Actions & Consequences (5/?)
"I came out of the hotel to find," Wood winced as pain shot from his groin. When he got the slut's brats he was taking a weekend in the torture chamber with Harris as payment. "Faith and Xander arguing," he hid a smile at Buffy's angry expression, fooling her would be easy. "Faith was demanding that he forgive her, Xander was just trying to get away from her, but she wouldn't let him go. I tried to calm her down but she snapped," he shook his head. "I never thought she'd attack me."
There was a stunned silence then Buffy stepped forward, her face pale but determined. "Will, do a locater spell," she instructed. "Girls, pack. As soon as Willow's got a result we're heading off."
"Buffy," Wood grimaced at the troubled look on Dawn's face. He'd have to watch her; in many ways the younger Summers was the smartest of the lot. "Shouldn't we-."
"No time Dawn," the older Slayer interrupted. "Xander's in trouble."
Wood struggled to his feet. "I'll go pack."
"Are you sure?" Giles asked. "If you're that injured..."
"No," Wood winced as he shook his head. "I've got to be there, I failed Xander."
"Utter nonsense," Giles took him by the elbow and led him out. "Any man would be helpless against a Slayer. But if you're sure..."
"I'm sure."
Kennedy pursed her lips together. This didn't smell right, she knew with her abilities if she'd beaten up Wood in a rage he wouldn't be standing, hell he'd probably be dead. And she'd spent a lot of time with Faith, her fellow brunette Slayer being nearest her own age of all the other Slayers, perhaps a little attracted to her and bound together by their mutual guilt at the pain they'd caused Xander. She sensed that Faith's attitude was mostly just that, attitude, that she wanted nothing more than to make a fresh start. But talking to Willow or Buffy about it wasn't going to work.
She glanced across at a worried looking Dawn. Buffy's sister had doubts too. Coming to a decision she hurried across the hotel hallway and grabbed Dawn's elbow just as the younger teen headed towards her sister. "Wait Dawn," she said loudly. "Let me help you pack."
"But-," the former Key's mouth clamped shut at her headshake. "Fine."
Once they were in the corridor, Kennedy clamped a hand over the younger girl's protesting mouth and quickly forced the lock on a closet door, opened it, and pushed Dawn inside. "What are you doing?" the Key demanded. "I don't know what you're play-."
"Shut up," she instructed quickly. "You think Wood is lying don't you?"
The outrage left the younger Summers' face, her expression growing thoughtful. "Well not lying exactly, but his story doesn't make sense."
Kennedy shook her head; she'd never been one for fudging. "He's lying," she declared flatly. "If Faith had gone psycho and attacked him, he'd be dead."
"And," Dawn added slowly. "Why would Faith take Xander with her? It would make sense that she killed them both rather than kidnap Xander."
"Well," Kennedy shrugged. "She could have a fascination about him; she's kinda obsessed about showing him how she's changed."
Dawn looked surprised. "She is?"
"She talks about him all the time."
"Oh right," Dawn's brow furrowed. "In that case she could have taken him hostage to force him to admit in some warped way that she'd changed."
"Do you believe that?"
After a second Dawn shook her head. "No, in the old days the only person who was important to Faith was Faith, and maybe Buffy. In the past month we've spent a ton more time together than we did in six months, and she's more peaceful too. We have to tell Buffy."
"No," Kennedy shook her head. "That's the last thing we can do. Your sister thinks she's doing the right thing, but you know how she never listens to anyone else. And when Buffy speaks," a note of bitterness entered her voice. "Willow follows. The only person who either will listen to is Xander."
"And he's not here," Dawn winced. "So what do we do?"
"I haven't worked that out," Kennedy admitted. "We've got to stick with the others because of Willow's spell, besides we need to keep an eye on Wood, and when we catch up we're going to have to try and keep Buffy and Willow under control."
"Good luck with that."
The younger woman turned to leave but Kennedy reached out and turned her round to face her. "Dawn, thanks for helping me with this."
Dawn smiled grimly. "No way am I going to let anything happen to Xander or Faith." She nodded in agreement, she owed Xander for him losing his eye. Whatever Wood was playing at he'd pay. "I've just got one question?"
"What's that Dawn?"
"How do we get out of this closet without anyone seeing us and thinking we're having a passionate affair?"
"Ah," Kennedy grimaced. "Good point."
Lord Pain brought his bullwhip down hard across the back of his manacled slave, glorying in her tortured screams. He stepped back and admired the blood seeping down the blonde's back, luxuriating in the ravaged skin that just days had been flawlessly smooth. One of his minions had seen the blonde in a Scandinavian pop video, and knowing his love taking beautiful things and breaking them, had brought her to his attention.
It had taken him several weeks to 'acquire' her by faking a car accident, but she was worth it. At first she'd blustered and threatened, but a few nights without food and water in a rat-infested cell had stopped that. Then she'd attempted to bargain, telling him of the millions her record company would pay for her unharmed return. Then after a weekend as the toy of his right-hand man she'd begged and pleaded for her release. But now, after a week of his personal attention, she was so broken that she couldn't even formulate sentences.
Smiling proudly he moved to the front of his creation and lifted her limp head. His smile broadened as he inspected the blonde's face, she'd been awake when he'd burnt it off with a blowtorch, at the start anyway. Next time he'd take a male, a model or a bodybuilder perhaps.
He heard the door of the cell open behind him and sensed the presence of his one of his oldest childes. "Yes Klaus?"
"Sir, the Promised Two have been sighted!"
Pain snapped around to face his right-hand man, excitement pulsing through his veins. The Promised Two, the fated children of the second Slayer. Ever since the Summers Slayer had died and a second Slayer called, the Blood Brotherhood had watched the Slayer line for a sign of the children that were fated to make his organisation the dominant demon group in the world. Somehow they'd missed the birth of the children, how his spies had paid for that mistake – crucified and doused in holy water, but now... "Where?" he demanded.
"LA, shall I organise your jet?"
"Yes." He nodded before turning back to his victim and running a long finger across her taut stomach. "My dear," he leaned in to where her right ear should have been. "It's been a pleasure," he muttered before plunging his fangs deep into her throat. Ah, the blood of a broken spirit, nothing tasted better.
"Sir, we have a report in from America!"
Lord Archibald Trent looked up at his lackey. "Yes, Ms. Stevens?" he smiled at his personal assistant and bodyguard, a tall, leanly-muscled beauty of African descent with a handful of black belts and a hard-earned reputation in countless martial arts tournaments. "And what might that news be?"
"The Twins are in the hands of W&H."
Lord Archibald Trent pursed his lips in thought. "Damn." Throughout England, he was known as a playboy lord of the realm, friend of pop stars and footballers, and lover of models and actresses, the heir to a three hundred million dollar fortune. Much less well known was his past as a former Watcher thrown out of the organisation for dabbling black magics.
When he'd been expelled he'd stolen a number of black arts texts, including several books of prophecies, one of which included the Kalian prophecy detailing the twins of a Slayer whose power could influence the entire world. Such power needed to be controlled by the right hands, his hands. After a second he nodded, he needed to call in the members of the occult organisation he had founded, The Apocalypse Foundation. With the fall of the Watchers' Council there was a power vacuum and if he had hold of the children, he could move into the hole. He smiled slightly. "Get the executives on the blower luv, set up on the video conferencing."
"Certainly sir," Stevens turned away from him and then turned back. "And the jet?"
"Have it readied," he paused in thought for a second. "Organise our special ops team, I want those children, their mother too if possible. But the children are our priority."
"We're here," Faith let out a weary sigh. Nothing had taken as much out of her as the several hour drive to Los Angeles, her mind filled with worried thoughts of her babies, her heart breaking repeatedly at the memory of Wood's betrayal, and the car filled with tension.
Xander's brow furrowed in confusion as he stared at the building she'd parked outside of. "The evil law firm's base is a run-down hotel?"
"Oh no," Faith swallowed. This was going to be fun. "This is Angel's den."
The expected explosion wasn't long in coming. "WHAT! Did you bang your head on the way here? Kill your one functioning brain cell? Are you fucking craz-."
"X," she interrupted softly. One of them had to remain the calm one, obviously she was nominated, boy were her kids screwed. "We weren't thinking straight when we left San Diego, we can't take Wolfram & Hart on our own, we should have asked B and the others for help. But Fang, he's been going toe to toe with W&H for years, and he's ahead on points."
Xander glared at her for a long second, his single eye bringing with it all the ferocity of a laser, before finally nodding, a look of grudging acceptance on his face. "Fine," he growled. "Asking DB for help, just wonderful."
Daniel Wolfe looked up as his office door crashed open.. "Mr Wolfe, our mages indicate the Slayer has arrived."
"Excellent," Daniel beamed. "Now all we have do to is wait for her to contact us."
"Uh," the flunky looked nervous. "It appears she's contacted Angelus."
His smile broadened. "Better and better. I shall await her phone call with interest."
Angel looked up from fixing the reception area, maybe he should have taken W&H's offer then at least he wouldn't be doing house-cleaning, with a smile, a familiar scent in his nostrils. They'd won. His smile died when he considered why she must be here. Faith had changed, she didn't deserve to spend the next two decades in prison, it wasn't like her mother had ever been punished for the abuse that had made the way she was. The foyer door swung open. "Fait-," his greeting died when he spied the young man following behind his protégée. "Harris," he hoped his tone adequately conveyed his complete lack of welcome. "And what are you doing here?" His mouth dropped open as he noticed something. "What happened to your eye?"
He heard the door to the inner office behind him open and smelt Wesley's scent. "Angel," the former Watcher's voice grew delighted. "Oh Faith, it's good to see you again."
"Wes," Faith nodded towards the Watcher. Angel growled as he noticed the redness of the curvy brunette's eyes and the puffiness of her cheeks. His eyes narrowed as he turned towards a scowling Xander, if that horse's ass had hurt her... "My babies have been kidnapped by Wolfram & Hart."
"WHAT!"
The roar came from three mouths, his, a shocked-sounding Wes, and highly pissed-off looking Xander who grabbed the Slayer by the crook of her arm and spun her round to face him. "You're telling me?" the youth said each word slowly, as if struggling to contain his temper. "That you told that bastard about my kids but me, nothing?" the man laughed, it was a harsh, bitter sound, with nothing Xanderlike in it. "'Course you murderers have to have something to bond over. Why not send him them as mini-meals?"
"Xander," Faith's voice was soft, pleading. "Please, let go you're hurting me."
Angel wasn't at all sure his friend was talking about the vice-like grip on her arm. Stepping forward, he pulled Xander away from the Slayer. "Calm down Xander," he kept his own voice calm, letting none of his anger at the man's rough treatment of his friend spill over into his tone. "We all know that Faith was in a bad place back then-."
"A bad place?" Xander broke in with a sharp laugh and a contemptuous shake of the head. "Try every bad place between Boston and Sunnydale, every back alley, fleapit motel, biker's bar, and lowlife titty bar. I don't know why I'm here, they're probably Rosco the biker's kids, not mine."
"You've seen the photo," Faith's pain-filled voice trembled. "Y..you know they're yours Xander."
Hearing the hurt in Faith's voice, Angel was about three seconds from introducing Xander's face to the wall. Forcing his demon under control, he continued to speak as if Xander hadn't interrupted him. "What we need is cool heads. We need to sit down."
He saw Xander's fist coming towards his head but didn't bother to block it, figuring it was better the young man took his frustrations out on him rather than hurl abuse at Faith. The punch crashed against his jaw, staggering him with its impact, he didn't think a mortal had ever hit him that hard, there was a lot of emotion in the blow. "You don't order me about, vampire!" Xander got in his face. "We're not in Sunnydale anymore, I don't have to put up with your bullshit!" Spinning around the young man stormed off, a single glare from him stopping Faith in her tracks.
"Gunn," Angel turned to his open-mouthed comrade in arms hurrying down the steps. "Follow him, but don't get in his way unless he needs you."
"On it."
"Willow, what's taking so long?" Buffy continued to pace the floor.
"I don't know," the red-headed Wicca replied, her lips pursed. "I can't get a lock, it's almost as if something's blocking me."
Something probably was, Wood realised as he watched their two leaders. He read Faith's letter, and re-sealed it before she came in. He guessed the demonic law firm had placed some sort of spell on it making magical tracking difficult. He bit down on his bottom lip in frustration. He knew where they were going but he couldn't just say, if he did, he glanced up at their blonde leader, even she'd work out that something was up. He'd have to wait for the chance to slip away.
"Got it!" his head snapped towards an excited-looking Willow. "She's in LA."
"LA?" Buffy's eyes hardened. "That bitch! She's going after Angel! Troops load up!"
Kennedy nodded towards Dawn. The younger Summers nodded before hurrying up to the Watcher. With her Slayer hearing, Kennedy heard the conversation. "Giles," Dawn exclaimed. "Let me help you down with your bags."
"Dawn," the de facto Council head's tone was affronted. "I'm more than capable of carrying a few bags; I'm not quite in my dotage!"
"Only just not though," Kennedy smirked at the look on the Englishman's face at Dawn's reply. "Come on Giles, the sooner we get on the road, the sooner we catch up with Xander."
The Englishman nodded. "Very well."
Satisfied that part one of their plan was working well, Kennedy turned to Willow. "Will, I've got to get something from my room, my lucky axe."
Her girlfriend looked up from collecting up her spell components. "You've got a lucky axe?"
Kennedy forced a grin. "It's lucky for me; I haven't lost my gorgeous head while using it."
"Okay," Willow nodded. "But hurry."
"Will do." Once outside of the conference room, she hurried into Giles' room without knocking.
"Kennedy!" the Englishman looked out-raged. "Don't you bloody yanks know how to lock? I could have been naked!"
"With Dawn in the room?" she raised an eyebrow. "Does Buffy know?"
Dawn fought back giggles while the former librarian reddened. Anxious to stave off a possible heart attack or verbal explosion, Kennedy quickly put things back on track. "We think Wood's lying."
"Or really?" Instantly the Englishman's face took on a look of intense concentration. "About what and why?" After a quick glance at Dawn, she outlined her reasons. The Watcher nodded thoughtfully. "You might have a point; we'll have to alert Buff-."
"No!" Dawn let out a panicked cry. "You can't do that Giles. You know what she gets like when she gets an idea, she'll only go straight to Wood and demand the truth!"
"If she even listens," Kennedy added.
"Very well," the Englishman didn't look happy. "What do you suggest?" Kennedy babbled out her plan. The middle-aged man looked less than impressed. "It's hardly up there with the Normandy landings, but it'll do. I'll stick to Wood like glue; you two have your posts. And Kennedy?"
"Yes?"
"See if you can think of any other Slayers who'd listen to us. Just in case."
"Giles-."
"Dawn," the Englishman's tone was unyielding, giving a hint to the true man concealed beneath his proper exterior. "The Watchers' Council has failed Faith once before. If you are correct and she is innocent of any wrong- doing, we won't fail her again."
Faith stared at the door Xander had left through. After she'd told him about the names of the kids, he'd relaxed a little, not exactly Xander but not as edgy anymore. But when he'd found out she'd told Fang but not him, he'd gone super-nova. Damn, he had no idea the number of times she'd started a letter to tell him about the kids, but what could she say? 'Sorry for trying to kill ya, Xand. Nice roll in the hay. BTW, we have two kids that I had adopted. Have a nice life.' Suddenly she started to shake, fuck the damage she done. Suddenly she felt Angel's arms around her, comforting her. "It'll be alright Faith," Angel consoled her. "Just give Xander time to calm down."
"Angel."
"Not now Wes!" a hard note entered the Master Vampire's voice.
"Yes now!" the Watcher snapped back, damn Wes had grown a set since back in the day. "Lorne and Fred can look after Faith."
"I'm five by five Fang," she muttered, besides it wasn't Angel she wanted not really. It was her babies, her babies, and Xander, Xander telling her that he forgave her, that they could be buds.
"Fine!"
Angel glared at the Watcher stood before him in the inner office. It was largely because of Wesley he hadn't given into the temptation to rip Xander in half. After all, without Wesley he wouldn't know the pain of losing his children, having them forced from you. "Well?"
To his credit the Watcher didn't blink at his anger. "I do wish you'd told me about Faith's children."
"As I recall," he arched an eyebrow. "You weren't exactly interested in Faith's welfare."
After a second the Englishman nodded. "True enough. However," he swallowed. "Those children, the first ever to be born to a Slayer are the subject or a very important prophecy."
Angel groaned. "Why can't anything be simple?"
"You call rescuing two three year olds from a demonic law firm simple? My, why do have an ego don't we?"
He decided to ignore Wesley's sarcastic mutterings. "What's the prophecy?"
"I'll have to search it out."
"Get right it on it," Angel nodded, looking through the glass to the nervously pacing Slayer. "I'll concentrate on getting the kids back. And Wesley," he hesitated. "If Faith mentions this prophecy.."
"Deny all knowledge?"
He nodded. "For the moment."
Gunn tailed the man who'd turned up with the Slayer and punched out his boss. "I do meet interesting characters, don't I?" His eyes widened when the one-eyed man was attacked. "I suppose I better rescue him." His eyes widened further. "If he needs it."
Xander was shaking with anger, his demeanour and the fury in his solitary eye more than enough to deter any of the local lowlife from approaching him. "Fucking bitch," he muttered. She hated him, thought he was worthless, he got that, but to hide the fact she'd had his babies but tell a master vampire with a fetish for killing children. "If it's not Buffy screwing me over for a vamp, the psycho is! How much does my life suck?" he stopped as he thought of something, he hadn't seen his ex back at the motel, where was Cordy? He growled, if Deadboy had let something happen to her, he was going after Angel, and Buffy, Faith, and the Powers That Be had better not get in his way.
Suddenly he tensed as four robe-wearing vampires with gold pentagram medallions stepped out from the shadows of the alleyway he was in. "Not today boys," he grunted. "I'm having a real bad day, do us all a favour and find somebody else to annoy."
"You're the sire," proclaimed one of the vampires, a short, fat woman with the sort of face a horse would have been proud of. The vampire who'd turned her needed to take more blood with his drink. He'd heard of beer goggles but this was ridiculous.
Xander's eyes narrowed. "Sorry, no body's sire," he bluffed. "Living breathing human, bad blood though. Anaemia."
"You're the brats' sire," the woman interrupted.
"Excuse me?" his hand slid into his pocket and pulled out his stake. Four to one, not good odds. On the plus side, he had a lot of frustration to work off. And that remark, somebody was going to pay for that.
Suddenly the vampires surged forward. "Don't kill him, Lord Pain will want him alive!"
Lord Pain, not a social worker then, but if he wanted him alive, that gave him an advantage, Xander realised as he ducked under a left hook, replying with a right elbow to the jaw that staggered its recipient. He had no such qualms about Slaying vampires. Hell, it was practically all had left.
The female leapt at him, attempting a wrestling takedown that he sidestepped, leaving his stake for the vampire to land on. Even as the vampire exploded into dust, another leapt at him with a clothesline that he ducked under. "Shit the WWE's in town!" he cracked before straightening into a forearm to the forehead.
The force of the blow lifted him off his feet and sent him to the ground, the stuffed garbage bags there fortunately cushioning the landing. His assailant charged up to him but he took its legs out with a kick to the knees, knocking it to the ground, its companions tripping up over its body.
Taking advantage of the respite offered, Xander rolled his feet just as one of the vampires bounded upright and charged him. Grabbing hold of the vampire's outstretched hands at the wrists, he dropped onto his back, bringing his feet up into the vampire's stomach, sending him catapulting into the air. Leaping to his feet, he found the two remaining vampires, brothers from the similarity, advancing on him from opposite sides.
Thinking quickly, he dropped into a forward roll, coming to his feet behind his two would-be attackers. Spinning round, he slammed his stake into the left vampire's back. Even as it exploded, its partner caught him with a punch that drove the air from his lungs, Winded, he stumbled away, ducking left and right to avoid the vampire's wild punches, blocking those he couldn't avoid on his soon aching arms and shoulders. Finally, he saw an opening and plunged his stake home.
His entire body a giant bruise, he straightened painfully, his head throbbing. "Well that was easy," he blustered, suddenly he heard a footfall behind him. "Shi-." His world exploded.
"I came out of the hotel to find," Wood winced as pain shot from his groin. When he got the slut's brats he was taking a weekend in the torture chamber with Harris as payment. "Faith and Xander arguing," he hid a smile at Buffy's angry expression, fooling her would be easy. "Faith was demanding that he forgive her, Xander was just trying to get away from her, but she wouldn't let him go. I tried to calm her down but she snapped," he shook his head. "I never thought she'd attack me."
There was a stunned silence then Buffy stepped forward, her face pale but determined. "Will, do a locater spell," she instructed. "Girls, pack. As soon as Willow's got a result we're heading off."
"Buffy," Wood grimaced at the troubled look on Dawn's face. He'd have to watch her; in many ways the younger Summers was the smartest of the lot. "Shouldn't we-."
"No time Dawn," the older Slayer interrupted. "Xander's in trouble."
Wood struggled to his feet. "I'll go pack."
"Are you sure?" Giles asked. "If you're that injured..."
"No," Wood winced as he shook his head. "I've got to be there, I failed Xander."
"Utter nonsense," Giles took him by the elbow and led him out. "Any man would be helpless against a Slayer. But if you're sure..."
"I'm sure."
Kennedy pursed her lips together. This didn't smell right, she knew with her abilities if she'd beaten up Wood in a rage he wouldn't be standing, hell he'd probably be dead. And she'd spent a lot of time with Faith, her fellow brunette Slayer being nearest her own age of all the other Slayers, perhaps a little attracted to her and bound together by their mutual guilt at the pain they'd caused Xander. She sensed that Faith's attitude was mostly just that, attitude, that she wanted nothing more than to make a fresh start. But talking to Willow or Buffy about it wasn't going to work.
She glanced across at a worried looking Dawn. Buffy's sister had doubts too. Coming to a decision she hurried across the hotel hallway and grabbed Dawn's elbow just as the younger teen headed towards her sister. "Wait Dawn," she said loudly. "Let me help you pack."
"But-," the former Key's mouth clamped shut at her headshake. "Fine."
Once they were in the corridor, Kennedy clamped a hand over the younger girl's protesting mouth and quickly forced the lock on a closet door, opened it, and pushed Dawn inside. "What are you doing?" the Key demanded. "I don't know what you're play-."
"Shut up," she instructed quickly. "You think Wood is lying don't you?"
The outrage left the younger Summers' face, her expression growing thoughtful. "Well not lying exactly, but his story doesn't make sense."
Kennedy shook her head; she'd never been one for fudging. "He's lying," she declared flatly. "If Faith had gone psycho and attacked him, he'd be dead."
"And," Dawn added slowly. "Why would Faith take Xander with her? It would make sense that she killed them both rather than kidnap Xander."
"Well," Kennedy shrugged. "She could have a fascination about him; she's kinda obsessed about showing him how she's changed."
Dawn looked surprised. "She is?"
"She talks about him all the time."
"Oh right," Dawn's brow furrowed. "In that case she could have taken him hostage to force him to admit in some warped way that she'd changed."
"Do you believe that?"
After a second Dawn shook her head. "No, in the old days the only person who was important to Faith was Faith, and maybe Buffy. In the past month we've spent a ton more time together than we did in six months, and she's more peaceful too. We have to tell Buffy."
"No," Kennedy shook her head. "That's the last thing we can do. Your sister thinks she's doing the right thing, but you know how she never listens to anyone else. And when Buffy speaks," a note of bitterness entered her voice. "Willow follows. The only person who either will listen to is Xander."
"And he's not here," Dawn winced. "So what do we do?"
"I haven't worked that out," Kennedy admitted. "We've got to stick with the others because of Willow's spell, besides we need to keep an eye on Wood, and when we catch up we're going to have to try and keep Buffy and Willow under control."
"Good luck with that."
The younger woman turned to leave but Kennedy reached out and turned her round to face her. "Dawn, thanks for helping me with this."
Dawn smiled grimly. "No way am I going to let anything happen to Xander or Faith." She nodded in agreement, she owed Xander for him losing his eye. Whatever Wood was playing at he'd pay. "I've just got one question?"
"What's that Dawn?"
"How do we get out of this closet without anyone seeing us and thinking we're having a passionate affair?"
"Ah," Kennedy grimaced. "Good point."
Lord Pain brought his bullwhip down hard across the back of his manacled slave, glorying in her tortured screams. He stepped back and admired the blood seeping down the blonde's back, luxuriating in the ravaged skin that just days had been flawlessly smooth. One of his minions had seen the blonde in a Scandinavian pop video, and knowing his love taking beautiful things and breaking them, had brought her to his attention.
It had taken him several weeks to 'acquire' her by faking a car accident, but she was worth it. At first she'd blustered and threatened, but a few nights without food and water in a rat-infested cell had stopped that. Then she'd attempted to bargain, telling him of the millions her record company would pay for her unharmed return. Then after a weekend as the toy of his right-hand man she'd begged and pleaded for her release. But now, after a week of his personal attention, she was so broken that she couldn't even formulate sentences.
Smiling proudly he moved to the front of his creation and lifted her limp head. His smile broadened as he inspected the blonde's face, she'd been awake when he'd burnt it off with a blowtorch, at the start anyway. Next time he'd take a male, a model or a bodybuilder perhaps.
He heard the door of the cell open behind him and sensed the presence of his one of his oldest childes. "Yes Klaus?"
"Sir, the Promised Two have been sighted!"
Pain snapped around to face his right-hand man, excitement pulsing through his veins. The Promised Two, the fated children of the second Slayer. Ever since the Summers Slayer had died and a second Slayer called, the Blood Brotherhood had watched the Slayer line for a sign of the children that were fated to make his organisation the dominant demon group in the world. Somehow they'd missed the birth of the children, how his spies had paid for that mistake – crucified and doused in holy water, but now... "Where?" he demanded.
"LA, shall I organise your jet?"
"Yes." He nodded before turning back to his victim and running a long finger across her taut stomach. "My dear," he leaned in to where her right ear should have been. "It's been a pleasure," he muttered before plunging his fangs deep into her throat. Ah, the blood of a broken spirit, nothing tasted better.
"Sir, we have a report in from America!"
Lord Archibald Trent looked up at his lackey. "Yes, Ms. Stevens?" he smiled at his personal assistant and bodyguard, a tall, leanly-muscled beauty of African descent with a handful of black belts and a hard-earned reputation in countless martial arts tournaments. "And what might that news be?"
"The Twins are in the hands of W&H."
Lord Archibald Trent pursed his lips in thought. "Damn." Throughout England, he was known as a playboy lord of the realm, friend of pop stars and footballers, and lover of models and actresses, the heir to a three hundred million dollar fortune. Much less well known was his past as a former Watcher thrown out of the organisation for dabbling black magics.
When he'd been expelled he'd stolen a number of black arts texts, including several books of prophecies, one of which included the Kalian prophecy detailing the twins of a Slayer whose power could influence the entire world. Such power needed to be controlled by the right hands, his hands. After a second he nodded, he needed to call in the members of the occult organisation he had founded, The Apocalypse Foundation. With the fall of the Watchers' Council there was a power vacuum and if he had hold of the children, he could move into the hole. He smiled slightly. "Get the executives on the blower luv, set up on the video conferencing."
"Certainly sir," Stevens turned away from him and then turned back. "And the jet?"
"Have it readied," he paused in thought for a second. "Organise our special ops team, I want those children, their mother too if possible. But the children are our priority."
"We're here," Faith let out a weary sigh. Nothing had taken as much out of her as the several hour drive to Los Angeles, her mind filled with worried thoughts of her babies, her heart breaking repeatedly at the memory of Wood's betrayal, and the car filled with tension.
Xander's brow furrowed in confusion as he stared at the building she'd parked outside of. "The evil law firm's base is a run-down hotel?"
"Oh no," Faith swallowed. This was going to be fun. "This is Angel's den."
The expected explosion wasn't long in coming. "WHAT! Did you bang your head on the way here? Kill your one functioning brain cell? Are you fucking craz-."
"X," she interrupted softly. One of them had to remain the calm one, obviously she was nominated, boy were her kids screwed. "We weren't thinking straight when we left San Diego, we can't take Wolfram & Hart on our own, we should have asked B and the others for help. But Fang, he's been going toe to toe with W&H for years, and he's ahead on points."
Xander glared at her for a long second, his single eye bringing with it all the ferocity of a laser, before finally nodding, a look of grudging acceptance on his face. "Fine," he growled. "Asking DB for help, just wonderful."
Daniel Wolfe looked up as his office door crashed open.. "Mr Wolfe, our mages indicate the Slayer has arrived."
"Excellent," Daniel beamed. "Now all we have do to is wait for her to contact us."
"Uh," the flunky looked nervous. "It appears she's contacted Angelus."
His smile broadened. "Better and better. I shall await her phone call with interest."
Angel looked up from fixing the reception area, maybe he should have taken W&H's offer then at least he wouldn't be doing house-cleaning, with a smile, a familiar scent in his nostrils. They'd won. His smile died when he considered why she must be here. Faith had changed, she didn't deserve to spend the next two decades in prison, it wasn't like her mother had ever been punished for the abuse that had made the way she was. The foyer door swung open. "Fait-," his greeting died when he spied the young man following behind his protégée. "Harris," he hoped his tone adequately conveyed his complete lack of welcome. "And what are you doing here?" His mouth dropped open as he noticed something. "What happened to your eye?"
He heard the door to the inner office behind him open and smelt Wesley's scent. "Angel," the former Watcher's voice grew delighted. "Oh Faith, it's good to see you again."
"Wes," Faith nodded towards the Watcher. Angel growled as he noticed the redness of the curvy brunette's eyes and the puffiness of her cheeks. His eyes narrowed as he turned towards a scowling Xander, if that horse's ass had hurt her... "My babies have been kidnapped by Wolfram & Hart."
"WHAT!"
The roar came from three mouths, his, a shocked-sounding Wes, and highly pissed-off looking Xander who grabbed the Slayer by the crook of her arm and spun her round to face him. "You're telling me?" the youth said each word slowly, as if struggling to contain his temper. "That you told that bastard about my kids but me, nothing?" the man laughed, it was a harsh, bitter sound, with nothing Xanderlike in it. "'Course you murderers have to have something to bond over. Why not send him them as mini-meals?"
"Xander," Faith's voice was soft, pleading. "Please, let go you're hurting me."
Angel wasn't at all sure his friend was talking about the vice-like grip on her arm. Stepping forward, he pulled Xander away from the Slayer. "Calm down Xander," he kept his own voice calm, letting none of his anger at the man's rough treatment of his friend spill over into his tone. "We all know that Faith was in a bad place back then-."
"A bad place?" Xander broke in with a sharp laugh and a contemptuous shake of the head. "Try every bad place between Boston and Sunnydale, every back alley, fleapit motel, biker's bar, and lowlife titty bar. I don't know why I'm here, they're probably Rosco the biker's kids, not mine."
"You've seen the photo," Faith's pain-filled voice trembled. "Y..you know they're yours Xander."
Hearing the hurt in Faith's voice, Angel was about three seconds from introducing Xander's face to the wall. Forcing his demon under control, he continued to speak as if Xander hadn't interrupted him. "What we need is cool heads. We need to sit down."
He saw Xander's fist coming towards his head but didn't bother to block it, figuring it was better the young man took his frustrations out on him rather than hurl abuse at Faith. The punch crashed against his jaw, staggering him with its impact, he didn't think a mortal had ever hit him that hard, there was a lot of emotion in the blow. "You don't order me about, vampire!" Xander got in his face. "We're not in Sunnydale anymore, I don't have to put up with your bullshit!" Spinning around the young man stormed off, a single glare from him stopping Faith in her tracks.
"Gunn," Angel turned to his open-mouthed comrade in arms hurrying down the steps. "Follow him, but don't get in his way unless he needs you."
"On it."
"Willow, what's taking so long?" Buffy continued to pace the floor.
"I don't know," the red-headed Wicca replied, her lips pursed. "I can't get a lock, it's almost as if something's blocking me."
Something probably was, Wood realised as he watched their two leaders. He read Faith's letter, and re-sealed it before she came in. He guessed the demonic law firm had placed some sort of spell on it making magical tracking difficult. He bit down on his bottom lip in frustration. He knew where they were going but he couldn't just say, if he did, he glanced up at their blonde leader, even she'd work out that something was up. He'd have to wait for the chance to slip away.
"Got it!" his head snapped towards an excited-looking Willow. "She's in LA."
"LA?" Buffy's eyes hardened. "That bitch! She's going after Angel! Troops load up!"
Kennedy nodded towards Dawn. The younger Summers nodded before hurrying up to the Watcher. With her Slayer hearing, Kennedy heard the conversation. "Giles," Dawn exclaimed. "Let me help you down with your bags."
"Dawn," the de facto Council head's tone was affronted. "I'm more than capable of carrying a few bags; I'm not quite in my dotage!"
"Only just not though," Kennedy smirked at the look on the Englishman's face at Dawn's reply. "Come on Giles, the sooner we get on the road, the sooner we catch up with Xander."
The Englishman nodded. "Very well."
Satisfied that part one of their plan was working well, Kennedy turned to Willow. "Will, I've got to get something from my room, my lucky axe."
Her girlfriend looked up from collecting up her spell components. "You've got a lucky axe?"
Kennedy forced a grin. "It's lucky for me; I haven't lost my gorgeous head while using it."
"Okay," Willow nodded. "But hurry."
"Will do." Once outside of the conference room, she hurried into Giles' room without knocking.
"Kennedy!" the Englishman looked out-raged. "Don't you bloody yanks know how to lock? I could have been naked!"
"With Dawn in the room?" she raised an eyebrow. "Does Buffy know?"
Dawn fought back giggles while the former librarian reddened. Anxious to stave off a possible heart attack or verbal explosion, Kennedy quickly put things back on track. "We think Wood's lying."
"Or really?" Instantly the Englishman's face took on a look of intense concentration. "About what and why?" After a quick glance at Dawn, she outlined her reasons. The Watcher nodded thoughtfully. "You might have a point; we'll have to alert Buff-."
"No!" Dawn let out a panicked cry. "You can't do that Giles. You know what she gets like when she gets an idea, she'll only go straight to Wood and demand the truth!"
"If she even listens," Kennedy added.
"Very well," the Englishman didn't look happy. "What do you suggest?" Kennedy babbled out her plan. The middle-aged man looked less than impressed. "It's hardly up there with the Normandy landings, but it'll do. I'll stick to Wood like glue; you two have your posts. And Kennedy?"
"Yes?"
"See if you can think of any other Slayers who'd listen to us. Just in case."
"Giles-."
"Dawn," the Englishman's tone was unyielding, giving a hint to the true man concealed beneath his proper exterior. "The Watchers' Council has failed Faith once before. If you are correct and she is innocent of any wrong- doing, we won't fail her again."
Faith stared at the door Xander had left through. After she'd told him about the names of the kids, he'd relaxed a little, not exactly Xander but not as edgy anymore. But when he'd found out she'd told Fang but not him, he'd gone super-nova. Damn, he had no idea the number of times she'd started a letter to tell him about the kids, but what could she say? 'Sorry for trying to kill ya, Xand. Nice roll in the hay. BTW, we have two kids that I had adopted. Have a nice life.' Suddenly she started to shake, fuck the damage she done. Suddenly she felt Angel's arms around her, comforting her. "It'll be alright Faith," Angel consoled her. "Just give Xander time to calm down."
"Angel."
"Not now Wes!" a hard note entered the Master Vampire's voice.
"Yes now!" the Watcher snapped back, damn Wes had grown a set since back in the day. "Lorne and Fred can look after Faith."
"I'm five by five Fang," she muttered, besides it wasn't Angel she wanted not really. It was her babies, her babies, and Xander, Xander telling her that he forgave her, that they could be buds.
"Fine!"
Angel glared at the Watcher stood before him in the inner office. It was largely because of Wesley he hadn't given into the temptation to rip Xander in half. After all, without Wesley he wouldn't know the pain of losing his children, having them forced from you. "Well?"
To his credit the Watcher didn't blink at his anger. "I do wish you'd told me about Faith's children."
"As I recall," he arched an eyebrow. "You weren't exactly interested in Faith's welfare."
After a second the Englishman nodded. "True enough. However," he swallowed. "Those children, the first ever to be born to a Slayer are the subject or a very important prophecy."
Angel groaned. "Why can't anything be simple?"
"You call rescuing two three year olds from a demonic law firm simple? My, why do have an ego don't we?"
He decided to ignore Wesley's sarcastic mutterings. "What's the prophecy?"
"I'll have to search it out."
"Get right it on it," Angel nodded, looking through the glass to the nervously pacing Slayer. "I'll concentrate on getting the kids back. And Wesley," he hesitated. "If Faith mentions this prophecy.."
"Deny all knowledge?"
He nodded. "For the moment."
Gunn tailed the man who'd turned up with the Slayer and punched out his boss. "I do meet interesting characters, don't I?" His eyes widened when the one-eyed man was attacked. "I suppose I better rescue him." His eyes widened further. "If he needs it."
Xander was shaking with anger, his demeanour and the fury in his solitary eye more than enough to deter any of the local lowlife from approaching him. "Fucking bitch," he muttered. She hated him, thought he was worthless, he got that, but to hide the fact she'd had his babies but tell a master vampire with a fetish for killing children. "If it's not Buffy screwing me over for a vamp, the psycho is! How much does my life suck?" he stopped as he thought of something, he hadn't seen his ex back at the motel, where was Cordy? He growled, if Deadboy had let something happen to her, he was going after Angel, and Buffy, Faith, and the Powers That Be had better not get in his way.
Suddenly he tensed as four robe-wearing vampires with gold pentagram medallions stepped out from the shadows of the alleyway he was in. "Not today boys," he grunted. "I'm having a real bad day, do us all a favour and find somebody else to annoy."
"You're the sire," proclaimed one of the vampires, a short, fat woman with the sort of face a horse would have been proud of. The vampire who'd turned her needed to take more blood with his drink. He'd heard of beer goggles but this was ridiculous.
Xander's eyes narrowed. "Sorry, no body's sire," he bluffed. "Living breathing human, bad blood though. Anaemia."
"You're the brats' sire," the woman interrupted.
"Excuse me?" his hand slid into his pocket and pulled out his stake. Four to one, not good odds. On the plus side, he had a lot of frustration to work off. And that remark, somebody was going to pay for that.
Suddenly the vampires surged forward. "Don't kill him, Lord Pain will want him alive!"
Lord Pain, not a social worker then, but if he wanted him alive, that gave him an advantage, Xander realised as he ducked under a left hook, replying with a right elbow to the jaw that staggered its recipient. He had no such qualms about Slaying vampires. Hell, it was practically all had left.
The female leapt at him, attempting a wrestling takedown that he sidestepped, leaving his stake for the vampire to land on. Even as the vampire exploded into dust, another leapt at him with a clothesline that he ducked under. "Shit the WWE's in town!" he cracked before straightening into a forearm to the forehead.
The force of the blow lifted him off his feet and sent him to the ground, the stuffed garbage bags there fortunately cushioning the landing. His assailant charged up to him but he took its legs out with a kick to the knees, knocking it to the ground, its companions tripping up over its body.
Taking advantage of the respite offered, Xander rolled his feet just as one of the vampires bounded upright and charged him. Grabbing hold of the vampire's outstretched hands at the wrists, he dropped onto his back, bringing his feet up into the vampire's stomach, sending him catapulting into the air. Leaping to his feet, he found the two remaining vampires, brothers from the similarity, advancing on him from opposite sides.
Thinking quickly, he dropped into a forward roll, coming to his feet behind his two would-be attackers. Spinning round, he slammed his stake into the left vampire's back. Even as it exploded, its partner caught him with a punch that drove the air from his lungs, Winded, he stumbled away, ducking left and right to avoid the vampire's wild punches, blocking those he couldn't avoid on his soon aching arms and shoulders. Finally, he saw an opening and plunged his stake home.
His entire body a giant bruise, he straightened painfully, his head throbbing. "Well that was easy," he blustered, suddenly he heard a footfall behind him. "Shi-." His world exploded.