Faith's Pov

I can't run any faster. My lungs are set to burst, my legs are set to fall off, and my hearts about ready to explode. It's still not fast enough though. I have to get to her. Now.

I get to the temple, and the doors jammed shut. It wont budge. I can hear sounds from inside. It sounds like fighting. With ease I get to the roof, looking for an in. And there is one. A perfect circle formed in the roof. I'm guessing it's something about the sun, or the moon. These things always are.

In that instant before I dive through the hole I stop myself, because something has caught my eye. Something shiny and new. The `weapon'. And oh yeah, that thing is awesome.

I can feel it calling to me, urging me to reach out for it. Embrace it. And I can tell by the way B is wielding it... damn that things got power!

She is chopping down an army of `ugly vamps'. There's maybe eight in there with her, and by the numbers of piles of dust on the floor...? I'm saying she's killed that many already. She is one fine slayer... maybe as good as me!

I resist the urge to call out to her, to shout my encouragement, because I just wanna watch. There is something so hot about watching her just now, the way she is moving. A force stronger then nature, complete, absolute, fucking power. And it's the strongest aphrodisiac I have ever known.

I want her. In this instant, beyond anything, I want her. All my blood is flowing straight between my legs, and my mind is rushing there too.

I want to throw her on the ground, rip every damn piece of clothing from her body and fuck her senseless.

I'd fuck her so hard she wouldn't even remember my name. It wouldn't matter though, because she would still be screaming it. Every single time I thrust into her, she would scream it. Loud enough for the world to hear.

I watch her slice another vamps head straight from his ugly ass little body, and it sends tingles down my spine. A stake to the heart of another almost has me moaning out loud. It feels like I'm watching porn. The best fucking porn I've ever seen. It's a shame this slaying gigs secret... cos that girl? She could make some money!

I can feel the sweat trickling down the back of my neck, entering my top, finding a trail down my spine, touching all the places I want to touch her.

I watch as she flips through the air, slicing the blade of the...? What, axe?... through the neck of another vamp, it looks too easy, I'm glad it is, it's giving me the chance to watch. She doesn't stop on landing, she's on another, using the handle to strike him in the face, knocking his head back, exposing his throat. She stakes him through it with the sharp end, a gaping wound appearing as she withdraws her weapon, immediately re-aiming for his chest.

Another one bites the dust, and I'm just another notch hotter. This is almost as good as foreplay. Maybe better.

I can see the sweat on her body, and I wonder if she can feel it sliding down her back, heading to places I want to go. The look on her face is beautiful. Such concentrated aggression, tempered only by the look of absolute joy. I bet she's getting off on this. She has to be.

The hairs on the back of my neck suddenly strain through the sweat, to stand on end. I can feel a vamp, and it's not inside. It's out here. With me. I'm gonna fucking kill it for ruining my show. `Really' fucking kill it!

Just as I'm thinking about making my way to find some fun, a crash draws my attention back to where it was before. And I see the door fly inwards. And I see `someone' come walking in through the opening, staking an `ugly' in the process, all action and `super-fucking-hero' cool.

And I know now why I was sensing vamp. Because below me I'm seeing an `Angel' The fucking saviour of my soul. And now I'm `really' interested.

I `need' to see how this one plays out. Because I've seen this one before.

They fall into a rhythm immediately. Makes me wonder if it's something remembered, or something they always had. Did they learn each others moves, or did they always know them?

He softens them up, and she finishes them off. Reminds me of a time when she softened one up, and I finished `him' off. The time when it all went wrong.

But that's gone now right...? Cos everything's different now. Everything's changed.

And I want to believe that so badly, that I hang onto it for everything I'm worth.

They finish up the vamps so quick. And that's when time freezes.

Because this is the moment isn't it? This is the moment that's gonna make a few things clear to me. Maybe `everything' clear to me.

Their hands are resting on their knees, both of them bending over, Buffy to catch her breath... Angel...? Your guess is as good as mine... not like he's been winded is it?

I can sense as their eyes raise to meet, there's energy in the air. Expectancy. I don't need to strain my ears to hear, their words echo off the stone walls of the temple, surround sound at it's best.

"Angel..."

"Buffy..."

They remembered each others names. Touching.

And that's not the only thing touching. Their hands are rising up, fingers linking, making contact.

"Why are you here?"

"I don't get `hello'?"

I can see her smile. It's radiant. And I want it to be for me.

"Hello... Angel."

"Hello... Buffy"

Now they're both smiling. I feel quite sick. It's not pleasant. But nothing could tear my eyes away. Cos I can see. I can see as his head bends down, and his mouth touches hers, and they kiss, just like that.

And I feel like a fucking voyeur.

In the instant that I decide to dust his ass, regardless of anything his ever done for me, the kiss is broken. And now I'm not sure if it ever really began. Because a kiss between lovers should last longer then that shouldn't it? And that was barely a touching of lips. So maybe I should wait with the dusting.

"So, you are pleased to see me then?"

Smooth soul boy, real fucking smooth.

"Always."

They share another `heart-warming' look, that sends chills down my spine... damn! Ain't that jealousy a bitch?

The sound of hand clapping breaks the spell. Looks like Caleb just arrived at the party... and I'll take that as my invite to dance.

I launch myself through the hole in the roof and crash to the floor at B's feet.

"Faith?"

"Hey B... mind if I crash the party?"

She's just looking at me bemused.

I guess it's not everyday that dark slayers fall from the sky.

Pov None.

"How very, very touching. I guess this is what you folks call a `reunion', the blonde filth that sleeps with dead men...evil men... tell me `Buffy', when they were with you, fucking you, did you feel closer to heaven, or to hell?"

"I'm guessing you're the women hating preacher I've been hearing so much about. Caleb isn't it?"

"And you must be Angel. I've heard a lot about you also, been waiting for the pleasure. Nothing sickens me more, then a demon that's lost it's way... wandered uselessly into the light, searching for redemption that`s never gonna come."

"Why do you always talk such crap? Seriously dude, you need to work on that routine, it gets old, real quick."

"And of course... my favourite. The dirty little whore. The one that fucked men before she was old enough to walk, always the vessel for man's sin, washing in the filth of desire..."

"I've told ya before that talk gets me hot, you want me to come wash that sweet mouth out for ya?"

"As much as I want to take the time to give you the attention you deserve, little girl, right now I'm gonna ask you're bitch partner to hand over that nasty little weapon she's holding, and maybe if she does it, I might make her death less slow, and painful."

"You want this weapon I'm holding?"

"That would be in your best interests, yes."

"Well come and get it then, you sick little freak."

Buffy charged at the outspoken `priest', aiming the `axe' to the centre of his chest, sailing wide, when he sidestepped out of her way.

He turned before her, whipping a back hand violently across the side of her head, sending her sailing to the floor, a groan of pain to be heard, as her body met solid ground.

The sound of her pain was her comrades call to arms.

They both flew at Caleb. Attacking him at random, yet seemingly in tune. He was stronger then them, but they were two, he was one. They weren't gaining an advantage, but they were keeping him busy, occupied whilst Buffy regained her focus. Lost the stars that were flying past her eyes.

"You are so gonna pay for that..."

And with that she was back in the game, making the odds even better for their team, the fight they were bringing to the preacher even stronger.

With a final flurry of forceful blows, an opening was created for the weapon to pass through. And it slid through with ease. Ripping a hole deep in the gut of the embittered so called `prophet'.

He fell to his knees, a chuckle reverberating out of his wound and from his mouth, the sound being muffled by the intrusion of blood.

"You think this matters...? You think you can win...? This is nothing! This is only the beginning of what is coming for you. Your cries of pain will be music in hell itself when it rises, your blood will be the wine upon which my master gorges himself , your flesh he will feast upon, followed by your souls..."

The dark haired slayer shook her head and looked at her partner...

"B... may I?"

Buffy handed over the `axe' without thought, placing it firmly in the only other pair of hands where it truly, truly belonged.

Faith turned in an instant, pausing only to take the final word.

"How many times do I have to tell you to SHUT THE FUCK UP!?"

And with that she brought the `axe' clean through the air, severing the head from the neck of the `priest', finally halting the poisonous words which were dripping from his mouth.

"Damn! I sliced right through that fucker's collar... did you guys see that?"

She turned to face her companions, and suddenly she remembered, and she felt kinda pissed again. The weapon was heavy in her hands, and there was a small part of her desperate to send it Angel's way. But she wouldn't. Because things were different now.

"Faith... it's good to see you."

"Soul-boy... how's things?"

"Good."

Buffy looked between the two. There was a tenseness she wouldn't have expected, she knew they shared a bond. Sometimes it had bothered her. Not anymore.

"Hey guy's... hold off on the hug fest, the emotions just killing me, really it's too much."

"Sorry B... did ya want me to get all smoochie with him like you did?"

The look of realisation was almost comical as it slid across the blonde girls face.

"That wasn't smooching Faith, that was just hello... good to see you, hope you're well."

"With lots of lips?"

"It was a kiss hello for god's sake... what is your problem?"

"I just realised some things... that's all."

"Don't talk in fucking riddles, Faith... I think we're past that now aren't we?"

"Whatever B."

Buffy could feel the waves of jealousy flying towards her from Faith. She didn't get it. The kiss, that she and Angel had shared was nothing. Barely a peck. Definitely chaste. And also... what the hell business was it of Faith's? She could still feel the buzz of the fight, electrifying her senses, and she was gonna have this out. She was past waiting. Silently wanting.

"Don't `whatever' me Faith, cos I deserve more then that."

"Uh... guys? I'm gonna wait outside, let you sort this one out."

The vampire turned to leave the temple, not needing or wanting to hear the words of his two slayers. This was personal, something that he wasn't privy to anymore.

As for the slayers they didn't acknowledge him. They were somewhere else. Embroiled in a much more important issue.

"What the fuck do you want from me B?"

"I want answers."

"To what?"

"Where the hell is the jealousy coming from Faith...cos I have to say..."

"Who's jealous B? Don't flatter yourself now."

"...will you shut the fuck up?" The blonde girls icy tone, ended any more interruptions.

"What the hell right do you have to be jealous?... every fucking night I have to listen to you and Kennedy, humping the night away...and I fucking hate it... so tell me Faith... what the hell right do you have?"

The dark slayers look was confused. Listening to her and Kennedy... but...

"B...?"

"What!"

"I haven't been with Ken, not since I ki... not since the tournament."

"Huh?"

"I haven't."

"Don't lie to me Faith... I've heard your little clandestine meetings in the hallway, the sneaking into bed rooms... the little groans..."

"Don't tell me I'm lying B! I fucking know where the fuck I've been and when... and I'm telling you... I have not fucked Kennedy, since the fucking tournament... and do you want to know why?"

Buffy didn't know what to say... she was confused, she was sure Faith had been with Kennedy. Had agonised for hours with her headset turned up high, imagining the noises she thought she was blocking out... and now... now it seemed that she was wrong.

"Why Faith."

"Because I couldn't ok? Fucking satisfied... one kiss from Buffy bloody Summers and I'm screwed... I wanted to... I started to... but I couldn't. I couldn't stop thinking about you, and that was that, no more fucking, for pathetic little Faith! You happy now?"

She considered that. And it seemed wrong to lie. After all, wasn't Faith being honest?

"Yes."

"What?"

"Yes, I'm happy now."

"And how the fuck do ya figure that one, B?"

"It hurt Faith. Every night I imagined you and her, and the kissing... and the... stuff. Every night I wanted to scream and shout and pull you off her, but I couldn't, because you didn't want to be pulled. And now I don't need to torture myself with that? It makes me happy."

"So why was you smooching on Angel?"

"You are joking right? Cos `that' was not smooching."

"It wasn't?"

"Nah-huh."

"It looked like smooching."

The slayers eyes met in a peaceful moment.

"You need me to come over there and show you smooching Faith?"

The dark haired girl considered this, and she knew she wasn't ready. Ready to take that step to committing to `something', she had only just begun to know she wanted.

"Ya know I want that more then anything right B? But right now, now I have to listen to my heart... and ya can blame that one on Red, cos I was all for listening to the groin..."

"And what's your heart saying Faith...?"

"It's saying `take it easy', `no need to rush', and ya know what B?... I think I trust it. Probably crazy, what with it's history... but I just feel the need to listen."

The chosen two shared another 'look'. A moment.

"So tell me Faith... what's your groin saying?"

"It's not saying anything... it's screwing you senseless."

"And we're not listening, why?"

"Because I think I'm starting to get that it's more."

The smile of understanding that lit the smaller slayers face was beyond beautiful. To Faith it was everything.

"Settle for a hug?"

"You have to ask, B?"

And they hugged. Holding each other close, relaxing into an embrace that was beginning to feel familiar. Beginning to feel like `something'.

It might have been the moonlight, that chose that moment to shine through the hole in the roof, which inspired the girls to more, or it might have just been the feeling of rightness. That everything here was just meant to be.

Whatever it was, their lips were touching. Barely moving, breathing life into each other.

A moment which lasted less then an instant, but carried the weight of a lifetime. A perfect moment.

And as with all perfect moments, theirs had to end.

"Girls, slayers... I have waited for you to come."

They turned in tandem to look at the source of the voice. It was the woman. Buffy's brief and forgotten encounter.

"Who are you... where did you go?"

"Where I went is not important... it is not my job to fight. It is my job to impart knowledge... to guard the `weapon' of the slayer... to watch over the `scythe'..."

"Uh `scythe'?... cos I was going with `axe'"

Buffy didn't mean to be rude, but she was sure she knew her weapons, and this did not look like a scythe. Nope!

"As the one whom created it I believe I have the right to call it a `scythe', do you wish to argue with me child?"

The look the old lady gave, was one which did not leave room for arguing.

"Nope, it's a scythe. My bad!"

"So lady, what's this knowledge you're imparting, cos I'm itching to split this place, it gives me the creeps."

"You would do best to listen girl... what I have to tell you, it may be all you have to save everything you hold dear, the very world you fight for."

"Ok, you got me, I'm listening."

"To defeat The First, you must first find the `amulet of the scythe'."

"The who of the what?"

As if all his entrances were cheesily choreographed to have the maximum impact, Angel chose that moment to re-enter the temple, holding in his hand a gaudy looking necklace, both bold and tasteless.

"You ladies looking for this."

"I am so not wearing that!"

Faith shot a look Buffy's way.

"But B... you are so the `head-slayer', anyone gets to wear that rather sexy looking piece of uh... neck wear, I'm thinking it's got to be you."

"Nope, no way, I have an image."

"No B... `I' have an `image', you're just a victim of fashion."

"Harsh, Faith."

"I know."

"I find your lack of attention to the situation astounding, it makes me worry for the line of the slayer."

Both the girls refocused their attention at them words, they didn't like to be insulted.

"Lady... you wanna see how mad this slayer's skills are... cos I can do that, I'm in the mood for dancing."

"Faith! Get a grip. This lady, as you call her, she's the only hope, the only one left who knows the ritual. Who can stop The First."

"Ok, soul boy... I'm... sorry."

Faith backed down, and the lady with the wisdom, the one who knew what needed to be known, she finished her tale. Imparted the knowledge. Played her part in the battle for good. And the three warriors left, returning to Revello Drive.

There was a witch there, that they needed to see.

Willow's Pov

So it looks like I have to get `big' with the mojo. A spell bigger then anything I've ever tried before, beyond any power that I've ever tried to harness before... bigger even then when we brought Buffy back. And that scares me.

Because we know what happened last time I got a taste for the power. And what if that happens again?

I don't even know if I can do what they want me to do. It's ok for the slayers to walk in all bold and brash, waving their `pretty' little necklace about, they're not the ones who have to wear it. Who have to use it to un-harness the power of the scythe.

I would say it was good to see Angel again, but he brought the stupid amulet with him, so I'm holding off on the joy. I know I should be all `Yay' with the breakthrough. But I'm scared.

I can feel it coursing through my veins, twisting my stomach, drying my mouth, and it's as much as I can do to read the words of the spells I have to learn. That I have to learn by tomorrow. And how crazy is that?

Cos really...? I'm not in any rush to go cruising to my death. And no one else should be either. But Buffy's all adamant with the plan, and Faith just looks like she's itching to kill something, and as for Angel... well he's pretty quiet, so how would I know.

"The First won't be expecting this Will... we have to strike while we have an advantage... it's the only way. As soon as it realises what we have, what we can do, it will come for us... and I for one am not going to wait, don't want to wait, won't wait!"

I think of Buffy's words and I'm still gonna vote for waiting. Oh yes, take our time, consider options... run the hell away.

Giles was wary. He may have stood tall behind his slayers, but I could see the trepidation in his eyes. He's not so sure that we should rush in, he wants a better plan. But Buffy said this was `the' plan, and that allows for no argument.

I would like to meet this mystic old lady that the slayers were talking of. Living in a dingy old temple for goddess knows how long... makes me wonder if maybe her brain hasn't gone just a little mushy with age... why else would she think to say that I was the `one'.

She said that you were the one Wills, that you have the power... and I believe her. She said you can do it, all of it... release the essence, channel the energy... save the world..."

And how do you disagree with words like that?

Maybe Buffy's head went a bit mushy in there too. The way her and Faith have been looking at each other since they got back... I'm thinking all their heads went a bit mushy.

Looking at these words for the thousandth time is making `my' head ready to explode. And maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing... really. I mean, Tara could do the spell, and I could be headless... a fair compromise...? I must speak to Buffy about it.

I look at the words again and they seem so simple. Already they're burned into my memory, but I have to keep looking, to keep checking. Because I'm scared. I'm scared I can't do this... and if I can't?

Well , if I can't then all my friends... Tara... they would all die. The world would end too, so really... no pressure. Oh no... just a simple little spell.

I feel Tara's presence as she closes in on our room. It calms me, soothes me, reminds me I'm not alone in this.

"Hey sweetie, how's the books?"

I give them the kind of look that they deserve, I do not like these books and I wish it wasn't me that had to read them.

"I don't like them Tara... if they weren't so obviously `for the good' I'd have to go with `they're evil'!"

She smiles at me in a way that makes me forget that evil exists.

"You know it's not about the books right Willow?"

"It's not...? Cos what with the reading them for the last three hours straight... I was beginning to think that it was `all' about the books."

She leans forward and closes the page I was studying. Her hand lingers on my hand, her fingers tracing a relaxing pattern across my skin, her words reaching out to cocoon me in a web of comfort. It's hard to feel scared with Tara here. It's hard to feel anything but love.

"It's not about the books... because it's about you...."

"I'd rather it was the books..."

"Shhhh... I'm trying to tell you something here."

The look she gives me isn't reproachful... it's understanding. She `knows' me. She knows how I'm feeling and she knows why. I didn't just hurt myself when I lost control of the magics, I hurt a lot of people, Tara is the one that I regret the most, that I spend my days thinking about. I would give anything to take back that time, to do it different... but I can't. And the pain is still there.

She knows all of that... so she understands. This kind of magic is dangerous to me... because it's all about power. Who has it... who uses it... who wants it. I used to want it. Now I don't.

"You can do this baby. Never in my life have I been surer of anything, I know how strong you are... how brave you are... and I know I will be there with you... and nothing, absolutely nothing, will happen to you while I am there with you. Ok?"

Did I ever mention how beautiful she is?

"Ok... but..."

She silences my `but' with a kiss... lips reaching forward to close over mine. A soft kiss, a delicate kiss... a kiss that demands nothing.

But I want more then nothing. I want something to hang on to.

It's me that pushes for entrance to her mouth. Running my tongue gently along her lips, looking for a distraction from the end of the world. We stand together and I lose my hands in her hair... pulling her closer to me, my grip becoming firmer as the distraction becomes greater, my desire to be lost in this woman overriding any need to learn words and sounds... to worry about plans.

A moment longer of the kiss... and I forget that anything else exists. Because it doesn't feel like it does. Just her and me and us and now. Making our own music to end the world to.

I take my time as I remove her clothes... each touch of my hand, followed by the touch of my lips, I want to map every part of her, re learn every curve, claim all of her flesh. She lets me take her completely... no words of `should we be doing this'... or `what about the plan'.

Because she `knows' me. And she knows I need this.

When I've traced my tongue across every inch of naked flesh, I am ready, ready to be inside of her, to love her... to be at one with her... and that's when she stops me.

"Baby... Willow... stop... wait...Ohhh"

"Huh...?"

"Oh goddess... I want..."

I run my fingers across her clit as she tries to speak, I want her so bad, and it's fun to watch her squirm, to fight so hard to pull away from what her body is desiring.

"What do you want Tara... you want me to stop...?"

My hand is coated in her wetness, and no matter what she says, I `know' she doesn't want me to stop... so I won't. I dip my finger just inside the entrance to her hole, teasing her with the knowledge that I might go on, and I might not... I might push hard and take her just like that... or I might torment her for ever, always close, yet always so far...

"Wait... please, baby... I... I need..."

I slow my hand to a virtual stand still, not breaking contact, but giving her the time she needs... the time to tell me what she wants...

"Tell me Tara... tell me what you need."

Her eyes refocus as they seek out mine, and I know what it is she is asking. Because I `know' her.

I stand from the bed and begin removing my clothes, goose bumps appearing as the cool night air reaches out to caress me, the look that I'm getting off Tara is scorching me though, and it's impossible not to feel anything other then warmth.

My clothes I discard without a second thought. Thrown across the books which had been driving me to the edges of crazy... the magic in them nothing, compared to the magic that already lives in this room.

Tara moans softly as I lay my body across hers, seeking the most contact, the most points of pleasure, starting a slow grinding rhythm as I ache to make our bodies become one. The intensity of the touch matched only by the intensity of our stare.

"Is this what you wanted baby... what you need?"

She doesn't answer because I'm kissing her. Making love to her with my mouth, each kiss a reminder that this could be the last time. That tomorrow the world could end.

If I fail. If I am not enough. If I give my best and am found wanting... then this, all of this, will be over.

And that thought pushes me on. Fuels my desire.

It feels so good and it's not enough. I want to be inside of her, touching her at her deepest and I need her to touch me too.

I never break the kiss as my hand begins a descent down her body, hers is a mirror image, reaching out for me, with me, finding my centre as I find hers. And now I remember why I am alive, why I have to save the world, why I will be strong enough, good enough, why I won't be found wanting. Because she is the answer.

We ride each others hands as our fingers thrust ever deeper, I can feel her touching my soul, and I never want it to end. I want to hover here in this existence, between life and death, flirting with ecstasy... inviting it in, without taking the final steps to release to it... everything suspended except `this'. This moment.

Our breathing is hard and heavy as our bodies fight to keep up with our senses, the moans we create urging each other to more, pushing us to the point where holding back is no longer an option.

And I need to tell her.

"Tara... baby..."

Her eyes are glazed as they seek out mine, darkened with lust, shining with love.

"Willow..."

"Goddess I love... you... I love you Tara... I love you..."

And I can't stop. Each word repeated again and again as I give over everything I am to her. It feels like I am deeper then I've ever been, filling her completely, possessing her wholly...

And she screams. And I scream. And I never want to leave the safety of that sound.

I won't leave the safety of her body. Even as our breathing becomes soft again, and our hearts seek a rhythm that doesn't pound the blood in our ears, I will not leave her. I can not leave her. She is so tight around my fingers, clutching me, keeping me safe. And I'm scared to leave.

Because this could be the last time.

The world doesn't care about love. Wars were never ended, apocalypses never failed through an act love.

It all comes down to power. Who has it, who wants it, who uses it.

And so I have to leave her. Scared or not, it doesn't matter. Because she believes I have the power... and if she believes it, so shall I.

She is silent as I leave the bed and remove the clothes from where they fell on the books. I make to sit back down, not worrying to cover myself, just intent on getting back to what I have to do.

"Baby...?"

I cant help but smile at the sound of her voice, all sated and heavy from the making of love.

"What is it Tara?"

"Come back to bed?... I want to hold you."

And no matter how much she hides it, I hear that she is scared to. Because it's not just my world that could end tomorrow, it's her world too.

"I just gotta finish with the books, ok?"

She scrunches her nose and shakes her head.

"No?"

"No... I told you. It's not about the books, it's about you, and you can do it. Now come here, I need you, I need snuggles."

And that's enough for me. I may be many things, but I am not the kinda girl to deny snuggles to a sexy, just been made love to, hotter then hot goddess. Nope. No way.

With her arms wrapped around me I make pretences towards falling asleep. I can't though.

Because even here... lying in her arms... I feel as though the weight of the world is pressing firmly on my shoulders.And all that I can do, is hope that I am strong enough to bear it.

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