The Paladin Project (21/23)
"I think he's coming round. Get Angel and Colonel O'Neill."
"Angel's with Faith."
"Oh," the vaguely familiar voice paused. "Just get the Colonel."
Xander bolted upright, his head pounding in protest. "Oh shit," he groaned as he stared at the man until he finally managed to force his name from his memory. "Hi G-Man. What's happening?"
"What's happening?" the middle-aged Watcher shook his head. "That's what I'd like to know you bloody pillock! What were you playing at!"
Xander winced as the Englishman's bellow. "Please G-Man, don't shout, my head's killing me. How long have I been out?"
"Three days."
"THREE DAYS!" he recoiled as his own shout reverberated through his skull. "Note to self, don't shout," he muttered. Ignoring G-Man's gleeful look he spoke, his voice held low. "Why didn't Leo heal me?"
"He did physically. But your consciousness was buried too deep for him to risk pulling it without damage. Although given your behaviour at times..." The librarian's face took on a look of scholarly interest. "What did you do to yourself?"
Xander grimaced, he somehow suspected his surrogate father wasn't going to like this. "Doctor Strange taught me a trigger for a spell that would unleash the hyena-."
"WHAT!" Xander winced at the Watcher's shout, he wished the Englishman would stop bellowing. "You allowed yourself to be taken over the hyena spirit."
"Actually no." He swallowed. "The spell infused me with the power of the entire pack-."
"XANDER!" Oh yeah, he remembered that bulging eyed look. "How could you be so bloody reckless? Do you realise how dangerous that was?"
Xander nodded. Doctor Strange had told him the risks, that the spell would give him the power of the entire pack but at the same time robbing him of his self-control and independent thought. He'd resolved only to use it when the world was at stake but at the thought of Caleb hurting Faith... His head snapped towards Giles. "Giles, how's Faith?" the former black arts mage's face tightened. "Giles?" his voice trembled.
After a second the middle-aged man began to talk. "Leo healed her physically at least. But," the Watcher's face grew anguished. "She hasn't left her room since she awoke. Only Angel, Leo, and Dawn can go into her room without sending her into hysterics -, Xander where are you going?"
"To see her."
"Xander -."
"Damn it Giles, she's suffered too much. I'm not going to allow her to suffer anymore."
* * *
"Xander." The vampire rose at his entry.
"Angel." Xander nodded towards his best friend but didn't move his gaze from the huddled, shaking figure wrapped up in the bed sheets. "Can you leave us alone please?"
"N...no."
Angel looked from the Slayer to him before rising. "Faith," he whispered. "It's Xander he won't hurt you." As the former Scourge of Europe passed by him, he grabbed him by the crook of his arm. "It's good to have you back," suddenly the vampire's eyes flashed yellow. "But harm her and you'll wish Angelus was here instead of me."
"Well that was bracing," Xander muttered as the master vampire eased the door shut behind him. After a moment he sat down on the chair beside the bed. "Sunnydale's always been babe central – Buffy, Cordy, all the cheerleaders. But even amongst them you were different – your spirit, heart. I couldn't help be drawn to you, you know why?" he waited for a second but when the brunette didn't answer continued. "The way no matter what you kept on coming. Your mom told you were worthless, you proved her wrong. Your Watcher was killed, you took out the vamp that did it. You went evil, with Angel's help you came back. You faced Angelus and took him down. That's the spirit I," he licked his lips nervously. "Fell in love with."
The raven-haired beauty's pool-like eyes peeked out from beneath her protective covers. Xander's heart bled at the uncostumary uncertainty he saw there. "Y..you shouldn't say that if you don't mean it."
Xander felt a cold rage overtake him at the nervousness he heard in his friend's voice, if he could resurrect Caleb, he'd kill him a thousand times for the pain he'd caused her. Comforting himself that at least it was a response, he ploughed on. "I do mean it. When you came back to Sunnydale, I got the old feelings back but I tried to push them away, told myself that there was too much history, that being a demon hunter meant it wasn't a good idea to be involved. That was bullshit. Truth was I scared."
"Scared?"
"Of being hurt. After first Buffy beating me up," he winced at the memory. Deciding not to mention her trying to strangle him, Faith had enough problems, he continued. "And seeing Cordy in a coma, I couldn't face being hurt by you. But I realised even if I wasn't with you I'd still love you. But," he swallowed nervously. "You've got to prove you're still the same Faith."
"W..what do you mean?"
"The Faith I fell for wouldn't let Caleb beat her." Faith flinched at the preacher's name. "She'd be showing the world how she didn't back off from anybody. If you don't get out of this bed, he's still got a hold on you."
"H..he took away my power."
Oh that was it, Xander nodded in understanding. That was what Faith feared above everything else – being powerless again. "And he won't do it again," Xander replied softly before taking the girl's hand in his. "So where's that 'don't take no bullshit' spirit that I fell for?" Suddenly the brunette burst into tears. Instantly he scooped her into his arms and held until her sobbing subsided. "That better?" he asked softly.
"I'm scared."
"You've got a ton of people out there who are in your corner, rooting for you. And I'll be with you every step of the way."
"Promise?"
He kissed the lithe Slayer on her forehead. "If you want me?"
"Can you give me two minutes to dress?"
Xander beamed. "I'll be outside."
* * *
As he left the room he was met by his smiling father. "Good to see you Xander," the soldier slapped him on the arm.
"You too dad," the word still felt strange coming out of his mouth yet somehow right. "Thanks for your help. If you hadn't..."
The Air Force Colonel's smile widened. "Not a problem. Well," the middle- aged man grinned. "Aside from my massive laundry bill."
Xander grinned. "I'll pay it."
"A son with money to keep me in my dotage, every parent's dream," the grey- haired man chuckled before turning serious. "How's Faith?"
"She's strong," Xander replied, his voice quiet but determined. . "She'll be okay."
"You'll make sure of it uh?" the Colonel nodded. "She seems to have a good heart. You really care about her don't you?" After a second Xander nodded. "Well make sure you look after her. She doesn't have your -." The soldier smiled as the Faith's bedroom door opened. "Faith, it's good to see you up and about."
* * *
Faith smiled as she entered the conference room with Xander and his pop flanking her protectively. On the way to the meeting close to a dozen people had stopped her to ask how she was and seemed real happy to see her too. When she'd first come to Sunnydale she'd been looking for something to end the loneliness that had blighted her life. She'd been snubbed the first time, contributing to her desperate descent into darkness, but maybe, just maybe she had something to belong to.
And even better, she looked adoringly at Xander, she had a chance with him. The door to the front of the room and G walked in, his face splitting into a huge grin when he saw her. "Faith! It's simply wonderful to see you up and about. Things have been much too quiet without you or Xander to liven things up."
She returned the librarian's smile with a smirk. "You leave things to a tea drinker like ya things are bound to get boring."
"Quite," the Englishman chuckled before turning serious. "We've been researching the amulet."
Faith tensed as the former librarian pulled the amulet that the preacher had hung her neck. In an instant she was covered with sweat and shaking. "Giles, put that away for god's sake!"
The Watcher's face fell at Xander's terse order. "Oh, bloody hell." His face chagrined the Englishman shoved the amulet into his tweed jacket's inner pocket. "I'm so sorry Faith." She nodded a trembling acknowledgement. "Wesley and I have been researching the artefact to find its significance. As you are all aware, originally there was a series of active hellmouths," Faith's mouth dropped open. She didn't know that, but then she'd been out of the loop. "Legend has it the Balcoro the Magnificent, a sorcerer of unequalled power then or since, crafted the Medallion of Mercy', and with the willing sacrifice of Naglar the Bloody, a notorious bandit chief, used it to close the hellmouth chain. Unfortunately for the world Naglar expired before the Sunnydale hellmouth could be closed, and without his life-force to power the spell, it was left open." "Wow," Xander looked as wiped out by this news as she felt. "But how does this help us now?"
"There is a myth relating to something called 'The Merciful Medal', which it is logical to assume is in fact the 'Medallion of Mercy', Wesley interrupted. "How it will be worn by a soul battling for redemption to close the Hellmouth from within and defeat the First's hordes. But-."
"Fuck," Faith croaked.
Unmindful of her interruption the younger Englishman continued, his face drawn. "In the process lose their life."
Her world came crashing in. Just as she'd got what she'd always wanted, it was going to be snatched away from her. Before she even had chance to savour it. "How do I do this Wes?" she asked, her face set. She wouldn't cry, she silently promised.
"Not going to happen." Across the room Angel stood and shook his head. "I hate to break it to you Faith, but you're small potatoes next to me."
"N..no," Faith shook her head. She couldn't, wouldn't, let her mentor die for her, she owed him too much.
"I fear you are both incorrect." It was the immortal knight. "While both of you have sinned, neither of you have started a war, brought down the kingdom you had sworn to protect, or the king you had promised to serve."
"Ladies. Gentlemen. We have a winner in the 'Whose The Worst Reformed Bad Guy Competition'," Xander interrupted. Her boyfriend rubbed at his forehead. "Is there anyway we can be sure it's Lance."
"The fables refer to a 'knight once thought lost'," Wes replied.
"Damn," Xander closed his eyes in pain. In that moment Faith realised how difficult Xander found the burden of leadership. After a second she squeezed his shoulder, getting a wan smile in reply. Finally her boyfriend squared his shoulders and turned to the knight. "I'm sorry Lance."
Faith was surprised when the knight smiled. "Do not grieve for me Alexander. For 1,500 years I have been waiting for final judgement. And now I will have it."
"Okay," Xander looked back at the two Watchers. "How does the ritual go?" An hour later Xander and the others ran out of questions for the pair of Watchers. "Any other comments?" Xander looked around the room. When nobody spoke her boyfriend nodded. "Okay. Let's break up."
"Xander," it was Giles. "Could I speak to you in private?"
Xander nodded before turning to her, his concerned expression filling her with a warm glow. "Is that alright with you Faith?"
"We can go spar," Angel offered.
Faith nodded at the vampire and smirked weakly. "Yeah, it's always handy having a vamp near-by to take a girl's frustrations out on."
"Oh goody," Angel looked less than enthusiastic.
* * *
Giles waited until the conference door had closed behind the last of the Project members before speaking. "It's good to see Faith up and about."
His remark was rewarded by Xander's familiar lop-sided grin. "Isn't it," the young man agreed.
"And I assume," Giles paused. Good lord, he hated talking relationships. "From the way she was clinging to your hand that you are together?"
Xander smiled softly. "Yeah," he confirmed.
"You will look after her? You know she's very emotionally fragile and has been hurt in the -."
"You don't have anything to worry about."
"But I do worry Xander," he retorted, a warning note in his voice. "Not only is that girl the Slayer and I the de facto Council Head, I failed to protect her in the past, I won't fail again." His warning delivered he smoothly changed the subject. "This battle is going to be exceptionally difficult," that was a bloody understatement. "I would suggest we need all the help we can get." Encouraged by Xander's nod he continued. "To that end I would recommend tracking down Buffy and Will-."
"Not going to happen," he was interrupted by Xander's firm voice. His protégée sighed. "I know how you feel G-Man but let's get real here. Buffy's not a team player, she never was. If she's not barking orders she's not interested. Do you seriously expect the likes of Blade, O'Neill, Crow, or Bond to listen to her. They're all highly experienced combat veterans, she cops an attitude with them and Slayer or not she'll end up getting the ass kicking to end all ass kickings. And that's without considering her past history with me, you, Faith, and Angel. As for Willow," Xander's face tightened. "She's proven how unstable she is, she can't be trusted with the sort of power we need. It'll have to be up to the Charmed Ones." "And if they don't have enough power?" Giles countered.
"Yeah, thought about that." Xander grinned. "I figured Justice's mystical energy could be used to energise the spell."
"A fair strategy," Giles nodded. "But we will be heavily out-numbered. We need more help."
Xander pulled a mobile out of his pocket. "The wonders of new technology. A few calls and help will be on its way."
"Really who?" Giles was intrigued.
"You'll see."
Giles shook his head. "You really are an infuriating fellow."
Xander grinned. "I know, it's part of my charm."
"I think he's coming round. Get Angel and Colonel O'Neill."
"Angel's with Faith."
"Oh," the vaguely familiar voice paused. "Just get the Colonel."
Xander bolted upright, his head pounding in protest. "Oh shit," he groaned as he stared at the man until he finally managed to force his name from his memory. "Hi G-Man. What's happening?"
"What's happening?" the middle-aged Watcher shook his head. "That's what I'd like to know you bloody pillock! What were you playing at!"
Xander winced as the Englishman's bellow. "Please G-Man, don't shout, my head's killing me. How long have I been out?"
"Three days."
"THREE DAYS!" he recoiled as his own shout reverberated through his skull. "Note to self, don't shout," he muttered. Ignoring G-Man's gleeful look he spoke, his voice held low. "Why didn't Leo heal me?"
"He did physically. But your consciousness was buried too deep for him to risk pulling it without damage. Although given your behaviour at times..." The librarian's face took on a look of scholarly interest. "What did you do to yourself?"
Xander grimaced, he somehow suspected his surrogate father wasn't going to like this. "Doctor Strange taught me a trigger for a spell that would unleash the hyena-."
"WHAT!" Xander winced at the Watcher's shout, he wished the Englishman would stop bellowing. "You allowed yourself to be taken over the hyena spirit."
"Actually no." He swallowed. "The spell infused me with the power of the entire pack-."
"XANDER!" Oh yeah, he remembered that bulging eyed look. "How could you be so bloody reckless? Do you realise how dangerous that was?"
Xander nodded. Doctor Strange had told him the risks, that the spell would give him the power of the entire pack but at the same time robbing him of his self-control and independent thought. He'd resolved only to use it when the world was at stake but at the thought of Caleb hurting Faith... His head snapped towards Giles. "Giles, how's Faith?" the former black arts mage's face tightened. "Giles?" his voice trembled.
After a second the middle-aged man began to talk. "Leo healed her physically at least. But," the Watcher's face grew anguished. "She hasn't left her room since she awoke. Only Angel, Leo, and Dawn can go into her room without sending her into hysterics -, Xander where are you going?"
"To see her."
"Xander -."
"Damn it Giles, she's suffered too much. I'm not going to allow her to suffer anymore."
* * *
"Xander." The vampire rose at his entry.
"Angel." Xander nodded towards his best friend but didn't move his gaze from the huddled, shaking figure wrapped up in the bed sheets. "Can you leave us alone please?"
"N...no."
Angel looked from the Slayer to him before rising. "Faith," he whispered. "It's Xander he won't hurt you." As the former Scourge of Europe passed by him, he grabbed him by the crook of his arm. "It's good to have you back," suddenly the vampire's eyes flashed yellow. "But harm her and you'll wish Angelus was here instead of me."
"Well that was bracing," Xander muttered as the master vampire eased the door shut behind him. After a moment he sat down on the chair beside the bed. "Sunnydale's always been babe central – Buffy, Cordy, all the cheerleaders. But even amongst them you were different – your spirit, heart. I couldn't help be drawn to you, you know why?" he waited for a second but when the brunette didn't answer continued. "The way no matter what you kept on coming. Your mom told you were worthless, you proved her wrong. Your Watcher was killed, you took out the vamp that did it. You went evil, with Angel's help you came back. You faced Angelus and took him down. That's the spirit I," he licked his lips nervously. "Fell in love with."
The raven-haired beauty's pool-like eyes peeked out from beneath her protective covers. Xander's heart bled at the uncostumary uncertainty he saw there. "Y..you shouldn't say that if you don't mean it."
Xander felt a cold rage overtake him at the nervousness he heard in his friend's voice, if he could resurrect Caleb, he'd kill him a thousand times for the pain he'd caused her. Comforting himself that at least it was a response, he ploughed on. "I do mean it. When you came back to Sunnydale, I got the old feelings back but I tried to push them away, told myself that there was too much history, that being a demon hunter meant it wasn't a good idea to be involved. That was bullshit. Truth was I scared."
"Scared?"
"Of being hurt. After first Buffy beating me up," he winced at the memory. Deciding not to mention her trying to strangle him, Faith had enough problems, he continued. "And seeing Cordy in a coma, I couldn't face being hurt by you. But I realised even if I wasn't with you I'd still love you. But," he swallowed nervously. "You've got to prove you're still the same Faith."
"W..what do you mean?"
"The Faith I fell for wouldn't let Caleb beat her." Faith flinched at the preacher's name. "She'd be showing the world how she didn't back off from anybody. If you don't get out of this bed, he's still got a hold on you."
"H..he took away my power."
Oh that was it, Xander nodded in understanding. That was what Faith feared above everything else – being powerless again. "And he won't do it again," Xander replied softly before taking the girl's hand in his. "So where's that 'don't take no bullshit' spirit that I fell for?" Suddenly the brunette burst into tears. Instantly he scooped her into his arms and held until her sobbing subsided. "That better?" he asked softly.
"I'm scared."
"You've got a ton of people out there who are in your corner, rooting for you. And I'll be with you every step of the way."
"Promise?"
He kissed the lithe Slayer on her forehead. "If you want me?"
"Can you give me two minutes to dress?"
Xander beamed. "I'll be outside."
* * *
As he left the room he was met by his smiling father. "Good to see you Xander," the soldier slapped him on the arm.
"You too dad," the word still felt strange coming out of his mouth yet somehow right. "Thanks for your help. If you hadn't..."
The Air Force Colonel's smile widened. "Not a problem. Well," the middle- aged man grinned. "Aside from my massive laundry bill."
Xander grinned. "I'll pay it."
"A son with money to keep me in my dotage, every parent's dream," the grey- haired man chuckled before turning serious. "How's Faith?"
"She's strong," Xander replied, his voice quiet but determined. . "She'll be okay."
"You'll make sure of it uh?" the Colonel nodded. "She seems to have a good heart. You really care about her don't you?" After a second Xander nodded. "Well make sure you look after her. She doesn't have your -." The soldier smiled as the Faith's bedroom door opened. "Faith, it's good to see you up and about."
* * *
Faith smiled as she entered the conference room with Xander and his pop flanking her protectively. On the way to the meeting close to a dozen people had stopped her to ask how she was and seemed real happy to see her too. When she'd first come to Sunnydale she'd been looking for something to end the loneliness that had blighted her life. She'd been snubbed the first time, contributing to her desperate descent into darkness, but maybe, just maybe she had something to belong to.
And even better, she looked adoringly at Xander, she had a chance with him. The door to the front of the room and G walked in, his face splitting into a huge grin when he saw her. "Faith! It's simply wonderful to see you up and about. Things have been much too quiet without you or Xander to liven things up."
She returned the librarian's smile with a smirk. "You leave things to a tea drinker like ya things are bound to get boring."
"Quite," the Englishman chuckled before turning serious. "We've been researching the amulet."
Faith tensed as the former librarian pulled the amulet that the preacher had hung her neck. In an instant she was covered with sweat and shaking. "Giles, put that away for god's sake!"
The Watcher's face fell at Xander's terse order. "Oh, bloody hell." His face chagrined the Englishman shoved the amulet into his tweed jacket's inner pocket. "I'm so sorry Faith." She nodded a trembling acknowledgement. "Wesley and I have been researching the artefact to find its significance. As you are all aware, originally there was a series of active hellmouths," Faith's mouth dropped open. She didn't know that, but then she'd been out of the loop. "Legend has it the Balcoro the Magnificent, a sorcerer of unequalled power then or since, crafted the Medallion of Mercy', and with the willing sacrifice of Naglar the Bloody, a notorious bandit chief, used it to close the hellmouth chain. Unfortunately for the world Naglar expired before the Sunnydale hellmouth could be closed, and without his life-force to power the spell, it was left open." "Wow," Xander looked as wiped out by this news as she felt. "But how does this help us now?"
"There is a myth relating to something called 'The Merciful Medal', which it is logical to assume is in fact the 'Medallion of Mercy', Wesley interrupted. "How it will be worn by a soul battling for redemption to close the Hellmouth from within and defeat the First's hordes. But-."
"Fuck," Faith croaked.
Unmindful of her interruption the younger Englishman continued, his face drawn. "In the process lose their life."
Her world came crashing in. Just as she'd got what she'd always wanted, it was going to be snatched away from her. Before she even had chance to savour it. "How do I do this Wes?" she asked, her face set. She wouldn't cry, she silently promised.
"Not going to happen." Across the room Angel stood and shook his head. "I hate to break it to you Faith, but you're small potatoes next to me."
"N..no," Faith shook her head. She couldn't, wouldn't, let her mentor die for her, she owed him too much.
"I fear you are both incorrect." It was the immortal knight. "While both of you have sinned, neither of you have started a war, brought down the kingdom you had sworn to protect, or the king you had promised to serve."
"Ladies. Gentlemen. We have a winner in the 'Whose The Worst Reformed Bad Guy Competition'," Xander interrupted. Her boyfriend rubbed at his forehead. "Is there anyway we can be sure it's Lance."
"The fables refer to a 'knight once thought lost'," Wes replied.
"Damn," Xander closed his eyes in pain. In that moment Faith realised how difficult Xander found the burden of leadership. After a second she squeezed his shoulder, getting a wan smile in reply. Finally her boyfriend squared his shoulders and turned to the knight. "I'm sorry Lance."
Faith was surprised when the knight smiled. "Do not grieve for me Alexander. For 1,500 years I have been waiting for final judgement. And now I will have it."
"Okay," Xander looked back at the two Watchers. "How does the ritual go?" An hour later Xander and the others ran out of questions for the pair of Watchers. "Any other comments?" Xander looked around the room. When nobody spoke her boyfriend nodded. "Okay. Let's break up."
"Xander," it was Giles. "Could I speak to you in private?"
Xander nodded before turning to her, his concerned expression filling her with a warm glow. "Is that alright with you Faith?"
"We can go spar," Angel offered.
Faith nodded at the vampire and smirked weakly. "Yeah, it's always handy having a vamp near-by to take a girl's frustrations out on."
"Oh goody," Angel looked less than enthusiastic.
* * *
Giles waited until the conference door had closed behind the last of the Project members before speaking. "It's good to see Faith up and about."
His remark was rewarded by Xander's familiar lop-sided grin. "Isn't it," the young man agreed.
"And I assume," Giles paused. Good lord, he hated talking relationships. "From the way she was clinging to your hand that you are together?"
Xander smiled softly. "Yeah," he confirmed.
"You will look after her? You know she's very emotionally fragile and has been hurt in the -."
"You don't have anything to worry about."
"But I do worry Xander," he retorted, a warning note in his voice. "Not only is that girl the Slayer and I the de facto Council Head, I failed to protect her in the past, I won't fail again." His warning delivered he smoothly changed the subject. "This battle is going to be exceptionally difficult," that was a bloody understatement. "I would suggest we need all the help we can get." Encouraged by Xander's nod he continued. "To that end I would recommend tracking down Buffy and Will-."
"Not going to happen," he was interrupted by Xander's firm voice. His protégée sighed. "I know how you feel G-Man but let's get real here. Buffy's not a team player, she never was. If she's not barking orders she's not interested. Do you seriously expect the likes of Blade, O'Neill, Crow, or Bond to listen to her. They're all highly experienced combat veterans, she cops an attitude with them and Slayer or not she'll end up getting the ass kicking to end all ass kickings. And that's without considering her past history with me, you, Faith, and Angel. As for Willow," Xander's face tightened. "She's proven how unstable she is, she can't be trusted with the sort of power we need. It'll have to be up to the Charmed Ones." "And if they don't have enough power?" Giles countered.
"Yeah, thought about that." Xander grinned. "I figured Justice's mystical energy could be used to energise the spell."
"A fair strategy," Giles nodded. "But we will be heavily out-numbered. We need more help."
Xander pulled a mobile out of his pocket. "The wonders of new technology. A few calls and help will be on its way."
"Really who?" Giles was intrigued.
"You'll see."
Giles shook his head. "You really are an infuriating fellow."
Xander grinned. "I know, it's part of my charm."
