DISCLAIMER: I don't own Angel or any of the actors or characters included in this story. I am making no money.
Wesley brushes himself off and rushes toward the sound of breaking glass. He hears Angelus' voice but when he spots Faith's crumpled form, he forgets about the danger.
"Faith…"
"I'm okay…" She coughs, blood coming from her mouth in a spray.
"No, you're not…Don't try and get up. I'll carry you…" Wes gently picks up the battered slayer.
Faith is too tired to protest. Wes rushes her toward his S.U.V.
"Wesley, you act like you care a little," Faith snorts. His face is blank as he meets her gaze, his blue eyes colder than Faith remembers.
"Have you seen the sunlight, Faith?" Wes asks, glancing up.
"I can't see it through the dark cloud that's hanging over your mood," She says, only half-joking. She leans on his S.U.V. as he gently lowers her to her feet. "I didn't do it. I failed. Angelus killed the beast, I was too busy getting my ass kicked to do anything else…" Faith begins.
"You didn't fail, Faith. You're alive. This isn't a game anymore, not that it ever was…" Wes seems distracted. She climbs into the passenger side and he buckles her seat belt for her before walking around to the driver's seat. He turns to her once he is inside the truck. "Survival has been the goal for a while now. You did very well to make it out of there alive…"
"Angelus brought me as a gift to the beast," Faith says, spitting the words.
Wes raises an eyebrow.
Faith glances out the window. "No hospitals, Wes…"
"You're hurt, Faith, don't try and deny it…"
"I'm an escaped inmate…" She grabs his shoulder. "Please, Wes. No hospitals…"
He meets her gaze and nods after a beat. "Okay. But you will let me look you over when we get back to the hotel, won't you?"
"If it's what you feel like doing," She shrugs, but is appreciative of his concern. "Slayer healing should have me good as new in a few days."
Wes' face has returned to stone.
"When did you get so hard, man? The scruff on your face, the rugged scar…I almost mistook you for a man," Faith jokes, trying to antagonize the man. She doesn't recognize Wesley at all and it frightens her.
"We all have darkness inside, Faith. Good cannot exist without evil," Wesley says, not looking at her.
"What happened to you?" Faith asks, her sarcastic tone gone.
"People change, Faith. I've done a lot of things that I regret but the way I treated you is at the top of my list," Wes says, his voice indifferent.
"Wes, I tortured you. I tried to kill you…" Faith replies, surprised.
"And I deserved it. If you had killed me, none of this would be happening now," He interrupts her, his voice having a tone of finality. "But there is a bigger plan to everything. We need you now, Faith. After today, I'm sure you're up to the challenge. You have to be."
Faith is silenced by his words.
"You're bleeding," Faith notices, examining Wes in a new light. His face is pale and haggard. It is clear that he hasn't slept in days. He has dried blood on his face and his shirt is torn and reveals an oozing gash on his shoulder.
"Faith, you're in no condition to be worried about my scratches. I'll be fine with a shot of whiskey and a Band-Aid. Are you okay, Faith? All bravado aside?" Wes' coolness shatters suddenly and Faith realizes that he is shaking.
"I'll be five by five with a little rest, Wesley. I promise, man, god," Faith replies. "You act like I'm the last hope or something."
Wes glares at her. "You probably are," He says, quietly, pulling the S.U.V. into a parking space outside the Hyperion. "Don't move."
"I can walk…" Faith protests.
"Faith. Look at your leg. I'm not letting you walk," He says, opening the passenger door and sighing.
She glances down. Her right knee is twisted and obviously out of the socket. She loops an arm around his shoulder and allows him to scoop her up in his arms.
"Faith! You did it!" Gunn yells in congratulations as the two enter the lobby.
"Ouch, are you okay?" Lorne questions, realizing the reason Wes is carrying the girl.
"Five by five…" Faith replies, the pain finally hitting her now.
"Faith needs her rest. Angelus is still out there. You guys should get some sleep as well. I doubt he'll come out again tonight, he'll need time to regroup," Wes says, starting up the stairs toward one of the empty rooms.
"What, no short summary or anything?" Lorne yells after the pair.
"She needs her rest. She'll fill us all in tomorrow," Wes replies before Faith can protest.
He deposits Faith on the bed and turns toward the hallway.
"Wesley?"
"I'm going to get the first aid kit, Faith, and some food for you. I'll be right back," He says, over his shoulder.
Faith removes one of her boots, wincing from the pain in her ribs and back. When she glances up again, Wes is back. He holds out his opened hand with pills inside.
"For the pain, Faith," He says, quietly. He offers her a glass of water after watching her swallow them. "We don't have any food right now…"
"You guys don't eat around here?" Faith jokes as Wes falls to one knee and gently pulls off her other boot.
"We haven't had time to eat. Fred and Gunn are going out to get some things for you," Wes replies, flatly.
"So you're the boss around here, now? Giving the orders out to the troops?" Faith asks, joking.
"Don't confuse their obedience, Faith. Those people hate me. I'm a traitor to them," Wes replies, helping her out of her jacket to reveal her bruised flesh. He talks without emotion.
"Wes. How could anyone doubt what side you're on?" She stops his meticulous undressing with her hand against his face, her fingertips tracing the scar across his neck.
"People change, Faith. You know that better than anyone," Wes replies, his blue eyes emotionless.
Faith is silenced by the coldness in his eyes. She lets Wesley bandage her scrapes and scratches in silence. She realizes finally that he has stopped. He is staring past her, his eyes blank.
"Wes?" She calls, reaching out and shaking him.
"Wesley. Snap out of it, man."
He blinks suddenly and regains his focus. "Sorry."
"Don't space out on me, now, Wes. You're the only familiar face around here besides Cordelia and I'll leave before I help her," She smiles, weakly. Her smile disappears as she studies his face. "Who did you lose, Wes?"
Wes' face returns to stone. "No one essential. Faith, can you…" He blushes slightly. "Can you take off your pants? We have to do something about your leg…"
"Well, since you asked so nicely," Faith grins, the painkillers lifting her spirits. She unbuttons and unzips her pants and raises herself up so Wes can gently roll down her pants.
"Faith, this is going to hurt like hell. Are you ready?" Wes asks, looking at her, seriously.
"Hurt like hell is something I'm used to," She replies. She flinches as he puts his hands on her leg, squeezing tightly. He pauses.
"Do you want something to bite on, Faith?" He asks.
"Just do it, Wes…" She replies.
He jerks suddenly, popping the bone back into the socket with a loud sound. Faith reacts instinctively to the pain, launching a kick into Wes' chest, knocking him across the room.
"What the hell is going on in here?" Gunn asks, flanked by Fred as they rush into the room.
"God, Wes, I'm so sorry…" Faith starts, stunned.
"No harm done…Everything's fine…" Wes replies, breathless from the blow. He takes a shallow breath and thinks that some of his ribs may be damaged, but nothing life threatening.
"Why are you naked?" Fred asks, flushed as she deposits a bag of clothes and food on the bed beside Faith.
"Wes is determined to try and repair the damage the beast did to me. He was popping my knee back into the socket and I…I reacted, kicking him…" Faith explains, making no effort to cover herself.
"That's nasty," Gunn nods, glancing at her swollen knee. Wes gets to his feet before Gunn can offer him a hand.
Fred is looking at Wesley, a concerned look on her face. Gunn exits, silently.
"Thank you, Fred, for getting the supplies," Wes says.
"Your change is in the bag, Wes," Fred replies, turning for the door.
"Thanks, Fred. Tell Gunn, too," Faith calls as Fred smiles politely before leaving.
"I'm sorry, Wes…" Faith starts.
"Don't apologize, Faith. It's fine," Wes stops her.
"So what's up with you and the string bean?" Faith probes, her eyelids drooping.
"Nothing for you to be concerned about," Wes replies, shortly. You can get dressed, Faith. Then it's either food or rest."
Faith tips over the bag that Fred brought her. "How'd you know my size?"
"Watchers are trained to pay attention to detail," He replies, distracted.
"Are you my watcher again?" Faith asks, quietly.
"No. I'm not a watcher, anymore," He replies. "You do know that the Watcher's council has been destroyed, don't you? Only a few survived," He says, indifferently.
"What? What about the slayers that are called after 'B and I bite it?" Faith asks.
Wes is quiet. "Giles and Buffy are dealing with that situation. I'll tell you about it in the morning, after you get some sleep," He replies, finally.
Faith fingers the jeans and T-shirts, curiously.
"You need to sleep, Faith. I'll be downstairs if you need me…" Wes says, taking the food items into his arms.
"What about you? Are you going to sleep?" She asks, suddenly.
"Angel's soul is missing. I have to find a way around that," Wes replies.
"Wes, you seem to be the major idea man around here. What happens when you collapse from exhaustion? Who's going to take over for you?" Faith asks.
"I'll be fine, Faith…" Wes replies, his tiredness flashing on his face for only a moment before his face returns to stone.
"Wesley. I'll eat if you eat something, too. Sit down. Relax for a few minutes, man. You make me tense just looking at you," Faith says, urging the man back into the room.
Wes doesn't react immediately, but does sit down beside her on the bed. He passes her a sandwich and gingerly unwraps one for himself. He stares at it, his eyes glazing slightly.
"Wes, you're scaring the hell out of me," Faith admits after inhaling her sandwich.
He shakes his head, trying to clear it of thoughts of Lilah.
"What happened today? Before you came to get me?" Faith asks, sensing something.
"Angelus escaped. We recruited a shaman a few days ago to remove his soul…Angel had no memories of the beast, but Angelus remembered him. I didn't know what else to do…Angel agreed to it. We created a cage and completed the ritual. Someone stole the container housing his soul and Angelus escaped. We tracked him…but he had returned to the hotel…he attacked Cordelia and killed Lilah…"
"Lilah, the evil lawyer bitch? What was she doing here?" Faith asks.
Wes doesn't meet her eyes and she understands.
"Wow, Wes, you really have changed…" She starts, surprised. "He killed her? Did he change her? Vampire Lilah, now that's a scary thought…"
"I took care of it," He replies, shortly, no emotion on his face.
"They made you do it?" Faith asks, stunned.
"I thought it should be me. She was evil, but…I did care for her…I think I did…more than anyone else here." He puts down the untouched sandwich.
"Eat, Wesley. You have to eat," She says, quietly.
He snaps out of his trance. "I haven't been able to keep anything down for days, Faith, it would be a waste. You need your strength," He holds the sandwich out to her. "I'll make some soup later. I promise," He says, after seeing her face. She accepts the sandwich and chews it.
"Faith. You did very well today. You're going to need your strength to fight Angelus," He says.
She nods, knowing that it is true. "You think I'm up to it?"
"I wouldn't have come for you if I didn't think you could do it. You're the only one who can save him, Faith," Wes says.
She nods, lying down and turning away from him. He covers her with the comforter, tucking her in. He turns to leave.
"Wes, I never thought that I'd be saying this, but…you have to take care of yourself. You're the only person here that I think I can trust. I've never doubted what side you're on. I know that you have always been on the right side, even if you didn't go about it in the right ways. Don't collapse on me, okay?"
"Okay, Faith. If you need anything, just yell, okay? I'll be right downstairs," Wes says, flipping the light off.
"Five by five," She yawns.
"You sure?" He asks, as an afterthought.
"Stay close, Wes," She whispers, a chill running through her.
*****
"Wesley. You going to fill us in on the big battle?" Gunn asks, standing beside Lorne in the lobby.
"I think that's Faith's place. It was her battle. The beast is dead but we still have Angelus to keep us busy," He says, heading for the library.
"She going to be okay?" Lorne questions.
"Slayer's heal fast. She'll be fine if she gets a chance to fully recover. Hopefully Angelus will give us that time," Wes continues as Gunn and Lorne follow him into the library.
"Can I say that you look like hell? Is that appropriate in our tentative relationship?" Lorne asks, glancing at Gunn for backup.
"I know. I haven't been feeling well. The apocalypses don't really give us time to get sick. I'll be fine," Wes replies, quickly. He doesn't look at the two men, he starts to pull several books off the shelf.
"Wes, I thought you told us to get some rest? Aren't you going to rest?" Gunn questions.
"When Angel is back, I will rest. I'll be out of your way and I'll rest," Wes replies, his voice low. Fred walks in.
"Out of our way, Wes?" Fred asks, a confused look on her face.
Wes looks past her, into the lobby. "Lorne, the anti-violence spell is working, I hope?"
"So far so good," He replies.
Wes nods, walking toward them. "Lorne, you and Fred go up with Connor and Cordelia. Lock yourself in until Gunn or I come for you. Now."
Gunn turns and sees Angelus standing at the counter in the lobby, looking bored.
"Sunset always comes too soon," Lorne mutters, pulling Fred toward the back stairs.
"Gunn. Go wake Faith. Don't tell her about Angelus. Get her ready to run. Take her to my apartment. Use the sewers if you have to," Wes whispers.
"But, she's the only one that can fight him…" Gunn protests.
"Not in her condition. If the anti-violence spell holds and my Latin is passable, I can hold him off," Wesley says.
"Hello? A little help here?" Angelus calls, impatiently, smashing a vase he finds.
Wes meets Gunn's gaze. "We need her, Gunn. We need her intact. Take care of her," He whispers, slipping Gunn the keys to his apartment. Gunn takes off in a run.
"Wesley. My old friend…or is it enemy? I forget, things change so fast around here," Angelus leers.
"Surprised to see you. I thought you'd take a little time to regroup. Heard you made a little mistake," Wes replies, walking out into the lobby.
"Yeah. The beast was taking so long killing your little slayer that it pissed me off. He pissed me off. So I killed him. You know what? You always pissed me off," Angelus says, stepping closer. He reaches out to grab Wesley, but the spell protects him, knocking Angelus to the floor.
"Dammit…I should have known you guys would do that. I must be getting slow in my old age…" Angelus curses, returning to his feet.
Wesley closes his eyes and starts to recite a spell he memorized a few days earlier.
"What are you doing?" Angelus asks.
Wesley opens his eyes, but continues to chant.
"Stop it." Angelus tries to attack again, but the spell knocks him down again.
Wesley feels the spell start to drain his energy, but as the ring of fire ignites around the vampire, he continues chanting.
"I know a little magic, too, watcher-man…" Angelus smiles, jumping over the circling flames. Wesley continues to chant, walking toward the vampire. The flames lick at the vampire's feet, forcing him toward the door. Angelus whispers a few words under his breath and Wesley feels his chest tighten as if an invisible force is choking him.
"Angel tried to suffocate you, Wesley, but he didn't have the balls…aren't you glad I'm not Angel? At least I can finish the job…" Angelus grins, darting out the door as Wesley falls to his knees.
His bruised ribs scream in pain as he struggles to take a breath. It feels like his lungs are filling with fluid. Blood. He can taste it.
Upstairs, Gunn is shaking Faith. "Girl, wake up!"
Faith finally stirs, instinctively grabbing Gunn in a death grip by the neck.
"Faith…let go…" Gunn says, in pain.
"Oh, sorry, Gunn…what's going on?" Faith asks, immediately alert,
"Wes…"
"Where is he?" Faith interrupts.
"He told me to take you to his apartment. Somewhere safe…" Gunn says, taking her arm and urging her out of bed.
"What is it?"
"You have to trust Wes…" Gunn replies.
"I do. You don't. I can see it on your face. Tell me what it is," She orders. "You know I'll kick your ass if I have to, man."
"Angelus is downstairs…" Gunn begins.
"And you left Wes alone with him?" Faith gasps, starting toward the door.
"He can handle it…" Gunn replies, following her. "He…"
"Shut up. That man is dead on his feet, he couldn't handle an evil kitten right now…" Faith limps toward the stairs.
"Neither can you, that's why he wants you out of here. Faith," Gunn says, grabbing her arm and spinning her around to face him.
"Listen. Without Wesley, would you know how to restore Angel's soul? Would you know how to fight him? We need him. No matter what he thinks, I'm dispensable. Wes is irreplaceable. He has the training and the contacts that we need to solve this problem. He's not thinking straight. Now let's go get him." Faith finishes her short lecture and pulls Gunn toward the stairs.
"Okay, but I'm going first," Gunn says, leading her down the stairs to the lobby.
Wes is barely conscious, blood pouring from his mouth into a pool around him.
"Shit…Gunn, go get the others…we have to…shit…" Faith kneels beside him, ignoring her pain. "Wes, what happened?"
Wes' eyes are slightly rolled back and he can't speak or breathe. Finally, he manages to cough, "Spell…"
Gunn has returned with Lorne and Fred.
"Any ideas? I think it's some sort of spell," Faith says, holding Wes' failing body upright to try and help him cough up the endless supply of blood that is pouring from his mouth and nose.
"Black magic…" Lorne reads from Wes' aura. "Voodoo spell, I think, making his lungs fill up with blood…he's going to drown…"
"So do something!" Faith urges as Wes' body goes limp in her arms, the blood still flowing from his mouth.
Lorne and Fred start for the library.
"We don't have time for that, guys, one of you has to know something…" Faith says.
"Um…Wes taught me something a while back…" Fred mutters some words in Latin and a flash of white light blinds them all.
"What the hell…" Gunn gasps, as he regains his sight.
The blood has stopped flowing from Wes, but Faith cannot find a pulse when she searches for it on his scarred neck.
"What was that?" Lorne asks Fred.
"A reversal spell," Fred says, pale with worry. "Did it work?"
"I don't know CPR…Anyone know CPR?" Faith panics, suddenly, laying Wes' body on the floor.
Gunn kneels beside Wes and starts compressions. "Listen…do you hear that?" He asks Faith, who is blowing air into Wes' lungs. "He's got some cracked ribs…" He continues compressions, talking Faith through the CPR.
"He's alive," Faith says, suddenly. "I can hear his heartbeat…"
Wes gasps suddenly, sitting upright and coughing. He pushes himself away from Faith and Gunn and coughs up more blood into the pool he is sitting in.
"Dammit, English, I thought you had it under control…" Gunn scolds, stopping mid-sentence after seeing Faith's glance.
"Everyone okay?" Wes coughs, still breathing heavily.
"Everyone except you," Fred replies.
Faith waits until Wes' breathing has returned to normal to shove him in the shoulder. "I thought we just had this meaningful conversation about how you were going to take care of yourself and then you try and get yourself killed? What the hell is wrong with you?"
Wes doesn't reply. After a beat he says, "If you'll excuse me. I need to go vomit for the next few days…" He struggles to his feet before anyone can reach him to offer assistance. He retreats into the lobby's bathroom.
Faith turns to the staring remnants of Angel Investigations. "Listen, I know I don't know any of you and I'm sure you've all heard about how evil I am, but what the hell are you guys doing here?" No one replies so she continues. "I know that Wes did something to you guys, betrayed you or some bullshit, but you can't deny that you need him right now. He's killing himself trying to stop this apocalypse and you guys, whether you care or not, need to get over whatever happened in the past. You are supposed to be a team. You are supposed to take care of each other. That's what Angel needs right now, if you're ever going to get him back. You don't have to forgive Wes, but you damn well need to start helping him…" She finishes.
"Faith. I don't need a defender," Wes says, stepping out from the bathroom, still pale and covered in blood.
"We are going to need all the help we can get if we're going to get Angel back, Wesley and…" Faith starts.
"We all need to get some rest. None of us are thinking clearly right now. Angelus has made his visit and done his damage for the day. The spell should protect everyone inside the hotel. Let's call it a day," Fred announces, stopping the slayer before she gets wound up again.
Fred silently takes Gunn's arm and leads him up the stairs to their room. Lorne disappears behind the counter for a second and returns with a jar of green leaves.
"You've got a little residual magic lingering, Wes. Mix a little of this in with your tea, should wipe that right out. It's pretty tasty, as well. Toodles." Lorne disappears up the stairs.
Wes offers Faith hand and helps her to her feet.
"You are stupid," She says.
"I had a lot of good teachers," He replies. He supports her as much as she will allow, favoring her injured leg.
"Now, you need to go back to bed…" Wes starts.
"I'm done taking health advice from you, Wesley, until you start looking better," Faith says. She examines him again, quickly with her eyes. "You're shaking…"
"Faith, it's nothing…" Wes starts. She puts the back of her hand to his forehead.
"Wes, you're burning up! You have a fever!" She realizes.
"I'm just overtired. Really…" Wes replies, avoiding her eyes.
"Listen, Wes. I'm tired. I'm in pain. I just want to go to bed. I don't want you choking on black magic blood when I wake up. I need you to be healthy and thinking clearly so we can get Angel back and dump all the major stuff on his plate. I know as soon as you walk out that door that you will be neck deep in some ancient book, making yourself sicker. This is a big bed…" Faith begins.
"Faith…"
"I'm not going to molest you, Wes, no matter how hot you look with that scruff on your face. I just don't trust anyone else to take care of you right now. Shit, I can't take care of you, but at least I can watch you to make sure you're not getting yourself killed somewhere," Faith replies, searching his face.
"You're not going to bed until I agree, are you?" Wes responds.
"Nope." She lies down, under the blanket. Wes quietly sits down on the side of the bed with the most space.
"If you touch me, I'll probably smack the hell out of you," Faith says, once he has lain down.
"Likewise," Wes replies, lying on top of the blanket.
After several moments of silence, Faith speaks quietly. "You think we'll be able to get Angel back this time?"
"I think with you on our side, we'll get him back," Wes replies, sleep finding him.
"I'm taking your word for that, Wesley Wyndham-Pryce."
