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

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
The Slayer

By Norwalker

Part 7 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

Xander Harris is worried.

I'm losing her he frets, looking at Willow dancing across from her. I'm so losing her!

This is his and Willow's first 'Official' date, and Xander is convinced that Willow wants to be anywhere but here.

She seemed a little off when I picked her up this evening. When I asked about it, she just blew me off, saying it was nothing. But she's been kind of… well, not here, all night. Not like she's been checking out other guys or anything. But she doesn't seem all thrilled to be here. With me, anyway. She's all scattered. I mean, more than usual. And quiet. Will…never quiet. When she gets quiet, Xander gets worried. And Xander, mega worried!

" Hey, so , cool band huh?" Xander asks, trying to get Willow's mind back here.

" Huh?" Willow says, then smiles. " Yeah… I caught the name when I came in, but I forget it now." Willow smiles. She moves closer to Xander."So, having a good time, Xan?"

" Dingoes," Xander says. What?

" What?" Willow looks a little confused. " You're having a Dingoes time? Is that some new Xander speak I don't know yet?"

" Huh?" Xander's confused. " No, that's the name of the band. Dingoes… I think the whole name is ' Dingoes ate my baby', but I might be wrong."

" That's a pleasant image, " Willow smiles strangely.

" What's a dingo?" Xander asks.

" It's a kinda wild dog in Australia, I think."

" Oh…" Then he thinks about it. " OH. Yuck!"

" Yeah, yuck," Willow giggles. She gets a little more serious. " So, Xander Harris, you never answered my question."

" Question?"

" Yes, question. The one I asked a few minutes ago."

Xander looks at her blankly.

" I don't remember you asking me a question, Will."

Willow almost wants to laugh. Poor baby. He's been on tenterhooks all evening. He must think if this doesn't go well, I'm going to bite him or something. He's been all sweet and attentive and has that cute little look he gets when he's worried. He's such a guy! Gotta love him!

" I asked, are you having a good time, Xan?"

" Huh? Oh, sure, Will, sure, " Xander grins, " Great time. Really great!"

Not thinking you're having such a good time, though. Xander's brow furrows.

" So, how 'bout you, Will? Having a good time?" Xander asks.

" Hmmm?" She seems distracted.

Like, all evening. Gosh, she's probably having a terrible time, and doesn't know how to tell me.

" Will, sweetie? Earth to will?" Xander says gently.

The music stops, and they stop dancing.

" Huh?" Willow says, looking around. " Hey, a little sweaty here. How 'bout we get some air?"

" Uh, sure, Will," Xander says. They start for the entrance.

Oh, oh. This isn't good. She's not answering, and she's taking me outside. Not liking this!

They make it outside, and move away from the entrance a little. Willow seems distracted, as if trying to think of what to say.

Xander for his part, is starting to get dragons on the tummy. She's not talking, she's NOT TALKING. Not good, not good, oh, so not good!

" Nice night. Fresh air…really fresh," Xander hits his chest, and coughs. "Ok, maybe could be fresher."

Willow looks at him strangely. She smiles, then looks away.

Still, not with the talking. Ok, Harris, if you gotta die, just get in there, and do it. Be a soldier, boy. Take it like a man.

" Willow?"

" Xander?" Willow looks at him. She smiles, and comes over, and hooks her arm in his," Hi, baby. What's up?"

" Will, I'm kind of sensing … well… maybe you're not all … I mean, maybe you want to be somewhere else?" Xander feels the sweat breaking out on his forehead. Gosh, this is harder than I thought it was going to be. " Ummm…" He continues. " maybe this isn't going so well?"

" What? Oh, Xander! NO!' Willow slips her arm around his waist, and snuggles close to him. " I love being with my Xan-man" She looks up and smiles. " I love you!"

" You do, really?" Xander feels a little better

" Well, yeah, you big goof, of course I do, " Willow goes on tippy- toes and kisses him. " You're my Xander baby." She slips under his arm, smiling up at him.

He smiles at her, then frowns. " You… I mean, I'll love you no matter what. But I mean, if you're having a terrible time, you can tell me, Will, It's ok."

" I'm having a wonderful time!" Willow protests. " I'm with my guy, we're at the Bronze, we're doing the dancing…"

" And yet, " Xander says gently, " Your mind seems a million miles away from here…"

" Oh, you noticed that, huh?" Willow looks a little guilty. " Sorry." She leans her head on his chest.

" Hey, Will, it's me, Xander. What's up? You can tell me anything, you know that…" Xander smiles. Please, please, don't let there be another guy, ok? Please!

" I know… just… something happened today… I'm still a little weirded by it."

" Happened? What happened, Will?"

" Well… look, you gotta promise. You can't get all guy on me."

" Huh?"

" I mean, no Rambo or nothing, ok? No getting all macho protective stuff."

" Will, what happened?" Xander's gets really worried now.

" Promise me, Xander" Willow insists.

" I can't do that, Will. If someone like hurt you, or something, I really have to go hurt them back… bad."

" No! Xander, it's nothing like that, " Willow smiles broadly. " You'd.. do that for me?"

" Well, heck ya, little lady," Xander puts on his best John Wayne.

" My hero," Willow giggles. " No, it's nothing like that Xander. Just, I know how you get. So, you gotta promise me, ok?"

" Well, Ok, but geeze, Will. You act like I'm a … Larry."

" Oh, no, Xander. You're sooo much cuter, " Willow smiles.

" Well, yeah, " Xander agrees, not quite getting what she means.

" Ok, well… I'm sorta worried about Faith, " Willow says, quietly.

" Gee, Will, I don't think you have to worry about her. I mean, I've seen her in action. She's pretty tough…" Xander says. " Oh…you mean maybe like guy wise? Don't worry, she's a hottie." He sees her expression. " Not like you… you're major league hottie. But I mean, she's pretty hot. A little butch for my tastes, but I'm sure with the right guy…"

" Oh, too butch for you, Xander?" Willow teases him, " I seem to remember the first night you met her, you were drooling all over her…"

" I so was not!" Xander protests. Then he grins. " Ok, maybe a little, but that was B.W."

" B.W?"

" Before Willowosity!" Xander smiles.

Willow fights a huge grin, and loses. She taps Xander on the chest.

" You big poop, " She says, softly, " You know just the right thing to say!" She hugs him tighter. " But it's not like guy wise, I'm worried … you know I went to like… well, make it up with her today? Right?"

Xander looks blank.

" I told you, Xander Harris. I was going to apologize about the Bronze, you know?"

" Oh… right, " He smiles. " How'd it go?"

" Not so good. She kinda…" Willow frowns, " She kinda blew me off."

" Blew you off?" Xander feels the heat rise. " Blew you off? What right has she to do that? Oh man, that's just… no way. I'm going to find her. Have a little talk with her. Tell her how the cow ate the…" Willow puts a finger to his lips. " What?"

" See, that's what I meant. I don't want you doing that, Xander. And you didn't hear all of the story."

" There's more? She did MORE!" Xander is getting really hot under the collar. " I know I promised, Will, but no one treats my Willow like that!"

" Your Willow?" Willow asks, archly, " Your Willow?"

" Uhhh.. ummm… I mean, my girlfriend Willow. I didn't mean like, I own you or nothing. I know that's bad, I just meant, you're with me… you're with me, right? And I… well, gee, Will, I can't like just let someone treat you like that, you know. But I'm not like saying you're mine, mine. Just that…"

" It's ok, Baby," Willow smiles, and kisses his cheek. " I kinda like the sound of that. Xander's Willow!"

" Really?" Xander looks all happy-happy.

" Uh, huh, " Willow smiles. He's such a sweet puppy. Think I'll keep him!" Thing is though, about Faith…"

" Grrr. Faith. Arrgh!"

"Now, Xan, don't get all macho, You didn't let me finish."

Willow fills in the rest for Xander, how she went back to the library and heard Faith talking to Giles, how she was trying to protect them, and the rest.

" Oh, " Xander says, going quiet.

" What?" Willow looks at him. Xander, without an opinion. Not in this reality!

" Ummm… nothing… I mean… well, Will, maybe she's … right."

" What?"

" Will, we're not like… demon hunter guys, you know. Ok, we went after Jesse, but that was different. That was Jesse. But maybe… we shouldn't be messing here. You know?"

Willow gives him a hard look.

" Well, she might be right, Willow. This isn't like our thing. She knows stuff we don't know. It could be dangerous."

" Alexander Lavelle Harris!" Willow exclaims, breaking from under his arm and backing up. " Are you telling me… you're chicken?"

" Willow!" Xander looks around quickly, to see if anyone heard. " you promised. When I told you my middle name, you'd never say it out loud, geeze!"

" I can't believe my ears!" Willow exclaims. " I thought I knew you, Xander. You're sometimes a little slow on the uptake, but I never figured you to be… a scaredy cat!"

" I'm so not a scaredy cat, " Xander protests. " Wait, slow on the uptake?"

" Faith's our friend!" Willow plows on," Ok, maybe she said she didn't want to be our friend, but that doesn't stop us from being her friend. And from how they were talking, she might be in trouble…"

" Willow," Xander tries to interrupt her.

" No, Xander, no ' Willow', she could be out there now, fighting something bad! She might be in danger!"

" Will, " Xander tries again. He's looking over Willow's shoulder.

" No, Xander. She might be hurt! Oh my goodness, she might be lying hurt somewhere, alone and afraid, all because she was trying to protect us!"

" WILL!"

" What?"

" Ummm… isn't that Faith…over there?" Xander points behind her, down the street.

" Huh?" Willow turns around, and sees Faith standing, apparently talking to someone. " Oh. Yeah." Her cheeks go a little pink. " Ok, maybe she's ok now, but what about later, Xander? Huh? She could get hurt at any time."

" Willow, she's like the slayer. That's her job. She knows the risks…"

" Xander," Willow's face takes on that particular set that indicates she's made up her mind on something. Her ' resolve ' face. Xander knows it all too well.

Oh, oh, what's she thinking? Xander gets a sinking feeling in his gut.

Faith starts to walk away, down an alley between two buildings.

" Xander… Xander… she's moving…lets go!" She tugs on Xander's sleeve, starting after her.

" Willow, she made it pretty clear she doesn't want us …"

" Xander Harris! If you don't go with me, ok, fine. Well, I'll just go alone. But we're through, mister. Get it?"

" Oh, man, Will…"

" Your choice, MR. Harris, " Willow says, the tiniest bit of frost in her tone.

I'm so gonna regret this. If I live to, that is!

" Ok, Will. I'm with. You know that."

Willow beams at him. " That's my Xan-man!" She grins. She starts off , following Faith.

Xander follows after, somewhat reluctantly.

All I can say is, there better be major kissage at the end of this date!

2

Cordelia Chase is not worried at all. She's peeved!

It's 9: 12 p.m. I'm here, Faith. Where are you? No one, NO ONE, makes Cordelia Chase wait. Not the captain of the football team. Not the guys at the check in counter at the airport. Cordelia Chase doesn't do wait!

There's no question about it. Cordelia took Faith's advice to heart. She looks hot.

She's wearing a leather skirt and jacket, matched, in a reddish brown color. Her legs are encased in dark nylons, and she's wearing 3" heels. Under her top she's wearing a tight, tan colored shell, and around her neck is a red/brown choker with a cameo.

Her make-up is definitely not demure, or reserved. Her eyes are emphasized, and her lips are a dark, deep red. Her hair is swept up, off her shoulders. Very Cordelia, very hot.

Ok, Faith. 5 minutes. I'll give you five more minutes, then this girl is so outta here!

At that moment, Faith turns the corner of the alley. She looks up towards the mouth, where Cordelia is standing, and stops. She chuckles.

Well, looks like Miss Priss showed up. Gotta admit, didn't think she had it in her.

Faith moves closer, and finally gets a better view of Cordelia. And hey, she did dress hot. Heh. Wait til she sees what's going to be droolin' over her. Too funny.

Faith herself, just to unhinge Cordelia a bit, dressed a little butch. She's wearing skin tight black jeans, motorcycle boots, a black wife-beater , and a leather bomber jacket. Each finger has a ring on it… all the better to break faces with… and also, for effect. Her only other adornment is a small silver cross .

Unlike Cordelia, her makeup is minimal. A touch around the eyes, mostly her trademark red lips. All in all, the effect is slightly butch. She's been callin' me butch, let's see how she likes butch. Heh. Though ,I'm thinking there's more to miss priss than meets the eye.

Faith moves quietly up behind Cordy, noticing she's paying attention to the street, and not the alley. Oh baby, this is gonna rock. She gets up close to her, less than 3 feet, and stands stock still. She waits to see if Cordelia will sense her presence.

When she doesn't, Faith reaches over and strokes her neck, saying " Heya, Cor."

Cordelia nearly jumps two feet straight up in the air. She turns on Faith, and glares at her.

" That was just mean!" She says, frowning. " You could've given me a heart attack!"

" Oh, is that right? Queen C? The bitch queen of Sunnydale high? Doubt it," She gives Cordy the once over. " Nice outfit, babe. Very hot." She grins.

It's then that Cordelia takes a look at what Faith is wearing, and gets that poundy! poundy! feeling in her chest.

Geeze, she looks kinda hot as … butch. Dammit, Cordy, stop it. We don't drool over the help. They get too full of themselves!

" You look pretty hot, too, I have to say," Cordelia says it before she realizes it, then feels the blood rushing to her cheeks. Damn, what did I just say to myself???!!! " I mean, if you're into that whole urban trashy butch look." She gives a disparaging look.

Faith didn't fail to see, even in this light, the way Cordy's cheeks flushed, however. She smirks, and starts moving towards her.

" So, ummm… Cor, think it's a bit much?" She looks, and notices Cordelia backing away. Whoa, are we a little scared?

Cordelia herself doesn't understand, it, but she feels herself backing away. This all seems too familiar… too much like… That dream. That fucking dream I had. She … oh no, no way. No way that's gonna happen. Not to me! Damn!

Cordy stops, and puts her hands on her hips. Her lips go tight.

" You're late. You said nine o'clock, and it's…" She looks at her watch,"… nearly 9:20…. I'm not accustomed to waiting, you know!"

" Well, geeze, I'm sorry, Princess," Faith doesn't sound the least bit sorry, " but I had things to do. Some of us don't have mummykins and daddums to take care of them, you know."

" It was rude to make me wait. You could've called."

" Oh, could I? How? Since I don't have your cell number," Faith's lips are tight, " and I really don't want it. You really should learn some patience. Even for the little people." Faith smirks just a little, and advances on Cordelia. Cordy backs up, a little startled that Faith is looking anything but subservient. " So, Princess, if it's sooo bothersome for you to wait, why didn't you just leave?" Faith gets closer, and Cordelia suddenly runs into the alley wall. " What's wrong? I'm not making you nervous, am I?"

" N-No… You're just being … so rude. I don't want to get near you!" Cordelia puts on a hard expression." Maybe we should just go in? We can go in, can't we?"

" Sure, " Faith moves away, waving in exaggerated courtesy, " After you." She can barely keep from laughing

Cordelia hurries towards the door, anything to get some space from Faith.

Faith, biting her lip, follows after.

3

"She had to go down this way, " Xander says, looking down the dark alley. So not wanting to go down there.

" I didn't see her go down there, " Willow looks down the alley, " she might have doubled back."

" Let's face it Will, we lost her," Xander looks a bit discouraged. " Not saying much for our tracking skills. Sherlock Holmes, we're not."

" I was thinking more. Clouseau, " Willow seems upset. " Not so much sure we lost her, than she lost us."

" Huh?"

" She knew we were following, and lost us, Xan." Willow leans against the wall." Maybe if we'd been more quiet." She gives him a pointed look.

" I already said sorry 5 times about the trash can. I didn't see it." Xander blushes. " I'm sorry." For the sixth time.

" Ah, it's ok. She probably had something she didn't want us getting in the way of, anyway," Willow sighs, a little discouraged.

" Will, I'm sure she's just trying to protect us, " Xander says, trying to be supportive." I don't think she's like ditching us."

" No, you're prolly right, but still, " Willow sounds a little aggrieved, " I wish she'd trust us. We're not morons."

" Well, you're not anyway, " Xander says, a little down on himself still for the trashcan incident. "I’m a spaz."

"Ahhh, but you're my spaz," Willow coos. She grabs his hand and pulls him closer. " Such a cute spaz, too."

She slides her hands up his arms and around his neck. She smiles , and leans close.

" Really?" Xander is beginning to like being a spaz.

" Oh yeah," Willow murmurs, leaning even closer. " Guess we'll just have to think of something else to do." She leans in and kisses him.

It's a warm soft kiss with promise of more. Xander returns the kiss eagerly.

" So, wanna head back to the Bronze?" Xander says, when they break the kiss.

" Oh, in a lil bit," Willow pulls him in for another.

4

The first thing to assault Cordelia once she crosses the threshold is the smell. God, what is that?… and gaaack.

The second thing to hit her is the noise. A combination of grunts, screeches and guttural speech. And the patrons were pretty loud, too.

The place was smoky, dark and cleanliness was definitely not a priority.

I got all dressed up for this? Cordelia fumes. And hey… I thought she said this was a trendy bar? Where are the hunks? And god, it's stinky!

" Hey, exactly what kind of place did you bring me too?" Cordelia says, turning on Faith. She's half angry, half scared. " I thought you were bringing me to trendy little bar. Only trend here? Skanks, losers and geeze… what's that?" She points at a tentacled demon.

Faith is just a little blown that Cordy didn't take one look, and run. Girls got guts. Not too bright, but got guts.

" Dunno. I'm just lookin' for someone. This is the address," Faith looks around. " What's wrong, Princess, ambience not up to your liking?"

" I thought … well, I kind a thought…" Cordy shakes her head, " god, Why'd I even get dressed up?"

" What'd you think this was gonna be? A date?" Faith gives her a look.

" No! Just well… thought we'd hang, maybe dance a little… geeze… " She looks at the bar. She's near peeing her panties. This doesn't look good at all. But damned if she'll show Faith she's scared. " You don't really expect me to like… drink anything here, do you?"

" up to you, Cor. I gotta little business here. Thought I'd mix business with… well, get my business done, anyway." Faith starts to walk towards the bar.

" Business? What kind of business you in?"

" I'm a research assistant. I'm doing research," Faith says, starting to circulate.

Oh no! you're so NOT leaving me alone with… She sees the tentacled thing waving at her, and hurries after Faith… that!

" … So anyway, I'm looking for a guy…" Faith says to one of the demons sitting at a table. Cordy walks up, standing, hip slung, looking impatient.

" Really? How 'bout your friend?" The demon drools. " She lookin, too? She might get lucky." He turns to Cordelia. " Hey, baby, how 'bout it?"

Cordy gets a " Get real" look on her face.

" No, she's with me, " Faith says, smirking. " least for now…"

" Really? Kinky! Both of you then?" The demon gets this hopeful look on his … well , face is closest.

" Sorry, looking for a specific guy. Tall, dark, kinda dentally challenged. Goes by the name Angel?"

" Angel? You mean Angelus?" The demon gets a sour look. " Don't hang out with vampires. They're skanks."

" Vampire?" Cordelia turns to Faith. " What kind of bar is this?"

" Didn't I tell you, babe? Demon bar."

Cordelia gets a repulsed look on her face. It covers the butterfly dragons breathing fire in her tummy. She glares at Faith. " You brought me to a demon bar?" A WHAT bar?

" What's wrong, baby? You don't like demons?" Drool demon asks. " You a bigot?"

" Nobody's a bigot here, big guy, " Faith smoothes it over a little. " Just, you seen Angelus around?"

" Told ya, don't hang out with vampires, " The demon turns away, " not too fond of humans, either. They break too easily."

He goes back to his beer.

Cordy is finding… she's really not liking this.

" Do you think you can keep your mouth closed, so I can do what I gotta do?" Faith grumbles at Cordelia.

" Hey, you brought me here, " Cordelia complains, " Not my choice!"

Faith sighs. " Why don't you just go sit at the bar and wait?"

Cordelia looks over at the bar. She doesn't like what she sees.

" No way!"

" Then, just shut up, and we can get outta here faster."

" Hey!" Cordelia protests, but is quiet.

They go to a few more tables, with no luck. A few of the demons and others give Faith an evil look, but don't say anything. They finally come to a table where there's a mix of demons and vampires.

" Hey, lookin' for a guy. Tall, dark, fangs. Goes by the name of Angel?"

No one at the table says anything, they just ignore her.

" Hey, you guys deaf?" Faith says, in a louder voice. " Any of you seen a vamp named Angel?"

" Look, " one of the demons, not looking at her, says, " We know who you are. So, just take you and your skanky ho of a girlfriend, and get out. We don't like your kind around here."

" NOT her girlfriend! NOT a skanky ho!" Cordelia blusters.

" Don't like our kind? What kind would that be?" Faith asks, her voice low.

" Not your kind, " The demon, now turned, waves at the both of them. " Your kind." He points at Faith. " Really don't like slayers, get it?"

" Slayer?" Cordelia looks at Faith and makes a noise. " What's a slayer?."

" You don't know what a slayer is, but you hang out with one?" The demon asks. " She's like… a mystic warrior. She… well, she fights us…" he waves at the table.

" Fights… you?" Cordelia gets a doubtful look." Look, you got it wrong. She's a research assistant, The only thing she fights are paper cuts."

The Demon gives her a dismissive look, and turns to Faith.

" I'm guessing you don't hear so well, slayer. Guess I'll just have to remove you myself."

" Like to see you try it, dork-o" Cordelia stands up to the demon.

Until the demon stands up, and reveals its almost 7 foot height. Then she backs off.

" Cor? Don't help, ok?" Faith puts up her hands, backing off. " We're gone."

Faith backs off, hands raised. She grabs Cordy, and pushes her back and away.

"Aren't you gonna like, fight them?" Cordy says, looking at the demons." I mean, if you're this slayer they call you?"

" Ok, were you born congenitally stupid?" Faith hisses at her. " Table of demons. Me. Who you think gonna win?"

" I knew you couldn't be this slayer thingie, " Cordy says, making a rude noise. " So now what?"

" Now, you leave, and I have a chat with the bartender." Faith heads towards the bar.

" No way. You dragged me down here, I'm not leaving until…"

Faith whirls on her, giving her a look. If Cordy had been a vampire, she would've been dust. As is, she just makes a noise.

" Fine, I'll go. Geeze, thanks a bunch for the swell time."

" Just get out of here!" Faith starts shoving her to the door.

" I'm going, dyke-o. Geeze, " Cordy shakes her off, and with as much dignity as she can command, storms out.

Cordelia, angry, starts walking towards her car. God, Whatta bitch. She didn't have to be rude! She makes it to the mouth of the alley, and stops. She stands, tapping her foot. No way! No way she's getting away with it. Waiting right here til she comes out, and then bam, gonna give her a piece of my mind!

Cordelia waits.

And waits.

And waits.

About 15 minutes later, the door of the bar opens, and Faith comes flying out, landing on her butt.

" And stay out, slayer! We don’t want your kind around here," A demon growls at her. The door slams shut.

However, Faith is grinning. Got it. Shoulda just started on the bartender to begin with. Whatta wuss. She stands up, brushes herself off, turns … and sees Cordelia, arms crossed over chest, tapping her foot at the mouth of the alley. Faith's expression turns sour.

" Well, that was a really great time I had, " Cordelia starts in on her. " Let's go for a drink. Yeah, right, so you take me to a demon bar? What is you're PROBLEM, Butch? Don't get enough action at the library? Gotta hang out at demon bars? Pretend to be all tough? God, what a loser! I shoulda…"

Faith is on her, pushing her up against a wall.

" Hey, what's your trauma? Let me go!"

" Listen you moron. You and your mouth nearly got me killed in there. I was doing fine, until you started getting all snarky, " Faith presses her against the wall. " Are you stupid? That place is dangerous, and you're all acting like it was some kinda picnic. God, what the hell is your IQ? Like, 8? Don't ever pull a stunt like that again!" Faith is pressed against Cordelia, her face an inch from hers. She raises her hand. " I should…"

Cordelia flinches, waiting for the blow. " Don't you hit me. I'll … I'll scream!"

" Look around, idiot! Think anybody' would give a rat's ass?" Faith lowers her hand. " Not gonna hit you, cow. Just get your skanky, lopsided ass outta my life. Don't want to be your friend, don't want nothing to do with you! " Faith backs off, and grabs Cordelia. She shoves her towards the street. " Go home to daddy, princess. You're not wanted here!"

Faith starts to stomp off down the alley.

Cordelia whirls around, runs after her, and shoves her in the back.

" Don't you EVER tell me what to do, you butch dyke loser!" Cordelia screeches at her," My daddy owns this town. He can buy and sell you…"

Faith turns around. Her face is a cold hard mask. She grabs Cordelia by the shoulders. She pushes her against the wall again.

Cordelia doesn't know what's worse. The cold fear in her tummy, or the very hot tingles below that.

" Listen up, bitch. You're daddy don't own me, got it?" Faith glares at her. " You're daddy'll never own me, bitch."

Cordelia's eyes go wide in fear. She starts to shake. She wriggles around, trying to break free.

Faith shoves her against the wall, hard. On a wild impulse, she kisses her violently on the mouth. Then she sneers at Cordy, releases her, and walks away down the alley, laughing.

Cordelia stands there, scared and angry beyond belief. Her whole body is shaking, and she can't stop it. She wipes her mouth, disgustedly, trying to wipe away the taste of Faith's lips.

She's never been so turned on in her life. What the hell was that about? She thinks to herself, but can't help but notice how tingly she feels. This is so majorly wrong on so many levels.

Sighing, she straightens herself out, and heads for the car. If butch bitch thinks she's gonna get away treating me… ME… that way, she's gonna learn diff really soon.

She doesn't see the figure emerge from the shadows, watching her. Following her. She just walks blindly along, as if at the mall.

Faith shadows behind her, watching to see that nothing comes out to attack her. When Cordelia slips in her car, and turns over the engine, she fades back. Does the girl even have a clue how dangerous it is around here? Stupid air-head cheerleader. God!

Shaking her head, she walks back to the alley and slips out of sight.

5

Faith stands alone in the dark, thinking. It's not long after she left Cordy in the alley, and she's got to make a decision. She knows where Angel is, at least, if you can believe Willy. A snitch? Never all that reliable. Especially when I hammering his head into the bar. Gotta check it out, before I tell Giles what the what is.

Faith starts out, limping a little where one of the demons twisted her ankle. Crap, wish I'd been a little more diplomatic with old Willy. Who knew the demons would come to his defense. She wanders through a maze of alleys and back ways, finally finding the warehouse Willy was babbling about after about the 3^rd head slam on the bar. She tries the back door, but it's locked. Damn. If I break it, I'll alert every vamp in the place. She looks around, and sees a drainpipe she can shinny up. As quietly as possible, she pulls herself up to one of the windows.

Flattening herself to the building, she peers in, trying to see if she can spot Angel, or anything else. At first, it's too dark to see anything.What I'd give for a little vamp night vision now. Then suddenly, some of the overhead lights come on, and a few figures come out of the shadows. They make for one of the interior supports. That's when she spots him.

Angel is tied to a center support. Someone has rigged a crossbeam, and a mock crucifixion appears to be going on. His arms are tied out on the crossbeam, and his feet are just far up enough so he can't put any weight on them. They are tied, or chained, to the support beam.

Shit, that can't be much fun, she thinks, noting his weight seems to be pulling on his arms. A few figures are moving around in the circle of light, and one seems to be talking to him. She can't make out faces, but she can tell whoever's doing the talking, has long blonde hair.Gotta be Darla. How cozy.

The talking figure takes out something, rears an arm back, and hits Angel with something. Angel jerks, and though she can't hear it, Faith is pretty sure he screamed. Ok…how many vamps down there, anyway? At that moment, more lights come on, and she can see there's a bunch of vampires down there. Crap… too many to take without something more than a stake and a knife. Gotta be near 20 vamps down there. Old Angel's gotta be a popular guy. Faith quietly makes her way back to the ground.

Hang in there, Fang. Be back soon as I can. Gotta get some serious firepower to take your buddies on.

Faith gets halfway down the alley and stops. They might have him seriously dead… the non walking around kind… before I get back. Maybe I should… She makes a face. What the hell am I thinking? He's a vampire. Do I give a damn what happens? Not really.

She shrugs, and disappears down the alley, into the night.

6

" So, you've located Angel then?" Giles asks, handing Faith some tea.

Faith looks at the tea with some disgust. God, don't you have something a little stronger? " Don't suppose you got a beer?"

Giles give her a disapproving look.

" Ok, guess not, " Faith sips her tea, making a face. " Yeah, I found Fang. Seems he's being held in a warehouse downtown. He was alive… well, not dead-dead… last time I saw him."

" We're going to have to mount a rescue, " Giles says, " how many vamps did you see?"

" Dunno, didn't like count them. Guessing somewhere around 20," Faith shrugs.

" Hmmm… that's rather a large number. Are you sure?"

" Well, I didn't have a door counter or anything, but yeah, pretty sure."

" We're going to need something I suspect, if we're going to take on that many…"

" I was thinking about that," Faith says.

" Oh? What's your idea?"

" Why are we playing the cavalry here anyway?"

" Faith, what're you suggesting?" Giles doesn't like the sound of this.

" Giles, he's a vamp . You know the things we're supposed to be killing. Why are we doing an A-team on him? Why not just… I dunno, let him get what he's got coming?"

" Faith! I can't believe what you're saying. Yes, he's a vampire, but he has a soul. He's not the killer he once was. We can't just leave him there. It would be wrong, " Giles notes the expression on her face, and switches tacks. " Besides, he's been a valuable source of information… and he might be good to have along in a fight… especially if what your informant says is true."

" Willy seemed pretty convinced, " Faith grins," Of course, I'd hit him a few times by then. But there's a lot of rumbling in the demon world…Seems this master dude is stuck where he is because he was trying to open the Hellmouth. If this harvest thing goes through, it might just open after him… then we got loads of fun going."

" Did he have a date when it was going to happen?"

" No… all I got was soon. Real soon."

"Any idea about where? The location?" Giles queries.

Faith shakes her head. " The details weren't real forthcoming, Giles."

" This is why were ' playing the cavalry' as you so colorfully put it, Faith. Angel might have those details… important details."

Faith looks sour, " yeah, well. Saving vampires, still not high on my list, you know?"

" If you have any other ideas where or how we can get the information, by all means, enlighten me. I'm open to all ideas."

" Ok, no need to get British about it, Jeeves. I get it." She smirks, " But if I get killed? So not talking to you again!"

" We'll figure a way, Faith, I'm sure."

" Well, actually, was thinking about that…" She catches Giles look. " Really this time. Thinking, daylight raid. Most vamps will be less active then. And we can open the windows, letting in the rays… might cut down the numbers some. We could make some Molotov cocktails, you know? Lob them in, maybe start a fire. Get them panicked…. Then kinda slip in and cut old Fang free and motor fast…"

" That's very good thinking . And while we're providing a distraction, Willow and Xander can get Angel away…"

" Whoa, Xander? Willow? No… uh-uh. They're out. No way." Faith says quietly, but there's steel in her tone.

" Faith, they've expressed a desire to help, on more than one occasion. And especially with this number of vampires, I think it prudent we bring them in. Purely support roles, of course, keep them out of harm's way. But they could be…"

" No, absolutely not." Faith is adamant." I'm not even liking bringing you into this. But you know the score, Giles. At least you'll try to be careful." She gets up, pacing. " No, I don’t even want them to know about this."

From her hiding place beneath the open window, Willow frowns. Well, that's not going to happen, Faith.

After her date with Xander, Willow had snuck out of her house and made a beeline for Giles'. She'd hidden in the shadows, figuring Faith would show up to report in. She'd almost been asleep when she heard Faith coming down the stairs. She crawled under the window, and listened.

Try to keep me out, huh? Well, not gonna happen , Faith. Like it or not, I'm part of this.

" That's partly why I wanted to do this in the daytime, Giles. Xan and Red will be happily or otherwise tucked up in class, and they won't even know about it til it's over. Better all around."

Right. Get you and Giles seriously dead. That’s so much better, uh-huh, Willow fumes a little. Not helpless, Faith. I can help! She thinks a second. Wait, that means I have to skip school. Damn! She shrugs. It's all for the greater good. I know Xander won't be too broken hearted.

"I still don't like this, Faith. I wish we had more players, " Giles sighs. " But I suppose we go with what we have."

" No real choice, Giles. " Faith says, quietly, " Don't worry, we'll get it done." She gets a disgusted look on her face. " Just wish it were for something besides a vamp. This seems totally stupid. I'm telling ya, Giles, " Faith continues, " Angel's got his own reasons for screwing over the Master. I'm thinking he's got his own agenda. Don't know what it is yet, but he's gonna pull something. You watch."

" If he does, we'll deal with it, Faith."

" Tell you what, Giles. Not dying for no vampire, don't care if he's really mother Teresa. It gets bad, we get out, got it?"

" I agree, Faith. We can only do our best." Giles is grim. " I'll be sorry to lose him, but neither of us is going to die for him."

Die? Did someone say die? No… no dying here, Willow feels a little, no, a lot nervous. Nope. Not gonna happen.

" So, we done here, Giles?" Faith asks, standing up. " Like to get home and crash. Feeling kinda wiped."

She's leaving. better get gone. Don't want her to find me here. Willow slips out from her hiding place, making for the stairs.

" Yes, that's probably a good idea. It's going to be a long day tomorrow, I suspect, " Giles says.

Faith walks towards the door, then turns.

" Never figured I'd go on a mission to rescue a vampire. Go figure." She shakes her head. " This place is nuts, you know?"

Without further comment, she leaves.

Willow is just starting to climb the tree in front of her house to negotiate her way to her room when a voice stops her.

" Hey, what's goin on?" Faith calls up quietly. " Red, that you?"

Damn, what do I tell her ' bout being out so late?

" Yeah, " Willow says, frozen in place.

" You just getting in?" Faith asks.

" Uh-huh"

" Hmmmm, " Faith lets out a low whistle. " Musta been some date."

" Huh?" Willow smiles. She thinks I'm just getting back from my date. Whew! " Yeah, It was … good."

" Just good, huh?" Faith chuckles. " So… did major kissage happen?"

" What? Oh… yeah, " Willow even at this distance blushes. Then a frown appears. " Thought you didn't care, Faith. You know? Kinda made that clear this afternoon."

" Right. You're right, I don't care." Faith says, stung. She starts around the house. " G'night Red."

Will. What's wrong with you? She was trying!

" Faith, wait!" She calls out. But Faith is already gone. Damn. Damn.

Sighing, Willow slips out of the tree, onto the roof, and through her bedroom window.

Faith stands silently in the darkened driveway along side the Rosenberg house. Her expression is terse and grim.

" I really wish I didn't care, Red." She mutters.

She walks towards the back apartment.

7

Angel feels a bucket of cold water splash over his face. Even though he doesn't need to breathe, he wasn't expecting it, and gets some in his nose and lungs. He sputters, and his eyes open.

He's quite a mess. His body is covered with bruises, cuts and burns. He hangs on a makeshift crucifix. He smiles cynically. Somehow appropriate, considering. All the pain comes shooting back, and he bites his lip not to groan.

" Hello, lover, " Darla smiles, seeing him awake. " did you have a nice rest?"

" Nice to see things don't really change, " Angel croaks, his throat dry. " Waking up next to you? Always was like a bucket of cold water in the face."

" Well, I see torture and lack of sleep hasn't dulled your tongue, Angelus, " Darla smiles," but then, you always liked torture." She kisses his cheek, then walks over and gets something from a glowing brazier. She comes back, holding a heated poker in her hand. " You know . I just don't get it, Angelus," Darla lays the hot poker on his chest, crossing over the nipple. Angel bites his lip until it bleeds, to keep from crying out. " You help these humans against us. It just doesn't make sense," She looks at Angel quizzically. " Why?"

" Well, Darla my dear, no one would accuse you of over thinking things, would they?" He looks at her. " You just wouldn't get it."

Darla crosses back to the brazier, to reheat the tip of the poker. " Thing is, they'll never accept you, Angelus. You'll always be one of us… don't you see that?"

" I'm not one of you. Haven't been for awhile, " Angelus says through gritted teeth.

" But you're not one of them, either. So sad for you, " She says. She comes over, and lays the burning poker on his cheek. " They're never going to see you as anything as a monster. Don't you see that?" She looks in his eyes. " No, I guess you don't. It's that… soul of yours. You think you're some blessed Angel now, don't you?" She sighs, and puts the poker back in the brazier. She picks up a cloth, then gingerly grabs and object next to the brazier. She crosses to Angel. " Thing is, Angelus, no matter what you do, how you try to be a ' good ' little boy, he doesn't love you, " She presses the cross to his stomach. A hissing can be heard, and Angel cries out. " That's right, lover, cry out. Feel the pain. Feel the rejection. He hates you. He always will."

Feeling her own hand burning, she tosses the cross away. She comes back to Angel.

" It doesn't have to be this way, Angelus. Just be you…" She leans in, kissing his lips, " Just let the real you out. Don't fight it, baby." She caresses his chest. The chest covered with cuts and burns. " It's right here, baby, if you'd only let it out. We could be together again. Just you and me. We could go to Europe…" She smiles, almost wistfully, " You remember Europe, Angelus. We had such fun there." She gets a wave of nostalgia. " Remember Budapest? Ahhh… that was … such a lovely hell." She sighs, and moves away. " Angelus, I know you're in there. Just let yourself be free, Darling, and we can leave this place. God, I hate this town… all it's people are sooo…quaint and laced up tightly." She moves back to him, putting a hand on his cheek. " What do you say, lover? Let me end it. Just say the word…"

Angel just looks at her.

" Darla?"

" Yes, lover?"

He spits on her.

She wipes the spittle off her cheek. Her expression is a mixture of annoyance, amusement, anger, and just at touch of hurt.

" Well, lover, I guess we'll just have to do this the hard way. Torture that nasty, filthy soul out of you, " She moves back to the brazier, and picks up two pokers from the fire. She walks back to Angel.

" After all, I have an eternity to do this. So do you." She rams the two poker into him, one in his stomach, and the other in his thigh.

" So, let me know when it hurts, lover."

He screams.

She smiles.

To be continued.
- 6
- 7
- 8
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The Slayer