"Have Faith" Pt 4/?
The girls clamored into the living room and filled the couch, arm chairs, and free floor space. Xander shouldered his way in and stood against the wall next to the phone. Andrew stood next to him and Dawn was nowhere in sight,
Willow was standing next to Faith in front of the fireplace. Willow was wringing her hand nervously and Faith had her thumbs in her pockets.
Faith was wearing a white tank top with the word 'Hunted' written across it in red glitter. To any high school girl it simply meant 'wanted by every sexy high school hunk'. To the girls sitting on a couch in the house of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it meant something completely different.
To Faith the Vampire Slayer, it meant just about anything.
Willow waited for the girls to settle and hush before she began. I know you normally have training at this time, but today I have a surprise for you. I have somebody I would like to introduce you to.
*******
Buffy stood up and started up the stairs. A rustling noise and a groan stopped her. Turning around, she slowly crept back down the stairs and over to the cot where Spike was lying.
she said while gently sitting on the edge of the cot. How are you feeling?
The vampire didn't move but the slayer knew he was awake. His blanket had glided down when he had moved and covered everything from the waist down. His entire upper body was now naked. There were quite a few lightly colored spots where his bruises had begun to fade. Buffy resisted the urge to reach out and gently touch them with her fingertips.
Spike sighed and was still for a moment before opening his eyes. His previously swollen eyes was still a light purple, but the swelling had gone and the bruise was fading too. Like I was hit by a slayer, came the response.
Half a smile curved the slayer's lips. Well at least you're not delusional. Buffy again fought the urge to push a stray blonde curl away from the vampire's face.
Spike slowly sat up and winced before looking at Buffy. She was staring at him, worry strong in her beautiful eyes. Spike grinned.
I'll be all right, pet. I've taken a beating from a slayer before, you know.
Buffy blushed and stared at the now empty orange juice glass in her hands. I'm sorry, Spike. I should have told you about Faith. I-
You don't have to apologize, luv. You have more things to worry about than whether or not i can handle a slayer. Spike paused and gave her his mischievous grin. Or whether a slayer can handle me.
This time Buffy did not smile back. Faith is no ordinary slayer, Spike.
None of them are, luv. Look at you!
Spike, I'm serious. Faith is not a slayer to be toyed with. She kills because she enjoys it and there is nothing that will stop her once she's started. Buffy's voice got quiet and only Spike's vampire hearing allowed him to hear the rest. Trust me...I've tried.
Spike sighed and leaned against the wall. Why is she here then? If she's as dangerous as you say, she should be locked up somewhere.
"She was locked up---in a prison---and a Bringer still got close enough to put a knife through her stomach!"
Spike saw fear, anger, and sadness flash in Buffy's eyes. It had only been an instant, but all of it had been there.
"But the Bringers didn't count on something." Spike said quietly. "She is a full slayer, not a potential."
"Maybe. Or maybe they knew and counted on the fact that her being in a cage meant she couldn't get away."
Anger was thick in Buffy's voice. However, Spike could not tell if it was because the Bringers had tried to take advantage of a trapped slayer---like a hunter would a caged animal---or because they had failed their mission.
"Why is she here then?" Spike asked again." If she is a full slayer then she can protect herself against the Bringers and whatever else The First has concocted for her." Spike paused when he saw a strange look come over Buffy's face. "You know this but you still brought her here. Why?"
Buff's eyes met Spike's eyes but seemed to be looking at something beyond his eyes, anger swelling in her own. "Keep your friends close..." Her voice was strangely calm. "...And your friends closer."
*******
The girls had not stopped talking since Willow had introduced the new full slayer and stepped aside to let Faith talk. Bombarded by questions, Faith stood patiently in the middle of the room with her thumbs still in the pockets of her black not-too-tight-to-fight-in jeans.
Willow now sat slumped in an armchair that had been deserted by an excited potential. Xander stood beside her shaking his head. Andrew had joined the throng of girls asking questions.
Willow smiled halfheartedly. "Well at least they're getting along!"
Xander smiled a half smile. "Yeah. That's great!" He watched as the girls giggled at Andrew who was trying to get Faith to sign his Star Wars boxers.
Willow and Xander tried to smile on the outside, but on the inside they were hurting. None of the girls welcomed Willow home or even said a 'good morning' to Xander. Even after all the two had done for the young slayers in training, it was as if they didn't exist!
The two sat in silence and listened as one of the girls asked the new slayer what she ahd been thinking when the Bringer attacked her.
"Actually, I was wondering what was up with that robe! It's so yesterday! All slayers know that today's bad guys really scare it up in style!"
Faith continued with fervor while Willow and Xander stared grimly. Nobody noticed the wall beginning to move or the clocks' ticking stopping mid-tock.
