FIC: She's Gone (16/?)

"Guys," Willow took strength from Tara's hand in hers. "There's something I have to tell you." She talked for a few minutes, watching nervously as Faith's brown eyes grew darker and her rosebud lips thinned out into a hard, unyielding line. Finally she'd finished.

There was silence for a few seconds. "You fucking irresponsible bitch!" Faith screamed as she jumped out of her seat. "Why I oughta-."

"Please honey," she was relieved, although a little disgusted, when Xander placed his hand on the Bostonian's slender shoulder guiding her back into her chair. "Willow knows she made a mistake. And she's trying to fix it. Question is what to do about it?"

Faith took an audible breath. The brunette's glaring eyes still fixed on her, the Slayer replied. "What am I gonna do? Fix up Red's shit. I'm just getting some warm fuzzies about this." The east coast native shook her head, Willow bristled inwardly, how dare the skank look down on her? Who did she think she was, Buffy? "Where is this vamp anyhow?" She mumbled the address to the guttermouth. "Five by five."

"I'm coming with you."

"Wicked, it'll be a regular hunting party," Faith growled at Xander. "Let's get this done."


Faith cautiously entered the darkened basement, slowly making her way down the dirty stone steps. Her Slayer's sense was telling her there was definitely a demon down here. She peered into the darkness. "Yo, no point hiding, I can see ya," she bullshitted.

After a second, a sniffing, unkempt vampire stumbled out of the shadows. Faith's eyes widened. The blonde's hair straggled down, framing a gaunt, drawn face, that from the look of it had been clawed to ribbons by the vampire's fingers, and her yellow eyes shone with madness. The vampire's once designer clothes were now filthy rags that looked as if they hadn't been washed or, Faith's nose wrinkled, even taken off in a long while. This couldn't be Harmony Kendall.

Except it was. She hefted her stake, not wanting to say anything smartass for the first time in a long while. "Sorry about this Harm-." She blinked as the vampire leapt onto the end of her stake. "Well shit," she muttered. "Why can't they all do that? I might reach retirement age." She stared at the falling dust for a second before shaking her head and heading for the door, each reluctant step taking much longer than her walk down here.

She blinked as she reached the surface, her eyes re-adjusting to the light. "You okay Faith?"

It was Xander who called out to her as she left the derelict building, but she directed her gaze towards Willow. "Oh yeah, cool. Only," she paused and shook her head. "Only let's just say I know just how the hunter who shot Babmi's mom felt."

"You've seen-," Dawn shut up at her glare.

"Really not the point I was trying to make Pip. Let's get out of here," she looked up pleadingly at Xander. What she really needed was a bucket to puke the memory of Harmony out into.


"It's not going well is it?"

Tara shook her head sadly at Xander's question. She loved Willow so much, but Faith was important to her too. And it tore at her, seeing the anguish in Xander's eyes that his two favourite people in the world couldn't get on. "I keep expecting them to start cat-fighting." Tara sighed when she saw Xander's eyes glaze over, a sure sign her words had sent his mind drifting off into one of his dreams. "Focus Xander."

Xander shook his head. "Sorry, I was just -."

Tara laughed. "I know what you were just doing. Did it involve baby-oil? Mine does," she teased.

"Yea-, Tara!" Xander cried. "That's my girl-friend you're fantasying about."

"Hello, lesbian?" She raised an eyebrow. "I notice that you're dating a hottie Xander." She turned serious. "So, what are we going to about them? A double-date?" she suggested.

Xander shook his head again. "Too obvious. How about a group meal, Giles and Dawn there too, much less dateish." After a second Xander shuddered. "Remind me to never use the words 'Giles', 'Dawn', and 'date' in the same sentence ever again."

"Agreed," Tara nodded. "That sounds like a better idea."

"Then I'll set it up," Xander stood. "Have I ever told you about my fantasies involving you and Willow?"

"No, and don't ever."

Xander scowled. "Spoilsport. I was hoping for the videotape."


"Well this is nice," Giles forced a smile as he looked around the tastefully lit Italian restaurant, a string quartet playing in the background, and the hum of conversation from the tables surrounding them combining to make for a pleasant back-ground. No it wasn't their environment that the problem, it was the ravishing brunette and the pretty red-head that were glaring daggers at one another that were causing the problems. "Well, this restaurant is certainly full, and yet I find myself in the fortunate position of being sat at the table seating the four most beautiful women in this establishment. Don't you agree Xander?"

"Couldn't agree more G-Man," Xander looked as nervous as he felt. Giles took a sip of his wine. At least that was good, this was going to be a long night.


Faith halted as she exited the toilet cubicle to see Willow stood glaring at her. Faith's mood dropped still further. She'd been so buzzed when Xander said they had a date at Marco's, a rare chance for her to dress fancy. And then they'd got here to find G and the others waiting. Sneaky bastard. "Red," she grunted.

"Just so you know," the Wicca sniffed. "I wouldn't have come here if I knew you were coming."

Faith's temper flared. "That right? Ditto for me Red. Say," she drawled. "I got a question that only a smart girl like you could answer."

"And what's that?" Willow scoffed. "Forgot your times table?"

"Nope," Faith shook her head. "Just wondered after all the shit you've done to X and the others these past few months what gives you the right to look down on me?"

"I'm not a murdering jail-bird!" Willow snapped back at her.

"You think?" Faith raised an eyebrow. "And what do you think Harm did when her soul disappeared at night? Take fashion classes?"

Willow paled. "You bitch!"

"You think?" Faith scowled. "Let me make this very clear, you hurt any of them again and I'll rip your heart out. Remember, you just said it - I'm a murderer."

"And I'll do the same when you cheat on Xander," Willow shot back.

"Whatever Red."


Giles glanced at the two girls' set faces as they returned from the toilets. He sensed words had been exchanged. Bloody marvellous. He cleared his throat before starting to speak. "I have some news."

"What's that G?" Faith winked at him. "Got yourself a new squeeze? Some Wicca half your age I bet. Oh the scandal. Hey Xan," the beautiful brunette grinned at her boyfriend, "you think the Sunnydale Chronicle would be interested in the story?"

"I should be so lucky," he grinned at the Slayer's teasing. "Or have the energy. No," he turned serious. "I have to return to England-."

"What?" Faith exclaimed. "But you're my Watcher! You can't just fucking leave me!"

Giles hid a wince at the look of betrayal on the supernatural warrior's face. So many people had deserted her, it was difficult for her to trust anyone. "Faith," he soothed. "It's only for a few days, a week at the most. I have to make reports to the Council about you. Tell them what a splendid Slayer you've become."

Faith looked briefly pleased, then worried. "But what about the shop? It can't run without you?"

"She's got you there," he heard Willow mutter. "She'll probably sell the shop and spend the proceeds partying with a biker gang."

He decided to ignore that. "Faith, you've proven to be very competent in the shop." The Bostonian beamed at his compliment. "I'm sure it'll be safe in your hands."


"She betrayed us."

"I know dear," Rack stroked Amy's hair before kissing her neck, his eyes fixed on the group leaving the restaurant. "But Strawberry will pay."

"Promise?" Amy looked up pleadingly at him.

"I promise," Rack glared at the departing party. "They all will."