-1Chapter 5: The gathering of Champions begins and brings Faith.
Faith looked at her watch again for what must have been the hundredth time as she stood outside the Hyperion. Faith didn't know why she was here, she had just felt herself being dragged here to this place, the last place that she wanted to be. There were just too many memories with Angel, with Wes and even with Cordelia. Faith shivered in the cool night, she did not want to have to revisit those memories. Even though she knew that she had been in a really bad place during that time of her life. Just wanting someone to end it all for her, to end the cycle of pain and violence that she had somehow gotten caught up in.
Faith remembered with startling clarity the things she had done to Wes, and to Cordelia. Sure she had never really liked either of them, but then again they had not done anything to her personally. Okay so there was that little trouble she had with Wesley and the watchers counsel, but there had been a reason for that mistrust.
It had all started with her accidentally killing that man… Shaking her head, she couldn't even remember his name, yet she knew that she would never forget his face. Nor the look on that face when she slammed that knife into his chest. It had been an accident to be sure, but she had been so caught up in her own power, that she had never stopped to consider the consequences. That attitude led to her rapid slide down a path that she had never thought she would take. Helping the Mayor of Sunnydale with his plans of ascension. Or actually almost killing Angel, torturing Wesley, hurting Xander the way she had. In the end instead of killing her, Angel had shown her the path back to the good side. To forgive herself for the horrible things that she had done. To in fact pay for her crimes and thus redeem herself in her own eyes. Faith knew that she owed Angel a lot, and if he ever called, she would be here for him, it was the least she could do for all that he did for her.
It had been a little over a year since she had helped Buffy and the other slayers destroy the first evil. A year of soul searching, and trying to find something to do with her life. She had held down a bunch of menial jobs. Waitress, assistant to a hair dresser, shop girl, and for the last six months at a Seattle coffee house. Faith lived in a small apartment alone, with her new puppy, and life was okay. Not great, no where near great, she missed helping people. It was the only time in her life that she felt good, the thought of helping others. Knowing that she had made a difference in someone's life. Still, Faith felt more at peace with herself and her surroundings, than she'd ever felt before. Faith felt ready to face her past and try to forge a happy, meaningful future.
Then two days ago Faith felt something pulling at her. She felt this need to come here, something or someone was drawing her to this place, at this time. So, Faith had packed her one bag, quit her job, gave up the lease on her apartment, and took her dog Pixie and got on a bus. Now she stood on the threshold of the Hyperion, wondering what the hell she was doing here. What had possessed her to come to this place.
Faith checked her watch again.
Fred looked out the window again, the woman was still standing out front. A duffle bag on one shoulder and a little kennel dog carrier on the other.
"Cordy, there is someone outside." Fred began nervously
"What?" Cordelia went over to the window and looked out, "Oh my God, it can't be."
Fred looked to her surprised, "You know her?" she asked
"Yes." Cordelia admitted, "Stay here Fred." she said as she made her way out into the night.
Faith was shifting her weight from foot to foot, and checking her watch again. Just hoping the feeling that she needed to go inside, would just go away. No such luck.
"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in." Cordelia began her arms crossed over her stomach looking decidedly unhappy.
Faith jumped surprised and looked up, "Cordelia." She began nervously, wishing the first person she had seen this night was Angel. It just would have made things a bit easier.
"Faith." Cordy had already had the low-down from Spike about what happened in Sunnydale when Faith had come back. She'd also had many long, long conversations and some arguments with Angel about the slayer. Cordy knew that Faith had been in a bad place during her first time in Sunnydale, what with the mayor screwing with her head. Killing that guy, and what with torturing Wes so that she could get Angel to put her out of her misery. Cordelia also knew about change, she had seen miracle changes during the last few years, Angelus becoming Angel again, Spike being all fuzzy and friendly with her. Cordelia was willing to give Faith a chance, just one though, Cordelia wasn't stupid.
Cordelia strode down to meet Faith, "Okay, I know why you are here." she began, "So here are the ground rules, number one, no flirting with Angel, he's my husband now. Rule number two, you don't get to hurt Spike or torture Wesley. Got that?" she asked and watched as Faith took the information in, and quickly nodded.
"Good…" Cordelia paused "Now the next question is, are you going to kick my ass if I try and give you a hug?"
Faith smiled, and suddenly relaxed, "No."
"Good." Cordelia hugged Faith, "Cause, like I said, I'm married to a big bad vampire now, and he will so kick your ass."
"It's good to see you too Cordelia." Faith smiled, then pulled back, "You are really married to Angel?" she asked incredulously, "Tall guy, all studly and hunky, protruding forehead Angel?"
Cordelia laughed as she picked up Faith's bag, "Yup, I got the package deal, husband, baby, the whole nine yards."
Faith shook her head as she entered the Hyperion, "Well it looks like we definitely have to catch up. Seems a lot's been happening since I've been gone."
"Sure has, you missed my becoming a seer, then becoming all demony, different dimensions, baby Connor being born."
"Whoa, whoa!" Faith held up a hand "Too much, information overload here! Seer? You're a demon now?" Faith stared at the former cheerleader amazed.
"Well half." Cordelia shrugged as she spotted Fred, "Oh and you missed the addition of Fred to the AI family. Fred meet Faith, the Vampire Slayer."
"Really!" Fred blushed "I've never met a real vampire slayer before." she said excitedly
"Nice to meet you Fred." Faith held out a hand which Fred took enthusiastically
Faith then turned to Cordelia, "You said you knew why I was here…"
Cordelia sighed, "Long story, cliff notes version, Armageddon is coming."
Faith sighed, "What again?"
"Is that your dog?" Fred asked excitedly staring at the tiny Pomeranian
Faith opened the kennel "Yes, her name is Pixy."
Pixy jumped from Faith's arms to Fred and licked her face, Fred squealed in delight.
"Come on." Cordelia motioned towards the kitchen, "I'll make us some coffee and fill you in on all that you've missed, and what is coming."
Faith sat back as she placed her empty coffee cup on the counter top, to say that she was in shock would have been an understatement. All that the AI team had to go through, about Darla and the miracle child that was Connor. Even of Spike coming back from the dead and was working for Angel now. What especially surprised her was the fact that Angel had moved on from his unhealthy Buffy fixation and had married Cordelia!
Shaking her head, "It's all just so hard to believe, Cordelia." Faith sighed "Although I have to say that I am glad that Angel has given up his blonde fetish."
Fred giggled, she liked Faith.
Cordelia laughed as well, "Me too! And just call me Cordy."
"Cordy." Faith tried it out, impressed by how much the cheerleader had changed, now this was someone that she could really become friends with, "I like that."
Cordelia smiled and put her chin on top of her hands and leaned forward, "Okay so now it's your turn, give all the juicy details and don't leave anything out. Spike told me about Robin." Cordy winked
"Well it didn't last long." Faith admitted, "A couple of months, I think it was just 'the end is coming' type of relationship. We tried to carry it on afterward, but we were too different."
Fred was scratching Pixy's head and asked "So what are you doing now?"
Faith sighed "Well I was living up in Seattle, worked in a coffee house up there. Had a little cute apartment, but it just didn't feel right you know?" she asked Cordelia
Cordelia nodded in complete understanding,
"I know, I came out here to try my hand at acting. I went out on auditions, got a couple of roles, you know, local commercials. My heart though was here, with AI, I was and still am doing something meaningful."
Faith snapped her fingers, "That's it exactly, I still have this thing in me…" She frowned, "You know from the things I did, that I need to make up for."
Fred frowned, "You are looking for redemption."
"Yes, I am." Faith admitted "I wanna make up for the past, but it's not just that. I wanna feel good again, like I'm making a contribution. Not just taking up space and air, like my mom used to say."
Cordelia stared at the woman before her, she understood the need to redeem oneself. She herself had felt that need years ago, to make up for the horrible ways she had treated others, just because she could get away with it. To live down the title of 'Queen C'. Angel was right after all, although she would never admit it to him, it might just inflate his ego, and Cordelia couldn't have that.
Smiling she refilled Faith's cup, "Well Faith, it just so happens that I might just be able to help you there…"
It was three hours before sunrise that, Angel, Spike, Wes and Gunn walked back exhaustedly back into the hotel. It had been a bad night out there tonight. Two vampire nests, and a very horny Trogah demon. Gunn still had the creeps at how that demon was staring at him. With all six eyes no less.
They were all dirty and they all had some wound or another. The smell of the Trogah demon still on all of them. They all collapsed on the various couches in the main lobby.
With her uncanny ability to know the whereabouts of her souled vampire husband, the moment they sat, the kitchen door swung open and Cordelia and Fred walked out carrying the first aid kits. Angel and the others smiled, then the door swung open again. Angel and the others were in shock as Faith entered the room carrying a tray of drinks.
"Faith!" Angel began shocked staring at the young woman.
"Hey Angel, Wes, Spike." Faith looked to the black man inquiringly
Gunn stared at the woman, he'd heard stories about the troubled slayer from the others, but this was the first time that he'd actually met a slayer,
"Ahh, Charles Gunn, just call me Gunn."
"Okay Gunn it is." Faith nodded, as she put the tray down, "Okay we got two o-neg's for the en-souled ones." she handed a still in shock Angel and Spike their drinks.
"One hot chocolate. I'm guessing this is yours." She handed it to Gunn
Faith looked at the one cup that was left on the tray, this was going to be the hard one.
"One tea, for my ex-watcher." she handed the cup to Wes, who at the moment was being patched up by Fred. Staring at Faith in utter shock.
"What are you doing here Slayer?" Spike asked confused
"I don't know exactly." Faith admitted, "I just felt this need to come here. Like something was literally pulling me here to LA. By the way, glad to see you alive…ah un-alive…ah here." Faith stuttered unsure of what she should say.
Spike had to smile, "Thanks chit. Good to be back." he admitted
Looking back nervously at Wes, Faith knew that she had to bite the bullet.
"Ah, Wes, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked nervously
Cordelia saw the look of anger on Wes's face and could understand his anger. Still she also knew that Faith had to get something's off her chest, and in fact so did Wes.
"Wes." Cordelia nodded towards the garden
"Okay." Newly patched up, he put down his tea untouched and headed out towards the garden, Faith following behind him.
Angel looked after the pair as they stepped out into the garden, "When did Faith get here?" he asked Cordelia
"About twenty minutes after you guys left. Fred spotted her outside and I went and got her. We talked…" Cordelia told him
"About?"
Cordelia shrugged, "A lot of things actually, about us, about her, about what is coming. I gave her a job here with us." Cordelia admitted nervously
"You WHAT!" Angel sat up staring at his wife as if she had gone insane.
"She needs us, Angel!" Cordelia began to try and explain her sudden fit of madness, "She is a misfit like the rest of us, searching for her own redemption. She doesn't fit anywhere else…"
Angel calmed down, and understood, "But she fits in here." he finished for her.
"Exactly." Cordelia gave him, her most powerful smile, the one that melted his insides on the spot. The look that guaranteed that Angel would do whatever Cordelia wanted.
Spike put in his two bits, "Well, it would be good to have a slayer around. Make nights like tonight a bit easier on us. All this fighting is bad for my wardrobe." he told the others as he fingered the new slash marks on his now ruined shirt.
"This bloody shirt was brand new!" he complained
Angel chuckled, then looked at Cordelia, "Did you give any thought about what this might do to Wes?"
Cordelia bit her lip, "I know they have a bad history. What with the whole her torturing him thing, but I think she needs us and she desperately needs Wes to forgive her. Wesley, also needs to forgive her, just get that bad blood out of his system for his own sake."
The night air was cool as Wes and Faith stood far apart from each other. Neither one knew where to begin.
"So…" Wes began tired of the silence as he stared at the slayer
"Yeah." Faith bit her lip, then looked up, "I don't know where to begin." She admitted "All the bad shit that I put you through, did to you."
"Why did you do it?" Wes asked her sitting on the bench
"I was in hell Wes. After I killed that guy." Faith looked up into the sky, desperately trying not to cry, just wanting all the bad feelings out of her system so that she could really live again. "I was in my own personal hell. I desperately wanted to believe that it was all someone else's fault. That it had nothing to do with me, that it was Buffy's fault, or Gile's fault, your fault, the watcher's fault. I didn't want to admit that it was all my fault, all my own doing."
Wes nodded in understanding, "Then you got involved with the mayor."
Faith let out a bitter laugh, "Yeah, he did one hell of a number on my head." She admitted, then looked at him, "I know you read my file." Faith told him, "You know where I come from, what my family was like."
"Yes" Wes admitted, he knew the hell from which Faith had come from
"The mayor…" Faith searched for the right words, "He treated me like a daughter, like I mattered. Told me that I was worth something that I was special, and not just because I was a slayer. That I, Faith was worth something, that he loved me. No one had ever told me that before." Faith admitted "Then after all that went down and after I came out of the coma. I was in hell again, I saw what I did, and I saw the results of that. All of those dead kids in Sunnydale at graduation, it was all my fault."
Wes stood up, "No Faith, that was the Mayor. He did that, he killed those kids, you were not even there. You were in a coma at the hospital. You can't blame yourself for that one."
Faith turned to Wes tears in her eyes, "But I had helped him set it up."
"You told Buffy how to stop him." Wes countered
Faith didn't deny it, "After that, I just wanted to die." She admitted, then laughed "I just didn't have the guts to do it myself. So I came here. I knew that if I pissed Angel off enough, he would do it for me, just end my pain."
"That is why you came after me." Wes said steadily "You knew that Angel would come to save me."
"Yes" Faith admitted "I am sorry Wes, you can't imagine how sorry I am for what I did to you."
"I know." Wes told her, for the first time seeing her fear, her pain, "I also know that you served your punishment for what you did." Wes moved over to her and took her into his arms.
That was the last straw, the dams burst inside Faith and she held onto Wes for dear life, as she cried.
"We'll work through this Faith." Wes told her, holding her small frame that was shaking and suddenly she seemed tiny to Wes, that even with all of her slayer strength, that she was fragile, "It will take some time, forgiveness doesn't come easily, but it does come. We will make it to the other side." He promised her
It was noon before the first stirrings of life came back into the Hyperion. Faith was up and showered and eager to get on with her life. Her talk with Wes the previous night had lifted an invisible weight off of her chest. Suddenly, Faith felt like she could breathe again and ready to try and make up for the things she had done wrong. She and Wes had talked until daybreak, they had even shared a couple of laughs. Faith had told him about Cordelia's job offer. Told him that she would not accept it unless he was okay with it. The last thing that Faith wanted to do was bring any disharmony into AI.
"Trying to work on your redemption?" he asked wryly
"Yeah, but if it's going to be too weird for you, I'll tell Cordy no." Faith told him quickly
Wes looked up at the shining stars, a small smile lit his face.
"I sometimes think that the purpose of Angel Investigation is more than just a place to help others. It is also a place where we can help ourselves." At Faith's confused look,
Wesley explained.
"Cordelia once said that alone, we are all just a bunch of misfit rejects. Two vampires, an ex-gangbanger, an ex-cheerleader, a taco crazed scientist, a demon, an ex-watcher. That individually, we don't belong anywhere, Angel and Spike never really belonged in Sunnydale, I was never welcomed in Buffy's circle, neither was Cordelia, and neither were you in fact. That separately we don't make sense, not to ourselves and not to others, but when you put us all together, we become a family." Looking at Faith, "Take the job." He told her sincerely, "You need a place where you make sense, face it Faith, you are a misfit, just like the rest of us."
Faith smiled, "Who would have thought the cheerleader would be the smartest one of us all." she laughed
Wesley broke down as well, "Yes, it did come as quite a surprise, I must admit."
Showering and getting dressed, Faith headed downstairs in search of some breakfast. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she saw a man that was both shirtless and shoeless but with a battle sword in his hands. Faith sat down on the bottom stair watching fascinated, the thought of breakfast forgotten. She watched as the man moved with fluid grace. Each movement of his sword was perfect, slow and controlled. His muscles rippled with each movement of his body. It was almost as if he were dancing. The man stopped, and turned. Faith's eyes opened wide, the man had the most perfect body she'd ever seen. A thin sheen of sweat covered his chiseled body, then she noticed the thin white marks all over his chest. Old scars from fights that he must have been involved in.
Champion stared at the woman before him, and bowed.
"Good morning to thee, Lady Faith. I am glad to see that thou hast arrived safely."
Smiling, Faith remembered Cordelia's words from the night before.
"Oh, let me tell yeah, he's a British hottie alright, and he talks like he's in a Shakespeare play. His table manners need work, but he is always polite and calls you Milady."
"Good morning, you must be Champion."
"Aye, Milady." Champion nodded, and continued to stare at Faith.
Faith stood, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you."
"Thou hast not interrupted me Lady Faith. I was finished anyway. Shall we begin?" he asked her
Confused Faith stared at the man, "Begin?" she asked
"Thy training, Milady."
"Ah, Sure." Faith shrugged as she walked down and picked up a sword that was lying on the couch. Facing Champion she prepared herself.
"No." Champion said immediately, "Thy stance is wrong. Thy legs are too wide apart, as are thy feet. Like this." Champion showed her "This gives thee more balance, control, and quicker movement." he moved quickly showing Faith all the moves that could be made from the single position.
Faith repositioned her feet.
"Very good Milady, thou are a quick learner." Champion smiled at her, "Now let us begin, attack." he told her calmly "Hold nothing back."
Faith, moved in and quickly attacked, metal clashed. What seemed like seconds later, the sword was ripped from her hands and Faith was on her ass, and a sword point at her throat. Faith looked up into the man's eyes amazed, she had never even seen him coming.
Champion moved the sword and held out a hand, Faith took the hand and stood up.
"I've never seen anyone move so fast." Faith admitted
"Tis only practice Lady Faith. Soon thou will be more prepared. Let me show thee what thee did wrong."
Faith picked up the sword again and listened and watched as Champion taught her how to use a sword.
Two hours later, Piper, Paige and Phoebe came downstairs, Leo behind them carrying baby Chris. The AI gang also followed behind, they had all heard the clashing of metal on metal, and had all come down to investigate. The site that greeted them was Faith and Champion fighting with swords.
"Better." Champion cried out again as he blocked the next flurry of blows, "But thou are still foretelling me thy actions. Use thy feet more, also remember, swordsmanship is not a test of strength."
Breathing heavily and sweating, Faith swung her sword again and locked it with Champions.
"What's wrong with it though." Faith asked
"Look at thy self then look at me, then answer thy own question."
Faith studied Champion carefully, "He was sweating to be sure, but she was sweating like crazy and he wasn't. She was breathing hard and his breathing was steady. She had to force out her words between gasps of breath and he talked easily.
"I am tiring myself out, using too much strength, while you are conserving yours?"
Champion smiled, "Excellent, Lady Faith, and because of that…" Champion suddenly did a flurry of moves, and once again Faith was on her butt, her sword out of her reach and Champion's at her throat. "It leaves thee vulnerable to attack by a better swordsman."
Holding out his hand again, he helped her up, "Swordsmanship is all about control, thee must know when to press thy attack, and when to hold back, when to use power, and more importantly…"
"When not to." Faith nodded in understanding, looking at the gathered group "Morning guys."
"Morning Faith." Cordelia turned to the others. "Piper, Leo, Phoebe and Paige, meet Faith, the vampire slayer."
"Nice to meetcha." Faith shook their hands.
Champion turned and spotted the others, "Lady's and gentlemen, I hope that thy rest was peaceful."
Piper smiled at Champion, "It was Champion thank you. Did you sleep well?"
"I did Milady…" Champions features darkened, "Although I was visited by strange visions of the past. I am wondering if this is some sort of foretelling into the future. Although, I have never possessed such gifts before." he added confused
"You had a dream." Piper laughed, "Don't you remember, when you were a boy?"
Slowly, Champion began to nod, then suddenly remembered some dreams that he had long before he had been pressed in to service for the family Halliwell, dreams of HER. The thoughts of his love for the last thousand or so years had been while he was awake he'd forgotten he had met her first in a dream.
"Aye, I remember now Lady Piper. I thank thee for thy counsel. I was afraid I was losing my mind again. Dreams…" he laughed "I had indeed forgotten."
Angel stared at Champion, "You are very good with a sword."
"Thank thee Master Angel. I have begun Lady Faith's training, perhaps later, we can begin yours?"
Cordelia laughed, sure of her husband's prowess with a sword, "I'm sure that you have nothing to teach Angel, that he doesn't already know."
"Really?" Champion motioned to the center of the hotel, "Shall we see?"
"Okay" Angel picked up the sword Faith had been using.
"Careful Angel." Faith warned, "He is very good."
The two men eyed each other as the others watched from a safe distance.
"Hold nothing back." Champion warned
"I won't." Angel promised, then attacked
Metal clashed again, Angel's reflexes were fast and furious, but…
With a thud, Angel was laid out on the floor, a sword point to his throat. The entire fight had lasted less than sixty seconds. Cordelia stared in shock at her husband on the floor, just an inch from death. It shook her to her core, that Angel could be beaten so easily.
"Thou art very good Master Angel." Champion moved the sword and held out a hand
Angel stood up and stared amazed at Champion.
"You are obviously better." Angel admitted as he looked over and saw Cordelia's expression. He knew that he had to talk to her.
"I have had more practice, and have learned a bit more than thee." Champion shrugged "With some training, thou shalt be even better." he said as he sheathed his sword.
Angel smiled and patted the man's shoulder, "I look forward to learning from you Champion."
Looking at Faith and Champion, "Why don't you two get cleaned up, I'll get breakfast going." Angel told them.
Champion looked to the charmed ones, "With thy ladies permission."
Piper closed her mouth, staring at all the scars on Champions body, "Of course Champion, please do." She said wondering how many of those scars were received for protecting her family line.
After Champion and Faith were gone, Spike looked to his Grand-sire, "Did you hold back?" he asked seriously
"No, I didn't." Angel admitted then looked to his wife, "It's okay Cordy, I'm fine."
Cordelia stared at Angel, "He beat you." she shook her head in utter disbelief, "I mean he kicked your ass! He could have killed you Angel."
Angel took her into his arms and held on to her, "But, he didn't. He's on our side Cor." he said kissing her forehead.
"But if he is so good, how much better are the guys that beat him?" She asked nervously "How much better are the ones that we are going to be facing?"
"Relax Cor." Angel whispered, "That is why Champion is here, to get us ready for the fight. It's not going to happen today, we are still waiting for the other champions of light to arrive."