Chapter 6: Storms
It was December 22 and all the girls returning home for the holiday break were for the most part gone. Only twelve were staying and already the wars had began, with Christmas in a few days and Chanukah starting only a few days before. It was all friendly competition, though only six of the slayers felt the need to participate in this. Mostly it was the two Jewish slayers and Jacey (the atheist that used to be Jewish) singing the "Dridyl" song at the top of their lungs as other group sang "Silent Night." They were decorating the student lounge with anything they could think of.
Faith peered into the room as she passed by. The girls were having fun and smiling together. She had always been apprehensive of all those Slayers together in one place because she and Buffy had never gotten along. She had always thought it was because there were never more then one at a time but it was all different now. There were two more of them to be singled out the same way. She shrugged it off and continued on her way to her room. She had hoped not to run into Robin, who was in the library, so she took the long route to go up to her own room. As she went up the back staircase she got lost in her own thoughts.
"Good Afternoon, Faith." Giles asked her from the top of stairs. She didn't notice him standing there nor hear him speak. "Faith?" he called again. She had been hard to reach in the last week. She had stayed at the school but had not taken up her usually instructional occupations. "Faith?" he called again. This time she was at the top of the stars next to right next to him.
"Oh, hey, Giles." She said passively. She stopped a few feet away and turned around. "What are you doing at this end of the hall," she remarked suspiciously, snapping out of her funk for a few minutes.
"Ona."
Faith gave a smirk and a laugh, "I know it's probably been a while , G-man, but you kind of need her here to be doin' her." She started to move again, walking backwards.
"Hmm?" he said quickly his mind trying to go over what she just said, the when it hit him he blushed. "Oh." He looked to the door, "I'm waiting for her." He said and still felt he needed to explain. "She's getting dressed." Faith raised an eyebrow. "We're having a meeting with parents and she needs to be dress like this is a normal school." Then he went on and knowing that she was just trying to rattled him. "One of the girls Buffy found out in L.A. Her parents want to check out the school. They aren't aware of the Slayer- thing."
Faith gave him another smile, "I got it, that's why your wearing a suit. I know the drill, keep to my room and no mentions of creatures of the night or pointy weapons." She turned around and went on to her room. "Good luck."
Giles turned back to Fiona closed door. He tapped his fingers on the on the door frame and he heard her call him from the inside. He opened the door cautiously and saw her standing, her back to him, looking in a mirror. "You're ready?" He asked stepping into the room.
"I feel like as my students say a 'tool'." She turned around. "I look like Addison." She was actually wearing one of Addison's suits. It was light grey wool skirt to the knee with a matching jacket over a white dress shirt. Her hair was pulled back in a bun and she was not wearing any shoes.
"You don't look- err, bad. Just different. More like-" At least during his years of hearing the banter between the girls about clothes, to know what to say when a girl wasn't looking their best.
"-Watcher like." She finished for him. She sighed and looked back at herself. "I guess I'll have to suffer through it." It wasn't a surprise to Giles how quickly Fiona had taken over the position of second in command. She was more efficient than Willow at helping with the parents. Robin still remains in charge of most of the academic aspects of the school. Addison was a bit annoyed by Fiona's- undertakings, but she was quite skilled with the recruiting of new students.
"Yes that's the price we pay." He offered and she began to lead them out of her room. "Don't you need you're shoes." He asked as they began walking down the hallway to the main staircase.
"Sophie left me a pair near the door, I'm not putting on heels until the last possible moment." She said taken them down the hall. "Have we told all the girls about 'best behavior'."
"Yes, I threaten our little religious war about that." He gave her a smile.
She stopped them. "With what?" she leered.
"It was an empty threat to take away their holiday privileges, but it seems to be working and they will be leaving any moment to go out." They continued on their way.
"Ah, out. I'm assuming Kennedy and Willow are supervising?" She said as they started their decent down the staircase.
"Yes, and Andrew is preparing tea for the group. Clem is out, I didn't ask where to but he'll be back when we give the all clear."
She looked over to him and gave him the once over. He had on a charcoal suit with deep blue shirt and complementing tie. "The suit works for you." All the staff had to be dressed up today incase they ran into parents.
"Yes, I don't think I wore one since I had a meeting with- your father- after Buffy's resurrection. The second one." Giles said.
"Ah, well it's very nice and Xander tells me it's a good thing you don't wear tweed anymore." Ona laughed as they made it to the end of the staircase.
"The greeting room is ready," Sophia said once they came into sight. "and here are the shoes." She handed a pair of shoes to Fiona as she step of the stairs. She gave a smile to Giles. "Make sure she puts them on." She joked.
"Of course. Are you going out?" He asked her.
"Yes, in a few minutes. I have to go pick up the gifts for the girls." Sophie smiled, and Giles nodded in acknowledgment. Flipping her purse over her shoulder. "I will also be pick up our," gesturing to both Giles, Ona, and herself, "children's presents."
"I already got Dawn a present."
"The book?" Fiona rolled her eyes.
"I'm picking up fun presents." She looked at her watch. "The Lawson's will be here any minute, everything is in the living room. Andrew is ready with the tea, and Suite Four is ready to be shown." She smiled gave Ona a hug for good luck and was out the door.
Sophia went to the garage and took the car that she and Fiona shared. As she pulled out of the driveway, and drove down the path that lead to the front gate; She saw Xander bundle up in his winter jacket. She stopped when he saw her and she rolled down the window. "Where are you heading?" she smiled.
Xander gave her a grin and walked up to the window. She was always the person he wanted to see. "Just walking, taking some of the girls to town, for some shopping, later. Why you might ask me, I have no idea but I think it has something to do with the decorating war. You?"
"Christmas shopping." She said simply amused by his story.
"You haven't heard? It's no longer called Christmas at this school." He said with a jocular tone. "The council of young slayer high decided that this week will be declared simply, 'exchanging gift week'."
"Then why is the rec room half white and blue and half green and red?"
"I guess they didn't hear the ruling yet." He made her laugh.
"Well better be off, and you better get inside before you catch a cold, I wouldn't want you to get ill for our first date." She flirted with him.
"I would never do that." They said goodbye and she drove off out the school gate. Xander headed back to the school. He smiled on his own when he realized he was finally going on a date with Sophie. Sure she was almost a decade older than him, and was a Slayer but she was still younger than Anya was. And then there was that Inca Princess Mummy. Sophia could still pass for her twenties. Faith was a Slayer, and Sophia was a lot more stable and mature to handle it. But Sophia had one key element that he had always seemed to find comforting in a girlfriend and relationship: she was honest. Not in the way of Anya and Cordelia but she would call him on his shit without hesitation but she had tacked and timing which they did not have. Every time he watched her help one of the girls his heart went to her. A black limo passed him as he walked on.
By the time he reached the school the limo was parked and the people inside were greeted inside the school. "Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, Miss Kristen" Giles began moving out of the doorway so they my enter, "Welcome to the Watchers' Academy of New York. I am Rupert Giles, Director of this school and this is Fiona Avery one of the assistant directors." Fiona was standing by his side and began to lead them into the entrance alcove. She directed them to the coat racks and then to the sitting room. Richard Lawson was a tall man in his late forties with slightly graying hair, and wore a suit and tie. His wife, Yvonne, was the same age, slim and wore formal business attire as well. Kristen or Kristy was dressed in what would be considered upper class attire that was bland in color and completely unfitting for the girl. Giles was surprised because Buffy as describe her as a normal California girl.
"I so glad we were able to meet with you over the holiday's, Mr. Giles, Ms. Avery." Yvonne said taking a seat on the very beautiful decorated room. Colonial American, this room was left unchanged when the school moved in. "We were visiting Kristen's grandmother in the city and we thought it would be the perfect time to see this school she was excepted into." She was pleasant, but because both Rupert and Fiona had gone through the same experience in there childhood, Mrs. Lawson's behavior had been taught to her.
"Oh well, even though a student is only required to attend the two primary semesters a year, we are open all year round." Giles assured her. Kristy gave a glaring look at Fiona and rolled her eyes. Giles caught it. "I'm glad that you found your daughter's acceptance an interest to come see us."
"Well the information we got on this school we found very interesting," Said Mr. Lawson. "This school has just opened this year and we were told that admission was very exclusive, we were wondering how our Kristen, got on your radar screen?" Mr. Lawson asked knowing his daughter wasn't the brightest bulb in the box. Fiona smiled knowing this was her place to take over.
Right outside the room, Xander tried to stay out of sight, he didn't want to have to deal with parents as he waited for the girls he was to drive to the shops. They came to the door loudly but quickly quieted down when Xander told them too. Giles got up and closed the door to the room, and gave Xander a good luck look. "Sorry just a few of the girl taking a feel trip into town." Giles offered.
"Ah, they are supervised?"
"Yes, we do not let the students leave the school, unsupervised. Unless you have arranged it with us in advanced." Giles smiled retaking his seat.
Yvonne turned back to Fiona, "Ms. Avery you were telling us about the selection process."
"We have scouts that we send out to high schools in all of North and South America to find girls that meet the requirements for placement in this school." She smiled.
"But our Kristy here, doesn't have the most diverse student record."
Fiona gave them a kind smile. "That's why we send out scouts. Nothing tells us more about a person then meeting them one on one. Not every type of potential can be gauged by testing or even standard schooling. Kristen made quite an impression on our Miss Summers." She gave the sixteen year-old a knowing smile and Kristy couldn't help but recall the first vampire she slayed and it made her smile.
"Now what's you association with the Watchers' Council of England?" Mr. Lawson said.
"You've certainly done your homework." She smiled and continued on, "Yes, we are funded by Watchers' Historical Society." Playing it cool. "Last year, there was a explosion do to electrical surge in our main headquarters. It was a terrible tragedy and we lost many members. This school is actually a branch of the Watchers' Academy of England and we decided to come here to recruit new members. If Kristen becomes a student here she is given a lifetime membership, to the Watchers Society, that will be passed down to every generation after her." She told him exactly what he wanted to here. If he had called it the Historical Society, then he had not a clue how influent ional the organization was but he knew the proper name, so he knew more about the age and contacts about this schools associations that he lead on before.
Mr. Lawson gave her a inquisitive smile and lean in towards her, so only she could hear. He knew what this was. "I went to Yale. We had our own Societies-"
Fiona got the hint and leaned in with her own savvy smile and whispered. "The Skull and Bones are nothing compared to the Watchers. We've been around long before the fall of Roman Empire." They moved back to sit upright in their chairs again, the smile could not be removed from his face. Fiona had him, he would send his daughter here if it was his choice in a heart beat, he was a business man, he knew what contacts meant. He knew how it would always be there for his family. The next part was to convince Yvonne that this was the best place for her little girl.
Giles continued on to tell then about the requirements and classes, that Kristen would have to take while being at the school. Andrew had brought the trays for tea and managed to do so without a word, to anybody. Andrew had been threatened enough by many, many Amazon Slayers that if he messed up with the parents he would be beaten to a bloody pulp. He walked out with a only a sigh and closed the doors to the living room behind him.
"Isn't he too young to be working a at an all girls school?" He heard Mrs. Lawson asked through the door. Andrew leaned in to listen to their explanation.
"Don't worry about Andrew," He heard Fiona's muffled voice, "He's-" but Andrew could hear no more because Robin had come up behind him and pulled him away. Andrew was more intimidated then normal by Robin because he was wearing his "principal suit" instead of his normal 'I'm out to save the world' get up, which he had liked being able to get away with, while working at the school.
"What were you doing?" Robin asked he let Andrew go.
"They were talking about me." Andrew whined and pointed to the door. "I have a right to know what they say.
Robin didn't say a word just glared at Andrew, until he stopped whining and started to leave. Robin left after Andrew disappeared down the hall and then waited, with his ear to the door, for a place were he could interrupt. He looked down at the report in his hand. Whatever team was on patrol, they were going to have their hands full. When Giles had finished his explanation of school requirements, he found his time to enter.
"Sorry to interrupt." He said confidently entering the room.
"This is Robin Wood, he is another Assistant Director here." Giles introduced. "These are the Lawson's and their daughter Kristen."
"I'm glad to have you here." He greeted shaking their hands. "I just need to borrow my colleagues for a moment."
"You're working over the Holiday's, Mr. Wood?" Yvonne asked kindly.
"I try not to, but some things can't wait." He handed Giles and Fiona the file and they began to read it quickly. "I was going to put Addison in charge of it."
"Yes, its her area. Go ahead." Giles said handing him back the file. Fiona nodded in agreement. "We are just about to began the tour, of the school, would you care to join us?"
"I would love to, but I still have some work I have to finish." He gave a smile. "I'll try to catch up with you later." He began to head out the door as the rest rose from they're seats to began to tour. Her turned around just as he opened the door. "Have you scene Ms. Heatherly around?"
"She was heading to her room, the last time I saw her." Giles told him and Robin nodded and exited the room. Giles turned back to the group, who were now standing and waiting for direction. "Well shall we go on then."
Mr. Lawson stayed at Fiona side, annoying his daughter by beginning to playfully flirt with her. Yvonne didn't notice as she was paying close attention to what Giles had to say. Kristen looked like she wanted to die. Once they passed the main staircase Giles stop them at the crossroads. "To the left we have the Staff wing. First floor are the administrative offices and teachers offices. The Staff quarters are all the way at the other end and on the second and third floors. To the right we have the students common rooms and dorms. The classrooms are down this hallway," pointing in front of them. "We will began our tour there." They began down the classroom hallway not noticing the group entering the main door.
Willow and Kennedy told the girls to quiet down when they entered the main hallway to see the Lawson going on their tour. When they were out of sight, Willow turned to them to give them a pep talk as they took off they're heavy winter coats. "Now remember, please watch what things you girls say." She said as the five Slayers she and Kennedy had taken into town began to grumble.
"Like we're not used to it already." Said Vi, as she barely managed to dangle of her bags from her arms, a sour expression on her face. The redheaded slayer was already in a bad mood. She had missed Christmas last year with her family because of the First and this year they were wary of her coming home. A bringer had almost killed her sister, when looking for her after her Watcher sent her to Sunnydale. Her parents knew she was a Slayer and what that meant and Vi decided that she should probably stay away for a while, to protect them. It was her decision but she was annoyed that they hadn't tried to change her mind.
Willow shook her head. "I know you know. But not all of you guys listen all the time, so I've learned if I get all remindy, you listen." She helped her with her bags until she was good to go on her own. "We don't want any of you scaring them off," she joked giving Kennedy a flirty smile. Kennedy weakly returned it. All the girls agreed to be on best behavior and took there bags off to their rooms. "Remember, your all invited to light the candles. It just before dinner." She called of to the girls.
Willow looked back at Kennedy and gave her best Willow smile. "You look happy today." They started on their own way through the halls.
"And you don't?" Willow asked with the meek "hoping-the-answer-to-this-is-different-then-what-I-think" tone.
"I'm alright." She said, keeping her mental distance from Willow.
"Are you still upset about that, binding thing?" She held her breath. "I didn't mean to hurt you, it's just I thought you were the only one who could handle it…" she started to babble but Kennedy stopped her by putting a hand on her bicep.
Kennedy looked as if she was going to say something but retreated and made then continue on their way again. Willow stopped outside of the office she shared with Bridget and Curtis. "I thought we were gonna go upstairs?" Kennedy asked disappointed.
"I just need to check our messages. I'm the only one in the office this week. Curt and Brig are on out." She said slipping into her office quickly. Kennedy stood there, here annoyance raised to another bar. She wanted to go upstairs with Willow to talk. Willow never wanted to talk anymore. She sighed and began to climb the stairs to their room.
Kennedy had almost forgotten that she had been raised in this house. There were never this many people in it really, it was almost unrecognizable. She looked down at her feet as she walked. She had lost so much confidence after the binding incident. She had felt so empty, all she ever wanted to do now was sleep. When she got to her door, she knew for certain she was going to crawl back into bed.
"Have you seen, Faith?" Robin asked, startling Kennedy. He was standing in Faith bedroom door, which was right next to hers. She shook her head and went into her room and shut the door.
Robin knew something was wrong with her but continued on his way to find Faith. She was having her own problems right now, and as her boyfriend he felt his duty was to her first. Well not really boyfriend, Faith would never say it. She had pages a colorful phrases to refer to him as her: fuck-buddy, bed-warmer and varies others that she had been scolded not to say in front of the students. Now if he could only find her. He wonder the school for a while searching through the staffrooms. He walked out and down the hall of the classrooms to get to the gym.
Danielle and Tessa were coming in from there. He gave them a quick nod as they passed each other. The girls made they're way back to their dorm. "So, did you talk to Mark?" Tessa whispered to Danielle once Robin had left the area.
"Yeah, were meeting them after one." They laughed and giggled their way down to the hall.
'What the fuck is up with those two?' thought Faith as she kept to steps ahead of the tour group and Robin. She just wanted to be left alone. She went back up to her room. Robin wouldn't think to look for her there for at least another twenty minutes. She quickly went up the stairs. As she reached her door she stopped. The door next to hers was open and she could hear Willow and Kennedy fighting. She stopped for a moment and listened. It was the same argument as before. Kennedy felt violated, Willow tried to defend herself by putting her self down. Usually they were quieter, and fast but this fight had to have been going on for a while because Kennedy's voice was raised. Faith was caught off guard when Willow stormed out of the room without a word or acknowledgement of her presence.
Willow only realized Faith was standing next to the door after she had flew by. She was also vaguely aware that Faith had gone in to talk to Kennedy after she left. Willow zipped down the stairs muttering to herself. She had been in such a good mood earlier, now all she wanted to do was destroy something. She held it all inside of her momentarily scaring herself went she imagined the building falling apart. She felt a little tremor and quickly got herself under control and closed her office door.
Vi saw Willow coming down the stairs and was about to run to her and ask a question. But Willow's body language said 'talk to me and die', so Vi went back to her room. It was on the third floor, almost like a tower, they decided to call it the senior dorm (even though they were not seniors), it had more privacy, five small single bedrooms surrounding one common room and bathroom. She shared it with Rona, Shannon, and Hortensia 'Ten'. The last room was vacant but Kristy Lawson will soon fill it. Vi looked around the common room. It was a combination of all their taste, it got kind of gaudy in some places but was better then the rec room, which the girls in double rooms had. It looked strange to her today though because it was it was clean, to clean.
Her three roommates had gone home for break but had cleaned up before they left. Giles and Fiona were going to show this room during the tour and would be here soon. She realized that her shopping bags and her mess from the past couple days would not be looked on agreeably. She quickly moved it all into her room. She looked around her little room and took out her photo album. She missed her parents. She heard a knock on the outer door. She closed the door to her personal room and opened the common room door for the tour group.
"Good afternoon, Vi." Giles said looking in before letting the Lawson's enter. The room was all clear. "The Lawson's are here." Vi smiled shyly and moved back in the room not to get in the way.
They filed in and Yvonne took the most positive interest in the room. Kristy looked on with disgust her room at home was much bigger then this. Her father was still talking to Fiona, and Fiona alone. Giles noticed as Fiona returned his comments with poise and smiles, Giles turned back to Yvonne. "This is Violet O'Bryne." Mrs. Lawson shook her hand and Giles went on about the room, "If you let Kristen come here this semester, she will be put in this suite." He showed her the room and Vi went to talk to Kristen.
"Violet." Kristy acknowledged and shook her hand, politely.
"Everybody calls me, Vi." She sighed.
"Kristy."
"So you were recruited by Buffy, huh?" She said trying to make conversation.
"Yeah, what a loser, hanging out with someone who looks like he came out of the eighties." She groaned.
"Well I'd like to take the Larson's on, Vi. If the Lawson's don't mined, why don't you show, Kristy around, on your own, maybe swing by and introduce her around." Fiona suggested, she turned to Yvonne.
"That sounds good, Kristy darling, go with Violet." She said leaving with Giles, Fiona and her husband.
Kristy waited until her parents were gone and closed the door. "So what the hell is this place really like? Because if it's like 'Old Alfred' says, this place seriously blows." Kristy let out finally able to let her true self shine through.
Vi let out a breath. "No. They trump this place up for the parents. Normal rules, a lot of Slayer training, and demon history. Giles isn't as stuck up as he seems, yeah he's a typical brit, and we have a bunch of them but he's great."
"Is he gonna be one of my teachers?" She asked warily.
"Not really, the only teachers a class for future watchers. He takes over sometimes." Vi offered then went on. "Are they gonna let you go here?"
"With the snow-job 'Hall to the Queen' is given my mom and at that whore given' my dad the works, it's a shoe in. God, watching them flirt like that, its like watching an old people porno." She griped and looked around and her face squinted. "You live here, it's so small."
Vi just rolled her eyes. "Well do you want me to show you around? The real tour." Kristen agreed and they went down the hallway and around the halls. Vi saw Kennedy hopping down the stairs a floor below them.
Kennedy, now feeling better after she talked to Faith, went straight for Willow's office. She slowed as she got to the door, it was open and she waited after hearing more then just Willow voice from the office. She peered in hoping that the Lawson's would be out of there soon. She wanted to try to talk to Willow again without fighting. Willow was good with that in relationships because of her tendency to go over the deep end. Right now, she may have been mad at Willow, but she didn't want to lose her. When the Lawson's left the office Kennedy slipped into it.
Giles lead them back to the greeting room. "Well that's the end of the tour, I suspect your daughter will return to us shortly." He smiled.
Yvonne returned it and looked around the room. "I just wanted you to know that at this moment I am sure Kristy will be joining you for you for your Spring semester. This place seems like it would be good for her. You seem to understand how to teach a girl like her. Also it has been far to long has her studies been distracted by boys."
"It hasn't been that bad." Richard insisted. Yvonne just sighed and said no more. She would not start an argument in public.
Giles decided not to even let the moment rest and broke in, "Well, that's very good to hear." Giles explained to her what would be needed for Kristy to enter and that they would talk to Robin after Kristy returned.
The greeting room's door was open and anyone coming in from the front could be seen. As bad luck would have it the three Watchers in Training (Wit's) had just arrived home. They were talking and laughing carrying their bags. They had spent the whole day picking up gifts and could help but pester each other about what they got each other. "Come on, boy, lets get this to your room." Dawn said to Matt, after refusing to tell her his gift.
"I thought this was an all girls school!" They heard an outraged women call from the greeting room.
"Oh shit!" Dawn said quietly. Parents, she checked her watch, they got back to early. Matt started to hide behind Evan, who was oddly calm. Giles quickly went quiet and Fiona was thinking about what to say.
The pregnant silence only last a moment because Evan grabbed Matt and Dawn hands and pulled them in with her into the room with the Lawsons. She went right up to Yvonne and Richard and looked them straight in the eyes as she spoke. "My name is Evanna Anderson, and this is Dawn Summers and that's Madeline Boyd. We nicknamed her 'Boy'." She smiles shaking both of their hands.
"I'm sorry, Madeline. I thought you were a boy when you walked in. I guess it was just the haircut." Yvonne said shaking Matt's hand. Matt didn't speak just smiled. Yvonne greeted Dawn as well. Richard didn't say anything just let any embarrassment on his face fade like it never happened
Giles, Dawn and Matt were not sure what had just happened. Matt still looked like Matt, not a Madeline. Fiona however was giving death glares to Evan who was pretending she didn't notice. When, Giles, Dawn and Matt noticed that Evan didn't break eye contact with the Lawson's they knew what happened. Giles began to share Fiona's nervousness. It was the same thing Drusilla did to him years ago, showing him Jenny to get information. He knew that by Fiona's wariness, that Evan didn't have to much practice in it.
"Girls please take your bags to your rooms, I don't want you leaving them in the halls." Fiona said giving them a quick out.
"If you'd excuse us." Dawn said as they almost bolted out of the room just as Kristy and Vi came into the room. The watcher trio had there backs to the Lawson's and when Vi looked at there faces she knew she was to go along with whatever was going on.
"Kristy, meet these three lovely girls, Dawn, Evanna, and Madeline." Yvonne said.
"Girls?" Kristy looked like she was about to laugh. "One of them's-" she was cut off when Vi jammed her side, out of sight of anyone's notice. "oh, yeah girls, nice to meet you." She faked and quickly went to her parents.
"See you later, Vi." Evan said grabbing the bags, quickly moving out of sight in the hall. They ran and didn't stop until they were at the staff wing. They ran inside of Willow's office.
They didn't notice Willow's and Kennedy's make up embrace until they had closed the office door. "Hey," Willow said, breaking the hug, "why'd you bust in here?" Then her eyes widened as they told her what happened. "Why didn't you just say he was a visiting brother."
"I didn't think of that." Evan said and started to laugh, as did Dawn and even Matt.
"Well I better go make sure it worked." Willow sighed and waited for Kennedy to come with her. They left the room together.
"I can't believe you named me, Madeline Boyd." They heard Matt say as they walked on. When they got to the Lawson's they were preparing to leave and we fooled by the false front Evan had created. They were also being quite satisfied with the school. Vi waited for them to go, to be polite. Richard kissed Fiona's hand to say goodbye then join his family at the door.
As Vi opened the front door for them to leave she was given quite a shock herself. "Daddy!" She screamed like a little girl, jumping into her fathers arms. Her mom, and her little brother and sister were there too. Willow smiled, this was just what Vi needed to be cheered up.
"You didn't think we wouldn't be with you for Christmas did you?" Her mother said hugging her.
Robin arrived and inform the group by the door that they had called ahead and were more them welcome to come and pick her up for the family trip up to Maine to see her Grandmother. Vi took her whole family with her up to her room so she could pack a bag for the family trip to Maine.
The Lawson's put on their coats and got back in their car. As they drove off a sigh of relief went through the school. "I say next time we just tell them the truth and take them vamp hunting." Fiona said taking off her shoes.
"Oh I agree." Giles said laughing.
"Willow!" Faith called as she came up to them.
"Hey, Fay." Robin said to her, "I've been missing you all afternoon." He reached a hand out to put on her shoulder.
"Yeah, sorry, but I need to talk to Willow now." Faith insisted, dodging to not let him touch her.
"What is it?" Willow asked going to her.
Faith looked around at the other faces in the room. "Could I talk to you-privately?"
Willow nodded, "Yeah," she turned to Giles. "If you'll excuse me."
Faith took Willow's arm and pulled her into the foyer room which was to the right of the hall. The two girls walked into a study which was connected to the foyer room by an arch. This is where the girls liked to hang out and study.
They both stopped and stood in the middle of the room. Faith's eyes were shadowed and gloomy.
"What's wrong?" Willow asked her. She knew when Faith had something on her mind. "What happened?"
Faith sat down on a nearby couch and Willow sat beside her. "I don't deserve this." Faith said moving her hands up and down her own sleeveless arms. "Take it away."
"What?" Willow said, not understanding.
Faith was shivering. "Take away my power."
*********
Night had fallen over the school, but for this school it didn't mean to much. For most one a.m. was the same as one p.m., most were still awake. Robin had gotten information about a nest a vampires gathering in the school. They didn't know it but they are naturally attracted to the Slayers as they were drawn to the hellmouths. Addison lead her team of slayers team "SG-Slayers", down the road to hunt for the nest. Addison knew the location but the girls needed to learn to use they're skills to hunt. When they go out into the world they won't always have someone telling them what to do and were to go. She stood a few feet behind watching her team in action.
Samantha was taking the lead, she was the oldest, twenty and wasn't actually a student at the school. She was a sophomore at University of Minnesota and agree to go for a quick training session over break. She didn't have any idea was Slayer was when they found her but her parents had known. They hadn't believe the watcher who came to them, but when she came home at the end of her first year at school, they realized what she became had help the school locate her after they began to contact all the previously found potentials. She was learning quickly and everyone was impressed with her progress.
"Quiet." She said to Sybil and Haley, who were whispering to each other. She needed to keep her focus to pick them up. Their skills weren't bad but they were thirteen and fourteen and lacked the proper discipline. They didn't get that the whole slayer gig was not a game yet.
Jacey, however, the fifteen year-old, did. She was good however very stubborn and asked a lot a questions. She came mid semester and shook things up, that the rest had taken for granted. No one had really found out why holy water and crosses warded of vamps, because vamps were around long before those religion were created and why Willow would sometimes have a cross with her because she was Jewish too. Finally they all got fed up with her and made it her project to research the topic herself and write a paper on it. Even though Willow was fed up with her, Willow still remained her favorite teacher.
Samantha stop, and the girls stopped with her. They each took their positions and formed a circle. They each had to search their own area. It was the hope that no slayer would be on they're own after they graduated, so they needed to learn how to work as teams. They looked like animals searching and sniffing the air. Addison stayed back, smiling, they were close to the nest know. Silently, Jacey nudged them and pointed in the direction she was looking in. There was an old abandon house of the side of the rode. All the girls turned and they could sense them, death was in the air. They nodded and took they're stakes out of there heavy winter coats. They turned to Addison to see her nodding and smiling. They turned back to look at the house. Since Jacey found the house, she had the honor of starting the count down. "1… 2…3!" She said as they bolted to the house across the street, kicked in the door and rushed in for the attack.
Addison crossed at her own pace, continuing to smile after them. 'Those vamps aren't gonna know what hit them.' She thought as she waited for her girls on the porch.
Xander and Sophie drove past the old house down the road from the school. They didn't notice Addison on the porch cause they busy arguing with one another. "…How can you say that?!" Xander exclaimed from the drivers seat.
"Very easily." Sophie said coyly.
"But it's not true!" he exclaimed again.
"It's my truth!" she said getting even angrier.
"It just can't be, Kirk was so much better than Sisco! Heck even Picard was a better Captain than Sisco!"
"Oh, no they weren't he was the best okay, Kirk was an oversexed prick who cared more about 'his ship' than the crew and Picard could even hold down a long-term relationship. Sisco was a Captain, a good father, the Emissary and he through his girlfriend imprison and she came back and married him!" She said and they both broke out in laughter.
Xander was having a great time. She wasn't a Star Trek fan when she came to the school but he had shown her the DVD that were coming out and got her and Fiona hooked, and a bunch of the girls hooked. They liked 'Deep Space Nine' the best. Probably cause it dealt a lot with mystical and spiritual roles and destinies. It hit close to home. She was the best date he ever had. She hadn't tried to kill him. He knew exactly what she was and she was a Trekker (Trekker= Star Trek fans like Andrew know every word, and have ship diagrams; Trekker, never misses an episode, likes to talk about it, but doesn't know how many rows of buttons are on the security consul). Xander smiled, as they pulled into past the gate, just cause they were back didn't mean the date was over.
Andrew saw the headlights from Xander's car through front windows. He continued his march though out the school. He called it a patrol but he was hoping someone was around to watch a movie with. He was lonely and Clem had decided to visit his sister and her offspring in Topeka for the holiday. He wished it wasn't a holiday, there was always someone around to be with otherwise. He would try the library, usually someone was in there. Walked along the staff offices and heard voices coming from Robin's office. He stopped near the door, so he could eavesdrop. He knew there was something going on they weren't telling him about. He suspected it had something to do with Faith or Willow. As he listen in and only heard Faith's voice, she one the telephone. He hear someone behind him and moved on because he didn't want to be caught.
In fact there was no one behind him cause if there was Faith would have noticed. She was on the phone and was not to engrossed in her conversation to know that Andrew had stopped by the door for a moment. "Angel, I hear what you're saying, but it's doesn't matter, I need to be punished not redeemed. I can do that without the power." She argued. Angel kept going on and she rolled her eyes as he went on about responsibly. She sat up straight. "No I did not role my eyes!" she had just about had enough, she was shocked when Giles told her she should call him. God knows why she actually listened. "You know, I think I had enough. I made my decision. Thanks for your help." She hung up the phone and ran her hands over her face and through her hair. Why couldn't everyone just leave her alone.
She got up and left the office. The first thing she saw was the newest cute couple heading up the stairs and turned the other way. She was not gonna run into them tonight. She turned tail and went up the other way.
Sophie latched onto Xander armed the moment they had entered the building. Her snuggling up to him all night didn't go unnoticed, he was about ready to pop the way she kept touching him. "It's getting late, maybe I should walk you to your door?"
She gave him a smiled and nodded. They stopped next to her door and Xander waited and look like he was debating whether to kiss her or not. "Well." She said demanding after a a long pause.
"I wasn't-" He managed to say before her lips began to assault on his. His arms instructively wrapped around her, pulling her to him. She pulled back and looked him in the eyes.
"Okay?" she asked licking her lips.
"Are you kidding me?" This time him starting the kiss, gently pushing her against the wall as he deepened the kiss. Like any good make out sessions hands began to roam and explore, nothing that was too inappropriate for the hall at night. All four hands where still visible. They continued to kiss until they were snapped out of their little word, by door closing and gasp. They immediately looked in the direction of the noise. Fiona was standing at one of the doors, not her own, clad in an oversize dress shirt.
Fiona looked at them, shocked. It took Sophie and Xander a moment to realize that the reason she looked so horror stricken wasn't because she saw them making-out. but was because she herself was in a predicament she did not want to get caught in. "What are you doing," Sophie began to asked pulling Xander with her to where Fiona was standing, "outside of Ripper's door?" Sophie looked at the shirt more closely. "In his shirt?" she raised an eyebrow.
Xander quickly looked at both of them, and the dots connected for him. "Oh!"
"Oh, nothing." She said to him trying to say it like she had nothing to hide, unsuccessfully.
"Right," Sophie said, "The shirt?"
"We were drinking and I spilled." She said nonchalantly, giving Sophie a smile. "Ripper was kind enough to lend me a shirt."
Raised her eyebrow again and looked at her again. "And I pair of his undies?" Looking at the pair of boxers.
"What?" Xander said, to himself, but was not lost on the women.
"Stop it, Soph, you're scaring the boy." Fiona said now not caring that she was improperly dressed for the hall.
"Well it's not like you haven't been flirting with him since you met." Sophie assured her.
"No I didn't." She insisted.
"Just cause you insist something is true doesn't make it that way." Sophie joked. Xander locked himself in his own world, trying to forget the image of Giles having sex out of his mind.
"Fine, then if I was flirting with him then, then you were with my brother." Fiona went on the offensive. Sophie and Ona taunted each other for a moment more and Xander pretended he wasn't there.
"Willow!" Jacey called with excitement running through the staff hallway. She ran and slid into Willows door, down the hall from Fiona, Sophie and Xander. Jacey was so excited as she rapped on Willows door. Addison, followed down Jacey's path attempting and failing to stop her.
The young slayer jumped back when the door opened abruptly. Willow hastily opened the door and glared at the slayer. Willow looked disheveled, her pail green robe thrown quickly over her body, her hair was unruly, red strands fell in front of her eyes. Her pale skin was flushed pink. "What's wrong?" asked harshly and confused. She looked up and saw the others in the hall. Giles had stumbled out of his chamber, dressed in his robe as well.
The look on Willow's face did not hindered by her teacher's reaction. "Guess what, guess what I got six of them on my own…" Jacey babbled on about her experience during the hunt. Addison moved closer to Jacey and put a hand on her shoulder. Jacey quieted down, and looked embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, Willow." Addison said sympathetically, feeling embarrassed herself, to let this happen. "I told her no but she ran right past me..." Addison tried to explain.
"It's okay," Willow told her then looked down at the 15 year-old, "We will talk about this tomorrow." She said to the girl. "Go to bed." She said sternly about to turn back into her room.
"Sorry, to wake you up." Jacey said as Addison lead her back down the hall.
"It wasn't my sleep you interrupt-" She cut her self off. "Goodnight." She called and went back in her room and closed the door. Addison gave Jacey a little talking to about going into the staff wing without reason, and the foursome of Giles, Fiona, Xander and Sophie remained in the hall.
"What was going on?" Giles asked rubbing his eyes, well sleepy and slightly inebriated, "What the devil woke me up?" Fiona gave him a look and nudged him, he realized and pulled his robe together tightly. Sophie then opened her mouth to tell him when Willow's door burst open again.
Willow walked out quickly and close the door behind her. She seemed even more irritated then before. "Damn, what a mood killer!" She groaned going over to Xander. She crossed her arms. "You'd think that girl would have more sense than-" Her gaze left Xander and went to everyone else as she had spoke, she saw Fiona and Giles and was started into stopping. The idea came to her instantly. "Oh my goddess." Willow said staring at Giles, who was desperately wishing his robe made him invisible and Fiona just sighed.
Sophie started laughing. "Yes, yes. But you'll never get a word out of them."
Willow went to Xander's side, and whispered, "I didn't even know they were dating?"
"You think I knew?" Xander shrugged and looked down at her. His gaze froze a minute and quickly spoke again, "Uh, Will, robe." He said quickly looking away.
Willow looked down as everybody looked over. She quickly fixed her robe which had began to show too much of her chest as she had marched over here. She turned back to Fiona and Giles. "So how long have the two of you been…going on?"
Fiona cocked her head and "Hmm?" and Giles did the same head tilt but said "What?" instead. Willow got confused.
"Oh you see, I believe may dearest best friend and my kind of brother are under the impression that if they don't admit to something, it never happened or that if they stay in denial long enough, we'll start to believe them."
"Sophie!" Ona scolded.
"What? Your first story fell through. Unless, Giles, did she really lose at strip poker?" Sophie played with them.
"Yes." Giles said with distinction. Fiona barred her face in her hands with a laugh. "What?" he turned to her.
"She said something about her spilling on her other cloth-" Fiona didn't let Sophie and she bumped past her heading to her room.
"Leave, him alone and continue snogging with Xander in the hallway." She called reaching her door. Sophie turned to look uncomfortable when Giles through his semi drunken haze gave her his own inquisitive look. Willow started to laugh.
Sophie whispered to Xander, "I think the mood is killed for the night." She said.
Xander, who was to ill at ease that he could look at Giles, turned to Willow. "Like you weren't in there having hot Witch-on-Slayer sex, when you were interrupted."
"Hey!"
"Enough!" Giles moaned, then paused, "Would any of you like a drink?" he said hopefully going back in his room to get the bottle he and Fiona had opened. He had just assumed they had nodded. He poured glasses for all of them and brought it to them outside his door. He took them all to the little seating area in the end of the hall. There was nothing better to bring on his denial better then another drink.
They all sat down and took a swing, as Fiona came back. Now with her own deep blue robe around her, stole Giles' glass. Annoyed he went in for another one. This time he brought the bottle and filled up the glasses again.
"What's on tap for tomorrow?" Sophie asked, as Giles' pour more of the amber liquid in her glass.
"My de-Slayering of Faith." Willow said grudgingly. They all nodded. Willow took another gulp and then another. They all remained there, and discuss the day, as lightly as they could.
It came around to Willows turn, this time as she spoke she started to sway. "And it really sucks to all day Kennedy and I have been fighting," she said in her drunken way, "I finally got her to do it and she gets out of the mood and doesn't want to get back in it, 'cuz slayer junior shows up." Xander pats her on the shoulder kindly. Giles was to out of it to be concerned about his surrogate daughter talking about her sex life, especially with Ona lying across his lap.
"Relationships bite!" She moaned and gulped another glass, she laughed, "Bites!" Laugh, "Oz!", she turned to Xander, "I haven't seen him in while. He used to bite."
"And that's your cut off point, Will." Xander said getting up, pulling her with him. "Off to bed with you, remember what happened last time you drank." He lean over and gave Sophie a chaste goodnight kiss, the alcohol made him no longer embarrassed in front of Giles. He straightened up and went to help Willow go back to her room.
"Yeah," she smiled wide. "I made Giles blind, Buffy and Spikey get engaged, and you," she pointed a finger at his chest and poked him, "were a demon magnate." She laughed again.
"Exactly," He pulled her down the hall to hear room. "No magic!" he said sternly.
"Do you think the engagement spell is why Spike fell in love with her?" was the last thing the remaining three heard from her.
"You like Xander?" Giles asked, looking at Sophie. She nodded, which made raises his eyebrows. "Fine, I approve." He said as he yawned.
"'Cause I always look for you're approval." Sophie said mockingly.
Addison came rushing back into the staff corridor. "Can you three come with me?" She said, and they immediately got up and quickly followed her down the hall.
"What's going on?" Giles asked as they moved first floor dorms.
"Boys." Addison said simply. They were puzzled, she knew they had been drinking and elaborated. "I heard boys voices when I took Jacey to her room." Addison took them down to the rec-room. They could hear girls voices and loud music. "I needed back up. I think they need to be scared."
Fiona nodded. Sophie and Giles hung back. Fiona and Addison stood outside the door. Fiona started to count down from three on her fingers and one, zero kicked open the door. They stop the five partying girls and the six guys that were with them. They froze, the boys that tried to run for it were stopped by Giles and Sophie in the halls. The girls knew better then to run.
"Well look what we have here." Addison said walking into the room. Fiona followed her. The walk around making note of who was there. Some where caught in less then kosher positions. Fiona turned of the music. "Boys to the left!" Addison called in her shrillest voice, "Girls to the right!" They did so immediately.
Fiona looked the girls up and down. "Who?" was all she asked them. Danielle and Tessa were given up within second. "Alright, Danni, Tess. Directors office now! Go straight there. He will be in, in a minute." she pointed them out. She knew Giles would need to get dressed before having his conference with the girls, but they would wait they looked petrified. "The rest of you go to your rooms. We'll be checking on you, in a few minutes." As the girls slinked out, Sophie brought back the to escaped boys. Fiona sent her to get the other male teachers. The boys lined up and Fiona and Addison paces along there line as they felt dread. They got all they're names and phone numbers and had Andrew and Robin call they're parents to be picked up.
In one big group the boys where picked up. They had threatened to call the police and have their sons arrested for trespassing. They came immediately. Addison and Fiona waited in the foyer. Robin was much more skilled with this and they were glad they woke him. He was much scarier to the boys cause he knew how to run a public school. They had check on and scolded the girls, punishments would be decided tomorrow. Danni and Tess had gone off to bed too.
Addison rubbed her temples in exhaustion. She and Fiona were leaning on the same wall. "I'm getting to old for this." Addison muttered to Fiona. "This type of shit is why I left the Academy." She looked over at Fiona. "Not that I didn't want girls to be admitted, I just missed the admission change but do you know how many times I had to caught those children, and then have to teach them the next day. I don't remember being like this when I was in school."
"Oh," Fiona said looking away. "I never even went to school remember. The only boy I knew was Brian and any watcher's son dad thought I should date." There was silence again. "How did the hunt go, by the way?"
"Good, they were done in less then two minutes with the slaying part. They younger ones had trouble focusing, but Jacey is coming around and Samantha is doing more than expected for such a short time."
"Good." Fiona yawn. "We need to think of a new punishment-"
"-that makes then never do this again!" Addison joined in to have her complete the sense. They turned to each other and spoke in unison again, "Did we just agree on something?"
*************
In the morning Willow took Faith down to the vault. Willow was grateful Xander took care of her last night, making sure that she drank plenty of water so she wouldn't get a big hangover. She was only mildly out of it but it was more her task at hand then her drink last night. She can't believe Giles was the one who passed out the drinks.
Faith followed Willow into the room where she would be working her mojo. Faith looked around the room as Willow opened the safe. Faith was allowed in here, but was in here before now. She looked at the weapons and picked up the sword closest to her. It was beautiful and shining, looks like it had never been used.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you." Willow warned, turning around scythe in hand.
Faith carefully set it back in it's place. "Why not? Carry some curse or somethin'?"
"No, Giles will just be pissed, it's his favorite." Willow gave he a smile, than sat down in the middle of the room. Faith just stared down at her for a second. "Sit." Willow commanded, "I need to make the circle around both of us."
Faith complied and sat down facing Willow. "I thought you could do this from anywhere, why do I have to be down here?" Faith asked grudgingly.
"Hold this for a sec." Willow said handing Faith the scythe, so she could created the circle. When Faith took the weapon, and Willow answered her question. "Because if you're with me it will be easier, because I won't have to find you. That part is the hardest and starting to give me a headache.
Faith nodded, but she was to distracted by the object in her hands. It was hers, was what her body and soul were telling her but her mind kept reminding her that it would not be for long.
Willow spread the sand around them. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Willow asked.
"I am as sure as I'll ever be." Faith said. Willow looked up at her and started to open her mouth to speak but was cut off by Faith. "Look I heard it before, Red. They all talked to me. Giles said maybe I should wait longer. Angel was all saying I had given up. Xander even tried to talk me out of it. He says I'll be more of a help with my power, but he doesn't get it, no one does, I'm a danger to everyone also long as I have this power, no one gets it!"
"Hey, remember, girlfriend-shot-killed-a-guy-tried-to-end-the-world?" Willow said in her own blunt way. Faith just glared at her, Willow shrug, "You we had a whole conversation about that on our way back from L.A. didn't we? But what I have to say should carry more wait then the rest of them." She ripped the scythe from Faith's hands. "You know that feeling you got. If felt like a small part of you was taken away, think of what it's gonna feel like when in gets ripped out of you." Willow said calmly.
"I talked to Kennedy." Was all Faith said looking away. "This will be my ultimate punishment for what I've done!"
"Punishment? Are you kidding me, it's the cop out, Hon." Willow said getting stronger, channeling all the conversations she had with Giles last summer. "It's giving up. You won't have much expected of you anymore, you'll be able to go hey, 'I'm not a slayer anymore, no more destiny' well that just means your giving up."
"Like you didn't wish ever they could take the magic away from you, so you couldn't hurt anyone else! Tell me sometimes when you look at what your doing long for them to take it away…" She faded out cause the next line coming to her was 'wish one day you could just let your temper get the better of ya'. She stopped and just stared into Willow's eyes.
"I can't say that, but that still doesn't mean we're right. People like us have to think live with that. The feeling we can never let our guards down. We need to stay in control, that's our price. If we can't do the time, we have to do the time ourselves. Both of us should be locked away right now but were not. They can't take away my magic, we won't be getting rid of Angel's soul, and you should not give up what you are either!" Willow said, not out of breath.
"Yeah, well I'm the least controllable aren't I? Angel knows how to keep his soul, hopefully by now. You know what to do to say away from dark magic, but I'm out there fighting everyday. I am at that line, and always will be. I have to go out there fighting every night, just the way I did when I killed that guy. My redemption and my dark side are smack up against each other." Faith tried to get up but Willow anchored her back down.
"Don't break the circle." Willow commanded, Faith reluctantly sat back down.
"Well are you actually going to do your thing or what?" Faith said huffily.
"Only if you're sure." Willow said after a short pause. She stopped trying to argue. "I don't know if I can reverse it. You bond, well yours and Buffy bond to your slayerhood is different then the other girls. Stronger. I don't know what will happen when I break it.
"Red, this is what I want. It's what I need. I need to take the risk." She said intensely pointing at herself. "I need it taken away."
Willow looked into her eyes and knew there is something she wasn't telling her. "What happened?" Willow asked.
"Nothing, just get on with it!" Faith nearly screamed to end the conversation.
"Fine." Willow said losing sympathy for Faith. Willow took a deep breath and held the scythe out between the two of them.
"Do I do anything?"
Willow took several more breaths, concentrating on her task. "Grab onto it." Faith nodded and complied placing her hands on either side of Willows.
"I've never done this, this way, so it might get a little strange." Willow warned.
Faith tightened her hands on the weapon and felt a little light headed, as her mind started to fade into an orange glow all around her. The room was now tinted with color. She looked down at her hands, they were blue. She took a deep breath, this was it.
**********
Giles was alone in his office putting together the housing for the girls in the next semester. If admittion continued at this rate they'd need another dorm. He would bring it up again at the next Council meeting.
"How are you feeling, Ripper?" Fiona asked from behind him.
He turned around with a small smile. "A slight hung over, but can't recall the details of the conversation with Xander and Willow, which I believe I should be grateful for." He smiled at her when he turned around.
"I'm really liking this Slayer recovery thing, I feel great this morning." She smiled, and then went into other conversation. Giles knew, she didn't want to talk about relationships, she never had. Giles didn't mind, Sophie did enough talking for the both of them. She helped him with his work and then a companied him to the buliton board in the main hall to post the patrolling assignments. She took a pin and tacked one of the papers up.
"So last night?" she said the minute they were cast in silence. Giles turned to her in surprise. She had humor in her eye. "You'd think you'd be up for doing it again?" she managed to say as causally as if she was asking him to tea.
He smiled and finished putting up the last of the papers. "I don't see why not."
Robin seemed frustrated when he entered the hall. He went to the board to see what Fiona and Giles had posted. "Have you heard from Faith yet?" Fiona asked him.
"No, but that's not really a big surprise, she doesn't talk to me much." He seemed more annoyed then usual, but who wouldn't be, Faith wouldn't even acknowledge him lately. She had made no attempt to talk to him after her plan was announced.
Giles to change the subject brought up the idea of an addition onto the school. Robin nodded and listened grateful for the distraction. When out of nowhere Faith rushed past them, almost registered as nothing more then a blur. They blinked not sure if they had actually seen her, but when they saw will slowly running they knew it had to have been.
"What happened?" Asked Robin.
Willow, slightly out of breath and looking upset, explained, "It didn't work, I could bind her. She ran off before I could say anything." Robin looked back in the direction Faith went on and her followed her not waiting to hear the whole story from Willow.
"…When I was in the dimension I saw her with me. I knew her connection was stronger then the others, so I took her with me. I had to go deep into her line of power and I couldn't do it, I could cut the string."
"I thought you said it was like the 'will it be' spell?" Giles asked.
"Oh, I could do it, but it would effect the others. I had to go closer then before I realized that the Slayer power went through both her and Buffy's… strings. The way I cut off the power can't be severed because it would cut off the other girls too. So I tried putting a blocker between her and the line but it wouldn't take. I think it's because she was actually divinely called. She was the last true slayer."
"I guess she didn't take it well." Giles said looking up at the ceiling, pretending her could see through to the upstairs.
"Not at all."
*********
Faith started throwing things into her bag. She needed to get out, she needed to leave. She had to get out. She threw some shirt in and started to lose it punching her fist through the door.
"Where are you going?" Robin asked solemnly.
"Anywhere but here." She said barely noticing the blood on her knuckles, it didn't matter, nothing matter. She stood over her bag intending to pack but just stopped moving.
"Oh that's the mature thing to do runaway, again."
"God, what do you want from me? You always want more, more then I can give you. This is me take it ore leave it."
"I don't accept that."
"Your such a bastard, ya know. Just leave me alone."
"No about to. I know you want to tell me or you wouldn't be trying to push me with words, you'd actually just walk right out of here."
"I'm about too."
"But you would have done it already."
Faith picked up her bag and threw it back down. "God your annoying. What do you want to hear?" she softened a bit.
"I want to know what happen, what happened to make you want to give up being the Slayer.
There was a long silence, she need to know where to began. "It was when I was in North Carolina." She finally said choking up a bit, "That girl-" she corrected herself, "Slayer, Yasmin, she didn't really believe that anything had change, the new council, when I went to talk to her she just blew me off, I didn't realize that she was watcher trained at the time. I kept trying to talk to her, for some reason, for the first time in my life I was persistent. I kept following her. That girl had better stealth training then me and she managed to ambush me in an ally. I think she might of thought I was a vamp or something. When I tried to tell her she just kept hitting me so I started to fight back." She was silent for a moment. "I was trying to get her to listen to me, she wouldn't. I lost control, the minute I started the upper hand I just kept going." She paused again and turned around to look at him. "When I finally got control back I realized I broke her arm and a couple of ribs. I was over her, and looked into her eyes, she was scared of me. She looked at me the way that Professor looked at me. How could I have gone that far again?" She turned away.
"But you didn't, Faith." He said calmly.
"I knew you'd be nothing but supportive." She was disappointed.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Yeah, 'cause I'm out of control, I don't need to support, I need to be stopped." She was holding a back her tears.
"But your not out of control. Yeah you lost it for a couple of second but you stopped yourself, no one else did. You can't judge yourself on what you could have, might have done."
He paused before going on, "You would get nothing but my support for that. You just gotta snap out of this 'I'm not good enough', you are. You always were, that's why you were chosen. You were the last 'Chosen' slayer. That's got to mean something to you."
"It did, but I was never the Slayer, I was the other slayer."
"You know, how sick I am of hearing you say that, just get over it already." He went to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "your to good for it."
"Thanks." She said sounding better. She swallowed and just stood there, Robin had expected Faith to remove his hand from her shoulder but she let it stay. Maybe he was actually getting through.
She turned around and she hug him. He wrapped his arms around her.
A few minutes later Faith was back to packing. She closed up her bag and rested the strap over her shoulder. "I think I just need to get away for a while, clear my head a bit." She smirked and went to the door.
"Where do you think you'll go?" Robin asked hopefully.
"Don't know, probably just to the city for a couple days maybe head over to the new Hellmouth." She shrugged, "They might need a hand."
"Do you think you'll be coming back?"
She stood by the door, hand on the knob. She looked at him trying to let the little spark he had found in her shine through. "Is there a reason why I shouldn't?" He shook his head, no. "Good." She walked out.
End Chapter Six.