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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
- 7
- 8
- 9
The Slayer

By Norwalker

Part 8 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

Cordy just wants to forget last night.

What the hell was I thinking, meeting her down there? Nasty bar, nasty girl, fits for her, but why'd I even do it? Yeah, ok, still working on humiliating her ass … now more than ever, after that … fiasco of last night

" HEY, RUDE-O!!! Watch the horn can't you see I'm driving here!" Cordelia yells out the driver side window at the jerk pulling around her, waving the finger at her. God, can you get anymore barbaric?

What's her deal, anyway? Think she's gonna scare me with that Halloween costume she wore last night? Or those creeps in the bar? I bet that's it. I bet she set it all up, expecting to see me go running like a wuss … god, musta burned her butt when I took it all casual.

Shit, who am I kidding? I was half peeing my pants last night. God, and then after, when she's attacking me? And shit, she was like so hot in that outfit… and it was so weird. Just like that nightmare. Her pushing me up against the wall… and that kiss… Cordelia licks her lips without realizing it. … no, nuh-uh, we don't do that, Cordy. She just threw you for a little loop. Messed with your head and you fell into it.

Well, got her game now, and if that's the best she can do? Gonna crush her hot little ass … why'd I say that? …

Cordelia pulls into the school parking lot, and almost crashes into a mis-parked car, just swerving at the last second. "God, " She mutters, " What's wrong with people today?" She grumbles. " Stupid idiot drivers!" She finds a spot and parks quickly, hopping out of her car.

Cordelia is approaching the front of the school when she sees Faith walking up the sidewalk, moving swiftly towards the entrance. Cordy hangs back and watches her. She's moving swiftly, her hair loose, blowing behind her in the breeze. She moves with an unconscious grace, her body moving in an almost sensuous ease, as if each muscle were tuned to the others. Her face has a determined, focused look on it, and she seems to be in her own world; unaware of anything or anyone around her.

Cordelia stands watching her with a singular awe, as if seeing her for the first time. Her whole focus narrows, until she feels as if nothing is there but this woman. She can almost feel her movements in her own muscles, and for a brief second she can feel the breeze in her hair, the sense of motion and purpose following through her, capturing her, flowing to her center.

Magnificent. No, wait. Wrong. Stupid, dykey, a bitch. That… damn…

" Gee, she must be late for her Lesbo Pride meeting or something, " A voice says from behind her. Harmony's voice.

For a brief second, Cordy is tempted to whirl and slap Harmony for the remark… HUH?… but then gets it back in control.

" Hey, Harm, " Cordy says, trying to sound casual, " probably her copy of Butch Life Monthly came in, and she's anxious to take a gander at the centerfold, " Cordy snickers, " ' Oooo, baby, all that flannel makes me hot'. Heh, hate for her to miss out on this month's selection of designer work boots."

" Yeah, " Harmony gives her a sidelong glance. " So, did you hear about Missy Peters and Brad Carson?" harmony asks.

" What's the dirt?" Cordelia stops. She's been scamming on Brad for like, forever, but Missy's always been his girlfriend.

" Broke up. Splitsville," Harm makes a ripping noise. " No more Brad and Missy. Seems she dumped him for the captain of the varsity basketball team."

" Really?" Cordelia doesn't look at all sorry, " Gee, someone should go comfort that poor boy!"

" Oh yeah, someone should, " Harmony agrees. They look at each other, and giggle.

" Hey, I heard something funny …" Harmony gives Cordy a look.

" Yeah?"

" Yeah, I was talking to Melinda Chambers last night on her cell.. and she swears she saw you downtown last night.

" That's stupid, " Cordy puts in, " I was home sick. I think it was something I ate at school yesterday."

" Yeah, that's what I told her. I mean, that's the only reason you'd miss practice, right? Because, I know how important getting the state championship is to you. But she says it was you, and you were outside a bar, talking to someone." Harmony shrugs, but there's a look on her face. " She couldn't tell if it was a guy or a girl. She thought it might be a girl, dressed like a guy. Had long hair. Anyway, I told her she was crazy. You were home in bed, sick."

" Exactly, " Cordy says, entering the school. " That Melinda Chambers is a big fat liar. Always has been, " Cordy looks to see if Harmony is buying it. " You know she's had it in for me like forever!"

"Sure, sure, Cordy," Harmony smiles and nods. " Just thought I'd let you know… you know how rumors can get all weird and stuff."

" Yeah, thanks Harm, " Cordelia says, but notes the little look Harmony gave her. Seems Harmony's getting a wee bit greedy… she better be careful. She doesn't, so doesn't, want to mess with me.

Cordelia looks down the hall, and sees Faith taking a drink at the water fountain. She smiles evilly, and switches sides with Harmony.

" What?" Harmony says.

" Watch and learn, " is all Cordelia says.

As they pass Faith, Cordy gives her a hip check into her butt, knocking Faith a little forward, her teeth hitting the water fountain. She looks up.

" Ooops, Sorry, " Cordelia says, her tone slightly sarcastic. " Didn't mean to hit you. Guess you need a little work on that butt."

Faith looks up at her, and smirks. " No problem, Cordelia. Could say the same about those hips."

Cordelia starts to move on, but Faith has casually raised her leg, and Cordelia trips over it. She goes flying ,landing on her butt, legs akimbo. Her books are scattered. She looks up, face flushed and angry.

" Ooops, " Faith grins. " Guess you should watch where you're walking." She gives Cordy a brief glance . " Might wanna close those knees before someone sees something you don't want 'em to."

Cordy, blushing, clamps her legs closed. She glares at Faith.

Smirking, Faith moves off towards the library.

" That stupid lesbo, " Harmony helps Cordelia up." Someone should teach her a lesson."

Cordy brushes herself off, straightening her skirt.

" Oh yeah," Cordy agrees, as she recovers her books.

Stupid bitch. So gonna teach you to mess with me!

2

Faith, feeling pretty cocky after her little run in with Cordelia, pushes open the library door and strides in. fun's fun, but time to get to work. Hope Giles isn't late. Wanna get this done!

" Hey, Giles! You around here, somewhere?" Faith calls out. She makes her way to the table, and sets down her bag. " Wanna get going."

Giles emerges from his office, and starts down the stairs. He's quickly followed by Willow and Xander.

Faith looks at them, then looks at Giles. Her expression isn't particularly happy.

" What's going on?" Faith asks, deciding to bluff it out." How come you're here? Looking for some books?"

" Faith, they're well aware of what's happening. They want to help," Giles says simply.

" Oh," Faith says softly. " Well… no, " She turns her back, walking away from the table.

" Excuse me?" Willow, at the rear, speaks up. " Who made you boss?"

" Destiny made me boss, Red, " Faith turns around, " Fate put me in charge. Don't like it, get lost. Don't care. You aren't going. Neither is Xander. End of discussion."

" Lest you forget, Faith, I'm your watcher. I'm in charge."

" Sorry, Jeeves, but when it comes to the fighting? I'm in charge. I'm the one putting my ass out there every day, so no… they don't go, simple, period. Talk over."

" Bull," Xander speaks up, " you may be the slayer, but this is our town, Faith. We've lived here all our life. Not big on the caring about your destiny, or the rest of it. No one asked you here; you just came, and have been playing at boss ever since. Sorry, but when it comes to Sunnydale, I've got a stake here, and so does Will. Don't like it? Tough. Go home."

" I think that'll be enough, Xander," Giles says.

" No, he's right, Giles, " Willow backs up Xander, " this isn't her town. She loses, and some monster takes over, so what? She just goes somewhere else. But we live here, Giles. We have a right to fight for it. She doesn't have a right to just cut us out, because it doesn't fit in her plans, " Willow turns to Faith. " I don't care who or what you are, Faith. I'm not being left behind, so get used to it."

" Get used to it?" Faith almost laughs. She runs up the stairs, and gets right into Willow's face. " What're you gonna do, Red, when the vamps start comin' at you? Faint like the last time?"

" Hey, that's not fair!" Xander comes up to Faith, " She was attacked by Jesse. He bit her."

" And you, Xander. What happens when you gotta face down a bunch of vamps? You did ok with one, but how's five or six or a dozen hit you? Gonna be brave then, guy? How 'bout when you're watching them suck the life out of Red. How's that gonna feel, you moron?"

" Don't call him a moron!" Willow hits her, " he's got a ….ow!"

Faith grabs Willow's arm, and twists it around. " I'm not even as strong as a vamp, Red, and I gotcha. What you gonna do when the real thing gets ya? Whine?"

" Let her alone!" Xander comes over and throws a punch, that Faith blocks.

" That what you're going to tell them when they're killing her, Xander? Let her alone?"

Willow kicks back, hitting Faith in the shin. Faith, startled, drops her arm, and Willow comes around with a punch, Faith blocks it. She leg sweeps Willow, knocking her on her butt. She makes to go after Xander.

" ENOUGH!" Giles yells, at the lot of them. They stand, except Willow, looking foolish. Giles walks over to Faith, his face pale with pink spots on his cheeks. " I rather expect foolishness out of them, but you?" He looks at his slayer. " Maybe you've forgotten, Faith, but you're my slayer. That means, you do what I tell you to do. And threatening me?… won't change that at all, " Giles says. Faith lowers her arm." Get this straight, " He addresses the group, " this is serious. I don't have time for your petty squabbles. You two can go, " Giles says, softly, but there's iron under the velvet.

" Giles! They'll get killed! This is …." She stops on his look. " Fine, " She whispers, angrily.

Willow gets a little triumphant smirk on her face. Giles sees it, and isn't pleased.

" Now listen here. Faith is right. She's the general on the field. So, what she says? Goes. NO ARGUMENTS! If she says run, you run. You DON'T counter her. She's in charge. Clear?"

Willow and Xander nod.

" Good. I'm glad we understand each other, " Giles says, his temper calming a little. " Now, let's stop this nonsense. We have a lot to do before we go rushing in that warehouse."

" I hope you can live with this, Giles, " Faith says, as they come to the table.

" What would that be, Faith?"

" If they get killed, it's on your head."

" That's enough, Faith."

" I'm done, " Faith says, sitting down. The others, including Giles, sit by her.

They start to go over the plan for attack.

3

Cordelia Chase is bored. Creative writing has that effect on her. Most things have that effect on her.

"So, class, today we'll study action sequences in the adventure novel," Mrs. Wright intones, her monotone throwing Cordy into a semi-detached state.

She stares out the window of the classroom, seeing whatever there is to see.

She sees Giles, followed by Faith, Willow and Xander… Hey, where are THEY going?… leaving the school grounds. What's going on? What're they up to?

Faith thinks about last night, what that demon said, about Faith being a " Slayer" … some mystical warrior that fights evil. That's just crazy… isn't it?

She thinks about that night… how strong she was. How cool she was in the demon bar. And the first time she met her… how she moved like a cat… how she did a double flip like it was nothing…

Maybe she is this slayer thing… maybe that's what's up… they're going on some kind of like… mission? But with Willow? And Xander? Those geeks? God, what're they gonna do? Carry the weapons? And Giles? He'll bore the monsters to death… naw… still…

Her mind wanders to last night, in the alley. Faith having her up against the wall… and then they're in another alley…and vampires are attacking.

Cordelia is brandishing a knife and stake that Faith gave her. She looks mega stylish in her Prada turtleneck and Gucci jeans and boots. Of course. And Faith is looking pretty hot herself. Hot and cool, because she's really going to town on the vamps attacking.

Cordelia's holding her own, slicing here, dicing there, getting the stake in. But suddenly, she's grabbed from behind by some huge vampire. She struggles to free herself, but it's hopeless. The vampire's just too strong!

" Faith, help… please!" Cordelia calls out, wriggling in the vampire's grip.

" Be quiet, little girl. You're friend can't help you now, you're mine!" The vampire fiend replies, leaning over Cordy. He's all bumpy and fangy. " I'm going to …"

" What? Gargle first, I hope, " Faith quips, as she runs to Cordelia's aid." You blood suckers really have stinky breath, ya know?"

" Give it up, slayer. She's mine!"

" No way, Tall, dark and bumpy," Faith cries, running at the vampire. Her fist connects with face, and the vampire reels back, releasing Cordelia.

" Run, Cordelia! Be safe! I'll protect you!" Faith says, attacking the vampire.

She hits the large vamp with a roundhouse kick. It knocks him backwards. But he recovers quickly, and grabs her, throwing her against the wall. He starts towards Cordelia, who hasn't left.

Faith bounces off the wall, and seeing the vampire going for Cordelia, jumps on his back, pounding him around the head.

" No, you fiend! You can't have her!" Faith cries out, boxing his ears.

The vampire roars, and grabs her hands, flipping her over his back. She lands, and faces him, in a classic fighting pose.

The vampire squares off against her.

" Give it up, shrimp!" He taunts her, " Once I've crushed you, I'm going to suck your girlfriend dry!"

" You'll never win, you foul thing, for I'm the slayer!" Faith declares. She goes into action against him.

She fights like a 70's kung fu movie, with some recent wall climbing and floating through the air kicks ala The Matrix. She's all over him, kicking, punching, cutting with sword and knife. There's even the cheap out of sync sound effects courtesy every Bruce Lee movie ever made.

Finally, Faith has the vampire down on it's back. She's straddling it, and lifts a stake over its heart.

" How? How did you, a puny human, defeat me?" The vampire groans, realizing it's remaining un-life is measured in nanoseconds.

" How? Because I am strong! I am invincible! I'm the slayer!" She plunges the stake, " And your Hoovered! "

Faith leaps up, and starts doing a victory dance. The theme to " Rocky" swells in the background.

Cordelia, her heart beating fast, her breath coming shallow, approaches the dancing slayer.

" Oh, Faith! That was wonderful, " She breathes, feeling her body tingle. " What do we do now?"

" Now, baby?" Faith looks at her, and stops dancing. A wicked evil grin comes over her face. " Now, I hurt you… in the best way!"

Faith grabs Cordelia, and pushes her against the wall, kissing her violently. Her lips are burning trails down her neck.

" Oh… Faith…" Cordelia breathes, her heart pumping wildly. " You hurt me in the best way!" She hears her 200 dollar turtleneck sweater rip, and she doesn't care. All she cares about is the fire Faith's hot lips and hands are causing her. " Yes, baby, yes… hurt me …please…"

" Cordelia… I have to tell you something," Faith says, her passion causing her to pant.

" What, my darling?"

" This is a dream, you moron! WAKE UP!"

" Cordelia!

Cordelia!

" CORDELIA!"

Cordelia awakes from her daydream, to see Mrs. Wright, the English teacher, staring at her. Along with most of the rest of the class. There are definite titters and chuckles to be heard.

" Huh?" Cordelia blushes .

" I'm glad you could rejoin the class, Ms. Chase, " Mrs. Wright smiles, a little meanly,

" Sorry, I was sooo fascinated by your lecture, I was enraptured," Cordy snipes back, getting a laugh from the class.

" I see. So then, if you will, Ms. Chase. Please analyze the passage on page 98 of the text, using some of the methods we just discussed in class."

Busted! God ,how utterly humiliating! She thinks as she stalls to try to recall anything Mrs. Wright was talking about.

What is this bitch doing to me? She glowers about Faith, and how again she's managed to mangle her life.

And damn, I'm wet!

4

" This is very disturbing," Giles whispers, watching Faith.

" Shhh, Jeeves, I almost got it, " Faith says, kneeling by the back door of the warehouse.

Faith is expertly manipulating the lock with a set of lock picks. She listens, then smiles when she hears the tell tale click.

Got it," She whispers, standing up and waving them away from the door. They follow her a distance away.

" You realize of course I in no way encourage you in the practice of burglary, " Giles looks at Faith disapprovingly.

" Chill, Giles. Just a little talent I picked up in Southie," Faith grins.

" I don't get it, " Xander says, " you've got that slayer's strength. Why didn't you just bust the lock?"

" And alert every vamp inside, Xan?" Faith looks at him disparagingly.

He blushes.

" Ok, let's review. I'm going up, and start smashing the windows above," She points at the windows near the roof. " Once I'm halfway through, you guys open the door, and start lobbing the Molotov cocktails at them. Got it?"

Xander and Willow nod.

" Ok. Giles, you got the crossbow?" Giles nods. " Good, then you shoot anything moving inside. Once I've reached the end, I'm jumping in, releasing dead boy and shoving him your way. You guys grab him, and get him out of there. Got it?"

Nods all around.

" Good, then, questions?"

" What about you?" Willow asks, " What if you get like, caught by some of them?"

" Don't sweat it, Red. Slayer, remember? I can hold my own. But whatever, don't wait for me. Get Dead boy wrapped up, and away. Got it? No heroics, ok?"

" Ok," Willow says reluctantly, " But still…"

Faith gives her a look. She goes silent.

" If this doesn’t work? Don't hang around. Run. All of you…me too. I'm not dying for dead boy, and nobody else is either. Anything goes wrong, we abort. Got it?"

"We got it, " Xander says. " Smash, throw, shoot, retrieve, wrap, run and party."

" See, if Xan can get it, all of you can. I repeat. NO HEROICS!" She picks up the iron bar she brought to smash the windows, then starts towards the warehouse. " ok, you guys, get ready."

Faith sticks the pipe in her belt, and shinnies up the drainpipe. She reaches the ledge running along the windows, and pulling the pipe, starts smashing the windows. She gives each a hard blow, and moves on til she's at the end of the line. Then she pushes through the smashed window, and doing a aerial flip, lands on her feet…

Only to find the warehouse deserted. What the fuck? Wait! They left dead boy!

She sees Angel, still tied to the supporting beam in the middle of the warehouse. But there's nothing else. No other vamps. Well, that's easy! She chortles. She runs over to Angel, and starts cutting the bindings.

" Hey guys. Coast is clear. C'mon in." She calls out.

The gang enters through the picked door, and look around.

" I thought you said there were like 20 vampires here last night," Xander looks around.

" There were. Musta gotten tired, or bored, " Faith has both Angel's hands free. She kneels to start on his feet.

" Faith…" Angel, regaining consciousness, gasps out.

" Yeah, chill Big Guy. We'll..."

A door at the rear of the warehouse slams open, and the vampires stream out into the warehouse.

" Well, well. Slayer, " Darla, leading the parade of vamps, calls out. " Good to see you again. Oh, and you brought your buddies along too. Great… more snacking"

Faith looks up to see the vampires beginning to encircle them. Aw, fuck me!

" Guys, did you bring the stuff?"

" Uh… we left it outside, "Xander says, " We thought…"

" Great. Now you think. Shit." Faith looks around. She cuts the last of the cords binding Angel's feet.

Freed from his bonds, and weak from his torture, he flops over, right onto Faith.

" Dammit!" She turns, and pushes him towards the others. " Go, get him out. I'll stall them as much as I can…"

Giles, Willow and Xander grab Angel, and start towards the exit. Giles did remember his crossbow, and as Willow and Xander carried Angel out, he covered them, shooting at any vampire that approached. Keeping them at bay, the made for the door.

Faith in the meantime, turned to take on the advancing horde.

Shit oh mother! This doesn't look good at all!

No one could ever accuse Faith of hesitating. Pulling a stake in one hand, and a long knife in the other, she ran into the crowd, yelling.

" Well, what're you waiting for, you morons?" Darla yells at the vampires. " Get them!"

Faith fights like a madwoman. Punching, slashing, staking, kicking, she attacks the advancing vampires. One after another, the vampires start to dust, as stake hits heart, and knife hits neck.

But there are simply too many of them. They keep coming, and she begins to tire, Fuck me, gotta keep going, I gotta. I might take the big dirt nap, but I'm taking a whole bunch of these suckers with me. She keeps at it, staking when she can, hitting and punching, kicking… but gradually, the wave of vampires overwhelms her. Her arms are held, and struggle as she might, she can't break free. She's pushed to a clear spot, where Darla's waiting.

Darla looks at the winded slayer, and smiles.

" Well, Faith. Doesn't look too good for you. Let's see, it's what? 15 to 1? More? Gotta say, that's pretty gutsy. But you gotta face it, you're not walking out of here. "

Faith looks at her, and grins. " You know, Darla? You're always making with the threats, but so far? Not too big on the follow through. I beginning to think you're afraid of me."

" You're kidding, right? I mean, c'mon Faith. No way you're getting out of this. What the hell do I have to be afraid of?"

" Well, easy to take me out with 15 vamps standing around, breathing down my neck. But one on one? You'll run every time. You're gutless, Blondie."

" Oh, really, " Darla grins. She shakes her head, and vamps out. " Let her go."

" What? Wait a minute, Darla… " one of the vampires holding Faith speaks up.

" Oh, c'mon you morons. She's not going to win. And if she starts to get me, just jump in and take her out. God, do I have to spell it out for you?"

The vampires holding Faith release her. She grins.

" you know, Darla? You really should get some work done, especially round the eyes. All those years are beginning to show."

" Oh, gee, I guess I'm supposed to be all hurt now?" Darla snarls. She launches off, jumping on Faith. " Sorry, sticks and stones, slayer." She punches Faith in the face.

Faith reels back from the blow, but then throws a kick, and the fight is on.

The two women go at each other with a vengeance. Darla, despite her looks, is really strong, and gets a few good licks in on Faith.

Faith, for her part, comes roaring back, kicking , punching, and in the classic chick fight arsenal, pulling hair and biting. They wind up rolling on the floor, Faith on top, then Darla, each getting some mean punches in.

The crowd, surrounding them, eggs them on. The majority is rooting for Darla, but a few , tired of Darla's haughty ways, silently root for Faith. Not that they'll spare her, but they wouldn't mind the slayer taking out Darla, to boot.

Darla has gotten on top of Faith, and is hitting her with relish.

" Not so smart now, are you, slayer? Where're your witty come backs…?!"

Darla is interrupted when a scream is heard, followed by a second, and then more.

" What the hell?" She says, getting up. She pulls Faith up by the collar, holding her like a rag doll. She looks over into the crowd.

Just in time to see some Molotov cocktails flying towards the group. The Molotov's hit, break, and cover some of them with gasoline… and then they start to burn.

The crowd breaks up, running to get away from the flying death. They reveal Xander, Willow and Giles, each with a Molotov, ready to toss. They let fly, and hit some more of the fleeing vampires. Whoosh… and then screams as they turn to dust.

" Well, baby," Faith grins, bruised but crowing, " looks like it's just you and me now!"

" Screw you, Faith. This is over now," Darla tosses Faith away.

Darla, looks for a way to escape, looking one way, then another. Then she just takes off running.

Faith, weakened, pushes herself up. She pulls out a stake, and aiming carefully, throws it at the retreating vampire's back. The stake hits home, staking Darla through the heart.

Darla dies in motion, her body clouding into a long trail of dust.

" YEAH!" Xander jumps up and down, ecstatic. " Did you see that? Wow, that was totally cool. We so burned their asses!"

Xander and Willow do a high five, then a low five, and then another high five.

" We are totally mega vampire fighters! " Willow crows, dancing around and feeling pretty pleased with herself. " Did you see their faces when we started lobbing the Molotov's at them? Man, I thought they were going to crap apples right then!" she dances a little more. " We are just so totally awesome!"

Faith moves to the group. She's got a frown on her face.

" Faith, did you see it? We rock!" Willow calls out, happy-happy.

" We totally fried their butts!' Xander adds in.

They do another high five.

" Hello, Faith. I'm glad you're…"

" Ok, are you guys deaf, or just stupid?"

All three look at her, shocked.

" What?"

" What?"

" Faith, what's the meaning of this?"

" Were any of you listening to me earlier?" Faith says, her voice quiet, but steely. " Did any of you understand what I was saying? Or was I just wasting my breath?"

The three of them stare at her, not understanding her at all.

" Outside, before we began? Oh, and like a dozen times before that? What did I say?" She looks at them. " Ok, refresher. No Heroics. No waiting around. You get Angel, and you get out. You don't come back, you don't do stupid stunts like you just pulled. I thought I was clear, but I guess it didn't penetrate those cement blocks you call heads."

She stands there, staring at them.

For a moment, no one says anything. Then Willow, her neck beet red, breaks the group, and goes to Faith.

" What the heck is wrong with you?" Willow says, obviously angry, " We just saved your life, and you're yelling at us? What's your problem?"

" My problem…" Faith moves in on Red, who backs up, " Is that that easily could've backfired, getting the bunch of you killed. Say those vamps turned and started at you, moron? What then? What're you gonna do then? You got lucky they panicked and ran. But they could've easily overwhelmed all of you, killing you!"

By this time, she's pushed Willow back into the others. " But I guess you just decided to be a bunch of fools, risking it all so you can do some stupid dance and high fives, feeling pretty proud of yourselves. Well, get this. You easily could've been taking dirt naps, the lot of you, "

She turns on Giles. " These two, I expect stupid. What's YOUR excuse? You were supposed to get them out of here, safe. Instead you're with them, egging them on. Did you EVEN listen to me at the library, Giles? This is not their fight. They're NOT slayers. They have lives, and should live them. Not die in some stupid fight against vampires!"

" I'm sorry, Faith," Giles says, his tone dry and a touch sarcastic, " I suppose we just cared enough about you not to let you get killed. Silly us!"

" Damned right, Silly you," Faith cuts in, but Willow cuts her off.

" Wait a minute. I don't give a rats patootie who you think you are, Faith. I said this before, but I guess you weren't listening. This is OUR TOWN, Faith. Ours. Mine, Xander's, even Giles. From your attitude, I'm thinking, it's not yours, and never will be. So, the deal is, we live here, we gotta live here, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let some full of herself stranger tell me what to do in my town. If I want to risk my life fighting the bad guys, that's my right, and YOU have NO right to tell me different!" she separates from the group, and sticks her face in Faiths. " If you don't like that? Tough!"

Faith stares at her, and then her lip curls in a sneer.

" Fine. Your town. Fine, " She says, not moving an inch. " This aint the movies, Red. No one yells cut, you don't get back up. Dead is dead. You wanna be stupid, and get yourself killed, fine. Can't stop you. Be an ass. See if I give a bloody fuck." She pushes Red away, and starts towards the door. " The bunch of ya. Don't get in my way, got it? I got a job to do, and you all just make it 1000 times harder. So stay the fuck outta my way, and if you get in trouble? Call a cop."

Faith storms out the door.

" That… ungrateful… biotch." Xander says, his face going red. " We just saved her life, and she has the nerve to tell us off?" He starts for the door. " Slayer or not, I'm so gonna kick her…" Willow's after him, restraining him.

" No, Xander, no. Let it go. Let her go!" Willow says, pulling him back. " Let her be alone. If that's what she wants, fine. Just don't get yourself beat up over it. It's not worth it!" She pulls him back inside.

" I'll have a talk with her…" Giles begins.

" No, don't, " Willow says, her tone angry, " If she wants to be alone, that's just fine. I don't force my friendship on no one Giles. She can be alone, all she wants. As far as we're concerned, we're done. We're not trying to be her friends anymore." She turns to Xander. " Right, Xander?"

" You betcha," Xander agrees. " She's on her own."

" Willow, Xander. Stop. Think. I'm sure she was just concerned for your safety. Don't read anything else into it."

" Well, she won't have to worry about it anymore, Mr. Giles, " Willow says, " Cuz they'll be selling lift tickets in hell before we help her again." She takes Xander's hand. " Let's go, Xan."

The two of them leave Giles alone.

Giles sighs, and begins to collect the left over bottles. Then he stands there, staring at them. In a rare moment of anger, he kicks the bottles, sending them flying.

" Bleeding sodding burkes, " He mutters, as he leaves.

Faith has hidden herself in one of the small offshoots to the main alley. She stands in the shadows, leaning against the wall.

Stupid, stupid… STUPID! Are they TRYING to get themselves killed. Don't they know what can happen to them?

I'm not going to let it happen again. I won't! I won't care, I won't watch them die. Not again. NOT AGAIN!

Angry, she pounds her fists against the bricks, over and over and over.

I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!

Angry, confused and tired, she turns and walks out of the alley.

5

Sometime later, in the underground , a roar is heard.

” NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" The Master roars at the news. He seems to stumble, and sits heavily on a rock.

" Forget her, Master, " Luke says, " She was vain and stupid. She let her emotions rule her, and she … urrrggghhh"

The Master has gotten up, and grabbed Luke by the neck. He holds him over his head.

" You imbecile. She was my favorite. Do you hear me? MY FAVORITE!"

The tosses Luke like a pillow into a nearby rock. Luke, stunned, falls to his knees.

" All of you… ALL OF YOU… GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY PRESENCE! NOW!"

The other vampires bow, and back out quickly. They don't want to be around when the Master loses control. They've never seen it, and don't want to be anywhere near when it happens.

Luke crawls away, whipped.

The Master seems to stumble around, moaning and groaning. Finally, he comes to a rock he often uses as a seat, and sits down heavily. His head drops to his chest, and for the first time in almost 2000 years, he cries. The tears run blood red down his face.

After awhile, he pulls himself together, and looks up. His expression appears calm, but his eyes are full of bitter hate.

" You killed her, slayer. You killed my Darla. For that you will die. Slowly, agonizingly slowly. I will strip the flesh from your body, piece by piece, until you beg for the mercy of death."

" But there will be no mercy for you, Slayer."

" None!"

6

…" You killed her, Slayer. You killed my Darla. For that you will die. Slowly, agonizingly slowly. I will strip the flesh from your body, piece by piece, until you beg for the mercy of death."

" But there will be no mercy for you, Slayer."

" None!"

So, there's a slayer in Sunnydale. This is interesting…

The man, tall, solidly built, backs away from the revealing pool. He waves his hands and says a small incantation, and the pool's water goes murky and dark.

" It seems that Aurelius is not going to work out, after all." He says to himself. " I had hopes for you, boy. You seemed to live the ideal. But you are as plagued by human feelings as the rest."

Shrugging , he turns and leaves the small chamber, pressing a panel in the wall to close the door behind him. He removes the robe he's wearing, and hangs it in the closet.

" Well, the prophecy must be fulfilled, so we'll just have to take care of you after…"

He walks down a narrow, hidden passageway until he comes to another door. Pressing the panel, he opens it, revealing his ' study'. He walks through, the door closing behind him, and turns to his desk. That's when he sees his daughter, rifling through his books.

" Cordelia? Was there something you wanted?" Cornell 'Corny" Chase asked, a little perturbed finding her here. She's never shown an interest in my ' hobby' before.

" Oh, hi daddy, " Cordelia half turns, smiling her brightest smile. " I was just looking through some of your books…"

" So I see, Cordy. Why? Are you looking for something?" He walks over, standing next to her.

" Sort of…" Cordy keeps going through the arcane library. " but I'm really not finding what I'm looking for…" She looks a little frustrated.

" Maybe if you told me what you were looking for," He raises a brow at the scattered books, "maybe I could help you, and keep my library in some semblance of order."

" Oh, it's nothing really, I guess, " For some reason, Cordelia feels a little shy about telling her father about the slayer, " It's just silly…"

" Cordy, anything that interests you this much," he waves around at the books, knowing his daughter's notoriously short attention span, " is hardly silly. You know you can tell me anything."

"It's nothing, daddy, really," Cordelia smiles. She starts to reshelf the books. Cornell grabs two of the books Cordelia is about to place together, and puts them on different shelves. " What?" Cordelia looks at her father.

" You never put those two volumes together…ever." He looks a little pale. " I'll do this, Cordy. Don't you have… practice or something?"

Cordelia gives him a strange look. " Sure, Daddy…" She starts to walk out, then stops. She turns back in. " Dad, what's a slayer?"

Cornell almost drops the books he's shelving. He turns to look at his daughter. " Slayer? Where'd you hear that term?"

" Oh, just around, " Cordelia tries to conceal her interest. " Somebody told someone that told someone else that told me that there was a slayer in town, is all. I was kinda wondering what that was." She shrugs. " no big, just kinda felt stupid not knowing, you being a big expert on the oogly-boogly stuff."

Cornell Chase looks at his daughter with a tight little grin on his face. He can tell she's lying to him. It's more than just a rumor she heard. So, she's met a slayer. Or someone claiming to be the slayer. This could be interesting… and complicating.

" I've heard the term, honey," Cornell puts the rest of the books on the shelves. " But I've never really paid it much mind." He walks to his desk, and sits.

" Why?" Cordelia asks, moving back to his desk.

" It's just a myth, honey. Kind of like what they're supposed to hunt and kill. Surely you don’t' believe in vampires, do you?" He smiles at her.

" No…" Cordelia says, a little puzzled. " I mean, this is your like hobby. Don't you believe in vampires?"

" No such thing. Usually, it's either a mental disorder, or someone suffering from a condition, like Albinism or porphyria. But supernatural creatures that drink blood and hunt by night. Just a myth." Cornell smiles. " Like this … Slayer."

" Myth? Like a fairy tale? It's just made up?" Cordelia looks at him.

" Myths usually have some kernel of truth to them. But the Slayer? There's just no such animal."

" Well, what do you know about it, though?" Cordelia, interested, drops the ' don't care' attitude.

" Not much, really. Kind of obscure, really… let me check something…"

He gets up, and scans over his collection until he comes to a certain volume. He takes it off the shelf, and flips through it. He stops, reads a little, and then nods.

" Here we go. Boy, did these guys go for the dramatic, or what?" He quotes " In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer." He makes a face, " Well, rather full of herself, I would think… if she actually existed. Lets see…" he reads on," For as long as there have been vampires, there have been slayers… mystical warriors… short, brutal lives… superhuman strength, accelerated healing, psychic powers… " He shakes his head. " It's all rather … foolish, really, if you think about it. One little girl to take on a world of evil? " he slams the book closed. " It's just a tale, Cordelia. Maybe in some long past time, there was someone who was honored by this ' Slayer' nonsense, probably did something heroic… and like all myths, it got handed down and blown way out of proportion."

" So, the Slayer doesn't exist then?" Cordelia isn't sure if she's relieved or disappointed. Or if he's telling me the truth. But why wouldn't he?

" Only as some myth, honey, Who's been filling your head with this nonsense, anyway?"

" No one, " Cordelia puts in quickly, " like I said, just some rumor floating around. "

" Well, you can tell whoever told you this, it's just a fairy tale," Cornell smiles. She's lying. She knows something, and isn't telling me. Has she met this slayer?

" Thanks Daddy, " Cordelia smiles. She looks at the clock " Oh. I better get to practice. It's getting late."

" Ok, just be careful, ok? There's a lot of weirdoes out there, " Cornell says, " I do wish you'd let Simon take you and pick you up."

" Daddy, please!" Cordelia makes a face. " I'm almost 17 years old. I don't need a babysitter…"

" Simon is hardly a babysitter…"

" He's one of your bodyguards. I'd look like a dork if he was standing around while I'm… just no, Daddy, I'm just fine. I'm careful."

" Ok, dear, " Cornell shakes his head. Stubborn. Just like her mother. " Don't I at least get a kiss?"

Cordelia comes over, leans over and kisses Cornell's cheek.

" I'll see you later, Daddy."

" I love you, sugarpop, " Cornell calls out.

" I love you too, Daddy, " Cordy waves over her shoulder as she leaves.

Slayer. This is beginning to be a … problem. I'll have someone keep tabs on Cordy. See who she's hanging out with. I don't need some slayer messing up my plans.

Cordy heads towards the front door, her bright expression replaced by a thoughtful one. He's lying to me. I know it. I know what I saw last night, and I saw his reaction when I asked about a slayer. Why is he hiding it from me?

Feeling a little troubled, Cordy exits the house.

7

Faith wanders about the darkened campus, feeling a little lost.

I should go and talk to Giles. I know he's here, I saw him go to the library, and he hasn't left. But damn, I'm really not feeling like dealing with an angry old guy right now.

Faith knows she went way over the top this afternoon. She shouldn't have been so harsh with the gang… geeze, the gang? Is that it now? The Slayer and her gang? That's … but she was totally scared. Almost getting yourself killed by a roomful of vamps will do that to you. She touches her face, and grins ruefully. Darla almost making mincemeat of me? So didn't help my mood. Got lucky there…damn, they saved my life and I yelled at them for it. But don't they get it? I don't want them there. I don't want them risking it. God, if I had the chance, I'd be doing something else… not running after vamps and monsters. Don't they know they can get really, seriously dead?

I shouldn’t have gone off on them, though. I mean, they were only trying to help. But damn. Dead is dead. Aw, forget it. Doesn’t matter? When I left, I saw Red throwing daggers at me with her eyes. Don't think I'll have to worry about them helping me again.

Faith looks up, and notices the gym lights are blazing brightly. She sees someone enter the gym, and her curiosity is piqued. What's the haps? She makes her way over to the gym, and quietly lets herself inside.

" Ok, Ladies. Once again. And Aurora? This time? Try to do it some energy? Save the sleepwalking for when you're sleeping, ok?" Cordelia puts on the music, then joins the others to start the routine.

Ah, well. Cheerleading practice. Aint this a hoot? No, wait. Waste of time. I should just motor…

Yet, for some reason, Faith doesn't leave; instead, she leans against the wall, watching.

Cordelia goes through the routine, watching her own self and the others, checking for errors and missteps. She's determined to go to the championships this year, and as team captain, it's her duty to keep the others on track. While making a complicated turn, she almost breaks when she sees Faith leaning against the wall, watching the practice.

What the hell is she doing here? Years of disciplined practice, however, keep her steady and in the routine. So, she wants to watch the cheerleaders, huh? A little smirk comes to her face. She starts to really move into the routine, her hips getting a little extra hippy shake, her body responding and moving a little more sensually than normal. See how lil Ms. Butchy likes that.

Faith, ever the cynic, dismisses it as a big waste of time. I mean, really? You're life revolving how you can shake your ass, or how high you can jump? Still, gotta give them the props. They're really putting a lot into it, even if it's bogus.

Tired, her concentration shot from the events of the day, she starts to drift off elsewhere…

Sunnydale, Sunnydale go team go

We're the hottest, don’t you know?

Sunnydale, Sunnydale beat the rest

There's no stopping us, we're the best!

… GOOOOO SUNNYDALE!!! …

Faith goes into her final move, doing a double over the head back flip, landing in a split. She holds up her pom-poms and shakes them, to the roar of approval from the crowd.

The team gathers together, to hear the verdict of the judges.

" And, the 1997 winners of the State Cheerleading Championships…is Sunnydale High, from Sunnydale, California!"

The other girls go wild, cheering and giving high fives, calling out ." Yeah, oh Yeah, we're the bomb, We're number one YAAAY!"

The lift Faith up on their shoulders, to her embarrassment, and carry her over to the winners platform, where they’re given the trophy. Faith lifts the trophy over her head in triumph, and the crowd roars it's approval.

The girls carry her around the gymnasium in a 'victory lap', Faith holding the trophy high, all smiles.

They finally let her down, but then nearly crush her, trying to all hug her at once.

" You were great tonight, Faith."

" God, you were the bomb. Did you see the way they reacted to your routine?"

" Man, you were on fire, girl."

" Totally awesome!"

As they make their way to the locker room, Faith feels like she's floating. It's the best night of her life. All the hard work they put into the routines has paid off, and they're the State Champs. Better, everyone seems to adore her. They all are the bestest buds she's ever had. She's so glad she decided to join the team.

Faith sits down in front of her locker, still buzzing over tonight and the victory. She feels more than sees someone sit down next to her. She turns into the smiling face of Cordelia Chase.

" You were great tonight, girlfriend, " Cordy says, smiling warmly. She drapes an arm over Faith's shoulder. " You were so there tonight, so focused. It was totally amazing!"

" Thanks, Cordy, " Faith smiles back, " It's all because of you, you know. If you hadn't given me a chance, I never…"

" Oh, I knew you were special from the first, " Cordelia says, leaning in very close. " Very, very special."

" Really?" Faith feels her heart beating faster in her chest. " You think I'm special?"

" Oh… yeah…" Cordy moves in, and presses her lips softly against Faith's. The kiss is warm, and Faith opens her mouth, feeling Cordy's tongue slide in her mouth. She feels Cordy's hand slip under her top.

" Cordy, " Faith whispers, breaking the kiss and looking around. " I mean, should we? The others…"

" Oh, the others know how I feel about you, Faith, " Cordy smiles, and kisses her again." As a matter of fact, a few of them are sooo jealous. They want you, bad."

" Funny, I only want you, " Faith says, pulling Cordelia in for another kiss.

" Faith?" Cordy say softly.

" Yes?"

" Are you going to just stand there, looking goofy all night?"

" What?"

Faith blinks, and realizes that Cordelia is standing before her, hands on her hips. Her head is cocked, and she's looking at Faith with a funny expression.

" I said, are you going to stand there like a goof all night?" Cordelia asks impatiently, " or are you going to answer my question?"

" Huh? Question? Sorry, didn't hear it, " Faith tries to recover. Man how long has she been standing there.. and oh god what was that all about, anyway?

" What're you doing here, Faith? This is a closed practice, " Cordelia carries on, " you're not supposed to be in here."

" Oh, well, sorry, Princess, if I invaded your space. I was just taking a break from research, and saw the lights." Faith shrugs, as if it were no big deal.

Hmmm.. and yet, you seemed all goofy and happy in your little world there, Faith. Did I happen to be there, too? No, wait. Don't want to be anywhere near her world. What am I thinking?

" Well, you better go now. We need to work, and you're interrupting." Cordy turns to leave.

" Hey, ummm… Cordy, about last night…"

" Look, Faith? I'd just rather forget about last night, ok? That was a mega mistake…I should've known better than to go anywhere with you!" Cordy turns, smirking at the little jab she got in.

" Yeah, well… look, I'm sorry, ok?" Faith says, Cordy stops to listen. " I mean, I'll admit it, I was trying to shake you up a little, cuz… well, face it , Cor, you've been pretty bitchy to me…"

" Oh, me? I've been bitchy to you? What about you? Think I like being tripped in the halls?"

" And who did a hip check into me, to knock me against the water fountain?" Faith gets a tight little grin on her face. " Oh, and how bout the little scene at the Bronze?"

" Yeah, well, you got your revenge on that one, girl, " Cordy gets a sour look on her face.

" There you go again. I don't know what the hell you're talking about. I haven't done squat to you!" Faith says, " ok, the demon bar thing. But that's it. Nothing else. Geeze, paranoid much?"

" Paranoid my butt!" Cordy says, irritated. " You know what you did, why don't you just admit it."

" Admit what? I'm clueless here, Cor."

" Yeah, right, I'm so gonna believe that one, " Cordy starts to walk." Major waste of time."

" Hey, Cor… wait, " Faith starts after her. Cordy stops and turns around.

" Hey, dumb ass. No boots on the court. You'll ruin the finish!"

" What? Oh, sorry!" Faith backs up, off the gym floor. " C'mere." She waves Cordy over.

" What? Hey, I gotta get back to…" She points to the others.

" Shit, Cor, it'll just take a minute, if you stop acting like an ass."

" Oh, charming too. Later," Cordy turns again.

" I'm really sorry, ok? I'm trying here, ok? Just give me a minute!"

Cordelia stops. She turns, and marches back to Faith.

" Ok, one minute, " She looks at her watch. " Well? Times ticking."

" Ok, look, I shouldn't have taken you there last night. I put you in danger, and I'm sorry, ok? And I'm kinda hopin' we can try it again. You know… have a drink…?" She catches Cordy's look. " At the Bronze, my treat, you drive… ok?"

" Pffft. Yeah, that' so gonna happen," Cordy shakes her head and starts to leave.

" Look, you wanna know if I did anything to you or not?" Faith plays a bluff, " only way you're gonna know is if you like go with me…" She stops, waiting for a reaction.

" One hour, " Cordy says, quietly.

" huh?"

" I'll be in the Bronze in one hour. You better be there, or I swear… I'll ruin you, Faith. I'll make a laughingstock of you. Don't think I can't! One hour." She marches over to Faith, and gets in her face. " And you better own up, got it?" She turns, and walks back to the group.

Faith smirks, chuckling softly to herself.

Don't know what the hell you're talking about, but this has gotta be good.

She quietly slips out the gym doors.

8

" Will, if you stare at that mocha much harder, you're going to melt the cup…" Xander teases Willow, who seems to be in her own little world.

" Huh?" She looks up at Xander, a little red faced." Hey, sorry. Just…grrr… I'm still so mad about today, I could…" Willow sweeps open her hands, and manages to knock her cup off the table, spilling it. " Oh, poop!" She growl, getting down to clean it up.

Xander gets down with her, and gently pulls her back up. " C'mon, Will. Leave it. They got staff for that, " he says, " If I'm lucky, someday I might be here, cleaning up your cups," He laughs.

" Stop that, Xander. You're not stupid… you just need to work more at school."

Xander shivers, " School bad. Hard. Xander no like."

" No kidding, looking at your last report card…" Willow looks at him, then hits him on the arm.

" What was that for?" Xander complains.

" You poop, you're trying to distract me, and … it's working!" Willow says, unable to help a little smile. " I want to be mad at her. I have that right!"

" Will, Will, Will," Xander goes over, and gives his honey a hug, " you can't keep doing this to yourself. You gotta let it go. You were right. We just got to cut her out, pretend she doesn't exist. Otherwise, we're going to make ourselves crazy, right?" He looks at her. " I mean, c'mon, she's been like… all itchy and snarky from day one, right?"

" Yeah, I guess, " Willow says, " but it's not so easy to just ignore her, Xan. She lives at my parent's house. I see her every day, like it or not. How do I pretend she's not there?"

" I dunno, " Xander says, " but you can't stay all angry at her. It's not good for you, and anyway, it's really cutting into our kissing time, you know?"

" Is that all you think about, Xander? Kissing?" Willow tries to look angry, but it's getting harder. He's just sooo cute when he gets all desperate.

" Well, no… but I'm trying to be a gentleman here, " Xander says, waggling a brow.

" Xander Harris! You're a dog!" Willow sounds offended, but you couldn't tell by the big smile on her face.

" Yeah, but I'm like a studly dog, right?" Xander says, " I mean I'm like a German shepherd, or a Boxer or something, right? Not one of those fru- fru lap dogs, like a Pekinese… right?"

" Awww… wouldn't you wanna be my lap dog, Xan?" Willow caresses his hand with hers, " I mean, sitting in my lap all day and everything?" She smiles.

" Actually…" Xander turns and grabs her, pulling her into his lap, " I was thinking, I'd rather have you in mine!"

" XANDER!" Willow squeals, but she's loving it. She throws her arms around his neck. " So, now that you got me here, whatcha gonna do about it, huh?"

" Oh, I dunno…" He closes his eyes, and leans in for a kiss. But instead of her lips, he finds her fingers pressed to his lips. " ok, not what I was going for…."

" Xander! Shhh… look, there, isn't that Faith?"

Xander starts to turn around, but she stops him. " No, don't turn around."

" Well, how'm I supposed to see her, if I can't turn around?"

" I don't know, " Willow grabs her purse, and rummages around in it, bringing out a compact. " Here, use this."

" Uhhh… Will? Not going to work… like, who's going to believe I'm checking my makeup?"

" Xander, don't get sexist on me, just use the compact. I don't want her to know we're looking at her!" She shoves the compact at him.

" Will, this is totally…" He sighs, and opens the compact. He adjusts it around a little bit, and finally sees something in the mirror. A zit. God, I've got a major zit on my eyebrow, and Will didn't even tell me! Then, remembering why he has the compact, he looks again and sees Faith at the bar. " Ok, yeah, I guess that's her." He closes the compact and hands it to her, " So?"

" So, I'm going over there and talk with her…" Willow starts to get off his lap.

" Nuh-uh," Xander says, holding her down. " You know it's only going to turn into a fight, Will. I can't let you do it. Sorry."

" Xander Harris! I'm not going to fight with her, I just wanna talk to her, " Willow grumbles, trying to loosen his hands. She looks up, and her eyes become saucer like. " Oh, my god, my god, my god!"

" What?"

" Look who she's with. Look, look!" Willow says, her tone getting quieter, but harsher.

" Huh?" Xander turns, and sees Faith talking to …

CORDELIA?

He turns back to Willow. They look at each other.

" Cordelia?" They say together, as if the earth just opened and spit out a particularly nasty monster.

" What is she doing with Cordelia?" Xander wonders.

" I don't know, and I don't care. I'm going over there now!" Willow starts to serious wiggle in Xander's lap. " Let me go, Xander!"

" NO, Will, wait. Think. You go over there, and make a scene, and then what? What does that accomplish? We already agreed she's not our friend… heck, makes perfect sense, now that I think about it. They're both snarky bitches. They should get along just fine."

Willow just sits there, a little stunned. " I don't get it, Xander. After what Cordelia did to us at the Bronze that night? And, hey, she can't forgive me because I got upset, but Cordy causes all the problems, and she's all buddy- buddy with her. It's not fair, after what we did to keep her from getting a majorly dumped on by Cordelia? How cans she… God, I hate her sooo much!"

" Hey, look, Cordelia's moving off… maybe she just stopped to give her a ration of crap," Xander says, hoping to cool off Willow. She looks ready to kill something, and he's way too close.

" Maybe," Willow sounds doubtful, " that's sorta like Cordy, I guess. Drive by trashing."

" Yeah, I guess, " Xander says. " Still, I'm angry at Faith. I don't think she should've been so nasty to us. We did take out those vamps, and save her life. you'd think she'd be grateful. You'd think she'd be grateful."

" Faith and grateful? So not gonna happen, Xan, " Willow shakes her head, " in the world according to Faith, it's all about her, you know? ' Oh, I'm the Slayer and I've got like super powers, and I'm so hot'. She just thinks she's better than us, you know?"

Xander shrugs. " I'm kind of tired of talking about Faith and stuff, you know? Can't we think of anything else to do?" He nods his head, " anyway, I think she's leaving."

" Well, good. The air's getting less stinky in here now, what with her and Cordelia gone," Willow grumbles.

" Yeah," Xander follows Faith with his eyes, and notices she doesn't leave, but rather goes up the catwalk. He glances up, and sees Cordelia sitting up there. He starts to tell Willow, then realizes it'll probably just turn into something ugly. So he just keeps quiet.

" Hey, you know what? Kinda got to get home. Still on that early morning detention with Snyder, and I'm kinda bushed." He hopes to get out of here before Willow looks up. Otherwise, it'll be another smoochie deficient night.

" Yeah, lets go. Faith and Cordelia have kinda ruined the mood, anyway, " Willow agrees." Anyway, there's a full moon out, and you know what that means." She smiles.

Xander gets a grin on his face, then frowns. " Why Willow, are you trying to seduce me?"

" I've gotta try now?"

" Good point!"

They get up, heading for the exit.

" You never did tell me how you got on that early detention anyway."

" Well, you remember that superglue I bought last month?" Xander asks, as they approach the exit.

" Yeah," Willow nods.

"Well, you see, I found out Snyder has this favorite hat he likes to wear to cover the baldness…"

The two of them leave out the back door.

9

Cordelia Chase enters the bronze, looking around to see if there's anyone she knows.

God, ok… nobody, really. Just the usual losers and skanks. Maybe, just maybe this won't get back to Harmony and the others. God, if they knew I actually volunteered to come her to see …

Cordelia then starts to scan for Faith. Well, where is Ms. Rude-o, anyway? She said she'd be here! This better not be another one of her tricks, I so owe her already for last night. And tying me up naked on a pole? God, I'm so gonna rip her a new one tonight. Who does she think she is, messing with me? If she stands me up, I'm going to take this up with Mr. Giles. No, wait, Snyder. That toady'll do anything I tell him. I'll….

She spots Faith leaning against the bar, looking down in her drink. There's an air of resignation about her. Cordy pauses, looking at her. What's wrong with her? She looks so… sad. Did something happen? Is she… God, what the hell do I care, anyway? I don't!!!! Cordy shakes herself out. I hope something did happen to her. She so deserves it. God, whatever it is, I'd love to rub her nose in it. I don't even know why I agreed to come here tonight. God, after what she's done to me? Heh, I should just stand her up. Yeah… No, I want an explanation. Something. God, I really don't know why I'm here, or what I want! She confuses me, and Cordy don't do confused. Grrr.

Cordy plasters on a confident grin, and strides over to the bar, unconsciously putting a little extra bounce in her step.

Faith looks up, and sees Cordelia striding through the bar. You know, if you didn't know her, and she wasn't such a total bitch, she could actually be kinda hot. Yeah, but I know her… god, why'd I ask her here again?

" Hey, Cor, " Faith greets Cordy as she reaches the bar, " So, what's your drink?"

" Not here, loser, " Cordy makes a face, "you think I want to be seen with … you?"

Faith just snorts, feeling her irritation rise. " Fine, Princess. Tell ya what? I'll leave and you won't be." Faith starts to shove off.

" Hey!" Cordelia grabs her arm." C'mon, be honest. You want to be seen here with me?"

" See that's the deal, Princess. I don't give a rat's butt who sees me with whom. But you got you're little games, don't wanna be seen with the … how did you put it? Oh yeah, the trashy urban butch. So fine, go hide somewhere, and I'll find ya… or something. Shit, I hate games, " Faith turns away.

" Look, I didn't even want to be here, but I agreed to come. Sorry if you get all bent because I've got a reputation to keep…"

" Yeah, as what? The Ice Princess of Sunnydale? Trust me, no one's gonna mistake you for human. This was a crappy idea… get lost, ok?"

" No! I came here and want some answers…"

" To what? Why you're a stuck up useless bitch? Don't know, Cor? Why don't you go ask mummykins? Sure she could tell ya."

" My mom's dead, ok? There's just me and my dad."

" Sorry, didn't know," Faith mutters.

" Yeah, well surprise, Faith. Lots you don't know."

" Look this was a crappy idea, ok? I just wanted to call a truce, you know? What's the point?" Faith turns away.

The ice in Cordy's face melts just a tiny bit. " 5 minutes, upstairs on the catwalk. And I'll have a mocha half decaf extra foam. Got it?"

She turns, and walks away.

Whatta total bitch, Faith thinks, not your servant, tight ass.

But she orders the fru-fru coffee nonetheless, and after five minutes, walks upstairs , moving along the catwalk until she finds Cordelia lounging at one of the tiny tables on the upper level.

" Here ya go, Princess," Faith sets down the cup. Hope ya choke.

Faith plops down at the other chair at the tiny table, and stares out into space. Cordy tastes the Mocha , and frowns.

" I said half-decaf," She looks perturbed.

" Life sucks, don't it?" Faith still looks away.

" So?"

" So?"

" Well, do you have something to say to me?" Cordelia looks at Faith.

" Pretty much said it, Princess. Wanna truce, or not?"

" Truce? After what you tried to do? You and probably those geeker friends of yours. No, why should I do that?"

" What are you talking about? I don't know nothing about what someone did to you. I know I did the thing with the demon bar, and Hey, said I was sorry. But you keep obsessing on this crap I don't got a clue on."

" Right. So, you didn't tie me up to the sign pole at Sunnydale high, naked, with some sign saying I'm a skanky ho? Yeah, sure, " Cordelia looks at her with a hard expression. " I'm gonna buy that , right about the time I buy those lift tickets in hell."

Faith just stares at her a second, opened mouthed. Then she starts laughing. As Cordelia's glower grows more intense, and her face grows redder, Faith sits across from her, laughing harder and harder. Finally, she turns away, because just looking at Cordelia is making her laugh more.

" Man, I would've loved to have seen that, " Faith finally gets some control. Then she looks at Cordelia, who's nearly scowling, and it starts all over again.

" Stop it! Stop IT!" Cordelia starts slapping her arm. " It's NOT FUNNY! If ANYONE had seen that, anyone that mattered, I… I couldn't have shown my face there again. God, if it hadn't been for Willow and Xander, I …"

Faith stops laughing, and looks at her.

" Willow? What about Willow?"

" She came along early, with Xander. They found me, and …" Cordy blushes, " Got me down before anyone saw."

"So, you owe those… what did you call them? … oh yeah, geeker friends of mine… owe them big time. They could've pretty much trashed you to everybody, and didn't… right?"

" Yeah, " Cordy says quietly, " but probably only because they knew I'd do something bad to them if they didn't."

" Listen up, princess," Faith leans over close, taking Cordy's hand in hers, and squeezing enough to let her know that she could really hurt her. " You do anything to them, hurt them in any way, and I'll make you wish you'd never been born. Get it?"

She leans in closer, and squeezes harder on Cordelia's hand.

" Got it?"

" Yes…just… god, let me go, you freak!"

Faith lets go of her hand, and Cordy pulls it back, shaking it.

" You hurt me!"

" Not like I'll hurt you if you do anything to them." Faith's voice is low, and dangerous.

" Ok, ok, I already said ok." Cordy feels ice in her stomach. She lashes out, afraid and angry. " But that doesn’t mean I won't get you, bitch. Think you can do shit like that to me, and get away with it? When I'm done with you…"

" Moron, haven't you been listening? Wasn't me, dope.," Faith says, quietly. " I wouldn't do something like that to you. I take the direct approach."

Before Cordy can move, Faith has her hand again, just squeezing it gently. " I wanted to spread you over the dance floor girl. But I wouldn't embarrass you… not like that…" She smiles, a little full of herself, " But I think I know who did…" She chuckles, remembering what Angel said to her that night. " Yeah, I know… and I'll tell ya, for the last time, I didn't have nothing to do with it, and neither did Red or Xander. "

" Who then, if you didn't do it?" Cordelia is still suspicious.

" Remember that big guy that held me back from making you a grease spot on the dance floor, Princess?" She arches a brow, " Tall , kinda big, really pale?"

Cordelia shuts her eyes, and tries to remember back to that night. All she remembers is being scared out of her wits that Faith would get her… and how excited she felt after.

" Yeah, I guess…" She says, a little doubtfully.

" That's your guy, Cor, " Faith looks at her, a small smirk on her face. " Name's Angel."

" Angel… well, he's gonna really…"

" Don't bother, baby. If you think I'm not afraid of your daddy, Angel really has nothing to lose. Nothing your daddy can do to him make a bit of difference. Face it, Princess, you lose this round."

" That's so not…" Cordelia starts, then she remembers being in her car. Checking her rear view, then turning around and seeing him. Damn… no reflection … oh my… . Cordelia goes a little pale herself. She just stares at Faith, a little open mouthed.

" Cor? You really look better with that closed, " Faith observes.

Cordelia shuts her mouth. She feels her face flush, knowing she's been had, and there's not a thing she can do about it. Her mouth twists into something resembling a smile.

" Fine, you got me. I'll let it go… not because it's fair, but because really, what's the point, anyway? No one found out, and they better not… so warn off Willow from showing those pictures to anyone."

" Pictures?" Faith grins, " Really?" She leans in, " Do they show your best side, baby?"

Aw shit. She didn't know about the pictures! Damn me!

" If they get out, all bets are off. I'm coming after all of you and when I get done with you, you'll wish you'd never heard of Sunnydale. Got it, Faith?"

" Too late, babe, " Faith says. She stands up, ready to go.

" What?" Cordy goes pale. Oh god, if anyone ever sees those pics…

" I already wish I'd never heard of Sunnydale," Faith says, her voice edgy. Her fist comes down on the table, shaking the glasses. Cordy jumps back, a little scared.

" So, we got a truce or not?" Faith almost snarls at her.

" Yeah, ok… truce," Cordelia feels the twin sensations of fear and excitement coursing through her.

" Great, " Faith's tone softens. " Give us a kiss."

" WHAT?"

Before she can do anything, Faith grabs her face, and kisses her forehead.

" Seeya, princess," She winks, and walks away down the catwalk.

Cordelia stares at Faith's retreating form, trying to get her breathing back in control.

Bitch!

To be continued.
- 7
- 8
- 9
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The Slayer