Starting Over 12 - Healing
"Where have you been?"
Xander glanced across the pillow to his girlfriend and sighed. He knew his girlfriend's question stemmed from her insecurity about being not worthy of love. "Out with Angel."
"Angel came back hours ago," the girl replied, her face scared. "You've got someone else."
He reached across the bed and gently cupped the girl's face in his hands. "And why would I want anyone else?" he softly asked. "You're gorgeous, funny, tough, sweet, brave, and smart. What guy could want more?"
His girl smiled slowly, it was obvious she was pleased with the compliment. "Rich?"
Xander laughed. "You've got me I'm actually a Hollywood starlet's toyboy."
"So where were you really?"
He hesitated before replying. He didn't want to tell his girlfriend about what had had happened with Travers, just mention of the Council was enough to give her a panic attack. But he knew Faith's tenacious nature meant she wouldn't let it drop until she got an answer of some sort. "We came across a fourteen year old kid on the streets. I took her to Kate for her to look after."
"Oh," Faith's eyes filled with concern. "She five by five?"
Xander forced a smile. "She's had a pretty rough time. But she'll be okay now Kate's looking after her."
"Yeah, Kate's good like that," the brunette ran her fingers across his chest. "Just like somebody else I know."
"And who would that be?" he grinned.
"Oh, I think you know." Faith placed a kiss on his cheek. "Hold me."
* * *
"You sure you want do this?" Xander asked as he started his car up.
"I'm the Slayer right? It's my duty to help people. Maybe I can help April, make her see she's worth something. I had the same problem 'til I met this great guy."
"Oh I think he was the lucky one," Xander beamed at the Slayer. He was so proud of her, he really was. Over the past sixteen months, they'd rescued a few young girls either from abusive families or pimps and Faith had until now shied away from the victims as if scared of the memories their presence brought up. By helping April Xander hoped she could confront and defeat her last personal demon.
"So we moving or what?" Faith snapped impatiently.
"At once mistress of my heart." The car pulled away from the kerb. "What's in the bag hon?"
The Slayer glanced down at the bag she held on her knees. "Just some old clothes of mine and Cordy's."
Xander nearly swerved the car into the path of on-coming traffic in surprise. "Cordy gave away clothes?"
Faith chuckled. "Well she doesn't actually know."
Xander laughed. "Slayer or not you are toast, girl. I've seen hordes of the undead stampede in terror when they're caught between Cordy and her wardrobe."
"Xander, what if I say the wrong thing?" Faith asked.
Without taking his eyes off the road, Xander took Faith's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "I'm sure you'll do fine. Although it might be a good idea not to mention vampires and demons. That could lead to embarrassing wetting of underwear."
"Speaking from personal experience, Xand?" the jauntiness had returned to his girlfriend's voice.
"No when I saw my first vampire I ran and hid behind -," his voice trailed off.
"You can say her name Xand," Faith's voice was quiet.
"I don't want to."
"Xand, you're allowed to talk about them, they were your friends."
"I'm not interested. End of conversation."
"Okay."
He winced at the hurt he heard in Faith's voice. "Shit Faith I'm sorry. It's not you I'm angry with. It's just it still hurts to think about how things ended."
"I'm sorry."
Xander shook his head. "Not your fault beautiful. Things were falling apart long before you came back into my life and I haven't regretting coming here with you for a second."
"Ditto," Faith snuggled into his side, pulling his arm around her shoulders.
For the rest of the journey Xander enjoyed the warmth and feel of his girlfriend's body pressed against him. He decided that life just didn't get any better than that. It was with great reluctance that he pulled into the car park outside Kate's apartment building. "We're here."
* * *
"Hi Kate."
"Xander, Faith." It was only through years of experience in the interrogation room that she managed to keep the shock of seeing Faith from showing. Usually the former street kid avoided any possible contact with her. "Come in." She stepped aside to allow the two to enter.
"Where's April?" the Slayer asked, her voice carrying a rare note of hesitancy.
"Through there," Kate nodded towards the room where April had spent the night. The raven-haired girl took a breath, hugged her boyfriend, and set off for the room.
"Do you want a drink?"
The young man tore his eyes away from his departing girl-friend. "I'll have an OJ please."
Kate smiled. "Why don't you sit down in the lounge?"
"Thanks."
Nothing was said for the next few minutes. Finally Xander broke the silence. "How was last night?"
"Filled with nightmares," Kate grimaced. "I slept the night on a camp bed in her room. I've started making a few phone calls to my contacts to get temporary custody."
Xander dropped several bundles of notes on the table. "This is towards her care."
Kate's mouth dropped open. "W..where did you get that from?"
"A contribution from her pimp to her retirement fund. Don't worry, I didn't hurt him," Xander shrugged, "well much."
Kate decided not to press the matter, given the screaming fits her young guest had endured during the night she wasn't inclined to feel merciful, but as a cop she really didn't want to know the details. Suddenly Xander broke into a smile as laughter came out of April's room. "It'll do Faith good to have someone to talk to who doesn't know about her being a Slayer. Make her feel more normal. She hasn't felt normal in a long time."
Normal, such an under-rated state of being. Kate's own childhood had been far from ideal but her parents had always protected her. From what she'd been able to gather from observing Xander and Faith, and from conversations with Giles and Angel, the same could be said for either of her visitors. She reached forward and placed her hand on Xander's forearm. "And how about you, how are you?" she asked softly.
The youth shrugged. "I'm okay. As long as Faith's alright I'm fine, I don't matter."
Kate felt a surge of fury at the parents that had conditioned this young man to feel worthless. "Xander, listen to me. I've seen the people you've helped. I know what the people you work with, your friends, think of you. I know what I think of you - and you do matter! And you're not telling me I'm wrong are you?"
"No ma'am."
"That ma'am rolled off the lips awfully easy Xander, get arrested by many lady cops back in Sunnydale?" she teased, relieved that the youth's hunched posture had straightened.
"Only in my frequent dreams Kate, although they were never as gorgeous as you. Which reminds me, I was wondering if Faith could borrow your uniform and handcuffs one night?"
Kate chuckled. "Careful Xander. I might have to run you in for soliciting an officer of the law."
Xander grinned. "Oh roleplay, I love them."
* * *
It was nearly sunset by the time they were leaving the building. Their day had gone well, Xander reflected, April had relaxed some looking up to Faith as a big sister and him as a brother. The street kid had even allowed them to take her out for a burger in the afternoon.
Xander's good mood lasted exactly ten seconds after entering the Angel Investigations' office. Everybody was there, their faces tight with tension. Xander exchanged worried glances with Faith. "What's wrong gang?"
Coredlia wordlessly pressed the answering machine's Recall button. Xander gave Faith's arm a reassuring squeeze as he recognised the voice. "Hi guys, it's me. I need help. There's a hell-goddess called Glory after my sister she wants to use her to open a portal into hell. It's too tough, I can't do this alone. Please, I need help."
Xander felt his legs grow shaky. Sunnydale? Could he ever return? "What are you going to do Angel?" he asked, it was struggle to keep his voice steady but he managed it.
The vampire smiled humourlessly. "A hell-goddess? Buffy can't handle that on her own. I'm going and so are the others. You and Faith can stay here, hold down L.A. for us while we're gone."
"This is an end of world situation isn't it?"
"Yep."
Xander paused in thought. He was grateful for the out his friend had offered him, and knew none of them would blame him if he stayed here. He glanced down at the girl beside him. Whatever he decided he knew Faith would stand by him.
On the other hand his friends were going into battle and no matter what he'd always stood beside them. And this threat sounded way too big to let grievances get in the way. He closed his eyes for a moment as images of Dawn laughing at a joke or funny story he'd told her flashed before him. After sighing he stalked into the bedroom he shared with Faith and came out with his Desert Eagle in its shoulder holster and his Mossberg 590 cradled in his hands. "When we leaving?"
* * *
Faith smiled at her boyfriend. Whatever it took she knew her guy would do the right thing. Racing across the office floor she flung her arms around her boyfriend's neck and kissed him full on the lips. After a few seconds she pulled away to see her boyfriend grinning at her. "Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?"
"Proud of you," she whispered into his ear.
"If that's what I get for being noble and self-sacrificing, I'll have to try it more often then," her boyfriend whispered back.
"Oh stop the bloody love in!" Spike growled. "I'm just grateful we've got somebody with some soddin' brains to run the operation."
"Um, excuse me?"
The bleached blond vampire skewered Wesley with a withering glance. "Oh yeah Watcher Boy, lots of dangerous things come jumping out of your books don't they?"
"I really don't know why the two of them don't just stop the pretence and come out, after all they argue more than any married couple I've ever seen," Xander's muttered comment set off an attack of the giggles from his girlfriend.
"Piss off whelp, I heard that."
Angel stepped in before a three way argument broke out. "We've got half an hour before sunset. Let's use that time to get all our weaponry and any books that might be useful. Wes, you and Cordy are with me. Gunn, take Spike, Faith, and Xander with you." The vampire took an unneeded breath. "Let's get moving people."
"Where have you been?"
Xander glanced across the pillow to his girlfriend and sighed. He knew his girlfriend's question stemmed from her insecurity about being not worthy of love. "Out with Angel."
"Angel came back hours ago," the girl replied, her face scared. "You've got someone else."
He reached across the bed and gently cupped the girl's face in his hands. "And why would I want anyone else?" he softly asked. "You're gorgeous, funny, tough, sweet, brave, and smart. What guy could want more?"
His girl smiled slowly, it was obvious she was pleased with the compliment. "Rich?"
Xander laughed. "You've got me I'm actually a Hollywood starlet's toyboy."
"So where were you really?"
He hesitated before replying. He didn't want to tell his girlfriend about what had had happened with Travers, just mention of the Council was enough to give her a panic attack. But he knew Faith's tenacious nature meant she wouldn't let it drop until she got an answer of some sort. "We came across a fourteen year old kid on the streets. I took her to Kate for her to look after."
"Oh," Faith's eyes filled with concern. "She five by five?"
Xander forced a smile. "She's had a pretty rough time. But she'll be okay now Kate's looking after her."
"Yeah, Kate's good like that," the brunette ran her fingers across his chest. "Just like somebody else I know."
"And who would that be?" he grinned.
"Oh, I think you know." Faith placed a kiss on his cheek. "Hold me."
* * *
"You sure you want do this?" Xander asked as he started his car up.
"I'm the Slayer right? It's my duty to help people. Maybe I can help April, make her see she's worth something. I had the same problem 'til I met this great guy."
"Oh I think he was the lucky one," Xander beamed at the Slayer. He was so proud of her, he really was. Over the past sixteen months, they'd rescued a few young girls either from abusive families or pimps and Faith had until now shied away from the victims as if scared of the memories their presence brought up. By helping April Xander hoped she could confront and defeat her last personal demon.
"So we moving or what?" Faith snapped impatiently.
"At once mistress of my heart." The car pulled away from the kerb. "What's in the bag hon?"
The Slayer glanced down at the bag she held on her knees. "Just some old clothes of mine and Cordy's."
Xander nearly swerved the car into the path of on-coming traffic in surprise. "Cordy gave away clothes?"
Faith chuckled. "Well she doesn't actually know."
Xander laughed. "Slayer or not you are toast, girl. I've seen hordes of the undead stampede in terror when they're caught between Cordy and her wardrobe."
"Xander, what if I say the wrong thing?" Faith asked.
Without taking his eyes off the road, Xander took Faith's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "I'm sure you'll do fine. Although it might be a good idea not to mention vampires and demons. That could lead to embarrassing wetting of underwear."
"Speaking from personal experience, Xand?" the jauntiness had returned to his girlfriend's voice.
"No when I saw my first vampire I ran and hid behind -," his voice trailed off.
"You can say her name Xand," Faith's voice was quiet.
"I don't want to."
"Xand, you're allowed to talk about them, they were your friends."
"I'm not interested. End of conversation."
"Okay."
He winced at the hurt he heard in Faith's voice. "Shit Faith I'm sorry. It's not you I'm angry with. It's just it still hurts to think about how things ended."
"I'm sorry."
Xander shook his head. "Not your fault beautiful. Things were falling apart long before you came back into my life and I haven't regretting coming here with you for a second."
"Ditto," Faith snuggled into his side, pulling his arm around her shoulders.
For the rest of the journey Xander enjoyed the warmth and feel of his girlfriend's body pressed against him. He decided that life just didn't get any better than that. It was with great reluctance that he pulled into the car park outside Kate's apartment building. "We're here."
* * *
"Hi Kate."
"Xander, Faith." It was only through years of experience in the interrogation room that she managed to keep the shock of seeing Faith from showing. Usually the former street kid avoided any possible contact with her. "Come in." She stepped aside to allow the two to enter.
"Where's April?" the Slayer asked, her voice carrying a rare note of hesitancy.
"Through there," Kate nodded towards the room where April had spent the night. The raven-haired girl took a breath, hugged her boyfriend, and set off for the room.
"Do you want a drink?"
The young man tore his eyes away from his departing girl-friend. "I'll have an OJ please."
Kate smiled. "Why don't you sit down in the lounge?"
"Thanks."
Nothing was said for the next few minutes. Finally Xander broke the silence. "How was last night?"
"Filled with nightmares," Kate grimaced. "I slept the night on a camp bed in her room. I've started making a few phone calls to my contacts to get temporary custody."
Xander dropped several bundles of notes on the table. "This is towards her care."
Kate's mouth dropped open. "W..where did you get that from?"
"A contribution from her pimp to her retirement fund. Don't worry, I didn't hurt him," Xander shrugged, "well much."
Kate decided not to press the matter, given the screaming fits her young guest had endured during the night she wasn't inclined to feel merciful, but as a cop she really didn't want to know the details. Suddenly Xander broke into a smile as laughter came out of April's room. "It'll do Faith good to have someone to talk to who doesn't know about her being a Slayer. Make her feel more normal. She hasn't felt normal in a long time."
Normal, such an under-rated state of being. Kate's own childhood had been far from ideal but her parents had always protected her. From what she'd been able to gather from observing Xander and Faith, and from conversations with Giles and Angel, the same could be said for either of her visitors. She reached forward and placed her hand on Xander's forearm. "And how about you, how are you?" she asked softly.
The youth shrugged. "I'm okay. As long as Faith's alright I'm fine, I don't matter."
Kate felt a surge of fury at the parents that had conditioned this young man to feel worthless. "Xander, listen to me. I've seen the people you've helped. I know what the people you work with, your friends, think of you. I know what I think of you - and you do matter! And you're not telling me I'm wrong are you?"
"No ma'am."
"That ma'am rolled off the lips awfully easy Xander, get arrested by many lady cops back in Sunnydale?" she teased, relieved that the youth's hunched posture had straightened.
"Only in my frequent dreams Kate, although they were never as gorgeous as you. Which reminds me, I was wondering if Faith could borrow your uniform and handcuffs one night?"
Kate chuckled. "Careful Xander. I might have to run you in for soliciting an officer of the law."
Xander grinned. "Oh roleplay, I love them."
* * *
It was nearly sunset by the time they were leaving the building. Their day had gone well, Xander reflected, April had relaxed some looking up to Faith as a big sister and him as a brother. The street kid had even allowed them to take her out for a burger in the afternoon.
Xander's good mood lasted exactly ten seconds after entering the Angel Investigations' office. Everybody was there, their faces tight with tension. Xander exchanged worried glances with Faith. "What's wrong gang?"
Coredlia wordlessly pressed the answering machine's Recall button. Xander gave Faith's arm a reassuring squeeze as he recognised the voice. "Hi guys, it's me. I need help. There's a hell-goddess called Glory after my sister she wants to use her to open a portal into hell. It's too tough, I can't do this alone. Please, I need help."
Xander felt his legs grow shaky. Sunnydale? Could he ever return? "What are you going to do Angel?" he asked, it was struggle to keep his voice steady but he managed it.
The vampire smiled humourlessly. "A hell-goddess? Buffy can't handle that on her own. I'm going and so are the others. You and Faith can stay here, hold down L.A. for us while we're gone."
"This is an end of world situation isn't it?"
"Yep."
Xander paused in thought. He was grateful for the out his friend had offered him, and knew none of them would blame him if he stayed here. He glanced down at the girl beside him. Whatever he decided he knew Faith would stand by him.
On the other hand his friends were going into battle and no matter what he'd always stood beside them. And this threat sounded way too big to let grievances get in the way. He closed his eyes for a moment as images of Dawn laughing at a joke or funny story he'd told her flashed before him. After sighing he stalked into the bedroom he shared with Faith and came out with his Desert Eagle in its shoulder holster and his Mossberg 590 cradled in his hands. "When we leaving?"
* * *
Faith smiled at her boyfriend. Whatever it took she knew her guy would do the right thing. Racing across the office floor she flung her arms around her boyfriend's neck and kissed him full on the lips. After a few seconds she pulled away to see her boyfriend grinning at her. "Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?"
"Proud of you," she whispered into his ear.
"If that's what I get for being noble and self-sacrificing, I'll have to try it more often then," her boyfriend whispered back.
"Oh stop the bloody love in!" Spike growled. "I'm just grateful we've got somebody with some soddin' brains to run the operation."
"Um, excuse me?"
The bleached blond vampire skewered Wesley with a withering glance. "Oh yeah Watcher Boy, lots of dangerous things come jumping out of your books don't they?"
"I really don't know why the two of them don't just stop the pretence and come out, after all they argue more than any married couple I've ever seen," Xander's muttered comment set off an attack of the giggles from his girlfriend.
"Piss off whelp, I heard that."
Angel stepped in before a three way argument broke out. "We've got half an hour before sunset. Let's use that time to get all our weaponry and any books that might be useful. Wes, you and Cordy are with me. Gunn, take Spike, Faith, and Xander with you." The vampire took an unneeded breath. "Let's get moving people."