Chapter Seven

Willow, Xander, and Giles sat next to Faith as they watched Buffy putting the newer Slayers through their paces. The bleachers, built by Xander, weren't the most comfortable seating in the world, but they were serviceable, at least for the short term. The fact that the four of them had popcorn and cokes made it seem as if they were at a sporting event.

Faith had a huge bowl and was grudgingly sharing it with Giles. He was eating somewhat sporadically, yet each time his hand wandered into her bowl, her gaze narrowed dangerously as she sized him up. He was oblivious, his eyes never leaving the small blonde woman who was riding this group of difficult girls especially hard.

"No, stop! If you tried that move on a vampire, you'd already be drained and tossed in the bushes."

A few of the girls were muttering under their breath, just like they had been for the entire time they'd been there. They had escalated their comments in the last fifteen minutes, clearly tired of the strenuous workout and tired of listening to Buffy as they wondered out loud who had put her in charge and why.

"You three, come on. Let's go."

They looked up, somewhat startled but not exactly afraid. Three to one? They could take her easy; they were Slayers too.

"You guys seem to have all the answers. You want me to be quiet? Think I've got nothing to teach you? Prove it."

Willow and Xander winced from their spot on the bleachers; they knew that tone very well. Giles sat up straighter, popcorn entirely forgotten as he smiled slightly and gave his full attention to his charge. Faith leaned back on the bench seat behind her and tossed some kernels into her mouth. Her grin was downright wicked; she knew what was coming and as far as she was concerned, the little bitches were asking for it.

They didn't bother to inquire about the rules, didn't bother with the concept of fair play. They rushed Buffy en masse, determined to show the master how she'd been surpassed by the student…all three of them. Buffy's eyes flickered and Faith knew she was ticked that the newbies had no problem playing dirty.

There was a flurry of activity, and then new girls were flying all over the place. Faith crammed more popcorn into her mouth; not an easy feat since she was laughing her ass off. Willow was peeking through the fingers splayed across her face, Xander was still wincing in sympathy, and Giles was fairly beaming as he looked on with pride as Buffy unleashed her skills.

One girl slammed up against the far wall, the blast of air that shot out of her at impact and the pained groaning that started up almost instantly were easy to hear. The second girl tackled a large metal trash can, hitting it at an angle that made it look like she was making love to it. She embraced it, her arms and legs wrapped tightly around it as they both fell to the floor.

The third girl, the ringmaster, found herself held in Buffy's iron- like grasp. Buffy was behind her, holding one of the girl's arms bent up painfully behind her back, her other arm wrapped around her student's waist, effectively pinning her free arm helplessly to her side.

She pulled up just slightly, causing her prisoner to gasp and fling her head back to rest on Buffy's shoulder. Buffy's mouth went to the girl's ear, her lips almost caressing as they murmured along:

"Well hotshot, your friends are out of it and your neck…"

Buffy's mouth slid down to her throat and nipped at it, causing the girl to jump and Faith to put her bowl down carelessly and lean forward, her eyes darkening at the sight.

"…is mine for the taking. You're dead."

She flung her captive forward and away from her. The girl staggered and stumbled as she tried to catch her balance, but Buffy had shoved her with just enough force to make that impossible. She pin wheeled her arms and tried to right herself, but she finally lost her tenuous grip on "upright" and slid face first into the legs of the students still standing paired off in the front row.

The other two girls were up after finally managing to break their intimate associations with the wall and trash can, and they were gimpily making their way back to the group.

"This isn't a game. This isn't playtime. You're Slayers, and you're going to be fighting for your lives every night. There will always be a better fighter than you, someone stronger, smarter, more skilled. If you don't want to listen to what I'm teaching you, if you want to make smart ass comments instead and play around like you're in high school, have at it. I'll make sure your headstone's a pretty one.

Class dismissed."

They exited in near silence, no one even daring to so much as clear their throat.

Buffy stood staring after them until the last girl was out of sight, then wiped her face with a towel as she headed over to the gang in the bleachers. Xander immediately thrust out his bowl of popcorn:

"Here, take it. Just don't hurt me!"

She smiled and rolled her eyes:

"Shut up, Xander. I had to get their attention somehow."

She took a handful of his popcorn as Willow spoke up:

"And attention was grabbed, boy, was it ever grabbed."

"Too much?"

Willow offered up her drink to her grateful friend.

"Nope, I'd say exactly the right amount of attention was asked for and given."

"I'd very much concur, Buffy. Those three were behaving quite abysmally the entire session…Bloody well time you took them in hand."

Buffy smiled at him as she gave Willow back her nearly empty can.

"You think they'd know better, but I guess that's why they've been classified as troublemakers."

She turned deliberately to Faith:

"Okay, so what's with the silence?"

"Nothing. Just wonderin' if you're gonna give'em a lap dance tomorrow."

Buffy smiled and took the four steps necessary to put her right against Faith's legs:

"Nope, lap dances are never given this early in the training process. Maybe next week if the group advances far enough."

Faith tried not to smile, but Buffy saw the flash of a dimple.

"Besides, I only lap dance for one person now."

She straddled Faith, sitting down casually and wrapping her arms around her neck and losing her hands in the thick, dark hair.

As Faith pulled her closer, Xander's bowl banged between the bleacher seats and clattered to the floor, sending all eyes his way.

"S…Sorry. Gotta go check on…go do…be elsewhere."

And then he was clambering down the steps and in just moments he was out of sight. Giles issued a long suffering sigh:

"I shall have to inform Roger that a clean-up is necessary. He never takes these things in good spirit, in fact he believes it wouldn't be remiss to institute a `no eating policy' in all of the training rooms."

"Guy's obviously got a few screws loose, G-man."

"Quite. Well, I shall take my leave now as I've a stack of paperwork that needs to be dealt with before next week. I'm not at all certain how that's to be accomplished, but there's the challenge. Goodbye, all."

Faith was getting happier. Her face was resting in between Buffy's breasts and as each person left, her hands felt free to drift lower. Willow cleared her throat as she stood:

"Okay, I guess I should go too before I witness something I probably don't need to see. Besides, I've got a ton of books to read, a bunch of spells to study, and a nap or two in my immediate future."

"That's great, Red. Don't let us keep."

Willow smiled as she stacked the two remaining bowls inside one another, then placed the soda cans precariously inside the top one.

"Men, you know? Leave it to the women to tidy up."

She shook her head good naturedly and headed down the stairs carrying the remnants of their mini-feast carefully. Despite or maybe because of her efforts, she suddenly lost control before she'd managed three steps. Popcorn and soda rained down, slipping through the gaps in the steps to land near Xander's debris.

No one spoke as Willow looked down at the mess, then back up at the Slayers:

"Wow, Roger's really gonna be mad. See ya!"

And then she was gone, the door rushing open as she exited, then slowly springing itself closed.

"So, where were we?"

"Think you promised me a lap dance."

Buffy laughed:

"Somehow that's not quite how I remember it."

Faith shifted and slid Buffy back slightly:

"No prob, let's make a new memory."

Buffy kissed her, moving sensuously and relishing the groan that Faith blew softly into her mouth. She kept rocking as Faith's tongue came over to visit, and now it was Buffy's turn to moan.

Faith was the best kisser ever, and Buffy could have stayed where she was for a week…a week.

"Faith…"

"Just keep movin', B…Just like that."

"Faith…"

"Shh…"

Faith's mouth sought out Buffy's again, but this time Buffy evaded her:

"Faith…"

"Stop jawin' and just let me…"

Faith!"

"What?!"

"What was Giles talking about?"

Buffy wasn't expecting an actual answer, at least not until Faith stiffened under her.

"Faith?"

She tried to recover…

"No clue."

…but it was too late.

Buffy pulled back to look at her more fully, but Faith was already struggling to stand up. Buffy bore down, refusing to let her leave.

"Whoa, what's going on?"

"Nothin', just shouldn't be gettin' it on here. We should…"

She tried to move again, but Buffy had the angle and Faith couldn't quite manage it.

"Faith, we're not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on."

There was only silence from Faith, silence and a refusal to look at Buffy, which wasn't easy given their intimate position. At any other time, Buffy might have admired her determination, but at the moment all it was doing was pissing her off…and scaring her.

"Are you going to answer me?"

"…"

Buffy could feel the tension running through Faith, and now she was worried.

There hadn't been any problems over the last two months, not since the night they'd gotten the Scythe back. That big discussion hadn't taken place until the following afternoon, but Faith had proven herself to be a woman of her word.

She'd been the one to broach the topic and she'd been totally forthcoming as she'd answered every question Buffy had for her, as well as volunteering some revealing information about herself. Her honesty and willingness to do what Buffy knew was hard for her to do… well, Buffy had found herself falling deeper and deeper into love with every word Faith uttered.

Since then, everything had run smoothly between them. Faith had moved into Buffy's room eagerly and officially, all with a sardonic laugh:

"Well, fuck me, nobody saw this one comin'."

They fit together perfectly, complementing each other like they were made to. It quickly became clear to both of them that they could do it; they could actually pull it off and be a couple, and Buffy had never been happier. She knew for damn sure Faith never had been either.

It was all perfect, like a little miracle, a reprieve, a final chance to make things right, and for once they hadn't blown it. They'd grabbed on tight and Buffy was happy; deliriously, gloriously, wildly happy. The pieces of her life had all fallen into place, and Buffy Summers was living large and loving it.

Or she had been until now, because now things were apparently somehow taking a turn for the worse. Faith still wasn't answering and she was still avoiding all eye contact, and Buffy was getting mad…and scared.

She tangled her hand in Faith's hair and pulled on it hard, jerking Faith's head back uncomfortably and making her face her.

"OW!"

"Oh, so you can talk. Great!"

"B…"

Buffy applied more pressure, making Faith grimace:

"What is going on?"

"Plannin' to torture it outta me?"

"Maybe, if I have to. Now talk."

"…Giles is leaving next week."

Buffy's hand loosened:

"What?"

"He's leavin'."

She swung her leg off of Faith and stood.

"For where? How long?"

"Buncha places. No idea time wise."

Buffy was stunned, but then her faraway gaze cleared and she looked at Faith:

"How long have you known about this?"

"A while."

"Well how the hell could you not tell me? How the hell could he not tell me?!"

"I asked him not to `til I told ya first."

The words made no sense to Buffy, but that didn't matter at the moment:

"Wow, he really slipped up. That's not like him at all."

"He didn't fuck up, B, I told him I already told you."

But Buffy still wasn't listening:

"God, here we just patched things up and he goes right back to keeping secrets! He wonders if I can ever trust him again and then he just keeps right on…"

"B!"

Buffy looked at her angrily:

"What?! Oh, don't tell me you're going to defend him keeping me out of the loop again? I don't get it, why doesn't he tell me anything? It's not like I'm some…"

Faith got to her feet:

"I'm goin' with him."

Buffy just stood there for a minute, the time ticking by slowly as Faith waited for the explosion.

"Something must be wrong with my hearing. I thought you just said you're going with him."

"B, let me explain."

Buffy walked down the bleacher stairs, then turned around when she reached the floor:

"Oh by all means, Faith, you go ahead and explain if now's a good time for you. I wouldn't want to rush you though, so if you just want to wait until your stupid ass is going out the door…"

Faith walked down to stand next to her, but when she reached out for her, Buffy stepped back.

"B, I knew you were gonna get upset, okay? I been puttin' it off `cause I didn't wanna have it be a big deal and…"

"Good idea, Faith! And you're so right, it's not a big deal at all that you've been keeping secrets and lying to me. It's not even a big deal that you're leaving me to run off with Giles. I mean, you've done it before, I think we all know how it goes. You two have a good time."

She turned to leave but Faith grabbed her by the arm:

"B, c'mon, let me explain. I know it's not the best thing ever, but…"

"Take your goddamn hand off me."

Faith did, the look in Buffy's eye wasn't to be ignored.

"B, I get you're mad, okay? But would you just…"

"How long have you known?"

"…A while."

"How long, Faith?"

Faith felt like she was digging her own grave:

"Just short of a month."

The look on Buffy's face made Faith feel awful. There was betrayal, anger, and hurt all swirling past, and Faith reached out for her again:

"B, please just let me…"

This time Buffy stood her ground, slapping Faith's hand away from her.

"I don't want to hear it. Go ahead and go. You and Giles more than have my blessing."

"Buffy…"

"You can go to hell, for all I care."

And with that she was gone, the door slamming into the wall, then shutting slowly as Faith stared after her.

"That's just fucking great."

*******************************************

The next two days were not exactly a picnic for anyone, but Faith was more than certain she was being seen as the ant. Everyone was mad at her: Giles because she'd outright lied to him, Willow because Buffy was upset, and Satsu…well, Faith kept checking behind herself because who the hell knew what was actually a throat cutting offense.

Buffy wouldn't speak to her, making living and working with her a difficult and suddenly uncomfortable proposition. What had been a surprisingly easy existence for Faith was now an excruciating one, dragging out one painful minute at a time until she thought she was going to explode from the tension.

They'd patrolled separately the past two nights, but tonight they were out together. There was some new demon on the scene, or rather some old demon that wasn't even supposed to exist anymore. It apparently hadn't received the memo on its own extinction and had decided that now was as good a time as any to reappear.

It had come out of a hundred year hibernation and had quickly started chawing its way through the people of the surrounding area. It had already severely injured four other Slayers, nearly killing three of them, and Buffy had quickly gathered her very best for a hunting party.

Giles had suggested they keep the groups small: something to do with kings and guys named "Robert" and "Bruce"…or maybe just because of the way the demon supposedly regenerated by using the energy of the living beings around it. Buffy had stop listening as soon as she'd heard the words "quite interesting" and "in 1296" and had assigned Kennedy, Rona, and Vi to one group and Faith, Willow and herself to the other.

As much as Buffy didn't want to spend the night with Faith, they worked together seamlessly, as did Rona and Vi. Willow and Kennedy had to be separated, and there was no way Buffy was saddling herself with the irritant that was Kennedy…and definitely not the irritant that was Faith and Kennedy together.

The job of the other group was strictly recon, and Xander had explained their mission in great detail. They didn't have a "regeneration stopper", so their orders were to find the demon, then call Buffy and wait for back-up to arrive before they engaged the enemy. Buffy put it even more directly:

"Kennedy, I will personally kick your butt if you don't follow the plan. Rona, Vi, the same goes for you if she doesn't."

The patrol had been uncomfortable to say the least, and Faith couldn't remember the last time anyone had spoken to her. They'd been wandering all over the place for more than three hours now, this was their fourth trip through the cemetery after their third trip to the woods, and Faith was bored out of her skull.

Although Buffy and Willow were occasionally chatting with each other, it wasn't with the easy camaraderie they normally shared. It was clear as the time dragged on that Faith's presence had them on edge, maybe even more on edge than the possibility of finding the demon. She tried not to say anything, but finally Faith couldn't keep it in anymore:

"Jesus Christ, can we maybe set this shit to the side for now?"

Willow made a strange moaning noise under her breath and Faith saw why when Buffy turned to look at her, practically breathing fire:

"Sure. We'll just set it aside, Faith, let's say for five more days? Then you'll be gone and we can keep setting it aside forever. Does that work for you?"

"Look, I'm not the one who won't talk! You're the one who's got her ass on her shoulders and won't listen to…"

"You listen to this, you crazy bitch: you are not going to treat me this way. Maybe you don't get it, obviously you're stupid enough not to, but you're all done getting to use me."

Faith couldn't have been more confused if Buffy had been speaking in another language…hell, Buffy was speaking in another language.

"What the fuck are you talking about? I'm not using you! I'm trying to figure out how to…"

Buffy advanced and before she could stop herself, Faith took two quick steps back:

"Yeah, you'd better back up. You fucked me, that's exactly what you did. You knew you were never staying, but you lied to me and said you wanted me, this relationship. Anything to get into my pants, right Faith?"

Faith was finally getting it, finally understood why Buffy was so furious and hurt.

"You've shown me exactly what I mean to you by making huge decisions without even talking to me. You've got some secret scheme going with Giles again because why? Because `Delicate' Buffy can't handle the truth? And since when did you become Giles' `go to Slayer'? How did I suddenly become not worthy of his trust?"

"B…"

"Well, guess what? Tender, gullible Buffy is all through. I'm not doing this anymore. You two want to go God knows where for God knows how long, go. Just don't expect me to be waiting for either of you when you come back."

"Would you let me get a word in edgewise? I'm not using…"

"You had plenty of time to talk, almost one solid month, and you chose not to say a thing. When were you going to tell me, Faith? When you had your bag all packed and were heading out the door?"

"Um, guys?"

"No, don't interrupt, Will, let her answer. When were you going to tell me?"

Faith looked rattled:

"I don't fuckin' know, okay? I didn't have a plan!"

"Yes you did: keep fucking naive Buffy, then turn it into a whole `get some, get gone' thing."

"You really think that and I'm s`posed to be the stupid one?!"

"Hey, guys?"

Buffy totally ignored Willow as she began advancing on Faith in a fury:

"Oh no, I'm the stupid one for sure. See, I fell in love with you and I thought you felt the same way about me. I was imagining us building a life together, I was dreaming of a future with a woman who doesn't even exist. That's just how stupid I am, so thanks for clearing everything up."

Faith saw the tears in Buffy's eyes, but when she reached out to comfort her, Buffy shoved her back, knocking her to the ground.

"I don't want you touching me. You'll be gone in five days, then we can pretend none of this ever happened."

"Buffy!"

She turned with her temper reaching the boiling point:

"What, Willow?!"

She saw what. The demon was standing there about ten feet away, its head cocked as if it couldn't understand what it was seeing.

Buffy's question came out in a whispered yell:

"And this wasn't worth mentioning to us before?!"

"I did mention, but you were too busy yelling at Faith!"

"Faith, are you up?"

Buffy didn't want to risk taking her eyes off the demon, but Faith lightly touched her back as she slowly moved past.

"Yeah."

"Okay. Will?"

"I can keep it from regenerating: its life and parts. That's it."

Buffy nodded:

"That helps big time. Faith?"

"Got it. Front and back, side to side, or turns?"

"Turns, to start."

Willow's soft chanting was a reassuring sound; at least they'd only need to kill the demon once. The other Slayers who'd faced this thing hadn't been so lucky, and it was easy to see why they hadn't come out on top.

This was a different kind of monster, not quite ancient, but clearly something that was not run of the mill either. It was primal, a killing machine that looked to be built for nothing else. It was easily over six feet tall, solid and strong, its hide thick and its teeth sharp and numerous. Throw in the long, jagged claws and the unnerving intelligence easily spotted in its eyes, well this demon was a nearly perfect predator.

The demon was also a nearly perfect predator who no longer looked confused. He sensed the imminent danger, his instincts telling him he was now facing worthy adversaries, and his gaze began flicking rapidly between Buffy and Faith.

It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to keep track of both Slayers as Faith continued her steady progress off to the side, and the demon was reacting with displeasure. It began growling, its stance no longer puzzled and inquisitive, but aggressive and intimidating.

"Okay, why don't we do this the easy way? You stand there, and we'll kill you. See how easy that is?"

It was possible that the demon did see how easy it was, perhaps that was why it decided to attack at just that moment. Regardless of the reason, it was on the move with a speed that surprised Buffy. She was able to shift to the side, but the demon still connected with his claws as he blew past.

Her cry of pain was soft, but it made both Willow and Faith flinch when they heard it, as did the sight of the blood that began trickling almost immediately down her left arm. Buffy didn't let it throw her though, swinging her battle axe at him as he went by.

His cry was much louder than hers, and his injury, complete with spurting blood, looked to be much more severe. He spun impossibly fast to face her, the anger apparent on his way less than human features.

"Gee, guess you're one of those `dish it out' kinda guys."

He was on the move again, but this time Buffy was ready. She held her ground and fended off the attack, striking out with perfect timing as she sliced off one of the demon's arms. He backed away, then stood with a smug confidence as he waited for his limb to regenerate. It wasn't long before he began realizing that something was different.

He glared at Buffy as a pair of long spikes began protruding from the two arms he had left. Even before they'd fully extended, he was on the move again, his whole being focused on killing the irritant in front of him. That was when Faith decided to tag herself in.

She came barreling in from the side, both feet smacking right into the stump, knocking him off balance and sending him down to one knee with the pain. She immediately went in for the killing blow, but he blocked her knife thrust with his arm and delivered a powerful punch of his own.

Faith felt the spike sliding along her jaw as she went sailing back, crashing hard into the side of a granite tomb. She hit her head hard enough to have her seeing stars, and if she'd have been with it enough, she would have been looking for the cartoon birdies. As it was, she struggled to stay conscious and get back into the fight.

Buffy approached then, her axe aimed at his neck, but he kicked out hard. Her axe went spinning off as she crashed loudly into the nearby bushes, her momentum slowing only when she banged painfully up against a headstone.

The demon had had enough. His head swiveled to see Willow not five paces away, and he went straight for her with death in his eyes. She kept chanting, unable to stop without compromising the non- regenerating spell. There was no way they could win without it and Willow took several steps back to evade her impending demise.

Her back to a tree, she kept reciting the necessary words as she waited to be killed…or for the Slayer to save her as she'd done countless times over the years. As a spike thrust towards Willow, two strong hands grabbed onto it, snapping it in half.

The demon howled with the pain, but kept his focus on Willow. He tried to impale her with his last remaining spike, but Buffy thrust herself between him and his intended target at the last second, taking the impact with her already injured arm.

The pain was intense, but Buffy punched him in the face with her good arm. He staggered back a couple of paces, the skewer pulling free as he went, but he recovered quickly and came at her again.

She didn't have the time to reach down to recover her axe, so she kicked it at the demon. He seemed to smile as it sailed harmlessly past and he prepared to ram the spike right through her brain. Buffy leaned back against Willow and then his head was bouncing on the grass, his body standing in place for an instant before it too dropped to the ground.

Faith stood there looking a little worse for wear, but there was also a cocky grin on her face and it greatly lessened the impact of the blood dripping from her chin:

"Nice kick, B."

"The catch wasn't bad either."

Willow stepped out from behind Buffy, said a few words, and then they all watched as the remains disintegrated and dispersed into the breeze.

"Okay, dead demon is staying dead demon permanently. Good job, guys!"

"You kicked all kindsa ass too, Red."

"In a spelly kinda way, I am not to be trifled with. Buffy, is your arm…"

"It's okay, just excruciatingly painful. Any healing help coming our way?"

Willow smiled apologetically and gently patted her shoulder as she looked at Faith's cut:

"Can't, sorry. The regenerating spell's too close to the healing one, so I don't want the essences crossing and maybe going all wacky on us."

Faith was already tearing the bottom of her shirt into strips:

"Gimme your arm, B."

Faith worked silently and efficiently, and Buffy stared at her closely.

"How's your head?"

"It's alright. Hold still."

Buffy reached out and lightly brushed along her face:

"You're bleeding."

"Looks worse. Fucker just swiped me."

"Let me see."

Faith stood still and let Buffy have a good look.

"The bleeding's stopping. It still looks like it hurts though."

"Yeah, but I can deal."

Buffy's hand lingered and Faith leaned into what was quickly becoming a caress. Buffy stepped closer, her body taking her exactly where it wanted to be, but then she regained control of herself and turned to Willow.

"B…"

Buffy ignored her completely:

"Ready to go, Will?"

Willow had her back to them as she appeared to be trying to blend into the background.

"Will?"

"Red!"

"Huh? Oh, are you guys ready to…"

"Yeah, I'm more than ready, but B here wants to keep this shit goin'."

Buffy glared at her:

"You get what you earn, F."

"Whatever, Blondie. Have fun keepin' score."

She stomped off ahead of them, clearly pissed. Willow started to speak, but one look at Buffy's expression had her swallowing her words.

"Fuck you, Faith."

The reply came quickly from the darkness:

"Wish you would, B."

No one said another word all the way home.