Episode 16- Running by AnyaRocks

Kennedy awakes chained up in the basement with Amy standing before her.

Kennedy: "Here to kill me?"

Amy: "No, here to get us out of town, things are getting hot and I'm bailing to plot my next move. If you are on my side we can work together. If not, that crazy slayer will end up killing you."

(cut to the cemetery)

Faith and Dawn are battling a group of three vampires, Faith has two dusted and stands watching Dawn. The vampire gets Dawn down but she kicks it as hard as she can rolling free.

Faith: "Who has the power D?"

Dawn: "It does, Buffy said so when she was training me." She kicks at it again but it grabs her leg swinging her over a headstone hard. Then Faith jumps on it's back pulling it away then drives the stake in.

Faith: "Who has the power D?" Dawn looks at her confused. "It's not about strength, B never quite figured that one out, it's about smarts and finding your way out of any given situation. As long as warm blood flows through your body you have the power D, it may have physical strength, but you have mental strength. A fledgling vamp is dazed and confused, you hold the key over it."

Dawn: "How do I know you're telling me the truth, first you lie about Buffy, now this, you you're trying to ruin everything she taught me." She kicks Faith in the shin hard waiting for a response but Faith just stands there.

Faith: "D, you can hate me, you can accuse me of trying to ruin B's name, whatever you want but if you want to patrol with me, you will listen to me! I'm in no mood of being killed by some frigging vampire or demon because you're throwing a tantrum."

(cut to summers home)

Xander lays on the floor bleeding when Andrew comes down the stairs and screams. Willow is sleeping peacefully, having a dream about snuggling with someone but wakes up in a start upon hearing the scream. She runs down the stairs trying to shake her mind of the dream.

Willow: "What happened?"

Andrew: "I don't know."

Xander: "Amy, Kennedy, they left. They kicked my ass and left." His mind flashes to Amy coming in trying to tell him they're setting her up. When he defies her, Kennedy proceeds to do a not so good slayer number on him and they run out the door.

Willow: "Get the first aid kit, I'm going to call," just then Faith and Dawn come in as the phone rings.

Faith: "Yeah?"

Spike: "Robin and I've found the book, it's in the rat's house. Red was right about the missing book, we're heading out." Faith glares at Xander.

Faith: "I told you not to bring her here, Amy stole the book, they got it."

Andrew: "Amy also took off with Kennedy."

Faith: "Good, they're small time anyway."

Andrew: "Yeah we've got bigger fish to fry."

The shimmering light that is Joyce beams into Faith's view.

Joyce: "Faith hurry, Caleb has Robin knocked out and is going to kill Spike."

Faith: "Red lets go now!"

(cut to Amy's)

Caleb has Spike beat down and is screaming at him about how Buffy only slept with him to get some, she never loved him.

Spike: "Maybe not, but she did care for me and she believed in me so that's enough." He kicks Caleb hard but is hit in the jaw with the ring and goes sprawling across the floor. Robin slowly gets up and jumps on Caleb but is thrown off quickly.

Faith: "That ring holds some funky powers Red." She rushes in hitting Caleb hard as Willow drags Wood out. Spike jumps out the window as Caleb knocks Faith down.

Caleb: "You're nothing Faith, nothing but a slayer wanna-be. You'll never measure up, you're a dirty whore like your dead mother!"

Willow: "Faith get up, come on, hurry, you know we can't win yet, don't be stupid like Buffy, remember what happened?" On the mention of her mother, Faith's dark eyes turn cold and emotionless like all those years ago.

Spike: "Faith come on, lets go!"

Faith: "I'm gonna be your worst nightmare Caleb, I promise." He hits her again but she catches his arm pushing him back then dives out the window barely escaping his reach with her slayer speed and Spike grabbing her arms and jerking to help quicken her escape.

(cut to summers home)

Faith is standing outside smoking a cigarette looking at the moon which is hidden behind the clouds as Robin walks up to her.

Robin: "Need to chat?"

Faith: "Nope," she barely looks at him.

Robin: "Look Faith, we've traveled the same road, hurts, mistakes and redemption and the loss of a mother."

Faith: "You're not my watcher so lay off Wood-man. You think just because we shared a moment last spring that makes me more apt to talk to you? I remember what you told me then, how you said the first told the truth, you knew it was a weakness and you played on it. I want to trust you Robin, but I'm having a hard time of it."

Robin: "Of course not and I'm not trying to read anything into our little encounter but," she laughs at him batting her dark eyes which seem a bit emotionless.

Faith: "You caught me at one of very few vulnerable moments Wood-man, it will never, ever happen again because I got my head all cleared up finally."

Robin: "is that so?" He smiles at her and she glares at him shoving him against the wall. Ok fair enough, I think it was convenient for both of us and I'm not trying to pick you up I just thought maybe we could be friends and help each other." She just looks at him and walks off as Willow steps out the door.

Willow: "Do you like her?"

Robin: "Not like that, I liked Buffy and she knows it, that's why I'm getting lashed at, but I think you have some competition." He laughs starting to walk off.

Willow: "The trick is, you have to know when to talk to Faith and when to leave her alone. She isn't one to be pressed especially after being reminded so harshly of her childhood." She walks off.

(cut to an empty street)

Faith is beating the hell out of a vampire obviously letting her frustrations out. She finally dusts it after cursing at it and pounding some more.

Spike: "Angry slayer I see."

Faith: "Not in the mood Spike."

Spike: "Sorry love, so are you tangoing with Wood?"

Faith: "No, we had a one night stand, first in mayor form visited me, got me all confused, you know how that is."

Spike: "I certainly do and it's good you're not, he's a bit boring, you know, lacks adventure and I've been known to tear up a crypt in pleasureful activities."

Faith: "Oh man," she laughs. "Then we'd clash, see I like control not submissiveness." Willow catches up to them.

Willow: "Hey, are, are you ok?"

Faith: "Yeah Red, just needed some time but testosterone boy won't let me be." She smiles to let Spike know she's playing.

Spike: "Well then, I'll be off now, can't wait to see who gets the prize Red." He winks at Willow strolling off.

Willow: "I'm sorry, it must be hard, I mean, your mom, was she, bad?"

Faith: "Till I was strong enough to hit her back then she died. I don't wanna talk about it Red."

Willow: "You know, Spike or Robin, they're," Faith shoots her a shut up glare.

Faith: "I don't want B's garbage Red, I don't want her family, none of it," she kicks a bottle and it smashes against a tree. "Just don't push me Red, I don't wanna go off on you like I did Robin. I didn't mean to yell at him."

Willow: "What about Dawnie, you two have hardly spoke and I know you're trying. Most of the time now you're nice as opposed to a few years ago only sometimes you were nice, it's a long process but I think you're doing good."

Faith: "I hope so Red, I'm doin'' my best. D just gives me these looks when I try to approach her so I am giving her time. Lets go home, I'll apologize to Wood-man tomorrow." They walk off as Caleb watches.

(fade to black)