CHAPTER FOUR:

It had to be done…

Somewhere over the Pacific – April 16, 2005: 1235 Local Time

Faith and Michael were on a chartered private jet flying back to Sunnydale. Adriana had arranged for the money and jet—it was faster and more convenient. Also Michael was not going to get through normal airport security with his augmentation, plus as Adriana had put it, Michael's body size was not optimally designed for fitting into coach seating. Private planes were a little less stringent on the security and they offered more leg room.

Agent Graham had offered to fly them home on a US military flight, but Michael wasn't willing to "hand" himself over to the US government. He'd had enough experience dealing with ONI in his universe and the intelligence agencies on this world gave him the same bad feeling. He didn't feel like owing the US government any favors. He'd already done them a favor, after his field interrogation of the North Korean Major, the other survivors of the commando unit quickly started talking to the US agents rather than face the Spartan's questioning.

Michael was stretched out in the seat. On the outside he may have appeared relaxed, but he was a turmoil of thoughts and emotions inside. He watched and studied Faith sitting in her seat. She had her legs up and her arms wrapped around them. She was staring out the window at the sky and the ocean below. She had barely said five words since the interrogation. Michael could see that she was upset and mad at him. He knew that he'd crossed some boundary with her, but he couldn't worry about that right now.

After some convincing, the Major had been most forth coming on his mission briefing and orders—along with anything else Michael had asked. Graham didn't think much of the information. He thought that there may have been a security leak or intercepted communications regarding Michael and the Battle of the Hellmouth.

From the information provided by the Major, Michael had a different perspective and thoughts on the matter. Adriana's access to computer networks around the world, meant that if anyone was discussing anything about Sunnydale and the people there—she would have known about it. Along with the government, Adriana also had done a good job of suppressing news and information about Sunnydale—the exception being for those death cultists in Cleveland which Faith and him cleaned up. There was something else going on—someone was pulling the strings—and it was giving Michael a bad feeling.

He reviewed the interrogation and other events in his mind trying to look for anything he'd missed. There was a pattern, he just couldn't see it yet—the information was there—it was just a matter of fitting the pieces. He did what he'd been trained to do when trying to analyze difficult problems, he closed his eyes and cleared his mind to meditate letting his mind flow free and let the thoughts come. He sat for some time, there was no pattern to what was happening, but he thought he may have an idea of who was behind the attack.

He realized who was pulling the strings and this probably meant that this was only the beginning. They had to get back to Sunnydale—who knows where the next attack would come from and by who.

Michael opened his eyes, he'd lost all track of time while meditating. He was greeted by Faith watching him—studying him. He tried to make eye contact with her, but she refused to meet his gaze.

Michael let out a sigh, One battle at a time.

"Faith…"

"Why Michael?" she asked still not meeting his eyes.

The question shook him. It was the question he always asked in his reoccurring dream surrounded by his brother and sister Spartans.

Why?

It took a moment for Michael to recover, but he didn't hesitate with his response, "Because it had to be done."

Faith shook her head in disgust, "That's an excuse … It's not a reason." she said not holding back the anger in her voice.

Michael sighed again. There was another long moment of silence between the couple. His thoughts drifted back to the cottage and how she'd pleaded with him before his "talk" with the Major and the look on her face afterward. He thought he was getting a better understanding of why Faith was angry at him. He realized she'd placed him on top of this pedestal and had all these romantic notions of how brave and valiant he was—he was a hero—her rescuer.

Michael was too old and jaded for such idealism. He had never considered himself a hero or in that light before. The real heroes were already dead. He'd survived and been successful because he did what was needed to be done to complete the mission. He did what he'd been trained for—nothing else.

Nevertheless of how she saw him, he loved her—there was no doubt of that. He wanted to mend this break between them. He wanted to reach out to her. He just didn't know how or what to say.

"I don't know what I can say or do … I can't change what happened." he said.

Faith turned her head to look out the window. She sighed as she saw the clouds and ocean passing underneath the plane, It looks so peaceful from up here."

"What you did … I thought I knew you and then you perform some torture routine like it was something normal for you. Things are different now. I told you what I and the others had to deal with in that castle…" she said still looking out the window at the earth passing beneath them.

Michael recalled what she'd told him about what had happened to her and her team when they'd been captured by a bunch of demons.

Faith continued, "From what I saw you could've given that Paymon bastard a run for his money in a torture competition. Hell ... I think he even could have picked up a few pointers from you."

Michael couldn't see her face, but he heard the hurt and anger in her voice. He knew she was just trying to hurt him to make her hurt and pain go away. He was at a loss on how to deal with this. Emotional and relationship training had not been on the curriculum for Spartan training.

They were going to be back in the states in a couple of hours and he needed Faith to be focused on what they were facing. He approached the problem like he always faced a problem.

"Are you done with this pity party?" he said abruptly.

This shocked her as she hadn't expected this response, "Wha…What are you talking about?" she said turning abruptly to face Michael.

"I mean this moaning … I've known first year Marine cadets that were less squeamish and whiny than you. You've faced battle before and you've killed before." he said harshly.

Faith started to protest but he cut her off, "…I know your history so don't blow me any of your self-righteous crap about what I did or didn't do ... I did what needed to be done… What I've been trained to do in order to accomplish the mission. I was able to get information about what we are facing."

She had her arms folded. Michael could see that he had made her even angrier and now defensive as she folded her arms across her chest. He had ventured into her personal history and she was not happy about him throwing it in her face. He couldn't worry about that. He needed to have her focused.

"So what are we facing?" Faith asked in a slight sarcastic tone.

"The First Evil is back…"

oOoOo

In retrospect Michael should've seen this coming. He had pissed in The First's proverbial cornflakes ruining its plans and now it wanted payback. The big problem was how do you fight something that has no form and can appear as anyone that has died? He needed to consult with Adriana and Virgil, they might be able to come up with something that they could use. But before he went off to see them, he would have to check with Giles to see what information he had on The First that he could take to the AIs to analyze.

Michael let out another soft sigh as he looked at Faith, she'd turned her head back to look out the window and he could see that she was fuming at what he'd said. The attack on them brought back the realization the threats they faced—both demon and non-demon on this world. He'd become distracted and contented with Faith—that they were building some kind of life together.

What kind of life are we going to have? What kind of future do we have?

It looked like there was always going to be some evil demon or entity that would be threatening them or the world. Plus add to that all the countries and groups that would either want to kill Michael or use him for their own purposes and that put Faith in danger as well.

Other thoughts were pushing at his mind. He had turned his back on his universe and the UNSC to stay with Faith.

Maybe that's what the dreams are trying to tell me.

Michael still had questions and wondered about his human race and if they had survived. He knew that if he didn't deal with those thoughts and doubts that they would fester and become like an open wound pulling at him. He knew what he was eventually going to have to do. He just didn't know how Faith would react when he told her.

That was another hurdle to cross. He'd seen her get more focused, but the anger was still there. He let out another sigh as he didn't know how long or if they would ever get back to anything close to normal.

The plane would be landing in Sunnydale in a few hours—another advantage of using a private jet. Michael had already called and made arrangements to get picked up when they landed. He hadn't told anyone in Sunnydale about the attack or The First. He'd just said that Faith and him were coming back early.

Michael sighed again as he looked at the back of Faith's head. He just didn't know what to do or say to make things better. He had no regrets about his actions. He did what was needed.

The cabin was quiet as the flight continued on its way to its destination…

oOoOo

Michael stretched as he stepped out of the plane. His muscles creaked and he twisted his neck to work the kinks out from the long flight. Sitting for so long on the plane, made him wish that he had the option to go into cryo-sleep.

Maybe I'm just getting too old for all this.

Michael turned to give Faith a hand down from the plane—which she didn't take. He rolled his eyes and sighed seeing that she was still angry at him. The thought of cryo-sleep flashed again as he saw the frosty look she'd given him.

The flight would have been easier if one of us had been frozen...

Michael picked up their bags and made his way towards the terminal following in Faith's angry wake. He could see Xander and Anya waiting in the charter terminal. With the little baggage they had, it wouldn't take long to clear customs.

oOoOo

Xander and Anya found themselves as the designated chauffeurs to pick up Faith and Michael. They didn't mind the detail as they had volunteered to do the pickup. It was a nice break to get out of the warehouse and have some alone time—even if it was out in public.

They had been taking it slow as they rekindled their relationship. It was different this time around for them—they both wanted it to work. They actually spent more time talking than in bed, not that the sex was lacking in anyway. After surviving the "Battle of the Hellmouth", Xander had promised to himself to make it right with Anya this time around. So far it had been going well. There were still the few occasional bumps in the relationship road. Not everyone could have a relationship like Faith and Michael.

They'd left earlier than they needed to. They had taken their time—stopping for coffee and then hanging around the charter terminal waiting for the flight to come in. They watched as the private plane pulled up to the terminal and saw Michael and then Faith get out.

Anya sighed as she saw the plane pull up, "Xander… Why can't we travel somewhere nice on our own private jet?"

Xander actually paused for a moment to think about what he was going to say. He had been trying to watch his comments and sarcasm around Anya.

Why stop now? he thought with a shrug.

"Actually I hadn't given it much thought … How about I ask Michael if I can borrow his credit card and the keys to the jet."

She gave him that look that said he'd gone too far, causing him to sigh at his mistake.

Live and learn, he thought.

"I'm serious Xander … When will we get a chance to go on a tropical holiday?" she asked.

"Can we discuss this later … Here comes the happy couple." he said thankfully putting off the discussion and wondering what he would have to do to get her mind off of tropical vacations.

Maybe I can ask Michael for a loan.

"Hmmm… for a couple that was in a tropical paradise, Faith doesn't look very happy." Anya observed.

Xander looked at the approaching couple. He saw the look in Faith's eyes and on her face and could tell all was not right. "Yeah… Something's wrong." he said agreeing with Anya's observations.

Xander hadn't known Michael for a long time, but he thought that he had a handle on the Spartan. Most times Michael wouldn't show a lot emotion around people, but Xander could see that he was happy when he was with Faith. Now he had a serious look on his face and Faith looked upset and angry—that was never a good sign.

"I wonder what Michael did to piss off Faith?" Anya said almost in a whisper.

Xander was finding his faith in relationships being tested as he saw the unhappy couple, "I don't know, but whatever it was it had to have been majorly serious." he replied.

There was the normal greetings, but other than some small talk the ride back to the warehouse was ominously quiet. Xander tried to pry something from Michael, but it was like trying to get a stone to talk. He didn't say much other than that they needed to get back to the warehouse and call a meeting. Xander and Anya looked at each other nervously as a dark cloud seemed to hover over threatening to engulf them.

I've got a really bad feeling about this, Xander thought, but he wasn't sure if it was about some unknown threat or about Faith and Michael.

oOoOo

It didn't take long for Buffy, Giles, Willow and Kennedy to join Faith, Michael, Xander and Anya in the conference room. Spike wasn't around as he was off in Los Angeles doing some work with Angel. They had been taken by surprise by the early return of Faith and Michael and their surprise grew that Michael was calling a meeting with him barely back in the building.

Their surprise only grew more as they saw Faith and Michael when they entered the conference room. Like Anya and Xander, they had expected to see a rested and happy looking couple back from a much needed and much deserved vacation. They saw only tense looks between the couple, with Faith trying very hard to keep her anger in check. The group immediately found themselves wary and apprehensive.

Buffy saw the tension between Faith and Michael and it had her worried and concerned about what was happening.

Whatever happened … it was bad, she thought.

She looked at Faith and made a mental note to corner her after this meeting. She could see that her fellow Slayer needed someone to talk to. Then there was the problem with Willow that needed to be dealt with.

Michael must have been a naughty boy, Buffy thought. An image of Michael in a slightly compromising position flashed through her mind and she quickly pushed it down. She didn't need to be fantasizing about somebody else's boyfriend.

That never ends well … No matter how strong he is or how hot he looks, she thought repressing a smile.

oOoOo

Michael saw everyone enter and quickly called the meeting to order. He saw the looks that everyone was giving him and Faith and he thought he knew what they were thinking about. He didn't give it any further thought as it didn't matter to him what the others thought about their relationship.

He quickly gave the group a rundown about the attack by the North Korean commando unit on him and Faith. He was meet by looks of shock and disbelief at what he'd told them. He went over all the details and the information he had obtained—while skipping over the details of how he had obtained the information. He let them digest the news and information about the attack. He then told them who he thought was behind the attack.

Everyone thought that they had been shocked enough at the news of the attack, but when they heard about who Michael thought was behind the attacks, they were dumbfounded. The looks of doubts quickly surfaced among the group as Michael outlined his theory.

Giles was the first to voice the group's doubts, "Aren't you being a little presumptuous in assuming that The First was behind orchestrating this attack against you and Faith?"

Buffy quickly added, "Yeah, it seems like a big jump from commandos to The First."

Buffy and Faith's eyes met. Buffy saw the look on Faith's face. The anger there was more than about the attack.

Something else happened … She wants… she needs someone to talk to.

Buffy nodded slightly acknowledging Faith without anyone taking notice.

Michael continued on outlining and explaining his thought process of why he believed The First was behind arranging this attack from the information he obtained, "It's just too coincidental that the Leader of North Korea had a vision from his dead father warning about us."

"Yes… I can see where you are going, but it is circumstantial evidence at best." Giles responded.

"I know the evidence is flimsy, but I've learned to go with my gut feelings and right now they are screaming that The First is involved."

"If that's so… What can we do? It's not like we can kill something that doesn't have solid form." Xander said speaking up voicing the problem they were facing against this threat.

"First thing is that we need to be on our guard for any more attacks." Michael said.

"And the second thing?" Buffy asked.

Michael didn't hesitate with his response to Buffy's question, "I'm going to go and visit Adriana and Virgil … Between the two of them they might be able to come up with something we can use against The First."

Everyone in the room missed it, except for Buffy. She saw the look quickly flash across Faith's face and eyes and disappear.

Uh…oh … She didn't know about Michael going back to see Adriana and Virgil … He screwed up.

Michael had missed the look on Faith's face as he continued, "…Giles I need everything you have on The First that I can take to Adriana and Virgil for them to review and analyze."

Giles sighed and took his glasses off to clean them, "There's not much information about the First other than what we already know, but I will get what we have together."

"Thanks."

Faith surprised everyone by speaking up, "When are you leaving and how long will you be gone?"

Everyone—except Michael—in the room suddenly got very uncomfortable and started looking around. It wasn't so much the question she asked, but the tone she used when asking it. They could easily see the tension between the couple and the room started to feel small and confining.

Michael heard the tone, but this wasn't the time to be airing or dealing with their personal problems. He repressed letting out a sigh as he felt lost dealing with these emotions and relationships.

It's so much easier blowing things up … taking out a target.

He turned to look at Faith, "As soon as Giles has the information together and I've had a chance to grab a couple of hours shuteye and do a systems check on my battle armor. I could be gone a few days or longer. It depends what Adriana and Virgil can provide."

It didn't take long for the meeting to adjourn. Everyone quickly hurried out of the room—they wanted to escape the tension between Faith and Michael. Kennedy had wanted a chance to speak to Michael about Willow's situation, but Willow had literally dragged her out of the room. Everyone knew that a scene was going to be played out and they didn't want to be dragged into and be in the line of fire between a Slayer and a Spartan. Michael was somewhat blissfully unaware of what was coming for him. He knew that there was trouble, but his inexperience in relationships was showing.

Faith stood there looking at Michael, she was livid inside and she was fighting hard her instincts to strike out or start yelling—unleashing the infamous "Lehane temper" on him. She'd promised to herself that she wouldn't be that person anymore and she'd been working hard at it. She'd seen the looks on the others as they left and a part of her wished that she'd gone with them, but she refused to back down.

Between the attack, watching Michael torture someone, the long plane ride, finding out about The First and now finding out Michael was going to be traveling without her was pushing her to the limit. It didn't help that she still wasn't feeling good and hadn't eaten much in the last few days.

She closed her eyes and counted to ten to try and get her anger in control—it was hard as her emotions seemed to be going to extremes. The door was barely closed when she unleashed the feelings she'd been trying to hold back, "So when were you planning to tell me you were going to visit Adriana and Virgil? Were you even going to ask me to come with you?"

Michael looked at Faith and sighed again. A part of him was now wishing that he'd left the room with the others. The feeling surprised him as he'd never been one for backing down from a fight.

"I just told you … For me going by myself … I didn't think you would want to be around me right now."

Michael saw the anger and pain in Faith's eyes as she spoke, "Maybe you're right … Maybe we need some time a part. I know I need to think some things through … I'm going to move back into my old room for now. I wouldn't want my squeamish and whiny behavior as you put it to bother you."

Michael felt her words stab at him, but he didn't show any emotion as he watched her turn and storm out of the room leaving him by himself.

oOoOo

The young woman was angry and upset when she had learned about the attack on Michael and Faith that her "brother" had planned. Though the woman couldn't figure out if she was more upset about Michael's life being put in jeopardy or angry that Faith hadn't been killed.

Now Michael and Faith were back in Sunnydale. The news about the attack on them was all the talk, but there was gossip going around all was not well between the couple. Something had happened between them as Faith had moved out of the quarters that they were sharing.

Faith was now off all by her lonesome, also there was talk that Michael would be traveling to that alternate universe to meet with those AI's.

A smile came to the young woman's face at the thought of Faith being here alone and unprotected.

Even though the young woman's "little brother" had failed to remove Faith, it hadn't been a total loss. It looked like Michael and Faith's relationship was imploding and that was going to present her with the opportunity to get closer to Michael as she had always wanted.

The young woman shivered excitedly at the thought of being with Michael…

"Ahem…" the image of the young woman's long dead little brother said standing in front of her.

The young woman looked at her dead brother. He looked so much like her brother—except for the eyes. The eyes looked so dead and cold, not like she remembered him.

"There's no guarantee that Faith and Michael won't work out their 'issues'. You should still plan on having Faith removed from the picture." said the little boy.

"Agreed ... What do you have in mind?" the young woman said as the thought of Faith being alive a minute longer than needed made her blood boil.

The image of the boy smiled as he saw the young woman dance to his tune and plans, "I have made arrangements for a large group of vampires to come into Sunnydale while Michael is away. It will create the opportunity for Faith to be removed from the picture."

The young woman smiled happily at the thought, "Sounds like a plan."

"There is one thing though…" the boy said.

"What?!" the young woman said in an exasperated voice. Her brother always seemed to have one more thing—always one more demand.

"I require a sacrifice … a blood sacrifice. One or two of the Potentials should suffice." the little boy with the dead eyes said.

For a split second there was a moment of doubt and hesitation in the young woman. Any lingering doubts or remaining morality of what she was doing was pushed aside by the thoughts and images of Michael holding her … caressing her … pressing against her. Even then she was still apprehensive and worried about what her brother was asking, "I… I… I don't know if I can do it." The young woman stammered.

"If you want to be with Michael … If you want to be his lover. You will do this! Just bring them to where the Hellmouth is covered over … The rest will be easy." The First said.

The knock on her door interrupted the young woman's conversation and her fantasies. After a moment, the door opened and Kylie poked her head in.

"Are you coming to watch the movie?" Kylie asked looking at the young woman.

"...Are you okay? I thought I heard voices talking in here." Kylie asked with some concern.

"Everything's fine ... I'll be right there in a moment." Stacy replied smiling.