A/N: Faithful was written right around two years ago and there are eight.
It takes place fifteen years into the future of 2001.so 2016. This means
Dawn is all grown up, and Faith has just been released from jail. This
story will eventually be a Faith/Angel story.but it doesn't quite start out
that way.
I'm rating the whole series as rated R, but some parts are more R than others.lol. I'll warn you ahead of time. As always, these characters belong to Joss Whedon and all the fine folks who bring us Angel.
Also.when Buffy dies, she never comes back.I wasn't sure if I was clear on that or not. Faith is the one and only Slayer at the moment. Also, Merle is still around. Was written before the episode where he dies and I didn't have the heart to change it.
If you want to put this story on your website, please email me and let me know. I never say no, but I want to know who's supporting my work. Thanks!
*~*~*
"Aw, come on, Kitten." Spike whined.
"Spike. Don't argue."
"But, Dawn."
She smiled when he said her name. She loved the sound of her name on his lips. She turned towards him and crossed her arms in front of her.
"I'm serious, William."
He growled. "I don't want to."
She rolled her eyes and looked at Cordelia.
"How do you get yours to do it? Mine always whines when I ask him to."
"Mine's rich. He was born to."
David smiled at his wife.
"Born to what?" Faith said as she walked down the stairs seeing Dawn, Cordelia, and David. She looked back behind her and saw Spike in the shadows.
"Is he whining?"
"He is."
"Kitten, lets compromise."
Dawn laughed. "You mean, lets do it your way."
"Well, if you insist!" Spike said, excitedly, getting ready to dash up the stairs.
"William!"
He cringed. "Right."
Faith turned towards Angel's room and called out sweetly, "An-gel."
"What." He muttered from his doorway.
"Get out her." She smiled.
Dawn looked at Faith. "Whining?"
"Pouting."
"Ah."
"I don't want to. I feel.uncomfortable."
"Oh you big baby, come on. If you don't come out here, we're leaving without you."
"Bye!" He slammed his bedroom door shut. Faith rolled her eyes.
"Angel!"
The door slammed again, but this time with Angel outside the room, stomping in his petulance. "Damn."
The girls smiled when he walked out, grabbing Spike's arm and dragging him out as well.
"Hey, hey! Get your mitts off the duds, you ass!" Spike protested as he was dragged out into the light.
Dawn's eyes widened and a lovely smile graced her lips as she looked at Spike, dressed in a tuxedo. She went to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"You look stunning." He leaned down and kissed her nose at her compliment. He grabbed her around the waist and twirled her away from him; she spun easily, stopping when she was facing him and about three feet from him. Her long skirt swished around her delicate legs.
"You like?" she asked.
Spike's eyes traveled up and down her curvy body, accentuated in whispy lilac cloth. Her dress was strapless and tight around her ribs and full and long to the ground. Spike had never seen anything so lovely. Her long hair twisted itself around her head forming a braided headband for the rest of her hair, which hung long. Sparse make-up and little jewelry left a man nothing but Dawn to look at. Just the way Spike liked it.
"You are gorgeous."
Dawn smiled.
Angel smiled at the two of them. Having them around was making it easier for him to accept the relationship that had formed. And he had to admit, Spike did treat her well. She seemed happy, and she certainly loved him.
Angel looked over at his own date and smiled, shaking his head.
"What?" Faith said, self-conscious.
Angel looked her over. Her long black dress almost hitting the floor, but instead of being full and whispy like Dawn's, it was tight and clingy with a long slit up the right side to just over mid-thigh. Her hair was completely pulled up with curled whisps brushing her bare shoulders. Gloves swallowed her delicate looking hands and arms, up to her elbow.
"You're.breathtaking."
Faith blushed. "You don't look so bad yourself."
Angel grinned. He was wearing a tuxedo as well, but his had a white vest and tie, making him stand out a bit. He felt ridiculous, but he knew he looked good.
"Thanks." Angel looked at Cordelia and David. Both were very impressively dressed. "Ready?"
Cordelia smiled and checked herself out in a pocket mirror; vainly making sure everything was in place. She smiled and put the mirror away.
"Ready." Cordelia took a hold of David's arm, glad that he didn't whine as badly as the others when it came to dressing up.
"Demons who go to the opera. What will they come up with next?" Spike shook his head.
"What opera is playing?" Dawn asked.
"Something Italian, look we aren't going to watch, just slay. If this demon is like Merle said, then he's powerful and a prime ally of Penn." Faith looked at Angel who smiled down at her.
The all piled into Angel's car. He put the top up so the girls' hair wouldn't muss.
"So what's a soul-stealer going to an opera for anyway?" Cordelia asked.
"Getting culture?" Spike joked. "Good thing your hubby's got the hook- ups."
"Yeah! My first slay. I'm really excited!" David beamed. In all the time he had been with Cordelia and been friends of the group of Angel Investigations he'd never been able to go on a slay. He was nearly giddy with excitement.
"Yes Davey-boy. You're very first slayin'. After tonight you'll be a man." Spike rolled his eyes. Dawn lightly smacked his stomach and he smiled and captured her hand, kissing it.
"Just remember to stay low, David. We don't need another hero." Faith fidgeted. She was nervous about this. It was hard for her to imagine herself at an opera. Even if just to slay.
Angel looked over at her and smiled reassuringly. He seemed to know why she was nervous. When Richard heard she was going to the opera, he wanted to go too. But Faith wasn't sure how well he'd be able to control himself. Better he stay and hold down the fort.
Faith sighed when she thought of Richard. It was hard to have him around. He was so much like he used to be. Power-thirsty. Willing to go to the extreme to accomplish his goal. But still as friendly and caring as he always was. His corny sense of humor and old-fashioned way of looking at things made her glad to have her father figure back. She never was one for parental guidance, but Richard didn't stifle her. He nourished her.
But he had a long way to go down the road of redemption.
She looked out the window as she remembered one of his "lapses". She was on her way home from a simple slaying when she heard a muffled scream. She shook her head, wondering what a vampire was doing so close to a slayer's home. By now the whole town had to know she was there. She was only a few blocks away from the hotel.
She sprung behind the vampire, grabbing him and slamming him against the wall. In his surprise he let the dead girl fall to the ground. Faith's eyes met with Richard's and her eyes were wide with shock. How could he? Why would he? She knew betrayal was showing in her eyes.
Richard broke down. His easy smile gone as he wept over the monster he was and how she would never love him anymore. Faith remembered wrapping her arms around him and promising not to tell Angel if he promised never to do this again. The promises were made, but Faith somehow felt uneasy about them. She didn't doubt that Richard was sincere, just that she should keep it from Angel. It wasn't like Angel had never slipped.
Faith jumped when she felt Angel's hand on her knee. She looked at him nervously; as if she was worried he'd hear her thoughts.
"You ok?" He looked concerned.
"Fine. Just want to get this over with."
Angel nodded and offered a small smile and a squeeze of her knee. Faith wished she didn't have to keep this from Angel, but Angel already didn't like Richard much.
**~**
Faith yawned and rubbed her eyes. She'd never been to an opera before, and now she knew why. She cast a bored look to the stage as a thin woman in a gaudy dress made her way across the stage, trying to blow everyone's eardrums with her howling. Just because she was howling in Italian didn't make it cultural. No wonder demons came here. The howling was probably some mating call or something, and they probably know they're putting the slayer to sleep.
Faith looked over at Cordelia. She looked like she was desperately trying to understand what was going on. Faith shook her head. She glanced at Angel who was scanning the crowd. Faith sighed and looked over at Spike. Not only did he seem to understand the monstrosity, and to Faith's surprise, he seemed to be enjoying it! Dawn was watching attentively although she didn't seem to be getting it either.
Faith's attention was suddenly drawn to her left where she thought she heard a muffled cry. Angel and Spike heard it too. They started to actively scan the area in which it was coming from when they all saw a man holding a scared looking woman from behind. Her mouth was covered and he seemed to be whispering instructions into her ear. Angel stood up.
Faith stood and grabbed his arm.
"Angel, no!" She whispered as the man started to lead the woman towards the back. Angel made a move to get away from Faith and follow.
"Angel!" Angel swung his face to look at her. "That could be our soul- stealer. I don't want you near him. I'll take care of it, you keep an eye out, in case I'm wrong."
"Bring Spike." He whispered reluctantly.
Faith nodded and looked over at Spike.
"Right, cuz it's not like I have a soul to steal." Spike shook his head and followed Faith to the isle. Once in the isle, Faith began to run up it to the back of the opera house, Spike close behind. People glanced at them curiously but at this point neither Faith nor Spike cared what they looked like.
Bursting out of the darkened opera, Faith looked around and quickly made her way to the stairs. Looking down she saw the woman being drug down the otherwise deserted stairway. Spike took off down the stairs. Faith, seeing how little time there was, hopped onto the banister. Her pulse was pounding in her veins. One wrong move. Tucking her arms close to her and keeping her legs together and straight, Faith hopped off the top story of the stairs, slipping in between the rails until she reached the ground floor. Bending her knees when she dropped to ease the force of the drop, Faith rolled to the ground and then to her feet, the slit in her skirt keeping her legs free to do the easy acrobatic move. The man stopped at the stairway, seeing Faith at the bottom of the stairs and he looked up where Faith could hear Spike making his way down. He let go of the woman, his hands up in a surrender move as he took a few steps away from the crying, now running woman. The woman ran down the rest of the stairs and went to find security.
Faith started towards the stairs, going up them quickly. Her and Spike came to the level at the same time and the man smiled widely and disappeared. Faith looked around and then looked at Spike.
"Oh God.Angel."
Spike noted the scared look in her eyes as well as in the tone of her voice before they both scrambled to get back up the stairs. Love made Faith move quickly as she surpassed Spike on the stairs and burst into the dark opera, panting, her eyes frantically searching for Angel. Her heels clicked as she hurried down the row stairs, still looking for her vampire. A woman's scream drew her attention to the right of her where she saw two men fist fighting dangerously close to the railing of the second balcony. Down below, people were starting to turn their attention upwards, and the opera was starting to halt. Soon there would be too much attention.
Faith and Spike worked quickly to get towards the fighting pair. Cordelia was standing close, with Dawn, looking helpless. Faith was almost there when the man she was chasing before appeared in front of her throwing her onto the vacated seats beside her. People were quickly filing out of the balcony, not wanting to get in the middle of what was obviously a dangerous situation.
Faith groaned as she hit the seats. She rolled off and got to her feet quickly.
"Go help Angel, I'll take the soul-stealer." Faith looked over at Angel to see him fighting Penn.
"Are you sure?"
"Just go."
Faith looked at the soul-stealer. He didn't look like a demon. He just looked like a normal human. Faith heard the sound of a heavy body being thrown against the railing and heard the pop of the railing coming free. That was all that was needed for Faith. She jumped the row of seats, landing in front of the row that was to the right of her and made her way to Angel. She could hear the sound of struggle as Spike fought the soul- stealer.
Angel's back was bent over the breaking railing as Penn tried to upset the balance and throw him over. Suddenly, Penn was moved, giving Angel a chance to slide down safely, not falling over the rail. The house lights went on and people were being escorted out.
Once Cordelia and Dawn noticed everyone was off the second balcony, they shut and locked the doors, putting stakes in the handles to secure them. No need to have the police rushing in now. The only people their bullets could hurt were good guys.
Faith knocked Penn back into seats and he roared as he leaped off to charge her. Quickly she moved out of his way and snaked her foot out to trip him. Without control, it was easy for Penn to fly towards the banister and fall over. Angel quickly reached out and grabbed his leg, leaving a struggling Penn to hang from the second balcony.
"Angel, what are you doing?" Faith exclaimed.
Angel looked a little bewildered and confused. He didn't want Penn to drop, but he knew he would just be bringing danger back up here if he helped him up. He looked to Spike who at that moment brought his elbow down on the other man's back, making him crumple to the ground. Standing over him, Spike quickly twisted his neck, killing him.
Angel looked to Dawn, Cordelia, and David. They all seemed a little shaken as they stood their wondering what he was going to do. Finally he looked at Faith again.
"I." He looked at a loss, but Faith could see he didn't want to drop Penn. He was begging her for understanding and guidance.
"Angel, I understand what you're going through. She put her hand on his arm. "If Richard were to do this though, I'd have no choice." She looked at him pointedly in the eyes. Angel closed his eyes for a moment and let go. Faith looked as she heard Penn crash into the seats below, dislodging a few of them. She waited to see if he would move, but he didn't. She turned her attention back to Angel.
"We better get downstairs quickly and get him before he comes too, and before the cops come."
Angel nodded. The group quickly made their way down the stairs. Anyone who saw them coming gave them a wide birth and some people ran away. Faith looked at Angel. She could clearly see blood coming from his own split lip. Spike looked ruffled as well. She knew she probably looked a mess from her own adventure.
They made their way down the stairs and ran into the lowest level of the opera house. Penn wasn't there. Angel's eyes searched but found no one. Spike cursed under his breath. Faith could hear the faint sirens of quickly approaching police.
"Lets go. Now."
**~**
Angel paced in the lobby of his hotel. Everyone watched him, even Richard. His look of interest made Faith wonder at what Richard was thinking.
Angel's look grew darker and darker each time he paced the floor.
"Angel?" Faith said quietly, causing Angel to come to an abrupt halt to look at her.
"I'm through."
Faith looked around. "Through?"
"Through waiting for him to come to me."
Faith nodded.
"Want company?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
Angel moved towards the cabinet where they kept their weapons and started loading up.
"Bring Spike?"
Angel paused, his hand on an axe. He nodded and grabbed his sword before moving away from the cabinet.
"Bring weapons."
"Lovely. Why me? Why every time someone needs a bleeding escort they choose me?" He shook his head as he grabbed a few weapons. Really he didn't mind. He didn't want to just sit and wait for the next attack, either.
"Because you're the best, my love." Dawn smiled supportively.
Spike flashed her a grin and winked at her before he followed Angel out of the hotel.
**~**
"So where is he, Peaches?" Spike nearly skipped along side Angel. He was jazzed and ready for some fighting.
"How did you kill him?"
"Who?" Spike looked at him quizzically.
"The soul-stealer."
"Twisted his neck 'til it broke, mate. Why?" Spike smiled dangerously.
"So he wasn't human."
"Nope. Sure wasn't."
"Just checking."
Spike chuckled. "Wanted to make sure I was still neutered, mate?"
Angel grunted in response.
"I'm not you know." Spike stopped and faced Angel when he stopped. One moment he was standing there, toe to toe, and the next he was pushed against a wall, Angel's fangs shinning in the moonlight.
"Easy, mate, what kind of gratitude is this?" Spike looked half amused and half offended. What he didn't look was afraid. Angel growled.
"How long have you known?"
"Oh.years." Spike laughed. "Come on Peaches, I've been good. If I wasn't Dawn would string me up right nicely, she would." The two locked eyes for a moment. Angel put his fangs and amber eyes away as he slowly let go of Spike. Spike brushed off his clothes with mock dignity.
"Satisfied?"
"No. But it'll have to do."
Spike followed Angel as he started down the street again.
"So why we walking again?"
"He isn't far."
"How do you know?"
Angel remained silent for a moment and stopped where he was on the abandoned sidewalk.
"I can sense him."
"Whoa, you can sense him? Why the bloody hell didn't you sense him before he attacked your worthless arse at the opera?"
"I did. But there were way too many people around to sniff him out." Angel moved his head slowly, letting the scent of his childe guide him. His head started to turn, as did his body as his nose guided him.
"No one around now, Angelus."
Angel slowly turned around to see Penn, alone. Spike looked Penn up and down.
"Whatever did you see in the boy, Peaches?"
Angel shot Spike a glare before turning his full attention onto Penn.
"I'm sorry to have to do this, Penn."
"No you aren't." Penn seemed angry. It was the first sign of emotion, other than amusement, that Spike had seen him exhibit. "You abandoned me. You taught me how to deal with family who abandoned me. You're next, Angelus."
"Penn, I'm sorry. I really wasn't trying to abandon you. I didn't ask for this soul."
"But you protect it like it's some golden treasure. You hold it to you and want it. My soul-stealer could have handled that soul for you, but instead you fight. Fight to keep your soul."
"Yeah, I fight. I fight every day. It's what I do. I didn't ask for it, but now that I have it, you bet, I want to keep it. You'll never understand what it's brought to me."
"Well, let me show you what it'll bring to you now." Penn lunged at Angel, knocking the older vampire over. Spike took a few steps back and lit a cigarette. This was a family matter. Unless Angel needed him, he was planning on staying out.
Angel struggled under Penn for a moment before he was able to toss him off. He grabbed Penn's neck and threw him into the alleyway, following. No need to draw the cops their way.
Penn flipped up onto his feet.
"I'll carve a cross into your heart, Angelus!" he spat, seething with anger.
"Come get it." Angel stood stoically. Penn charged him with an angry growl. Angel stepped to the side and clotheslined Penn, bringing him to the ground on his back. Again, Penn flipped up and came at Angel. His anger was making it easy for Angel to dodge him. But also to underestimate him.
Charging again, Angel stepped to the side and Penn rammed him against the wall. Angel, not expecting the wall to meet him so quickly, grunted as Penn's fist contacted with Angel's stomach. Penn punched his face. Left. Right. Angel couldn't dodge because of how close Penn was and he couldn't bring his hands up to block either.
Spike paced off to the side a bit. He waited to see if he should charge in or not.
Penn's fist connected with Angel's face again. Finally, Angel brought his knee up, hard in between Penn's legs and Penn moved back enough to unpin Angel. And then like a bomb, Angel exploded. Spike could barely see his fists as they flew through the air, landing a punch every time, extracting a grunt or a frustrated cry from Penn each time. Spike's eyes danced over Angel's furious movements until he violently pushed a bloody Penn against the opposite wall of the alley.
Penn panted as he barely held himself on his feet.
Spike narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized Angel's look. There was actually sorrow there.
"I'm sorry, Penn. I'm sorry for what I turned you into. I'm sorry for what I taught you to be."
"Shut up!" Penn yelled. "Shut your cowardly mouth!" Penn heaved himself off the wall and stumbled toward Angel, determined.
"I'm also sorry I can't let you live. I can't let you go this time." Angel caught him as Penn pitched forward, his balance lost. Angel eased Penn to the ground, his movements almost loving as he laid Penn down. "I'm sorry it has to end this way. But it has to end."
Penn reached up and clutched Angel's jacket. A stake quickly appeared in Angel's right hand.
"Goodbye, Penn." And without hesitation he staked Penn, dead in the heart.
Spike stuck his hands in his pockets and waited as Angel, still kneeling on the ground, stared at the ashes there was his childe. They remained like that for what seemed like hours.
"Pea.Angel?" Spike asked quietly.
"Yeah."
"Did what you had to do."
"Yeah." Angel stood up, keeping his back to Spike.
"You probably saved a lot of people."
"Yeah."
"Hurts, don't it?"
Angel nodded.
Spike took the few steps that separated him and Angel and placed his hand on Angel's shoulder.
Angel smiled a small smile. Spike was comforting him. Angel turned a little and looked at Spike. There was no mocking. No teasing. Just sincere understanding. It was something he'd never seen in Spike before. Angel nodded a little to himself before he started toward home, Spike walking silently beside him.
**~**
"There's my girl!" Richard said with his customary smile as he walked into the kitchen to see Faith, alone.
Faith smiled back. "Hey."
He went to the refrigerator and poured himself a mug of blood and her a glass of milk. Faith just smiled.
"So what plans do you have tonight?" he asked, looking up at her.
"Oh, I dunno. Rest. Relax. Rest some more. Why? Got an idea?"
Richard smiled broadly.
"As a matter of fact I do."
Faith's eyebrows rose as she watched him bring her the milk and sit across from her with his warmed mug of blood.
"I heard about this artifact. Sounded like something that would be of great use to me."
"Oh? What's that?" Faith asked, sipping the milk. She never really liked milk, but she drank it for Richard's sake.
"It's the Scepter of Lae."
Faith shook her head to indicate she'd never heard of it.
"Just a little something that's going to make me stronger. Much stronger. Like invincible." He smiled gleefully. "Isn't that wonderful?"
Faith frowned a little and put her milk down.
"Invincible?"
"Yeah. Then I can take you away from all of this. I could give you what's rightfully yours."
"Take me.Richard, I like it here."
Richard looked a little confused and then smiled brightly again. "Don't worry yourself about that. I'll take care of everything."
"So how do you get the scepter?"
"Well, the Scepter of Lae is protected by the child of Lae. Like taking candy from a baby." He laughed at his own joke.
"Richard, you can't attack a baby." She looked like she was getting upset.
"Oh no, no, no. What kind of monster do you take me for?" Richard looked slightly indignant. "He's not a baby. He's at least seven years old now."
"Richard!"
Richard's smile faded slowly.
"You mean... you won't help me? After everything I've tried to give to you?"
Faith frowned. "Richard, that isn't fair. I thought you were on the road to redemption. This seems like a violent u-turn, don't you think?"
"Bah. Redemption is all well and good, but it isn't for me." Richard smiled. "I could always find someone else to rule by my side, but Faith, I have to say, I'm disappointed. I always thought it would be you."
Faith stood up. "I can't let you do this."
He smiled. "Would be a shame if your boyfriend found out that I haven't curbed my feeding since I've been here.and that you've always know that. And hid it from him."
Faith swallowed. "Not gonna work. I'll tell him myself." Faith watched him.
Richard sighed and drained the rest of his blood. He looked out the window and the dusk. "Well then. I'll be on my way." He stood up and started for the door.
Faith started to follow him, but stopped as soon as she heard his voice.
"Unless you're going to try and stop me."
Faith stopped, frozen with indecision.
Richard slipped out the door.
"Fuck."
I'm rating the whole series as rated R, but some parts are more R than others.lol. I'll warn you ahead of time. As always, these characters belong to Joss Whedon and all the fine folks who bring us Angel.
Also.when Buffy dies, she never comes back.I wasn't sure if I was clear on that or not. Faith is the one and only Slayer at the moment. Also, Merle is still around. Was written before the episode where he dies and I didn't have the heart to change it.
If you want to put this story on your website, please email me and let me know. I never say no, but I want to know who's supporting my work. Thanks!
*~*~*
"Aw, come on, Kitten." Spike whined.
"Spike. Don't argue."
"But, Dawn."
She smiled when he said her name. She loved the sound of her name on his lips. She turned towards him and crossed her arms in front of her.
"I'm serious, William."
He growled. "I don't want to."
She rolled her eyes and looked at Cordelia.
"How do you get yours to do it? Mine always whines when I ask him to."
"Mine's rich. He was born to."
David smiled at his wife.
"Born to what?" Faith said as she walked down the stairs seeing Dawn, Cordelia, and David. She looked back behind her and saw Spike in the shadows.
"Is he whining?"
"He is."
"Kitten, lets compromise."
Dawn laughed. "You mean, lets do it your way."
"Well, if you insist!" Spike said, excitedly, getting ready to dash up the stairs.
"William!"
He cringed. "Right."
Faith turned towards Angel's room and called out sweetly, "An-gel."
"What." He muttered from his doorway.
"Get out her." She smiled.
Dawn looked at Faith. "Whining?"
"Pouting."
"Ah."
"I don't want to. I feel.uncomfortable."
"Oh you big baby, come on. If you don't come out here, we're leaving without you."
"Bye!" He slammed his bedroom door shut. Faith rolled her eyes.
"Angel!"
The door slammed again, but this time with Angel outside the room, stomping in his petulance. "Damn."
The girls smiled when he walked out, grabbing Spike's arm and dragging him out as well.
"Hey, hey! Get your mitts off the duds, you ass!" Spike protested as he was dragged out into the light.
Dawn's eyes widened and a lovely smile graced her lips as she looked at Spike, dressed in a tuxedo. She went to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"You look stunning." He leaned down and kissed her nose at her compliment. He grabbed her around the waist and twirled her away from him; she spun easily, stopping when she was facing him and about three feet from him. Her long skirt swished around her delicate legs.
"You like?" she asked.
Spike's eyes traveled up and down her curvy body, accentuated in whispy lilac cloth. Her dress was strapless and tight around her ribs and full and long to the ground. Spike had never seen anything so lovely. Her long hair twisted itself around her head forming a braided headband for the rest of her hair, which hung long. Sparse make-up and little jewelry left a man nothing but Dawn to look at. Just the way Spike liked it.
"You are gorgeous."
Dawn smiled.
Angel smiled at the two of them. Having them around was making it easier for him to accept the relationship that had formed. And he had to admit, Spike did treat her well. She seemed happy, and she certainly loved him.
Angel looked over at his own date and smiled, shaking his head.
"What?" Faith said, self-conscious.
Angel looked her over. Her long black dress almost hitting the floor, but instead of being full and whispy like Dawn's, it was tight and clingy with a long slit up the right side to just over mid-thigh. Her hair was completely pulled up with curled whisps brushing her bare shoulders. Gloves swallowed her delicate looking hands and arms, up to her elbow.
"You're.breathtaking."
Faith blushed. "You don't look so bad yourself."
Angel grinned. He was wearing a tuxedo as well, but his had a white vest and tie, making him stand out a bit. He felt ridiculous, but he knew he looked good.
"Thanks." Angel looked at Cordelia and David. Both were very impressively dressed. "Ready?"
Cordelia smiled and checked herself out in a pocket mirror; vainly making sure everything was in place. She smiled and put the mirror away.
"Ready." Cordelia took a hold of David's arm, glad that he didn't whine as badly as the others when it came to dressing up.
"Demons who go to the opera. What will they come up with next?" Spike shook his head.
"What opera is playing?" Dawn asked.
"Something Italian, look we aren't going to watch, just slay. If this demon is like Merle said, then he's powerful and a prime ally of Penn." Faith looked at Angel who smiled down at her.
The all piled into Angel's car. He put the top up so the girls' hair wouldn't muss.
"So what's a soul-stealer going to an opera for anyway?" Cordelia asked.
"Getting culture?" Spike joked. "Good thing your hubby's got the hook- ups."
"Yeah! My first slay. I'm really excited!" David beamed. In all the time he had been with Cordelia and been friends of the group of Angel Investigations he'd never been able to go on a slay. He was nearly giddy with excitement.
"Yes Davey-boy. You're very first slayin'. After tonight you'll be a man." Spike rolled his eyes. Dawn lightly smacked his stomach and he smiled and captured her hand, kissing it.
"Just remember to stay low, David. We don't need another hero." Faith fidgeted. She was nervous about this. It was hard for her to imagine herself at an opera. Even if just to slay.
Angel looked over at her and smiled reassuringly. He seemed to know why she was nervous. When Richard heard she was going to the opera, he wanted to go too. But Faith wasn't sure how well he'd be able to control himself. Better he stay and hold down the fort.
Faith sighed when she thought of Richard. It was hard to have him around. He was so much like he used to be. Power-thirsty. Willing to go to the extreme to accomplish his goal. But still as friendly and caring as he always was. His corny sense of humor and old-fashioned way of looking at things made her glad to have her father figure back. She never was one for parental guidance, but Richard didn't stifle her. He nourished her.
But he had a long way to go down the road of redemption.
She looked out the window as she remembered one of his "lapses". She was on her way home from a simple slaying when she heard a muffled scream. She shook her head, wondering what a vampire was doing so close to a slayer's home. By now the whole town had to know she was there. She was only a few blocks away from the hotel.
She sprung behind the vampire, grabbing him and slamming him against the wall. In his surprise he let the dead girl fall to the ground. Faith's eyes met with Richard's and her eyes were wide with shock. How could he? Why would he? She knew betrayal was showing in her eyes.
Richard broke down. His easy smile gone as he wept over the monster he was and how she would never love him anymore. Faith remembered wrapping her arms around him and promising not to tell Angel if he promised never to do this again. The promises were made, but Faith somehow felt uneasy about them. She didn't doubt that Richard was sincere, just that she should keep it from Angel. It wasn't like Angel had never slipped.
Faith jumped when she felt Angel's hand on her knee. She looked at him nervously; as if she was worried he'd hear her thoughts.
"You ok?" He looked concerned.
"Fine. Just want to get this over with."
Angel nodded and offered a small smile and a squeeze of her knee. Faith wished she didn't have to keep this from Angel, but Angel already didn't like Richard much.
**~**
Faith yawned and rubbed her eyes. She'd never been to an opera before, and now she knew why. She cast a bored look to the stage as a thin woman in a gaudy dress made her way across the stage, trying to blow everyone's eardrums with her howling. Just because she was howling in Italian didn't make it cultural. No wonder demons came here. The howling was probably some mating call or something, and they probably know they're putting the slayer to sleep.
Faith looked over at Cordelia. She looked like she was desperately trying to understand what was going on. Faith shook her head. She glanced at Angel who was scanning the crowd. Faith sighed and looked over at Spike. Not only did he seem to understand the monstrosity, and to Faith's surprise, he seemed to be enjoying it! Dawn was watching attentively although she didn't seem to be getting it either.
Faith's attention was suddenly drawn to her left where she thought she heard a muffled cry. Angel and Spike heard it too. They started to actively scan the area in which it was coming from when they all saw a man holding a scared looking woman from behind. Her mouth was covered and he seemed to be whispering instructions into her ear. Angel stood up.
Faith stood and grabbed his arm.
"Angel, no!" She whispered as the man started to lead the woman towards the back. Angel made a move to get away from Faith and follow.
"Angel!" Angel swung his face to look at her. "That could be our soul- stealer. I don't want you near him. I'll take care of it, you keep an eye out, in case I'm wrong."
"Bring Spike." He whispered reluctantly.
Faith nodded and looked over at Spike.
"Right, cuz it's not like I have a soul to steal." Spike shook his head and followed Faith to the isle. Once in the isle, Faith began to run up it to the back of the opera house, Spike close behind. People glanced at them curiously but at this point neither Faith nor Spike cared what they looked like.
Bursting out of the darkened opera, Faith looked around and quickly made her way to the stairs. Looking down she saw the woman being drug down the otherwise deserted stairway. Spike took off down the stairs. Faith, seeing how little time there was, hopped onto the banister. Her pulse was pounding in her veins. One wrong move. Tucking her arms close to her and keeping her legs together and straight, Faith hopped off the top story of the stairs, slipping in between the rails until she reached the ground floor. Bending her knees when she dropped to ease the force of the drop, Faith rolled to the ground and then to her feet, the slit in her skirt keeping her legs free to do the easy acrobatic move. The man stopped at the stairway, seeing Faith at the bottom of the stairs and he looked up where Faith could hear Spike making his way down. He let go of the woman, his hands up in a surrender move as he took a few steps away from the crying, now running woman. The woman ran down the rest of the stairs and went to find security.
Faith started towards the stairs, going up them quickly. Her and Spike came to the level at the same time and the man smiled widely and disappeared. Faith looked around and then looked at Spike.
"Oh God.Angel."
Spike noted the scared look in her eyes as well as in the tone of her voice before they both scrambled to get back up the stairs. Love made Faith move quickly as she surpassed Spike on the stairs and burst into the dark opera, panting, her eyes frantically searching for Angel. Her heels clicked as she hurried down the row stairs, still looking for her vampire. A woman's scream drew her attention to the right of her where she saw two men fist fighting dangerously close to the railing of the second balcony. Down below, people were starting to turn their attention upwards, and the opera was starting to halt. Soon there would be too much attention.
Faith and Spike worked quickly to get towards the fighting pair. Cordelia was standing close, with Dawn, looking helpless. Faith was almost there when the man she was chasing before appeared in front of her throwing her onto the vacated seats beside her. People were quickly filing out of the balcony, not wanting to get in the middle of what was obviously a dangerous situation.
Faith groaned as she hit the seats. She rolled off and got to her feet quickly.
"Go help Angel, I'll take the soul-stealer." Faith looked over at Angel to see him fighting Penn.
"Are you sure?"
"Just go."
Faith looked at the soul-stealer. He didn't look like a demon. He just looked like a normal human. Faith heard the sound of a heavy body being thrown against the railing and heard the pop of the railing coming free. That was all that was needed for Faith. She jumped the row of seats, landing in front of the row that was to the right of her and made her way to Angel. She could hear the sound of struggle as Spike fought the soul- stealer.
Angel's back was bent over the breaking railing as Penn tried to upset the balance and throw him over. Suddenly, Penn was moved, giving Angel a chance to slide down safely, not falling over the rail. The house lights went on and people were being escorted out.
Once Cordelia and Dawn noticed everyone was off the second balcony, they shut and locked the doors, putting stakes in the handles to secure them. No need to have the police rushing in now. The only people their bullets could hurt were good guys.
Faith knocked Penn back into seats and he roared as he leaped off to charge her. Quickly she moved out of his way and snaked her foot out to trip him. Without control, it was easy for Penn to fly towards the banister and fall over. Angel quickly reached out and grabbed his leg, leaving a struggling Penn to hang from the second balcony.
"Angel, what are you doing?" Faith exclaimed.
Angel looked a little bewildered and confused. He didn't want Penn to drop, but he knew he would just be bringing danger back up here if he helped him up. He looked to Spike who at that moment brought his elbow down on the other man's back, making him crumple to the ground. Standing over him, Spike quickly twisted his neck, killing him.
Angel looked to Dawn, Cordelia, and David. They all seemed a little shaken as they stood their wondering what he was going to do. Finally he looked at Faith again.
"I." He looked at a loss, but Faith could see he didn't want to drop Penn. He was begging her for understanding and guidance.
"Angel, I understand what you're going through. She put her hand on his arm. "If Richard were to do this though, I'd have no choice." She looked at him pointedly in the eyes. Angel closed his eyes for a moment and let go. Faith looked as she heard Penn crash into the seats below, dislodging a few of them. She waited to see if he would move, but he didn't. She turned her attention back to Angel.
"We better get downstairs quickly and get him before he comes too, and before the cops come."
Angel nodded. The group quickly made their way down the stairs. Anyone who saw them coming gave them a wide birth and some people ran away. Faith looked at Angel. She could clearly see blood coming from his own split lip. Spike looked ruffled as well. She knew she probably looked a mess from her own adventure.
They made their way down the stairs and ran into the lowest level of the opera house. Penn wasn't there. Angel's eyes searched but found no one. Spike cursed under his breath. Faith could hear the faint sirens of quickly approaching police.
"Lets go. Now."
**~**
Angel paced in the lobby of his hotel. Everyone watched him, even Richard. His look of interest made Faith wonder at what Richard was thinking.
Angel's look grew darker and darker each time he paced the floor.
"Angel?" Faith said quietly, causing Angel to come to an abrupt halt to look at her.
"I'm through."
Faith looked around. "Through?"
"Through waiting for him to come to me."
Faith nodded.
"Want company?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
Angel moved towards the cabinet where they kept their weapons and started loading up.
"Bring Spike?"
Angel paused, his hand on an axe. He nodded and grabbed his sword before moving away from the cabinet.
"Bring weapons."
"Lovely. Why me? Why every time someone needs a bleeding escort they choose me?" He shook his head as he grabbed a few weapons. Really he didn't mind. He didn't want to just sit and wait for the next attack, either.
"Because you're the best, my love." Dawn smiled supportively.
Spike flashed her a grin and winked at her before he followed Angel out of the hotel.
**~**
"So where is he, Peaches?" Spike nearly skipped along side Angel. He was jazzed and ready for some fighting.
"How did you kill him?"
"Who?" Spike looked at him quizzically.
"The soul-stealer."
"Twisted his neck 'til it broke, mate. Why?" Spike smiled dangerously.
"So he wasn't human."
"Nope. Sure wasn't."
"Just checking."
Spike chuckled. "Wanted to make sure I was still neutered, mate?"
Angel grunted in response.
"I'm not you know." Spike stopped and faced Angel when he stopped. One moment he was standing there, toe to toe, and the next he was pushed against a wall, Angel's fangs shinning in the moonlight.
"Easy, mate, what kind of gratitude is this?" Spike looked half amused and half offended. What he didn't look was afraid. Angel growled.
"How long have you known?"
"Oh.years." Spike laughed. "Come on Peaches, I've been good. If I wasn't Dawn would string me up right nicely, she would." The two locked eyes for a moment. Angel put his fangs and amber eyes away as he slowly let go of Spike. Spike brushed off his clothes with mock dignity.
"Satisfied?"
"No. But it'll have to do."
Spike followed Angel as he started down the street again.
"So why we walking again?"
"He isn't far."
"How do you know?"
Angel remained silent for a moment and stopped where he was on the abandoned sidewalk.
"I can sense him."
"Whoa, you can sense him? Why the bloody hell didn't you sense him before he attacked your worthless arse at the opera?"
"I did. But there were way too many people around to sniff him out." Angel moved his head slowly, letting the scent of his childe guide him. His head started to turn, as did his body as his nose guided him.
"No one around now, Angelus."
Angel slowly turned around to see Penn, alone. Spike looked Penn up and down.
"Whatever did you see in the boy, Peaches?"
Angel shot Spike a glare before turning his full attention onto Penn.
"I'm sorry to have to do this, Penn."
"No you aren't." Penn seemed angry. It was the first sign of emotion, other than amusement, that Spike had seen him exhibit. "You abandoned me. You taught me how to deal with family who abandoned me. You're next, Angelus."
"Penn, I'm sorry. I really wasn't trying to abandon you. I didn't ask for this soul."
"But you protect it like it's some golden treasure. You hold it to you and want it. My soul-stealer could have handled that soul for you, but instead you fight. Fight to keep your soul."
"Yeah, I fight. I fight every day. It's what I do. I didn't ask for it, but now that I have it, you bet, I want to keep it. You'll never understand what it's brought to me."
"Well, let me show you what it'll bring to you now." Penn lunged at Angel, knocking the older vampire over. Spike took a few steps back and lit a cigarette. This was a family matter. Unless Angel needed him, he was planning on staying out.
Angel struggled under Penn for a moment before he was able to toss him off. He grabbed Penn's neck and threw him into the alleyway, following. No need to draw the cops their way.
Penn flipped up onto his feet.
"I'll carve a cross into your heart, Angelus!" he spat, seething with anger.
"Come get it." Angel stood stoically. Penn charged him with an angry growl. Angel stepped to the side and clotheslined Penn, bringing him to the ground on his back. Again, Penn flipped up and came at Angel. His anger was making it easy for Angel to dodge him. But also to underestimate him.
Charging again, Angel stepped to the side and Penn rammed him against the wall. Angel, not expecting the wall to meet him so quickly, grunted as Penn's fist contacted with Angel's stomach. Penn punched his face. Left. Right. Angel couldn't dodge because of how close Penn was and he couldn't bring his hands up to block either.
Spike paced off to the side a bit. He waited to see if he should charge in or not.
Penn's fist connected with Angel's face again. Finally, Angel brought his knee up, hard in between Penn's legs and Penn moved back enough to unpin Angel. And then like a bomb, Angel exploded. Spike could barely see his fists as they flew through the air, landing a punch every time, extracting a grunt or a frustrated cry from Penn each time. Spike's eyes danced over Angel's furious movements until he violently pushed a bloody Penn against the opposite wall of the alley.
Penn panted as he barely held himself on his feet.
Spike narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized Angel's look. There was actually sorrow there.
"I'm sorry, Penn. I'm sorry for what I turned you into. I'm sorry for what I taught you to be."
"Shut up!" Penn yelled. "Shut your cowardly mouth!" Penn heaved himself off the wall and stumbled toward Angel, determined.
"I'm also sorry I can't let you live. I can't let you go this time." Angel caught him as Penn pitched forward, his balance lost. Angel eased Penn to the ground, his movements almost loving as he laid Penn down. "I'm sorry it has to end this way. But it has to end."
Penn reached up and clutched Angel's jacket. A stake quickly appeared in Angel's right hand.
"Goodbye, Penn." And without hesitation he staked Penn, dead in the heart.
Spike stuck his hands in his pockets and waited as Angel, still kneeling on the ground, stared at the ashes there was his childe. They remained like that for what seemed like hours.
"Pea.Angel?" Spike asked quietly.
"Yeah."
"Did what you had to do."
"Yeah." Angel stood up, keeping his back to Spike.
"You probably saved a lot of people."
"Yeah."
"Hurts, don't it?"
Angel nodded.
Spike took the few steps that separated him and Angel and placed his hand on Angel's shoulder.
Angel smiled a small smile. Spike was comforting him. Angel turned a little and looked at Spike. There was no mocking. No teasing. Just sincere understanding. It was something he'd never seen in Spike before. Angel nodded a little to himself before he started toward home, Spike walking silently beside him.
**~**
"There's my girl!" Richard said with his customary smile as he walked into the kitchen to see Faith, alone.
Faith smiled back. "Hey."
He went to the refrigerator and poured himself a mug of blood and her a glass of milk. Faith just smiled.
"So what plans do you have tonight?" he asked, looking up at her.
"Oh, I dunno. Rest. Relax. Rest some more. Why? Got an idea?"
Richard smiled broadly.
"As a matter of fact I do."
Faith's eyebrows rose as she watched him bring her the milk and sit across from her with his warmed mug of blood.
"I heard about this artifact. Sounded like something that would be of great use to me."
"Oh? What's that?" Faith asked, sipping the milk. She never really liked milk, but she drank it for Richard's sake.
"It's the Scepter of Lae."
Faith shook her head to indicate she'd never heard of it.
"Just a little something that's going to make me stronger. Much stronger. Like invincible." He smiled gleefully. "Isn't that wonderful?"
Faith frowned a little and put her milk down.
"Invincible?"
"Yeah. Then I can take you away from all of this. I could give you what's rightfully yours."
"Take me.Richard, I like it here."
Richard looked a little confused and then smiled brightly again. "Don't worry yourself about that. I'll take care of everything."
"So how do you get the scepter?"
"Well, the Scepter of Lae is protected by the child of Lae. Like taking candy from a baby." He laughed at his own joke.
"Richard, you can't attack a baby." She looked like she was getting upset.
"Oh no, no, no. What kind of monster do you take me for?" Richard looked slightly indignant. "He's not a baby. He's at least seven years old now."
"Richard!"
Richard's smile faded slowly.
"You mean... you won't help me? After everything I've tried to give to you?"
Faith frowned. "Richard, that isn't fair. I thought you were on the road to redemption. This seems like a violent u-turn, don't you think?"
"Bah. Redemption is all well and good, but it isn't for me." Richard smiled. "I could always find someone else to rule by my side, but Faith, I have to say, I'm disappointed. I always thought it would be you."
Faith stood up. "I can't let you do this."
He smiled. "Would be a shame if your boyfriend found out that I haven't curbed my feeding since I've been here.and that you've always know that. And hid it from him."
Faith swallowed. "Not gonna work. I'll tell him myself." Faith watched him.
Richard sighed and drained the rest of his blood. He looked out the window and the dusk. "Well then. I'll be on my way." He stood up and started for the door.
Faith started to follow him, but stopped as soon as she heard his voice.
"Unless you're going to try and stop me."
Faith stopped, frozen with indecision.
Richard slipped out the door.
"Fuck."