Chapter 17: B and the PtB

BUFFY'S ROOM – 5:30am

BUFFY'S POV

My eyes snap open when I hear Faith call out my name. Turning to her I find she's face down, hugging the pillow and having a nightmare from the sounds of her labored breathing.

"I'm right here baby." I lean in closer as I rub her back. At first it has no effect, she still seems agitated, then she exhales deeply and snuggles up next to me.

Her voice is laced with sleep, "Buffy?" Wow, she knows my whole name when she's sleeping; I think to myself and smile. The smile fades however when she utters the next line, "Is it really you and not another trick?"

I wrap my arms around her and pull her close to me, "Yes, it's really me, no trick. Now get some rest."

"Nahh, I know it's not really you, but I don't care," she kisses my neck; "it doesn't hurt when I'm with you". She burrows deeper into me, holding on almost desperately, "If I make it out of here I'll come to you, I promise I will." Even talking in her sleep her voice has such heaviness, such unadulterated sorrow.

My heart is breaking as tears are now streaming down my face, "Oh baby," I kiss her forehead, "I love you so much."

"Don't be sad, you're my safe place," she mumbles into my throat. "They can't hurt me when I'm here with you. The PtB taught me that years ago."

Ok, I know this is wrong but I can't stop myself, "How long have you been here Faith?"

She shifts so her head is on my shoulder and wraps her arm around me. "Seems like forever… a long time... 20 or so years. I haven't been able to keep track so good. I forget a lot of things here, but I remember you always ask that."

Shocked at her answer, now I have to continue this crazy conversation, "I do?"

"Every time it's the same," she nods into my chest, "I call your name, you hold me, I tell you I'll come for you, you cry, I tell you it's going to be ok, you ask me how long, we talk some more, then we sleep and when I wake you're gone and I'm still in hell."

Holding her close to me I whisper, "I'm not going anywhere this time."

I feel her smile into my shoulder, "You always say that too. It makes me happy." She wraps me in her powerful arms, I feel the length of her body against mine and our nerves seem to pulse together. She exhales deeply, "You feel so damn good, it oughtta be illegal," she breathes into my ear, "God when I get out…"

"I'll be right here." I stroke her hair.

"You keep me alive you know," she brushes her lips against mine, "I love you more than anything, Buffy, more than I can ever possibly say or show you. I just hope I get the chance to tell you for real one day."

As she settles back into her slumber I hold her tighter against me while my tears continue to flow. "You just did."

What did those fucking monsters to do you? I guess I should have realized there was psychological as well as physical torture earlier. Oh, damn it, I don't care what she says; the PtB never should have allowed her to make that kind of a sacrifice.

FAITH'S POV

The dream is over and I know I will soon feel the pain so I prepare my senses for the next onslaught. The pain doesn't come and all I hear is crying so I open my eyes. Where the… oh I'm at B's, wow a dream in a dream. Well a dream in a nightmare really. But why is she crying?

"B, you ok?"

"Oh baby, it's ok, go back to sleep."

"No, what's wrong?" Turning I lean on my elbows and look at her.

"Y-you were having a nightmare, so I tried to soothe you, is all."

Not convinced I ask, "Then why are you crying?"

She reaches out and touches my face, "B-because you were talking to me in your sleep," she leans to me and kisses my mouth, "because you were there, and you were so sad."

My God there is no way this is happening. Sitting all the way up I pull her with me. "Did you talk back?"

"Yes, of course." She's wiping her tears her eyes boring into mine. "You said I always say the same thing."

Shaking my head, a small laugh escapes my lips, "You do, did, whatever it doesn't matter. What matters is that it was real, it really happened."

"What are you talking about?" Even in the murky light of the coming dawn I can see her knitted brow.

"My dream, it was always so vivid, and now I know why: the PtB knew my memories of you were getting me through the day so they sent me a flash of a possible future to take away the pain at night."

She tilts her head at me, "You're saying the PtB replayed what just happened here when you were sleep talking to you every night while you where there, before it ever happened?" She shakes her head as if clearing the cobwebs.

"Yeah, I know it's confusing. But that's how they work."

She lays back down bringing me with her. "They know everything about us don't they?"

"Of course, they're the Powers that Be. They know every possible outcome of every possible reality, what they don't know is which path to which reality we will choose."

Pulling me closer to her she softly asks, "Did you know we would be together?"

"No," I reach up and trail my hand down her face, "I didn't ask them to show me any of my possible paths. I never really thought I would live long enough to actually have a path, you know?"

She rolls us over so she is lying over me, "Your path is with me." She kisses me deeply then lowers her eyes to mine.

I try awfully hard not to get lost in those hazel eyes until I finally say this to her while conscious, "I love you more than anything, Buffy."

As her mouth covers mine, my senses reel and I understand how you can be lost and found simultaneously.

BASEMENT REC ROOM – 9:30 AM

EMMA'S POV

"Ok Em, that was good, let's do it again." Kennedy says encouragingly.

Willow laughs, "Yeah, pretty soon we'll be ready for a tournament!"

We're playing American Cricket Darts and having a very good time. Kennedy is throwing them the "correct way" and Willow and I are tossing them telepathically. Kennedy says it's good training for staking vamps and Will says it's good training for honing my Wicca skills so it's the whole two birds, one stone thing. The funny thing is I'm kicking their asses! Ha!

I feel Faith coming down the stairs as I hit my third 19. "Well good morning." I say with a slight leer.

She narrows her eyes at me, "Has someone not been "turning off" their empathetic powers?"

Laughing I counter, "No, I have, it just was a wild guess."

Kennedy looks at both of us rolling her eyes, "Are you kidding me? Talk about a world of too much information."

Trying to change the subject Faith asks, "Darts?"

"Yeah," Ken says then explains the double training benefits.

Faith nods, "Let's see if we can up the training a notch." She stands in front of the dart board and looks at me. "Ok, give me one."

Utterly shocked I state, "I am not going to throw darts at you."

"Of course you are." Willow speaks up quickly, "Sometimes it's not a vamp you will have to face but a demon or a black arts witch. A stake can kill more than just vampires, and who's to say you can't do it with a sword? Now go on."

Kennedy sits down in the overstuffed easy chair as Willow climbs on the arm, "Yeah, let's see what you got, kid."

I can't believe what they are asking me to do. What if she doesn't block it? What if I hurt her? What if…

"Emma! None of that's going to happen don't worry." Faith says encouragingly then smiles, "Come on, you want to be a Slayer? You're gonna have to learn how to fight."

I look at the darts lying on the table then lift them with my mind. Then one by one I send them to Faith. She blocks some with her hands, the others she kicks away.

"Well done," Faith nods, "now, again but with speed. Aim for my heart." She taps her chest.

"I'm really not comfortable with this."

Ken laughs, "Just wait until Faith makes you switch places with her!"

My eyes get huge, "What???"

Faith shakes her head at Kennedy as Willow gives her a light smack on top of her head.

"Hey!" she protests the look and the smack, "Like you're not going to, right?"

"First things first," Faith looks at me, "again, with speed, aim for the heart, try not to telegraph when you are going to throw."

"But..."

"Just do it Emma." Her gaze is penetrating then I hear her in my head, "You can do this, you will be a Slayer like none other. This will be only one more tool at your disposal. Now come on."

I return her stare and try my best to void my face and body of all movement and emotion. Suddenly a dart flies towards her heart, dead on. She bats it away at the last second.

"Very good," she nods at me, "again."

We continue until I am throwing so fast Faith needs to stop the darts telepathically. It's then that Buffy comes down to join us. "Holy shit!"

"Hey Buff," Ken waves, "Come over and watch the latest in hybrid Slayer/Witch/Demon training."

She looks around at all over us, her eyes finally rests on Faith's, "Wow, impressive, can you do any faster Emma?"

"Faster? But what if she can't stop it?" I'm getting rather distressed.

"Don't worry Em; a dart won't kill me," Faith winks, "besides you can't get it past me."

I narrow my eyes at the challenge then survey the pack of dart hanging in the air. Raising one eyebrow, I tilt my head them then Faith. In an instant all the darts are speeding towards her heart at full force. I watch as she grins then closes her eyes. The darts freeze right in front of her chest. A couple have penetrated her shirt, but not her skin.

"Outstanding!" She reaches up and takes the bunch of darts in her hand. Walking over to me she puts an arm around my shoulders, "You've just graduated to reversing positions my dear. Think you can handle it?"

"Ahhh…"

Faith looks at me then sends, "There is nothing you can't do once you set your mind to it."

I'm not so sure but I trudging walk over to the dart board, "If you say so."

Now flanked by Buffy on one side and Willow on the other, Ken speaks up, "If it's not too much to ask, can we keep the conversation in spoken words so all of us can know what's going on?"

Faith chuckles, "Sorry guys, just a couple of words of encouragement. You ready Em?"

Weakly I reply, "Yes."

She tosses the first one slowly and it kinda freaks me out as I watch it get nearer. But then I backhand it away.

"Good!" Buffy cheers.

"You can go a little faster, but not too fast." I caution Faith. Another one comes to me faster, but I dispatch that one as well. I think I'm getting the hang of this. "Ok, another." When I've done enough to be comfortable, I start to knock them down telepathically. This is kinda fun.

"Excellent." Buffy stands. "I think that's enough for now. Great job, Emma, I see your work with these three has really done wonders." She turns to the others, "What do you think guys? Is she ready for a patrol? Well, with me and Faith of course, there is still that demon out there."

Kennedy nods, "Totally if you two are with her. Although the other girls might get jealous, so you may have to do it on the down low. They are already a little weird with the adoption thing"

"Yeah, you're right. Ok, tonight then, how about we drive over to Knoll wood Cemetery in Cleveland Heights and do a sweep?" Buffy looks from Faith to me.

"You sure I'm ready?" I'm just a little scared, not a lot, well not really.

Faith nods, "We won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

INTERSTATE 271 SOUTH – 11:30 AM

FAITH'S POV

Glancing over at B she looks deep in thought. "It's exit 19."

"Ok." She nods.

"You alright?"

She nods again, "Yeah, just thinking about them."

"The PtB?" I ask.

"Yeah, it's kinda weird after all this time. I can't believe I'm finally going to meet them." She looks over to me.

"Turn left here. Yeah, I know exactly how you feel. The first time I met them in LA was way intimidating, like meeting a rock star. Ok, make a right here then go to the end of the block. It's the last abandoned building on your left." I can't help but chuckle. We are in one sorry ass neighborhood.

She takes a deep breath and turns off the engine. "Well, let's do this. And hope the car is still here when we leave."

We walk in and they are 'sitting' on the beat up couch in the corner, if you don't have a body can you really sit? They look up at us and speak, "Welcome Faith, you've come to talk about Ereshkigal no doubt." Their gaze turns to B, "And you've brought the Slayer with you, how nice to meet you after all these years. But first Faith, tell us, is she worth almost dying for?"

"Absolutely," I say without hesitation, grabbing B's hand.

They nod and motion for us to sit. "The Goddess touched your soul we see."

"Yes, she was in the body of a vamp."

"She will continue to seek you out until she is reunited with her blood. The demon will take her and many will die."

"Or?" I ask as I feel B's hand crush mine.

"Or, the Slayer will kill the demon then with the joined power unused for years will contact the Goddess to learn her motives and desires."

"Or?" I ask again always liking to have a least three options.

"There are only two paths to follow in this instance. We state them as clearly as we can. But I see your Slayer has questions for us."

All of us turn to B who's blushing madly. "I – I…"

"Faith, can you leave us for a moment? We need to speak with the Slayer and someone is trying to steal your vehicle."

"What? Oh shit, of course, thanks." I give B's hand a quick squeeze then head for the door. I turn before I go, "And thank you for the glimpse into this future, it helped get me through."

"As it was meant to, you made a great sacrifice, you in turn received great gifts. Now attend to your automobile. We won't keep your Slayer long."

BUFFY'S POV

Wow, they are freaky looking, just like Faith said, totally translucent, ghost-like.

"You know we can not influence decisions, we can only tell what can happen in all instances. The Goddess will be reunited with her blood regardless of which path is taken."

I swallow, "Yes I understand." Holy shit, I'm talking to the PtB, "You aren't going to give me any more information about how to contact the Goddess are you?"

They laugh at me, "We have given more than enough information."

"Then I need to ask you a different question."

"Ask and we will let you know if we can answer."

I take a deep breath then exhale, "When we were in LA years ago, did Angel send Fred to my room knowing what was happening with me and Faith?"

"Yes," they answer.

Shit I knew it! "And, and if he didn't, what would have happened?"

They look at each other, then the woman sits. The man comes to me and speaks with only his voice, "You and Faith would have been together very much as you are now. She, however, would have always carried her darkness and regrets. It would have been Faith that was killed by the M'fashnik demon. He later would have killed you, the Coven, and later in his frenzy, Emma. In the Goddess's grief, the world would have become a dark place. Your Witch and the Key would be responsible for the return back to the light, but many would have died before it was completed."

Putting my head in my hands I can't believe what he's telling me but it feels right.

"We showed Angel the possible paths when he came back from Sunnydale while you we fighting The First." The woman begins to explain as she too comes nearer to me. "He was our Champion and he knew he was meant to die shortly. When we showed him the possible paths he guided Faith to us."

"We cherished him you know." He looked at me, "We released him from his service and gave him human form but he asked to be returned to the beast he was when he learned you would die defending him."

I couldn't believe what they were telling me, "You made Angel human?"

She nodded, "For one day, you two lived a human life."

"But that never happened, I would have re – mem – bered… you took back the day, didn't you?"

"Yes, it was the only way." They replied.

Standing up, I pace around the room this is a little much to handle. "Why do people sacrifice themselves for me? It just doesn't make any sense."

They answer together, "You are the Slayer, yes, there are many now, but you are the True Slayer and you will teach the little ones to fight the evil that threatens to override goodness. It is your vision that will make this possible after your passing. You are the Equalizer." They smile, "It is time for you to go now."

"Ok," I nod knowing I've taken way too much of their time, "Thank you for speaking with me. And thank you for taking care of Faith," I look down then back up at them, "she means everything to me."

"We know your heart is true and honorable. Our Champion is safe with you. Now go Slayer, important events will take place this evening."

As I walk down the front steps I see Faith sitting on the hood of the car smoking. I walk over and wedge myself between her legs, bury my head into her chest and snake my arms around her neck.

"Hey," she pulls me into her, "you ok?"

I nod then kiss her softly, "Yeah, let's get back."

She tilts her head and narrows her eyes at me, "You want me to drive?"

"Yeah," I give her my keys.

We get on the road and make our way home. Home, Jesus how many of us wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for her? I shake my head and can't help but think how much I love her, not for saving my life, but for making me cherish my life.

KNOLLWOOD CEMETERY – CLEVELAND HEIGHTS 10:30 PM

FAITH'S POV

Man, I totally get the parent thing. Emma makes me so proud. When she dusted her first vamp her eyes lit up then she ran to me and B and gave us both hugs. I never had someone to look up to me like that. All I know is I'm seriously getting a kick out of it.

"Hey," B walks over to me, "she's something isn't she?"

"Yeah, three vamps on the first night out-the-box. I'm so proud."

She laughs, "You look like you're gonna bust some buttons there missy." She grabs my hand as Emma creeps up on yet another vamp. "I think we need to put this place on the permanent patrol list."

There's a change in the wind and B and look at each other then both call out to Emma, "Let's go."

Emma dusts the vamp then happily comes our way, "What wrong?" her faces falls as soon as she sees us.

"We need to go now," I grab her arm and start walking to the car.

Buffy is looking all around us and I start a jog with Em in tow. "I see him, I'll be back."

"Be careful Buffy." I call out.

She turns and smiles at my use of her full name. I've slid back into calling her 'B' all the time and she's been teasing me about it. "I will."

"Shouldn't we help her?" Emma ask me, "I mean it's the demon right?"

"Yes, it's the demon but she can handle herself, we'd just distract her. It's something only she is meant to do."

"What do you mean?"

A male voice cuts through the night as Emma is ripped away from me, "Ah little girl, it's been a long time. Do you want to meet your REAL family?"