"Faith this case is, very complicated," started Wesley as both he and Angel stood before her. Not only had they been serious about talking to her after her shower, but apparently the little meeting had to happen without Star. Something she was kind of annoyed about, but whatever.
"Whyyyyy," she whined. "It's just some power tripping demon messing with a family right?"
"That's...part of the problem," Angel said.
Faith sat up straight at the looks between the two boys. "Okay, what the fuck is going down?"
"Apparently, it isn't just us having these types of issues. They have been popping up a lot lately, all over. Giles and I spent a good amount talking about it while you guys were out."
"So this is like big bad stuff then?"
"Looks like it. The thing is we have no clue about much of anything right now. Other than this demon, who we think is just a player in this big fight, messing around." Wesley rubbed in between his eyes like he used to when he still wore glasses.
"The team and I can easily take him, but we need someone to go undercover. There has been chatter in the underworld parts. It looks like their recruiting humans for something," Angel continued.
"Mass sacrifice?"
"It's looking more like an army, maybe first wave type thing. Send out humans to do damage and make way before sending the rest. Who knows for sure."
"Okay, what does this have to do with me, though?"
"Their recruiting criminals. People with no morals about doing the wrong thing. I know this is a lot to ask, but you are one of the best fighters. You could get in. Be our eyes and ears. With your Slayer abilities, you would be no much for the rest. And..." Wesley couldn't finish his sentence.
"And since I am already versed in killing people I would have no problems fitting in, right?" Faith closed her eyes and took a deep breath if nothing else to keep from breaking Wes's face in.
"Faith, you know that isn't it. We've all worked past that. I would go but,"
She cut Angel off. "I get it. I am the only one that can survive everything they would throw my way, and the sun." She shook her head. "Now I know why you didn't want Star here."
For a tiny little thing, Star was very protective of Faith. She had proven more than once she would do anything to protect her, she had even knocked Wesley on his ass and surprised Angel one night when she didn't approve of the condition Faith had come back in after a patrol. Probably part of the reason Star had insisted on coming with her herself anymore.
"So what's the game plan? I go in, get dirty, come back with info?"
"In a nutshell yes."
"I am guessing I'll have to do things to prove myself, are you ready to deal with that? Because I am guessing you're benching Star for this, even though she would likely be the only one keep me from crossing the line right."
"Look, contact with us will have to be cut off for a while, to help make you look legit. But if you feel like you might fall off the edge get word to us. We will pull you out."
"No."
"Faith..." Wesley started.
"No, she's right we pull her out that soon it will all be in vain. If she goes in she will have to stay put until they trust her enough to give her assignments, and by then it would be too late to bring her back. It's up to you Faith. We can send Gunn in if need be."
"Hell no. He'd end up dead in a week. Look I respect Gunn, he's got mad skills for a human. But you were right to come to me. I am the only one that can do this. But I don't want to bring this back to us. I need an alias. I'll also need to send Star away. If she catches wind of this while I am gone she will rip you to shreds. I'm close with her family, sisters mainly. I will get them to pull her away. Once I go in none of you guys can contact me either, unless soulboy here goes evil and it's life and death I don't want to see or hear anything from Angel Inc." She stopped then. God, what if she didn't make it back this time. And she didn't mean alive. She was lucky Angel had been around both times she went crazy and was able to pull her back. Now she had to go full on murder again with no backup and no salvation.
"Wesley, I want to speak to Angel alone."
"Of course. I'll get started on setting things up for you." He nodded before leaving the room.
"Angel. I want you to promise me. If I come back bad, you won't hesitate this time."
"What do you mean?"
"I want you to kill me. No question asked. End me."
"Faith..."
"No, I don't want to take the risk. This time, it's gonna get bad. If I break that's it for me. And I would rather you kill me before I hurt anyone."
God, she couldn't believe the pit in her stomach as she waited for him to respond. It was like time had stopped. The weight of the silence was crushing, making it hard for her to breath. Was this the end for her? Would this be her final mission? Despite her history Faith had lived longer than the average Slayer, she had even lived longer than Buffy. Although her death would have no effect on the slayer line at this point. Not since Willow cast that spell that activated all the potentials. She still had to wonder if her time was coming up.
"I promise."
The silence was finally broken, and she felt a bit better knowing that he had promise, but at the same time, she had this feeling of dread. She wasn't afraid of death exactly. At this point, she was more afraid to live than to die. But still, at the same time she didn't want to just not be around either. Who would take care of Star? God Star. She was going to have to make this up to her, even though she had no idea what was going on.
Faith looked up to see Angel had gone. He had probably left after promising her when she was so busy with her thoughts. That was fine, she needed some time. But she also needed to let off some steam. She was starting the feel the rage burning inside her, if she didn't do something now she would likely do something stupid. So she got on her feet and made her way to the little gym they had for sparring purposes along with keeping in shape. And the case of Faith, a way to release her pent up rage, and energy.
