Chapter 65: Consequences
Shafts of sunlight slice flowing blue currents ... It is tranquil, peaceful except for a panic-stricken Buffy who thrashes trying to break the grip of the hand on her ankle, pulling her down to a watery grave.
Her attacker is the Deputy Mayor. Buffy manages to fight him off, kick him back into the murky depths. She swims frantically, tries to surface - but can't. Something is holding her down. She struggles.
For a moment, she manages to break the surface - sees that Faith is holding her under. Her expression inscrutable, Faith shoves Buffy under again.
Buffy is sesperate, drowning...
Buffy wakes in her room at the Manor from her dream with a start, badly shaken. She gets up and moves out of her room and down the hall to the bathroom. She overhears Prue watching the news on her bedroom TV.
"...fishermen discovered the body today, the victim of a brutal stabbing..."
Buffy moves so she can see both the TV and Prue. Prue doesn't notice her.
"...Authorities and citizens alike were shocked when the slain man was identified as Deputy Mayor, Allan Finch. Still reeling from the news, Mayor Wilkins had this to say…"
"Mr. Finch was not only my longtime aide and associate, he was a close personal friend... I promise you - I will not rest until whoever did this is found and brought to justice." The Mayor says.
Prue notices Buffy standing there. "Oh, Buffy. You're up..." She looks back to the TV. "In a way I'm glad we don't have to deal with human evil just demons, warlocks and vampires."
Buffy looks at the TV, horrified. Feeling like the walls are closing in on her.
The next day at the library Wesley paces, amped. "I want you to look into this. Find out everything you can about the murder of the Deputy Mayor."
"But, I mean - it's not really our... jurisdiction - is it?" Buffy says.
Faith, seems pretty cool. She glances at Buffy, sending the message - chill out. "It's no big, B. We can get into it if he wants-"
Giles steps forward, irritated. "No. Buffy's right. The Deputy Mayor's murder was the result of human malice. There's nothing supernatural about it."
"We don't know that for certain. I say it merits investigation." Wesley says.
Giles nods, "Which I'm sure the police are doing. However, if you ask me, there are far better uses of the slayers time-"
"Ah, but, I don't believe I did. Ask you." Wesley says.
"Well, considering the success of your last venture you might do well to-" Giles says as Cordelia enters.
"Don't let me interrupt. Wait. Let me interrupt. I'm in a hurry." Cordelia says.
"What did you need?" Giles asks.
"Psych class. Freud and Jung. Book me." Cordelia says.
Giles smiles, "Happily." He moves into the stacks.
Cordelia turns to the others, really noticing Wesley for the first time. "Check out Giles, the next generation. What's your deal?"
Wesley is clearly taken with/flustered by Cordelia. "Uh, I, uh - well –"
"New watcher." Faith and Buffy says.
"Oh." Cordelia says.
"Does everyone know about-" Wesley says.
"She's a friend." Buffy says.
"Let's not exaggerate." Cordelia says giving Buffy a look that says yes were still friends just not where people can see it. "So you're the new watcher."
Wesley proffers his hand, "Wesley Wyndam-Pryce."
Cordelia takes his hand, doesn't let go. "I like a man with two last names. I'm Cordelia."
"And you teach psychology?" Wesley asks.
Cordelia shakes her head, "I take psychology."
"She's a student." Giles says.
Wesley snatches his hand back. Giles stamps Cordy's books. "Well then, yes. In fact I am. Here to watch. Girls. I mean Buffy and Faith, in specific."
Cordelia is enjoying her effect on Wesley. Moves closer, really turning on the gas. Wesley squirms. "Well, it's about time we got some fresh blood."
"Ha! Well. Fresh. Yes." Wesley says.
Giles stamps emphatically. Hands the books to Cordelia. "Here you go."
"Thanks." Cordelia says turning back to Wesley. Hits him with a killer smile. "Welcome to San Francisco." And she bails.
Wesley takes a minute to recover. "My. She's... cheeky. Isn't she?"
"First word, "jail," second word, "bait."" Faith says.
"Well. Where were we?" Wesley asks.
Anxious to get out of there, Buffy stands. A little too urgent. "Done." She looks to Faith, "We were done. Weren't we?"
Faith nods, "Yep. Off to patrol. See ya." She gets up and they start for the door.
But Wesley catches them. Gives Giles a "back off" look. "One moment, girls. I am your commander now and on the matter of this murder, I am resolved. "Natural" or "super" - I want to know."
Buffy glares at Wesley, "How many times do I have to tell you."
Faith smiles. "Fine by me. Always ready to kick a little bad guy butt."
Moments later an agitated Faith and Buffy move into an empty classroom. They close the door - make sure they're alone.
"You gonna rat me out? Is that it?" Faith asks.
"We have to tell, Faith. I can't pretend to investigate, can't pretend that I don't know..." Buffy says.
"Oh. I see. You can "pretend" that Angel's still dead when you need to protect him-" Faith says.
"I am trying to protect you, Faith. If we don't do the right thing, it'll only make things worse for you." Buffy says.
"Worse than jail for the rest of my young life? No way." Faith says.
'Not till I find, Hope.' Faith thinks to herself.
"Faith, what we did-" Buffy says.
Faith nods, "Yeah. We. You were right there beside me when this thing went down. Anything I have to answer for – you do too. You're part of this, B. All the way."
With that, Faith TAKES OFF - leaving Buffy breathless.
Later dazed, Buffy moves from the hall to the lounge area. She sees Willow there, reading. Goes to her - needing a connection.
Willow sees her coming. Glances up from her book. Looks back. She's still a little hurt by what she feels is Buffy's rejection.
Buffy sits next to her. Tries to smile. "Hey."
"Hey... Where's Faith? I saw her around. Figured you guys were off to kill more nasty stuff." Willow says.
"Not right now. She bailed, I guess." Buffy says.
"Will - I thought maybe we could-" Buffy says.
"Actually, I should get-" Willow says talking at the same time as Buffy.
"Sorry... You go." Buffy says.
"I'm - late." Willow says and stands gathering her things. Continues, a little apologetically. "I'm meeting Michael, the warlock guy? We're still trying to "de-rat" Amy."
Buffy frowns, "Willow is something wrong? I thought I was teaching you."
Willow sighs, "You were supposed to be, Buffy. But lately… I don't know. Maybe it's something to do with Faith, I don't know."
"I'm sorry, okay. If it seemed like I was abandoning you. Your my best friend, always will be. No one else I would rather do magic with." Buffy says. "Well other than Prue, Piper and Phoebe of course."
Willow smiles, "Thanks, Buffy. That means a lot."
"How about tomorrow, we work on your power." Buffy says. "I'd do it tonight. But Mr. stick up his butt has Faith and I looking into what is obviously a murder."
That evening Buffy and Faith enter the Deputy Mayor's office, as Faith flicks on a light. The office is absolutely generic. A few unremarkable personal items. A rubber plant. Buffy and Faith move about, taking all this in as they talk in hushed tones.
"I'm telling you. We did the world a favor. This guy was about as interesting as watching paint dry." Faith says.
Buffy stops, shocked at Faith's callousness. "Faith-"
"Joking. Geez, lighten up, B..." Faith says as she comes across a framed photo. Picks it up.
It's a shot of the Deputy Mayor with the Mayor at an official function of some kind. The Deputy Mayor is smiling, proud.
"He came out of nowhere." Faith says.
"I know." Buffy says sympathetically.
At this Faith's eyes go cold and she returns to the search. "Whatever. I'm not looking to hug and cry and learn and grow. I'm just saying it went down quick, is all." Buffy, a little stung, decides to let it go - also looks around some more. But now Faith is restless, irritated. "Let's just blow. I mean, who cares what this guy was about? It's kind of moot now - don't you think?"
"I don't think he was in that alley by chance. I think he was looking for us. Like to know why." Buffy says.
"So, what, you think there's some big conspiracy-" Faith scoffs.
Buffy opens the file cabinet drawers. They're empty. Buffy looks to Faith. Touché. "You were saying?"
"So his papers are gone. That doesn't prove anything." Faith says.
"Except that somebody doesn't want us to prove anything." Buffy says.
Moments later Buffy and Faith poke their heads out of the Deputy Mayor's office - checking to see if the coast is clear. They are about to move into the hall when another door opens and The Mayor and Mr. Trick walk out of the Mayor's office.
Buffy sees them - then quickly and quietly shuts the door before she and Faith are noticed.
Buffy and Faith lean against the door. They hear the muffled voices of the Mayor and Mr. Trick as they pass.
"...get as many men on it as we can."
"Yeah. We'll be wanting to turn up the heat."
Faith and Buffy look at each other.
Later Buffy and Faith walk quickly down the street. Buffy is reeling, freaked by what she just saw.
Faith, on the other hand, seems pumped. "So the mayor of San Francisco is a black hat. Shocker, huh?"
"Actually - yeah. I didn't get the bad guy vibe off him." Buffy says.
Faith shakes her head. Scoffs. "When you gonna learn, B? It doesn't matter what kind of "vibe" a person gives off. Nine times outta ten the face they're showing you? It isn't the real one."
Buffy takes this in. "I guess you know a lot about that."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Faith asks.
"Look at you, Faith. Less than twenty four hours ago you killed a guy. And now you're laughing and scratching and zipidee doo dah. That's not your real face, and I know it. I know what you're feeling because I feel it too." Buffy says.
"Do you? So, fill me in. I'd like to hear this." Faith says, dubious.
Buffy nods, "Dirty. Like something sick creeped inside you and you can't get it out. And you keep hoping what happened was just some nightmare... But it wasn't, Faith. And we have to-"
"Is there gonna be an intermission in this?" Faith asks, completely unmoved by Buffy's argument.
"Let's just talk to Giles or Prue, Piper and Phoebe. I swear-" Buffy says.
"No way. We're not bringing anybody else into this. You gotta keep your head, B. This is all going to blow over in a few days." Faith says.
"What if it doesn't?" Buffy asks.
"If it doesn't... They got a freighter leaving the docks at least twice a day. It's not fancy - but it gets you gone." Faith says.
"And then what? You just live with it? See this dead guy in your head for the rest of your life?" Buffy asks.
Faith shakes her head, "Buffy. I'm not going to "see" anything... I missed the mark last night. And I'm sorry about the guy, really. But it happens. Anyway - how many people do you think we've saved by now? Thousands? And didn't you stop the world from ending? In my book, that puts you and me firmly in the plus column."
"We help people. That doesn't mean we can do whatever we want-" Buffy says.
"Why not? This guy I offed was no Ghandi. We just saw - he was mixed up in dirty dealing." Faith says.
"Maybe. But what if he was coming to us for help?" Buffy says.
Faith shakes her head, "What if he was? You're still not looking at the big picture, B. Something made us different. We're warriors. We were built to kill-"
"To kill demons. But we don't get to pass judgement on people, like we're better than everybody else-"
"We are better." Faith says. "That's right. Better. People need us to survive. In the balance? Nobody's gonna cry over some random bystander who got caught in the crossfire."
Buffy looks stricken. "I am."
Faith just looks at her. Shakes her head. "Your loss."
With that, Faith walks on. Leaving Buffy behind, appalled.
Later Buffy comes up the walk to the Manor, distraught. Before she even gets to the front door, Piper opens it - freaked. "Buffy..."
Piper steps aside, revealing Detective Stein.
Buffy is stunned, cold with fear.
Moments later Buffy and Detective Stein sit across from each other as he questions her. Prue, Piper and Phoebe are also there. Buffy is doing her best to remain calm in the face of his intense scrutiny.
"Tell me again. You got home at what time last night?" Stein asks.
"Late. A little past one, I guess." Buffy says.
Stein nods, "Maybe you can explain to me what a girl your age is doing out all night."
"I was at Faith's. Watching TV." Buffy says.
"What did you watch?" Stein asks.
"Infomercial." Buffy replies.
Stein nods, "That's funny. 'Cause I've got a couple witnesses who put you near the alley."
Prue frowns, "Witnesses?"
Stein nods, "Somebody stabbed this guy through the heart. Strange thing is, the weapon? It was made outta wood. Any of this mean anything to you?"
"Yeah. Whoever did it wasn't hip to the bronze age." Buffy says as she looks like she can barely contain her rising panic. "Is that it? I'm - I'm kind of beat."
Stein stands to go - fixes her with a knowing look. "I have enough for now. Payson. If you know something. If you're protecting someone. I promise you it'll be better for everyone if you come clean."
Buffy looks as though she could be wavering. But she just shakes her head, "I wish I could help you."
Stein nods, but he's not buying it. He heads for the door. Hands her his card. "Well. Call me if you "remember" anything."
And he's gone. Buffy leans against the door, letting down. She fights to catch her breath. She turns to face Prue, Piper and Phoebe.
"Who are you protecting?" Prue asks.
Buffy sighs, "Faith." She goes into the living room and tells them everything. "...And Faith just acts like she doesn't care. The way she talks, she doesn't even think she made a mistake."
"You think she's like, in shock?" Phoebe asks.
Buffy shrugs, "I don't know. But I think the police guy knows more than he's saying. I think he knew I was lying."
Prue sighs, "Well I don't agree with you telling a lie Buffy. I do think it was probably for the best. What would the police be able to do. We've all seen you use your Slayer abilities and we know a jail couldn't hold you unless you wanted to be held. All Faith would do is break out if she didn't want to be held."
Piper nods, "I think Prue is right. You have to go to Giles, Buffy. You have to tell him what happened. I'm sure the Watcher's Council would have a better system setup to deal with this than the police since they know how strong a Slayer would be."
Later that evening Buffy enters the library. The lights are on - but the library appears empty. "Giles?"
Giles comes from his office. He immediately reads her expression. Knows something is terribly amiss. "Buffy-"
Buffy steels herself. Moves to him. "Giles, I don't know how to say this so I'm just going to say it. I know I've kept things from you before but-" She stops as she sees Faith standing in the doorway to Giles' office. It's clear from her expression that she's heard every word Buffy said. Buffy immediately starts to back down. "But... I've been sort of blowing off my classes- you know, in the sense of not attending..."
But Faith stops her. "It's okay, Buffy. I told him." Now Faith looks away - unable to meet Buffy's eye.
"You told?" Buffy says surprised.
Faith nods, "Had to. He had to know what you did."
"What I did?" Buffy asks. She turns to Giles, desperate. "No. Giles. That's not- That's not what happened-"
Giles shuts her down, furious. "I don't want to hear it, Buffy. You've been lying again. To me, to everybody."
"What? No!" Buffy says. "You can't be serious. You're setting me up?"
Faith, guilty, ignores her. Turns away.
"Buffy. Go to my office." Giles says. "Faith, I'll speak to you in the morning."
"Giles-" Buffy says.
"Now." Giles says.
Buffy, stunned, does as she's told.
Faith moves to Giles, anxious. Ready to bail. "I'm... sorry."
Giles just nods. Faith leaves. He turns and follows Buffy into his office.
Buffy immediately launches into her explanation. "Giles. I didn't do this. I swear. I messed up bad, I admit it. But the murder. It was-"
"Faith. I know." Giles says. "She has many talents, Buffy. Fortunately, lying isn't one of them."
Buffy takes this in. Tremendously relieved. "Oh. Oh Goddess. I thought-"
Giles nods, "I'm sorry. I needed to see how far she'd take the charade."
"Try - far. Like all the way." Buffy says.
Giles nods, "You should have come to me or your cousins right off."
Buffy nods, "I know. I wanted to..."
"But Faith wouldn't hear of it." Giles says.
"It's not all her fault, Giles. We both thought it was a vamp. I only realized a second before-" Buffy says.
Giles nods, "Buffy, this is not the first time something like this has happened."
Buffy looks at Giles confused, "It's not?"
"A slayer is on the front lines of a nightly war, Buffy. It's tragic - but accidents have happened." Giles says.
"What do you do? Prue, Piper and Phoebe agreed you or the Council should handle it." Buffy says. "That they would have better resources to deal with Faith."
Giles nods, "They do. The council will investigate, they will meter out punishment if punishment is due... I've no plan to involve them, however. That's the last thing Faith needs right now. She's unstable, Buffy. She seems utterly unable to accept responsibility. Shows no remorse."
"Well, she's freaking, right? I mean, we'll just have to help her deal." Buffy says.
Giles nods, "There is no help for her unless she can admit what happened."
"I can talk to her..." Buffy says.
Giles sighs, "Perhaps..."
"Or maybe I'm too close-one of the guys could..." Buffy says.
Giles nods, "We should meet. They may be seeing a different side of her. And have Prue, Piper and Phoebe here also. They may have some insight all of this."
"Okay." Buffy says.
"But nobody else is to hear, understood?" Giles says.
Outside the office Wesley, who entered a few moments before has overheard the whole thing.
"Absolutely." Buffy says.
"This is a very delicate stage. If we scare her off now we could lose her forever." Giles says.
Wesley's expression remains inscrutable.
The next day it's late in the day and the cafeteria is totally empty. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Buffy, Willow, Xander and Giles are in the midst of a "family meeting." Topic - what to do about Faith and the murder.
"Maybe we should all talk to Faith together." Willow says.
"Like the intervention thing you guys did on me? As I recall, Xander and I nearly came to blows." Buffy says.
Xander nods, "You nearly came to blows, Buffy. I nearly came to loss of limbs."
Prue shakes her head, "No - Faith's too defensive to be confronted in that manner."
Giles nods, "I agree, I think the "one on one" approach is more likely to reach her-"
"I could be the one. On her one." Xander says. "Let's rephrase. I mean, I think she might listen to me. We kind of have a "connection.""
Buffy shakes her head, "A connection. Like when you say "hi" and she says "hi" and then she blows you off?"
"Something like that. It's just worth a shot, that's all I'm saying." Xander says.
"I don't see it, Xander. Of all of us, you're arguably the person Faith has had the least contact with." Giles says.
Xander nods, "Yeah - but we hung out a little. Recently. And she seemed, uh, responsive."
"When did you hang out?" Piper asks.
"She was fighting one of those apocalypse demon things and I helped her. Gave her a ride home." Xander says.
"And you guys talked?" Buffy asks.
"Not extensively." Xander says.
"Well then why do you- Oh." Phoebe says.
"Ohh." Giles says.
"I don't need to say "oh." I got it before. They slept together." Willow says.
"Fine then, moving on-" Giles says.
"Xander - I know you mean well. But I don't see Faith opening up to you. She doesn't take the guys she... "has a connection with" very seriously. They're kind of a big joke with her. No offense." Buffy says.
"Oh, no. Why would I find that offensive?" Xander says, offended.
"Buffy's right, Xander. In this instance, it would be best if you let Faith be." Giles says. "However, if you want to be of assistance, I could use some research help. We have this business of the Mayor and Mr. Trick to attend to."
Prue nods, "We will look in the Books at the Manor and see what we come up with also."
"Yeah. They were looking pretty cozy the other night." Buffy says.
"Willow - can you access the Mayor's records?" Giles asks.
"What? Oh. Sure. I can try." Willow says.
Giles nods, "Good. It's clearly time we took a harder look at him. He's up to something."
Prue nods, "What about Faith?"
"I don't know. Give me a little time-" Giles says.
Piper shakes her head, "She needs help. Now."
Buffy nods, "I agree with Piper. Plus I owe her that, at least.
Later at the Mansion Angel has rescued Xander from Faith. Now Faith is chained with the same shackles that Buffy used to restrain Angel when he first returned from Hell.
Faith is just regaining consciousness.
Angel sits, waiting for her to awaken.
"Finally decided to tie me up, huh? Always knew you weren't really a one slayer guy." Faith says.
Angel nods, "I'm sorry about the chains. It's not that I don't trust you- Actually. It is that I don't trust you."
"That thing with Xander? I know what it looked like, but we were just playing-" Faith says.
"And he forgot the safety word? That it?" Angel asks.
Faith shakes her head, "Safety words are for wusses."
Now Angel crouches near her. Looks at her hard. "I bet you're not big on trust games, are you, Faith?"
Faith scoffs, "You gonna shrink me now, that it?"
Angel shakes his head, "I just want to talk to you."
"That's what they all say. Then it's - "just let me stay the night. I won't try anything."" Faith says.
"You wanna go the long way 'round, I can do that." Angel says and he stands. "I'm not getting any older." He walks out into the garden.
Buffy is there waiting, like a worried parent. Angel moves to her. "How's she doing?"
"Like talking to a wall. Only you get more from a wall." Angel says.
"But you'll keep trying, right?" Buffy asks.
Angel nods, "Sure. We're just getting started."
"So what do I do?" Buffy asks.
"Right now there's nothing you can do." Angel says.
"This could go on for a while, right? So I'll go to Faith's place and get her some of her clothes and stuff. That way she'll see we're on her side - that we want her to be comfortable." Buffy says.
Angel nods, "It's not a bad idea."
Buffy smiles, "Great. I'll be back."
"I just... Don't get your hopes up, Buffy. She may not want our help." Angel says.
Buffy nods, "She does. I know it. She doesn't know how to say it."
"She killed a man. That changes everything for her." Angel says.
Buffy sighs, "Giles said with counseling, she might not have to be locked up, or at least-"
"That's not what I mean. She's taken a life." Angel says.
"I know." Buffy says.
Angel nods, "She's got a taste for it, now."
Later Faith wears a studied look of disinterest.
"I know what's going on with you." Angel says.
"Join the club. Everybody seems to have a theory." Faith says.
Angel, stares her down. Intense. "But I know. What it's like, to take a life. To feel a future, a world of possibility - snuffed out by your own hand. I know the power in it. The exhilaration. It was like a drug for me."
"Yeah? Sounds like you need some help. A professional, maybe." Faith says.
"A professional couldn't have helped me. It stopped when I got my soul back. My human heart." Angel says.
"Goody for you. If we're going to party, let's get on with it. otherwise, could you let me out of these things?" Faith says.
Angel shakes his head, "Faith. You have a choice. You've tasted something few ever do. To kill without remorse is to feel like a God-"
Faith doesn't want to hear it. Starts to struggle. "Right now - all I feel is a cramp in my wrist. Let me go!"
"But you're not a God. You're not much more than a child. And this path will ruin you. You can't imagine the price for true evil." Angel says.
A flicker. Like something he said hit the mark. But, "Yeah? I hope evil takes Mastercard." And Faith smiles.
But Angel isn't biting, "You and me, Faith, we're a lot alike."
"Well, you're kind of dead..." Faith says.
"Like I said. A lot alike." Angel says.
Faith shakes her head, "Sorry, buddy. I'm alive and kicking. In fact, I've got a bodily function that needs attending to pretty quick here."
"You're not alive. You're just running. Afraid to feel. Afraid to be touched..." Angel says.
Some part of Faith reacts to this truth. But she averts her eyes. "Save it for Hallmark. I have to pee."
"Time was, I thought humans existed just to hurt each other." Angel says. Faith looks back to him now. Silent. But he's struck a cord. "But then I came here. And I found out that there were other kinds of people. People who genuinely wanted to do right. They still make mistakes. They fall down. But they keep trying. Keep caring."
Faith takes this in, clearly wanting to believe.
Angel sees this. Moves to her - speaks from the heart. "If you can trust us, Faith, it can all change. You don't have to disappear into the darkness."
Faith looks genuinely moved, confused. But the moment is lost as-
BOOM!
Wesley bursts in through the main doors with a couple of henchmen. Wesley and one henchman hold Angel off with crosses - then the other throws a net over him.
Angel struggles, but he's completely tangled in the webbing. "No!"
One of the henchman grabs the keys to the shackles from a peg on the wall. Tosses them to Wesley.
Wesley moves to Faith.
Angel sees this - cries out, infuriated. "Leave her! You can't help her!"
Faith and Wesley ignore Angel.
Wesley takes one of her hands from the shackles and slaps a handcuff on it. "By the order of the Watcher's Council of Britain..." He cuffs her other hand. Stands her up roughly, starts to walk her out. "I am exercising my authority and removing you to England, where you will accept the judgement of the disciplinary committee."
Faith's eyes go completely dead. This is the last straw. She knows now that she will never find Hope.
Later Buffy returns with a small bag full of Faith's stuff. Sees the doors left standing open. She wanders in - sees that Angel has been left tied up in the net and Faith is gone. She rushes to him, starts to free him. "Angel. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. They took Faith-" Angel says.
"Who took Faith?" Buffy asks.
Back at the library some time later, Angel addresses Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Buffy, Giles, Willow and Xander. Xander is quiet and looking pretty shell-shocked - his neck covered in nasty bruises.
"The new watcher. He had a couple of guys helping him." Angel says.
"Then he figured it out. The murder-" Willow says.
"Which means that Faith will soon be on her way to England to face the Watcher's Council." Giles says.
"And then what?" Prue asks.
"Most likely? They'll lock her up for a good long while." Giles says.
Buffy takes this in, worried. "So - we head them off at the airport. Stop them."
Willow, looking tentative, pipes up again. "Can I- I'm just wondering. Why?" Everyone looks to her. She's definitely got their attention. "I'm not the most objective, I know. I kinda have an issue with Faith sharing my ... people. But - she murdered someone and accused Buffy. Then she hurt Xander. I hate to say it, but maybe she belongs behind bars."
Piper nods, "I have to agree with Willow."
Xander tries to add something - but his voice is completely shot. He falls silent, embarrassed and frustrated.
Buffy is sympathetic, but resolute. "She's out of control, I know. But Angel was getting somewhere with her. She was opening up. If we can just stop Wesley-"
"That's no longer an issue."
They all turn to see Wesley, who has come through the library doors, unnoticed. His face is black and blue - he looks terrible.
"You let her get away?" Phoebe asks.
"'Let' wouldn't be the way I'd phrase it, but - yes. She escaped." Wesley says.
"Good work. First you terrorize her, then you put her back on the streets-" Angel says.
Wesley shakes his head, "That was hardly my plan. I was trying to save the girl-"
"Well, you didn't. You probably destroyed her-" Buffy says.
Giles shakes his head, "Buffy. That's enough."
Buffy backs off. Turns to the others. "We'd better find her before she does any more damage." Everybody rallies - with Buffy in command. "We should split up. Prue and I'll take the docks - chances are, she's there. Giles and Piper - you go to her place. Will – you, Phoebe and Xander check her haunts. Take weapons."
"I'll try the airport." Angel says.
"What can I do? I want to help." Wesley asks.
Buffy shoots him a withering glare. "Still got your plane ticket back to the mother country?"
Prue glares at Wesley, "The Charmed Ones don't want to burn the bridge with the Watcher's Council just yet. But you are on thin ice, here. I'd highly suggest you watch what you do. One more step out of place and I'll have Buffy flame you back and we'll break all ties."
Later at the docks Buffy and Prue walks along the docks, sees a cargo boat ahead - loading up. They approach, looking for any sign of Faith.
"You don't give up, do you?"
Buffy and Prue turns. There's Faith, looking a little worse for the wear. She's dressed for a journey - carries a small bag.
"Not on my friends." Buffy says.
Faith takes this in. Scoffs. "Yeah. 'Cause you and me are such solid buds."
Buffy nods, "Could be. It's not too late."
"For me to change and be like you, You mean? Little miss goody two shoes? Ain't gonna happen, B." Faith says.
Prue shakes her head, "Faith. Nobody's asking you to be like Buffy. But what you're doing – you can't keep going like this."
Faith looks to Buffy, "It scares you, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it scares me. You're hurting people. You're hurting yourself-" Buffy says.
Faith takes this in. Smiles knowingly. "But that's not it. That's not what bothers you so much. What bugs you is - you know I'm right. You know in your gut. We don't need the law. We are the law-"
Buffy shakes her head, "No."
Faith moves in closer. "Yes. You know exactly what I'm about. Because you have it in you, too."
Prue shakes her head, "No. You're sick, Faith-"
Faith ignores Prue, "I've seen it, B. You've got the lust. And I'm not just talking about screwing vampires-"
"Don't bring him into this-" Buffy says.
"It was good, wasn't it? The sex? The danger? Bet a part of you even dug him when he went psycho-" Faith says.
Buffy shakes her head, "No-"
"See - you need me to tow the line because you're afraid you'll go over it, aren't you, B? You can't handle watching me living my own way and having a blast - because it tempts you. You know it could be you-" Faith says.
That's it. Something snaps in Buffy. She rears back and pops Faith a good one. Faith falls back, but she's smiling as she puts a hand to her bleeding mouth. "There's my girl..."
"Buffy!" Prue says.
Buffy struggles to regain her composure. Puts her hands down. "No. I'm not going to do this."
"Why not? It feels good. Blood rising-" Faith says. She'd go on but is stopped as an overhear cargo crate lurches and starts to fall from a crane. It's about to drop right on Faith.
Acting on pure instinct, Buffy lunges for Faith - knocking Faith to safety and causing the crate to fall on her instead.
Buffy is pinned under the crate and injured. She tries vainly to free herself.
Prue runs over to Buffy, "Are you alright."
"I'm fine, help me get this thing off me." Buffy says.
Faith spins - sees that she, Prue and Buffy are surrounded by Trick and three massive bass ass vamps.
Trick and the three vamps attack Faith.
Prue uses her power to help lift the crate enough for Buffy to get herself out from under the crate.
Buffy's clearly hurt - but struggles to get to her feet.
Faith manages to get hold of VAMP #1 and VAMP #2 - and slam their heads together. They fall back, stunned, as VAMP #3 lunges for her.
VAMP #2, still reeling from Faith's blow, practically falls onto Buffy. Prue reaches into her jacket and produces a stake and dusts VAMP #2.
Buffy and Prue turns - only to be confronted by Mr. Trick and VAMP #1.
Faith battles VAMP #3. He gets her in a headlock - moves in, teeth bared. But Faith manages to flip him off her.
Prue and VAMP #1 square off, start trading blows.
Buffy and Mr. Trick go at it. With Buffy hurt, Mr. Trick clearly has the upper hand. Buffy's getting pummeled.
Mr. Trick manages to drop Buffy with a brutal blow that leaves her dazed. Then he goes to the ground - lifts her into his arms and holds her against the crates.
"Buffy," Prue says as she dusts vamp #1.
Faith turns and dusts Vamp #3 and sees Mr. Trick about to take out Buffy. She looks around - clearly has a chance for escape. She hesitates.
Mr. Trick leans in about to bite Buffy, "I hear once you've tasted a slayer? You never wanna go back." Buffy struggles, but is clearly lost. Trick's fangs graze her neck... But he suddenly STOPS. Eyes wide. A look of indignation crossing his features. "Oh. No. No, this is no good at all-" And he dusts, revealing Faith, who stands behind him - stake still hoisted in the air.
Prue runs over to Buffy as Faith and Buffy just stare at each other - breathing hard. Then Faith silently extends a hand, helps Buffy off the crates.
Later back at the library… It's late. Prue, Buffy and Giles are doing a recap of the night's events.
"Faith saved you?" Giles asks.
Buffy nods, "She could have left me and Prue there to die, Giles. But she didn't."
Giles considers this - slightly encouraged. "And the fact that she opted to come back to town with you bodes well."
"I really thought we were gonna lose her." Buffy says.
"She still has a lot to face before she can put this behind her. But yes, she has a real chance. Because you didn't give up on her." Giles says.
Prue nods, "I just hope it's enough."
At that same moment in the Mayor's office, the Mayor is gathering his coat and briefcase, getting ready to leave for the day. He opens his office door to find Faith standing there. Being mister invincible - he's more surprised than concerned.
"You sent your boy to kill me." Faith says.
The Mayor nods, "That's right. I did."
"He's dust." Faith says.
"I thought he might be. What with you standing here and all." Mayor says.
Now Faith moves a little closer - getting in the Mayor's personal space. "Guess that means you have a job opening." And she smiles.
A beat as the Mayor gets her drift. Then he smiles... Steps out of the doorway, inviting her in. Faith moves into the room. Takes a seat.
"One thing though. If I'm going to work for you I need something in return." Faith says.
"Like?" The Mayor asks.
"My sister, Hope was taken from me when she was a baby. Help me find her." Faith says.
"I think I can do that." The Mayor says, smiling.