A/N: Sorry it took so long to update! I haven't forgotten the story at all…life has just been busy! I'll try to update sooner, but life is preventing me from writing as much as I would like to. I am not going to leave this story to be forgotten, so just hold tight if the updates take a while! Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. It all belongs to the brilliant mind of Joss. The song usedbelongs tothe Postal Service.
The Missing Half
Chapter 24 – Alone Time Never Lasts
(Faith's POV)
That son of a bitch. I can't believe him…acting all nonchalant with his "look at me aren't I just the coolest demon ever" attitude.
Asshole.
Buffy's so gunna kick his ugly butt back to wherever the hell he calls his home.
Any moment now.
Three…two…one…
"Come near me and you will find yourself calling for your demonic mommy," Buffy snarls.
Showtime.
B leaps into a defensive position and takes a couple of steps towards him. Aldinach merely walks closer to us, that stupid grin plastered across his disgusting face.
"I don't think you're in the position to be making statements like that slayer. Weren't you begging me to spare her pathetic life only a little while ago?"
Ok now that makes me pissed. "Hey buddy, I am so not pathetic. Look in the mirror and you'll be staring at a thing in dire need for some skin products. You had to tie me up to beat me…and even then you didn't win. You are what us humans like to call a…loser," I put my hand up in the universal "L" sign. Childish, yes, but it never ceases to be effective.
Aldinach gets a little red in the cheeks…well at least I think he does, but it's kinda hard to tell with his natural skin color being an unnatural color and all.
Buffy grins at my comment, even in a situation like this, getting a smile from her makes me want to dance the dance of a happy woman.
"I suggest leaving now, or some serious ass-kicking will ensue," B pipes up.
"And she's not kidding," I add.
"Look at me…wiggling in fear out of my demon skin," Aldinach sarcastically replies. Who knew demons could score points on the sarcastic meter? I sure didn't.
"Oh boy. Now I know why most demons keep their mouths shut, using only the occasional grunt and groan. Hey B, next thing you know, he's gunna be telling us how much he's going to enjoy killing the slayers," I say.
"I am," our hellish buddy growls.
With that he jumped across the small distance between us and began swinging powerful fists Buffy's way. A right hook to her head was blocked by her forearm. A shot at her stomach was deflected by one swift motion from her leg. B averted a high spin kick by ducking, then used Aldinach's momentum to her advantage and brought her shoulder up into his stomach, sending him sailing across the crypt.
B quickly followed up with a front kick to Big Ugly's head that sent him careening into the wall, cracking it with his monstrous force. A few of the rocks from the wall rolled to a stop beside me. I grabbed a sharp one, ready to use it if the fight got too close for comfort.
B moved in for the killing blow, bringing her foot around in an attempt to snap the monster's neck. However, he caught her foot and easily tossed her aside, through the door of the crypt. B slowly picked herself off her feet.
I used this moment to throw the rock I had in my hand as hard as I could at Aldinach.
Bingo.
Right between the eyes. Damn, I shoulda been a pitcher for my school's softball team.
The rock smacked soundly into his ugly head. He fell to the floor like a sack of demony disgustingness.
He's out for the fight.
I get to my feet and stumble out of the crypt to see if B's ok.
I catch her in with my good hand as she stands up on shaky feet. Seems that last little toss got her good.
"You ok Babe?" I ask. I scan her body or any injuries…she looks ok, probably just a little shaken up.
"Yeah Faith, I'm good, just a little on the wobbly side. Nice throw by the way."
"Yeah…I'd say he struck out," I joke. I couldn't help myself. The pun presented itself perfectly.
Buffy looks at me with a look that silently asks if I really just said that. Then she collapses into a fit of laughter.
"Good to have you back Faith."
"Good to be back B."
We move into each other's arms, embracing quickly, but firmly before making our way back to Xander's car.
We walk hand in hand, simply enjoying each other's presence as we carefully found the graveyard's exit. In a few minutes, we saw the dim taillights of Xander's car in the distance.
It's seems so far way, and my ankle really hurts something terrible.
"B?" I softly ask. "Do ya think you could help me get some of the weight off my foot? It kills right now."
I hate asking for help, but with B, I don't feel embarrassed.
"Of course Faith," she responds. "I don't mind helping out a damsel in distress," she finishes wickedly.
Oh man can she push my buttons.
"If I could just use your shoulder to take some of the pressure—"
I'm cut off by the feeling of my feet leaving the ground as B takes me in her arms. She cradles me like an oversized newborn baby in her arms and we are stopping right here with that analogy cos its disturbin' the hell out of me.
I grin at my thought. Buffy notices it and grins back.
One smile. One goddamned smile and I melt into a little puddle of Faith. I swear, I felt like I was going to get all liquidy and seep through my girlfriend's arms right then and there.
Finally we reach the car and I see Xander jump out and open the door for us. B gently sets me inside and then climbs in next to me.
Before starting the car, Xander around in his seat to face me.
"You feeling better Faith?" He asks.
"Five by five Xand."
I curl into a ball on the seat and rest my head in B's lap. She immediately takes her hand and strokes my hair with it.
I love it when she does that.
The car ride home is fast; it's not like Sunnydale is a megalopolis. Within minutes Buffy's house comes into view and we're pulling into the driveway. Xander parks the car and turns to face us.
"Do you guys need anything else? Any help at all?"
"Naw Xand, I think we got it. We're probably just gunna go straight to bed anyways right Faith?"
Oh boy…a bed. A bed that's not a hospital issue.
"Thanks for everything X-Man. See ya tomorrow," I thank him as I lift myself from B's lap and inch my way out of the car. Once I'm out of the car, B rushes around and slings a supportive arm around my waist.
"Bye Xander," B says.
"Night Buffy…Faith."
Xander pulls the car out of the driveway and roars away down the street. The two of us hobble into the house. When the door opens, a Dawn sized fireball explodes towards us.
"Buffy! Faith! What happened? You guys took so long…I was freaking out…I couldn't stop pacing and tapping my foot…it was like attack of the spaz! But you're ok! Right? Alive and ok? Breathing yep sure are…I think I might need to take a breath."
Dawn slowly lowers herself into a chair and takes a deep calming breath. Then she looks back up at us…her big amber eyes begging for answers and a response letting her know everything was ok.
"No big Little D. Had a few crappy flashbacks…I'm no longer Amnesia-girl! Ran into big ugly Aldinach, kicked his ass…drove home. All part of a day's work," I respond, hoping my answer was satisfying enough for the kid.
"Really? You remember everything? Yay for you! Are you sure you remember everything?" Dawn asked apprehensively.
"Hmmm you mean like the time Buffy was pushing you in a hammock out back and you went up in the air, and came back down crashing through the net?" Dawn turned a slight shade of red. "Or maybe the time I ran upstairs after hearing you screaming only to find that you were singing to Kelly Clarkson? Oh and then there's the time—"
"Ok!" Dawn cut me off quickly. " I say that constitutes as remembering everything. Darn, I was really hoping that some of that stuff was a little bit on the forgotten side."
"Dawn!" Buffy scolded. "After all Faith has just been through, that's what you have to say? What has society taught you?"
"Umm society's taught me that if I want to get a good job I should sleep with the boss…"
"DAWN!" B and I yell together.
"Teehee? Kidding guys! Please close your mouths before you ruin the carpet with drool," Dawn says innocently.
"Damn B, that's some Little Sister you got there. Can I have her?"
I guess my comment made Dawn break. "Oh Faith! I was really worried," Little Bit came up and hugged me gently. "Scare me like that again and I'll start doing drugs," she whispers.
"I'll try not to D. I think that might upset Big Sis," I whisper back. Dawn releases me slowly. "I love ya kid."
I tried not to notice how Dawn bug-eyed when I said that. The look on her face was quickly replaced by a quivering lip and a small tear that ran down her doll-like face.
"I love you too Faith," she said full of emotion. It feels so good to hear that. She's one of the few people to ever say it to me like that. Like she means it.
"Goodnight, Bitesize. Have some good dreams 'kay?"
"'Night Faith. Feel better! See ya in the morning."
Dawn trotted up the stairs and disappeared into her room. Just me and B now. Some alone time finally.
"So, Dawn's gunna be asleep pretty soon," B states seductively.
"Sure is, I'm sure she is already. I suppose that makes us officially alone."
"Alone with each other of course. Doing alone type things. The things that are so fun to do when no one's looking."
"Things like this?" I ask then wrap my uninjured arm around B's slender neck. I pull my girl in close until our faces are only inches apart. We breathe heavily staring deep into each other's eyes, leaning in slightly further until the tips of our noses touch. Eskimo kisses.
And then real kisses. B's lips brush mine briefly before she opens her mouth and covers mine completely with hers. I'm lost in a world of passion. A song crossing into my mind as I kiss B deeper.
I think that it's a sign that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned.
I rub my hand up and down B's back and she leans onto a wall to support herself.
And I am forced to speculate that God himself did make us into corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces from the clay.
Two of a kind. That's us. Made for each other. Her lips feel so good pressed against mine.
And true it may seem like a stretch but it's thoughts like this that catch my troubled head when you're away and when I am missing you to death.
My ribs are burning from lack of breath, but I don't care. I can deal with the dull throb of the pain, it's so much more than just worth it.
B and I sink to our knees, her kiss draining my legs of their ability to function. We fall to the floor completely, curling into each other as we continue to kiss tenderly.
Finally, I break the kiss when my lungs feel like they are going to burst. We lay on the carpet for a few moments, not doing anything but staring intently into they eyes of the one we love. Not doing anything, just…living. Living with each other.
"Think the bed might be more comfortable?" I finally ask B after a few minutes of intense silence.
"Most definitely." Without another word, B gets to her feet and scoops me into her arms once more. We climb the stairs up to her room and she lays me gently on her bed.
"You're sleeping with me tonight," she says decisively.
"Oh am I? Do tell me, is it because I just got out of the hospital, or because I'm so damn irresistible?" I ask.
"Choice number one. You're not irresistible; you're very resistible in fact. You're disgustingly overweight and you look like you've never seen the light of day in your life," B jokes.
"Gee B, you sure know how to make a girl feel loved." B winks at me and then climbs in beside my body. She reaches up to my face and traces her finger over the cut on my forehead.
"How are you feeling?" she asks.
"Ok I guess, been better definitely. It's not everyday you get trapped under a pile of rubble in the freezing snow," I answer.
B's eyes fill with tears. "Faith baby, you know I love you right?"
"Of course B. I love you too."
"Good," she says. Then wraps her arms around my body and closes her eyes.
"Night babe."
"Sweet dreams B."
(Xander's POV)
It's really late now. Anya and I have cuddled up next to each other in bed. The day's events rush by in my head. It's been awhile since I spent that much time in the hospital.
Poor Faith, she really got the crap kicked outta her. I wish things could have gone differently, maybe Willow could have been more understanding.
Part of me gets where Willow's coming from. I mean, Faith was once a criminal. She's come back after such a short amount of time.
But the other half me wishes that Willow would just stop holding such a horrible grudge one Faith. The formerly rogue slayer isn't so bad anymore, but Willow just won't see that, letting her past actions cloud her better judgement, the better judgement that Willow seems to have for every other person.
To be honest, I think she's jealous. Jealous that Faith gets to have a part of Buffy that she'll never get. But she's being irrational. I need to talk to her about this.
If I don't things could get ugly.
(Giles' POV)
I'm in bed with a cup of tea and a good book. After the day's events, everyone truly needs rest. I hope that Buffy and Faith are doing well at home, God only knows they've been through enough in the past week to stress anyone to the point of exhaustion, Slayer or not.
I should let them sleep tomorrow off; I can research Aldinach more. If what I've learned so far is correct, he's powerless until he strengthens his body on Earth's surface. It could be a while, and in the meantime, the girls can rest and heal.
I turn the page of my book and go to take a sip of my tea when the phone rings shrilly beside my bed.
"Rupert Giles speaking," I say into the receiver.
"Rupert, this is Quentin Travers."
Oh dear lord, this should be good.
"Hello Quentin, to what do I owe this privileged phone call?"
"It seems that recent developments have caused for a turn of events. Recent developments like the rogue slayer dying."
Oh my. "Good God Quentin, another slayer's been called."
"Correct Rupert. She's on her way to Sunnydale as we speak."
(Buffy's POV)
I was drifting off into sleep, already dreaming of Faith when the phone on my nightstand rang loudly. I quickly threw an arm out to answer it, trying to keep Faith from waking, but it was too late.
She rubbed her yes softly and looked at me confusedly as I greeted the voice on the other line.
"Hello?" I asked tiredly. "Summers' residence."
"I'm terribly sorry to bug you Buffy, I know you must be exhausted but I believe there is something you should know."
"Oh God it's not another apocalypse on top of the already impending doom is it? Cuz I can only take so much evil in a week."
"No Buffy, it's something that is far worse as far as you're already hectic lives are concerned."
Giles paused momentarily. "Any day now Giles, you have no idea what kind of thoughts are running around in my head as you pause dramatically for effect."
Faith looks at me again, a worried look etched across her face. Her look quickly turns into one of surprise as the doorbell rings downstairs.
"I'll go get it," she whispers to me, then carefully lifts herself from the bed. I don't like the idea of her traveling down the stairs without my help, but duty calls.
"You know how Faith, kind of…died?" Giles continues.
"Nope Giles, not at all, I'm completely oblivious to the fact that my girlfriend left the land of the living for a little bit. I mean, I did only pass out in my complete sadness."
"Yes, yes sorry, it's just…well…another slayer's been called."
Before I get a chance to react, a loud crash comes from downstairs.
"Giles I have to go, something's happening, I'll call you later." I hang up without waiting for his response and run downstairs, terrified.
If anything has hurt my girl, they are going to be so much more than dead meat.
(Faith's POV)
I stumble down the stairs as fast as my body lets me and prepare myself to face one of the Scooby Gang that is bound to be at the door. Who else would be here at this hour?
I limp up to the door and peer through the peephole.
I'll be damned.
I open the door and take in the sight of the man's presence at the doorstep.
His eyes register complete surprise as he looks at me.
Before I can react, he grabs me by a handful of my shirt and rams me into a bookshelf. A few books crash to the floor and my body screams when it makes contact with the rough surface.
A fist rams into my nose and my blood flows freely.
Damn, Soldier Boy can really pack a punch.
A/N: And just when things were once again looking up. Please review guys! It's nice to know how you think the story's going! Any review, no matter how brief it is, is better than no review! Make me a happy author!