Part 8 - Beginning of the End

The sound of a car engine grew nearer. Faith ignored it – till the scream of tyres behind her jerked her round, cursing as she saw the car screech to a halt. She knew who it was, though she didn't understand how they'd been found. She hadn't wanted to be found now, not yet – but this could be turned. She could use this.

The vampire raised his head from the girl, red staining his pale skin, disoriented. Faith smiled and watched as four figures scrambled from the car, listening to the sound of quiet bickering between two of them. Angel, tall, easily picked out from his height and the long leather coat he wore. Wesley – lamplight shining from his glasses. Cordelia. And – Faith's smile widened – her own body, dark-haired, dark-eyed, curved and lithe. All this passed in a matter of seconds, Faith's identification of the New Scooby Gang, their approach. All bearing weapons of some sort. Angel's voice rang out. "Let the girl go."

Faith laughed. She could see the surprise on their faces. What were they expecting her to do? "Oooooh, how traditional," she taunted. "My friend here hasn't finished yet. You're interrupting," she said. She looked at Buffy. "And how are you getting along? Your Mom's fine, by the way," she added, laughing again. "I'm taking – real good care of her. By the way, B – nice body. You took care of it. Might have guessed you were waiting for me to use it properly. Thanks."

"You – you……." Buffy's voice failed her and Angel shook his head, grabbing her as she started to step forward, the loaded crossbow at her side coming up.

"No. That's what she wants," he said in a low voice. "We have to get her out of the way, take out the vampire. Make sure the girl's alright." He looked at Faith. In Buffy's body. His heart ached for the girl beside him, wondering what it must be like to see a human demon inside her body, inside her life. He glanced behind Faith, seeing that the vampire had stopped feeding, the girl limp in his arms, though still breathing. His mistake was turning to run – the girl dropped bonelessly to the ground, crumpling to the sidewalk – even as Angel opened his mouth to shout, he heard the thunk of the crossbow releasing beside him. The bolt struck the vampire with great force from the short range, carrying him forward before he died, a shape made of dust hanging in the air. Angel pushed Buffy behind him, standing squarely in front of her. Who could tell what Faith's next move would be?

Faith glanced over her shoulder briefly, turning her attention quickly back to the foursome in front of her. She shrugged. "Gee, thanks, guys. Now I'll have to find and train another one," she said, mock anger colouring her tone. She started to move forwards, watching as Wesley and Cordelia moved to flank her, leaving Buffy and Angel in front.

"Found your friends, then, B," she said. She grinned. "Weird. Lookin' at me, but knowing it's you. How'd you get on with the Council, B? Couldn't even kill them to save yourself, could you? How're you finding it without your powers, now? 'Cause I know you don't have them anymore. How's it feel," she was almost touching Buffy now, "not to be a Slayer? To be weak, B? Like them." She smiled again. "And I know you're getting weaker. But me? I'm strong. How's it feel to know you're losing, B?"

Wesley darted in from one side, suddenly. Faith didn't even look, simply lashing out, the blow knocking him to the ground, glasses hanging from one ear. Blood began to ooze from a gash on his cheek where one of her rings had ripped the flesh. He sat up slowly, righting his glasses, touching his face carefully, the blood standing out brightly against his pale skin. Cordy winced but started to move, lifting her crossbow, Faith's voice freezing her, blue eyes cold and hard in the pale light. "Don't even try it, Prom Queen. I'm really – not in the mood to be nice to you tonight."

"You're what I want," she said, looking at Buffy. "But I can wait to deal with you – and your friends…… I've got a couple of other things I'd like to try." She licked her lips and looked at Angel, then. "Come on, undead-boy. You wanna play with me?" she said softly. She struck a pose then, running one hand down her body, tossing her head to make her golden hair shimmer in the dim light, pouting her red lips at him. "You know you still want this body, no matter who's in it." She beckoned to him.

"Oh, I don't think so," he replied, keeping her attention on him, momentarily distracting her from the other three. "I don't go in for bitches – or psychotic losers, either. You wanna play?" His smile was unexpected, as was the Change in his features. Teeth glinted sharply in the light as he spoke, beckoning to Faith. "Come on, then."

Faith hadn't seen Wesley take the vial from his jacket as he sprawled on the ground. Discounting him as a weakling, not enough for her to bother with, she'd paid no attention to his low voice, murmuring softly. When the wetness splashed her back, soaking her hair, turning the golden strands dark, she growled low in her throat and turned to him. Tried to move forward, but the air seemed – thick, somehow. Trapping her in its folds, holding her still. She could barely breath and there seemed to be something black, reaching out to enfold her. Her vision was distorted, things shrinking and growing, spiralling round her. Faith's hands clutched at the air as the spell took effect and she crumpled to the ground.

Cordy rushed over to help Wesley to his feet, peering anxiously at the blood streaking his face. "Don't worry, it's not serious," he said shakily. Buffy stood over Faith, looking down at her, fists clenched, tears leaking slowly down her cheeks as she looked at her own face, pale and still. Angel gently put an arm round her shoulders, turning her towards him, folding her into his arms, feeling her body shake against him. He held her tightly for a moment before drawing back slightly, looking down into her face. He kissed her gently, closing his eyes so he wouldn't see Faith's face, even though he knew it was Buffy. "Go with Cordelia, back to the car. We'll bring Faith – and the girl."