CHAPTER SEVEN: FAITH
Thursday: 4pm25th August 1994
London: Watcher's Council
Beth hadn't been wrong about Sarah. Six months after she had told Ethan that Sarah was going to be next, the older girl had been Called. The previous evening had been the same sleepless kind of evening that Beth had experienced before Laurette had been Called. That had been in June of 1993.
After Sarah had left the Council, Beth had stepped up her training skills. She sparred with anyone who was willing to take her on outside of the allocated training times. One of the trainers, Jeremiah Miller, had begun teaching her how to street fight, not just the martial art techniques that she had already mastered.
She was thirteen now, and becoming more anxious. She knew who would be Called and who wouldn't. She didn't know who to feel more sorry for, the girls who were Called, or the ones who weren't. The ones who became Slayers died early, sometimes within months, sometimes after a few years, but death was always lurking over their shoulders. The girls who weren't Called were forced to stay at the Council until they turned eighteen. The Potentials could only be Called between the ages of twelve and eighteen, and the Council wouldn't let them leave until they were certain that the girls wouldn't be Called.
Beth knew who was to be Called after her, though she didn't recognise the girl's face. She had asked one of the trainers who was fond of her about other training facilities. He had replied that there were other places that Potentials were trained, but Travers preferred the girls to be trained in England where they could be watched far closer.
Beth knew that the next girl would be Kendra, and after Kendra would be someone named Faith. She had dreamt about Faith on more than one occasion, and when a new Potential was brought to the compound, Beth knew without a doubt that the new girl was Faith.
Faith was fourteen years old, a year and a bit older than Beth. She was brought in seven months ago on a late January afternoon, a frown on her face and suspicion and distrust in her eyes. Beth had overheard Travers talking to one of the trainers, saying that it was awfully late for a Potential to begin training, and that they had only discovered the girl by accident.
Faith was quiet, sullen, but Beth could see a kindred and talkative spirit lurking beneath the tough exterior. Beth watched Faith's training carefully, keeping an eye on the girl. None of the other Potentials knew what to make of Faith, but Beth liked her without question.
When they were paired up for the first time about seven months after Faith had begun her training, Beth was thrilled. She'd never fought Faith before, but she knew Faith's fighting style like the back of her hand.
Faith regarded the blonde girl cautiously. Faith hadn't ever bothered trying to become friends with any of the Potentials which was why they were so wary of her, but Beth had always had a smile for Faith even when Faith would just look away every time. No matter how many times Faith had rejected the silent offers, Beth would always have one more to give.
Faith had never paid attention to anyone else's training other than herself, and when she began circling Beth, she felt completely confident that she could win against the younger girl. At thirteen, Beth was still the smallest Potential and still constantly getting into trouble from Travers. Even the youngest Potential, Chloe, who was nine years old was taller than Beth, which was an extremely sore point for Beth.
Faith struck towards the younger girl and Beth ducked, using her height and speed to her advantage. Faith smirked and tried again. Beth caught Faith's fist and gripped it tightly until Faith's knuckles cracked a little. Faith cried out in pain and Beth immediately let go. Faith was determined though and tried to catch Beth off guard with a roundhouse kick. Beth dropped to the floor and shot her leg out to trip Faith onto her back.
Without a word, Beth offered to help the other girl up. Faith looked at the hand disdainfully for a moment but eventually accepted the help somewhat grudgingly.
"You're not bad blondie," Faith commented.
Beth grinned her thanks. "You either."
And so the dance continued. Faith struck towards Beth who executed a perfect back flip, catching Faith's chin with her foot, Faith stumbling backwards and falling to the ground. Faith grinned even as she touched her sore jaw.
"Teach me," she said quietly.
Beth nodded and showed her the move again without actually hitting Faith. Faith watched carefully and tried to imitate the move. After three attempts, she could back flip and land on her feet. Beth nodded encouragingly.
"Let's see if you can land properly when you actually kick me," Beth said.
Faith looked a little stricken at the thought.
"You want me to kick you?" she asked incredulously.
Beth shrugged. "I don't want you to kick me, but if you don't practise it, you'll probably land on your ass when you try doing it for real."
Faith nodded hesitantly. "Alright. It's your jaw."
Beth laughed a little and they began fighting, Beth holding back so that Faith was winning but still having to try. Faith only hesitated for a split second before going into the back flip, catching Beth's chin as she did. Beth stumbled back, but managed to stay standing.
"Nice," she complimented.
Faith went a little red and shrugged it off. "Thanks."
Beth shook her head and they began the dance once more. "I want you to do the flip again," Beth said after a few moments. "But this time, I'm gonna be ready, and I'm gonna do a counter attack."
Faith nodded, and tried to wait until the blonde Potential had lost her footing before going into the flip. Beth was ready for it though, and before Faith could kick out towards her, she ducked backwards and quickly did a roundhouse kick to Faith's lower back whilst she was airborne, sending Faith flying onto the mats.
Faith lay there, stunned for a moment, before once more accepting Beth's hand to help her up.
"You alright?" Beth asked.
Faith shrugged and nodded. "Five by five," she replied. "Where did you learn that?"
Beth shrugged. "Hurts like hell, doesn't it?"
Faith nodded. "You could say that."
Beth grinned and nodded. "Just sucks that you can't counter attack the counter attack," she said. "Once you're in that flip you can't do anything about it if they see it coming."
"Well that bites," Faith commented. "It's a nice move."
"Looks cool too," Beth replied.
Faith grinned and noticed in a moment of clarity that she had laughed more in the last twenty-minute sparring session than she had in the last six months.
"I can see why the others like you," Faith commented quietly.
Beth shrugged it off, but Faith could see the girl's ear tips go a little red with the compliment. "I'm a people person."
"I don't see how you can be when you're around these guys," Faith commented, looking towards the trainers in the room.
Beth shrugged. "Well, they just can't get me to shut up."
"Yeah I noticed that too," Faith teased.
Beth rolled her eyes and they began circling each other again, hitting and kicking as they spoke.
"That Travers guy's really got it in for you, that's for sure," Faith commented.
Beth just laughed at the casual mention of Travers' constant punishments. "He's had it in for me since I was five years old. Still not sure why," she said. "I think I've got permanent scars."
Faith looked at the girl with something akin to sympathy written in her eyes. "Five years old?" she asked.
Beth nodded. "Yep. It's my ninth year here."
"Can you even remember your parents?" Faith asked.
Beth just shrugged. "I can kinda remember mom, nothing specific, just a vague memory of blonde hair and daffodils, but…nothing about my dad."
"Damn, that sucks. My parents weren't that great, but…I can still remember them," she said.
Beth shot a fist out at Faith and caught the girl's cheek, Faith turning her head to curb the blow. Faith retaliated with a swift uppercut that Beth jumped back from.
"I've kinda…I've kinda got a sorta-dad though," Beth said quietly. She wasn't sure why she was telling Faith. She hadn't told any of the other Potentials, not even Kelsie, the thirteen-year-old girl she was closest with.
"Yeah? What's the deal there?" Faith asked.
"I met him when I was five," Beth explained. "He's the one who brought me to England. Didn't see him again 'til I was eleven, and we've kept in contact ever since. Every weekend."
"Is that where you always rush off to?" Faith asked.
Beth's eyes went wide. She hadn't realised that anyone had noticed her absences from lunch every Saturday.
"Yeah. I'm surprised you noticed. No one else has," Beth said.
"You kinda notice things when you're not too busy chatting with all the others," Faith replied.
"What's that about anyway?" Beth asked.
Faith shrugged. "Dunno. Just…I never really wanted to be here in the first place. But, when my folks split up and neither of them were 'found fit' or whatever, these British guys fought for custody."
Beth winced a little. She couldn't imagine having to come to the Council when you had had a normal life for fourteen years already. It just didn't seem right.
"Well, I can't blame you for the sullen thing I guess," Beth said. "But, could you at least quit it when we spar?"
Faith just nodded. "I kinda think I already have."
Beth laughed and lunged towards the other girl, tackling her to the floor. "I didn't wanna be the first one to say it."
Faith just grinned and for the first time in years, she had a true friend.
(In the series, I think Faith is meant to be younger, but I wanted her a little bit older. You'll see why later.)
Thank you soooo much to the people who have been leaving reviews and for people who have been emailing me about this fic! I neer thought it would get this much response!
In answer to some general questions:
Will this be B/A: there IS a B/A version. There will EVENTUALLY be a few versions of this fic. B/A and B/G and a non-ship specific one. (If enough people are interested, there MAY be a B/X one.) That's not until Chapter THIRTY though, so there's a LOOOOONG road ahead for us here.
Dawn: yes, she will play a part in this. Not telling how yet.
Anyways, thanks again!! I live for feedback!