Redemption, Resurrection, and Revenge
by Phoenixstitch
An Angel crossover with Hate and Love. Usual disclaimers in Part 1. Comments, complaints, etc. to me at vbmacky1@yahoo.com.

Part 2

Keith and Faith wandered down the broad lanes of the huge multiple story mall. Faith ignored the yuppies giving her looks because of her clothes. That was soon going to change. It had been ages since she had been in real one. Sunnydale's pitiful excuses were just that--nothings. This place had everything as she surveyed the brightly lit shop windows trying to pick out where to start. He had even told her price was no object—this was going to be way too much fun, she grinned to herself.

Her Watcher stuck to her like glue. Not that she was going to go any where--yet. Clothes, real food, then Angel in that order. After what Keith had told her in the car on the way there she had to see the dark haired, handsome vampire—even if she had to tear up half of LA to find him. Did he know she was coming out? Did he still care, or give a shit? She had to know one way or the other. If he was totally indifferent to her then she'd know she had been took again. Played for a sap by him, like everyone else in her life had done her. She really hoped that wasn't the case. He was the one person in her life besides the mayor that had gotten through, and had meant something to her. She could see how B had fallen for him, even though he was a damned vamp.

Keith steered her into a trendy shop with killer fashions in it's outer windows and started throwing clothes at her off the racks at her to try on. Her dark eyebrows shot up in amazement and anger. "Hey, don't I get to pick?"

"You will, but I do want to get out of this mall in this century. I also need you to have certain looks. We've got a bit of uncover work to do with this," he told her pointing her in the direction of the dressing rooms.

Confused, Faith for once did as he told her and found a dressing room and began stripping down. She looked over the expensive outfits surprised at his good taste in current women's fashions. Most of what he had picked was more than suitable for clubbing or making a statement. He had even picked out the right sizes too without being told or asked. This was a man with many hidden talents, and she suspected secrets as well. He was only early thirties if that. He lived in the now, had a sense of humor, and nothing she had said or done yet had fazed him.

Faith tried on several outfits and each time went out and modeled for him. Each time was a critical evaluation no matter how revealing or sexy she tried to act in them—the man was like a stone with nary a flicker of emotion in those cool light gray eyes. After she tried on all of them, he picked out five of the ones and told her to put the others back, but she held on to a red sparkly number she liked, and for once she asked nicely and he allowed her to add it to the pile for the saleslady, who had stayed out their way, to ring up.

Next stop was for jeans, skirts, T-shirts and more practical everyday wear. They racked up quite a few bags from there. Slaying was hell on clothes. She changed into one of her new pairs of jeans and a top before they left the store, and immediately felt better. She even dumped the old clothes in the trash as soon as left in the nearest trash container. Then came shoes, some to match the fancy dress wear, others for just general, and three pairs of boots, including a new pair of Doc Martins for her that she put on immediately, and wore to finish their shopping. Next was Victoria Secret. Faith really racked up there, she was having too much fun, except she couldn't get him to blush, or get flustered by any of her sexual innuendoes, and her playing around in the store showing off outfits. She was really beginning to wonder about him. She had even gotten Angel to blush a couple of times, and that was hard. He allowed her to pick out makeup, and hair stuff at their next stop while he made a quick run to the car to put her many purchases in it. She thought about making a break for it, but didn't.

She was a good girl for once, and was just finishing up her selections when he got back. She saw a slight flicker of relief in his eyes that she was where he had left her as he paid for all the stuff she had picked out. The last stop was the leather clothing store. Four pairs of leather pants, three skirts, a vest, a short multi-pocket jacket, and a black trench later, that she wore out of the store, they were through. Ohh yeah, she could really get to like this a lot. He was being a better sugar daddy than the mayor had been. She wondered whether all of this was out of the Council's pockets or his own. She was curious, but she didn't want to jinx the shopping either. He even allowed her to run through one of the record stores to let her stock up on some tapes and CDs and got her a player with headphones for her personal use. She even got a gameboy and games for it after she drooled at one in a window and started talking about how she used to play with Xander's when she was still hanging with the gang before she got involved with the mayor.

Declaring a halt to the buying frenzy he finally steered her into an international type restaurant when he couldn't get out of her what kind of food she wanted to eat. It wasn't super fancy in there and she relaxed. So far he hadn't even tried to put her into situations where she might feel uncomfortable or awkward. He was rapidly becoming okay in her book. They got a table towards the back. She ended up with a steak, baked potato and some sides and a cherry coke. Keith ended up with one of the chicken dishes and a coffee.

"What no tea? Thought that was a requirement with you English guys?" Faith asked when the waitress brought them their drinks.

He grinned at her. "Actually, I loath bloody tea, and I'm not English, I'm, Scots. I was born and raised in the Highlands near Loche Ness, but I was also sent to English prep schools.," he told her.

"Cool, a Highlander like in the movies," she commented taking a sip of her cherry coke, and he just rolled his eyes.

"No, not quite, and before you ask not I am not one of the MacCleods, but their clan is distantly related to mine. Actually, you are distantly related to me through your mother's side," he added, and saw her startle.

"No shit? Yeah, I knew there were a bunch of Scots in my background, that and English, and Irish. What you dug up the family tree, or something?"

"Something like that. The Council keeps track of potential slayers, bloodlines that tend to produce slayers, magic users, and the like. That's one of their jobs, so they can be there when a new slayer is called. Unfortunately, in the last ten years we have not been as quick to response as we had been in the old days—that is why both you, and Buffy slipped through the cracks, so to speak, and got delayed in your training. You also got Watchers that weren't as fully prepared as they should have been initially," he told her mindful of any eavesdroppers in the crowded restaurant.

"So it's not just slayers you guys watch?"

"No, we watch witches, sorcerers, demons, vampires, werewolves, fairies, and all the supernatural kindred."

"You guys must have had a field day with the Scoobies then."

"The Council was a tad upset about them. A unit like that had not been put together in a very long time, especially with a slayer. Several attempts were made to actually break it up, but failed. Finally it is being allowed to run it's course. Though with the departure of the werewolf the Council relaxed a little."

"Oz is gone? Man. He was so cool. Quiet, but cool. He and Red were like so hot together. Thought nothing short of dynamite would break them up," Faith commented as she had liked the musician.

"He ran into a female of his species, killed her, and then he and Miss Rosenberg broke up. She is now in a relationship with another female witch, named Tara."

Faith about lost it, and started laughing as his words sunk in. "Red's a les? No way! Didn't think she swung that way. She was always so uptight, and freaked if you even mentioned sex around her. That's way too weird. But then Red. and I weren't that close," Faith said with a sigh trying to repress some of her memories of the when she was part of the group and then fighting them. "So you've been keeping track of everyone?"

Keith nodded, and began eating his salad that their waitress had brought them. "The WC thought it was a good idea, since they had all proved useful in the fighting over the years. Though a lot of inside information was lost after Quentin fired Giles, and he stopped sending in reports. Most of what we know now is based on observation and discrete questioning. Not that any of our operatives could get that close without detection."

"Yeah that bunch is real damned tight and paranoid about outsiders. I had a hard time being accepted, and that didn't last too long. B and I just do not mix," Faith told him stabbing her salad.

"Unfortunately, that will have to change as you will be called upon to work with her," he told her and saw her look up and glare.

"No way! I am not work with that stuck up bitch. She tried to kill me—twice!"

"And you didn't? Plus torture, and hurt her friends, even the ones here, which was why you landed in jail?" he questioned.

"I ain't going to take this crap!" she snarled angrily, and leaped up to leave. Before she go anywhere he had clamped an iron hand on her wrist and she couldn't go anywhere. She looked at him in total shock and surprise when his long fingers dug into her. Struggling against him she could not get free. Panic was setting in. He wasn't a vampire, he didn't give her vibes like Oz had had—what the fuck was he that could stop her?

"Sit down, lassie, " he ordered, and she did, and he released her hand which she snatched back. and rubbed feeling back into because it was throbbing painfully. Faith looked at her Watcher with narrowed eyes trying to figure out what was going on.

"What are you?" she hissed, eyeing her steak knife, and calculating how quickly she could snatch up and use it.

He took a sip of coffee and eyed her debating what to tell her. Finally he said, "enhanced human. I do bleed, need to eat, have no trouble with sunlight, or religious artifacts. I also have super strength and reflexes, healing abilities, and it takes a lot to damage me. I am also a magic user. Single, no steady girlfriend, and am thirty-three years old," he finished with a tight smile.

"What you're a slayer?" she asked, still trying to figure him out.

"No, they can only be female. There are and never have been male slayers. It's a primal energy thing linked to female energy—you should have been told that, or experienced it when you were first called. No, I am what is joking referred to as 'a warrior on the edge of time'. One of my writer friends even used me as a model for one of his characters as did some musician friends for some music. It's been quite amusing really because people think I'm just a figment of their bloody imaginations. My abilities were activated by accident due to an ancient artifact I unearthed. Even the soddin' WC is not aware that I have changed," he told her.

"So you're like Superman?" the dark haired girl laughed, not really buying into his story, but willing to hear him out.

"No," he laughed. "No flying, or jumping over buildings with a single bound. But I do have other more useful talents," he smiled, not saying more, and letting her know the subject was dropped for now as their food was served. "Eat," he told her. "We still have to see Angel and I need to talk to your ex-Watcher, Wesley as well.

And she did eat, keeping a wary eye on the red haired man as she chowed down on huge steak and veggies. Faith wasn't sure about his story, but just from the small sample of strength she had gotten, she was sure he could take her easily at this point in time. Even Angel had had problems holding her if she didn't want to be held. This guy was not having any holding her and her wrist still hurt. So now she was stuck with a super-Watcher—just fuckin' great! Had to happen though, who else was going to be able to handle her?

They finished finally, after she also scarped down a huge slice of death by chocolate cake. "Now that was good," she said sitting back in her chair, feeling much, much better and full for once. "So are you going to call, and warn them, or are we just showing up?" she inquired.

"Wesley knows we're coming. If he saw Angel today he was going to tell him. Wesley has forgiven you for last year," Keith added, understanding her discomfort at the mention of seeing him.

"Okay, I guess, but I doubt if Cordelia has. That bitch holds hard grudges. Whenever you're ready I'm five by five to go."

Keith nodded, after he paid their waitress. "Shall we, lassie," he told her getting up, and they gathered their purchases up and left.

It was nearing eight P.M. when Keith's cell phone in his pocket started beeping. He flipped it up and answered it as he steered the car through the heavy downtown traffic on the way to Angel's hotel. "Hi, Wesley, I have Faith, and we're on our way to Angel's. What's up?" he asked and listened to the man on the other end fill him in. "I see. Do you think he'll show?" he asked and waited for a reply. "Got it. Meet you there. Bye," he said and flipped the phone shut.

"So what's up?" Faith asked, waiting for him to fill her in.

"He and Cordelia, and Gunn are running late. Had some last minute business to take care of. He's not sure whether Angel is there or not ,or whether he's out trying to track down Darla and Dru. Since the falling out the other day, they have not been hanging around the hotel, so they don't know what is up with Angel. We're to wait for them," he explained.

"Angel's got new digs? I heard about the explosion at the old place."

"He took over and old hotel. Right now it's only him living there. Everyone else has their own places, and now Wesley, actually Cordelia, is looking into getting them an office to work out of since Angel kicked them out. Something about they are still going do his job even if he won't, helping the helpless."

She could see the do-gooders doing that. "That still freaks me. So this thing with Darla is really making him nutso. He must have it bad for this chick."

"That is what I have been hearing. According to the records Angelus and Darla were a couple for a hundred years until he got cursed by the gypsies, and got a soul. Then he split from them all and dropped out of sight. Darla went back to the master, and Spike and Drusilla stayed together, and went off on their own. Then Whistler found him and made him Buffy's protector when she was sent to Sunnydale. Darla was already there and Angel killed her, and that should have been the end to it. Now she was brought back, and no one is sure what is going on between him and her, especially now, since she's a vampire again. Though Cordelia did say Angel has been weird for months, and getting stranger and stranger. We now know that it was Darla making him that way," Keith explained as they pulled up in front of the huge old hotel.

"Why are we stopping here? I thought we were going to Angel's new place." Faith asked, looking at the building that was in the process of renovation.

"This is his new place," Keith told her as they both stepped out of the car.

"Far out! This is all his? Knew he had money stashed, but I am majorally impressed."

"Money?" Keith questioned as they waited by the car on the look out for the others to show up.

"Sure, him being a vampire and all. The dude was loaded. He had this mansion, and it was all decked out. I think everyone thought that he had just took it over like the other vamps around town. The mayor had me check on the place to find something legal we could use. It was all legit, taxes, everything in Angel's name. Then he's got like tons of stocks, investments, properties, you name it. Lots in Buffy's name too, and mine, which is kind of sweet of him," Faith told him in a casual tone, starting to get impatient.

"So you know about those? As far as I know Buffy doesn't. How'd you'd find out?" he asked leaning against the car looking up at the night sky.

"Hey, I know how to look. I may not have high school but I know my way around a computer. Plus I was really bored one day," she shot back, looking innocent.

A large black convertible with the top down with just a dark haired driver drove past them and pulled into the driveway of the parking garage and disappeared. They instantly knew who it was—Angel. waited. They weren't sure if he had seen them or not. Making sure the car was locked up, they headed across the lawn in the direction the car had gone, but before they could go in a pick up truck with three people pulled in behind then on the concrete driveway. Keith and Faith spun around as one striking defensive postures, ready for anything.

The driver cut the headlights and got out as did the passengers. "Keith, it's Wesley!" the dark haired Watcher warned, and Keith did, but not Faith. She kept up her stance as the three newcomers approached cautiously.

"At ease, lassie. There'll be no trouble between you. You have my word," he told her and she marginally relaxed, and struck a bored pose looking over Cordelia, and Wesley whom she knew. The tall, powerfully built black guy had to be this Gunn she had heard about from Angel. He had just joined the team permanently after he had been doing demon hunting and killing on his own on the LA streets. Now he was serious muscle. Faith was impressed.

"Hello, Faith," Wesley greeted her trying to be civil to the dark haired slayer that had tortured, and beaten him and Cordelia.

"Wes, Cordelia," Faith acknowledged through gritted teeth, not wanting to start a scene yet until she got to see Angel.

"Faith," Cordelia said and looked the girl over. "Nice outfit. Doing the super hero uniform now?" the brunette added seeing that the girls clothes were similar to her Watcher's and to what Angel usually wore.

And Faith ignored her. "So you're Gunn?" asked the girl looking up at him.

"Yeah, Charles Gunn. And you're the other slayer. Heard about you both though. Nice meeting you," he said extending his hand, and she took it and shook it. "Haven't met the other slayer yet. Be real interesting to see what you can do."

'Well at least one of this group likes me,' Faith thought to herself as they studied and evaluated each other. "Hopefully, you'll get your chance soon. I may have been out of commission, but I think I can still handle a stake." She told him, and he nodded, while Cordy ignored them, and went over to where Keith and Wesley were talking.

"I see you got her, Keith. Any problems?" Wesley asked looking over to the girl talking to Gunn.

"No, everything went smooth as clockwork, no snags on getting her out. They were happy to get rid of her. Then I took her shopping, and got her some new clothes, and fed her. Thought that might make it easier on her seeing she didn't have anything when she went in. She's still skitzy. I gave her a rough outline on this bloody situation, but have not filled her in on the Sunnydale problems. She does not want to work with the other slayer, but I am not surprised. I will get her to cooperate when the time comes. Are you going to be able to work with her?" the new Watcher asked looking at his ex-colleague, and Cordelia.

"I did agree to, and so did Cordelia to give it a try. But she will cooperate and not threaten us in any way or the deal is off. She is still a vicious little child and I fear that a year in jail has made her worse not better, " Wesley told him firmly, looking uncomfortably back and forth between Keith and Faith.

"I second that," Cordelia told him, wondering if he was single. This new watcher was a real hotty. "If she plays nice, then we'll play nice, but I will not hesitate to use my crossbow on her if she attacks me," Cordy informed him. Of all of them she had known the slayer who was the same age as she was the longest. They had never been close. The ex-cheerleader had never really forgiven the slayer for sleeping with Xander and taking his virginity when they had been broke up. Xander had confessed what he had done, and she couldn't believe that he had willingly slept with the skanky-ho. She had planned to forgive Xander at the Prom and give herself to him, ending their mutual virginity before their big battle with the mayor. After she found out, there wasn't anyway that she'd ever sleep with Xander, and the relationship had really broke off over that.

Keith nodded listening to both of them, knowing their concerns. Right now the girl was cooperating with him because she wasn't sure of him, and he had demonstrated already that he was as strong as she was mentally and physically. Right now he was more in the position of training a vicious dog to obey, and trying to undo the damage that had been done in her training so far. "I hear both of you, and I will make her behave. I know she doesn't play nice, but that is what we need in this situation."

"Just keep her back from me and I'll put up with her for Angel's sake, and what has to be done," Cordelia told them both. "So instead of standing around her all night talking let's get in there before Angel has a chance to take off."

"Right, let's move people," Keith told them all, grabbing up Faith, and moving them towards the outer double doors of the hotel lobby.

End Part 2

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