Chapter 9

(GILES APARTMENT)

Just before Dawn Faith rose from a restless sleep. Nobody had really spoke that night after the battle; they had just gone to Giles' and had some tea or drink of choice for relaxation and tried to sleep. She knew as sad as she was the rest of the gang had to be many times more devastated. Giles had got her out of prison to kill another human, what a joke.

She planned to gather her few belongings and leave as quietly as possible so as not to cause any further pain by the scoobies having to see her; the one who slay Willow. She knew Willow was evil but knew their Willow who was sweet and loving would be what they now saw. She knew she had to go.

"Faith," Xander spoke quietly from behind her as she lifted her hand to the front door. "You're the slayer now, you can't leave. Plus Tara is going to need you."

She turned and looked at him sadly. "Xan I will only be a reminder of Willow's murder to Tara. I won't do that to her. I won't do it to D, none of you."

"Faith Willow was my best friend yet I'm standing here asking you not to leave. Doesn't that count for something?" He spoke as Giles came in the room.

"In every generation a slayer is born, she alone must fight the forces of darkness. This is your job Faith and I as a watcher must try to prevent you from forsaking a duty that was robbed from you long ago." He looked into her deep brown pools with determination. "I know it may be hard for a bit but we will see that what you did was put Willow out of misery that has plagued her through the ages."

"Yeah I hear ya and all G-man but I just dunno if I can do it. I killed another human and B's life had to be cut short again." She opens the door and walks out.

"She'll be back, she has to." Xander said shaking his head as the smell of pancakes came out of the kitchen. "Anya is trying to cook."

"Dear Lord," Giles said as the two men rushed for the kitchen with a little laughter.

(A BAR, NIGHT TIME)

Faith poured herself another shot from the bottle she had purchased. She wasn't drunk yet but had a nice relaxing buzz going. In all actuality she wanted to drink the pain away. The pain of having to leave somewhere she called home again; the pain of having to leave Tara most of all. She shook her head 'nice going, you fell for someone you can never have because you took the easy way out and killed her ex lover right in front of her. You're always screwing up Faith.' Faith poured another shot to try and stop the mental berating she was giving herself but so far had been unsuccessful.

(TARA WALKING AT NIGHT)

Tara walked down an empty street. The sun had long since set but she didn't have a desire to go back to her or Giles' apartment. She knew she shouldn't be out alone this time of night but, at the moment, she really didn't care. Everything she thought was dear in her world was gone. Willow was dead and probably never hers to begin with. Buffy who had befriended her was gone, Spike had left town, it seemed there was nothing left for Tara.

"You know she loved you Tara," a voice from behind her said. "The slayer had motive other than saving people to kill her. She wanted her out of the way so she could have her way with you."

Tara turned to see none other than Glory standing there.

(FAITH ON A PARK BENCH)

The next morning Faith sits down on a park bench trying to relax and nurse her aching head as she gathers her thoughts. Her eyes close briefly and she sees a sign that says, CZECH REPUBLIC MONASTERY GREAT HALL. A monk is calling out fearfully to another "It's coming. It's going to kill us! The wrath of the beast upon its return will be far worse than her previous visit!"

The other monk says flatly, "Our lives aren't important. We have to protect the witch, we must channel the Key." The two monks race to the center of the room and join a third who appears to be the ranking monk. They kneel on the floor before the SENIOR MONK, around several lit candles and talismans. "Help me perform the ritual." The lead monk says in a calm yet authoritative voice.

The three monks extend their arms and begin chanting. As they are chanting the ancient text, a booming crash thunders through the monastery. The elder monk chastises the other two in order to keep them focused. A breeze springs up inside the room. The fierce pounding on the door continues; the crossbeam starts to

splinter. Then, a beaming flash of light leaps from the center of the circle. Then all goes dark as Dawn jerks about in her sleep.

Faith jolts upright finding a bright yellow orb clasped tightly in her hand. "She is yours now, take care of the key," Buffy's voice says softly.

"Fuck," Faith shouts putting the orb in her jacket racing towards where she isn't sure.

(MAGIC BOX)

Anya stood behind the counter when Faith came in. She was sure Anya would be there and hoped she'd be alone. Faith had easily surmised that the scoobies never utilized Anya's knowledge and seeing as Willow was gone, she was hesitant on mingling with the scoobies, she fully planned to get some help from the ex demon. "Faith," Anya said tentatively. "I am really sorry how all this turned out."

"No time for that," she pulled the orb out of her jacket. "I don't have many resources available to me anymore and I hope you can help me out."

Anya looks at the orb with disbelief on her face. "Where'd you get this?" She listens intently as Faith recalls her vision earlier that morning. "There isn't much detail that I remember but the Dagon Sphere," she points to the orb making sure Faith knows what she's talking about, "was created to repel That Which Cannot Be Named, the one we in the demon world simply call the beast, the one who is responsible for the death of Buffy, thee one and only Glorificus."

TBC.