Author's Note: Sorry for the huge delay between chapters lately, I've been preoccupied… yea Adam, that means you!! lol ;) Anyway, here's a short chapter to tide everyone over until I have time to sit down and write some more. Hope you like it, and keep the reviews coming!
Chapter 14: Bring It On, Part 1
When Faith's tears finally stop, Ms. Nelson approaches her with a cup of hot tea. Silently, Faith takes the drink and holds it in her hands. She has told Ms. Nelson everything, and is embarrassed to look her in the face.
"Faith," Ms. Nelson says quietly, "none of that was your fault." Faith shakes her head and wipes her sleeve across her face to dry her tear-stained cheeks. "You couldn't have known."
"I should have known…" Faith begins to cry again. She brings her legs closer and leans her head on her knees, quietly rocking back and forth.
It has been at least an hour since Faith arrived at the apartment, hysterically upset. Ms. Nelson has done her best to comfort her, but has not had much experience and does not know what she should do. Her heart reaches out to the poor girl in front of her.
"There's another thing I don't understand, though." Faith finally looks up at her. "The drugs, whatever he put in my drink… why didn't they work on me?"
Ms. Nelson can't help but smile, despite herself. "Slayer benefits." She answers simply, "Your strength is enhanced, your healing abilities are enhanced… all part of the slayer package. The pain, it was the chemicals reacting badly with your blood. It did something to your body, for a little while. Do you understand?"
"Yea, I got it."
A few more minutes go by before Ms. Nelson speaks again.
"I'm afraid I have some more bad news." She sighs, "This afternoon I received a call from a Watcher stationed in Missouri. A vampire has been… oh, how did he put it? 'Snacking on the locals' is what I think he said. I have plane tickets for tomorrow morning for Missouri. We'll go, you'll slay, and we'll be back in a few days. How does that sound?"
"Do I really have a choice?" Faith asks sadly.
Ms. Nelson frowns. "No, you don't actually. And I know you haven't had any fieldwork, I was hoping to do that tonight. Despite that, I think you'll be ready. I have confidence in you."
"At least one of us does." Faith replies under her breath.
Ms. Nelson stands, "I know you've had an awful night, but do you think you are up to it?" Faith doesn't respond. "It might even be therapeutic for you to expend some energy…"
The corner of Faith's mouth rises in a small smile. "Yea, I guess so." Slowly, she rises from the couch and drops the blanket that had been draped around her to the floor. Her arms stretch upward, cramped from her previous position. She rolls her shoulders, kicks out her legs and moves her head from side to side, warming up her muscles. "Where are we headed?" she asks finally.
Ms. Nelson digs through the weapons chest, pulling out a crossbow and bolts. She picks up a few stakes and tosses them to Faith. "Hillman Burying Ground. I read in the obituaries this morning that a young girl was murdered. Severe neck wounds, most likely a vampire attack. Her grave is on the east end of the cemetery, the name is… Stefanie Nester."
Still on her knees, she moves awkwardly to the coffee table where a folded newspaper sits. She picks it up and Faith sees she has circled something with red marker. "Yes, Stefanie Nester." She closed the weapons bag and stands. "Ready?"
Faith nods, her eyes shining with uncertainty, "As ready as I'll ever be."