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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 4 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. You might be surprised.

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.

Strange fascination, fascinating me

Changes are taking the pace I'm going through… David Bowie, Changes

1

Faith wanders around the Sunnydale High library, feeling out of place.

" Exactly what am I supposed to be doing while you've got your nose stuck in a book, anyway?"

She pulls a book from the shelves, looks at the title, and quickly returns it. Naw-uh. Not this girl.

" Well, you could help me research the Harvest, you know." Giles calls out from his office.

" And what bizzaro universe did you land in that you think that's going to happen?" Faith makes a face.

" Right. Silly me, " Giles replies, dryly. " Well, you could do some training."

" On Saturday? Even God took a day off, you know. Says so."

" Perhaps. But Demons, monsters and vampires don't. So…"

" Whatever, " Faith says. " Why aren't we going to the hospital right now, again?"

" Because, visiting hours aren't until after 11 a.m."

" Yeah, bummer. Hey, if I train, I'm gonna get all sweaty and need another shower."

" That's fine. We can stop at your apartment and let you do what you need before we go to Sunnydale General."

Faith rolls her eyes. She walks over to the cage, and pulls out the training dummy. Setting it up, she gets a final dig in on Giles.

" You didn't have a bit of fun when you were a kid, did you?"

" I hardly see what my childhood has to do with your training."

" Well, you might have learned to sleep in, rather than getting up at the crack of dawn."

" 7a.m. is hardly the crack of dawn, Faith. And, it was your idea to stay over at my place, as I recall."

Faith gets a wicked smile on her face. She calls out in a overly pouty voice, " Gee, didn't you like having a pretty girl stay the night, Giles?"

Faith can almost see the blush on Giles face when he replies, " That is most inappropriate, Faith. I let you stay overnight because you were still feeling shaky from the events of the evening."

" Maybe, " Faith says in a sing song tone, " but I'm pretty sure that if you lost a little of that British stuffiness, we could've found a way to raise the old flagpole and run up the Union Jack." Faith giggles to herself, imagining Giles' embarrassment and reaction.

Faith hears a door bang, and suddenly Giles is standing on the upper level, looking down on her. His face is pale, with two red spots on the cheeks.

" I really don't find your … suggestiveness amusing Faith. Perhaps you've forgotten that at this very moment Willow is in the hospital because of what happened last night. Perhaps it's slipped your mind that Xander, a civilian, looks as if he were hit by a lorry, because you allowed him to tag along on a hunt. Or maybe, you forget how upset you were when you thought perhaps Willow would die. Strange things are occurring, Faith. Things we don't know about. This Harvest thing could be serious. Serious in the body count, if we don't find out more about it. I hardly think this is the time for frivolity. Do you?"

Faith hasn't forgotten a thing. She hasn't been able to sleep all night, worrying about Willow, seeing her lying in that bed, looking pale and bruised, haunting her. She feels angry, at the vampires that attacked them, at this Master guy who's behind it all, at Darla who mocked and taunted her, but especially at herself, for failing to protect Willow and Xander.

Her mouth turns down into a small, tight frown, and she feels the hot itch of tears But she'll be damned before she lets Old Pompous Ass see her cry. She turns around brusquely, and starts punching on the dummy.

Giles immediately realizes he's misjudged her. I never know with her if it's real, of if she's trying to hide the hurt.

" Faith, I'm sorry to have overreacted. I know you…"

" Shut up, Giles. I'm training. I need to concentrate, " Faith says, her tone harsh. " Maybe you should get back to work."

" Yes, of course, " Giles retreats to his office.

2

Cordelia Chase struts down the hallway, confident, ready for the new school year.

This was her year to shine. Made captain of the cheerleaders after the unfortunate incident with Missy Blenheim and the captain of the football team Where do we send the baby clothes, sweetie?, she has taken charge, molding the team to her liking. She is dating the most popular quarterback in Sunnydale High, she's the most popular girl in school, and of course, her parents are the richest family in Sunny-D. She's got it all, including her Cordettes, and she plans on using it.

" All I need now is to be Homecoming Queen. Then I rule! Well, I rule already, but we might as well make it official, don't you think?" She directs the question to her coterie, The Cordettes.

The Cordettes. They consist of Harmony Kendall, Cindy Takashi, Aurora Smyth-Jones, and Andrea Thompson. They are the maids-in-waiting to Cordelia's princess, with a twist. Each and every one of them wouldn't mind seeing Cordelia being dethroned. But they are, and will ever be, the perfect sycophants.

The Cordettes as a group murmur their agreement.

" I mean, I'm the most popular girl at Sunnydale High. I'm the captain of the Cheerleaders. Too bad about Missy, but really hard to do back flips when your 7 months preggers, huh?" The Cordettes giggle. " And I'm dating the hunkiest hunk on the Football team. He looks so good on my arm. I'm a shoo-in. I mean, really, who's going to oppose me? Really. Annette Harding? Oh, please. Really perky, sure, but that face? I've seen smoother pizzas! Tasha Kent? You're kidding, right? Trash, from the trashy side of town. Melinda Peters? Well…now, she is popular with the football team. I hear she gives out like crazy." The Cordettes giggle. " But… she could be competition. Something will have to be done with her."

" Oh, Cordy!" Harmony gushes." We know you're going to be Homecoming Queen. You're going to be the best, most popular, most beautiful Homecoming Queen in history!"

" You really know how to suck up, don't you Harm?" Cordy asks. The other Cordettes giggle. She smiles at Harmony. " Good. I like that!" Harmony beams under Cordelia's praise.

They reach the doors of the library. Cordelia starts through; she stops when she notices the others hanging back. " Well, what're you waiting for? These banners aren't going to get themselves painted."

" It sounds like something's goin on in there, " Cindy Takashi speaks up. " Maybe someone else is using the library?"

" Well, they better not be!" Cordy is shocked by the very idea. " I told Mr. Giles me and my group were going to be here today. This is our place. I'll just have to let them know that!"

Cordelia pushes through the doors, and stops in her tracks.

Inside she sees someone( is that a girl?) going all kung fu on what looks like a scarecrow. The Cordettes group around her, watching.

Faith is working off her anger. She punches and kicks at the dummy, flowing through her workout with a slayer's grace. On a small boom box is playing some loud, techno-industrial beat heavy music. The volume is cranked way up.

" Excuse me!" Cordelia call out, imperiously. She waits. Getting no answer, she realizes she wasn't heard.

" EXCUSE ME!" She almost yells." YOU! I'M TALKING TO YOU!"

Faith just barely hears her. She turns, and sees the gaggle of cheerleaders by the door. She stops, turning down the volume.

" Yeah?"

" Excuse me!"

" Sure. You're excused, " Faith chuckles. She cranks up the volume, and starts working out again.

" HEY!" Cordelia is definitely not used to being ignored. She stomps over to the boom box and shuts it off.

" I was listening to that, " Faith growls softly.

" And I was talking to you, " Cordelia rejoins," though God knows why. Oh yes. We've got this space reserved. You have to leave!"

" I do?" Faith asks, grinning. " Gee. Well let me say… no. Sorry, princess, I'm working here." Faith reaches over to turn on the boom box.

Cordelia, frustrated by this… this… peon, reaches over and grabs the boom box. She walks to the library doors, and opening them, sets it outside.

" Well, sorry, but you'll just have to get all sweaty elsewhere."

" is that a fact?" Faith looks more amused than angry. She walks over to Cordelia, and leans in to her. " Sorry, don't think so." She retrieves her player, and cranks up the tunes. Laughing, she walks back to the practice dummy. She starts back in her training regimen.

" Uhhhh!" Cordy vents in frustration. " Giles? MR. Giles?? ARE YOU HERE??"

Giles, hearing the commotion, emerges from his office. Seeing Cordelia Chase standing in the library, he suddenly becomes very weary.

" Yes, Ms. Chase, I'm here."

" What's this about, Mr. Giles?" She points at Faith. " I told you yesterday that me and the cheerleading squad needed this space to work. Why is this… person … here?"

" Oh. This is my assistant, Faith. Faith. Faith?" Giles sees she doesn't hear him. " FAITH!" he yells.

Faith stops, looking up at Giles

" Faith, this is Cordelia Chase."

" Oh really?" She asks, " We met." She turns on the music, and goes back to her routine.

Rude! Cordelia thinks, not getting her accustomed fawning from the ' little people'

" Your assistant, you say?" Cordelia looks Faith over. " Exactly what does she assist you with, Mr. Giles?"

The Cordettes murmur amongst themselves.

"She is helping me research my book, if you must know, " Giles says. Cordelia snorts, and so do the Cordettes . " However, like a lot of your peers, Faith seems to be somewhat into fitness, and is doing her morning routine before she starts work." He turns his gaze on Cordelia. " You, on the other hand, seem to be keeping me from my work."

Cordelia blushes, unaccustomed to being countered.

" Need I remind you, Mr. Giles, that my father is a very big contributor to this school. That could change, you know."

" No, Cordelia. I don't need to be reminded, yet again, of Cornell Chase's generosity. However, you seem to need reminding that this is a public facility, by law, and that Faith has every right to be here, same as yourselves."

Cordelia shakes her head, as if this is all so very alien to her. She sighs.

" Ok, whatever, it's a public place. Well, we're part of the public, too, and how can we work with that… noise?" She puts her hands over her ears. The Cordettes mimic her.

" In that, Ms. Chase, we're in agreement, " Giles, not a big fan of any music written after 1976, turns to Faith. " Faith? Oh for goodness sakes. FAITH!"

" What?" Faith turns down the boom box.

" This is a library, Faith. Not a disco. Please lose the boom box."

" But Giles, I need it! I need the rhythm for coordination and timing…"

" Faith," Giles says wearily, " there are others to consider". He nods at Cordy and her group.

Faith turns, and frowns at Cordy. " Fine." She turns off the boom box. " Whatever." She starts in on the dummy, once again.

" Are we done here now, children?" He addresses this last particularly to Cordelia. " I really do have work to do."

" I suppose, " Cordelia returns, ungraciously. " As long as she keep away from us. We have important stuff to do here."

" I'm positive she will, " Giles says, turning away. " as long as you don't pester her." He mutters under his breath.

" I'm sorry, did you say something? Cordelia asks.

" I said, " Giles bites back his words, " Have a nice time."

" Yeah, sure," Cordelia says.

Giles leaves.

Cordelia and her coterie start unpacking the supplies they brought with them, laying claim to the center tables. Faith in the meanwhile, continues her training, punctuating her punches and kicks with grunts.

" Hai! Hai! Hai!"

" Who does she think she is, anyway?" Harmony stage whispers to Cordelia. " Bruce Lee?"

" Oh, she's a Bruce alright," Cordelia sniggers. " betcha she's a real doll in her work boots and flannel".

The Cordettes giggle, watching Faith.

Faith hears the comments, but ignores them. Whatta bunch of snots.

" Hey, I hear they're having trouble with their dykes in Norway," Cindy Takashi pipes up. " What do you guys think? Maybe we should send them Faith here to plug up their holes?" More giggles.

" Naw," Cordelia sneers, " She looks like a real dam buster. She'd probably cause more leaks than she'd fix." And yet, more giggles.

" That's Amsterdam, you morons, " Faith says, still kicking and punching away." In Holland, not Norway."

" What? You talking to us, Ellen?" Cordy smiles nastily. She leans back, and whispers to the others.

Faith shrugs, and ignores them, figuring the fun's over.

" One, two, ready, Go!" Cordelia sings out.

Faith! Faith! tell us, dear

Is it true you're really queer?

Faith It's Faith not Jane or Helen

She wants to be just like Ellen

Faith! Faith! Riding high on your bike

Guess you're really just a dyke.

Go, Faith! Go home! You lesbo! YAAAY

The girls clap, and start to laugh, moving back to the table. They pick up their paint cans, ready to get started on the banner.

Faith does a double back flip, landing about a foot from Cordelia. Startled, she spills paint on the banner and her uniform top.

" What the hell?" Cordelia curses, looking at her top. " You ruined my top, you … you… Ellen!"

Faith leans on Cordelia's shoulder, all sympathy.

" Awww… did I do that?" she's grinning. She pulls on Faith's top, and lets it snap back. " That's gonna stain."

" You…" Cordelia is red faced. She shoves Faith. "Get away from me, Lesbo!"

" Gee, Muffy, what's the prob?" Faith sneers. " panties in a bunch, are they?"

" You stupid…." Cordy shoves her again. " You ruined our work, and my top. You're so gonna pay for that."

" Really, Cordy?" Faith grins. " Do you take MasterCard, or are your services strictly cash?"

The Cordettes titter.

Cordelia blows up. She runs at Faith, looking to claw her face. Faith calmly catches her arms, holding her still, but not hurting her.

" Now, ladies, let's review. Me, when I go out, it's with a date. Of the male persuasion. I like to dance, get a little wiggly and wriggly, and if I do end up with someone, he surely does his peeing standing up, " Faith looks at the girls. " Now, Cordy here? I see here with a bunch of girls. That'd be you… and she hangs out with them in the locker rooms, and changes clothes with them, and hey, showers with them… so, I'm exactly wondering, who're the Ellen's here?"

" I'm going to scratch your eyes out, " Cordy, furious, struggles against Faith's grip.

" Yeah?" Faith drops her grip on Cordy, " Go ahead."

Cordy, off balance, falls to her knees. " My eyes aren't down there, honey."

More laughs from the Cordettes.

Cordelia, humiliated, gets up and brushes off. She glares at Faith.

" This isn't over, you stupid butch dyke. When I get through with you, you're gonna regret ever coming to Sunnydale!"

" Too late, babe, I already do, " Faith dances in front of her, " but it doesn't have to be a total loss, you know. Give us a kiss."

And before Cordelia can react, Faith grabs her and gives her a brief lip lock. The Cordettes stand looking on, shocked.

" Ptttooie!" Faith pushes Cordelia away and spits. " Sour. What did I expect huh?"

She pats Cordy on the butt, and dances away. " Go home, pom- pom girl. Wash up before daddy finds out your dirty little secret." She laughs, moving back to the dummy.

" This isn't over!" Cordelia hisses, pointing at Faith. " you're gonna so regret pissing me off."

" I'm shakin, babe!" She laughs, and starts punching the practice dummy.

Cordelia is shaking with anger. But she realizes she's come up on an opponent she can't intimidate, can't bully, and can't scare into submission. And why are her lips feeling so tingly? Turning on her heel, she starts to storm out of the library. " C'mon", she barks at the Cordettes.

They stand there, confused.

" I said… Come ON!" She pushes out the library doors. Straggling behind, the Cordettes follow her out.

" Whatta bunch of dopes," Faith hoots, watching them go.

" Yes, and you acted so maturely, yourself, " Giles' voice drifts from above.

Faith looks up, and sees Giles looking down on her. Again, not looking particularly pleased.

" Hey, I didn't start it! I was just training away, minding my own business."

" But of course, you had to finish it, " Giles tone is somewhat chilly. " Cordelia can be quite vindictive. There's no telling what she might do."

"What's she going to do, Giles? Pom-pom me to death?"

" This is a small town, Faith. Rumors get started. Rumors that could ruin your reputation, or worse. Reveal who you are."

" Not like I've got much of a rep here, Giles. And hey, I didn't do any slayer stuff…well, not really."

"Also, being a small town, there isn't much of a tax base here. Sunnydale High depends on generous donors. Like Cornell Chase. Now, if that were to dry up…"

"What? So because Daddy's rich, I have to kiss her lumpy ass?"

" No, but it wouldn't hurt if you think before you react, " Giles looks at his watch. " It's getting late, we better be going." He sighs, " Guess I'm not getting any work done now." He moves towards the library doors.

" Giles, geeze, " Faith runs to catch up with him. " I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you!"

" I'm not upset, Faith, " The disappointment is plain in Giles' voice. " I guess I just expected better from you." He walks through the double doors, letting them swing behind him.

Damn

Faith follows him out.

3

" Faith, are you coming?" Giles waits a little impatiently by the front doors of Sunnydale General. They are already running a little behind because of everything that had happened since leaving the library.

First, at her apartment. She took a long time to shower. Then, she spent nearly a half hour figuring out what to wear. Then there was the makeup… too little, too much. For the briefest moment, Giles had the unsettling impression that Faith was treating this like a date. Well, that's really rather silly he thought to himself. Wonder why I even thought that? Still, it seemed an inordinate amount of time to spend preparing to see someone in the hospital. Giles, being a bachelor, didn't have clue one as to prep time for a woman. Typical.

Since it was a nice day, the decided to walk to the hospital from Faith's apartment. As they walked along, he noticed Faith's pace getting slower and slower. Which was doubly odd, since Faith is usually hard to keep up with. It seemed to him hardly the day to stop and smell the roses, though Faith did that at least twice. He was getting the distinct impression that she was stalling. But why? He noticed her getting more and more distracted the closer they got to the hospital.

Now they're actually at the hospital, and Faith is dawdling at the front door. She seems a little confused, almost as if she were deciding something on the spot.

" Faith?" Giles walks up to her," Are you coming up?"

Faith looks up at him, a worried look on her face. She nods her head towards the waiting area, and starts off towards it. He follows, somewhat bewildered.

" Faith, what's going on here?" Giles asks, as soon as they settle in. " You've been acting rather… well, unlike yourself since we left the library. Actually, since last night. Is something wrong?"

" What if she doesn't want to see me, Giles?" Faith looks worried.

" I'm sorry. Did I hear you correctly? Why wouldn't Willow want to see you?"

" Gee, I don't know. Maybe because I nearly got her killed last night?"

" Faith, didn't we talk about unnecessary guilt last night? How … foolish that was? You can't keep blaming yourself over this."

" Giles, I didn't do it right. I shouldn't have gone in that house til I took them home and made sure they stayed there. I put them, both of them, in mortal danger. And look what happened! Willow nearly got killed by what used to be a dear friend. I'm thinking, that has to be hard to take. And it's my fault, because she never should've been there in the first place. How could she forgive me for that?"

" Faith, remember what I said? That Xander and Willow both wanted to be there. Right or wrong, it was their decision to make. Yes, you don't let them walk in blind, and you didn't, from what I can make out. But you can't exactly put a gun to their head and tell them to go home, now can you? They both old enough to realize they have to take some responsibility for their actions."

" But they never would've seen this stuff, if not for me. They never did before coming to Sunnydale. You weren't there, last night, Giles. They saw blood all over the kitchen. It was horrible for them. How can they forgive me for exposing them to that? That's not supposed to be part of their lives."

" Faith you're blowing this all out of proportion. Strange occurrences have been happening in Sunnydale for decades. I've done some research, and there's always been odd things happening here. Surely you don’t think that Xander and Willow are so foolish as to not have noticed it." He stops for a second, thinking. " Well, Willow, anyway."

" I know that. But it's like seeing blood and gore on TV, then seeing it up close and personal. They never had that before I came. They must be totally disgusted by it, and me."

" Faith, now you simply have to stop this. Even if they were upset, I'm sure they've gotten over it. Friends forgive friends…" He trails off when he sees her face. " What?"

" That's the deal, Giles. I don't know what friends do. I've never really had one before."

" Faith, I find that rather difficult to believe."

"Giles, you know my history. Up until 4, I lived with my mom, who had a love affair with coke and Jim Beam. Then when the state took me away, I kinda moved from foster home to foster home, never really spending enough time in one place to make friends. Real friends. I mean I tried, I'm not like anti-social or nothing, just when things started to happen; I was gone again. After awhile, I just kind of stopped trying. Then there were the detention centers, and you don't trust no one in those places, if you wanna get out alive. Then the council found me, and my watcher… never really wanted me socializing much. You know, sacred duty, blah, blah, blah. No time for silliness like friends." Faith shrugs, pretending like it doesn't matter. " So, never really got used to the idea of having friends."

Giles turns away, not wanting Faith to see how deeply her sad little speech affected him. He had of course, reviewed her history, but never in any detail. It never occurred to him that she led such a lonely life. He wondered at how strong she must be to still be somewhere in the ballpark of normal.

" Giles, please. I don't need you to get all British and reserved on me. I need some help here." She nudges him. " Please?"

Giles clears his throat. " Of course, Faith. But what can I do?"

" I'm kinda skating on thin ice here, Giles. Afraid of falling in. I really like Red, you know? But if you go up and tell her that, I'll tell her your lying, and then have to beat you silly." She growls, but it's an empty threat. " I'm really kind of scared of putting it out there, you know?"

Giles can't help smiling at the irony of it. Faith is fearless when it comes to demons and vampires. But one little skinny redhead, who can't weigh more than 105 pounds fully dressed, terrifies her.

" What's so funny?" Faith grouses, seeing his expression.

"Nothing, Nothing at all, " Giles shakes his head, and suppresses the smile. "Again I ask, what can I do?"

" Well, I was sort of hoping you could go up there, and sound her out a little. You know…"

" I see. You want me to test the waters, then. Make sure they aren't too deep, or too cold, or have sharks running through them."

" Yeah," Faith says softly, " what you said."

Giles crosses his arms, and leans back on the bench. " I should make you go up there yourself, you know."

" Giles!" Faith sounds a little panicked.

" After all, no one can face these battles for you, Faith. You have to do this by yourself. This is significantly more difficult than fighting vampires, Faith. This tests your true measure as a person."

" But Giles…"

" No, I should make you go up there and face the music alone," He uncrosses his arms, and smiles. " But I won't" he pats her knee, and gets up. " I'll test the waters for you. This one time, only. I'll let you know her mood, but after that, you're on your own."

She catches his hand before he goes. " Thank you, Giles, Really."

" Don't mention it, " He says. " Seriously. Don't. I'm not in the habit of playing Dear Miss Lonely Hearts."

Faith looks at him, puzzled.

" Sorry, British pop reference. You wouldn't understand," He says walking away. God, I've wanted to do that for so long, he smiles to himself.

Faith, watching him leave, sits back to wait.

4

" Xander Harris, you're a poop-head." Willow mutters to herself.

Willow is feeling somewhat out of sorts this morning. First, she still has all these IV's hooked up to her, and they bother her. And she's still feeling weak from last night's little adventure. She's still wigged that it was Jesse that bit her. Jesse, who she's known almost as long as Xander, Jesse who wouldn't harm a fly. And her bites on the neck? They itch. Something fierce. She hasn't been able to rest since 7 a.m. because they're itching so fiercely. And she can't scratch them. She got caught by the nurse, and got a severe reprimand for removing the bandage. But oh, for a moment it felt sooo good.

But what really has her cranky is what Xander told her last night. She was kind of foggy and groggy, but she got the gist of it. Essentially, he blames Faith for what happened last night, and told her so. At least, that's what she remembers him saying. Oh, he came up this morning, at 11, all smiles, and balloons, but she wasn’t going to even let him get away with that. No way, mister. She let him have it point blank, both barrels. Oh sure, he made some lame excuse about making it up to her, but I know Xander Harris better than anyone, and I know he needs a good kick in the rear to do anything like apologize. And boy, she gave him just the right kick.

" Xander Harris, I know what I heard, and I'm very angry at you!"

" But, Will, I'm telling you, I made it up to her. Last night. Honest."

" Don't you even, Xander. I know you. Don't try that on me!"

" But I'm telling you the truth, honest."

" Then, how come she hasn't been by to see me? Huh? Answer me that, Alexander Lavelle Harris!"

" Geeze, Will. What? Am I Miss Cleo now? I don't know. Maybe she got busy…"

" Or maybe she's angry, because of what you said to her… and she's blaming me!"

" Will, be reasonable…"

" No! My minds made up, " Willow says, her face getting a serious look to it. " You know what this is, Xander. It's my resolve face. Until Faith comes up here and sees me, we're not talking."

" Willow, how can I get her here when I don't know where she is?"

Willow doesn't say anything to him. She doesn't look at him. She just hums a tune, looking around the room.

" Willow, c'mon."

Still nothing, like he's not even there.

" Ok, ok. I'll find her. I'll bring her. If I have to knock her out and drag her here, she'll be here!"

Xander turns on his heel, leaving the room. Women! He grumbles to himself. He doesn't see the smile on Willow's face.

Willow sighs, looking again at her watch on the nightstand by her bed. How long exactly does it take Xander to find Faith? It’s not like she's in hiding, and Sunnydale isn't all that big. Gosh, I hope the big goof can pull it off. She settles back, briefly closing her eyes to rest.

She just starts to drowse when she senses a presence in the room. Opening her eyes, she sees a rather familiar tweed coat attached to a rather familiar librarian holding a bouquet of flowers.

" Mr. Giles, " Willow says. " I didn’t expect to see you." She smiles at him.

Giles walks over, and takes her hand. " How could I not visit my favorite student?" He smiles down on her.

" That's so sweet, " She smiles up at him, " and, you need help with the computers, right?"

" Well, yes, " Giles admits ruefully." Stupid beeping things. So stubborn."

" Well, " Willow struggles to sit up, " no worries. Once I'm outta here, we'll get it back into shape."

"Lay down, Willow," Giles gently restrains her. " you're still weak."

" Yeah, guess I am, kinda, " Willow settles back. " Don't suppose you got the number of that train that hit me, huh?"

Giles smiles.

" Did we get them? The vamps I mean? Are they like, Hoovered up?"

" I suppose they are, " Giles says.

" Where's Faith? I sent Xander to get her…" Willow looks a little upset.

" Yes, well… hmmm, " Giles stalls.

Willow gets it in a second. " What did he do now?" The corners of her mouth turn down.

" I'm sorry?" Giles pretends ignorance.

" Xander. You know. Tall, kinda cute, not too bright? What did he do now?" Willow sounds a little impatient.

"Actually I haven't seen Xander, " Giles says.

" Oh," Willow looks around Giles. " Where's Faith?" She repeats.

" Faith, yes…" Giles moves over to put the flowers on her bedside table.

" Faith, yes." Willow says, getting annoyed. " Where. is . she?"

Giles stalls, trying to think of how he's going to answer that one.

Downstairs, in the waiting room, Faith is trying to concentrate on a magazine, and failing miserably.

She knows she's being a total coward about this, that she should just go upstairs and get it over with. Let Willow blast into her, tell Faith she hates her, and then just walk away. I should just get this over with.

But she doesn't want to. She really doesn't want to hear those words. She wants… she wants Willow to like her. Silly as it is, Faith really wants her to like her. She meant what she said that first day, that she saw Willow looking at her, and thought here was someone she could talk to. Somehow, despite her best defenses, she really was getting to like Willow. A lot. But, after what happened last night, she wondered if maybe it wouldn't be best to just forget the whole…

" There you are, thank god!" Xander rushes up to her.

" Xander?" Faith stands up, a little alarmed. " What is it? What's wrong?"

" It's Willow. You've got to come, now," Xander grabs her arm, and starts to pull her across the waiting area.

" Whoa, Xander. Wait! Stop!" Faith puts the brakes on, halting them both. " I said stop. What's this all about?"

" I told you, it's Willow. She needs to see you, right now." He looks desperate.

" Ok, Xander, what's the what here? Why the rush?" Faith is being a little growly, but inside she's feeling giddy.

" She won't see me… or talk to me, unless you go see her!" Xander says.

" What? Oh, please. I've heard lame stuff before, but that really tops it." She pushes him off.

" Please. No joke, honest. She's got her resolve face on, and there's no going against that."

" Her what? What the hell are you trippin' on, Xander?"

" I'm not kidding. You don't know her. Sure, she's usually Miss Reasonable, but when she gets this way… when she gets that look on her face, there's no changing her mind. She's not kidding. Until you go talk to her, she won't speak to me. Not a word."

" Uh-huh," Faith isn't buying it. This is some kind of joke. But she'll play along, Monty." And I should care… why?"

"Why? Because she's my best friend. She's been my best bud since… forever. Who do I talk to if she won't talk to me?"

" I'm still not getting this, Xander. Why won't she talk to you?"

Xander blushes a little. "Well, she's got in her head that I sorta blame you for last night."

" Well, as I recall, you do… or did. But where did she get that from? Not from me!"

" Ah… yes, well, you see… that's the thing. When I saw her last night, I kinda…well…"

" You kinda trashed me, didn't you?"

" Yeah, sorta, " Xander is almost whispering.

Faith is loving this. First of all, Willow wants to see her. And bonus? Xander is sooo rues the fact he got so hostile towards her last night. Could it get better?

" So?"

" So, she thinks you're angry at her, because of it."

" Ahhh," Faith is smiling now, " and now, you want me to go up and make nice, so she'll make nice with you."

" Well, yeah."

" And I should do this… why?"

" I'll be your bestest friend !" Xander is near pleading now.

" Hmmm. Well, good luck with that, " She pats his arm, and turns to walk back to the waiting area.

" Faith!"

Faith starts to laugh. " You dope. Of course I'll go see her."

" Thank you, thank you!" Xander comes over. " You're the best"

" Maybe you'll remember that next time your tempted to rag on me?"

" Sure, you betcha. Can we go now?"

" Yeah, ok, Xan. We'll go."

As they walk to the elevators, Faith has a thought.

Why do I think he's going to forget that first time he's pissed at me?

" It's really kind of a simple question, Mr. Giles, " Willow, though feeling annoyed, smiles at him, " Where is Faith?"

Giles has run out of stalls. " Yes, well, you see, she isn't here."

" That's rather obvious. I don't think I'd miss her if she was, " Willow lets some of her annoyance leak out. " Where exactly is she?"

" Downstairs."

" Downstairs? She's here, in the hospital, but downstairs?" Willow can't help letting a little hurt show in her voice. " She didn't want to come upstairs to see me?"

" She sent me upstairs to see how you were." Giles answers, somewhat truthfully.

" But she didn't want to see me herself?" Willow frowns. " I knew it!" She mutters.

" I'm sorry, I didn’t catch that last?"

" I knew it. She's mad at me, and doesn't want to see me!"

" I beg your pardon?"

" Giles, do you need to clean your ears out? I hear they have wonderful stuff for that here," Willow says, crankily.

" No, I just don't understand. You think Faith is angry with you?"

"Well, isn't she? I mean, after what Xander did?"

" Xander?"

" Yes, Xander. He told her she was to blame for all of this, when he surely knows that if we hadn't been there, well, I wouldn't be here. Never mind we probably almost got Faith killed in the bargain."

Giles has to almost bite through his lip to keep from chuckling at the farce going on here.

" So, I can safely say you're not angry with Faith?"

" Well, duh! Why should I be angry with her? I mean, she did keep us from like, dying." She narrows her eyes. " What's going on, Giles?"

" Ah. Nothing, nothing at all. Let me step out and get her…"

" Whoa. Hold up there, mister. What's the what here?"

" Ummm… I can't tell you, actually."

" Ok, that's not gonna happen. Spill it. " Giles hesitates, and she says more firmly, " Spill it, Mr. Giles!"

" The reason Faith isn’t up here is because she blames herself for last night. And I think, she thinks you blame her too."

" Well, that's just dumb, " Willow shakes her head, then winces. " I mean, where would she get that idea…" Light bulb goes on. " Xander." She nods her head, knowingly. " He had something to do with it, didn't he?"

" I really wasn't there…" Giles tries to duck the question.

" Giles!" Willow corners him. " tell me."

" Well…"

" Now, Red, don't rake poor ole Giles here over the coals. I'm here, see? And with Xander…" She reaches back, pulling Xander into the room. " And hey, we're like best buds, right Xan?" She drapes an arm over his shoulders.

" Right. That's right. See, Will? We're all kiss and make-uppy" Xander leans over to kiss Faith.

" Hey, no funny stuff, " Faith pushes him away. " So, anyway, no problems here."

" Do you guys really think I just fell off the turnip truck?" Willow looks at the both of them. " Now, what's the real sitch?"

" Ok Will. Not gonna lie to you. Last night? Xander and me, not too happy with each other. But well, we finally got a chance to talk, and after we got all huffy at each other, we worked it out that we both had some fault, and hey… I even praised your boy here."

" Really?" She looks at Xander, who nods. " Why?"

" Well, despite being a dork, " Xander glares at her, " Kidding, Xan, he was pretty darned brave. Saved your life, you know?"

" He did?"

" Yeah, he was the one that staked Jesse." Faith smiles, " and later, when the vamps had you surrounded, he protected you and held them off til I got there. So, hey, he's pretty much a hero , you know?"

" Really? You did that for me?" She looks at Xander, smiling broadly.

Xander shrugs.

" C'mere, you big goof!"

Xander looks at her a little warily.

" C'mere, you!" Willow orders. Xander moves hesitantly towards her. When he gets in range, Willow reaches out, somewhat awkwardly because of the tubes in her arms, and pulls him in for a hug. She then kisses him on the cheek. " My hero!" She mocks him gently.

Xander is all blushes and smiles. He stands next to Willow, holding her hand.

Faith takes this all in, smiling at the obvious affection they have for each other. And, at least in one case, I'm thinking a little more.

Willow, feeling loads better, smiles broadly. She looks directly at Faith.

" So, whatcha bring me?"

Faith chuckles. " My, aren't you the little greedy guts?"

" Hey, injured here!" Willow sniffles a little, playing on sympathy. " I mean, Xan brought me balloons, and Giles brought me nice flowers, so? What'd you bring?"

" Would you get this girl? I mean, I pulled her fat outta the fire, kept her from being a snack for the toothy crowd, and she wants presents, too!"

"Xander saved me. You said so," Willow pouts, just a little.

How can Xander resist that pout, Faith wonders. She's got it down pat.

" And who do you think saved Xander?" Faith arches a brow.

" So, you didn't bring me anything?" More pouting.

" I didn't say that, " Faith teases her. She pulls a small box out of her pocket, and moving a little closer, hands it to her.

Willow's face brightens like a sunny day, and she opens the box.

" For me?" Her voice is soft.

Inside is a little silver cross, almost the duplicate of the one Faith wears. She grins broadly as she holds it up to show the others.

" Wowsers, " Xander says.

Giles turns to Faith, smiling. " That's very nice, Faith." He realizes the significance of the gift.

" It's so pretty, " Willow coos. " I love it!"

" It's no big. Just maybe it'll protect ya when I'm not around." She shrugs it off like it's no big deal.

" I want to wear it!"

" Maybe you should wait til you're necks not all bandaged up, " Faith says.

" No, wanna wear it now. Help me?" She looks at Xander . He doesn't see her looking at him, still looking at the cross.

"Ahem, " Faith clears her throat, looking at Xander.

" Huh?" Xander looks up, then at Willow. " Oh, yeah."

Willow sits up, and holding up her hair, presents her neck to Xander. He fastens the chain around her neck. Faith can almost see the quiver in Willow's body when Xander's fingers brush her neck. Oh man, she's got it bad.

" I love it, thank you, " Willow smiles shyly at her, rubbing the cross with her fingers.

Giles, sussing the situation, realizes the girls may need a little alone time.

" Xander, I need some help with some research on the Harvest. Do you think you could assist me?"

Xander looks up, a little worried. " What? Research? On a Saturday?"

" Yes," Giles says dryly, " I realize how inconvenient it is, but Demons and Vampires don't take the weekend off, you know. If you want to be a part of this…"

" Part of this? Me? Really?" He looks at Faith, who only answers with an arch of the brow. " But… research? I mean, I'm not really book guy."

Willow, picking up the cue, turns to Xander. " Go help Mr. Giles, Xan."

" But Will, it's…. homework, on a Saturday…" He sounds aggrieved.

" Xander…"

Xander sees the resolve face returning to Willow's features.

" So, research huh? Ok, then I'm in."

" Very good, " He turns back to Willow. " I'll check in with you later"

Willow nods, grateful to Giles.

He leaves, followed by Xander.

" You do know how to read?" Giles asks as they walk through the door.

" Hey!"

" Just checking."

The two girls are quiet for awhile, feeling a little awkward. Both are on tenterhooks, not wanting this to turn into an insult fest, which is their history up to now.

Faith walks over to the bed, standing next to Willow. " Well, you're looking… well, crappy, but a lot better than before."

" Thanks. I think, " Willow smiles ruefully, " You're not looking so great yourself, girl."

" Yeah, some of those bozos hit pretty hard," She touches the bruises on her face, " But no big. Slayer healing. I'll be right as rain soon enough."

" I never understood that saying," Willow muses, " I mean, what's so right about rain? It just falls when you don't want it too, canceling any cool plans you have. And the roads get all wet, you know. And some jerk comes along in a car and hits a water puddle and splashes you, and you look like a drowned rat… "

" Well, I can see you're feeling better, " Faith laughs at Willow's run on thoughts.

" I guess. But I sure wish I had some of that slayer healing junk. I feel like poop."

" Well, I'm just glad you're…" Faith trails off. " Maybe now you'll listen to me?" She growls, covering her feelings.

Willow's face falls. " I'm sorry," She almost whispers. " are you going to lecture me now? I got it coming, I know."

"Naw, I think you get it," Faith grins. Then she touches the bandage on Willow's neck, " Anyway, you're gonna have a cool new scar to remind you."

" Really?" Willow looks worried. " A scar?"

" Don’t worry, Red. You're still be lookin' all cute and adorable."

" Yeah, sure, " Willow says, dismissively.

" Oh, c'mon, Red. You can't tell me you don't know you're just so cute!" Faith shakes her head. " Anyone with eyes can see that!"

" Xander sure doesn't, " Willow pouts just a little.

" Yeah, well… Xander's a blockhead," Faith pronounces.

" Hey, he's not a blockhead," Willow colors slightly. " Sure, he can be a little slow on the uptake, but he's not a blockhead."

" Uh-huh," Faith grunts. How can that dope be so blind not to see how much Red cares about him. Guys!

" He's not!"

"Whatever you say, Red, " Faith puts up her hands in surrender." Let's cut the crap here, Red. You got the hots for him, don't you?"

" Who… Xander? Don't be stupid. We're just friends."

" Just friends. Right. So how come you get all pit bull when anyone even looks funny at him?"

" I so do not!" Willow blushes. " Well, ok, maybe I do sometimes, but he needs it. He's just like a big kid, and people … I dunno … they pick on him, and he's my bestest friend, and I'm not going to let them do that, cuz he's a good guy, so sweet sometimes. Yeah a goof, I know, but still, he gets this little thing with his mouth that's just so cute…"

" Oh, girl, you've got it bad." Faith shakes her head laughing.

" I don't!" Willow cries out, " we're just friends. Why're you so stubborn about this? "

" Me? Stubborn? Give me a break," Faith throws up her hands. " ' We're just friends'. Yeah, right. So that's why your face lights up like a light bulb every time he walks into a room?"

" Does not, " Willow pouts.

" And when you think no ones watching, you get this dreamy hungry look when you look at him."

" You're wrong."

" Uh-huh. But the worst? You're focusing on tiny little bits of him, and making them special. His mouth, for instance?" She cuts off the debate.

" That doesn't mean…" Willow sighs, " So what? He doesn't see me like that, so what's the diff?"

"Well, maybe it's time we made him see you that way!" Faith grins conspiratorially.

" What're you talking about?" Willow looks at her. " What're you thinking?"

" I'm thinking, after you get out of here? We're going to go on a little shopping trip." She looks critically at Willow's hair. " Maybe to the stylist too."

" Hey, there's nothing wrong with my hair!"

" Willow… baby. I can see you're cute as …well, you're just adorable. But sometimes, guys are kinda thick, you know? You gotta hit them over the head with a club."

" Not Xander! Xander's different!"

" You're kidding, right?" Faith cocks her head to the side, grinning cynically. " Let me clue you in, girlfriend. All guys are dogs."

" That's harsh, don't you think?"

" Hey, I got nothin' against dogs. Dogs can be fun," Faith grins knowingly, " but I don't care the guy… from Manimal to the English Patient, they're all out for one thing… ya know?"

" Hey, that's not Xander!"

" Is he a guy?"

" Well, yes."

" Then that's Xander, too."

" Gee, I was hoping to be 30 before I got that cynical."

" Not cynical, practical baby. You gotta keep it in mind when you go pick one out. Thing is, there's more than one kind of dog, though."

" We're back to dogs, then?"

Faith ignores the dig, " There's bad dogs. Now, me? I like bad dogs."

" Not shocked," Willow sniggers.

" Bad dogs are fun. Messy, inconsiderate, a pain, but fun, so don't get all puffy."

" Ok, ok," Willow grins. She's beginning to like this. She's never had a really close girlfriend that she could discuss guys with before.

" The other kinda dog? Their trainable puppies. They're sweet, wag their tails a lot, and bring you the paper in the morning. Boring."

" Doesn't sound bad to me, " Willow says.

" Not shocked," Faith mocks her." Thing you gotta remember though is any dog? Not too smart. You gotta let them know exactly what you want. The bad dogs will ignore you at first, but with patience, you can turn them into trainable puppies. So, I guess really, there's only one kind."

" So… ummm… what kind… is Xander?" Willow asks, a little confused.

" Oh, he's easy. Trainable puppy that thinks he's a bad dog," Faith laughs.

" Really?" Willow giggles, " you think?"

" Oh yeah. He swaggers and puffs up when he figures he's with the bitches, but baby, you already got him half trained."

" Yeah?"

" Sure. I mean, when you want, you get him to pretty much do what you want, right?"

" Sorta"

" Man, you shoulda seen him earlier, down in the lobby. He was frantic thinking you were gonna cut him off." Faith laughs." It was a hoot!"

" Really? Wow," Willow grins, enjoying her new power. "But… not with the smoochies. And he doesn't like see me like a girl."

" Well, dope, that's because you've been training him by hitting him with the bone. You forgot the doggie treat."

" Huh?"

" Look, baby. He already sort of knows you're the boss. But all doggies love treats. And that's what's missing here. You gotta give him his treat, " Faith chuckles. " A dog'll follow a treat anywhere."

" But… but…"

" Do you want Xander to notice you?"

" Yeah, but…"

Faith crosses her arms over her chest, but doesn't say a word.

" This is nuts!"

Faith stares at her.

" It won't make a diff. He still won't…."

Faith just grins.

" Do you really think?"

Faith nods.

" Naw… it can't be… I mean, is it that…?"

" Willow, you're a major fashion victim."

" Oh." Willow sounds offended.

" Don't get all prickly. Thing is, you're such a cutie, it shines through. Now, with the right wardrobe, I can just see the guys drooling over you... "

" Really?"

Willow goes back in her mind to that night she watched Faith dancing. And her fantasy about her dancing, and everyone is all hot to get next to her. Then the other part comes back, and she frowns.

" I'm not you. I can't pull it off."

" What? You think I was born this way? This is work, girlfriend. You gotta put in the time. But trust me, this is so gonna work. Xander's gonna be tripping all over himself to get to you."

" Really?"

" Would I lie?"

"I'd like that, " Willow nods, a little glint in her eye. " I'd like to see Mr. Xander Harris get all drooly over me." Her eyes narrow. " Why're you doing this?" She asks, a little suspiciously.

" What?"

"What's the what? Why're you all of a sudden helping me with Xander?"

" I dunno. Maybe if you two are like dating, you'll stay outta my hair? So I don't have to worry about you anymore." Faith shrugs." That'd be a relief, let me tell ya."

" Mmm-hmmm," Willow gives Faith a once over glance. Then she smiles. " you like me."

" What?" Faith shakes her head.

" You like me. You wanna be my friend," Willow gets a sing song note in her voice. " Admit it, you think I'm cool."

" You are sooo full of yourself," Faith shakes her head. " Do you want my help, or not?"

" Oh yeah," Willow nods.

" So, we got a deal then?" Faith grins at her.

" Oh, you betcha. Xander's so not gonna know what hit him, when we're done!"

The girls chuckle . Xander doesn't stand a chance.

To be continued
- 3
- 4
- 5
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The Slayer