Chapter 6 : Of betrayal, meanies and scythes

Buffy and Angel drove down to Sunnydale still with their hands still connected "I don't like it your going into the house knowing your going to get hurt,". Buffy gave him a sad smile "Yeah well when it was over I was wondering does AI have room for a slayer," Angel's heart would have stopped beating but the smile on his face was such that it gave Buffy an idea. "Well I know I'm always happy for my wife to join me, and I don't think Connor would forgive me if you left,"

Buffy's grin grew to face splitting proportions it had been the last few days that she and felt anything close to happiness. "Faith can play guard but I doubt that Sunnydale will survive this one, I intend to find a way to shut the hell mouth for good,". He saw the steely determination in her eyes and somehow didn't doubt that she'd manage it.

The group arrived at the mansion, which had been cleaned while Angel was away per his instructions. Gunn took in the grandeur of the place "I sense a theme with your real estate,". Angel set up base allowing the other to settle in rooms on the third level, he gave Connor the first level. Connor grinned " I have an entire level as a bedroom, that is pretty nifty, let me guess you and mom have the second level," . He was trying to embarrass his dad knowing now the possibility of teasing was an option. Angel just smirked "That's right and those of a prudish mind set should avoid the level,"

That got the boy shuddering he was really trying to avoid those types of images.

Buffy seeing perhaps seeing he might want a distraction, "Faith wants a lift back to Revello drive, Con you can come with me if you want,. He smiled "You keep giving me escapes from research sure,". Wesley did promise though "To see if he could find any info on the weapon that Buffy kept dreaming about and was sensing,"

Buffy opened the door with her keys to Revello drive allowing Connor and Faith to enter before her. Buffy wasn't given much of a chance to explain much after introducing Faith she never even managed to introduce her son.

The accusations flew, Buffy stood and took them all she saw Spike about to explode on her behalf "Don't lessons need to be learned, look after Dawn," She had whispered low enough that only those with preternatural hearing would have picked it up.

Very quickly the potentials voted for Faith to lead them, Buffy just turned on her heels and left she leant placing an arm on Connor "Say what you want I'll be in the car before going home,"

Still spoiling for a fight Xander bellowed "Where is she going?" Faith answered "Home! I mean it's a good job she has somewhere after all you just kicked her out of her own house.

Spike was impressed by the brunette slayer she didn't like to pull punches and he couldn't help but rake his eyes over her figure. The boy beside her though was furious and his anger had built the more they had attacked Buffy and he let rip with her departure, "You people are incredible. What do you or any of you know about truly fighting evil or actual sacrifice,"

Xander scoffed "I've been fighting evil since High School, What would you know?

The dark look that the boy fixed Xander actually made Spike shiver it reminded him a little too much of his grandsire's evil side, "I was raised in a hell dimension away from my parents,".

This shut the group up as a whole and stopped them as none could actually judge him. Faith knew now was the time to ram the point home, "If B hadn't been there to protect you, die for you. You'd be all dead,"

Some annoying girl that seemed to be hanging just a little close to Willow, "So Willow resurrected her,"

Connor's anger was growing they weren't treating his mom as a human rather as a disposable soldier. "Do the potentials know the full story. The fact she died for her sister who is actually mystical energy,"

The scooby gang started to shift uncomfortably not liking the home truths that were being given to them by this stranger. He continued on "That her so called friends ripped her from heaven,"

One of the girls still stubborn and still sullen, "So she'll get to go back,". The boy turned to Faith, asking silently if he should reveal what was known to the LA gang. Faith spoke softly "Tell Red, she needs to learn,". The boy who was almost at the door turned, "By the way Mom can't ever go back to Paradise the fates decided if her death wouldn't stick they'd take away the chance,"

The truths and lessons were starting to come home Faith fixed the potential with a menacing stare "Leave, train but get the fuck out of here,". They promptly left leaving the Scoobies, Faith and Spike in the room, Connor wanting to get back to Buffy left with a parting shot, "Don't worry despite the way that you've screwed her over She'll probably be there for you.," With that he left the group and went to the Plymouth got in the side seat and hugged Buffy before they drove off.

Willow now realising the full horror "My god what have we done,"

Spike answered for her "Betrayed the one person who you owe most. If it wasn't for my promise to protect niblet I'd be out of here,"

Xander felt a little guilty "Don't worry it's Buff she'll forgive,"

Faith gave a chuckle and turned to Spike "It's what she told Wes they'd say after a conversation with Red on the phone, she saw this betrayal coming you know," Spike shook his head in amazement he knew that Buffy was strong but to willingly deal with a betrayal that took something else. He was though curious so turning to the brunette slayer, "If I buy you a drink can you explain how pet and peaches have a teenage son,"

Faiths smirk changed to that of a girl on the prowl and knowing what she wants, "Your basement or my room,". Spike wolfish grin meant that he had caught the mood perfectly "My basement it's better dig's than pets room,"

Faith had linked arm's with spike but left with her own parting comment "I'll do what I promised B and protect as many of you as I can. This though is was war people will die, you need to get your shit together or the first evil is going to eat you kiddies for breakfast,". Spike grinned liking Faith more and more, they left and Faith hoped the cute blonde would help scratch her H&H itch.

Crawford mansion.

Buffy opened the door to find most of the group deep in books but Angel was pacing, he looked up sensing her. She gave a weak smile "Hi honey we're home,", he engulfed her in a strong hug that she didn't realised she needed until then. Angel looked at her "beloved?", she smiled sadly "I'm okay always good to know who your true friends and family are,"

Angel was amazed at the maturity Buffy was showing and realising how much she'd grown he was also surprised at the fact the she had not grown entirely bitter by the betrayal.

"I'm exhausted," Angel led her to the seats and they sat just holding each other in front of the fire, both lost in the good memories of the past and enjoying the comfort they got from each others presence, both fell asleep.

The team watched from the sidelines at the table, "They have a truly remarkable bond,"

Wesley who'd been reading looked up at Fred's comment, he smiled "I never saw a bond as deep as there's and I doubt we'll ever see another,". Fred though had read just read an interesting passage "there's a prophecy about this the gist two couples, two slayers two souled vampires, and that both will be couples the one shall receive a reward for his sacrifice. Then one warrior couple will be mortal the other immortal protectors guiding her children,"

Buffy had awoken and crept up to the group, "Me and Angel are the immortal champions it's the way it was meant to be. The mortal warriors are Spike and Faith," Buffy held up a necklace "This is a portal key that will close the hell mouth. Not a word to anyone Spike will sacrifice himself but he'll gain a mortal life with Faith. They deserve some happiness like we have,"

Wes understood then partially "Shanshu," Buffy nodded glad that he understood and explained. "In reality both get their Shanshu Angel wanted to love me Spike wants his mortality back,". Wes spoke softly "I found your scythe it belonged to the first slayer and only her chosen can release it from the stone,"

Buffy grinned " I swear I heard a similar story," Angel feeling Buffy awake "So we need to get your Excalibur,"

Buffy pouted "Hey my husband has his champions sword, my son has his own axe only fair a girl gets her scythe," . Fred couldn't disagree "It doesn't seem fair. What do you want us to do?". Angel thought about it "Last time they had harbingers working mojo to torment me big on chant low on defence if you can disrupt them, that would be good,"

Wesley asked "What do we know of the harbingers ?"

Buffy tried to remember "Erm they are the harbingers and where they make their ground nothing will grow below or above last time hiding in a garden centre, usual yada,"

Gunn turned towards the family "What will you fine family be killing today," the absolute nonchalance in his tone made it almost fun. Buffy stood with mock solemnity "You know what they say a family that slays together stays together,"

Courtyard

They staked out the place, Buffy extended her extra slayer senses and knew exactly where her scythe was. Turning back "I have a score please stay back unless I ask for help," Angel saw the determined stubborn look not liking it but understanding, "Fine but first trouble we join in,"

Buffy approached the courtyard and sure enough the preacher appeared and for the first time he paid attention to her neck. "You have joined with a spawn of Satan". Buffy didn't even flicker she just kept moving towards her intended mark grinning unrepentant "If you mean join then profess my love for my eternal soul mate then yes we're very much in love, aren't you happy,". She asked looking as if she was unhappy that he wasn't.

The preachers as clearly taking cues from the First Evil "She Satan's whore she should be punished shouldn't she,". Buffy just looked incredulous "Your evils lapdog, you shouldn't throw stones,"

Caleb moved in attempting to injure her but Buffy's moves were well up to the task she had tapped into her full slayer reserve. After attempting a roundhouse Buffy saw an opening and kicked Caleb in a spinning kick twirling and landing by the scythe. The minute that she picked up the weapon she knew it was hers the power thrummed up her hand and all of sudden Caleb started to back off. "You and your family are safe but so much for the others,". The explosion was felt by all and they could feel something

They ran full pelt they could see the injured slayer and vampire and the potentials were vastly outclassed by the Turkhoans and the resurrected 'three'. Angel whistled "How about you try someone with a little more meat," All the vampires turned and sensing the power and threat that the three new people held they went after them. All swung the weapons with immense precision and the vampires were dust in minutes. Connor looked at his moms new weapon that had sliced through the vampires as if they were butter, "Can we swap weapons," he asked cheekily Buffy looked at him as if to say not a chance, "We need to get these back your dad will need my help with Spike can you carry Faith?"

"Sure,". The potentials were awed and stunned Buffy fixed them with a cold glare "Return give Giles a report while we help Faith and Spike,". As she shouldered half of Spikes weight along with Angel.