Chapter 13: The Devil You Know

BUFFY'S POV

There's a faint glow coming in through the window from the streetlight, it gives my room a greenish hue. As soon as we're inside Faith closes the door and turns the lock, "No interruptions." She prowls closer to me until I feel the heat of her body surround mine. There's something magical as we touch, electric but at the same time soothing.

Her hands move to my waist as she gently, but firmly pushes back from me. "Babe?" I mourn the loss of her against me.

"Shhh," she leans back and kisses me quickly, "not going anywhere far." Kneeling down she removes my boots and socks. As she rises I tilt my head towards her. She kisses me again. This time I lock onto her mouth and let my tongue tell her how much I missed her. Once more she pushes back from me, albeit panting now. She rests her head against mine, "You asked me to show you..."

I nod and allow her to continue.

She lifts my turtleneck over my head then tosses it to the floor. Starting at my shoulders her hands lightly trace across my collarbone, down my arms then up my sides. Bending down she kisses my shoulder, neck, jaw. Her hands slide around my back and unclasp my bra, it quickly joins the turtleneck. She keeps her nails short but still manages to scrape them down my bare back leaving me no option except to arch hard into her. Then she ever so lightly trails her fingertips up the same path, I can't help but shiver. My God, I want her.

Those hands, those hard, calloused, incredibly strong, beautiful hands are now on my stomach slowly moving north. When they cover my breasts we both whimper. She takes each nipple in her mouth in turn; an exquisite pull, then blow, then kiss. I'm beginning to think someone can die from sheer ecstasy. Her hands are on the move again, now unbuckling my belt, unzipping my jeans. Her movements are so slow, so deliberate, I feel... I feel every single nerve ending in my body responding to her touch. She's kneeling once again in front of me, sliding my jeans and underwear down my legs. Trance-like, I step out of them. Her fingertips are running up and down my legs as she kisses my stomach, hips, and thighs. I can't believe I have the strength to stand, then her thumb brushes against my wetness as she closes her mouth on me.

"God, Faith." I manage. Just when I think my knees are about to buckle, she scoops me up and carries me to bed.

It seems as if she's naked in a second and now she's kissing me everywhere; slow languid kisses backed up with gentle licks and nibbles. Her touch is so soft, so tender, I feel like she is making love to every inch of my body. And I'm so helpless; I can't move, I'm paralyzed with pleasure. I am so caught up with the feel of her lips trailing down my stomach, her hands caressing my breasts I think I forget to breathe. I remember immediately when she once again takes me into her mouth. The sound of my sharp intake of breath cuts though the quiet night. She halts her ministrations; I feel her smile then continue. As her tongue brings me closer, the feel of her fingers entering me finally pushes me over the edge. "Faith," I call out, not so much spoken as exhaled. Every nerve is raw, on fire, it's absolute sensory overload, then a calm envelopes me.

She lays her head on my stomach and wraps her arms around my waist. Senses still tingling, I marvel at the softness of her hair as I hold her to me. "I - I've never... felt anything so..." Jesus, I can't even speak in sentences.

Now she's sliding up my body, I swear I can do nothing right now except try and catch my breath. She's leaning on one arm, the other tracing imaginary lines on my hip. "Now do you know how much I want you?"

Finding my strength, I reach up and hold her face in my hands. Looking into her smoky brown eyes as I brush my thumbs across her cheeks I realize exactly how much I love this woman, how I always have. "Yes," I answer, then I feel her lips on mine and I'm lost all over again.

"ATTENTION PASSENGERS:"

My head jerks up from its perch on my hand and bangs against the plane's window. Son-of-a-bitch that hurt.

"WE ARE MAKING OUR FINAL APPROACH, PLEASE BE SURE YOUR SEAT BACKS ARE UP AND YOUR TRAY TABLES ARE PROPERLY STOWED. WE WILL BE LANDING IN APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. LONDON'S HEATHROW WELCOMES YOU TO ENGLAND. THE LOCAL TIME IS 7:00 AM."

With the announcement finished, the blaring cabin lights come on to wake my fellow bleary eyed trans-Atlantic travelers. I wasn't asleep, more like zoning, remembering that incredible night. It's only been seven hours since I left and I miss her already. God, what a wuss I've become. But I feel her, yes, even with an ocean between us I sense her and it's incredibly comforting.

It's been a month since I found Faith sitting in my living room. Seems like a lifetime in those 30ish days. But then I've been living on borrowed time for a while, so I've learned to treat each moment as a lifetime. This is my first trip since then, to London to console the mother of a Slayer who lost to a vamp. It's a girl Dawn had put on the 'watch list'. So I'm feeling a little responsible, maybe if I spent more time with her things could have been different. In the end she was arrogant in her ignorance and now she's dead.

I'm actually amazed this doesn't happen more often. How did those crazy Bushmen decide a girl with hardly any life experience should be filled with untold strength and power to fight the forces of evil? They must have been smoking prehistoric crack. It's remarkable more don't die or simply crumble from the pressure. It's a heavy load to bear.

I only have my carry on so I went straight to the tube station after my brief chat with the immigration agent. While figuring out how many Pounds I needed to get to Victoria Station I hear a familiar voice, "Hello Buffy." It's Giles, standing there all casual like. I wrap my arms around him and bury my head in his chest.

"You have no idea how good it is to see you." I'm crying, they're happy tears, it's been so long and I miss him so much. I pull back to see him a bit red in the face, "Sorry, didn't mean to jump your bones."

He grins broadly, "You've always had such a way with words my dear."

"You didn't have to meet me; I could have taken the tube."

"I know, but I have my car, so come on then."

It takes a few minutes to get to the car, when we do I ask, "So how is she?" The girl's mother is an acquaintance of his.

"Angry."

"Great."

"Vanessa's, um enthusiasm is definitely a trait learned from her mother. I'm afraid she's a rather formidable force and can make a lot of trouble for us, well, you."

I stare out the window at the homes that line M25, "I guess I have my work cut out for me. She's expecting me at 11, so I'm going to grab a quick shower then hop the tube to Kensington. I'll be back in time to take you and the misses out to dinner."

He nods. "And how are you Buffy, really?" He will never shake that fatherly tone. "Dawn gave me some highlights but..."

Smiling, I look over to him, "I'm really good, actually so much so that I'm starting to worry." He glances over brow creased. "You know, tempting the Gods?"

"Yes, of course." He laughs.

"Dawn tell you Faith is with us?" Ok, why do I feel like I'm 17 again?

"Yes she did, how is that going?"

Looking at him I take a deep breath then go back to staring out the window, "I love her Giles."

"I know my dear." He's silent for a minute. "Both of you had such an incredibly violent and emotional transition into adulthood. It seems quite fitting for circumstances to have allowed you to come together now. Tell me, how is she?"

"Different." I continue to scan the horizon as we sit in rush hour traffic. "She's extremely powerful now, you can actually feel it come off her when she's not cloaking. She doesn't use it though, well not as much as she could, it's like she's guarded, more than that though, stoic maybe? But not detached more like exceptionally self-controlled."

"That certainly is different."

I laugh. "She's very, I don't know, thoughtful, as in full of thoughts, but not calculating. I can't imagine what she's been through with the PtB all these years, but whatever happened, it's put its mark on her." I stop to look at him, "Is any of this making sense?"

"Yes. And what of your new charge, or shall I say your daughter?"

I narrow my eyes at him, "Somebody is still having tea with Ms. Hartness."

He colors as I bust him. I know Dawn never would have told him that. "Um, yes, actually."

I can't help but smile, "Emma's wonderful. She's learning a lot and is really a sweet girl." After a sideways glance at him I add, "Ms. Hartness left us no choice Giles, Emma needed more than to be prodded by the Coven. She's more than a witch, more than some descendant of a Goddess."

"I actually agree with your decision, Buffy and told Ms. Hartness as much." He turns around then changes lanes to get off the exit ramp. "You have grown so much since you stumbled into my library at Sunnydale. I'm so very proud of you."

I cover his hand that's resting on the stick shift, "Thanks, I couldn't have done any of it without you."

Flustered, he clears his throat, "Well, Olivia also took the morning off today, so she made quite a large breakfast for us."

Smiling as I look at him, "Great, I'm starved, even in First Class, plane food still sucks."

MEANWHILE IN THE BACK ROOM OF WILLY'S BAR – 3AM (8am UK)

FAITH'S POV

Man, demons are easy. Give them a couple of drinks and they throw themselves at you. Well, their DNA that is. Willy had a drink special tonight, any demon who gave me a sample would get a chip to be redeemed at the bar for two free drinks. That Willy, he's a marketing genius, he knows they'll be a little loopy after a couple so they'll drink more and tip better. He's closed now just cleaning up; I'm packing the samples in this James Bond type briefcase Andrew gave me, he's such a trip. I'm shutting the case as I get a familiar tingle: Vampires. Putting the case in the corner I lean against the door and hook my head around the corner to see what's going on.

Willy's pinned up against the bar by this little blonde vamp, she looks really familiar. Two dudes are lurking by the door.

"What's the what?" I call out coming forward.

"Just looking around," she looks me up and down, "we don't want any trouble."

"Yeah? Then why are you fucking with Willy?" Vamps are such lying sacks of shit.

"Just wanted to ask what's with the test tubes." She walks over to me. "Are you playing doctor?" The two guys laugh. "Can we play too?" she reaches up to touch my face but I lean out of the way.

Narrowing my eyes at her, it clicks, "You from the diner downtown."

"Was," she purrs as she once again tries to close the distance between us. "Are you a lab rat? You're a cute lab rat." Once again she eyes me up and down this time licking her lips.

I step away from her. "Look no offense but I don't do the undead."

One of the guys pipes up, "Once you have a vamp, you never go back."

I laugh, "Ok, here's the deal: if you guys back off and leave now I won't stake you and ruin your little love search. What do ya say?"

The little chickie comes closer still, "I don't think so."

Willy jumps behind the bar whipping out a sword. "Get the fuck out of my place or we'll dust your asses."

The girl tries to grab me but I step to my left, jump up and kick her in the chest. She goes into the wall and slides to the floor. Ugly Dude #1 vamps out and is so busy snarling at me he doesn't have time to stop the stake I tomahawk into his heart: ok, one down.

Willy is holding his own against Ugly Dude #2, so I turn to the girl. She's up and running towards me. For a newbie the chick can fight. I block a punch then a kick, then I toss her into the wall but she pops up looking for more. I bring her down with a full force kick to the jaw. But before I can take two steps she's in front of me again, just like those fucking moles in the arcade game. She grabs my jacket as I slam her against the wall, "Where's Emma?" she asks sweetly.

"What? How do you..." then I feel the air move behind me. Still holding her, I switch positions so Ugly Dude #2 slams her with the bar stool. She curses him then brings her knee up between my legs. Now I know I'm a girl, but mother fucker that hurts.

Willy lets out a scream. When I look up Ugly Dude #2 has him disarmed and is ready to indulge in a late night snack. I can't let go of the girl so I scan the room. Seeing a shattered piece of barstool on the floor I concentrate for a second then it's flying through the air and he's dust: two down, one to go.

"Holy shit," The chickie gasps and it's just enough to flip her once more so she's against the wall again.

"What do you know about Emma?" I growl as my hands hold hers pinned to the wall. I push my entire body into hers completely disabling any movement.

"Mmmm, that feels good baby."

"Start talking, now."

Then her whole demeanor abruptly changes. "You will kill this vessel regardless of what it speaks, truth or lie." I lean back getting a really weird vibe now. "Is she alive? I can't feel her anymore."

"Shit, you're her." Letting her go I stagger backwards.

"Answer me now."

I can't seem to tear my eyes from hers or stop my mouth from moving. "She's fine, safe, I won't let anything happen to her, I - I think you know that."

She inspects me for a moment then reaches out and puts her hand over my heart. I feel it scorch though my clothes as a current runs through me. She nods then walks away. Suddenly she crumbles to the floor. As I stumble to her she turns and I see her face change into a smirk - shit the vamp is back. Not only back but has Willy's sword which she quickly slices across my stomach. "Fuck!" I go down, hard.

She's too busy celebrating to see Willy behind her with a stake. I feel the dust fall on me as I try to stop the puddle of blood forming on the floor; three down, job's done, time to sleep now.

LONDON 10:30 AM (5:30am US)

BUFFY'S POV

It weird but when we reach Giles and Olivia's place I was really queasy. I never get car sick so I chalked it up to lack of sleep and being terrified of Giles driving on the wrong side of the road. It passes soon enough for me to enjoy the huge spread Olivia laid out when we arrived; I didn't realize how hungry I was. Maybe it was just the crumpets – Yum! We caught up for a little bit then I had to shower and get into London.

I take the National Rail to Victoria Station then transfer to the District Line for Gloucester Road. After walking a few blocks over to Cornwall Gardens, I'm here. A little early, but from what I remember she's a stickler for punctuality. I take a deep breath and ring the bell. I don't know why, but I'm surprised when a servant answers the door.

"Miss Summers?"

"Yes, sir." He looks very proper.

"Please come in Mrs. Pinnington is waiting for you."

He brings me to a large study. She is sitting behind her desk on a phone call. She motions me to come in and sit.

"Would you like a beverage?"

Water would be great, thanks." He leaves us alone and I have the luxury of watching her for a moment. She's younger than I remembered; I doubt she's even 40. If I recall correctly, Vanessa would have been 20 this year, shit.

"Miss Summers." She is off the phone and addressing me.

"Mrs. Pinnington, I wanted personally give you my condolences, Vanessa was a remarkable girl."

"Yes... she WAS, wasn't she?" She stops as the servant comes back in with a carafe of water and glasses. "Thank you William, that will be all for now."

"Yes Ma'am."

We're alone again, she pours the water and hands me a glass. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to let you know if you needed any kind of support..." my carefully rehearsed speech dies on my tongue as her stare cuts through me.

The look was bad, but her words are worse than any wound I've ever received. "Do you really think I will cry on your shoulder?" She sneers. "How dare you come here throwing around your slick American psychology nonsense? Sorry to disappoint you but this will not be a warm and fuzzy Kumbaya moment. My daughter is dead Miss Summers and I will never see her again thanks to you. Do you know what it is to lose a child? Have any idea? I think not."

She snatches her glass of water from the table and stalks to the window. I can't speak, because if I do I'm afraid of what I might say. I vow to sit here and take what she dishes out because it is partly my fault.

"Did you really think I wouldn't check up on you and your whole sordid organization before I let Vanessa become involved with you?" She eyes me again, "Rupert was the only reason I allowed it. I trusted him with this mystical gobbledygook and now she's dead. What am I supposed to tell her grandparents? That she was killed by a vampire? Hardly!"

"Mrs. Pinnington - "

"I'm not quite finished," she cuts me off. She continues as she stands over me "If you allow this to happen to another girl I will see to it you pay, one way or another, I promise you. I know Vanessa was headstrong and at times a discipline problem, but she didn't have to die because of it. Her death is on your head Miss Summers, so as you Americans would say: get it out of your ass and start taking better care of these girls." She stormed over to the door opening it, "We're done here."

CLEVELAND - BUFFY'S ROOM – 8AM (1pm UK)

KENNEDY'S POV

God, Faith can really make you crazy, "You are such a fucking pain! Why can't you just lie down and rest?"

"Ken, I'm fine," she gets up slowly.

"You know Buffy is going to kick my ass if something happens to you." I'm shaking my head at her. I've been with her all night, every since Willy brought her here. The cut wasn't too bad; it actually was almost healed by the time he got her here. But she was unconscious until a few minutes ago so I'm trying to keep her in bed.

Sitting up she looks around then slides back into bed. "Ok, maybe a little more rest."

"Faith, you have to take it easy. Willow said - "

She leans back and looks at me, "Ken, Red doesn't know the whole story."

"What?" Faith proceeds to tell me every minute detail from last night and I just sit there stunned. "Did it hurt?"

"Nah, it just felt warm, now it kinda itches." She pulls her T-shirt out a bit and looks down, "There's no mark or anything, and I feel ok." She shrugs, "Just kinda tired."

"Yeah, but she made contact – that's huge. And she knew to come to you – huger. Let me get Will – and you stay put!"

"Not going anywhere," she laughs.

I find Willow drinking coffee in the kitchen. After I give her the Reader's Digest version I grab some mugs full of java and head back upstairs.

We walk into the room to find her on her cell. She puts her fingers on her lips telling us to be quiet. "Don't worry, I'll tell Andrew and Dawn to start putting it together." Pause "I'll pick you up." Pause "Call me when you get back to Giles' place."

She hangs up and warily looks at us. "First of all, I didn't say anything to her and I'm not going to; she's got other shit going on and this can wait for now. Second, Red before the interrogation begins; you want to get Dawn and Andrew? I only want to do this once. Last, Ken if that's my coffee better give it here and can you get my smokes? I need a cigarette."