Title: Warriors in the Grey (10/10)
Author: Dark Jester
Email: DarkJester@saintly.com
Pairing: Faith/Original; others to follow
Rating: PG-13 for now
Summary: If you don't know by now, you haven't been paying attention.
Archive: Ask, receive
Disclaimer: You know the drill by now.
Feedback: Give it to me or suffer the consequences. (Sounds of evil laughter)
"Hi Faith." Dawn said sheepishly.
She was hoping to put off this encounter for a while. After being expelled from Sunnydale, the three had considered going to LA to join up with Angel. They vetoed this idea on the basis that Angel had enough problems. When Xander suggested going to visit Faith, Dawn at first balked. Not because of her feelings towards Faith but because of her feelings towards her actions. She felt bad for what she did to Faith. Faith had tried to atone for her actions by going to prison. When she was released all she needed was a friend, someone who was willing to forgive her. Dawn had wanted to but had been pressured by Buffy and Riley. She had ridiculed Faith. Thank God Xander had been there for Faith. Dawn could only imagine what would have happened if Faith had had no one.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, you see, the three of us were..."
"I know that. What I mean is why are YOU exiled?"
Dawn seemed to draw further into the darkness of her cloak. She seemed to be hiding the left side of her face.
Ian had dealt with many people in many situations. The pieces began falling into place: her hiding under a cloak, the two men constantly keeping physical contact, the fact that she had defended Spike without a thought. He couldn't be sure, but this girl had gone through some kind of trauma.
"Faith, let it go for now." Ian whispered. "Let them tell you in their own time.'
The three seemed to visibly relax. Yes, something had happened.
"Well, as much fun as talking in an alley is, I think we would all be better off being inside. Do you have a place to stay?" At their head shakes. "Then you'll stay with us." Before they could argue he held up his hand. "Please, I'm offering you a free place to stay for the night. Just accept it." Seeing that they wouldn't argue he grinned. "Which one of you has a car?" Looking at! each other questionably Spike raised his hand. "Alright, here is what we're going to do. Faith, you take Dawn and Harris back to the house." Ian tossed her the keys to his truck, which Faith caught without looking. "I'll ride with Spike."
"Wait, why should we do anything you say?"
Ian grinned. The boy had guts. "I would be a rather ungracious host if I didn't feed my guests. Unfortunately, I don't typically keep blood on tap. Also, Faith had told me about you and the girl. She barely mentioned Spike, which leads me to believe he is a new addition. SO, the three people with a past will reminisce while the two new guys get groceries. Anyone got a better idea of how to do this?" AT their shakes "Let's go! ."
(An hour later)
The five of them sat at the long table; Dawn in her cloak with Xander and Spike flanking her. Ian and Faith sat across. Or rather Ian sat across with Faith on his lap. The three newcomers found this amusing. Not the fact that Faith was doing it, but that it looked like the most natural thing in the world.
They didn't know what to make of Ian. Before them sat a man who looked like he would be better placed in a battlefield rather than a nicely decorated kitchen. He reminded Dawn of a drawing of Tarzan she had seen in a book once. Tall, with lithe muscles that shifted like cables just under the dark skin. The red hair, which now hung to his upper back, made him look feral. The large canine lying at his feet just added to his primal mystique.
Faith, on the other hand, looked like a typical 21 year old. Rather than her previous sex kitten outfit of tight leather pants and low cut shirt, she was dressed in rather tame cut off jeans and a t-shirt with "Winning is just mind over matter. I don't mind and you don't matter" written on it.
While Ian and Spike had been out Faith had started preparing dinner. It was ready just as they had walked in and everyone sat down to eat, even Spike.
"This is bloody delicious, Rogue. It tastes familiar, but I just can't put my finger on it."
"Gator." Ian said between bites.
All three Sunnydalians stopped, while Faith and Ian continued as if nothing were amiss.
"Excuse me," Xander said, "did you just say that you bought alligator meat?"
"No. I am not saying I bought gator meat. I am saying that I killed an alligator." At Dawn and Xander's look he continued. "I have a rather large swamp on my property. Faith and I were taking a walk a few days ago when it tried to eat us. I tried to talk him out of it but you know how gators are. So I killed it. And I always eat anything I kill." Seeing Faith's look. "Any animals ! I kill."
Grinning at their stunned faces, Faith asked, "So, what is the abbreviated Scooby Gang doing in Miami?"
"Scooby Gang?" Ian raised his eyebrow, grinning when Faith hit him on the chest.
"Do you want the long version or the short?"
"Give us the medium."
"Okay. You remember the Initiative? Well, the government closed them down after the whole Adam debacle. Someone opened them back up. They're being privately funded by someone. The Initiative is now nothing more than a rather large, heavily armed gang. They've set themselves up as Lords of Sunnydale. Everyone there follows Riley. And guess who's by his side? Buffy. The power has gone to her head. She's not even the same person."
"Damn, and people call me bad."
"That still doesn't explain what you're doing here. Did you just decide to run away?" Ian asked.
"No." Spike answered. "We were more or less exiled. You see, they already didn't like me and Harris but we were tolerated for Dawn's sake. Every single member chased after her but she wouldn't have anything to do with them. Smart girl."
"Anyway, two of them decided not to take no for an answer. One night as I was walking her home from work, two wankers by the names of Graham and Rodriquez tried to rape her. I, having this buggering chip in my head, could do nothing." At this a tear ran down Spike's cheek. Dawn pulled him down and Harris put his arm around both. Ian gave them a moment to share strength.
"What do you mean 'tried'?"
"Little girls become quite adept with the mojo. Scarred them up good. She managed to fight them off and we got away. Next day Buffy told us we had till next dawn to get out of town. Wouldn't even believe her own sister."
"Your kidding! She believed two of those fucking soldiers over her flesh and blood?" Faith was steamed. It sounded just like blondy to stand by her boy toy rather than her friends. Ian rubbed her lower back in small circles to calm her down. "What about the witches?"
"Tara ran to Los Angeles before it got too bad. She works with Angel now. Willow still helps Buffy. We don't know why. She doesn't like the soldiers any better than us, yet she still does what they say."
"So let me see if I've got everything right." Ian said. "A decommissioned military group with private funding is operating in Sunnydale. One Buffy Summers is romantically involved with Riley Finn, the leader. They have set up a dictatorship. Several of said soldiers have the hots for Cloak Girl there. Two, Graham and Rodriquez, tried to rape her. Spike was helpless because of the chip and Harris wouldn't have been able to help, given that he has no training. Cloak Girl, being a Wicca, blasted them off of her! . In this whole scene something happened to her face, hence the hiding under the cloak. When Buffy discovered this, rather than kick the shit out of said soldiers, she threatens the three people in front of me, saying they will be killed if they don't leave. You three came here in the hopes that Faith and I would put you up, at least for a while. Am I missing anything?"
The three newcomers shook their heads, surprised that he caught all that.
Ian thought for a moment. "Okay, are you three interested in employment?" At their nods, "I am opening a club within the next weeks. I will need bartenders, waitresses, bouncers, etc. Tomorrow we will discuss placement, salary, etc. There are several conditions, only three of which you need to know of right now. One, you will live here. Two, you do not try to enter the third floor. It is mine and mine alone. Three, Dawn has to remove the cloak so that I can see th! e damage."
Dawn was wide eyed. She didn't want anyone but her men to see the ugly scars on her face. However, she knew it was a small price to pay for safety. She shakily pulled the hood off, revealing two scars running from the corner of her left eye to past her chin. They were thin but angry looking.
"How in the hell did you get those?" Faith yelled.
With tears in her eyes, Dawn explained. "When they had me on the ground, Graham ran a knife down my cheek. The bastard purposely scarred me." Now Dawn showed some fire, getting angry. "He said now that I was ugly nobody but they would want me."
"Piffle. You're not ugly." Ian was confused. Before him was a very lovely young woman who just happened to have a few scars.
"Yeah right." Dawn seemed wary. Could he mean it? Or was he just looking for a piece of ass, like those soldiers?
"Really. So you've got scars. So what." Grinning, Ian continued. "Hell, if I didn't have Faith I might make a play for you. Ouch!!!" Ian reeled back, sucking the side of his hand that Faith had pinched, hard. "I said if I didn't have you. I have you. I want no body else. Una hermana for me." ! Ian's little speech had the desired effect though. A grin was on Dawn's face.
"Anyway, I can have that fixed."
"How?" Dawn said surprised.
"Certain magics." Ian answered.
"You know that kind of magics, mate?" Spike asked.
Ian started laughing. "Sorry. I shouldn't laugh. I said I could HAVE it done. Can't do it myself. I have the magical ability of a chipmunk." The image of a chipmunk in a Harry Potter outfit, complete with glasses, had everyone laughing.
When the laughter died down, Ian stretched his arms. "Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm going to bed. Let me show you your rooms."
(A half hour later)
Everyone was tucked into their beds. Dawn was securely sleeping between Xander and Spike. Ian and Faith were snuggling, slowly drifting off to sleep.
"Thank you for giving them a chance."
Ian kissed Faith on the nose. "Anything for you, Kitty Kay."
Faith turned over so she was spooning in front of Ian. Right before she slipped into dreamland, she noticed his hand was slightly lower than it had been two nights ago. She grinned. She had noticed that every night his hand ended up lower than it was previously. Faith thought it was adorable how he was building up his confidence.
As both slept the bandage over Ian's tattoo fell to the floor. Ian had talked a little too quickly. While it was a juvenile feline on his arm, it was no kitten. Staring off his arm was a young black panther. The detail was incredible. Tensed muscles could be seen along its shoulders and back. Claws were out, with tiny drops of blood inked to look like the claws were actually piercing the skin. The eyes seemed to convey 'Bring it'. ! And around its neck was a pink collar with a large silver nametag. Three words were on the collar: 'Property of Faith'.
Hope you enjoyed my first attempt at fanfiction.