The Magic Box, 2015 hours.
With Travers and the rest of the Watchers Council gone, and the soldiers outside the shop confirming through their radios that the two cars belonging to the Council had been driven away, Faith and General Hammond sighed. Faith looked at the people in front of her and noticed that there was something wrong, she could feel the tense air around them and it wasn't just because of her.
'It was there from the moment I entered' thought Faith to herself as she glanced at Tara who was standing away from the others with a blonde girl she didn't know, and Giles. She then looked at Buffy and Xander who looked as if they would kill her the first opportunity they got; with Xander more likely to jump to the front of the line. Faith then looked at Willow and noticed the downcast face; she saw the redhead look at her for an instance before looking away again.
Faith then glanced at Kennedy who was just glaring at her; however, she was the one person Faith didn't care about. The reason that she and General Hammond arrived in Sunnydale was standing right in front of her, right now.. she was the one person that mattered.
"Dawn, Mrs. S" said Faith as she stepped forward, "you're both gonna be safe. Just follow us outside, we'll get you into the SUV's, and then General Hammond and these guys will take you to the base. I can't tell you where you'll be going from there since the place is a secret. All I can tell you is that you'll be safe."
"I will need the both of you to sign non-disclosure forms on the plane" said General Hammond who continued to talk even when he noticed that Buffy was about to interrupt him, "this is one of the things that is non-negotiable."
"See" said Kennedy as she looked at Buffy while putting her arms folded over her chest, "told you the Council would have been much, much better."
"Even I don't know here these guys are going" said Faith as she looked at Kennedy, and then at Buffy, "but B, you can talk to them over a secured line. They can't tell you where they are, but you can talk to them. They'll be safe, and I'll be here till they get back."
"And if they don't?" asked Buffy as she glared at Faith, still unable to let go of her anger despite the time that passed from when Faith woke up and left Sunnydale, "Faith? What do you think is going to happen to you if they don't?"
"Ellie" said the General as Faith looked back at him and smiled before looking at Buffy again.
"Nothing's gonna happen to me" said Faith, "cause you'll be getting your mom and sister back. And then I'll leave. Happy?"
"Mrs. Summers, Miss Summers?" said the General as he motioned towards the door while Faith and Buffy just looked at each other.
"If you wanna say goodbye to your sis and mom" said Faith after she looked over her shoulder as the General led the older, and the youngest Summers towards the exit before looking back at the blonde Slayer, "now's the time."
Buffy just continued to glare at Faith before she looked away and walked around her, only to stop at the brunette's shoulder for a few seconds.
"This doesn't change anything between us" whispered Buffy while Faith nodded her head and looked down at the floor, "I don't want you here. You understand me?"
"Five by five" said Faith as she looked at the blonde Slayer before she walked towards Joyce and Dawn. The Summers family then headed onto the street outside. Faith then looked on as Xander walked right by her while Willow walked up to Kennedy. Faith saw Kennedy start to talk to the redhead before teh dark haired Slayer turned around and walked away.
Faith wanted to give them their privacy.
It was then that she caught sight of Tara, Giles and the blonde girl; who Tara immediately introduced as Anya. Faith nodded at the young woman before looking at Giles who was already looking at the files, his concentration going deep into what he was reading while unaware of the fact that Faith was making faces at him.
It was something that made Tara smile.
It was about that time when General Hammond walked up to the entrance of the Magic Box again and asked Faith to join them outside, that he needed to talk to her. Nodding her head, Faith turned back to look at Tara, who brought Giles out of his concentrated examination of the files in front of him. The man looked at Tara confused, and then at Faith who was looking at him with an eyebrow raised while nodding towards the Magic Box entrance. He then looked outside the large window and saw that Buffy and Joyce were hugging tightly while Kennedy and Willow, both of who were standing some distance apart, were waiting in line to say good-bye to Joyce and Dawn.
Shaking his head, Giles closed the file before putting it into a locked drawer. He then followed Faith out of the shop and went to Joyce and Dawn, as did Tara and Anya. However, Faith went to one of the last SUV's with General Hammond as two of the vehicles that were at the rear of the shop drove past them and stopped at the front of the convoy.
"Ellie" said the General as they stood near the rear door of the SUV, "I don't like this, I have to accompany them to Colorado Springs; and you'll be alone here until I can get some of these soldiers back to you."
"Whatever happened to these guys" said Faith as she looked at the Scoobies, and then at General Hammond again, "I can tell it was pretty bad. I don't know if having extra military here will help or close them up. I'm guessing it won't help."
"You're not staying here alone though" said the General.
"I was alone more than a year and a half ago, Uncle George" said Faith with an eyebrow raised, "I've got you guys now and…"
"You know that's not what I'm talking about, Ellie" said the General, "you have a representative of the Council here, and I can see that the older Miss Summers isn't too happy to see you.. and if I remember correctly, you told us that she'll kill you if you came to Sunnydale again. And before you say anything, the last time you came to Sunnydale, you had a full team behind you."
"I know mom's not due back for a few days" said Faith as she sighed, "so.. so maybe here's an idea. When they get back, send the big guy, and Jonas over. Mom and Jack are still military and these guys won't be happy… and to fight Glory, we can't have them become distracted. And with the Tretonin in T's system, B and Kennedy won't know that he's… you know."
"I understand your point" said the General as he nodded his head, "and that's the other thing, I don't think that Intar's would help against a god."
"No" said Faith as she rubbed her face with her hands, "I don't know if anything will. I doubt even a nuke can take care of her. But… but I'll help the G-man with research, and.. and maybe we'll find a weakness. I mean, if the ritual's coming in a month's time and Glory still doesn't have the Key? Then I'm guessing that she'll be pissed… and if she knows about Buffy and Kennedy? Then she'll come after them.. there'll be hell to pay."
"I had no idea you were planning on staying, Ellie" said the General as he rubbed his bald head, "if I knew, then we could have brought some equipment, weapons… you don't even have a change of clothes. What I need for you to is get to the Sunnydale Westin near the airport.. you know the one we drove past on the way here? Anyway, I'll have Walter book you a room just for tonight. I know you said that hotel's are technically public places, which means that vampires can come in without an invitation."
"It's just for one night" said Faith reassuringly, "I'm gonna be fine."
"I'll have Walter search for an apartment here" said the General, "hopefully we'll have something for you by tomorrow. Once you've got the apartment, I'll have someone come in and install a secured satellite uplink to the SGC. I'll make sure that whoever I send will have some weapons for you. Then once SG-1 gets back, I'll have Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill check in with the Summers', while Teal'c, and Mr. Quinn will be sent here."
"Yep" said Faith.
"Check up on Glory" said the General as they walked towards the crowd of people with Joyce and Dawn, "search for any weaknesses you can find. In case you don't, we have to hope that conventional weapons can take care of her. I'll have Teal'c and Mr. Quinn bring along P90's, M16s, grenade launchers; whatever we could use that may be effective."
"I'll start research tonight" said Faith nodding her head, "which reminds me, I gotta tell my professors that I'll be gone for a family emergency. And I really hope we get this done fast… I've got an exam coming too, I just remembered."
"Ah yes" said General Hammond sarcastically, "the adventures of a Slayer in school."
Faith just smirked at the man as they arrived at the small group. The General told Dawn and Joyce that it was time to go, and that they'd have to sign the NDA once they reached their destination. Saying their last goodbyes once again, Joyce hugged a surprised Faith who reached around and held on to Joyce before they broke apart. Faith then looked at Dawn and told her that the only thing she could tell her about the place she was going to was a bit boring, but she was still going to be excited.
"Gotta tell you though" said Faith, "some of the guys there? Can you say hot?"
"Faith" said Buffy while Tara smiled and looked down. On the other hand, Dawn just grinned before she entered the SUV, but not before hugging Buffy again. She was soon followed by Joyce who then entered the rear passenger side of one of the SUV's. The General then closed the door behind them before nodding at Faith. He then entered the Passenger side of the SUV that was carrying Joyce and Dawn. Faith waved at the General as the SUV convoy drove off down the street, leaving behind the last one for Faith. The dark haired Slayer watched the vehicles make a left turn before she felt for the cell phone that was in her pocket. Her mind at ease that she had a way to contact the General, Faith turned to face the others and glanced at Buffy who watched the last SUV disappear.
"They'll be alright, B" said Faith as Buffy as she looked at the Slayer, "so can someone give me a heads-up on what's going on?"
"Yeah" said Xander, "we really can take care of this on our own. You could just go wherever you need to go and… well, we've got no clue if you're evil or…"
"She's not" said Tara.
"Again, coming from someone who went behind our backs and involved the military…" said Kennedy as Tara interrupted her.
"And you called the Council" said Tara, "behind our backs and…"
"Children" said Giles as he looked at Tara, Xander, and Kennedy.
"You know what?" said Faith shaking her head before she talked to them calmly, "I don't really give a damn about any of you. If it wasn't for Tara calling me about Dawn, I'd never have come here. The only reason I'm here is because out of all of you, the only ones who were nice to me were Dawn, Mrs. S, Tara and the G-man. Too bad Oz isn't here and I'd have counted him with those guys."
While Faith was talking, she missed the look of anguish on Willow's face as she looked away and was about to walk away when Kennedy grabbed onto her arm. The redhead looked at Kennedy who gave her a small smile.
"I'm sorry, Will" whispered Kennedy as they walked to one side, "I… I mean about threatening to bind your powers and…"
"Were you going to do it?' asked Willow as she looked at Kennedy then at her necklace, before looking at her eyes again, "you promised me that there was going to be no strings attached with the Council… you swore to me."
"I… I…"
"Don't tell me you didn't know!" shouted Willow as Faith stopped what she was saying, and then looked at Willow. As did the others, "you told me that I'll have access and training to magic that even Tara didn't teach me, you said that they'd help me perfect the spells I learnt on my own, but you never told me that this meant that they… they do this or…. They tried to take away Dawn and threatened to bind my powers! And… and you tried to…"
"I had no choice" said Kennedy as she looked at Willow, "it was… was either bind your powers or.. or they imprison you for misuse of magic and…"
Willow turned away from Kennedy and walked towards the group while putting her arms around her body. She felt tired, as if her strength was all being sapped away by everything that happened. On her way back to the group, she looked at Faith, who looked back at her; however all the redhead did was look away again as she recalled what she did a year ago.
Faith saw Willow look away before looking at Tara. The brunette Slayer saw the blonde witch, her face full of hurt, looking at Willow who whispered something at her before she walked towards Xander who put his arm around the redhead's shoulder. Shaking her head, Faith looked at Giles before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Giles" said Faith, "I'm heading towards the hotel. I'm gonna go freshen up, and then I'll come by your place… I mean if you wanna do research tonight, if not… I'm gonna go get some shut eye."
"Faith" said Giles, "you know hotels aren't…"
"I know" said Faith, "the General's..."
"So you're not going to have a random guy come into your room for some late night sex?" asked Xander sarcastically while Tara and Anya looked at him in surprise, "and then I don't know… throw them out?"
"Xander" said Anya as Xander looked at Willow, and then up at Faith again who looked at him wordlessly.
"General Hammond's got" said Faith as she looked at Giles again, "one of his people to get me a room. He'll search for an apartment for me.. and hopefully I'll have something by tomorrow. I'll be at the Sunnydale Westin by the airport. Hell, it's better than the Motor Inn Motel so it's all good."
"I'll go through the files that Quentin gave us" said Giles as he looked at Faith, "perhaps we could begin in an hour? We'll be at the Magic Box."
"Yeah, sure" said Faith nodding her head, "just gimme an hour."
Giles nodded his head before he turned around and headed back to the shop, he was soon followed by Anya, Willow, and Xander; leaving Faith alone with Buffy, Tara, and Kennedy.
"B" said Faith who had already turned around to head back to her SUV, but she turned around again to face Buffy, "I'm not sorry about is coming here to help Mrs. S and Dawn; I just want them safe, like I know you want them safe. Look, you don't trust me… I get that. I really do, but just for this one time.. how about we drop it and stop Glory?"
"Be back in an hour" said an expressionless Buffy who had her arms folded over her chest before she turned around and walked into the Magic Box, followed by a smug Kennedy who pointed at Faith while she was walking backwards. She then simulated firing a gun at the dark haired Slayer before she turned around and walked into the Magic box, closing the door behind her.
Now it was just Faith and Tara outside of the Magic Box.
Faith sighed before telling Tara that she'll be back in an hour, that she should get into the shop since it was already getting dark outside. Faith had already turned around and was heading towards the SUV, the same one that she had been driven in just minutes before, when she heard Tara give a little cough and then call out to her.
"Are… are you hungry?" asked Tara as Faith stopped and then looked back at Tara, "I.. I mean I just realized that none of us have eaten anything and.. and they aren't going to actually eat anything until.. well, I guess what I'm trying to say is I'd like to bring them something to eat. I mean, it's my treat so…"
Faith looked through the shop window at the Scoobies, and noticed all the strange things that were going on in the group. Turning back to Tara, Faith asked if there was something going on between them… other than the fact that she was in Sunnydale.
"That.. that's not for me to say" said Tara as she looked at Willow, who was reading some papers that Giles had taken out of the file, before she looked at Faith, "I…"
Faith could see that the blonde was hiding something; but for now, she decided to let it go. They had a bigger danger out there. So the Slayer told Tara that she needed to get to the hotel, and then they'll get some fast food.
"The Burger Palace" said Tara as Faith nodded her head. Tara got into the passenger side of the SUV, before she looked back behind her as Faith opened the rear door. It was then the blonde noticed a metal case on the seat behind her, a case that Faith opened before reaching for her weapons. Tara saw her put one weapon into the case, followed by the other one. Faith then closed the case before placing it under the driver's seat and closing the rear door. She then opened the front door and placed her phone on the center console before closing the door behind.
Faith then looked at Tara and asked her if the others won't be too worried that she's not coming into the shop with them.
"I.. I think they don't care" said Tara as she looked at Faith, who looked back at her with eyebrows narrowed in confusion.
"Whatever happened must have been a hoot" said Faith as Tara looked out the window again at the Scoobies before looking straight ahead and then down onto the floor of the SUV, "Tara?"
Faith saw the blonde girl wipe her eyes before she looked out the window again. Now Faith knew that there was something really wrong with the whole group, but she didn't know how to brooch the topic since she was afraid of alienating them even more than they already seemed to be. Frowning, Faith got her cell phone and handed it to Tara who wiped her eyes again and looked at her confused.
"Call the G-man" said Faith as Tara took the phone in her hand while Faith started the car, "it's better you tell them that you're getting some food with me. Or else they'll think I kidnapped you, or something."
While Faith was about to make a turn into another street after she pulled away from the Magic Box, she caught a glimpse of a smile on Tara's lips. Wondering what she was smiling at, the Slayer made the turn and then looked at Tara smiling at the cell phone's wallpaper.
It was a picture of Major Carter and Faith whose faces were cheek to cheek while they were laughing at something.
"You look happy" said Tara as she looked at Faith who was driving the SUV.
"I am" said Faith who looked at Tara and smiled at her before looking at the road again, "I'm very happy."
Tara then nodded her head before she called the Magic Box telephone, which Anya picked up. After the witch told Anya that she was going to get something to eat for the others, Tara handed the phone back to Faith after disconnecting the call. The witch then leaned back against her seat and looked out the window as they drove past houses; she then turned to look at Faith who continued to drive. Tara then looked out the front window and thought about what she had done. Tara wanted to admit to her own role in what happened with Oz, she wanted to turn to Faith and tell her what happened… that some things had changed from that moment on. But she couldn't, she was afraid of what Faith would say to her.
'I… I… lied.. lied to her for a year' though Tara to herself as she looked out of the window, "if.. if she knew.. then… then she'd never forgive us… never forgive me.'
It was a little while later that the Slayer parked the car at the hotel. She asked Tara to stay in the car before she ran out and checked into the hotel. Faith then ran up to her room, and freshened up before she ran out of her room and down to the SUV. The two of them then headed to the Burger Palace where they split the price for the meal, with the Slayer also heading to the local donut shop for some late night snacking in case they had to research till late. It was nearly forty five minutes later that they reached the Magic Box again, with the two young women exiting the SUV; Tara carrying the drinks, while Faith carried the bags of burgers and fries, while she balanced the box of donuts in her other hand after closing the door.
"We come bearing gifts" said Faith as she and Tara walked in and placed the bags on the counter while Buffy and Kennedy glanced at them before looking away, as did Xander. It was Giles who opened the box of donuts while Faith hopped onto the counter, before the Watcher glared at her and then told her to get off the glass counter.
"You saying I'm fat?" asked Faith as she watched Giles' face become shocked while Willow coughed, and Buffy sniggered.
"Yes" said Anya as Faith looked at the young woman who was nodding her head while Giles groaned and reached into the box and took out a jelly donut.
"Umm.. well" said Giles as he walked away before turning around again, and walking to one of the bags and grabbing a pack of fries. Smiling, Faith hopped off the counter and followed Giles whole then gave the dark haired Slayer some papers to look through. Seeing that all the seats were taken, Faith walked over to the stairs that led to the second floor and climbed up five steps before turning around and sitting on the sixth one. She placed a burger and fries on the steps while she opened one of the books that Giles had given her. Getting into a comfortable position so that she'd be able to read the book while translating the papers in her hand; and eating her meal at the same time wasn't as easy as it seemed.. but Faith only just managed it.
While she was reading from the book, while chewing on some fries and then slowly translating whatever it was on the piece of paper in her hand, Faith heard whispers among the Scoobies seated at the main table. She then looked at Tara who was standing behind the counter while she was bent over and studying two books and some pieces of paper. The dark haired Slayer just continued to look at Tara for a few more seconds before she shook her head and went back to her paper.
They were at it for nearly three hours, with still nothing found, when Buffy and Kennedy got up and announced that they were going to get some patrolling done. That it would be better if everyone just took a break, and that they can work tomorrow after some rest.
"Yes, that would be best" said Giles as he rubbed his face while yawning as Tara straightened up while rubbing her lower back. Faith continued to look at the witch before she kicked herself mentally and shook her head. She heard everyone closing their books and putting away the papers as she finished the last of her fries before she got up and walked down the stairs. She then put the book and the papers on the table before she headed to the counter.
"We'll come back here tomorrow morning at ten" said Giles while the others nodded their heads.
"Hey" said Kennedy as she looked at Faith, "you coming for patrol?"
"No" said Faith as Giles looked on, "for one thing, I don't trust you. I have a funny feeling you'll stab me in the back… literally actually."
"Oh no" said Kennedy shaking her head with a small smile, "I'll stab you in the front."
"Cause you know what that's like" added Xander as Anya walked up to him and slapped his arm while frowning at him.
"Yeah, G-man" said Faith as she shrugged her shoulders and turned to Giles before looking at Buffy who was looking at Kennedy, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Kennedy smirked as she watched Faith leave the store, followed by Tara who looked at everyone before running after the Slayer. The newest Slayer then looked at Buffy who was glaring back at her before she shrugging her shoulders.
"What?" asked Kennedy before she approached Willow. Buffy shook her head and rubbed her forehead in frustration, feeling as if everything around her was falling apart. She then watched as Kennedy approached Willow and tried to hold on to the redhead's hand. However, Willow pulled herself away from the Slayer who looked upset at the rejection. Buffy watched as Kennedy frowned at Willow before turning around and heading towards her.
"I'm ready to go" said Kennedy as she walked past Buffy who just looked at Willow, before she too turned around.
In the meantime, Tara was outside with Faith who had opened the door to her SUV. She put her hand on the Slayer's shoulder before she turned around, and looked at the blonde witch.
"I.. I don't think Xander meant…" said Tara as Faith interrupted her.
"He meant everything he said" said Faith as she turned around and got into the SUV, "I'll see you tomorrow, Tara. Go home safe, you have a ride?"
"Yeah" said Tara, "Mr. Giles will give me, Willow, Xander and Anya a ride back."
"Cool" said Faith as Buffy and Kennedy walked out into the open air as they looked at Faith. Faith looked over Tara's shoulder at the two Slayers before looking at Tara again and telling her goodnight. Faith then raised the tinted window as Tara stepped back before Faith pulled the SUV back, and then drove off.
Sighing, Tara turned around and walked towards the Magic Box's entrance. She was about to walk past Buffy when the blonde Slayer gently grabbed Tara's arm. Stopping Tara looked at the blonde Slayer, her eyes showing how tired her was.
"Tara" said Buffy as she walked with Tara away from Kennedy, "I know I was a bit upset and… and I hope you know why but… but this is Faith. Faith and the military and… please tell me that we.. that I just didn't send my sister and mother to their deaths?"
"Buffy" said Tara, "I know it's hard for you, Xander, even Willow to understand but… but I trust Faith. The girl who attacked me that time isn't the same girl who's here. Her aura is much calmer, much more… serene. At least far better than what it used to be."
"I still can't trust her" said Buffy shaking her head, "but… but it's like I have no choice and.."
"Buffy, I don't trust the Council with children" said Tara, "look at what they did to Faith, what do you think they're doing to other kids. This.. this is the best way forward and… I… I'm not sorry I called her, Buffy. She's the best shot that Dawn has to stay alive."
Buffy just nodded her head before she squeezed Tara's arm and told her to go home and get some sleep. It was then that the lights inside the shop shut off and Giles, Xander, Anya, and a very tired and defeated Willow walked out of the store. The redhead looked at Kennedy, and then looked away while she was being held up by Xander.
"Buffy, Kennedy" said Giles, "be safe, and come back home quickly."
"We will" said Buffy.
Giles nodded his head as Buffy and Kennedy walked away. He then turned around before telling the others to get into his BMW, that he was going to drop them to their own homes and that he'll see them again tomorrow morning.
It was ten minutes later that Faith returned to her room in the hotel. She opened the door, walked in and then closed the door behind her before she placed the metallic case on the table in a corner of the room. She then reached into her pockets and put her cell phone, her wallet, and the car keys on the table. She then took off her shoes before closing all the curtains in the room, and then she took off the rest of her clothes, which she hung on the chair back, before she grabbed a towel and entered the shower. Faith took a lengthy hot shower before she walked out with a towel wrapped around her body.
Reaching the table again, she dried herself off before she walked naked to the metal case, then opening it.. and taking out one of the Intars. She turned off the safety before she closed the case with the remaining Intar still inside. Faith saw the red crystal at the bottom of the weapon's butt glowing before she walked over to the bed. She pulled away the blanket before she lay down, and put the Intar under her pillow. She then put the blanket around her naked body before she went to sleep.
TBC.