A/N: Okay, to be honest, I have sort of abandoned this story. (As you could probably tell.) But I did have this chapter on my computer, and I figured I should upload it for those of you who were interested in the story. Perhaps this will help spark my muse and I will continue on! :) Let me know what ya think, and if you want more!
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Evening was setting in and the sky was getting increasingly darker by the second. The firm wood of a stake pressed against soft skin as it lay in the sleeve of Faith's jacket. As the last of the sun slipped below the horizon, Faith slid the stake down into her hand and gripped it tightly. The graveyards were surprisingly deserted and she couldn't decide whether that was a good or bad thing. She was nearing Angel's mansion when she saw a hooded figure slip through the trees.
"So much for that slow night." In regular Faith fashion, she prepared herself to fight without a thought, but then she saw more of the hooded men headed for Angel's house. "Damn it!" Picking up speed, she sprinted to the mansion and crashed through the window. "Angel!"
Angel got up from his chair and looked at the broken window. "It's usually customary to knock when you enter someone's house. Or, you know, use a door."
She brushed the glass shards off of her clothing and glanced towards the door. "I didn't have time."
"Faith, what's going on?"
"Grab a weapon." She kept her eyes focused on the door.
"Faith."
"If you want to live you're gonna listen to me. Now grab a weapon." There was no doubting that she meant what she said due to the menacing tone in her voice.
"Don't listen to her."
"Angel, are you deficient? Get something and help me!"
"She's trying to control you. Don't help her."
Angel just stood there with a glazed look on his face. The wood of the front door began to creak as the men outside pushed on it.
"Come on!" When she didn't receive a response she grunted angrily. "Fine, then stay out of my way."
The door burst open and a steady flow of hooded men with their eyes cut out poured in. Faith saw their eyes and mumbled to herself, "Bringers." She got into a fighting stance as they created a circle around her. "So, which one of you made the cameo in my dream sequence? Nice work." Moonlight glinted off metal and caused Faith to notice their knives. "And you even brought me weapons. How sweet."
The first bringer lunged forward with his knives, slicing at Faith. She grabbed his wrists and used his strength to shove the blades deep into his stomach. "Who's next?"
A large group came after her now, using knives and fists to attack her. They were easily killed, but the sheer amount was taking a toll on her. She glanced over at Angel, who was now curled up against the wall. "Angel! A little help would be nice!"
"She's making you weak. Let her die." Jenny Calender continued to whisper things to him.
"No." Angel dug his fingernails into his scalp as he tried to ignore the voices.
While Faith was distracted, a Bringer took the chance to attack her. He swung his knife out and managed to cut a deep slice across her stomach.
Faith sucked in a quick gasp of breath at the feeling. She lashed out her fist and connected soundly with the Bringer's face. "Angel." She whispered his name before slumping down to the floor. From where she lay on the floor, she could hear someone else enter the mansion. Metal cut through the air and several large objects collapsed onto the ground. The next thing she knew, she felt cold fingers pressing against her neck.
"Faith? Faith, can you hear me?"
She pushed herself up onto her elbows and was surprised to see Buffy's face. "B."
"Are you alright?" Buffy reached under Faith's arms and pulled her up to a sitting position.
"Five by five. You should probably go check on your boy though."
Buffy looked up and gazed over at Angel. He had his knees bunched up to his chest and was cradling his head in his hands. Leaving Faith's side, she went and kneeled by Angel. "Angel?"
"Faith", he mumbled into his hands.
"No." Buffy carefully moved his hands and lifted up his chin. "It's Buffy."
"Faith. Where— where is she?" His eyes widened in panic as he frantically tried to get up off the floor.
Buffy placed her hands on his shoulders. "Shh. She's gonna be okay."
"No thanks to you."
Angel and Buffy both snapped their heads up to see Faith towering over them. Her mouth was pursed together in an angry fashion; the same anger was mirrored in her glaring eyes that were fixated on Angel.
"Faith, I—" Angel attempted to defend himself under her merciless gaze.
"Don't."
Buffy rose up to her feet and moved over to the wounded girl. "Faith, I know this is hard, but Angel isn't to blame."
In one swift motion, Faith whipped around to stare Buffy in the face. "How can you say that? He sat there and let them attack me. I was saving his ass and all he did was whine about invisible people."
"Something's doing this to him. That's why you're here, remember?" Buffy folded her arms across her chest to conceal her panicked breaths.
"I'm here to help and then what? I get killed by Bringers, or maybe even bitten by the tortured vampire. I'm not waiting for that. You can deal with him how you like, but I'm done." Faith restrained herself from looking at Angel's undoubtedly hurt face.
"I'm sorry." Angel pressed his hands against the wall for support as he stood up.
"Look, it's not like you want me around anyways. B can probably take care of you a lot better than I can." She sighed deeply. "Whatever. Just make sure B checks in with me every night so I know she's alive." She made to move towards the door, but a strong hand encircled her forearm.
"I would never hurt you."
Faith looked up into his deep chocolate colored eyes. "Yeah." Her throat tightened and she barely squeaked out the next word. "Sure."
His grip loosened on her arm and he felt the warmth slip out of his grasp. He gently lowered himself onto his couch as he watched her leave.
"You okay?"
He was startled by the sound of Buffy's voice, forgetting momentarily that she was even there. "Yeah, I just… I can't let her leave like that."
Buffy raised her eyebrows, curious as to why he would be upset about this.
"She's hurt. She shouldn't be alone." It was the truth, but he couldn't tell whether he said it for Buffy's sake or for his own. "I have to go after her." He stood up and pulled on his coat.
"I'll go with you."
Angel held out a hand to stop her. "No. I can do this. I'll just make sure she's safe and be back as soon as I can."
"Angel. Be careful."
He nodded and slipped out into the night.
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Faith walked through the darkness, listening to the sound of leaves crunching under her feet. Sharp pains shot through her body as she moved, causing her to press her hand firmly against the deep wound in her side. As she entered Shady Pines graveyard she realized that her normal shortcut may not have been the smartest decision right now. With her free hand she pulled a stake out of her jacket and scanned the perimeter for any movement. She heard a loud snap from behind her and whipped around, only to be met by a fairly menacing, large vampire. She struck out her foot and connected with his torso, but the corresponding pain caused her to buckle over as well. The vampire was back up first and retaliated with a blow to her face. The punch caught her off guard, causing her to sink to the ground.
"Not feeling well, Slayer?"
Between gritted teeth she spat out, "I'm fine." She flipped up off the ground and delivered a jab punch combo to his head. "Can't say the same for you."
A low growl erupted from the vampire.
Faith attempted to punch him again, but he easily deflected the blow. As she raised her arm in another attempt to hit him, she felt a crushing grip close down on her forearm. She tried to pull away, but her efforts were thwarted by his other hand as it tightly enclosed her throat.
"You were saying?"
She struggled against his hold, but he only lifted her body higher off the ground. Her dangling feet kicked wildly at his shins, rarely making contact. Stars danced in front of her eyes and she tried her best to stay awake. Just as everything was getting darker, she felt the hands around her neck dissipate. She dropped to the ground, but was caught by a pair of strong arms. The arms pulled her close and wrapped securely around her body as loud coughs racked through her lungs. She buried her face deep into the man's chest and balled her fists tightly around his shirt.
"Shh, you're okay." He rubbed comforting circles across her back with one hand while the other gently stroked her hair.
She released his shirt and pressed her palms against his chest to create more space between them. Her head tilted to the side to allow a better view of his face. "Why did you follow me?"
A smile spread across his face at the sound of her voice. "I was worried about you."
The pressure of his hands still on her back made her shiver, so she pushed his arms away and backed up a step.
Angel could've sworn he felt disappointment at her actions, but he shook it off.
"Why? You don't even know me."
She was wrong there. He could see the pain of her past in every little thing she did. "Then maybe I want to know you."
She scoffed in disbelief.
"I also wanted to thank you. For trying to help me."
"And for bailing on you. Can't forget that."
His face fell. "I'm sorry I let you get hurt."
She shrugged nonchalantly. "You saved me from that guy." She nodded toward the pile of dust. "Guess that makes us even."
"Look, I know that you had a good reason to leave, but maybe you could… I just don't think that…"
"Yeah, I get it. You and B alone together is a bad idea. Especially with your recent history."
Angel cringed. "Let's not rehash the past."
Faith held up her hands in surrender. "Fine. I'll try not to kick your ass this time."
Angel laughed and remarked sarcastically, "Yeah, okay."
Faith raised her eyebrows at him. "You think you can take me?"
"Yeah, I do."
"No way."
"Wanna find out?" Angel closed the gap between them.
She stared up with a determined look on her face. "Yeah." Her features suddenly softened and she lowered her head. "But not right now."
Angel saw a small smile on her face and began to grin as well. "Okay." He started to set his hand on her shoulder, but she pulled away.
"Only because it'd be an unfair fight. I did get stabbed and all."
Angel went along with the change in the conversation and returned her banter. "Well, I have invisible people talking to me. That has to be a disadvantage too."
"You're comparing my stab wound to your mental issues? Please."
"You have slayer healing powers."
"Well your imaginary friends want me dead."
Angel grinned in amusement. "Fine. You win."
"You're damn right." She playfully punched his arm as they began to walk back to the mansion.
---
At the sound of footsteps, Buffy shot up from her chair. "You're back."
Angel nodded. "Yeah." He moved aside and allowed Faith to walk to the couch.
Faith sunk down into the cushions and winced as pain shot through her torso.
Buffy picked up a metal box and moved towards Faith. "I found some bandages."
"Yeah, bandages sound pretty good right now." She pulled up the hem of her shirt, revealing the large gash.
Angel immediately reached for the box, but Buffy held out a hand to stop him.
"I'll take care of it."
He submissively back up a few steps and watched from a distance.
Buffy opened the box and carefully pulled out some gauze and tape. She took the bottle of antiseptic and slowly poured it onto the cut, causing Faith to let out a sharp hiss.
Buffy continued and roughly pressed the gauze against the wound.
Faith jumped back at the pressure. "Geez, B! I thought the whole point of having you do this was that you had a woman's touch."
"Sorry, I'm usually the bandagee, not the other way around."
Faith groaned lightly and looked over at Angel. His eyes seemed to be transfixed on her stomach and she smirked at the thought of all the comments she could make… once B was done torturing her.
Angel gazed at the two girls, watching intently as the white wrapping covered more and more of Faith's smooth stomach. He felt guilty. But he also felt a creeping sensation that he couldn't quite describe. His eyes followed Buffy's fingers as they traced along the slope of Faith's stomach, and he couldn't figure out which girl he was watching more. He swallowed dryly, deciding that his own thoughts were worse than anything the invisible demons could tell him.