything about her?"

" I don't know. I'm waiting to see her."

" She's going to be ok, Xander, " Faith lies to him. She's not sure at all that she's going to be ok. " I've seen a lot worse than she is pull through. She'll be fine."

" Don't," Xander says, testily, " You don’t know that. No one knows that."

" Xander, I know how you feel, but you…"

" You don't. You don't know anything about how I feel. She's not your friend. She's mine. Why don't you leave now? You've done your duty. We don't need you here."

Faith is stung. " I want to know she's going to be alright, too, Xander."

" I thought you just said she's going to be alright. So why don't you go?"

" I'm concerned, Xander. I want to be sure she's going to be ok…"

" The hell you are!" He hisses at her, keeping his voice low. " you don’t give a damn about us. All it is to you is get the job done. You're worse than the vampires. At least, they're evil. What's your excuse?"

Faith just stares at him.

" You’re nothing but a cold, heartless bitch. You only care about your own ass. Well, don't worry, I won't tell what really happened. Who'd believe me anyway? But pretending you care? That just makes me sick. So, get out of here. I don't want you or you're 'tude anywhere near her!"

" That's so not true, " Faith replies, also whispering, " and I'm not leaving."

" Why not?" Xander's tone is sarcastic, " want to finish the job?"

" Xander!" Faith glares at him.

" None of this happened until you showed up, Faith. We never needed protection from vampires til you blew in from … wherever the hell you're from. I think you brought this with you. All I know is, before I met you, one of my friends wasn't near death, and the other wasn't a vampire! A vampire I had to kill!" Xander pounds his fist on the seat next to him.

The admitting nurse looks at the both of them, disapprovingly.

" Xander, calm down, or she's gonna throw your ass outta here!" Faith hisses at him.

" Don't you tell me what to do!" Xander, however is back to whispering. " Just leave. There aren't any monsters here for you to kill!"

Faith starts to answer, then bites back her words. She stands up and walks to another part of the waiting area, as far from Xander as she can get. She sits down, hugging herself. She looks at the floor.

What hurts most is that she feels he might be right. If I'd done my job, they wouldn't have been involved. I would've killed the vamps, and they'd be home safe and sound. But I didn't. I let them tag along, and nearly got them killed. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!

She looks up and sees the nurse talking to Xander. Xander gets up, and the nurse looks over at Faith. Faith starts to stand, but Xander waves her down. His meaning is clear. Don't even get near her! Faith feels her face redden, but she sits. Xander follows the nurse out of the waiting area.

Well, screw that! Faith thinks to herself, after they've gone. Since when do I take orders from him, anyway? Standing up, she walks in the direction they exited. Entering the hall, she doesn’t see either of them, so she continues down the hall until it ends in a T. She starts down the hallway, and notices that the rooms all have observation window in them. She carefully makes her way down the hall, looking in each. Finally, at the end, she sees Xander standing by Willow's bedside, holding her hand.

Willow looks pale and drawn, and she's connected to what looks like a dozen machines. But she's awake, and looking up at Xander. Even from out here, Faith can tell that Xander being in there has made Willow feel better. She also realizes that if she goes in there, she'll just make things worse. She's ok, that's all that matters. At least, that's what Faith tells herself. Biting her lip, she turns and walks away.

And almost runs straight into Giles, who seems to have magically appeared behind her. She looks up at his face, about to make a smart remark, when she sees the caring in his eyes. Suddenly, the whole night catches up with her, and her normally iron strength shell breaks. All the hurt, the fright, the worry overwhelms her, and her vision goes blurry. She doesn't realize at first she's crying. All she knows is it hurts; she clings to Giles, feeling his arms come around her, holding her. For a moment, she just lets herself be held.

Giles looks down on the young woman clinging to him, and gently pats her back, trying to reassure her. This is very new to him; he didn't think Faith could cry. He wouldn't have been here, except for the stranger. How did he know?

Faith breaks the embrace, stepping back and wiping her face with her sleeve. She walks around him, starting down the hallway.

" Faith?" Giles calls out, not understanding.

" Not here, " She replies, indicating Willow's room. She motions for him to follow.

They return to the waiting area, and Faith sits down. She pats the chair by her.

" Don't worry, I won't be getting weepy again," Faith almost makes a joke of it.

Giles sits next to her. " Faith, it's alright to need to lean on someone…"

" Please, god, that was just … embarrassing, ok? So lets just drop it." Faith sniffles, and starts to use her sleeve again. Giles hands her his handkerchief. She grins.

" Really British there, Giles, " She daubs her eyes, " the queen would be proud." She balls the handkerchief in her fist. " God, I so fucked up tonight, Giles. I nearly got them both killed."

" But you didn't, Faith. That's the important thing. They're alive, and you’re alive." Giles starts to clean his glasses, and realizes he doesn't have his handkerchief. Faith offers it to him, but he declines, returning his glasses to his nose.

" Now, don't you get blubbery on me, " Faith chides him, " you're British. Isn't that like illegal over there or something?"

Giles smiles faintly.

" I'm scared, Giles," Faith admits, almost to herself, " I don't know what the hell I'm doing out there. I mean, all this buddy- buddy crap with the vamps is beyond weird. They don't exactly hang out you know. What's the deal? And … I don't know, but I'm really scared that I'm gonna lose this one. I don't even know who this Master guy is, but every vamp in Sunny-D here seems to be all afraid of him. I'm thinking there's a reason for that."

" Well, I did learn something about the Master, Faith."

" Oh? So, is this like 20 questions? Spill it, Jeeves, " Faith teases him.

" I really wish you wouldn't call me that, Faith, " Giles pretends to be irritated.

"All right, Rupert, what's the sitch?"

Giles relates briefly what he's learned about the Master.

" So, he has this cult?" Faith asks. "Swell, just what I need. Born again vamps. So what? Do they hang out at Airports and ask for money?"

"Hardly," Giles grimaces at the image. " but they're some very ancient vampires. Some date back to the first century C.E."

" Oh? Well, so what? They still die if I stake 'em right?"

" It means that if they lived that long, not going to be easy to kill, Faith. They're not going to make mistakes like younger vampires do. So, be on your guard."

" Fine," Faith shakes her head, " that still doesn't tell me what they want, does it?"

"Odd you should mention that," Giles muses, " I had a visitor this evening."

" Giles, you dog. Hotting up the ladies, huh?" Faith smirks. Then frowns. " Wait. That's just…ewww."

" It was nothing of that nature, Faith. This visitor was a man…"

" Gee, Giles, sorry. Didn't know you swung that way…"

" Faith, can you please be serious? This is important!"

" Well, lay it on me, baby. But not too many details, ok? Again, with the ewww."

Giles sighs." This visitor told me about you, actually. Said you were here."

" I was wondering about that. How you just happened to show up at the hospital. Didn't want to ask, as it might be a bit embarrassing…"

" Faith, please!" Giles starts to lose his normal equanimity.

" Ok, ok, fine, " Faith shrugs. " go on."

" I'd never seen him before, so I hope that ends that subject," Giles moves on, " but he mentioned something. Something called the Harvest."

" The Harvest?" Faith echoes, " is that some kind of thing here in the sticks?"

" I have no idea what it is, frankly," Giles says, " but it might be why the Master is here. I guess I'll hit the books, see what I can find out about it."

" Yeah, you do that. Me, I'll make sure no one starts buying a whole lot of farm implements."

" Faith, this is serious. I need to do research. With Willow out of commission, I have to use my books."

" Yeah, right. Sorry, " Faith's attitude changes radically. She grows quiet, and looks away.

" Faith surely you're not blaming yourself for what happened to Willow."

" Xander does," Faith murmurs.

" Xander Harris is a bit of a fool…"

" What if he's right, Giles?" She looks at him," What if this is my fault. What if I brought whatever's happening to Sunnydale?"

" Faith, that's utter nonsense. I told you, the Master has probably been here for decades, planning whatever is happening. The Hellmouth is a convergence of mystical energies. It's no wonder bad things are attracted here. You can't help that. All you can do is fight it."

" Tell that to Xander, ok? I don't think he's buying that. How 'bout Willow? I'm sure lying in the bed there she's thinking " Hey, it's just the Hellmouth. That's just the way it is." Or Jesse? No wait, can't tell him, he's dust," She looks at Giles. " I know you're trying to help here, Giles. Just being here? Helped. But…" She shrugs, and gets up. " I can't be here. I don't deserve to be here. I'm not doing my job. I gotta go." She reaches the doors of the hospital, and turns back." Tell Red I'm sorry. I won't let it happen again."

" Maybe you should tell her that yourself, Faith," Giles says quietly.

Faith looks away. " I really can't. I've got stuff to do."

" Surely whatever you have to do can wait a few moments?" Giles motions to the seat next to him. " Please sit."

"Giles," Faith doesn't move, " I really have to go now."

" Faith, please sit down," Giles tone is firm. " We need to talk."

Faith sighs, and walks back to the benches. She plops down next to Giles, not looking at him.

" What?" She says, petulantly.

" Why is it important to you what Willow thinks?" Giles asks.

"It's not," Faith says in a monotone, " but I put her life at risk tonight, by not doing my job. That's what won't be happening again."

" So, what Willow and Xander think of you, doesn't matter to you?"

" Why should it? Xander's an idiot, but he got one thing right. We're not friends, and we're not going to be friends. I'm here to do a job, and that's all."

" Is it?" Giles looks at her. " It must be lonely, not having friends."

"What's going on, Giles?" Faith looks up at him," you know the drill. I can't get close to people. I put them in danger that way. I don't make friends because the bad guys, the guys we're fighting, might use them to get to me. I'm a warrior, Giles. Warriors don't have friends."

" I see. You're a warrior. That's true enough. But you're also a human being."

" Well, glad you caught that one, Giles," Faith teases him. " Hoping I wasn't gonna have to do a DNA test or nothin."

" As a human," Giles goes on, ignoring her barb, " you need other people, Faith. I think John Donne said it best.' No man is an island, entire of itself. ' People need people around them, or they risk losing that spark of humanity that makes us special."

" So, you agree with Xander then? I'm a cold hearted bitch." Faith frowns, drawing away.

" I don't think any such thing, " Giles' replies quietly. " I see how this affects you. You're drawing away, into yourself. You're afraid to admit you're feelings, because you think that'll make you weak. You're afraid to be weak, because you feel you'll fail them, let them get hurt. Or worse. Even with me, your watcher, you hate showing you're heart, because you think I'll think less of you. That's hardly the case, Faith."

" Isn't it? Because I was weak, because I felt sorry for them, I nearly got them killed, Giles. My job is to protect them, not coddle them. Not give in to their whims. I'm here so they don't have to be afraid of the dark. I'm not here to be their pal."

" So, you're different then? You're special? You feel they're not worthy of your friendship?"

" I'm different, Giles. I'm special. I'm the slayer. Remember?" Faith's tone has an edge.

" So of course, they're not worthy of your friendship," Giles repeats.

" I didn't say that."

" Really? Because it sounded suspiciously like that."

" You just don't get it, Giles, " Faith mutters, " You don't get it at all."

" Then educate me, Faith."

" Haven't you been listening at all? I nearly got them killed tonight. Why? Because for a moment, I let myself feel what they felt, Giles. I let Xander walk into danger, because he needed to understand what happened to his friend. I let Willow almost die, because she wouldn't leave Xander. I knew the dangers. I knew the risks, but I let what I felt overrule what I knew, Giles. I let them almost die because I cared. I'm not saying they didn't fight. God, they've both got more guts than I would've believed. But they're civilians, Giles. They don't need to do this. This isn't their fight. They should be living the life they deserve. Not fighting monsters! It's not their fight; it's mine! They shouldn't die because I'm weak! Dammit!" Faith shoots off the bench. " Don't you see? If I care about them, I'm going to get them killed!!" She turns on him, her face red, " What then, Giles? Tell me, what do I do then?"

" I don't know, Faith," Giles gets up, putting his hand on her shoulder," but like it or not, admit it or not, you care."

" I don't. I really don't!" Faith walks to the door. " The sooner you all learn that, the better."

" Faith?" Giles calls to her.

" What?"

" You're good at a lot of things, but you're a terrible liar."

For a moment, Faith stands there, still as a statue. Then she pushes out the door, and walks into the night.

Giles sighs. He wants to follow her, but he knows she needs time to think.

Xander arrives in the waiting room, and looks around.

" Where's Faith?" He asks Giles, sitting next to him.

" Faith had to leave, Xander."

"Well, there's a shock," Xander says deprecatingly. "Why aren't I surprised."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Giles asks mildly, hiding his anger.

" Before I went in to see Will, she was all acting concerned and wanted to know how she was. Now, where is she? Gone!"

" I see. Well, Faith can be changeable, I agree. It's odd, however. She seems to blame herself for what happened this evening. Do you know anything about that?"

" Well, isn't she?" Xander asks, " she's the 'slayer', right? This is her thing, not mine."

" Oh, so she forced you to be there tonight, then?"

" Well… no…" Xander admits.

" Surely she must've asked you to be there?"

" No, as a matter of fact…" Xander trails off.

" Yes?"

" She didn’t want us there at all. She tried to make us go home."

" So, she didn't force you to be there. Fact of the matter, she didn't want you there. But you went anyway. And now you blame her?" His voice hardens. " From what I gathered, if not for her, you'd probably not be alive. You nor Willow. Is that right?"

" Yeah," Xander nods," Willow reminded me of that, too. I screwed up, Mr. Giles." Xander hesitates. " I was angry, and scared. I thought Willow might die. I … well, I… I kind of blamed her for what happened."

" Yes, I know, " Giles says evenly, hiding his anger. " I don't need to tell you how utterly ridiculous that is, do I?" Xander shakes his head. " The sad thing is, she agrees with you, Xander. She blames herself."

" She's tough, Giles. I thought she'd just blow it off…" Xander looks at the front door. " I … was angry. I just lost my best friend, and was in danger of losing my oldest friend, Giles. I wasn't thinking."

" Yes. I notice you do a lot of that." He feels the anger rising inside. " It might do you good to remember other people have feelings too." He watches Xander, who doesn't move." Well, are you just going to sit there?"

" What could I say to make it right, Giles?" Xander looks at him, reddening. " I can't take back what I said."

" No, but surely you could tell her you were wrong. Maybe tell her what you told me, " Giles voice rises. " You could act like a man, and not a child. Or is that asking too much?"

Xander stands, and walks to the entrance. He turns back around. " Do you think she'll hit me?"

" Doubtful." Giles says. He watches Xander exit. " Though, if it were me, I'd bloody your sodding nose."

Giles sighs, getting up. He walks down the hallway.

5

It took some time for Xander to find Faith. He checked a few cemeteries, avoiding any confrontations of the long toothy variety. Then he looked around downtown, checking the alleyways. Still no Faith. He dropped in on the Bronze, and actually didn't try to scam on the ladies. He looked for her, but she wasn't anywhere to be found there. He finally decided to go back to the hospital. He took a shortcut which led him past Willow's house.

And there she is. Sitting under the large tree in Willow's yard, picking at the grass. Occasionally looking at the house.

" So, this was the big important thing you had to do that you couldn't take a few minutes to find out about Will? I'm sure she'll be glad to know you're out saving the world, or something."

" What do you want Xander?" Faith asks, her voice sounding muted, " just go away and leave me alone, ok?"

" No, not Ok. Willow is lying in the hospital, and you're here sitting like a lump …" Xander, getting closer, finally gets a good look at her face. He can see the tears still drying on her cheeks. Giles' words come back to him. He kneels down next to her. " Are you ok?"

" I'm fine, Xander," Faith rubs angrily at her face. " Don't get stupid on me now. I just got something in my eye, and it hurts." She turns away from him. " Go back to the hospital, ok? I'm sure Red'll be just too happy to have you sit by her bed holding her hand." Faith lurches to her feet. " I'm going to bed." She starts to walk off.

" Wait!" Xander runs to catch her. He blocks her way. " Wait."

" Would you get out of my face, already? You've had your say, and frankly, I don't feel like another round. So go away. Go see Red. Just go!" She pushes him out of the way.

" I'm sorry, ok?" Xander blurts out. He sighs. " Really, I'm sorry. I blamed you for all this crap, but I know that's just wrong. I know things have been weird here , been weird for a long time. I just didn't want to think it could happen to me or my friends. You know? I just… I thought if we … if we pretended the stuff weren't happening, it wouldn't . Not to us. But I was … I'm sorry."

" I never should've let you guys stay, " Faith confesses, " I should've made you get your asses home. But I didn't…" She walks over to Xander, and puts her hand on his arm. " I gotta say, you got guts."

Xander looks at her quizzically.

" You protected Willow, even when you were getting your ass kicked. You look like hell, " She smiles at him. " and I know it musta been hard for you to dust Jesse. I saw your face. But you did it, because you knew that thing… it wasn't Jesse anymore, believe me… would've killed Willow. That took real guts Xander. That and facing off two vampires." She frowns, " but don't do it again, or I'm gonna have to kick your ass myself."

" Huh?"

" I'm the slayer, guy. Get it? It's my job. You're not part of it, and neither is Willow. I won't have you doing stupid stuff and getting yourself killed. We clear now? Do I need to draw you pictures?"

" No, I get it." Xander shakes his head," believe me, I'm not big on the fighting the sharp toothy crowd, ok?"

" Good. Maybe there's hope for you yet, " Faith nods. " Now, let's go see your girlfriend."

Without waiting for Xander, Faith starts up the driveway, in the direction of the hospital.

" Wait… geeze… what is it with you?" Xander trots to catch up. " Willow's not my girlfriend. Isn't that clear?"

Faith smiles enigmatically. " you know, Xander, you're big on the brave, but not too well stocked on the brains."

" What're you talking about?"

" Never mind. Don't want to tax you, " Faith chugs along, " but one of these days, you better wake up and smell the bacon, dude, or you're gonna be out."

" What? What're you talking about?" Xander is starting to puff, because Faith has started to walk faster. " I told you, Willow and I are just friends. God, she'd have a Guernsey if she knew what you thought!"

" Man you really are blind, aren't you?" Faith kicks it into high gear, leaving Xander behind. Guys can be so dumb.

Xander slows down, realizing he'll never catch up to her. God, is she a dufus, or what? Me and Will? That's almost… sick. Girls can be so dumb!

He slows to a walk, shaking his head in the wonder of it all.

Giles stands at the window, looking in at Willow. He's been there for awhile, debating whether to go in or not. She looks so fragile, he thinks, watching her sleep. So pale. He shakes his head. This is one of the times he hates his vocation. Knowing that no matter how hard he tries, how much is done, you can't always protect the innocent ones. He sighs heavily. She should be at home, sleeping. She should be studying, or dating, or talking on the phone to her friends, or one of the other million and one things a teenage girl does. She shouldn't be here, lying in a hospital, fighting for her life. It's monumentally unfair.

For the longest time, Giles has wanted to resign from the Council. The politics, the petty back-biting, the antiquarian attitudes, all of it have discouraged him. He longed for a place somewhere in Devon or Surrey, a quiet place where he could do research and fight the madness on his terms. He couldn't turn his back on it, not entirely. He knows far too much. But he hates the games he has to play to keep the Council happy.

The only reason to stay in is working in the field, as he is now. He was ready to quit before this assignment came along. At least here, he was away from the worst of it, and he could tell himself that maybe, if he does his job right, he could save a few innocent lives.

Looking in on Willow, lying in the hospital bed, he wonders if he hasn't been deluding himself.

He feels a hand slip into his, and turns to see Faith standing next to him. A small smile plays on his face.

"So, you came back."

" Has anyone contacted her parents?"

" I've been trying, but evidently they're out of town. I'll try again in the morning. There's nothing they could do here now, anyway."

" She looks awful, " Faith says, clearly worried.

" The doctors say she'll be fine. They credit you with saving her life."

" Yeah, and almost getting her killed."

" Stop it, Faith. This isn't helping anyone, this unreasonable guilt."

" Giles…"

" They chose to be there, Faith. You didn't force them. You didn't even want them there. But they chose it, and they have to take some of the consequences for their actions. I believe Mr. Harris realizes that, now."

" So, you made him come apologize to me, then?" Faith shakes her head. " Figures."

" No, actually, I merely pointed out the error of his ways. He apologized all on his own."

" Whatever," Faith sighs. " I told him if he ever pulls something like that again, I'll kick his ass."

"I'm sure you did, " Giles smiles, " but I don't think it'll stop him."

" It damned better well stop him. I told him, he's out, and she's out. No more of this getting themselves killed crap. Period."

" And you think that'll stop them?"

Faith hesitates for a moment. " No," she admits.

" They're brave, Faith. They've seen things no one should have to see, and faced it down. Even when they had almost zero chance of winning."

" Well, thanks a bunch, Jeeves."

" You know what I mean. I believe that they're two very brave people. More than worthy to be your friends. Wouldn't you agree?"

" That was never the issue, Giles."

" Oh?" Giles is mildly surprised.

" Am I worthy?" She says softly, looking in at the sleeping Willow, " to be theirs?"

" I believe you'll have to let them decide that."

A floor nurse walks up to them. " It's well past visiting hours. I'm afraid you'll have to leave."

" I just got here," Faith protests.

" I'm sorry, but those are the rules. You can come back in the morning and see her. She'll probably be awake then."

" We'd best go, Faith, " Giles looks at her. " You need some rest. It's been a long day."

They walk quietly down the hall. Nearing the entrance to the hospital, Faith stops. She turns to Giles.

" What now?"

Giles wisely refrains from answering.

6

Darla slips quietly through the entrance to the Master's lair. She hopes he's occupied with someone or something, anything as long as he doesn't notice her. Not now. She's well aware she's messed up, but if she's lucky, the Master might not hear about it until after the Harvest.

Out of the corner of her eye, she sees the Master speaking to a couple of the others, and she almost sighs in relief. She hurries quickly to her own little corner of the lair, hoping she can just stay out of sight, out of mind.

" Darla!" The Master calls out, noticing her slipping quietly away.

Darla freezes. Oh Damn. This can't be good. She puts on a smile, and turns, walking back to the Master.

"Darla, my sweet child. I've missed you!" The Master says, with an affectionate tone. " Look at these two. I sent them out on a simple task. All I wanted was a little snack. And yet, " He sighs theatrically, since he doesn't need to breathe, " they haven't brought me squat. What do you say to that?"

"I'd say they've dropped the ball, " Darla says, feeling a measure of relief. Maybe he doesn't know about what happened.

" Dropped the ball?" The Master chuckles. It's not a pleasant sound. " What a quaint saying. Dropped the ball. Indeed, I'd have to agree. They dropped the ball." He nods at them. " So, what do you think I should do about it?"

" I don't really know, Master, " Darla is warming up to this. She loves pain: giving it and receiving it. But mostly, giving it. " I think maybe the harshest punishment possible? To teach the others a lesson? Something painful, perhaps?"

" Perhaps, " The Master agrees. He pats the stone next to him. " Come and sit by me, my dear. I've missed your company. And I know you'll enjoy having a good view of the punishment." He pats the stone again. " Come along, child. I grow weary."

Darla hesitates, then walks over and sits next to the Master. He smiles at her. The smile would chill the normal heart. " So, what do you think I should do, my dear? Hot pokers? Maybe remove a limb or two? No, I still need all my people able for the Harvest, so I guess limbs are out. Staking them would be a little extreme. What do you think?"

" Hot pokers sound good," Darla replies, almost clinically. " Or maybe… lots of tiny cuts, followed by a bath in brine solution? Then maybe a dip in oil of Garlic? It won't kill them, but it will certainly be unpleasant."

The Master reaches out, taking Darla's hand. " You see, my children. That's why Darla is special. She has such a cruel and devious mind. That's why she's my favorite, I believe." He turns to her, but he is no longer smiling. His grip becomes like iron, and he twists her arm. " That's probably the only reason I won't kill you right now, my dear."

" Ahhh… Master, " Darla whimpers. " What? What have I done?"

" Do you think me a fool, Darla?" His voice is no longer the kindly father. " Do you think I don't know what happened tonight? You betrayed me, went against my express wishes about the Slayer. She is mine, do you understand me? MINE!"

" Of course, Master," Darla is totally subservient. " I wanted only to bring her to you, as a gift! Along with some fine treats… ohhh… that hurts!!!"

" The Harvest is too important, too critical to my plans, for anyone, even YOU, to foul up. You think I don't know about how you want to break away, my dear? You think I'm unaware of your plots and schemes? You wanted her for yourself, you greedy little sow!" He slaps her hard across the face, cutting her with his talon like fingernails. " You risk it all, by your foolishness! You advertise our presence here. This is unforgivable!" He hits her again. He grabs her by the chin, and pulls her to him. " And yet, you … you, of all of these, are my favorite. I should kill you, stake you here and now, and throw your ashes to the fire! You ungrateful child!"

" No, master, please, " Darla is begging for her life. " I swear, I meant no disrespect. I only wanted to give her to you, I swear it, Master! I do!"

" But no," His voice softens, " I won't stake you. I am tired, and it would bring me little joy." He pushes her away, and she falls against a stone jutting up. " No, I won't do that. But I will take your suggestion." He waves to the two vampires, who have awaited his signal. " Take her. Cut her, and bathe her in brine and garlic!" His voice sounds heavy, weighted. " When that is finished, drive hot pokers through her."

The two grab her, pulling her up roughly by her arms. She struggles against them, and briefly breaks free. She throws herself at the feet of the Master.

" Please, forgive me. I didn't mean anything. I swear. I'm loyal to you, only you!!"

" My child, this brings me no pleasure, " the Master bend over, lifting her up. " But you must know that this can't go unpunished!" The two vampires come and retrieve her, carrying her off. Her screams of fear can be heard throughout the lair.

The Master sits wearily on his stone, closing his eyes as Darla's screams continue.

To be continued
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The Slayer