"Whatever," Faith snarled. She backed away from Mrs. Summers, adrenaline flowing through her. "I don't have to stay and listen to this crap. I'm outta here."
"Faith!"
The Slayer stopped and spun. "What? I know I ain't up to Scooby standards. They made that clear when I got into town. Now you want me to change my image. Fuck you."
Eyes flashing, Joyce responded, "Now, you hold on! I don't deserve that, Faith. I'm not asking you to be Buffy. God knows one of her is more than enough. I just want you to think about how you see yourself, how you want the others to see you." She took a step forward. "Look at your language, Faith, and that leather. It's fine for motorcycles and bars. But this is Southern California. It's hot – all the time."
Faith didn't know what to say. No one had ever questioned what she wore. They just assumed she was flaunting herself, and they either wanted to fuck her or they treated her like white trash. "I ain't complaining. Why should you?"
"I'm not complaining. I want to understand what goes on in your head. Do you really wear the leather and the tight clothes because you like them? Or because you know what to expect from people when you do?" Joyce sat on the end of the table. "Tell me something, how would Buffy's friends react if she came to school in leather pants and a tank top?"
The conversation had gone on too long. The need to run was more than she could handle. "Don't matter, Mrs. S. I ain't B. Never have been, never will be. Tell ya what. Thanks for breakfast and everything, but I gotta motor. The Mayor and his boys'll be looking for me. Tell B I'm leaving town. She doesn't need to worry I'll be back." She turned and strode out of the room, heading for the courtyard doors.
"Don't, Faith." Joyce sprinted after her. "If you think you need to leave, fine. No one will stop you, but they need your help with the Mayor."
The brunette froze at the words. Keeping her back to the blonde, she rasped out, "I know he's evil and all, but I can't help you kill him. I gave Red the info she was looking for. The Super Friends will have to do this without me." Pushing open the French doors, Faith ran, fleeing the emotions Mrs. Summers was dragging out. She pounded through the trees surrounding the Mansion, not slowing until she reached the edge of town. Sticking close to the buildings, she started down the cracked sidewalk leading downtown.
She glanced down at her stained and torn clothing. Damn, I shoulda stayed long enough for the shower and the change of clothes. I am so going to stick out, and I don't want the Boss and his boys knowing I'm still here. The only way to blend in was to find some new clothes. That meant hitting Main Street.
Faith altered course slightly, cutting through several alleys until she stood next to the Espresso Pump. Luckily, it was early enough for most of the town's residents to be at work or school. The streets weren't empty, but she might just avoid too much attention. Faith stepped out of the alley and started walking, looking for any place that might get her what she needed. She stopped, peering inside a window display full of dresses. Well, this ain't gonna work. Movement inside caught her eye. Fuck. Queen C. Guess she would shop in a place like this. Time to definitely be moving on.
Keeping an eye out for the police or any of the Mayor's goons, she kept walking. Three stores down, she found what she was looking for - a trendy store catering to the hikers of the world. Experienced eyes scanned the storefront and the inside through the display window. Security cameras were minimal. Slayer speed should let her get in, grab a few items, and split without anyone recognizing her. She had one foot on the threshold when shattering glass and screams caught her attention.
"What!" Willow's voice rose to a shriek. "Of course you belong together. Buffy! What did your mom say?"
"She really didn't say much, Will. She just reminded me of a few things that have been wrong between Angel and me the whole time." Buffy bit her lip, feeling tears well in her eyes. "It's going to be hard, but I have to do this." She raised her head and stared at her friend. "I'm going to tell him to leave Sunnydale after the thing with the Mayor is over."
Willow didn't say much as they cut across Restfield Cemetery. When they exited its shadowed pathways, she gripped Buffy's hand hard. "Is there anything I can do?"
Leaning her head on the taller girl's shoulder, the Slayer shook her head. "No. I have to do this on my own." When Willow put an arm around her, Buffy snuggled in close. "Glad you're here, Will."
"Always, you know that." A smile warmed the light voice. "I've got the Best Friend's Handbook memorized. Taking care of said friend during a breakup is pretty high on the list, you know." She hesitated and then asked, "So what are you going to tell him?"
"I don't know, exactly. The truth. We can't work. I'm human; he's not. I mean, it's more than just not being able to go on a picnic, Will. I want a chance at a real life, and a family." Buff laughed bitterly. "Assuming the Mayor or the next demon to hit town doesn't end that dream once and for all." She halfheartedly shoved against the hacker. "Don't tell me you're going to be in the Angel camp now. I know you've never really liked him."
"Hey, don't be like that," Willow was quick to protest. "Sure, I may have had my anti-Angel moments, but as long as he made you happy, I was good with it."
"It hurts, Will," Buffy's voice wavered. "It hurts so much, but it feels right. I think, in the long run, it's the right decision."
Resting her cheek on top of Buffy's head, Willow said softly, "Yeah, I think so, too. I mean, I tried to hope for the best," she continued, "but, I'm sorry. It must be horrible. Here we are facing the end of the world, and you can't even enjoy the Prom or any of the other graduation festivities."
The Slayer stopped moving, sobs choking her. "I know. It shouldn't matter. It's just a dance, but somehow, it's all I have left." She clung to the taller girl, fighting and losing against the tears. "I feel like I can't breathe, Will."
Willow had nothing to say to that, and just held her, letting her cry. When the emotional storm started to ease, the redhead pulled away slightly. "Let's get you home, Buff. A shower and some sugary goodness will make it seem a little better, 'k?"
Sniffling and scrubbing her face with her hands, Buffy nodded. "OK." Her voice was husky from the crying. "When we get to the house, can you call Mom and check on Faith? I've been getting some stuff from her, but I can't really figure it out. It's kinda muted and confusing."
"Sure," Willow agreed. She took the small hand again and resumed their trek. When they climbed the porch steps of the Summers' house, Buffy moved away from her friend and unlocked the door.
"I'm gonna go try that shower you mentioned." She attempted a grin. "Save me one with chocolate sprinkles?"
"I'll guard it with my life," Willow declared solemnly. "I'll call Angel's, too, while I wait for the guys to get here." She wrapped Buffy in a quick, tight hug. "Don't be long or Xander will eat everything."
When she entered the kitchen thirty minutes later, Buffy knew something was wrong. Oz and Xander sat at the bar, boxes of doughnuts spread out in front of them. It must be a big problem because the boxes still had doughnuts in them.
"Did the world end already? Cause, hey, I'm real sorry I missed it," she quipped.
Willow turned troubled eyes her way. "I talked to your Mom."
"And?" Buffy prodded.
"And Faith took off a little while ago. Mrs. Summers was heading out in her car to try and find her," the redhead continued. "I'm sorry, Buffy."
Sinking into a chair, the Slayer just nodded. Sorry didn't begin to describe how she felt. The whole screwed up spell aside, she'd known they'd beat the Mayor when Faith helped them out. Who could beat the Chosen Two? But she'd been wrong. Hell, maybe Giles had been right and the information they'd gotten had all been a trick. The emotions felt too real, though. "I have to go after her. We need her for this Ascension thing."
"It looks like she isn't in a helping frame of mind, Buff," Xander mumbled around a doughnut.
"She has to help," the Slayer said to herself. She stood up. "I'll catch you guys later. Let Giles know where I am."
Faith hesitated. It wasn't her fight. In fact, helping out just might get her killed. Another scream sounded, and the brunette sighed. Her life sucked. Sprinting toward the commotion, she noticed the window of the dress shop had been shattered. Faith jumped into the display and saw two things. Cordelia was holding a coat hanger like a weapon, and a weird-looking demon was trying to take a bite out of the former prom queen. Exiting the window near the two, Faith smiled broadly, "Looks like you got things under control. I'll just watch your back in case there's another one."
Swatting at the growling demon, the snappily dressed Cordelia muttered, "Great. I'm being attacked by some hairy dog-thing and they send out the second string. I used to be important enough for Buffy. Damn Daddy and his tax problems."
"Eh, Cor, if you want my help, you might wanna back off on the insults." Faith watched the scene for a few more seconds, but the demon was getting too close to winning the battle. Grabbing an empty dress rack, she ripped one of the bars out and swung it at the demon like a baseball bat. The impromptu club made a satisfying thunk when it hit the growling creature. It yelped, and turned on the Slayer. Faith grimaced at the nearly hairless body and misshapen ears. "Fuck, you're an ugly one." She pulled the bar back a second time, but the demon threw back its head and howled right before springing past Faith and out the window. She turned, but it traveled on all fours and was well out of sight.
Sirens sounded in the distance, and Faith started to panic. There were too many people around now, and she needed to be long gone before the police arrived. "You been keeping up on the Scooby saga, Cordy?" she asked.
"Like I hang out with those losers," Cordelia snapped back. She looked closely at Faith, seeing the worry. "But, I do know you've been helping out," she comment in a quieter tone. "What do you need?"
"Something a little less bloody to wear and a way out that's not the front." The Slayer eyed the other girl. It wasn't like her to be so accommodating.
Cordelia nodded. "Come with me." She pulled a stunned Faith through the back of the shop to the loading dock. "Most of the stuff here would draw more attention than the clothes you have, but one of the girls is going out tonight. I saw her leave a bag by the lockers." The two searched quickly and located a battered backpack. Inside, Faith found a pair of tan slacks and a silk shirt.
Stripping quickly, she donned the appropriated garments. They hung off her frame, but would pass muster if she didn't spend too much time out in the open. "Thanks, Cor," she said sincerely. "The Mayor ain't gonna be too thrilled I'm still in town. I'm thinking leaving's in my best interest."
"I think Buffy and her gang are planning on you being here." Cordelia suddenly remembered she was talking to Faith. "You need to leave. You so don't fit in here, and I don't want to be caught talking to you."
Smirking, Faith lazily checked out the statuesque brunette. "What's the matter, Prom Queen? Afraid I might be too much for your pampered ass?" She might have continued, but the sirens caught her attention. "Whatever. I gotta motor." Giving the other girl a last glare, she exited through the back door and walked calmly down the alley.