Warning: Lots of character angst, implied death. Just so you know. Don't hurt me. Keep reviewing. Thanks.
Chapter Eleven -- Hey, No Touching
Hands, warm hands on his torso, warm breath on his neck. Dawn better not have climbed into bed with him again. Connor was already giving him dirty looks. Not sure why the boy cared, but he did.
His side still hurt, but not as badly. It was down to a dull throb. His head still swam, although it was bearable. Didn't understand why it hurt though. He didn't remember hitting it other than the incredible pain when he hit the ground with the enormous demon on top.
The woman who had draped herself over him moved her hand down slightly. Although the sun was going down and the air cooling off, his body was on fire.
That was Faith's hand on his lower torso, Faith's body wrapped around his and Faith's lips not a mere inch from his ear. She sighed in her sleep and snuggled closer. Then her hand accidentally bumped his stab wound, making him cry out.
"Sorry," she whispered in his ear. His whole body shivered. He definitely hadn't been touched like this in quite a long time.
Wesley opened his eyes to look around the room. The mattress sat on the floor. There was no other piece of furniture. Not even a light. Not that it would do them any good without any electricity.
"It's getting chilly. Let me find something to cover you up."
As soon as Faith moved, it did indeed get colder. The woman sure did generate a lot of heat. She found an old, thin blanket in the closet and placed it over him. Rubbing her arms, she sat down beside him.
"Get under. It's getting cold," he told her gruffly.
"Sure." She shook her head at him and climbed in.
But now she avoided touching him at all. He grunted as he turned his body to look at her. She shifted her body to do the same.
"We're a pair."
"Yeah. A pair of idiots. But what's new. Hurting?"
"Some. I can handle it though."
"Always could, watcher."
"Why are you here?"
"Rescue mission."
"Buffy?"
"Yep."
"Couldn't tell you where she is at the moment. I tried a locator spell that got me nowhere. Although I do believe she's still alive."
"Could have just said, 'can't find her, not dead'."
"I knew just how much it would piss you off."
Faith chuckled. Wesley chuckled. He winced in pain.
"No laughing Wes. Might hurt yourself. By the way, nice flying leap. Didn't know you had it in you."
"Neither did I."
Even in the dim light, he could see the sparkle in her eyes. The slayer healing must have kicked in already. Her head wound was already closing up, knitting together the skin. A big scar wouldn't mar her beautiful skin.
"Wanna tell me what you're doing out here in the middle of nowhere with the two brats."
Wesley closed his eyes and sighed. He knew she'd ask.
"Hope you didn't kidnap the kid again, because he could take you, you know."
He had tried to keep a more neutral face, but lost that battle.
"What happened?" Faith asked, her voice thick with emotion.
"I, we lost Faith."
"What do you mean you lost? The battle? Because the war is still going on, bucko. And I don't intend on losing any time soon."
Yay Faith, he thought, don't give up. Since I already have.
"They didn't make it."
"No," Faith swallowed, trying to hold back the tears.
"I saw. I was there."
"They can't be. Angel always comes out on top. Gunn's a fighter. He's strong. The cheerleader. She'd annoy anyone to death. Hell, even Twiggy survived in a hell dimension for five years."
Wesley raised his hand to her cheek. She turned her head into it, seeking comfort he didn't know how to give.
"I'm so sorry, Wes."
She moved into him as he wrapped her in an embrace. He felt a tear escape from her eyes, then two. Wesley hadn't really grieved, unless he counted the vomiting a couple of days ago. Never had time. He was always fighting for his life.
Crying was a sign of weakness, his father had always drilled into him. So he only cried when no one else could see him. He had a feeling Faith had been told the same thing, although no one told Faith what to do.
"You hold me any tighter, I won't be able to breath," Faith told him against his chest.
He pulled her back to look into her eyes again.
"I failed."
"Don't you dare say that this is all your fault? Or I'm going to kick your English ass right here."
"They're all gone."
"Not your fault. Now do something. Get angry, cry, punch something. Don't hold it in. It'll eat you up inside. Look at me. I'm the master. So I know what I'm talking about."
Faith chuckled through her tears. If she knew what tenuous hold he had on his control, she might back away from him and run.
"I can't," he whispered back.
"I'm here. You can whale on me all you want."
Faith sacrificing herself for him? He would never just hit her to sooth his anger. He'd put Lilah through too much of that. Learned his lesson the hard way. Using her was not an option. He cared for her too much to do that.
So when she touched his lips with her finger, he didn't try to stop her at first. It was only when she joined her mouth with his, that his brain said stop. His lips and tongue didn't listen right away because Faith had such a talented mouth, but they finally caught up and he pulled away.
"We should get some rest." Placing a kiss on her forehead, he gathered her close and closed his eyes.
TBC