My feet hit the pavement as I step out of the car and I'm back in Sunnydale, just like that. The Council's hooked me up with a one room "flat" as they keep calling it, and that's where we've pulled up in front of. I've got nothing, no possessions, no clothes, so I have nothing to move in. But I'm curious to see where I'm shacking so I play the good girl and follow them in. Honestly, I'm itching to kill something. It's been a long, long time since I dusted a vamp. I didn't think I'd miss it. Didn't think that it would get me this bad. You'd think after being in the slammer for so long I'd wanna walk in the sunshine or go get a burger or something, things I couldn't do on the inside.
The room is small, with no bathroom; I'm sharing one with three other apartment dwellers. Swell. But, I'm not choosy. Beats showering with 25 other women.
Blondie turns to me. "Like it?" he asks, smiling.
I shrug. "It's got a bed, floors, walls. S'all I need, thanks."
He nods. "Good. Time to meet your Watcher." We walk back outside and cross the street to a park. It's then that I notice a guy sitting on a park bench. Blondie stops in front of him and turns to introduce us.
"Faith," he says royally, "this is your new Watcher. Jackson Sloan. Jackson, meet Faith."
Jackson cocks an eyebrow at me and moves to shake my hand. "Nice to meet you," he drawls, in a Southern accent so thick it makes it makes my brain slow.
"Hey," I manage to say, and then he steps into the light. My God…they do know how to grow 'em down South. He's a tasty little morsel if I ever did see one. He's built, he's tall, and he's got this dark wavy black hair with the same color eyes.
"Feel up to patrolling a bit tonight?" he asks, but it comes out "Fheel up ta patrollin' a bit tanight?"
I glance at Blondie, who grins at me like an idiot. I turn back to Sloan. Cutie or not, I'm not sure I'm Watcher-ready just yet. "Sure."
"Good. Let's get started then…unless you have more to add, Marty?" he says, glancing at me, his eyes teasing.
Blondie cringes at the nickname and Sloan goes up ten points in my book. "Er, yes, I suppose my work is finished here, then, Mr. Sloan. Faith," he turns to me, "the Council does not grant reprieves that often. I suggest you take your work here seriously."
I nod and place a hand over my heart. "Yes, sir, Sir, I'll try my hardest to be the very best Slayer possible, Sir."
Sloan rolls his eyes but keeps that grin hidden I can see itchin' at the corners of his mouth. "Faith," he warns lightly.
"Sorry," I say and give him my best innocent look.
Blondie exits and Sloan and I start walking. "So…hard to be back in Sunnydale?" he asks.
I shrug. Yeah, it's hard…what does he think? "I guess. Different. This kinda got all thrown together pretty quick. My head's a little spun."
"I'm sorry to hear about Ms. Summers," he says quietly. "Do you feel up to handling Slaying so soon?"
I think about this for a second. "I dunno…I don't really have a choice, ya know? It's what I'm made for…and B…she would have wanted me to protect her friends."
He cocks and eyebrow at me. "B?"
"Buffy," I explain.
"Ah," he said, nodding. "I was under the impression that the last time you two met it wasn't under the best circumstances."
I laugh, a short, harsh laugh. "You could say that. Most the of times B and I got together more to rumble than to have heart-to-hearts if you know what I mean. But…she was cool. She knew her stuff. And she was good…great, actually. Kicked my ass a few times."
He nods again. "That I've heard, that she was good, I mean. I've spoken with Mr. Giles. He's upset, naturally. And very British."
I smile. "That's Giles. You should have seen Wesley…ten times worse. Giles is actually relaxed compared to him."
Sloan looks thoughtful. "Oh…Wesley Wyndam-Price…right. Watcher number three."
We're walking by one of the many Sunnydale cemeteries at this point and I glance over to check it out but see nothing. A part of me is disappointed. "Yep…you're lucky number five for me."
"Five?" he looks confused. "Who's the fifth?"
"Well, that's if you count old Gwenny Post…the non-Watcher who tried to kill me…and several other people."
He grins. "Sure…your bio does mention that. Sorry…I only found out about you two days ago. Didn't have much time for researching."
"What else does my bio say?" I ask.
He glances at me sideways. "It's…colorful. We can talk about that later."
I shrug. "Fine, whatever. Didn't figure you'd tell me…" I sense something… "anyway," I finish, looking around. Then it hits me. "Hey, Angel…need to work on that sneaking up thing," I say to the darkness. He comes out from behind the tree he's been watching us from.
"Hi," he says, a little sheepishly.
"Hey." We stare at each other for a minute before Sloan clears his throat. "Oh, sorry, Angel this is Jackson Sloan, Sloan, this is Angel."
They shake hands. "New Watcher?" Angel asks me.
I nod. "New Watcher."
Sloan cocks an eyebrow curiously, then it dawns on him. "Angel…you're in her bio too. Nice to meet you. Your history is a very interesting read."
Angel looks at him warily. "Thanks." He turns to me. "How you doing?" he asks sincerely.
I nod. "I'm okay. A little restless. A little shaky. You know."
He does know. "I can imagine. Patrolling, or is this a social walk?"
"Both, I guess. Why? Something up?"
He shakes his head. "Just wanted to let you know that Xander and Willow are up ahead, coming this way. Wasn't sure you were ready to get reacquainted just yet."
After everything that's happened in the last day, this is what flaps me cold. I shake my head and turn to Sloan. "We're gone," I say and start walking in the opposite direction.
"Faith, wait," he calls as he and Angel jog to catch up with me.
"Can't," I tell him, not stopping. "There are people I'm not ready to see. And I'm sure they don't want to see me, so let's make it easy on everyone and just go."
"That's fine," he tells me, grabbing my arm. I stop. "But can we slow down a bit?" I stare at him for a moment, then realize how fast I must have been walking. He's out of breath.
I laugh. "Sorry."
Angel's lingering in the background. "Come on," I tell them both. Angel looks hesitant but follows after a second. We walk back to my room and Sloan and I go in. Angel stands in the doorway, watching me, uncomfortable. "Oh, sorry," I say, "come in."
"Nice place," he says, stepping through the doorway and looking around.
"Yeah, well, beats that hotel I used to live in."
"You could stay at the mansion if you want," he says. Sloan watches us.
I'm not sure how to react to that. "I don't think that would be a good idea," I finally tell him. "You know Xander and Willow know I'm here, or at least that I'm on my way. Wouldn't look too good if I was living in your house, not considering…" I trail off, remembering how I had tried to make Buffy hurt by lovin' up on Angel at one time.
He nods, remembering too. "Yeah, maybe not. But, after I'm gone…back to LA…then you could."
Sloan interrupts. "So, you're here for a visit then?" he asks Angel.
Angel turns to him, still wary. "Something like that. I just want to make sure Faith's okay."
Sloan considers this. "That's good. I'm glad she has someone on her side." Then, more softly, "I'm terribly sorry to hear about Ms. Summers. I understand you two were…"
That terrible look Angel had in his eyes at the prison is back in a flash. He hangs his head a little. "Thanks."
Everyone gets all quiet. It's uncomfortable. Finally Angel looks up at me. "I just wanted to welcome you back," he says and moves to the door. "I'll get out of your way for tonight. You know where I'll be."
I nod. "Thanks," I say, and he leaves.
Sloan looks at me. "Bucket of sunshine, isn't he?"
I get defensive. "He's a good guy. Had a lot to deal with."
Sloan nods. "I'm sure." He pauses. "Well, I'd like you to patrol tonight, if you're up to it. But, I'll understand if you want to take a day or two."
"It's not the days that are the problem, the nights tend to get a bit hairy around here. Least they used to."
"Point taken. Do you want me to go with you?"
I shake my head. "Nah. I can handle it."
"Good." He hands me a piece of paper. "This is where I'll be staying. Check in with me tomorrow, okay?"
I nod. "Sure."
He makes for the door then turns back. "It will get easier, Faith. I know you don't know me, you probably don't want to know me, but we're stuck together."
I let out a breath. "I know. I want to do it right this time. B…she deserves it. Wanna prove to her that I'm not a failure."
He watches me for a minute, then nods. "See you tomorrow. Be careful." Then he's gone, and I'm alone in this strange new place.