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Seasons of Faith	By : norwalker Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Faith Views: 4355 -:- 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
- 8
- 9
- 10
Seasons of faith
Chapter 9

~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~

Buffy was … bewildered.
They had spent the better part of two days looking for Faith, with no success. They must have searched every bit of Sunnydale, and it was as if she had vanished from the face of the earth. She was no where to be found. ( as the fates, or the Powers that Be would have it, they came so close to finding her the first night. They came within 100 yards of where she was ‘camping’. But they turned away, and missed her. Sometimes, it seems the PTB can have a wicked cruel sense of humor. Grrr). She must have left town…but it just didn’t make sense to Buffy.
Well, ok, some sense. The body of Paul DeMarco had been found, and now, evidence pointed towards Faith. A witness saw a “dark haired young girl” with the victim before entering the apartment. They had been arguing, according to the witness. And the police on the scene saw a “ young woman, medium height and build, dark haired” jump out the window just as they crashed in through the door. And the knife. It had Faith’s prints all over it( they got the match from a national database. Seems she had been arrested in Boston when she was younger). It all seemed to point to Faith. And running just seemed to confirm their suspicions.
And that’s what didn’t make sense to Buffy.
“Why didn’t she just come to me?” Buffy mulled over.” Why did she run? Didn’t she know I would stand by her, no matter what? That loving her, the way I do, means I stick by her, no matter? Now, she’s gone. I don’t know where. And I can’t help her. And I want so much to help her. She’s out there, all alone. Scared. I know she’s scared. She wouldn’t run if she weren’t. Maybe she’s hurt… and she’s got no one. No one to help her. Buffy so much wanted to help her. Hold her. Let her know she wasn’t alone in this. Tell her that they’d figure it out, find a way to get through it. But, she ran… and Buffy felt helpless.
God, I love her so much? Doesn’t she know that? I would be by her side, no matter. Even if she did this, I don’t care. I don’t care. It’s Faith. If she did it, then there was reason. She wouldn’t do this, just to do it. I know that. Something had to make her do it.
But in her heart, she wasn’t believing that Faith did it. She … just couldn’t. She knew Faith. Better than anyone. And this wasn’t Faith. Beat the crap outta him, Oh yeah. Break an arm, a leg? Oh yeah…that would be Faith. But kill him. No. No way. No way she would do that.
It had taken awhile, but Buffy had learned about Paul DeMarco. Faith wasn’t forthcoming in talking about him. Bit and pieces would come out, accidentally. A mention of his name, a part of a story. She would get this look on her face…anger, but also fear, and…I don’t know…just a strange, almost soft look. It was weird. From what Buffy could put together, Paul DeMarco was dirt. Less than dirt. He had fathered faith young, and had been an abuser. To her mother, and to Faith. Faith had watched, helpless, a child, while Paul had beaten her mother black and blue. And Paul was an equal opportunity abuser; he had left welts on Faith plenty of times, one time even breaking her arm. A four year old, having to go around in a cast? God, that just is… evil. And of course, he blamed her for it, saying “ SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO NOW?”. And he’d gotten drunk, and come home and beat his wife. Yeah, Paul DeMarco was quite a guy. Had Buffy had some time alone with him, yeah, he woulda been dead… so dead. But Faith? Everyone thinks of Faith as this… tough girl, loud, in your face. Talks tough, acts tough. No conscience. But Buffy knew the real Faith. The one that no one saw. The soft, sweet Faith. The one who couldn’t kill anyone(well… with a pulse, anyway). Who would tear herself to pieces if she thought she killed someone. The hard-assed Faith, with a heart of marshmallow. Faith had seen death, seen cruelty, and she hated it like a passion. No question, she had a temper. She could hurt, she could make you hurt. But…kill…a human? Even one as low as Paul DeMarco? I don’t think so!
But, something happened. Something bad. To make her run. Somehow, Buffy just knew, Faith blamed herself for her ‘father’s’ death. Buffy also knew Faith was trying to keep her out of it, protect her. But, Faith hadn’t counted on Buffy not letting that happen.
No way she was gonna sit back and let Faith do this.
No damned way.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
Quentin Travers waited in his office for the call.
He’d been waiting for two days for word if the ‘project’ had been completed. But he was a patient man. He was a firm believer in the old adage “ Revenge is a dish best served cold”. And he would have his revenge. And savor it.
He couldn’t forget the fears that bitch had made him feel that night. The pain. He’d looked into her eyes, and saw death. And it scared him badly. Travers hated being scared. More than anything. The pain faded, but the fear lingered. That’s why a new Watcher had never been sent to Sunnydale. Because he knew that Faith was good to her word.
And that galled him. Badly. No one tells Quentin Travers what to do. He was the chair of the council Had been for 10 years. No two-bit little street tramp, slayer or not, was going to dictate to him what actions he took. No. She was to be eliminated. And her little blonde counterpart. She had to go too. Travers had decided that she was more of a liability than an asset. Once they’re both gone, then a new Slayer would be in place. And he could have his final revenge against Rupert Giles. That would be sweet.
Travers had never forgotten that Giles had been adamantly opposed to Travers succession to the chair. That he’d found out Travers’ secret, and had threatened to reveal it. Only through ‘persuasion’ had Travers kept him silent(Giles had his own sordid past…not one he’d like to talk about). So it’d been a standoff… he couldn’t rid himself of Giles, but Giles couldn’t rid the council of Travers, either. They had come to some accommodation. And it had beenTravers that had been the deciding vote to make Giles Ms. Summers’ current watcher, after Merrick’s death. To get him away from London. So Travers could consolidate his power.
Yes, it would be sweet. Three in one. First Faith, then Buffy Summers. Then Rupert Giles. And he had something special planned for Giles. He would have Buffy killed. And make sure some responsibility pointed towards Giles. Not enough to get him convicted, but enough to humiliate him. To get him…tried by the council(even if he weren’t a member any longer, he could still be brought up before the council for interfering with the slayer). Then, poof. Travers would be in a position to pass judgment on him, to dish out punishment. And then have his ‘boys’ arrange for Giles to appear to commit suicide. Too sweet, too sweet. Like the spider in the nursery rhyme, he’d woven his web carefully… and now the flies were beginning to be caught.
The phone on his desk rung. He picked it up, and spoke into it. Two words made him smile
“It’s done”.
Finally, he was starting to see the fruits to his plans. Now, for phase two. Calling a session of the council, to get Faith DeMarco declared a rogue slayer. Then Special Ops could be put on her, to bring her back for summary judgment…or, as Travers had it arranged, eliminated in the field, if necessary. It was so necessary.
Quentin Travers picked up his phone, to make the calls.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
Faith was descending into her own personal hell.
Her fear, her anger, her resentment, and her pain all combined to drive her back, back to the time before she’d met Buffy. To Boston, where she’d had to be tough, ruthless, to survive.
She put on indifference like armor. Her shield was sarcasm. Her sword, her powers. She used them to protect herself, to keep anyone at a distance. To hurt, to wound…to do what she must to be safe.
But the worst were her eyes. Her eyes, just yesterday so full of life, of hope, now were dead. Like shades had been drawn, closing off her soul. Like, her soul was dying within her.
She wandered around that morning, trying to blend with the people. She felt no connection. All she saw were threats and targets. She avoided the threats, and only targeted those who tried to target her. She mugged one guy trying to pick her up, for god knows what. Took his cash, left him lying in the men’s room. She bought some food, then headed towards the tracks. Waited, and hopped a southbound freight. Almost didn’t make it, her leg still sore, but she managed to pull herself up and into the car. She sat, staring into space, thinking.
The sounds of the train on the rails sounded like hammering… the nails being driven into the wall that separated her now from her old life. All she could think of was Buffy. See her face. Full of anger, disappointment, disgust with her. Her heart cringed, knowing that she had lost the one thing that made it beat. That made life worth living. She wanted to cry, to release, but the tears wouldn’t come. All she felt was anger, and pain. She started beating on the floor of the car, her anger overtaking her. She hit, and hit, and hit. Until her fists were cut and bleeding. And still, the pain raged in her, the anguish. She screamed, cursing everything. Then her voice went quiet, and that was the scariest of all.
“Why me, why me, why me?” She muttered, the rage coloring her voice.” Why do I have to keep paying, again and again? Why can’t I have a life, with someone I love. Why does it always get taken from me? Why do you hate me so, all of you hate me so? Why do you keep punishing me? What do I do that’s so bad? Answer me , goddamn it. Answer me. I’m tired of this. I’m tired of trying. I’m tired of having everything I want taken from me, left with nothing. Running, always running. When do I get to stop? When do I get to live?”
A deadly chill comes into her voice. “ Why should I care? That’s always what I get. That’s my life. That’s what I’m good for… to be the punching dummy. To be kicked, to be always on bottom. To never get to see the sun. Use me, then throw me away. On the garbage heap. Cause that’s exactly what I deserve, right? Cause I’m garbage, filth, waste. Well, I’m tired of it. Tired of all of it. I don’t fit in your nice neat little world, do I? Cause I’m bad. So, fuck ya all. Faith wants, too. Faith needs, too. And Faith is gonna get. Faith’s nobody’s fool no more. Feeling is for the weak. Love is for fools. Faith doesn’t do that no more. Faith is for Faith, and fuck the rest of you.”
Faith jumped the freight in Ventura, then got on a bus for L.A.(after stealing someone’s wallet).. The bus ride was uneventful. Faith stared out the window, her mind not engaged. She was like a coiled spring, waiting to spin out of control, to take out her next mark.
Her next mark was a bus pimp at Downtown L.A. Bus station. He was recruiting more girls for his string of hookers, and Faith, looking a little lost, looked like a good prospect. Unfortunately for him, when she let him get close enough, it was only so she could beat him senseless, and steal his wallet…and score! Apartment keys. Yeah, things were starting to go Faith’s way. Want, take, have. Yeah. Just gotta find the right suckers. And this town is full of ‘em. Yeah. Time to party, Faithy’s back.
Yeah… and she’s gonna take whatever she wants.
Faith walks off into the night, flipping and catching the keys.
She didn’t see the group of men watching her.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
“Giles, I expected at least you to believe me!”
Buffy was angry. And more than a little hurt.
She was meeting with the Scoobies, trying to strategize how they were going to prove Faith was innocent. But it wasn’t going that way. Everybody, including Giles, seemed to be less than convinced of her innocence. And It was pissing Buffy off.
“Buffy, you have to admit, it doesn’t look good” Giles said. He hated seeing Buffy this way.” There was a witness that saw her go in the apartment with her father” Buffy gives him a look “ Very well, Paul DeMarco then. And who heard an argument. And the knife, the murder weapon, had only her prints on it. And when the police came, she ran. Didn’t try to explain herself. It all makes it appear as if she’s guilty, Buffy” Giles finishes, not happy with having to point all this out.
“She was scared, Giles. For Christ’s sake. Wouldn’t YOU be scared? If you thought the cops were going to pin murder on you? I would. And, what about Spike? He saw someone carrying a woman out of Restfield, before this happened. That coulda been them. So the “witness “ is suspect, I think” Buffy says, grasping at any little thing she can.
“Spike. Yeah. There’s a guy I trust” Xander speaks up. Buffy gives him a withering stare. He suddenly finds his fingernails fascinating.
“It’s not like Spike volunteered the info” Buffy says. “ I had to …persuade him. I believe him”
“ Is that because you think he’s being truthful, or because you want to believe him, Buffy?” Giles says. Seeing the look on Buffy’s face, Giles would like to be anywhere but here right now.
“Buffy” Willow says.” We want to believe you. Honest. But…it …just doesn’t look good for Faith right now…” Willow trails off.
Tara is quiet. She…believes Buffy, despite what is happening. And… there is something else she knows. Something Faith told her…but she promised Faith she’d never tell… and she wasn’t sure it was … significant anyway.
Buffy looks around the room at her friends. She can’t believe what she’s hearing. And she is feeling betrayed by the people she loves the most.
“ I really don’t get you guys.” Buffy starts,” I mean, does anyone here remember Faith? Or am I the only one who knows her? Everyone seems ready to think she did this. But what has she ever done to lead you to think she would do something like this, anyway? I mean, what? How can you think this, anyway? Does everyone forget that not that long ago, she saved all of us, and probably the world, from the Mayor? Gee, think that would stick with you. But I guess its “ Well, you saved our lives, but what have you done for us lately? She was in a coma for 6 weeks. But I guess that really means nothing, huh? How about who supported you, Willow, when you were hurting? Who let you stay at our apartment? Sure, I invited you, but she so coulda uninvited you… but didn’t. Though it made her upset you being there” Willow looks stunned, and a little hurt.” And who has been busting her butt to improve herself, working a job, going to reading therapy, going to class to get her diploma, and patrolling… let’s see…does that fit you, Xander?” Xander looks down “ Yeah, didn’t think so.” Anya interrupts Buffy.
“Hey, back off Buffy. Just because your girlfriend is a murderer, there’s no reason to take it out on Xander.” Anya says.
“Anya? The only person who kept me from putting you through a wall a few times, was Faith. You would say something so blatantly annoying, that she had to calm me down. DON’T PUSH YOUR LUCK RIGHT NOW!” Anya’s eyes go wide, then she looks away, angry and flustered.
“Buffy, that’s enough” Giles says.
“No, Giles, it’s no where near enough. What happened to we stick together? Everyone seems to be forgetting that. All they seem to see is the evidence. But no one is remembering Faith. I can’t think of one of you that she hasn’t helped out, at one time or another, though she certainly didn’t have to. Yet, when she needs our help, what happens? Everyone is willing to turn their backs on her. Is that the way we play it? Is that how it goes? Gee, I thought you were my friends, her friends. Was I wrong?”
“Seems you forgot your friends when you ran away ‘cause you couldn’t deal” Xander mutters it, but loud enough to be heard.
Buffy flushes a bright red.” Yes, I guess I had that coming. But who convinced me to come back home, who thought I needed my friends in my life…that they were important to me? Faith. Seems she had more confidence in you, than you have in her. And strangely, you didn’t turn your backs on me. You accepted me back. Like all the rest of us have been accepted back by the group when we’ve screwed up” She gets blank looks.” Oh, I see…we all forget, huh? Xander, how about you , Jackal Boy?” Xander is looking at the floor, again.” Or, Will, when you did that “My Will” Spell that blinded Giles and had Demons attacking Xander?” Willow blushes. “ Or maybe Anya, who’s soul purpose for 1100 years was to wreak horrible vengeance on people…seems we all still let her be here” Anya is still pissed from before, but doesn’t’ say anything.
“Do you really think this is helping matters, Buffy?” Giles says, trying to calm things down.
“Oh… yeah, Giles. Remember the Cruciamentum? My mom and I surely do!” Buffy spits at him. He turns away, stung.
“ Buffy, that really is unfair… he was doing his job. He had no choice.” Willow speaks up for Giles. This is beginning to get ugly.
“He had a choice, Will. He coulda not done what he did. But he chose to….” But all of a sudden, from an unexpected quarter, everyone is interrupted.
“STOP IT! PLEASE, STOP IT!” Tara yells…shocking everyone, because this is the first time anyone has heard her raise her voice.
Everyone goes quiet.
“Th-this isn’t helping Faith, is it?” Tara asks, in her normal tone.” And, you fighting… is awful. That’s not you. You get your strength from each other. This is …just bad” Tara looks upset.
Everyone now looks ashamed. Slowly, they start apologizing to each other, and then hugging. No one likes fighting with each other, and is glad that someone was mature enough to stop it( thank you, Tara).
Everyone is quiet for awhile, then Buffy speaks up.
“Look, guys, I’m sorry. I lost my temper” She says, a bit contrite. “But I just want you to start believing in Faith like you would me”
Giles coughs. “Well...actually, there is something troubling about the evidence”
Buffy looks at Giles, as if to say…why didn’t you say so earlier?
Giles continues. “ In all the histrionics, I kind of forgot about it. But …the knife wounds seem wrong”
“Huh?” The whole group speaks as one.
“ Buffy, Faith is right handed, correct?” Giles asks.
“Uhhh…yeah” Buffy replies, not quite understanding.
“Well… from talking with the Coroner(I know him from past dealings), he says the angle of the wounds are wrong for a right handed person” Giles says, explaining. But everyone still looks confused.
“ If your right handed, and facing the victim…which it's assumed from the depth of the wounds, the angle of the entry would most likely be from right to left. But, if you were left handed, crossing over to make it look like the knife was in your right hand… the angle would be reversed…from left to right…and that’s how the wounds look…left to right, not right to left”
The light bulb goes on over the scoobies’ heads.
“So, your saying, G-man” Xander says.” That whoever killed DeMarco was left handed…trying to make it look like a right handed person.”
“Exactly” Giles says, a bit surprised Xander caught it as quickly as he did.
Buffy looks hopeful.” Then… that means Faith didn’t do it!”
“More than likely, not” Giles agrees.
“But, that doesn’t…I mean… who would want to set Faith up? From what I heard of DeMarco, he’s not the type to kill himself for this kinda thing. So…who?” Buffy is puzzled.
Tara raises her hand. Everyone looks at her.
“Ummm…Faith told me something, once. She made me promise I wouldn’t tell…well.. because she didn’t want you or Giles to know, Buffy. But… I think this is important enough to break that promise now” Tara says, quietly.
Tara relates to the group what Faith told her. About how she had, after the Cruciamentum, had a little chat…and more, with a certain Quentin Travers. Essentially telling him to keep any council people, especially himself, out of Sunnydale. Everyone was surprised, but Buffy also had a little grin. Just like Faith to do something like that for her. She felt a small tear. She so missed Faith right now.
“That would explain why a replacement Watcher never showed up in Sunnydale” Giles muses. His face turns grim.
“This is something he would do. Get rid of Faith. For revenge.” Giles says, his voice low. But the flush in his neck betrays his anger. “ He’s probably trying to get her declared a rogue slayer by the council. Oh my god” Giles says, his face blanching.
“What? What?” Buffy says, seeing his face.
“Special Operations. That’s ….who did this…and this isn’t good” Giles says. “That means they’re already on location. Once they declare Faith a rogue… they’ll be ordered to capture her…or, knowing Quentin, Kill her!”
“ We gotta find her! We gotta find her now!” Buffy says, worried. She starts to pace. “ But where?”
“ Most likely, she would go to a large city… try to get lost. And I suspect she doesn’t know she’s being hunted…so…”Giles says, but Buffy completes it.
“L.A.” Buffy says, catching on.” But where? If she’s trying to get lost, she could be anywhere in L.A.”
“I think were going to need some help” Giles says. Buffy looks at him. They both know who.
“I’ll make the call” Giles says, going towards the phone.
“Fine. Tell him I’ll be there in a few hours” Buffy said, turning to leave. ”I’m going to L.A.”
“Buffy, I don’t think that’s a….”Giles begins, but Buffy stops him. She has her don’t mess with me face on.
“I’m going. No arguments” She says.
“But there isn’t another bus to L.A. ‘til after Midnight” Giles says.
“I’m not going by bus. I’m taking Faith’s bike. She left it here” Buffy says.” Don’t look at me like that. She taught me how to ride it!”
“Buffy” Giles says. It looks like Buffy is going to interrupt him, so he puts up his hand.
“Be careful” He says, and turns towards the phone.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
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Seasons of Faith