TEASER: Faith comes back to Sunnydale and she's out for blood.
DISCLAIMER: All the characters in the following story belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and co. =====================================================================
Xander thumped his fingers lightly on the table in Giles' house. He was sitting there alone, waiting for the others to show up for the weekly meeting. He shook his head. It wasn't like they talked about anything important. New demons that could be around, the vampires Buffy fought.
"College life sure is boring." Xander muttered, then glanced up when the front door opened.
"Hey Xander." Buffy said, walking into the main room of Giles' house. "Are you the only one here?"
He shook his head. "Giles is around somewhere. But lately he's been sort of unorganized. He went off searching for some book that he has to show you."
Willow and Oz followed Buffy into the room and Willow smiled.
"You mean, he didn't have the whole meeting planned out on a time table?" She asked.
Xander shrugged. "That's what I mean. Giles just hasn't been Giles lately."
The former librarian walked into the room at that moment and raised an eyebrow at Xander before turning to the slayer.
"There's something I wanted to you see here Buffy." He said and opened the book.
Buffy stood beside him and looked at a picture of a demon. "Yeah, what about him?"
"Is this the demon you fought last night?"
She narrowed her eyes and frowned for a moment before shaking her head. "No, the one I fought had way more tentacles. I mean, this guy is almost cute compared to the one from last night."
"Well, couldn't you just take Giles back to where you buried the body?" Oz asked.
Buffy shook her head. "I didn't bury him. I went back to later that night and the body was gone. I don't know if maybe he just deteriorated or if someone took the body. The second thought is kind of gross."
Xander nodded. "Just a little. I mean, what would anyone want with a dead demon body?"
Giles sighed. "Well, I suppose it's not matter now. If someone did take and they're angry with you for killing it, they'll come back another time."
Buffy nodded. "And I'll be ready."
"So that's it?" Willow asked. "These meetings are getting so dull."
Giles frowned at her. "You try holding them at your dorm room."
Willow smiled. "If I held them at my room, we'd have pizza and drinks."
"I vote for the meeting to be at Buffy and Willow's room next week." Xander said, waving his hand in the air.
Oz nodded. "Pizza sounds good. I mean, no offense, books are nice too, but y'know, pizza."
Giles sighed. "Fine then. Willow and Buffy's room it is."
* * *
"If I held them at my room, we'd have pizza and drinks." A voice imitated Willow from outside of Giles' house. A young woman crouched outside the window, watching the people inside.
"Sure you would. I bet it'd be the best party ever." She clapped her hands together in sarcastic excitement, then dropped them to her side.
"You'd better enjoy life while you still can." She turned and ran a hand through her long dark hair. "Because while Faith's in town, no one is safe."
* * *
Buffy stopped outside their dorm hall with Willow and smiled. "I should probably go on a quick patrol. Giles is really after me to get my act together."
Willow snorted. "Like he should talk. I don't like this unemployed Giles. Buffy, you said he was dressed up for Halloween. You know something's wrong with him right there."
She nodded. "He is acting a little strange. Then again, when isn't someone acting strange on the Hellmouth?"
"Good point." Willow opened the door. "Don't stay out too long thought. You probably shouldn't sleep through psychology again."
Buffy groaned. "Don't remind me. Professor Walsh must hate me."
"Oh no, not yet." Willow shook her head. "Although I must admit, she is getting there."
"Thanks for the support Will." Buffy said, flashing her friend a half smile.
Willow nodded and smiled before heading inside the building. Buffy watched her back for a moment before turning away and beginning her patrol.
As always, it was crowded and noisy on the campus. No one ever seemed to sleep. Buffy stepped around a cluster of students and worked her way to the more secluded parts of the campus.
She heard something rustle in the dark and turned toward the sound quickly, her eyes searching the bushes that lined both sides of the path she was on.
"Hello?" She called, twirling the stake she held in her hands. "Who's out there?" She laughed quietly when the thing in the bushes got up and ran the other way. This way was definitely more fun than actually fighting the vampires.
As she continued to walk, Buffy noticed that very few students were out in this part of the campus. Assuming there would be more vampires out this way, she moved closer to the sides of the paths, hoping to catch them off guard.
A vampire leapt out of the trees and grabbed Buffy's shoulder but she was ready for him and threw him off the one side.
The vampire snarled, before looking up to see Buffy with a stake. He scrambled to his feet but the slayer kicked him in the face then slammed the back of her palm across his cheek. He stumbled backward and she darted forward, her stake out. It pierced the vampire's heart and he burst into a pile of dust.
Buffy looked around quickly to make sure no one had seen and tucked the stake back into her jacket.
The loud sound of someone clapping startled her and she turned toward the noise. Someone stood in the shadows, clapping their hands together for her fight. The way the person stood was familiar and Buffy struggled to see the face.
"I'm not so sure you want to do that." The woman spoke and Buffy's eyes widened. It couldn't be her. She was dead.
"I know what you're thinking B, but I'm not dead. I really am here."
Faith stepped out of the shadows and approached the other slayer. "Didn't you ever wonder why they didn't send someone else to take my place? Didn't it ever make you think?"
Buffy just stared at Faith as she walked closer.
"That's right B. Look a little harder now. Check out those scars, the scars you made."
Buffy shook her head. "I didn't," she paused, "I didn't mean to."
"Of course you didn't." Faith brushed her hair out of her eyes. "But Angel's life was just so damn important wasn't it? And now he's gone. Run off the L.A. and probably jumping into bed with every little damsel in distress that he helps. I've seen him B. That little police woman was nearly sitting in his lap."
Buffy shook her head and finally found her voice. "Faith, what's going on? Why are you here?"
Faith smiled. "Do I need a reason? I can be wherever I want to be."
"Did I really make those marks?"
Faith's smile slid off her face and she nodded. "These are the scars that I have to live with Buffy. The scars you made to save your boy's life. Look at me." She stepped into the circle of light from a street lamp and forced Buffy to look at her face. A long deep line started under her left eye and ran down her cheek and her neck. Something that looked like a bruise sat just under her hair line and Buffy reached up to touch it.
"I wouldn't do that B. It's a pretty sore spot, you'd probably cause more brain damage." Faith smiled again. "They're not so bad really. The bruise will fade and the scar won't always be this noticeable. Besides, there's always plastic surgery."
"Faith, I'm so sorry." Buffy breathed, staring at the slayer she thought was long dead. "What happened? I mean, they took you out of the hospital and we never heard anything again."
Faith sighed. "They took me to a major hospital in Los Angeles. I guess they thought that maybe the doctors there could save me." She smiled. "I guess they were right. I came out of the coma during the summer. July, I think. It was a miracle, or so they told me. It was even more miraculous that I could talk and even more that I could walk. It took me two months to walk again without a limp. But as you can see, I'm doing just fine now."
Buffy nodded. "I can see that."
"So, I spent some time in L.A., caught up with Angel."
"You saw him?"
Faith nodded. "Sure I saw him, but I doubt that he saw me. I wasn't sure what to say to him. I mean, I'm the one who nearly killed him after all. I thought I'd be easier to come talk to you first."
"Come talk to me about what Faith?" Buffy shook her head. "I've apologized and there's nothing more that I can do."
Faith nodded slowly. "Maybe there's nothing more for you to do, but I need this Buffy. I need to be here for some reason."
The blonde slayer stared blankly at her. "I-I don't understand Faith. What is it you need to do?"
Faith smiled. "Don't worry about it, okay B? I need to take care of some things. Listen, maybe we could meet somewhere. Catch up."
Buffy began to back away. "I don't know."
"Be at the Bronze tomorrow at seven." Faith said, then turned and walked away into the night.
Buffy shook her head in awe as she watched Faith disappear. That had certainly been a surprise. She sighed and began to walk again, silently debating if she should go to the Bronze the next night.
"I should go." She muttered, nodding slowly. "I need to find out if she's stable. She could be dangerous still and who knows who she might hurt."
* * *
Faith tied her hair back in a tight pony tail, then turned toward her punching bag. She hated being so nice to the other slayer. Her intention in coming to Sunnydale certainly hadn't been to listen to Buffy apologize continually. It didn't matter how many times she apologized, she had still stuck a knife in her stomach. And being stabbed by someone who was supposed to be her friend wasn't something Faith was going to forget easily.
She threw a few easy punches at the swinging bag, before yelling at the top of her lungs and attacking the punching bag with all her strength. She was so angry. She didn't want to be here, she didn't want to pretend everything between her and Buffy were okay. All she wanted to do was kill Buffy and all her little annoying friends.
When she was done here, she'd head off to Los Angeles. Faith was sure that when she was done with Angel, no girl would ever touch him again.
* * *
Oz cocked an eyebrow as Buffy told him her story from last night. "So let me get this straight. Faith showed up and she's not pissed? Why does something sound just a little out of place there?"
Buffy was taken aback. "What? Oz, I've never heard you be so . . . sarcastic. It's like talking to Xander, scary."
"Well this isn't something you should be taking lightly Buffy." He leaned across the table in the university library. "Faith was never the most stable person we knew. Do you really think she's come back all forgiving?"
Buffy sighed and shook her head. "I really don't know Oz. She wants me to meet her at the Bronze tonight."
"There's no way you can go alone."
"But I don't want to tell the others." Buffy glanced up at him. "They'd never let me go at all. I just need to see how things are going for her."
"Buffy, you put a knife in her gut." Oz said bluntly. "I don't think she wants you there to talk politics."
"Then you come with me."
It was Oz's turn to look surprised. "What? Why me?"
"Because I've told you. The others won't even let me go and you know it. Please?"
He sighed. "I guess I could come. But if she seems even a little bit like she used to be, we're going to leave."
Buffy nodded. "I promise. If I see the old Faith in her, then we're gone."
Oz sighed again and shook his head. "I don't like it Buffy. I don't trust her, and you can't tell me that I don't have good reasons. She seduced Xander, kidnapped Willow, nearly killed Angel and wouldn't have hesitated to kill us all. You know that."
Buffy nodded. "I know Oz. I know."
* * *
Oz entered the Bronze that night with Buffy trailing behind him. They had actually had to lie to Willow and Xander about where they were going. He didn't like being part of this, he didn't trust the former slayer.
"There she is." Buffy whispered and pointed to a table near the stage. "I need to do this alone."
Oz nodded. "Devon's over there, I'll be with him. If you need me, I'm there."
Buffy drew in a deep breath then marched over to the table as Oz moved to join Devon.
"Hey Oz." Devon said and slapped his friend on the back. "How's it going?"
Oz shrugged. "Going like it always does. What's up with you?"
"Not much. I've been thinking of new songs and stuff for us to play. You should see some of the stuff I've come up with. It's great."
Oz nodded. "I'm sure it is Devon."
"Hey, isn't that Faith?" Devon asked, nodding toward the table.
Oz glanced at the slayers, then nodded. "Yeah. How do you know?"
Devon grinned at his friend. "You know me man. I make it my business to know all the new girls to Sunnydale. But she always seemed a little off."
"What do you mean?"
Devon shrugged. "I don't know. She always had this look in her eye like she was ready to pounce."
"And I'll just bet you loved that Dev."
The singer shook his head. "It wasn't that kind of look Oz. It was evil. I swear, that girl has some serious issues." He glanced over at the table again. "In fact, she looks a hell of a lot meaner from the last time I saw her."
Oz looked over and frowned. "What are you talking about? She's smiling and laughing. She looks fine."
Devon shrugged again. "I'm not even sure. But it's there Oz. There's something weird going on with that chick." He squinted, then sighed. "Or maybe it's just that nasty scar."
Oz studied Faith's face a little harder, surprised to find a long deep scar he hadn't noticed before. Faith turned to look at him suddenly and she smiled. Oz smiled nervously at her and waved.
"You know Devon, you might be right. Something's not right in her eyes."
* * *
Faith laughed and nodded. "So your roommate was a demon? Wow, tough break."
Buffy smiled. "And she was so incredibly annoying too. I couldn't stand her. Well, we couldn't stand each other really."
*Wonder why?* Faith thought, then smiled. "Yeah, she sounds like she was a bitch."
"I can't believe I was worried about this." Buffy said. "I wasn't sure why you even wanted me to meet you, but this is good. We're talking, like old times."
Faith nodded. "Just like old times." She paused. "Just out of curiosity, why were you worried?"
Buffy shrugged. "Past things that have happened. I mean, we both went through some pretty rough stuff last year." She smiled. "But that's all done now. We're through that."
Faith forced a fake smile to her face and nodded again. "Yeah, everything's just great now. I mean, maybe you and I could start patrolling together again. Wouldn't that be great?"
Buffy smiled. "That'd be so great. Hey, you want to help me tonight? Giles wanted me to patrol around eight."
Faith glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's almost eight now. Let's go."
They both stood up and slid their jackets over their shoulders. Buffy glanced at Oz and flash him a quick thumbs up sign. He frowned and shook his head as the two slayers headed toward the door.
Listen Devon. I should go." He slipped toward the door. "I have some stuff to do for class tomorrow."
"You won't need all that university stuff when the band makes it Oz." Devon called after him.
"The main reason I went to university." Oz muttered, then walked out the door.
* * *
Faith stared at Buffy's back as they walked away from the Bronze. Now was the perfect opportunity. They were alone and there wasn't anyone around to stop her. No one around to save Buffy. She drew in a deep breath, then walked quietly to Buffy's side.
"This is great, isn't it?" Buffy asked.
She stopped and turned toward Faith to see a fist flying toward her. Faith's hand connected with her face and Buffy stumbled backward, her feet becoming tangled beneath her and she fell to the ground.
Faith stood over her and sneered. "It's my turn to kill you." She said, then stomped on Buffy's stomach. The blonde slayer rolled away from her foot and tried to get to her feet but Faith kicked her in the stomach, preventing her from getting up.
"Listen B," Faith snarled, "I didn't come back here to make nice with you, despite what you might think. I came back to get my revenge."
"Revenge on who?" Buffy asked, climbing to her feet.
"On you and all your little friends." She answered. "And when I'm done here, I'll go kill Angel. You can live happily ever after in the big library in the sky." Faith smiled. "Except for the fact that Angel won't be going there. He's a very bad boy and I'm sure he'll spend the rest of his days in hell."
"Same place you're going." Buffy said.
Faith cocked her head. "Unlikely. My death won't happen for at least a few more years. At least, you'll die before me."
She spun into a kick that caught Buffy's jaw, then delivered another kick to the blonde slayer's knees. Buffy got to her feet and punched Faith in the face before but stumbled backward again when Faith retaliated with an uppercut. She kicked Buffy in the stomach then punched her in the face again. Buffy stumbled and fell. Faith moved to stand over her and a mad grin crept onto her face.
"I've got you now B." She knelt over Buffy's fallen form and punched her hard in the nose. Buffy groaned as her head rolled from side to side. Faith punched her again and Buffy began to panic as her vision blurred. Her arms and legs felt like they were made of lead and she just wanted to sink into a deep sleep.
"Hey Faith." She heard someone call, but she ignored the sound and let herself sink into the darkness.
* * *
Faith turned her head at the sound of her name and was greeted with a wooden club being swung at her face. She tumbled off Buffy's body and rolled away as Oz raised the club to swing again.
"Where the hell did you find that?" She asked.
"On a tree." Oz answered, then swung.
The club connected with her jaw this time and she cowered lower on the ground. She heard Buffy moan, then sit up on the cement.
"No." Faith shook her head. "I can't lose now."
Buffy slowly got to her feet, then joined Oz. "Well, guess what F? You do. You lost."
Faith shook her head again. "I can't."
Oz watched her warily as she climbed to her feet and stared at them.
"I haven't lost yet. There's still Angel to take care of." Then she turned and ran through into the night.
Buffy watched her go. "We can't let her get to Angel. Someone has to go."
"Do you think you should?" Oz asked, dropping his makeshift club to the ground.
Buffy sighed, then shook her head. "Not yet."
"I'm sure someone will go for you Buffy. Don't worry." Oz stared at the place Faith had disappeared into the dark. "We won't let her hurt him."
* * *
Xander glanced worriedly between Oz and Buffy as he tried to accept what they were telling him.
"So Faith came back and she wanted to kill us all?"
The other two nodded.
"Okay and now she's going after Angel and you want me to go warn him? Why me?"
Buffy sighed. "Because you don't exactly have classes to go to Xander."
"Yeah, but I don't want to spend my non-class days visiting dead boy."
Buffy looked at him pleadingly. "Xander, I need you to do this."
He sighed. "Can I bring someone with me? I'd hate to go alone"
Oz nodded. "Sure, see if Will wants to go."
Buffy glanced at him in surprise and he shrugged.
"I'm sure she'd want to go. I mean she and Cordelia actually, sort of started to get along and she always liked Angel, didn't she?"
"Who?" Willow asked, opening the dorm room door.
"Angel." Oz said.
She nodded. "I liked Angel." She dropped her books on the desk and sat on the bed with the others. "What about him?"
"I need to go to L.A. to warn him that Faith's after him." Xander said.
Willow looked shocked. "Faith's alive?"
Buffy nodded. "She came to Sunnydale to get revenge on us all and now she's going after Angel."
"So do you want to come to L.A. with me?" Xander asked.
Willow looked between her three friends before nodding slowly. "Yeah, I'd like to go."
Buffy shook her head. "The worst thing about this is that it made me realize that there aren't many people I can trust."
Xander placed a hand on her shoulder. "You can trust us. Always." He stood up. "We should get going. Faith's already had a head start."
"I'll tell Giles." Buffy said. "You guys go."
They nodded and started for the door. Willow paused and put a hand on Buffy's arm, "We won't let her hurt him Buffy. I promise."
Buffy nodded. "Thanks Will."
The red head smiled, then turned and followed Xander down the hall.
Oz and Buffy watched them go from the doorway and she sighed when they stepped out of sight.
"I wish I could go. I feel horrible letting them do my dirty work."
"They're not going to be fighting." Oz reminded her. "They just have to give him the information. Besides, I told you that Angel had help last time I was there. I'm pretty sure that Doyle guy will still be there."
Buffy smiled. "We should be prepared just in case she comes back here."
Oz nodded. "You're right." He began to walk down the hall.
"Oz." Buffy called and he turned around. "I never really got to thank you, for saving my life and all."
He smiled. "Didn't Willow tell you? I'm not good with apologies. Just saying that you owe me your life is enough."
Buffy chuckled. "Oz, I owe you my life. Now get to work!"
He saluted her. "Yes boss."
Buffy sighed as she watched him go. "I hope Willow and Xander will be okay."
The End