Part 16

Deep below the streets of LA, Faith was paired with Kennedy in her seek and find mission. Most of the teams numbered more then two, but Faith didn’t need anyone else, Kennedy was a kick ass slayer, almost as good as her, and with the two of them on the case, she was sure they would find Angel sooner rather then later. So far though..? Not even a sniff.

Faith reached up and adjusted the headset walkie talkie which all the slayers used nowadays, on many occasions they had proved useful, but to her they were just an inconvenience, something to get in the way when fighting, although this time she had relented. The urgency which she felt in finding Angel, overtaking any worry about having her head squeezed by some techno crap. No-one had anything. Not even the slimey guys themselves were out and about. Nothing. It dampened her spirits a little… she hated the waiting, but no news was good news, and pretty soon she would call it a night and head back to Buffy. She was half thinking about leaving Angel’s and getting a room in some flash hotel. But then maybe Buffy wouldn’t want that, wouldn’t want her pawing at her whilst they had a possible major disaster to avert. She didn’t know… but she thought she would suggest it. Hoped Buffy would like the suggestion.

“Yo, Faith… what’s got you so quiet, huh? Normally patrolling with you is like a full on fun fest… you lost the fun?”

“Sorry, Ken… I don’t know… maybe it’s the fact that my friend is missing, possibly having his very soul ripped from him? That kinda quietens a girl down, ya know?”

“Shit, I’m sorry. Wasn’t thinking. Just go back to ignoring me.”

Faith let out a small laugh. Yeah, Angel was missing, but she was Faith. She never lost the fun. Not really.

“I’m kidding. I was just thinking… no ignorance meant.”

Kennedy caught up to Faith, fell into step beside her, was pleased to note that they were heading towards the exit. Too much sewer time was hell on her complexion. Willow was due back in town tomorrow, and she kinda wanted to look good. To look hot.

“So what time are the guests arriving tomorrow?”

“Not sure, Buffy spoke to them… I think that Willow was coming via Budapest, meeting with Giles in London, and then on to here.”

“Budapest?”

“Yep… something about an old Hungarian coven, roots in dark magic… blah blah blah, personally..? I think it’s more to do with the whole pride thing they got over there at the mo, Red just loves gaying it up.”

She saw the brief flash of pain across Kennedy’s face. She had forgot for a moment, forgotten how it used to be.

“Shit. Now ‘I’m’ sorry… letting my mouth motor away. I’m sure it’s just the witches thing. Not the gay thing.”

“Doesn’t matter Faith. Me and Red were over months ago… she’s free to do what she wants.”

“You nervous about seeing her?”

“Oh no… we keep in ‘touch’…”

“In touch?”

There was something smug in the way Kennedy had said it…

“Oh ya know… she was in LA two months ago… we touched.”

Kennedy threw a wink at Faith as she said it. Yes it hurt, not being with Willow, but it just wasn’t working. She wanted to stay here, to slay in one place, have roots, have friends. Willow wanted to travel around, said she had spent her whole life in one place, and now she wanted to visit many. It sucked. But that was life. She still loved her, couldn’t imagine ever stopping… and maybe one day? Maybe one day Willow would feel like settling down, and then she would be on hand to swoop in and claim the lady.

“What about you, hot stuff?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t play coy, Faith. REALLY doesn’t suit… you and Buffy, the queen of angst… you scored yet?”

“There’s more to life then scoring, Ken.”

“So that’s a ‘no’ then, right?”

Faith shook her head in exasperation, why didn’t anyone ever think she wanted more then a fuck. More then a tumble? It used to amuse her, but now that she had Buffy, she wanted people to understand that it was more. That Buffy was everything to her.

“That’s a ‘no comment’. It’s a ‘maybe I’m more then a quick roll person’. It’s a ‘doesn’t anybody see that I’m fucking CRAZY about this girl… crazy about Buffy?’”

Kennedy was stunned into silence. She had known that it WAS more to Faith. The amount of times she had ended up speaking about Buffy with Faith for no apparent reason. EVERY time they were out slaying together…

‘so there was this one time that Buffy did this thing…’

Or…

‘man, you should see the way that B does this totally bitching flip…’

Or…

‘so why do ya think B left? You think she’s happy in Europe..? With all those… Europeans?…’

Or the one which popped up every week. Or everyday. Depended how often they saw each other…

‘do you think she wants me to ring her? I mean, she never called me, but I’m the tough one, she probably thinks I don’t think about her… maybe if I rang on her birthday, ya think that would be cool..?’

She knew that Faith had never rung. Buffy was like her ‘thing’. Her weak spot. In fact the reason that she had been stunned into silence now was because Faith had never come out and said how much Buffy meant to her. Everyone knew. Or guessed. But Faith never said it.

“What, Ken? Why the dumb looks?”

Kennedy shook the look. She hadn’t meant to stare open mouthed, eyes wide. But she HAD been stunned.

“I just… I get that you’re crazy about her… I kinda get that you’ve always been crazy about her…”

Faith looked at her questioningly. How could she know about always?

“…Willow.”

“Right.”

Made sense to Faith. Willow would of known.

“I just guess… I never heard you SAY you were into anyone. Even when you were with Robin, you never, ya know… gave a shit?”

“Uh-huh.”

Faith looked around to check that there was no-one about to over hear her. She wasn’t big on the chat, certainly didn’t want an audience. It was quite handy that the sewers were not packed to full with people dying to hear about her love life, she could talk unfettered.

“You know what it’s like to be a slayer, Ken… it makes it hard to be with anyone, to care about anyone… and boy did I learn THAT the hard way…”

She laughed as she remembered. The past wasn’t so painful anymore.

“…but her? Buffy? I just… I don’t even know what I’m saying here, it’s just like she’s always been what I wanted. WHO I wanted. The first time I saw her, I knew I wanted her… wanted to fuck her…”

Now Kennedy laughed. THAT was more like the Faith she knew!!

“…slow down, Chuckles… I figured out pretty quick that it was more then that! And then I had it figured out, but she… well, she… I guess she just never got it.”

“Until now?”

“Fuck knows. I think so. I hope so. I kinda love her. I DO love her. Be nice to be able to tell her one day.”

“Don’t sweat it, Faith. Ya gotta figure that if Buffy’s finally giving it up, then something’s at last clicked in her head. Or she’s finally gone mad… but something must be different.”

“Maybe it was just finally time. Our time.”

Kennedy looked into the face of her friend. Could see the hope. The love in the eyes…

“She IS finally giving it up then?”

“Huh?”

“‘IT.’”

“Up yours, Ken.”

“Now THAT’s just gross… I mean, not Buffy as a whole, but Buffy up mine… wrong… she’s kinda cute, I’ll give her that… and the body is guaranteed hot… but ewww!”

The sound of the clump she took to the head could be heard echoing through the tunnels of the sewer system. As could their laughter which followed. It was getting late. There was no sign of Angel, or the demons… time to call it a night. Kennedy was eager to get home and primp for tomorrow. Faith was eager to get home and see the woman she loved. The smile on her face said it all.

Faith got back to W&H in record time. She didn’t think she’d ever been so excited to make it there… except maybe after Sunnydale the last time. That had also been all sorts of welcome. Still this was better though. She could taste Buffy’s last kiss on her lips, the one she had taken… not for luck, but just for her. She planned on taking loads more of them. Kissing Buffy was beyond great, it was sexy and hot and lusty and ungh!

Talking to Kennedy had just made her more hyped. To be able to tell someone else what she was feeling, how she was feeling… it felt pretty good. Freeing. And now she wanted to go grab Buffy, drag her down from the monsters tower, check into a nice private room with bitching room service and tell her. All night long. Just telling her how much she meant to her, had always meant to her. And sure sign language was part of the plan. It was all in the hands after all! As she hit the button on the elevator, which would deliver her to her girl, she looked in the mirror, gave herself a wink, and thought just how lucky Buffy was. She was prime cuts, and she was all for her.

When the elevator opened at the top, she was a little disappointed that Buffy wasn’t all arms outstretched and pining, but it was cool. She could cope. Maybe Buffy had got tired. Was having a lay down. She checked the bedroom, and still wasn’t overly worried. The bathroom next. The wet towel on the floor giving something away. Buffy was a slob! She’d speak to her about that, no woman of hers was gonna be a slob. She was slob enough all by herself! Next she dug out her cell and tried calling Buffy’s number, but she could hear the answering ring in the room, so that was a no no.

Deep down inside of her, just beginning to take shape, was the slightest little slither of fear, just working it’s way up the back of her neck, travelling her spine… icy fingers reaching out.

Maybe Buffy was down with Fred? The two of them could surely babble away for hours. Or catching up on old times with Wes? Watcher, slayer talk. Or in the training rooms? Or…

But Faith already knew. Had already seen the note propped up on the table. Was ignoring it. Because she KNEW!

HE had her.

She dropped to her knees in silence. Sucker punched completely. Winded. Broken.

It was only the thought that she had to get Buffy back, had to save her, that finally made her able to rise, to approach the table, to glance at the flower in front of the note. It was from the vase… she didn’t think it had any special meaning, the petals were all ripped from the head… scattered across the table top.

It took forever for her fingers to reach the note, to open it, for her eyes to focus on the words.

‘She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not…

So which is it, Faith?

Will she, won’t she, will she, won’t she…

Will YOU join the dance?’

And once she had read them, she felt first her heart break, and then her heart harden. Everything was different.

She was going to hunt Angelus.

Part 17

She slowly came round, as if wading through a swamp surrounded by a dense fog, at least it smelt like a swamp… she wasn’t sure if it felt like one, she couldn’t move… her arms felt heavy and her legs… wait, no. They didn’t feel heavy, they were chained… held fast.

Buffy started to struggle as clarity returned to her brain. This wasn’t a dream, it was real, and it was her worst nightmare. Angelus had returned, and he was going to kill her. So many times over the last years, she had had this nightmare… so many times she had seen him come in her sleep to claim her… and every morning she had woken up and banished the thoughts to the back of her mind. But now she couldn’t. This was really happening.

Immediately her thoughts flashed to Faith, was she looking for her? Was she scared, worried? Did she know where she was..? Maybe she was coming now… to rescue her, to save her..?

She forced her eyes open to look over where she was being held. She was bound to a stone slab… maybe an altar, it was hard and cold… and she was naked? That realisation made her struggle again, but it was no use. The chains which enslaved her were tainted with magicks, all of her strength made no difference whatsoever. It wasn’t enough.

On every side, all around her, Buffy was surrounded by the slime demons. They were staring at her, hissing amongst themselves, and she could feel the malevolence just blanket over her with each of their wicked gazes. Their desire to kill her was calling to her slayer senses, her need as a warrior to fight… but what could she do?

She couldn’t understand why they didn’t attack her. Didn’t kill her… it was unlike demons to know restraint.

As if reading Buffy’s mind, the slime demons suddenly started to separate, to clear a path for her eyes so as her vision could take in the other prisoner. Someone else in chains.

“ANGEL!”

He slowly lifted his head, brought his own eyes into focus, penetrated her with his gaze.

“Buffy..? I…”

He wanted to say sorry. He knew that it was Angelus that had bought her here. Knew it was the plan that he would lose his soul in her. But how do you apologise for that? How can you ever say sorry?

He took all of his rage, all of his anger and directed it at his bonds. Pulling, kicking, hitting any demon that came too close to him. He couldn’t stay here and hurt Buffy, he would kill himself before he let that happen. He wouldn’t do it!

Buffy was spurred on by Angel’s struggle, by his animalistic clawing at his chains, she tried to join him, pulled with all she had, thought of Faith and pulled harder… but it really was no use. She finally fell back, gave in, allowed the first tear to slide silently from her eyes. She turned her head and locked gazes with Angel again. She didn’t understand what was happening… how he was Angelus, now he wasn’t, why he was chained… but it gave her hope. Futile probably, but for the moment it helped.

Eventually, Angel also gave up. He knew the chains would hold, they always held, but he had had to try. He’d try anything. Buffy was staring at him so hard, perhaps looking for reassurance..? He offered what he could. Spoke the words she needed to hear.

“I won’t do it, Buffy… I won’t hurt you… I…”

His voice broke as he made the empty promise. They both knew that he had no say.

“…I swear I won’t hurt you.”

The lair filled with the hideous noise of the demons laughter, all of them rising up to join together. To mock the Vampire’s words, and the girls tears. The head slime made his way to Angel, regarded him with disgust, a weakened half breed… they were doing not only themselves a favour, but also the Vampire. Ridding him of his soul for good.

Buffy’s eyes went wide as the hissing began. It was SO loud, it seemed to be creeping into her brain so as her whole head swam with the sound, chanting over and over… she looked to Angel, for comfort… for understanding? But she saw the truth. All he had was desperation and pain. And weakness.

“I’m sorry, Buffy…”

The demon leader turned to Buffy, a twisted smile on his twisted face.

“Angel may not ssssleeeep with you…”

She witnessed as Angel fell, as he rose, as his eyes opened and found hers. As his mouth curved into a sardonic smile, evil personified.

“But I sure as hell will!”

His laughter froze her. Deflated her. There was no hope.

“Tell ussss Angelusss… do you want to play?”

Buffy could feel his eyes as they crawled over her, prickling her flesh, making the chill seep through to her bones.

“I don’t play.”

He almost whispered it. Not making boasts. No empty threats. Just the truth. This wasn’t a game to him, it was more. It was vengeance, it was justice. It was Buffy. And she was his.

The chanting rose again, and Buffy wasn’t sure if it was that which made the chains fall from Angelus’ arms, or if maybe it had imbued him with extra strength, enough to break the bonds himself. Either way, it didn’t matter. He was free, and he was stalking her. And she was terrified.

The lead demon spoke again, but his voice carried a warning now, something for Angelus to remember.

“Do not forget, vampire… not until it issss time… when the moon callsssss the tidessss… then the…”

“Save the speech, Slimes… I know the jingle… ‘moon, tide, gates to hell’…”

He slowly approached the bound form on the altar, almost with caution, maybe reverence. Circling her, studying her from every angle… trying to see what was so special… why it was her that could rip the soul from his alter ego’s body. His body.

Buffy tried to pull back. Tried with everything she was and had ever been to make herself disappear, to make the stone crack and swallow her whole, anything but this. But as was her hope, her efforts were futile.

Angelus allowed his hand to travel the distance to her skin, ran his cold as ice fingers slowly up her body… his passion igniting as her fear increased. Urging him on. He kept smiling at her as he found her breast, touched her there almost delicately, his eyes promising that this would be the only time she felt a gentle touch.

“…don’t worry about me jumping the gun…”

He let his face morph to show his true features, the monster inside.

“…me and Buffy got a whole lot of foreplay to keep ourselves busy.”

He took one last look at her fear, the terror etched so firmly on her face, the dread seeping from her every pore. To him she had never looked more beautiful.

Removing his hand from it’s lazy ministrations, he slowly bent his head, traced the unwillingly erect nipple with the tip of his tongue. And then he bit. Sank his teeth into the firm flesh of her breast, tearing into her skin, gulping down his first taste, he felt like howling with joy.

The demons around him were becoming excited, the hissing intensifying, the belief in their prophesy being realised. When the time came, Angelus would take her, kill her and the gates would open. Nylorac would rise.

Buffy felt the teeth prick her, felt her skin give way, felt her blood as it swam from her veins. Felt as her throat opened and her scream was released.

Knew that it was futile.