A/N: This is based on the song 24 by Jem, and kind of steals the 1 hour countdown routine from 24, though I've never watched the show. I'm not sure where this story's going, if there will be pairings and what they should be. I'm just winging it.

Summary: Set after "Chosen". Things are going well for the Scoobs until a Faith gets attacked by a demon and falls incredibly ill. This could be the last 24 hours of her life.

Suggest pairings!

Disclaimer: All character's belong to Joss.

Been Given 24 Hours

Prologue

Faith had been on patrol, a typical night in LA. It was different here--a big city-- as apposed to the little town that was Sunnydale. She had gotten an apartment with Buffy, which was nice. One bed, one bathroom. But it worked. The TV's picture wasn't so great but hey, she couldn't ask for much more.

Willow had gotten an apartment on the same floor with Kennedy, obviously, but no one saw much of Xander anymore. Sometimes they'd find him grabbing a few beers at the local pub, taking up the Harris family tradition. Ever since Anya's death during the final fight, he had secluded from the group.

Giles now owned a coffee shop, down the street from the apartment plaza. There were meetings every so often, and he had equipment in the back of his shop where he trained new Slayers. There was so many now.

Though, ever since the destruction of the Hell mouth, no too many threats had come across the team. Until of course..

Something of a crippled looking, grey skinned demon approached the dark Slayer. It had claws long enough to bring tigers to shame, and red eyes that pierced through her. It's back was arched so the demon was shaped like a gorilla, but much, much thinner and sleak.

"You're an ugly little bitch.." Faith teased, smiling as she leaped towards it, taking a quick shot to it's jaw. It quickly recoiled, jumping as quick as lightning behind her, and forcing it's claws into her back, poking through to her stomach. It pulled them out quickly, hissing and hopping away, leaving Faith doubled over in pain.

----------------

"Anything?"

Angel closed the book in his hands, looking to the blonde before him. "Nothing."

"Dammit.." Buffy grumbled. She rubbed her temples in frustration. Her eyes drifted over the couch, where her Slayer sister laid, her eyes closed and forehead dripping with sweat. The older Slayer shook her head. "If we don't find something..Ugh. Angel.."

"We will."

And suddenly the brunette Slayer's eyes opened weakly, seeing Angel and Buffy before her, staring with forced smiles.

Her words came out slow, raspy. "I don't think I've ever felt like this much shit in my life." She tried to laugh, ease off the tension in the room or something. Didn't go over too well. "So what's up? There a cure or what?"

Amazed by her casual tone on the subject, the two fell silent.

"Faith..we, uh, haven't found anything yet." Angel managed to say quietly.

Faith's eyes grew wide. "Nothing..is that right.."

"But we'll find something." Buffy chimed in. "Don't worry, we will."

"You know me."

Angel and Buffy exchanged looks, obvious concern washing over the blonde's features and she dropped her gaze to the ground. It wasn't long before the darker Slayer had once again passed out.

"Angel..this is getting worse. Look at her." And they both did. "If we don't find a cure soon...I don't..She can't hold up much longer."

The vampire remained silent, eyes now focused back on his former love. He sighed. "There has to be some kind of cure."

"There needs to be some kind of cure."

Another sigh. "Well..people don't live forev—"

Buffy put a hand up to silence him. "Right. I forgot. You're not exactly optimisty-guy." Her arms were now crossed. "Can you at least try to be sunny and smiles until we can fix this? I can't be strong for myself all the time yanno. Dead mom, some dead friends here and there, kinda sucks the happy out."

His mouth opened to say something but quickly snapped shut.

"We can fix this."

At that, they both went back to the books.

----In Faith's Mind-----

Faith is walking on a concrete road, a path that seems never ending. There is grass all around her, but no trees, no civilization. Just her, and the road. She walks, barefooted, wearing only what appears to be a hospital gown. In the distance, she hears whispers.

Suddenly there are crowds all around her, exchanging secrets amongst each other. Faith watches, all of them looking at her, some in fear, some in disgust.

"There she is..the murderer."

"I hear she does it for play."

"What a vile creature..look at the way she walks."

"Look at her."

"The murderer."

"Disgusting."

"Evil. Pure evil."

The whispers seem to swirl around in Faith's mind, like a flood. She drops to her knees, scratching at her skull for some release. And suddenly, a warm presence comforts her, and a hand is in front of her. Without even looking at the face of her savior, she took the hand, all the whispers ceasing at once.

"Faith, you'll always have me."

Still, no face is revealed.

She walks hand in hand with this stranger for a time. And soon, she feels herself falling. Her arm outstretched, reaching for the hand of her rescuer, but this time, there was no one. And now she can see the face, as she falls.

It's the Mayor, with a soft smile on his lips, waving goodbye to his daughter Slayer.

She keeps falling, deeper, deeper, the face of the Mayor getting smaller and smaller as she sinks into darkness. Soon, there is nothing, but darkness.

And her eyes shot open, sweat dripping off her forehead, rolling down all the way off her chin. She breathed heavily, lifting her body up weakly. "Damn.." was the only thing that managed to get out of her mouth, before slouching back into the couch.

"You're awake..finally." Someone said softly, putting a damp cloth to Faith's head. "How're you feeling?"

Faith could now make out the figure before her, who was Buffy. Her vision was fuzzy though, and she blinked a few times to clear it. "Five by five."

The smaller girl chuckled weakly. "I'm sure."

"B.."

Buffy paused. "Hm?"

"I had this wicked weird dream..You know, black holes, me falling. All that. And I figured something out."

"And that is..?"

"I'm dying."

A/N: Okay so that was short, and kind of lame. But please review!