Forward :
Due to ff.net's downtime I elected to begin using a yahoogroup to post my stories to. For those of you who wish to catch the latest parts ahead of the ff.net readers by at least 24 hours then I suggest/ask/beg that you join up at :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Journeyverse/
I tend to try to post 1-2 parts per day on this group...
There also a surprising amount of discussion going on about the verse as well... shrug so if you like that kinda thing then drop by. :)
Now, On to the story
*****
The ride back to Sunnydale was a short one, filled with laughter and jokes as the trio sped along the highway.
"Girl," Faith looked over her shoulder at Tara, "You were awesome."
Tara flushed, "thanks..."
Willow was grinning, pulling her lover closer to her as she pressed herself against Tara in the back seat. "No surprises here."
Tara just smiled shyly as she let Willow pull her tight. She heart actually beat faster as she felt Willow's heartbeat through the tight leather vest the redhead was wearing. "S... so this is what you've been doing with your t.. time?"
Willow shrugged a little, "Sometimes... we were just shopping when this purse snatcher tried to steal from this lady ahead of us."
"Yeah," Faith laughed, "Red here popped a planter out in front of him as he was running off... Sap hit the ground and probably still doesn't know what the hell happened."
"Willow..." Tara said, hesitating, "You're using magic like this?"
"Not much..." Willow said defensively. "And only to help people..."
Tara nodded slowly, "Not for personal gain?"
Willow shook her head quickly, "I swear... just some defensive stuff like you saw earlier..."
Tara thought about it, "I... I guess that's ok."
Willow smiled, her face lighting up as it sank in that she had, at least, the approval of her lover. "Thank you."
The two witches cuddled together in the backseat. Faith smiled and stole an occasional glance in the rearview as she blasted Mustang along the highway toward Sunnydale.
*****
Jan 8th
Jenny frowned in puzzlement as she watched her two charges working on their spellcraft. The change in Willow over the past few days was dramatic. She was smiling again, and had lost a lot of her defensive anger.
Jenny shook her head and smiled slightly, she wasn't sure who or what had happened to the girl but she was finally starting to see some headway being made with the young Wiccan.
"Time." She called, causing the duo to look up.
"We're done." Willow said, a little proudly.
Jenny noted the pride and tried to decide whether it was excessive or not. Punctured pride could be dangerous, but an overblown ego could kill. She look over the results and decided that the pride was warranted. She smiled at the two, "Good job. Your results are extremely accurate."
The two witches looked down at the magically drawn map of Sunnydale. It looked almost like an ariel photograph, except that if you looked closer you could see that the small buildings, trees, and other things were three dimensional. Willow grinned at the beautiful image, despite the incredible focus it was taking to maintain it.
"You can drop the spell now." jenny said.
Both witches let out breaths of relief as they dropped their focus and let the image melt away. It had taken a massive amount of concentration to create and maintain an image that detailed.
Jenny smiled, "This time I want you to do the same thing, but we're going to add a twist."
The two witches looked on in anticipation, "What kind?"
"I want you to plot supernatural power by type." Jenny explained, handing them the spell. "Here is the spell. It will identify and classify all supernatural powers in the area by type... Demons, Witches, Enchantments, Empowerments such as the Slayer essence, and so forth...."
Tara paled, "Um... I ah... I can't right now..."
"What?" Jenny looked perplexed, "Why?"
"I forgot..." Tara said apologetically, "I have to go... something to do..."
Jenny looked at her for a moment, "ok... We'll do this next time."
Tara nodded gratefully and practically fled the room.
"Willow," Jenny said slowly, "Can I talk with you?"
"Ummm..." Willow looked around nervously, "Sure... I guess."
Jenny smiled, "It's nothing bad... I just wanted to let you know how happy I am that you're taking this seriously now. Magic can be very dangerous..."
Willow nodded, "I guess I didn't see it before... even after the spell... but I've been talking... and thinking... I'm still not really sure but I'm starting to understand."
Jenny nodded. "I understand. For what it's worth, I think you're going to come out of this just fine, Willow."
Willow smiled gratefully at the Whitelighter. "Thank you, Miss Calender."
*****
Jan 11th
Buffy walked up to her dorm, smiling, when something odd caught her eye. What's Faith doing here?
She paused in midstep as she watched the other Slayer grin at Willow as the young Wiccan stepped out of the building. Buffy's eyes widened as Faith tossed Willow a helmet and the redheaded witch slipped onto the back of the BMW bike behind the Slayer.
What the hell?
As the bike roared off Buffy just stood there, uncertain what to think for along time. Finally she set her face and made a decision. Got to get to the bottom of this one.
*****
"Where to today?" Willow yelled over the roar of the engine as she hung onto Faith.
She could feel faith shrug, "Don't have any big plans. You?"
"Nope." Willow said, "Dark is coming in a few hours... maybe hit the mall until then and we can patrol?"
"Sounds good!"
The wind whipped past as Faith gunned the engine again and wove through traffic toward the nearest mall.
*****
"Buffy?" Miss Parker said as she walked upon the blond Slayer.
Buffy jumped, "Geeez... don't DO that."
Parker just smiled, stealth had been a way of life to her and it was good to see that she could even surprise a mystically enhanced warrior. "So sorry. Can I help you?"
Buffy grimaced, Sorry my ass. Then she looked at the older woman, "I'm looking for Faith."
Parker shrugged, "Haven't seen her since earlier, what's up?"
Buffy frowned, "It's kinda weird... You know how we told you about when Faith was here before?"
Andrea nodded, "Yes. You said that she killed a man by accident and lost her way."
Buffy snorted, "Polite way of putting that she tried to kill most of us... But I meant before that... She and Willow... they never got along."
"So?"
"So, today I saw Willow hop on the back of Faith's bike and they roared off down the road like old friends."
"People change..."
"I guess..." Buffy didn't sound convinced.
Andrea looked at the young blond and could see the worry coming off of her. "You think another spell might be involved?"
"..." Buffy thought about it before shaking her head, "No... I... no, I don't think so..."
Andrea shrugged, "So don't worry about it."
"Maybe you're right." Buffy nodded and turned to leave.
Andrea Parker watched the blond slayer leave, her own face pensive. I wonder what Faith IS up to?
*****
Sunnydale Mall
Willow glanced outside, noting that darkness had fallen a few moments earlier. "Come ON, Faith." She tried to drag the Slayer out of the Lingerie store to little avail.
"Jeeze, Red." Faith said exasperated. "You just can't stop a girl cold turkey while she's checking this stuff out... I mean, give me a few minutes in the cotton section of the store to come down or something..."
"Who are you trying to fool, Faith?" Willow snapped, a little humorously. "You and white silk are SO not going to happen."
Faith shrugged, "What? You never hear of Role playing?"
Willow actually stopped for a second, images flashing in her mind. "Ew. Come ON. We can still meet up with Tara and do a run through the graveyards on the South side while Buffy is checking the North with Riley."
"Alright already." Faith grumbled, tossing the sheer teddy back onto the rack and following the redhead out the door.
Behind them they left two men and a woman shooting them lustful glances and swallowing excess saliva. The three looked at each other, two customers and a clerk.
"Wow." Each of them managed to squeak out as the door closed behind the two girls.
*****
Andrea Parker watched as the two girls switched from the BMW R1150 to the Mustang that Jarod and Xander were still keeping on lease.
What *are* you two up to?
As the sports car drove off she slid onto her Classic Harley and strapped on her helmet. A few seconds later she roared out into the street in pursuit of the red Mustang.
*****
"Hop in, Tiger."
Tara shook her head, still not comfortable with the nickname Faith had laid on her. "D...do you have to call me that?"
"You'd rather what? Blondy? Church Mouse? Sweater Girl?"
Tara squeezed in behind Willow, "M... my name is Tara."
Faith appeared to consider it for a second, "Nah. I don't do names."
Tara sighed as the Mustang roared off.
*****
Miss Parker raised an eyebrow as she watched the shy blond get into the car with the first two. Something is definitely up here.
She revved the Harley's engine and pulled out form behind the van she had used as cover, easily pacing the sports car as it headed across town.
*****
Buffy watched as Tara piled into the car with Willow and Faith. What the hell?
She watched the direction the car headed in and tried to guess where they were going. It took a few seconds but she finally decided. Patrol. Graveyards on that side of town have been quiet lately.
The Blond Slayer took off at a dead run, sprinting through the streets and hurdling fences and obstructions as she cut through shortcuts.
*****
Sunnydale,
One of the many graveyards
"Why are we doing this again?" Tara asked as she narrowly avoided a vampire's fist.
Faith easily danced in and jammed a stake into the vamp's back, flashed the blond a grin, and said. "Beats hanging at the bronze with a pack of teeny boppers?"
Willow looked over at Faith oddly for a brief second, "Aren't we technically still 'teeny boppers' ourselves?"
"Nah." faith grinned, smashing a vampire across the face. "We're older inside."
"Oh god." Willow groaned, as she tossed a stake to Tara and rushed over to help her lover deal with another vampire. "That such a bad joke."
"Who's joking?"
"I... I meant why are we patrolling without the others?" tara tried again.
"Girls night out?" Faith asked as she backhanded another vampire.
Tara snickered involuntarily. "S... seriously."
"B and the Ken Doll have their own patrol pals now... they don't need us around."
"W... what about Xander?"
Faith laughed, "Xander doesn't patrol. He hunts."
Willow looked up from her own fight, "What's the difference?" she asked as she drove a stake into the vampires heart.
Faith shook her head, belted another vamp in the gut, and said. "He stalks the poor bastards... kills 'em before they even see him coming. We'd just slow the X-man down right now..."
"Huh?"
Faith tried to explain in between spin kicks, "Xan-man went all stealth and Stalker on us, girl... not exactly my specialty... or yours."
"Whoa." Willow said.
"Ummm... Will? Help." The quiet voice sounded, causing Willow to twist around.
Tara tried to stake the vampire that was coming at her but he easily caught her hand and pulled her close to him, his teeth visible as he went for her neck. The Vampire paused, a look of shocked surprise floating across his face as he suddenly turned to dust. Behind him Tara saw Willow standing with a cocky smile and a wooden stake.
"Is that a stake in your hand or are you just happy to see me?" Willow cracked as she pulled Tara to her feet.
Tara looked at her, shocked. "Y... you're starting to sound like... her." She tilted her head toward Faith.
Willow's eyes opened wide, her hand covering her mouth. "Oh god! I am aren't I?"
*****
Parker leaned on the handle bars as she watched the brawl in the graveyard. They're not bad... Should teach 'em how to use some of the weapons in the armory though... They shouldn't give up any edge in a fight for their lives.
She watched as the three girls swept though the graveyard, effectively but not professionally, eliminating any vampires stupid enough to get in their crosshairs. As the fight toned down she kicked the Harley's engine over and drove slowly away as the trio made their way back to the Mustang.
*****
"C'mon, gals." Faith grinned as she slid behind the wheel. "Hop in."
"You know, Faith..." Willow looked at the dark slayer oddly, "I never asked... but when did you test for your drivers licence?"
Faith just grinned at her.
Willow blanched, "Y... You... didn't?"
The dark slayer shrugged, "The Mayor gave me one he cut from the licence bureau before... well..."
"He *gave* you one?"
Faith grinned, "Its good to know people in high places."
Willow just shook her head while tara stared at the driver with sudden worry as she watched the road rush past them.
*****
Buffy hurdled the fence that surrounded the graveyard, barely breaking pace for the five foot structure. This was the third one she'd checked in the last few minutes and nothing unusual had shown up. She was starting to think that she had been wrong. Maybe they weren't patrolling after all?
She slowly started moving through the graveyard, looking around for signs of the trio she had been chasing. Nothing... Nothing at... hello? What's this?
Buffy dropped to one knee and looked at the ground, easily picking out vampire dust from the more normal dirt that composed the ground she was walking upon. As she looked around she spotted several other scatterings of dust around the immediate area.
Hmmm... footprints here...
Buffy placed her feet in the footprints, following them as they moved around the graveyard, sometimes backing up, sometimes lunging forward.
"Gotcha." She said aloud, "Definitely a fight went down here. Faith was over here... not sure which of these was Willow and Tara though..."
Buffy stopped her motions and turned away from the graveyard, So Willow is patrolling with Faith? Damn. Was I that hard on her over the spell?
The blond Slayer shook her head and broke into a light jog as she left the graveyard, trying to decide if she should talk to her friend about this, or wait and see how it worked out.
*****
Due to ff.net's downtime I elected to begin using a yahoogroup to post my stories to. For those of you who wish to catch the latest parts ahead of the ff.net readers by at least 24 hours then I suggest/ask/beg that you join up at :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Journeyverse/
I tend to try to post 1-2 parts per day on this group...
There also a surprising amount of discussion going on about the verse as well... shrug so if you like that kinda thing then drop by. :)
Now, On to the story
*****
The ride back to Sunnydale was a short one, filled with laughter and jokes as the trio sped along the highway.
"Girl," Faith looked over her shoulder at Tara, "You were awesome."
Tara flushed, "thanks..."
Willow was grinning, pulling her lover closer to her as she pressed herself against Tara in the back seat. "No surprises here."
Tara just smiled shyly as she let Willow pull her tight. She heart actually beat faster as she felt Willow's heartbeat through the tight leather vest the redhead was wearing. "S... so this is what you've been doing with your t.. time?"
Willow shrugged a little, "Sometimes... we were just shopping when this purse snatcher tried to steal from this lady ahead of us."
"Yeah," Faith laughed, "Red here popped a planter out in front of him as he was running off... Sap hit the ground and probably still doesn't know what the hell happened."
"Willow..." Tara said, hesitating, "You're using magic like this?"
"Not much..." Willow said defensively. "And only to help people..."
Tara nodded slowly, "Not for personal gain?"
Willow shook her head quickly, "I swear... just some defensive stuff like you saw earlier..."
Tara thought about it, "I... I guess that's ok."
Willow smiled, her face lighting up as it sank in that she had, at least, the approval of her lover. "Thank you."
The two witches cuddled together in the backseat. Faith smiled and stole an occasional glance in the rearview as she blasted Mustang along the highway toward Sunnydale.
*****
Jan 8th
Jenny frowned in puzzlement as she watched her two charges working on their spellcraft. The change in Willow over the past few days was dramatic. She was smiling again, and had lost a lot of her defensive anger.
Jenny shook her head and smiled slightly, she wasn't sure who or what had happened to the girl but she was finally starting to see some headway being made with the young Wiccan.
"Time." She called, causing the duo to look up.
"We're done." Willow said, a little proudly.
Jenny noted the pride and tried to decide whether it was excessive or not. Punctured pride could be dangerous, but an overblown ego could kill. She look over the results and decided that the pride was warranted. She smiled at the two, "Good job. Your results are extremely accurate."
The two witches looked down at the magically drawn map of Sunnydale. It looked almost like an ariel photograph, except that if you looked closer you could see that the small buildings, trees, and other things were three dimensional. Willow grinned at the beautiful image, despite the incredible focus it was taking to maintain it.
"You can drop the spell now." jenny said.
Both witches let out breaths of relief as they dropped their focus and let the image melt away. It had taken a massive amount of concentration to create and maintain an image that detailed.
Jenny smiled, "This time I want you to do the same thing, but we're going to add a twist."
The two witches looked on in anticipation, "What kind?"
"I want you to plot supernatural power by type." Jenny explained, handing them the spell. "Here is the spell. It will identify and classify all supernatural powers in the area by type... Demons, Witches, Enchantments, Empowerments such as the Slayer essence, and so forth...."
Tara paled, "Um... I ah... I can't right now..."
"What?" Jenny looked perplexed, "Why?"
"I forgot..." Tara said apologetically, "I have to go... something to do..."
Jenny looked at her for a moment, "ok... We'll do this next time."
Tara nodded gratefully and practically fled the room.
"Willow," Jenny said slowly, "Can I talk with you?"
"Ummm..." Willow looked around nervously, "Sure... I guess."
Jenny smiled, "It's nothing bad... I just wanted to let you know how happy I am that you're taking this seriously now. Magic can be very dangerous..."
Willow nodded, "I guess I didn't see it before... even after the spell... but I've been talking... and thinking... I'm still not really sure but I'm starting to understand."
Jenny nodded. "I understand. For what it's worth, I think you're going to come out of this just fine, Willow."
Willow smiled gratefully at the Whitelighter. "Thank you, Miss Calender."
*****
Jan 11th
Buffy walked up to her dorm, smiling, when something odd caught her eye. What's Faith doing here?
She paused in midstep as she watched the other Slayer grin at Willow as the young Wiccan stepped out of the building. Buffy's eyes widened as Faith tossed Willow a helmet and the redheaded witch slipped onto the back of the BMW bike behind the Slayer.
What the hell?
As the bike roared off Buffy just stood there, uncertain what to think for along time. Finally she set her face and made a decision. Got to get to the bottom of this one.
*****
"Where to today?" Willow yelled over the roar of the engine as she hung onto Faith.
She could feel faith shrug, "Don't have any big plans. You?"
"Nope." Willow said, "Dark is coming in a few hours... maybe hit the mall until then and we can patrol?"
"Sounds good!"
The wind whipped past as Faith gunned the engine again and wove through traffic toward the nearest mall.
*****
"Buffy?" Miss Parker said as she walked upon the blond Slayer.
Buffy jumped, "Geeez... don't DO that."
Parker just smiled, stealth had been a way of life to her and it was good to see that she could even surprise a mystically enhanced warrior. "So sorry. Can I help you?"
Buffy grimaced, Sorry my ass. Then she looked at the older woman, "I'm looking for Faith."
Parker shrugged, "Haven't seen her since earlier, what's up?"
Buffy frowned, "It's kinda weird... You know how we told you about when Faith was here before?"
Andrea nodded, "Yes. You said that she killed a man by accident and lost her way."
Buffy snorted, "Polite way of putting that she tried to kill most of us... But I meant before that... She and Willow... they never got along."
"So?"
"So, today I saw Willow hop on the back of Faith's bike and they roared off down the road like old friends."
"People change..."
"I guess..." Buffy didn't sound convinced.
Andrea looked at the young blond and could see the worry coming off of her. "You think another spell might be involved?"
"..." Buffy thought about it before shaking her head, "No... I... no, I don't think so..."
Andrea shrugged, "So don't worry about it."
"Maybe you're right." Buffy nodded and turned to leave.
Andrea Parker watched the blond slayer leave, her own face pensive. I wonder what Faith IS up to?
*****
Sunnydale Mall
Willow glanced outside, noting that darkness had fallen a few moments earlier. "Come ON, Faith." She tried to drag the Slayer out of the Lingerie store to little avail.
"Jeeze, Red." Faith said exasperated. "You just can't stop a girl cold turkey while she's checking this stuff out... I mean, give me a few minutes in the cotton section of the store to come down or something..."
"Who are you trying to fool, Faith?" Willow snapped, a little humorously. "You and white silk are SO not going to happen."
Faith shrugged, "What? You never hear of Role playing?"
Willow actually stopped for a second, images flashing in her mind. "Ew. Come ON. We can still meet up with Tara and do a run through the graveyards on the South side while Buffy is checking the North with Riley."
"Alright already." Faith grumbled, tossing the sheer teddy back onto the rack and following the redhead out the door.
Behind them they left two men and a woman shooting them lustful glances and swallowing excess saliva. The three looked at each other, two customers and a clerk.
"Wow." Each of them managed to squeak out as the door closed behind the two girls.
*****
Andrea Parker watched as the two girls switched from the BMW R1150 to the Mustang that Jarod and Xander were still keeping on lease.
What *are* you two up to?
As the sports car drove off she slid onto her Classic Harley and strapped on her helmet. A few seconds later she roared out into the street in pursuit of the red Mustang.
*****
"Hop in, Tiger."
Tara shook her head, still not comfortable with the nickname Faith had laid on her. "D...do you have to call me that?"
"You'd rather what? Blondy? Church Mouse? Sweater Girl?"
Tara squeezed in behind Willow, "M... my name is Tara."
Faith appeared to consider it for a second, "Nah. I don't do names."
Tara sighed as the Mustang roared off.
*****
Miss Parker raised an eyebrow as she watched the shy blond get into the car with the first two. Something is definitely up here.
She revved the Harley's engine and pulled out form behind the van she had used as cover, easily pacing the sports car as it headed across town.
*****
Buffy watched as Tara piled into the car with Willow and Faith. What the hell?
She watched the direction the car headed in and tried to guess where they were going. It took a few seconds but she finally decided. Patrol. Graveyards on that side of town have been quiet lately.
The Blond Slayer took off at a dead run, sprinting through the streets and hurdling fences and obstructions as she cut through shortcuts.
*****
Sunnydale,
One of the many graveyards
"Why are we doing this again?" Tara asked as she narrowly avoided a vampire's fist.
Faith easily danced in and jammed a stake into the vamp's back, flashed the blond a grin, and said. "Beats hanging at the bronze with a pack of teeny boppers?"
Willow looked over at Faith oddly for a brief second, "Aren't we technically still 'teeny boppers' ourselves?"
"Nah." faith grinned, smashing a vampire across the face. "We're older inside."
"Oh god." Willow groaned, as she tossed a stake to Tara and rushed over to help her lover deal with another vampire. "That such a bad joke."
"Who's joking?"
"I... I meant why are we patrolling without the others?" tara tried again.
"Girls night out?" Faith asked as she backhanded another vampire.
Tara snickered involuntarily. "S... seriously."
"B and the Ken Doll have their own patrol pals now... they don't need us around."
"W... what about Xander?"
Faith laughed, "Xander doesn't patrol. He hunts."
Willow looked up from her own fight, "What's the difference?" she asked as she drove a stake into the vampires heart.
Faith shook her head, belted another vamp in the gut, and said. "He stalks the poor bastards... kills 'em before they even see him coming. We'd just slow the X-man down right now..."
"Huh?"
Faith tried to explain in between spin kicks, "Xan-man went all stealth and Stalker on us, girl... not exactly my specialty... or yours."
"Whoa." Willow said.
"Ummm... Will? Help." The quiet voice sounded, causing Willow to twist around.
Tara tried to stake the vampire that was coming at her but he easily caught her hand and pulled her close to him, his teeth visible as he went for her neck. The Vampire paused, a look of shocked surprise floating across his face as he suddenly turned to dust. Behind him Tara saw Willow standing with a cocky smile and a wooden stake.
"Is that a stake in your hand or are you just happy to see me?" Willow cracked as she pulled Tara to her feet.
Tara looked at her, shocked. "Y... you're starting to sound like... her." She tilted her head toward Faith.
Willow's eyes opened wide, her hand covering her mouth. "Oh god! I am aren't I?"
*****
Parker leaned on the handle bars as she watched the brawl in the graveyard. They're not bad... Should teach 'em how to use some of the weapons in the armory though... They shouldn't give up any edge in a fight for their lives.
She watched as the three girls swept though the graveyard, effectively but not professionally, eliminating any vampires stupid enough to get in their crosshairs. As the fight toned down she kicked the Harley's engine over and drove slowly away as the trio made their way back to the Mustang.
*****
"C'mon, gals." Faith grinned as she slid behind the wheel. "Hop in."
"You know, Faith..." Willow looked at the dark slayer oddly, "I never asked... but when did you test for your drivers licence?"
Faith just grinned at her.
Willow blanched, "Y... You... didn't?"
The dark slayer shrugged, "The Mayor gave me one he cut from the licence bureau before... well..."
"He *gave* you one?"
Faith grinned, "Its good to know people in high places."
Willow just shook her head while tara stared at the driver with sudden worry as she watched the road rush past them.
*****
Buffy hurdled the fence that surrounded the graveyard, barely breaking pace for the five foot structure. This was the third one she'd checked in the last few minutes and nothing unusual had shown up. She was starting to think that she had been wrong. Maybe they weren't patrolling after all?
She slowly started moving through the graveyard, looking around for signs of the trio she had been chasing. Nothing... Nothing at... hello? What's this?
Buffy dropped to one knee and looked at the ground, easily picking out vampire dust from the more normal dirt that composed the ground she was walking upon. As she looked around she spotted several other scatterings of dust around the immediate area.
Hmmm... footprints here...
Buffy placed her feet in the footprints, following them as they moved around the graveyard, sometimes backing up, sometimes lunging forward.
"Gotcha." She said aloud, "Definitely a fight went down here. Faith was over here... not sure which of these was Willow and Tara though..."
Buffy stopped her motions and turned away from the graveyard, So Willow is patrolling with Faith? Damn. Was I that hard on her over the spell?
The blond Slayer shook her head and broke into a light jog as she left the graveyard, trying to decide if she should talk to her friend about this, or wait and see how it worked out.
*****
