Pov None.

If the residents of the Summer's house had thought that the previous night had been rough, they had a rather rude awakening coming. That was barely a taster for what was awaiting them this evening. It seemed that the apocalypse was not prepared to wait for research to be done, or girls to be trained... it was ready now, and tonight the slayers would get an introduction to the high priest of the apocalypse.

The scoobs were all hanging out in the dining room at the Summer's house, the day had been long and they were all feeling the strain of trying to plan against an unknown entity. The research hadn't gotten them anywhere so far... at one point Giles had thought he had made a discovery of a long lost weapon of the slayer... but the text was vague, and some still needed to be translated.

They were all sipping beverages of their choice, no one particularly conversing... just allowing their brains to take a few minutes off.

Willow was taking her down time studying the occupants of the room, the two slayers sitting at opposite ends of the table... she, as Buffy's best friend was privy to all the little bouts of angst that seemed to be attacking these two, but even as she kept watch on them now, she could still see the little surreptitious glances being aimed across the table... Xander studying one of Faith's comics, blissfully unaware of the doom surrounding them... Giles forever thoughtful, furrowed brow, glasses off, still working away at their latest problem... and Tara... beautiful, beautiful Tara.

A blast of energy shocked Willow from her reverie, her eyes sought those of her girlfriend who was looking back with the same expression of fear... Company!

"Hey guys... not to alarm, but we've got company!"

Buffy glanced up not comprehending.

"What ya talking bout Will?"

"The shield, it's going crazy... either we've got some big nasties on the way... or... uh..."

She looked back up at her fellow Wicca, and found confirmation in her eyes.

"...We've got big nasties on the way."

At that moment the slayers shared a look of similar understanding, they could sense it too, something big, something evil... something here.

"Faith, get the girls... or the girls that can fight. Wills, how long is the shield gonna last?"

The witches exchanged another look, the evil was strong, but so was their magic.

"As long as we say so Buffy, nothing less then human is getting in here... me and Tara?... we `know' magic."

The comical way that Willow delivered her line was the break in tension needed to get everyone moving. Faith rose and made immediately for the girls that could help in what was to come. She was determined that no one would get hurt on her watch, last nights fuck up was still in her head, and she would be damned before she let that happen again.

Buffy collected some weapons from her chest, the witches' shield meant that there was no mortal danger right now, but she wasn't gonna let anything surprise her tonight. She was also not prepared to let some messed up monsters, camp out on her front lawn all night... she was feeling strong, and if they wanted a fight, they were sure as hell gonna get one.

Giles did what he did best... he watched and he researched. It took him virtually no time to locate the species of beast which was stalking them. The Tourak Han. The oldest of vampires. The beasts from Buffy's dream.

Everyone reconvened in the front room, keeping watch on the snarling creatures, and discussing a course of action.

"So whaddya reckon B?"

"I reckon if they want some fun we should give them fun... the dusty kind of fun."

"Sounds like a plan."

The two slayers went to the front door and walked to the edge of the path, the barrier was doing its job perfectly, and the vampires could do nothing to get to them, making them hiss and roar in frustration.

Seeing this, a few of the potentials made there way outside as well... the presence of the slayers making their bravery increase. They were fascinated by what was in front of them... some of them had barely seen a real vamp, let alone something as repulsive as the uber vamps.

"Ready to find the fun?"

"They look pretty nasty Faith... and the numbers, also not the nicest."

"Come on B, we'll just have a peek, step outside the barrier, quick game of `thrust and plunge'... and then back across to safety."

The blonde girl stole another furtive glance at her sister slayer... `thrust and plunge?'... she didn't want to give image to those suggestions, but she couldn't help herself. All day she had been avoiding interaction beyond anything `slayer related', and now the very act of slaying was causing her mind to wander.

She reminded herself of her vow to be strong, she had to be strong... there was far more earth shattering events unfolding just now other then what was to ever become of her and Faith.

She would keep her admiration to `from afar', protecting her heart, and concentrating on what was before them. As a slayer she had a job to do, and she wasn't the longest surviving slayer through doing a bad job.

"So now who's the one with the plan Faith?"

"New thing I'm trying B."

She just smiled her response, not willing to get embroiled in the sexual banter that could flow so easily between them. It was hard to hold back, it had always seemed so natural to her in the past... even when they were warring, they had still maintained a certain level of double entendre's and quick fire jibes.

On the count of three, they burst through the barrier attacking the first `vamp' that they came across. Together they realised that these kinda vamps just weren't as much fun to play any version of `plunge and thrust' with. They're skin was as tough as anything, and the stakes just weren't making their way through.

"Change of plan Faith?"

"Back up, now?"

"Uh-huh!"

They threw themselves back through the mystical defences and rose to their feet, their inability to affect the beasts at all had dampened their enthusiasm for the battle, and they stood unsure of another course of action.

"So I guess this is a stand off?"

"Let's hope it stays that way... cos fighting with them? I'm thinking ouch."

"I'm agreeing."

They turned and went back inside, bringing the girls with them. Until they had a plan, there was no point in standing there, engaging in a staring contest with a bunch of really quite ugly vamps.

"Uh... guys?"

The shout from the potential caught everyone's attention, she had been watching out of the window all the time the Vamps had been there, and now she had something to say.

"I uh... there's someone coming."

At that moment the doorbell rang, causing a feeling of shock to permeate the room. What could have walked through the barrier, and avoided the resident beasties?

"Wills, Tara... input?"

"I don't know Buff, the spell is `nothing less then human', the barrier hasn't been broken... I don't know."

"Tara?" She wasn't questioning Willow's judgement, she just needed backup before letting some kind of anything, access to the house.

"Nothing's been broken, the spell is still working."

Looking round at Faith, she signalled to her to be ready for anything happening.

"I've got your back B."

The dark slayer took up position alongside her partner, nothing would hurt Buffy, without getting through her first.

As they opened the door, they were greeted by the sight of a man in preacher's garb, carrying a very badly wounded girl. Buffy reached for the injured form straight away, disregarding the man for a moment, lost in the protecting.

"Uh, uh , uh... don't snatch little girl, you can have her when I'm ready."

"What?"

"I've just finished cleansing her, it would be a shame to get your grubby hands all over her."

Buffy just looked back at him astonished. This so wasn't what she had expected upon opening the door to a man of the cloth.

"Cleansing her?"

"`You' may choose to call it `maiming and killing', but the way I've found to release the body of sin... it's a truly beautiful experience... one I'll be trying on you quite soon I'd say."

"Over my dead fucking body, anyone needs some sins cleaned around here... I'm thinking you might wanna start with me first , preacher boy!"

Seeing the girl, broken in the mans arms had thrown Faith for a moment, hearing the threats against Buffy had bought her right back into the game. She had said she had her back, and that was what she meant.

"Ah yes... you must be the `whore', all those hands that have pulled at your dirty flesh... I can see the filth surrounding you. It makes me sick."

"You know that talk's just gonna make me hot for ya, yeah?

With that, the `priest' threw the dying girl at the blonde slayer, simultaneously striking out at the dark one. She was sent flying through the air, stopping only when she made contact with the wall by the stairs, all sorts of blurry visions sent crashing through her head.

"Holy fuck he can hit!"

The witches caught his attention next, chanting away in the corner, trying desperately to expel this unknown force of evil from the house.

"You think you can touch me with your magic?... I have no need to fear you. I am the messenger of The First... the vessel of it's power... you can not even begin to understand the forces which I control..."

Giles stood to confront the visitor.

"What are you... how did you pass the shields."

"Your shields prevent less then human... and believe me when I say... I am 'more' then human." He laughed manically at that, amused by his own wit, delighting in the terror he was causing.

The potential who had been stood watch at the window, slowly crept behind the preacher, armed with a poker, she was determined to inflict pain on the white collared intruder.

"Rona, No!"

But Buffy's call was too late.

In the same instant, the `man' turned and executed the perfect punch, the force cracking every bone it came into contact with, splashing blood across the room as he opened up the girls face.

"You Bastard!"

"Now, now... less with the cursing. It really does hurt my ears to hear such profanities coming from girls, even those as dirty as you."

It took everything Buffy had not to jump straight into battle, she hadn't had a swing at the preacher boy yet, and was itching to get involved. Seeing the destruction that he could cause though, that was keeping her senses in check. She had seen Faith rise, and knew she had returned to watching her back, but even with both of them, she wasn't sure that they would do very well.

Giles stepped forward again to confront the `man' that was so openly taunting his slayers. He may not have `super-powers', but he would not stand by and allow anyone to talk to his girls like that.

"Do you have a greater purpose for being here...or is it simply lessons in etiquette you have come to impart."

"Ah... `the watcher'. You interest me. How you stand to be around this vermin all the time, living with them, breathing the same air... tell me? Do you like watching them?"

His leer conveyed his deeper meaning to Giles, and it was with great frustration that he was unable to do anything to retaliate.

"Tonight I came simply to offer you back what was yours..." He motioned to the bloody form of the battered young girl...

"and to show you what will become of all of you. When our armies spill forth... you will all wish that it was you lying in her place, screaming for forgiveness at the end of my knife."

Most eyes in the room showed fear.

Faith was still stuck in defiance... no `guy', no matter how hard he could hit, was going to keep her down for long. Yes she was a slayer... but more then that, she was a survivor, and she hadn't survived this long through taking shit.

"Unless `you' wanna start screaming at the end of my knife..." she motioned to the funky looking dagger she had picked up in her hand...

"I'm suggesting you get the fuck out of my face right about now..."

Buffy took up her rightful place, shoulder to shoulder with her fellow slayer.

"And I'm suggesting you listen... she gets really cranky when she doesn't get her own way."

"I can not wait until it is your time... breaking you will be my greatest pleasure, the two slayers, put out of their constant misery, released from the burden of protecting this foul excuse for human kind. Never a happier day shall there be."

He cast his eyes again around the room, drinking in the terror, tasting the absolute fear.

"Good evening, ladies."

And with that he was gone.

The girl unfortunately was dead before anyone could do anything for her. Even the spells of the Wicca's was not enough to pull her through. She had been gutted, almost completely. The only wonder was that she had still been alive when the `man' first arrived with her. Rona had been more fortunate, the broken bones in her face would heal, she would be ok.

The vamps had left with the priest, and now the front garden was empty, save for the two slayers.

"We've got a pretty fucked up situation here, huh B?"

"An army of super vampires and a priest with super human strength?... I'm tempted to say `all in the line of duty'... but yeah, you're right. Situation? Definitely fucked up!"

"Fancy leaving town?"

"Absolutely."

"I can probably jack us a car if ya wanna go for it."

"Nah... we'll just take Giles'"

"Think the others would mind B?"

She cast a look back towards the house, all the lights on, no one resting for fear of what they had seen tonight.

"I don't think they would even notice we were gone."

"I wish you were right, I'd be outta here right about now."

Buffy cast her eyes on the dark slayers form, after the stresses of the night, she didn't have the energy to play it hostile with her. It was indeed the connection and the burden that they shared which was keeping her going. The preacher had terrified her, the only time before that she had witnessed such power was with Glory, and she hated to think about how that had ended.

She expected that by tomorrow they would find something new to cause them heartache, or `her' heart ache at least, but for now she was just happy not to be alone.

"You wouldn't leave Faith."

"I wouldn't?"

"No way... you'd never skip out on a fight, no matter the odds."

"Damn, I'm stupid!"

"Not gonna comment."

Faith just looked at the blonde girl, she would gladly take these few minutes of respite from their normal tense relationship. She was just upset that it had taken something so extreme to allow them to even exist for five minutes without the aggro. She knew not to push it now, this certainly wasn't the time to bring up any of the issues which had been raised earlier in the day. It did, after all, kinda feel like the end of the world might be on its way.

It just felt kinda nice not to feel alone.


Pov None.

It had been two days since the introduction of `the priest'. They knew his name now. Caleb. But they were no closer to formulating a plan to beat him.

He had returned the last two nights with his army of 'vampires'. He didn't approach the house, he didn't need to. His sermons were long, and he would stand at the edge of the Summers house, foretelling their impending doom, trying to break their spirits, before he would inevitably break their bones.

It effectively meant that they were prisoners of the house come the evenings, no one could go out, no one could come in, and no slaying could be done. It was driving the chosen two crazy with cabin fever. Sure they could walk about freely during the day, but the day wasn't their time to `exist', they were warriors of the night, and they needed the `hunt' to feel alive.

They needed a plan, for it was coming to a time when something had to give, they couldn't go on with the feeling that their power had been neutered, they were slayers... they wanted to slay.

As had become the course for events since the arrival of their own personal `prophet of doom', the scoobs were sat around the dining table, trying almost desperately to formulate a plan to have some kind of effect against Caleb.

The potentials were no longer separate from the group, impending death forging bonds between them, that otherwise would've taken longer to establish. They knew though that they were all in this fight together, and come the time to rumble they would all have each others back.

"So Giles, tell me again about this `weapon' you think you might have maybe, possibly discovered a reference to?"

The tired man looked up from his dusty volumes of text, he had barely slept in the last two days, choosing to spend the nights imprisoned in the house with the others. He could've chosen to stay at his, even taking some of the others with him, but at the moment all they could focus on was keeping the group together.

"It seems Buffy that this apocalypse was foretold since the beginning of time itself, I've found many references to the 'man of god', striking the blows for evil..."

"And the weapon?"

"I was just getting to that." He tried not to let his irritation at the interruption show, he knew just how under pressure the slayers were.

"The weapon is mentioned in some of the most ancient texts... something forged for the slayer, of the slayer, to prevent the rising of The First, a source of great power..."

"So where is it?"

He looked up at Buffy blankly.

"That's just it... in none of the texts does it state where the weapon is to be found... not even a solid reference to what it is... just that it has `power'"

"Well that's just fucking perfect!" Faith was so sick of this shit, she wanted to fight, she was itching to fight, and if something didn't give soon... she was just gonna go fight anyway.

"Can't you witches do one of your hokey little `find it' spells... search for the essence or something?"

"Faith I understand your frustration, really I do..."

"You wanna bet...?" She considered her `frustrations' as Giles so neatly put it. Her need to fight. To slay. Also, and extremely importantly, her need to fuck. Since her little pull back with Kennedy the other night, she hadn't so much as tried to find release of that kind. It wasn't that she didn't want it... she was Faith, she always wanted it... but for the first time in her life, the idea of empty sex was becoming less and less appealing. If things weren't so funky at the moment she probably would've taken some more time to analyse the feeling, but as it was she was too busy `living' the frustration, to waste her energy pondering on it.

"... cos let me assure ya G... whatever you think you're understanding... ya not even getting close!"

"Yes well, that may be, but..."

"Wait!"

All heads turned to look at Willow, questioning her with their eyes.

"Uh... it's just I had an idea... what Faith said, about the essence... I think we can do that."

"Go on, Willow"

The red head cast a glance at her ever present girlfriend, she had a plan and she would need both of their strength to put it to use.

"It's the essence... if we connect with the slayers energy, maybe we can trace it back to the `weapon', if it's connected, like you said it was... surely the power would be the same... could we do that?"

"That's a brilliant idea sweetie."

"It is?"

"Definitely." Tara showered Willow with one of her special smiles she saved just for her.

"If the source of power is the same, we can almost certainly trace it... we just need to uh... connect with the slayers... and then really it's not much more then a simple locater spell."

"Hey Tar... this `connecting with the slayers'..." Faith took the time to wiggle her eyebrows at the witch...

"what's that gonna include exactly?"

"Lots of naked hand holding, Faith..." she threw her own raised eyebrow back at the slayer...

"for starters anyway."

Incredulous looks were shot in the direction of Tara... sometimes they just forgot that she wasn't the same, shy and unassuming girl whom they had first met.

"Uh... Naked?"

"Relax B... I'll hold `your' hand, protect ya from the sex mad witches..."

"Oddly Faith... not so much the witches I'm worried about."

Buffy sent a smile at Faith that would assure her she wasn't in the least bit serious. The last two days had been tense in the extreme. She was still keeping her heart closed to the possibility of Faith, she had to. But the fact that they were the `chosen two' in this fight, that had forged a bond that went deeper then the ever present problem of where their hearts might lay.

"So how do we do the spell then guys... candles, circles and a whole lot of chanting."

"Buffy I'm sure that there's a lot more to it then that... we are talking about powerful magic..."

"Uh... actually..." Willow interrupted Giles for the second time...

"It pretty much involves candles, circles and a whole lot of chanting."

"I knew it! This magic stuff... easy!"

"It really is a simple spell, me and Willow will bond with the slayers essence, through hand holding of the clothed kind..."

"Spoilsports!"

"... although Faith can go naked if she wants to?" Tara cast a look the slayers way, it really was fun having her about.

"... then we will do a locator spell, channelling the essence, and hopefully... well, we'll find the weapon."

"I hope it's big."

"Hardly relevant Faith, I would `rather' hope that it's close by."

"Lighten up G... it can't always be about the seriousness... find the fun, and anyway, in my experience... size is always relevant!"

The watcher shook his head in bemusement, he found the girl thoroughly refreshing, her quick wit and sharp mind a pleasure to be around. He certainly let things slide with her, that any of his other charges would barely dare to say to him.

"So the spell... when can we do it?"

"As soon as your ready Buffy, me and Tara are always prepared for impromptu magic... what with being witches and all."

"So what are we waiting for?"

Having something to focus on was bringing a great sense of relief to the group occupying the house. For too long they had felt uninvolved in what was coming, nothing but simple bystanders to the evil gathering around them... now though, now they had something going for their side. There was almost excitement buzzing in the air.

The four girls had gathered in the witches bedroom. In no time the sacred circle was marked out and candles lit. To begin with the slayers would join hands and meditate... focus on the source of their power, bringing all of it out to the surface, so as easily to join with the witches.

"B...?"

"Yes Faith?"

"Your palms are sweaty."

She couldn't help but laugh, being in the witches room, sat on the floor, meditating with Faith... it was just too peculiar. Plus also her hands were kinda sweaty... she was nervous after all.

"Look you two, you wanna try and take this seriously for more then a few seconds?... cos I'm telling ya... anymore funny stuff, I'm gonna get Giles."

"Sorry Red... but her hands... it's wicked gross!"

"Faith!"

"Okay, okay... no need to gang up on me." Faith felt kind of nervous in this situation... she was a novice when it came to the magics... the closest she'd ever come being the whole `body switch' with Buffy... and now, in this room... she was feeling a little vulnerable, hence her need to keep it light.

"I was just saying..."

"We get it Faith... now concentrate."

Once the girls had stopped trying to disturb themselves, they fell into silent and deep meditation... hands linked, their power coursing through their veins, travelling in a circuit, linking them together.

The witches watched with quiet contemplation... they could see the `something' between the two girls, the way they were joined so effortlessly... but they also knew the turmoil that seemed to follow the girls around. It was a shame to them, that things could not work out differently, for surely if this match came to pass, it would be a match forged in heaven.

"Okay guys, that should do it... now if ya wanna sit in the circle, we'll all join hands, and hopefully we'll have a location on this `weapon' in no time at all."

The slayers broke apart.

"Whoa, that was intense."

"Ya can say that again, B."

"Whoa, that was intense ."

The connection the two girls had felt 'had' been intense, and powerful and all other things besides... it was a feeling not unlike being just a little bit tipsy, with all their senses raised to their highest.

"Third times the charm ya know?"

"Whoa that was intense!"

They couldn't help but laugh, they felt really kinda euphoric, and after all the tenseness, it was really rather nice.

They took their places either side of the witches, linking hands and quietly chanting the words they had been taught by Tara... the energy in the room was palpable, creating a glow around the circle, which intensified as the magic grew stronger. Once their essences were joined, Willow called forth the spell which would locate the `weapon'... feeling yet another surge pass through her body, as the essence of the slayers was probed by that which would search.

And then it was over. It was almost anti-climatic. All that build up and heavy energy, just for a little bright light that appeared over a map of Sunnydale.

They all fell backwards as the last of the magic left their bodies, panting, sweating and most definitely flustered.

"Faith?"

"Uh-huh?"

"'Your' palms are kinda sweaty now... ya know ya can let go right?"

"Sorry Red... but that was..."

"Let me guess... intense?"

"Oh yeah." Faith looked around the room at the other girls, the witches looked almost composed, but Buffy seemed to be just as buzzed as she was.

"So this `magic' stuff then... it always feel like this?"

Willow and Tara shared a gaze. Their magic was always intense. Locator spells though... they had lost their oomph for the girls quite awhile ago now. They were slightly juiced from feeling the essence of the slayers pass through them though, both of them aware how much power and strength they had held for that short time.

"This is tame Faith... you wanna see what it's like after some `real' magic..."

The dark girl concentrated on how wound up her body was now... it felt almost sexual, what with all that energy flying around... and she wondered how it could be called tame. Looking at the witches, she had some understanding then of just how `great' their sex life probably was.

And she felt just a little bit envious.

Had she not been so `buzzed', she might of realised that she was envying a couple. Two people in love. But she was buzzed, so she didn't realise. And for the moment, it stayed about the sex.

Astonishment that the weapon existed, and existed in Sunnydale, was the overwhelming feeling when the girls returned downstairs.

That something so important could have been here all this time, and no one had known of it. It was almost ridiculous. Especially as the weapon had been pin pointed to an old pagan temple, just outside of one of the cemeteries they had frequented for years now.

Giles had even stated that he wouldn't believe that the `thing' did exist, until he had seen it with his own eyes. The slayers though, they knew that it existed, they had felt the power... now it was just a question of how they would retrieve it, and how it would help.

It was with a lighter step that the occupants of the house went to bed that night. The vamps outside had become as common to them as the cars in the street, and Caleb seemed to be content with his vitriolic sermons from the sidewalk.

Finally they had something `good' to focus on.

An idea that maybe... just maybe, they would stand a chance in this fight.


Pov None.

The dark slayer was feeling restless. Yes, they may have found the whereabouts of the so called `super- weapon', and yeah the magic buzz was pretty good fun, but she was bored. Everyone else had drifted off to bed. Giles was maybe still shuffling about, always looking to find that next missing piece of the puzzle, but other then that, the house was quiet.

She thought about waking Buffy, maybe suggest some impromptu training, a nice bit of heavy sparring to release the tension... but no. Hers and Buffy's relationship was still not well enough defined, for her to know how to proceed. Sure, they were friends. Maybe. But there was still so much left unsaid. Left unresolved.

Sometimes she still felt `that' connection, the one that scared her, the one that made her pull back. Recoil with fear, fear that she would deny she ever felt. But other times she felt like nothing more then another slayer. Another fighter. Part of the mission. And those feelings scared her too.

She walked the quiet hallway thinking about this and not about this. She still felt the pull... the door of the bedroom of the girl that she... liked. She liked her, and respected her, and wanted to do a whole lot of things to her which didn't really include respect or like. She wanted to consume her. She wanted to touch her in ways she had never touched anyone. Couldn't touch anyone.

But she didn't stop at her door, or open the door, or enter the room, or quietly, softly lean over and touch her, caress her. She did her hardest not to think about doing any of these things. And she paced. She reached one end of the hall, and she stopped. And she turned. And she walked to the other end.

Her eyes betrayed her. She may have been able to stop her body from reacting to the pull... but her eyes. On every pass they sought out the door of the girl she... liked. And respected. And wanted.

But she wouldn't think about that. So she paced. Backwards and forwards and backwards and forwards...

At the sound of a door opening her head turned sharply. Seeking the source of noise, senses on alert, ready to strike.

"Hey Faith... you're up kinda late?"

"Kennedy!"

She had been surprised to see the other girl up. Everyone was asleep. Weren't they?

But the distraction was grateful. Anything to stop thinking the things she was thinking. Stop feeling the things she was feeling.

Stop looking at the door to the room of the girl she kinda, maybe liked.

"So what are `you' doing up... aren't you still `sposed to be resting?"

"Nah... anymore resting, I'm gonna start thinking I really did die. I like to take a little wander when everyone else is asleep, get the circulation going... ya know, work the muscles..."

"You want some help with that?" She couldn't help but react to Kennedy's words. It was what she did.

"You gonna wimp out on me after first base?"

"Wimp out on you?" Faith looked at the potential as if she had grown two heads, no-one, well no-one whom had ever lived to tell, had called her a wimp. It was... it was just wrong.

"Ya know Faith... get me all hot and bothered, then leave me high and dry!" Kennedy was enjoying this, she imagined that not many people could play with the dark slayer this way.

"High and dry?"

"Well... there was wetness, but brief, and pointless..."

The older girl considered this. She still couldn't explain quite what had happened that night. One minute she had been `there', cruising, sliding past first... full steam ahead. And then. And then nothing.

She had rationalised it down to the thing with The First. It had freaked her, caused her to act out of character... Because it couldn't have been anything else. It couldn't have been `the kiss' with Buffy.

"Faith...?"

Because that would mean...

"Faith!"

"Whoa, quiet down there girl... the point of being up when everyone else is sleeping, is the point that everyone else is `sleeping'."

"You were ignoring me."

"I was listening... for trouble... with my slayer hearing, I had to block you out... sensitise my ears..."

"You are such a dork!"

"A dork and a wimp... Hmmmm, I'm thinking you might wanna stop there Ken, don't wanna push me too far..."

"So ya wanna come to my room?"

"Huh?"

"To talk Faith. You know how to do that yeah?"

"Funny." She considered whether she wanted to talk, she wasn't so big with the sharing and caring... but this was Kennedy, and she liked her... and yes, she had even been able to bond with her in ways other then fucking.

"I'm not gonna wait all night Faith..."

"Ok, you're on."

On entering the room, Faith caught sight of another potential sharing the sleeping space.

"What's this Ken... found a new roomy?"

"She was hurt too ya know, I guess it's easier to keep all the infirm together."

"Yeah I bet that's it." She noticed the shared sleeping space, the way the girl looked to be reaching out in slumber for something which was missing.

"It's not like that Faith."

"No?"

The potential looked back at the bed towards the resting form of Rona, face still bruised and sore form the run in with Caleb. She looked at the way her hair framed her face, her skin smooth and peaceful, even in amongst the angry blemishes.

"I think it might be more then that."

"Holy shit Ken... you sure?"

"Nope."

"And she... uh, well ya know, is she into you?"

"I hope so."

"Man... I never figured Rona for playing with the home team..."

"Yeah well, you're not always so adept at seeing what's right in front of you."

The slayer had no response to that. She wasn't even sure what Kennedy meant. What was right in front of her?

And what was with Kennedy and Rona?

"So how longs this little love fest been happening?"

"Not a love fest, not yet, and maybe a week..."

"While we were..."

"Uh-huh... You jealous?"

She considered that. Did she care?

"Not in the slightest Ken... what we had..." She smiled at the memory.

"... that was wicked cool, but we both know it was nothing more then that... you and Rona, if that's what floats your boat... you go girl."

"Thanks for your permission mom."

Faith gave the girl her lopsided grin, she could believe the liberties she let this girl take with her. Calling her a wimp, a dork and now mom. Anyone else... they wouldn't be standing. Things were different here though. She felt that in Kennedy she had made a true friend.

"So that muscle thing in the hall... what would ya have done if I'd jumped ya?"

"I would've worked out my cramps and then gone back to bed..."

"But Rona?"

"It's ok Faith... I knew you weren't gonna jump me."

"Ya did...?" She thought about this, even she hadn't been sure she wasn't gonna jump her.

"How?"

"I think that's one you need to work out on your own."

What did that mean?

"You're freaking me here Ken... when did you go all crypto gal on me, you been hanging out with the scoobs too much?"

"Yeah me and Buffy spend all day braiding our hair... it's a girl thing."

They both laughed at the image this presented. Buffy and Kennedy doing anything other then killing each other was just way too far fetched.

And that reminded Faith. She still had to speak to Kennedy about the whole, Buffy, fight, thing.

"Kennedy...?"

The sleeping girl was stirring on the bed, the noise interrupting her peaceful rest.

"'S'ok I'm here... go back to sleep."

Faith noticed the softness in the girls voice, something she had never had with the girl, something she had never had with anyone. She decided the 'talk' could wait.

"I'm gonna go Ken... let you and your honey get with the snuggling." She raised her brow so as Kennedy knew she meant everything 'but' snuggling.

Raising her self from her spot on the floor, she left the room. Maybe she would go back to her pacing. Maybe she would finally be able to get some rest.

Maybe she would spend some time thinking about the girl behind the door of the room she wouldn't enter. Couldn't enter. But really, really wanted to.

Kennedy watched the other girl leave. Her body still wanted her. But she wasn't stupid. Faith would never be hers, and she would never fall for a girl that couldn't be hers.

Rona was a different story. Something had grown there that she had never fore sawn. Friendship that had grown, and now given the time to just be with each other, had deepened into something better.

Maybe getting pulverised by bringers, and smashed by Caleb had it's advantages.

As she slipped back into bed and moulded her body around that of her `friend', she thought some more about Faith. She sensed real friendship there. She felt a deep bond, something that had nothing to do with the between the sheets action they had shared.

She thought about Buffy as well. She really didn't like that girl. There was no bond there, nothing other then a shared need to inflict pain on one another.

Finally she thought about Buffy and Faith.

And she wondered if Faith would ever open her heart to what she really wanted.

Maybe what she needed.


Pov None.

The blonde slayer was up early. She couldn't sleep, hadn't slept much at all the night before. Had heard Faith walking the hallway in a never ending circuit. Had heard Kennedy rise and engage the dark slayer. Hadn't listened to the words. Hadn't wanted to. Had turned the volume up on her headphones, to avoid it.

She still hadn't dealt with Kennedy. Other things had become more important since Caleb had shown up, and a pissing contest with the potential just wasn't top of the agenda. She still wanted to hurt her though.

She didn't blame her for being with Faith. She didn't think that Kennedy was keeping Faith from being with her. Nope. She knew that the only person keeping Faith from being with her was Faith herself. But she still didn't like that they were `together'.

So she was up now, lurking in the kitchen, eating her toast, drinking her coffee, trying to think of a way to get this `weapon' that was gonna help them defeat The First. She wasn't thinking about Faith. Much.

Her thoughts that she wasn't having were interrupted by footsteps padding down the stairs, and she didn't need to recognise the fall of feet to know whom it was. The warmth that flooded her system as the familiar buzz spread through her was enough. It was Faith of course.

"Morning Faith."

"Hey B... I thought I felt you lurking about, what ya up to?"

The blonde girl held up her toast as if that would explain everything she needed to explain, she couldn't really tell how she had been stood here contemplating Faith, and Kennedy, and her and Faith.

Mostly Faith.

"Ya pop a couple of slices in for me?" She didn't really do toast, after all she had an appetite that would consume more bread then the average family would eat in a month, but Willow wasn't here in her usual spot cooking up the pancakes, so toast would do.

The toast was made and consumed, and an almost tense silence settled over the two slayers. It was as if they both knew they were avoiding something, but neither of them was willing to take the first step needed to resolve whatever the `something' was.

Buffy was finding it harder and harder not to just take the girl. She wanted her. She knew she wanted her. But it wasn't that simple, because the way she wanted her? That included a whole lot of love, and not just fucking. And that...? Well that, like pancakes, just wasn't on the menu.

Faith was finding it harder and harder to keep denying to herself what she already deep down knew. But she had, had a long time to fashion her denial. A long time to deal with the rejection she had felt before, and make ways to protect herself from ever going that way again. A long time to learn the words that had become her mantra.

`I do not `want' love.'

And she had learnt that mantra so well, repeated the phrase so many times, over and over, that to let go of it now... well she didn't think she could.

So they stayed in silence.

Neither really knowing what words were safe to say, and what words would lead to a whole lot more.

Buffy's Pov

We have a plan.

I will retrieve the `weapon', and Faith will guard the house. I know it's not a cunning plan, certainly not in the league of something a great big planning type person would make, but it is a plan. And it's the only plan we've got.

I will leave with Giles, under the cover of daylight, and then in the evening, Faith will keep watch, whilst I go `weapon' hunting. It's certainly not a flawless plan. There is, for example, the small, but rather important point, that Faith is no match whatsoever for Caleb. If Caleb chose tonight to attack the house, then Faith would be here, on her own, to defend the girls. And the witches. And Xander. And my sister.

Maybe that's a very big flaw?

But really there is no other choice. We need the `weapon', whatever it is, if we're to have any chance in the battle against The First.

And if I'm honest with myself...? I'm actually really looking forward to getting out of the house. Maybe I'll be able to slay? That would be `too' good. And how jealous would Faith be?

So I'm ready to go. I've made my round of hugs goodbye, and taken my ordered dose of `be careful's', Giles is waiting in the car, and yep... that's me ready to go. So why am I still here?

Because I haven't said goodbye to `her' yet. And leaving without saying goodbye...? That would be almost as bad as all the `hello's' we haven't gotten around to saying. Like... hello Faith... I love you. Or... hello Faith... I need you. Or... hello Faith... please throw me on the ground and take me now... hard... fast... deep, soft... slow... gentle... just fucking take me already... please?

"So I guess that's you going, hey B?"

"FAITH!"

My god, she scared the shit out of me!

"WHY ARE WE SHOUTING?"

And what planet is she from?

"We aren't shouting Faith... you're shouting."

And boy she looks good, don't care what planet she's from.

"You shouted first, I was just following your lead."

She throws a quizzical look my way, as if I'm gonna explain the incident. Well nope. Not gonna happen, not by a long shot. So I'll lie. Or not lie, because lying is `wrong', so I'll fib. Yep. Me the fibber.

"I was uh... listening to music, in my room... really loud, and my ears... ya know?"

"I never heard any music, and I was upstairs."

"I had my, erm... headphones on. Yep that's it, I was listening to the music... really, `really' loud... and my ears were sore."

I'm gonna smile sweetly. Classic `butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' type of smile. I can do this.

"Didn't know you had headphones B?"

"Well I didn't, but then Wills and Tara, they got me some, so I wouldn't have to hear you and Kenne..."

OH MY GOD!

I can not believe I just said that. Did she notice?

Oh fuck! She is looking at me sooo peculiar. Think Buffy. Think!

"To hear you... singing. In the shower... cos me and the singing... not friends, nope, ask anyone... `does Buffy like singing?'... and they'll tell you... nooo way!"

"What planet you from B?"

"Huh?"

Did she read my mind? Cos I was thinking that... wasn't I?

And if she can read my mind....

`Faith... take me... now... I want you, I want you so bad. I wanna feel you inside me... touching me... tasting me...'

"Why are you looking at me like that B?"

"Like what?"

I must clear my mind.

"I don't know. Oddly."

"You had something... on your face."

I think I am losing it. Buffy Summers has left the building.

Please welcome the temporary replacement... `Insano Girl'. No super powers. No special abilities... except to talk complete shit, and make a complete fool out of herself. She's a talented girl that one.

"Where?"

"Uh... just kind of... um, I'll get it."

I reach over and touch her face. Just lightly, just to wipe away the really big crumb type thing from her cheek. And so my hand lingers? It was a very big crumb.

And so she leans into my touch? Just a little, barely noticeable. I guess she wanted rid of that crumb too.

"Got it B?"

"Oh yeah... I 'got' it."

Again with the strange looks. I never noticed all the strange looks before.

"So you're off then?"

"Yeah, just going now."

"Right."

Now the silence. I hate these silences. This morning in the kitchen... I began to wonder if it was a sponsored silence. We were both winning I think. And then willow came in, and the silence was broken.

"Bye then Faith..."

"Oh yeah... bye then."

"I will be back tomorrow you know?"

Of course she knows I'll be back tomorrow. She was there when we made the plan.

I just felt like I had to say it.

"I know... it's just..."

What? It's just what?

"What Faith?"

I try and keep the expectancy out of my eyes. Is she gonna say `something'?

`Something' I need to hear.

"Just... uh... it's nothing. Nothing."

It can't be `nothing'. It was gonna be `something'

"It can't be nothing, Faith."

Go me. That's it... I'm Buffy the vampire slayer... I can get anything out of anyone... and now? Now I want my `something'.

"I don't want you to go..."

That's it! That's my `something'.

"...alone. It's not safe. What if something happens, something bad, and I'm not there, you go on about me being here alone... but what about you B? Have you even thought of that?"

Damn it. Almost my `something'.

"Faith... yes there are risks, but what's the option? It was me or you. One of us has to go."

"So why can't it be me?"

"Because it's me."

"But why? I'm as good a slayer as you, I can do just as good a job."

Like that's even a question anymore.

"I know Faith. This is just the way it is. You have a better uh... `thing' with the potentials. So it's best if you stay with them... and I'll go get a nice shiny new `weapon'."

I think I sounded a bit `too' perky at the end there... could have blown my cover...

"I knew it! I knew you were just itching to go slay... `go and get a nice new weapon'. Whatever B... I know the truth... you're all juiced up with no place to go... you're going out looking for action!"

Busted!

"Uh... maybe I'm looking forward to working out some energy... getting rid of some tension..."

"Bitch!"

"Huh?"

"So not fair B!... I'm going crazy without the slaying... it's worse then prison, at least in there I was making the choice. Here it's just fucked up crazy preachers keeping me in. It sucks."

What do I say to that?

"Sorry?"

"Doesn't matter. Just make sure to get notes. I want full slayage details... with grunts!"

"Grunts?"

I don't `do' grunts!

"Yep... you get back tomorrow... I want grunting."

That's what I want too.

She's shooting me `another' odd look. I think it's cos I'm grinning inanely.

Maybe insanely. Did I introduce you to `Insano Girl'?

"I'll um... make notes. Lots and lots of notes... for the grunting, cos if you want grunting... I'm your girl!"

Some one shut me up!

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPP!

That will be Giles then. Right on cue.

"That will be Giles."

"I figured that one out B, what with the car horn, and Giles waiting in the car."

"Oh... right."

"So... this is goodbye then?"

"You said that already."

Picky me.

"Just making sure you go this time."

"I'm going."

"But you'll be back tomorrow?"

"With the grunting."

"I look forward to it."

What are we doing?

"Right."

"Yep."

"So... bye then Faith."

"Bye Buffy."

I got full name usage?

And I hug her.

I don't know where it came from. Lots of people call me Buffy. I don't hug them for it. Would certainly freak the dentist out, that's for sure.

This hugging feels nice. And so what if it's just a little longer then friendly? So what if the person I'm hugging... no, `holding'... so what if they just happen to be sleeping with the girl upstairs, and so what if I want them, more then... more then anything? Cos this hugging feels nice.

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPP!

And that will be Giles. Right off cue.

"I better go."

She's looking at me oddly again. But different oddly.

"Yeah... you`d better. Don't wanna keep G-man waiting."

"Right. Cos that would be wrong. Uh... Bye then... Till tomorrow."

And I turn to leave the house. And she calls me back.

"B...?"

"Yes?"

"I uh... I just wanted to say... well... I just wanted to say..."

For gods sake! Spit it out... what's with this fucking pausing...?

"... that I... I guess I need..."

Go on, go on, go on...

And then Giles walks in. Just like that. And I will never know what Faith needs.

"Are you coming Buffy...? I believe the plan was to be out of here by sundown... to avoid the vampires?"

I could kill him. Right now I could absolutely, in cold blood, kill him!

"Yes Giles. I'm just coming."

I hope that my tone conveyed my feelings. By the look he is giving me I'd say, yes. Message received.

"We'll finish this later Faith...?"

She's looking at me like I just asked her to remove her entrails and possibly take up cross stitching with them. Which is a very strange look, I tell ya.

"Uh yeah, B. Later."

I am going to kill Giles. Slowly. With torture. Lots and lots of very bad, `you ruined my moment', torture.

"Bye then Faith. Willow."

Willow? Where?

And there she is. On the stairs. Almost like she had been listening. And she's alternating between giving Giles really bad looks, and me looks of sympathy. And I'd say, yep. She was definitely listening.

"Uh... bye Giles, Buffy. You uh...go get that `weapon'... go team!"

I grab Willow in another quick hug. She used my full name. It wasn't so I had an excuse to hug Faith again. Nope.

She wasn't quite as hearty in her return this time. I don't care. For some reason my heart is beating again. Really loudly. It kinda sounds like it's beating out hope. Or maybe it's Faith?

I leave the house and head for the car, Giles nipping at my heels like only a good watcher can. It will be fun, what with the torture.

I look at the house as we drive away. Lots of WOW!... but also... Grrrrr! I just can't shake the almost nervous feeling I have. I think that's why I couldn't go without saying goodbye to Faith.

Or was it hello?

I just think something bad is gonna happen.It must be because I'm smiling.

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