Buffy came home to her dorm room after a long day but Faith seemed to enjoy the birthday party. Buffy came home and found Tara pacing the floor nervously. "What's the matter tell me it's not a love spell?"

Tara looked at her she's pacing because of something Buffy might have done not because of something she did. "I-I-I didn't cast any spells and why were you concerned about a love spell."

Buffy scratches her head. One downside to having a witch for a roommate it makes you paranoid. "Well I got caught in a love spell once. It leads to violence, chaos, foreplay, awkwardness, and a strong urge for cheese. I'd rather not have a repeat performance if I can avoid it."

Tara shrugged she wonder what kind of rank amateur this Willow was. "N-n-no, one cast a love spell I just… Parker is dead."

Buffy didn't know what to think of that but an idea came to her. "Let me guess two puncture wounds in the neck?" Buffy figured Parker picked up a vamp girl.

Tara shakes her head no. "Actually it was a heart attack."

Buffy stood in confusion Parker never mentioned any heart disease. She's sure he would have added it into his woe is me bit with his dead father. "How does a healthy 18 year old horndog die of ticker trouble?"

"I-I-I don't have an answer for that." Tara replied.

Buffy inwardly groans she was going to go to a party tonight but she'll give the couple the night off.


Maxima stood over the remains of a demon. The demon offered she kindly rejected him. Maybe she should head back home. Not to give up she'll never give up. Ever since she was a child she heard stories of the legendary men of Krypton. Brave courageous men genetically engineered to the point of perfection no one else on this planet can be a match for her.

She goes to go home she'll have the situation scanned from Almerac a kryptonian is too powerful to hide even in this land of demons. She turns around at superspeed and sees a red and blue blur with someone in his arms. Maxima comes out of the alley a smiled glued on her face.

"That's more like it."


Clark and Faith moved in a blur back to his college room where Clark threw Faith down on the bed and hopped on top of her.

"So we're alone right I'm not going to walk across your room naked and walk into Victor again?" Faith asked.

Clark just laughed at the insanity of their lives. "Yes, I called and checked ahead. He's apparently working something that will take all night."

Faith smiled seeing him laugh he's so serious ever since Jor El forced his way into Clark's life. Sure he smiles but genuine laughter only came from being with her. "So why did you bring me here?"

"I thought it was obvious." Clark answered as he went into his side dresser and handed Faith a jewelry box kissing her neck.

Faith caught it but was in shock. Damn it Clark, how could he do it to her. Yes she loves Clark but she barely has a semblance of her life let alone a life of Clark and her together. "Clark, you didn't?"

Clark looked at her and wonders what she meant by that. Was the box too small? He then sees her playing with the box too scared to open it and it hits him. "You're right. I didn't. I think we're a little young for that don't you think?"

Faith nodded in agreement. "Way too young." She opens the box and to her shock they're diamond earrings. "Clark how did you afford this?"

Clark just shrugged being the last son of Krypton has its advantages and Faith gets so much crap dumped on her she deserves pretty things. "Crushing coal, melting metal, you know how it goes."

Faith wasted not time and put them in her ears. "Thank you though of course you do realize what happens when you get a girl diamonds that aren't engagement material?"

Clark didn't say anything because he honestly didn't know until Faith the longest relationship he had was maybe 2 days with Lana before he blew up the ship.

Faith looked at him in shock. Boyscout doesn't even know. "OK you need to get out more." Faith just pulled him down to her taking his mouth to hers.


Buffy was out patrolling this thing has been busy from what she hears it's been striking all day and is up to 20. Though she did manage to find one vampire stump and find out that it was a girl with red hair. The deal was easy enough the vampire wanted to die not having arms or legs anymore and Buffy needed to know what did it in. In exchange she'd say the vamp nearly killed her in a fight before she staked him getting away by the skin of her teeth.

Buffy rolls her eyes as she hears them trying to sneak up on her. Buffy turns around and sees demons a very healthy line of vampires in the double digits. This whole group must be a nest.

Buffy looked at the vampires and grabbed a stake. "You know I'm trying to find something that might actually be scary so could you guys just take five."

The vampires all turn their heads before focusing their attention on the slayer.

Buffy shrugged realizing she'd have to fight all of them without back up. "So who dusts first?"

The head vampire growled. "You're going to tell us everything about this red head that has taken to lighting our numbers on fire and taking refuge in their home."

Buffy's answer was cut off as an arrow pierced the vampire's heart. Buffy watched as arrows poured down hitting the vampires' hearts. Buffy was actually kind of concerned with how fast and accurate these things are. Buffy looked around and saw there was nothing left. Who was it that did this? There is nothing left and he didn't even waste a shot.


Lex walked into the college admission center and saw a beautiful red head going through the student catalog trying to find her mate. Lex looks down and sees a dead student with a similar nosebleed. It looks like he just found the meteor freak that was responsible for all the death and destruction caused today.

Lex approached her. "So may I ask what's found your interest with the UC Sunnydale student body?"

"One of them is my soulmate." Maxima informed him.

Lex just watched her work his curiosity piqued. "So which one of these men is the next lucky guy for your intentions?"

Maxima brings up a file and smiles finding him. "Clark Kent my perfect mate."

Lex looked at Clark's picture why does it always come back to him? What is such a big secret about a Kansas Farm boy that keeps getting attention like this? "Well why don't you come with me, I can take you to him."

Maxima studied Lex's face. She's a queen one of the first things she was taught was how to tell honest people from liars. "Do you think me a fool?" Maxima hoisted Lex up by his throat. "You have no intention of taking me to my future king."

Lex pulled out a little pocket tazer of his own design based off initiative technology and fired it at her. The blast had no effect and Maxima rolled her eyes and threw him to the floor as Lex slid headfirst through the wall.

Maxima moved up to Clark's room in a blur. She walks in and sees Clark and Faith in a cardinal way and smiles. She can't blame him it must be incredibly lonely being the only kryptonian. It's only logical for him to take a concubine once in a while. She'll take him in the morning and let him have his fun.


Faith woke up early the next morning and saw a letter.

"Vampire attack I wish I was here C"

Faith got dressed in her clothes she left in Clark's closet and went for the magic box. She smiled seeing actual people looking around and shopping it's like a real store. She took her place behind the counter with Cordelia. "Sorry I'm late."

Cordy smiled it was pretty obvious what she was up to. "Yeah I'm sure you are."

"Hey it was my birthday I was allowed to enjoy myself for a change Cor." Faith responded.

The two looked up as Jonathon and Xander were hard at work putting the finishing touches on a couple of walls. "It's a serious suggestion Xander."

Xander just looked at him. "Well what if the only reason this came out as good as it did was because we had a one man demolition crew."

Jonathon just shrugged not sure what to say. He figures Xander might have a bit of an inferiority complex first with Buffy and now with Clark. Though he imagines it has to do with his home life more then any of it. "Just saying you could have a future in construction Xander it's just something for you to consider."

Xander knew Mr. Kent meant well it's just he has a hard time wondering about the future and who he is going to be. "Yeah but if I tune out and focus on one career what I happens if I miss something I truly enjoy."

Jonathon has been here and knows he has to find his own way. "So what's your next job?"

Xander walked down with him. "Ah bartender which is me in a nice place at night with plenty of stakes and flammable liquid in case of vampire attacks."

Cordy just smiled looking at Xander and picturing him digging maybe Mr. Kent is on to something here. "This is Sunnydale vampire damages, building mausoleums, repairing the Bronze construction is a popular job that will never go out of work."

Faith just rolled her eyes at least it's not just her anymore thinking of sex. She smiles seeing Mr. Kent's phone go off. "Jonathon Kent's phone Faith speaking... Oh I'm his mistress."

Jonathon ran up and took the phone form her not amused. "Hello… Lex what are you doing calling this number. Oh, is he… do you have any leads. We'll find him thank you."

Jonathon hung up his phone and went for his jacket. Faith just looked at him and knew something was up. "That was Lex apparently some super charged meteor freak is picking off boys left and right. And now she's set her sight on Clark."

Xander chuckled to the surprise of everyone. "Sorry, I'm just happy it's not me for a change."

Giles glared at the boy and he went quiet. "Any idea where he is?"

Jonathon just turned to him. "I'm going to go to the graveyards it's sunlight out so I should be fine."

"I'm going back to the college see if I can find him there if not I can add B to the hunt." Faith replied running out the store.


Clark was walking back to college. Save for old geezers with heart attacks it was a calm night. Four people died and twelve people were born. That's the one perk to his super hearing and the reason he endures living on the hellmouth. Yes horrible things happen but good things happen as well. Clark is set to walk into the building until a voice distracts him.

"Clark Kent. That's a strong name. I like it."

Clark turns around and sees a very beautiful redhead in a short red dress. Just the smell everything coming off her is so alluring. Clark regains his focus. "Who are you?"

"I am Maxima" Maxima goes to kiss him but Clark pushes her back.

"I was just leaving Maxima." Clark informed her walking off for class. Professor Walsh hates having people late to her class.

Maxima was stunned at that no man has ever turned her down. She turns Clark around and kisses him on the lips. Clark is taken back for a second but quickly pushes her off.

"Lady I am not interested." Clark said finality clear in his voice.

Maxima just watched him go and yelled. "You have no idea who I am do you kryptonian?"

Clark turned around panicked. "How do you know that?"

Maxima just smiled. "When I was a little girl, I heard the stories of the brave and gallant men of Krypton, men worthy of standing by a queen's side. When I learned your planet had been destroyed... I prayed for survivors. And when I heard about your victory against Shao Kahn I knew I had found a man worthy to be my soul mate and the next king of Almerac."

Clark just looked at her well he's living proof of aliens from other worlds so he shouldn't really be surprised by this. Next Sunday he's going to have to ask Jor El about arranged marriages just to be safe. "Look you are a very beautiful woman but I don't feel that way about you and just because I beat up someone doesn't mean we're soulmates love and dating doesn't work that way I'm not the next king of almanac."

"Alemerac" Maxima corrected him.

"Sorry" Clark apologized he honestly doesn't mean to disrespect her.

Maxima just stared at Clark it wasn't a concubine he is actually in love with that animal. "Are you refusing the throne of Almerac? Are you refusing me?"

Clark just shrugged it's not like he meant to hurt her feelings but it is what it is. "Sorry but yes."

Maxima growled in fury and punched Clark in the jaw so hard he went into the air and cracked the building on his way down hitting the floor.

Clark got up easy enough and looked at the girl. "Take it you don't want to be friends."

Maxima moved in a blur and Clark sidestepped her and tackled her from behind getting her away from the populated area. Maxima fell to the floor in the woods and rushed Clark trying to punch him in the face. Clark just grabbed her hand and threw her into a tree so hard she knocked it down. Maxima got up and rushed Clark in a combo of punches and kicks. Clark dodged what he could until Maxima connected with a right hook. Clark spun at superspeed and hit her with a back fist. Maxima kicked him in the ribs and followed it with an uppercut knocking Clark into the air and to the floor. Maxima jumped into the air and intended to land on his chest and drive the air out of him. Clark just put his feet up and caught her by the stomach and threw her behind him.

Maxima got up to her feet and smiled. No one on any planet has been able to fight her like this. "A man with some fight in him. None of the men on my planet have the stamina to keep up."

"Maybe you come on too strong." Clark quipped.

Maxima just smiled. "You keep coming back for more."

Clark got to his feet. "I'm just trying to figure out how to get rid of you without killing you."

"Go away with me to Almerac that is the only way I'll ever leave this planet." Maxima declared she waited too long and he fights too bravely to leave empty handed.

Clark looked at her she's crazy. "I'm not going anywhere."

Maxima just nodded. "Fine I'll leave you be." Maxima throws an armlet at superhuman speed.

Clark went to catch it but the armlet moved down having a mind if it's own locking itself around Clark's wrist. Electricity shot out of the bracelet and electrocuted Clark as he fell to his knees in pain. So much electricity pumped through him he actually smoked from the pain before he passed out from it.

Maxima bent down and cradled his head in her arms delivering a gentle kiss. "Sorry but you'll forgive me in 50 years."

Maxima scooped up Clark and disappeared in a blur.


Faith was running to the college as fast her legs could carry her until she felt a ringing in her head and held it letting out a shout of pain. She hasn't felt this bad since before she became the slayer and suffered from hangovers. Faith instead of going to the college took a left and found a scorch mark. She looks at the scorch mark and wonders why it was calling to her.

Maxima comes out of the blur and glares at Faith if it wasn't for her Clark wouldn't have fought her off as much as he did. "You should go. I can't kill you in front of him but right now he's unconscious so step aside I'm going to take him home where he belongs."

"What I do to piss you off?" Faith asked.

Maxima glared at her she's just a human she has no right. "You made a deep connection with him. He would have never been able to resist me if he wasn't content with his attraction to you."

Faith just stood between her and the scorch mark. "You're not taking him anywhere."

Maxima just glared at her. "You feel it too huh. Well I finally found the man I wanted all my life and you can't have him."

Maxima swung at Faith and she ducked under the attack and quickly jumped up and buried her foot into Maxima's chest forcing her to drop Clark.

Maxima backed up and grunted a little it wasn't exactly painful to her but it was enough to make her back off. "What are you?"

"I'm a vampire slayer." Faith responded with a spin kick that doesn't hurt Maxima but does knock her back. "And you're not welcome here or near Clark."

Maxima was amused but it's quickly wearing off as she hits Faith who bounces off the wall. "He is my soulmate."

"Bull" Faith replied getting to her feet. "You don't know the first thing about him."

"I found the last son of Krypton someone who is my equal. He is mine" Maxima shouted.

Faith rolled her eyes. "Is that right what's his favorite color… Blue. What's the one spot on him where he's ticklish…. Upper back left shoulder. What's his favorite movie… To Kill a Mockingbird. These are the kind of things I think a soul mate should know."

Maxima just glared at her. "Why are you making him forsake his chance at happiness? He can have children with me. I will live as long as he does. No one on this whole planet can be a better match for him then me."

Faith hesitated at Maxima's words because maybe she was right. Clark is the best person she knows he deserves a full life and if last year was anything to go by she can drop dead at any given moment. Both are taken by surprise when a recovered Clark grabs a piece of jewelry on Maxima's wrist.

"My destiny is here. You're not a part of it." Clark moved her wrist and a portal opened behind her as she clung to Clark. She hung on with a look in her eyes pleading for Clark to come in with her but seeing the look in his eye decides to let it go for now she'll try again in a hundred years when the woman is gone. Clark and Faith watch as Maxima disappears in a flash of pink.


On a monitor deep underground UC Sunnydale there is a picture of Clark and Maxima moving at Superspeed out of the picture. The file is quickly deleted as Milton Fine sits back and plans his next move. He was planning to save the girl but there's always another day. Besides someone has to feed the vampire he has chained up deep beneath Sunnydale.


Clark and Faith go to the magic shop after Clark went to classes all day and Faith stayed in his room and watched the TV and drank all his soda. Willow and Oz followed behind shortly after.

"So what did we miss?" Willow asked.

Everyone there just glared at her.

Willow shrugged innocently it was her only defense. "OK so we missed a lot."

Faith just smiled. "Big bad we fought we won."

"How did you know where I was?" Clark asked.

Faith groaned not that she didn't know it was coming but the honest truth was that she couldn't. She guesses it had something to do with what happened to her right before the meteor shower but she doesn't know for sure. "I didn't it was just freak luck something told me to head that way and I did."

"Well either way I'm grateful." Clark replied.

Clark turned to everyone else. "So what did we miss?"

"Buffy was saved by Robin Hood." Cordelia said to sum up the situation.

Buffy just rolled her eyes. "I was not saved by Robin Hood I could have dealt with those vampires all by myself. Also we don't even know if it was a boy all I saw was arrows."

Giles turned to Clark. "Do you have any idea what's causing this?"

Clark shrugged looking back now he just thought most demons fled in fear of him and the meteor shower but what if it's something else. What if something is jamming his superhearing? "I haven't heard anything on that."

"So what did you guys do with the heartbreaker?" Chloe asked not having fond memories of burying a demon.

"We sent her home." Clark answered.

"Will she be back?" Buffy asked.

Faith had a smile on her face. "Probably not we sent her back with extreme prejudice."

Buffy nodded and turned to Clark. "By the way Professor Walsh is wondering why you didn't show up today?"

Clark shrugged he can get a degree in 15 minutes if he wants. He already knows the entire material thanks to computer dad. "I was helping my family and I'll ace her next test."

Buffy glared at Clark she struggles and he can probably ace college in his sleep. "I hate you. You know that."

Clark just shrugged in innocence it's not his fault he has a perfect memory. "Well can I make it up to you with a run to history?" Clark's happy about it being pushed back he doesn't like Walsh's class and it's a fun follow up.

Buffy just smiled and hopped into his arms. "Why Mr. Kent I'd be delighted."

Faith just rolled her eyes at them as the two disappeared and Clark came back. "I forgot Willow and Chloe" Clark scooped up Willow and Chloe jumped on his back and they disappeared. Oz just watched the scene and shrugged before walking off with Xander and Cordy leaving the store empty save for Giles and Faith.

"So how did you know where Clark was?" Giles asked.

Faith took her spot behind the counter. "A high pitched hum"

Giles started cleaning his glasses. "What do you mean?"

"I got hit with a frigging gong in my head and it led me to where Maxima was taking Clark." Faith responded.

"Are you certain of this?" Giles asked.

Faith just nodded no doubt in her mind. "Believe me I won't forget that sound. So I don't take it you happened to find out what the hell is happening to me?"

Giles just shakes his head no. "You know who to talk to about that."

"Giles I can't do it. I keep trying but I get nervous and when I'm nervous I just do something to take the stress off and with Clark right there."

"Would you like me to tell him?" Giles asked.

Faith thought about it and it's tempting but shakes her head no. "No, it's gotta be me, I can cushion the blow somewhat. I just hate that he's going to blame himself for this. I mean all he was trying to do was save me and he did it's the only reason I'm still alive right now." Faith just pushes her hair aside. "God when did this get so complicated."

"I believe being in a serious relationship is part of growing up." Giles told her having his ups and downs with Jenny.

"I don't like it." Faith said bluntly.

Giles just smiled and hugged her. "No one ever does."


Clark, Willow, and Buffy were walking to history class. Clark decided to speak what was on his mind. "Guys have you noticed anything different about Faith recently?"

Willow thinks about it and shakes her head. "No, not that I noticed but been a little bus with my own thing lately."

Buffy thought about it. "Nothing really comes to mind. Why?"

"I just feel like she's hiding something from me that's all. I'm not invading her privacy I'm just worried about her."

Buffy just patted Clark on the back. "Clark, if Faith was in trouble you'd be the first one she'd come to. You trust her right."

"With my life." Clark replied.

Buffy smiled she misses that, god she needs a boyfriend. "Then you have to trust her she'll come to you when she's ready besides after every thing Alicia did I don't think there's a power on earth that could tear you two apart."

The three enter the building watched in the shadows by Milton Fine. He just smiles as another day passes. Another day closer to when his master is freed. Kal El gets his strength from his friends. Once he puts himself into the group and the vampire starts talking he can take that support system down in one fell swoop.


Author's Notes

Thanks for the reviews.

I knew I wanted to get rid of Maxima early but how Smallville could have her and not have her fight it irritated me.

Up next: UC Sunnydale spends a day at the beach.