Animatus

Notes: Thanks for the reviews. Keep them coming.

Previously:

"I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this is that I forgive you," Buffy said quietly. "Can we just start over?"

Faith smiled against Buffy's leg. "Yeah," she answered. "We can."

"Good," Buffy nodded. Leaning her head back against the wall, she closed her eyes. Silence fell between them and she heard Faith's breath even as sleep took her. Riley was not Angel and that was the main reason why she started dating him in the first place. Buffy looked down at the sleeping Slayer and smiled sadly. "He wasn't you either," she whispered.

Chapter Twelve: The Angry Things That We Say:

"Happy birthday," Faith muttered disgustedly as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was thirteen years old and the only things that she had received for her birthday were a cut on her cheek and a black eye. Her mother never remembered her birthday, but every year, Faith hoped that she would remember if for nothing more than to prove that somewhere, deep inside, her mother really did love her. The light above the mirror flickered as the bulb began to die. Faith grabbed a tissue, ran it gently under the sink, and pressed it against her cheek.

She flinched, unconsciously pulling away the tissue. It was red with blood. Shaking her head, she blotted away the blood running down her face. Her mother had left with Craig, another man in her endless stream of deadbeat boyfriends. But he had connections with a cheap heroin dealer and her mother would do anything for a hit. Faith dropped the tissue into the overflowing trashcan and sat down on the dirty, cracked tile of the bathroom floor, holding her head in her hands.

She wanted to cry; she felt like she should cry. Her face was throbbing with pain. Already, her eye was starting to swell. But when she tried to cry, no tears fell. Groaning with frustration, she slammed her hand down on the tile. The skin of her knuckles split and blood gushed out of the new wound. Looking down at her hand, she laughed. She no longer felt any physical pain from her wounds, just a dull ache that spread through her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe. Pulling in a haggard gasp of air, she closed her eyes, and pressed her head against the wall.

A sudden knock at the door brought her back into the world. "It's open," Faith called, struggling to rise to her feet.

"Faith?" A voice answered. She heard the door slowly creak open and hesitant footsteps started towards her.

"I'm in the bathroom," she replied, searching through the cabinets below the sink to find something with which to bandage her hand.

"Hey," Christy said, appearing before the bathroom door. "Jesus, what happened to you?" She asked, rushing forward, and placing her hand gently on Faith's shoulder.

Faith shrugged her off and turned away. "Nothing," she muttered.

"Please," Christy said. "Don't even give me some bullshit response about walking into a doorknob."

"I didn't walk into a fucking doorknob," Faith replied angrily.

"So what happened?" Christy pressed gently.

Faith shook her head. "My mother's new boyfriend," she said disgustedly. "I must have pissed him off. I don't know. I just walked in the door and he started beating on me."

"Are you okay?" Christy asked, kneeling before Faith as she sat on the edge of the grease ringed bathtub.

"Five by five," Faith mumbled in response. Christy smiled slightly.

"Let me see your hand," she said. Reaching forward, she unclenched Faith's shaking fist. "How did you do this?" She asked.

"I hit the floor," Faith responded. "I was just so angry. I didn't mean to."

"I know," Christy nodded sympathetically, rising to her feet. Grabbing a washrag, she ran it under warm water and moved back to where Faith was sitting. She pressed it gently against Faith's knuckles, her brow furrowing with concern when the dark haired girl gasped audibly in pain. "I'm sorry," she said anxiously

Faith smiled quickly. "It's okay," Faith reassured her. "It doesn't hurt that much."

"Yes it does," Christy said, "I can see it in your face."

"I'll be alright," Faith insisted.

"Yeah?" Christy asked. "You promise?"

Faith smiled softly and nodded. "I promise."

"Good," Christy smiled in return. "Oh, I almost forgot," she said, reaching into her jacket pocket. "I got you this." She pulled out a shiny, silver chain bracelet and handed it to Faith. "Happy birthday," she said sincerely.

Faith accepted the gift and smiled, sliding it onto her wrist. "Thanks," she said, her voice raw with emotion.

"You okay?" Christy asked, nudging her knee.

"Yeah," Faith said, laughing embarrassedly. "It's just…you're the only person who ever gets me anything for my birthday."

"Really?" Christy asked in surprise.

Faith nodded. "My mother always forgets," she said softly.

Christy leaned forward, placing her hands on the sides of the bathtub next to Faith's legs. "Forget about her," Christy said firmly. "You don't need her."

"No?" Faith said amusedly.

"No," Christy smiled widely. "You've got me."

"Do I?" Faith asked. Christy's expression suddenly turned serious as she leaned forward, until her lips were only inches away from Faith's.

"Is this okay?" She asked uncertainly. Faith unconsciously licked her lips and nodded. Christy closed the distance between them, pressing her lips softly against Faith's. The kiss was gentle. Their lips moved together and, momentarily, Faith felt like she was completely weightless. Christy moaned into her mouth, bringing Faith back into the moment. She felt the other girl's tongue slid across her lips, seeking entrance. Faith opened her mouth further, caressing Christy's tongue with her own. Finally, Christy pulled away. "I need to tell you something," she said, her cheeks flushed with desire and her voice heavy.

"What?" Faith asked in a rough, gravelly voice filled with passion.

"I love you," Christy whispered, looking down at the floor. "I don't want to freak you out, but I can't keep that in anymore. I just needed to tell you."

Faith reached down and lifted the other girl's face with her fingertips. "I love you too," she whispered back.

"You do?" Christy asked, tears of relief filling her eyes.

Faith smiled softly. "You're the only person that I could."

……………………………….

Faith groaned and shifted, opening her eyes slightly. Sunlight was streaming in the windows of the Bronze. The bright light pierced her eyes and she quickly shut them again. "Too bright," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes absently. Suddenly, she realized that she was laying on someone. Looking up, she saw Buffy still sleeping, propped up against the wall. She was lying in the blonde Slayer's lap, with her cheek pressed against the girl's leg. She panicked, wondering if Buffy knew the position in which she was laying.

The older girl stirred in her sleep, slowly opening her eyes. "Hey," she said, looking down at the younger girl, her voice rough. Stretching her arms, she smiled at Faith.

Faith sat up, brushing a hand through her dark hair. "Hey," Faith returned.

"Did you sleep well?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah," Faith replied. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."

"It's okay," Buffy smiled gently. "I didn't want to move you. You looked so peaceful."

Faith laughed softly and rose to her feet. "Brand new day," she murmured.

"We're going to figure all of this out," Buffy reassured her.

"What do you think they have up their sleeves?" Faith asked, nodding towards the Initiative soldiers.

"I don't know," Buffy shrugged.

"Do you trust them?" Faith questioned.

"Of course I trust Riley," Buffy replied quickly.

"I didn't ask if you trusted Riley," Faith noted. "I just asked if you trusted them."

"The Initiative?" Buffy asked. Faith nodded. "I don't know."

"Everybody!" Riley called. "Can you gather around please? We wanted to discuss our next move."

"Our next move?" Faith muttered. "This cannot be good."

"What makes you think that they're so bad?" Buffy asked with frustration.

"I just have a feeling," Faith replied cryptically.

The survivors housed in the Bronze gathered on the second level, taking seats at various places where they could see the four soldiers standing before them. Riley stood in the center, his gun holstered at his hip. The other three soldiers stood behind him, their guns resting comfortably in their hands. "I'm sure none of you have a great frame of reference when it comes to military protocol," Riley began, "but I'm the senior officer here, so technically, that puts me in charge."

"In charge?" A woman asked hesitatingly. Faith looked over at her, noticing that she did not recognize half of the people around her.

"It may not seem like it, but this whole matter is of military concern," Riley explained. "We're in a war zone and that means marshal law."

"What does that mean?" Faith asked suspiciously.

Riley caught her tone, his eyes narrowing. "That means you do what I say." Faith laughed silently, looking down at the ground. "When you all were dropped off here," Riley continued, ignoring the nagging feeling at the back of his mind about Faith, "these soldiers were issued orders to stay here until they were picked up again," he said, motioning to the three men standing behind him. "Now, it's been two weeks and no one has come. Though I'm hesitant to leave this place, I believe that we'll have to sometime soon. However, I want to wait a couple of more days at least to try to give our guys some more time to rescue us."

"Do you really think that they're coming to get us?" Faith asked.

"Yes, I do," Riley answered firmly.

"That's bullshit," Faith muttered. "They're not coming and you know it."

"I don't know any such thing," Riley answered.

"How long do you want us to wait around?" Faith asked. "Until we have nothing left? We should leave now, while we still have supplies. At least we'd have a shot."

"You're not in charge here," Riley answered. "When you are, we can do whatever you want. But until then, we do what I say. And that's it."

"Or what?" Faith challenged him. The three soldiers behind Riley stepped forward, raising their guns slightly.

"Like I said, this is marshal law. We don't have time to deal with people who don't want to cooperate," Riley replied.

"So what," Faith sneered, "you'll just shoot me?"

Riley smiled grimly. "If it comes to that," he answered enigmatically.

"Riley," Buffy admonished.

"No, Buffy," Riley said dismissively, his voice tinged with frustration. "I've been trained to deal with situations like this. I've been trained to survive. I know what we need to do to get out of here alive. She doesn't. From what I've gathered, she shouldn't be in any kind of leadership position, and she definitely shouldn't have any kind of weapon. You're dangerous," he said to Faith, "and if you want to stay alive, I suggest you fall in line."

"Are you threatening me?" Faith asked incredulously, stepping forward. The soldiers raised their guns to chest level. Buffy reached out and grabbed Faith's elbow, pulling her back before things escalated out of control.

"Let it go," she whispered.

"No way," Faith said angrily.

"The last thing I need is for you to get shot," Buffy said. "Just let it go."

"What do you care?" Faith asked in frustration.

"I do care," Buffy said heatedly. "Maybe if you would open your eyes you would realize that."

Buffy stormed away, leaving Faith staring after her with confusion written on her face. "What does that mean?" She asked no one in particular. Riley had heard the entire exchange between the two women. Frowning, he dismissed his soldiers and followed after Buffy.

"That's all," he said to the group, who began to disperse as well.

"Hey," he said, catching up with her. "Are you okay?" He asked when she turned to face him.

"I'm fine," she said distractedly.

"Because I'm sensing some tension between you and Faith," Riley said.

"You would really shoot her?" Buffy asked angrily. "You don't have any right to do that."

"I have to keep control in here," Riley said defensively. "If she questions every move that I make, no one will listen to me."

"She has every right to question you," Buffy nearly shouted. "These are our lives that we're talking about. This isn't some op to bring back a demon. This is life and death now, Riley."

"I know that!" Riley shouted. Pausing, he took a deep breath, regaining control of his temper. "I know that," he repeated softly. "I'm doing the best that I can. Faith is dangerous. I don't like you being around here."

"I'm sorry," Buffy said, pushing past him. "But you don't get to choose my friends."

"I didn't think she was your friend," Riley said, following her. "Willow told me all about her last night. She tried to kill you and all of your real friends."

"No, she didn't," Buffy defended her.

"Really?" Riley asked disbelievingly. "Willow tells the story a bit differently."

"What do you want me to say?" Buffy asked, turning back to face him. "I'm not giving up on her because she made a mistake."

"Some people aren't worth trying to save," Riley said gravely.

"Maybe you're right," Buffy acknowledged. "But I'm not giving up on her again."

"I don't have time for this," Riley said, shaking his head as he moved away from her.

"Time for what?" Buffy asked.

"I can't believe that you'd be defending her after all that she did to you. I'm just trying to keep people alive and you're acting like I'm some kind of villain," Riley said angrily.

"Maybe you are," Buffy said defiantly.

"What does that mean?" Riley asked incredulously.

"Maybe Faith is right. Maybe the Initiative is the reason for all of this. We don't know. I don't trust those guys," she said, pointing to the other three soldiers. "They're way too trigger happy for my liking."

"They're trained soldiers. They know what they're doing," Riley said in defense of his men.

"I'm a trained soldier too," Buffy replied. "Maybe not trained like you are. But I've trained for a long time to fight things like those zombies. So has Faith. Maybe you should listen to us."

"This is a military situation," Riley repeated. "And it will be handled by the military."

"I can't be around you right now," Buffy said disgustedly.

"What're you trying to say?" Riley pressed.

"I'm saying that I don't want to see you anymore. You're not the person that I thought you were," Buffy replied heatedly.

"You're breaking up with me? Are you serious?" Riley asked.

"Yes," Buffy stated. "I'm serious."

"This is because of Faith, isn't it?" Riley said knowingly.

"No," Buffy frowned, "this is not because of Faith."

"Oh please, Buffy," he laughed, "I've seen the way you look at her."

"I don't look at her in any particular way," Buffy said defensively.

"Yes, you do," Riley stated. "You look at her like I want you to look at me."

"No, I don't," Buffy grumbled.

"I hope you're very happy together," Riley said bitterly. "You two deserve each other."

Buffy turned back, watching him walk away. Looking across the room, she saw Faith sitting by one of the windows. The younger girl's face was turned away, but she could see her reflection in the glass. A certain peacefulness had fallen over Faith, something which Buffy had never before seen in her. "What was that about?" Willow asked, walking up to Buffy.

"I just broke up with Riley," Buffy sighed.

"Why?" Willow asked with concern, touching her friend's arm lightly.

"I don't know," Buffy shrugged. "It just didn't feel right anymore."

"I'm sorry," Willow said sympathetically.

"He didn't take it well," Buffy stated.

"I got that by the raised voices and the angry faces," Willow replied.

"How are you and Tara?" Buffy asked, looking over at her best friend.

"We're good," Willow nodded. "I think Tara is still in shock about everything."

"Yeah?" Buffy asked. "Maybe Giles should talk with her."

"Maybe," Willow nodded.

"How did you know?" Buffy asked, looking down at the floor.

"How did I know what?" Willow asked in confusion.

"How did you know that you loved her?" Buffy asked. "I mean, did you just know, or did it take time?"

"I just knew," Willow said, smiling at the memory of the night she had gone to Tara's dorm room after Oz had left for the final time. There had been a blackout and she had brought the shy, blonde girl a candle. "Why're you asking?" Willow asked suspiciously.

"No reason," Buffy said, shaking her head.

"Well, I'm gonna go check on Tara, see if she wants anything to eat," Willow said. "I'm sorry about Riley."

"Thanks," Buffy replied absently. Willow walked away, leaving her standing alone. She looked back to where Faith had been sitting, but the dark haired girl was no longer there.