Chapter 5 - The Judge
Giles is wandering the hallways looking for one of the young scoobies to retrieve information from when he runs into Xander. The watcher enquires about the surprise party plans for Buffy tonight. "Is everything in order for the party?" Giles asked.
"Absolutely. You ready to get down, you funky party weasel?" Xander says with a joking smirk.
While trying to ignore the comment, Giles spots Buffy, Faith and Ms. Calendar coming down the stairs towards them. "Here comes Buffy. Now remember discretion is most desirable." He whispers to the teen.
"You could have just said shhh. Are all you Brits such drama queens?" Xander said to Giles before turning to Buffy, who was now right in front of them. "I feel a pre-birthday spankin' comin' on." He said as they sauntered by him.
Jenny is the first to respond to his crude comment. "I'd curve that impulse if I were you Xander."
"If you want your hand to be broken- free, that is." Faith chimed in. Realizing just how possessive that sounded, she hid it with a laugh.
"Check." Xander says using the collar of his shirt as a mic. "Cancel spanking."
"Buffy you don't look well. Are you feeling ok?" Giles asked obviously concerned for his slayer.
"I didn't get a lot of sleep. I had a dream that Drusilla was still alive." The blonde said with some worry.
"Do you think it was a slayer dream?" Her watcher asked gently
"I'm not sure." She responded, her face grimacing at the memories her mind now raced with.
"Well, no need for worry. I'll see what I can find out and you should rest up for a few days." Giles says just before the first period bell sounds.
"I will Giles." Buffy responds grabbing Faith and heading to class.
Faith and Buffy were patrolling in one of Sunndydale's numerous cemeteries. Neither one of them were very into it the situation tonight. Both had so many things clouding their mind. After much nagging, Faith finally convinced Buffy to get out of the cemetery and go dancing instead.
Just outside the Bronze they spotted some vampires that appeared to be stealing something from a truck in the ally. They ran to break up the meeting and a fight broke out, splitting up the two slayers momentarily. While Faith was still chasing down and staking a few vamps, Buffy was thrown through a window into the Bronze, right before she stakes her final vamp. She dusts herself off and looks around at all her friends wondering why they were all there. Cordielia jumps up and yells surprise and her question is quickly answered. At that moment Faith walks through the front door with the box that the vampires were trying to take. Faith lays it down in front of Buffy who hesitatingly opens it. A demonic arm reaches out and grabs the blonde by the neck. Faith immediately comes to the rescue and rips the arm from her friend's throat. Before anyone can question what just happened, Angel begins talking. "A demon brought forth to rid the world of the plague of humanity, separate the riotous from the wicked and burn the riotous down. They called him the Judge."
"He couldn't be killed. An army was sent against him, most of them died. But finally they were able to dismember him, but not kill him." Giles elaborated on the vampire's explanation.
"The pieces were scattered, buried in every corner of the earth." Angel finished the tale. "They must be collecting and assembling the parts here, to bring Armageddon."
"Who?" Faith asked.
"Spike and Drusilla." Angel stated simply. "We can't let them assemble him completely. I'll take the box and get rid of it."
Buffy escorted Angel to the boat docks later that night. They had all decided the box must be taken from the hellmouth as soon as possible. If the Judge was reassembled, there would be no stopping him. She was trying to say good-bye but didn't know how. "We could have never worked Angel." Buffy said at an attempt to bring closure to their almost relationship. Angel could not say anything to her, he knew she was right but it hurt to let her go. The two friends were saying their farewells when they were attacked by a group of vamps. Both Buffy and Angel fought hard to keep the box in their possession, but ultimately lost. They managed to stake all but one vampire, who got away with a missing piece of the Judge.
Buffy and Angel returned to the library and explained to the rest of the gang what had happened. They needed more information if they had any hope in stopping the reassembling of the Judge. "Giles, what do we know?" Buffy asked anxiously. She needed to rest badly, she just needed a break and there wasn't one in sight.
Giles answered her grimly. "The more I study the Judge, the less I like him. His touch can literally burn the humanity out of you. A true creature of evil can survive the process. No human ever has."
"Anything about killing strategy?" She asked getting more edgy with each moment.
"No weapon forged can kill him." Giles said furrowing his brow.
"I'm getting sick of hearing that. We need more facts on this guy. Research some more, and me and Faith will check out the warehouse." She said briskly walking from the library.
The slayers arrive at the abandoned factory and sneak in through the back. As Buffy looks down at the scene unfold before her, the fear runs cold through her and she feels herself freeze. "I saw this. The party." She spat out through chilled lips. Faith looks over to see pure fear on the blonde's face. And then she sees the Judge.
"Lets get outta here." She says just before they are spotted by the giant demon. The two try to run in the direction they came but are stopped by a line of vampires. They quickly turn the other way and realize they are cornered. Faith couldn't help but panic when they are grabbed violently by the vampire minions and brought before the Judge.
"Well well. What do we have here? Crashers." Sounds Spike, when they are carried in front of him and the demon. Faith knows they will die if they don't get out so she calls Buffy attention to the T.V hanging from the ceiling. Just as the Judge begins to walk to the Blonde slayer, arms extended, Buffy kicks him in the chest sending him a few feet backwards. Faith takes this as her cue and rips free from her captors and detaches the T.V forcing it down upon the beast. She grabs and very shocked Buffy and they jump through the hole made by the falling television. Faith reaches for Buffy's hand when they hit the sewers and she leads them to safety at the surface. When they come through the manhole they are showered in rain. Still with their fingers tightly entwined, they head for shelter. The pair run inside Faith's motel room and stand together for a few moments before Faith sees she is still grasping the blonde's hand and releases it. "B, you're shaking." She says moving to try and convert some body heat to the shivering girl.
"I'm cold." Buffy says still obviously in shock.
"I'll get you something to wear." Faith replies reluctantly removing her hands from Buffy's shoulders. "You can put this on and get under the covers to warm up." Faith says returning with some clothes. Buffy looks at her nervously and Faith realizes she should turn around for the slayer to dress. While still facing the opposite wall she hears a small hiss escape Buffy's lips and she becomes overwhelmingly worried. "What?" She asks innocently.
"It's ok. I just have a cut or something." Buffy replies.
"Can I see?" Faith asks showing her concern for the girl.
"OK." Buffy states and Faith turns around and sit next to her on the bed. She moves the cloth from the girl's shoulder to look at her injury.
"It's already closed. You're fine." She says with relief clear in her voice. Buffy turns looking directly into Faith's deep chestnut eyes and she leans into the other girl touch.
"You almost went away today." She stated holding back her tears.
"We both did." Faith said recounting the trauma in her mind.
"Faith, I feel like if I ever lost you..." Buffy tries to finish but she could only choke out a few sobs.
"Shhh." Faith said wiping a tear from Buffy's cheek. She stares at the blonde for what seemed like forever, just taking in every beautiful feature of her face. "Buffy. I love you. I tried not to, but every moment I'm with you...I know it's right." She says not knowing why.
"Me too." Buffy said looking at Faith to soak up every part of her before shutting her eyes and closing the final gap between them. She could feel a shock run through her body the moment their lips met. Her mouth was softer and more gentle then anything Buffy had ever experienced. She felt Faith's tongue brush her top lip and she parted them allowing the kiss to deepen. Buffy could feel the passion swell in her body as their tongues dueled passionately. Faith finally pulled away from Buffy totally unaware of how long she had been deprived of oxygen.
"You should rest." Faith said softly still only inches from the blonde's face.
"Can I stay with you?" Buffy asked gently. Still flustered from the kiss, Faith wiped away the rest of Buffy tears and guided her to the pillow.
"Always." She said lying next to her love and closing her eyes.
Faith was the first to wake in the sun glazed room the next morning. She didn't open her eyes right away, instead she let the warmth of her partner's body cover her entirely. She inhaled deeply smelling only Buffy, and she smiled at the beautiful blonde still restful in her arms. Faith leaned in slowly and kissed Buffy's forehead gently, rousing the slayer from her slumber. "Morning B." Faith said with her smile growing at the sight of those enchanting green orbs.
"What time is it?" Buffy asks sleepily after gently kissing the brunette.
"We have about an hour before school." Faith replied thinking only of the warm lips that had just left her own.
"Can I use your shower?" Buffy asked fully awake but cuddling lovingly into her girlfriend. "And maybe borrow some more clothes. I don't want to leave just yet."
"Of coarse." Faith said getting up from her love and rummaging through her closet. "These should fit." She said throwing a pair of dark denim jeans and a white tank top at Buffy. She just grabbed the clothes and sauntered to the shower. Faith got dressed quickly and took a small box from her coat pocket. She opened it to make sure it was still there and in good shape. She heard the water shut off and slipped it back into her pocket. As she put the jacket around her shoulders, she heard a strange noise come from the bathroom. "Are you ok, B?" Faith yelled through the door.
"I'm fine." Buffy lied. She had just gotten sick but found it off that she was fine a minute ago. Slayers don't get sick she thought while rinsing her mouth. She walked out of the bathroom, ready to go. She tried to act normal, no need to worry anyone over one episode.
"Buffy?" Faith asked before she had a chance to leave the motel room. Buffy turned around with a concerned look apparent in her features. "Happy Birthday." Faith finished handing the box to Buffy timidly. A giant smile appeared on the blonde's face as she opened the small gift. "It matches your eyes." Faith said as Buffy starred at the beautiful jade enstoned ring at the center of the velvet-cushioned box.
"Oh my God Faith." Buffy said putting the ring on her finger and admiring it graciously. "It's perfect." She said walking to her girlfriend a planting a sweet kiss on her lips. "Thank you." She said when their lips parted. Then Buffy grabbed Faith's hand, and entwining their fingers, she led them out of the room and to school.
Yet another scooby meeting was taking place in the library that morning. When Buffy and Faith entered the building they were forced to reluctantly separate their hands while they headed for the gathering. The two lovers were the last to arrive and everyone was patiently waiting for them inside. "Good morning Buffy, Faith." Giles said politely. "Did you have any luck last night?" He asked intently to both.
"Loads." Faith said sarcastically.
"We met up with the Judge." Buffy tried to explain last night's events to them. "He's no assembly required." And he almost killed both of us. We had to hide out at Faith's motel." With that Willow gave a questioning glance to Buffy, and she nodded to indicate they would talk later.
"Well I'm glad you two are alright. But now we have much to worry. More research must be done, we need to find a way to kill this beast." Giles says getting more intense with each phase.
"After school?" Buffy asks. And Giles nods in agreement and they all file out for class.
The research was very uninformative. Even with five people in the library at any given time, they could only find the same information over and over. The entire gang was become very restless. Buffy had left the school and was now on her way to Angel's mansion. She hoped he maybe remembered something that would be of relevance to them. The driven slayer walked into the mansion not sensing anyone around. She searched the whole place but did not find Angel there. Just as she was going to leave, Buffy spots his weapons chest open and strung about the floor. There was only one place Buffy could think of that Angel could have possibly gone. And she didn't like that thought.
She sprinted the whole way the old factory and more cautiously this time, snuck inside. She quietly made her way to the balcony and watched a horrific scene unfold before her. Buffy had arrived just in time to see the Judge approach Angel at the center of the open floor. She saw the beast pressing his demonic hand to the vampire's chest and Angel turned to dust. "And the poof goes poof." Spike said enthusiastically to the pile on the floor. Buffy covered her mouth to keep the sobs from escaping her lips. Her presence could not be known, so there was nothing she could do now. So she fled.
Willow was returning to the library after running a few errands when she met Xander in the hall. "Where do we stand on the Judge?" She asked; she wanted to be caught up as soon as possible. She knew there was no time to waste if they planned on saving the world.
"On a pile of really boring books that say exactly the same thing." He responded showing his unimpressed attitude towards the whole thing.
"Let me guess. No weapon forged." Willow grudgingly retorted.
"It took an army." Xander finished.
"Yeah. Where's an army when you need one." Willow said with a small laugh. She froze for a second to see why Xander wasn't agreeing. "What?" She asked more then curious and kinda wigged.
"Whoa I think I'm having a thought." Xander said stopping to think harder. "Yeah that's a thought... Now I'm having a plan." He said before running to the library, Willow in tow.
The gang marched into the center of the mall collectively carrying a box, which held their secret weapon, a rocket launcher borrowed from the U.S military. They entered just in time to see the Judge with out-stretched hands, attempting to burn the humanity out of a large mass of mall-goers. Buffy confidently picks up a bow and arrow; she fires and hits the demon in the shoulder, halting his actions. The judge angrily rips the arrow from his flesh and yells, sounding his monstrous voice through the entire building. "Who dares?"
"I think I got his attention." Buffy says keeping her confidence.
"You're a foul. No weapon forged can stop me." The judge says to the tiny blonde across the floor.
"That was then." Buffy replies retrieving the rocket launcher from Faith and aiming it at the enemy. "This is now." She states watching the judge's lackeys jumping from the way as she released the missile.
"What's that do?" The judge asks meekly barely a second before it rips through him.
Epilogue
The whole group helped clean up the mall area after the short battle and everyone dispersed fairly early that evening. Faith was walking Buffy home and she knew something wasn't right with her girlfriend. They were almost to Revello Drive when Faith finally asked what was wrong.
"Faith." Buffy said halting them both. "I watched Angel die. He went after the Judge alone... and..." Buffy tried to finish but the words caught in her throat and were replaced with sorrowful sobs.
"Buffy." Faith said pulling the blonde into her arms and starting them towards the house again. "Buffy, it's not your fault. He chose to take on the Judge alone. And he died trying to save the world, he died a hero." Buffy's crying had begun to slow as they passed though the door still in one another's arms.
Faith led her upstairs to her room and placed her in the bed. She turned to leave but a pleading voice stopped her. "Please stay with me." Buffy asked. Faith didn't answer. She simple walked to the bed and crawled under the covers and resumed holding her girlfriend. "I love you." Were the last words to pass through both their lips before they drifted off to sweet dreams together.
Faith awoke to an empty bed and what she knew to be the sound of vomiting. She quickly shot out of bed and went to the bathroom. She knocked on the solid wood but received no answer. Faith was terrified as she grabbed the knob and creaked the door open. Buffy was washing her face at the bathroom sink and Faith cautiously walked to her. "Buffy, are you ok? I could hear you from the room." Faith asked voicing her concern.
"Slayer's don't get sick Faith. What's wrong with me?" Buffy said breaking into sobs again.
The brunette was already holding her and rubbing calming circles on the crying girl's back. She gently picks Buffy up and walking through the door she says, "We're going to the hospital. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."
The End