Part 3: Rallying the Troops
//To love at all is to be vulnerable//
-C. S. Lewis
Adrenaline surged through her veins. Anticipation at it's peak. She hit the swinging bag over and over thinking of distant memories. Angering herself into force: {ubervamps scratch at her skin, long nails slice her unwilling body. She realizes that she was falling, but can't grip what this means. She knows that this is the end, throwing her power to another, she lets go... all hope fading. She then see's her sister slayer rise, her wound not enough to keep her down. She feeds off her strength, thrusting the three vampires off her, and kicking back up to rejoin the battle}
The strong kicks of her muscular legs pound the bag in rapid succession, sweat dripping down her weary head. She wouldn't let that happen to her in this battle, she wouldn't give up, allow her self to fail, to fall. She needn't Buffy to be her anchor anymore. She had a strength of her own, and yet still she fears. Fear's of the unknown, of the uncertainty within her.
She watches as the girls, slayers pile into the room, and her deepest insecurities surface. She looks at their young faces, innocent, untouched-unaware of the darkness within them, the darkness their powers possess, the darkness it could lead them to.
Faith looks upon them, standing on her pedestal, preparing her speech. They look at her expectantly, she was there after all to 'rally the troops' to be one of their 'leaders'
She remembered once telling Buffy that she had finally got what she wanted, for people to look at her with respect, wanting her to lead them, and never had she felt so alone. And she hadn't not in jail, not crying for death in Angel's arms, not even in the reckless nights on the bitter Boston streets. This is the job she must now do, in her quest for redemption, for peace.
She preaches to these children, seeing hope in their eyes that she once would have loved to crush. Seeing the glimmer of strength and fight that she once admired. And she's lying, every single word is but another choked out lie, about how they will stand together a force off good and defeat the common evil.
She gives them the black and one of the world, not allowing them to know that it all really shades of red. Yes, red. You start off with a simple center, and through life you either add darkness of light. In the end your either a calm pink, or the color of the river's of blood you shed.
She studies their different faces, hearing their excited praise and silently wondering who will die, who will be the strongest. Will they all perish alone, because as much as you stand together your always alone in the end, a dream in prison had told her that, in the end your all you have and that has to be enough. But will it be?
Faith relishes in the strong grip of her boyfriends hand on hers. Accepting the comfort and encouragement he offers. The resounding applaud sounds as she finishes her inspiring speech, watching as the filed out, following Dawn to their nervous sleeps.
"You were amazing," Robin whispered, sliding his large palms over her flattened stomach. She leaned into the caress, a single salty tear sliding from her deep eyes. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" he questioned gently, trying to coax an answer from her.
"You'd think I'd be used to it, you know. The lying, hell I've done it most of my life, but standing up there on my 'high horse' telling them everything's going to be o.k; when you and me both know it's just not going to f*in end up that wayyyy."she stuttered as Robin assaulted her mouth. Her tongue came out to duel with his passion igniting in her system. He answered back with equal fever, mimicking the moments their bodies were sure to create that night. Finally Faith pulled back, panting with the need for oxygen. The sight that was before her sucked out the air she had just consumed.... there bending on one knee 'the way I like him best' she thought naughtily, was Robin holding a diamond ring in his hand.
"Faith, from the moment I first saw you on that porch, I was swept away. Your beauty, and strength struck me where I stood. When we first made love you healed me, of something that had been breaking inside for a long time, you allowed me to love again, and I do love you, Faith more then I ever thought possible. You're my other half.. The ying to my yang, and I believe my soul-mate. I want to spend every moment with you, no matter how short the time may be Will you marry me?" he ask, tears rimming on the surface of his large eyes.
All Faith's walls suddenly crashed down around her and she fell into her lovers arms, screaming her yes's, in a fit of tears. Their union could be heard until dawn, confessions of pleasure wafting through the wait room air like a sweet aroma. Their blissful needs sated, Faith lay in Robin's sleeping arms, and never before had she felt so whole.
Same night, different people:
Dawn stalked silently across the corridors, having a serious case of insomnia. She heard blissful sighs of release as she passed Willow's room, and heartfelt screams of passion from the training area. Smiling she continued on, til she saw the light emanating from Xander's suite. 'Bingo' she thought, having guessed he'd still be awake.
Today was the anniversary of Anya's death. He might not show everybody how much he was hurting but she knew behind his goofy facade sat the deep rooted pain of losing someone you loved, still loved, and today that misery would be tenfold.
Entering the room she cleared her throat, bringing him from his silent reverie. His face was contorted with hurt, as he glanced down at the picture of her he'd been grasping. "Dawnie, hi. I didn't see you there."
"Kinda of hard, when your eyes, well eye at least is only fixated on one thought"
He chuckled at her joke, glad for a distraction. "I know it's stupid to feel this bad, I know she'd want me to be happy.."
"You do realize that Anya was a vengeance demon for over a thousand years right."
"Yeah, she was a crazy one, but I miss that most about her."
Dawn approached sitting across from him on the bed, "I know how unbearable the pain can feel, I remember when my mom died and when Buffy... well you know the story. The point is that it's never easy. A wise women once told me that you have to be strong, you have to live."
"Buffy's silly like that." Dawn stared deeply into Xander's eye, running a hand against his stubbled face. Always feeling safe when near him.
"I'm worried about tomorrow, Faith's all 'rallying the troops' but she knows, I saw it in her eyes. We're not all going to make it."
Concern crossed Xander's features, "Dawn, you have nothing to worry about so many people would protect you with their own lives. You know I would die for you."
Dawn grinned, "don't you dare. It's just there are so many things I've never experienced. I've never been in love, or left the country... never known the pleasure of a man's body..." she added shyly, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She thought of the crush a part of her still had for him and suddenly pressed her lips against his strongly.
Xander snapped back in surprise, "Dawn! Me.. You, bad, no... your just a kid."
"Xander I'm 17 years old, I am no longer a child. I don't want to die tomorrow with regrets of never knowing what it was like. I'm not in love with you, but I do love you, and I feel safe in your arms. I know your not over her but please tonight, look at me as a women, a person."
"Dawn I don't know if I...." he was cut off by another kiss this one seemingly more demanding. Oddly he felt his body responding, hardening. He was amazed at the beautiful women the girl he once knew had become. He undressed her slowly, and she gently returned his ministrations.
He went slow leaving gently licks and nips, on aroused areas. He entered her slowly trying to ease the inevitable pain. As he broke the barriers of her innocence, he slowed allowing her to become comfortable. With slow, fluid thrusts he moved through her silken chambers, grunting in pleasure as the tight walls clamped down against him. He allowed the motion to keep going, feeling the special bond between them. She moved tensilely against him, but soon her impeding rapture, hurried her motions in a sea of moans. They grinded in perfect harmony, in a rhythm as old as time itself. A union not of lust, fire, or hunger but one of a peaceful need, friendship, understanding and love.
The sounds of their crisis, rose into the silent night, and through the movements a gentle kiss was shared.. Neither understood why the sparkling green light arose from Dawn's mouth, but as she look up she found herself staring at two beautiful chocolate orbs.
"Well, look who can work miracles," Xander said, admiration in his voice.
"I never thought I was special, that I had any real power..." Dawn sobbed.
Xander hld her quivering flesh between his hands, "you are more then special, you are...
Amazing." With that, and a final soft kiss the two lovers joined in a blissful sleep. Dawn no longer found herself plagued with nightmares of tomorrow's battle, and Xander was finally at rest with the memory of Anya's love.