Thundering down the steps, Faith looped the duffel bag over her shoulder. She needed to find Buffy. Fear and anticipation swept through her. After their big goodbye, she wasn't sure of her reception. It didn't matter. Faith pressed a hand to Buffy's dress through the bag. Whatever the other Slayer felt, she was getting her dress hand delivered. Halfway out the door, Faith skidded to a stop. The key. The tiny piece of metal glinted on the table. Even if Faith never used the key again, it represented the first time she'd been offered a real home. She grabbed it, locking the front door and stuffing it into her pocket.
Faith sprinted through the night. She had to find Buffy. Where? She hadn't seen Tucker's address. Surely the Scoobies weren't still researching in the library. Faith reached out with her senses. Maybe she could pick up Buffy that way. The night teemed with vampires and other creatures. Frowning, Faith slowed her pace, finally stopping on the far side of Restfield. Damn it. Where should she look? Sunnydale wasn't that large, but Faith didn't want to miss the other Slayer.
Frustrated, she tried pushing farther with her senses. Pain exploded behind her eyes. "Fuck." Faith grabbed her head, doubling over. Through the agony, her heart rate picked up, pounding harder and harder. Her vision greyed. Squeezing her eyes closed, Faith struggled not to vomit. Finally, the pain receded. Sucking in a slow breath, Faith stood upright and opened her eyes.
The world wavered. Even though she stood inside Restfield's wrought iron gates, Faith saw houses. The rundown homes bounced as if she were running. Adrenaline poured through her. She had to get to the high school. Reacting instinctively to that thought, Faith took off. The residential neighborhood faded away, replaced with gravel pathways and trees. None of it made an impression. Her focus narrowed to a single point: Sunnydale High School.
Buffy dashed across the Sunnydale High School campus. As usual, no one had thought to put up lights outside the building. Shadows covered the grounds and sidewalks except for the few bulbs highlighting the handmade Senior Prom sign hanging over the gym entrance. Stopping behind a tree, Buffy loaded a bolt into the crossbow and peered around. No sign of the Hellhounds. "Here, puppy, puppy!" she called out. "I've got a nice surprise for you."
Nothing. Slinking around the tree trunk, she pushed her senses to the limit. Buffy dropped to one knee, as she sensed three faint signatures to her left. She moved into an open, grassy area and braced, poised to react. Seconds later, four hairy, quadruped figures loped into view. Buffy fired twice in quick succession. Two of the 'hounds dropped with a choked howl. The remaining creatures paused, sniffing the carcass of their fallen companions. Raising their heads from the corpses, they howled at the moon.
"Over here, guys." Buffy stood and waved at the remaining two demons. "I'm all yours – if you can catch me." She let the Hellhounds take several ground-eating strides before spinning and leading them away from the gym. She checked over her shoulder intermittently to make sure they were still behind her. "That's right," Buffy encouraged her pursuers. "Follow Buffy." Growls met her command. "Just a little farther, boys. Then you'll get your reward."
It would have ended there except the faint sound of Kool and the Gang floated through the night air. At the opening strains of "Celebration," both demons slid to a halt, nails raking over the concrete pathway, before turning and running for the gym.
Buffy didn't notice until she rounded the corner near the main entrance. She had been too busy formulating a plan of attack to keep tabs on her pursuers. "Oh, come on," she griped. "That song sucks." Buffy turned to follow, and felt her breath catch. Two groups of prom-goers meandered toward the dance, completely unaware of their danger. Adrenaline surged. This wasn't a laughing matter anymore. Using every bit of Slayer speed, Buffy ran toward the Hellhounds, hoping to get there before a massacre started.
Halfway across the grass, she knew she wouldn't make it. The first 'hound was just a few steps away from the first nattily-dressed couple. Buffy opened her mouth to call out.
Stumbling to a halt, breathing in gasps after her headlong flight through Sunnydale, Faith saw the teens headed for the dance. While she tried to recover and figure out just why coming here had been so important, Faith examined the kids and shook her head. The boys looked uncomfortable and stiff, pulling at tight collars and straightening cummerbunds. The girls, tottering on impossibly high heels, giggled and posed on the way to the dance. "Waste of fricken time, if you ask me," Faith muttered to herself. Deep inside, she felt a remembered flicker of her own excitement as she dressed for Homecoming. She'd been so jazzed about a date with Buffy, even if those words had never been spoken. Faith pushed the memory back. The night had been a total bust. Not even taunting Scott made up for Buffy's late – and disheveled – arrival and the blonde's meltdown at not winning that stupid crown.
Buffy. Buffy was there. She felt her.
Wrapping her arms around herself, Faith stepped deeper into the shadows. The strange double vision had passed, and her senses said the other Slayer was nearby. She scanned the darkness, but didn't see anything unusual. Snarls indicated she'd missed something. They weren't alone. Dropping the duffel looped over her shoulder, Faith pulled a stake from a back pocket and let her senses extend. Hellhounds.
"Fuck."
They were headed straight at the group walking to the gym. Not bothering to consider her actions, Faith moved to head them off. A few strides got her into position, and she lowered her shoulder. The first 'hound hit her, knocking her to the ground at the feet of one to of the tuxedoed boys. Human screams filled the air, and the teens scattered like sheep. Grunting with effort, Faith tossed the hairy demon off her chest. She rolled to her feet, gripping her stake and panting.
"Faith! Down!"
At Buffy's shout, Faith dropped flat. A projectile whistled overhead, and the 'hound dropped lifelessly to the grass. "B?"
"The last one's headed inside." Buffy's voice was tight with tension.
Faith scrambled up and looked toward the door. Sure enough, it stood open, glass littering the ground. She ran after the hound, glancing to the side as Buffy caught up. They entered the building side by side. The area was dimly lit, music spilling in from the dance.
"This way." Buffy took the lead, sprinting down the hall.
Following closely, Faith spotted the Hellhound clawing madly at a closed door. "My turn, B." She pulled ahead, stake in hand.
The demon was too busy trying to tear down the door; he never noticed her coming. Faith crashed into the hairy creature, diving forward with all her strength; she knocked it several feet from the entrance to the dance. They rolled in an ungainly mixture of arms and legs, stopping only when they slid into a wall. Untangling from the growling 'hound, Faith didn't give it a chance to recover. She drove the stake home in its chest, sitting back on her heels as blood poured from the fatal wound.
"I've lived in Sunnydale for three years," Buffy commented, "and I never realized the high school was on the way out of town."
Faith's hands clenched into fists on her thighs. "It ain't." She didn't turn toward her fellow Slayer. How could she explain? "Um, I found something I thought you might need. Made a little detour on my way." Black boots stopped inches away, and Faith concentrated on them.
A short, uncomfortable silence fell. "Where is it?"
"Huh?" Faith's head snapped up. She stared in confusion at the tiny smile on Buffy's lips.
"The thing of mine that you just had to bring me." Buffy tilted her head, seemingly enjoying Faith's confusion.
Brown eyes widened. "Oh, that! Yeah, it's outside." Faith surged to her feet. "I'll go get it. Stay right there," she commanded in a rush. Hesitating, she met Buffy's amused look. "Promise?" The word was soft, pleading.
Buffy nodded. "I'll make like a statue." A blinding smile flashed before Faith sprinted back down the hall.
Watching her bemusedly, Buffy wondered just what had been so important that Faith had delayed her departure. Weapon? Information on the Mayor? Her thoughts were interrupted when a senior staggered out of the dance and tripped over the 'hound. "Ooops!" Buffy hurried over. "Sorry about that."
Someone must have already spiked the punch. "No problem," he slurred. "Bathroom?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Down the hall on the left." She pointed behind her, chuckling when the blond edged by her. "Now, where should I put you?" she asked the dead Hellhound.
"Don't matter, B." Buffy turned to see Faith smirking at her, a duffel bag in her hands. "Thought you were gonna stay right back there. So much for promises." The brunette Slayer shook her head. "Always knew I couldn't trust you."
Despite the fact they were joking, that comment hit hard. Frowning, Buffy moved closer to Faith. "You can." The words sounded unconvincing, so she tried again. "You can trust me, Faith. I swear."
Frustration grew when Faith simply shrugged. "Whatever, B. It's not important." She tossed the duffel, and Buffy caught it. The small bag was heavy. "Your stuff's inside."
Buffy looked at Faith intently. Something was up. The other girl bounced in place, wired, waiting for her to open the bag. Realizing her hesitation didn't say much for her own trust in Faith, Buffy quickly unzipped the duffel and reached inside. "My dress!" She stood up, gown unfurling in front of her. "How…" her voice choked off.
"I stopped by your place to pick up some clothes." Faith cleared her throat. "Found that in the closet. Your shoes are in the bag, too."
Blinking back tears at Faith unexpected thoughtfulness, Buffy declared, "I'm not going to the dance."
"The hell you aren't." Buffy's head snapped up at the firm tone. "Dress and shoes right there. You're going."
The disagreement with her plans strengthened Buffy's resolve. "No." Seeing Faith step in her direction, Buffy held up a hand. "I really appreciate you going out of your way to come here, Faith, but I'm not going to the dance."
"Why not?" Faith's confusion was obvious.
Buffy refused to answer. "Like you said earlier. It's not important." She folded the dress again, placing it back in the duffel. Her fingers stroked the material gently, eyes staring at the silky material. The dress had been for Angel. Buffy had wanted something to impress her ancient, and often jaded, lover. No chance of that now. Reluctantly removing her hand, Buffy zipped the bag closed. "I'll just patrol outside to make sure nothing else tries to interfere with Prom."
"Wrong answer." Faith wasn't giving up. Buffy glowered at her, gaining a dimpled grin in response. "You're gonna put the dress on and go have some fun."
"Or what?" Buffy couldn't resist the childish question. "You going to strip me right here?"
Something flared in Faith's eyes before she dropped her lashes, hiding the emotion. "Nah, B. I'll just go in and get Red. I'm sure you'll hold up real well against her Resolve Face." She grinned maliciously when Buffy paled.
"You wouldn't," Buffy tried faintly. The grin got larger. "Fine," Buffy spit out. "Fine. I'll go. Are you happy now?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm feeling pretty good. Thanks for asking." Faith chuckled. "Bathroom's down the hall, I think. You get changed, and I'll hide the furry one here."
Grumbling under her breath, Buffy turned on her heel. Under her irritation, a tendril of excitement coiled. The excitement grew as she exchanged her working gear for the form-hugging dress. Peering into the small mirror in the bathroom, Buffy gazed at her reflection. Angel might not be in the picture, but she still looked good. Tonight was about more than just a date. It was the final hurrah before graduation. If they didn't find a way to beat the Mayor, Prom might be their very last chance to make merry. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she nodded bracingly to the girl in the mirror. Time to party.