Disclaimer: All Buffy and Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: As promised, the next piece. This is a game changer, basically sets up the rest of the story.
Chapter Sixteen: Savin' Me
Quiet. Nowadays it was always quiet. No dogs, no cats, no birds. No people. Well, unless you counted the demons, zombies and whatever else stalked Los Angeles now. Spike heaved a bag full of food over his shoulder. Scavenging is the way to go.
''Anything?'' He called to Connor, who was on the other side of the store.
After their fight with Faith, the whole group squatted few dozen blocks over. They didn't pass anything hostile on their way, so it seemed safe enough. Once there, they secured Faith and attended to basically everyone, using the first aid kit from the house. Unfortunately it run out, so he and Connor, who declared himself fit enough, went on a quick supply run.
''We should be good.'' Boy called back. ''There is a pharmacy two streets over. We should check it out.''
He appeared with a similar bag.
''And you know this how?'' Vampire asked as they left the store.
''Been there before.'' Was the only answet he got.
''Don't happen to know if there is a hospital over the corner, huh?''
''Pharmacy's a part of a clinic.'' Connor said and turned left. He was right, there it was.
First thing they did was grab the necessary supplies, bandages and the like.
''Doesn't drinking human blood make you want to kill us all?'' He asked when Spike searched.
''Not really.'' Man shrugged. ''I mean sure, you might look... tastier, but I can control myself. Also, human blood makes you a little stronger. That's a good thing right now.'' He grabbed a bag and drank. ''And I reckon, don't have a whole lot to say in the manner. Animal blood is not on the table anymore.''
''How long can you go without blood?''
''Why do you ask?''
''Because I don't think you can take it with you. The place we are in has no electricity. Fridge is useless.'' Connor commented.
Spike sighed. ''Story of my life.''
Couple of minutes later, they were walking back to the hideout. ''So what do you think was it?'' At Spike's confused look, he continued. ''Faith coming back with The Scythe, trying to kill Illyria while kicking all of our assess? I mean come on, I can hold her off for few minutes, maybe, but this time she literally wiped the floor with me in thirty seconds. On top of that, Rain woke up and she is the only one that can even hold the damn thing. And I'm not even saying that she looks and smells kind of different.''
''We were aware that the medicine we gave her could make her a little different.'' Spike slowly said, as in picking his words carefully. ''That bloody axe, there is definitely something wrong with it. No one should hold it.''
Ten minutes later, they arrived at their destiny.
Spike opened the door to their place and found himself facing a crossbow. ''Whoa!''
Amy lowered her weapon. ''Just a little cautious.''
''Yeah, I can see that.'' They went in. Rain was sitting on a couch, staring at unconscious form of her lover. The Scythe was laying on a table. Lorne was in the kitchen, from where he had a view on Illyria, who was in the other room. Faith, occupied the last bed, lying flat on her back, tied up.
''No change?'' Connor asked. Amy shook her head. He and Spike set their bags down. ''So what now? We just wait until she wakes up?''
''I don't think we have other options.'' Spike looked at them. ''I mean, our whole plan was based on finding this thing.'' He indicated the axe. ''Well, we don't know how Faith found it or what set her off. Safe to assume, something ain't right.''
''Where did you see her last? At the gas station?'' Amy asked.
''Yeah, I took Rain while Faith held them off.'' Spike said.
''With Anthis.'' Rain spoke for the first time. ''Where is she now?''
''Considering the state Faith was in, she's either dead or in hiding.'' Boy speculated.
''That is just... awesome.'' Spike ran his hand through his hair. ''What's the deal with Lorne? Anyone tried to talk to him?'' He asked, lowering his voice.
''Yeah, he just blew me off.'' Amy answered. ''And no clue.''
''So... we wait.''
Two hours later Katherine opened her eyes. ''What the hell happened?'' She croaked.
Rain rushed to her side. ''Hey, are you okay?''
Katie stared at her, completely silent. She slowly reached out and touched Rain's cheek. When she was sure it was real, she threw her arms around her, hugging her close. Connor and Spike exchanged looks and left the women alone.
''So, at least one of them woke up.'' He said.
''Yeah...'' Connor trailed off. Another twenty minutes passed on meaningless conversation between them.
''You think they're ready to talk?'' Boy asked.
Spike considered this. ''Let's give them few more minutes.''
Back in the room they left, two lovers sat in an embrace. ''I was so scared... when we were attacked after you guys left. These days without knowing whether you were okay or...'' Katie shook her head. ''And then, when Illyria showed up here with you, all beaten up, I...'' Rain kissed her temple. ''This will never happen again. I promise.'' She whispered against blonde's hair.
''I-I know you have every right to be mad at me...'' Katie began.
''Huh? Why would I be mad?''
''The way I treated you after... after you shot April.''
''You-'' She was cut off by Katie.
''Let me say it.'' Rain nodded. ''We were attacked by humans. I mean, those were demons, but we didn't know that then. And I killed them. I did whatever I had to... I needed to see you again. I needed to stay alive to speak to you again. To tell you that I love you. I understand why you did it, to keep us safe. To protect us.'' Katie shifted her head to look Rain in the eyes. ''And now, I would've done the same. No matter what happens to us, what we will have to do... I will never let you go.'' She quietly ended her small speech.
Rain slowly closed the distance between them.
Spike peeked inside. He watched for few seconds before closing the door. ''They're busy.''
''Oh.''
''Not like that.'' Spike said. ''Yet.''
The night came, the only light present was the slight glow of the barrier. The amount falling through the windows was just enough to make it possible to see. Just before midnight, Faith woke up. She opened her eyes to the darkness around her. She didn't recognize anything. The second thing she realized was that she couldn't move. Her hands and legs were tied up. She tried to remember. Hostile? Oh, no...
''Hello?'' She called out softly. ''Anyone?'' She heard a commotion and a figure stood in the doorway.
''On a scale of one to ten, how pissed off and homicidal are you?'' Spike asked.
She let the air leave her lungs, somewhat relieved. ''I will be if you won't let me go.''
Spike, along with the rest of the gang, surrounded the bed she was laying on, but none moved to free her.
''Come on guys, I'm back to normal. Whatever that was it wore off.''
Spike exchanged looks with Connor. Younger one left and came back few seconds later with a knife that he passed on to Spike.
''Now luv, no sudden movements.'' With that he cut through the ropes. Faith slowly massaged her wrists.
''It wasn't just some thing that possessed you.'' Amy said. ''It was-''
''The Scythe, wasn't it?'' Faith interrupted. She banged her head against the wall resignedly. ''I'm sorry.'' She offered.
''Wasn't your fault pet.'' Spike sat down. ''But we need to know how did you find it.''
''I didn't. It was her. Anthis. She found it and she was looking for me when she got in the middle of that fight.'' Slayer said.
''Is she still alive?'' Connor asked.
''Yeah. She noticed something was off about me, so when we saw Amy, she gave me the slip. She's probably out there right now, spying on us.''
''Do you have any idea what happened to it?'' Katie asked. ''Why it made you so angry?''
''And strong.'' Connor added. ''Fast.''
''And why no one except you can hold the damn thing.'' Rain spoke. ''And me.'' She finished darkly.
Faith let it all sink in. ''No. All I know is that I felt powerful. Different than the last time I had it. Back in the Hellmouth.'' She looked at Spike. ''And I had this clear thought in my head. Kill Illyria. Nothing else mattered, just killing her. So I could stop Angel. That's what I've been telling myself, at least.''
''You're a bit late there. Illyria no longer has her powers. Angel took them. She's human.'' Spike said and looked to the other room. ''And after what you did to her, she's still out.''
Faith looked at Rain. ''You said you can hold it.'' She began. ''Does it... does it make you feel different? Out of control?'' Slayer asked quietly, almost shyly.
Rain leaned back and shook her head. ''No. Truth to be told, I don't feel anything. It's just a piece of metal, as far as I can tell.''
''What makes you special?'' Faith wondered. ''Why can you hold it, but not feel the effects like me? And how the hell did you stand your ground against me? I remember that fight.''
''We don't know.'' Amy offered. ''Whatever it was that Anthis gave to Spike, it worked.''
Everyone looked at the girl in question. Katie squeezed her hand reassuringly.
''So...'' Faith broke the silence that overcame them. ''Is there anything to eat here?''
''Yeah, come on.''
They all got up and only then Faith realized something. ''Hey guys, where is Lorne?''
''Sleeping. We think something is off with his mojo. Another thing that just waits to blow in our faces.'' Spike said.
After Faith ate, another uncomfortable silence sweeped over them. ''Do we have any kind of a plan?'' She eventually asked.
She received no response.
***B***B***
''How much longer?''
''A day, maybe two.'' Danar asnwered. ''This place is starting to get unstable, I can already feel it.''
Gunn nodded his head. ''Isn't this what you said last time?'' He asked, absently.
''Something on your mind?'' Demon asked.
''It's just...'' He licked his lips. ''None of this makes any sense. I don't care what Wesley says.''
''Explain.''
''This whole deal with the barrier. It appeared after doing things that were supposed to prevent Adrian from even coming here. Now he's trapped, but he can still call on resources? The way to stop it is to kill the summoner, who oh so conveniently sealed a spell to destroy the barrier in Adrian of all people. Is this only bothering me?'' Gunn said. ''I mean why couldn't he do it in any other demon? And the best of all, he has The Scythe. How did he get it? The slayers are outside, with no way in. The only one who could have it is Buffy and she's there. Meaning she got here too late and the barrier was already up. If nothing gets in or out, how the hell did he get it?''
Danar stood quietly. ''I don't know, vampire.''
''This isn't right. Something else is going on here.''
''Like what?''
''I don't know yet. But I will figure it out.''
***B***B***
It was near dawn that Anthis finally felt safe enough. She watched the group for the whole night, even dispatching a lone zombie. Judging from their behaviour the slayer was fine. She was perched on the roof across the street, looking three stories down to their windows. No movement for the past hour pretty much indicated that they were all asleep.
''You know...'' A voice said behind her. She jumped in surprise, yet immediately whirled around and aimed her bow at the intruder. Connor.
''Spying on people is not gonna win you any points with us.'' He finished.
''I'm not spying. Guarding.'' She said, lowering her bow.
''Since when? After you took Faith to The Scythe, which by the way, turned her into a raging murderous psychopath capable of killing us all?'' He asked.
Anthis lowered her head. ''I didn't know that then. By the time I figured it out, it was too late to do anything. Had to save myself.''
Connor walked to her and stood by her side, looking down onto the streets. ''How am I supposed to trust you?''
A ghost of a smile crossed Anthis' lips. ''Because I could've killed about half-dozen times by now and yet for some reason, I didn't.''
''How'd you find it?''
''I looked.'' She smirked. ''And believe it or not, I am capable of doing that.''
''Yeah, I bet.'' Connor watched as the world began to slowly light up. ''So do you know what's wrong?''
''No.''
''That's it? Just no?'' He turned his attention to her.
''What did you expect to hear?'' She looked him in the eye.
''I don't know. Something.''
''Fine. Angel did something to the axe, that made Faith reckless and dangerous. Don't know how or why.''
''Yeah, we pretty much gathered that on our own.'' Connor sighed. ''What are you even doing here?''
''What do you mean?'' She asked.
''I mean why are you out here on the roof instead of in there with the rest of us? It's not like we will hurt you.''
She sent him a look. ''We won't. I promise. Now come on, we could use some help.''
Anthis followed him reluctantly. She needed allies.
While the two of them were leaving the roof, in the apartment across the street another pair of people were engrossed in a conversation.
''What's bugging you?'' Spike asked quietly. ''You've been sitting with this look on your face for the past hour.''
''It's just... everything you and the kid told me.'' Faith answered just as quietly. ''How the demon possessing Angel wants to skip bodies and I'm his prime candidate.''
''What about it?'' He said warily.
''I think we should do it.'' Faith met Spike's gaze. A look of determination in her eyes.
''You're jerking me around, aren't you?'' Her resolve didn't crumble. ''Bollocks. Why would you think that this is a good idea? Everything says it's a wrong plan.''
''Maybe that's why.'' Faith whispered. ''Look, you said it yourself. Illyria is basically uselesss to us now. She can't fight him. If what you've told me is true, then she was capable of wiping us out and yet he beat her down. How do you think we're gonna fair against him?''
''To be brutally honest I've thought about that. Couldn't find a scenario that didn't end with our deaths.'' Spike confessed. ''But you still haven't told me how the switching bodies thing works in our favor. Way I see it, he jumps into a slayer, who's stronger than me and the kid, while we get Angel and no offense to the big guy, but that ain't exactly a fair trade.''
''Unless he doesn't.'' Brunette licked her lips. ''What if I beat him?''
''How? You just said he's stronger. There's no...'' He trailed off, a realization crossing his features.
''The Scythe.'' Faith breathed out. ''If I take it, if I focus my rage on him, it might work.''
''Are you kidding?'' Spike leaned forward. ''Do I need to remind you what happened the first time you grabbed it? Nearly wiped us out.''
''That's exactly my point.'' Faith said in a hushed, insistent voice. ''I was stronger. Faster. If I had you in my corner in that fight, we might kill the bastard.''
''I thought you didn't want to waste Angel?''
''Yeah, that's the problem. We'd have to find a way to extract him from Angel's body.'' She explained. ''Then I'd kill him.''
''Let's say it works. What would stop you from killing us all next?''
''You. You'd have to make sure I was neutralized.'' Faith swallowed. ''If you couldn't stop me, non-violently...''
Spike stared at her. ''Worst case scenario, you're asking me to kill you.'' He clarified. She nodded. ''You really are going to sacrifice everything for him. Why?''
''Wouldn't you, for B?''
''That's not the point. Me and Buffy are not the same as you and Angel.'' He said.
''He is the only person in my life that's always been there for me when I needed him. He is family.'' Faith murmured. ''And in the end, you are family too. You'll have to take care of him when I'm gone.''
''You've already made your decision.'' Vampire realized. ''Bloody hell... Why telling me all of this? Connor is the bloke's son. He is family way more than me.''
''Because I don't know whether or not he'd go along with it. He plays tough guy, but deep down he's just like his old man. He doesn't want to see anyone he cares about get hurt. If I had you on my side before talking to him...''
''We'd be more likely to persuade him. I get it.'' Spike finished for her. ''This is insane. Even by our standards.'' He shook his head. ''Buffy would never go for it. Sacrifice one to save another. She'd find a way to get you both safe.''
''She's not here.'' Faith said. ''And we both know it wouldn't have worked. When it came down to it, she wouldn't be able to choose. And we'd all loose, everything.''
''What you're saying is, we're killers, that's why we can save the world?'' Spike asked, with a raised eyebrow.
''More or less.'' Faith shrugged. ''We walk the line while B stands safely five feet from the edge. In most cases that is a good thing. Right now, not so much.''
''You're forgetting something.'' Spike pointed out. ''Whatever it is wrong with The Scythe, I can bet my soul that Angel had something to do with it. Why in the world do you think that taking it to him will help you? For all we know it was his plan for you to get to it. He must have an ace hidden up his sleeve. And when he pulls it out, we're screwed.''
''Oh, I'm pretty sure it's all of his plan.'' Faith said. ''I had a slayer dream with B starring in it and sadly, it wasn't the sexy type. She told me there is something wrong with the damn thing.'' She indicated the weapon. ''Told me to find it, like ASAP. After that I've... I've been having these dreams... hallucinations.''
''Huh?''
''Let's just say that they were telling me to find it too. While undermining any relations I had to something good. Angel wanted me weak. Alone. He wanted me to find him. I didn't know why.'' Slayer said. ''Now I do. The way we were hiding, he wouldn't have found us in weeks. His time is running out, he needed me to come to him.''
Spike scratched his neck. ''That is precisely what you want to do. And these... hallucinations, do they still come? Do you even know if they come?''
''You're asking me if a crazy person knows that he is crazy?'' Faith chuckled. ''No. Haven't felt different or seen anything out of ordinary since I've found it.''
''So what? You, me and Connor?''
''I wish.'' Faith sighed. ''You were right about one thing. I can't be trusted with The Scythe for too long. Someone will have to carry it for me until we find him.''
''Rain.'' Spike said. ''You do know there is no way her counterpart will let her out of sight?''
''Yeah. Leaving Lorne and Amy here, considering that she will want to come, is stupid.'' Slayer noticed. ''We're all going.'' She decided.
''Whoa, hold your horses.'' Vampire interrupted. ''We haven't even convinced Connor and you're talking about getting the whole team on it?''
''Convince me to what?''
They raised her heads to see Connor in the doorway. ''Come on, sit down. We gotta talk.'' Faith said.
''I've got someone with me.'' He announced and walked in. Anthis took his place. She looked around the room slowly, before setting her eyes on Faith.
''Well, that was unexpected. Where'd you find her?'' Spike asked.
''Like Faith said. Across the street, spying on us.''
''I was not spying.'' Anthis denied. ''Merely watching.''
''Okay, before we go any further, what was that stuff you gave me?''
''Did it work?''
''Bloody did. Except that now she is... odd.'' Spike said.
''There were certain risks, but...''
''Any lasting damage?''
''No.'' Demon said. ''The effects will wear off. She will go back to being a normal human.''
''How soon?'' Faith asked.
''A month. Maybe less. The strength and agility will start to fade with each passing day.''
''So what was it that you needed to tell me?'' Connor looked between Faith and Spike.
They told him.
''You guys are not serious. Right?''
''Actually, we are.'' Faith said.
Connor looked at Anthis. ''Please tell them this is not gonna work.''
Demon licked her lips. ''It might.''
''What?''
''This plan is extremely risky, but it is also the only one we have.'' Anthis said. ''Honestly, I don't see any other way out of this mess we found ourselves in. A-Angel has to be stopped.'' She almost said Adrian. ''I will go with you.''
''Our plan is to go on a suicidal run?'' Connor asked.
''You know, it's actually starting to make a little sense.'' Spike noticed. ''Faith will be super-charged. Then there is me and you, her and Amy. We can also add Rain into the mix. She's enhanced too. Six against one.''
''When do we want to do it?'' Anthis asked.
''Tonight.'' Faith decided. ''There is no point in waiting.''
''Do we plan on having any kind of strategy? 'Cuz the last one sucked.'' Spike said. ''Like it or not, it all comes down to whether or not we're able to get that demon out of Angel.''
''We won't have to.'' Anthis pointed out. ''He'll come out himself.''
''Huh? Why?'' Faith asked.
''In order to jump into another host, he has to let go of the previous one. If you are able to break the connection while he's in-between the two of you, he will be thrown out, as he won't be in yours nor in Angel's body.'' She explained.
''I thought that Illyria said he can't manifest.'' Spike remembered
''That's not a manifestation. He will be thrown out. Forcefully. It will hurt him.'' Anthis emphasised.
''How do I cut the link?'' Faith asked.
''I don't know. I don't know how he wants to get inside your body. But you can't let him in.'' Demon said.
''Are you up to it?'' Connor asked, worriedly.
They all looked at Faith.
''Let's hit the sheets, huh?'' She said instead. ''Big night coming up, we gotta rest.''
***B***B***
Voices woke her up. Conversation or arguing? A bit of both, probably. Faith got up, running a hand through her hair. Judging from the light, it was afternoon. At least this time she had a dreamless sleep. She went to the living room, where everyone was gathered.
''So what did you guys decide?''
They all looked at her and fell silent.
''We're going. Just not quite sure what to do with the injured.'' Spike said and looked at Illyria. She held an arm around her stomach protectively, her face was bruised with a swollen nose.
''Uhm, sorry 'bout that.'' Faith said. Illyria gave her a quick nod.
''She says she's capable of fighting, but we don't really believe her word.'' Lorne exclaimed.
''Then test her.'' Slayer shrugged. ''That's it? No one else think this is a suicide mission?''
''To be honest, I think we all have our own thoughts about this.'' Katie said. ''But we've been dancing around ever since we've been trapped here, so we are kind of desperate.''
''When do we move out?'' Connor asked.
''I don't know. An hour? Two?'' Amy said.
''That depends.'' Faith took a step back. ''How long will it take you to gather the courage to go to what might be your last walk?'' With that, she walked out the room.
''Don't sugarcoat it for us.'' Rain murmured.
''She's right.'' Anthis said. ''We all should prepare ourselves.'' The huntress grabbed her bow and left the apartment. Rain and Katie did the same thing, except after they walked out, Connor heard a door from the apartment down the corridor open and then close. Lorne walked to the kitchen and started going through the cupboards. Amy joined him.
''What are you doing?''
''Trying to make myself one last drink.'' Lorne sighed.
Spike locked eyes with Connor. ''Come on, blue. Let's see what's in you.'' The three of them also walked out.
Faith locked herself in the bathroom. She sat on the edge of the bathtub and sealed her gaze into the floor. Trying to take it all in. None of her previous battles scared her like this. Not the First, Angelus, Beast... Buffy. Oh, how she wished she could tak to Angel right now. Faith tried to remember what she left in Cleveland. Just a room. Clothes. 24 years on this earth and that was it. Maybe that was the whole point. Her for Angel. Seems fair, doesn't it? She was sure he is capable of doing a lot more good than her.
She raised her head and looked in the mirror. Ugh, she definitely had better days. But then, all of them did. She lost weight, her hair was matted. Face bruised, some of them fresh, some fading. The rest of her body didn't look better from the constant fighting. Truth to be told, she herself had doubts about this whole plan. Faith hoped that once she got The Scythe back in her grip, it would somehow raise her confidence. She was tired. Of the nightmares, of the total lack of any hope since she got here. She wanted this to be over.
Faith couldn't bear looking at her image any longer, so she slid down to the ground and stayed there. A crumbled mess of thoughts.
A knock on the door.
''Hey, you in there?'' Spike's voice. ''Come on, we're about to set sails.''
Faith shook her head to escape whatever swallowed her head and got to her feet. ''How long was I in there?''
Spike lighted up a cigarette and offered one to her. She gratefully took it. ''More than an hour. Blue's coming with us. She can handle herself.''
''Right.'' Faith said as she exhaled. ''Everyone geared up?''
''I think we should make a stop.'' Rain said. ''Get some guns, 'cuz no offense to bows and arrows, I'd feel safer with them.''
''She has a point.'' Spike said. ''If we can get our hands on some blasting power, we'd be more likely to kill whatever guards Angel has with him.''
''So be it.'' Slayer said and moved to grab The Scythe. She made two steps and stopped. Rain took it.
Faith nodded to herself. ''Where the hell is my crossbow?''
Amy passed it to her.
''When we find Angel, we'll switch.'' Faith said to Rain. ''Sneaking around or through the streets?''
''There's no need to hide.'' Anthis said.
''Okay then.'' Spike looked at Rain. ''Lead the way.''
So they left. Spike and Rain first, followed by Amy, Faith, Lorne and Illyria. Connor with Anthis were last.
''Do you think it's really necessary?'' She asked him.
''The guns?'' She nodded. ''We use whatever tools we have, more people we can take out before getting into a fistfight is better for us.''
It was an hour past nightfall when they got to the gun store. The glow of the barrier was giving enough light for everyone to see rather clearly. ''It's mostly pistols and shotguns here, but...'' Rain let her words hanging.
''So what now?'' Connor asked once they all got whatever they wanted and were now walking down the road. ''We fire some of them in the air? Walk a straight line and yell? What?''
''I don't know.'' Faith shot back. ''Any ideas?''
''Erm... Well... No.''
''Exactly.''
Spike looked at Faith once they resumed their journey. ''You were screwing with me about the whole family thing, weren't you?''
''Totally.'' She smirked.
They continued to walk. Anthis looked at all the windows they passed, the horizon, anything.
''I know where to find him.'' She said ten minutes later.
They all stopped dead in their tracks. ''And you're telling this now? Where?'' Spike groaned.
She licked her lips. ''Look up.'' And set her eyes on something over their shoulders.
There he was. A figure standing on the roof. Connor looked around and realized one thing. ''We're surrounded.''
Instantly, they stood in a circle, back-to-back.
''Come on!'' Faith yelled. ''Let's do this!''
The figure only raised her hand. And motioned for her to come.
''Give me The Scythe.'' Faith said.
''What?'' Spike asked. ''Come on, luv. You going alone was not part of the plan.''
''Give me the damn weapon. As soon as I break the circle, shoot.'' Faith noticed that the people surrounding them stopped roughly 50ft away. She held out her hand. ''Now.''
Rain looked at everybody's faces. And she gave Faith The Scythe, getting the crossbow in return. Immediately, Faith broke into a mad run, straight towards the building. They fired in every direction. Slayer heard the gunshots going off behind her. There was a guard near the door and when she got to him, she slammed into him, strong enough to sent him through the door, breaking them down in the process. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins, the rush of battle getting to her. By the time she got to the roof, the sound of guns firing turned into grunting and cursing. Good old brawl.
Angel turned to her, previously watching the fight down on the street. ''Faith. I have to say it is good to see you.''
She halted in surprise. His appearance was horrible. His skin was cracked in many places, he seemed to be covered in cold sweat. ''Feelin' good?''
''I'm about to feel a lot better.'' He said and walked towards her.
''Oh, bring it on.''
They clashed in the middle of the roof. Faith tried not to do anything permanent to Angel, yet that fear quickly passed. He was fast enough to evade all of her attacks. They danced like this, not connecting with each other for few moments, before his right hook caught her in the face. It was powerful enough to sent her to the ground.
Angel smirked as Faith spit some blood. With a scream, she attacked. This time she managed to hit him few times. He pushed her back. ''Did you really think that would be enough?''
He ducked a kick coming at him and got her across the face. Twice. And kicked in the chest. Faith landed on the ground, out of breath. Now she was getting seriously pissed off.
''After all, I did engineer this scenario.'' He said, coming closer. Faith grabbed The Scythe and slashed it through the air, aiming for his head. Angel however, caught her wrist and clocked her in the face, again, while tearing the weapon out of her grip. She heard it clatter to the ground. He grabbed her by the neck in an impossibly hard grip and raised up. ''Why do you keep doing this?'' He asked as she struggled. ''Submit.'' She did none of that, trashing around and trying to loosen the grip. ''I said...'' Suddenly Angel thrusted her down, hard enough she was sure the roof cracked. ''Stop fighting!'' Now she just laid there, the air still being cut off, staring into his eyes. ''Give yourself to me.'' He whispered intently. She didn't want to. She didn't...
Four stories down a full blown fight was taking place. Before the people reached them, they managed to put down a considerable amount of them. Of course, this wasn't the case now, as they were divided across the street. Amy and Lorne worked together, just like Rain and Katie. While they had each other's back, they held off. Illyria got close to Anthis, who, despite having pretty much zero distance between herself and the attackers, bowed them down one by one.
Connor and Spike were both alone, but it was the vampire that faired better. Their opponents weren't unprepared themselves, some of them with crowbars, swords or whatever they got their hands on earlier. Spike somehow got himself a broadsword and was now dispatching one after another.
''We're not gonna hold on much longer!'' Connor yelled and immediately after, was tackled to the ground. He saw a mess of purple hair between the constant pummeling of his face.
Spike saw that and went to help. He kicked the girl and helped Connor to his feet. ''I've faced worse odds.''
Connor grabbed a forgotten hatchet and threw it at her, but she swiftly sidestepped it. It killed someone else.
''Where?''
The small girl charged at them.
''Hellmouth!'' Spike shouted and attacked, only for her to evade the blade, kick Connor and push the vampire to the ground. He cursed. At least now she was between them. They attacked at once. Not only did she block or avoid most of their hits, she landed few good of her own. She jumped at Connor and headbutted him, then used his chest as a boost and went for Spike. He grabbed her in the air and threw to the ground. She got up and reared her hand back to strike, but Connor caught it from behind. She turned to fight him just as Spike crashed into both of them. Now three, they fell down. She tried to disentangle herself from them, as Spike now had her arm and leg secure. She managed to shake Connor's grip on her, but the attention she gave him provided Spike with enough time to grab her neck. And twist.
Connor breathed heavily as they threw the body away. ''What the hell was that?''
Spike crawled to his sword. ''Such a little thing. So feisty. Makes you wonder what exactly was in her!'' He was already back in the fight.
Connor took a moment to see how the others handled themselves. Illyria and Anthis held their ground rather well, thanks more to the latter. She ran out of arrows, so now the bow worked as a meele weapon, along with the sword she had in the other hand. She was now engaged in a combat with an asian man.
Rain and Katie both were covered in a fair amount of blood, though he couldn't tell whether it was from the kills or their own.
Amy and Lorne were nowhere to be seen. That was bad. He saw something in the corner of his eye and struck out. ''So, how'd you make it out? At the hellmouth?'' He yelled to Spike, throwing the next one over his shoulder.
Vampire just cut off a head. ''I didn't! I Died!''
''Connor!'' A yell. From behind. Both Spike and Connor turned to see Anthis clearly losing the fight. The worse part was, Illyria was lying on the ground, moments from being impaled.
''Drop down kid!'' Spike yelled. Boy didn't even think, instantly dived to the ground. Moments later a sword flew through the place his chest was. And pierced Illyria's opponent's. She rose, bloody and exhausted.
Connor looked back to Spike. ''We have to think of something or we'll end up the same way!''
Anthis rolled on the ground, doing her best and, not always, managing to avoid getting hit.
''Help her!'' Vampire yelled and charged at two men, quickly dispatching them. Huh. He looked at the never-ending surge of people. Someone grabbed the back of his neck and flung through the air and all the way across the street into the wall of a building, like he was a plastic toy. He slowly got to his feet and saw a man, about Gunn's height, but twice as broad, coming for him. ''Bollocks.''
Connor grabbed a knife on his way to Anthis. The man was so focused on her, he didn't hear him approach. She was on her knees, trying to get up. Connor jumped up and with all of his strength plunged the knife into the man's skull. The body crumbled to the ground. He helped Anthis stand up, just when Illyria got to them, a bloody pipe in her hand. ''We have to get out of here. Now.'' She insisted. ''This is not a fight we can win.''
''Okay, go to round the rest, I'll help Spike.'' Connor decided. Spike currently was being man-handled by some big over-user of the gym. And he was not, in any way, winning.
Anthis looked at this. ''My bow.'' She rasped. He found it and gave it to her. She pulled and arrow from a body and aimed. ''Go.'' She said, while releasing the arrow. It flew through the air and hit the man right into the back of his head. Seconds later, he fell down, dead.
They went in one direction, while Connor ran to Spike. ''We're getting the hell out of here!'' He shouted.
Spike knocked a man out, putting his entire weight behind the hit. ''We can't! Faith's up there!'' He looked and saw the remaining six of them in a circle, fighting off demons. From the looks of it, Lorne, Illyria and Katie got the worst beating, closely followed by Rain and Anthis. Amy seemed close enough to his condition, which, by the way, was far from perfect. ''Get them back to Hyperion!''
''What? That wasn't the-''
''I know!'' Spike yelled. ''Just do it! I'm going up there. Distract them long enough for me to sneak through.''
Connor nodded. Vampire grabbed a man and threw him through the window to some house, quickly following. Connor got to the group just in time to see Katie go down. He threw the assaultant away. ''We're leaving!''
''Where's Spike?'' Amy screamed.
''He'll find us.''
Anthis narrowed her eyes. And took off in the direction Faith was in.
''What the fuck? Come back here!'' Rain yelled after her. Huntress did the opposite.
''Okay, come on, come on!'' Connor yelled as they retreated.
***B***B***
Faith opened her eyes to. Not seeing the sky above her, just a ceiling, she immediately got up. And froze in her tracks. She was back in her old apartment. The one from The Mayor. In Sunnydale. What the-
''Faith?'' A familiar voice said. Angel stood behind her. ''What are you doing here?''
A smile lit up Faith's face. ''Hey big guy.'' She ran to him and threw her arms around his frame.
''I thought you were above hugs?'' He asked, gladly returning it.
''I am.'' She muttered. ''So what is this? Why are we in my place?''
''I don't know. I was stuck back at Wolfram & Hart, before appearing here.'' Angel said. He looked down at her. ''No. Faith, no. What did you do?''
''Whatever I had to.'' Faith took a step back. ''There is no way I'm gonna let you rot here. You're getting out.''
''At what price?'' He asked quietly. ''This is not a rescue mission, this is a trade.'' He realized.
''Me for you. Like always.'' Faith smiled sadly.
''I remember some things.'' Vampire said. ''He wanted you here. Faith you have to get out. Now.''
''No. When he comes here, we'll beat him.''
''Faith, we can't. He's too powerful.'' He argued. ''Get out while you still can. Go back and kill me. That is the only way.''
''Angel, no. I won't sacrifice you. No way.'' Faith leaned against the wall. Angel stood in the middle of the room.
''You don't understand. He can't get to you. You're too important. I can go, but you? You still hold the entire slayer line. You can't do this.'' Angel explained. ''Go back. And keep going. Keep fighting.''
Faith looked him in the eye. ''Who says I want to?'' She asked. ''I'm tired, Angel. Of this life, this responsibility on my shoulders. I can't. Not without you.''
''I will always be there for you Faith. You know that.'' Angel stepped closer.
''I know that. That is why you will need to stop me.'' Faith said.
''What? You can't risk everything for me and then expect me to kill you in return.'' He exclaimed.
Faith got to the window and saw people walking down the streets. Normal, happy people. ''Not me. Her.''
''Huh?'' He looked around and saw a second Faith standing near the door. Except this one actually belonged in this place. ''Faith, what is this?''
The copy walked to the original. ''You sure 'bout this sis?''
''Yeah. Go. And kill that bastard.'' Faith said to her doppelganger.
''He will beg to die.'' She said and left the apartment.
''What the hell was that?'' Angel asked.
''I let her go.'' Faith whispered. ''Come here.''
Angel walked to her, carefully stepping into the sunlight. It didn't burn. ''And?''
''This is just after I started to work for The Mayor.'' She explained. ''Would you have helped me back then? If I came to you?''
''Of course.'' He answered softly.
''Then it all can be avoided. I can still change everything.'' Faith said.
''Faith... this isn't real.''
''I know. We're inside my memories. The place where she was stuck all this time.'' Slayer said, nodding towards the door. ''Look Angel, I can be happy here. Sometimes a lie is enough.''
Angel turned his head away, thinking. ''I might be able to find a way to save you. Don't give up.'' He tried.
''You already did.'' Faith forced him to look in her eyes. ''In every way possible. Except one.''
''Faith, please...''
''Angel, I want to stay here. In this place I can find friends. Rest. I'll live here, until you kill me.'' She said. ''And it will be painless. Who knows, maybe I'll just fall asleep.''
Vampire blinked through tears. ''Sorry, it's just... uhm...''
Faith laughed. ''Don't tear up on me, big guy. You were the most important thing in my life. And now I need you to go.'' The door opened by themselves. This was a way out. Apparently her old self had more fire in her than she did. She stepped back from Angel. ''One last thing, though. Don't let them hate me. Please. Whatever she does out there, it's not me. Not anymore. And sorry if I failed you.''
Angel gave her one last hug. ''Failed me? I've never been more proud. You are a champion, Faith. And I will never let them forget that.'' Now the slayer herself had tears in her eyes. After all this was their last goodbye. ''I will save you.'' He whispered to her hair. He took few seconds to regain his composure and walked through the door. With a quiet determination in his steps.
The entrance closed. Faith waited for a moment and looked in the mirror. She seemed younger. One thing was wrong. She took the time to wash off her dark make-up, replacing it with the colours she now wore. Clothes didn't fit, too. Faith was sure she had some in here that weren't completely black. With a smile on her face, she left the apartment. It was a sunny, warm day. She took her time walking, simply enjoying the peaceful nature of the town. At least when the sun was up. Some time later, she found herself in front of Angel's mansion.
''Hello? Anyone here?'' She called out.
Footsteps. Angel appeared, wary, on guard. ''Faith. What do you want?''
She looked him in the eyes. ''I need your help.''
***B***B***
Spike was just feeding on a man on the third floor, when some force knocked him into the wall, followed by a blinding blast of light coming from the rooftop. That was it, he realized and broke the man's neck. Seconds later, he bursted onto the roof. And saw three figures. Angel was lying flat on his back, looking worse than ever, unmoving. A demon, the one possessing him was slowly trying to get to his knees. Spike noticed that he seemed a lot like Anthis. He gritted his teeth. He was too familiar for it to be a coincidence. And then he looked at Faith.
She was bloody, a lot more injures covered her than the last time he saw her. But her movements were certain, deadly. She grabbed The Scythe and went for him. Spike got to Angel. ''Hey, you alive?'' Angel gave no sign.
Vampire heaved him up and watched as Faith fought. It was magnificent. She and the demon matched each other at first, but now she was gaining the upper hand. Spike set Angel down near the fire escape.
Faith worked her way past the demons defenses, but lost The Scythe. Not overthinking it, she headbutted him and hit him with a powerful left hook, making him fall down. Immediately she jumped at him and began massacring, for there was no better word for it, his face. It felt like eternity and Spike was sure his face would've been gone by now. Somehow, the demon managed to shake Faith off, but that didn't give him much. She got up and ran back to him before he had time to stand up. The, now one-sided, fight continued. Faith was now tossing him through the whole roof. She breathed heavily and kicked him in the chest, succesfully sending him off the roof and down onto the streets. She looked around and grabbed The Scythe, ready to end this. Slayer was close to the edge, but suddenly stopped. And set her sights on Spike. Faith growled and took three steps to him before stopping. Spike pulled out a gun.
They stood like that for ten seconds before someone else got to the roof. Many someone elses. The demons from the streets were now gunning for Faith. They attacked her. Which was probably their worst and last mistake. Spike grabbed Angel and evacuated, leaving the slaughter behind him. Now that was a fight he couldn't win.
Three minutes and thirteen dead demons later, Faith got to the edge and looked down. The demon was nowhere to be seen. Other things were, though. Many other demons watched her fearfully. Her lips twisted in a predatory smile as she jumped down.
***B***B***
Now, there is one problem. The next chapter won't be up for a while. Gotta focus back on school. Hope you remain patient. Review, anyone?