New Kobol, 0930 hours.
While Starbuck landed the Raptor, Racetrack looked out the front window and saw Commander Melik standing alongside two other people as they were flanked by Dr. Burke and two others, one of whom she had seen the last time she was here, however she didn't recognize the other man. Looking back at Melik however, she could tell that he was surprised in seeing her in the Colonial flight uniform. Once the ship had touched down, Starbuck opened the rear hatch before she and Racetrack got off their seats and walked to the rear of the craft where the Vice-President and the two Quorum members were already waiting. She also noticed that Billy was glaring at Baltar who himself was looking somewhere off to the side.
"Right" said Starbuck as she stepped onto the small wings outside the door and took a deep breathe of the fresh air before walking down and then jumping onto the soft grass. She turned and grinned playfully at Racetrack who walked down the top of the stubby wings before jumping down onto the grass, followed by the Vice-President, the two Quorum members, Billy and then Baltar.
"Lt. Edmondson" said Dr. Burke as she stepped forward along with the two other military personnel while Melik and the two other Colonials stayed back while looking at Racetrack and Starbuck suspiciously, "welcome back."
"Dr. Burke" said the young woman as she shook her hand before introducing her to Starbuck, and then to the Vice-President.
"Captain Thrace, Vice-President Hunt" said Dr. Burke as she shook their hands.
The vice-president then re-introduced her to the two Quorum members who she had already met, then to Baltar and finally, he introduced her to Billy.
"It's good to meet you all" said Dr. Burke as she motioned her flanks, "I'd like for you to meet Lt. Colonel Riley Finn of the United States Army, and Major Alice Atwood, and Major David Rogers of the Royal Marines."
"Pleasure" replied the Vice-President as he shook their hands while Racetrack and Starbuck nodded at them. He then looked behind the three Earth personnel and at the three Colonial citizens before approaching them, alongside Dr. Burke and the others.
"Vice-President Hunt" said Dr. Burke as she pointed to the older of the three men, "this is Commander Melik. He is the one whose ship appeared in the space of our allies, the Tollan"
"Commander" said the Vice President as he held out his hand which the man just looked at, and then looked back up at his face before looking at Racetrack.Aware of what the man was thinking, the Vice-President told Melik that Racetrack did what she had to do so that the Colonials on the surface would be comfortable in talking to her. He then told her that her spoken accounts of what she had seen, and heard were vital in not only winning the election for President Roslin… but for a little more than half of the fleet deciding to settle on the planet that they had decided to call New Kobol. He asked the surprised Commander not to be mad at Racetrack, and that she was doing her job. He also assured them that the Galactica was on her way with the remainder of the fleet, and that once everyone had settled… they were going to go after Cain and bring her back to stand trial.
"She committed treason in every sense of the word" said the vice-president to a surprised Melik while the other two Colonials standing on either side could only look at each other. The Vice-President also looked at Dr. Burke while she translated for the others, "she betrayed the Colonies to the Ori, she was derelict in her duty to protect Colonial citizens and the Articles of Confederation. After we showed the Quorum the evidence that your people had given us, a majority of them ordered an investigation."
"I see" said Dr. Burke as she nodded her head before turning to the three Earth Officers. She then turned around to the Colonials and asked them to follow Riley and the two Majors to the Mess Tent where they could have a short briefing over coffee. She told them that there are some translators in the tent who'll be able to help them navigate through the camp, and that any questions they have wil be answered. As they were leaving, Billy walked up to Dr. Burke with Baltar and asked her if he could have a word with her in private.
"Of course" she replied.
After telling Riley that she'll be right with them, Dr. Burke walked off with Billy and Baltar to one side where there were no people. Once they reached a certain area where they were out of sight of the other Colonials, Billy reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and took out an envelope with the Presidential seal stamped on the far left hand side. Billy told the woman that it was a letter from the President which he was directed to give to either her, or the base commander.
Nodding her head, Dr. Burke reached into her trouser pocket and took out a radio before calling for Riley once again. Once he had run over to where they were, Dr. Burke opened the letter and translated for Riley's benefit. While reading, the two Earth personnel looked at each other, and then looked at Baltar, and back at the letter again.
Once they had finished reading it, Dr, Burke folded the piece of paper once again and put in back into the envelope before looking at Billy.
"I'll have to talk to the Base Commander on Eden" said Dr. Burke, "but I don't foresee any problems with this arrangement. Have you thought about what would happen if they refuge? I mean the Cylons?"
"Given that he helped them destroy our worlds?" said Billy as he glared at Baltar who was looking at Dr. Burke, "I'm sure they'll take him in as a hero."
Riley was listening as Dr. Burke translated everything for his benefit before he rubbed the back of his head. He then told Billy that his superiors wanted both Colonials and the Cylons kept separated until such time they were ready to meet each other without killing each other. He then went on to say that there was no guarantee that they'll take Baltar in, given that they themselves were now nearly extinct.
"Having him there could pose a threat to him" said Riley while Dr Burke translated, "I've heard that there are a few who blame him for falling for one of the models and helping her gain access into the Colonial military mainframe. That if that hadn't happened, then their plan would have failed, then maybe they could have allied with the Colonials so that there could be a combined front against the Ori forces."
"We'll talk to those in charge" said Dr. Burke as Billy nodded his head, "that's all I can promise you. If they agree, then he can be sent to Eden. But if not, then I'm afraid that other arrangements will have to be made. And yes, I know that he's no longer considered a Colonial citizen, but the fact remains that if no-one wants him.. then we'll have to come up with another arrangement."
"Very well" said Billy, "I'll inform the Vice-President."
"Alright" said Dr. Burke, "in the meantime, let us attend the briefing. And then there'll be some standard medical tests and vaccinations for you, and the other Colonials. And then… well, this is your planet… but I suggest caution when exploring it for the first time."
Billy could only nod his head before leading Balter towards the Mess tent. They were soon followed by Riley and Dr. Burke, who just looked at each other and shook her heads before heading to the Mess Tent as well.
"So I guess he must have admitted what he did" said Riley as he looked at Dr. Burke while walking behind the two of them.
"Yes" replied Dr. Burke, "they've been lenient, I guess. I would have thought they would have hung him or, whatever their laws are for treason."
"I'd think it would be the same as ours" said Riley as they walked into the Mess Tent and Dr. Burke took a seat next to the Vice-President while Racetrack and Starbuck stood at one of the two entrances. IN the meantime, Riley had two members of his team guard the other entrance. Once Dr. Burke and the others had gotten some coffee, they started talking. Dr. Burke first told the Colonials about the planet itself while translators were telling the Earth officers at the table was being said. She told the Colonials that the planet was initially used by Earth as a scientific outpost. She told them that the planet was stable, had four seasons and ample fertile land and water.
"We've found various types of animals further inland" said Dr. Burke, "some of the scientists who used to work here would relax at the lake, while other would go fishing."
"So if this planet is so stable" said one of the members of the Quorum, "why are you handing it over to us?"
"This station used to have a long range sensor array to search for singularities" said Dr. Burke, "you see, the Ori come from another galaxy altogether. And while their ships are very powerful, and their technologies are extremely advanced… traversing directly from their galaxy to our through hyperspace…."
"Hyperspace?" asked Starbuck.
"From what I've been told" said Dr. Burke as one of the translators spoke in English for the Earth officers, "your people use a jump drive system for Faster than Light travel?"
"Yes" said Baltar as Billy glared at him, as did the Vice-President; the only two people in the group who knew exactly what the scientist had done, "it folds space so that a ship could move from one point in space to another."
"Ours is a bit different" said Dr. Burke, "I'm not sure of the exact physics since it's not my field, but from what I understand, we open a window into a region of subspace known as hyperspace."
"But…" said Baltar as he looked at everyone and then at Dr. Burke and the military officer, "that's.. the energy for that is massive, and the technology…"
"We can discuss all of that at another time" said Riley as he looked at Baltar, before looking at Dr. Burke and nodding at her to continue what she was saying earlier.
"As I was saying" she said, "despite the Ori being much more advanced than us, it would take them months to travel to this galaxy by Hyperspace. So, they used a Gate to the Stars on another planet and activated it from their own galaxy. And yes, even I know that requires a massive amount of power.. power that they derived from a singularity that they created."
"By the gods" said Baltar in surprise as he looked at the serious expression on Dr. Burke's face, hoping that she was joking around. When she didn't smile, or give any hint that what she was saying was just a joke, Baltar leaned forward and asked her if she really was saying that the Ori created a black hole.
"What?" asked Billy.
"Yes" said Dr. Burke, "they killed the population of an entire planet, and then used our own weapons against us to shrink that planet into a black hole. We went to save the people there, instead we were witness to their power. They then sent multiple pieces of an extremely large version of the Gate to the Stars that we call a Supergate. The pieces would be powered by the singularity, and the Ori would use the completed Supergate to send more ships to this galaxy. Luckily, we destroyed the first one… but not without sacrifices."
"You said the first one" said the other Quorum member.
"This station was placed on this planet with a long range sensor array to search for any newly formed singularities" said Dr. Burke, "and while we didn't detect it from where we are, another one was formed. But we were too late. Four ships came though and defeated a combined force of Earth, and our allies. After that, this station was reduced to a skeleton crew until… well, we encountered your people."
"I see" said the Vice-President.
"Now" said Dr. Burke, "we do need to know how many people would be coming to settle on the planet, and there are a few other questions we have before I send a report back to Earth."
"Of course" said the Vice-President as he reached into the pocket inside his jacket and took out and envelope before handing it to Dr. Burke, "the President has written out a report of how many people would be on the ships that are coming here, and how many people as well as ships decided to go to the other planet that you told us about."
"But that planet's been nuked" said Major Atwood as Dr. Burke translated her words, "there's nothing there."
"We know" said the Vice-President as he looked at the officer, "they're being led by the more fanatical of the fleet, and under the command of a Tom Zarek, and Sarah Porter."
"Zarek the terrorist?" asked Melik as Billy nodded his head while Balter just looked at the table, deep in thought, with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Some don't see him as a terrorist" said the man next to Melik, "he's a freedom fighter to them; especially to all of Sagittaron."
"Whatever the case" said the Vice-President as he looked at Melik, and then at Dr. Burke, "he and some of the others are heading there. The President would like the Earth team stationed on that planet to send them here when the time comes. For reasons of security, Commander Adama will not be giving them the coordinates to this world."
"That's good" said Riley.
"Also, once we've settled down" said the Vice-President, "a few of us would like to conduct an archaeological study of that planet. We'd like to see if we can find any artifact of concern, and… and we were hoping that your people could share what they have found with us as well."
"I can talk to the people in charge about that" said Dr. Burke, "but I don't see a problem. Even the Cylons on Eden placed a request to conduct research, and… well, we'll have to do this in such a way that your two peoples stay out of each other's way."
"I will talk to the President when she arrives" said Hunt as Melik reached over and tapped his shoulder. The man then turned around and faced Melik who asked him who was the President now. HE told the Vice-President that he guessed it wasn't Adar anymore, and was surprised when Hunt said that Roslin was the President.
"She's the Education Secretary, right?" asked Melik as the other two behind him whispered, "I mean Maggie.. or Lt. Edmondson there did say her name once but… I guess I never put two and two together."
"The Galactica will be coming here with the remainder of the fleet once those who are leaving for the other planet have transferred to those particular ships" said the Vice-President, "although I'd have to guess that they be coming here anyway when they find that there is nothing there."
"So we're looking at more than forty thousand people" said Dr. Burke as she looked at the letter that Roslin had wrote, and then looked up at the Vice- President, "we already have refugee units complete with facilities that can hold two hundred people; four in one unit comfortably. I'm sure you've seen those crystalline towers when you came in?"
"Yes" said Billy nodding his head.
"An ally helped us build those towers" said Dr. Burke, "it can house about five hundred people each with a few living underground."
"Underground?" asked the Vice-President as Dr. Burke nodded her head before she assuaged their concerns.
"The underground quarters are all well ventilated, there should be no concerns on that. And we have more materials from Earth coming later today."
"We can have some of the ships land on the surface, and they can be used as temporary shelters" said one of the members of the Quorum, "other than the Galactica, most of them are meant for atmospheric flight."
"We'll have someone come to this planet and liaise with you on housing" said Dr. Burke and Hunt nodded his head.
"But there is something you would like in return, isn't there" said the Quorum member from Leonis.
"Colonel?" said Dr. Burke as she turned her head and looked at Riley who nodded his head.
"We'd like to maintain and operate this outpost" said Riley as the Vice-President looked on, "the towers have their own medical facilities, and we can open the facilities here as well in conjunction with your people. We'll show you how to operate the Stargate, and we'll provide you with friendly addresses so that you can get your feet wet. In addition, we'd like to use this outpost as a measure of protection for your people; even after you've gotten your military and civilian security apparatus in place."
The Vice-President only nodded his head, signalling Riley to continue.
"There are still a lot of bad people out there" said Riley, "in particular we still have remnants of the Goa'uld systems lords, who we'll talk about in more detail once your President and military leaders have arrived on the planet. There is also the threat of the Lucien Alliance, a group of criminals that are currently spreading their influence over several planets. We'll keep a small contingent here to not only advice your people, but to also protect if the need should arise."
"Ok" said the Quorum member from Scorpia.
"We'd also like your knowledge of ship building techniques, even schematics of those shops you call Raptors" said Riley, "as well as other information on performing interplanetary trade. We usually conduct our business through the Stargate network, but sometimes… well, ships are needed to transport great numbers of goods."
"And in return?" asked the Vice-president.
"My superiors have authorized us to offer you energy shielding technology" said Riley as Dr. Burke translated for the Colonials. They looked at each other before looking at Riley again, especially Baltar whose eyes went wide in excitement, "but we'll need our engineers to gain access to your ships. They need to see if the fuel you use would be adequate enough to power the shield, and if not.. then they need to find a way to power the technology using our own reactors."
"You would need to take that up with the military command" said the Vice-President, "but I find your terms acceptable. I assume there is leeway in providing us with technology? I'm sure that the President will have more to say on this but.."
"We can offer you non-military technology" said Dr. Burke after she translated for Riley's benefit. She then translated what he had to say to the Vice-President, "we'll offer medical technology, and the shields for protection. However, weapons are an entire different situation."
"I see" said the Vice-President before they called it a break. Hunt said that they can discuss every detail once the President arrived with the rest of the fleet in two days since transferring the people to the other ships was taking longer than expected. The Colonials were then led to the Medical building where they had their check-up, and then they had some lunch with the Colonials who had settled there earlier from the rescued fleet. It wasn't long after a long chat with their brethren that the Colonials walked back to the refugee units, while the Vice-President and the two Quorum members were led to the crystal towers that were built using Tok'ra technology.
As Starbuck walked into the refugee unit, followed by Racetrack and a translator along with Major Atwood, the senior Colonial officer saw the cot and sat down on it before laying down in her flight suit. She then looked at Racetrack who was looking at the officer before she turned back to looked at the Major.
"Could you show us around?" asked Racetrack as Atwood nodded her head. She told them that they could relax for a while if they wanted before she showed them around, that there was time. Racetrack then nodded her head before Starbuck got up and playfully asked the younger woman to ask Atwood about the person she really wanted to ak about.
"Captain" said Racetrack as she looked back at a laughing Starbuck. The senior officer then told Racetrack that she'll be having a lot of fun on her account. Rolling her eyes, Racetrack them looked back at Atwood, only to hear the translator saying something to Atwood who was nodding her head.
"So" said Atwood as the Briton looked at Racetrack while her words were being translated, "Is there someone you wanted to talk to?"
"Oh, nothing.. nothing really, yea" said Racetrack as she shook her head while she felt a hand around her shoulder. Looking to her left, Racetrack saw a grinning Starbuck who winked at her before looking at Atwood and asked her, to the horror of Racetrack, and to the grins of the British officer and the translator on the location of Major Thompson.
"I.. I.." said Atwood as she tried to keep from laughing at the look of horror on Racetrack's face, "I'm not really sure about the team that was sent to that planet, to be honest with you. But, if you prefer… I can…"
"No" said Racetrack as she shook her head, "no, it.. it's fine. We're supposed to try and ask your people for access to that planet within a month so… yeah, I'll request that I accompany the team… yeah… please don't tell anyone?"
"Lips are sealed" said Atwood, "although, I do believe that Lt. Colonel Finn may know about…."
"Say" said Racetrack as she looked at Starbuck with an eyebrow raised, before looking at Atwood again, "that lake we saw while flying over…. Good place for a swim?"
"Yes" said Atwood nodding her head. She then told both Starbuck and Racetrack to take a break for two hours, and that she'll be back then to take them on a tour of the camp, the towers, and the surrounding area. Turning around and walking out of the unit after the two Colonial officers nodded their heads, she closed the door after the translator had left. It was then that the both of them heard Racetrack telling a laughing Starbuck that now there was no way that she could show her face around the camp.
Smiling to herself, Atwood told the translator to meet her back here in two hours. She watched the young man walk away as the Briton got on her radio and contacted Riley who was in the command building.
"Colonel Finn" said Atwood as she headed towards the Mess Hall for some coffee, "I have a quick question, sir. The Colonial officers were concerned about their people heading to the nuked planet, so… so they were curious as to how long the team that's currently on site will be staying there."
"Thompson's team should be there for another two months, Major" said Riley.
"Thank you, sir" said Atwood as she stopped and turned around, looking at the unit she just left. Realizing that she didn't know the language, she decided to tell Racetrack when they met again in two hours. She then shook her head with a smile on her face before heading back to the Mess tent, and a fresh cup of hot coffee.
Willow and Faith's house, Colorado Springs, 1000 hours.
Faith had just gotten back to the house she shared with Willow and Dawn as a bright light deposited her in the living room. After talking with Buffy, Kennedy and Tara, the dark haired Slayer told them that she'll talk to Willow about what Sineya told them about coming to where it all began; and then she called Walter and asked him to have the Prometheus Station beam her back to her home.
Sighing, Faith looked around and saw that the couch hadn't been sat on, but the coffee machine was on in the kitchen; the smell of the black liquid permeating the entire living room. Walking up to the table next to the front door, Faith took out her keys from her pockets and placed them on the table before she walked over to the closed door leading to the room she shared with the redhead. Still in disbelief that the redhead had gotten behind both Angel's and her own back, Faith was experiencing a mixture of emotions ranging from betrayal, to a tiny bit of anger. Emotions that she was sure Willow had picked up on.
Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Faith then placed her hand on the door knob and turned it; and then opened the door. She looked on as Willow sat in the middle of the bed with her arms wrapped around her knees which were brought up to her chest. Faith saw that she rested her chin on the top of her knees while there was a phone in her left hand. The Slayer saw the redhead look up at her and give a small smile.
"I called General Landry" said Willow softly as she looked at Faith walk into the room and close the door behind her before leaning on it with her arms over her chest as she looked at the redhead, "I told him that I wanted to shelve the project, that I thought about it and that the risks were too high. I told him about Angel's and Cordy's concerns."
"Red" said Faith as she looked around the room before looking at Willow again, "Angel and I asked you not to attempt this. It was too risky from the get go and you still tried to go ahead with it behind our backs."
"I know" said Willow softly as she felt Faith's disappointment through their link, "I've already apologized to Angel for doing this behind his back, I mean I just got off the phone with him and Cordy. He said that he'll send in a report to General Landry and General O'Neill later today about why it should never be tried; and… and I'm apologizing to you too."
"Red" said Faith, anger she was feeling slowly fading away as she shook her head before walking towards the bed. She then sat down and faced Willow who still had her legs close to her chest. The redhead could see that there was a large space on the bed between them, a space that the both of them hardly had since they started their relationship, and marriage, "Angel and I know that your heart was in the right place, but you of all people know how dangerous magic, or the supernatural can be. This isn't like you trying to cure the Wraith, there's nothing supernatural there… but this? You're cloning demons, Red. And who know what could happen to the demon, what if it becomes more powerful? No one should take that risk. I saw you, Red… I saw your memories as Athena. Remember what happened to the clones?"
"Yes" said Willow softly as she continued to lay her chin on top of her knees and looked at Faith.
"Remember how you felt when they all died?" asked Faith as Willow nodded, "you told me that.. that you ruined thousands of lives. If you had gone through with this.. Red, you'd be doing the same thing to yourself, Cordy, Buffy… and everyone who cares about Angel. If you did clone him, and if the Cloning didn't work every time.. you'd have to kill him every time. Either I'd have to do it, or Buffy, or Tara…. Can you imagine facing Angel and Cordy with that? Telling them that we had to keep on killing someone who looks like Angel? They may be alright with it at first but, let's say that Tara says his aura is human… and then what do we do? Do we kill our Angel? What happens when the demon in the clone surfaces the next day.. or a few months.. or years later? We kill that Angel and… and that's it. Red, do you know what I'm trying to tell you?"
"Yea" said Willow as Faith got closer to the redhead.
"You have nothing to prove to anyone" said Faith gently as she looked into Willow's eyes, "I know you care about Cordy, I know you care about Angel.. but this isn't the way, Red."
"I just wanted to help" said Willow softly.
"I know… Angel knows" said Faith as she got closer and put her hand on Willow's bare foot, "you were Athena. You know what happened to the clones, you remember how obsessed you got in trying to kill the Wraith… do you want that same thing to happen in an ultimately unsuccessful quest to get rid of Angel's demon?"
"No" said Willow as she recalled what she did when she was doing everything she could to destroy the Wraith for good. It was then that everything Faith was taking about just slammed down on her like bricks, "no, I don't."
"I don't want to lose you, Red" said Faith as she got closer to Willow and sat alongside her with her legs outstretched. Faith then placed an arm around Willow's shoulder and pulled her close. Willow then placed her head on Faith's shoulder and stretched out her legs, placing her left leg over Faith's right leg, "not to something like this… not in creating even more monsters that could one day come bite our asses."
"I won't" said Willow as she closed her eyes and wrapped an arm around the Slayer's back, "I won't play around with this. I… I could sense your disappointment, sense of betrayal.. and anger at me and… and I don't want to feel that. It's breaking my heart, I'm sorry I went behind your back and… and I won't do something like that again."
Faith turned and kissed the top of Willow's head before she placed her head on top of Willow's.
"I love you" said Faith gently, "and you know I mean that."
"Yea" replied the redhead as she looked at Faith, "and I love you too."
The both of them just sat of the bed together for more than thirty minutes before the redhead closed her eyes. It was a nearly an hour later that Faith lay down on the bed with Willow's head on her chest. She combed her hands through the soft red hair and could feel how bad the redhead was feeling through their link. Faith had really hoped that Willow would have learnt that playing around with the supernatural, particularly demon, would be bad but then she started thinking about what they were considering doing once they had found the Scythe.
"Red" said Faith gently as Willow nodded her head on the Slayer's shoulder, "no more secrets like this from me, alright? Birthday secrets are fine, Anniversary secrets are fine… but no more hiding something like this."
"Ok" said Willow softly, "I sensed how angry you were with me, and… all I can say is I'm sorry."
"I know, just… just don't do it again, Red. I trust you to not do something like this again" she replied as she gave a deep breath before telling Willow what happened at the BPRI during Tara's attempt to contact Sineya. She told Willow the same things that Tara had told her, Buffy and Kennedy about Sineya's message; that if they wanted to find the weapon, then they need to come to where it all started. Faith looked at a surprised Willow while telling her that Buffy figured it could be the chamber where Sineya was created, or the Hellmouth.
"Not the chamber" said Willow as she looked at Faith while they were still sitting on the bed, now facing each other, "that was destroyed in a cave in."
"That's what I told Buffy" replied Faith as she nodded her head, "the Hellmouth?"
"Possible" said Willow, "I mean that's where Sineya died. That was her end, and you said something about going back to where it started to face the end? Right?"
"Yeah" said Faith, "but if it started in Africa, then why would she ask us to face the end, I mean…"
"Doesn't make sense" said Willow as she looked down at the bed deep in thought. This was the Willow that Faith loved, the one who thought things through; the one who was analytical, the ones whose wheels were turning to solve a particular problem. Faith then told the redhead that she figured the beginning didn't mean the beginning of the Slayer, but the beginning of the time that Willow met Sineya for the first time.
"Right" said Willow excitedly, "you're right. It's more likely that.. oh, her grave…. I buried her near the place I used to live."
"Can you find out where it is?" asked Faith.
"Yeah" said Willow as she got off the bed, and walked towards a table in the corner where she grabbed her laptop before heading back to the bed. The opened the screen as Faith lay her head on the redhead's shoulder. Placing the laptop on her thighs, Willow launched her browser and accessed the mapping program on the device, "let's see, Nairobi… Kenya."
Faith watched Willow type on the keyboard as the map focused on Nairobi. She placed her finger on the track pad as she scrolled the map until she was looking out into the grasslands. Faith saw Willow continue until she reached a river bank, she then scrolled the map up the river before let out a gasp, and a smile.
"Red?" asked Faith as she noticed the smile on her wife's face, "found it?"
"Yes" said Willow as she turned to look at Faith, "this was my home. I mean obviously I had to remove all the housing materials and the shield emitters, but this is it. I know where I buried her so if you and the guys wanna go after our next mission..."
"Yep" nodded Faith as she looked back at Willow, "I told B that I'll talk to you, and then with Big K. We'll take a few days off, maybe go on safari or something."
"Ummm... I like that" said Willow as she kissed the top of Faith's head, "can I bring you breakfast in bed to show you how sorry I am?"
"Already had breakfast" smiled Faith, "how about a romantic dinner tonight, before we go for the mission tomorrow?"
"That works too" said Willow as she closed the laptop screen before laying her head on top of Faith's again, "I'm sorry, Faith. I never should have gone behind your back like that."
Faith just nodded her head as she pushed Willow gently down onto the bed. Laying her head on the redhead's chest, Faith interlocked her fingers with Willow's and just lay there. Faith then looked up at Willow who was looking back at her with a small smile on her face. Moving up the redhead's body, the dark haired Slayer straddled her wife and looked down into her eyes before leaning in and kissing her forehead before looking at her once again. The both of them just looked at each other, with Willow leaning her head upwards a few seconds later and just brushing her own lips against Faith's.
"I'm sorry" said Willow as she reached behind Faith and grabbed her back. She then pulled Faith down as the Slayer caressed the sides of the redhead's face, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, please forgive me."
"I do" said Faith as she looked at Willow who was holding on to Faith's back tightly, "Red, you..."
Before Faith could finish what she wanted to say, Willow grabbed the back of Faith's head and kissed her. Breaking off the kiss, Faith looked at her wife's red eyes and brushed her fingers on the redhead's cheeks.
"I won't do something like this again, not behind your back" said Willow.
Faith just smiled, nodded her head, and brushed her nose against the redhead's before leaning down and kissing her. Faith then kissed her cheek, before going down her neck and to her shoulders. The Slayer went back up to Willow's earlobe and smiled as the redhead tightened her hold while Faith bit on it. Faith then kissed Willow's jawline, comforting her love before whispering into her ear.
"I'm just looking out for you" said Faith, "you're my wife, and my best friend. Without you.. I won't be here. I don't want to see you get hurt, and I don't want to see you get hurt when you find out that you could have hurt other people."
"Thank you for looking out for me" said Willow as she looked up at Faith's face, "Thank you for stopping me."
Faith nodded her head before kissing Willow's forehead. The both of them then lay down with each other on the bed before they finally went in to the SGC a few hours later to complete some work. Once they were done, Faith and Willow had met up with Colonel Carter who was preparing to head home. She told the two young women that General Carter had to be at the Pentagon for a few days, and that she was heading to Colonel Dixon's house to pick up Debra.
"So just the two of you tonight?" asked Faith as the Colonel nodded her head.
"I want to spend some time with the munchkin" said the Colonel, "I was thinking about ordering in some pizza for me, and taking out some gourmet baby food for Debbie."
"Oooh, yummy" said Faith as the three of them headed into the elevator, closely followed by Vala and Colonel Mitchell.
"Hey guys" said Faith as she, Willow and Colonel Carter stepped back.
"Major" said Colonel Mitchell as he nodded his head at Willow, and then nodded his head at Colonel Carter, "plans?"
"Debbie day" said Colonel Carter as she nodded her head and smiled while Vala gave a wide grin and asked her to bring Debra by the SGC, that she hadn't seen the little girl in a long time.
"SGC's not a safe place for toddlers, Vala" said Colonel Carter.
"Nonsense" said Vala, "my father let me play around with naquada when I was.."
"And that's enough of childhood naquada stories" said Colonel Mitchell as he frowned at Vala before looking at Willow and Faith. Willow told him that she had a date with Faith that night. It was then that Vala excitedly proposed a double date; herself and Colonel Mitchell, as well as Faith and Willow.
"Hey" said Colonel Carter who had her hands on her waist, "and me?"
"You said you wanted to stay home, Carter" said Colonel Mitchell.
"Yeah" she said with a pout on her face, "would still have been nice to be asked."
"Wanna go Sam?" asked Faith.
"Nah" said the Colonel as Willow nudged Faith before smiling at her wife, "it's alright. It's Debra day."
"Faith, Major?" asked Vala as the couple looked at each other while they communicated telepathically.
"Double date it is, then" said Faith.
Vala then grabbed both of Faith, and Willow's, hands before telling them that they needed to help her find a dress.
"Yeah, sure" said Faith as she noticed Colonel Mitchell rolling his eyes and silently mouthing 'help me' at Colonel Carter who shook her head. Faith then grinned and told Vala that she'd love to.
"Good luck, Cam" said Colonel Carter as they exited the main lobby. The Colonel then said goodbye to Faith, Willow and Vala and asked them not torture Colonel Mitchell too much.
"Too much?" said the Colonel as Colonel Carter walked away, waving at the four of them.
"To the shops" said Vala as she pulled on Faith while heading to the Slayer's car. Willow followed behind them with Colonel Mitchell who sighed at Vala walking with Faith as they discussed dress choices. At the same time, he told Willow that General Landry told him about her change of heart. That the idea to fix Angel was too risky.
"Sometimes I get too into things, sir. And I lose sight of… well, I just lose sight of everything" said Willow softly while looking at Faith who was laughing at something that Vala had told her, "I did it when I was Athena… and I hurt people. I thought about this without thinking about how it would affect others. I always told myself that playing with the supernatural, with magic, is dangerous. And I tried to do just that."
"Then what are your feelings about the Slayer weapon?" asked the Colonel as they waved at Colonel Carter who just drove away in her Volvo.
"We're just looking for the weapon, sir" said Willow, "so that it could be used as a weapon. If the BPRI decides to activate a Slayer artificially, they have a powerful.. and trained Witch who'll know what to do. I made a promise to myself to give up magic, and that's what I should do. The vampire thing, I mean…. maybe it could have worked. But a wise person, a very wise person told me that I'll be hurting a lot of people in the process."
"Wise, huh?" said Colonel Mitchell.
"Yes, sir" said Willow as she looked at Faith, who sensed that she was being looked at, turned around and smiled at Willow, "very wise."
Faith then turned around again and walked with Vala to the car. She then opened the door as Willow got into the passenger side, while the Colonel and Vala got into the back seat. The redhead told Colonel Mitchell not to worry about his car, that she'll be dropping off Vala after dinner back to the SGC.
"You can get your car then, Cam" said Faith as she looked at the Colonel in the reflection of her rear-view mirror. The Colonel nodded her his head before Faith drove off to the mall, while the women would try on dresses while the Colonel just waited wishing that Teal'c hadn't gone to visit Ry'ac and his wife, and that Daniel wasn't doing some translations of artifacts they brought back from the nuked Organic Furling drone planet.
TBC.