Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: Yup, I know. Terrible updates. Just know that I put a lot of thinking into this to make it all work out. And please, a review would be fantastic. Enjoy.
Chapter Thirteen: The Quest
Rain leaned against the wall. For the past ten or so minutes she's been silently watching Faith. Slayer sat on the bed, staring at her own hands, mumbling something inaudible. From what she could tell, Faith woke her up and something freaked her out to the point of a mental breakdown. What, she had no idea. She knew however, that now was the worst time ever to go guano. They've all been through much shit, but if Faith couldn't deal with her own plate, she had to leave the table and that was not an option. Not when she was needed like never before.
Rain must've spaced out for a while, because next thing she knew, brunette was standing right in front of her. ''Are you okay?''
Instead of answering, Faith grabbed her, threw over her hip and held a dagger to her throat in a flash. ''What the fuck?'' Rain yelped on the ground. Her stomach and ribs hurt like hell from the collision with the hard floor.
Slayer's hand shook a little, the cold blade moving against Rain's skin. ''How do I know you're real?'' She asked herself.
''I am real.'' Rain said through gritted teeth. She had trouble breathing and the blade cut her skin. ''What the hell is wrong with you?''
Faith fought with herself. When it seemed like she was about to cut Rain's throat, she threw the dagger away in a sudden, startled motion. Rain noticed that she, along with Faith were both covered in sweat, as if those few moments took out of them much more than they should. She slowly pulled herself up to a sitting position. Faith was now leaning against the wall few feet away, breathing deeply.
Brunette checked the cut on her neck. It wasn't deep, barely scratch, really. She looked into Faith's eyes. They reminded her of a wild animal, terrified and looking for shelter from some big bad monster. Against her emotions, she decided that a careful approach would pay off better. ''What just happened?''
''I-I had a dreams... dream.'' Faith whispered.
''What was the dream about?'' Rain asked, slowly sliding closer to Faith.
''You. Me.''
''And?''
By now Rain was within Faith's range. ''We went to the hotel. You killed me.'' Rain sat next to Faith. ''And then I woke up. We uhh, we...'' The never shy Faith had trouble talking about sex. The word just did not want to leave her mouth.
''We what?'' Rain urged.
''We had sex, okay?'' Slayer refused to meet Rain's eyes. ''We had sex and it was amazing and then we went to sleep and now I woke up and I had clothes on and you don't remember it, because it never happened but it was so real and I don't know if I'm dreaming right now or not I-'' Faith was now talking histerically, the words blurring together making it hard for other woman to understand. She got, however, words like sex, we and dreaming.
''Whoa, whoa... relax okay? Just relax, it's okay. Shh, come on, breathe.'' She put her hand on Faith's shoulder. Brunette slowly calmed down. ''I don't know how I can convince you that this is me. You are not dreaming, it's real. You have to trust me.'' She cupped Faith's face in her hands. ''Are you with me?''
Faith nodded.
''Good. Now, we need to think. If something is messing with your head... it know's we're here. We gotta move.''
Rain got up and held her hand out for Faith to take. She did.
''Let's get dressed and we'll squat somewhere esle. Come on.'' Rain guided Faith to the bedroom. She found their clothes, but they were still wet, cold and sticky from last night. Shaking her head, Rain went through drawers and wardrobe, looking for something that might fit. Eventually she handed some pants and shirt to Faith. She winced in pain while getting a shirt over her own head.
Faith went to get her dagger. Rain grabbed her knife and gun. ''Ready?''
***B***B***
''Quit staring at me, boy.'' Illyria said, without turning away from the window.
She waited for a minute for Connor to recover back on the street, but then she simply grabbed his arm and led to a nearest building for cover. Now he was sitting on a couch, his eyes burning holes in her back.
''You killed Fred.'' He said absently. Sure he heard Spike and Gunn talk about her, even saw her once, but now it felt different. He was not prepared for this and did not know what to do.
''I did not chose this body to occupy. The choice was made for me. I cannot do anything to rewind the time.'' She replied.
''I know, it's just... I thought you'd be different. More alien.''
''I was once, I... guess. Turns out, if you live long enough among people, they start to rub off on you. No matter what you do.''
Connor stood up and went to the fridge for some ice. He opened it and cursed. It didn't work. No electricity. ''You're practically ancient. Time holds little value for you.''
Illyria turned to him. ''Not anymore. I have to do something or those may be my last days.''
''Whoa, what are you talking about?''
''The power Angel possesses is loaned from me, as you might know. The very moment I die, it comes back to me.'' She started. ''But, if someone would severe it from me, literally steal it by means I thought did not exist... I'll stay dead and Angel will rule this dimension.''
''Then we have to do something, fast. Come on, we gotta go.'' Connor walked to the door.
''Go where?''
''Hyperion Hotel. It was our base. I was heading there and came across you.'' He explained.
''Don't bother. It's been attacked. Whoever hid there, he sure does not now.'' Illyria said.
''How do you-''
''Angel told me.'' She didn't let Connor finish.
''H-how is he? I mean, what he's like?''
''The demon... it's smart, but still young. Unexperienced. I do not know how Angel is. He probably is trapped deep down in his own mind and body.'' Goddess said.
''Is he still even there? From what I've been told, the moment you took over Fred, her soul got destroyed. burned. What if the same thing happened to Angel's? What, what if we somehow save him and all we'll get is Angelus?'' Connor asked, that thought running through his mind the very first time.
Illyria hesitated before answering. ''I don't think so. Angel is simply posessed. He should be fine.'' She remembered the burns on his skin. ''Although the demon can't use the body much longer.''
''Why?''
''Vampire's body is a powerful vessel, but it is dead. It lacks certain... things. The process already started.'' She walked in circles in the living room.
''But Spike said it's not gonna happen. Something about the power being too small to detonate.'' Connor objected.
''Yes, I did think so. I, however, overlooked the demons own power. If it's strong enough, which it is, combined with mine its...'' She shook her head slowly, deep in thought.
''So what body is he going to use? I mean, human's isn't good enough, vampire's either. Then what, some other demon's?'' Connor scratched his chin. He really needed a shave.
''Demon being possessed by another is a possibility, but it's not ideal. He said he had a plan. The only body in this city being able to contain the power without subsequently self destroying itself is... yours.'' Illyria looked him in the eyes.
''Are you fucking kidding me?'' Connor took a step back.
''Your body is strong. You are one of a kind, there is no other vampire child in the world. Worlds. You are already powerful, boy, more powerful than you think and still have much to learn. Much more to reach your full potential.'' Illyria very slowly looked him over. ''He might not know that. That was known millions of years ago, I am one of the few alive left and they do not side with demons like him. If not you, then... Tell me, do you know whether there are slayers still alive within the city?''
Connor took over ten second to wrap his head around what Illyria just said to him before he responded. ''Uhm, yeah. Last I checked Amy and Faith were here.''
''Then we have to find them fast. Both of them.''
''Why?''
''He might've intented to possess your body, but now he won't get to you because of me.'' Illyria explained. ''It's more likely that he already chose his new body. If demon will control the slayer, he will be able to wield one of the few, if not only, weapon that can kill him. He had to chose a slayer.''
***B***B***
''I need to visit a hospital.'' Spike announced.
It was morning. They spent the night rather comfortable. Found a place that belonged to someone rich and stayed in it. House had no running water, no electricity but still had to offer them space.
''Again?'' Katie complained, while eating from a can.
''Afraid so.'' He said, lighting up a cigarette. ''It's not like I had the time to take some blood with me. You can find food for yourselves pretty much everywhere. Me? Not so much.''
''Where is the nearest hospital?'' Lorne asked. ''I could use some pain meds or something.'' His arm was still in a sling, didn't mean it hurt less.
''Should be few blocks away.''
''We need an emergency plan if we gonna separate.'' Amy spoke up. ''If you, or us, run into trouble, where do we meet?''
''Uhm... I have no idea.'' Vampire shrugged. ''But you're right we gotta set up some alternate meeting point or a way to communicate.''
''Any bright ideas?'' Katie asked. ''Oh, and let's not forget, we still have to find the rest.''
***B***B***
Faith was afraid to fall asleep. After she and Rain left Angel's old place, they walked through the city for maybe three hours, until Rain couldn't take it anymore and had to rest. Brunette was now sleeping on the bed, while slayer stared at her form. She didn't know what to make of it all. What did those dreams mean? Were they a one shot deal or would they haunt her again, the moment she let her eyes close and mind rest. She poured herself a glass of water and watched the sun disappear on the horizon. The deafening silence was one of the worst things that followed them everywhere. There was just nothing, except for the wind slowly moving through the streets, picking some lost papers and cans here and there, their sight reminding Faith of either horror movies or old westerns.
She sighed and left the window, her showing her face might not be the best thing right now. Whoever came after them before surely was looking for them now. She drank the water and set the glass on the table and sat down, considering the possibility of sleeping. It sounded really appealing, but could she go through another round of nightmares?
Faith...
Brunette immediately jumped to her feet, her hands withdrawing the daggers and eyes looking for any sings of a threat. Nothing. Despite not finding anything, Faith gripped the handle tighter and slowly moved through the place. She checked on Rain, the woman was still sleeping. No reason to wake her, not yet anyway. Slayer walked to the door and locked them, something she hadn't thought of doing before. With her back to the only exit, she went through every inch of the place and came with nothing. Freaky dreams weren't enough, now she was hearing this while being awake? Shaking her head and convincing herself that she had imagined it, Faith put her weapons away and went to the bedroom.
Faithy...
The goosebumps, the feeling of being watched, it all came to Faith within a second. Now she was absolutely certain she hadn't imagined anything. She heard a voice, a hiss, really. Saying her name. She had trouble swallowing, her throat had gone dry. Brunette couldn't point where did the voice come from, but it seemed distant. What the fuck was happennng? Her eyes scanned the room again and unsurprisingly, haven't found anything out of ordinary. Her eyes hardened and Faith gritted her teeth in anger. Something was fucking with her? She sat on the bed next to Rain and took out her blade. If any fucker wanted to have a go at her, she would be ready.
***B***B***
''I can't smell anything familiar.'' Spike said. ''We should probably start looking further from the hotel. Who knows where they could end up.''
Katie looked around absently.
She'd been bugging the others to go on a search since yesterday, but when Spike and Lorne came back after dark, they postponed it a day. First thing in the morning she was at it again. But until she threatened that she'd go alone if she had to, Spike agreed. All four of them should go, Lorne however was a little off from the meds he took. Amy stayed with him.
''If they wandered away or something kept them from staying near, there is a chance we'll never find them'' Blonde said quietly.
''Don't worry, luv. If everything fails, we'll send a smoke signal. Give it a day or two.''
She cocked her head. ''What do you mean, smoke signal?''
Spike smirked. ''Well, in case I haven't made myself clear, we'll blew up something to get the attention we need. There is a chance they'll check it out.''
''Are you crazy? You'll set dozens of demons on our ass.'' Katie said.
''Didn't say it was a safe option. But hey, let's keep looking. Shouldn't waste the day.''
''Yeah.'' She looked back the street. ''Yeah, okay. Where to now?''
''Uhm... the general direction they went to in the first place was east. We ran north. I doubt they'd circle the hotel, so I say we go east from here.'' Vampire said. ''And keep sticking to the shadows. We don't need to be more exposed than we are.''
''Do you really think they are okay?'' Katie asked when they resumed their search.
''Ah, I don't know. They bloody better be, cause I ain't saving the world by myself.'' Spike stopped and stood still. Katie tensed and waited, but he simply shook his head and continued walking. ''There were four of 'em, each able to take care of themself. Decent chance they're in one piece. Figuratively.''
''What?'' She looked at him sharply.
''Well, it is possible that one of them is missing something. Yunno, a finger...'' He trailed off.
''Very funny.'' Katie spat.
''C'mon.''
***B***B***
Ever since Gunn separated with Connor, he'd been looking for a way to contact Senior Partners. He's been to many of places once owned by Wolfram & Hart, but had nothing to go with, anyone that could help him was either dead or unavailable. As he searched through the city, he simultaneously searched through his mind. Looking for something that could help him. He could think of only one thing. Talk to the conduit. How, that was the question.
He was now near Wolfram & Hart offices. Why not check it out? Few minutes later he saw the building. Surprisingly, it looked actually decent. Gunn stared at the place once so full of life and unlife, now completely abandoned. He walked up the stairs and entered the downstairs lobby. He looked around the nearest area and headed to the staircase. Long way up. By the time he reached the desired floor, he was breathing a little heavier. Or would, if he'd been still a human. Now, this didn't look too good. Cracks in the walls, various desks, papers, chairs and everything that once stood in it's place was now on the floor, in more or less broken state. He tensed and quickly looked behind. Maybe the silence was playing tricks on him, he didn't know. What he just heard, was it only some wind getting inside through a broken window? Nevertheless, he slowed his movements, now he was nearly unhearable.
He rounded the corner and saw a woman, her back to him, looking at some research. Gunn immediately withdrew. Should he simply confront her? He risked another glance. The woman was gone. He could hear soft footsteps. Going away from him. He stood completely still until the sound ceased. Vampire walked to the place she was in and looked at the same papers. Those were just usual reports. Some sorcerer killed some other guy, one of their clients was in preparation for the trial...
He looked up just in time to see the woman sending a kick to his head. He landed on his back.
''Charles Gunn.'' She said, watching him get to his feet. ''We've been informed about you. But we did not knew you were a monster.''
''Who's we?'' They circled one another.
''Like you don't know. He's gonna be thrilled when He learns I captured you.''
''Again with the He?'' Gunn frowned.
Suddenly the woman was on him, giving him her best. Gunn had to admit, it was pretty damn good. He had trouble to parr most of her blows and had absolutely no time to reach for his axe, safely strapped to his back. His fist sneaked past her arms and her head snapped back at the force of the impact, but it didn't seem to daze her as he hoped it would. Instead, she grabbed both of his arms and kicked straight in the groin. He instictively curled in pain, a fact she used when her knee connected with his face. Then she kicked his feet from under him. Gunn landed heavily on the floor. She immediately straddled him, one leg on his arm rendering it incapable of moving. He tried to punch her with the other one. Woman blocked it and pinned to the ground. With one hand still free, she reapetedly punched Gunn in the face, force of the blows like bricks. Using the last of his strength he freed his arms, grabbed her by the shoulders and headbutted twice, the blood gushing from her nose. Using his bodyweight as an advantage, he elbowed her face, while switching their positions. She was now on the bottom. When he was busy simply destroying her face, she curled her legs and struck out, getting him straight in the stomach. Gunn felt like he was kicked by a horse, as he flew over ten feet away and crashed through some glass. A piece of it pierced his thigh.
He took the axe off his back, but before he could bring it down, she already slammed into him, tearing it away. Vampire pushed her away and waited for the woman to attack again. As she did, Gunn avoided the blow and let her go with the momentum she created. Whe she nearly passed him, he grabbed her wrist, kicked the back of her knees so she would land on them and grabbing her by the hair, slammed her face into the concrete wall. He did it few times, before finally letting go of the body. She fell to the ground, dead. Her face was broken, crushed and bloody. Gunn hissed in pain and went to retrieve his axe. As he did, he heard another pair of footsteps, approaching him. If there was another one around, he probably had no chance in killing him in the open fight. The chick nearly beat him. He hobbled over and crouched behind a desk, pain twisitng his features.
There was a gasp when someone entered the room, now crashed more than ever. Steps turned into trotting and as he was passing the desk, Gunn had his axe ready. He jumped from his hiding place, his axe aimed at the man's knee. It nearly cut it completely off. Man yelled in pain and fell face first into the ground. Gunn hopped around him and brought the axe down, spliting the man's head in two.
Gunn grunted and took the glass piece out of his leg. He held the axe ready and limped to his old office.
***B***B***
''Haven't slept a bit, have you?'' Rain asked.
''Why would you say that?'' Faith asked back. She hadn't. Nothing more happened through the night, but she was on alert all the time. Simply couldn't bring herself to close her eyes for more than few seconds at a time.
''I can tell. Why? What's wrong?''
''I think it'll happen again if I fall asleep. The dreams.'' Faith murmured. There was no need to say she's been hearing some freaky voices while awake.
Rain moved off the bed. ''You'll have to rest eventually. Just delayin' the inevatible.''
''Easy for you to say. You're not the one with ten pounds of crazy.'' Slayer snapped.
''Ain't no more crazy than all of us, girl.'' She said. ''You can put that blade down.'' Brunette said on her way to the kitchen.
Faith looked down on her hand. It felt numb. She made herself let go of it.
Rain came back. ''So, what do we do today?''
''Your stomach, how you feel?'' Slayer asked.
''Better than yesterday. Way better than before. Two or so days and I'll be like new.'' Woman said. ''What do we do?''
Faith sighed. ''What can we do? Just... search.''
''That's fucking pointless. They can be anywhere in the city.'' Rain groaned.
''You got a better plan?''
Rain opened her mouth, then closed it. ''That's what I thought. C'mon, let's eat something.''
***B***B***
''Something's here.'' Connor whispered.
Illyria looked at him questioningly. ''What?''
Boy shrugged. Goddess silently moved forward. They were on the move pretty much all day. Illyria needed little rest. Connor concentrated. He couldn't hear anything except Illyria. But... There. At last moment, Connor whirled around, took his sword out and swinged. And older woman, who was about to attack him, now had her head rolling on the floor. Illyria just cocked her head at the sight, something he realized she did a lot and was now used to. He put down the sword. Still, something was off. That wasn't the threat he sensed... His eyes widened when Fred's body in a flash was by his side, pushing him away. He was on his way to the ground and saw a man, with yellow or orange eyes, colliding with Illyria. The very same spot he was just standing in. Connor got up and had time to look at the man, briefly. Human, very sharp nails and teeth, was trying to scratch or bite Illyria, who was doing her best to avoid it. Boy grabbed his sword and Illyria used the opening she got. She kicked the man, hard enough to send him flying to the wall. Connor got to him and stabbed him in the gut. Man snarled and took the sword out, without hurt.
''What the hell?'' Connor glanced at Illyria and backed away.
''The head. Don't let it harm you.'' She just said.
Man threw the sword at Connor, who barely avoided it. Illyria ran to the car and ripped the door off. Using it as a shield, she approached the man and began to beat him with it. Each hit was hard, yet he seemed not to bother. A fact that left Connor alarmed. The only good thing it did, was Illyria keeping him at bay, as he couldn't pass the door she was swinging at him. That gave Connor time to think. Head, head, the easiest way would be to cut it off, but to do this he needed to get close which was apparently a bad thing. Ugh, why didn't he take any gun with him?
Man, or a demon, broke the glass in the door and was currently reaching through it, trying to get Illyria. She dropped it to the ground and broke his, still reaching through, arm. Connor was about to go into the fray and improvise, but Illyria simply pushed him back. Demon swung his good arm at her and Illyria grabbed his wrist. Her other hand shot forward like a rocket and right into the man's face, literally going through. Illyria retracted her fist, man fell down, now dead. She looked at her bloody hand, apparently disgusted.
Connor stared at her work. ''So, you mind telling me what was that?''
''I had thought they were extinct by now.'' She mused.
''What are you talking about?''
''We shall find some shelter.'' She said. ''I must clean myself.''
Few minutes later, Connor stared at Illyria as she washed her hands.
''That demon... We never had a proper name for it.'' She eventually began. ''They weren't many of them, even in my time.''
''Okay. What's so special 'bout them?''
''Their claws, teeth, blood. If they harm you, if their blood get's into your system, you're dead.'' She said. ''No matter how strong or powerful you are, you will succumb.''
''Even you?''
''Yes. That is why I believed they were long dead by now. That is why we have to be more careful. This place got really dangerous.'' Illyria observed.
''Are you saying that... that we could kill Angel with that thing?'' Connor asked.
She turned to him. ''Supposedly, yes. I thought you did not want to kill your father.''
He sighed. ''I don't know anymore. I don't know anything anymore.''
***B***B***
Faith slowly led the way. All the time, she had a feeling of being watched. By what? She had no idea. From where? She had no idea. Was she really being watched? She had no fucking idea.
She shook the feeling off.
''Wait here.'' She murmured to Rain, who was few steps behind.
''What? Where you goin'?''
Faith took off to her right. Other brunette followed her with her eyes.
''You've gotta be kidding me...'' She shook her head and went after Faith.
Liqour Store.
She opened the door just in time to see Faith take a swing from some bottle of unnamed alcohol.
''The fuck you're doing?''
Slayer had the bottle to her lips for few more seconds before finally setting it down. A considerable amount of once full bottle was gone. ''What does it look like?'' She chugged down on it again and went to look for cigarettes.
''Like you're about to get hammered.'' Rain observed. ''Leave that be. What's wrong with you?''
Faith lit up the cigarette using a cheap lighter she pulled from behind the lad. ''Oh, nothin'. All's good.''
Rain took the bottle away from Faith's reach as she tried to get it again. ''Stop this shit.''
Faith raised her eyebrows, shrugged and grabbed another bottle. ''How you gonna stop me?''
Rain breathed heavily. ''Stop drinking this crap. Now.''
Slayer smiled and drank again. If she kept it up, it's gonna be another few minutes to get drunk. She swallowed and swallowed until she couldn't anymore and set the bottle down. Faith gasped and choked. Even for her, this was hard stuff. She looked up at Rain, already feeling warm enough and saw a shadow pass behind her.
Immediately, or as quick as she could anyway, Faith grabbed her daggers. Rain, panicked, took a step back and raised her gun. ''The fuck?''
''Som'thin is behind ya.'' Faith slurred a little. Huh, together she drank almost a whole bottle.
Rain looked around the store, not seeing anything. ''Uhh, you sure? 'Cuz maybe you've drank your stupid ass and now see things.''
Faith, instead of answering, crouched and picked her cigarette up, bringing it to her lips. ''Yeah, maybe you're right.'' Ugh, she was drinking. The fuck is she doing?
Rain lowered her gun. ''Don't make me slap you to sober land. Go to the back, splash some water on ya. And don't fucking drink anything else.''
Faith put out her smoke and went there, rocking from side to side a little. She found a small bathroom and did as she was told. She knew that her head will feel woozy for few hours. She straightened, the cold water now running down her face making her a litle more calm. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and blinked. The thing was... it was standing in not quite the same position she was.
''What the...'' she whispered, but her lips in the mirror did not move. Faith's eyes widened. It smirked.
Slayer fumbled, looking for a door handle. She got it and stumbled out of the bathroom.
''Time is running out.'' Her reflection said, just as she slammed the door shut.
***B***B***
''Seriously, that was like... like the best day of my life.'' Katie said.
She was with Lorne. His arm seemed healed enough, capable of moving without hurt.
''Wait a minute, sugarcube... I thought you were the one who fought for her attention.'' Lorne observed. ''Simple 'love you' shouldn't be a problem, don't you think?''
Blonde smiled. ''Yeah, well... it was. Believe me, it was. Once I said it, however, that's a whole different story.''
''What about your parents?''
The smile fell. ''Uh, that's... didn't turn out too great.''
''Sorry.''
''My parents, they dropped in on us one day. They had no idea I was in a relationship, much less with a woman.'' Katie scratched her hand. The cut on her palm was still visible and stung. ''They were kinda religious, bible-freaks you could say. It was a hell of a fight. You know, among the lines of 'we raised you different, it's unnatural, it's a sin' bullshit. I told them it's my choice and I love her.''
''They eventually accepted?'' Lorne asked.
''Uhm, no, not really. They told me to either leave with them or never see them again. I shut the door in their faces.'' Woman recoiled. ''Rain's folks, we never got around to that.''
''It's all gonna turn alright. Believe me.'' He said. ''Unless, of course they lived here...''
''Oh, no. No, they're in... Actually, I don't really remember. Another state, though.''
Lorne nodded his head and leaned back on the couch. They were in a living room of their temporary shelter. Spike and Amy were off somewhere. ''We'll find her, you know. All of them.''
''I hope so.'' Katie murmured. ''I'll never forgive myself if... No, she's still here. I can feel it.''
***B***B***
''Do you actually think we can do something?'' Amy asked. ''I mean, really. We're bugs.''
She and Spike were going over a map of Los Angeles that Spike picked up from some store on his patrol. He crossed out another part of it with a red marker. ''Sometimes bugs can really mess up with some grand scenarios.'' He mused. ''Okay, so I marked the blocks we already went through, but will it even be useful? Hell, they can be walking there right now.''
''It'll help. Some.'' Slayer said. ''You do realize we can't search forever. I'm far from saying it's too late, but we have to look at the bigger picture here.''
''Some bloke said to me once that I can't ever see the big picture.'' Vampire replied. ''Tomorrow, we should check these streets.'' He pointed to each at the map. ''If we come up with nothing, it'll be the time to send the smoke signal.''
''Smoke signal?''
''Yup. Smoke signal.''
''And what exactly is that? Please tell me it's something that doesn't require getting everything's attention in few mile radius and leading it straight to us?'' Amy asked.
Spike rolled up the map. ''Okay. It's not.''
''Somehow, you haven't made me feel better.'' Woman said and went to join Lorne and Katie.
Vampire walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bag of blood. It was getting harder to get more and to keep it drinkable. Who would've thought that in Los Angeles would be hard to get some blood? Definitely not him. Like, ever. He drank what he had and looked around. He hadn't really paid much attention to his surroundings, except when he was searching for any threats. A picture of family of three was pinned to the wall. Husband, wife and a kid. Probably dead now.
He shook his head and went to the living room. He leaned against the doorframe. ''Any ideas for the evening?''
***B***B***
Rain watched Faith. Slayer refused to lay down and go to sleep. ''It's for your own good.'' She tried to convince Faith, over and over again. ''You won't do anything if you're barely on your legs.''
''I'm a slayer.'' Faith argued, her voice heavy and tired. The liqour she drank earlier didn't do her any good. ''I can handle it.''
''Handle it?'' Rain raised her eyebrow. ''You're lyin' and we both know it. Don't make me make you sleep.''
''Yeah, I'd like to see that one.'' Faith murmured. ''I've stayed awake for longer.'' She said and Rain wasn't sure whether she tried to convince herself or her.
Rain looked at her options. She could either leave Faith be, hoping that maybe she'd fall asleep on her own, or put her out somehow. Just which option was better? If she did the second and something would happen to Faith, well... One pissed off awake slayer on her ass. Sighing, she laid down. Her choice.
Faith stared at Rain's form for the past hour. She was definitely asleep. Her own dreamland was in reach, calling to her, yet she refused to succumb. Each moment felt like eternity. Keeping her head up cost Faith more than she could ever think. She eventually let her head fall down, chin touching her chest for few moments. Feeling sleep coming towards her, Faith shook herself awake and went to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to be somewhat awake. She made herself look at the mirror, but this time her reflection behaved normally. She breathed in relief and went back to Rain. Just a she sat down, something clicked in her mind. Everything was in it's place... except Rain. The bed was empty. Where the hell did she go? Faith looked around. Door closed before, now slightly open.
She slowly went there and pushed the door open. Brunette was sitting in the dark, her back to Faith.
''Rain?'' Faith slowly said. ''What... what are you doing?''
Brunette stood up and turned on the lights. It's brightness momentarily blinded Faith, she raised her hand to cast a shadow on her eyes. As slayer's eyes became accustomed to the light, figure turned to her.
Faith let her hand fall numbly to the side. She was staring at herself. Only... younger. Darker. Deadlier.
''Miss me?'' Her younger self asked.
''It's a dream.'' Faith stated.
''Well, duh.'' Her, what should she call her, doppleganger?
''What's goin' on?'' She asked, safely keeping the distance between them. ''Some kind of test? Just messing with my mind for fun?''
Darker Faith studied her. ''Neither. I'm trying to help you, you dumbass.''
Faith snorted. ''Help me, really? How? By making me go crazy? Rain's almost ready to sent me off to loonatics.''
''No, she won't do this.'' She dismissed it. ''Because she has expectations. For you. To lead her to the blonde. To somehow magically save the day and keep everyone alive.''
''It's my job.''
''No, it's not our job.''
Faith blinked. ''What do you mean?''
''You see, it is impossible. We can't save everyone.'' Young Faith said. ''We do what we have to do. Damn the consequences.''
''We can't do that!'' Faith argued. ''We can't kill Angel. Not after what he's done for me. He is the only person I can trust.''
''Really? In case you've forgotten I'm you.'' Doppleganger said. ''What did he do? Granted he saved us, once. You've repaid the favor. So what is it that do we owe him?''
Faith was silent.
''You see? Nothing. He sent you to Sunnydale and left. He wasn't there to help you. How many times since, we've been in tough situations? Thinking 'bout slipping back to the old habits?''
''He's done enough. I can count on him.'' Faith said. ''He can count on me.''
She laughed and walked to her left, Faith moved to her right and they began to walk in circles.
''He can count on you? That is why he told you what was going on before he left all this mess for someone to clean up? Face it, he destroyed the world. Or is about to, anyway.'' She shrugged. ''Where is he now? Can he help you? No, no he can't. Because he is the very thing you have to fight. That alone proves that the only one I can count on is me!''
''Even if... There are still people who count on me.'' Faith said, her voice breaking at the end.
''Great. Who? Rain? She is only with you, 'cuz she wants you to lead her to her lover. Once you've done it, well... you've done it.'' Younger Faith stood still. ''Spike, Connor... they all have their own agendas, their own reasons. Their own fights. To them you might as well be a bystander.''
''That's not true.''
''Whatever.''
''Buffy believes in me.'' Faith whispered.
''Oh, let's talk about B. The great slayer Buffy. Too occupied in Italy with her new dead boyfriend to lend a hand in saving the world.''
''She is here.''
''Where?'' Dark Faith made a show of looking around. ''I can't see her. You do know that no matter what you do, what miracles you pull off... they'll never see you as her equal?''
''So?''
''So what is the damn point? We don't have to compete with her. Not every slayer sacrificed everything to save her loved ones. Sometimes they just had to... let go.'' She said.
''You want me to kill Angel? That's not what B would-''
''Yes, she would!'' Young Faith screamed, losing her temper. ''She's done that already. Remember, Angel's trip to hell for a hundred years?''
''But she-'' Faith was again cut off, by herself.
''Stop doing that!'' She yelled. ''Stop comparing herself to her! Stop trying to play the good girl like her! When will you get that I can't be what other people want me to be? What SHE wants me to be. It's not in me. It won't change anything. I won't play the good, little behaving slayer. It won't make me good. It will make me... false.''
''What the fuck do you want from me?'' Faith couldn't stand to hear it anymore, mostly because the words were too true, too close to home. She felt as her legs couldn't support her and she let herself fall down. She stared at the floor.
''What I want from you... is to gather herself. Face the demons on your way. Kill them like you're meant to. Do your fucking job.'' She looked at Faith's broken form. She shook her head and kneeled in front of her. ''Look at me.'' She said softly. Faith did that, staring in the pair of identical eyes. ''Let me go. Out. I can find that damn axe and then... then it'll be all over. We will take the battle to him. Believe it or not... that is what Angel would want. He'd sacrifice his live for the planet.''
''Illyria.''
Young Faith withdrew. ''What 'bout her?''
''She dies, so does that power. We have to find The Scythe and kill her.''
''No. No, you hear me? No.''
''Why? That is the perfect solution.'' Faith stood up. ''Now, wake up.'' She said just as her darker self opened her mouth.
Faith jumped awake. It was morning. She was sitting in the chair, next to the bed. Her gaze landed on Rain. Woman was still sleeping. Slayer shook her awake.
''What?'' she mumbled.
''Get up. We have to find Katie.''
''It's morning already?'' Rain complained, but slowly rose from the bed.
Faith walked to the kitchen and looked out through the window on deserted streets. She had to find The Scythe. No way in doing that with Rain following her, so she had to find the rest first. Then...
Go on her own path.
***B***B***
I know some of this might not make total sense yet, but trust me, it will.