AN: To my first Guest reviewer. I wish you would have signed in so that I could reply to you directly. This is not a rape fantasy. Rape shouldn't be anyone's fantasy. Rape, assault and sexual abuse are a definite reality for billions of women. I am one of those women. This is a way for me to deal with my reality.

However, I am glad that my story triggered such a strong reaction in you, that's what it's supposed to do. Perhaps you should stay away from stories that have clear warnings posted not only in the summary, but at the top of every chapter, about rape being part of the content.

To my second Guest reviewer, thank you for defending this story. Thank you for taking the time to read my trigger warnings ;) I'm glad that you're enjoying the ride so far.

Chapter 10:

The girls had been back in Sunnydale for a few weeks. They had gotten back into their routine of attending school, meeting with the gang for scooby meetings and after dark slayage. As they walked through the cemetery hand in hand, Buffy couldn't help but reflect on everyone's initial reaction to their relationship.

Their first day back after Boston the chosen two arrived at an after school scooby meeting hand in hand. Buffy cleared her throat, alerting everyone to their presence. Xander was the first to look up, and upon seeing the close physical proximity of Sunnydale's hottest ladies his mouth dropped.

He pointed first at Buffy and then at a grinning Faith. "You... is this a dream?" he pinched himself. "Ow! Not a dream then. Although I do think I'll be dreaming about it later..."

"Ew! Xand that's just nasty, should keep that monologue internal man." groaned Faith.

Xander's outburst had gained the attention of Giles, Willow, Oz and Cordy. Giles was compulsively cleaning his glasses and clearing his throat repeatedly at a loss for words. Cordy had uncrossed her arms from her ample chest to slap Xander in the back of the head. Oz lifted the corner of his mouth in what could nearly be considered a shit eating grin.

"Is it true Buffy? Are you and Faith, like... together?" asked an obviously uncomfortable Willow.

"Yeah we are. Is that going to be a problem for anyone?" the blonde slayer asked calmly.

"Not if you're happy Buff. Right guys?" asked the red headed hacker.

"Right." said Giles. "Now shall we discuss the increase in demonic activity around Angelus's mansion?" he asked getting everyone back on track.

Things had pretty much returned to normal after that, except for the occasions where their kissing obviously flustered Giles and Xander. Tonight was just like any other night except that they were expected to patrol around the mansion. Buffy hadn't been back since sending Angel to hell, and quite frankly she wasn't really ready to bring Faith there. However, Faith had brought her to Boston so she couldn't complain.

Faith could sense her partner's growing discomfort as they drew closer to the mansion. "You alright B? I can totally handle this solo if you want."

"Yes, F, I'm fine. Just don't like being here. And there's no way I'm letting you walk into a potential trap alone." Buffy straightened her shoulders, clutched Mr. Pointy tightly in her fist and strode quickly towards the place that held so many memories for the young slayer.

Reaching the front lawn the girls could hear voice coming from inside the decrepit walls. In unison they crept forward silently, crouching below an open window. Peeking in they could see a circle of robed figures standing around a man sized slab. They were chanting in a language neither girl could comprehend, but both knew it spelled trouble.

"What do you think we should do Faith? We're pretty outnumbered, and don't even know what they're up to."

"I don't know Buffy, but we have to do something right? The chanting can't be leading anywhere good." Before they could come to a decision a blinding yellow light burst from the window knocking them both backwards.

"BUFFY!" screamed a familiar voice.

The blonde slayer shot to her feet, quickly followed by her dark counterpart. Peeking in the window she gasped as the breath was stolen from her body. Angel was now strapped to the previously empty slab. "Angel..." Buffy whispered causing Faith to grimace.

"She couldn't save you before Angelus, and she won't save you now. I've warded this place against the demon that resides within every slayer. She can't get it" said one of the cloaked figures. He pulled the hood back from his head, revealing the smiling face of none other than Sunnydale's mayor. He looked towards the window and grinned, waving at the girls.

"What the fuck is going on Buffy?!" Faith whispered urgently while placing a restraining hand on the blonde's shoulder. She was pounding at the broken glass with all her might, but the barrier wouldn't break. The only damage being down was to her small hands.

The mayor strode forward, pried open Angel's mouth and shoved his hand down his throat. The chanting began again, gaining in volume with each word. The mayor slowly extracted his arm from Angel's bulging esophagus. As he removed his hand from the vampire's mouth he brought with him a shining blue orb. He murmured a few words over the orb and it imploded, disappearing as quickly as it came.

Buffy could only watch on in horror, and Faith in puzzlement, as the mayor stepped back from the slab waving his hands and releasing the vampire from his bindings. Angelus lept up in full game face, making direct eye contact with Buffy. "Man, it's good to be back! Now I can make that bitch pay for all she took from me." He licked his lips and winked at Buffy causing her to collapse.

AN: Dun, dun dun! Sorry for the cliff hanger and the short length of this chapter. If I didn't cut if off here, this would have gotten way too long.