Authors Note:Eep this is a short part I'm sorry. And it might feel little rushed, but it's just how it came to me. Anyway thanks to everyone who's stuck with me, and just so you know this should be the second last part. So hold on! There's not much left!
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Previously:
"Yeah, about that," Spike stepped towards Ethan, his hand sliding discreetly into his pocket. "I'm a bit strapped for cash at the moment …" in one smooth movement he pulled Ethan forward, impaling him on the knife he was now holding in his hand. The vampire stepped back, letting the body fall to the ground in front of the wide eyed slayers. "Terribly sorry," he chucked as he strode out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
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"We are so screwed," Faith said as she sat back against the cage bars, burying her head in her hands.
"No we're not," Buffy shot back as she paced backwards and forwards in the cage, her eyes hopefully scanning their surroundings for any possible method of escape.
"We are," the brunette insisted dully.
Buffy whirled on her, scowling. "Are not."
"Are too."
"Are not!"
"Are too!"
"Are—" Buffy broke off, fixing the brunette with a glare as she ended the childish too and fro. "Grow up Faith."
"Love to, but our ticket back to normal size is lying dead on the floor over there," Faith snapped as she pointed at Ethan, who at that moment chose to stir, groaning weakly as he rolled over.
"Ethan!" Buffy exclaimed as she crossed to the front of the cage, pressing herself against the bars. The man moaned pitifully in response and his head slumped to the side. "Ethan," the blonde called again, louder this time. "Get up."
"I can't," he hissed through gritted teeth as he brought his hand up to clutch at his stomach.
"Looks like its just a flesh wound," Faith commented as she peered at the mains injuries, or lack thereof.
"Ethan, get up," Buffy repeated, her fingers clenching the bars tightly as she watched the man slowly pull himself to his knees. "Here's the plan," she said, her voice firm and threatening. "Your going to help us get out of here, and then you're going to magic us back to normal, cause like hell am I going to sit through all that school again. Got it?"
"What makes you think I won't just leave you here?" Ethan said with a weak chuckle as he managed to stand up, leaning against the wall for support.
"Because you're a useless, selfish coward who wants to make it out of here alive?"
There was a heavy silence as Buffy and Ethan stared each other down. Finally the man nodded. "I knew you'd get out of this just so you know," he said, managing an endearing smile.
"Whatever," Faith said as she too stepped up to the bars. "Let's do this."
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After finding something heavy enough to break open the cage, escape had been easy. The mini slayers had half supported, half dragged Ethan past Spike, who had passed out in the hallway in clear view of a large window. After Ethan had been sent to hospital and Buffy and Faith had returned to an incredibly relieved Joyce Summers, some of the less 'vertically challenged' Scooby's had been sent to check on the lovesick vampire. They had done a cautious search of the dilapidated house, only to find it abandoned and devoid of any telltale piles of dust. Spike had obviously woken up and skipped town. Both slayers vowed to make his un-life hell if he ever set foot in Sunnydale again, but right now, they could relax.
"Last day of freedom huh," Buffy commented as she and Faith wandered across the soft green grass of Sunnydale community park.
"Freedom?" Faith said incredulously. "Last I checked, not being able to go anywhere without an adult isn't what you'd call free." She said as she jerked her head at Joyce, who was trailing behind the pair.
Buffy just rolled her eyed, then beamed as she grabbed Faith's hand. "The swings are free," she said excitedly as she tugged on Faiths hand, dragging her towards the small assortment play equipment.
"God what are you, five?" Faith asked, smirking as she watched Buffy scramble onto one of the swings.
"Hilarious Faith," Buffy said dryly. "Come on, swinging contest," she said as she patted the swing beside her. "Whoever loses has to slay the next slime filled demon that turns up in town."
The brunette grinned as she climbed onto the swing next to Buffy and kicked off the ground. "You're on Tinkerbell."
"Don't call me that!"
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"So it's a draw then?" Buffy asked breathlessly as she dug her heels into the dirt, bringing her swing to a stop. The pair had been at it for at least half an hour.
"B I totally kicked your ass," Faith said as she stopped her swing too, twisting the seat around to face the blonde.
"No you didn't," Buffy protested. "Mom who won?"
"I think Faith did honey," Mrs. Summers piped up from the bench she was sitting on.
"But…but," Buffy's eyes widened and she shot a pleading look at her mother who just shrugged, suddenly becoming very interested in the magazine she had been thumbing through. Looking back at Faith she scowled at the brunette's smug expression.
"Sure hope its one of those exploding kinds of slime demons," Faith said teasingly, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she twisted her swing around a few more revolutions, the chains clinking and creaking in protest as they wound together. Lifting her feet off the ground she grinned as she spun around quickly before coming to a jerky stop.
"Whatever," Buffy muttered as she slumped in her seat. A comfortable silence fell over the pair for a few minutes, Faith repeatedly twisting up the chains of her swing, and then spinning around, and Buffy staring at the ground, lost in thought. "We can still do this right? When we're back to normal?" the blonde finally asked.
"Swinging?" The brunette asked distractedly as she came out of yet another spin, and prepared to repeat the process.
Buffy's hand shot out and grabbed the chain of Faith's swing, stopping her. "I mean hang out and stuff," she said seriously as her hand slid down to cover Faith's, giving it a little squeeze. "We only really hang when major slayage needs to be done, and I like hanging with you, so I was thinking maybe we could do some bronzing and other non slayery activities like bowling or… well not bowling I don't like the shoes, but maybe—"
"I'd like that," Faith cut off the blondes babbling. The pair fell silent again and Faith stared at the ground for a moment, before looking up at Buffy again, a mischievous expression on her face. "Can I still share your bed?"
"Faith!"
Stay tuned for the final installment!
