***Sorry about the wait. This is not what you would call a chapter filled with hugs and puppies. But it's the spring board for the climax (several chapters from now though)

***Contains what may be a possibly unsettling scene for some people. Fair warning.

CHAPTER 14

Under normal circumstances, the battle would have been over in minutes. Despite the six-to-two advantage, the demons wouldn't have stood a chance against a slayer and a master vampire, even with the element of surprise on their side. As it was, their advantage was two-fold; first, with it being so dark with the trees blocking out any attempts at light from the town to reach the figures, Buffy had a difficult time discerning the position of her attackers. The second advantage paralleled the first; the shadow demon, was almost invisible in the darkness, and even with his heightened night vision, Spike could barely make the creature out.

"Bloody hell," the blond vampire cursed after his jaw shifted from a particularly solid blow from the leader of the group. He and Buffy had already staked two vamps, but that still left three and then the shadow demon was four. Two vamps were teaming up against his slayer though Spike dared not take another peak, as his hands were already full.

"How you doing, slayer?" he asked parrying a blow from the giant only to be kicked from behind by the shadow demon.

"Not too bad, considering I can barely see them," she shouted. A hand shot out from the darkness, connecting with her abdomen. Buffy fell to one knee and the vampire behind her flew gracelessly over her head. She heard it thump against the ground and curse. She couldn't help but laugh.

"You think this is funny, slayer?" the ambulatory vampire asked.

"Well…yeah. I never thought I'd be thanking a vampire for, you know, doubling me over in pain." She saw the faint glint of metal soar through the air and she ducked just in time. The vampire's booted foot crashed loudly against a tree. Buffy used the opportunity to grab hold of his leg. She placed it on her shoulder and with all her strength, pushed down on his knee with both hands. A sickening crack reverberated throughout the trees and the vampire fell helplessly clutching his shattered knee.

"You know when they say 'break a leg'," she told it, straddling its chest, "that's only hyperbole," and then she plunged the stake into its heart, ushering the creature into oblivion. The other vampire had recovered by then and again implemented a its kamikaze dive that connected. Buffy was thrown back and the stake clattered to the ground.

The familiar hiss of a dusted vampire reached Spike just as he secured his grip on the pouncing shadow demon. He rammed it, chest first into a tree, satisfied when its hiss of air came out more like a gurgle.

"Serves you right, you ponce. Can't fight fair, can you." He slammed it against the tree again and its body went limp in his hands. He knew it wasn't dead so he went for the kill.

"Balls," he shouted as the large vampire's fist connected with the small of his back. Spike lost his grip and the demon fell to the ground, scurrying away into the darkness. The vamp rained blows down on a stunned Spike's head and shoulders.

"Say goodnight, blondie," the vamp quipped, his large fist hurdling towards Spike exposed skull. At the last minute, Spike moved his head and the vampire's hand smashed against the solid wood, sending splinters flying. Clutching his broken hand, the vamp backed away before Spike grabbed him roughly by the lapels.

"No," said the master vampire, plucking a splinter from the tree, "you say goodnight." He lunged forward with the stake towards the vampire's exposed chest but was again tackled from behind. The vampire that had wrestled Buffy to the ground came to its leader's rescue. The powerful vampire snaked its arms around Spike's shoulders, locking him in a full nelson. Before he could fight to break the hold, a head smashed into his face, littering his vision with stars. The head butt was followed by a bone-jarring punch and then a kick to the chest that knocked both Spike and the vamp holding him hard into the tree. Spike struggled mightily but the previous blows had stunned him significantly. Spike saw the big vamp pick up the make shift stake. His jaundice eyes smiled at the blond vampire before he reared back and sent the stake into Spike's chest.

"Buffy!" he screamed before darkness claimed him and he knew no more.

Faith stepped out to the back porch and inhaled deeply. The distinct scent of rain still lingered though the showers had long since ceased. She stretched her arms to the sky as if grasping for the stars that remained hidden behind the clouds. It felt good to be outside again. The hair along her skin bristled as the cool wind caressed her bare flesh. She looked down at the black Nikes she borrowed from Buffy's closest. She would have rather slush through the wet grass bare-footed but bare feet didn't bode too well in a fight.

"I know you're out there," she said. She waited with her arms crossed, toe tapping against the porch steps. A few moments passed before three hideous demons emerged from the shadows.

"Ahhh, Flanzen'da demons," Faith said thoughtfully, hopping off the steps onto the level ground. "Can't say I've seen many of you guys. But Maria did teach me about you." She regarded her three opponents as they circled her, malice their only intentions.

"Hmm, let's see what I remember. Big, strong, razor sharp bone protrusions," The first one charged Faith, sweeping at her with its right arm. She grabbed it by the wrist and yanked with all her might, rending the arm from the socket. The beast howled inhumanly, a thick, black substance oozed from the wound. She slammed the bone part of its arm through its face and it emerged from the back of its head. One down.

She brushed a lock of hair out of her face and smirked. "Boy did you guys get a raw deal. Not only are you androgynous gits, but having weak joints must be a bitch. Guess you guys don't fancy too many arm wrestling contests. " The other two demons let loose a high pitched squeal which caught Faith off guard. She stumbled backwards against the steps, temporarily discombobulated. The two demons moved in for the kill with a preternatural swiftness.

The demons were a stride away from the slayer when they were rammed with an unseen force, knocking them back ten feet. Faith looked at the stunned demons, perplexed. She shook the cobwebs from her head and glanced back. Sure enough, all three Scoobies (and Dawn) stood there. Willow was holding Tara's hand as the latter had just finished uttering words Faith was not quite familiar with.

"Thanks guys," she saluted and dashed over to the reeling demons, "I'll take it from here." Faith reached the demons in several hurried strides. She had almost forgotten their siren-like ability to disorient their prey. And she had almost paid for it. Time to end this freak show, she said to herself.

She reached the first demon and flipped over its head. She grabbed the horns perched atop its head and despite that they cut into her hands, she held tight. As she came out of her flip, she twisted her body in a half circle, the Flanzen'da demon's head wrenching with her twist. But she wasn't finished. Instead of landing on her feet, she piked her lower body and sent her feet crashing into the demon's back, shattering its already twisted spine. It didn't even get a chance to scream before it fell to the ground, dead.

"That's two," she said.

"Faith!" Dawn yelled and the slayer turned to the girl's voice. Though she didn't see the last demon's swipe at her head, she felt it a mile away. Ducking casually, Faith pirouetted in the direction of the blow and lashed her right leg out. It caught the Flanzen'da in the ankle, knocking it to the ground. She was immediately on top of it, her slashed hands pummeling the demon's face. One. Two. Three. She lost count of the punches. Her knuckles were raw and bloody. It wasn't until she felt a warm hand against her arm that she stopped.

"Faith," Dawn said, her eyes displayed both horror and concern. Faith looked from Dawn to the demon. It was dead, all right. She rose to her feet as if in a stupor and looked out into the night. What happened to her? Why did she feel the rise of panic in her chest so suddenly?

"Are you ok?" Dawn asked, the slight tinge of horror in her face transformed to complete concern.

"Yeah, Dawnie," Faith replied, absently. Something was wrong. "Dawn," she said, grabbing the teen forcefully by her shoulders, her blood staining Dawn's green shirt. "Get in the house now. Don't ask questions, just go," she pushed Dawn in the direction of the house and immediately regretted her decision.

"Hey, my little slayer?" said the all too familiar voice of the figure that stood between them and the door. Faith's stomach lurched like it never had before. Her skin broke out into a cold sweat and she backed up, her fear in total control.

"No," she said meekly. The figure only smiled. Faith was so preoccupied with the figure that she didn't even notice Dawn's scream.

"Willow! Tara!" The girl called to the still forms on the porch. Xander was no where in sight. Ignoring the figure in front of her, Dawn ran towards her friends, only to be stopped by a powerful hand around her neck.

"Urgk," she gasped as she was lifted off the ground. Her feet dangled helplessly in the air and she struggled to break free. But his grip was too strong and Dawn felt herself slipping into the realms of unconsciousness.

"Cute little thing, isn't she?" Seth asked the huddled slayer as he dropped Dawn's limp body to the ground. He sauntered over to the terrified slayer and knelt down beside her. He slid his cool hand up and down her arm, reveling in the wash of fear that cascaded off of her. Tears streamed down her cheeks and Seth moved to where his face was only an inch away. He snaked his tongue out, capturing a random tear on it.

"Good," he said. "Better than I remember, actually." Faith felt his leer over her body before his hand slid between her thighs. She jumped in disgust at the violation but fear held her in abeyance. He stroked her intimate parts, his eyes full of desire. "And other things, I'd really like to see, as well." Faith whimpered, and tears fell even faster from her terrified eyes.

"I love it when you're scared," he whispered in her ear. "Fear is such a powerful aphrodisiac." He pushed his other hand underneath her shirt and squeezed her breast roughly.

"Please, no," she cried which only made him more aroused. He felt his erection against his pants and wanted to take her right now. But he had a job to do.

"As much as I'd love to, sweetie," he said, finally standing, "but I have some place to be." He walked over to Dawn's unconscious form and hoisted her over his shoulder. He walked away and before leaving, turned to the distraught slayer.

"Oh, by the way, if you and your friends wanna find me, I'll be at this place called the Bronze. It's a stupid nightclub. But if the slayer wants to see her sister alive, tell her to be there, tomorrow night at midnight." He looked at his watch. "So, you have about twenty-eight hours to get there. Oh, and make no mistake, it is a trap. Oh, and I see you don't have your locket on you. Make sure you bring it as well. I wouldn't want to be stranded in this dump too long." He laughed mirthlessly and disappeared into the shadows.

Faith hugged herself tightly, her body crawling with reminders of her past defilement at the hands of Seth. Seeing him had only reminded her of what she was. A failure. She had failed Spike and then her mother. And now, Dawn. She tried to stand but fell back to the ground. She laid on the wet ground in a fetal position wrapped her arms tightly around her jittery body. She wanted, had to, do something. But she couldn't. She'd wait for Buffy and Spike and then deal. But regardless of how she felt, Seth was right; they had no choices left.

She laughed hysterically before bursting into sobs. Maybe she was wrong what she had told Dawn earlier. Maybe you didn't always have a choice. Maybe some things couldn't be helped. Those thoughts only further ensconced her in grief and soon the only sound heard through the cloudy night were the painful cries of a lost, little girl.

***Chapter 15 will be up in a few days. And it's most definitely NC-17.

***I'd love your thoughts on this chapter.