DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer – it all belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox, etc. . .Neither do I own anything to do with Charmed, which belongs to Spelling Entertainment and Constance M. Burge. I think.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Nat posts VERY late chapter, backing away slowly, hoping readers will forgive her. Honestly, if there are any people that have been waiting for this, I am truly sorry I am this late, it's just I'm getting surprisingly a lot of work after these exams which is completely killing me. I've managed to split up work/fanfic time accordingly, and I will finish this fic, I'm just not sure how quickly I can promise updates. I'll try my best to finish before I go on holiday. But yes – here we are.


Chapter 7 – Fresh Hopes

They were into the wee hours of the morning, yet no one seemed to want to be in bed. Their minds were all too occupied by the events of that night to do anything else.

They were trying to come up with a way to get to the Books of Ascension, but every plan seemed to have some sort of flaw. The effort was almost completely pointless.

Buffy's mind wandered as she glanced over at a worried looking Piper on one side of her. Not only had her sister been gone for hours, but the guy who had been there earlier had left her clearly upset.

'Hey,' Buffy tapped Piper's arm, and she woke up from a daze. 'You OK? You wanna talk?'

Piper hesitated. 'I. . .I don't think I can.'

Buffy frowned. 'I hate to pick at it – but, that guy that was here before. . .is he an ex-boyfriend or something?' she asked tentatively.

Piper laughed darkly at herself. 'If only just that.'

'Y'know. . .' Buffy struggled to get the right words out. 'I find talking about my problems makes me feel better, and makes them seem a tiny bit smaller. And considering I've had my share of the supernatural and probably some of the worst relationship crap anybody can and will ever go through. . .I am the perfect outlet for you.'

Piper gazed intently at Buffy. The girl was sweet, and she only wanted to help.

'Leo, he. . .he's our Whitelighter – as you know. He guides us, heals us, protects us – he's great.'

Buffy nodded acknowledging, thinking how Giles was like that for her. But of course, definitely not as cute.

'Except, when I first met him,' Piper went on, 'to me, he was just a regular handyman. He posed as one for a while to get to know me and my sisters. During that time, I fell hard for him. . .and he did for me.'

'So what's the problem?' Buffy asked supportively.

Piper sighed. 'Just when I had completely fallen for him, he revealed the truth – that he was our Whitelighter. Not only that, but how Whitelighters couldn't fall for their charges or be romantically involved with them in any way.'

'Ah.' Buffy right away thought about the time she'd first found out Angel was a vampire, and the despair she had felt.

'So. . .no matter how painful it might be, now our relationship's just professional. He helps us on our missions, and we've tried to move on with our lives separately.' She gazed at Buffy. 'It's not easy though.'

'Tell me about it.' Buffy laughed dryly. 'But, I mean. . .is there any definite textbook rule forbidding you two to be together?

Piper shrugged lightly. 'I haven't been told anything officially. I just have to accept it, y'know?'

Buffy stared disbelievingly. 'Are. . .are you serious?'

Piper didn't seem to understand what was so strange. 'Completely.'

Buffy almost laughed. 'You're totally in love with this guy. That's clear from the way you talk about him.'

Piper was waiting for the punch line. 'So? I know that. But I can't waste my time trying to do something when there's an almost definite chance nothing will happen. There are other guys in this world to go out with – like my neighbor, Dan. He's sweet, and he seems to really like me. There's a lot of potential there.'

Buffy observed the seriousness of her own situation in what she was about to say to Piper. 'Look, if you really love this guy as much as you say, there's no moving on. This Dan may seem nice, but you'll see – your past with Leo will come back to haunt you.' Buffy thought back in particular to the brief "relationship" she'd had with Scott. 'Your love may seem forbidden, but it's passionate – eternal. If anybody can relate, it's me.' Buffy paused solemnly. 'My relationship didn't have a chance in hell – literally – of working. But you know what? I fought for it. I fought for it as if for my own life, and I can honestly say I will never feel that intensely about anyone – as I'm sure is the same with you and Leo.'

Piper hid her face shyly. How was this girl managing to read into her soul?

'Fight for it Piper,' Buffy concluded. 'Kick any supreme power's ass if you have to. The motivation will keep you going – and that love might survive. And even if it doesn't – you'll be grateful you lived through it all.' She fought the tears trying to form themselves in her eyes, thinking back to everything she and Angel had gone through. How could it end now after everything? Why couldn't he see that he wasn't tying her down, and just being close to him would be enough? She made a decision.

Their battle wasn't over. She wasn't done fighting – she would continue, just like Piper and Leo.

Eventually, Piper smiled. 'Thank you, Buffy.'

'Likewise,' she replied. 'Oh, and Piper?'

Piper awaited Buffy's additional comment.

'Y'know my friend Willow? I'd really appreciate it if you could get her in on some of the witchy action. Just give her a chance – I really think she does have a natural knack for it. I mean, the first spell she performed was ensouling my vampire boyfriend, so. . .'

'Wow. . .' Piper seemed impressed. 'Yeah, of course. I'm sorry – it's just we've been a bit wrapped up in saving innocents right now. We will try.'

'Thanks.' Buffy smiled.

Suddenly, Prue walked into the library, an agitated manner about her.

'Prue, where the hell have you been?!' Piper ran up to her sister. 'We've been worried sick!' Prue resisted contact.

'Everybody, listen up,' she said seriously. They looked at her in anticipation.

'I have something to show you. . .something I'm sure you won't all like. But you have to promise not to freak out, OK?'

'What's wrong?' Phoebe said directly.

Prue looked behind herself swiftly, calling out: 'Get in here.'

Faith shuffled in nervously, ready for abuse to be hurled at her.

The atmosphere froze, except this time, Piper's power wasn't at work.

'Prue, what is wrong with you?!' Phoebe yelped. 'That's the girl that took the box, remember?!'

'Get out now. . .' Buffy spoke menacingly at the figure that had just come in.

Faith just held a sorry expression in place, now maintaining full eye contact with Buffy. 'B, please. . .'

'I don't want to hear it Faith!' She yelled it out, her voice echoing off the library walls. 'First, you kill a man, act as if nothing happened. Then, you hurt the people I care about. Then, you try to turn my boyfriend evil, and of course, let's not forget – you've gone to the Dark side! Do you really think that we're interested in anything you have to say?! Shut up, and get the hell out!'

Faith stared at her feet, no longer able to look the angry Slayer in the eyes. 'Prue, help me. . .' she whimpered.

'Look, you don't understand. . .' Prue approached Buffy. 'I've been talking to her the past couple of hours – she's serious. She doesn't want to work for the bad guy anymore.'

'And how would you know?' Buffy said cruelly. 'She's probably been feeding you crap – God knows she's good at it. And don't you dare tell me I don't understand – I've lived through it, and you've known her – what – a few hours? She's playing you – she's playing all of us!'

'I'm not, Buffy,' Faith said weakly in the background. 'The Mayor has no idea I'm here.'

'Oh, really?!' Buffy scoffed. 'Why should we believe you?'

Faith shook her head. 'You shouldn't.' They stood silently, waiting for her to continue.

'I don't deserve forgiveness. I don't deserve anything from any of you. I screwed up, and I know it. Xander. . .' she looked up at him. 'I used you like a worthless object. I've done it so many times before, and most of the time the guys deserved it.' She said the last part resentfully, but then her tone switched back. 'But you deserved more than that. A hell of a lot more. I'm sorry.'

He dropped his head.

'Wesley. . .' The Watcher looked petrified. 'I have probably been the most disappointing Slayer in history. And you've been in charge of me. I'm sorry I've done that to you.' He was shocked by her apology.

'And Buffy. . .' she looked deeply into her. 'You tried to reach out to me, but I pulled away. I did what I knew best – I ran. To evil. Because I thought it was all I had left. I betrayed your trust and the friendship we'd just started to build. I am so sorry.'

She looked back to the entire group. 'I'm not looking for forgiveness, as I said. You don't owe it to me – I've hurt you and your lives enough.' She sighed, looking gratefully at Prue for getting her this far.

'But what I can do. . .is help you stop the Ascension. No strings attached.'

'How could you do that?' Giles asked, intrigued.

She shrugged. 'Admittedly, there's not much I could do. But I have access to the Mayor's private files. Just point me in the right direction and I could probably get whatever for you. I still have his trust for it.'

'That sounds like much to me,' Oz remarked.

'What about the Books of Ascension?' Phoebe checked.

'Anything you need from them,' Faith instantly replied. 'I know where they're kept.'

Everybody was silent, as if considering the option in their minds.

'You've got nothing to lose,' Faith encouraged. 'It's worth a shot for you. If it were a trick, what could I gain from it?'

'Kill us all when we least expect it?' Cordy suggested crudely.

Faith spoke half-jokingly. 'Tell you what – I'll keep a five yard distance from you all, how's that sound?' She lifted her hands. 'You can restrain me if you like.'

'Faith, why are you doing this?' Buffy asked finally.

'Because B,' Faith answered slowly. 'I have no other choice. What I did before it. . .it was. . .wrong. I had to stop. And no matter what it takes – I will make amends. With you guys and myself. Recently, I've realized I have to. . .and I can't live any longer hating myself this much. . .' Her lip quivered.

Buffy took a deep breath. Could she really trust Faith after everything that had happened? And there was no way she could walk away this easily from the Mayor, there was definitely some father-daughter bond there – a weird and freak one in any case – but it was a bond. Could it really be that Faith was finally coming to terms with her do-good Slayer destiny?

'Alright,' Buffy said. 'You have one shot to help us.'

Faith relaxed her body, a thankful smile creeping at her lips.

'BUT. . .' Buffy went on threateningly, '. . .if even one bad thing happens because of your actions, and anyone in this room gets even remotely hurt. . .you will pay dearly. I assure you.'

Faith nodded her head. 'Fair enough.'

'Good.' Buffy looked into Faith eyes, hoping that she'd gotten through to her, and then addressed everybody else. 'New plan, people. We're gonna kick some Mayor butt.'
Dawn was fast approaching, but the confidence that had been built up because of Faith's apparent return to their side was unbelievable. They were all full of energy at a plan that could possibly work.

Faith was sitting firmly in a seat as instructions were fired at her.

'The important thing is too keep calm,' Piper advised.

'Yeah – don't let him get to you,' Oz supported.

'What you should try perhaps,' Giles proposed, 'before you secretly go rummaging through his files – try to smoothly find out something from him. Ask a few questions.'

'Like what?' Xander said skeptically. 'Yeah Mr. Mayor, you're great with all the invincibility. . .by the way, is there a way to destroy every trace of you in our existence?'

Giles sneered at Xander. 'I said subtly. . .thank you Xander.'

Phoebe spoke up. 'No, I get it. Maybe more. . ."I don't want to lose you. There's no way that can happen, right?" Start off with a negative point and build up from there.'

'Still,' Willow rubbed her hands together nervously. 'There's no guarantee he'll know this ritual exists in the first place.'

'Unless he's sat down and studied every page of the Books in detail,' Wesley mentioned. 'But. . .he probably has people that do it for him.'

'Which brings us to the main plan,' Buffy moved on. 'Searching the Books. Are you sure you'll have enough time to find this ritual?'

Faith shrugged it off. 'Sure. The Mayor's a busy guy, especially with the Ascension coming up. Besides – he won't suspect anything's wrong.'

'But something tells me he will,' Prue interjected, 'if we don't let you get home right now. Is that OK Faith?'

The Slayer bobbed her head up and down. She rose from her chair, stretching out her body and preparing to leave.

'Faith. . .' Buffy couldn't help but worry, despite not entirely trusting her sister Slayer. 'Are you sure you're gonna be able to do this?'

'What?' Faith joked. 'Lie to and deceive a man who thinks I'm on his side? Did it to you not too long ago, remember?'

Buffy's face tightened. 'Right.'

Faith headed out to the doors.

'I'd like you to know Faith,' Giles called after her. 'We're relying on you to do this for us. It doesn't mean we trust you.'

Faith stopped in her tracks. She shut her eyes, his words scratching an imaginary wound into her, despite having expected to hear something like this anyway.

'I know,' she responded.

'And until the Mayor's been truly killed,' Wesley furthered, 'it will stay that way.'

Giles watched, impressed by Wesley's attitude. He'd expected the Watcher to be too terrified to speak.

Faith placed her hands on the doorframe, gripping it tightly with her fingers.

'I always knew that. That's why I'm doing this – it's the only way to prove to you that I'm on your side. Really.' With that, she left for her mission.

A tense silence filled the room that had been full of activity the entire night. Finally, Cordy spoke.

'Y'know, if she's lying and this plan backfires, it's gonna majorly bite us in the ass. . .'
Faith climbed up the fire escape up to her apartment window. She almost couldn't believe she had this chance at all. She couldn't screw this up. She had to get it right, otherwise she – and the complete Sunnydale population for that matter – would be doomed.

She reached her floor and flung one leg over the window ledge. She bent her body as she stepped in, sun just rising outside.

As soon as she stepped in, she knew the scene looked too suspicious. She ran over to the bed, messing it up a bit, before she heard the doorknob twist.

She kicked off her boots, heart pumping wildly in her chest. Who was coming to see her at this hour?

The door opened, and the Mayor stepped in cautiously, until he saw her awake.

'Faith, you're up!' he said. 'I expected you'd still be asleep.'

Faith's mind rushed with millions of thoughts all at once. An idea grabbed her, as she rubbed her eyes.

'I was, just now.' She faked a yawn, but ended up yawning anyway because she hadn't slept a wink all night. 'What's up?'

He stared curiously at her. 'Why are you still in last night's attire?'

'Uh. . .' she hesitated, saying the first thing that popped into her head. 'I was too tired to change. I just jumped on the bed, and fell right asleep, y'know?'

Luckily, he seemed to buy this explanation. 'OK, well, since you're up. . .why don't you come down to the town hall with me? I have an early meeting, a couple of hours, but how about you and I go out for a fun time after that? To the park or something, to celebrate our victory?' He smiled hopefully.

This was her opportunity, she thought. While he was at that meeting, she could get to the Books, search through them and find what she wanted – what she needed.

'Sounds great boss.'
A/N: Alright, long chapter on the way, at least it seems to be from my rough copies. . .Faith searches for the ritual with a little Charmed help and the gang prepare the ritual for the destruction of the Mayor. Hopefully it won't be too long before you read that. . .xxx