Adult-FanFiction.org : Buffy

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
- 5
- 6
- 7
The Slayer

By Norwalker

Part 6 of a multipart story.

Summary: What if Faith came first? If she were the 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.

1

Somewhere under Sunnydale.

The Master walks out to greet his acolytes. He is pleased to see the number is grown, despite the efforts of that annoying slayer. At his side walks his favorite child, Darla. She is covered head to foot in a robe; partly in devotion, partly to cover the effects of the Master's recent displeasure with her.

He walks to an old podium used previously by the priests who worshipped at this desanctified church. He pauses, perusing the crowd, reaching out to sense their mood. He spreads his hand, and opens the dusty volume before him.

" Lo, it is written that the last of the old ones, departing this dimension, did mix its sacred blood with that of man's. to create us, it's children who walk by night. And with the passing of the old ones, the plague that is man did cover the earth, like boils on the skin. And we, the children, do feed off that pestilence that is man, to remind us of what we are; and why we are."

"For we are the heralds of the age to come. We wait; we neither live nor die, but await the return of the old ones amongst us. And the scourge which is man shall disappear from the earth, as the old ones once again ascend. So it is written." He slams the book shut.

" The time of the Harvest grows near, my children. All we have done leads up to this event. At last, I will be free. Free of my bondage to this …" he looks around him in disgust," … sanctified space. Some of you have performed well, others…" he looks at Darla significantly,"… less so. Yet, all goes as planned, and within a few days I will be free of my prison. I will be able to bring forth…" he points at the Hellmouth, " … what I came here 3 score and 10 years ago to accomplish. I will open the gates, and bring forth my hell on earth. It is imperative that we …"

As the Master rambles on, Darla scans the crowd . She senses the presence of someone … but she can't quite put her finger on who. Or rather, won't believe what her mind tells her. He wouldn't dare. Not here. He's knows I'd find him. Yet, when she opens all her senses, her doubts become certainties. She can feel him. He is here!

She moves down and away from the master, carefully scrutinizing the cowled faces before her. She is sure he is here; she can smell his scent, to her, it's unmistakable. That bastard's here… I can feel it. He's here.

She makes her way to the back of the crowd, and again scans the figures before her. Her eyes narrow, and her head stops. Ah, well… my love, I see you're sitting in back. So out of character for you. She moves quietly until she's standing above him.

" Darla?" The Master's voice rings out, grabbing Darla's attention. " you seem distracted my dear. Need I remind you again exactly who is in charge?"

Darla feels a chill in her heart. The memory of her Master's displeasure, and what he did about it is still quite fresh in her mind.

" N-No, Master, " Darla says obsequiously, "It's just… I seem to have found an old acquaintance amongst the faithful."

" Truly, my dear?" The Master looks where Darla is standing. " Who?"

Darla reaches down, and pulls the hood off…

Angel, a tight smile on his face, is revealed. He's vamped out like the rest.

" Ahhh. Angelus!" The Master grins slightly. " This is indeed a surprise." He claps his hands. " Well, my dear, do bring our honored guest forward."

" What?" Angel stands, knocking Darla back. " This isn't the bloodsuckers anonymous meeting? I must've taken the wrong door. I'll just be leaving now..."

Six rather large vampires surround him. He stares at them, then grins.

" Maybe not."

" Now, baby. Is that any way to greet me after all these years? What's it been? A generation? Two?"

" Who's counting? What's with the dress?" He indicates her robe. " Last time I saw you, it was kimonos. "

Darla's face gets a hard look on it, " And the last time I saw you, you were saving missionaries. But why quibble?" She smiles. " I mean, don't you like the look? You used to like nuns…"

" I used to like a lot of things," Angel says, his fist coming out to smash her in the face. " Things change, Darla."

Without thinking, he whirls on the vampires approaching him, and uses the fighting skills he's picked up in his 250+ years of life. Clean or dirty, didn't matter. Survival did. He kicks one in the groin, and then elbow smashes one he senses coming up behind him. He pulls a stake, and dusts a third one. He's turning to take on # 4 when something hits him across the back of his head, hard. He falls to his knees, stunned.

Darla, holding an old piece of pipe, taps it against her palm. She smiles, then swings it again, catching him on the side of the head. Angel falls over, unconscious.

The vampires lift him, none too gently, and haul him up front of the assembly. They drop Angel at the Master's feet, and retreat back into the crowd. Darla stands over the fallen Angelus.

" Get up, " Darla, still smarting from Angel's love tap, kicks him in the ribs. " Get up, you filthy soul wearing creep." She kicks him again and again. That punch really hurt.

Angel stirs, and grabs her foot. He pushes up, causing her to lose balance and fall on her butt. There are some titters from the crowd.

" Not helping with the kicks, Darla," Angel says, standing up. He turns to the master. " Ah, I see that beauty cream I sent you last year didn't work. Sorry 'bout that."

"Still making those lame jokes, are you Angelus?" The Master walks to him, and before Angel can do anything , backhands him, sending him flying. He lands a few yards away, on his butt. A couple of acolytes standing close at hand lift him up and hold him.

" You always were a bit of a spoiled child, weren't you Angelus?" The master gives his hand to Darla, assisting her up." I warned Darla about you… she didn't listen I fear. I remember when she brought you to me, after making you. You were rude, and disrespectful of your betters." He gestures for the vampires to bring Angel to him. " and now you think to defy me, don't you Angelus?"

" Angel. My name is Angel," Angel says tightly.

" You're name is nothing," the Master slaps him across the face," you are nothing, boy."

He grabs Angel by the neck, and lifts him off his feet. He holds him up, and looks at him contemptuously.

" You were meant to sit at my right hand, Angelus. You have a talent for cruelty and destruction the likes I haven't seen in a very long time. You could've been powerful. I could have show you things; given you things the likes you can't even imagine." The Master shakes him like a rag. " Again and again I've attempted to bring you into the fold, and always, you defy me."

"And as always," Angel quips, " You have rotten breath. Ever think of seeing a dentist about that problem?" His voice takes on a lilt. " I understand they have twilight sleep now, if it scares ya."

" Bah, Why do I even bother with you?" The Master throws Angel to the ground. " You never learn. You're ever the rebel. So, Angelus, what is it this time?" The master grabs him by the lapels, lifting him up. " Am I stepping on your toes here? You had your own plans for Sunnydale? Well, that's too bad, little one. I've been here near 3 score and 10, and I have prior claim."

He slaps Angel across the face. " This is a holy time, the Harvest. I mean to be free, and to open the mouth of Hell, releasing the old ones to their rightful place as rulers of this planet. And you, you ungrateful child, are interfering with my plans. Why?"

" He isn't himself, Master, " Darla comes to the master, flanking him. " Something's happened to him."

" You're still making excuses for this defiant pup?" The Master turns on Darla, his expression unpleasant. She cowers back.

" No, master, not at all, " She turns to Angelus and sneers. "He's weak master. Smell him. Look into his eyes."

The Master looks at her quizzically, then turns to Angel. He sniffs the air , and wrinkles his nose, as if smelling something unpleasant. He looks into Angel's eyes, and his mouth curves into a deep frown of disgust.

" A soul. This … thing… has a soul!" The Master roars, tossing angel against a nearby rock as if he were infected by plague. " Why did you tell me this, Darla?" He turns and growls at her.

Darla cowers back, and lowers her eyes.

" I didn't think it important, Master," She looks at Angel with disgust. " I happened 100 years ago. When I found out, I tossed him out, " She lies, " He disappeared. I thought for sure he'd been staked or something …"

The Master goes to her, and she steps back, afraid of his wrath. But he merely smiles and puts a fatherly hand on her shoulder.

" There, there, little one. Don’t fret. I'm sure you did what you thought best." He takes her hand, and holds it in his own. " I'm sure you thought you were right."

Darla relaxes, thinking the Master isn't upset.

" Oh, Darla?" He seizes her hand. He takes her pinkie, and bends it back until a cracking is heard. " There's a reason I do the thinking for us."

Darla yelps in pain, and blanches briefly. She grabs her finger, and with some minor whimpering, pops it back into place.

Pulling Darla along with him, the master walks towards where Angel landed. He stops suddenly, as if hitting a wall.

" Damn it all!" He cries in frustration. " This has got to end. The Harvest must not be interfered with! He shoves Darla towards Angel. " Pick him up."

Darla brings Angel to his feet, her handling on the rough side. The Master glares at him. " A vampire with a soul. How… novel. How… amusing. How… trite. No one cares, Angelus, if you have a soul or not. Do you think those cattle we feed on give a damn which side you play on? No one cares what you think, or what you do. You're insignificant, boy. You're nothing," The Master frowns. " But I care, Angelus. Because you're interfering with my plans. I care, because you betray everything we are. You help this…plague that infects the world, and you make my life, even marginally, less pleasant. I should just stake you now, be done with you…"

" No , Master, let me…"

The Master raises his hand.

" Be quiet, child," he glares at Darla, " I should stake you, but you've become an annoyance…one I don't want repeated." He gestures for Darla to drag Angel along.

The Master walks back to his podium, and looks out at the crowd. He raises his hands above his head.

" This thing," He nods his head towards Angel, " Thinks to defy us, my children. He thinks that he, out of all of us, is special. That the Powers that Be look down on him, and smile." He takes out an old handkerchief, and wraps his hand in it. Grinning, he walks over to where an old cross from the church adorns the wall. He gingerly lifts it down, and quickly moves back to Angel. He presses the Cross at Angel, and it burns him.

" Yet, like all of us, this symbol burns him!" He holds up the cross, then tosses it away. The handkerchief on his hand shows scorch marks. " The God you so want to see you with favor, " he turns to Angel," still rejects you, boy."

He turns to Angel, and pressing down on his shoulders, forces him to his knees.

" And yet, you defiant dog, I can be kindlier than that which you aspire to. Worship me, boy. Show me you devotion." He leans over, " And perhaps I will spare you."

Angel stares at the master. He then hawks, and spits on him.

The Master wipes the spittle off his face, and smiles. It's a smile to chill the heart.

" Very well, whelp. You've made your choice," he straightens up, and addresses the crowd. " Listen, and learn. All who defy me, who go against me, must pay the price. There are those amongst you that still seem to need to learn that lesson. So, dear children," The master gestures towards Angel, " I will make this one an example."

He grabs Angel by the scruff, and lifts him.

" It's a pity to waste such talent, " The Master almost sounds regretful. " Oh well." He gestures to two vampires. " Kill him." He tosses him away.

" No, wait!" Darla cries out, coming around the Master and kneeling before him.

" Darla, my dear, you're trying my patience…" the Master looks grim.

" No, Master, I agree. This … soul wearing abomination should be punished…" She looks up at the Master, " But why should he have an easy death? Would it not be more effective to the kindred…" she gestures to the crowd, "… if we made him a true example? Let me have him, Master. Let me torture him. Perhaps I can bring him back to the fold." She cocks her head," As you said, it's a pity to waste such talent. And if he's still defiant? I'll kill him slowly. No one would dare defy you, after I'm finished with him."

The Master looks down at Darla with a cross of bemusement and amusement on his features. " One would almost think you take some perverse pleasure out of what should be an abject lesson, " he reaches down, and stroke her straw colored hair, " but you asked so sweetly, and you are my favorite child." He smiles, almost affectionately. " Very well, you may have him to play with, dear Darla. Perhaps you're right. Perhaps you can somehow torture that soul out of him." He waves his hand, his expression becoming grim. " But do it elsewhere. The sight of him offends me."

" Thank you, Master," Darla rises, and walks over to Angel. She has an evil grin on her face. " So, my love, let's see what we can do about that pesky soul of yours. I'm sure we can stir up some old memories. I know you used to love torture." She slaps him lightly across the face. " This is going to be fun." She smiles sweetly. " Well, at least for me."

She beckons at some of the vampires to grab Angel and to follow her.

" It's great to be young, free and immortal, " she says in a sing song voice, " Well, maybe not so much for you." She smiles at Angel.

She leads the group out of the lair.

The Master turns to the assembly.

" Now, my children, let's get down to the business of the Harvest…"

2

Cordelia Chase is having a terrible day. Nothing, nothing, was going her way.

First of all, her blow dryer? Simply decided today was the day it was going to go out on her. Her long chestnut colored locks had to air dry! How plebian! How dare it do this to me? Doesn't it know who I am?

After that fiasco, of course her car wouldn't start. I mean, it's just so typical, you know? Evil car! She even kicked the tires and cursed it. Nothing. She had to borrow one of her daddy's cars. Totally humiliating.

School isn't any better.

No, Cordy knew that rumors were going around about her, but she couldn't trace the source. She's squashed them easily, but already there is dissension in the ranks of the Cordettes. Harmony has taken on that lean and hungry look, the look of someone just waiting for the real power to fall on its butt. Even Cindy Takashi had the nerve to contradict her. Cindy, who's a born sycophant. Things were not well in Cordy World.

Then there's the Nerd Duo. Ever since that morning they caught her tied up to the pole outside the school, and helped cover it up, she's had to tolerate them. She's passed them, ignoring them, and that Willow would look at her with that knowing smile. That's right, smile now, Mousy Rosenberg. But just let me get a little dirt on you, and baby it's a whole new game.

Even contemplating revenge on Rosenberg wasn’t making Cordelia happy, however. That wasn't the source of her problems, and she knew it. No, things had been perfect, ab fab, until she came along. She. That dykey, nasty skanky ho of an assistant to that British wimp of a librarian, Giles.

Faith.

Oh, she's positive that Faith has something to do with her humiliation. She doesn't have proof, but her gut tells her that this smacks of that lesbo bitch.

A tight evil little smile comes to Cordelia's lips when she thinks of her. Thinks she's sooo cool, sooo hot. All tough and stuff. But she hasn't even felt the tiniest bit of what I can do to her yet. Not yet. But it's comin, oh baby it's so comin.

Cordelia's eyes narrow as her smile grows broader. Uh, huh. That's my new little project. She will for sure get this bitch outta town and outta her life. Revenge will be sweet.

She also knows that she has to be clever. A direct, crush , kill and destroy assault isn't gonna fly. Nuh, uh. Gotta give her props. This girls too damned crafty to fall that easily. Nope, Cordelia has to be cleverer than Faith. She has to out think her , out maneuver her, and then trap her. Like, that's so hard? Nope, not easy. This one will be a challenge. I love a challenge. And oh, it will be sooo sweet when she can stand over her and laugh her ass off at her humiliation.

Cordy has a plan. She will become Ms. Dyke's newest, bestest friend in the world. Worm her way into her confidence, get past her defenses. Convince her that she, Cordelia, can be trusted with her most embarrassing and intimate secrets. And when the secret, the most humiliating, most devastating secret is wrung from her, expose her and watch her crash and burn.

Cordelia feels better already. She feels strong; she feels powerful. She's top of her game, in her element, and her form is prime. She'll have this little nothing by the short hairs, and then watch her moan and squirm.

She surveys her kingdom and basks in her glory. She loves being on top, and nothing, certainly no little bitch, will keep her from climbing up and claiming her prize.

She is Cordelia Chase. Here her roar!

Maybe today isn't so bad, after all. She smiles to herself as she walks, planning on her first move in Operation Shatter Faith.

3

Faith sighs, looking at the pile of books on the library table before her. Giles has asked her to scan over these volumes, making notes as she goes. Sigh, not exactly my idea of a fun day. But she knows she has to do it, and she might as well get on it. Have to keep up the cover of research assistant. Heavens, wouldn't want anyone to know that I'm not what I'm supposed to be. Yeah, right. Like anyone's gonna buy this.

Faith opened the book, tapping her pencil on the desk as she flipped through the pages. Oh, this is fun, so far. She stops, and looks at an illustration in the book. She cocks her head to the side.

" That's a weird place for a horn," She mutters. Then her eyes go wide, and her cheeks a little pink. Her mouth makes a perfect 'o'. " Not a horn. Right." She flips the page, and smirks. Guess no one'll be saying he's hung like a squirrel. She flips back to the illustration, and takes a more frank look at it. Her eyebrow arches. Gotta be an exaggeration. I mean, dude, think of the problems when he's gotta … She shakes her head, and moves on. She stops, makes a note of an interesting passage… interesting to Giles, anyway… and then flips the pages again.

To be honest, her mind isn't really in it. She's still somewhat pissed over that incident at the Bronze a couple of nights ago.

Not so much Cordelia, the spoiled brat cheerleader. Ok, pissed at her, but really, what else did I expect from her? That's her way of saying " howdy, welcome, now get the fuck out.” Snooty bitches always the same. Somehow, they figure I'm looking to horn in on their territory. Like, right. I want to hang with the crowd that's prime motive in life is jumping in the air waving their pom-poms. So sure. But I mean, that's her deal, and she's gonna be protective of it. So not a big, really.

What bothered her more, was Willow's reaction to it. Ok, like, not my fault, ok? But not if you ask Red. Everything that goes wrong in Sweatydale? My fault, you know? Just cuz I happened to come here. Shit, girl. Get real. You had your probs with miss bitch of the century before I showed up. I mean, who starts a club called " We hate Cordelia" if you don't got probs? But nope, let's blame old Faith when Cordelia says nasty things about me. Or when vampires attack me, or kill my friends, or just for the fact that I'm a joyless, uptight little geek.

See now? That's why slayers don't have friends. They just make you crazy, and get in the way, and are a general…

A shadow falls over the book she's reading. She looks up, a little startled, and sees Giles staring down at her.

" Nice entrance, Giles," Faith smirks, " Next time, why don't you make that little sound you make when you want attention?"

" Sound?"

" Something between a clucking noise and clearing your throat, you know the one?"

" Yes," Giles responds dryly, " I wanted to talk to you, see if you've had contact with Angel?"

" Me? And Angel? Hang out, do the buddy-buddy routine? Don't think so, Giles. Haven't seen him," Faith turns back to her book. She starts to go through the pages, but notices the shadow doesn't go away. She looks up.

" Was there more?"

"I'm rather worried, actually, " Giles says, " He was supposed to meet me with some information on the Harvest, but never showed up. "

" Well, G. Maybe he met some nice lady vamp, and they're holed up right now, humping like bunnies. " Faith notes his expression, and lets out a breath. " Well, you've got that look."

" I beg your pardon."

" It's ok, G, I'm kind of getting used to it, actually, " Faith teases him.

" I meant, what are you referring to?"

" You have that " Faith, this is serious" look on your face."

"Well, it is serious, Faith, " Giles says, removing his glasses to clean them. " We have the Harvest coming up, and we're still not sure what, or when, or why it's happening. I've found some references to it, but they're rather obscure."

" Ok, gonna go out on a limb here. Since it's involving vamps? Figuring, they're not harvesting apples, ok? Figure it means lots of people, and lots of vamps. And probably some hoodoo voodoo crapolla cuz it's some kinda ritual. Ya know?" Faith thinks for a minute, " since it involves this Master dude, at least that's what Angel says, probably he's running the show. Figures, sending out his goons to soften me up. Like those vamps that attacked me and Red that first night, or that Darla chick and her whole group trying to knock us off…"

" I'm sorry, did you say Darla?" Giles brow is furrowed.

" Yeah, vampire chick. Blonde, kinda skanky…"

" That name seems familiar… where did I see it, anyway?" Giles goes upstairs to his office, and returns carrying a book. " Yes… "

" Wanna clue me, Jeeves?"

" I was reading up on Angel… actually, he was called Angelus… the vampire with the face of an angel," Giles sighs. " He has a rather bloody history, though for a vampire, he's rather young… barely 250 years old…" Giles reads on, " Seems he started out in Ireland, then moved on through Europe, cutting a path of death and destruction for nearly 150 years…"

" Gee, Whatta surprise. Vampire, bloody history, lots of kills. Well, I'm shocked." Faith taps her forehead.

" But all accounts also seem to support his story about a soul. Seems almost 100 year ago, he immigrated to the U.S., and pretty much dropped out of sight. There are no records of him having killed in the U.S. …"

" Well, just means maybe he didn't make the papers. Maybe he got shy about it… doesn't really mean squat, Giles."

" There's also mention of him being often seen in the company of companion and sometimes paramour, Darla…"

" Bingo. That's the name."

" I think there's a picture of her in here…" he flips through the pages, then stops. He turns the book and shows it to Faith. " Is that her?"

" That's our girl," She reads the caption. " hmmm… daguerreotype taken in 1847… hasn't changed much in the last 150 years… maybe a little around the eyes…" Faith nods her head, and her lips draw tight. " Figures."

" I'm sorry, I'm not following you, " Giles says.

" Oh c'mon, Giles. We've been played for saps. Obviously, old Angelus here's putting on a story to sucker us. He's with this Darla chick, and she's with the Master… I mean, don't you see…?"

" Why would he tell us about the Darla/ Master connection then?"

" Prolly cuz he knew we'd figure it out, and it made him look more trustworthy, " Faith shakes her head, " That something I'd never figure I'd say… trustworthy , meaning vampire. We're a bunch of morons, Giles."

" Or possibly, he's telling us the truth, and something's happened to him…"

" Yuh-huh. Like maybe he's back to hanging in the hood, Giles. I mean, how come if he's so honest and crap, he didn't mention the Darla/ Angelus connection? Especially since he knew I went up against her…"

" Maybe he didn't feel it was important, Faith."

" Or maybe he's scamming us." She crosses her arms over her chest.

" Well, even if that's the case, it would be best if we knew where he was, wouldn't you agree."

" I suppose, " Faith concedes reluctantly. " So, I'm guessing you want me to go out looking for Old Tanless, kinda dig him up…" She smirks. " get it? Dig him up?" She sees Giles ever patient, stoic look. " Tough room."

Maybe I can get out of more of this research crap, in the bargain.

" Well, not right now, " Giles says, dashing Faith's hopes," he's probably holed up somewhere, and wouldn't be easy to find. I was thinking more on your patrol this evening. Maybe look around for him…" He hands her a slip of paper with a name and address on it.

" What's this?" She looks at the paper. " Willy's? Who's Willy?"

" Not a who, so much as a where. Willy's is a bar located in the commercial district…"

" A bar?" Faith looks at Giles archly, " you dog. And here I thought you were all about tea and tweed. Get down with your bad self, G."

" It's a demon bar, Faith." Giles says, " Willy usually has a pretty good ear to what's happening in the underground. You might find out about Angel there."

Great. Demon bar. Sounds swell. I see my night's shapin' up real good.

" Fine. I'll look for tall, dark and toothy. If nothing else, to deliver a stake-o-gram."

" Let's work on the presumption of innocence, first, shall we, Faith?"

"Oh, another oxymoron. Innocent Vampire. Right."

" you know what I mean," Giles says, sounding weary.

" Fine, whatever, Giles. I'll refrain from staking him unless I find him boinking Darla. Then all bets are off."

Giles sighs, and changes subjects. " How's the research going?"

" Just peaches, Giles. Better if I can get back to it…?"

"Right, I'll leave you to it. I would like a summary of what you've gone over at the end of the day…"

" Gotcha." Swell.

Giles climbs the stairs back to his office.

Faith pulls another book off the stack, and begins flipping through the pages. A shadow crosses over the pages.

" Was there something… oh, it's you."

4

It actually took Willow almost 10 minutes to walk from the entrance of the library to the table where Faith was sitting. She saw Faith and Giles talking about Angel Who's that now?… then something about patrolling … she figured she'd just hang over here, wait til Giles went upstairs, or away or something. And, that wouldn't have to do with you being like mega ashamed or nothing how you treated her the other night?

She saw Giles go, and then hesitated.

Maybe I'll just come back later.

No, you said you were going to do this, so do it.

But, she's busy. See. She's working. She'll be upset if I interrupt her. Later. Maybe at home or…

Willow Danielle Rosenberg. March your butt over there and do this NOW!

Geeze… you're no fun at all!

I'm waiting!

Fine. Fine, fine, fine!

Willow sort of wanders over to where Faith is working, and stands, looking down on her.

" Was there something … " Faith looks up, and frowns. " Oh, it's you."

" Oh, hey, ummm… you're busy, I'll come back later…" Willow starts to leave.

" I'm probably gonna be busy all day, Red. What's the deal? What do you want?"

Willow turns back to see Faith staring at her.

Hey, she's got really big eyes. Did you notice that? And kind of pretty eyes…

You're stalling. Get to it!!

I hate you!

" Look, ummm… Faith…" Willow hems and haws a little

" Very good, Red. You know my name. I'm touched. Now, what do you want?"

" I'm sorry, ok?" Willow blurts out suddenly.

Faith just looks at her. More, looks through her.

" About the other night? At the Bronze?"

Faith blinks a little, as if it's not clear, then her grin tightens. " Oh that. Forget it, Red…"

Wow, forget it? That was easy…

"… I get it, ok? Don't need bricks to fall on my head," Faith turns back to her book.

Huh?

" What do you mean?"

"I'm kinda busy, Red." Faith says, flipping through the volume she's holding.

" You get it? I don't get it. What do you get?" Willow looks puzzled.

" Red, please, I'm busy, ok?" Faith gets up, and walks over to a shelf. She pulls a book off it, and brings it back to her seat. She looks up. " You still here?"

"Well, yeah. You pull a cryptic on me, and then dismiss me. What's going on?"

"What?" Faith asks, sounding the tiniest bit annoyed.

" What what?" Willow asks, getting more bewildered by the moment.

What. Do. You. Want?" Faith asks slowly, as if speaking to a mentally challenged child.

" ' Get it'. I don't ' get it'. I don't know what's to get, I think?" Willow is paddling water. " What the hell are you talking about?" She cries in frustration.

" Huh?" Faith looks at her, confused, " What're you talking about?"

" ARRGGHHH!!" Willow almost screams in frustration. " I just came to apologize about how I behaved in the Bronze the other night, and you're making me crazy!"

" I am?" Faith looks at her placidly. " Why?"

" THAT! THAT! That cryptic stuff you're doing."

" What's cryptic? I said I got it, and I got it, so what's the deal?"

" GOT WHAT?" Willow yells." I don't GET IT. What did you GET?"

" Willow, please!" Faith shushes her." This is a library."

Willow shuts her eyes, trying to recollect her cool. How does she do that? All I did was come into apologize, and she's making me a nut case!

" What did you get, Faith. I don't understand what you mean." Willow speaks in measured terms, trying to keep it together.

Faith gives her a weird look. " I get it, Will. I mean, it's been pretty plain since I got here. You know? There's no need to apologize, because we're not friends. I get that, ok?"

Willow stands there, wondering if she wandered into Bizzaro Sunnydale by mistake. She cocks her head, and frowns.

" We're not?" She almost whispers.

" Willow, from day one you've made it pretty clear, you don’t want me around. Ok, I guess I pushed myself on you a bit too hard, but hey, I made a mistake. Shoot me. I get it. You don't want to be friends, well, that's cool. I'm not mad," Faith shrugs. She looks at the clock on the wall. " don't you have somewhere to be?"

" I've got a free period," Willow throws out, then looks at Faith again, " We're not friends?" as if she can't believe that concept.

It's like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over Willow. How can we not be friends. Everybody likes me. Ok, not Cordelia, but she's mental, and doesn't like anyone. But I'm … I mean I… how can she not want to be my friend?

" No, we're not," Faith says calmly. She turns and picks up her book. " Now, unless I can do something for you, mind if I get back to this? Really need to finish this for Giles." Faith proceeds to ignore her.

" But… but… why?"

Faith sighs. " Look, Willow. Think about it. You don't like me. Cool, I get that…"

" That's so not true."

" Well, considering what's happened? Really hard to figure anything else. First thing you do is treat me like crap when I get here, then get all mad when I save you from the vampires. Then, it seems like, ok, we're gonna bury the hatchet… but I didn't figure you'd bury yours in my back . I mean, c'mon. you KNEW what happened at the Bronze wasn't my fault. It was Cordelia, but who do you get mad at? I mean, really mad at? Cordelia? No, me. Why? Cuz I'm easy, I'm the outsider, the… why am I wasting my breath here?" Faith says, seeing Willow's expression. " Thing is, we're not gonna be buds. We're not going to hang out. There's nothing to be over because there never was nothing to begin with. Let it go, move on, and hey, I'm already doing that." Faith picks up her book. " Now, go away."

Willow stands there, stunned. She's not exactly sure what to make of that barrage.

That’s so not fair! She hasn't given me a chance! She's just blowing me off. Well, if she thinks she can just do that, she's gotta another think coming!

Willow doesn't budge. She crosses her arms over her chest, puts on her resolve face, and glares down at the top of Faith's head.

Faith does her best to ignore her, but she can feel the twin laser beams boring holes in the top of her head. She looks up, her expression definitely annoyed.

" Are you still here?" Faith asks, a little frostily. " Go. Away."

" You bet I'm still here!" Willow says, a little huffily," You're not even being fair. You don't let me explain…"

" Explain what? That you don't like me? I don't need the anvils to start raining down. I got that."

" That's unfair. I do like you. I acted like an idiot…"

" No. You acted like what you felt. It's been the same tune since I got here. God, why're we EVEN doing this? We've been over it to death. You don't like me. First 5 seconds you knew me, you judged me to be some kind of boyfriend stealing, hard assed slut. You didn't even try to get to know me. You just wanted me gone. Sorry, can't help ya there. I gotta job to do , and I'm gonna do it. You've done you're ' duty ', Red. You've ' apologized', so now, get the hell lost. I got stuff to do, and you're just wasting my time!"

Faith slams the book closed, almost jumps out of her chair, which causes Willow to step back a bit because she thinks Faith's going to grab her or something, then she stomps away from Willow towards the bookshelves.

" I do too like you!" Willow calls out , angrily. She whirls, and heads for the entrance of the library. Whatta biotch! I came to apologize, and she gets all pissy My god, what do I have to do? Forget it. She wants to be that way? FINE! Fine, fine and FINE!

Willow blows through the library doors.

Faith goes back to the table, and plops down. She starts on another book.

" Do you think that was particularly wise?" A voice from above asks Faith.

Faith looks up to see Giles looking down on her.

Willow gets halfway down the hall and stops.

" Wait a rootin' tootin' minute! NO WAY!" She says to herself, angrily. " NO way she's just going to just dump on me like that. Thinks she so special, does she? Well, Forget that one! I'm going back there, and give her a piece of my mind. Uh huh! You better believe it mister."

She turns on her heel, and storms back towards the library, ready to do battle. She gets to the doors, and then thinks about exactly how strong Faith is, and hesitates. Ok, Will. Let's NOT get crazy here. Just go in, give her the verbal tongue lashing she deserves, and if need be, run like hell. But don't let her push you around, get it? Ok, then…

She pushes through the doors, and hears Giles talking to Faith.

" … she could really be a good friend to you, Faith. She might be a help to you."

" Maybe, Giles. But you know what I do, how dangerous it is. They don't get it, and I'm not sure they ever will. And if I let them be friends with me, what's gonna keep them from getting seriously dead? When she was in the hospital , I was scared silly. I thought sure she was gonna…" Faith stops, the memory of Willow hurt still painful " Giles, they're just kids. They got these like lives to live. Not gonna be the one that ruins it for them."

" Don't you think that should be their choice, Faith?"

" No, I really don't. Because they'd probably choose to be stupid and brave and then… I've got to make that choice for them, Giles. " Faith frowns. " Believe me, I wish it could be different, but it can't."

Willow slips back, and eavesdrops.

" Faith, they're smart. Ok, well, Willow is smart, anyway, " Giles says, " And Xander… well, he's loyal. And will listen to Willow. I'm pretty sure they'd take precautions. You won't find better friends, Faith."

" I know that, Giles, I'm not stupid. But I can't be their friend, Giles. I'm here to protect them, not let them do stupid stuff that'll get them killed. And you know they will. They already have, for god's sake. I can't do my job, and worry about them doing something brave and foolish and getting themselves killed."

" I understand that. But did you have to be so harsh?"

" Yeah, I did. I had to make her think I didn't want to be her friend. I really like them both, I do. But …" Faith sits, waving him off. " This is pointless, Giles. It's done. It's the way it's gotta be. Now, can we get back to it? I mean, if I'm gonna go looking for Angel tonight, and you want this stuff done anytime in this century." She buries her nose in the book, ending the conversation.

Giles looks down on her from above, and can't help feeling sorry for Faith. Poor child. How fair is it that she has to be so alone? How cruel is that? Shaking his head, and sighing, he goes back to his office.

Willow, hidden by the lower bookshelves, peeks out at Faith. She feels all of 1 inch tall. Sometimes, Rosenberg, for being so smart, you're an incredible dope.

She slips quietly out, not to disturb Faith. She doesn't want her to know she heard what she heard. Gotta think about this, gotta figure it out.

She backs through the doors to the library, keeping an eye on Faith . She closes them quietly, and turns… and runs right into …

" Cordelia! Hi!" Willow says, nonplussed. " Nice dress."

" Of course it's a nice dress, loser, " Cordy frowns. " Unlike you, I know how to dress myself," She looks at Willow suspiciously, " So, what're you sneaking out of the library for, Willow? Afraid someone will catch you and figure you for a geek? Sorry, too late. We already got the memo."

" Ha, ha, ha!" Willow laughs, nervously, " Actually, you know me, loving the books. Hate to leave them, want them to be the last thing I see when I leave. Ummm… nice talking to you… gotta run." She does.

What a weirdo. And to think, she's got those pictures. I so gotta get them back. Who knows what she'll do … never mind her, gotta get in there, see if Faith is there. Cordy gets that ' I've so got this nailed ' look. Time to become her bestest friend. Yay!

That would fly better if Cordy didn't have this evil look on her face.

She stops for a second, using the glass in the door to check her look. God, after running into Willow… I wonder If geek is catching . Ok, look good, let's do this!

Cordelia pushes open the door, and sashays over to the table where Faith is sitting. She stands, waiting for Faith to take notice.

Waiting.

And waiting.

" Ahem" Cordelia clears her throat.

" Red, look, I already told you…" Faith looks up. A sour expression graces her features. " Oh, swell. What do you want?"

Can this day get any worse? Faith thinks to herself, then looks at Cordelia Chase standing in front of her with her imperious stare. Crap.

" What?" Faith just stares at her, frowning openly. " What do you want?"

For a second, Cordelia is confused. She marched in here, ready to conquer, and now, with one look, Faith has cut her knees from under her. In one of the few moments of indecision she's experienced, Cordelia is at a loss. Now what? No, that's not what I mean. I mean… ok, she looks about as friendly as rabid pit bull, Ok, got to work this right. I can do this. I can!

Cordelia, however, doesn't have a clue of what to do. She's flummoxed , something she's not experienced with. If she'd just stop looking at me like that. With those chocolate brown eyes of hers. God, what do I care what color her eyes are? Cordelia just stands there, confused.

" What do you want?" Faith repeats, growing irritated. " Sorry, Princess, but some of us gotta work around here…"

" Book. I need a book," Cordelia can't believe what just came out of her mouth. God, how lame can I get? Book?

Faith is a little surprised, too. " Book? Oh… got it. Sorry, I think our " Guide to the Compleat Bitch is checked out. Have you checked the bookstores?"

" Funny, " Cordelia seems to recover herself, " Real funny. No I need something for English comp. So…"

" Well, I'll just get Giles…"

" Why don't you get it? You work here, don't you?"

" Uh… no, I work for Giles. Giles works here." Faith stands up," Sorry, princess, I don't do run and fetch." She turns to call Giles down.

" Wait! What do you do here, then?" the last thing Cordelia wants is Giles here now. Kind of screw up things if he's here. " I mean, you hang out here, I just thought you worked for the school."

" Ya see? That's where you made your mistake, Princess. Thinking." Faith starts to turn again.

" Wait, wait. Ok, if you don't work here, what do you do then?" She gets a snarky smile on her face. " I mean, I'm sure you just do anything you can to help out old Giles, huh?" She arches a brow.

Faith catches her expression, and feels the anger creeping up her neck.

" What's that supposed to mean, Princess?" Faith asks quietly." I'm Giles' research assistant."

" Oooo. I 'm sure you help Giles research all sorts of things, don't you?" Cordelia mistakes Faith's anger for discomfort. Ah ha! Got her. God, so much easier than I thought. Who woulda guessed old Tweed bound could get such a hottie, eh? " I'm sure you give personal assistant a whole new meaning."

Faith turns, her smirk fixed on her face. She comes over, and leans over the table towards Cordelia. Her eyes are hard as obsidian.

" I'm hoping you mean, I do a good job doing research for Giles' book, Cordelia, " Faith stretches out her name. " I'd really hate to mess up that pretty face of yours, otherwise. Though, after that stunt of yours at the Bronze, I'm owing you."

" You touch me again, and I'll… " Cordelia threatens, but blinks. " Anyway, how do you figure, you owe me? After what you did to me?"

" What're you talking about, Princess? You got off scot free, after trashing me and Red's reps. I should pound you into the ground for that one …"

" Oh give me a break!" Cordelia hisses, " Like you didn't do something about it already!" Cordelia glares at her.

" What the hell are you talking about, pom-pom brains?" Faith's anger is rising. " Believe me, Princess, if I'd done anything to you, you'd know it!"

Cordelia stares at her, and looks in her eyes… Oh my god! She doesn't know! She doesn't have a clue! What the hell? Then who…? Cordelia, feeling the cut across the knees again, suddenly backs up. If she didn’t do that… and oh god she looks like she wants to…oh… crap… Think fast, Cordy, or you might wind up …

" I'm sorry, ok? I mean about the Bronze. It …I… don't hit me ok?" Cordelia genuinely looks scared.

Faith struggles with her temper, then sighs, and moves away.

" Look… let’s just agree to stay out of each other's way, ok? Don't bother me, I won't bother you. Everybody happy," She turns to Cordelia, " how 'bout that, Princess? Work for you?"

No! Not what I want! I want you to be crawling, dyke! Ok, gotta smooth this over, make nice… I can do this, I can pour on the charm.

" Look, Faith…. I was… ok, I was wrong, Ok?" Cordelia admits, even though it's killing her inside. " I treated you badly that first day, and I'm sorry.." God, I hate groveling. Ok, Cordy, you can do this. " We really got off on the wrong foot, you know? I… look, I want to start over. Can we do that?" Ok, done. God, I hate this. But I gotta get my revenge on the freak…

Alarm bells go off in Faith's head. Ok, something's reeeaaallly off here. She's apologizing… to me? Uh huh. Yeah, like I've suddenly gone stupid. She's up to something… but what? Naw, she's not one bit sorry for what she did… Nope, and she don't want to be friends. It's a set-up. This kind of demon? Goes for the kill. No mercy. No… she's up to something. Faith smiles internally. Ok, Princess. Let's see how far we can take this…

" Sure, Cordy… you don't mind if I call you Cordy, do ya?" Faith grins at her.

" No, of course not, Faith, " Cordy smiles. Perfect, she's buying it.

" Yeah, Cordy, maybe I judged you wrong," Faith stands up, and comes around behind Cordelia, leaning over. " Maybe we can bury the hatchet, ya know?" in your back, bitch." Whatcha say, Cor?" Faith almost has her chin on Cordy's shoulder. " Sound good?"

" Y-Yes, that sounds ok with me," Cordelia, with Faith so close, feels a little nervous.

" Great, Cor, " Faith smiles. She puts her hands on Cordy's shoulders. " So, I'm thinkin', we should seal this new deal with a celebratory drink. You up for it?"

" Well… uhhh… I don’t know, " Cordelia feels more and more intimidated by Faith's physical presence. Intimidated, and a little excited. What?

" Aw, c'mon, Cor, it'll be fun," Faith says, Her mouth is next to Cordelia's ear. " What's wrong, afraid to be seen with me?"

" N-No… I… it's just…" Cordelia stutters, her brain not working so well with Faith's breath tickling her ear.

" Hey, I get it," Faith says, " You got a rep to keep. Be a little weird being seen with me." She squeezes Cordelia's shoulders." Doesn't have to be the Bronze, babe. I know another place."

" Another place?" Cordelia gulps. " Uhhhh… ok, sure."

" Thatta girl," Faith almost breathes in her ear. She stands up, and squeezes Faith's shoulders. She walks back over to the other side of the table.

Cordelia feels her heart racing in her chest. God she's scary. Be careful Cordy, she can be dangerous.

Yeah, well so can I. I'll show her I'm not afraid. No one out intimidates Cordelia Chase!

" Here we go, " Faith brings her attention back to reality. She's holding out a slip of paper between her fingers. " Name of the place is Willy's. It's a trendy little bar down in the commercial district."

" B-Bar? Don't they like have age limits? How we get in?"

" Don't worry, Cor. I know the owner. He'll let us in." Faith waves the hand with the paper in it. " So, around nine-ish?" Faith smirks.

Look at her. She thinks I'm afraid. Well, I'll show her. I'm not afraid!

" Yeah, ok, cool." Cordelia snatches the paper out of Faith's hand

Before she can move her hand back, however, Faith has her hand in both of hers.

" Great, Babe. It'll be great. " She smiles, looking right into Faith's eyes." Wear something hot. We might get some serious action there." She winks.

Cordelia can't tell which is making her more nervous. The butterflies dancing in her tummy, or the fact her heart is beating faster than a trip hammer. But she puts a brave face on it, and smiles.

Faith lets go of Cordelia's hand, and Cordy pulls her hand back so fast, she almost hits herself with it. She's up on her feet.

" So, ummm… I'll see you 'bout nine then?"

" Right. Seeya," Faith winks at her again.

Cordelia, almost sweating, turns and leaves quickly.

And she's off. Whatta moron! Faith bites her lip not to burst out laughing. Oh, this is gonna be so sweet. I can't wait to see her face when she finds out what kinda bar Willy's is.

Chuckling to herself, she goes back to her book.

To be continued.
- 5
- 6
- 7
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Slayer