Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow
Previously:
"Thanks," Kara whispered as Callum wiped them away. The beeping of the machines hooked up to Faith sped up suddenly. "Showtime," Kara said, jumping to her feet. She watched as Faith's eyes slowly opened, focusing on the two strangers standing in her room.
"Who the hell are you?"
Chapter Two:
Callum chuckled nervously as the rogue slayer glared at them, her eyes dangerous slits. "Of course she asks the most confusing question possible," he mumbled. Kara turned and glared at him and, not for the first time, he noticed a strong resemblance in the demeanors of the two women.
Kara sighed and absently ran a hand through her dark hair. "This is gonna sound a little strange," she began, only to be cut off.
"You're from the Council?" Faith asked, noting Callum's strong English accent. She slid up into a sitting position, her muscles tense as if ready to spring into action. Her voice was raw from months of dormancy and, despite her best efforts to appear fearless and controlled; Kara could see a glint of panic in her eyes.
"No," Kara said strongly and reassuringly.
"Wait, what Council?" Callum asked, finding himself out of the loop of information.
"The Watcher's Council. They were destroyed shortly before Sunnydale. The only reason I know about them is because I remember my grandfather telling me stories," Kara whispered, though not low enough, for Faith heard every word.
"Hold up," Faith said, mirroring Kara's earlier action in running a hand through her hair. "The Council's gone...and so is Sunnydale? So where the hell am I? Wait, does that mean the Mayor won? Graduation's happened already?" Sighing, Kara flopped back down in her chair. She couldn't remember everything surrounding the events of the ascension of Mayor Wilkins; no one seemed too happy to talk about it when she was young.
"Quite some hearing you've got there," Callum exclaimed. "In answer to your questions, we're from the future. The Powers that Be sent us back to change the course of events that ultimately lead to the apocalypse. Everything that goes wrong happens here in Sunnydale, so they sent us back just before the whole thing collapses in on itself."
"The Mayor didn't succeed," Kara said slowly, gauging Faith's reaction. She seemed visibly disturbed, but only for a moment, before her face reverted to a stormy calm. "You've been in a coma for eight months, approximately. When I said the Council was gone, I meant the Council was gone in my time. They still exist here and are probably gonna come after you now that you're awake," Kara explained.
"However, you've been given a second chance to make things right here. All of us know that things happened no one could control, on both sides of the coin," Callum continued.
"While you may be wanting payback for everything that happened, we urge you to reconsider and come with us. Believe me," Kara stressed her voice nearly cracking. Faith noticed. She didn't know why, but she felt the desire to comfort the tired girl sitting across from her. Shaking off the thought, she focused on what she was saying.
"I know what happens. I know what's goin' to happen if you choose to leave here without us. You have a real chance to be happy. But you have to come with us and you have to change," Kara finished, hoping she was getting through to the battered woman in front of her.
Faith silently considered them both, time stretching out into painfully long strokes of the clock before she spoke, slowly and deliberately. "Second chance, huh? What makes you think B and the Scoobies give a shit about givin' me a second chance?" Faith asked.
"I'm from the future, remember?" Kara said in exasperation. "I know they'll give you a second chance if you're sincere."
"Also, it isn't all about them, Faith. This is your chance, you know. You can do something good for yourself here," Callum added, giving her a small smile and secretly wishing he had a bottle of whiskey.
"Fine. I'll go, but let's get one thing straight," Faith said, leaning forward dangerously. "I don't trust either of you. You play me, you ain't breathin'. Understand?"
Kara gulped, knowing full well she could take the dark haired slayer, yet she exuded an aura of primeval confidence that shook Kara to her bones. "Good. Let's get outta here, I hate hospitals," Kara said, jumping to her feet.
Faith swung her legs over the side of the bed, wobbled a bit, and then strode forward. "You got any clothes?" She asked, looking down at her drab, white hospital gown.
Kara thought for a second, "Wait here." Several minutes later, Kara reemerged with a pile of clothes.
"Where did you get those?" Callum asked in surprise.
"Locker room. Nurses' gotta where somethin'," Kara responded and smiled at him warmly. She had only known him for a few hours, but already she felt totally at ease with him. Faith, on the other hand, made her feel tense and nervous. It had been many years since she had seen her mom and under extremely different circumstances. Kara was getting a glimpse of the Faith who died after her confrontation with Angel in Los Angeles, and Kara wasn't too sure she liked this old Faith.
Faith quickly changed and rejoined the two people standing awkwardly across the room waiting for her. "One more question," Faith said and the trio crept out of the hospital room. "What are your names?"
When the nurses made their rounds later that night, they discovered Faith's bed empty. As they searched the hospital with the police, one snuck off to the phone banks. Inserting a quarter, the nurse dialed quickly and waited. When the party on the other end picked up, she said two simple words and hung up. "She's awake."
I'll be starting school tomorrow, so apologies if the updates don't come quite as quickly. Also, thanks for the review. Feedback is always appreciated.