The Dawning of Faith
Chapter 12
"Okay," Dawn agreed, regaining control of herself. It wasn't really a date, but it would do for now. She watched Faith's throat moving as she gulped water. It would do.
"This is the one," Faith announced, pointing to a fresh mound of sod. "Normally when we can catch them rising we kill them as soon as possible, it's better for everyone. This time we'll let it get all the way out. Make no mistake about it, Dawnie, this is dangerous, this is real. Sometimes these things crawl out of the ground just looking for a fight, and it won't care a damn thing about this being training." Dawn nodded seriously.
"I know you've killed vamps before, and I'm not trying to make you feel like a rookie. But you've got a new weapon, and we all need to know how it works, so really you're testing it for everybody. I'm here, and I'll help you if you need it, you know that." Dawn nodded again. "Now I want you to forget it. Pretend you're alone, and that the only thing on this vamp's mind is how good it would feel to bite your neck."
"Did it feel good?" Dawn asked.
Faith looked a little stunned, but before she could formulate a reply Dawn had pointed to the grave. "Dirt's moving," she announced.
"Showtime!" said Faith as she moved away.
It was not long before a hand poked through the mound of earth, and with surprising speed the vampire pulled himself out of the grave. Dawn faced him resolutely, her scythe in her hands.
"How nice of you to come for dinner," said the Vampire, "but you didn't need to bring utensils, you look like finger food to me." Dawn remained silent, and the vampire darted forward and reached for her.
There was a soft 'snick' sound, and the vampire found himself facing empty space. He turned and saw Dawn well off to his right.
"Help yourself to dinner," Dawn said, her gaze flicking to the ground. There were four fingers lying there, and the vampire looked at his foreshortened hand in confusion.
"Well, this certainly sucks right here," he admitted, "later, bitch." He turned to flee, and there stood Faith, holding a weapon much like the one he had just had a taste of. "Awww, not fai-" he had an instant to look down at the dark piece of wood projecting from his chest before he puffed out of existence.
"Death's a bitch, then you're dust," Dawn declared. Faith howled with laughter and hugged her tightly.
"Oh God, I can't wait to tell Buff that one," Faith gasped as she wiped her eyes. "How long you been saving that, Dawn?"
"Ever since Sunnydale," she confessed.
"Chip off the old block, damn," Faith shook herself and got serious once again. "I'll give you an A+ for that one. What would you have done if I hadn't been there when he ran?"
"I would have let him go, because that's what you trained me to do. But I wouldn't have liked it," Dawn admitted.
"Good answer, I'm proud of you. There will always be another vampire, but there will never be another you. Keep that in mind. You were right to use the stake then, the setup was perfect, and you didn't drag it out. This isn't for fun." Dawn smirked a little. "Okay, sometimes it's a little fun, but you know what I mean. Let's see if we can find another one, and this time we'll plan to work as a team, I'll be the bait. If you get a good chance, try and get the head this time, we need to see how that's going to work out. Ready?"
"I'm always ready," Dawn promised.
"That's my girl, come on."
"Just like the movies!" crowed the vampire as he closed in on the fallen brunette.
"Not quite, sunshine," Faith purred as Dawn silently glided up behind him, Faith blew him a kiss, and he never even felt the sting when Dawn cut his head off.
"You're right, it's harder than staking," Dawn confirmed.
"Didn't look hard from here, I could barely see the swing slow at all," Faith said as she rose and dusted off her clothes.
"Let me help with that," Dawn said, and she stepped behind Faith and brushed the bits of grass from her jacket. Faith jumped when Dawn's hand brushed the seat of her jeans.
"Kay," Faith began as she turned swiftly, "that's number three tonight. How was it harder than staking?"
Dawn shifted gears seamlessly, but her hands were tingling.
"I could feel a little tug as the blade went through. That guy was kind of skinny; I guess the bigger ones would be tougher. Too bad we don't have a demon to try."
"One will pop up sooner or later, they always do. What feels better to you, staking or beheading?"
"I think staking; I mean you have to respect the classics, don't you? But it's also fun to connect with my inner Hank Aaron. Whatever the situation calls for I guess," Dawn replied.
"You make a hell of a Slayer, Dawnie," Faith told her.
"I'm no Slayer," she corrected, "I'm just Dawn."
"The Dawn", thought Faith. "Let's go home," she said briskly, "Buff will want to hear how you did. Faith threw her arm around Dawn's shoulders and the pair stepped happily between the tombstones, for the moment, they were content.