Romeo Lost
By Shawn Knight
See previous parts for Summary
*******
Part 4: Synergy
*******
"The Prodigy has made quite an impression in a lot of places. Initiate a meeting at your discretion and tread softly; he could become a valued asset."
Encrypted message sent July, 1998 from subject (Mars) to subject (Kodiak). Excerpt from "Secret Wars" by William Smythe.
*******
"And so Willow says," Xander paused dramatically. "'That's not a demon, Buffy, it's a car." He parroted Willow's perky voice almost perfectly.
At that, Faith started laughing even harder than before, sliding down sideways in the booth. She tried to regain some control but she was absolutely helpless. Tears were running down her face, her sides hurt and she knew her face was probably a match for Red's hair. All she could do was raise a hand, silently begging for some mercy. Ever since they got to the diner, Xander told her the uncut versions of some of the gang's past adventures, especially the ones that led him to be who he is now, while treating her to one of the best damn meals she'd had in months. She couldn't remember laughing so much in her life.
"Oh, God." She almost hyperventilated. "Oh, God." Unbidden, she pictured Victorian Buffy again, all dainty, fragile-like. Her head lolled back, laughing more. She knew people in the diner were staring, but she could care less. She was out with her new friend, and fuck them if they can't handle it.
"Wait X. Oh, God." She was taking deep breaths. She took a sip of her soda.
"How bout this quote," Xander grinned ruthlessly. His face went vacant, voice went up several octaves. "'Surely some big strong men will protect us?'" He pouted his lips a bit.
Faith stopped herself just short of a classic spit-take, almost hitting her head on the table. The idea of Buffy, a 90's Blonde-Ambition alpha femme if Faith ever saw one, acting so damn sweet and delicate was too ridiculous to imagine.
Okay, stud. stop. please?." She held her hand up, almost hyperventilating again. "I can't take any more."
Xander smiled, she could see him obviously enjoying her enjoyment. *Man, he's cute, wicked good in a jam and a freakin' barrel of laughs.* She shook her head, her laughs slowing to a chuckle. He was definitely a catch, anybody with eyes could see that. *Just maybe not for someone like her?* The thought helped sober her. She looked at him.
"So what X, after that whole deal you still got GI-Joe running around in your head?" He sighed.
"Something like that, I guess." Xander hesitated, "sometimes it seems a little bit. more to it than that."
She narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean, more?"
He looked down a moment. She grabbed a bite of her burger.
"Well," he began. "I seem to just know a lot more than an Army grunt should know."
She cocked her head. "Like what, exactly."
He glanced around briefly, before locking gazes with her again. His eyes flickered, going colder like before. "I can tell you any and all possible threats in the diner, up to and including Fred, whose started packing some concealed heat since last night, most likely a Glock from the looks of it. I can also describe everyone who was here when we got here, who's arrived and who's already left, including when and how." He paused. "And there's more." He exhaled deeply. "I can also tell you who's easy prey; like the kid in the corner booth who walked in 7 minutes ago from the blue '91 Jeep outside favoring his right hamstring or Eileen, who hasn't fully gotten over last night. I could practically smell her fear as soon as we walked in." He shook his head. "How would a simple soldier know all that on just instinct?"
Her jaw dropped.
******
Xander watched her turn her head, her eyes darting toward Fred at the counter. He could see she now noticed the slight but telling bulge near his back hip. He watched her eyes watch Eileen, trying so hard to act "normal" that she overdid it. She whipped her head back around to stare at him with awe and respect.
"How. But. You." She shook her head. He shrugged.
"Ever since the summer, you know, when Buffy." He paused, not wanting to say 'deserted.' "Left, the gang would patrol the town and take up the slack. I noticed the more I did it, the more some. instincts came out." He snagged a couple fries. "Still, wouldn't have been much use if a friend hadn't helped me out."
She narrowed her eyes again. "Who, ani't one of the Scoobies right?" She cocked her head again. "Unless you mean Oz, who woulda kept his mouth shut."
He smiled at her comment. "No, it was somebody outside the group, who I met by accident." Not exactly a lie, it was an accident on my end at least, he thought. "Anyway, he said he'd been around the block a few times, could show me the ropes if I wanted." He shrugged. "After busting my ass every morning for awhile, all that stuff was kinda at my fingertips." He smiled briefly. "Kind of a 'how to get in touch with your inner bad-ass in 10 easy lessons' type thing." She snorted.
"So who's your Mr. Miyagi-guy, stud? Is he still around? A girl could use some tips, you know?" She smirked.
Xander laughed briefly. "Nothing like Mr. Miyagi, Faith, or Yoda for that matter. First off, he was over 7 feet tall and built like a tank." Her eyes bulged for a moment and she chuckled.
"What, Giles not good enough so you had to ask Shaq?"
Xander laughed. "Nothing like that, really. It just kinda happened." Yeah right, he thought ruefully. "After about 2 months, he said I learned all I needed to know for now and he'd be in touch. Haven't heard word one since." Again, not exactly a lie; Op security is what it is, he sighed internally.
She chuckled again, shaking her head. "That's real deep, X. But how come you never say anything? I mean, they treat you like porcelain and all, when we both know it really, really, really ain't necessary." She snorted.
He chuckled, then sighed. "I've thought about it, sometimes." It wouldn't really break cover or anything, just show I can handle myself a bit. "But after all the times they ignore or belittle me and all, I just don't care much anymore. He sighed deeper. "Besides, seems like everybody's got their little secrets, I'll just keep mine."
She nodded. "Yeah, I get that." She looked down, almost sheepish. "Do you mind that I know?"
He shook his head vigorously. "No, no, not at all, Faith." He shrugged, again. That's getting to be a nasty habit. "You didn't spill about tonight, so you can keep a secret. Besides," he looked at her sincerely. "I trust you." I do; I just can't tell you everything. Yet.
Her eyes flickered, became vulnerable for a moment. She smiled at him.
******
"Thanks, Xander." He simply nodded. She really meant that. No one really trusted her before. People admired, hated, used, feared, respected, abused, or resented her. But never trust. The closest was Linda. She sighed.
"What is it?" Damn, didn't think he noticed. *Hell, girl, guy can pay complete attention to you and still give biographies of everybody in the place, and you think he'd miss that?* She was about to dismiss it, but changed her mind.
"I was just remembering my old Watcher, Linda. Did I ever tell you about her?" He shook his head. "She was a great woman. Kind, caring, little like Giles now that I think about it." She exhaled. "A little less British, though." She smiled wistfully.
"You miss her." Wasn't a question.
"Yeah, she was wicked cool to me." She paused, "You know about, y'know, me being forced to watch her die." He nodded. "It was. . . tough." She clenched her jaw, looked down.
"I get that." She glanced up. "I've been there, or something like it." She could see a glimmer of pain in his gaze.
"Who?"
"His name was Jesse." He looked down at the table, playing with his fork. "He was the closest thing I had to a brother." He exhaled. "We grew up together, basically. Don't really remember a time before him, y'know?" He smiled briefly in memory.
"What happened?"
"It was after I found out about the nightlife and Buffy. We went out one night, got separated. Darla captured him, dragged him into a tunnel." He blinked real slowly.
"They killed him." He surprised her by shaking his head.
"Worse," he took a shuddering breath. "Big vamp attack the next night, guess who comes to dinner?"
She winced in sympathy. "I'm sorry Xander. B got 'em for you right?"
He looked at her. His eyes were so sad, she almost wanted to cry herself. "Nope, that honor was left for me, the first notch on my belt." She inhaled sharply. She couldn't imagine having to kill a friend, much less a "brother." Her resentment for B swelled. How could she let that happen to him? Especially for his first kill. Where was she? *Probably grinding with Fang.*
She reached out for his hand, squeezing it. He squeezed back, smiled briefly in appreciation. They stared at each other for a moment, before they unlocked their gazes, followed shortly by their hands. Leaning back, she had a thought.
"Is that why I heard you were so wicked hard on B about Fang when he went bad?"
He looked up, startled. He paused, considered it. "I never really thought about it that way." He looked down pensively. "I think you might be on to something there."
She shrugged. "After all, it's only fair, right? You had to kill your brother, who'd only been a vamp for a day, not even enough time to do any damage." She looked at him, he was following every word. "Meanwhile, Fang's wrecking shop for weeks, months even, still gets a free pass."
He nodded in agreement.
******
He was amazed at her perceptiveness. Once she said that, many different things he been struggling with became clear. "Yeah, there was some buried resentment there. Still, it was just good strategy." He shrugged. "He was a threat who needed to be dealt with. And it wasn't like we were the only ones in danger." His jaw clenched. "Every night, he was killing, which means our inaction made us responsible. I didn't think we had time to be subtle or nice."
She nodded. "I get that, X." She paused. "You can't tell me you didn't appreciate the ending though, Fang going to Hell and all?"
He tilted his head, smirking. "After putting my friends through Hell, it's only fair he got to visit himself." She laughed. He rubbed his jaw a bit. "Still, I would've preferred Angelus suffering, he was the monster who earned it. Made me realize that there really is a difference between the two." He sighed. "I guess I was a little jealous before, tired of being measured against him and coming up short."
Her eyes flashed with something, he wasn't sure. "I can relate."
He looked at her for a moment, and nodded. "Buffy."
She sighed. "I mean, its like nothing I do is ever good enough next to the precious Slayer-Princess."
He snorted, laughing almost involuntarily. "Don't believe I heard that term before."
She smiled. "Yeah, well, it just feels like everyone wants me to be her, little Miss Perfect." She mocked. "I just get a little frustrated."
He took her hand. "I can't speak for everybody, but as for me, I don't want or need a junior Buffy. I like Faith just the way she is."
She stared at him, her eyes softened. She smiled.
******
Eileen noticed the two were finished and began walking over. She felt better as soon as they came in, like they were Guardian Angels or something. She was still quite shaken from last night; she tried to gut it out, but every time she let her mind wander, she saw those glowing yellow eyes filled with her death. She shuddered.
"Can I get you two kids anything else?" She saw them jump, did she interrupt something?
The boy Xander seemed to get control first. "Oh believe me, I'm absolutely great thanks, Faith?"
She rubbed her stomach. "Five-by-Five, stud." She looked at Eileen. "Those burgers were wicked great, hadn't had a meal that good in a long minute."
Eileen smiled. It was the least they could do, and she knew Fred really wanted to show his thanks. She saw Xander slipping a Ten on to the table. She shook her head vigorously.
"Told you yesterday, your money's no good here." He looked at her.
"Figured you'd say something like that. So consider this your tip plus my compliments to the Chef." He grinned, Faith snorted; all Eileen could do was laugh.
"I won't be able to convince you otherwise, huh?" She looked at the money and sighed, knowing a losing battle when she saw one.
"Sorry, Eileen." His grin widened.
Shaking her head, smiling, she picked up the ten as she saw them rise from their seats.
Spotting them, Fred walked out from the kitchen. Eileen watched Xander extend his hand, meeting Fred in a firm shake. He really does have good manners for such a young one. She leaned toward Faith.
"He's a keeper," Eileen whispered.
Faith turned to her for a moment before turning back to Xander. "Yeah, he's something else, all right."
They both smirked, sharing a moment in male appreciation.
******
He pulled up to her motel; she relished every part of the ride. She was almost sorry the night was coming to a close; she had a thought to invite him for a bit. She changed her mind though, he was her first real friend, she didn't want to risk it. Yet.
"So, X, it's been fun, we should do it again sometime." She dismounted, grazing against him slow.
"Definitely, in fact," he reached behind him. She watched him, curious. He pulled out a cell phone and the bag of money they'd taken earlier. He handed her the bag first. "First, here's your cut for tonight."
She cocked her head, then looked in the bag. It seemed a little less than before, but not by much. A few weeks back, she'd run off without a second thought. Yesterday, she might have. Tonight? *He's a friend.* "I can't take all your cash, stud."
He chuckled. "Who said that's all of it?" He patted a small bag he had over his shoulder. "I figured a 80-20 split was fair deal for tonight." She felt the need to argue, while Eileen's words echoed.
"But. . . X. . ."
"Don't worry, Faith. My wallet's not hurting. Unlike the Tweed Brigade, I don't do this for free." She chuckled, he smiled. "Which brings me to my next point." He handed her the cell. "My cell digits are set on speed-dial one." She glanced at the phone, surprised
"Anytime you need me, just give me a call."
"You just wanna hear me talk dirty at night." She smirked.
He smiled. "Well, maybe. You got the voice for it, why let it go to waste?"
"Is that right?" She added a bit more honey to it.
He smirked. "I still have interesting dreams about your. . . " He looked her up and down. ".Stories."
She laughed. "Which one?"
He grinned, restarting the engine. He put his helmet back on. He flipped her a jaunty salute.
"See you around, Faith." He winked, before pulling off.
She shook her head, chuckling to herself. *No, my life's not too boring.*
******
After securing his bike elsewhere, he walked into his parents house, entering the basement which had been his room ever since he fought his father back for the first time, the night after Jesse's final death. Securing his gear first, he stripped down to his boxers. He pulled out a laptop from under his bed, logging into a secure site through a portal that would take Willow weeks to hack. He checked his personal mailbox first; no new messages yet. Not really a surprise, it'd only been a few weeks since Kodiak officially "activated" him from probation. He opened a new screen. Remembering protocol, he began typing.
To: General Fr: Nemo Re: Checkmate
"White Knight with Queen-ally captured several black pawns plus possible rooks. No major pieces eliminated as yet. Possible score within next few moves. Will investigate."
He paused, gathering his thoughts. He wouldn't mind bringing Faith aboard.
"Dark Queen definite trust-potential, please advise?"
He sent the message, closed the laptop. He headed toward the shower, remembering the gypsy slayer's caress while she sat behind him. He exhaled, made sure the water was much cooler than normal. He was going to need it.
******
By Shawn Knight
See previous parts for Summary
*******
Part 4: Synergy
*******
"The Prodigy has made quite an impression in a lot of places. Initiate a meeting at your discretion and tread softly; he could become a valued asset."
Encrypted message sent July, 1998 from subject (Mars) to subject (Kodiak). Excerpt from "Secret Wars" by William Smythe.
*******
"And so Willow says," Xander paused dramatically. "'That's not a demon, Buffy, it's a car." He parroted Willow's perky voice almost perfectly.
At that, Faith started laughing even harder than before, sliding down sideways in the booth. She tried to regain some control but she was absolutely helpless. Tears were running down her face, her sides hurt and she knew her face was probably a match for Red's hair. All she could do was raise a hand, silently begging for some mercy. Ever since they got to the diner, Xander told her the uncut versions of some of the gang's past adventures, especially the ones that led him to be who he is now, while treating her to one of the best damn meals she'd had in months. She couldn't remember laughing so much in her life.
"Oh, God." She almost hyperventilated. "Oh, God." Unbidden, she pictured Victorian Buffy again, all dainty, fragile-like. Her head lolled back, laughing more. She knew people in the diner were staring, but she could care less. She was out with her new friend, and fuck them if they can't handle it.
"Wait X. Oh, God." She was taking deep breaths. She took a sip of her soda.
"How bout this quote," Xander grinned ruthlessly. His face went vacant, voice went up several octaves. "'Surely some big strong men will protect us?'" He pouted his lips a bit.
Faith stopped herself just short of a classic spit-take, almost hitting her head on the table. The idea of Buffy, a 90's Blonde-Ambition alpha femme if Faith ever saw one, acting so damn sweet and delicate was too ridiculous to imagine.
Okay, stud. stop. please?." She held her hand up, almost hyperventilating again. "I can't take any more."
Xander smiled, she could see him obviously enjoying her enjoyment. *Man, he's cute, wicked good in a jam and a freakin' barrel of laughs.* She shook her head, her laughs slowing to a chuckle. He was definitely a catch, anybody with eyes could see that. *Just maybe not for someone like her?* The thought helped sober her. She looked at him.
"So what X, after that whole deal you still got GI-Joe running around in your head?" He sighed.
"Something like that, I guess." Xander hesitated, "sometimes it seems a little bit. more to it than that."
She narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean, more?"
He looked down a moment. She grabbed a bite of her burger.
"Well," he began. "I seem to just know a lot more than an Army grunt should know."
She cocked her head. "Like what, exactly."
He glanced around briefly, before locking gazes with her again. His eyes flickered, going colder like before. "I can tell you any and all possible threats in the diner, up to and including Fred, whose started packing some concealed heat since last night, most likely a Glock from the looks of it. I can also describe everyone who was here when we got here, who's arrived and who's already left, including when and how." He paused. "And there's more." He exhaled deeply. "I can also tell you who's easy prey; like the kid in the corner booth who walked in 7 minutes ago from the blue '91 Jeep outside favoring his right hamstring or Eileen, who hasn't fully gotten over last night. I could practically smell her fear as soon as we walked in." He shook his head. "How would a simple soldier know all that on just instinct?"
Her jaw dropped.
******
Xander watched her turn her head, her eyes darting toward Fred at the counter. He could see she now noticed the slight but telling bulge near his back hip. He watched her eyes watch Eileen, trying so hard to act "normal" that she overdid it. She whipped her head back around to stare at him with awe and respect.
"How. But. You." She shook her head. He shrugged.
"Ever since the summer, you know, when Buffy." He paused, not wanting to say 'deserted.' "Left, the gang would patrol the town and take up the slack. I noticed the more I did it, the more some. instincts came out." He snagged a couple fries. "Still, wouldn't have been much use if a friend hadn't helped me out."
She narrowed her eyes again. "Who, ani't one of the Scoobies right?" She cocked her head again. "Unless you mean Oz, who woulda kept his mouth shut."
He smiled at her comment. "No, it was somebody outside the group, who I met by accident." Not exactly a lie, it was an accident on my end at least, he thought. "Anyway, he said he'd been around the block a few times, could show me the ropes if I wanted." He shrugged. "After busting my ass every morning for awhile, all that stuff was kinda at my fingertips." He smiled briefly. "Kind of a 'how to get in touch with your inner bad-ass in 10 easy lessons' type thing." She snorted.
"So who's your Mr. Miyagi-guy, stud? Is he still around? A girl could use some tips, you know?" She smirked.
Xander laughed briefly. "Nothing like Mr. Miyagi, Faith, or Yoda for that matter. First off, he was over 7 feet tall and built like a tank." Her eyes bulged for a moment and she chuckled.
"What, Giles not good enough so you had to ask Shaq?"
Xander laughed. "Nothing like that, really. It just kinda happened." Yeah right, he thought ruefully. "After about 2 months, he said I learned all I needed to know for now and he'd be in touch. Haven't heard word one since." Again, not exactly a lie; Op security is what it is, he sighed internally.
She chuckled again, shaking her head. "That's real deep, X. But how come you never say anything? I mean, they treat you like porcelain and all, when we both know it really, really, really ain't necessary." She snorted.
He chuckled, then sighed. "I've thought about it, sometimes." It wouldn't really break cover or anything, just show I can handle myself a bit. "But after all the times they ignore or belittle me and all, I just don't care much anymore. He sighed deeper. "Besides, seems like everybody's got their little secrets, I'll just keep mine."
She nodded. "Yeah, I get that." She looked down, almost sheepish. "Do you mind that I know?"
He shook his head vigorously. "No, no, not at all, Faith." He shrugged, again. That's getting to be a nasty habit. "You didn't spill about tonight, so you can keep a secret. Besides," he looked at her sincerely. "I trust you." I do; I just can't tell you everything. Yet.
Her eyes flickered, became vulnerable for a moment. She smiled at him.
******
"Thanks, Xander." He simply nodded. She really meant that. No one really trusted her before. People admired, hated, used, feared, respected, abused, or resented her. But never trust. The closest was Linda. She sighed.
"What is it?" Damn, didn't think he noticed. *Hell, girl, guy can pay complete attention to you and still give biographies of everybody in the place, and you think he'd miss that?* She was about to dismiss it, but changed her mind.
"I was just remembering my old Watcher, Linda. Did I ever tell you about her?" He shook his head. "She was a great woman. Kind, caring, little like Giles now that I think about it." She exhaled. "A little less British, though." She smiled wistfully.
"You miss her." Wasn't a question.
"Yeah, she was wicked cool to me." She paused, "You know about, y'know, me being forced to watch her die." He nodded. "It was. . . tough." She clenched her jaw, looked down.
"I get that." She glanced up. "I've been there, or something like it." She could see a glimmer of pain in his gaze.
"Who?"
"His name was Jesse." He looked down at the table, playing with his fork. "He was the closest thing I had to a brother." He exhaled. "We grew up together, basically. Don't really remember a time before him, y'know?" He smiled briefly in memory.
"What happened?"
"It was after I found out about the nightlife and Buffy. We went out one night, got separated. Darla captured him, dragged him into a tunnel." He blinked real slowly.
"They killed him." He surprised her by shaking his head.
"Worse," he took a shuddering breath. "Big vamp attack the next night, guess who comes to dinner?"
She winced in sympathy. "I'm sorry Xander. B got 'em for you right?"
He looked at her. His eyes were so sad, she almost wanted to cry herself. "Nope, that honor was left for me, the first notch on my belt." She inhaled sharply. She couldn't imagine having to kill a friend, much less a "brother." Her resentment for B swelled. How could she let that happen to him? Especially for his first kill. Where was she? *Probably grinding with Fang.*
She reached out for his hand, squeezing it. He squeezed back, smiled briefly in appreciation. They stared at each other for a moment, before they unlocked their gazes, followed shortly by their hands. Leaning back, she had a thought.
"Is that why I heard you were so wicked hard on B about Fang when he went bad?"
He looked up, startled. He paused, considered it. "I never really thought about it that way." He looked down pensively. "I think you might be on to something there."
She shrugged. "After all, it's only fair, right? You had to kill your brother, who'd only been a vamp for a day, not even enough time to do any damage." She looked at him, he was following every word. "Meanwhile, Fang's wrecking shop for weeks, months even, still gets a free pass."
He nodded in agreement.
******
He was amazed at her perceptiveness. Once she said that, many different things he been struggling with became clear. "Yeah, there was some buried resentment there. Still, it was just good strategy." He shrugged. "He was a threat who needed to be dealt with. And it wasn't like we were the only ones in danger." His jaw clenched. "Every night, he was killing, which means our inaction made us responsible. I didn't think we had time to be subtle or nice."
She nodded. "I get that, X." She paused. "You can't tell me you didn't appreciate the ending though, Fang going to Hell and all?"
He tilted his head, smirking. "After putting my friends through Hell, it's only fair he got to visit himself." She laughed. He rubbed his jaw a bit. "Still, I would've preferred Angelus suffering, he was the monster who earned it. Made me realize that there really is a difference between the two." He sighed. "I guess I was a little jealous before, tired of being measured against him and coming up short."
Her eyes flashed with something, he wasn't sure. "I can relate."
He looked at her for a moment, and nodded. "Buffy."
She sighed. "I mean, its like nothing I do is ever good enough next to the precious Slayer-Princess."
He snorted, laughing almost involuntarily. "Don't believe I heard that term before."
She smiled. "Yeah, well, it just feels like everyone wants me to be her, little Miss Perfect." She mocked. "I just get a little frustrated."
He took her hand. "I can't speak for everybody, but as for me, I don't want or need a junior Buffy. I like Faith just the way she is."
She stared at him, her eyes softened. She smiled.
******
Eileen noticed the two were finished and began walking over. She felt better as soon as they came in, like they were Guardian Angels or something. She was still quite shaken from last night; she tried to gut it out, but every time she let her mind wander, she saw those glowing yellow eyes filled with her death. She shuddered.
"Can I get you two kids anything else?" She saw them jump, did she interrupt something?
The boy Xander seemed to get control first. "Oh believe me, I'm absolutely great thanks, Faith?"
She rubbed her stomach. "Five-by-Five, stud." She looked at Eileen. "Those burgers were wicked great, hadn't had a meal that good in a long minute."
Eileen smiled. It was the least they could do, and she knew Fred really wanted to show his thanks. She saw Xander slipping a Ten on to the table. She shook her head vigorously.
"Told you yesterday, your money's no good here." He looked at her.
"Figured you'd say something like that. So consider this your tip plus my compliments to the Chef." He grinned, Faith snorted; all Eileen could do was laugh.
"I won't be able to convince you otherwise, huh?" She looked at the money and sighed, knowing a losing battle when she saw one.
"Sorry, Eileen." His grin widened.
Shaking her head, smiling, she picked up the ten as she saw them rise from their seats.
Spotting them, Fred walked out from the kitchen. Eileen watched Xander extend his hand, meeting Fred in a firm shake. He really does have good manners for such a young one. She leaned toward Faith.
"He's a keeper," Eileen whispered.
Faith turned to her for a moment before turning back to Xander. "Yeah, he's something else, all right."
They both smirked, sharing a moment in male appreciation.
******
He pulled up to her motel; she relished every part of the ride. She was almost sorry the night was coming to a close; she had a thought to invite him for a bit. She changed her mind though, he was her first real friend, she didn't want to risk it. Yet.
"So, X, it's been fun, we should do it again sometime." She dismounted, grazing against him slow.
"Definitely, in fact," he reached behind him. She watched him, curious. He pulled out a cell phone and the bag of money they'd taken earlier. He handed her the bag first. "First, here's your cut for tonight."
She cocked her head, then looked in the bag. It seemed a little less than before, but not by much. A few weeks back, she'd run off without a second thought. Yesterday, she might have. Tonight? *He's a friend.* "I can't take all your cash, stud."
He chuckled. "Who said that's all of it?" He patted a small bag he had over his shoulder. "I figured a 80-20 split was fair deal for tonight." She felt the need to argue, while Eileen's words echoed.
"But. . . X. . ."
"Don't worry, Faith. My wallet's not hurting. Unlike the Tweed Brigade, I don't do this for free." She chuckled, he smiled. "Which brings me to my next point." He handed her the cell. "My cell digits are set on speed-dial one." She glanced at the phone, surprised
"Anytime you need me, just give me a call."
"You just wanna hear me talk dirty at night." She smirked.
He smiled. "Well, maybe. You got the voice for it, why let it go to waste?"
"Is that right?" She added a bit more honey to it.
He smirked. "I still have interesting dreams about your. . . " He looked her up and down. ".Stories."
She laughed. "Which one?"
He grinned, restarting the engine. He put his helmet back on. He flipped her a jaunty salute.
"See you around, Faith." He winked, before pulling off.
She shook her head, chuckling to herself. *No, my life's not too boring.*
******
After securing his bike elsewhere, he walked into his parents house, entering the basement which had been his room ever since he fought his father back for the first time, the night after Jesse's final death. Securing his gear first, he stripped down to his boxers. He pulled out a laptop from under his bed, logging into a secure site through a portal that would take Willow weeks to hack. He checked his personal mailbox first; no new messages yet. Not really a surprise, it'd only been a few weeks since Kodiak officially "activated" him from probation. He opened a new screen. Remembering protocol, he began typing.
To: General Fr: Nemo Re: Checkmate
"White Knight with Queen-ally captured several black pawns plus possible rooks. No major pieces eliminated as yet. Possible score within next few moves. Will investigate."
He paused, gathering his thoughts. He wouldn't mind bringing Faith aboard.
"Dark Queen definite trust-potential, please advise?"
He sent the message, closed the laptop. He headed toward the shower, remembering the gypsy slayer's caress while she sat behind him. He exhaled, made sure the water was much cooler than normal. He was going to need it.
******