Sorry for not updating, but I kind gave up on the original plot so I just decided to go with a flow. Tell me what ya think.
"Well, since Faith doesn't seem to be in a talkative mood at the moment, how about I ask for that tea and you can fill me in what you've been doing for the past few years." Angel said, still amused by the look on Faith's face.
"Only if you explain how exactly you ended up as the head of the most powerful demon-dealing law firm in LA. When you said you were running a firm, I was expecting something like 'Heroes anonymous', you know, 'helping people from the shadows, running through the sewers on daily bases'. But this, I must admit if there was one thing I didn't expect, it would be seeing you sitting in a comfy office, telling your secretary to bring tea. I'm impressed."
Faith, who had in the meantime gotten out of her trancelike state, was slowly returning to the present. Having missed a good part of conversation she had no idea what they were talking about.
"… so Cordelia was about to give birth…" He was interrupted by the doors opening, but instead of Harmony, Wesley walked in.
"Angel, sorry to interrupt but I've got a problem." He looked at the women sitting in the office and nodded his head before disappearing behind the door.
"Ok, sorry about this, I'll be right back. Why don't you two get to know each other while I'm gone." He said getting up from his chair and heading for the door.
Silence settled in after Angel closed the door, with both women assessing the other. While the small, intriguing smile never left the older woman's lips, Faith was getting more uncomfortable by the moment.
"You don't look especially pleased to meet me." Tina said in a voice that carried more curiosity than hurt.
"Sorry, not that big on trusting Watchers. Bad experience n' all."
"Really? Angel didn't mention anything about it. Actually he didn't say anything except he had a Slayer who needs a Watcher. I must say I was a bit surprised that he asked me."
"Why, I thought you two were like old buddies or something?"
"We are old friends, but I'm not exactly a Watcher. I have some experience with training people to fight but that was some years ago." 'Some centuries ago would be more accurate' Tina thought with a smile.
"So you're not Council's dog. What are you then?" Faith asked, inwardly feeling a bit better knowing she wasn't speaking to a Council member.
"Well, I have been changing professions in the last few…years. But for the sake of simplicity let's just say I'm a writer"
Judging by the incredulous look on Faith's face, it wasn't the answer she was expecting.
"So what ya sayin 's not only had Angel found me a fuckin Agatha Christie for a Watcher, but that G-man said yes to it?"
This only provoked a small chuckle from the woman. "First of all, I don't write detective fiction. I'm more philosophically and historically inclined. And second, I'm not quite sure who this 'G-man' is but I'm going to take a wild guess and say he is part of Watchers Council?" After Faith's nod she continued "I am rather certain that Angel had no problem convincing anyone in England that I am more than qualified for the job." She watched in amusement as the younger woman's brows slowly furrowed.
"Not to sound completely retarded here, but I'm not sure I get it." Faith said, trying to understand why Giles would agree to this. The only possible reason she could find was that he thought she needed therapy and he and Angel arranged for some Freud wannabe to come and work with her. The woman did say she was 'philosophically inclined' and had changed a few jobs. Maybe she tried the shrink gig, didn't like it and decided to write a book. Like '101 reason why not to become a psychiatrist'. And when that flopped they sent her to another lost cause, that'd be yours truly. 'Fuck, I just created a Mexican soap. Gotta stop thinking so much. Ok, she's talking and I zoomed out again. So much for not looking retarded'
"…but certainly, I am not expecting you to take my word for it." Tina finished looking at a distracted Slayer. "So, if you'd like we could have a training session, let's say Friday afternoon?"
After a few minutes, Faith gave up on trying to remember what was said before the training session part and just went along with the offer. "Yeah, why not." she said, again doubting Angel's great wisdom.
Just then the broody Vampire walked back in the room. "Sorry that took so long. I hope there weren't any problems." He said looking from one woman to the other, noticing Tina's ironic smile and Faith's doubtful expression.
"Of course not. We even arranged a workout." Tina said getting up.
"You're not going already?" Angel said clearly disappointed.
"I have a few more places I have to visit, but it was good seeing you again." She shook his hand and turned to the Slayer "Faith, it's been a pleasure meeting you. I'll come by on Friday around 4 and we'll see how it goes." Giving her another smile she turned back to the Vampire who was already at her side. "We'll finish our conversation then."
"Great, thanks again. This really means a lot." He said opening the door for her. Just then Harmony came in with two steaming mugs. She set them on the table and left the office without a word.
"Well, so much for the tea. Probably safer anyway." He added the last part more to himself, but Tina had no problem hearing it. On her raised eyebrow he only shook his head and smiled a bit. "I'll see you tomorrow." Whit that the woman left the office and Angel went back to his chair.
"Sooo, what do you think?" Angel asked excitedly.
The look Faith gave him clearly said what she thought of her new Watcher.
"Oh, you'll love her. I promise." He said with absolute certainty that left the Slayer confused and wondering what to expect from the meeting.
"So, I was like 'Honey, do you have any idea who you're talking to?' and he was like 'Well, I thought I was talking to my girlfriend, but I could be wrong!' and then I told him 'Sugar, I'm a goddess of love. It wouldn't be fair of me to give myself to only one man.' and then he just gives me this incredulous look like I'm a nutcase or somethin, and then he just turns and walks out. I'm telling you I was this close to using my powers and making him get on his knees and beg for forgiveness. I mean please, he dumped me!" The rest of Aphrodite's monologue was cut short by Athena coming in the room.
"Hey sis, whatcha doing here. I thought you were across the ocean helping that hunky Vampire. Now that's a body that can make your heart go wild. Shame that his heart doesn't work that well." Aphrodite said with a frown, already thinking of the ways she could get the brooding Vampire's blood to run hot again. "You know we could use our powers and give that muscular body of his some nice tone." She said twirling her golden curls.
This only earned her a look from Artemis who was lying on the sofa watching TV and an inpatient sigh from Athena. "Aphrodite, I'm really not in the mood for another fight right now."
"Don't be too tough on her sis. She'd just gone through an earth-shattering experience." Artemis said returning her attention back to Animal Planet.
"What happened?"
"She got dumped." The goddess of hunt said not concealing her amusement.
"Gee, thanks sis. Remind me to laugh my cute little butt off next time one of those rain forests disappears." Aphrodite said, hurt clearly evident in her voice.
"Ok, that's enough, both of you." Athena said taking control of the situation that could easily turn into another heated argument. "There are some things we need to discus. That's why I'm here."
"Well, it would be too much to think you actually came to see us."
"Aphrodite, I'm serious."
"Yeah, well so am I. I mean, you don't visit, you don't call, you don't even write. Actually the only time I see you is when I drop by your place and even than you are too busy with writing another book or getting ready for some medical convention or something. You know, when was the last time we really talked. And I don't mean like chit-chat. I mean had an actual conversation. And it's not like there aren't things to discuss. Take that fashion show I went to last week. I mean, only a blind person could wear those clothes, and that designer, we're talking major wisdom shortage here. So it's not like we don't have common topics. And all I'm asking for is a bit of your precious time, like once a week…"
"I sincerely doubt that 'a bit' of my time would be enough for any significant conversation, since it usually requires two people talking. With you, somehow it always turns into an endless monologue. Now, the reason I'm here." She continued, effectively ignoring the pout that was forming on Aphrodite's beautiful face. "How much do you know about the new Watchers Council?"
"It's better than the old one." Artemis said intrigued by the question. She turned the TV off and focused on her sister. "Why do you ask?"
"Angel wants me to work with one of the Slayers. He said Council had already approved it."
"Really? I thought neither of you were allowed to interfere with their training." Aphrodite said while Artemis just looked confused by the news.
"Yes, well I was fairly surprised by his request. I thought you made some arrangement with them."
"No, I haven't even met the Watcher in charge. I did talk to a few friends after the fall of Hellmouth, and they all said that Rupert Giles was surprisingly pleasant to work with."
"G-man" Athena muttered, shaking her head at Artemis' questioning look. "Would you mind arranging an appointment with him?"
"Yeah, I was planning to do that anyway. You have some particular subject you want me to discus."
"Not really, just try to convince him to let you get involved with the training again. Oh, and take Aphrodite with you." At this both sisters gave her confused looks.
"There's one thing buggin me." Faith said swinging her axe and killing yet another redheaded demon. "You said she's older then you. What the fuck does that mean. I mean I know makeup does wonders, but she's not lookin 300 years old. And I didn't pick any demon vibe of her, so what's that shit 'bout?" She ducked just in time to avoid a blade that went over her head. A roundhouse kick and a fist between the eyes sent the last Haustor demon toward Angel.
"She's not a demon." He said catching the disoriented creature and finishing him off with a sword. "But I think she should be the one to explain it. All I can say is she's on our side so you don't have to worry. And I guarantee you there is a lot you can learn from her. Just give her a chance." He said looking around the warehouse they had just redecorated. "I think we're finished here."
Faith was about to confirm it when another demon jumped her from behind. She flipped him over her shoulder throwing him into the nearby row of boxes. Before he could get up, she hurled the axe almost splitting him in half. "Don't know Big Guy, think I'm five by five myself. Don't see why I need to learn more. Education not really my gig ya know."
"Faaiith!" He said in a pleading voice.
"'Kay, 'kay, don't lose your cool Dead Boy. I'mma give her a chance. But I'm only doin this for you!" She added pointing a finger at the Vampire. This only provoked a smile from Angel and despite herself, Faith smiled back.
"Great! Come on, I'll buy you dinner. You are hungry, right?" Angel asked jokingly.
"Hey, you know me. After a good slay I'm always hungry an…" She looked over at Angel who was waiting for her to finish the thought. After a short once-over of the Vampire she gave up on her punch line. "Let's just stick to hungry. 'm not in a mood for another chat with your alter ego. Then again, that Watcher chick's kinda cute. Maybe we could find a few things to work on." With a cocky grin she turned around and exited the warehouse, leaving a somewhat baffled Angel to follow her.
"Ok, relying on your great wisdom I'm gonna go on a limb here and say there's a strategy in your madness."
"Hey! I'm in this room too, and I do have feelings, you know!" Aphrodite said throwing a pillow at her sister.
"All right, settle down. And yes, there is a reason I want her there. You know what a mess it was when two Slayers met for the first time and turned against each other. Now imagine all these young girls that have no previous training and have just discovered that they posses special powers. As much as I want to believe that Mr. Giles and his 'Slayers Training Centre' will be able to handle it, I tend to be a bit more realistic. Those girls share a special bond for sure, but there will be a lot of competition, and that means they will be eager to prove themselves. It could result in pushing themselves over the limit in training, or worse, rushing into battles they are not ready for. Like I said, I don't know what Rupert Giles is like, but if he even remotely resembles Quentin Travers then those girls will need all the help they can get."
"Whew, and you say I have long monologues. I mean, at least I talk faster…"
"Aphrodite!" Both Athena and Artemis yelled in exasperation.
"Ok, ok! You don't have to bite my head off. I'll be quiet."
"So, you want me to make sure they have proper training. But I still don't understand what I need Aphrodite for." Artemis said turning toward the love goddess who was sulking in her chair.
"Well, since fashion-shows are so disastrous anyway, I thought she could take some time and talk to the girls. They need some attention and understanding right now, and from what I recall that is your field of expertise" She finished looking at Aphrodite.
"Well yeah. I can talk to them," she emphasized the word staring at Athena, "but without my powers I can't do much more than that."
"That will have to do for now."
"So while we're in England what will you be doing?"
"I'm going back to LA tomorrow. I'll work with Faith for a while, see how good she is. Then I'll see if she would consider going to England."
"Faith as in the rough Slayer? I wasn't aware you were talking about her. Why do you want her in England?" Artemis asked intrigued by the new discovery.
"She and Buffy Summers are among the longest living Slayers in history. I think they could both be good examples for the new girls."
"But from what I've heard those two chicks have some serious issues to work through themselves. It's not like they're poster-girls for best buddies." Aphrodite said.
"I know. That is why I want to get to know Faith first. Then I'll see if I can get her to open up and talk about it. I'm certainly not gonna send her there before we solve the problem." She stood up and looked at her sisters. "So, now that this is over, how about I take the two of you to dinner and you can tell me all about the lack of fashion sense nowadays." This brought a magnificent smile on Aphrodite's face and she wasted no time telling her sisters which restaurants have the cutest waiters. Athena and Artemis just chuckled and followed their babbling sibling out of the house.