Grit / Hamburger

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

AN: So I tried to go with a theme for the first short, didn't work as well as I'd like. Happy with the second one.

AN: I am almost finished the rest of the story and will keep posting chapter from TTH here.

Grit

Clark knew it wasn't going to good when even Xander turned somber for what Mr. Giles was about to say.

Standing in front of their little group, the librarian coughed gently into his fist. Focusing his attention on Clark, he began his narration.

"This world is older than any of you know—"

Buffy interrupted him amusedly, "Actually most of us know. It's just Clark."

"Well y-y-yes, but," knocked off his stride, Mr. Giles stuttered. Taking a small breath, he glared at Buffy, "As I was saying… Contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as a paradise—"

"Did anyone actually believe the world started as paradise?" Coredelia asked incredulously.

The room was filled with a chorus of no's and Mr. Giles stuttering once more. The atmosphere should have lightened, but for Clark, he just had a feeling that things were not going to work out. His comfort level was about that of sand in his pants. Uncomfortable and edging into the realm of painful.

With a cough into his hand, and several seconds of glaring over the rims of his glasses, Mr. Giles reestablished order, "I think I shall skip the rest of my prepared material and get to the meat of the matter. The Slayer."

That word rung far too many bells in Clark's head, "Is that what Buffy and Faith are?"

Faith shot him a worried glance; she might have heard something in is tone.

Buffy on the other hand, just answered with simple, "Yup."

Looking at the others, no one really met his Clark's eyes, except for Mr. Giles.

The librarian answered quietly, "Yes they are." The seriousness in which those words had been said Clark left an ache in his chest. His subconscious knew what was coming, even if he didn't.

"For as long as there have been vampires, there's been the Slayer. One girl in all the world, a Chosen One," Mr. Giles continued. There was a problem with what he said.

"But there's two," Clark stated, not sure what to think. "There's Buffy and Faith."

Again no one would meet his eyes, even Giles, except for Buffy and Faith. Faith shot him an apologetic look while Buffy wore a tired expression.

"I died, sophomore year," the blonde explained. At Clark's confused expression, she added, "I got better."

The ache in his chest grew. Clark wouldn't have been surprised if his proverbial bleeding heart, was actually now physical. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice calm and controlled. Something about it was probably hostile, because everyone else seemed to tense.

"Xander," Buffy replied as she shot her friend a small smile.

He tried to lighten the mood, "You know CPR lessons? You should pay attention."

For some reason, Clark wasn't finding it funny.

"How is a Slayer chosen?" he asked, trying to understand.

"A Slayer is called when the previous one passes," Mr. Giles explained, returning his gaze. The librarian's gaze was full of worry, comfort, and worst of all understanding.

Clark's emotions almost took control, but he managed to grit his teeth and crushed them down. Quietly he asked, "Slayer's don't live long do they? Faith was chosen after Buffy?"

The librarian answered softly, no longer wavering in his gaze, "Buffy has already lasted longer than most," Clark's heart felt as though it were being ground into the floor, "And there was a Slayer before Faith… her name was Kendra."

"I was called at the start of the summer," Faith explained, her face unreadable.

Clark's heart beat once, twice, and then it stopped before he felt it explode. Caught up in his upwell of emotions, he smashed his hands down on a nearby table, accidentally shattering it. Splinters rained down around him, but he didn't care. Faith and Buffy, were doomed to die horrible and tragic deaths, because why? Because they were chosen.

Someone gently touched his shoulder and he spun, his eyes glowing red in his fury. It was Faith and she looked angry, which didn't make any sense.

"Calm the fuck down," she demanded angrily, though the hand on his shoulder conveyed anything but.

Looking at the others, Clark was surprised that no one was scared or entirely shocked at his reaction. They knew the score and why they were there. No one else had been chosen, none of the Scoobies. But they stayed. They stayed knowing that any night, something might happen to their loved one, but not on their watch.

It just wasn't right. Quashing his anger was not easy feat, but he could not afford to distract them with his emotions. They had much more important things to worry about than his feelings.

Clenching his teeth together, Clark offered a forced smile, "Don't worry about me, I just need a little bit to process this. I'll see you all around."

Without looking back, Clark grit his teeth and ran.

.

Hamburger

"What the fuck was that about?" Faith demanded, having found Clark about an hour later. He was sitting in a random alleyway filled with demolished dumpsters and crates.

Clark ignored her and continued to stare up at the sky.

"Clark!" Faith tried to get his attention, his attitude was starting to… worry her.

"Faith, just leave me alone," he didn't even bother to look her in eyes.

"Fuck that," she took a seat beside him, "I'm staying."

Clearly annoyed, Clark gave her a look. She dared him to say something, but to her dismay he looked away and began to get up.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" Faith demanded, scrambling up behind him.

He ignored her and started walking out of the alley when she snapped. Grabbing him by the back of his neck, she flung him into the back of the alley, cracking the mortar in the process. Surprised, Clark took a moment to stand up before he managed to school his face back into a calm façade. He walked forward, trying to exit the alley.

Faith was having none of that. She stood at the mouth of the alleyway, arms crossed, "You ain't going anywhere till we sort your shit out."

Clark walked up to her, "Move."

Looking upwards, Faith would never admit it, but she was intimidated. She would never let him see that, not now, "Fuck that."

"You know I could move you," his facial expression never changed.

Pushing him back with both hands, Faith managed to make him stumble, "You don't get to throw some hissy fit, because my lot in life sucks." She shoved him again and he still wasn't responding, "You don't get to freak out, because you hear about B's past," With a final desperate shove, she got him to the back of the alley once more, "You don't get to walk out on me because you're scared."

For a moment Clark let his anguish show, "Faith, I…"

She turned, she was crying again. This was fucked up, she promised that no guy would make her cry again.

"I'm not scared Faith," that got her attention, "I'm angry."

Clark had always been a calm more reserved person, but this side of him was totally new to Faith.

"It's just not right Faith," Clark ran a frustrated hand through his hair, "You shouldn't have to give your life. Neither should Buffy, against the nameless forces of darkness," clasping his hands as fists, he punched the nearby wall, "It shouldn't be up to one adult and a bunch of teenagers to keep everyone safe."

"We don't have a choice," Faith croaked quietly, not really trusting her voice.

"But why doesn't anyone else help?" Clark demanded, "What about these Watchers? Where are they besides Giles? There's a whole group of them right?"

The brunnete slayer shrugged, "No idea. But do you know what the Hellmouth has? Two slayers. And the Scoobies—"

"And me," Clarks cut-in, his face was determined.

"This doesn't have to be your problem," Faith offered half-heartedly. People from her past would have left, but she knew he wouldn't.

"If something isn't working properly," Clark began, before clenching his fist in determination, "Pa taught me to fix things as best I can."

Faith gave him a small smile, "I don't think fixing the tractor is the same thing, Clark."

Clark shook his head; at least he wasn't angry any more. Just decided, "This is something I need to do."

His gaze was so intense, Faith turned and looked away, "Come on, I'm hungry. You're buying."

It was nice to hear him laugh after that, "Of course I am."

As her stomach growled, she made a small jerk with her shoulder, "Come on, Doublemeat Palace is just around the corner. Love their burgers."

"You know, their burgers aren't really made of meat," Clark commented, keeping his voice light.

Turning around, Faith dropped her jaw, "You're fucking kidding."

Clark tapped the side of his nose, "Enhanced smell? Helps with taste too. Their patties aren't really made of meat."

"Well fuck," Faith pouted dejected, "That's the shittiest thing I've heard all week."

"Well, I can show you how to make a hamburger from scratch," Clark offered.

The slayer backed up waving her hands in the air, "I don't cook."

"Don't worry, I'll be the one on the grill," Clark grinned, before he sombered up, "Sorry about earlier."

"Everyone deals with their shit differently," Faith shrugged, "No big."

"Speaking of big, how do you like your burgers?" Clark asked as they began to leave the alley.

"Like my buns," she reached around and grabbed Clark's right butt cheek.

"Uh, Faith?"

"Yeah."

"That didn't really make any sense."

"Fuck you."

AN: I appreciate all feedback!