Disclaimer: Everything except original characters belong to Joss Whedon and all that. Quote in summary belongs to One Republic.
Summary: "Whenever your world starts crashing down, that's where you'll find me." The portal is closed and to all who knew her, Buffy Summers is dead. But for Buffy, the real adventure is just beginning when she wakes up in a world not unlike the one she left behind.
A/N: I know thanking for the reviews gets repetitive but I just love them so much! So thank you! This chapter contains a scene from Season Three except it's rewritten a bit. Also this chapter is rated M for Mature.
Chapter Twelve: Cheer Up, Buffy
The room was quiet; you could have heard a pin drop. No one dared to move because they didn't wanna draw attention to themselves. They stared at the petite blonde where she stood, her big green eyes glassy and far away. Three whole minutes had passed and the atmosphere was thick with tension. The silence was becoming uncomfortable, and being the one everyone went to for questions, Giles was the first to clear his throat.
He shoved one hand into his pants pocket. "I'm sorry. Of course we won't give up searching for the right method, but I thought it would be pertinent to be honest about where we are in the process. As of right now, it appears there is no way to send you home."
Buffy's eyes were the size of saucers as she watched him, trying to find her voice. "So--so I'm stuck here? Forever?"
"Perhaps not forever, but a while at least." He explained. "I have been researching Glory, but there is not a lot of information on her. Since things happened so differently here than your uh--world, there is no precise way to get a read on the energy of the portal. There was one suggestion but it would be impossible to perform."
"What is it? I--I'll do it, whatever it is. Bring on the goats!" She exclaimed, twiddling with her fingers.
"We would somehow have to bring Glory here and get her to open the right portal. Even if that were possible...it would be impossible to control such an unstable deity. And the amount of power it would take to close said portal..." Trailing off, he rubbed his chin.
Groaning, she smoothed a hand over her face. "That wouldn't end well. God!" Standing abruptly, she threw her hands into the air. "Why do things like this always happen to me?! I--I just wanna go home!"
"Oh, we're not gonna give up, Buffy!" Willow said valiantly. "W--we promise. We'll get you home no matter what."
"What if you don't? What if this is it?" She asked softly. "I have to make amends...I..."
"There has to be a way." The red head replied. "There is always a way when it comes to magic. We just have to find the right spell."
"Right." The blonde whispered. "I--I'm gonna...I just need to be alone for a bit."
Glancing at the people in the room, she shook her head and hurried from the shop, heading down the street. Maybe she should have never gotten her hopes up. Maybe it would be easier if she'd just la la la'd until it was completely sure she could get back to her Sunnydale. What was she thinking? Of course it would be easier! Now all she had to look forward to was being gloomy and wondering about the what ifs. Not to mention she'd never get to explain anything, unless she had another jacked up Slayer dream.
And with the way those went, nothing but riddles would be made.
Looking up to the sky, she glowered at the Powers That Be. "I hate you guys. If I could pummel you, I'd be up there in a second."
The thick stone mansion was the same as she remembered, except it wasn't. The walls had been defaced and spray painted black, and she found herself wondering had Angel did it or obnoxious kids looking for excitement? It was dark inside but she didn't appear to mind or care. She simply stepped over the fallen branches, her shoes crunching the dead wood as she strolled over to the fire place. Her bright green eyes stared at the hardened ashes, and then she slowly glanced to the right far wall.
There were no chains hanging from the sturdy candle holder. No scuff marks on the floor from thick black boots. It was weird to think that none of the crap she'd witnessed had happened here. That the first fight she'd ever had with Faith hadn't seen these walls. Hadn't seen any walls to be honest. Still there were memories; echoes of what could have been whispering in her ear.
Buffy was not sure why her long walk through the park and cemeteries had ended with her here. It would make more sense if she was upset about never seeing Angel again, but she wasn't. Her thoughts were all about Faith.
Faith. Faith. Faith.
Maybe it was because she and Faith didn't have a place. At least not one with particularly happy memories. The images that danced before her eyes in relation to the mansion were vivid albeit turbulent. When Faith had pressed their bodies together hard against the wall while she'd pretended to be chained up. Their faces just inches apart, that silver jagged blade cold against the skin of her cheek. She'd looked into deep brown eyes and felt fear for a moment, and sorrow over the fact that Faith really wasn't on her side anymore.
Still, having the brunette that close, looking at her with such feral emotion--her head swam at the thought. Hours afterwards she couldn't help but find herself wondering what would have happened if Angel hadn't been there? If for some reason it would have taken longer or more persuading to get Faith to spill the beans on the Mayor's plan. Would she have seriously hurt her? Or would that left hand on her thigh had traveled even higher?
Slipped past the band of her black pants and touched her, forced her to feel things she wasn't ready to feel. Taken her in ways she'd never been taken.
Wetting her lips, she walked over to the pillar and pressed her back to it. She closed her eyes and clasped her hands behind her, concentrating hard. She forced her mind to slip back to that moment. She almost wished she was still with her spirit guide so that it would be that much more real. But since that was not the case, she'd settle for pretend. A pretend that Angel wasn't there...that she was confused over her feelings for him. Avoiding him to make it easier.
Faith had tricked her. Knocked her out and took her to the mansion because her 'boss' told her to do it. Chained her up for real so tight that bruises would be left. Planning to get rid of the only wrench that might screw up his plans. But she was going to have some fun first.
Dressed in a dark red leathery type shirt and black pants, Faith picked up odd looking silver clamps and tilted her head to the side. Strands of straight russet colored hair fell across her cheeks and she smiled, strolling over to stand directly in front of the blonde. "Before we get started, I just want you to know, if you're a screamer, feel free." She placed her right hand near her head, invading her personal space.
Buffy stared at her. "Why, Faith? What's in it for you?"
The brunette chuckled as if it were obvious. "What isn't? You know, I come to Sunnydale. I'm the Slayer. I do my job kicking ass better than anyone. What do I hear about everywhere I go?" She dipped forward. "Buffy. So I slay, I behave, I do the good little girl routine. And who's everybody thank? Buffy."
"It's not my fault."
"Everybody always asks, why can't you be more like Buffy? But did anyone ever ask if you could be more like me?"
"That's not my fault either."
Faith inhaled, her breath coming out harsher. Sharper. "You get the Watcher. You get the mom. You get the little Scooby gang. What do I get? Jack squat." She shook the other girl roughly. "This is supposed to be my town!"
"Faith, listen to me!" Buffy shouted as she stepped away, back towards her instruments.
"Why? So you can impart some special Buffy wisdom, that it? Do you think you're better than me?" Faith snorted. "Do you? Say it, you think you're better than me.
"I am. Always have been."
"Um, maybe you didn't notice. You're tied up and I'm rollin' free."
"And how'd you do it, Faith? Drugs? Cause in the real world, you would never be able to touch me and we both know it."
Faith walked over to the blonde slowly, like she was stalking her. "You think so, huh? I guess you're right since ya got that stick wedged so far up ya ass. You know I was just gonna torture ya for a while and then kill ya. But maybe we should find the fun a lil first."
She was so close; Buffy could smell the perfume on her skin. Raspberries. "Gonna beat me now?"
The brunette smirked and grabbed her chin roughly, then trailed a single finger down her throat. "No. But ya might be a lil sore afterwards...just the same."
An owl hooting broke her from her day dream and she frowned, making sure she was still alone. Wetting her lips, she clamped her eyes closed once again and thrust herself back into the images. Back into how things could have went.
"Faith..." Buffy swallowed hard, pulling at her restraints. "You don't have to do this. You can still come back..."
"Why would I want to come back?" Her voice was calm, husky. "I got everythin' I ever wanted. Or I will soon enough."
Her left hand, once limp against the blonde's thigh began to squeeze. It drug up the inside of her pants, making the other girl squirm. She expected to be punched in the stomach, but instead the hand slipped down the front of her jeans. Down the front of her impossibly pure white panties to touch bare flesh. She gasped and struggled, trying to jerk away from the wall. But she was caught tight, snared like an animal that got a little too close to the trap.
Slender fingers were rubbing next, pushing between the lips of her sex to stroke over her clitoris. The actions were gentler than Buffy had assumed they would be, but they were still wrong. She didn't want them. She shouldn't be allowing them. She shouldn't be...enjoying them.
"Faith, stop!" She tried to twist away. "This is--stop it!"
Faith chuckled in her ear, giving it a slow lick. "You don't want me to stop, B. I can feel it. I can feel you." Two fingers slid inside of her like butter across toast. Clean. Slick. Smooth. "We both knew this is how it would end."
Buffy groaned as her skin flushed red. As her head thumped back to the wall and the chains rattled around her wrists. She couldn't get away and she couldn't fight back; she was at Faith's mercy. She felt fear mixing with small flashes of desire as the hand picked up its pace. Harder. Faster. Deeper.
She couldn't stop herself from reacting and a part of her wondered if she really wanted to in the first place. She was in the middle, feeling ashamed at the way her hips snapped to Faith's fingers and frantic because it wasn't close enough. The clothes bordered on shelter and nuisance, a comfort and distraction. One...two...three, inside of her and thrusting without patience or remorse. Skittering along pain while bringing on the pleasure.
Faith's voice was at her ear again, saying the filthiest things. Things that were true and things that hurt. Things that made her skin a deeper shade of crimson, and that had her legs shaking as they inched apart to give more room.
"You'll try to forget, but cha won't. You'll remember this moment. Who fucked you. The way you moaned for it like a little whore. How ya got so wet, ya drowned my fingers. How ya pussy begged for more. I could break you in half. I could make you let me fuck you forever."
Picturing the dirty talk in Faith's sexy voice sent her over the edge, and she bit her bottom lip hard when she came. Tiny whimpers still managed to escape her mouth as her knees knocked together. Her own fingers, which she'd shoved down her jeans, were still stroking in and out of her body. Her thumb still wiggling over her clit; the sounds everything made roaring in her ears like a freight train.
She held tight to the day dream as her head lolled off to the side, strands of blonde hair sticking to her forehead. As goosebumps broke out over her flesh and she simmered in the after shivers, she exhaled deeply. She had no idea where that had come from--maybe the fear of never getting to tell Faith the thoughts that were colliding around in her brain. Or maybe it was just a thing...that...happened.
Like freak acts of nature or shoes that were marked one hundred dollars but rung up twenty five.
"I'm insane." Buffy took a moment to gather herself and then headed outside. Time to let everyone at the Magic Box know she was okay.
Considering it was closed, it should have been weird to see the magic shop full of people. But Buffy was used to it from back when; it was the new place they'd meet to talk about demons and end of the worldiness. Giles was behind the counter scribbling on a yellow note pad, copying things from one of his books. Xander and Anya were sitting at the bottom of the stairs that lead to the second level, her head resting on his shoulder. Carly had a feather duster in her hand, but she wasn't dusting anything. Just admiring the crystal balls on a low shelf. Willow and Tara were at the round table near the windows, currently engaged in a harmless thumb war.
"There you are. We were wondering what happened to you." Carly smiled as she walked in. "Willow told us about...what happened. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay." Buffy shrugged slowly. "I'm not gonna give up, but it looks like I might be here for a while. Maybe I should think about getting my own place..."
"You don't have to." She replied genuinely. "We like having you around."
You won't be saying that if I start wanting your Faith. "Well, I'll think about it. Thanks though." Sighing, she moved over to the counter and leaned against it. "I'm gonna have a major pout fest later."
Willow smiled. "How about we have a sleep over? Wi--with ice cream and other sugary treats that will make us all hyper like bunnies."
"Ooh..." Tara nodded excitedly. "We could get some jelly beans. Though no--not the red ones. I don't like how they make my tongue look."
The door of the training room opened and Faith strolled into the room, sweaty from working out with a towel slung around her neck. "Sup? What're you ladies talkin' bout?"
"Sleepovers." Carly giggled and kissed her on the cheek when she came closer. "To cheer Buffy up."
"Sounds like fun." The brunette mused. "I'll bring the popcorn."
"Can you make some spaghetti?" Tara asked softly, playing with the sleeve of her blouse. "An--and maybe some meat balls?"
Faith chuckled, patting at her damp skin. "Sure, anythin' for you Tara bear."
Buffy smiled at everyone, folding her arms over her chest. It would be a wiggy transition, but she could probably do it. Dig in her heels for the long haul until they found a spell that wouldn't destroy...well...everything. It might take a few months or even a year, but she wasn't gonna give up. Champions never gave up, their ego wouldn't permit it.
As the Alter Scoobies plus three continued to chat about the shindig they were gonna have to cheer her up, she suddenly began to feel very warm. Her vision blurred slightly, turning the room into bright colors of yellow and red. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, staggering into the middle of the floor.
"Are you okay?" Xander inquired slowly.
"Yeah. You look...clammy. Doesn't she look clammy?" Anya spoke up. "Are you getting the flu? Maybe we should all get masks."
"I'm alright. Just got--ahh..." A sharp pain ripped through her stomach and she doubled over, grabbing it.
"Buffy?" Willow stood, alarmed. "What's wrong?"
"I--I dunno..." She said, already breathless. "It--I feel..." She trailed off as the room began to spin rapidly, making her extremely dizzy.
Her body grew heavy and she could feel herself falling forward towards the floor. She closed her eyes tightly as a black void swallowed her consciousness, and the sounds of her friends became nothing more then muffled murmurs amongst the static of her brain.
"Is she okay?
"She looks okay."
"I think she looks clammy. What if she has malaria or something?"
"She doesn't have malaria! Buffy? Can you hear us?"
"Well if she does have malaria and we all get malaria, I'm gonna be there to say 'I told you so'."
"Ugh..." Buffy groaned and rolled over onto her side. She was sweating yet felt as if she was in Alaska or something. Cold shivers racked her body all the way down to her feet. "I--I..." Coughing out the tightness in her chest, she slowly opened her eyes, finding herself blinded by bright white lights.
"Give her some room. Let her get some air."
"Wh--who?" Wetting her lips, she blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision. As the hazy images slowly started to fade, she arched her brows. "G--Giles?"
He smiled down at her, helping her sit up when she swayed. "Hello Buffy. How are you feeling?"
She rubbed her forehead. "Dizzy, but it's fading. I guess I really scared you guys, huh?"
"You have no idea." Willow knelt down beside her. "God, Buffy! It's so great to have you back! Are you alright? Do you need anything?"
The blonde frowned. "Back? Wha..." She glanced up. "Dawn?"
The teenager smiled and hugged her sister tightly. "Ar--are you okay? We were so worried about you. We--we didn't know if we'd ever see you again."
"I'm home?" Buffy whispered, and they nodded.
"Where were you?"
"Where you dead?"
"Do you have malaria?"
But their questions went unaswered as she slowly smiled, exhaling. "I'm home."
