Vampsdread 5
"So what's the mission Xand?"
"Ten to twelve vamps in a disguised warehouse in the industrial district. Leader's a two hundred year old vamp by the name of Slash on account of his love of knives. I was going to pick them off one by one but now you're here."
As Xander told her about the mission Faith thought about their fight nine days ago. He'd been good, real good, so good in fact she'd forgotten she wasn't fighting a fellow Slayer with enhanced healing and endurance and hadn't pulled her punches much. As a result she'd had to spend the last few days patiently nursing him back to health. It had embarrassed the hell out of him but she'd secretly loved having a reason to get to know a guy she'd largely ignored during her two Sunnydale runs.
Her eyes narrowed as she noticed her friend loading his guns. "How come your guns work against vamps boytoy?"
Xander grinned. "Hollow points with a magnesium flare with a drop of holy water encased in melted down silver crosses."
"Whoa, major shit." She curiously eyed the sword that Xander was sheathing. "You any good with that?"
Her friend chuckled. "Maybe one day I'll show you."
"That right?" Faith raised an eyebrow, "that almost sounds like another challenge."
"Maybe it was."
"Look forward to it," she stood, "you ready?"
Xander nodded, all hint of jocularity left him. "Let's rock 'n' roll."
* * *
Faith sneaked an admiring glance at the man striding beside her. He moved well, quiet, confident. She'd been flying solo since her and Robbie had broken up. The only Watchers she trusted – G and Wes were running their departments while the only other Watcher she'd consider, Gunn, already had a Slayer. Andrew had asked her but she'd only just managed to stop from wetting herself at the thought of the geek as her Watcher. She'd been thinking of asking Little D when the brat finished training but once she'd got Xand back in the fold, maybe she'd grab him. Maybe grab him in more way than one. Reaching out she caught her friend's arm. "Stop Xand," she whispered, "three vamps outside the warehouse."
"Can't see them myself, but don't have your eyes. How we going to deal with them?"
She winked up at her companion. "I'll deal with 'em."
"Fai-," Xander broke off and sighed, "why do I bother? Just be careful."
"Middle name boytoy," she hurried towards the school, a frightened expression on her face. Three vamps, all low in power, she smirked to herself. Shouldn't be a problem. "Excuse me guys. My car's broken down. Do any of you have a mobile?"
"And what do we get for helping babe?" leered one of the vamps, a short powerfully-built man with bushy eyebrows and a boxer's nose.
"This." Springing forward, she thrust a stake through the vampire's heart. Even before he'd exploded into dust, she'd moved onto his astonished companions. Ducking under a wild lunge, she drove a knee into the nearest vampire's groin. As he doubled up she powered her stake upwards into his heart. Spinning round, she blocked a clumsy left hook on her forearm before catching the last vampire with a side kick to the jaw, knocking him down onto his ass. Before he had time to regain his feet she'd slammed a stake into his heart.
She bowed sarcastically at the sound of clapping behind her. "Well thank you kind sah," she purred before glancing over her shoulder and winking at the approaching man.
Xander returned her wink. "Not bad Slayer, but your technique is sloppy."
She stuck her tongue out. "Sloppy? I still kicked your ass remember?"
Xander winced. "Oh yeah, I remember." His face hardened. "Ready?"
Faith swallowed. The way her friend just changed, it was like a switch being flipped, gone was clownish Xander, in his place stood Vampsdread. "Five by five Xand. Front or back?"
"You know me Slayer. Always a direct sort of guy. After you?"
Her right heel smashed into the warehouse's door splintering it in two. Kicking its remains aside, she strode in. "Hi guys, anyone order take- out?"
"God, that's one thing I didn't miss Slayer puns," she heard Xander mutter before raising his voice. "Hi gang. Name's Vampsdread, the good-looking goddess by my side goes by the name of Faith," she grinned at the vampires' frightened murmur, god it felt good to have a rep. "You might want to shit yourselves right about now."
* * *
Xander had barely finished speaking when he sprang into action, leaping towards the nearest two vampires even as they started towards him, drawing his sword as he advanced on his prey. The vampire to his left let out a scream as his katana sliced through the demon's wrists, sending blood spurting and his hands falling to the ground. "Oh shut up," Xander ended the vampire's screeching with a quick thrust through the demon's heart with his katana's wooden tip.
Feeling a pair of strong hands grab his shoulders from behind he stepped backwards, driving his right heel into his assailant's shin. The vampire let out a pained shriek but refused to release his grip. Xander's eyes widened at the approach of another vampire from the front, his fangs bared to tear into his throat. "I hate being lunch." With a grunt of effort he threw his legs into the air powering his feet into the on-rushing vampire's stomach while at the same time driving the back of his head into the face of the vampire behind him, shattering bone.
Released from the vampire's grip but with his legs still in the mid-air, he fell to the ground. Ignoring the jarring impact he rolled back to his feet. Realising that he was still trapped between the two vampires, he backwards somersaulted over the one behind him, his feet smashing into the vampire's shoulder blades, propelling him into the other vampire, sending them both crashing to the ground.
Upon landing, he rushed towards the crumpled vampires. He decapitated the first, but as he turned towards the second he was caught by a kick to the guts that caused him to double up and retreat. Ignoring the pain in his side he straightened, sidestepped the vampire's charge before swinging his sword up to slice the vampire's head off.
Out of the corner of his good eye he saw a vampire approaching. He snapped out a side-kick but his extended leg was grabbed and yanked, pulling him towards the vampire and into a hard right that he caught on his forearm before slamming his free fist into the vampire's throat, staggering his adversary and causing his foot to be released. Letting out a furious howl the vampire lunged at him, his claws raking at his throat. Xander leaned away from the tearing claws before slamming the pommel of his katana into the vampire's face, knocking him back a step. Taking advantage of the vampire's distress he swung his blade at the demon's neck only for the demon to duck beneath and come up inside his guard with a punch to the ribs. Ignoring the bruising pain, he brought up a knee into the vampire's groin before slicing its head off.
Even as the vampire exploded into dust, a hand dropped onto his shoulder. Reacting instantly he snapped an elbow backwards, connecting with his assailant's face with a crunch. "Fuck Xand!"
"Oh shit," wincing he turned to face the fuming Slayer. "Sorry Faith," he shrugged, "honest mistake."
"Honest mistake, you nearly took my eye out with that!" the Slayer rubbed at her rapidly swelling eye for emphasis.
"Believe it or not you're not the first woman to say that."
Faith raised an eyebrow. "Shit it's grown since back in the day."
Ouch, Xander winced but recovered quickly. "Maybe you didn't get the best out of me."
Faith chuckled. "Xander honey," the brunette put on a husky voice. "You know I always get the best out of my men."
Xander felt himself reddening, deciding it was best to get out of this one before something inadvisable happened, he nodded. "You'll be alright for tonight though?"
The brunette nodded. "With Slayer healing I'll be five by five in an hour or so. There's no fucking way I'm letting you out off this meal, especially after all the effort I went through to beat you."
Xander shook his head. "I seem to remember someone giving up."
"I seem to remember someone lying at my feet in a heap," the Slayer shot back, "'Course if you wanna a re-match. Double or nothing?"
"No it's okay, I'll let you have your highly tainted win."
The Slayer raised an eyebrow. "Tainted uh?" her forehead furrowed in puzzlement, "Xman, why didn't you use the guns?"
He shrugged. "I only use the guns when I'm working on my own or in an emergency. I don't like risking hitting a human." Uncomfortable with the conversation, he turned to the warehouse entrance. "Let's get out of here."
* * *
"Five by five." Faith watched the man's back as he walked out of the warehouse. "Xman," she muttered under her breath. "When the fuck did you turn into the American Ninja?" She'd never seen a man fight like him, Wood wouldn't last five seconds against him, he'd taken some blows that would put a normal man down on his ass without faltering, and returned the vampires' attacks with punishing assaults that she'd never seen another human male capable of delivering. When she'd trained with him she knew he was good but tonight he'd been at a whole different level. When she'd got him back, she was definitely claiming him as her Watcher.
* * *
"Have I told you how great you look tonight Faith?"
She grinned at the compliment. They were in an eatery, dining by candlelight in one of the city's most exclusive restaurants, the patrons' whispering mutterings accompanied by the understated playing of the string quartet stood on the podium at the front of the restaurant even as the guest were tempted by the wonderful aromas wafting out of the kitchen. Although it didn't fit with her tough girl image she secretly loved eating in places like this and wearing the sequined cocktail dress that came with it, to her it reinforced how far she'd come from her trailer park trash origins, how despite what her ma had always said she'd become someone. "You mentioned it yeah," she replied, "but a girl can always do to hear it again."
The man snorted. "Like you didn't already know."
"True," she nodded in acknowledgment, "but you wanna say it again, you're welcome."
"Well I'm thinking screw the restaurant, you look good enough to eat."
She raised an eyebrow. "Damn Xand, you really are cheap. You'll do anything to avoid springing for a meal won't ya?"
Xander chuckled. "Have you seen the prices?"
"Sir, Madam," Faith glanced up at the smartly dressed waiter, "could I take your order?"
Xander nodded. "I'll have the broiled chicken once, hold the sauce, the salmon, an order of salad without the mayo, and broiled brown rice please. Faith?"
Faith took a second to collect her thoughts. "I'll have two medium rare 16 oz steaks, an order of barbecued chicken wings, two bowls of fries, oh and the onion rings and garlic bread." Hell someone else was paying, might as well make them really pay. She looked up at the dazed-looking waiter. "Well what you waiting for hon? You don't get the tip 'til afterwards."
Once the waiter had disappeared Xander let out a laugh. "I forgot how much Slayers ate, but garlic bread and onion rings?" the man shook his head, "I'm just glad we're not making out tonight."
Faith pushed away the surprising feeling of disappointment at the thought of them not making out before replying. "What about you Xman, what happened to the junk food junkie?"
Xander turned serious. "I don't have your advantage Faith. Sensi Cheng," there was a world of respect in the man's voice, "taught me all about nutrition and meditation as part of my studies. After all a normal joe needs every edge he can get."
Faith nodded thoughtfully as she sipped at her red wine. Despite the man's words she was starting to realise Xander was anything but normal.
"So what's the mission Xand?"
"Ten to twelve vamps in a disguised warehouse in the industrial district. Leader's a two hundred year old vamp by the name of Slash on account of his love of knives. I was going to pick them off one by one but now you're here."
As Xander told her about the mission Faith thought about their fight nine days ago. He'd been good, real good, so good in fact she'd forgotten she wasn't fighting a fellow Slayer with enhanced healing and endurance and hadn't pulled her punches much. As a result she'd had to spend the last few days patiently nursing him back to health. It had embarrassed the hell out of him but she'd secretly loved having a reason to get to know a guy she'd largely ignored during her two Sunnydale runs.
Her eyes narrowed as she noticed her friend loading his guns. "How come your guns work against vamps boytoy?"
Xander grinned. "Hollow points with a magnesium flare with a drop of holy water encased in melted down silver crosses."
"Whoa, major shit." She curiously eyed the sword that Xander was sheathing. "You any good with that?"
Her friend chuckled. "Maybe one day I'll show you."
"That right?" Faith raised an eyebrow, "that almost sounds like another challenge."
"Maybe it was."
"Look forward to it," she stood, "you ready?"
Xander nodded, all hint of jocularity left him. "Let's rock 'n' roll."
* * *
Faith sneaked an admiring glance at the man striding beside her. He moved well, quiet, confident. She'd been flying solo since her and Robbie had broken up. The only Watchers she trusted – G and Wes were running their departments while the only other Watcher she'd consider, Gunn, already had a Slayer. Andrew had asked her but she'd only just managed to stop from wetting herself at the thought of the geek as her Watcher. She'd been thinking of asking Little D when the brat finished training but once she'd got Xand back in the fold, maybe she'd grab him. Maybe grab him in more way than one. Reaching out she caught her friend's arm. "Stop Xand," she whispered, "three vamps outside the warehouse."
"Can't see them myself, but don't have your eyes. How we going to deal with them?"
She winked up at her companion. "I'll deal with 'em."
"Fai-," Xander broke off and sighed, "why do I bother? Just be careful."
"Middle name boytoy," she hurried towards the school, a frightened expression on her face. Three vamps, all low in power, she smirked to herself. Shouldn't be a problem. "Excuse me guys. My car's broken down. Do any of you have a mobile?"
"And what do we get for helping babe?" leered one of the vamps, a short powerfully-built man with bushy eyebrows and a boxer's nose.
"This." Springing forward, she thrust a stake through the vampire's heart. Even before he'd exploded into dust, she'd moved onto his astonished companions. Ducking under a wild lunge, she drove a knee into the nearest vampire's groin. As he doubled up she powered her stake upwards into his heart. Spinning round, she blocked a clumsy left hook on her forearm before catching the last vampire with a side kick to the jaw, knocking him down onto his ass. Before he had time to regain his feet she'd slammed a stake into his heart.
She bowed sarcastically at the sound of clapping behind her. "Well thank you kind sah," she purred before glancing over her shoulder and winking at the approaching man.
Xander returned her wink. "Not bad Slayer, but your technique is sloppy."
She stuck her tongue out. "Sloppy? I still kicked your ass remember?"
Xander winced. "Oh yeah, I remember." His face hardened. "Ready?"
Faith swallowed. The way her friend just changed, it was like a switch being flipped, gone was clownish Xander, in his place stood Vampsdread. "Five by five Xand. Front or back?"
"You know me Slayer. Always a direct sort of guy. After you?"
Her right heel smashed into the warehouse's door splintering it in two. Kicking its remains aside, she strode in. "Hi guys, anyone order take- out?"
"God, that's one thing I didn't miss Slayer puns," she heard Xander mutter before raising his voice. "Hi gang. Name's Vampsdread, the good-looking goddess by my side goes by the name of Faith," she grinned at the vampires' frightened murmur, god it felt good to have a rep. "You might want to shit yourselves right about now."
* * *
Xander had barely finished speaking when he sprang into action, leaping towards the nearest two vampires even as they started towards him, drawing his sword as he advanced on his prey. The vampire to his left let out a scream as his katana sliced through the demon's wrists, sending blood spurting and his hands falling to the ground. "Oh shut up," Xander ended the vampire's screeching with a quick thrust through the demon's heart with his katana's wooden tip.
Feeling a pair of strong hands grab his shoulders from behind he stepped backwards, driving his right heel into his assailant's shin. The vampire let out a pained shriek but refused to release his grip. Xander's eyes widened at the approach of another vampire from the front, his fangs bared to tear into his throat. "I hate being lunch." With a grunt of effort he threw his legs into the air powering his feet into the on-rushing vampire's stomach while at the same time driving the back of his head into the face of the vampire behind him, shattering bone.
Released from the vampire's grip but with his legs still in the mid-air, he fell to the ground. Ignoring the jarring impact he rolled back to his feet. Realising that he was still trapped between the two vampires, he backwards somersaulted over the one behind him, his feet smashing into the vampire's shoulder blades, propelling him into the other vampire, sending them both crashing to the ground.
Upon landing, he rushed towards the crumpled vampires. He decapitated the first, but as he turned towards the second he was caught by a kick to the guts that caused him to double up and retreat. Ignoring the pain in his side he straightened, sidestepped the vampire's charge before swinging his sword up to slice the vampire's head off.
Out of the corner of his good eye he saw a vampire approaching. He snapped out a side-kick but his extended leg was grabbed and yanked, pulling him towards the vampire and into a hard right that he caught on his forearm before slamming his free fist into the vampire's throat, staggering his adversary and causing his foot to be released. Letting out a furious howl the vampire lunged at him, his claws raking at his throat. Xander leaned away from the tearing claws before slamming the pommel of his katana into the vampire's face, knocking him back a step. Taking advantage of the vampire's distress he swung his blade at the demon's neck only for the demon to duck beneath and come up inside his guard with a punch to the ribs. Ignoring the bruising pain, he brought up a knee into the vampire's groin before slicing its head off.
Even as the vampire exploded into dust, a hand dropped onto his shoulder. Reacting instantly he snapped an elbow backwards, connecting with his assailant's face with a crunch. "Fuck Xand!"
"Oh shit," wincing he turned to face the fuming Slayer. "Sorry Faith," he shrugged, "honest mistake."
"Honest mistake, you nearly took my eye out with that!" the Slayer rubbed at her rapidly swelling eye for emphasis.
"Believe it or not you're not the first woman to say that."
Faith raised an eyebrow. "Shit it's grown since back in the day."
Ouch, Xander winced but recovered quickly. "Maybe you didn't get the best out of me."
Faith chuckled. "Xander honey," the brunette put on a husky voice. "You know I always get the best out of my men."
Xander felt himself reddening, deciding it was best to get out of this one before something inadvisable happened, he nodded. "You'll be alright for tonight though?"
The brunette nodded. "With Slayer healing I'll be five by five in an hour or so. There's no fucking way I'm letting you out off this meal, especially after all the effort I went through to beat you."
Xander shook his head. "I seem to remember someone giving up."
"I seem to remember someone lying at my feet in a heap," the Slayer shot back, "'Course if you wanna a re-match. Double or nothing?"
"No it's okay, I'll let you have your highly tainted win."
The Slayer raised an eyebrow. "Tainted uh?" her forehead furrowed in puzzlement, "Xman, why didn't you use the guns?"
He shrugged. "I only use the guns when I'm working on my own or in an emergency. I don't like risking hitting a human." Uncomfortable with the conversation, he turned to the warehouse entrance. "Let's get out of here."
* * *
"Five by five." Faith watched the man's back as he walked out of the warehouse. "Xman," she muttered under her breath. "When the fuck did you turn into the American Ninja?" She'd never seen a man fight like him, Wood wouldn't last five seconds against him, he'd taken some blows that would put a normal man down on his ass without faltering, and returned the vampires' attacks with punishing assaults that she'd never seen another human male capable of delivering. When she'd trained with him she knew he was good but tonight he'd been at a whole different level. When she'd got him back, she was definitely claiming him as her Watcher.
* * *
"Have I told you how great you look tonight Faith?"
She grinned at the compliment. They were in an eatery, dining by candlelight in one of the city's most exclusive restaurants, the patrons' whispering mutterings accompanied by the understated playing of the string quartet stood on the podium at the front of the restaurant even as the guest were tempted by the wonderful aromas wafting out of the kitchen. Although it didn't fit with her tough girl image she secretly loved eating in places like this and wearing the sequined cocktail dress that came with it, to her it reinforced how far she'd come from her trailer park trash origins, how despite what her ma had always said she'd become someone. "You mentioned it yeah," she replied, "but a girl can always do to hear it again."
The man snorted. "Like you didn't already know."
"True," she nodded in acknowledgment, "but you wanna say it again, you're welcome."
"Well I'm thinking screw the restaurant, you look good enough to eat."
She raised an eyebrow. "Damn Xand, you really are cheap. You'll do anything to avoid springing for a meal won't ya?"
Xander chuckled. "Have you seen the prices?"
"Sir, Madam," Faith glanced up at the smartly dressed waiter, "could I take your order?"
Xander nodded. "I'll have the broiled chicken once, hold the sauce, the salmon, an order of salad without the mayo, and broiled brown rice please. Faith?"
Faith took a second to collect her thoughts. "I'll have two medium rare 16 oz steaks, an order of barbecued chicken wings, two bowls of fries, oh and the onion rings and garlic bread." Hell someone else was paying, might as well make them really pay. She looked up at the dazed-looking waiter. "Well what you waiting for hon? You don't get the tip 'til afterwards."
Once the waiter had disappeared Xander let out a laugh. "I forgot how much Slayers ate, but garlic bread and onion rings?" the man shook his head, "I'm just glad we're not making out tonight."
Faith pushed away the surprising feeling of disappointment at the thought of them not making out before replying. "What about you Xman, what happened to the junk food junkie?"
Xander turned serious. "I don't have your advantage Faith. Sensi Cheng," there was a world of respect in the man's voice, "taught me all about nutrition and meditation as part of my studies. After all a normal joe needs every edge he can get."
Faith nodded thoughtfully as she sipped at her red wine. Despite the man's words she was starting to realise Xander was anything but normal.