Part III
"Oh, and Ripper sends his regards."
Faith's flippant remark caused Giles to turn crimson, then mumble, "Er. . .well, it seems that whatever force watches over Slayers has a wicked sense of humor. . .surely they could have sent some other messenger to remind me of that bit of trivia."
Danielle turned to him, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Who's 'Ripper'? For that matter, what in the hell is Thornton's Folly?"
The Slayers smiled wickedly at the older Watcher, and he made a point of giving both of them dirty looks before pointedly answering Danielle's second question: "Andrew Thornton was a member of the English nobility. . .an Earl, if I recall correctly. . .who aided the Watchers' Council greatly in the thirteenth century. He was a master of forging weapons of great magical power for use against demons and other supernatural threats. In his old age, he summoned the Watchers' Council to his workshop and showed them a large box that appeared to be a featureless cube of metal. . .except for two circular handles on opposite sides of the object. He explained to them that he had experienced a vision. . .one that instructed him to create a powerful magic weapon for use against what would otherwise be an unstoppable foe. . .but that the foe would not come for a very long time, and that the weapon would have to be protected against premature use in the intervening years."
Xander, Oz and Willow had walked into the library in time to hear Danielle's question and Giles' explanation, and Xander piped up, "So what, this guy put that magical weapon thingy into the mystic version of a 'Break Glass in Case of Emergency' box?"
Giles gave him a dirty look, and seemed ready to deliver a withering retort when Buffy slipped her arm around Xander's waist and interjected, "Yeah, yeah, Giles. . .once again Xander states a complex concept in simple terms. . .yada, yada, yada. . .let's keep this story moving, O.K.?"
Giles raised an irritated eyebrow at Buffy's flippant manner, then sighed and bowed to the inevitable as he continued, "The Council naturally wanted to know how they would know when the time was right. It is said that Thornton smiled and replied, 'When the time is right, both of the handles on this box must be turned at the same time. . .by the current Slayer.'"
Willow blinked and asked, "So what's the problem? Seems like the Council could have gotten the swords out any time they wanted to. . .why the reference to 'Folly"?"
Giles smiled softly and replied, "Willow. . .the box in question has sides that are six feet long on each edge."
Willow blinked again and acknowledged, "That would definitely be a problem. . .did anyone try any other methods of breaching the box?"
The Watcher sighed and responded, "Several times. . .it proved impervious to all weapons and tools. . .at one point, explosives were considered and rejected as presenting a potential hazard to whatever Thornton had left within. . .in any event, it has been over seven hundred years since Thornton died, and the box still sits in a locked room of the main headquarters of the Council. . .the final legacy of a great artificer. . .apparently, a useless monument to madness. . .until now." He sighed and commented, "Still. . .the basic problem of opening the box remains. . .I don't see-" He gasped and turned to Danielle, who seemed to come to a realization at the same moment. They turned to their Slayers, who had shared a similar moment at about the same instant. Buffy recovered first, and smiled wickedly at Giles as she suggested, "Giles. . .I think it's time for the Council to discover the wonders of overnight shipping companies. . ."
* * * * *
Giles came out of his office with a smile on his face, commenting, "They'll have it here in five days. . .now that we know that whatever is inside is accessible, they insisted on strict security." He looked at the two Slayers and noted pointedly, "Now that that matter is resolved, and your unseemly enjoyment at my unsavory past has abated, I believe you two have a sparring session to conduct."
Both Slayers gave Giles an annoyed look, then moved into the cleared center area of the library and began to stretch. Xander stood watching them, having learned from experience that masking his concern was the best approach. Willow quietly reviewed the notes for the French test she was taking on Monday, occasionally glancing up to see what the Slayers were doing: though she would never admit it, she saw a savage beauty in the controlled violence. . .it touched something in her that had been first disturbed when her evil double had shown up in Sunnydale. Oz, calm as always, gently rubbed Willow's shoulders as he watched Buffy and Faith: he appreciated the artistry in what they did, though the wolf within him caused the violence it represented to make him a bit uneasy. Giles and Danielle watched as their Slayers moved into starting position: they had progressed remarkably in the last few months, but neither of the Watchers could fully relax during these sessions. . .a moment's inattention could be quite dangerous, but the unprecedented opportunity to train against an equal opponent was too useful to avoid.
The Slayers stood at arms length, and stared at each other for fully ten seconds before Faith threw a straight at Buffy's chin. Buffy countered by ducking under the punch and performing a perfect sweep, taking Faith off her feet. Faith rolled to her feet instantly and delivered a roundhouse kick that Buffy just barely sidestepped. After a few more exchanges, they ended up almost nose to nose, and each woman threw a barrage of punches that were all brushed aside by the other as if they were gently breaking soap bubbles. Faith avoided the eighth punch from Buffy by doing a backflip that would have made Ozzie Smith turn green with envy, landing ten feet away in a crouch.
Buffy's mind had started to wander during the last exchange. *Now that it looks like we won't end up as Mayor chow, Faith will be able to pursue this thing with Giles. . .I'm on board with it. . .I really am. . .but I don't understand it. . .they just don't seem that much alike. They've both been hurt so much. . . *
While Buffy was musing over this, Faith had moved up to her and resumed her attack. With responses honed by constant repetition, Buffy blocked all of the attacks, and managed a substantial counterattack of her own. Unfortunately, Faith chose to incorporate a new sequence that she had been practicing on her own: an abrupt forward somersault followed by a spinning side kick. If Buffy had been paying attention, the result would have been a grazing blow to the jaw that would have stunned Buffy for a moment and earned Faith an approving nod from her fellow Slayer. Unfortunately, the older Slayer was caught off guard, and she actually stepped right into the kick.
The noise, though it did not resemble breaking bone, was not pleasant. Faith landed and immediately exclaimed, "Buffy!", before locking eyes with the swaying figure in front of her.
Buffy blinked and wondered idly which of the two Faiths in front of her was speaking. As the others moved over, worry naked on their faces, she smiled at them and commented, "I've got the best buds in the whole world." As she concluded that sentence, she collapsed into a heap.
Xander recovered first, quickly examining Buffy before concluding, "I think she'll be O.K. . . her pulse is strong, but we should get her to the hospital. . .just in case it's more than a concussion." He shook his head in irritation and looked at the Watchers, commenting, "Damn it, I was afraid something like this would happen. . .they can't fight evil if they're knocking each other's heads off, Giles!'
Danielle looked a little embarrassed and replied, "Xander, their skills have improved greatly during these drills, and ultimately that will help keep them alive. . .but this might have been a bit much."
She turned to her Slayer and asked, "Faith, did Buffy know you had incorporated that move into your repertoire?"
Faith frowned and replied, "Not specifically, but I told her I had been working on some new combination moves. . .I didn't think this one would throw her that badly." She looked at Giles ruefully and concluded softly, "I'm sorry, Giles."
Giles shook his head in negation, replying, "No, Faith. . .something was distracting her. . .I could see it in her eyes. It wasn't your fault, but perhaps Xander has a point. We should scale back these sparring matches a bit, and we certainly shouldn't escalate them any further until we can be sure both of you are devoting your full attention to the matter." He seemed to be attempting a sarcastic tone, but it was overtly tempered with concern for his Slayer as he concluded, "Buffy knows better than to let her mind drift in the middle of a situation like this. . .what in the world was she thinking about?"
Faith looked darkly at Buffy as Xander picked her up and carried her out the library doors, and whispered, "Can't imagine."
* * * * *
Buffy's eyes fluttered open, and she blinked a couple of times before her vision cleared, revealing a middle-aged woman in a white coat. She managed a faint smile and commented, "Unless the scenery in my bedroom has changed a lot, I'm in the hospital."
The doctor nodded and replied, "Yes, Miss Summers. . .your boyfriend Xander brought you in. . .said that you had slipped and knocked yourself unconscious against the table in his kitchen." She looked at Buffy suspiciously and asked pointedly, "Is that what really happened, Miss Summers?"
Buffy groaned inwardly. With all of the various times that Buffy and her immediate circle had wound up hospitalized, it was amazing that Social Services had never stepped in to remove them from what were obviously hazardous home lives. . .though even the most paranoid social worker could never imagine just how dangerous. She locked eyes with the doctor and replied, "I do remember slipping. . .and if Xander says that I knocked myself out that way. . .that's the whole embarrassing truth."
After a moment, the doctor nodded and continued, "You have a mild concussion, Miss Summers. . .I'm recommending you stay here overnight for observation, but you should be fine in the morning." The doctor managed a smile and concluded, "You have some friends waiting to see you." The doctor exited, and Xander, Oz, Giles, Danielle, Willow and Faith filed in a moment later.
Buffy smiled and commented, "Kind of a big production for a concussion, wasn't it? I've had worse before without coming here."
Giles gave her a dirty look and commented, "Buffy, it is never sensible to take chances with head injuries. . .as I have good reason to know." Everyone (including Danielle, who had noted the pronounced frequency of head blows in Giles' history with Buffy) snickered quietly at this comment, and the older Watcher restored decorum with restrained glares at the other occupants of the room before continuing, "Faith kicked you extremely hard, Buffy. . .which would not have happened if you had been paying proper attention." Buffy winced and prepared for a withering lecture, only to see Giles' expression soften as he continued, "However, that discussion will wait for a later time. . .right now, you should rest." He nodded at the others, who quickly made their good-byes to Buffy and departed. Xander had just kissed Buffy on the forehead and moved to leave the room when she asked, "Xander. . .could you send Faith back in here for a minute?" Xander looked concerned, and she hastened to reassure him, "I'm not mad at her or anything. . .and don't worry, it won't take long."
Xander looked at her and nodded, then left the room. A few seconds later, Faith came back in and pulled up the visitor's chair, commenting, "I thought you might want to talk to me, B." Her eyes grew hard and she asked, "Is there something you want to say to me, Buffy?"
Buffy flushed, then replied, "Uh. . .nice combination?" Faith didn't even blink, and Buffy sighed and continued, "Faith, it's not what you think. . ."
Faith shook her head and responded, "What am I thinking, Buffy? That you think I'm not good enough for Giles. . .or that he's not good enough for me? Neither one is too great from my viewpoint, B, although I'm wondering if you just want him for yourself. . .no fair hogging all of the standup guys."
Buffy blinked hard at the last comment, and replied, "Faith, believe me. . .I have absolutely no interest in Giles that way." Tears came to her eyes, and she whispered, "Besides, I've done a good enough job of ruining his romantic life without getting in the middle of it myself."
Faith's eyes softened and she reached out to clasp Buffy's hand as she replied, "Buffy. . .you can't keep beating yourself up over that. Giles has forgiven you. . .why can't you forgive yourself?"
Buffy squeezed Faith's hand, but the tears began to flow as she responded, "Faith. . .I drove Jenny away from us, even though deep down I knew it wasn't her fault. . .she had switched loyalties as soon as she found out about the escape clause: if she hadn't, Willow and maybe Xander would have died that night. By the time it happened, I was coming around. . .but it was too late: she was vulnerable, and Angelus used that vulnerability to hurt all of us. . .but Giles most of all. Faith. . .he went to the Factory to die, and he would have if I hadn't made it there in time. Driving men to attempted suicide. . .I seem to be good at that. . .how long do you think it will be before Xander's turn comes?"
Faith could feel the depths of pain in Buffy's words, and felt compelled to say something to lighten the moment: "B, Xander's whole life for the last three years has been a suicide attempt. . .we're just lucky that he sucks at it. . .because we'd all be dead if he didn't."
Buffy looked reproachfully at Faith for a moment, then started to giggle, and both Slayers started laughing for a few moments before regaining their composure. Buffy wiped her eyes, looked at Faith and asked, "Faith. . .you did a pretty good job of analyzing the whole thing with me and Xander. . .what is it that makes you want Giles? I'd feel a lot better if I knew where you were coming from with this."
Faith sighed and looked away for a moment, then turned back and replied, "It's complicated. . .the surface he projects isn't bad. . .loyal, brave, studious. . .a lot like I could picture Xander becoming once he grows up." Buffy smiled at the image that Faith's words brought, then nodded for her to continue. The younger Slayer nodded in acknowledgement and continued, "We've both seen the inner Giles, Buffy. . .it comes out to play when one of us is in danger. . .the anger, the power. . .if he had been under a little more control that night in the Factory, Angelus might have bought the farm. I guess it's that control that draws me. . .it's what I've always wanted. . .but it seems to be just out of my reach. What is it that they say. . .that we seek out in our loves the things we find lacking in ourselves?"
Buffy smiled and replied, "Now who's being too hard on herself?" She squeezed Faith's hand and continued, "I see your point though. . .that inner strength is part of what makes him special." She chuckled and closed her eyes for a moment, then commented, "I suppose that if you adjust for the tweed factor, Giles would probably fall into the hottie category. . .oh God, I can't believe I just said that! Damned painkillers. . ."
Faith grinned at her and replied, "Yeah, they do make you say the most interesting things, don't they? " She squeezed Buffy's hand again and continued, "Relax, B. . .from what Ripper told me, nothing is gonna happen for months anyway. . .the Great Wall of England is up and open for business." Her grin took on a thoroughly wicked aspect as she concluded, "Oh well, gives me more time to plan."
Buffy smiled at the thoughtful expression on Faith's face and felt compelled to ask: "Are we all right now, Faith?"
The younger Slayer grinned and replied, "Five by five, B. . .just a bump in the road. . .as long as you don't drift off in the middle of another sparring session." Buffy winced and Faith continued, "After all, we have a job to do. . .regardless of the state of our love lives."
Buffy winced, then managed a faint chuckle as she responded, "Don't I know it. . .story of my life." She released Faith's hand and said, "All right, rap session over. . .let me get some sleep so that you can get on with the business of pummeling me in a few days."
Faith nodded and departed. Buffy sighed and settled down to sleep, hoping that everything would work out all right. * Damn it, even on the Hellmouth there has to be a first time for everything, doesn't there? *
* * * * *
The massive crate had been delivered to a warehouse that Giles had arranged to lease for the occasion. . .it wouldn't have done to have it show up at the high school (even Snyder wasn't dumb enough to overlook it), and Giles' apartment also seemed unsuitable. The entire group had assembled there. . .somehow, it seemed right to everyone that they should all be present for this occasion. Buffy and Faith effortlessly stripped the crate away, leaving the almost featureless metal cube. It seemed untouched by the seven centuries since its construction, and the handles that were its only idiosyncrasy seemed equally untouched. The Slayers met each other's eyes, then moved into position. Each silently counted to three, then turned their handles with remarkable simultaneity.
The box began to glow, and Buffy and Faith carefully stepped back ten feet as the glow brightened intolerably for a moment, then faded, leaving a small pedestal with two objects lying on it. The Slayers moved over to the pedestal. . .and their friends were amazed to see the looks of wonder on their faces as they reached out and took the swords into their right hands. The swords were about three feet long, with blades of fine steel and a faint blue radiance coming from them. Faith just stared at her weapon for a long moment, then took an experimental swing at the pedestal. The blade cut through the base made of fine marble as if it were Styrofoam, causing it to crash to the ground. The younger Slayer grinned at Buffy and commented:
"Looks like the cavalry has arrived."
. . .to be continued
As always, comments are welcomed and desired
"Oh, and Ripper sends his regards."
Faith's flippant remark caused Giles to turn crimson, then mumble, "Er. . .well, it seems that whatever force watches over Slayers has a wicked sense of humor. . .surely they could have sent some other messenger to remind me of that bit of trivia."
Danielle turned to him, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Who's 'Ripper'? For that matter, what in the hell is Thornton's Folly?"
The Slayers smiled wickedly at the older Watcher, and he made a point of giving both of them dirty looks before pointedly answering Danielle's second question: "Andrew Thornton was a member of the English nobility. . .an Earl, if I recall correctly. . .who aided the Watchers' Council greatly in the thirteenth century. He was a master of forging weapons of great magical power for use against demons and other supernatural threats. In his old age, he summoned the Watchers' Council to his workshop and showed them a large box that appeared to be a featureless cube of metal. . .except for two circular handles on opposite sides of the object. He explained to them that he had experienced a vision. . .one that instructed him to create a powerful magic weapon for use against what would otherwise be an unstoppable foe. . .but that the foe would not come for a very long time, and that the weapon would have to be protected against premature use in the intervening years."
Xander, Oz and Willow had walked into the library in time to hear Danielle's question and Giles' explanation, and Xander piped up, "So what, this guy put that magical weapon thingy into the mystic version of a 'Break Glass in Case of Emergency' box?"
Giles gave him a dirty look, and seemed ready to deliver a withering retort when Buffy slipped her arm around Xander's waist and interjected, "Yeah, yeah, Giles. . .once again Xander states a complex concept in simple terms. . .yada, yada, yada. . .let's keep this story moving, O.K.?"
Giles raised an irritated eyebrow at Buffy's flippant manner, then sighed and bowed to the inevitable as he continued, "The Council naturally wanted to know how they would know when the time was right. It is said that Thornton smiled and replied, 'When the time is right, both of the handles on this box must be turned at the same time. . .by the current Slayer.'"
Willow blinked and asked, "So what's the problem? Seems like the Council could have gotten the swords out any time they wanted to. . .why the reference to 'Folly"?"
Giles smiled softly and replied, "Willow. . .the box in question has sides that are six feet long on each edge."
Willow blinked again and acknowledged, "That would definitely be a problem. . .did anyone try any other methods of breaching the box?"
The Watcher sighed and responded, "Several times. . .it proved impervious to all weapons and tools. . .at one point, explosives were considered and rejected as presenting a potential hazard to whatever Thornton had left within. . .in any event, it has been over seven hundred years since Thornton died, and the box still sits in a locked room of the main headquarters of the Council. . .the final legacy of a great artificer. . .apparently, a useless monument to madness. . .until now." He sighed and commented, "Still. . .the basic problem of opening the box remains. . .I don't see-" He gasped and turned to Danielle, who seemed to come to a realization at the same moment. They turned to their Slayers, who had shared a similar moment at about the same instant. Buffy recovered first, and smiled wickedly at Giles as she suggested, "Giles. . .I think it's time for the Council to discover the wonders of overnight shipping companies. . ."
* * * * *
Giles came out of his office with a smile on his face, commenting, "They'll have it here in five days. . .now that we know that whatever is inside is accessible, they insisted on strict security." He looked at the two Slayers and noted pointedly, "Now that that matter is resolved, and your unseemly enjoyment at my unsavory past has abated, I believe you two have a sparring session to conduct."
Both Slayers gave Giles an annoyed look, then moved into the cleared center area of the library and began to stretch. Xander stood watching them, having learned from experience that masking his concern was the best approach. Willow quietly reviewed the notes for the French test she was taking on Monday, occasionally glancing up to see what the Slayers were doing: though she would never admit it, she saw a savage beauty in the controlled violence. . .it touched something in her that had been first disturbed when her evil double had shown up in Sunnydale. Oz, calm as always, gently rubbed Willow's shoulders as he watched Buffy and Faith: he appreciated the artistry in what they did, though the wolf within him caused the violence it represented to make him a bit uneasy. Giles and Danielle watched as their Slayers moved into starting position: they had progressed remarkably in the last few months, but neither of the Watchers could fully relax during these sessions. . .a moment's inattention could be quite dangerous, but the unprecedented opportunity to train against an equal opponent was too useful to avoid.
The Slayers stood at arms length, and stared at each other for fully ten seconds before Faith threw a straight at Buffy's chin. Buffy countered by ducking under the punch and performing a perfect sweep, taking Faith off her feet. Faith rolled to her feet instantly and delivered a roundhouse kick that Buffy just barely sidestepped. After a few more exchanges, they ended up almost nose to nose, and each woman threw a barrage of punches that were all brushed aside by the other as if they were gently breaking soap bubbles. Faith avoided the eighth punch from Buffy by doing a backflip that would have made Ozzie Smith turn green with envy, landing ten feet away in a crouch.
Buffy's mind had started to wander during the last exchange. *Now that it looks like we won't end up as Mayor chow, Faith will be able to pursue this thing with Giles. . .I'm on board with it. . .I really am. . .but I don't understand it. . .they just don't seem that much alike. They've both been hurt so much. . . *
While Buffy was musing over this, Faith had moved up to her and resumed her attack. With responses honed by constant repetition, Buffy blocked all of the attacks, and managed a substantial counterattack of her own. Unfortunately, Faith chose to incorporate a new sequence that she had been practicing on her own: an abrupt forward somersault followed by a spinning side kick. If Buffy had been paying attention, the result would have been a grazing blow to the jaw that would have stunned Buffy for a moment and earned Faith an approving nod from her fellow Slayer. Unfortunately, the older Slayer was caught off guard, and she actually stepped right into the kick.
The noise, though it did not resemble breaking bone, was not pleasant. Faith landed and immediately exclaimed, "Buffy!", before locking eyes with the swaying figure in front of her.
Buffy blinked and wondered idly which of the two Faiths in front of her was speaking. As the others moved over, worry naked on their faces, she smiled at them and commented, "I've got the best buds in the whole world." As she concluded that sentence, she collapsed into a heap.
Xander recovered first, quickly examining Buffy before concluding, "I think she'll be O.K. . . her pulse is strong, but we should get her to the hospital. . .just in case it's more than a concussion." He shook his head in irritation and looked at the Watchers, commenting, "Damn it, I was afraid something like this would happen. . .they can't fight evil if they're knocking each other's heads off, Giles!'
Danielle looked a little embarrassed and replied, "Xander, their skills have improved greatly during these drills, and ultimately that will help keep them alive. . .but this might have been a bit much."
She turned to her Slayer and asked, "Faith, did Buffy know you had incorporated that move into your repertoire?"
Faith frowned and replied, "Not specifically, but I told her I had been working on some new combination moves. . .I didn't think this one would throw her that badly." She looked at Giles ruefully and concluded softly, "I'm sorry, Giles."
Giles shook his head in negation, replying, "No, Faith. . .something was distracting her. . .I could see it in her eyes. It wasn't your fault, but perhaps Xander has a point. We should scale back these sparring matches a bit, and we certainly shouldn't escalate them any further until we can be sure both of you are devoting your full attention to the matter." He seemed to be attempting a sarcastic tone, but it was overtly tempered with concern for his Slayer as he concluded, "Buffy knows better than to let her mind drift in the middle of a situation like this. . .what in the world was she thinking about?"
Faith looked darkly at Buffy as Xander picked her up and carried her out the library doors, and whispered, "Can't imagine."
* * * * *
Buffy's eyes fluttered open, and she blinked a couple of times before her vision cleared, revealing a middle-aged woman in a white coat. She managed a faint smile and commented, "Unless the scenery in my bedroom has changed a lot, I'm in the hospital."
The doctor nodded and replied, "Yes, Miss Summers. . .your boyfriend Xander brought you in. . .said that you had slipped and knocked yourself unconscious against the table in his kitchen." She looked at Buffy suspiciously and asked pointedly, "Is that what really happened, Miss Summers?"
Buffy groaned inwardly. With all of the various times that Buffy and her immediate circle had wound up hospitalized, it was amazing that Social Services had never stepped in to remove them from what were obviously hazardous home lives. . .though even the most paranoid social worker could never imagine just how dangerous. She locked eyes with the doctor and replied, "I do remember slipping. . .and if Xander says that I knocked myself out that way. . .that's the whole embarrassing truth."
After a moment, the doctor nodded and continued, "You have a mild concussion, Miss Summers. . .I'm recommending you stay here overnight for observation, but you should be fine in the morning." The doctor managed a smile and concluded, "You have some friends waiting to see you." The doctor exited, and Xander, Oz, Giles, Danielle, Willow and Faith filed in a moment later.
Buffy smiled and commented, "Kind of a big production for a concussion, wasn't it? I've had worse before without coming here."
Giles gave her a dirty look and commented, "Buffy, it is never sensible to take chances with head injuries. . .as I have good reason to know." Everyone (including Danielle, who had noted the pronounced frequency of head blows in Giles' history with Buffy) snickered quietly at this comment, and the older Watcher restored decorum with restrained glares at the other occupants of the room before continuing, "Faith kicked you extremely hard, Buffy. . .which would not have happened if you had been paying proper attention." Buffy winced and prepared for a withering lecture, only to see Giles' expression soften as he continued, "However, that discussion will wait for a later time. . .right now, you should rest." He nodded at the others, who quickly made their good-byes to Buffy and departed. Xander had just kissed Buffy on the forehead and moved to leave the room when she asked, "Xander. . .could you send Faith back in here for a minute?" Xander looked concerned, and she hastened to reassure him, "I'm not mad at her or anything. . .and don't worry, it won't take long."
Xander looked at her and nodded, then left the room. A few seconds later, Faith came back in and pulled up the visitor's chair, commenting, "I thought you might want to talk to me, B." Her eyes grew hard and she asked, "Is there something you want to say to me, Buffy?"
Buffy flushed, then replied, "Uh. . .nice combination?" Faith didn't even blink, and Buffy sighed and continued, "Faith, it's not what you think. . ."
Faith shook her head and responded, "What am I thinking, Buffy? That you think I'm not good enough for Giles. . .or that he's not good enough for me? Neither one is too great from my viewpoint, B, although I'm wondering if you just want him for yourself. . .no fair hogging all of the standup guys."
Buffy blinked hard at the last comment, and replied, "Faith, believe me. . .I have absolutely no interest in Giles that way." Tears came to her eyes, and she whispered, "Besides, I've done a good enough job of ruining his romantic life without getting in the middle of it myself."
Faith's eyes softened and she reached out to clasp Buffy's hand as she replied, "Buffy. . .you can't keep beating yourself up over that. Giles has forgiven you. . .why can't you forgive yourself?"
Buffy squeezed Faith's hand, but the tears began to flow as she responded, "Faith. . .I drove Jenny away from us, even though deep down I knew it wasn't her fault. . .she had switched loyalties as soon as she found out about the escape clause: if she hadn't, Willow and maybe Xander would have died that night. By the time it happened, I was coming around. . .but it was too late: she was vulnerable, and Angelus used that vulnerability to hurt all of us. . .but Giles most of all. Faith. . .he went to the Factory to die, and he would have if I hadn't made it there in time. Driving men to attempted suicide. . .I seem to be good at that. . .how long do you think it will be before Xander's turn comes?"
Faith could feel the depths of pain in Buffy's words, and felt compelled to say something to lighten the moment: "B, Xander's whole life for the last three years has been a suicide attempt. . .we're just lucky that he sucks at it. . .because we'd all be dead if he didn't."
Buffy looked reproachfully at Faith for a moment, then started to giggle, and both Slayers started laughing for a few moments before regaining their composure. Buffy wiped her eyes, looked at Faith and asked, "Faith. . .you did a pretty good job of analyzing the whole thing with me and Xander. . .what is it that makes you want Giles? I'd feel a lot better if I knew where you were coming from with this."
Faith sighed and looked away for a moment, then turned back and replied, "It's complicated. . .the surface he projects isn't bad. . .loyal, brave, studious. . .a lot like I could picture Xander becoming once he grows up." Buffy smiled at the image that Faith's words brought, then nodded for her to continue. The younger Slayer nodded in acknowledgement and continued, "We've both seen the inner Giles, Buffy. . .it comes out to play when one of us is in danger. . .the anger, the power. . .if he had been under a little more control that night in the Factory, Angelus might have bought the farm. I guess it's that control that draws me. . .it's what I've always wanted. . .but it seems to be just out of my reach. What is it that they say. . .that we seek out in our loves the things we find lacking in ourselves?"
Buffy smiled and replied, "Now who's being too hard on herself?" She squeezed Faith's hand and continued, "I see your point though. . .that inner strength is part of what makes him special." She chuckled and closed her eyes for a moment, then commented, "I suppose that if you adjust for the tweed factor, Giles would probably fall into the hottie category. . .oh God, I can't believe I just said that! Damned painkillers. . ."
Faith grinned at her and replied, "Yeah, they do make you say the most interesting things, don't they? " She squeezed Buffy's hand again and continued, "Relax, B. . .from what Ripper told me, nothing is gonna happen for months anyway. . .the Great Wall of England is up and open for business." Her grin took on a thoroughly wicked aspect as she concluded, "Oh well, gives me more time to plan."
Buffy smiled at the thoughtful expression on Faith's face and felt compelled to ask: "Are we all right now, Faith?"
The younger Slayer grinned and replied, "Five by five, B. . .just a bump in the road. . .as long as you don't drift off in the middle of another sparring session." Buffy winced and Faith continued, "After all, we have a job to do. . .regardless of the state of our love lives."
Buffy winced, then managed a faint chuckle as she responded, "Don't I know it. . .story of my life." She released Faith's hand and said, "All right, rap session over. . .let me get some sleep so that you can get on with the business of pummeling me in a few days."
Faith nodded and departed. Buffy sighed and settled down to sleep, hoping that everything would work out all right. * Damn it, even on the Hellmouth there has to be a first time for everything, doesn't there? *
* * * * *
The massive crate had been delivered to a warehouse that Giles had arranged to lease for the occasion. . .it wouldn't have done to have it show up at the high school (even Snyder wasn't dumb enough to overlook it), and Giles' apartment also seemed unsuitable. The entire group had assembled there. . .somehow, it seemed right to everyone that they should all be present for this occasion. Buffy and Faith effortlessly stripped the crate away, leaving the almost featureless metal cube. It seemed untouched by the seven centuries since its construction, and the handles that were its only idiosyncrasy seemed equally untouched. The Slayers met each other's eyes, then moved into position. Each silently counted to three, then turned their handles with remarkable simultaneity.
The box began to glow, and Buffy and Faith carefully stepped back ten feet as the glow brightened intolerably for a moment, then faded, leaving a small pedestal with two objects lying on it. The Slayers moved over to the pedestal. . .and their friends were amazed to see the looks of wonder on their faces as they reached out and took the swords into their right hands. The swords were about three feet long, with blades of fine steel and a faint blue radiance coming from them. Faith just stared at her weapon for a long moment, then took an experimental swing at the pedestal. The blade cut through the base made of fine marble as if it were Styrofoam, causing it to crash to the ground. The younger Slayer grinned at Buffy and commented:
"Looks like the cavalry has arrived."
. . .to be continued
As always, comments are welcomed and desired