Disclaimer: We know the truth. Joss Whedon owns. Mutant Enemy, Inc. owns them. I just borrow them when no one is looking.
Author's note: I think to some minds I have to justify the way I have been portraying Faith to this point. If you are ok with what I did with her, you can skip this little note. But for those of you who are going 'huh?' This is what I'm seeing. If you don't agree, well that's cool too.
The Faith we know and love was the product of a girl who may have loved, but never had that love returned to her. The closest we can speculate of her having a reciprocal love relationship was with her watcher, and that was a parent/ child relationship. But I suspect she never really had even that love fully returned to her, and I suspect that had a LOT to do with the way she turned out( i.e., joining the mayor, the revenge thing after, etc.). You note, when she gets someone she feels cares about her( Angel ), she changes. She goes for redemption. She wants to be better
The Faith in my little universe has someone who returned her love…Buffy. I think that took a lot of the edge off her, at least in dealing with emotional issues concerning her love with Buffy. That is why I think she tries to be more understanding. She tries to be noble. I think at heart she really is noble and self sacrificing, but to protect herself has hidden them in a shell of bravado and tough girl . Don't get me wrong. I don't think for a second that Faith is in any way weak. I believe she is a very strong woman, and I hope in subsequent chapters ( I don't know how many yet), we can get to see that side of her. Some of that bravado and tough girl is on the way, never fear.
Anyway, I hope that makes it a little clearer why I have been portraying Faith the way I have been. If not, they're passing tomatoes out at the front counter. Again, thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy =)
Ps. I know that the title of this piece is a bit of a misnomer now. I originally planned for this to be a summer romance thing. But, ack, it became more.
Summer of faith
Chapter 14
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Buffy had been dreading doing this.
When Faith just up and left her, she had thrown the bags in the closet. She hadn't wanted to clean them out. She didn't want to be reminded even more of Faith. It was bad enough trying to keep out of her mind constantly. Trying to keep busy enough that she didn't have time to think of her. But it never really worked.
Buffy:
I see her everywhere. All sorts of things remind me of her. I see some girl on the street with brown wavy hair, and she is there. I see someone give a flirty smirk, and I see hers. I see a single rose, and I get stupid. I can't even eat Red Vines now, cause it makes me sad. Stupid me, I keep her picture, and every night I take it out and try to ask her why , why , why did she just leave me? I never get an answer, and I just get upset.
I thought she understood. I really thought that we would come here, and work this out together. That last night, when we made love, it was…damn, just so good, so sweet, and so special. I thought for sure there were real feelings there on both sides. I guess I was wrong. Really, I guess I was unfair. How can I expect her to get what was happening to me, when I didn't get it myself? But, I thought she wanted to try. I guess I was wrong.
The funny thing is, I'm finding that now that I'm back, that I have been with Angel again, I don't feel the same way about him I used to feel. I'm not saying I don't have affection for him. But it's not the passion, the love I felt for him before. I guess it was the shock of him being back, learning he was alive, that made me think I still felt that. But, what he did to my family, my friends and to me just showed me a side to him that I can't accept. That cruel side. I know, I know…soulessness. No soul. But the soul isn't the only thing that makes you up. That cruelty is still there behind that soul, and it really gives me a big case of the wiggins. I have known evil people with souls. So having a soul is no guarantee that the cruelty won't come out again.
That is the difference between them, and I was too blind to see it. Don't get me wrong. Faith can have a mean streak. But that meanness was defensive. She only gets mean when someone hurts her. And she is only mean to the point she was hurt. She doesn't torture people with it. She doesn't get pleasure from it. She is only striking back.
Well, Buffy, maybe someday you will be smart enough to realize when you got a good thing, and don't throw it in the trash. I better get to it, be done with it.
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Buffy began to take things out of the bags. She would stop, and smell things, trying to catch a little bit of Faith's scent. It was a clean smell, like soap, but with a hint of spice. Occasionally she found it, and would just hold it to her for a bit, feeling Faith in the garment. Then she came upon the circlet that Faith had given her. That first night they had been together. And she put it on, and rubbed the little blue stone. And the tears just came again. She sniffed, and cursed herself. 'Dammit , Buffy, just get to it, and do it. Quit doing this. You'll never finish it this way'. Out of frustration, she just overturned the bag and dumped out the contents. On top was an envelope. Huh? What's this? She opened it, and found a couple of hundred dollars, and a note. She read the note:
B,
I know right now you are really pissed with me. You think I dumped you . You're probably thinkin' I don't care about you, but nothin could be more wrong.
I know as long as I'm hangin around, you can't resolve this Angel thing. Hey, I'm trying to understand it. I don't, really. But I guess there must be something there if you love him so much. I know what it's like to love someone with all your heart, all your soul. That is how I feel about you, B. It's real new to me, B. Never felt like this before. You know my motto: Get in, Get some, and Get out. Well, I got in, and I got some. But I can't get out, cause …I love you, B. No matter what, that's not gonna change.
But you gotta make a choice B, and me being there isn't gonna make it easier for you. If you really love this Angel, well…then I don't have you anyway, and I already lost. But I'm hopin' you will see that I'm the right choice for you. I'll do whatever I can to make you happy, you know that. If that means giving you up, I guess I'm gonna have to accept that.
But I don't want to give you up. So don't get that idea. I want you forever, B. You're my girl. Don't forget that. Doin' this has been the hardest thing I ever had to do. But I had to, cause I knew if I hung around, and I saw you with him, I would go nuts. And I just couldn't take it. I'm not that strong.
I'm sorry this letter isn't better. But you know me and schooling stuff. They never built a school I couldn't bust outta. It's not all fancy, but it's what I feel. I love you B, don't forget it.
All my love,
Faith
Ps: Left you the money we made on selling our stuff. Not much there, but thought maybe you could use it to get something nice for yourself. I wanted to, but I figured you might figure it all out if I did that. So, ya know, get something that reminds you of me, so maybe you can think of me when you look at it? Kinda stupid, I know. Love ya Baby --- Faith
Buffy felt the tears well up in her; she also felt her anger rising.
Damn it, damn it, damn it, Faith. Why couldn't you have been just a little less noble? A little less self sacrificing? You're long gone now, and I don't have a clue where you are. Great, just swell. Grrrrr. If I didn't love you so damn much, I would punch you silly. Hell, I might do it anyway. Now what, Faithy? How do I tell you I WANT YOU BACK??? You might as well have dumped me, Faith. It woulda been easier than this. Now I know how you feel, what you did, and I have no way to crawl back to you on hands and knees and beg forgiveness. DAMN YOU TO HELL, FAITH DeMARCO
Awww… poop.
Buffy just sat there, staring at the letter.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
Rupert Giles was just settling down to do some research. It had been a long day at school, what with his normal duties as the librarian, and then the situation with the Mayor's ascension. And it was particularly frustrating because they were still having problems finding out about this ascension, what it meant, and how they could stop it.
Then he had the problem of his slayer. She was distracted, and that wasn't helping matters any. She had been seeing Angel again, and he was really not happy with that. Not after what Angel had done to them, and especially him. He still had the scars from the torture, and he had killed the woman he loved. He had let Angel back in only because they needed everybody they could get to fight the mayor. But he wasn't happy about it.
And something else had Buffy's attention. Something that she wouldn't talk about. Something that had happened when she was in L.A. . He had tried to get her to talk about it, but she just denied that anything was wrong, and would change the subject. He sighed in frustration, and started to read the book before him
At that moment there was knocking on his door. Banging, really. Controlling his frustration, he got up to answer his office door.
When he opened it, he had a bit of a surprise. Standing in front of him was a girl, about 16-17…close to Buffy's age, with dark wavy hair. But this girl must be the polar opposite of Buffy. She was dressed in tight leather pants, boots, and a tight fitting maroon t. The second thing he noticed was the smirk on her face, never a good sign. But what really captured his attention were her eyes. They were dark brown, and looked 20 years older than the rest of her. She had seen a lot in her short life. Probably, most of it unpleasant. He noted that while he was sizing her up, she was sizing him up.
" Can I help you?" Giles asked, a little put off by her
" You must be Giles?" Faith stated, more than asked
" I'm Rupert Giles"
"Faith" Faith stuck out her hand
Giles took her hand politely, and noted she had a pretty strong grip
" So, How can I help you…Miss…?"
" Faith is fine, G-man…you don't mind if I call you that do ya?" Faith smirked
"Hmm. I prefer Mr. Giles" Giles replied
"Yeah, But you look like a G-man. Anyway, I understand you could use some help?"
" If you are looking for employment, miss, you should come back in the morning and check with the main office.."
"Not that kinda help, G-man. I'm talking help with a certain demony mayor ascension ?"
" I'm afraid I don't know what you mean" Giles replied, looking a little startled.
" Oh, yes you do. Demon Ascension. Mayor Wilkins. Here?" Faith grinned at him.
" Miss, I'm afraid that you have made a mis…" But Faith cut him off
" Let's cut the crap, G-man. You need help, I'm here to provide it. I'm a slayer"
"Indeed , miss? And what is a slayer?" Giles is beginning to get a bit worried
" Oh, for god's sake 'In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against
the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.' Happy now?"
" Who are you?" Giles asked, genuinely puzzled
" Faith. Faith DeMarco. I was called after Kendra died." She replies, and tells him the name of her Watcher. " I was adopted by my watcher at age 12. I trained for 3 years before I was called. I saw my watcher killed before my eyes" she finishes, her voice low
" Why haven't I heard of you before now?" Giles asked
"Because, for the last couple of years, it has been "Have stake, will travel". I have been on the run from a vampire named Kakistos. But he is no longer a threat." She decided it probably a good idea not to mention Buffy.
" I'm still…" But before he can finish that, Faith is on him, has him by the lapels with a stake pointed at his heart
" Need another demonstration?" She grins at him
" I think you have made your point" Giles gently pushes away the tip of the stake." So, why are you here?"
" Word gets around. Figured you could use a hand with this Demon Mayor guy"
" You realize there is another slayer in Sunnydale already?"
"So I heard. So?"
"Well, you will have to meet her. See if you two can work together. Also, I need to contact the Watcher's council, to get you a watcher"
" Ummm…isn't that what you do? Watcher?" Faith asks
"Yes, but it's… well, unprecedented, having two slayers."
"So? Let do the unexpected. You be my Watcher"
" I'm afraid that is not my decision" Giles protested
" Actually, it is. Cause if you call those bunch of creeps, I'm outta here"
" I'm sorry, but that is just not possible" He replies
" Ok, G-man. Your call." Lightly taps his cheek. " We coulda worked nice together" She turns to leave.
Shit, now what? Can't hang around here after this. Damn.
"Wait!" Giles is over a barrel. He really needs the help. " Ok, we will try it on a trial basis, at least"
Faith smiles. Hook, line and sinker. Perfect. She turns back to Giles.
" Good call, G-man. So, where can a girl bunk in this town?"
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
We are in the kitchen of the home at 1650 Revello Drive. Joyce and Buffy Summers are sitting at the kitchen table, eating dinner, when the phone rings. Buffy jumps to answer it, but Joyce restrains her.
"You eat, dear. I'll get that" Joyce says, rising to get the phone.
"Hello? Oh, yes, hello Mr. Giles. Buffy is right here. Did you need to speak to her?"
"Oh…you need to speak to me then? I see. Ok, Well, how can I help you?"
" I see… another slayer in town? Really? Oh… and she needs a place to stay?"
Buffy freezes mid forkful. Slayer? Oh, God…. Faith? HERE? What?
" Oh, I see. Poor dear. Well, sure I'm sure we can put her up for awhile. Yes…"
Buffy panics. She starts waving her arms at her mom, and shaking her head NO
" Sure, bring her by. We are eating dinner. You're both welcome to stay, of course" Buffy is frantically waving NO, no, NO
Joyce covers the phone " Buffy, what is it?"
" Mom. Do you think it's a good idea? I mean, we don't know this girl…." Buffy begins, but is cut off
" Buffy Anne Summers. I'm ashamed of you. The girl is new in town, and has nowhere to go. We have the spare bedroom. She can sleep there"
" But, Mom…"
" No buts, young lady. She is coming over. So, when you're done, I want you to make up the guest room."
Buffy grumbles under her breath, but knows it's useless. Maybe she can bluff her way out of it
" I gotta patrol, mom. You know that"
" Patrolling can wait half an hour. No arguments"
Buffy rolls her eyes, and concedes defeat. Maybe if I hurry, I can slip out before Faith gets here.
" Oh, and I want you to be here when they get here. So I guess patrolling will have to wait a little longer"
Damn, damn, damn!
Joyce returns to the phone. "It'll be no problem, Mr. Giles. We can put her up. Ok, then, we will see you soon. Goodbye"
Buffy has a feeling this is gonna be a long night.
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Buffy is upstairs, finishing up the guest room, when the doorbell rings
Damn. Ok, Buff. Play it cool. Act like you don't know her. No big. She will play along, I'm sure.
Buffy goes downstairs, wondering if she can make the backdoor before her mom can stop her…but it's too late, cause she is opening the front door.
" Oh, Hi. Mr. Giles." Joyce is a bit startled to see Faith standing there, smiling at her. But Faith gives her a wink, and Joyce plays along
" You must be the new slayer? I didn't get your name?"
" Hi, Mrs. Summers. My name is Faith. Faith DeMarco. Pleased to meet you" Faith extends her hand.
" Please come in. This is my daughter, Buffy" Joyce invites them in
" Oh, no need to introduce me, Mrs. Summers. Me n B go way back, don't we B?" Faith smirks
"Indeed?" Joyce and Giles say simultaneously. Joyce smiles to herself secretly.
"Oh yeah. Back to L.A. Me and B killed Kakistos together, right B?" Faith is grinning wide now, enjoying Buffy's discomfort.
" Hey, Faith" Buffy's tone is flat.
Buffy wonders why the earth doesn't open and swallow you up when you want it to?
She was right. It's gonna be a long night.
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TBC
Heh, heh, heh. Lets see Buffy get outta this one.