Authors note: hey peeps, thanks again for reviewing. I'm sorry if I don't reply to your reviews, I try to but I've been really busy with college and work, but don't worry I'll make it up to everybody at the end of the fic I promise. Enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 24

BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

(Buffy's P.O.V)

It has been two days. Two long days since Kennedy had taken Faith. No matter where I searched, who I threatened I couldn't find them anywhere. The only thing I could do now was wait. Wait for Kennedy to make a move, begin the twisted game that she had started and whether I liked it or not I was a part of.

I flick through the channels on the television trying to find something that'll hold my attention and keep my mind off of what could be happening to Faith. Cartoons, infomercials, more infomercials, I stop when I get to a news channel, the main story catching my eye.

/The badly mutilated bodies of a three young men and a woman, where found in woodland in downtown Sunnydale. Police say that the injuries where caused by an animal attack. Several eye witnesses reported seeing a large wolf like creature near the area at the time of the attack. Residents are urged to stay away from the woodland area especially after dark. Police and wardens are searching the area in order to find the animal. Now over to Steven with the weather./

I blank out the T.V trying to process what I've just heard. It couldn't be Faith, could it? I mean it could be another werewolf, or even a bear for God's sake. So why does part of me know it's her?

OUTSKIRTS OF SUNNYDALE

(Nobody's P.O.V)

There where a dozen or so Daywalkers lying in various states around the room, they where sated after a feeding frenzy involving a busload of tourists who had the misfortune of breaking down near the old farm where they where 'staying'. Corpses littered the floor of the building, discarded like empty cans.

Olmeck stood at the top of the stairs and looked down at the mess in disgust. Although they where demons they didn't have to live like animals. He looked round at the building they where living in. He had decided to move them from the warehouse as it was too close to the slayer. Although he had nothing to fear from her, he didn't like the fact that his enemy's knew where he was staying. A couple of his men had found the surveillance equipment that the slayer had set up. He didn't want any information falling into their hands that could be used against him. So far everything was going according to plan. He had his army, he had his own slayer and he had the Garou. They only had to hide out for a few more days, once the ceremony was completed they could make their move on the hell mouth and create a new world.

He looked down as the front door opened and his slayer entered, the Garou following close behind. He watched as the vampires scurried out of her way, leaving a clear path for her to ascend the staircase.

"How did it go?" he asked curiously as she came and stood beside him.

Kennedy grinned and glanced at Faith who stood patiently next to her. "Worked like a charm. She did exactly as I asked."

"And you expected no less?"

"Well I kinda thought she wouldn't do it, but she did." she answered. "She killed them both without a second thought. Even made the headlines too."

"I thought I said to leave no witnesses." Olmeck said firmly.

"Hey look at it this way, it'll have got Buffy's attention and that's what I wanted. She's bound to know that it's her girlfriend doing the slaughtering, which means that she's gonna have to put her down. Trust me I know what I'm doing."

"You will understand my concern. I don't want the slayer interfering in our business, not this close to Imbolg." Olmeck said.

"Don't sweat it." she replied grinning. "Buffy will have heard about the murders and will probably go to the scene of the crime to scout around, like the good little slayer she is." she turned to look at Faith, who stood still at her side. "But we'll be waiting for her won't we Faithy."

GILES' HOUSE

Giles read the article again and looked up Wesley who was looking down at him, worry plain on his face. "What makes you think it is Faith?" he asked. "It could be another werewolf or even a wild animal."

"It fits her description, and she just so happens to have gone missing." Wesley said.

"If it is her this is extremely out of character." he stated skimming through the article again. Looking for any reason behind the killings. "Unless they removed the ring, causing her to lose control." he stated.

"Exactly!" Wesley exclaimed. "Which is why we should go out there and hunt her down before she kills any more innocent people."

"You will do no such thing." Buffy said coldly. Giles and Wesley looked over at her in surprise neither had heard her entering.

"But council policy states-" Wesley began.

"I don't care what the council have to say." Buffy said cutting him off with a glare. "She is my girlfriend and my responsibility, the council have no place here."

"But she has killed innocent people." Wesley exclaimed. "She has to be punished."

"Faith is just as innocent as those people! She would never willingly do a thing like that. God knows what Kennedy has done to her but it isn't her killing people, it's her wolf."

"All the same she's dangerous and must be stopped." he said authoritatively. "Don't forget that you are the slayer Buffy. If she cannot be reasoned with you will have to do your job."

Buffy glared at him. "I'm going to find her and bring her back alive." she said. "And we will cross that bridge when we come to it." she added quietly. Giles walked over to her and handed her the tranquilliser gun, she smiled gratefully at him and turned to leave.

"Buffy." he called. She turned back to face him. "Be careful." She smiled sadly at him and left.

BRONZE

Willow watched as Oz finished his set on stage. She was about to walk over to greet him when she saw him talking to Veruca. Sighing dejectedly she slumped further onto the couch, blinking tears away from her eyes. She couldn't help but feel jealous and insecure. She knew she was losing him and there was nothing she could do about it.

She'd taken Buffy's advice and she'd told Oz how she felt, he'd been understanding and assured her that nothing was going on between him and Veruca. She'd believed him, but watching the way they acted together, and the fact that she and Oz where slowly, but surely drifting apart, made her fears seem real. From looking at the relationship Buffy and Faith had, she could see that her relationship with Oz wasn't forever. She could see that Buffy and Faith where soul mates, that much was obvious. What she had with Oz was good, but it made her wonder if there was someone else out there that was her other half, someone that would complete her. Her soul mate. She wondered how Buffy was holding up, she hadn't seen her since this morning and she was still upset about Faith's kidnapping, saying that she wanted to be alone just now. Willow decided that she would pay Buffy a visit on the way home. Shaking her head she got to her feet, sparing another glance at Oz and Veruca she walked over to the bar to get herself another drink.

She was that caught up in her thoughts that she didn't see the other girl until it was too late. "Oh my God I'm so sorry!" she said as she realised that she had caused the girl to spill her drink all over herself.

"I-It's okay r-really." the other girl stuttered.

"No it's not, I'm such a klutz, I wasn't looking where I was going." Willow said grabbing a handful of napkins off the bar she handed them to the other girl.

"I-It's fine really, d-don't w-worry about it." she replied dabbing at her shirt.

"Well how about I buy you another drink, to say sorry and to make up for ruining your shirt." Willow asked bashfully.

"T-that would b-be great." she replied.

"My names Willow." she said introducing herself.

"M-my names Tara." the other girl replied smiling shyly. "I-I'm kinda n-new h-here so I d-don't really know a-anyone y-yet."

"Well it looks like you bumped into the right person." Willow replied grinning. "I happen to be knowledge gal, so why don't I fill you in on the in's and out's of good old Sunnydale." she said, seeing Tara nod shyly, she led them over to a table and began filling her in about life in Sunnydale.

MURDER SCENE - WOODED AREA

Buffy saw the police tape and knew she was in the right area. Lifting the tape she ducked underneath, she searched the ground around the area for any clues, or signs that it had definitely been Faith. She knew in her heart that Faith would never willingly hurt anybody, and didn't want to believe what her instincts where screaming at her. She couldn't see anything of importance, no doubt the cops would have taken it anyway, she thought. There where too many footprints and the ground was to boggy to be able to distinguish them clearly.

A strange light caught her eye, looking down she saw that it was her soul band, it was glowing slightly, the same way it had the night Faith had been taken. Standing still Buffy closed her eyes and reached out with her senses, trying to sense if anyone or anything was out there. Faintly she heard twigs snapping to her right, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she sensed a presence that wasn't human. She could feel the adrenaline course through her as the slayer in her prepared to fight. Opening her eyes she looked out into the darkness but couldn't see anything. The faint light of the moon only lighting the clearing that she was stood in, not able to penetrate the darkness of the woods.

Buffy felt a tingle run down her back. "Come out Kennedy I know your there, I'm not in the mood for hide and seek." she said, turning as she heard Kennedy walking behind her.

"Hey Buffy, long time no see." she said grinning playfully. "How've you been holding up?" she asked in fake concern. "Heard you lost something recently."

"I'm fine, I broke a nail slaying the other day, job hazard, you know how it is." she answered sarcastically.

"Sad to hear that." Kennedy replied conversationally. "Now as much as I love our little chats, I didn't come here to talk. I came to show you something."

"What did you finally get your pain in the ass award? Cause I would've liked to have been at the presentation." Buffy pouted.

"No this is something much, much better." she said grinning in anticipation. Looking into the trees behind Buffy, Kennedy called out to someone that was standing there. "Drrucassta."

Frowning Buffy turned to follow Kennedy's gaze. She watched in surprise as Faith stepped out of the tree line. She looked terrible, she was covered in scratches and bruises, dried blood coated one side of her face from a cut on her temple and her shirt was also covered in blood. Buffy could see slash marks through the numerous tears in her shirt, that had obviously been made by a knife. "Faith?" she choked out, hesitantly taking a step towards her. Faith hadn't moved since Kennedy had called on her, she just stood as still as a statue. "Faith?" Buffy tried again to get through to her, but Faith didn't respond.

Buffy whirled round to face Kennedy. "What the hell have you done to her!" she spat, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

Kennedy stood there thoughtfully. "Hmmmm what did I do?" she mused. "Let's see, a little torture, followed by brainwashing, followed by mass murder. Well that last part wasn't me, but I was there and lets just say it was a hell of a show." she replied.

A look of disgust and anger flitted across Buffy's face. "Your sick." she stated.

"No I was bored and I wanted to see what your little guard dog was able to do, and let me tell you it was impressive." Kennedy said.

"I'm sorry I missed it." Buffy sneered.

"Well if your that bothered I can give you a repeat performance, except this time you can be the main star." Kennedy said. She looked at Faith who was waiting for her next order. "Kilsrrach." she commanded.

Buffy turned back towards Faith and saw that she'd begun advancing towards her. "Faith? Faith, listen to me." Buffy pleaded, but it had no effect.

"She can't hear you , she only responds to me." Kennedy taunted, from the sidelines. "How are you gonna get out of this one Buffy?" she said laughing.

Buffy raised the tranquilliser gun and aimed it at Faith, next thing she knew the gun was knocked out of her hand and flying across the clearing. Looking up she saw that Faith stood right in front of her.

"She's fast ain't she." Kennedy said in admiration. Buffy ignored her and ducked as Faith aimed a blow at her head, kicking out with her foot she swept Faith's legs from under her, sending her to the ground. Faith let out a small growl and jumped back up to her feet, Buffy threw a quick punch that connected with Faith's jaw and followed through with a blow to the stomach winding her. Part of her cried out at the damage she was inflicting on her girlfriend, she didn't want to hurt her but she didn't want to die either.

Faith recovered from the blow to the stomach and dodged the kick that Buffy had aimed for her head, grabbing Buffy's leg she swung her round and slammed her into the ground. Stalking towards her she lifted her foot and prepared to smash it down onto Buffy's head. Buffy rolled out of the way and saw Faith's injured leg, shooting her fist out she stuck her fingers into the wound. Faith yelped in pain and dropped down onto one knee. Buffy jumped to her feet and kicked Faith in the head knocking her to the ground dazed. Kennedy saw that the fight was swinging in Buffy's favour "No! Wolfrascrah" she commanded.

Buffy was about to knock Faith out fully when she heard Kennedy shout out another command, looking down at Faith she saw that she was changing into her wolf form. Buffy jumped back as Faith climbed to her feet, growling loudly. She watched in horror as Faith let out a roar and charged towards her, waiting till the last minute, Buffy dived out of the way, rolling to her feet in time to see Faith advancing on her again. Buffy realised that Faith was stronger in her wolf form but slower, and she knew that she had to use this to her advantage. Looking around quickly, she saw that the tranquilliser gun was only a few feet away. Faith leapt towards Buffy aiming for her throat, Buffy ducked and rolled underneath her, Kicking up with her feet she caught Faith in the ribs and sent her flying through the air before hitting the ground hard. Seeing her chance Buffy ran for the tranq. Gun . Her sprint was brought short by Faith landing on top of her knocking her to the ground, the weight of her pressing on her back was crushing and Buffy couldn't breath, fumbling around she felt a thick branch, grabbing it she swung it backwards and felt it collide with Faith's head, the weight on her back lessened and she franticly crawled out from under Faith and ran the last few yards towards the gun. Grabbing it she spun to face Faith who was charging towards her, raising the gun she fired. In that split second before Faith collided with her she realised with horror that the darts had been removed from the gun.

"Couldn't have you cheating now could we Buffy." Kennedy said holding the darts in her hand, she watched gleefully as Faith knocked Buffy to the ground and lowered her head towards her throat.

Tbc.