I am so sorry this has been so long coming, I've had it written for ages but the chapter felt unfinished.  I got fed up waiting for inspiration so I'm posting it anyway.  Hope you like!

'Just another day' Buffy thought as she finished her morning run and fought the urge to crawl back into bed.  Instead she showered quickly, pulled on a denim skirt and pink off the shoulder top and stood infront of the mirror deciding whether to do her hair up or leave it.  She decided to leave it, loose curls flowing over her shoulders and with a touch of make up and a pair of heels Buffy was ready for school.

            "Bye Mom" she yelled as she headed towards the-oh so not-highlight of her day.  Things hadn't been going well lately, slaying was wreaking havoc with her sleeping patterns not to mention her grades.  The day went like any other, lessons-boring, lunch-boring mindless gossip that Buffy couldn't believe she had once thrived on (somehow risking her life nightly really put things in perspective for her on that front anyway), training-boring-it just wasn't such a challenge anymore, then cheerleading practise.  Finally a part of the day that was her choice-no parent, or teacher, or …watcher, darn it there he was.  Buffy backflipped off the top of the pyramid, receiving several admiring glances, and jogged over to Merrick.  "So, what's up?"

            "There's a new gang in town.  Can you do some reconnaissance tonight?"

            "Some painting?"

            "Some patrolling"

            "Oh, sure thing."

                                                ~*~

            Faith looked at herself in the mirror with some disgust.  She just didn't suit the bridesmaid's dress, didn't feel comfortable in it either.  The only good thing about it was the sash that hid a stake in the small of her back.  A sullen face stared back at her from the mirror, Faith grimaced at her reflection and resolutely pulled out a deep red lipstick.  She applied it heavily smiling at the contrast it made with the pale pink of the dress.

            "Are you ready Faith?" Hank's voice, fully sober for once, called.  Faith tool one last look in the mirror and opened the door to the church.

                                                ~*~

            Buffy pulled open her bedroom door catching sight of her reflection in the mirror.  A petite blonde girl dressed in black for fighting followed her out the door.  Buffy felt the stake tucked in the back of her waistband and, reassured, stepped outside.

                                                ~*~

            Faith felt even more uncomfortable in the church with everyone's eyes on her.  Something felt wrong though she couldn't place what it was and her worry increased with every step she took down the red-carpeted aisle.  Faith tried to smile but it was forced and the red lipstick made her look faintly evil.  To be honest Faith felt a little evil-it was her father's wedding day and she hated it, what kind of daughter was she to resent being bridesmaid to her future step-mom?  In retrospect Faith realised her feelings were probably spot on, the wedding was the start of a whole new hell and the light at the end of the tunnel was growing fainter.

                                                ~*~

            Buffy's slayer senses were sounding alarm bells in her head.  She just knew that there was great evil afoot and it wasn't of the usual variety.  In a large crypt Buffy found the source of her discomfort and the hide out of Merrick's gang.  She watched as the hord of vampires completed strange rituals around a blazing fire then followed as a pair left.  They headed towards the town but Buffy's stake soon put an end to any thoughts they had of a midnight feast.  Soon dust piles were all that remained of the soulless creatures making the score two to the slayer, not out nil to the vamps, two out.

            For the next week Buffy continued to pick off the gang members one or two at a time but the gang itself grew more numerous.  The co-operation of the creatures put fear in Merrick's heart but he was too professional, too reserved to share his fears with his slayer.  Maybe he should have.

                                                ~*~

            So two souls headed into darkness with their guiding light ever dwindling.  One a mirror image of the other, as different as blonde and brunette and yet made of the same.  A winding path through treacherous terrain and only their own reflections to show where they are headed, but remember the reflection shows only distortion and when the mirror breaks you can be sure bad luck will follow.

(Nothing meant by the blonde/brunette comment just that B+F are blonde and brunette respectively)  Please review!!!!!!