CHAPTER SIX – Truth is Stranger Than Fiction
Buffy looked carefully at Faith trying to decide whether to tell her she was an Immortal. After thinking it over for a few moments she determined that the truth was for the best. If she wanted to help Faith and truly be a friend to her then she needed to know the truth.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she turned to Faith and began her story. She told her about Immortals, The Game and how she'd ended up in Sunnydale as the Slayer. To her credit Faith seemed to take it in stride. Buffy assumed it really wasn't that outlandish of a story when put into the perspective of the life of a Slayer.
Then Buffy had to tell her a harder story, one she'd only learned the truth of that morning – Dawn's murder and the inadvertent effect it had on releasing the First. By the time she finished Faith was alternating between tears and ranting against the Scoobies.
"Damn B! I'm surprised you're not over there right now ripping all of them a new one."
"As much as I'd love to confront them we've got more important things to deal with – The First. It has to be our top priority. I know that the Scoobies didn't want to believe me when I told them we needed to go back to the vineyard – but there is something there. The First and Caleb are to focused on keeping us away."
"You don't have to convince me B. I didn't say anything before - I'm sorry for that – I should have stuck by you. But, I think your right. The First keeps trying to direct us to the seal. If it was so important to its plan wouldn't it try to keep us as far away as possible."
Amanda quickly jumped into the discussion, "For those of us new to this can we get some background on the First. Who or what is it?"
Buffy began to speak giving the newcomers an overview of the First – from its actions against Angel to its current attack on the Slayer line.
After she finished speaking Duncan, Methos and Amanda quickly agreed they needed to focus on what Caleb and the First were hiding at the vineyard.
Spike then updated the group on what he an Andrew had found at the old Spanish Mission and the words he discovered – "It is for her alone to wield."
Buffy then began to lay out her plan. "I don't think it's necessary for all of us to go to the vineyard. In fact I need some of you to keep an eye on the Scoobies. As angry as I am with them right now I can't leave the potentials unprotected. Faith, I want you, Methos and Duncan to keep an eye on the house. Spike, Amanda and I will go to the vineyard. I need the two best thieves with me for this one. Plus, Spike is the only one beside me who can go against Caleb."
"If you'll remember Slayer we both took a pounding from him last time we met."
"True but I have a plan to avoid a pounding this time. How do you to feel about a little game of keep away?"
Not long after the meeting broke up and the group began to prepare for their mission. Buffy pulled Faith to the side, "Faith, I just wanted to ask you not to say anything to the Scoobies about my Immortality. There's only one other person at the house who knows – Anya – and no matter the differences she and I have had she's never told anyone. So, please don't say anything. I'm not ready for them to know yet."
"No problem B. Those idiots don't deserve to know anything about you. I know I've not been trustworthy in the past but I'm going to prove to you how much I've changed."
"I know you've changed Faith – you don't have anything to prove to me. Now let's load you up on some weapons."
After speaking with Faith, Buffy looked across the room and caught Duncan's eye. She inclined her head toward the kitchen to indicate she wanted to speak with him privately. He nodded and followed her out of the room.
"Bella, is everything okay?"
Suddenly, Bella felt more nervous than she ever had before. She tried to push down her nerves – for god's sake she was 3,000 years old.
"I just wanted to tell you something before we left," she said nervously.
Duncan took her hand gently in his stroking the back with his thumb, "You know you can tell me anything."
Now her stomach was doing flip flops. She couldn't form the words. Finally she decided that actions spoke louder and stood on her toes taking Duncan's face in her hands and gently kissing him. As she started to pull away his arms stole around her waist and pulled her closer deepening the kiss. After what might have been moments or maybe even hours they pulled apart. Duncan brought his hand to her cheek and softly stroked it.
Bella finally found the words, "Duncan, I don't know what's going to happen but I do know that I'm feeling something for you – I know we've been friends forever – but I want more. Do you think…"
Duncan placed a finger gently on her lips silencing her. "Bella, you are the most beautiful, intelligent, passionate woman I've ever known. When I saw you again today – it's as if I was seeing you for the first time. I've always loved you – but now I think I'm falling in love with you."
Bella's face lit up with a beautiful smile. "You know I never believed in love at first sight – but I think there's something to be said for love at second sight."
"So do I," he said as he pulled her gently into his arms again and kissed her passionately.
Reluctantly they pulled away. They still had a mission to accomplish. Love would be there when they were through.