cont.

-5-

Faith is walking on cloud nine. No, that isn't high enough for the way she's feeling. She's definitely on cloud 10, maybe 10 ½ . She feels like she's walking on air, that her toes don't touch the ground. She feels giggly and bubbly and ,in her words, girly, which is particularly strange since she hasn't been able to get rid of a particular bulge she developed at Willow's house.

Ok, Faith, get a grip. You're acting like a lovesick teenage girl. Well, maybe because you ARE a lovesick teenage girl. Yeah, ok, but how do you explain that thingie that just popped up between my thighs? Oh crap, I'm so lost I don't know what the hell I'm thinking or doing. I just know that I'm loving what I'm feeling… and how Red makes me feel… and it's particularly weird because before this… girls weren't exactly on my radar. Hell, before this I didn't have a penis, either! This is weird, totally weird… so how come I'm so fucking happy? Oh, I dunno. Maybe the girl I'm crazy about loves me, I got a well paying gig for the band, and hey, maybe for once life is just great. Maybe, ya think?

Faith, her head in the clouds, not even thinking that Oz and Veruca might be home, bursts through the front door, just wanting to dance. She stops short when she hears familiar and angry voices coming from the bedroom.

" … I'm tired of this whole thing, Oz. I'm tired of you doubting me, making me feel like a liar. I told you what happened last night, that you got drunk, AGAIN, and got into a fight, and the punk you were fighting stabbed you. But no, you don't believe me. That sucks, you know? Why would I lie to you?"

" I'm not calling you a liar, Veruca, " Oz, his voice sounding strained, yells back, " I just don't remember it. And I know I don't drink that much… so how is this happening all of a sudden? Why am I coming home all the time beat up, scratched and sore? It's just making sense!"

" Maybe you didn't drink much before, but lately… ever since little Ms. Faith showed up on the doorstep, you been throwin' em back pretty damn good. Gotta wonder why."

" Don't bring Faith into it. This is between you and me."

" Really? That a fact, Oz? How come ever since she came, it's been hell around here? She's ruining our lives, and you're letting her do it. I mean… oh screw this… you don't care, you don't love me. I'm getting the fuck outta here!"

" Wait, Veruca, don't go. I DO love you, I just…"

" No, you're … you're choosing her over me, and I don't like it. I mean, who the hell is she, anyway? You never said word one about her before she showed her ass up here, and now… "

" Veruca, c'mon, she's family. What am I supposed to do? Let her be homeless? Sleep in some alley somewhere. God…"

" No, instead what you do is bring her here, and let her interfere in our lives. I mean, before she came we never fought… not like this! I'm telling you Oz, it's her or me. She goes, or I'm outta here. I'm tired of her, and I'm tired of you defending her. Get it?"

" Veruca, please…"

" Her or me, Oz. Think about it. I'm outta here!"

With that, the bedroom door opens and slams shut, and Veruca, not even glancing in the living room where Faith is standing frozen, turns and slams out the back door. A few seconds later the van can be heard roaring to life, and wheels squeal as the vehicle is driven fast out of the driveway.

Faith feels like someone hit her in the stomach with a sledgehammer. She sits down heavily on the arm of the sofa, staring at the ground, gripping her fists and biting her lip to keep from crying. She is so open emotionally, that Veruca's words were like knives hitting her.

Oz emerges from the bedroom. Faith hears him, and sits up, trying to cover what she's feeling. She goes over to him.

" Hey. Got some great news!" She says, trying to put a happy on the crappy situation.

Oz just looks at her strangely, as if it's the first time he's ever seen her. He stands staring at her, until she becomes uncomfortable.

" What?" Faith says, defensively. Without thinking, she looks down to see if her ' growth' is showing, but there's no apparent bulge in her jeans.

" Who are you?" Oz asks, his tone strange.

" Huh?" Faith is totally surprised by the question. " Quit kidding around, Ozman. I'm Faith, you know… your cuz. We've known each other for like…forever. Hell, we were practically raised together. What…?"

" No you're not, Faith, " Oz says, " I don't … I don't have any girl cousins. I'm pretty sure of that… but you're like familiar, and not."

" Oz, c'mon, a joke's a joke, ok. Ha, ha, I'm laughing here, " Faith is far from laughing, " but this is too much."

Oz comes over, and grips Faith by the arms. He stares right into her face, and his expression is desperate bordering on hysterical.

" Who are you? Why're you here? Why are you familiar? What's the deal, what're you trying to do to me and Veruca? What's going on here?" His grip tightens.

Faith, getting scared, manages to push him away.

" What are you saying. Goddammit, Oz, I'm your cousin. I've been … we've been… why're you doing this to me?" Faith feels her lip tremble, and bites it. " Is it her? Is she doing this? I don't get it…" She shakes her head, and turns away, moving to the couch and her grip, which is stored behind it. She grabs it, and puts it on the couch, " Dammit, if you want me gone, Oz, just say so. I'm outta here. I get it. I'm in the way…" Without looking at him, she starts stuffing her clothes and stuff into the bag. Despite her best efforts, hot tears begin to sting her eyes, making everything blurry.

" No, Faith. Wait. Please?" Oz moves over, and puts his hand on her arm. She shakes him off, and continues packing. " Just… everything is so confused… I can't remember stuff I should be remembering… it's like my brain is all Swiss cheese… full of holes… so much I can't remember, exactly…"

Maybe it's some word, or the tone of his voice, or just his being so close, but something makes Faith look up at him, and what she sees surprises and worries her. Oz, Mr. Cool, never get ruffled, the ultimate laid-back, looks scared. Really scared. The façade is gone, and his inner turmoil is plain to see.

" Oz, what is it?" Faith asks, genuinely concerned.

" I'm scared, Faith. I… I can't remember what I'm doing. I come home late night, and I'm all messed up and scratched and shit, and I can't remember how I got that way. Veruca says I'm drinking, a lot, but I … I don't remember drinking that much… but… things are all blacked out… "

" That's just crap, Oz. I've known you forever. You don't drink … I mean, you don't get wasted. You can barely do a beer… you've got this thing about losing control…"

" Yeah… that's another thing. You've known me forever… I've got all these memories of you… but they don't… it doesn't… I don't know, it just when I think about them, they don't ring right in my head."

" Oz, you gotta believe me. We're tight as tics. You're mom and mine are sisters, and they had us together all the times. Shit, I remember all the crap you've pulled on me, make me crazy, and when I want to go hit you, you do something just so great my heart melts. I feel like you're my brother, Oz… more than a cousin."

" That's just the deal, Faith. I remember stuff about you. Like you loving motorcycles more than anything on earth, how one day you want to like race them… how your mom nearly had a heart attack when you told her that… but it's like I'm looking through someone else's eyes. Like I'm remembering these things with someone else's brain… I don't feel connected to anything." Oz sits down heavily on the couch, leaning back heavily into the cushions.

Faith turns on the arm and looks at him, and feels she understands what he's going through. She knows how scared she feels about her own memory lapses, and the dreams she's been having. The killing dreams. How sometimes she looks at things and she feels they can't be real, can't be the way it seems, even though her mind tells her it's so. She feels like sometimes there's something living inside her, trapped and waiting. Waiting to get out. It scares her, because she senses it's powerful, and hungry.

Oz sits up suddenly, his face set.

" I gotta go find her, work this out." Oz stands, and starts for the front door. Faith gets up and follows him.

" I'll go with, Ozman. " She grabs her purse.

Oz turns, blocking the door. " I really wish you wouldn't Faith. Things are hinky enough between me and Veruca. You there might just make it worse."

Faith can't help feeling a little hurt. " Oz, I'd never do anything to stand between you and Veruca, or anyone you cared about. Don't you remember when we were 12, and we did the blood oath? Cut our palms and everything, swore we'd be friends forever and stand by each other. I … I'm not gonna lie, Oz, I think Veruca's playing you. But if you love her, if she makes you happy, I'm with you, bro. I just want to make it right. I love you Oz, even if you think you don't know me, cuz!"

Oz mumbles something and turns away.

" Didn't catch that one, Oz, " Faith says, following him out the door.

" Said even if you aren't my cousin, I'd want you to be, " Oz says, as way of apology.

Faith catches up to him, and gives him a hug.

" You dope. Of course I'm your cousin, Swiss cheese brain. Now lets go find Veruca and make with the happy!"

Oz stops suddenly, putting out an arm to stop Faith.

"What?" Faith says, turning to him.

" You said you had some news? Never got a chance to tell me."

" Yeah, maybe, " Faith says, slipping under his arm, and walking away. Oz runs to catch up.

" Well, you looked pretty revved up about it earlier. " Oz runs to catch up with her.

They walk along the street, heading for the Bronze. They figure if Veruca went anywhere, it'd be there.

" So what's this big new you got to tell?" Oz probes.

" Dunno if I should tell you now. Seeing how you're not my cousin and all, " Faith teases him a little, " Maybe I'll just find some other band to do it…" She trails off, looking out of the corner of her eye for a reaction.

" Band? What about the band?" Oz's curiosity is in overdrive.

" Well…"

"What, WHAT?" Oz is on his last nerve.

With everything going on, I almost forgot about it." Faith grins, knowing what's coming. " I got us a gig… a paying gig!"

" Huh?"

" A gig. You know, a job. For the band?"

" Yeah, ok, Ms. Smarty I know what a gig is, but did you saying paying?"

" Uh-huh" Faith says in a sing-song voice. " I gotta us a gig that pays 600 dollars for the night."

" Ok, Faith, quit kidding. Who's gonna pay US 600 dollars to play?" Oz shakes his head in disbelief.

" One of my route customers was talking on the phone about needing a band for a party, and well… she couldn't get anyone at a price she wanted to pay. So, I told her I knew a band, and hey… I got us the gig!"

" FAITH… You DOG!" Oz grabs her up and hugs her tight. " This is GREAT! I could kiss you!"

" Yeah, and then Veruca will start with the Hillbilly cousin thing again, " Faith cracks.

" Veruca will be so jazzed. Hell, she'll kiss you!" Oz is grinning from ear to ear.

" She damned well better not!" Faith declares, feeling queasy at the thought.

" Uh-huh, " Oz says, giving her a sly look. " I know that's not the girl you want to be kissing!"

" What're you babbling about, Oz?" Faith says pretending ignorance.

" Oh, please, Faith. You've been mooning over Willow almost since you got here. Talking this and that about her, never mind how you get all lit up when she's around. What do you think, I'm blind or something?"

" You're with Veruca, what other evidence do I need?" Faith cracks. Oz scowls at her. " Don't get all pissy on me, Cuz. Just because I gotta be nice to her for your sake doesn't mean I have to love the bitch!"

" I didn't want you to come along, anyway. Why don't you go back home?" Oz grumbles.

" We're almost at the Bronze now, Ozman. Might as well go on. Anyway, I promise, I'll be good. A regular Rebecca at Sunnydale farm, ok?"

Oz turns to face her, walking backwards. " This is why I didn't want you along, Faith. She's gonna catch your 'tude, and then it's gonna be all …." He trails off as he notices Faith has stopped dead in her tracks. She seems to be staring over his shoulder.

Oz turns around to see what she's seeing, and feels sick when he does. In the alley by the Bronze, leaning against the wall is a couple. They look very cozy. She is leaning against the wall, her legs splayed apart, her skirt up. The man, facing away from them at the moment, is between her legs, his pants down around his knees. The woman is moaning harshly, as the man lifts her and her legs wrap around his waist.

The woman is Veruca.

" What the hell…" Oz growls, and begins to advance on the couple.

Faith, over her shock, reaches out and grabs him, restraining him in a bear hug.

" No, Oz, don't!" Faith says, " Don't…"

At the moment, the couple turns around, the man leaning against the wall as the woman moves up and down on him.

The man is Xander.

" Oh, holy shit, " Faith gasps, " Xander!"

" I'm gonna kill the sonofabitch!" Oz struggles in Faith's arms.

Faith, knowing that a confrontation will just spell disaster, pulls Oz away from the scene. She hustles him over the entrance to the Bronze and pushes him inside.

Oz stands there, glaring at Faith. His hands are balled tightly into fists, and his face is red in rage.

" Dammit, Faith. Get the hell out of my way. I don't want to hurt you, but I'm not gonna let you stop me. I'm gonna kill Xander, and then I'm gonna kill her!" He starts towards the door, but Faith blocks him.

" Don't, Oz, stop!" She says, not letting him pass, " think about it. What good is it gonna do now? Think it's gonna stop her from slutting around on you? All that's gonna happen is that worm Xander'll call the police on you, and you'll go to jail. She's a bitch, and a whore, and she doesn't deserve to make you fool like that."

" Dammit, Faith what the hell am I supposed to do? Pretend it didn't happen?" Oz pushes her aside, making for the door, " just wait here, this won't take long."

" NO!" Faith goes to him, grabbing him. He shakes her off. She spins him around.

" Let me the hell alone, Faith. This isn't your fight!"

" Sorry, Oz"

" Huh?"

Faith belts him, catching him under the chin, and lifting him off his feet. His eyes go wide, then close as he crumples to the floor.

Faith kneels by him, putting his head in her lap, and stroking his face. Her face has an ugly expression on it.

That fucking whore! How could she do that to him? She knew he'd come looking for her, and she's boning Xander… God, Xander, that slime… right there in public. The bitch … one of these days, I'm gonna wipe that smarmy, nasty smile of hers off her face with my fist… then claw her eyes out, and rip her to pieces. Faith shudders, realizing that the idea actually gives her some animalistic pleasure.

And she's boning Xander? Xander? To whom a sewer is a step up in class? Well, I guess that just proves all her taste is in her mouth. I mean, get real. They guy makes slime look good. What's she doing the horizontal mambo with him, anyway?

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Xander's cheating on Cordy, either. At least, last I knew they were still together. They looked pretty cozy today at school. But here he is, putting it to Veruca the whore. Well, I guess if he beats her, he'd gonna cheat on her, too. Figures, the prick. Why the hell does Cordelia stick with that bastard, anyway? I mean, if she could get past the " I'm better than anyone" 'tude, she's a hottie, pretty much. I don't get it. I just don't get it!

Oz starts to come around. He sits up, holding his head. He stares at Faith.

" What the hell happened?" He moans, holding his head. " You hit me!"

" Yeah, well you were gonna do something real stupid, and I had to stop you."

Oz just holds his head, and starts rocking back and forth.

" God, Veruca… with Xander? Why is she with that creep? God, I'm sloppy seconds to a fucking loser like that!" Oz starts to get up again." I'm gonna go beat that prick into the ground…"

Faith pulls him back down, and holds him down.

" Oz, don't be a moron. Going out there now is only gonna get you arrested, and then what? She'll just laugh at you. I'm sorry, Oz, but she's not worth it."

" Dammit, Faith. I love her. I don't want her fucking that … that…."

" Oz, do you need a hammer to hit you on the head? Pretty clear she doesn't love you. How could she, and do that to you?"

Oz, the normally unflappable, cool as ice cream Oz, starts to cry. His face seems to crinkle up and collapse.

"What's wrong with me? What the fuck did I do wrong? Why doesn't she love me?"

" Shhh… shhh… don't, Oz. She's not worth it, she's trash" Faith pulls him in, and cuddles him. " Don't do this to yourself. You didn't do anything wrong, baby. She's the blame, not you."

" I'm such a dope. I knew something was wrong… the way she was acting, and all. I knew something was up… I just didn't want to see it. I guess I just … damn. It's because I'm so short, right? That's it, right? She doesn't love me cuz I'm so short…" he voice gets a broken quality to it, " short, and funny looking, and … shit, no money, nothing… no wonder…"

" Oz, if you keep doing that to yourself, then you are an idiot. You're a great guy, a sweetheart. Maybe not too bright, picking her, but hey, you're in love. You can't help it you fell for a skanky ho!"

Oz looks up sharply, and sees her mocking expression. Her eyes are twinkling, and he almost laughs. Instead, a tight little grin comes over his face.

" Guess not…"His head droops. " I feel like shit."

Faith helps him to his feet. She puts her arm around his waist. " Come on. Gonna take you home. You've been beat up both body and soul, baby. Put you to bed. I think you need some rest."

" 'K " Oz replies, the fight gone out of him. He leans against her, and is almost docile. " Can I at least throw a dirty look at him?"

Faith turns to him, wearing a tight little smile. Her eyes are hard, glittering like diamonds.

" Don't worry, Ozman, he's not gonna get away with it. Gonna get him back, and her, too. Trust me. We're gonna get them back. "

He half grins. " Thanks, Cuz."

" You bet, Cuz" Faith grins at him.

They walk out of the Bronze.

-6-

"Oh, C'mon Buffy!"

Willow and Buffy are sharing a table close to the dance floor. It's not a live band night, so the club is playing dance music over the system. Willow is up out of her chair, pulling on Buffy's arm.

" Will, really not feeling like dancing tonight, " Buffy pulls away from Willow's hand, moving a little closer to Angel.

Buffy is feeling more than a little off tonight. Her body feels achy and hot, and she's still worried about her new little tattoo that appeared overnight. Then there's the sex with Angel last night. Not saying it wasn't good. It was… really good… I wanted more… but that's what's weird. I was like on fire last night, I couldn't get enough. And shoot… where we did it… so close to … where those poor people were ripped up… and those beasts in the wood. But shoot howdy, Buffy was horny, and she just had to have it then, didn't she? I don't know what came over me. I've never been so aggressive with Angel before. I think it scared him. He's hardly looked at me tonight. Probably afraid I'll throw him on the dance floor and screw him right there. God, what the hell is wrong with me…

Buffy unconsciously touches her shoulder, knowing the mark, or brand, or tat was there. Those dreams are becoming so real… I can feel her pain now… god, even more than before, I can feel what she feels. And she's so scared… I can feel that too. What's happening to me? Am I cracking up? Are they gonna measure me for a straight jacket soon? Rubberize my room and put … god, no jokes, I'm scared here!

" Buffy, are you alright?" Angel looks at Buffy, concerned. He's been rather worried about her since last night. Coming on that scene in the woods really affected her. Then, later, she got all aggressive and hormonal. I've never seen her so… never like that before. It was wonderful, but she's been withdrawn and quiet since. Oh man, I hope I didn't hurt her… she was a virgin… maybe she's freaked about making love like that… maybe she regrets it. Damn. Why didn't I control myself? Stop it? She probably wasn't ready… was only doing it because she needed to be held. I know she was freaked by all that blood last night. I should've stopped it. Why didn't I stop it?

" Yeah I'm ok, I'm just feeling a little feverish. Maybe I'm getting a cold or something…"

" I didn't know you were feeling sick, Buffy, " Willow is immediately apologetic, " Maybe we should just call it a night…"

Willow's feeling bummed too. She was hoping that Faith would show up. After this afternoon's little session on the floor of her house, she was more anxious than ever to do more with Faith. But it looked like Faith was going to be a no show. Damn, at least I was hoping for some hot smoochies… now… Willow sighs.

" No, really don't want to go home. If mom learns I even got the sniffles, she'll have me in bed, wrapped up like King Tut, and will be force feeding me vitamins and orange juice. Not wanting that."

Cordelia Chase, looking like she stepped out of a European fashion magazine, emerges from the crowd, and plops down in the empty chair across from Willow.

" Hey guys, what's up? How come it looks like an Ingmar Berman film over here? You guys are giving glum a bad name."

" Buffy's sick" Angel and Willow almost say simultaneously.

" No, not sick, just kinda weirded out by everything that's been going on, is all."

" Still thinking about last night, Buffy?" Angel looks at her with concern. " I mean, the wolves and all…"

"Werewolves. Didn't you guys say they were werewolves?" Willow pipes up.

"Whatever. It was just horrible…" Buffy shakes her head, trying to clear it of the memory of the bodies and blood.

" Aw c'mon, Buffy, you fight demons and Vampires and stuff. You've seen lots of blood and guts and icky stuff" Cordelia pipes in.

" This was different, Cordy. They were human…"

" I know, but I mean, it's part of your job, as a slayer… blood and guts… "

" Cordy, " Willow tries to change the subject, " Where's Xander?"

"I dunno, " Cordy shrugs, trying to be casual about it, " I mean, we were supposed to meet here, but I haven't seen him."

" That's weird. Didn't we see him when we got here? What, say an hour ago?" Angel asks Willow and Buffy.

" Thought so. I thought he was in the back or something." Willow puts in.

" Really?" Cordy lights up. Then her expression changes, hardens. " Well, if Xander Harris wants me, he can come find me. I'm through chasing around after him!"

" Good for you, Cordy!" Willow reaches over and pats her hand. " Stand up for yourself!"

Cordy smiles, pleased with herself.

" Hey guys, I gotta ask you something, " Buffy blurts out. She's needing to tell someone about the tattoo or whatever it is she has, and these are her best friends. Well, except maybe Cordy.

" What's up, Buffy?" Willow asks, looking over at her. She pauses. The expression Buffy's wearing gives her a weird feeling in her stomach.

" What is it, Buffy?" Angel asks.

" I want to show you guys something, but if I do, I need you to promise you'll keep it a secret. Ok?"

All three nod their agreement.

" Buffy, is this what you showed me last night?" Angel asks, remembering the burns on Buffy's body.

" No… this is new… and different!"

Buffy starts to unbutton her blouse.

" Buffy! What're you doing? " Cordelia seems freaked, " I mean we're not all like Willow here… Gay, I mean …no offense, Willow"

" Relax, Cordelia," Willow grins at her, " being gay? Not catching. Also, doesn't mean I want every woman on the planet… just you, you hottie." Willow pretends to reach for her, and Cordelia squeals.

Buffy clears her throat, showing her irritation. " Is playtime over now, girls?"

" Sorry, Buffy!" Willow blushes.

" Hey, she started it."

" I so did NOT, Ms. Homophobe!"

" You did too, with your making out with Faith at school and all!"

" Cordelia Chase, that was supposed to be a secret."

" Maybe you shouldn't make out in the student quad then, don't you think?"

" You are such a blabbermouth, Cordy! What if I start telling about…"

Both girls suddenly realize it's gone somewhat quiet at the other end of the table. They turn, and look at Angel and Buffy, face in hands, looking at them. They both blush a deep crimson.

" Oh, no, don't stop on my account!" Buffy's tone is mocking, " So, what's this about Cordelia?"

" Nothing…" Willow shuts her mouth.

" But you were making out with Faith in the student quad area…?" Buffy's brow is arched.

" No… not making out!" Willow shoots Cordelia a knife laden glance, " just well… we kinda kissed, and Cordy happened to come along and saw us… not making out!"

" And you didn't tell me about this… why?" Buffy looks intently at her friend.

" Dunno… maybe cuz I thought you'd give me the look you're giving me…" Willow reddens.

"What look?" Buffy's surprised.

" That look… the Shocked but gotta cover it because Will's my best friend and even if thinking she might be gay might freak me, can't let her know it look."

" So not fair, Will, " Buffy protests, " that's not true at all. I'm happy for you if you and Faith are like…well, whatever. But I don't care if you're straight, or gay or something between; you're my friend. I don't care who you date… well, except Angel, can't have him, and oh, me, because I'd kinda like to know in advance, but otherwise, no skin of my nose…"

" Buffy?" Angel interjects mildly.

"What?" Buffy turns to him.

" You're starting to babble like Willow…"

"Huh?"

Buffy looks at Willow, who's twisting a strand of her hair, a Buffy nervous habit. Willow realizes what she's doing, looks at Buffy who's looking at her, and they bust out laughing.

Angel and Cordelia look a little puzzled, but join in, politely.

" You're a bad influence on me!" Buffy and Willow say almost simultaneously, and then laugh harder.

Angel and Cordelia just look on, as the two of them cackle like morons for a minute or two. Finally, sobered up, they look around the table and blush again.

"What started this anyway?" Angel asks, after the hilarity is over.

" I think Buffy was going to show us something?" Cordelia replies.

" Right. Remember, I need you not to tell anyone, ok?" Buffy looks at them solemnly, " and Cordy? Not trying to sex you up, so chill, ok?"

Willow giggles. Cordelia blushes.

Buffy pulls down the shoulder of her blouse, and turning, reveals the tattoo that appeared on her shoulder this morning. Each of them looks at it, but it's Cordelia that is a little freaked out. And it's not Buffy's bare shoulder doing the freaking.

Flashes of memories go through her mind. A big white room with lots of harsh lights and tanks lining the walls. Faces crowded around her, staring at her. Making her scared. Then the sensation of flying, free high and away… the simple pleasure of feeling the wind under her wings. Wings? Then Xander standing over her, after he's just hit her again, saying something like " If your not careful, I'll brand you…" then in a tank of water, that's not water. It burns, and through the glass she can see a symbol like the tattoo on Buffy's shoulder.

" When did you get a tattoo Buffy? " Willow asks, " you're mom's gonna have a cow when she finds out!"

" I didn't get it Will. It … just appeared. This morning… after one of those dreams I told you about."

"That's so weird, Buffy, " Willow looks at the tattoo closely. " Gee, it… this is strange, but it looks like a bar code… like on stuff you buy."

" Oh, great. What? I'm for sale now? " Buffy looks over her shoulder, trying to see it more clearly.

" Willow's right," Angel says, looking at the tattoo. " definitely looks like a bar code. Like you'd use to identify something in an inventory or the like."

" Why the heck would I get a bar code on my shoulder?" Buffy says, puzzled and worried. " Maybe I should show it to Giles…"

" No, don't!" Cordelia seems a little freaked out. Everyone turns to her." I just mean, well… Giles has been acting so un-Giles like… has anyone else noticed that? All well… kinda secretive and secret agenty and all… maybe it's better not to show him. I'm kinda feeling weird about him."

" Oh, that's just poop!" Willow says, upset, " Giles is Giles. He's Buffy's watcher. He'd want to know."

" No, I think Cordelia's right. I could've showed this to Giles this afternoon, but something's not right about him. Not lately, anyway. I don't think … I think it's best we just keep this to ourselves, for now." Buffy feels a chill down her spine, and can't understand why.

" I have to agree with Willow, " Angel puts in, " It might mean something. Might be some kind of mystical symbol. It might have to do with your slayer duties, Buffy. I think you should show Giles!"

" NO! " Cordelia insists, " I mean… there's just something about the way Giles has been acting and all. I think at least, Buffy should wait."

" I agree. This isn't about my slayer duties. This is about the dreams I'm having…"

" Couldn't they be…" Willow starts.

" No, they're not slayer dreams. They're… just nightmares. Really scary and too vivid nightmares. I think … for now, I think it best we just keep this to ourselves, ok?"

She looks around the group because no one is responding.

" OK? "

Everyone nods.

" So, can we talk about something else now?" Buffy says, wanting to change the subject.

Cordelia feels restless. That symbol on Buffy's shoulder has stirred something in her. Something deep , buried just below her conscious mind. She feels a need to be outside, away from crowds and buildings and noise. She taps her fingers on the table nervously.

" Are you ok, Cordy?" Willow asks, looking at her, " you look kind of pale."

" Hmmm? Oh, yeah, I'm fine… fine, " Cordy says absently. She stands up, " hey, guys, I think I'm gonna go. Gotta find Xander and all, you know… see you later, ok?"

" Ok, Cordy, " Buffy says, looking at her intently. " You sure you're ok?"

" Yes, yes, I'm fine. God, all these questions!" Queen C rears her ugly head.

" Ok… well, seeya then, "Buffy says, not needing Cordy's 'tude right now.

Cordelia rushes off without any more formality. The remaining people watch her go.

" What's her deal?" Willow asks, a little put out by Cordy's strangeness. God, what is her problem, anyway? Well , for starters… Xander…

Buffy shrugs, " Dunno. But it's Cordelia… for her, that's almost normal."

It goes quiet for a minute or two as they think about Cordelia's weird behavior. Then Buffy breaks the silence.

" So, lets move on and talk about something else, " Buffy grins, a little mischievously. " Let's talk about oh, say, you making out with Faith …?"

" BUFFEE!" Willow turns red as a beet.

" Yeah, Buff. Why talk about it when a demonstration is so much more effective, ya know?"

Everybody turns, and behind Willow Faith is standing , a smirk on her face and her arms crossed over her chest.

Before anyone can react, Faith swoops in, puts her arm around Willow's shoulder, and bends over, engaging her in a three alarm lip lock. The others watch, wide eyed.

Willow, as surprised as the rest of them, doesn't react at first. Then her arms slide around Faith's neck, and she pulls her in for a heated kiss. The kiss seems to go on forever, and when the two break, there is definitely a breathlessness going on.

Buffy and Angel , sitting across the table, are grinning like fools, and blushing.

" Hey, Faith, " Buffy finally says, " I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say, something's going on between you and Will?"

" Naw, Buffy. I just like kissing girls. You're next!" Faith teases her.

Willow punches Faith lightly on the arm. " You better not!"

" Mmmm… dunno, Faith. " Buffy turns to Willow, " How is she as a kisser, Will?"

Willow just grins, and licks her lips.

" Wow… well, I'd have to say that's the Willow seal of approval. Pucker up, Faith, and lay it on me." Buffy grins at them both.

" Sorry, Blondie. Did I forget to mention? I only like to kiss red-headed girls."

"Damn, Willow. You always get the girl!" Buffy laughs, then slips her arm through Angel's . " Guess I'll just have to settle for him." She leans against Angel and smiles at him.

" Settle?" Angel grins, " seemed pretty unsettled last night…"

" ANGEL!" Buffy blushes, " SHHHH!"

" Yeah, what about last night?" Willow teases Buffy. " I hear…"

" Hey, before it gets really all steamy and sexy in here, I've got a message for you guys." Faith looks at Buffy and Angel. " I ran into Mr. Giles on my way here, and he asked me to tell you if I saw you that patrol is cancelled tonight. After last night, he figures Buffy should take the night off."

" Really?" Buffy's smile widens. " Gee, no patrol Angel. Whatever will we do?"

Buffy and Angel stare at each other for a minute. Buffy leans a little closer, and plants her lips on his neck.

" Ummm… who's the vampire there, again, Red?" Faith whispers in her ear. Willow giggles.

" Hey, you two!" Willow speaks up, " Don't you think you should get a room?"

" Hmmm… maybe, " Buffy says. She and Angel stand, " But from my perspective, that's kind of like the pot calling the kettle black, you know?"

" Hey, we haven't…!" Willow protests. But not because I haven't tried!

"Don't blow a gasket, Will. It's ok… when it's time, it'll happen, " Buffy grins at her. She looks up at Angel, " time to go, honey" she says in an ooey gooey voice. They walk towards the rear exit.

Willow looks at her watch, " Holy moley. My mom's gonna have a fit." She stands up. " Walk me home, sweetie?" Willow does a wicked imitation of Buffy's ooey gooey tone. Faith laughs.

" You're a bad-un, ya know? I think I'm loving it."

" Mmmm… you got no idea how bad I can get, " Willow croons at her, as she makes sure she manages to rub against Faith at every opportunity. Her arms slides around Faith's waist, and her hand slips into the back pocket of Faith's jeans.

" Hey… so not fair. You're not wearing pants. "

" Improvise, sweetie. Improvise."

The both of them giggling, they walk out towards the front entrance.

Unbeknownst to either couple, they've been observed. Closely. A couple in the corner has been watching them since they came in. Anne Price and Ethan Rayne smile as they leave. They know now that the couples have come together, and from their actions, they are close to mating. They know their little plot is going to come right at the appropriate time. They turn back to their conversation, planning out their next move.

And unbeknownst to them, they're being watched. A tall man, wearing glasses, sits in a corner opposite them. Before him is a glass of scotch. He takes a sip while watching both the couples and Ethan and Anne.

He arrived just a few moments prior, through the back door. he was hoping to catch Buffy and Co. before they left, but they were already moving off when he arrived. He didn't want it to seem planned, more by accident. Something was wrong with Buffy today, he noticed that while she was giving him her report. He never had a chance to explore it, however. She seemed …distant, as if she didn't trust him. That worried him.

More worrisome was the couple at the other table. So, Ethan knows someone on the inside. Anne Price must be working with him. But why? She's supposedly the liaison to the select committee. Does she have another agenda going, and how does it involve Ethan? Already, Giles wasn't liking what he was seeing. He knew he should warn Dr. Walsh. And also, report on the progress of the clone's mating.

He shivered at the word. Clones. God, they're people. Thinking of them as just bits of flesh? I can't do it. I know these children. They're good kids. They think they're real… how can I ever tell them their just little cogs in a much bigger machine? That all they remember, all they think they know? Is just false, programmed by technicians back at the lab?

No, that's not right. They can program memories, but you can't program behavior. They've got souls. They're not monsters, they're not just blobs of flesh. They're people. And here I am, helping to keep them under control. Like they were caged animals.

Giles was hating his job as ' zookeeper' more and more each day. He found that he couldn't just put these charges, these people he's been entrusted to watch. Every night he was drinking, trying to keep his nerves under control, and his stomach from turning at the thought of what was being done to these… children.

When I first came onboard, I was as enthusiastic as anyone. They were going to create a race of warriors, bred for war. It would relieve the ' regular' population the burden of going to war, and the after effects of what war does to you. A breed of super soldiers, designed with inherent capabilities to make them more efficient warriors. Cloned with human and animal DNA, the most aggressive species to make them effective fighters, effective killers.

The first generation, including Spike and Drusilla, and Veruca, turned out to be sterile. Something went very wrong in the DNA sequencing, and their ability to reproduce was eliminated. This generation was kept in stasis until a second generation could be created. This included Cordelia and Daniel, know by the others as Oz. The kinks in the DNA reproductive cycle were worked out using animal mating cycles, rather than human, which are more fragile. So finally they had a breeding pair. But again, something went wrong. Although they were brought together, and mated, the offspring died. Consistently. There was an incompatibility in their DNA. They could breed; just not with each other.

During the creation of the second generation a technique of memory wiping was developed. Both Oz and Cordelia underwent it, but it only had limited effect on Cordelia. For some reason, her memory was resistant. Finally, using hypnotic blocks, they brought her to a point of semi- awareness. They couldn't completely remove her memories, but they wouldn't be accessible to her conscious mind.

After working out the final kinks, they brought the current generation out. They are fully compatible, DNA wise, so they can breed. With their partners, at least. Willow was originally scheduled to mate with Oz, but something again went wrong with their compatibility. So, another clone had to be created. Unfortunately, only female DNA was available… which would be fine, except it was found that Oz's DNA was too close to the original clones DNA. He wasn't likely to be able to mate successfully with any of the current or future crop of clones. So, instead, the new female had to be altered enough to mate with Willow. I don't know enough science to know how exactly they managed it, but somehow they created a gene that would activate her 'male genitalia' on meeting with her mate. I'm assuming it worked; I've no concrete evidence that Faith is anything but 100 female. But she and Willow seem to be getting along very well…

Giles leans on the table, placing his head in his hands. God, I hate this. I'm looking at them as bugs, but their humans. Same as me… better than me, because they aren't lying about what they're doing, what their role is. God, I haven't drunk enough tonight to put it away yet. I have to admit, as a research scientist, I'm a failure. I've made the classic mistake. I've come to care about my subjects… God, their not subjects, their kids. People. With hopes and dreams, they have NO idea what's in store for them. I know… and I can't tell them. How can I tell them their just guinea pigs, and when the experiment is done, they'll be ' recycled'? God, what kind of man am I?

Giles stared over at the other table, where Ethan and Anne sat plotting Maggie's downfall. His face was grim. In that moment, he knew he no longer worked for the Initiative. He wouldn't join Ethan to bring down the Initiative; Ethan was untrustworthy. Whatever plans he had for the subjects were far worse than Maggie's. Of that Giles was sure.

He would find a way to save the ' subjects' of the experiment, even if it meant ….

He didn't want to think about that. He didn't want to think anymore about anything.

Grabbing his glass, he went to the bar for a refill.

It was going to be a long night.

-7-

Cordelia stands looking down at the waters of the lake.

After leaving Buffy and Co. at the Bronze, she'd gotten in her car and just started driving aimlessly.

She didn't have a clue as to where she was going. All she knew was that she had to get away. Something inside her, something buried deep, was clawing to get out. Something that scared her, and at the same time, thrilled her. Something powerful; something hungry.

She left Sunnydale city limits an hour ago, and drove the back roads to the lake. She parked her car on the bluff, and got out. She walked to the edge of the bluff, and looked down.

And so she's still looking down at the moonlit waters. She doesn't know why, but she feels she belongs here. That a part of her is bonded to this place, that this is where she's meant to be. It's a powerful feeling, one that's instinctual and permeated throughout every cell in her body.

She here, looking down, is the predator

Down below waiting, is the prey.

This feeling chills her to the marrow.

Insane. I've gone insane. All of this is crazy. I'm a girl. I'm not a hunter. I don't want … prey. I want to go home. Be in my bed, sleep under the smooth silk sheets. Why am I standing here, looking down at Lake Sunnydale. I should go, I should go home and forget all of this.

Cordelia, resolved, turns to retrieve her car and get far away from this place as fast as she can. She knows that she's been having all sorts of problems lately, what with school, and Xander, and all… but this feeling…is just…

Then she stops. She falls to her knees, crying out as a huge pain rips through her body. She feels her bones popping, reshaping themselves. Her arms lengthen, and her body and head starts to shrink. Her feet break out of her shoes as they become talons, sharp and ready to grab prey. Her face changes, the mouth and nose lengthening and curving downwards, her eyes receding, her hair changing into feathers. Her fingers merge together, and her arms become wings, feathers literally growing out of her skin.

In just a minute, she has changed form a comely young woman into a large, hawk-like predator. She moves her wings gracefully, testing the air currents for lift. She moves back from the edge of the cliff, giving herself enough room to take off. With a call to the hunt, she runs on her avian legs, and lifts off, flying into the full moon. She is on the hunt, and prey, beware.

Out of the forest surrounding the bluff, a large, dark haired wolf with russet stripes emerges. This is no ordinary wolf, as it walks upright, like a man. It watches as the predatory bird takes off, and then raises its snout to the moon, calling out its victory cry.

To be continued