Shared Destiny
Author: Norwalker
Part 2 of ?
Summary: Faith asks, in Enemies, " Everybody asks why can't you be more like Buffy. But does anyone ask why Buffy can't be more like me?" So, what if , after season 3, Buffy became more like Faith?
Rating/ Category: Rated R Romance/Angst
Spoilers: Possible season 3 and after spoilers.
Time Line: Departs after season 3
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon , Mutant Enemy and Fox own them.
Warnings: Dark fiction. Character Death happens, please be aware of this. Strong language, sexual situations between members of the same sex. Violence. Possible racial/ethnic slurs that the author in no way supports or shares.
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The Chosen two eyed each other guardedly
Faith watched Buffy carefully for any sudden moves. She wasn't sure if she could take her. Hell, she felt like she'd been attached to the back of a monster truck and dragged about 50 miles or so. Every muscle in her body ached, her bloodstream screamed pain. Her head throbbed, and her legs felt like lead weights. But no matter what it took, she wasn't gonna let that bitch hurt her again. If she tried anything, she was gonna make sure that Blondie hurt a lot more than she did.
Faith felt disoriented. Where the fuck was she, anyway? She remembered falling in the truck… being driven off…and nothing after that.
Well, gotta be a hospital, I guess. Damn, did I miss the fun? Couldn't have. I mean, B's still alive, must still be comin'. What the fuck is she doin' here anyway? Shouldn't she be with her 'scoobies' trying to stop the boss? Shit, she's a mess. Look at her. She…where the hell did those scars come from? They weren't there before…and that one on the neck…looks like a fucking vampire bite. She musta… but she'd be dead? Fuck… is she a vampire? Man, and I don't got no stakes. But…since when do vampires cry? Cuz she's been bawlin' her eyes out…the wimp. If she were a vamp, the scar would be gone. Nawwww, not a vamp. Those marks look old… But she didn't have a mark on her last time I saw her.. and that could only be …what? Last night? And hey…why don't I feel the fucking wound? That should be hurtin' like hell. What's goin on here?
She musta fed Angel to cure him. Ok, that explains that scar. But those others? The one by her jaw…and the one over her eye? God, look at her eyes…they look… hunted. Damn, I musta missed the fun. She must be on the run But, hell, if that's so, why's she here? Where is here, anyway? Can't be Sunnyhell…boss woulda destroyed that, I figure. Man, just my luck. I get laid up, miss all the good stuff. Shit, probably been replaced. Great. After all the crap I did for that…what is he now? Some kinda snake thing? Anyway, after all I did, probably out in the cold, again. Shit, shit, and double crap. He's probably forgot all about me. Just like a guy. Use a girl, then throw her away when somethin' better comes along. This really totally sucks. It's all B's fault. Damn her, if she hadn't laid me up, I'd be riding high now, the bitch.
Why the hell is she here, anyway? What does she want? Hasn't she fucked up my life enough, already? And what's with the waterworks? What's wrong, Blondie? Feeling guilty? Maybe you want me to feel mercy for ya? Fat chance. Hell, she probably came here to finish the job, and wimped out. Lil Ms. Cheerleader couldn't do it. Couldn't do what it takes to be really tough. Ya wuss.
"So, B… whatcha doin here? Come to finish the job?" Faith says, sneering.
Buffy looks at Faith. Her face is stricken. She lowers her eyes, and mutters something out.
"What, B? Didn't hear that!" Faith growls
"I- I said I'm sorry" Buffy says, her voice low, regretful
"Sorry? Is that it, B? Sorry? Gee…whatcha sorry about, anyway? That you didn't kill me good the first time? Or, that I'm still alive, and gonna whip your sorry ass? Or maybe, you're sorry cuz you losers blew it… that the boss won, and killed all your little buddies? What's wrong B? No friends no more, huh? Yeah, you're sorry alright, B. I Gotta give ya that. Loser" Faith spits out at her
" We didn't fail, Faith" Buffy says, quietly. " The Mayor's dead."
"WHAT? No fucking WAY! He …he was like…invulnerable. NO way you coulda killed him. You're a liar, bitch". Faith says, her anger rising.
"That's why he had you kill Professor Wirth, Faith. The professor had found a creature like the one your boss was gonna become. The creature was dead… fossilized in a volcano in Hawaii. That was the thing. He was invulnerable, until the Ascension happened. Then he could be killed. That's what he was trying to hide." Buffy looks at Faith, seeing if she's believing her.
"Yeah, yeah, sure" Faith retorts, but she's beginning to have her doubts. " Ok, so lets say you're right. He could be killed. But, how? I mean from the way he was tellin' me, he was gonna become some huge demon thing. A stake isn't gonna get it done. Hell, a flamethrower wouldn't get it done. So, like …no way you're little merry band of losers coulda hurt him after he changed."
"You're right. We … well, we got a ton of explosives and …rigged the library to blow up. I led him right into it…and he blew sky high…him and the school". Buffy says.
"C'mon, that's horse crap. How'd you get him in the library? I mean… the Mayor mighta been ok with books, but don't think the demon woulda given a shit, ya know?" Faith mocks her.
" I …went back and got the knife I used to…" Buffy stops. It hurts to think of what she did. She sighs, and continues."… to stab you with. After he changed, I goaded him with it. Got the beast pissed at me. Then I ran towards the library, him in pursuit. I ran up the stairs, crashed out the window, and …. Giles hit the plunger. Boom. No more Beast. No more school."
Faith for a second gets caught in the visual. "Wow, that musta been awesome. Whatta hoot. Woulda liked to…" then she remembers what that means. " Shit, damn it. Fucked me again, didn't ya B? So, what? So, how long have I been here? A month or two?" Faith asks.
Buffy turns away. She feels an icy hand clutching her heart. How's she gonna tell Faith how long she's been in a coma? God…
"C'mon, B., quit screwin' around. How long have I been here?" Faith demands. " Don't ya think I at least got that comin? How long?"
Buffy doesn't say anything. She can't find a way to tell Faith. She just sits, looking guilty.
" What? 3 months? 6 months?" Faith asks, starting to panic. What the hell is she pullin now?
Buffy mumbles something. Faith doesn't quite catch it…but it sound like…nawww…no way.
"WHAT? HOW FUCKING LONG?" Faith yells, scared and angry.
"Three years" Buffy says. She moves back, knowing Faith's going to lash out.
Faith shakes her head. No way I heard that right. Three YEARS? No way. No fucking way!
"No way. Three YEARS? No…you're lying. I know you're lying. Goddamn it, no way I been lying here for no three years!" Faith feels the rage building inside her." Goddamn you, you lying bitch. I've had it with your games. I gonna get outta this bed and beat your ass to L.A." Faith is out of control. She's scared, angry and needs something to hurt. And boy, Buffy would be just the thing. She throws off the covers, and pulls the feeding tube out of her arm. She slides her legs over the edge of the bed, and stands up… and almost immediately starts to fall.
"Shhh----iiiiii----ttttt !!!" Faith screams, starting to fall. Buffy rushes over and catches her, holding her upright. Faith, panicked, clings to her…then shoves her away. She starts to fall again, and Buffy holds her up, easing her towards the bed. Faith sits, looking scared and miserable.
"What's wrong with my legs?" Faith says, scared. "What'd you do to my legs??!!" She looks at Buffy with an accusing look.
"Faith, calm down" Buffy says, firmly." It's gonna be alright"
"FUCK YOU CALM DOWN!!!" Faith screams at her, slapping Buffy hard. Buffy recoils, hurt. She closes her eyes to keep her temper. Faith continues." You crippled me, bitch. And you tell me to calm down?"
Buffy touches the cheek where Faith slapped her. It's sore, and she knows from experience it'll probably bruise. She has a coppery taste in her mouth…blood…from where she bit the inside of her cheek. She walks over to the box of tissues by Faith's bed, takes one, and spits out blood. Faith watches, wary of what Buffy's gonna do. Buffy throws out the tissue, and walks to Faith's bed.
"Faith. You're not crippled. Your leg muscles are atrophied from you lying in bed three years. You just need therapy to work the muscles, is all." Buffy says, holding down her temper.
"Screw you, B!!! You did this to me. I wouldn't be like this, except for you. Get out of here, B. Get your sorry ass outta my room!" Faith says, her voice low and dangerous.
"Faith…please… I want to help you. I can help you with…" Buffy says, beseeching her fellow slayer.
"Oh, yeah… like you've helped me so far. Goddamn you, B. You DID this to me…and now you want to HELP ME? FUCK YOU DON'T HELP ME ANYMORE. GET OUT!!!! GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY ROOM. GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY LIFE!!!" Faith screams at her at the top of her lungs. She starts swinging at Buffy, who stands and lets Faith hit her.
A nurse rushes in, and sees what's going on.
"What's going on in here? Who're you?" She says to Buffy. She sees Faith is awake. She starts towards Buffy, pushing her. "You gotta go, now!" She commands.
"But…" Buffy starts.
" You've gotta leave. You're upsetting the patient. Leave, now! Or I'm calling security!" The nurse threatens. Buffy looks at Faith, who is still trying get at her. The nurse is trying to restrain her, but Faith's slayer powers have kicked in. She turns and starts to leave, hoping that Faith will calm down when she's gone. Faith yells after her.
"That's right, run, you chicken-shit. Run. This aint over, B. I'm gonna so get you for this. I'm gonna make you sorry you were ever born, bitch! RUN. CUZ WHEN I GET OUTTA HERE, YOU'RE DEAD. HEAR ME? DEAD!!!"
Buffy, hurting from Faith's punches and her breaking heart, leaves.
Buffy wandered the downtown streets aimlessly.
She didn't really care where she wound up. She just needed to walk. To try to think. To figure what she was going to do next.
"That went… well" Buffy said, reproaching herself." You handled that so good, Buffy. Maybe you should consider a second career as a counselor." Buffy laughs at herself." Yeah, you'd set the record for most suicides in a caseload. Damn. Well, what did ya expect, anyway? Hugs and kisses? She's totally pissed at you. That really surprises you? You stole three years of her life. How you gonna give that back to her, huh? How ya gonna make that right by her?"
Buffy walks along, dejected. She feels the tears stinging her eyes.
"Stop it, Buffy. Just stop it. You don't have a right to feel sorry for yourself. How the hell did you think she'd act? How'd you act if you found out that you'd been in a coma for 3 year, and the person to tell you was the one who put you there? Hell, break their neck, right? So, what? You were expecting like she say ' Oh, Buffy, that's ok. Sure you stabbed me, trying to kill me so you could feed me to your boyfriend. Hey, at least that didn't happen, right? And hey, so I was in a coma for 3 years. Big deal. Who needed a life, anyway. Lets be friends, whatta ya say?". Newsflash: You're an idiot, Buffy! She's got every right to be mad at you, don't ya think? So what're you gonna do, Buffy?"
" Maybe it's time to just get outta Dodge. What am I doin' here, anyway? Right, I'm the slayer. Well, we know how well that gig's worked out for ya. Protect the innocent. Where? Where's the innocent, huh? Blind fools. They don't see cuz they don't wanna see. How do ya think the Mayor got to be as powerful as he was? Cuz no one had the guts to do squat about it. So I do my job, save the innocent, save the world, and gee…do I get a parade? A card? A fucking thanks? Hell, no. I get a prison sentence. Yeah, that so makes me wanna stick around."
"Friends? Well, there's Will. I hate to leave Will. But, she's got somebody. She'll be ok. Anyway, I bet once she's outta UC Sunnydale, she'll be outta this one Starbucks town as fast as she can drive. Who the hell wanna stay here, anyway? Maybe we can hook up later, when she's settled in her new life or somethin'" Buffy knows that's not likely. " Giles…what about Giles?" Buffy hesitates. There's a tough one. Giles has been there for her all along. Even when it must've been painful to see her, he stuck by her, best he could. " You just gonna walk out on Giles, huh? After all he's done for you? Kinda cold, don't ya think? But he's got his own life, right? The Magic Box, and all? And, maybe if he doesn't have to get my ass outta the fire all the time, he can like hook up with someone. Like that Olivia he 'visited' with( you mean had sex with, don't ya? Come on, do I really HAVE to think about that one? Ewwww!). Or somebody else. Probably be glad to be rid of me. Anyway, there's Faith, right? I mean, she's gonna need guidance, if she's gonna be the slayer( If she recovers). Giles would be perfect. Yeah, I'll talk to him before I motor outta here.( Right. Tell yourself those lies, Buffy. You know it's not gonna be the same for him. Just turn your back on him. Quit lying, ok? At least to yourself). Look, he's a grown up. An adult. He'll deal. (selfish much, Buffy?) Fuck you, shut up!(Fine).Look. I love him. He's been…more than my watcher. He's been like a dad to me… a lot more than my own dad ever was. But I can't build a life here, anymore. My friends don't need me. Willow, Giles…Xander…fuck Xander, that son of a …."
At that moment, she runs into someone. Brilliant, Buffy, don't watch where you're going!
"Hey, sorry…didn't see ya…" Buffy says, looking up. Her face darkens. Xander. Xander Harris.
"That's ok, no big. Not damaged" Xander says, not seeing right away who it is . He starts to bend over to pick up his bag and looks up, smiling" Lost in your… Buff? Buffy?" His eyes go wide. He sees her expression, and his smile fades a little.
"Yeah, so?" Buffy says, voice cold.
"Hey, how ya been?" Xander asks, recovering. He stands up, puts his hands on Buffy's shoulders. She shrugs them off.
"What do you care?" Buffy says, the coldness in her voice forming icicles.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asks, confused…getting a little upset. What's her deal?
"What's that supposed to mean?" Buffy mocks him." You're such a hypocrite, Xander. I spend 30 months in prison. Do I hear from you one time? Hell, no. And when I try to call, your 'wife'… you know, the 1000 year old ex-vengeance demon. The one who's stooped to doing just about every crime imaginable? Tells me in no uncertain words that my calls aren't welcome there. God, like she's some innocent. Just, get away from me, ok?" She turns, and starts to walk away.
"Buff… Buffy…Wait….please, wait!' Xander calls out. He runs to catch up with her. " Buffy, please! Let me explain, ok?"
Buffy stops. I should just blow off this prick. I should just walk away. Yeah, but I'm not gonna, am I? Idiot. I'm a fucking idiot!
" Alright, Xander. You got one minute. Make it good" Buffy says, her voice hard.
" Look , Buff. I didn't even know about the call. I only learned recently, like after you were out" Xander gets it out as fast as he can." I gave Anya hell for that. I'm sorry. I never woulda done that, don't ya know?"
"5 seconds to spare, impressive" Buffy says, her tone sarcastic." Thing that pisses me off, Xander? You didn't even make an effort. Not once did you come to say "Hi" or "Bye" or even " Fuck you". Not one time. I probably woulda told you to not bother coming again. I was in a bad place, real bad place, and couldn't take the emotions I got from my friends. But at least you coulda tried, right? Not even one letter, Xander. How hard woulda that been?" Buffy's trying to keep her cool, but It's not easy.
"Buff. Anya…well, Anya's really jealous of …well…my relationship with you. She gets weird every time I mention your name. She knows I had a major crush on you. And she thinks I'll get all stupid over you now. She's totally jealous of you!"
"So, what you're telling me Xander is that you gotta have Anya's permission as to who your friends are? What about Will? I mean, you kinda had a half affair with her in high school. Is she allowed to be your friend? " Buffy says, irritated." I guess Cordy Chase is totally out, cuz you actually dated her. Hell, Xander, nothing ever happened between us. I told you real early on, that I just didn't feel that way about you. So, how come I'm the one who gets the boot?"
"Hey, chill, Buffy. Anya has her faults, granted. But she's a good wife to me" Xander says, defensively." She tries to protect me, sometimes too much , I admit. But she tries. Give her a break!"
" Like you gave Angel a break?" Buffy says, quietly.
Xander doesn't say anything.
"What? Cat got your tongue, Xander? I remember too well how you liked to point out Angels faults every chance you got. You were totally jealous of him, Xander. When he went bad, you were oh so ready to stake him. Funny how you overlook Anya's record, don't ya think?" Buffy says, her voice rising in anger." You used every chance you could to rag on Angel, make him the villain for everything. He did awful stuff, I'm not trying to defend him What I'm saying is, the shoes on the other foot now. You're wife is an ex-vengeance demon. She lived 1000 years sewing death and destruction. Hell of a lot longer than Angel. Yet, she has the fucking NERVE to rag on me, cause I'm in prison on a trumped up charge. Remember that, Xander? I acted in self defense, or did that slip your mind? Guess it did" Buffy is on a tear, now." I find that just a little hypocritical of her to act like I'm some scum, when she spent a thousand years murdering and torturing people. I guess we're just supposed to overlook that, though, huh? I mean, she's a good guy now, right?" Buffy mocks him.
"What can I say, Buffy?" Xander says." I'm sorry, ok?"
"No, not ok, Xander." Buffy retorts." Not even close. What happened to you? I know that prison changed me. You spend a couple years behind bars, see if you're not seeing things different. But, I'm not scum, Xander Harris. And I don't like being treated like scum. Got it? And you're …wife" Buffy says, wanting to say something else, " has no room to be judging others. She's got a hell of a lot to answer for. But that's not the point. The point is, you've changed. You used to stand by your friends. Sure, you'd give your opinion… sometimes I so didn't want to hear it. But I listened. Cuz I respected you. When the crunch came, I could count on you. Now? Don't know, Xander. Be an adult, Xander. Choose your friends. Don't let your mommy, or your wife, or anyone else choose them for you."
" Buffy, it's not that easy" Xander says." Sometimes, you gotta make choices".
" Guess you made yours then. Bye, Xander. Have a good life" Buffy turns and starts to walk away. Xander stops her.
"That's it? You're just gonna leave?" Xander says, upset.
" You don't get it, do you? I never left you, Xander. You left me. Take care of yourself." Buffy turns and walks away, leaving a puzzled and upset Xander behind.
As she's walking away, it hits her.
Pretty words, Buffy. But weren't you just about to do the same thing? Leave Faith behind. Just because it got rough? Yeah, she's totally pissed at you. And yeah, she's got reason. But just abandoning her when she's needing someone? Kinda shallow, don't ya think, babe? You say you love her. Well, then you love her, if it's good, or bad. Take the abuse. Take what's coming to you. Be her friend. Even if she never returns your feeling, do the right goddamn thing by her. Stick by her. You know she's gonna need somebody to do that. That's your job now.
Buffy stops, and looks around, determining where she's at. She changes direction, heading back towards the hospital.
Her face shows a new resolve.
Buffy is walking down the hall past the nurses' station when she's stopped.
"Hey…hey! Where do you think you're going?" the nurse, a rather large woman says. She steps out from behind the desk, blocking Buffy's way.
"Going to see my friend" Buffy says casually, stopping.
" Don't think so. I just got her calmed down. Not going to go through that again" The nurse says, crossing her arms." You're not allowed to see her!"
"Really? Who says?" Buffy asks, quietly.
" I do. Now, turn around and leave, or I'm calling security" The nurse says, trying to intimidate the smaller woman. Can you say, bad choice?
Buffy smiles a tight, hard little smile." You know, I just spent the last 2 ½ years in prison. I had women a lot bigger than you try to tell me what to do." Buffy grabs the nurse by her blouse, and lifts her off the ground." Now, do you really think I'm gonna be listening to you?" Buffy glares at her.
The nurse is shocked. She struggles to break free, but it's kind of hopeless. Her eyes go wide, and her face goes white.
"Now, here's how were gonna play it" Buffy says, carrying the nurse back behind her desk. While still lifting her, she take the phone in her other hand, and crushes the receiver." I'm gonna put you down. You're gonna sit here, and do your job. Oh, and if you call security" She says to the nurse, who's still being held up off the ground." Well, you've seen what I can do to you. Think a couple of them is gonna give me any problems?" The nurse shakes her head. "Good answer. Now, we clear? All understood?" The nurse nods. "Glad to hear it." Buffy puts her down. " I'd hate for us to have any misunderstandings."
Buffy walks around the desk, and starts down the hall. The nurse looks at the phone. She gets a queasy feeling in her stomach. She decides that she doesn't get paid nearly enough to do this job. She sits at her station quietly.
Faith is sitting up in her bed, reading a magazine. She's got a big grin on her face.
She's feeling pretty damned good right now. She hates to admit it, but that little tussle she had with B. really made Faith feel a whole lot better. Got her blood pumping, her anger up." Yeah, baby. Giving B crap is a whole lotta fun. Especially when she just sits there and takes it. Man, I love yankin her chain. She's so easy, sometimes." Faith chuckles to herself. " Ok, I admit I was pretty scared about the walkin' bit. But the doctor came in, and told me pretty much what B told me. Some therapy, bam, good as new. 5 x 5. Then I'm gonna get outta this bed, and kick Blondie's cute lil ass. Teach Ms. Goody- Goody who's the baddest slayer in this burg. Then maybe me and her can get down to some real fun. Pull that stick she's got stuck up her butt, and maybe she can actually be some fun to party with, ya know?
Ok, so things didn't quite turn out the way I wanted them to. So what? If life gives ya lemons, reach for the tequila babe. Just cuz things went a bit sour, doesn't mean that there aint fun to be had in this burg. If B wants to play along, great. If not, fuck her. Hmmmm… that could be fun, too. Bet if I could find the way to uncork her, she'd be a hot lil dynamo in the sack. Gotta bend that wire first though…she seems pretty straight arrow to me. But, hey…wouldn't be the first time, ya know?" Faith smirks to herself.
She hears a someone walk into the room, and looks up. Buffy is standing at the end of her bed.
"Sweet" Faith thinks to herself.
"Well, well, look what the cat spit up" Faith says aloud." What, back to give me more crap, B?"
"Nope" Buffy says, quietly. " Came back to apologize"
"Oh, really?" Faith says, sarcastically. "Well, Blondie, go ahead. I'm all ears"
Buffy gives Faith an appraising look, thinking ' I'd have to disagree with that'. Faith sees the look, and is a bit taken aback. 'Did I just see B check me out? Nawww… couldn't be.'
"Look, Faith. We got off on the wrong foot from day one. I .. I treated you like crap. I'll admit it, I was jealous of you. You were like movin' in, my friends all took to you like fish to water, and I was going through a lotta stuff. Ok ,that's a crappy excuse. How about, I had a big fat stick rammed up my butt? I was like Ms. Goody- Goody, treating you like crap. Yeah, that's better. You deserved better. I didn't give you a fair chance, and I'm sorry. Really sorry. And I'm really sorry I …fuck, sorry I stabbed you. But it was kill or be killed…fortunately, neither of us died. But if you won, I'd probably be pushing up daisies. Aw, crap, I'm messin this up bad. I don't know how to say I'm sorry about a lotta things, Faith. But I'm sorry. I know it means like nothin, but I'm hopin' we can get past this… probably not, though. But just want to let ya know I want to try to make it right." Buffy gets it all out in one breath. She breathes in, and continues." Well, that kinda was sucky, huh?"
Faith is looking at Buffy like she grew a second head. Her mind goes " Huh?" but she quickly recovers.
"So, you think that's gonna make it all better? I mean, you stabbed me, put me in a coma, and took 3 years of my life. Sorry just aint gonna do it, B." Faith says.
"Yeah, I know that, Faith. But I want to make it right" Buffy replies.
" Only way it's gonna be 'right', B., is when I get outta this bed and kick your sorry ass" Faith says, smirking.
" Yeah? You and whose army, Faith?" Buffy replies. " On your best day, you couldn't take me. Whatta ya think's changed?"
'Well, well. B's grown a backbone. How cute' Faith thinks to herself.
"Wow, aren't we the tough lil slayer. When did ya grow a pair, B?" Faith mocks her.
" Oh, I dunno, "F", " Buffy replies." Prison has a way of changin' the way you look at things"
Faith's jaw drops. What the fuck?
"Prison? What're you talkin about, B?" Faith says, genuinely surprised.
"Prison. You know. Big place, stone walls, bars. Where they keep bad people" Buffy says, mocking Faith.
"Yeah, ok, Ms. Smartass. I know what a prison is. What're you talking about?" Faith retorts.
" I spent 2 ½ years in prison, Faith. While you were sleeping" Buffy says.
"Yean, good one , B. Like their gonna throw the cheerleader in prison. For what? Reckless mall shopping?" Faith smirks.
" No, Faith. For assault with a deadly weapon." Buffy retorts." On you"
Faith is now totally thrown for a loop. This was somethin' she didn't expect. Buffy? In prison? What, did the earth start turning the other way while she was sleeping?
"C'mon, B., Quit tryin to yank my chain. Who's gonna put like…the hero in prison?" Faith asks." I mean, you're Ms. Girl Scout. Who'd believe you'd do anything wrong?"
" Ummm…dunno, but 12 jurors did. They sent me away" Buffy replied, quietly." Seems Dick" Buffy deliberately shoves that little knife in," your ex-boss? Well, he set up some doctored evidence which made it look like I came after you cuz I was all jealous that you took Angel from me" Buffy grins, but it's not a pleasant grin." What a hoot. Anyway, seems even after his death, he still had his buds on City council, and they pushed the prosecution. So, yours truly was tried and convicted, and got 2 years in prison. The added time was for fights I had in prison."
"Holy shit, B" Faith says, almost whispering." I didn't have a clue. Didn't know nothin' about that".
"Yeah, I didn't figure. I figure he set it up after our little fight. His way of getting back at me for hurting you" Buffy said, softly. "Sneaky isn't your style".
"B., honest" Faith says." I'd never want that. Kick your ass, yeah. Beat you to a pulp, sure. But send you to prison for sticking me? No way, girl"
"I know, Faith" Buffy says.
Faith sits silent for awhile, thinking. All that runs through her head is " It's not fair, It's not fair" Finally, she speaks up.
"B?" She says quietly." I'm sorry too"
"For what, Faith? You didn't do anythin" Buffy says.
"Yeah, I did. I didn't give you much of a chance, either. I was…jealous. You had it all. Friends, a home, family. You belonged. And that's what I wanted. And it pissed me off, cuz it was like it was handed to you on a platter, you didn't have to work for it. I didn't realize that you had to work harder than I could imagine for it. I know you tried to reach out. Tried to help me, especially after what happened to the Mayor's assistant. But, I rejected you. I thought you were judging me, looking down on me. I didn't get you wanted to help me. So, I fucked up, too. Really fucked up." She stops. She's trying to bring her emotions back under control." Look, B. I never wanted, not in my most darkest thoughts, I never wanted you to go to prison. I've been in jail a few times for things, and I near went nuts. How'd you stand it?" Faith asks.
" I managed" Buffy said. She didn't want to tell Faith that it was thinking maybe somehow they could…forget that one, Buffy. Not gonna happen.
" Faith, look" Buffy continues." I don't know if we can be friends. We might be just too different. Though, I gotta admit, prison changed the way I look at things. But never mind that. What it is , do you think at least, we can stop being mad at each other?"
" Yeah, ok" Faith replies, quietly." But I'm still gonna kick your ass" She adds.
"Dream on, girl. You aint got a chance" Buffy retorts.
"So, now what, B?" Faith asks.
Why do they always ask that?
Three men enter the room. Unless you're blind, you can tell right away they're cops. One approaches the bed.
"Faith DeMarco?" He asks.
" Just Faith…don't use the last name" Faith replies. She's getting a sinking feeling
" I'm placing you under arrest for conspiracy, grand theft and extortion. You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you at no cost. Do you understand these rights as they've been read to you?" The officer continues.
"What's this about?" Buffy asks, her voice quiet and low.
"Who're you?" The officer rejoins.
" A friend. What's this about?" Buffy insists.
" Your friend is being charged with conspiring with the former Mayor, one Richard Wilkins III, to extort money from local businesses for consideration of top city contracts." The cop replies "We're taking her into custody"
"Nawww, don't think so" Buffy replies.
" 'Fraid so, little lady" The cop says. He starts to move towards the bed.
"You really don't want to do that" Buffy says. She moves to stand between him and the bed.
"Miss, you're really going to have to get out of the way. You're interfering with a police investigation. Now move!" The cop says, his voice threatening.
Buffy stands, biting her lip. A tight little smile crosses her lips. The police don't have a clue as to what that means. But Faith does. She knows exactly what that means.
" You're gonna make me?" Buffy says, standing pat. She's so not going anywhere.
"Move now, miss. Or I'll have to arrest you, also" The cop threatens. He starts to move on Buffy. She just smiles at him. The smile that tends to chill hearts.
"EEHHHHH. Wrong answer" Buffy says. The cop reaches for her, and the next thing he knows, a rock hard fist hits him in the solar plexus, winding him. After that, Buffy's knee connects with his groin. He goes down, the only thought in his mind being "Mommy". He loses consciousness.
The other two cops approach, but the slayer is ready for them. Picking up the now out-of-it policeman, she tosses him at the other two cops, knocking them over. She's on them like white on rice, punching them til all three are unconscious.
Faith is watching this from her bed. In her head, she's rooting for Buffy. " Hit 'em B. That's it. You go Girl!". She loves to watch B work. She'd never admit it to anyone, especially Blondie, but she admires Buffy's style.
On the other hand, she's kind of weirded out by what she's seeing. Buffy… attacking cops? Like, this is so NOT Buffy! Matter of fact, this is SO Faith. And that's totally giving her the wiggins. Buffy is out- psycho-bitching her… something's changed. Totally changed. Faith isn't sure if she likes it…or if it scares her. She watches her sister slayer warily as she trusses up the cops.
Buffy strips the cops down to their underwear. She then binds them hand and foot, hog-tying each of them. She hauls each of them into the bathroom, using their cuffs to cuff them the towel bar, shower curtain and toilet. She then walks out, closing the door and jamming a chair against the lock, effectively imprisoning them inside. She proceeds to search through the cops clothing, lifting their wallets, and appropriating any cash she can find. She then bundles their clothes, along with their gear, and puts it in the hamper marked "medical waste only!". She counts the cash she 'borrowed', and frowns a little.
"God, they underpay the cops in this town." She grumbles. " Oh well, every bit helps." She stuffs the cash in her pocket, and turns to Faith." So, Faith, how ya feelin' ?" She asks.
Faith is looking at Buffy like… well, like she's never seen Buffy before. Who IS this? This isn't Buffy. It's her evil twin sister, or something. Not that she's not liking it.
"I feelin' fine, B. Except for the legs." Faith replies.
" So, ya wanna get outta here?" Buffy asks, grinning." Or maybe ya want to wait for their little friends to show up?"
"You gotta ask?" Faith says, liking where this is going…maybe." But how? I'm not exactly gonna be doin' any marathons anytime soon" Faith looks at her weakened legs and frowns.
" Let me see what I can do about that, 'K?" Buffy says. She leaves the room for awhile.
While Buffy is gone, Faith is doing some fast thinking. She's wondering if she likes the "New" Buffy. She never thought she'd say this, but she kinda misses the "Old" Buffy. That Buffy, at least, she could figure. This one… Well… She's tough, she's hard as nails… and a little scary? What the hell happed to her to make her so…different? She's gonna have to be on her guard, all the time. No telling what "New" Buffy is capable of.
Buffy enters the room, pushing a Wheelchair.
"You're limousine has arrived, Ma'am" Buffy says, doing her best fake British accent. She grins." Ready to go?" She adds in her own voice.
" You bet, B" Faith says, enthusiastically. Maybe a little TOO enthusiastically? " Let's motor!"
Buffy lifts Faith off the bed. Faith puts her arms around B's neck, and …Buffy almost loses it, having her so close. She is sooo tempted to lean in and kiss her… but she holds back. She doesn't want to fuck things up now. And, there's no time now, anyway. No telling when more of Sunnydale's Finest will show up. She carries Faith over to the wheelchair, and gently puts her in the chair. She grabs a blanket to cover her legs, and they exit the room, not looking back.
As Buffy wheels Faith down the hall, they pass the nurses' station. The same nurse from before is there, taking a keen interest in what they're doing. She looks like she's going to call someone. Buffy just clears her throat, gives her a hard look. The nurse blanches, and suddenly finds something of urgent importance to do on her desk. Buffy just grins to herself.
" So, ummm.. B, what're we gonna do now?" Faith asks, a little worried.
" Dunno, Faith. Didn't have like a lot of time to figure this out. Things kinda happened fast, ya know?" Buffy replied.
" No shit. What's the deal, anyway? I'm getting the feeling someone in this burg doesn't like slayers much" Faith replies.
" Ya think? Kinda coincidental, all of this, huh?" Buffy says, her tone a bit sarcastic. "Somethin' weird is goin on here. But right now, you and me, I figure we gotta get our asses outta Sunnydale, quick"
"Yeah…I gotta agree. But how? Not like we got wheels or nothin' " Faith says.
" I think I can figure somethin' out about that. But I gotta stop back at my place before we split. I got some money I been savin' there, and I gotta get a few things. You cool with that?" Buffy asks.
"No prob, B. Just how we gonna get there?" Faith is starting to get concerned, they could get popped at any time.
" Let me handle that" Buffy says, a small grin on her lips. Faith wonders what she's thinking.
She doesn't have to wonder too long. Buffy wheels her out the front door of Sunnydale Convalescent, then starts scanning the parking lot.
"Wait here. I'll be right back" Buffy says, starting towards the parking lot.
"Not goin' anywhere, B." Faith replies, watching Buffy disappear into the rows of parked cars. What the hell is she up to? A few minutes later, she finds out. She hears an engine start up, and a black SUV pulls up in front of her, Buffy at the wheel.
" So, you like?" Buffy says, grinning. She hops out of the driver's door.
" Yeah, cool. Where'd you get this?" Faith asks. I thought she said she was broke.
" Ummm.. really want to know, Faith?" Buffy asks, a little embarrassed. " Lets just say I'm borrowing it …for awhile".
Oh, fuck…
" B? You stole it? What the hell?" Faith is more than a little shocked." Where'd you learn to do that?"
" Friend of mine in prison taught me. She was real good at it" Buffy says. Thanks, Glennie.
" Yeah. So good, she got busted" Faith says, doubtfully.
" Nawww. She got popped on possession. They never caught her stealing cars. She was pretty smart about it." Buffy responds.
" Ummm.. this car'll be hot in a couple of hours, B. How we gonna avoid getting busted." Faith asks.
" Don't sweat it. I switched the plates with another car. They'll be looking for another SUV" Buffy says, smiling." C'mon, lets go".
Buffy goes over, and lifts Faith out of the wheelchair. She carries her over to the passenger side, and puts her in the seat. She buckles her in( and again, almost loses it stretching across Faith to buckle the belt. It's gonna be so hard to keep my hands to myself, she thinks. Damn). She jogs back, gets the wheelchair, tosses it in the back, and jumps in the driver's seat. She roars out of the parking lot.
Buffy rolls down her window, and cranks up the tunes. Faith follows suit, rolling down her window and letting the evening breeze run through her hair. She looks over at Buffy, and sees the determined look on her face. 'She looks so… hard' Faith thinks to herself. Despite herself, she's becoming a little concerned about and for Buffy. 'This isn't her. Not by a long shot. Something's eating her. God, I hope that it doesn't destroy her' Faith thinks, then wonders why she thought that.
She has to admit, some of the "New" Buffy is attractive. Very attractive. She really likes how Buffy doesn't seem to overanalyze things anymore. She seems to be very… decisive these days. And that's very, very sexy. Huh? Lets not even go there, Faith. Not 'til we're sure she's not gonna go nuts on us.
Faith leans back, letting Buffy drive them into the night. She wonders if she's gonna like where they end up?
She hopes so
God, she hopes so.
~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~&~~
To Be continued.