Chapter: 7: Enemies
March 3, 2001 – Saturday
Halliwell Manor
Victor followed his granddaughter and Buffy into the Manor. Faith had said she had something to tell her family along with her father's old partner.
"Faith, what is it?" Prue questioned as her daughter and Victor stepped into the living room. "Why did you want to see us all this morning?"
"I had a visit last night mom," Faith answered looking at her mother. "The Elders gave me a gift, a one-time deal kind of thing. Since daddy couldn't be summoned like Grams and Grandma Patty, they allowed him to visit me in my dreams. He had messages he wanted me to pass on to everyone." She looked at Darryl. "Including you, Uncle Darryl."
"Uncle Darryl?" Darryl questioned confused.
Faith smiled at the inspector. "Daddy said you were like a brother to him. He had a small request that I see you that way. For as far as he was concerned you are my godfather. That's why I called you Uncle Darryl. I hope you are okay with that of course."
Darryl thought about it for a long moment. If Andy saw him that way and wanted him to be Faith's godfather then he had no problem it. "It would be my honor. And if you want I could tell you about Andy."
Faith smiled as she smiled at Darryl. "I would like that," she told him. She turned to her mother. "Mom, your next."
"What did he say?" Prue asked looking at her daughter.
"He wanted you to stop blaming yourself for his death," Faith told her mother. "He said that he had no regrets doing what he did. And that if he had it to do all over again, he would have the same thing. That as long as you are alive, then everything turned out alright. And he said that he will always love you."
"Did Andy have any messages for me and Piper?" Phoebe wondered.
"Just that he missed you," Faith answered turning to look at her aunts. "That someday you will see him again and to watch out for me."
"I'm guessing he's not too happy with me," Grams said.
"He understood the situation, and he knew you were doing it to ease everyone's pain," Faith admitted looking at her great grandmother. "Your spell on him broke when he died. He informed me what he remembered of my birth. He said he knew from day one that I would be a heartbreaker."
"Is that literally true?" Prue wondered thinking about Buffy.
"You mean with Buffy?" Faith questioned as Prue nodded. "No. For thanks to you guys I have finally found the woman I am in love with and want to spend the rest of my life with."
"Then it's time I think that I tell those of you who don't know that while I was pregnant with Phoebe, I had a total of three premonitions," Patty said. "One of them was of a future that has not yet come to pass. It was a premonition of Faith's future." She looked at her granddaughter and smiled. "In the premonition I saw you and Buffy married and that you had a daughter." She looked at Grams. "That was why I was against the spell to send Prue, Piper and Phoebe to the past to change Faith's past."
Grams nodded as she looked at her great granddaughter. "While I obviously wish you could have a better life, Faith. Knowing this information, I have to say it is likely a good idea we didn't try and change your past. For it would have changed your future. A future that by the sounds of it, will be a good one."
"I guess it's my turn," Victor said as Faith turned to look at him.
"He said that this is your chance to do better," Faith told him. "And that he insisted that you not blow it or he will find a way to haunt you. And that he wants you to watch out for me."
"Did he have anything for me?" Buffy wondered.
"Not so much for you, but for me," Faith admitted. "He told me to trust my heart. And I do, Buffy. Just like I told you last night. I love you, and I am in love with you."
"And I love you, Faith," Buffy said as she moved to her girlfriend and kissed Faith passionately.
When they broke the kiss, Faith turned back to her mother. "Mom, Gramps told me that you wanted to enroll me into school."
Prue nodded. "Yes, I would love for you to have a good education. Get into a good college."
Faith glanced at her grandfather. "Then I take it while I was at the prom with Buffy that you didn't tell them?"
"I thought you might like the honors," Victor told his granddaughter.
Faith nodded as she reached into her bag and pulled out her GED certificate and handed it to Prue.
"A GED?" Prue said in shock. "I'm so proud of you, Faith."
"So am I," Piper, Phoebe, Patty, Grams, Leo and Darryl all said in unison.
"Hey maybe you and I can go to college together," Buffy said with a grin. "Assuming I survive graduation."
"I would like that," Faith told her girlfriend. "We can even share a dorm room."
"So, Faith," Prue said as she handed the certificate back to her daughter. "Why didn't you mention that you had gotten your GED?"
Faith looked down for a moment slightly embarrassed before looking at her grandfather. "Gramps, you tell them."
Victor nodded as he wrapped an arm around his granddaughter. "The physical abuse and the drugs weren't the only thing that woman did too Faith," he explained. "She also mentally abused and controlled Faith as well. So much so that Faith doubted how she was, even when she made the honor roll."
"What else did that woman do?" Prue wondered looking at her father.
"Faith?" Victor started.
"Go head," Faith interjected. "If I need to, I will add to it."
Victor nodded as he looked back at his daughters. "That woman forced faith to ask to go to the bathroom like a toddler would. And faith was surprised to see a shower because she wasn't allowed to use one."
Buffy looked at her girlfriend in shock. "Faith, how did you…" she started.
"The rain primarily. And when it didn't rain, she would take a hose to me," Faith answered as Buffy moved beside her. She felt Buffy's hand move to her back and her girlfriend began to rub her back in small soothing circles. She realized that Joyce had likely done that to Buffy and Buffy had picked up on it. "And if she was feeling real mean she would throw me into the tub with freezing cold water."
"It's okay," Buffy whispered as she continued to rub Faith's back.
Faith smiled at how supportive Buffy was being. She looked back at her family. "I was never allowed to have breakfast my lunch at school consisted of non-drugged baby food and a bottle to wash it down. For dinner it was my drugged food even if I was a good kid I never enjoyed school. The one thing I really hated was when my birthday came around because for her I didn't grow up, I grew down, in other words she treated me like I was constantly three-years-old. She never got over her husband's death and never let me forget it. She even trapped me in the furniture."
"Couldn't you climb or step out?" Buffy wondered.
"If I wasn't drugged," Faith said with a sigh. "Maybe. But the other problem was she used her powers to increase the size of the stuff to further humiliate me so I was stuck."
"Surely your neighbors would have done something," Darryl said.
Faith shook her head. "Our apartment was sound proofed and there was she cast an illusion spell. The neighbors didn't hear anything and they only saw me as a baby, Uncle Darryl."
"Where did your neighbors think you were going in the morning?" Cole wondered. "When you were heading to school?"
"Daycare, Uncle Cole," Faith answered.
"What?" everyone said in unison.
Faith smiled at Phoebe and Cole. "I can tell that you guys will get married sooner or later," she admitted.
Phoebe thought about it. She had always held reservations about getting married despite her Cinderella fantasies growing up. But she wasn't sure if she was the marrying type. And thankfully Cole had yet to propose anyways so it was a moot point.
"So, I thought I should get started on referring to you as Uncle Cole," Faith continued. "Unless you don't want me to do that? I mean even a blind person would be able to sense that."
"Let's wait, Faith," Cole admitted. "While it is nice to hear it. I would rather wait till I am actually your uncle."
"Okay, Cole," Faith agreed.
"You mean you might actually propose?" Phoebe said worriedly.
"Someday, maybe," Cole admitted.
Faith smiled as she looked at Phoebe. "Aunt Phoebe, I remember something you gave me when I was a baby. You gave me caramel coffee ice cream. You mixed it in with my baby food because I didn't want to eat it."
Prue, Grams and Patty turned on Phoebe glaring at the youngest Halliwell sister. "You gave my daughter, caramel coffee ice cream when she was a baby?" Prue said.
"Prue," Phoebe said defensively. "How was I supposed to know it would keep Faith up all night. I was nine-years-old at the time. You were at Andy's, studying. Piper was at school for a student council meeting. And grams was out getting diapers and formula for Faith."
Grams looked at her great granddaughter. "You used to go through diapers like they grew on trees," she told her.
Faith glanced at Phoebe slightly embarrassed. "Sorry for peeing on you most of the time, Aunt Phoebe. But if you remember you taught me my second word."
Grams glared at her youngest granddaughter. "Really, Phoebe? Why would you teach you niece the world…Wicked."
"Because every baby needs an edge," Phoebe said as she and Faith chuckled.
Prue looked at her daughter and smiled. "It's nice to see your laugh."
"You guys and Buffy are to thank for that," Faith admitted. "So, mom, do you have any baby pics of me?"
Grams nodded. "Of course, we do. Just like with your locket, they were put away for safe keeping. Did you have any pictures taken when at those people's house?"
Faith nodded. "One," she said. "It was before her husband died. It was taken on my third birthday, by Mr. Lehane himself. Back then they seemed to be nice people. That didn't change till I screwed it up by letting Kakistos in. Looking back, he was probably just doing his job with me. After all I was a Potential and he was a Watcher."
"Yeah, not all of them are like Diana was for Faith and like Giles and Merrick for me," Buffy said.
Faith looked at Buffy with a raised eyebrow at the mention of Merrick. "Who's Merrick?"
"My first Watcher," Buffy admitted as a tear escaped her eye. "It was back in Los Angeles when I faced Lothos. He died protecting me. He's partly the reason I wanted to quit when I first moved to Sunnydale." She sighed as she turned back to Faith's family. "Anyways as I said they aren't all like Giles and Merrick. Kendra my direct successor's Watcher drilled into her head she had to be the perfect Slayer. She wasn't even allowed to talk to boys or watch TV or anything. Her entire life was training and slaying."
March 5, 2001 - Monday
Halliwell Manor
"What?" Prue said as she looked at Buffy. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. The young half-witch, half-Slayer was suggesting that Faith go undercover with the Mayor, the guy Cole had told them had sold his and the founding settlers of Sunnydale's souls for extended life.
"We need information on the Mayor," Buffy said. "He's going to be suspicious if I suddenly switch sides. But if Faith …"
"No," Prue said, instantly against the idea.
"Mom," Faith said. "It's a good idea. He won't expect me to be a double agent. Besides all I have to do is call for Leo if I get into a spot of trouble that I can't get out of."
Prue sighed as she looked between the Slayers. "I don't like it, Buffy. But your plan is sound, from what you and Faith have told me it might work." She turned and looked at her daughter pointedly. "But, Faith…"
"That reminds me," Faith said. "While I'm in Sunnydale. Can you get paperwork started for me to change my name back to the one you gave me?"
"If that is what you want," Prue said.
"It is," Faith answered. "Faith will just be a nickname now."
"Okay," Prue agreed. "Anyways as I was saying Leo is going to be listening and watching. One thing and he is orbing you out of there."
"Agreed," Buffy and Faith said in unison.
March 7, 2001 – Wednesday
Sunnydale City Hall
Mayor Richard Wilkins the Third was getting ready to leave for the day as he pulled on his overcoat. He looked down at his desk and adjusted the angle of the penholder. He gave a satisfied nod and then picked up his briefcase as he headed for the door. When he opened it, he was surprised to see Faith standing there, arms crossed.
"You sent your boy to kill me," Faith said accusingly. She and Buffy had spread it around that she was back in town. To try and entice the Mayor into doing something. It had worked. The Mayor had sent the vampire, Trick, after Faith.
"That's right, I did," he answered completely unfazed by the accusation.
"He's dust," Faith told him.
"I thought he might be. What with you standing here and all."
Faith stepped brazenly into the doorway. "I guess that means you have a job opening."
The Mayor stepped back to let her enter and closed the door.
March 8, 2001 – Thursday
Restfield Cemetery
Buffy and Faith were out on patrol, unaware that they were being followed.
"So," Buffy said.
"I'm in," Faith said. "He wants me to keep in your good graces for the time being. Probably eyes and ears on what you're doing."
"Good," Buffy said as she smiled at her girlfriend. "That means you're actually doing that to him."
"Duck," Buffy said as their stalker came up behind them. Faith ducked out of the way as she punched the stalker full in the face. It crashed into a tomb wall and the two Slayers, stakes out, pin it to the wall.
"Ow! What are you, nuts? Going around punching people," the demon said.
"People?" Buffy scoffed with a roll of her eyes.
"So, what, I'm a demon that makes it okay?" he replied as Buffy and Faith pull their stakes back getting ready to strike. "Hold it! Whoa! Stake me now, you never find out what I got for you. Think about it, demon seeks Slayers, highly unusual ..." They lower the stakes, listening for now... "Plus you ruin a perfectly good suit."
"Talk fast. My partner's crazy," Faith said as she wrapped her arms around Buffy. She couldn't help copping a small feel of her girlfriend's breasts. "Don't know how long I can hold her back."
"How'd you like to get your hands on the Books of Ascension?" the demon asked.
"Never heard of 'em," Buffy admitted.
"Books of Ascension. Very powerful works, and I am not talking about the prose," he said. "They deal with some dark stuff, and the Mayor would hate it if someone got ahold of them before he... you know."
Buffy and Faith looked at each other as a plan began to form in their minds. "No, we don't know," Buffy said as she looked back at the demon. "Before the Mayor what?"
"Hey, read 'em and weep. That's all I got to say. Tomorrow I get the books. Meet me here. If the price is right, I give the Books to you."
"I'm not looking to trade with a demon," Buffy said.
"And if this were still a barter economy," the demon said, "that would be a problem. I want cash, princess. Five large, for the whole set."
"So, you can buy... and I'm guessing here, skin care products?" Faith asked sarcastically.
"Plane ticket out of the Hellmouth before it's adios, Slayer Loco. So. Five Gs. What do you say?" he said.
"I think "Die, fiend" kind of sums it up," Faith said as she looked at her girlfriend. "Wouldn't you say?" They watched as the demon ran off. "You thinking what I am?"
"We get the books for Giles and Wes," Buffy said.
"Sounds like a plan," Faith agreed. "That said I think I need to see the Mayor to judge his interest in them. Not that we'll give them to him of course."
"Good idea," Buffy agreed. "Should come up with an excuse when you don't have them."
"Simple," Faith smirked. "I could always blame you."
Buffy shook her head. "Not that I like the idea of course, but yeah, he would believe if I got them first," she said as she watched Faith walk off. She turned and disappeared in a swirl of fiery flames.
City Hall
Thirty minutes later Faith stood in the Mayor's office watching as he paced back and forth before her. "And what exactly did this demon look like?" he asked.
Faith shrugged. "Demonic."
"And you say he has the Books of Ascension, or will soon, and he was willing to... sell them?"
Faith nodded. "That's what I said."
"Hmm. You know what I wish? I wish that you would pull your hair back," the Mayor said as he looked at Faith. "I know, fashion isn't exactly my thing, but gosh darn it, you've got such a nice face. Can't understand why you hide it."
"Who says I'm hiding it," Faith said defensively. She knew Buffy liked how she wore her hair. "Anyways It's just a matter of time before this demon guy spills. Then Buffy and the Super Friends are going to..."
"You worry too much for a girl your age," the Mayor said. "That's unnecessary stress. Luckily, I have just the thing." He walked over to a cabinet and opened it. He poured a glass of milk and then turned to Faith as he held out the glass to her. "First, load up on calcium. Then, find this demon. Kill the heck out of him, and bring the books to me."
"And if Buffy gets to him first?" Faith asked.
"Oh. Well, frankly, I don't like to think about that. I like good, positive, up thoughts. If you failed me in that way..." the Mayor said as he searched for the right words. "Well, replacing Mr. Trick was chore enough. Oh, don't worry. And drink up. There's nothing uncool about healthy teeth and bones."
"I don't do milk," Faith lied. She drank milk at home, mostly because Prue insisted on it. But she was not about to drink anything the Mayor offered just in case.
"No? Oh. I know what you want," the Mayor said as he produced a box of powdered chocolate. And a spoon. He spooned a big healthy spoonful of chocolate into the milk and stirred. He stepped back as he looked at Faith. "Drink up." Faith, looking uncomfortable, drank the chocolate milk. "There's my girl."
Sunnydale High School
In the library, Wesley looked puzzled as he paced before Buffy. "And you say this demon wanted cash?" he asked. "That's very unusual."
"Demons after money," Giles said. "Whatever happened to the still-beating heart of a virgin? No one has standards anymore ..."
"He said the books were worth the price," Buffy said.
"So, what's this Ascension mean?" Xander asked.
"I'm not sure ..." Giles said.
"Not really a common term in demonology..." Wesley said.
"Ooh! Ooh! The Merenshtadt Text! I think the section on genocide has something about ascension," Willow said.
"Wow. We have a winner," Buffy said as she smiled at Willow.
"And more importantly, two losers," Xander added.
"Where did you find that volume?" Giles wondered glaring at Willow.
"In the top of your book cabinet, with the stuff you try to keep hidden," Willow said as Giles scowled at her before walking into his office.
"Any engravings I should know about?" Xander asked. "Frolicking nymphs of some kind?"
Willow shook her head. "No just stuff on magic," she said as Giles returned with the book.
"Anything?" Buffy asked.
Giles nodded. "Yes, quite. There's reference here to the journal of Desmond Kane, pastor of a town called Sharpsville. 'May 26th, 1723. Tomorrow is the ascension. God help us all.' That was last anyone heard."
"Of Kane?" Wesley asked.
Giles shook his head. "Of Sharpsville. The town more or less disappeared, it seems."
"So, ascension possibly not a love-in," Buffy said.
"I think you and Faith will want to meet with this demon, Buffy," Giles said.
"I was thinking about that," Buffy said. "Since he wants the money to get a plane ticket out of here. What if I offered him the option to be flamed to San Francisco instead?"
"It might work," Giles said. "Now, where is he?"
"Some of the motels and a few apartment buildings cater to demons," Buffy said. "But …"
"What about that guy that works in that bar?" Xander asked.
"Willy?" Buffy said. "He might know where the demon is."
Sunnydale Motor Inn
"Leo!" Faith called out as she walked into her motel room. A second later Leo orbed in. "Can you see if I've been poisoned? The Mayor gave me some milk, made me drink it."
"Of course," Leo said as he held his hands over Faith and then smiled. "Your safe. It was just milk. But it's good to make sure. Are you going to be staying here tonight? Or should I orb you home?"
"Here," Faith said as Buffy appeared in a swirl of fiery flames. "I think so I don't blow my cover I need to be here in case he decides to check up on me."
"Alright," Leo said. "Anything you want me to tell your mother?"
"I miss her?" Faith suggested as Leo nodded. He orbed out as she turned and looked at Buffy. "Well?"
"I am going to offer the demon a one-way trip to San Francisco," Buffy said.
"To the Manor?" Faith asked. "I doubt Gramps wants a demonic roomie."
"Yep," Buffy agreed. "I just hope I can persuade your mom not to vanquish him."
"The Mayor wants me to outright kill him," Faith said. "And if I fail to bring him the books…"
Buffy sighed and she stepped to Faith and kissed the brunette Slayer. "I won't let that happen; I promise. Which means we may have to give him the books. Giles and Wes aren't going to like it. But I don't want to lose you either."
March 8, 2001 – Thursday
Majestic Hotel
After getting the demon's location from Willy, Buffy flamed into the hotel room with Faith. They saw that the demon was packing a suitcase. Faith motioned toward a table where several books laid. "So those them?" Faith asked startling the demon.
"Slayer!" the demon said. "I wasn't expecting company, give me a minute and I'll have the place tidied up for..."
"Those the books," Buffy asked.
"Depends. You got my money?" the demon wondered.
"Here is the thing," Buffy said. "The Watcher's Council won't pay a demon. And the Mayor wants you dead simply because you have them. You want out of town. I can take you where you want to go, the same way we got in here without coming through the door."
"How?" the demon asked as Buffy flamed out and back in.
"That's an upper level demon power," the demon said suddenly worried.
"Technically, yes," Faith said. "But you see my girlfriend is not a demon. She actually acquired the power from demon because of a spell my mom was under that affected me, my aunts and Buffy. Anyways the offer stands. Buffy can take you where you want in exchange for the books."
The demon thought about it and then moved over to a light switch and flicked the overhead light on, illuminating the Books. "Check 'em out. That's quality merchandise."
"So that is them?" Buffy asked as the demon nodded. "Where to?"
"Anywhere as long as it is out of here," the demon said.
Buffy held out her hand. "Got to hold my hand and I will take you to San Francisco," she said. The demon nodded as he picked up his suitcase. Then they disappeared in a swirl of fiery flames.
Halliwell Manor
They appeared in the foyer of the Manor as Prue was coming down the stairs. "Sorry," Buffy said as Prue frowned upon seeing the demon. "Only two places I can flame to with ease. Here and your dad's."
Prue nodded in understanding. "And why did you bring him to San Francisco at all?" she questioned.
"He's giving me and Faith books on what the Mayor is doing," Buffy explained. "I promised him a quick get out of Sunnydale in exchange."
"Alright," Prue said as she turned and looked at the demon. "But if me and my sisters have to come after you …"
"I have no plans to mess with the Charmed Ones," the demon said before turning and leaving the Manor.
Prue turned back to Buffy. "How is Faith?" she questioned.
Buffy sighed. She didn't want to tell Prue about the death threat the Mayor had made. "She's fine," she lied. "I better get back." She disappeared in fiery flames."
"Do you believe her?" Piper asked as she came down the stairs behind her elder sister.
"No," Prue answered. "I think she said that so I wouldn't worry."
Majestic Hotel
Buffy flamed back into the hotel room and sighed. "I don't think she bought it."
"Bought what?" Faith wondered as she looked at her girlfriend.
"She asked how you were," Buffy admitted. "I lied and said you were fine. I didn't want to tell her about the threat the Mayor made."
"It's okay, Buffy," Faith said as she wrapped an arm around her girlfriend in comfort. "We should probably show these to Wes and G-man so I can get them to the Mayor."
Sunnydale Motor Inn
After bringing the books to the Mayor sent Faith out to try and see if she could get Angel to lose his soul by giving him that one true happiness. Instead Faith had gone to Buffy and Giles and told them what was going on. They agreed for her to return to the Mayor and tell him that seducing Angel failed to see what he would try and do next.
"It's not like I wasn't trying, okay?" Faith said defensively. She sat on the bed of her motel room.
"There's no need to convince me," he said. "I'm sure you gave it your level best. I just don't understand what that boy could be thinking."
"Try Buffy Summers. Like in the big fat one-track way," Faith explained.
"Don't be discouraged. You're a bright, young, energetic girl with a whole life ahead of her and I won't tolerate brooding. So, you couldn't give him one moment of true happiness."
"I was thinking more along the lines of a long weekend, but okay," Faith said. She hated pretending to be interested in Angel.
"And he spurned your advances," the Mayor said. "So be it. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and I happen to know that's factually true. We want to take Angel's soul away." He walked over to the window. "If you can't do it by giving him happiness... well by golly, we'll just have to do it in the most painful way imaginable." He smiled as he turned and left the motel room.
"Leo!" Faith whispered as Leo orbed in. "Go tell Buffy that the Mayor intends to somehow remove Angel's soul."
Leo nodded and orbed out.
Sunnydale High School
Leo orbed into Giles' office and walked out into the main library where he found Buffy with Giles and Wesley.
"Leo?" Buffy said shocked to see the Whitelighter there.
"Faith needed some information passed quickly," he explained. "The mayor intends to somehow remove Angel's soul."
Buffy's eyes went wide as she looked at Giles. "Can he do that?"
"Possibly," Giles said. "I happen to know a Shaman who can do it. He owes me a favor, so I think I could persuade him to fake it."
March 9, 2001 – Friday
City Hall
The Mayor sat at his desk, holding out a little candy dish filled with mints. "Mint?" he asked the Shaman who sat across from him. He received no response as he set the bowl down. "Didn't think so. Well. Scheduling a man of your talents is quite the chore, I'll tell you. Between the chanting and the sacrifice, but here you are. You know why I've summoned you?" The Shaman silently nodded. "Can you do it?" Again, the Shaman nodded, but otherwise said nothing. "Need anything from me?" The Shaman silently shook his head. "You're not much of a people person, are you?"
"You have risked great danger in calling on me. The deadliest Magics are needed to rob this creature of its soul," the Shaman said.
"Big job, all right," the Mayor agreed.
"And so, it shall be done," the Shaman said.
"That's just swell. Say, sure you don't, uh..." the Mayor said as he shook the tray of mints, tempting the Shaman. "Low calorie..."
Sunnydale High School
In the lounge Buffy sat with Willow, trying to concentrate on a book. She was clearly distracted. "Are you okay?" Willow asked.
"Huh?" Buffy asked. "Yeah. I just can't stop thinking about Faith."
"I know that it's taking a little time for me and Xander to forgive her," Willow said. "But I have to say I'm glad she has you as a friend. She will be fine."
Buffy sighed. "There is something I haven't told you, yet. I'm in love with her."
Willow chuckled. "I suspected when you invited her to the prom. But are you sure? I mean one hundred percent sure. I mean you do love, Angel, right?"
"I do and always will," Buffy admitted. "But, Will, first off, the clause in his curse will always be a problem. Second, I've been slowly moving on. To tell the truth I think I'm more bisexual than actually straight."
Willow nodded. "Does she make you, happy? Truly happy?"
"She does," Buffy said as she smiled.
"Then I am happy for you," Willow said.
Just then Giles came up to them. "It's done," he said. "Faith and Angel have rehearsed lines in case the Mayor is watching. If everything goes to plan, we should be able to glean some information."
Crawford Street Mansion
Angel stood tending a roaring fire. He heard Faith come up behind him and turned to face her. "Faith," he said.
"Hey. Sorry to bust in uninvited," she said.
"What do you want?" Angel asked.
"Look, I'm not so good at apologies. Mostly 'cause I think the world's out to screw me, so I'm generally more owed than owing, you know? But I've been thinking about last night, and I want you to know: I'm really sorry."
"All right," Angel said.
Faith sighed. She hated her part in this, but she understood while Giles had given her and Angel lines to recite. It was in case the Mayor was watching. "No, it's not all right. Yeah, I was freaked, and needed somebody, but you're with Buffy. I should know better."
"Okay," Angel said.
Faith took a step toward Angel. He took a step back. Faith looked at him with a sad face to try and make the hurt believable. "You don't trust me," she said.
"It's not that," Angel said.
"Hey, no problem. Join the club," Faith said. Willow and Xander still didn't trust her, at least nor one hundred percent. She turned away from Angel as if looking at him was too painful.
"Faith. I know what you're going through," Angel said. "And how hard it can be. It's important to have someone who's been where you are, who understands what you're going through." He gently took Faith by the shoulders and turned her to face him. "I want to trust you."
"Chump," Faith said, hating pretending to be the bad guy. She knew it was all an act on her part, on Angel's part and on the Shaman's part. But they had to make the act believable. As she backed away from Angel, the Shaman emerged from the shadows and he cast his spell.
The incantation reached its crescendo and flashes of light swirl, come together, and enter Angel's body, violently. His whole body shuddered as lights explodes out of his body. He fell, trembling, to the floor. The Shaman then withdrew back into the shadows.
Faith approached Angel's racked, quivering form carefully. She hoped that Shaman didn't just double cross them. She suddenly jumped back as Angel jerked his head up, baring fangs, looking right at her with dead eyes, devoid of humanity. He stood, grabbed Faith, pulled her close and kissed HER, hard, full and long on the mouth. When he pulled away, he leaned close as if to bite into her neck and whispered, "It worked."
Angel looked deep into Faith's eyes, holdin her out at arm's length, examining her. "Thanks so much," he said as he smacked her backhanded across her face, hitting her so hard she's lifted off her feet and landed five feet away. "Good to have the taste of Slayer back in my mouth. It's like cigarettes, you know? Just when I thought I quit. He strolled about, arms wide, taking in the full view of the mansion. "Oh, it is good to be back in Sunnydale. Nice climate, plenty to eat, no tortured humanity to hold me down. But you know what bothers me? You don't seem to be getting the big picture here, Faith. Now, I don't know why you turned me..." He grabbed her head, jerking it back, exposing her throat. "...But let me tell you. I'm just glad you did." He leaned forward as if to bite Faith and she kneed him. As he let go, she clocked him with a roundhouse kick.
"I've got my reasons," Faith said.
"Let me guess. You summoned back the true Angelus 'cause... you need a new Boy Toy? Sorry. Doesn't work that way," Angel said.
Angel and Faith knew they had to put on a show so they attacked each other, throwing punches and counter punches.
"You want to be smart? You listen to me,' Faith said.
"Funny thing about vampires, Faith. We don't establish meaningful dialogues with Slayers," Angel said.
"Not how Buffy tells it," Faith said knowing it was not in the script of what they were saying but knew it would work for the Mayor if he was watching. She flipped Angel to the ground and scrambled on top of him.
Angel laughed. "Should have known you'd like it on top."
"You want to listen or you want to die?" Faith asked.
"Long as you're there, I mostly want you to wriggle. But I'm listening," Angel said.
"Last time you got like this; Buffy kicked your ass all the way back to Hell. Want to do better this time?" Faith asked as Angel's face morphed back to normal. "Good boy. Now all you got to do is play nice, call a truce, and I can hook you up with the real power in this town. Interested?"
"Very," Angel said.
"Then get ready to meet the new boss," Faith said.
City Hall
Faith and Angel stood in the Mayor's office, they had not said much on the way here in case the Mayor or his goons might still be watching. The Mayor paced small circles around Angel, inspecting him.
"So? Can I keep him?" Faith asked.
"Let's just take things step-by step for the moment," the Mayor answered. "Now then. Angelus. May I call you Angel?"
"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of you calling me Master." Angel answered.
"You know, Angelus, attitude may get you attention, but courtesy wins respect. I am the one responsible for your new attitude," the Mayor explained.
"That's why I'm here," Angel said as picked up and fingered a letter opener from the Mayor's desk.
"No trouble with the transition? No side effects?" the Mayor asked.
Angel shrugged. "Had a soul, now I'm free."
The Mayor smiled. "That's terrific. Poetic, too. Not that I read much poetry. Except those little ones in Reader's Digest. Some are quite catchy."
"Hey I don't mean to rush things here, but are you getting to anything like a point?" Angel said.
The Mayor laughed. "Kids today. Rush, rush, rush. The point, Angel, is that you're a powerful young man. Good for Faith. And there just may be a future for you here in Sunnydale. I see you're admiring my letter-opener."
"Actually, I was thinking of stabbing you through the heart with it," Angel said.
"Please do," the Mayor said. He nodded and smiled reassuringly. Angel looked to Faith as if to ask, are we going to be that lucky? Faith shrugged remembering what Cole had said, that the Mayor had sold his soul for extended life. She wasn't sure if that included invulnerability or anything though. So faster than the eye could follow, Angel whipped the letter-opener across the room. With deadly accuracy it stuck in the Mayor's hand.
"Nice shot," the Mayor said as he removed the letter opener and the watched as his hand completely healed on its own.
Faith kept a straight face but inside she was frowning.
"You see, I'm what you might call impervious. Can't be killed, or harmed, in any way. And that's just a cornerstone in my plans for this great town of ours," the Mayor explained as he wiped off the letter opener and set it down on the desk.
"Can't be killed, but you don't like germs?" Angel said.
The Mayor shivered. "Eeugh, awful things. Unsanitary. But my question is, now that Faith has brought you back, what are your intentions?"
Angel smiled. "Well, gee sir, I thought I'd find that Slayer who's giving you so much trouble and torture, maim, and kill her."
"Fine! Nice to hear you're not one of those slacker types running around today," the Mayor said. "Torture Buffy. Killing her is fine, but make it a slow one."
Angel smiled. "My favorite kind."
"Wonderful. We don't want a replacement Slayer anytime soon. They can't all turn out like my girl Faith," the Mayor said. "Have fun!"
"Let's do it," Faith said as she Angel left.
Sunnydale High School
In the library Giles was conversing with the Shaman. "The task is finished," the Shaman said.
"Yes. Thank you for your help," Giles said.
"This restores the balance between us, Rupert Giles," the Shaman said. "My debt to you is repaid now in full. Do not call upon me again."
"I shan't. Peace with you," Giles said.
"And with you," the Shaman said as he faded into the shadows.
Giles turned to look at Buffy, Faith and Angel, who had been watching curiously.
"His debt to you is repaid? What did you do?" Buffy wondered.
"I introduced him to his wife," Giles explained. "Now despite the fact we didn't get to keep the books long enough to really look though them."
"Sorry," Faith said.
"No apology needed," Giles said. "Your life was at stake. I do believe that the Mayor would have kept to his threat if you hadn't taken them to him. Still everything wasn't all in vain. We know that the Ascension will be on Graduation Day. We also know that the Mayor is impervious to harm. Faith, you should remain in his employ for a little longer, see if we can learn anything more that we can use."
"Okay," Faith agreed.
March 10, 2001 – Saturday
City Hall
Faith sat in the Mayor's office opposite the Mayor. "From where I'm sitting, it's batting average that counts. So, you lost some friends," he said.
"Wouldn't exactly call them friends," Faith lied. She had told the Mayor a fabricated version of events with regard to Angel's soul. Basically, she had said that they had faked everything so they could trick her into revealing information.
"So then what are you worried about?" the Mayor asked. "Chin up. You don't see me looking disappointed, do you? Heck no. Know why? Because I know you'll always have me, Faith. I'm the best and most important friend you'll ever have. Besides, once the Ascension starts, that in crowd you're so concerned about? Hoo! They'll be lucky if there's enough of 'em left to fill a pothole. Promise."