Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel Cinematic Universe, Buffyverse or anything else you may recognize

Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed this fic so far.

Thanks a lot to Brainstorm Sorcerer for the help once more, especially in the second half.

Chapter 9- Date and decision

Sunnydale

Buffy, Faith, Spider-Man and Spike were in battle against Vampires and other Demons as Buffy flipped one down, then staked it before kicking another back.

Faith grabbed one, spun him around and staked him as well as Spider-Man webbed one and pulled him to Buffy who held up her stake as the Vamp got dusted.

Spike grabbed one and punched his face twice before staking him too.

As more arrived, suddenly a Vampire's throat was wrapped in a wire coated with holy water as his neck started burning up and he screamed as he was dragged into the shadows, and there was a sound of dusting.

Then Daredevil jumped down as the Vampires and Demons gasped at his presence, and ran off one by one, while Spike was freaked and started inching behind Buffy.

"Badass", Peter said in awe.

"They're more afraid of him than me? Damn it!" Buffy said, offended.

"It was a hot entrance", Faith smirked as she and Matt walked to each other and shared a kiss, their first in front of others and third overall as the others watched.

Then they parted as Faith asked. "So how was your 3 days in LA?"

"Really eventful", Matt sighed. "Come on."

Next day, Magic Box

"I hope your stay in Los Angeles was fruitful, Matthew", Giles said as Matt sat down with Faith a little away from him, sitting with Willow, Tara and Dawn.

"Yes, fruitful and eventful", Matt said with a wince as they noted he seemed to be in some pain.

"So, the mark on your chest, what about it?" Faith asked him.

"It's a Hell-Mark", Matt revealed grimly as the atmosphere plummeted. "It is given to those who have a potential to be a Hell Lord, either through birthright or by being chosen by an existing Hell Lord. It can help me conjure Hellfire too, though I haven't done that and I have no idea how to, and it can grant me control over lesser Demons", he turned to Spike. "Vampires included."

Spike gulped, and started looking around for a way to get out, to the amusement of the others.

"I sense a 'but' coming", Buffy realized.

"It corrupts the user's soul over time", Matt said grimly as Faith reached out, holding his hand which he grasped back.

"Uh-huh, heir to Hell", Anya muttered with a gulp, especially as she knew the reputation of the one who had granted Matt the Hell-Mark.

"I am sure you can handle it, you're too awesome not to", Peter assured him as Matt nodded with an appreciative smile.

"Thanks kid", he said.

"Well, at least now you know", Giles noted and Matt nodded again.

"Guess while I'm here I can get some work done", Matt shrugged as he got up.

Later

Matt wore a tank top with sweat pants, and wrapping around his hands, as the others could see bruises, and some others wounds and scars he had from before.

His muscles were nice too, no one could deny it, especially not the ladies.

He punched the bag a few times, his boxing skill impressing the rest as Buffy asked. "Where did you learn how to fight?"

"From watching my dad when I still could, and then from an old blind man when I was a kid", Matt said as he held up Buffy's wrist, bent it and tapped against his palm. "So I can tell that's shit."

Buffy sighed, her pride a little hurt as Dawn chuckled from behind, but then Buffy gave her a look so she did a zipper motion.

Anya brought over a towel and water bottle for Matt, putting those down near him and said. "If you want anything else, just ask. Pillows, blankets, bedsheets, breakfast, lunch, dinner, condoms-"

Everyone groaned at the last word as she said. "I will get you anything."

"You attracted to him, An?" Xander asked, feeling insecure now.

"Oh no, he is marked as the heir to Hell, anyone with what you people call 'common sense' would want to be on his good side", Anya told Xander as Matt sighed, not liking the 'heir to Hell' bit, while Anya added. "And he is also handsome, and muscular-"

"Stop talking", Xander said and Anya did.

"So, this old blind man, was there anything special about him? He was like you?" Peter asked Matt.

"He was part of an organization called the Chaste", Matt informed as Giles' head perked up at their mention.

"We know of them", Giles said as the rest turned to him. "The Watchers and the Chaste used to be allies until we cut ties over various disputes over the centuries."

"What kind exactly?" Tara asked.

"For one, the Watchers did not consider non-Demons to be threats, not even an organization like the Hand", Matt spoke up as they turned to him. "Even though they were immortal, killed all Demons in New York, and caused destruction in places like Pompeii and Chernobyl."

The rest all shared horrified looks at that info as Giles sighed, aware of it while Matt added. "The Hand even had spies in your Council, but nothing came of it since they were destroyed."

Now even Giles' jaw was dropped since he was unaware of that info as Matt added. "The Chaste have also trained some Slayers over the years. And there are rumors that Murakami, a finger of the Hand, and his disciple Nobu Yoshioka have both killed a Slayer each."

"Now that's a history lesson", Willow muttered, everyone absorbing the info.

"One I actually liked, well not liked, but you know what I mean", Dawn added.

"And to quote the guy that trained me, Watchers are "blind, bookwork cocksuckers", Matt said as all but Giles burst into hysterics at that point, since it was true, and Giles looked offended before Matt gestured to him. "Other than you and Wesley."

Giles relaxed, nodding in agreement there.

"I'm using that if we meet them again, thank you for that", Buffy said to Matt in between laughs.

"And I am hoping we never meet them again, bloody gits", Spike said with a scoff as he straightened his leather duster while turning to Matt. "You're funny, you know that."

He chuckled as Matt looked confused, while Buffy, Faith and Peter were amused.

Then a while later they sat down as Faith grasped Matt's shoulder but he winced. "Be careful."

"Sorry", she said, letting go as she asked. "So what happened in LA?"

"Lot of stuff", Matt told her and then whispered. "There is something I'll be telling only you here, don't tell the rest."

"Sure", she nodded.

"Well, Angel has a son now", Matt revealed and her jaw dropped. "No, I'm not joking, he does."

"But how-" Faith trailed off. "Vampires couldn't have kids!"

"It's part of some prophecy and has a lot to do with Higher Powers", Matt explained to her. "I'll explain more later."

Then they sat in silence for a few seconds before Matt asked. "So, uhhh-"

Faith looked at him as he asked. "Would you like to go out on a date with me?"

Faith smirked. "Oh yes, so very much. We already had 3 kisses before a date though."

They chuckled as she added. "Actually, we have gone out so many times already, just not in that way."

That made them chuckle as Matt then asked her. "Okay, here's another question."

Faith listened as Matt now asked. "So, would you, uhhh, like to come to New York with me?"

Now Faith froze, looking slightly conflicted before Matt heard footsteps, and a knock, so they all walked out to see who it was, and then the jaws of all the Scoobies dropped.

It was Riley Finn! With a woman by his side.

There was some awkwardness there before Spike finally asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Uhhh, hi Buffy", Riley greeted awkwardly, ignoring Spike who scoffed.

"Hi Riley", Buffy greeted back awkwardly.

"Ex?" Faith asked Willow and Tara in a whisper.

"Yeah", Tara nodded.

"Guessing it ended badly", Matt muttered.

"Like you don't even know", Willow told him.

"Buffy, Riley has told me a lot about you", the woman next to him greeted as she held out her hand. "Samantha Finn, his wife."

The awkwardness increased as Buffy shook Samantha's hand before Giles asked. "So, why are you here?"

"We are tracking a Demon, figured we could use some help", Riley finally said.

Later

Giles was looking through his books for the Demon as Faith was looking at Riley awkwardly every now and then.

"Any problem you have with him?" Matt asked Faith, noting her tension.

"You know, when I was, well, bad", Faith started as Matt listened. "I used a device to exchange bodies with Buffy, and she was with him at the time, and I….."

She trailed off in shame but Matt knew what she meant.

"Oh", he muttered as he put a hand on Faith's shoulder. "Well, I can't say that wasn't wrong, it really was very wrong, but you want to apologize to him, don't you?"

"I do", Faith told him. "It's just-"

"No, just do it, and hope he accepts it", Matt said and Faith nodded as Matt gave her an encouraging smile.

"Can you believe it? Git has the bloody nerve to show his face after what he did!" Spike muttered to Willow and Tara.

"I know right? He had those Vamp prostitutes suck on him because he didn't feel needed enough", Willow agreed with an angry expression.

"Feeling left out was understandable, but that was no way to deal with his issues, that is not what a mature adult would do", Tara agreed with the other two as well. "Now he better apologize to Buffy."

"How did he even get a wife?" Spike wondered.

"Hey Dawn", Riley greeted her with a wave but Dawn folded her arms and pouted at him, to Sam's confusion, before walking off, and Peter just looked him up and down, unimpressed, before leaving.

"They don't seem to like you", Samantha muttered, confused about the whole thing. His reasons for breaking up with Buffy were reasonable if he felt she didn't talk to him enough and spent more time with that Vampire Spike than him.

"Uhh, Riley."

Riley turned to Faith, and immediately turned a little hostile. "Faith. Long time no see, thought you'd still be in prison."

"Would be, but good behavior and a great lawyer got me out", Faith told him with a shrug.

"Lawyers, sometimes I really don't like 'em", Riley said as Matt's head perked up at that. "And good behavior, well that can be faked."

"Okay, look", Faith said. "When I was Buffy, I slept with you, and it was very wrong to do, you didn't know it wasn't B, and that it was me, and you didn't give your consent to me, so I am sorry. I know what I did was not okay, but I did it, and I can't take it back, just say sorry to you is all. Now it's up to you whether you accept it or not, if you don't, I still understand, because I don't deserve it."

Sam was impressed by Faith's sincerity as Matt had a proud smile, while Riley looked Faith up and down and shrugged. "Guess I can accept it."

Faith had a relieved smile on her face till Riley's next words. "Besides, knowing people like you, you'd probably be off to some prison again, so you'll get new people to make up to."

Now Faith clutched her fists angrily, and it took every fiber in her being to not deck him, when Matt stood up and said. "I thought you were man enough to accept an apology."

Riley now glared at Matt and snarled. "You don't know a thing about th-"

"I actually do, I am the lawyer who got her out in the first place", Matt said as Riley now looked shocked, while Matt marched to him. "At least she is genuine enough to give a real apology. If you didn't accept it in a reasonable way, it'd be fine, but you're being a jerk to her, because you think her past transgressions give you power over her. News flash, they don't. You aren't the only one she wronged, and they all forgave her after she gave a genuine apology. You rebuffing it the way you did says a lot more about you than it does about her."

Riley was glaring at Matt, and he was angry because he couldn't come up with a proper response to him, while Sam turned to Riley. "Riley, please be nice, and if you can't, just don't say anything."

Riley sighed, looking down, then said in the most forced tone. "Sorry Faith."

"Thanks", Faith said to Matt as he nodded, then walked off, and Willow, Tara, Spike, Peter and Dawn all gave him a thumbs-up, which he sensed and smirked, while Buffy too had a satisfied smile on her face at seeing Riley get owned like that.

Sam then sat down near Anya as she said. "Well, the atmosphere here seems awkward."

"Oh yes, awkwardness in the air, it's all awkward", Anya said weirdly. "And I am surprised someone married that guy."

"Excuse me?" Sam now asked, offended.

"Oh, you know, after his break-up with Buffy, I didn't think anyone would marry that guy", Anya said to her.

"He broke up with her because she spent more time with that Spike guy than him, and didn't talk to him enough", Sam told Anya, and Buffy heard, fuming like a locomotive, while Spike was shaking his head in disbelief.

"Git's even more pathetic than I thought", Spike muttered before smirking. "This will be fun."

"What? No!" Anya said to Sam. "Buffy's mother was sick and in the hospital. It was life-taking as well, it took Joyce's life, and so she prioritized her mother, while your husband went to a Vampire brothel and had Vampire whores suck on his blood to feel some excitement because he didn't feel excited enough with Buffy. Then when she found out he gave her this ultimatum to forgive him immediately or he'd leave. I wouldn't be with him even if he was great at sex after a stunt like that."

At that point, everyone had heard Anya, and Sam was taken aback, while Riley gulped, backing off in fear.

Sam then turned to him, and he really was afraid of that look.

"Riley, you and me, outside, right now", Sam said as she got up and walked outside the shop, and a second later, a pale Riley followed her.

"So he lied to her, gee so shocked", Buffy said, folding her arms.

"This will be so much fun", Dawn smirked.

"Can't wait", Peter said.

"Three, two, one", Xander counted down, and then it began.

"YOU LIED TO ME ABOUT YOUR BREAKUP AND PLAYED VICTIM?! THE LADY'S MOM WAS DYING OF A DISEASE AND YOU DIDN'T FEEL NEEDED ENOUGH?! REALLY?! HOW MUCH OF A JACKASS ARE YOU?!"

"I think I need to leave town", Matt muttered, Samantha's (justified) screeching painful to his ears, though Riley did deserve every bit of it.

"AND THEN YOU HAD VAMP WHORES SUCK ON YOUR BLOOD AND GAVE HER AN ULTIMATUM?! WHAT KIND OF GUY ARE YOU?!"

Half an hour later

Riley was now sitting in a corner, looking subdued as Sam sat with the rest of them, and Giles finally got it. "I think I have found your Demon."

Riley now joined them a little carefully as Giles said. "It is a species of reptile-like Demons who can turn into human looking warriors. In their culture they train like ninja warriors, and their bite and claws carry a paralytic venom."

He looked up at them when Riley got a phone call, and picked it. "Yeah? Ah, all right."

He put the phone down. "We have an informant here, said something looking like what we were tracking was spotted near a warehouse by the docks."

"Let's go then", Buffy said, exchanging a look with the others as they nodded.

Later

Everyone had split up to cover more ground, and Riley ended up being with Xander and unfortunately for her, Faith.

But so far he hadn't said a thing when he noticed the warehouse door closing and said. "Come on!"

He rushed to the area, not waiting for the other two as he kicked the door opened and looked around, trying to find his target.

Then suddenly a figure leapt from above and grabbing his hands, kneed his abdomen, snatching his gun from him and threw it away.

He was a ninja with a metallic face mask, a black hood around his head, wearing green and black ninja robes as he leapt up and kicked Riley hard on the face, sending him flying off and falling to the ground, breaking some of it.

Riley tried to get up but the ninja picked him up, then decked his face multiple times, breaking his nose as he groaned, and then it hurled him into a wall, breaking it as Riley fell down, groaning, and tried to crawl away but the ninja kicked him hard, sending him rolling away.

The ninja then started morphing into his true form and disappeared into camouflage just as Xander burst into the scene with his ax, swinging it around.

"Hey, I'm not afraid of you, you ugly, scaly, repulsive", the Reptile Demon dropped its camouflage, just a few inches from him, and roared at his face, "and very scary Demon!"

It decked him hard, sending him down, and dragged him away by the feet.

Faith then entered, looking around as she was on her guard, taking note of her surroundings. Then she walked close to a wall, and holding out her hands, grabbed something as the Reptile Demon dropped its camouflage, screeching, and she hurled it into a different corner as it shattered a wall and fell down.

It got back up as she leapt and kicked its face, staggering it back, then landed while ducking a swing before elbowing his face in a spin motion, and decked him hard twice before spin kicking him back, then blocked a blow and punched his chest and gut, before kneeing his face, then running over him, flipped and kicked his chin, sending him back before landing.

Reptile charged as she dodged a blow and decked him again but he grabbed her hand this time and bit, making her gasp before he let go, and Faith felt the venom burning through her body as she felt herself freeze in one place, and could only move her eyes, while Reptile dropped her.

As he stood over her, he suddenly looked up to see Matt as Daredevil enter, and Matt walked in, ready to fight.

Liu Kang vs. Reptile soundtrack from Mortal Kombat 1995 plays

Reptile then flipped and drop-kicked Matt, sending him crashing through a pillar as it shattered while he dropped and groaned.

Matt then staggered up as Reptile rushed him and leaping, kicked his chest before spinning and kicking his right cheek, making him spin in the air and fall down again.

Matt then got up, blocking a leaping knee from Reptile before trying to spin kick as Reptile ducked, then both blocked each other's kicks using their shoulders.

Matt then dodged two punches from Reptile before trying to punch but Reptile grabbed him by the back of the neck, kneed his face, then elbowed his back before tightening his grip, and spinning Matt, hurled him away again as he fell down.

Matt staggered up as Reptile charged him and he blocked some kicks while backing off, then dodged some strikes and tried to punch as Reptile dodged by ducking, then blocking a blow, decked Matt's face, sending him staggering back.

He then punched Matt's abdomen twice and grabbing him by the throat, kneed his face twice too before pushing him away and kicked his chest, sending him flying off and falling.

Reptile then leapt with a kick but Matt rolled away to avoid in time before lifting his foot up, kicking Reptile's face as he was sent flying off and crashing.

Reptile got up and charged as Matt got back up, dodging a blow before they exchanged some kicks and strikes, then Reptile grabbed Matt's wrist, kicked his chest, and flipped him to the ground, but Matt swept his feet from under him too.

Matt then spun on the ground and kicked Reptile's face too before getting up. Reptile got up as Matt blocked some kicks and knees, and both of them blocked some punches too, before Matt tried to spin kick which Reptile barely blocked.

Reptile then spin kicked Matt on the face, sending him flying but Matt grabbed onto chains hanging from the warehouse and using them, swung back at Reptile, kicking him back with both feet.

Matt then rushed Reptile and flipping, wrapped his legs around the creature's neck, doing a hurricanrana as he flipped Reptile to the ground, making him screech.

That was when Buffy, Spike, Peter, Willow, Tara, Dawn and Sam arrived too, and Peter noticed something from the corner of his eye.

"Oh boy!" He said as he rushed to the corner, finding two people wrapped in cocoons created by Reptile's venom, and Xander was now among them too, and got to work freeing them.

"Don't worry you won't be turned to into meals", Peter assured before adding. "Or implanted with eggs. God, I don't know what could be worse."

Reptile got back up with a screech and spin kicked but Matt ducked and got on his other side to avoid, then tried to strike but Reptile grabbed his arm, struck him, then grabbing him by the neck, flipped him down.

Matt got back up as Reptile kicked him hard with a flip, sending him crashing into a wall as it broke.

The others were now going to help as Reptile leapt at Matt again, but Matt charged and holding out his hands, grabbed Reptile by the waist, hurling him into a corner.

Reptile staggered up as Matt marched to him, and spin kicked him back, before ducking to avoid a swing and decked his face twice, before spin kicking his throat, sending him into the wall again.

Not giving his opponent a chance to recover, Matt leapt at the wall and used that to leap at Reptile, spin kicking his face hard and sending him back again, crashing onto a table.

As Reptile staggered up, Matt leapt with a roar and kicked his face, sending him flipping over the table and crashing to the ground.

Reptile got back up as Matt leapt over the table, then kicked him back before kicking his face hard, dazing him, then grabbing him, punched his face hard as the weakened Reptile staggered around.

"Wow!" Buffy said, awed by Matt's skills again while Spike started backing off a little, and Peter muttered. "Badass!"

Willow, Tara, Dawn and Sam watched with dropped jaws too as Matt leapt up, kicking Reptile's face hard with both feet, sending him back, then flipped and kicked him under the chin, sending him back once more before flip kicking his face, sending him crashing down.

Peter had freed Xander and the other two as they started breathing normally, while Faith got back up, her Slayer metabolism having burnt the venom out at last.

As Reptile groaned on the ground and tried to stagger up, Faith was over him. "Oh no you don't."

Raising her foot, she brought it down on Reptile's face, crushing it hard as Reptile was finally killed.

"You okay?" Matt asked Faith as she panted and nodded.

"Yeah, you?" Faith asked and Matt panted and nodded as well.

Later

After bidding farewell to the Scooby Gang, Riley, now a bandage on his nose, sat in the car and started driving, feeling Samantha's intense glare.

"So you broke up with her because you didn't feel needed enough, what are you, misogynist or something?" Sam asked as Riley paled. "Or you have semi-classical views on women, in that they can be good and fighters and all that, but not better than their man. That's why you're with me? You think I'm not as good as you? And you didn't even apologize to Buffy while Faith apologized to you. What kind of guy are you? Here I thought you were really nice, gentle and respectful."

Riley groaned as his wife (or perhaps soon to be ex-wife) scolded him brutally for his bullshit the whole drive back home.

Later

"So, should I wear this one?" Faith asked, holding up a black dress, before holding up a pink one. "Or this one?"

She then gestured to a white as well as yellow and green dress down on the bed, having gotten them all for the day.

"I think you should wear the pink one, it'd look good on you", Willow said to Faith.

Faith thought, then said. "Or it'd make me look like a princess from those Disney films."

"And that's a bad thing because?" Tara asked.

"Just not my look", Faith said, putting it down, then picked up the white one. "So, what do you think?"

"White one can make it look like you wanna get married already", Dawn spoke up as Faith groaned.

"You got me there, kiddo", Faith sighed, putting it down as she now looked at the remaining ones.

"Green is more Tarebear's color, I don't think it'll suit you", Willow then said as she and Tara exchanged a smile and kissed.

"Get a room", she muttered as the other three chuckled.

"How about black? I think that will suit you perfectly", Tara now said.

"Yeah, I'm imagining you in it, and I think it will go perfectly with your look", Dawn agreed with a nod.

"You think so?" Faith asked and nodded. "All right then."

15 minutes later

"Ta-da!" Faith said as she walked out, raising her arms to either side and winking, as the three looked her up and down.

"You look beautiful", Tara said genuinely to Faith.

"Yeah, if you weren't going out with Matt, I had a half a mind to-" Tara elbowed Willow who then realized Dawn was there too, and shut up.

Then they noticed Dawn's look, as well as Faith's and their minds registered what was implied.

Willow first finished her sentence. "Okay, if you weren't going out with Matt, I had half a mind to throw you down, rip off your dress, and then both me and Tara could go down on you."

"Okay, ewwwww, not that far", Dawn said, cringing as she moved away from Willow.

"Well, as tempting as it is, I prefer him for romance and all that, no offense", Faith said as they chuckled, then she walked off, waving bye as all three said 'good luck' to her.

"You are messed up", Dawn said to Willow, only to get the 'mom'-ish glares from them both.

"So, you two did it, huh?" Willow asked and Dawn nodded with a gulp.

"Call Peter, we need to talk", Tara said in a stern tone which was very unlike her, and that left no room for argument, as Dawn obeyed with a gulp.

Matt and Faith met at their date destination, which was a park, and Faith noticed Matt had already laid a blanket atop the grass, with a fire blazing nearby, as well as a basket filled with wine and glasses, and marshmallows.

"I see you already made preparations", Faith noted as both sat down on top of the blanket.

"Well, didn't want to make you do anything", Matt told her as they both put the marshmallows over the fire and ate them.

"You made these yourself?" Faith asked.

"I did", Matt told her as she smiled.

"I know you cook well, but damn! These are next level", Faith said, impressed.

"Thanks", he told her as they ate a little more.

"I can't see you, but I know you look beautiful", Matt then said as Faith smirked again.

"It's a black dress, the color goes well with me", Faith told him as Matt took off his jacket, draping it over her shoulders.

"Ummm, I don't need it", Faith pointed out.

"I know", Matt shrugged, and now she felt even more touched.

"So, how much do we know about each other?" Faith then asked Matt.

"Well, all I know is you were called as a Slayer, didn't get along with the rest, killed someone, went into a coma, then came back and did some bad stuff till Angel reached through to you, and you went to prison, but now you are a hero once more", Matt listed what he knew about her, and Faith nodded, since that was it.

"For you, all I know is your dad got killed, then you got trained by the blind Chaste guy, then became Daredevil, stopped Fisk and the Hand, found out you'd a Devil inside you, used it to save the world, and of course freed me from prison", Faith listed what she knew about him, and Matt nodded too, since that was it.

After some thinking, Faith said. "Here's one- relationships!"

"Oh boy", Matt shook his head as she smirked.

"Okay, if you're so shy, I'll go first", Faith said as she listed her boyfriends. "There was Ronnie, he made me wear a schoolgirl outfit, and he'd this whip-"

"I think that's enough", Matt said and she stopped with a chuckle.

"Then there was this guy called Steve but he was a klepto and everything he got me was stolen, so I left him", Faith told Matt. "And there was Kenny the drummer. And a biker too, but I think it was a one-night thing, neither of us remember much. And some more casual stuff. And that's it, now your turn."

"All right", Matt sighed, absorbing the info, of course he wasn't jealous, both of them had lives before they met each other. "So you've met Karen, right?"

"Yeah", Faith nodded.

"Well, we did try it out for a bit, but at that time I was still keeping my secret from her, and after I revealed the truth, we realized it wouldn't work", Matt informed Faith. "There was also a night nurse called Claire who helped me when I was injured badly, and she knew who I was, and we did have some moments, and a kiss, but not much, and we just remained friends."

"So, just kisses so far, I'm sure you got action with others though", Faith quipped and Matt chuckled.

"Yeah, I did get some with Lilah Morgan in college", Matt said and Faith's eyes were wide.

"That bitch from Wolfram and Hart?" She asked and Matt nodded. "Damn!"

"She was not bad back then, but a rebound, though I treated her just fine", Matt shrugged.

"Rebound from whom?" Faith asked.

"I'll come to that at the end", Matt said as Faith realized this one would be important. "Before you, there was Cordelia too, which you knew, she was nice, and we had a nice time together, until we realized we had responsibilities in our cities."

"Well, if you feel bad, after the battle at Avengers Tower I saw her and Angel stealing glances", Faith shrugged as Matt smirked.

"I did have a feeling there was something going on there, but it's not official yet", Matt told her. "Anyway, there were some casual ones, but now my most important one, the one before Lilah- her name was Elektra Natchios."

Faith noted the past tense as Matt said. "So we met at a party, she brought out my wild side, you know?"

"I know", Faith nodded and Matt continued.

"And well, we caused a lot of trouble, until one night she found the guy who'd murdered my dad, and I beat him up at her suggestion, but refused to kill him, at which point she left", Matt told Faith, who absorbed the tale. "But she'd actually been sent by Stick, the guy who trained me, to get me to join his war against the Hand."

"So it was all fake?" Faith asked.

"I thought it was, but while she and I were together, something did happen", Matt told Faith. "Years later, we met again when she and Stick were in war with the Hand, and things were tense and messy between us still. She found out she was the Black Sky, a human weapon that the Hand intended to get."

"What did she do then?" Faith asked.

"She made the right choice, she joined me again, and helped me fight them, and then took a killing blow Nobu had intended for me", Matt said sadly, and Faith now realized what had happened as she grasped his hand in her own.

"I thought it was the end, it wasn't", Matt then said, to Faith's surprise. "The Hand dug her up, brought her back using their resources, and she became the Black Sky, brainwashed to serve them."

"Sick freaks", Faith said in disgust at the Hand.

"But I tried to reach through to her, and during the final battle at Midland Circle, she was back at last, but the building collapsed on us, I barely survived, and she didn't", Matt finished, his voice quivering a little, and Faith noted this Elektra still had a place in Matt's heart, even if he had moved on. "And losing her again sent me down a dark path till I found the light once more."

"The dark path being when you almost killed Fisk but didn't", Faith realized and Matt nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Well, she's gone, nothing I can do now, you're here", Matt then said, smiling at Faith as she smiled back. "You wanna talk about parents?"

Faith scoffed. "Both alcoholic, dad did make some deals with Irish crime mobs to pay for my education, but later he was a complete drunk, and mom was also busy enjoying drinking and passing out, though she did call me 'her little firecracker' and read me 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!' until she just passed out forever."

"I'm sorry", Matt said in sympathy as she shrugged.

"It's all right, I did have a parent at the end of it all, her name was Joyce Summers", Faith declared firmly and Matt nodded, realizing who she was referring to. "What about you? I mean, I do know about your dad, your mom?"

"Mom is a nun at Clinton Church, she conceived me with dad, then had postpartum depression because she thought she'd turned her back on God, so she turned her back on me instead", Matt said, a little better as Faith watched him in sympathy. "But after I was injured at Midland Circle, she found me and treated me with the other nuns, and I found out she was my mom then. It was pretty horrible, but she did protect me and Karen from Fisk's men who were looking for us and well, things are now good between us."

"That's good, I'm happy for you", Faith said genuinely.

"I can introduce you both if you want", Matt said and Faith shrugged.

"Would love to meet the most amazing guy's mom for sure", Faith said and Matt smiled in appreciation.

"Well, I wanna watch the stars now, but you can't, so I feel bad", Faith told Matt.

"You can watch, I'll just lie next to you", Matt said as Faith chuckled.

"What did I do to deserve you?" She asked as she kissed his cheek, and they lay down together, looking up at the stars, though obviously only Faith could see them.

"I don't know a thing about stars or constellations, but they look really beautiful", Faith said as she rested her head on his shoulder, and their hands entwined.

"I do remember them looking beautiful, but I'm sure you look better", Matt told Faith and she had another smile, and then took a deep breath.

"So, about your question from earlier, yes, I'd love to come to New York with you now", Faith said as Matt turned his head to her.

"Really?" He asked her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure, I always did want to be like B, and Sunnydale is nice, but those 3 months with you, I realized I like fighting crime more", Faith revealed to Matt. "Other Slayers have fought the forces of darkness for years, B does it too right now. I need to stand out. I'll be the first Slayer in history to fight crime instead."

"Is standing out the only reason?" Matt asked.

"Oh no, like I said, I realized I liked that more, it made me feel alive, of course I will still fight the forces of darkness if need be, but crime fighting with you is more my thing", Faith said to Matt, turning her head to face him now. "I love you, Matt."

"I love you too, Faith", Matt told her as they just lay there under the moonlight for a bit.

Later

Matt and Faith walked together, hand-in-hand, and stopped in front of Willow's and Tara's house.

"Well, goodnight", Matt said but then Faith grasped him by the face and kissed him passionately, and Matt didn't complain, kissing her back as they continued like that for a minute.

Then they parted as Faith grasped Matt's arm. "Come on, I'm sure Willow and Tara can magically soundproof the room for us."

"No, don't want to do in someone else's house", Matt said politely with a chuckle as they moved away from each other.

Then Faith realized she was still wearing his jacket and asked. "You want your jacket back?"

"Keep it", Matt told her. "Besides, it gives me another reason to 'see' you again."

Faith blushed as Matt waved and walked off, and she waved back, then entered the house to see Willow, Tara and Dawn all waiting for her with anticipating faces, though Dawn looked a little weirded out, clearly due to the reveal of what she and Peter had done.

Faith rolled her eyes but smiled, and then all 3 started screeching and jumping like teenage girls (well, one of them was), and Faith sighed, then chuckling, joined in herself.

Matt heard the four while on his way back and shook his head with a chuckle.

Next morning

"So, are you sure about this, Faith?" Giles asked as they all stood in front of the Magic Box.

"Yeah, and don't worry, you did very well this time, it's just, I think I belong there more now", Faith told Giles.

"I understand", Giles said as he and Faith shared a hug. "Take care."

"Yeah, you too", she said before turning to Anya.

They just shared a weird hug, since they'd never been that close, then Faith turned to Xander.

"Bye Xan-Man", she shrugged.

"Bye Faith", Xander said as they shared a hug, and then she turned to Spike.

"Keep B happy, or I'll kick your ass", Faith told him.

"Sure", Spike chuckled, but then noticed Matt's head turning in his direction ad gulped. "Yeah, sure."

Faith chuckled and they shared a friendly hug, as she turned to Peter. "Well, you're a nice kid."

"Thank you, you're nice too", Peter replied politely as she smiled and patted his head.

"I can see why kiddo likes you, you keep this place safe, and I'll help keep New York safe", Faith told Peter, and he nodded firmly, as they shared a hug.

Then Faith turned to Buffy, and there was some awkwardness there.

"Guess this is it", Buffy shrugged.

"More of a 'see you later'", Faith pointed out and Buffy nodded. "Well, this is your town, and I know you can keep it safe."

"Yeah, but your help is appreciated, always will be", Buffy assured and Faith nodded back, and they hugged each other, now no longer held by their past.

Faith then turned to Willow, Tara and Dawn, her three best friends in Sunnydale, and walked to them. "Well, thank you for the place to stay, and all the gal pal nights, and obviously helping me pick a dress, and for just, well, letting me in."

"It's no problem, we're friends", Willow told Faith as they shared a long hug with each other, and kissed each other's cheeks too.

She then turned to Tara, and they shared a smile as Faith said. "You are THE kindest soul to ever grace this Earth."

"Thank you", Tara said genuinely, and they shared a loving hug as well, kissing each other's cheeks.

They separated then as Faith ruffled Dawn's hair affectionately, and she smiled before Faith told her. "Like I said before, you'll be a bigger hero than big sis one day, and I can't wait for it."

"Thanks Faith", Dawn smiled happily. "Better not disappoint now."

"Oh no you better not", Faith said as both chuckled, and then shared a hug as well, kissing each other's cheeks before parting.

"Also, you noticed there weren't many Demons in here for the last 2 days?" Faith asked and Buffy realized that was true, and she gestured to Matt. "They left town because of him."

Spike looked scared again, and Buffy looked a little annoyed as Faith added. "And now there are no Demons in New York, not even Vamp clubs and brothels."

Buffy crossed her arms, slumped in her seat, and pouted her lips as Dawn, Anya and Xander snickered, Spike just sighed, and the rest rolled their eyes. Faith winked naughtily at Buffy who gave her a mock glare.

Faith then picked up her luggage as she and Matt waved 'goodbye' to everyone and they waved back, and then Devil and Slayer held hands, walking away together.

Now Faith's decision to go to New York permanently with Matt might be a surprise but first of all, I want Matt/Faith to be permanent, and I broke Matt/Cordelia up because they lived in different cities, so a long-distance relationship again wouldn't make sense.

And so let's say that while fighting crime alongside Matt in New York, she realized she liked that more than fighting the supernatural, and she'd mainly come to Sunnydale to make up for her past crimes, and with that done, that place doesn't hold her anymore.

And come on- she's gonna be the first Slayer in history to fight crime instead of supernatural, and I can say with absolute certainty that is also equally heroic.

Plus, since Sunnydale got Spider-Man, it's only fair New York gets a Slayer in return.

Hope all of that made sense.

Faith and her gal pals Willow, Tara and Dawn, we need more of that, HA!

Was the Reptile subplot just an excuse to call Riley out on his bullshit and do the Liu Kang vs. Reptile fight scene from the 1995 Mortal Kombat film?

Yes it was!

As much as I hate Riley though, he does deserve an apology from Faith for the time she slept with him as Buffy, but that's it, he's still an insecure jackass, and he doesn't deserve Sam either, or any self-respecting woman for the matter.

Hope all enjoyed and see you all next time with another chapter. Stay safe from the coronavirus ya all!