A/N: ack! I know it's been ages, sorry about that. A new fic distracted me. Bad Jane, bad! Let me know what you think!

Louisville Slugger

by SJC

"Willow, I hate to say it- but I think you might want to consider looking for a new job."

The redhead snorted, shock momentarily paralyzing all senses except amusement.

"Getting fired is the least of my concerns, I'll consider myself lucky if the guy doesn't press charges." Another thought pushed it's way to the forefront of her brain, bringing a dismayed countenance in tow; "Cordelia is going to kill me!"

"Maybe she won't find out?" Faith offered more for comfort then any real hope. It was futile to try and keep anything from their nosy friend.

The two girls stood in silence for a moment, staring at the prone body. Inquisitively, Faith nudged his side with her foot but he remained unresponsive.

"You know, he really isn't a bad looking guy."

"I suppose," Willow shrugged, "as far as unconscious guys go."

The redhead took her turn jostling the man with a foot, but was met with an equal lack of success in rousing any reaction.

"He's really out cold Faith, how hard did you hit him?"

The brunette made an indefinable gesture. "I barely tapped him."

Willow merely raised an eyebrow.

"It still shouldn't have been hard enough to knock him out, though this is the second time he's been bludgeoned this evening." Faith shot back in answer to her knowing look. Willow sighed and knelt down next to her boss, mechanically checking for injuries. She pulled back one hand back from behind his head after discovering the sticky warmth she was much too familiar with. "No," Faith protested as she caught sight of the incriminating hand, "I didn't hit him that hard. I couldn't have-"

"You didn't." Willow nodded at the sharp edge of the nearby table, "he must have hit his head on that as he fell. We need to call a doctor."

"We need to get out of here."

"Faith! We can't leave him here like this. Are you insane?"

"Look Willow, I've spent my time behind bars. It wasn't fun. I'm not fancying a repeat performance any time soon."

"This man could be seriously hurt. The wound doesn't look that bad, but we won't know for certain until he wakes up- if he wakes up. Help me move him to his bed." Willow's imploring green eyes did more in way of persuasion then her words and Faith found herself reluctantly agreeing.

"Fine," she grumbled as she picked up one end of the large man, "but I'm not liking this."

They half dragged half carried the man to an adjacent guestroom, and deposited him on the bed. Willow flicked the light on and checked that they hadn't aggravated his injury at all in the move. She let out a sigh of relief at her discovery that the wound was mainly superficial. Providing he didn't have a concussion, he should be fine.

"I'm going to stay with him to make sure he gets through the night."

"You mean we're going to stay with him. I'm not leaving you alone here, this is as much my mess as it is yours." The slayer argued.

"No, it's not. My name is on at least a half dozen papers that I signed when I accepted this gig. Yours isn't. They'd trace this to me in any case. You're still on probation, you can't afford to get tangled up in this."

"I'm not leaving you." She repeated.

"Just go, I can handle myself. I don't want you to get in trouble too."

"Red-"

"For once can't you just do what I ask? Go, Faith." She put on her trusty resolve face and the matter was settled. After a quick promise that she'd call in the morning, Willow was left alone with her boss.

Other then keeping the cut clean, there wasn't much for her to do besides wait- which she did, between small naps, until the morning came.