Adult-FanFiction.org : Buffy

Initiative	By : wright99 Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 9187 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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
- 4
- 5
- 6
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these Characters, Joss Does

Rating: Somewhere between NC-17 and R.

Summary: Totally A/U fantasy of a slightly Different Sunnydale

A/N: Need feedback Praise or Flames but hopefully mostly Praise
e mail stonefeet@hotmail.com

Disclaimer Two: besides the name change which may change again. this fic has themes that may be squeemish to some people. read at on risk

WARNING: eventhough this will be primarily a femmeslash story there will be hetsex. there is also extreme violence

Initiative, Part 5

-1-
Midnight in the forest near Sunnydale.
The sounds of footsteps crashing through the forest can be heard . Low voices, murmuring to each other carry in the otherwise quiet forest. Two people, one tall and dark, the other rather short and blond, emerge into the moonlit clearing. They pause to rest a moment.
" Aw, poop!" Buffy says, bending up her leg to inspect her shoe.
" What happened?" Angel, concerned, comes over to her.
" No, really poop. I think I stepped in something back in the trees."
" It's probably only mud, " Angel, smiling, gets down on his knees to take a closer look at Buffy's shoe. His nose wrinkles a little. " Really stinky mud." He stands up, backing away.
" Waaah! It's just my luck, the way things have been going lately, " Buffy complains, going over to a tree and using it to scrape her shoe. She scrapes it on the bark a few times, then uses a patch of grass to try to wipe it clean. She lifts it, looks, and still has a sour face. " Guess I'm poop girl 'til I can get home to clean these."
" C'mon, Buffy, it's not that bad�"
" Not that bad? Have you been paying attention? Everybody's been all edgy lately, I mean with all the weird stuff going on. I mean like, look at Xander and Cordelia, acting like the couple of the year. Now, that's weird! And then there's the weird stuff happening at school, what with�"
" I meant, the shoe. It�s not that bad." Angel says, grinning a little.
" Oh, " Buffy is quiet for a moment, embarrassed. Then she barrels on. " But I mean, did you notice how weird Giles has been acting? Like he's being watched or something� and how hostile he was with Xander? Oh, yeah, you weren't there, but he got all �" Buffy raises her hands like claws, and bares her teeth " � EEEEEE� with him. And he seems to be watching me closer than usual�"
" Well, he IS a watcher, Buffy. That's what they do. Watch."
" Yeah, well, I wish he'd start watching Masterpiece Theater. It's getting a little creepy." Buffy gets a strange expression on her face, " and what's with Willow's new gal pal? I mean, who is she, anyway? Where'd she come from? Why is she here? What's her story, anyway?"
"What's up, Buffy?" Angel has a sing song tone to his voice. " Maybe a little jealous?"
" Huh? What? ME? Oh, please!" Buffy frowns, waving her hand dismissively, " That's silly. But I mean, Will is my best friend. I don't want her to get hurt, you know?"
" Uh-huh," Angel says, not really paying attention. " Did you hear that?"
" What?"
" I heard something� coming from over in that direction" Angel points north.
" I didn't hear anything�" Buffy looks where Angel is pointing.
" Enhanced hearing, Buffy. One of the perks of being a vampire, " Angel says ironically.
Buffy sighs, " Fine, lets go check it out." They start north, Angel leading the way. " Did I tell you about those weirdoes that showed up at school the other day?"
" Weirdoes?" Angel isn't really paying attention.
" Yeah, they looked like they stepped right out of " Men in Black" except, well, one was a woman� and me and Willow, well, we were going to class, and they stopped us, and looked us over like we were prime cuts at the butcher shop�" Buffy notices Angel isn't paying attention, " � then they captured us, and took us up to their spaceship, and did experiments on us, and they gave me a third eye, and they made Willow dance naked except for a tutu, then they introduced us to their leader, and we flew away and were never heard of again�"
" That's nice, Buff, " Angel is walking ahead, listening for more clues, sniffing the air occasionally like a hunting dog.
" You're not even listening, are you?" Buffy stops, crossing her arms over her chest. Her voice sounds a little pouty.
" What?" Angel hearing her tone, turns and sees Buffy has stopped.
" You're not paying attention to a word I'm saying, are you?" Buffy pouts.
" Buffy, we're supposed to be hunting werewolves. That's why Giles sent us out here. I have to try to track them�"
" This is important, Angel! Something strange is going on in Sunnydale�"
" Sunnydale and Strange? Not exactly a new phenom, Buffy."
"Stranger than usual, Mr. smarty pants!"
" Ok, Buffy, ok, " Angel looks at her with a bemused grin, " I'm all ears."
"Well, forget it! I mean, if you're going to be all lofty and haughty and stuck-uppity about it." Buffy turns away, upset.
" Buffy, " Angel quietly approaches her, putting his arms around her.
" I'm sorry, " Buffy says, looking up at him, " I'm being a baby, I know. But everything's just been so weird�"
"What's been weird, Buffy?"
" Well, just like everything I told you, if you'd been listening, " Buffy says, " well, ok, not the alien space ship, but the rest. And also, those weird people, and then Xander goes missing for a day�"
" Xander was missing?"
" Well, yeah. And when he gets back? He's acting all Mr. nice guy again, but lately he's been all weird and secret agent-y, and then there's that Faith girl. I mean, I know she's Oz's cousin, but where did she come from, and why IS she here? And she and Willow are getting too cozy, if you ask me� way too fast� and then �" She stops. The next is rather scary for her.
"What?" Angel senses her mood shift. He rubs her arms, to comfort her.
" I've been having these dreams�" Buffy feels the anxiety building in her remembering them, " really scary dreams."
" Slayer dreams?" Angel asks, " Something about an apocalypse?"
" No� nothing like that. It's just� I'm in this lab, and they have me strapped down, and they're poking and prodding at me, and �" Buffy blushes, " they're getting kinda personal with the poking�"
Angel stiffens a little. " Personal?" He doesn't sound happy.
" No, not like� geeze, like a gynecological exam, you know? No, I guess not� it wasn't like sexy, more like a doctor's office� but it wasn't� it was some kind of lab� but then they stopped, and took me to this vat of chemicals� and dumped me in� and I was dissolving�"
" Buffy, maybe it was just an anxiety dream, like dreaming your naked in front of the class, or �"
" Well, thank you, Dr. Freud!" Buffy's tone is sarcastic, " it wasn't like that at all." Buffy's voice gets low." It was horrible, like a nightmare� except I woke up� and I had burns all over my body�"
" Burns, Buffy?" Angel asks. He sounds doubtful. "Are you sure you weren't still dreaming?"
Buffy gives Angel a strange look. She shrugs off her jacket. She starts to unbutton her blouse.
" Buffy! What're you doing?" Angel sounds a little anxious. " I don't think�"
" God, Angel, get real, ok?" Buffy lowers her blouse so her shoulders show. " Come here."
Angel hesitates, then walks over to Buffy. She turns and presents her back to him. He carefully inspects her back, and his expression changes to one of concern.
" Buffy! My god, are you alright?"
" Well, yeah� but it was scary� and I've had that dream a lot� but never so vivid, and so�well, physical before� but since, I've woken up red and sore every time I have it�"
He reaches out, and gently touches her back. She winces.
" That's terrible, Buffy! Maybe you should see a doctor about it�"
" I've been to a doctor, there wasn't anything really she could do� she gave me a prescription, and all� but still getting the dreams� and�" She looks up at Angel, tears in her eyes, " � I'm really scared, Angel�"
" Shhh� Buffy, I'm here, " Angel says. He gently puts her blouse back on her shoulders, and gently, very gently takes her in his arms.
" Promise?" Buffy looks up at him, hopefully.
" Promise!" Angel affirms.
Buffy turns in his arms, laying her head on his chest. She sighs softly.
" I just wish you were around more. It's like, with you it's you�re here, then you're not here� you're Mr. Mystery man all the time," Buffy looks up at him, " Sometimes I just feel like it's " Hi honey. You're in danger. Seeya later."
" Buffy, it's not that simple. You know what I am�"
" Do you really think I care about that, Angel? I don't care that you�re a vampire�"
" This is not a Anne Rice novel, Buffy. We can't be together� not like that. I'm not a man, Buffy. I'm a thing� a monster." Angel breaks the hug, and moves off from Buffy. " I'm the thing you're supposed to kill."'
" That's nuts, Angel. You're not a typical Vampire� you've got a soul," Buffy comes to him, putting her arms around him." You've proved to me time and again that you love me. And I love you� you know that."
" It's not right, Buffy, " Angel says, but his resolve is weakening. You can see it on his face.
" What's not right?" Buffy says softly. She comes around him. " Look at me , Angel." Angel makes to turn away, but she stops him. " Look at me!"
" Buffy," Angel says, his tone almost pleading, " We � we have work to do�"
" Angel, we're right. I know it. I can feel it here, " She takes his hand, and puts it on her heart, holding it there. " Feel that? It's beating for you�" She looks up into his eyes. She runs her hand up his arm, and encircles his neck with it. " I love you, Angel� please, I need you. Whatever this is, is scaring me silly. I � please�" She gently pulls down on his neck.
Angel leans over, and their lips meet. Her other arm drops his hand, and slides around his neck to meet the first. She kisses him deeply, a satisfied sigh escaping her. His arms go around her, gently holding her as she melds herself to him. The kiss becomes more passionate, as Buffy starts to rub herself against her lover. They seem lost in their own world.
They break apart quickly when they hear a howl close at hand.'
" Oh, my god. What the hell was that?" Buffy says, looking around.
" Sounded like wolves� came from over there�" Angel points north.
They head towards the source of the noise, their passion temporarily forgotten. They come upon a clearing, and Angel puts out a warning hand, stopping Buffy. She ducks his hand, and goes around it, looking into the clearing. She turns pale, and turns around, vomiting.
The scene looks like a war zone. Blood is everywhere, blackened in the light of the full moon. The bodies of the victims are torn and scattered, parts lying every which way. The worst is the smell, a rich coppery smell of blood, combined with the stench of urine and excrement; the leftovers of the victims voiding themselves as they died. Buffy, sickened, dry heaved into the bushes as Angel stands silently , alert. His enhanced sense of smell is picking something else up, something other than the blood and urine and shit. Something� alive.
Buffy recovers, and goes to Angel, about to speak when he puts his finger to her lips. He pulls her down behind some bushes.
" What ?" She whispers
" Buffy, quiet. Something�" He whispers.
They wait quietly. Slowly, a figure emerges out of the trees. It's large, very large, and walks on its hind legs.
But it's not human.
-2-
Veruca relishes her feast. She tears into her victim's genital region, snapping and slobbering, tearing more of the sweet meat of her victims sex. She tosses the morsel into the air, and catches it in her waiting jaws.
To her, this is the sweetest part of the kill. It always is. She can taste the fear of the victim, concentrated in their sex. She nibbles at the female's crotch, savoring the sensual pleasure it gives her. She bites again, chewing lustily.
Then her head snaps up, hearing something close at hand. She stops, and rises, looking around. Her wolf senses don't tell her danger, but she is ever wary. She crouches, in case.
Out of the trees, another figure emerges. It also is lupine in form, though somewhat smaller than her. It too walks on its hind legs, being an anthropomorphic member of the species. It stands, glaring at her, a low growl in its throat.
Oz, or what's left of him, stands staring at the scene. He feels mixed emotions. On the one hand, his humanity, that spark that exists in the wolf form, is repulsed. The blood, the smells, the carnage all sickens him. He growls out his disgust.
But a deeper, more elemental and ascendant part of his being is attracted to the kill. He feels his mouth water as the blood, the wolf blood in him, urges him to partake in the kill. He feels the call of bloodlust, and fights to resist.
He stands, pawing the ground as his mate watches him. He feels a desire to attack her, to fight her. But her size, and the fact that she is the Alpha Female of the pack , keeps him in place. Eon old laws of the pack subdue him, keeping him in line, not challenging her authority; for now at least. He stands, frustrated. He wants to turn away, to run from this scene of horror and mayhem and death. He, Oz, wants to attack her, to kill her. But he can't. He can't.
Veruca throws back her head, and an ululating call emerges from her throat. Her throaty howl recalls with Oz the thrill of the hunt, the pleasure of the kill, the sweetness of taste of fresh killed meat. At that moment, his humanity is subdued, and the wolf, the beast takes over in him. He advances into the clearing, his stomach rumbling with hunger. His mouth craving the taste of blood.
Veruca watches as he approaches the body of the male. She lets out a yelp, as if commanding him to tear into the male, taste the sweetness of the kill. Her own hunger rises. She shoves it down, watching her mate. The next few minutes are critical. If he fails to feed, she'll have to kill him.
Oz approaches the body of the male, still warm from its recent death. He noses at the wounds, smelling the rich coppery scent of blood. Whatever little bit of Oz is still present screams against this; its beyond perverted. The power of the wolf is too strong, however, and the gorge of desire overwhelms any thought, any feelings but one; to feed. Oz, the wolf, tears into the body, snapping his powerful jaws and tearing meat away from the gut of the victim. He raises his head, and quickly gorges down the meat. He howls in ancient satisfaction. He begins to claw at the feast set before him.
Veruca, satisfied, returns to her kill, tearing at the tender flesh, feeding with a lusty relish. She tears at the flesh of the female, burying her snout deep into the body cavity to take pleasure in the rich smells. She lifts her head and lets out a howl of triumph.
They are still feeding, clawing and tearing at their victims when they hear a noise. Their ears prick up, and they raise their heads, looking around warily. Although the feel no particular fear, they are cautious by nature. They quickly retreat into the surrounding trees, to wait and to watch.
-3-

Angel and Buffy watch in horrid fascination as the werewolf enters the clearing.
They look at each other, and Angel nods to Buffy, indicating she should flank it on the right. She gets out her crossbow, and readies it.
" NOW!"
Buffy and Angel rush into the clearing, heading for the wolf. It rears back, coming to its full height. Its massive claws rake at Angel, ripping a wound in his arm. He vamps out, attacking the monster with a kick it hardly feels. It rushes Angel, knocking him over onto his back. It tries to bite him with its massive jaws, but Angel keeps it away with his hands at its throat.
Buffy aims her crossbow, ready to fire at the beast when she's blindsided on her right. Oz, seeing Veruca attacked, attacks Buffy when her attention is distracted. Her crossbow goes flying, and Oz is on top of her, attempting to bite her neck and kill her.
Buffy struggles against the beast, feeling its warm, fetid breath wash over her, sickening her. She manages to squirm underneath it, bringing her legs up, and shoving it off her. She quickly regains her feet.
Angel in the meantime has somehow gotten Veruca off him, and still vamped out, circles her, trying to find an opening for attack. Veruca watches him, and lunges, knocking him back off his feet.
Oz watches Buffy, looking for an opening. They circle, each trying to find an advantage.
Angel has managed to again throw off Veruca, and is on his feet. He attacks, hitting her with a sweep kick that knocks her off her feet.
Oz lunges at Buffy, attempting to overwhelm her, but she dodges and kicks him, bringing him to the ground. She sees her crossbow, and quickly recovers it. Oz is on his feet, coming at her when she fires. The shaft hits him in the leg, and he howls in pain. He runs off into the woods, wounded.
Veruca in the meantime has managed to get on top of Angel. She's bringing her powerful jaws to bear, about to bite his neck and end his life when Oz howls. Looking up, she sees Buffy aiming the crossbow at her. Snarling, she gets off Angel, and advances at the human that wounded her mate. She lowers for an attack when Angel kicks her hard from behind, forcing her into the dirt. Buffy lets loose an arrow, which barely misses her. Veruca, realizing she's surrounded, and could be very dead, very soon, snarls at them one last time, and then turns tail and runs into the woods.
Angel, still angry, still vamped out, is ready to pursue the pair when a hand restrains him. Not thinking, he turns and growls . Buffy, surprised, backs off a little.
" Oh, god, Buffy. I'm sorry, " Angel morphs to his human form. He approaches Buffy, who backs off a little more. She looks pale, her eyes wide open in fright. " I didn't mean to scare you�"
" No, not you� I'm just�" She looks at her hands, " damn, I'm shaking� I� I gotta get out of here�" she turns and starts to walk away, but is hit hard by the sight of the torn up bodies. She stands, staring, her body seemingly frozen. She starts to tremble all over.
Angel comes up behind her, and wraps his arms around her. She leans heavily into him.
"What� could do something like this, Angel? I mean, I know they're werewolves� but this is beyond just killing� "
"Buffy, they're beasts. Beasts kill."
" No, Angel� this is beyond just simple killing. Beasts kill to eat, to defend themselves� whoever did this?"
"What?"
" They had fun doing it."
-4-

" Sit down," Buffy orders when the reach another clearing, far from the previous scene of carnage. As gently as possible, she pushes him down onto the ground
" What?" Angel looks at her with surprise, " don't you think we should get back? Report to Giles what we found?"
He starts to get up, but she pushes him back down. She removes his coat, and pulls off his shirt.
" Giles can wait. I want to make sure that� thing� didn't hurt you." Under the bright moonlight, she inspects his chest and back for scratches, bruises and bites. Her hands run over him quickly, inspecting for wounds she can't see. "Everything seems to be ok." Her hands start to move more slowly, lingering on his well toned torso. She leans against him, her head on his shoulder. " You feel ok?"
" I'm fine, Buffy. I heal fast" Angel is too aware of Buffy's closeness, the warm breath on his neck, the way she smells. He starts to rise, but she holds him down.
" No, " Buffy says, her voice taking on a sensual, throaty quality, " I mean, you feel ok." Her lips are on his neck. Her hands reach around, caressing his chest.
" Buffy, I don't think�." But she cuts off his protests with her mouth. Her tongue pushes into his mouth, dominating it. She reaches down, and starts to undo his pants.
" Don't think� don't think, " she commands, breaking the kiss. Before he can even react, she's in front of him, tugging and pulling off his trousers. He isn't wearing underwear, and she looks admiringly at his swelling penis. She reaches out and strokes it lightly, making it throb and jerk. She giggles, and looks into his face.
Angel sees something in her eyes. Something he's never seen there before. Lust. Pure and simple lust. His own blood, up from the fight, responds to her, and his breathing becomes more labored.
She pushes him back, laughing . Almost instantly, she's thrown off her own clothing, and she stands over him. Her body is lithe, trim and tanned, in contrast to his pale sculpted look. She walks over to him, and sits on his stomach. Leaning over, she kisses him passionately.
" Gimme, " She whispers hoarsely when the kiss breaks. She rubs her sex along his body, her dampness apparent. She leans up, and runs her nails over his chest. " I need you, I need to feel you in me."
Without ceremony, she stands up and shifts downward, squatting just over his now erect penis. Slowly, slowly she lowers herself onto him, impaling herself on his shaft. Her eyes widen and she lets out a little yelp of pain when he penetrates her hymen. But she's beyond caring. She pushes down, taking all of him inside her. Her inhibitions gone, her lust in control, she starts to ride him, moving up and down on his throbbing penis.
Angel sits up, and pulls her to him, enveloping her lips with his in a kiss as their bodies rock back and forth. Their need takes over; there is nothing romantic or gentle about their lovemaking. They bang together, and seem to lose themselves in their desire.
Their moans and grunts become louder, more animalistic as they approach orgasm. Their bodies seem to shift, changing shape from human into the animals whose genes they share. It 's a shift motion, from human to animal and back, never settling but intensifying as they rut in the dirt.
Soon they no longer resemble humans, their animalistic sides taking complete control. Both are growling and squealing and biting, the moment close� close� very close�.
Then, as it arrives, they both throw their heads back, howling in inhuman lust as their bodies are pushed over the edge. Angel's seed shoots into her, and her own body reacts, pulling him, milking him of his precious cum. They fall over, still squirming and pumping, each taking more from the other.
Finally, sweaty, dirt streaked and exhausted, they stop, still coupled, as exhaustion comes over them. They lay still, their needs met for now, their lust abated. They drift off into sleep entwined in each other.
-5-

Blood.
She smells the blood even before she sees it. She moves, face close to the ground, taking in the rich sensual scent. She realizes she's moving on all fours, and doesn't feel strange about it. She feels strong, and powerful. She moves, searching out the scent. The blood. She feels the hunger rise in her.
She moves into the place, the place of man; the cave that isn't a cave. Her eyes, accustomed to the dark, are dazzled when she moves into the light. She blinks for a second, and then sees it.
Her mate, over the bodies, lapping at the rich dark gouts of blood. She is smaller , striped. She looks up and greets her mate with a purring growl. Her tail whips in anticipation.
She jumps up next to her mate, nuzzling her, feeling her passion rising. She moves to the kill, and with her mate, licks at the blood, feeling her hunger gnaw at her. Together, they tear at the flesh, relishing the warm blood in their mouths, the taste of fresh meat. They feed ravenously, tearing and eating, together.
As her hunger is satisfied, she feels her lust grow. The imperative to mate. She smells her mates readiness. She purrs, low and throatily, and comes behind her mate. She mounts her back, digging her claws into her mate, who screams her own lust and desire. She feels her own arousal grow�
Faith sits bolt upright, her body drenched in a cold sweat. Her eyes are wide, and she's breathing raggedly. She feels the fear and disgust gnawing at her gut.
God, another one of those fucking dreams, she thinks to herself, finding her whole body trembling. She looks around in the darkness, and can't help but check her own hands(paws?) for blood. Her heart is beating rapidly in her chest, and her throat is dry, so dry.
She makes her way shakily to the kitchen, still upset about her dream. She flips on the light, and it's then she notices that the door to Oz and Veruca's bedroom is open.
Oh, crap! She thinks to herself, rushing to close the door. that's just what I need. Oz and Elvira comin' out and checking me out, wondering why I'm up at this time. I can't go another round of ' Let's psychoanalyze Faith'. Not tonight! As she reaches the door, she peers in, hoping to find them undisturbed.
Instead, what she finds disturbs her. No one is in the bedroom. The bed is empty, and still made. What the fuck? Did they go out? When? She moves in, and touches the bed. Cold. They've never been here. Not tonight, anyway. What the hell is going on?
She moves into the kitchen, and looks at the clock. 4 fucking 30 in the morning. Where the hell are they? Did they get in an accident? Shit, they might be lying in a ditch somewhere, dead or dying. Shit, shit, shit !!!
In her gut, she knows that just doesn't make sense. Something else is wrong here, very wrong. She realizes that it wasn't only the dream that woke her. She senses that Oz is in trouble. That came through, even in her sleep.
She's already a little freaked coming home tonight last night, now and finding the back door open. She'd looked around, but nothing looked disturbed, or stolen. It was like they just rushed out and didn't bother to close the fucking doors. I don't care if this IS Sunnydale. People steal. You can't just� ah crap that. Feeling angry, she strides to the back door, and looks out. She isn't exactly sure what she's looking for, but in the waning moonlight, she sees a mess of trash just scattered around. Fucking dogs! She curses, as she moves to clean up the mess. Why don't Oz and Veruca keep a lid on the cans? The wild dogs are always getting in the trash. Finishing up, she looks up and sees the van in the driveway. She walks to it, and touches the hood. Like the bed, it's cold. It hasn't been driven in hours
She retreats to the house, unsure what to do. She starts to pace in the living room, her stomach turning over as the possibilities flit through her mind. Maybe they're out with friends. But that still doesn't explain the back door being open. God, nothing really explains that door being open. She stops, thinking about calling the police. Dammit, why didn't they leave a note if they went out? Yeah, like you're their mommy, huh? But shit, this is crazy! She walks to the phone, picks it up, and then sets it back in its cradle. If I call the police, and it's nothing, they're just gonna get into trouble, and be pissed off at me. And fuck, I'm sure Veruca would use it as an excuse to boot my ass. Not that I'm loving being here, but I got nowhere else to go. Not now, anyway. Not enough money for a deposit on an apartment, not yet. But what if they are in trouble? She picks up the phone, starts to dial, and then slams it down. And what am I gonna do about it? What do I tell the police? " Hey, my cousin and his squeeze are missing, been gone for hours?" They'll laugh at me, then tell me to call back in 24 hours. Yeah, that'll really help, uh-huh. This so sucks�
Faith, feeling emotionally drained, lays down on the couch, staring at the ceiling. She's upset and angry, and feels like her whole body is made of lead. I'll just wait here� for now. Til they get back, then I'm gonna rip them a new one. What right to do they have to worry me like this, anyway?
She lies there for the longest time, staring at the ceiling, arms crossed over her chest. She was burning. But her eyes were also burning, and feel like they have lead weights attached to them. Finally, her exhaustion wins, and without even realizing it, she drops off to sleep.
The sun burns at her eyelids, and her eyes pop open, then close again, as she groans. She still feels tired, and it's morning. She's got to get up and go to work. And worry. She sits up, and realizes the shower is running in the next room. And the sounds of cooking are coming from the kitchen. Bacon, coffee? Huh? Still feeling groggy, she wraps the blanket around herself, and walks to the kitchen.
Veruca, wearing her usual punk/Goth getup, is at the stove, cooking something. She turns around when she hears Faith enter.
" Well, good morning, sunshine, " She mocks, looking at the rather disheveled Faith. " You look like shit, you know."
" Cut the crap, Veruca. Where's Oz?" She looks around for her cousin.
" He's in the bathroom, getting ready for school, sweetie," Veruca looks at her like a rather nasty bug. Never has " sweetie" sounded more like " bitch".
" Well, kindly ask him to get front and center, if you would, " Faith's tone is chillingly polite. " I'd like to know where the two of you were all night!"
" Really not seeing how that's any of you're business, darling, " Veruca says, returning the chilly tone, " Why don't you get ready for work while I make breakfast, ok?"
" No, it's not ok, none of this is ok, understand me, Veruca? I want to know where you and Oz have been all night, and I want to know RIGHT NOW!"
" Oh, dear. I'm all a shaking, Faith. Are you by chance, threatening me?" Veruca turns to her, her smile tight and not at all friendly, " listen to me, honey. I don't like having you here. You're cramping our style, and our sex life, get it? You're a pain in the ass, get it? So back off, girlfriend, or�"
" Or what, exactly, Veruca?" Faith, angry, gets in her face.
Veruca's eyes narrow. " I think you know exactly what I mean, " Veruca is tired of Faith's insolence. She nearly growls it at her.
" Yeah, well, you're only a girlfriend, Veruca. I'm family, " Faith counters, her eyes narrowing." Whatcha gonna do about it, huh?"
" Boot you're ass outta here, you little bitch. You're right, I'm the girlfriend, and I can give Oz something you can't, " Veruca sneers, " Unless of course you're from the South� then�" She shrugs . The implication's clear.
Faith snaps. She rushes Veruca, and pins her against the wall, her hand on her neck.
" Listen to me, slut. If you did anything to him, hurt him in any way, I'm so gonna�"
" Hey� HEY� chill� both of you!" Oz, standing in the doorway, barks. " Faith, let her go!"
Faith stares at Veruca, ignoring Oz.
" Faith, I said, let her go!" Oz comes over to her, and pries her arm back, freeing Veruca. She moves off, rubbing her neck. " What the hell are you two about, anyway? Aren't things shitty enough around here without you two getting into it? How 'bout a little quiet before we gotta face the daily crapolla, huh?"
" You don't get it, Oz, " Faith says, turning to him. She sees him for the first time this morning, and stops in shock. " Holy shit, what happened to you?"
Oz frowns at her. He looks bleary and bruised, cuts and scratches covering his body. He's still limping from the wound he received last night. Faith, shocked, stares at him.
Veruca, however, isn't done. " I want her the hell out of here, Oz, " She yells, from across the room." The little bitch tried to choke me. Thinks she's boss here. Well, that's done. Get her the hell out!"
" Ozman, god, what happened to you?" She glares at Veruca, as if to blame her. Veruca gives her a " What the fuck do you know ?" look and turns away." What did she get you into, anyway? Did she do this to you?"
" That's it, I'm gonna kill the bitch, " Veruca, wielding a wicked looking knife, advances on Faith. " What the hell do you care, anyway, Butch? Didn't think we knew about that, did you, you fucking dyke?! Well, don't sweat it, sweetie. Don't think you're little girlfriend's gonna like you too much after I get done cutting you up!" She lunges at Faith, who blocks her, knocking the knife away. She jumps on Veruca, and starts pounding on her. Veruca, still with the power of the wolf in her, tosses her off, and jumps on her.
Oz loses his cool. He comes over and tears Veruca off Faith, and pushes her away.
" I SAID ENOUGH!" He yells at both of them.
Faith starts to get up, but he puts his foot on her chest. " Stay down, Faith."
Veruca recovers, and smiles at Faith triumphantly. " I told you he'd choose me, bitch!"
Oz turns on her, his face getting red. " Get out. Go to school. You're ready. Get out!"
" Oz," Veruca begins, her tone changing to conciliatory, " c'mon, don't be upset�"
" What part of ' Get out' didn't you understand? GO!" Oz leans over ,and offers Faith a hand up.
" Fine, whatever, I'm going. But we're not done, bitch, " Veruca sneers, " Oz won't be around to protect you forever, and I'm gonna make you real sorry you messed with me."
Oz turns to Veruca. His voice recovers it's normal laid back cool. " Veruca? Just go. Don't make it worse."
" Going, I'm going," Veruca feels betrayed. " You'll be sorry bitch! You'll BOTH be sorry!" She turns, and unseen by Oz and Faith, a tight little smile crosses her lips.
Think you won? Don't get too cocky, girl. Your time's coming.

Veruca slams the door after herself.
Oz stares at the door, looking puzzled. He turns to Faith.
" Whoa, that was intense, " He says in his stoic manner, " What the heck were you fighting about� this time?"
"You, " Faith looks unhappy.
" What?"
" Where the hell were you last night? I was worried to death! I woke up, and you and Veruca weren't here. Now, I see you this morning, and you look like you went 3 rounds with a very pissed off Mike Tyson. What the hells goin' on around here?"
" Nothing� no big. I'm ok."
" You're not ok. You gotta see a doctor. I don't think you should go out�"
" Dammit, Faith! Can't skip school, I'm too fucking far behind. And you need to get to work. I'm fine, don't have a cow, ok? " He half grins at her." C'mon, you better get a shower. Don't think the customers are gonna appreciate the " Eau d' sweat" you're giving off ".
Faith isn't buying the evasion. As Oz heads for his bedroom, she hurries and blocks him off.
" Daniel Michael Osborne!" She uses his full name, a rarity . " I'm your cousin, and I love you, but if you think you can give me crap like that, you gotta another think comin'. I wanna know what the what is, and I wanna know why you look like hell� on a bad day."
Oz just stares at her, face impassive.
"What?" Faith checks her mouth, " am I like, drooling or something?"
" Look, things are really weird and tense right now. I know it's hard on you, and I've got things to tell you� " He looks into the kitchen, and notices the time. " Shit, I'm late. I gotta go. Look, I don't have time to go into it now, but trust me, things around here? Not like they seem. And, make nice with Veruca. She can be�" He stops, not wanting to bring on more questions," Look for my sake, make nice. Don't get on her bad side."
" Kinda late for that!"
" Make it up with her. Please, just do this for me, ok?"
Faith is about to protest, but sees the look in his face. It looks a lot like fear. She backs off.
" Ok, Oz, got it. I'm gonna make with the nice. OK? I'll come by at lunch and try to apologize to her. Deal?"
" Thanks, Faith." Impulsively, he hugs her. He whispers in her ear. " I really wish things were different. I really like you!"
With that, he breaks the hug, and heads out the door.
Faith stands staring out the door after him. She feels like a piano's been dropped on her. What the hell does that mean? Different, how? What's he getting a? Is he crazy? Is everyone around here crazy?
Feeling queasy, she head for the showers to get ready for work.

-6-

The police are everywhere.
The whole crime scene is roped off with bands of yellow police tape. Kneeling on the forest floor, a team of forensic scientists is taking samples of blood, tissue and other evidence. Patrol cops, looking grim and pale, are scattered about, to keep out the curious.
" I've never seen anything like this, " one of the police, obviously in charge, shakes his head. " I've been a policeman in Los Angeles, New York , and Detroit. I've seen lots of weird, and lots of brutal. But nothing like this� ever."
"What could do this, chief?" The cop standing next to him, asks.
" Dunno. Too much for coyotes. If we were up north�"
" Huh?"
" If we were up north, I'd say maybe a pack of wolves. But there aren't any wolves around here. Haven't been in decades." He looks around at the carnage. " And anyway, I've never seen wolves do anything like this. This is just� insane." Feeling his gorge rise again, he walks away from the scene.
Off alone, away from the main body of police, a man watches the action. He is a tall, thin man, with a hawk-like nose and intense eyes. He looks normal enough, but something about his isn't quite as it seems. Mostly, he wouldn't be noticed in a crowd. But if you did notice him, you might have a case of the chills.
Curiously, his lips are curled into a slight smile. Unlike the police, he's fascinated, not revolted, by what he sees. He actually arrived on the scene earlier; before the police arrived. He had his own little look around, and came to his own conclusions.

Well, well. Seems our dear Dr. Walsh has been busy� or at least, her test subjects have. Wonder how this'll go down with the men in charge, eh?
He gets up from his observation post, and moves closer to the action, keeping himself out of sight. No need for the local constabulary to know I'm here. He's so intent on the scene, he almost doesn't see it at first. A small black object, half buried under some leaves. He bends over and picks it up.
It's a pager, one of thousands like it, black , small and square. On chance, he pushes the recall button, and his efforts are rewarded. A familiar number pops up. He smiles, and keeps pressing the recall button. He finds a text message. His smile broadens. It's a rather evil looking smile.
Well, isn't this interesting? Buffy Summers seems to have been out here recently. Maybe last night? And Maggie Walsh's number is stored here. Indeed, interesting.
Dropping the pager in a coat pocket, he reaches into his lapel pocket and pulls out a cell phone. He quickly dials a number. He waits for a response.
" Hello, yes. This is Ethan. I found something that might interest you�"

-7-

" Hello, Ripper"
Giles looks up sharply from the book he's been studying. Standing in the doorway is a reminder from his past. An unpleasant reminder. He frowns.
" It's been a long time, wouldn't you say?" Ethan Rayne makes his way into the library. " Well, look at this. All the stodginess and stuffiness of a real librarian. That's not the Ripper I remember." Ethan lounges casually in a chair near to Giles'.
" Not long enough, " Giles replies shortly, " what do you want, Ethan? And what's it going to cost me this time?"
" Now, Ripper�" Ethan notices Giles' uneasiness at the nickname, " � very well, Rupert, is that any way to greet an old friend?"
" We're hardly friends, Ethan."
" That's rather unfriendly. Well, if you insist, an old acquaintance, anyway. I think we need to have a little chat."
" Really? How odd, " Giles replies, " I was thinking, you need to leave.
" My aren't we the unfriendly one today. Well, I guess this won't be of any interest to you then," Ethan tosses a something to Giles. It's the pager he found.
Giles looks at the pager, at first not understanding . He pushes the recall button, and then his confusion is cleared up. He looks at Ethan Rayne, his expression grim.
" Where did you find this?"
" Strangely, close to the scene of a rather brutal murder. Odd how Ms. Summer's pager just happened to be there, isn't it?"
" What do you want, Ethan?"
" First of all, I believe I'll have that back," Ethan says quietly. He moves to retake the pager from Giles, but Giles refuses to give it back to him. " Now, don't be stubborn, Ripper. If you don't return that to me, I'm afraid I'll have to go to the local police and tell them what I found. Where I found it, and how you took it from me by force. That would look rather like your trying to cover up for Ms. Summers, and they might come around, having rather interesting questions for you, and especially, her. Questions you might not want her to answer?"
Giles' lips tighten , but he knows he's over a barrel. He hands the pager back to Ethan.
" That's better. I promise, I'll return it to you, or Ms. Summers, right after I show it to a friend of mine. Now, what say? Let's have that little chat�"

Buffy walks down the hall towards the library. She's just finished her last class before lunch, and wanted to see Giles before getting something to eat. She was confused. She can't understand how she can feel wonderful and miserable at the same time.

The sex with Angel last night was wonderful and crazy and� wild. I never felt like that before� still feel wild and tingly just thinking about it. I can't believe we got so� so� mmmmm� want more, need more� now? Oh god, I'm such a slut� a horny, tingly and damn, if I'm not damp� slut� crap!
But why couldn't last night just been about sex? God, that scene in the forest� I still wanna yak. Whatever did that set whole new definitions for evil. Buffy shudders thinking about it. All that blood� and the smells�oh � shit!
Buffy, feeling sick, rushes to the girls room, and loses what's left of breakfast.
Getting up, she runs cold water over her face and stares at herself in the mirror. Not getting this! I'm not some squeamish girly girl that gets all nervy at the sight of blood. God, I've seen lots of blood in my time� and other goo that passes as blood. So, why now? But deep inside, she knows why. This was human blood, and combined with the other odors, and the sight� even passed her limits.
And shoot howdy, that wasn't enough, right? I had to have another one of those dreams last night. Worst one yet� I swear I felt my skin burning off me� and�She opens her blouse, looking at the fresh tattoo that's on her shoulder, where the hell did that come from? I saw it in my dream, on the woman� me?� in the tank� and I saw it burn off� and now� she touches it lightly, shuddering because it still hurts, like it had been just branded into her shoulder. She closes her blouse, not wanting to look at it or think about it.
It worries her. She doesn't know what's happening to her, with these dreams, but they're beginning to frighten her badly. But she can't tell anyone; even telling Angel was hard to do� and he thought she was crazy until she showed him the marks. How can I tell anyone else. I can't. Especially Giles. He's been so�weird lately. I 'm not getting it, but something's up� I'm not that stupid I can't figure it out� but what? An apocalypse? But he'd tell me about that� right? RIGHT? Shit, I don't know� but I'm getting this vibe that screams " DON'T TRUST HIM!!!" So, I'm thinkin', he really doesn't need to see my nifty new Tat. Not wanting to explain that to him� not today� I'm thinking, not ever!!!
Buffy does a final mirror check, figures she'll pass(but boy, getting steamer trunks under the eyes), and heads out of the girls room, and down towards the library.
As she is about to open the door, she hears voices within. Giles� I know that perturbed voice anywhere� but who's he talking to? Curious, she quietly opens the door a crack, and peers in.
What she sees inside surprises and fascinates her. Giles and another man, tall and thin, are standing, facing each other over one of the tables. She can't see more of the stranger, because his back is to her, but she can see Giles clearly. What she sees is what surprises her so. She's rarely, if ever, seen Giles truly upset. But there is no doubt that Giles is angry. His expression is grim and tight lipped, and his face is flushed. Whoa, he looks like he wants to hit the guy. Giles? Hit anyone? That's just insane � it's like Mary Poppins carrying a gun. It just doesn't happen!

" � and I'm telling you, Giles, What she's doing is perverting the entire project. She's brilliant at what she does, but she has her own agenda� and I simply won't have that! Too much time and money has been invested here, and I won't have some Dr. Frankenstein wanna be mucking up the works. She's got to go, and you've got to help."
" I've told you, Ethan, I won't be any part of any scheme you're planning, " Giles moves around the table until he's merely inches from Ethan." I know words like loyalty and trust are foreign to your understanding, but they mean something to me. Dr. Walsh is in charge, and I won't go against her. Certainly not for the likes of you." This last is delivered nose to nose, Giles glaring at Ethan with anger and some disgust.
Dr. Walsh? My Dr. Walsh? What does she got to do with anything? Buffy is puzzled.
" Really, Ripper. You're rather transparent. You always have been, even back in the bad old days," Ethan , feeling crowded, backs off a little, " I seriously doubt it's any loyalty to Maggie Walsh that is stopping you. You're a sentimental fool, just like you've always been. You've grown close to the subjects. One in particular, I wager, " Ethan tosses the black pager in the air, as if to emphasize the point. " That's a foolish and dangerous precedent, Ripper. They're only animals, after all� hardly human."
Subjects? Animals? Hardly human? What is this about?
" I think you've said more than enough, " Giles says through a clenched jaw. " We're finished here. I think you better leave."
" I don't think so, Ripper. I'm not at all convinced our business is complete�" Ethan tries to stare Giles down.

Giles grabs Ethan's coat, and pulls him closer. His face is hard and grim." Would you like me to convince you?" His tone is low and deadly.
Ethan blanches, and with some little effort, frees himself from Giles' grip. He backs further away. " I don't think violence is called for here. I understand you, Giles. You won't help. Very well, I just hope you know what you're doing. When it all hits the fan, some of the mud may stick to you�"
" Is that a threat?" Giles advances on Ethan again.
" Call it a friendly warning, " Ethan turns to go. He stops and says over his shoulder." I'd watch you're back if I were you, Rupert. You never know."
Buffy, realizing that Ethan was about to leave, and she might be caught eavesdropping, makes a noise and pushes through the library doors, walking into the room.
" Hey, Giles. I'm here to� oh, I'm sorry, didn't know you had company," She smiles at Ethan Rayne. She turns to Giles, " I can come back later if you want?"
" No, stay. Ethan was just leaving."
" Now, Giles, where are your manners. You haven't introduced me to this charming young woman."
God, is this guy like oily, or what? Buffy thinks to himself, taking an immediate dislike to him.
Giles ignores him, just staring at him.
" Very well, I suppose I'll have to do it myself. My name is Ethan Rayne, and you are?" Ethan holds out his hand.
" No one you want to mess with, " Buffy replies, staring at the proffered hand.
" Well, I guess rudeness is contagious around here. I'm going to go out on a limb and say you're Buffy Summers."
" Have to be careful about those limbs you go out on. They tend to break."
" My, my aren't we the clever one?" Ethan smiles. It's not a pleasant smile. " Well, not too clever, I don't believe. I think this might be yours. " He reaches into his pocket, and pulls out the pager. " You might want to be more careful in the future." He hands the pager to Buffy.
Buffy grabs the pager out of his hands, and pockets it. She doesn�t say a word to him, just stares.
" I see. Not even a thank you. Very well, " He turns back to Giles. " Just think about what I've told you, Rupert. We'll talk again."
" I sincerely doubt it, " Giles replies, not moving, just glaring at him.
" Well, goodbye then"
He leaves without any further ceremony.
" So, who's the dork that walks like a man?" Buffy queries Giles. And, how did he get my pager? And what's his deal, anyway?
" No one important, Buffy. I wouldn't worry about it, " Giles diverts the conversation away from Ethan Rayne. The less she knows about him, the better. " So, what happened last night? Did you and Angel have any success finding the werewolves?"
" Yeah, we came across the Hairy and the Restless. We caught them�" Buffy stops, remembering the scene from last night. Her stomach rumbles."� feeding. We fought them, and drove them off� but we were too late to help their victims�" Buffy's voice goes quiet. She stares at the table.
" Buffy, you can't blame yourself. It's not your fault that they killed that couple�"
" How did you know it was a couple?" Buffy asks suspiciously.
" it's front page news, Buffy. It's been on the TV and Radio and in the papers. I could hardly miss it."
" Oh, right, " Buffy feels guilty. IF only we hadn't been smooching� if we'd only found them sooner� maybe�
" Buffy? Are you alright? " Giles comes to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. She winces a little. " Were you hurt?" Giles sound concerned. " We should check your wounds. You weren't bitten, were you? The bite of the werewolf is�"
" No, I'm fine� just some scratches. No bites� Look, Giles. Are we done here?" Buffy all of a sudden wants to be anywhere but here.
" Almost, " Giles looks at her, worried. What's wrong with her? What isn't she telling me?" Can you describe them?"
" Yeah. Big. Hairy. Sharp teeth and claws."
" Buffy!" Giles snaps, then calms down. " I'm sorry, but things have been rather stressful lately. What I mean, can you give me more details. It might help in locating them."
Buffy gives him a sidelong glance. " Yeah, ok. There were two of them. One was big, really big. Dark fur. I think it had red streaks in it." At that, Giles frowns deeper." The other one was smaller, all black. "
" Anything else?"
" Really Giles, wasn't checking for fashion correctness. I mean, Angel and I were fighting for our lives there, you know!"
" Yes, of course, sorry."
" Can I go now?" Buffy is getting more and more uneasy." I'd like to grab a bite to eat before I gotta head to class."
" Of course. If you remember anything else, come back and tell me, all right?"
" Yeah, sure." Buffy turns to leave, then stops. " Wait, I remembered something else."
" What?"
" Kinda weird, really. They didn't like go on all fours, you know? Like wolves? They stood on their rear legs."
" Really? Anthropomorphic werewolves. That's very rare. First case I've heard about in this part of the world. That might be helpful, very helpful. Thank you, Buffy, " Giles smiles at her.
" Sure, whatever. Gotta motor. Seeya, Giles."
Not waiting for any more questions, Buffy quickly leaves.
Giles continues to smile until she leaves, then his expression becomes grim.
I was afraid of this. It's obviously Veruca and Daniel. I don't believe Daniel is really behind it. I think Veruca is leading him in the killing. He's programmed to not even remember his change.
Obviously, Veruca's become a problem. A dangerous problem . I think it's time that something's done about her. She can't be allowed to roam loose anymore.
His jaw set, Giles walks to his office. Closing the door, he sits behind the desk, staring at the phone.
This could be a death sentence for her. Can I do that? In good conscience?
He ponders for awhile, then coming to a decision, he picks up the phone and dials.

To be continued.
- 4
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- 6
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