California Trippin'
Disclaimer-I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Dark Angel, only the parts that I make up in this story.
Summary-This is a crossover with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Max, Alec, Jondy, and Krit leave Seattle in need of a vacation. Everything has blown over with the transgenics and familiars. The virus between Max and Logan is cured but they aren't together. The transgenics are free to roam around without the hate groups and so they decide to go to California, where Buffy and the gang are dealing with the First.
Pairings-I finally figured out what the pairings are...Max/Spike, Jondy/Krit, and Faith/Alec. Buffy has yet to be paired off...
Chapter Six-Need a Little Faith?
"So how's this work?" Max asked as she, Buffy, and Spike patrolled in the cemetery. "We search for vampires and just stab 'em in the chest with this?" She held up a wooden stake.
"That. Or you could use your kicking power and knock his head clean off his body," Buffy replied. Spike smirked.
"I'll only do that if they piss me off," Max said. She suddenly stopped walking and seemed to be listening intently.
"Do you hear anything?" Buffy asked Spike. He nodded. The three of them noticed a woman running a few hundred graves away. They exchanged looks.
"That's not a person. No heartbeat," Max stated. They took off after the woman. Max tackled her. She growled and lashed out, catching Max's jaw in a sharp right hook. Max countered with a kick to the vampire's stomach. The vampire growled and tried to punch her again. She blocked it. The vampire then elbowed her in the face, catching her off guard. "Okay, startin' to piss me off." Spike smirked as Buffy helped Max up. Her cell phone suddenly rang and Spike took off after the fleeing vampire.
He caught up with her and punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground. He suddenly found himself lifted off the ground and thrown a few feet. He looked up at the dark-haired woman that had thrown him.
"Watcha plannin' on doing to her vamp, huh? Something like this?" she punched him in the face. Spike stood and circled her.
"Nice punch ya got there. Lemme guess. Leather pants, nice right cross, holier-than-thou glower...you must be Faith," he commented, smirking. Faith grinned.
"Goodie, I'm famous," she replied before kicking him in the stomach.
"Bloody hell! What're you doing? We're on the same side." Faith punched him again.
"Maybe you haven't heard. I've reformed." Spike punched her, causing her to stagger back a few steps.
"So have I." He tried to punch her again but she blocked it. She kicked him the face. He fell backwards. As he stood up again, Faith found herself tackled by a blur.
She blinked and looked at the dark-haired woman on top of her, realizing that her hand was holding her throat. She struggled to get away but the woman's grip was surprisingly strong.
"Who the hell are you?" The woman asked. Faith tried to answer but only a gurgling noise came out.
"It's okay Max. It's only Faith," Buffy said as she approached, shutting off her cell phone. Max didn't release her grip. Spike rolled his eyes.
"Bloody hell you silly bint. You can let go of her now," he said, pulling Max off her. Faith coughed.
"What the hell was that for? Spike was trying to attack a defenseless..." she began, massaging her throat, but was cut off when the 'defenseless' vampire tackled her.
"That's one of the bad guys," Buffy stated, holding out a stake to her. Faith kicked the vampire off her and grabbed the stake, quickly driving it into the vamp's heart. She dusted off her hands and turned back to face the others.
"Happy to see me B?" she asked, arms wide. Buffy glared at her and held up her cell phone. "Maybe happy isn't the right word..."
"Willow just called from the hospital and told me what happened," she turned to Spike. "That's why I was a little late coming over here." He nodded. "Max seemed to have gotten it under control, though." Faith looked at Max.
"I take it you're Max," she stated. Max just looked at her, arms crossed. Faith smirked. "Got a nice grip on ya. Potential?" Max shook her head.
"She's a transgenic," Buffy explained. She suddenly realized that Spike still had his hands on Max's waist. Faith noticed as well, but didn't say anything, enjoying Buffy's obvious discomfort. "Ready to go?" she ground out, giving Spike a pointed look. He realized where his hands were and quickly moved them.
"So what did Willow have to say?" Max asked Buffy as they walked out of the cemetery.
"Her and Faith found a girl on the road when they were driving back from LA. She was stabbed. She's in the hospital now and Willow will call when she wakes up," she explained curtly.
"So what's the story with Faith?" Max questioned.
"She's the other slayer. Went bad a few year's back. Went to jail for it. And now she's back on the good side, ready to help us fight," Buffy answered, not looking at her. Max frowned.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," Buffy replied quickly. "I'm fine. Peachy with a side of keen." Max sighed, knowing she was lying.
A few yards behind them, Spike and Faith walked together.
"How did you know who I was?" Spike asked. Faith glanced at him.
"We've met before," she replied. Spike's brow furrowed. "Of course, I was kinda...wearing a different 'body' at the time." Spike frowned at her. "You seemed okay with it." He smirked, realizing.
"The body swap. With Buffy."
"She fill you in on all that?"
"Mentioned it. Failed to say who it was driving her skin around."
"Should've known it wasn't blondie at the wheel. She'd never do those things..." she trailed off. Spike laughed softly.
"Oh, you've been away for a while," he replied. Faith smiled.
"No way. Don't tell me Ms. Tightly-Wound's been gettin' her naughty on?"
"Not of late."
"Damn. Everybody's just full of surprises..." she laughed softly. She glanced back at Spike. "So what's the deal with the raven-haired one?" Spike smiled.
"She's a transgenic. Created by the government to be the perfect soldier...or some dribble like that. She came down here for looking for a vacation with three others after saving the world. Got caught up with our war and now they're helping us," he explained.
"So either you get your yah-yahs talking about the government or there's a little something going on between you and Miss Super Soldier," Faith replied, grinning.
"Whattya mean?"
"That little dreamy look on your face when you talked about her," Faith pointed out.
"Piffle. No there wasn't."
"Yes there was."
The two of them continued arguing as they caught up with Buffy and Max outside Buffy's house. Max smirked, having heard the whole thing. Spike noticed her smile and visibly gulped. Buffy still had a scowl on her face.
"Don't be expecting to be welcomed with open arms," she said to Faith.
"I can always hope,"Faith joked, smirkingas they stepped inside the house. Dawn, Giles, and Alec walked over from the dining room table.
"Buffy?" Dawn asked, looking disapprovingly at Faith.
"We have a new house guest," Buffy replied.
"And this new guest is..." Alec prodded.
"Faith. The other slayer," Max answered.
"There's another one?"
"Does she have to stay here? There are some really nice motels that welcome tried-to-murder-your-sister types," Dawn said angrily. Faith laughed.
"Check it out. Brat's all woman-sized." Dawn scowled at her.
"Has Willow called and told you about the girl in the hospital?" Buffy asked. Giles nodded.
"So where am I gonna sleep?" Faith asked.
"Plenty of room in the basement," Buffy answered as she walked up the stairs. Max sighed.
What's going on with her? I hope it doesn't have to do with Spike...'cause that would just suck...she thought. "Come on, Faith. I'll help you get set up."
"Me too," Alec added. Max rolled her eyes, already knowing what he was thinking.
"Be a good boy," she hissed as they went down to the basement. "No flirting." Alec scoffed.
"But it's okay for you to get all lovey-dovey with the bleached vampire?" he whispered back. Max retorted with a hit to his shoulder. "Ow..."
"Are you two sleeping down here too?" Faith asked after seeing four sleeping bags next to Spike's cot. Alec nodded, rubbing his shoulder.
"Along with Jondy and Krit," he answered. Faith gave him a questioning look.
"You'll meet them later," Max added. "They're transgenics too." Faith nodded slowly.
"Right...so who are you?" she asked Alec as she lounged on the cot. He sat down next to her.
"Alec," he answered. Max smirked.
"Hey, I think I hear Jondy and Krit calling you," she lied. Alec stared at her, listening intently.
"No you don't," he replied.
"Yes I do. My hearing's better than yours."
"Not even."
"Even." Faith watched this exchange, amused.
"Are you like brother and sister or something? Or should I just leave to give you some privacy?" she teased. She received two horrified looks in return. "Guess not."
"Alec, I have to talk to Faith alone, will you just get out?" Max ordered. Alec rolled his eyes and complied, but not without winking at Faith before slamming the door behind him.
"Wow. Either he's completely whipped or just very obedient," Faith laughed. Max smirked.
"More like I was the boss back in Seattle. Guess he hasn't quite gotten over it," she explained. "But I do have to talk to you."
"What about?" Faith asked warily.
"Everything."
"Wow. How long you planning on having this conversation? 'Cause you know, a girl's gonna have to go to the bathroom at some point." Max laughed softly.
"Thing about transgenics, we have pretty much excellent hearing. Like right now, I can hear Alec talking toSpike upstairs. In fact, they're right outside the door, being little pervs." Faith laughed. "I could also hear your conversation with Spike when we were walking out of the cemetery." Faith stopped laughing but smirked sarcastically.
"And what? You've decided to pump me for information? 'Cause I can tell ya right now, I hardly know the guy."
"Not quite what I had in mind. That was just an example. I can deal with men getting dreamy faces while talking about me on my own. I just have a some questions."
"Fire away."
"How long have you known Buffy?"
"Met her four years ago. Went into a coma 'bout a year later, though."
"How?"
"Went evil and Buffy stabbed me in the gut to save her dead lover."
"Spike?"
"Angel."
"Right. And you obviously woke up. Then what? You just had an epiphany?"
"Not exactly that simple. I switched bodies with Buffy, slept with her boyfriend. That pissed her off...with good reason. She switched us back, I took off for LA. Got picked up by Wolfram Hart. Got paid a couple thou totry andkill Angel. Course, I couldn't do it and he took me in, tried to help me. Buffy came, looking for vengeance. And I turned myself over to the police. And I'm suddenly wondering why the hell I'm telling you all this," she said, arms crossed. Max smirked.
"I just bring that out in people," she replied. Faith scoffed.
"Like a friggin therapist."
"So you're in jail, what next?"
"Spent 'bout 3 years there. Didn't mind it that much. Three squares, nice weight room, movie every third Sunday. Could've been worse."
"What movie?"
"Last one was Glitter." Max looked at her questioningly. "Guess it couldn't have gotten worse..."
"I'll take your word for it. I've never seen it."
"Don't take time outta your busy schedule, not worth it."
"You're obviously out of jail now. What changed?"
"Angel. Turned evil again."
"Angel turns evil?"
"Yeah, didn't you know?" Max shook her head. "How long ya been here?"
"'Bout 5 days I think."
"Geez. And you're already pulling for the good guys?"
"Well I've been doing that since I was 19. But if you wanna get technical...since I was 9...when I escaped.
"Jail?"
"Manticore. Which is...like jail," Max replied, a dark look on her face. "Actually probably more like boot camp for the brainwashed super soldier."
"Fun."
"It really wasn't."
"Sarcasm was noticed right?"
"Yeah." A beat of silence followed. "So Angel turned evil..."
"Yep. Wesley, old watcher of mine...you know what a watcher is right?" Max nodded. "Right. Well, Wes got me out of jail to come help Angel. I did, but Willow was the one to actually restore his soul."
"And that's what Willow went to LA for?" Faith nodded. "And now you're here."
"Fighting the good fight." They bumped fists, smirking. "So, you know all about me. What's your story?" Max exhaled slowly.
"Got a couple hours?" she asked, laughing slightly. Faith shrugged and motioned for her to continue. "Alright. Well, I was born a test tube baby."
"Really?" Max nodded. "That's some crazy sh..." The door suddenly opened and Spike walked down the steps.
"Don't mean to disturb the female bonding but the girl's awake. In the hospital," he explained. Max and Faith exchanged a look.
"And I take it we're supposed to go there and learn what's what?" Faith asked. Spike nodded.
"Let's get going then," Max replied, standing up and stretching. Faith noticed Spike watching her.
Piffle my ass...she thought, smirking. He's totally into her.
Hospital...
The girl was bruised badly all over her body. She was laying in bed, covered with bandages.
"So what's your name again?" Buffy asked.
"Shannon," she answered.
"We're here to help you. Do you know who I am?"
"B-Buffy Summers. I was supposed to come to your house. A-and then these guys were chasing me. They had these scary looking knives...and they didn't have eyes."
"Bringers," Willow said, a sad look on her face. Shannon nodded.
"Right. Bringers. They chased me...and he picked me up. I thought he was trying to save me...at first."
"Who?" Max questioned.
"He called himself Caleb. He dressed like a minister."
"He just picked you up on the side of the road?" Faith asked. Shannon nodded.
"He seemed nice at first...but then he called the Bringers his 'boys'...before he burned me." She removed the bandage from her neck to show them the burn. Willow snapped a picture of it with a digital camera. "He wanted to tell you something. Before he...stabbed me...he told me to give the slayer a message."
"What is it?"
"He said 'I have something of yours'," Shannon recited. The others exchanged worried looks.
Buffy's House...
Buffy was pacing back and forth in her living room. The others were all watching her.
"We've got a new player in town," Buffy began. "Dresses like a preacher. Calls himself Caleb. Seems like he's working for the First. Says he's got something of mine. Could be another potential, or something else. Don't know, don't care. I'm tired of talking, training. He's got something of mine? Fine. I'm getting it back, and you guys are coming with me." The others exchanged looks.
"You sure about this?" Xander asked. "We only just find out about this guy and suddenly it's 'hey, let's go fall in an obvious trap'?"
"He won't be expecting a full on attack. Not this soon. We have to move now," Buffy replied emphatically. "Andrew, Anya, get the potentials ready and armed." They filed out of the room, along with the potentials.
"We don't even know where we're going," Willow pointed out.
"That's why I figured we'd do a little recon first," Buffy looked over at Faith. "You up for it?"
"Point me where you want me," she replied.
"Are you sure this is the best course of action?" Giles asked. "We don't know what this man has-if anything."
"Like I said earlier, it could be a potential trying to get to us."
"Could be a stapler." Buffy glared at him.
"We're going in," she repeated.
"Most of these girls haven't even been in battle."
"Then it's about time we tested them. We'll take the ones that have been here the longest and leave the rest behind."
"Could be that's what he wants you to do. Lure you away for the ol' bait-and-switch," Spike replied.
"Which is why Willow will be staying here, along with Giles. You're mymost powerful weapon, Will. I know you'll keep them safe if anything happens," Buffy said.
"We need more time," Giles repeated.
"We don't have time," Buffy snapped. "Faith and I will go do recon now. Tonight, we're going in."
A/N-Buffy can be kinda stupid sometimes...hehe. Review please! ;o)
LadyV77-Lol. I'm glad you like the pairings. And Buffy does have issues. Leave it to Alec to state the obvious ;o)
Tap Dancing Widow-Possibly. But there won't exactly be a big crossover with Angel in this fic. He'll be making an appearance though...Syl for sure will have a small part but I haven't decided if any others will come.
Sky Angel-I'm glad you liked that part ;o) I don't think Wood will be paired off with anyone since I don't plan to have him be a main/important character in this fic...
RavynJensen-She was incredibly mean to him...until she found out he had a soul. Which kinda pissed me off since he didn't exactly act any different...I'm glad he got one, I just think Buffy should've treated him with more respect anyways.
cora-Thanks ;o) What's the name of the site?
Angel Of Darkness231-Lol. I'm glad you enjoy it so much. Don't worry, they'll be some major fighting in the next chapter. Max won't kick Alec's 'pretty little ass' ;o) they're past that phase. She only gives him a hit on the shoulder every once in a while.
Lozz422-She'll definitely be showing more jealousy towards Max since she has unresolved feelings for Spike. Whether or not it'll result to a fist fight (and Max kicking her ass, hehe) has yet to be decided.
Doza-I'm glad you like it. I have noticed how addicting some fics can be ;o)