Eggmal: Gee, I don't know; is an untreatable condition like dyslexia good enough reason for spelling mistakes?

What do you think?

Seriously, I want to know: I get people complaining about my spelling/grammar all the time, and I never grow tired of being told to use a spell-check, no matter how useless they are to someone who honestly can't tell the difference between two words that sound the same but mean different things. It really massages the ego to have people bitch and moan about something I have no control over ALL THE GOD DAMN TIME!

And before you say anything: yeah, I am little touchy about it.

Darklight: the shopping trip from hell...

Sean: I work on an 'update-in-order' rotor, so it will take its turn.

Bigstu: yes, as I've said, this is mainly going to be Faith/ Mathilda interaction.

The Sunnydale Connection

The Mall was, as Faith promised, completely deserted. Most of the shops near the door had been looted, but only high-value things like TV's and DVD players had been stolen.

"Ok, here are the rules." Faith looked at the Potentials, "No going off in groups smaller than three. Keep your weapons about you at all times. Stick to what you need, not what you want, and be back here in an hour."

"You're getting good at this."Mathilda looked at the Slayer, "Where you going?"

"B said there was a camping and outdoor shore on the middle level that had a number of hunting crossbows. Figure I should go see if their still there?"

"Want some company?"

"Sure thing girl."

"Doesn't look like any looters got this far." Faith looked round the intact store, "We should probably check the back: it's the most likely place to hide the stuff we want."

"Cool." Mathilda looked round, then pulled a 9-mm from her coat pocket, "Kind of gives me the creeps: I've been in empty building before, but this is different..."

"Yeah, I'm feeling that myself." Faith looked round, "I say we get what we came for then go check on the others."

"I'm with you on that."

"You got some Holy water on you?" Mathilda picked up a water pistol as they passed a display, "I want to try something."

"Yeah: here." Faith handed her an old mineral water bottle, "What you got in mind?"

"You ever see 'From Dusk 'Till Dawn'?"

"Yeah, but I spent most of the time looking at George Clooney's butt."

"Then you missed the bit with the Super-Soaker."

"Must have." Faith punched through a glass display case holding several expensive looking crossbows, "Attention shoppers: Blue Light Special on all vamp-killin' equipment."

"Yeah: steel one, get one free." Mathilda grabbed a bag and started loading it with crossbows and bolts, "Grab the knives too."

"You catch on quick for a city girl."

"I may not be a trained Slayer, but I am a trained killer."

"You don't seem at all remorseful about what you do for a living."

"Don't get me wrong: I don't necessarily like killing people for a living, but I'm a bit pickier than others about who I go after."

"What do you mean?"

"Ok, I'll tell you a story about a guy I used to know called Martin Blank: he was a hit-man like me, but he had this well-defined sense of morality. He never really felt guilty about the people he was sent after; he used to say that if he turned up at your door, chances where you'd done something to bring him there."

"I bet a lot of people rationalise it that way."

"Yeah, well he did have a change of heart and got out of the game: ended up getting married and moving to Hawaii."

"You can make that sort of money?"

"$250,000 a year isn't unheard off, if you're good enough."

"And you?"

"I could retire and live comfortably for a very long time..." Mathilda was cut off by a loud scream, "They're playing our song."

"Grab the bag and stay close!" Faith lifted a repeater-crossbow and ran for the door.

A large number of vampire's had cornered some of the other Potentials, and where circling like sharks, waiting to see who they could pick off first. The young women had managed to get into a circle and draw their weapons, but they where all scared and un-coordinated in their defence.

"Excuse me!" Faith stood in the middle of the Mall with the crossbow at her hip, "Which one of you bitches wants to dance?"

The lead vampire leapt at with a roar, only to meet a crossbow bolt headed the other way. Faith quickly worked the reload, downing another vamp before they were all upon her. She dropped the crossbow and drew a stake from the back of her belt, using it with deadly efficiency, moving almost like a dance: not one move wasted or over-reached.

Mathilda had managed to work her way around from another side corridor and used her newly acquired water pistol: the jet of holy-water was deadly accurate, taking down the two vampires left to guard the Potentials. She then turned it on the rear rank of those waiting to attack Faith, making them burst into flame instantly.

Less than a minuet after Faith had called out her challenge, the fight as over.

"I don't know what you're so freaked over B." Faith sat the kitchen worktop, "We had it covered, and we came back intact, didn't we?"

"That's not the point Faith!" Buffy looked at the younger slayer, "You need to remember that they're not Slayers: they can't go up against a vampire and expect to win."

"I don't know: Kennedy and Mathilda have."

"Yeah, well, there are exceptions to every rule."

"You say that like it means anything. What is it you don't like about Mathilda?"

"I don't trust her: she's emotionally scared, and that's something The First could take advantage of."

"We all have our scares B: you just don't want to admit to yours."

To Be Continued…