CHAPTER 1
Trouble regularly rolled into Sunnydale.
Granted, it didn't usually do it in a red Aston Martin with the top down, and the license plates didn't usually read 'New Jersey.' The powerful car purred to a stop beside the "Welcome to Sunnydale" sign and a man stepped out of it. He wasn't very tall, but the combat boots and leather jacket didn't need the addition. Nor did the body armor visible beneath the coat.
He locked the car, but didn't bother to put the top back up. There was a tracer underneath the car if he wanted to recover it, and besides, there were probably one or two left by the rightful owner that he'd missed. He paused to imagine some thug's face if said owner showed up to reclaim the car, smirked, and grabbed his duffle bag from the back seat. This he slung over one shoulder.
Lastly came the red mask. He held it loosely in his hands a moment, smirked again, then slipped it over his head.
"Ready or not," he murmured. "Here I come."
Mayor Wilkins looked up from his desk and smiled hugely. "Ah, Faith. Just the woman I wanted to see."
"Yeah?" She flopped down in a chair and swung her feet up onto the Mayor's desk. He frowned at them, and guiltily she put her feet back on the floor. "What is it?"
To her relief, he turned away from the desk and paced over to the window. "There's a new player in town. Calls himself the Red Hood."
Faith snorted.
"Now, now, be nice," the Mayor scolded. "He could be very helpful in dealing with our Slayer problem."
"I could take her," Faith grumbled.
"I know you could," the Mayor said soothingly. "Nevertheless, I think it's worth a shot to talk to this Red Hood. Find out why he's here, what he wants. From Gotham to Sunnydale's a long way to come for a cigarette." He shuddered. "Nasty things anyway. Bad for your health."
Faith tried to remember where Gotham was but soon gave it up. Somewhere on the East Coast? "So...what? I find this guy and give him a questionnaire?"
"I have faith in you." He grinned. "Get it? Faith in you?"
She just looked at him.
"C'mon, laugh a little. A girl your age shouldn't be so serious." When her expression didn't change, he sighed. "Oh alright, if you insist. You're a resourceful girl, Faith. I trust you to find a way."
Faith got to her feet. "Consider it done."
He smiled at her. "That's my girl. Mind you don't stay out too late now." He beamed at her as she left.