More conversational stuff this chapter so from everyone's point of view including my own. Also it bounces a bit back and forth in time, hope it makes sense. Thanks for the reviews I will try hard to please and update as soon as possible!
Chapter 4 – Don't be Mad
Buffy's Dream
She gazed upon a clearing deep in a forest as the sun shined above her. The clearing was home to a large rocked waterfall that fell into a beautiful natural spring surrounded by beautiful flowers of every color. As she stepped closer to the water's edge she could feel the mist from the cascading water and almost feel the sun bronzing her skin. Her eyes closed as she inhaled deeply taking the scenery and essences that surrounded her. This…she thought…is perfect.
She took another step this time wading into the spring up to her ankles. The cool water refreshed her worn body and in that moment she felt strong arms wrap around her waist. Without hesitation she leaned into the familiarity of the body behind her as the smile widened across her face. "Faith" she whispered as if the name she spoke was too fragile to pronounce loudly in the serenity around her.
"B" the other woman replied in an equally soft tone tightening her embrace slightly as she placed a chaste kiss to the shoulder of her fiancée. "Where are we?"
"I thought you would know"
"Nah just pulled into your mind on this one babe"
"Hmmm…well I'm not complaining"
"Me neither"
It was like that for a few more moments, the two women just melted together as one embracing one another as they swayed.
Finally Faith spoke up, whispering in the blonde's ear. "Hard to believe that it could all end in a second"
Buffy's eyes widened slightly taking in the word 'end'. "What?" she sputtered as she turned around in Faith's arms to look her straight in the eye. "Why…what are you saying?"
"Buffy I love you and I always will" Faith's speech and eyes hadn't faltered as Buffy squirmed in her arms. "I'm happy…happier than I've ever been…and if it ends…"
"No…stop it…don't say that" Buffy shook her head gripping the shoulders of the younger girl.
"I love you B…I love you" Faith was starting to pull away from their embrace causing Buffy to begin a frantic action of trying to hold her there.
"Stop it Faith…stay with me…please I can't" It was then she noticed her surroundings had changed drastically. No longer were they at a pleasant clearing but instead a darkened cave with a presence of something she knew wasn't good. It was then as Faith backed up that she saw him, a creature of some kind complete with prehistoric weaponry to match his crude looks. Before she could move the flash of a sword caught her eye as it shot through Faith's upper body slightly above her heart. And just like that the creatures were gone and they were back beside the waterfall…
"I love you" Faith repeated as she fell forward into the Blonde's arms…the screams that escaped Buffy fell mute as the dream faded back into reality.
Present Day
It was like the air in her lungs had been sucked out in an instant, the moment she heard Faith's name escape Willow's lips on the end of the receiver. She couldn't form a thought let along a breath…"Buffy…BUFFY" Giles voice rang out repeatedly but it fell on deaf ears. Her entire world was collapsing and she couldn't stop it. The images she had seen in her dreams were no longer nightmares but apparently reality. No amount of comfort or explanation would pull her back.
A Few Days Earlier…
The mission down in South American had gone surprisingly smooth and both the Wicca and slayer had even made comments about the necessity for more missions such as these. They had successfully intervened with Dr. Frankenstein 2010 and had almost completely destroyed his sick and twisted creatures that were currently running wild in the Brazilian jungles. Now at the end of the trip to their own version of the black lagoon Faith had convinced Willow to return back to Cleveland and give Giles a full report a few days earlier than expected. Willow had a feeling when she left Faith out in the middle of the rain forest that something bad was going to happen, but the brunette had adamantly denied anything could possibly be dangerous, least of all to her. So she had sent Faith on one last search and destroy mission and packed her bags for home. Transportation made things a lot easier for her since she really had gotten the hang of it with some practice with the coven over the last few years. So bag packed, supplies left for Faith and a flick of her wrist and she was back in Cleveland. Two days later her fears came to a screeching halt right on her doorstep…she should have known it had been way too easy.
She had sensed a disturbance earlier in the day while studying some texts with Giles. It was like a pit in her stomach slowly developed in after breakfast and by lunch she knew something was just not right…and then the call came. Out of breath and sounding like she had gone 16 rounds with a heavy weight prize fighter Faith's voice was strained and choppy. Willow knowing the younger slayer would not call unless it was an emergency locked in on her location and transported herself back into the depths of the jungle to find what she had feared most…a badly injured slayer and friend.
Faith had managed to make it back to their make shift cabin but there was no telling how long she had been by herself as she must have blacked out several times in attempts to find a phone that could connect to Cleveland. She was bleeding in multiple places from her body including a severe gash to her shoulder blade and back which seemed to be the most serious of her injuries. Her face was bruised and swollen as well which caused her speech to slur as she explained to Willow what had happened. Clinging tightly to her broken body Willow quickly made the return trip back to Cleveland and straight to the medical wing.
In the few moments after their return her mind immediately went to her best friend who she knew was awaiting contact with her fiancée. The thought of telling the woman she thought of as a sister that her love was injured and near death tore through the witch like a bolt of lightning. Her only hope was that Buffy wouldn't feel the tremor in the slayer connection Faith and she shared a slim hope but a hope none the less.
Present Day
The phone had dropped from the blonde woman's hand as she pulled her knees to her chest. She rocked slowly with a look of pain and anguish spread across her normally delicate features as the tears seemed to fall faster than her body could produce them. She whispered Faith's name several times followed by "No" and "Please"…this wasn't happening…it just couldn't.
A flash of bright light went all by unnoticed by the grieving girl and it wasn't until a hand gripped her shoulder that she snapped back into her haze of reality. Looking up from her crumpled position in the corner of the room she met eyes with Xander and Willow both of which could feel the waves of despair coming off their old friend. Xander simply knelt down and picked up the broken slayer in his arms and turned back to Willow with a nod.
"This is a bad idea" he said shaking his head and Buffy almost melted against him.
"You're telling me" was the red head's reply. She reached her arms to embrace both the man and woman next to her and with another bright flash the three were gone from the Italian hotel room.
Cleveland Academy Medical Wing – 24 hours prior
Upon arrival at the Cleveland medical center Faith had been rushed into surgery to repair the ligament damage and also to stitch up her beaten body. Willow never left the medical wing through the 3 hour surgery; she paced furiously awaiting news that the brunette women would be ok. And that's when it happened…her cell phone began to ring from her back pocket with the familiar ring tone.
"Hey Will…it's me!" Buffy spoke with a certain cheeriness that was lost on Willow. Deciding she couldn't exactly do this via phone call she quickly dismantled the call by way of random excuses and a quick goodbye. She is gonna be so pissed Willow thought as she shook her head.
"Miss Rosenberg?" a deep male voice interrupted her internal rant. "Um…may I have a word?"
Willow nodded with a small smile and followed the man into the recovery room where Faith lay fully alert and smiling her trademark grin.
"FAITH…holy shit you're ok!" Willow practically jumped onto the hospital bed with the recently injured girl causing the slayer to flinch slightly. Faith's bruises were still evident but she had been stitched up nicely by the doctor. The blood that once drenched her clothes and matted her hair was removed brightening her color and bring back the features that most fell in love with.
"Yea Red ok but not healed, Jesus…" she exclaimed pulling her body out from under the embrace of her friend.
"Sorry…sorry…it's just when I found you and then with the blood and the bruises…and then of course Buffy calling…goddess I was freaking big time"
"Wait B called?" Faith asked quickly
"Yea a little bit ago"
"Did you tell her what happened?"
"No…I was scared and now that you are ok its gonna be way easier to call her back"
"Hold that thought Red…I need a favor and it's gonna take some dishonesty on your part"
"Faith…what are you planning?"
"You're gonna help get me back to my girl" Faith smiled mischievously as Willow raised her eyebrow.
About an hour later after Faith had laid out the plan for her Willow was uncertain she should agree not only because it was slightly dangerous but also Buffy would probably punch her for the web of lies she would spread.
"Red…stop over thinking it." Faith commanded "B won't be mad at your cause she will be too busy making out with me…come on its one little spell and a phone call or two"
"We have to lie to Giles too and he hates when I lie to him Faith"
"Willow I am taking full responsibility"
"Sure you say that now" Willow huffed with a pout.
"Red I'll make it up to you I swear"
"Oh yea how?" Willow raised her brow again
"Ummm…I'll buy you a hooker?"
"WHAT!?!?!??"
"No?"
"No."
Scotland
Giles had planned his trip to Scotland to handle some last minute changes with the Watchers' council and coven before he relocated back to America full time. He had enjoyed a day of visiting with old associates as well as some presentations on findings in the more recluse areas of demonic population. He had settled into his guest room with a cup of tea after sunset ready to enjoy the plush accommodations when the room phone rang insistently.
"Hello?" he answered with a wonder of who would be contacted him as he sat with the phone pressed to his shoulder as he stirred the tea in his lap.
"Giles! It's Willow we have a problem! You need to prepare the medical staff now" She was speaking quickly and with an urgent tone.
Giles had practically spilled the tea into his lap at the shriekness that was Willow's voice, "Please Willow calm down I don't understand…what problem"
"It's Faith Giles! She's uhhhh….she's in a coma"
Giles did drop that tea at that point standing quickly and cursing as he not only was in a state of panic but also because he was now soaked with steaming hot tea. "Willow you must tell me what happened immediately…"
"No! I mean there is no time for talking Giles we are teleporting to you right now!"
Giles could not even muster a response before the click of the receiver banged in his ear loudly.
Cleveland
"Agghhh I hate lying… I suck so bad at it"
"What are you talking about Red that was brilliant….really very good" Faith said with a smile packing her bag quickly as Willow paced, "Ok phase two…you ready?"
"Did I mention this is a bad idea yet?" Willow pouted stopping her pace as she grabbed Faith's hand .
"About twenty times…but you're doing it anyway" Faith replied with her smirk. "Come on Red bring me to B"
"Uggghh you owe me…ok ready flistas macrate vidnom" And with the magic words spoken Faith went limp in Willow's hands as a bright light surrounded them. Shortly thereafter they were in Scotland, Faith comatose and Willow fidgeting anxiously.
Scotland – Present Day
Buffy came to relatively quickly have Willow and Xander had retrieved her from Italy. She found herself laying on a large ornate couch in one of the main halls of the Scotland Castle dim lighting surrounding her and the sound of voices stirring from outside the door. Shifting quickly from under the blankets on top of her she headed through the door to find Giles, Xander and Willow sitting at a small table in deep discussion.
"Where is she? Where am I?" Buffy began her rant right away, "What happened to Faith, please Willow, Giles anyone tell me what's going on"
Giles stood and embraced the distraught young woman coddling her softly. "Buffy my dear I am afraid Faith was attacked in South America and has fallen under some sort of spell. She is resting quietly but to be honest I am not sure what is wrong"
"What do you mean you don't know what's wrong?"
"It started with a high fever according to Willow and she was in and out when she got here last night but…I'm sorry Buffy we can't figure it out"
Buffy felt her legs go weak again but managed to stay upright. "I want to see her...where is she?" she was choking on the tears that were falling again. Willow restless as ever took Buffy's hand in attempts to comfort her as well.
"She's just down the hall; come on I will take you" Willow pulled her slightly out of Giles embrace and Buffy followed with little protest. When they reached the door Willow fidgeted with the hem on her shirt as Buffy continued to sob next to her, "Buffy…listen it's ok I mean it will be ok…please stop crying" she pulled her into a hug.
"How can you say that Wills, Giles doesn't know what's wrong and I had this nightmare…it was so vivid..oh god why is this happening?" Buffy shuddered as the depression sank deep into her bones.
"Buffy trust me…it will be ok. Now go inside I think Faith needs you" she pushed the heavy door opened and nudged Buffy into the dimly lit room. Buffy's eyes adjusted to the dark room quickly and Faith immediately came into view. She was in a large four post bed sleeping soundly, her peaceful look made Buffy feel a tad bit better and a small smile crept across her face through the tears. She hadn't seen her lover in almost 5 months but she was exactly how she remembered her…although the brightness had left a bit. She approached the bed quietly as if she was walking on broken glass taking a spot on the bedside right next to the younger slayer.
She tried to stop the tears from flowing but they couldn't, not with the sight in front of her. She could see several scrapes across the girls face and arms as well as a large gash covered by gauze near her shoulder…the same spot she had been impaled in the dream. With a shaky hand she laced her fingers into Faith's right hand as she reached to push a strand of hair out of the girl's face.
Her fingers were almost touching the brunette's hair when a hand quickly grabbed her own causing a scream to escape the blonde's lips.
"Hey B…miss me?" The smirk and the sultry voice were clear as day and Buffy almost feel off the bed in shock…wasn't she sleeping a minute ago….wasn't she in a coma two seconds ago? Buffy could barely form a retort as Faith pulled her close for a soft kiss.
"What…I…who…where" Buffy couldn't speak…
"B…relax I'm fine"
"Fine? YOU'RE FINE? What the hell is going on…I thought you were I'm freaking out here Faith Willow said and Giles and Xander and the dream…Faith what the fu-"
Buffy's lips were cut off once again by Faiths as she flipped the blonde easily onto the bed before straddling her. Raising her head to meet the emerald eyes she had so desperately missed. With a smile she placed her hands on either side of the woman's face, "Now…don't be mad…
TBC