Chapter 1
Two of a Kind
April 29th, 2002
"You're still telegraphing your left, Bitlet," Spike called over to Faith as he watched his daughter take on two rather ugly vampires. She threw the smallest one into a tree near him before turning her attention back to the larger one.
"Am…" she threw a left at it, ready to shoot a funky retort to Spike when the vamp blocked it and delivered an uppercut to her exposed chin, sending her spiraling to the ground.
"…Not," she finished lamely while shaking the cobwebs from her mind. She barely had time to wipe the blood from her lips before the biggest vampire pounced on her.
"Can't be a gentleman and help a girl up, huh?" She quipped while holding the snarling vampire at bay. Though she was stronger, she had yet to recover fully from the fight at the Bronze a month ago. She was still leery about her once shredded leg and, without it, couldn't get the leverage to hurl the vampire off.
Spike watched with an arched eyebrow at Faith's obvious struggle with the burly vampire. He saw out the corner of his eye as the second one finally rose and focused in on Faith. Before it had the chance to pounce, Spike intercepted the fledgling by the throat and slammed it into the same tree Faith had just thrown it into. Seeing that this particular threat was thoroughly neutralized, Spike turned his attention back to Faith
"You know," she said lightheartedly to the vampire above her, "this just isn't working out. I mean," head butt, "I know you're really trying and all," right cross, "but I really do have other things," left hook "to do." The last punch knocked the vampire off of her and Faith shot to her feet, not giving the vamp time to breath before its eyes widened in surprise and pain as the tip of the stake pierced its heart, quickly followed by the swoosh of another dusted vampire.
"Bout time, 'let," Spike drawled, clearly annoyed. "What were you waitin' for? A bleedin' invitation by way of a bite on the neck?"
"I had it under control," Faith responded, brushing the dust off the sleeves of her leather duster.
"Yeah, that's why it took you five minutes to dust a soddin' minion," he retorted sarcastically.
Faith ran a hand through her lengthening golden locks and simultaneously rolled her emerald cerulean eyes. "Daddy," she sighed in exasperation, "he's dust, I'm alive. Happy endings all around. And it didn't take five minutes," she muttered the last part under her breath.
"Like 'ell, Bitlet. There is no reason that you need more than five moves to stake that sorry mistake for the undead. 'Specially when there's another one just waitin' to snack on the tasty morsel of a slayer." He jerked his head towards the now struggling vampire caught in his iron grip.
Faith smiled patronizingly before responding. "I knew you had him." And with that she turned to walk away.
Spike was incensed. How many times had he wanted nothing more than to strangle this girl while on patrol in the last week? She had been so attentive to his instruction the week before when they sparred but now that she was out in the field, her head had grown quite large. The British vampire didn't know what it was, but his little girl had a way with infuriating him to no end with her brash cockiness and stubborn attitude. It reminded him of a certain slayer that…
Without thinking, Spike released his hold on the vamp and its eyes traveled between the infuriated vamp and the woman with her back turned. It took two tentative steps away from the tree before charging at the unsuspecting Faith.
Faith smiled, knowing that she had struck a nerve with her dad. She surmised that pushing Spike's buttons was ingrained into her DNA considering the ways Buffy had always sent him off the deep end. Of course, it worked both ways and Faith knew she had been lucky to get to him first, because he was definitely pushing her Anger-o-meter to the top with his overprotective ways. If it wasn't for…
Faith stopped in her tracks and delivered an elbow to the face of the vampire charging behind her. She then connected with a backhand before triggering the blade from the gauntlet on her right arm. Bringing it around in a wide arch, she sliced through the neck of the vampire, severing bone, tissue, cartilage and nerves. The vampire stood there in shock before its head slid off and its remains matriculated with the dirt lining the ground of the cemetery.
Satisfied, she peeked a glance at Spike, who was now fighting a smile before turning her head and flicking her hair back (though it wasn't quite long enough to have much an effect in the way of flair) before walking away. Two steps out and she tossed over her shoulder, "That was three moves. Good enough for you?" She almost wet her pants when she heard the frustrated growl of her father and the distinctive crash of another broken tombstone.
"He's gonna kill me," she said to herself before skipping the rest of the way through the cemetery.
*&*
The rest of patrol was relatively quiet between father and daughter. They had traversed three more cemeteries and, after nine dustings and three demon kills, called it a night as Spike didn't want Faith overdoing it her first week back out. Now, on their way back to 'Hotel Revello' as it was not affectionately known, both were lost in their own thoughts concerning the other.
Ever since the night at the Bronze, Spike was torn between absolute pride, utter frustration and spiraling despair. He and Faith had continued to bond, two of a kind in almost all things. They had trained and patrolled together, watched the telly and even hung out on top of his old crypt just talking. Spike watched his daughter with a critical eye, marveling the speed at which she polished her technique. Everything had been going rather smoothly up until the last week. Whereas Faith was usually attentive to his observations about her fighting style, now she would snap at him, always having something smart to say. It's not like she didn't huff at his teaching before but now—something was wrong that she wasn't telling.
Of course, it could be the fact that her Mum's in the hospital with no signs of waking that's got 'er on edge, he thought. There was no question in Spike's mind that the anxiety of Buffy's coma continued to wear on the gang with each passing day and Faith was no exception. To be honest, his mood hadn't been overlaid with rays of sunshine, either. Were it not for Faith and Dawn (and to a lesser extent, the Wiccans) Spike knew he would have careened into the depression he had felt thrice before: the first time was when he had to watch Dru and Angelus together while he was stuck in the wheelchair. Then there was when Dru left him for good and those first months after the chip was shoved into his brain. Buffy's death was not on that list; the emotions he felt then were beyond description and hopefully he'd never have to have a repeat visit of them.
Faith was still wrestling with the premonitions her dream had given. Though she had shared with them all what she saw coming about Gabriel, the one about Buffy's awakening she kept to herself. Giles wasn't sure whether or not Faith's dreams of Gabriel were real or a post-traumatic stress response of the situation involving Seth in her time. That had made Faith question her own belief that her mother would awaken within the next couple of weeks. No, she had decided that she would keep that to herself, not seeing the need to get everyone's hopes up only to be disappointed. So she had lived with the uncertainty gnawing at her insides and though she usually covered it well, her attitude during slaying had gotten progressively worse.
"Bitlet," Spike's voice snapped Faith out of her wandering thoughts.
"Yeah?"
" 'M sorry bout snappin' at you the past couple of days." Spike ducked his head and shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his duster.
"Daddy," Faith said and interlocked her arm around his.
"No, 've be actin' like a right git these past few days. Guess it's just comin' out more when we patrol for some reason."
"Pent up aggression?" He chuckled briefly before returning to the topic at hand.
"Truth is, I miss your Mum. Miss 'er so much." Faith ground her teeth to keep the sob that clawed at the back of her throat from making itself known.
"I know," she whispered. "I miss her too."
"I know she'll wake up but then again I don't know. Hell, just last year, I thought that I'd never see 'er again but out of nowhere, there she is, descending the steps like an angel. I don't know what is worse; that or watchin' 'er sleep forever."
"It won't last much longer," Faith said with conviction. Spike couldn't help but smile at his daughter's adamancy.
"You know, you and your Mum are so much alike with the stubbornness. Soon as you get somethin' in your bleedin' head, you'll stick to it, come hell or high water."
"Just like you, huh?"
"Not like me, Bitlet."
"Piffle," she said, waving her hand in front of them. "If you didn't stick to pursuing Mum when she was in her—and these are her words—'Buffy the bloody Bitch' mode, then this little miracle," she pointed to the top of her head, "would have never been."
Spike grinned, knowing exactly what Faith meant. All the times Buffy beat him down with words, he still remained constant in his love for her. Sometimes he had wondered if it was the pain, like she said in the abandoned building, that he was addicted to that kept him coming but now…now he knew it was just the pull of his unnatural love for his mortal enemy. It was a love that was more potent than a thousand suns to him that fueled him. And his gift—their gift—was the beautiful young woman draped on his arm this minute.
"Faith," Spike said, forcing his mind to the present and future.
"Yeah?"
"You know I love you."
"Yeah, Daddy, I do."
"And that I would do anything for you."
"Daddy, what are you getting at?"
"Well," he stopped and grabbed her shoulders firmly, giving her a somber look. "I don't know how to tell you this…"
"Just tell me," she demanded, stomping her foot.
He lowered his eyes and, for a second Faith was afraid that what he said would break her heart but when he stared back at her, he couldn't quite keep his smirk hidden.
"You're still telegraphin' your left."
"Daddy!" She roared and slapped him on the arm.
"And you are slightly off balance when you throw your left kicks."
"Argghhhh!" She growled and assaulted her father with light slaps on his chest and arms. When Spike turned to run, she pounced on his back, sending him to one knee. He struggled to get up while she playfully worried his right shoulder with her teeth. That only lasted for a minute before she spat out the taste caught in her mouth.
"Ewww. You really need to clean this thing," she said between hacks before wrapping her arms comfortably around his neck.
"I didn't get it for its tasty flavor, 'let."
"Well, still…"
"I don't suppose," Spike said after standing, "that I can persuade you to get the bloody hell off me, can I?"
"Nope," she said, popping the 'p'.
"Figured."
"Horsie Go," she whined and her heels dug into his upper thigh.
"Hey! Watch it."
"Sowwie."
"Yeah," he harrumphed before starting up the trek towards home. "Don't think your Mum'd 'preciate you neutering her stallion."
"Oh God," she huffed and Spike could hear her eyes roll. "As if catchin' you guys in the bathroom when I was five wasn't traumatizing enough."
"You what?"
"You heard me. Yep, my mind shut down. Couldn't speak for weeks. Guess that's what happens when you see your parents goin' at it up against the bathroom wall." She could almost feel the vampire's embarrassment even though he had not had that experience yet.
"Relax, Daddy, I'm kiddin'."
"You were?"
"At least about the not being able to speak part. Actually, you guys couldn't shut me up about it for weeks. I think I told everybody. Auntie Dawn and Aunties Tara and Willow. My kindergarten teacher…"
"So much better," he drawled sarcastically before breaking out into a light jog.
"Yay," Faith exclaimed. "Horsie Go!"
"Just don't expect me to do any bleedin' horse sounds." But Faith didn't hear him as she was absorbed by the exhilaration and comfort it all was. And, for the first time since Tara came out of her coma, Faith Joyce Summers was content.
*&*
"Down you go, luv," Spike told Faith as he stepped onto the porch.
"Do I have to?" She whined before setting her feet down. Spike smiled at her childish pout, reminding him even more of the woman that carried Faith in her womb for nine months. The same woman that even now lay unconscious. Buffy had come back immortal but that didn't me that she was indestructible. And with no knowledge of her brain's condition (though the doctors said there was no major damage) she could conceivably lie in that state forever. The simple thought of it made him shiver and Faith caught the slight movement.
"Daddy? You okay?"
"What? Oh, right. Yeah, I…" Faith kissed him on the cheek before staring him in the eyes.
"Don't lie to me. Please."
Seeing her concern, Spike sighed before telling her his fears.
Faith listened intently as her father told her things that she, too, had given thought to. She wanted to tell him what she saw in her dream but what if she was wrong? What if her mother never woke up? She couldn't do that to him, not after everything he had been through when Buffy died the first time.
"So you see, Bitlet?" Spike steadied his shaky voice. "See why I want you to slay fast and not play? Losing Buffy was bad enough the first time and now--even with Dawn around, without you here I would never have survived that first week. You're all I have left of 'er. If anything ev'r happened to you, I'd…I'd…" but he couldn't finish as an aching sob broke free and Spike fell into his daughter's arms.
The young Summers could do nothing but hold her father as he fell to the ground and wept. It was the first time since the night at the Bronze that he had cried in front of anyone and in a way she was relieved that he finally released the anguish locked up inside. A silent tear trailed down her cheek but she dared not let loose the anguish that threatened to seep from her soul, knowing that right now Spike needed her strength more than ever.
Spike's cries tapered off after several minutes and it took him just as long before he was strong enough to push away from her. The stood simultaneously and brushed the other off before making eye contact.
"I love you so much, Daddy," Faith said and brushed a stray tear from Spike's cheek. "I'm sorry I've been so difficult these last few days but I've just been…"
"No worries, kitten," Spike assured and ran his hand through her hair. "Just remember that I only want you to be the best. I can't bear to lose you, Bitlet."
"You won't. Lose me. I love you guys too much to leave you. And she will wake up." Spike could only nod at the confidence in her voice before kissing her on the forehead.
"Thank you, baby. I needed that."
"So," she said as she turned the key in the door, "going to see her tonight?"
"Reckon I should. Been a couple days since I 'ave."
"Be back before dawn?"
"Always, luv." He kissed her once more before spinning away and walking towards his De Soto parked in the driveway.
"Daddy?" Faith called from the threshold.
"Yeah, Bitlet?"
"I'll wait up for you."
Spike could only smile, knowing that telling her not to was as effective as telling Buffy not to do something.
Faith watched as he got in the car and pulled out. The red taillights winked at her before disappearing around the corner.
Faith sighed and closed the door. As she walked downstairs to Spike's bed she prayed once again to God to wake her mother up. She had already lived through one parent dying before her eyes; she didn't have the strength to do it again. Even with Spike at her side, Faith wasn't sure how much more she could take without her mother by her side.
Hopefully, she wouldn't have to wait too much longer.
TBC…
Next: Chapter 2, Still I Rise. A lost Scoobie in South America...