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Disclaimer: I own nothing save characters not appearing in King Arthur, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Angel. This story is not meant to insult, impugn the dignity of, or otherwise cause difficulty for the reader. Flames will be used to heat my house, constructive comments will be welcomed and used to improve the story.

Author's Note: Thank you, thank you, thank you for your reviews! You all are wonderful, wonderful people.

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Anywhere's Better Than Cleveland

Chapter Four: Patrol

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Faith quietly clambered down from the hayloft, her weapons now tucked into their sheaths and tied to her body. It had been busy at the tavern and her slayer senses had tingled all night. Which meant that somewhere around was a vamp.

She dropped soundlessly to the floor of the stables, brown eyes alert. It was late, the moon was high, and she was about to pull her first fifth century patrol. She looked down at the mesh shirt and jeans that she had once again put on. This was definitely not something she could be seen in, she thought with a silent chuckle. Might put someone into convulsions.

Slipping into the shadows, she began her hunt.

The pull in her belly that always signaled the unnaturalness of the vampire was getting more pronounced. She hurried her footsteps. She could hear a struggle up ahead.

Stepping into the same alley where she had watched the now-dead Lamorak being returned to the fortress, she found a vampire pinning a girl to a wall. It was one of the serving girls from the tavern. The girl who had gone home with Lancelot. What in the name of all that was holy was this idiot girl doing out in the middle of the night?

"Ah, sweet, just as I like them. Your blood is strong."

Faith sighed and reached out, tapping the vampire on the shoulder. "Is this a private party or can anyone play?"

The vampire spun to face her, letting go of the wench. Unfortunately the girl was too terrified to run. "What do you want…Slayer?"

Faith nodded and grinned. "I wanna play."

The vampire lunged at her and they tumbled to the ground, wrestling for a moment.

Separating, Faith got to her feet and pulled one of her stakes. "Don't you know that it's not polite to neck on the first date?"

The vampire swung his fist, connecting with Faith's jaw. The slayer stumbled back then kicked out, slammed her boot into the vampire's jaw.

"Run!" Faith called to the girl and was satisfied when she saw skirts racing out of the alley.

"You took my dinner," growled the vampire.

Faith shrugged. "Afraid you've already had your last meal." Slamming her stake into his chest, she grinned as he exploded into a cloud of dust. She tucked the stake back into her belt and began to dust the vampire remains from her shirt. "Damn, can't they clean up after themselves?" she muttered.

In the shadows, Tristan watched. There was more to this serving girl than she had shown before. Interesting.

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"Um, Giles?" called Willow, the witch poking at the watcher's shoulder.

Giles groggily straightened in the chair he had fallen asleep in. "Oh, good morning, Willow," he offered sleepily, his voice having a bit of a gravelly rumble to it. He glanced at the window that graced the kitchen and frowned. It was still dark. "What are you doing up?"

Willow arched a white eyebrow. "I'm not the one who fell asleep in the kitchen. I have a question."

Giles nodded, raking his hands through his graying curls. "Go on."

Willow shifted nervously. "If Faith was swapped for someone else, what if we can find the person she was swapped for?" She tugged on a pearly braid. "I mean, if the spell works by sight, why couldn't we just say the spell to her replacement and get her back?"

Giles rubbed his eyes and nodded. "It could work. Any suggestions how to find Faith's replacement?"

Willow frowned as she thought. "Blood calls to blood. Can you get Faith's blood from the Council?"

Giles nodded, standing. It would be eight a.m. in London. Perfect time to call and terrorize some poor clerk into doing his bidding. "I'll get right on it." He picked up the receiver and glared at the witch. "And go to bed."

"Yes, Giles," yawned Willow as she left the kitchen.

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TBC...

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To My Wonderful Reviewers:

BleedingTwilight: Thank you. So glad that you like the fact that Faith isn't trying to jump anyone. Yay! We're keeping in character! Excellent. Here's more and please, please, please, keep your wonderful reviews coming. And please, tell me if I've gone off the deep end at all.

Samantha/Anime Princess: So glad that you like this King Arthur/Buffy crossover. And I'm so glad you like the idea of Faith being the one to go back in time. You liked Lancelot's assumptions? Excellent. Yay for liking the fact that Vanora befriends Faith. And good question as to whom she replaced. We'll find out soon. I promise that it's not Gueneviere. I agree, if Faith slept with Arthur, it would be like her sleeping with Angel. And that would squick me. We'll see if she ends up with anyone. And here's more. Oh, and keep your reviews coming, 'kay? I live for them. And, no, I'm not kidding. Thank you.

Saxongirl345: So glad that you like the beginning. I absolutely rooted for Faith from the first time she showed up on Buffy, even when she was pure sociopath. Feel free to tell me if I'm going off the deep end, 'kay? I love your stories and know you won't steer me wrong. grin

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