Chapter 27: Glory Glory Hallelujah!

Ruby had rushed into the summers house alot later than she had expected to, carrying a bunch of polaroid film that was still developing and contained images that were proof it had all begun. Glorificus was coming and her minions have begun to manifest in the human world.

She had burst through the back door after effortlessly leaping the fence as she thanked the mist for being still pretty thick for a mid day visit in the usually sunny state of California. she bounded througn the kitchen and passed both Dawn and Persephone who had just finished washing up and were about to set the table for an early christmas dinner.

Both Girls watched as she moved at ungodly speeds through the kitchen and located both Buffy and Faith joking around with the scooby gang and exchanging some gifts butnit all stopped instantly and everyones faces turned to the now human Enchantress who was out of breath and standing at the living room doorway with the pictures in her hands and outstretched whilst looking directly into Faiths now worried eyes.

"Faith... it's etarting... her minions have risen" Ruby caught her breath as Faith jumped away from the group and ran towards Ruby to try and aid her the best she could but Ruby just shoved the polaroids into her hands and told her to look carefully and that's when she realised the polaroids weren't normal film, they were magical in nature.

Faith directed Ruby towards the Sofa and Joyce went to go get her a glass of water whilst Buffy took hold of the polaroids Faith suddenly handed her as she spent her entire time and effort into making sure Ruby was fine, which she was obviously. she was just out of breath and beligerant, so nothing new there.

Buffy spied some robed figures who were moving inside the polaroid films frame, they were wearing brown robes and looked oddly like pale skinned goblins in dire need of some good skin care. Buffy saw the insignias they carried and from the information herself and Faith had gathered up until now there was no mistaking it anymore, it had begun and her minions were preparing to receive their master.

"She is coming, these pictures show her minions are getting ready to receive their goddess, Miranda showed us the symbol... that is Glorys mark, but does this mean she is coming earlier than expected or are they preparing something else for her... like a sacrifice or something?" Buffy frowned and handed the photos to the gang and Giles had only arrived half an hour before Ruby but was shocked to see what these pictures depicted.

"Buffy, Faith... can you deal with this? maybe we should run to your new home dimension? this one might be almost evil free but this isn't evil. she is a goddess" Giles asked them both with a hint of fear in his usually stern sounding english voice but it seemed to falter as he knew they were out of their leauge this time.

Buffy smiled and waved him off as if this was nothing to both of them, "Giles, we got this... we are as strong as gods now ya know and Faiths way stronger than me in every way possible... plus i'm cute and can use that to our advantage" Buffy playfully pouted towards her wifes direction and she just chuckled as Ruby rolled her tired eyes in response.

Joyce ran back into the room with a tall glass of water and Ruby demolished the glass in moments and after a slight cough she thanked Joyce for the water and noticed Faith was holding her hand and stroking the back of it with her Thumb as she held onto it tight.

"Guys, if she gets here early we'll get Dawn into Al-kufir and she'll never find the key... in the meantime we know we can go toe to toe with her and have spells she can't even fathom. won't matter that she's a god once we're through with her" Faith gave the group a confident and somewhat cocky look which seemed to calm them all down but Buffy felt what she was feeling deeply and more potent than any other could due to their connection.

She turned to Ruby and gave her a questioning look as if she thought her surrogate mother would say something to rain on their parade and deny they could do it gut Ruby was confident her plans she had been concocting for a while now would work if implemented correctly.

"Faith, you are fully armed, Magically you and Buffy are basically mini Merlins at this point... and yes i've been reading those Arthurian legends you recommended and no i hate Lancelot but anyway We've got plans and safegaurds in place ok" Ruby felt Faith tighten her hands grip and then she lunged towards her and hugged Ruby with all her strength which elicited quite the pained groan and she instantly loosened her hold and Ruby thanked the gods she had reinforced this new body with deep magics.

Buffy sighed and cracked her neck as she closed her arms and gave Ruby a look she rarely endured whenever it wasn't directed at Dawn or her beloved Faith, it was 'concern' for her safety and health. she had rushed over as quickly as she could to tell everyone what was happening and she didn't even stop to catch her breath, she was doing that right now.

"Ruby, those moving polaroids are magically made and up to date right? spirit photography was that weird book you gave me the first christmas i spent in Al-kufir with Faith, i only ever practiced the basics since the rest employed dark and arcane blood magic..." Buffy shuddered at the thought of using that kind of magic and the dangers that came with such power, especially here in Sunnydale where magic from her body was seperate from the universal magical source.

Magic she had gained like Faith came from her body due to the permament enchantments and the demonic powers the Slayer has, but now that it was purified and she was half angel and human the magic inside her was almost bottomless in theory as she produced her own as did Faith. this made them both godlike in ways that were so rare that most gods couldn't do what they did naturally now.

Ruby let a grin cross her face as she realised Buffy had actually listened to her warnings about arcane blood magics and how they were basically a trap for any magic user as they always took more than they gave. "It's nice to see you actually pay attention to my lessons, but you and Faith are wells of magic since you've become Angelic and my enchantments are pushing you both to heights only lesser old ones could fathom".

Giles gulped louder than he should of and everyone turned to meet his gaze, he cleaned his glasses meticulously as he composed himself before speaking to the room. "Ruby, girls... How dangerous is Glory? really?... cause from our perspective she is a goddess and a powerful one at that" Giles paused as he placed his glasses back to their rightful place and continued speaking.

"But if Buffy herself is nearing lesser old one status and her wife is even stronger... Glory will not stand a chance against one of you, let alone both if it comes down to fisticuffs" Giles had expected voices to be raised and a great big argument to break out but the room was quiet and the only onces who didn't seem worried as much as everyone else were the Summers women.

Faith was the first to speak, "Giles, she is an deeply dangerous god and we still have a huge gap in our knowledge concerning the nature of her powers, battle tactics or long term plan here in Sunnydale" Faith looked away and intk Rubys eyes for a few moments before returning her eyes to Giles and making it clear why Glory was still a horrific threat compared to anything they had ever fought before.

"She might kill alot of people before we can even react and put her down, we might have to seal her if she's indestructible, maybe find a source of her power or an anchor she has that binds her to this dimension? she is dangerous because she is the strongest and a total unknown to all of us, that lack of information might lead to those we love dying" Faith watched Giles sit down in the arm chair and light up a cigarette rather uncharacteristically but everyone allowed it considering the horror that was coming.

"Her minions are gettjng their prep work in, just like we have... Dawn, you will remain home with Persephone from new years day and onwards... prepare your magical doppleganger so she can take your place and attain the school knowledge you need at the end of every week... If you get bored, work" Buffy placed a hand on her shoulder and she placed her own hand on top of her mothers and nodded in affirmation as she liked the plan alot.

Willow spoke in her usual mousy, nervous voice but something that sounded like confidence was slowly rising in her voice and it sounded alot like confidence, it seemed Willow dating Tara was a very good thing for her. "We have college but me and Tara can learn more from Ruby and help prepare more traps and spells to hide and protect us all and others too, maybe when she gets here we can find her dimensional anchor too, i mean... if she even has one" Willow thought maybe Glorificus might actually just be bound to this dimension by deep magics but she knew they had to take all possible theories and run through them meticulously if they were to succeed.

"Hey guys, i'd love to help myself but if i'm honest with myself... this is wayyy above my pay grade ok! if i was super strong, sure... i might be able to get a few good licks in but hey, i'm a construction worker ya know" Xander nervously chuckled and everyone understood where he was coming from but they also didn't judge him for it, he was right afterall. what could he really do to help? nothing was the realistic answer.

"We know but that's fine, we can protect you and anyway my present for ya this year was a silver pocket watch... enchanted, to make you stronged and resilient over time and also you won't attract demons anymore either, they won't even see or smell you" Dawn blazed a glaringly cute smile that almost blinded him as she poi ted towards a small blue box under the tree with Xanders name inked upon it.

"Holy, hell... i will finally be a demon repellent! and not some delicously shaped twinkie for these dastardly devils!" Xander tone went a bit Yosemite Sam at the end there but Faifh gave Buffy a look and a wink that caused her to look away and blush crimson as they spoke secretly between themselves and the only one to pick up on it at first was Persephone.

Faiths internal words were along the lines of this 'Twinkie, haven't called you that in awhile B... mind you i'm usually supplying the cream in your soft center aren't i...' and that caused Buffy to go redder than a spicy pepper found in Chernobyls most exploded nuclear reactor.

Willow seemed worried about Xander getting super powers and voiced an objection which seemed not so out of character for the youthful redheaded witch. "Are we sure Yosemite Sam over here should be getting super powers... last time he almost ate the principal... he was posessed but, c'mon." Willow noticed Xander face become deflated as he realised she was probably right but he still liked the idea of being stronger to the point he might actually have a chance to defend himself.

Faith tuned back in as she still sat next to Ruby and held her hand tenderly as the enchantress was now alot less haggard and her pulse had returned to a more managable feeling, basically her neck had stopped pumping blood like a lunatic.

"Well Xanders human... so he kinda gets unlucky and he'll only get stronger and tougher than say a 500 year old vamp at best. Ruby tried to make it work but we are beings of magic given form so we have unlimited potential, Willow is also human and she would also only get as strong after a few years at best" Faith let Rubys hands go slowly and some what reluctantly as she rose and walked over to Xander and placed the pocket watch in his jeans pocket.

"Just keep it on ya ok, we can't make you stronger but hell i can try and get ya half way there... plus, no more demons trying to bone ya like that mantis is always a win in my book" Faith noticed Xanders face lose a bit of color as he remembered the day his teacher had tried to 'mate' with him and it didn't exactly fill him wigh naughty thoughts, quite the opposite really.

Xander snapped out of his thoughts and said something she had never thought he would of said to her, no one did. "Than god you and Buffy fell through those portals... it might be the most important thing that ever happened to us all... i mean it Faith" Xander pulled her in for a hug and didn't let her go for quite awhile.

"We were all spiralling, growing apart and well captain forehead dying was something i definetly jumped for joy at but... ya know the Buffster always defended you, no matter what we all said or thought she was on your side and even slapped myself, Giles and Willow down a few pegs" Xander let her go and nervously tapped her shoulder as he continued on.

"I just wanna make it clear that... well, I'm happy i was wrong and really sorry... Buffs never been happier, Dawn is a really cool daughter and becoming a great person and Sunhydale is basically demon free and so is most of the world at this point too" Xander looked over to Buffy who spoke in a soft but strong voice.

"Why are you saying all this Xander? it's not really like you to do this kinda of thing so openly" Buffy gave him a confused look that she didn't even try to hide and everyone was quiet as they listened in, having things they all wanted to say but knew it wasn't a good idea to slip something in and just see how it played out.

Xander sighed and looked over to Faith quickly and caught her eye before quickly turning away and speaking directly to Buffy. "It just seems like if those portals didn't open, Faith would have probably died or killed you after she killed Angel, she grew and changed and Buff... you were way to moral at times! the world isn't black and white and Faith knows that... i don't know what happened over there other than the obvious romantic stuff but..." Xander got closer and was now fade to fade with Buffy and she juet listened to him speak his mind openly for once.

"I don't think anything good would have happened if you didn't go there... i have this awful idea in my head we would all be screwed and i can't even imagine a world where you and Faith are enemies again... plus, she's kinda one of the few people i actually trust in this world ya know" Faith placed her fingers hesitantly to her lips as she found herself being lost for words for once.

"You married the right girl Buff, don't ever let her go cause you won't find better... man i can't believe how much we've all changed so suddenly in a year. I'm not even jealous, i#m just happy... is that weird?" Xander asked Buffy but she just rushed him and gave him a big old hug and he had to remind her he wasn't 'Uber Xander' yet and she let him go and Faith walked over and held Buffys hand who then leaned against her shoulder momentarily.

Joyce spoke up and interrupted them "It's not weird... what's weird is how many potential buyers of Faiths art keep trying to get her on a date, she always makes it clear she is married! now that's weird" Joyce saw the anger rush to Buffys face and Faith felt it before she saw it and had to quickly calm her down before she ranted about the lack of morals people posessed these days and how nothing was sacred to people anymore.

"Nah! what's weird is how many times you secretary keeps flirting with you and ya have no ideas she's gay as a christmas tree... and cute too, you'd look great together" Faith noticed the color change in Joyces face to more of a red blush as she made it clear to the room she liked men but you could tell the thoughts were there, hidden away somewhere deep.

Dawn face palmed herself as she declared "Is everyone women in this house gay or Bisexual... is there something in the water? i think at this point the only straight people we know are Xander and Giles... oh Rhino too... i'm not sure abiut Sina" Dawn couldn't help but roll her eyes as her mothers gave her a 'stop it' look and she just listened and let them take over the conversation, atleast that was until Ruby reminded them of their current predicament.

"Glorificus has minions on the move, we should be executing them! why are we not on the move? or atleast prepping harder?" Ruby seemed stressed at the idea but Faith reminded her surrogate mother why she wasn't worried in the slightest.

"She's gonna be here in the summer, we can enjoy our christmas and new years Ruby, plus i have presents for you dummy so be prepared to be moved emotionally and feel loved... we can't let some uppity bitch ruin a good time eh!?" Faith gave her an understanding look and everyone decided to agree with Faith because there wasn't anything they could really say or do to change anything anyway.

"And if she arrives early?..." Willow asked as she gripped Taras hand tighter than ever before as she hadn't realised how scared she was that a god was coming to town right until this momemt, it was all theoretical in her head right until this moment right here, in the summers christmas themed living room.

Faith gafe her a cocky look she hadn't seen the women posess in a really long time, since she was working with the mayor "Then she dies a lot earlier than expected doesn't she" Faith and Buffy both felt the energy in the room shift in odd ways, but eventually it seemed like the mood had actually lightened considerably.

Everyone let the moment fade slowly away as they all exhanged presents and the merriment had commenced and it seemed as if the troubles to come could be ignored if not forgotten for the moment at least.

Faith grabbed hold of Rubys present under the tree and snuck back towards the sofa as everyone had gathered by the tree but Ruby had stayed as she didn't really understand the importance of the tradition and Persephone was still learning herself so atleast she wasn't the only confused one.

"Hey, it ain't all bad Rubes, just fake a smile and get through it eh, ain't that what Jean always says... this life ain't all bout us afterall" Faith whispered so no one else could hear her, most likely only Buffy would anyway and she hid nothing from her wife, not even her closeness to Ruby.

Ruby was handed the large tome, it was obviously a book with a hard back cover and heavy at that but she didn't open it at first she just looked at it and Faith waited but she seemed to not want to open it at all and that was odd, she just seemed stumped by something she was internally debating to herself.

"You can open it later in private ya know, no ones got a gun to ya head... it's written by me, it's our story... pictures and drawings, internal dialogues... even a few things i've never said out loud before" Faith saw her snap away from her reverie slowly but with renewed interest and focus.

"Like... what exactly?... why would you give me a diary of our time together?... it's not really something people usually do, guess that makes it mean alot more..." Ruby forced a smile as she was obviously worried about Glory and her minions and wanted to deal with them now but knew she wouldn't if Faith decided not to herself.

"It does, but one thing i never said to you was how... if i ever had been given the choice, i would want you to be my mother. i've thought about that for a long time, longer than i care to admit to myself" Faiths voice was so soft Buffy hadn't even heard her but she felt the words emotionally wash over her. between them her feelings were no secret but to Ruby they were new and different than she had expected to hear.

She had realised a long time ago and wordlessly at that, Faith was her favourite daughter. it was as if she had birthed her and raised her, knew the woman all her life and yet her actual mother was a violent irish alcoholic from Boston. someone she had wanted to kill with her own two hands and someone who if she wasn't already long dead would have killed and felt justified doing so.

"I wish i could kill her you know... that women, for what she did to you... the memories you showed me so unabashedly... but we're here and you're a mother and married and she wouldn't care would she" Ruby sent those word to Faith telepathically instead of speaking and Faith knew why she did it and was greatful for the privacy she had afforded her.

"I know Ruby, she'd be raiding the booze cabinet for anything to pickle her brain right about now, she woulda been drunk hours ago but hey... you're the mother i chose, it's gotta mean something... don't it?" Faith eyes seemed hopeful but also oddly tired as if she was far beyond her years, her youth would never fade but her character would change over the coming years, it was inevitable.

Ruby had also noticed Buffy change and grow up in the years she had known her and it was odd for her to be so invested in people who weren't her own people, her race. Now she was Human, her daughters were human, it was a gift of their race for them to be able to change so at no great cost and it was all because of her Faith.

"I am your mother Faith... forget her, she's long gone and the worlds better for it... the only good thing she ever did was give you life and sent you to me" She whispered those words so low and tried her hardest to hide the seething venom behind her pearly whites.

Faith looked away and cleared her throat just a little and felt her eyes tear up but she held the emotions back as she felt a great sense of belonging she hadn't really felt before as the family she had made were laughing and opening their well thought out presents. it was alot, maybe too much and it all but overwhelmed her and yet she controlled her connection with Buffy so she wouldn't know and have her silly emotions ruin her beloved wifes favourite holiday.

Ruby took hold of her free hand as they both sat together, away from the others and she used her other hand to carefully open the present which was very well wrapped and not tough to open at all. it gave Ruby a few moments to think as Faith watched her use her acrylic icy blue nails to expertly cut the paper and release her hard work from its festive prison.

"You have snowflakes on your nails... i thought you hated the idea of a festive, what was it you said? an emotionally charged present exchange which would lead to unwanted garbage one would return at the nearest convenience..." Faith put on a haughty taughty voice and sounded like a posh english lady rather than the rough and tumble Boston brawler she usually was known as.

Ruby cheekily grinned as she responded "You think you're doing a voice to mock me but you sound even more elegant when you think you and Buffy are alone, you really articulate your words and even soften your tone a hell of alot ya know" Ruby make a whipping sound and Faith rolled her eyes and scoffed, she layed her head upon Rubys soft shoulder and watched as Dawn opened her presents from herself and Buffy with a deep, calming smile.

"She... she changes me in many ways i guess, made me a mother without giving birth too. funny thing is if Glory wins, she will be safe and even thought we'd be dead... i would be ok with it, even with these angel powers i'm oddly death inclined" Faith felt Ruby brush her hair ever so softly and it took her back to the early days when they got to know each other.

"I used to brush your hair alot before she came along, less so these days. do you find it weird, that i chose to be human and that my daughters chose to as well?" Ruby left the question to hang in the air and Faith didn't answer it quickly and she felt no panic as she was being lulled into a calm and sleepy mood.

"No, i did like how you looked before, i thought you were cool and otherworldly in the most amazing of ways... but I am flattered you chose to look like me, Buffy thought it was weird at first cause you look like an older, hotter me but... there is something i wish... it doesn't matter" Faith fell silent and closed her eyes as she felt herself drift safely towards the realms of sleep.

"What is it that you wish? just so i know" Ruby rested her head against Faiths which was close to unconciousness unpon her shoulder and before she lowered herself onto Rubys lap and the enchantress removed the book towards the seat cushions Faith spoke softly and with a dreamy sense of truth she spoke her feelings into the comfortable moment they shared.

"It's a shame we don't have the same blood... running through our veins. i would be proud to carry on your line" And then not long after Faith fell into a deep sleep and she rested peacefully upon Rubys lap, she hadn't awoken until dinner time and had barely awoken properly as she began eating. But Faith hadn't known that to turn Human Ruby had actually taken some of her blood and was actually related to Faith now but she just didn't know how to tell her.

She would later, maybe... but right now she felt a need to enjoy their time together as she wasn't sure if they could defeat Glory, she only knew they had a chance.

And maybe that was enought... maybe

~~*

The minions of Glorificus gathered around an altar of gold and silks, riches from across the world and prayed to an effigy of the magnificent Goddess who was soon to arrive beyond the veil of the palest night. their spells were cast and the time was near.

August 1st, under the pale green moon which turns to gold above the town of Sunnydale shall arrive the magnificence of Glorificus whose anchor was a boy named Ben they had stolen from a hospital in the dead of night. a normal man in a safe job who could be their perfections anchor to this disgusting world and free her from her bondage if they could find the magical key.

The key would return their mistress to her own dimension and they were proud and hapoy to serve with their worthless lives if needs be.

They would find the key, they would find the key!

~~*

Dawn was at home in Al Kufir and reading a book on Calameet History and found her thoughts wandering about as she could't help but stop her beautiful eyes from focusing uoon her beloved Persephone from inspecting their bounty gear and weapons with a keener eye than usual. they had taken a trip back home through boxing day till new years eve, where both would be spending the night in Sunnydale to bring in the new year.

Faith even promised they would have her first drink early cause of the whole Glorificus nonsense that was to come. she was extremly adamant about it as well to the point it had weighed upon Dawns mind like a lead balloon and she had to say something about it. It was the day after boxing day and she had kept it in and said nothing, she knew Persephone was worried about her as she hadn't really eaten much and had even refused breakfast this morning and that was usually the sign something was wrong.

"Honey... can i ask you something?" Dawn placed the book half closed on her lap and it was divided by her thumb and rested there as Persephone who had just finished putting the last of their gear away came over and stood before her and looked her tired form all over.

"If you want to go out for dinner it's fine, i'm still learning to cook too ya know... we should eat some better cooked meals every now and then" Persephone gave a half hearted smile and Dawn realised her girlfriend had thought the reason she hadn't been eating was because she hated her cooking which wasn't true since she was a great cook and she needed to correct that quickly.

"Nope, i want you to cook with me tonight but... that's not why i've been quiet or not hungry. come sit next to me please" Dawn tapped the cushion next to her and Persephone elegantly sat down next to her and Dawn chucked the book away and onto the coffee table she had brought home from Sunnydale as it went with the living room and fell into her lovers lap and felt comforted by the warmth she felt there.

"Faith... my mother wants to have my first drink on new years eve, in the other world..." The handsome brunettes voice seemed tired as she spoke and Dawn knew Persephone shared her memories and was well aware Faith would no longer imbibe alcohol due to her own personal reasons.

"Does it make you nervous? do you think she's expecting to die to Glorificus? because that's not how i see it" Persephone stroked her pale cheek and felt her breath soften as the words fell forth into the room and Dawn seemed to become more calm as she let out her secret fears and acknowledged that yes, she did think that.

"She doesn't drink because of her mother, she was an abusive alcoholic who died and then well Faith became the Slayer and lost her Watcher to the vampire Kakistos. he did unspeakable things to her and Faith escaped and well the rest is history i guess" Dawn turned and looked up at Persephones deep purple eyes and felt their connection directly. the black haired beauty bent down to kiss her on the brow and reassure her everything was alright.

"I think she wants to experience a milestone with you, her only daughter, just incase everything goes south. Faiths intelligent and always thinks 10 steps ahead of everyone, but she plays it safe these days and if i'm honest with myself... i would do the same in her position" Her jet black hair fell upon Dawn as she bent down again but this time stole her lips and deeply enjoyed herself for the moment.

As she slowly pulled away Dawns smile grew "I'm sorry if i made you worry honey, i'm just scared she might die for me and i'm here while everything goes down... unable to do anything to help" Dawn slowly sat up but straddled her lap and pushed her into the couch cushions and began playfully kissing her alabaster neck with reckless abandon.

"We are not strong enough and anyway you made the sending whose going to fill you kind with loads of school work and crap you've learned bi-proxy... so we can hunt bounties and explore new towns and you can tell me how lucky you are to have landed such a perfect soul mate like me" Persephone moaned passionately after her own self conglatulatory rant and found herself being seduced to the point she knew exactly where this was going.

"Dawn... my beloved, bite me hard!" Persephone begged with a breathy tone that sent Dawn wild usually but today she just stopped and looked Persephone up and down but fixated on her face more than anywhere else. It seemed as if she was mapping her features, maybe just enjoying the moment for all it was worth but the young women seemed solemn and more alert than usual for some reason and it was escaping her as to why.

"My sweet little songbird, what on the third moon of Calises are you up to?" Persephone laughed freely but there was an odd sense of confusion to her tone and feelings which Dawn quickly picked up on and let sit for a few moments before she answeared.

She softly spoke in a calm, somber tone "I'm trying to remember your face, if Faith can live in the moment then so can I. She's the best person i know and she never thinks about herself... I think that's why Buffy loves her so much ya know" Dawn pulled Persephone towards herself and held her in place with no resistance at all, in fact she reciprocated the sudden hug and held Dawn even tighter.

"Faith is a warrior, Jean told me she lived a very Spartan existence before Buffy arrived... i had to ask him what 'Spartan' meant, Earth history is interesting but i digress. he told me she would never drink, never take service from The Madame or even buy herself any real luxuries at all" Persephone leaned backwards and slowly stroked Dawn immaculate jawline as she gazed deep into her beautiful eyes of shining soft light.

"She used to read and work constantly, People thought she was the odd and quiet heroic type, until people found out Ruby had grown attached to her and Ruby scares many people so opinions changed quickly Jean said. aparently they thought Faith was dangerous until she saved the town from a demonic bandit raid and then sandworms" Persephone smiled as she remembered how Jean spoke of her girlfriends mother with such awe and reverance it made it hard not to become enamored yourself in many respectful ways.

"The girls who worked for The Madame would always moan about how Buffy and Faith were the 'unnatainable' ones, the ones they wanted to bed and fantasized deeply of one day a Bounty huntress like them calling upon their services... some even think the same of you, but i will never let them have you" She bit her lip as Dawns hand rose to her breast and she started to feel her lovers chest rise and fall under her strong palm.

Dawn licked her lips and spoke in a deep breathy tone "I would kill myself before even thinking about bedding one of them, i wear your necklace, am bound by your ring and look at no one else because they quite simply could never compare, not to you" Dawn pushed forward and kissed the tip of her nose carefully and it made her girlfriend giggle at the childishness of it all.

"Dawn, it's cute but i prefer you lucious lips upon my own. Pretty words might be your specialty, but i prefer action and i think you know that quite well by now" The statuesque women kissed her nose and sprung backwards and ran off towards the refridgerator and rummaged through it for something as Dawn sighed a little too loudly in response to the sudden lack of warmth she felt.

"I forgot to give you these chocolates Faith made for you with salted caramel inside them... she passed them through the bedroom window while you were asleep and scared the hecking hell outta me" Persephone pulled a confectionary tray from the cold box and closed the door as she returned and placed the home made treats on the coffee table and popped one in her mouth and visibly moaned in delight.

Dawn raised an eyebrow and it made the youthful beauty blush a little. "Maybe i should learn how to make chocolate treats for you, if my own mother can make you moan like that i might start getting jealous" Dawn tried one herself and had to swallow her own passionate moan as the salted caramel landed upon her tongue and made her brain go all fuzzy with its exceptional taste that left her craving so much more.

Persephone sat closely to her and snuggle next to Dawn as she knew she also craved the closeness they shared more than they reasonably should. "Guess you're looking forward to the free time for the next 8 months, no school, just me and you bounty hunting and travelling to new lands... kinda scared you'll grow tired of me" the words came from seemingly nowhere and caused her to scoff at the idea as it entered the spoken world.

"Nope" Dawn smiled and locked her lover deep into her bright purple eyes and held her gaze there in place as she rejected the idea, something she had always entertained could happen with William was something she could never imagine with Persephone.

"Nope... and here i was saying you have a way with words... was kinda hoping you'd, i dunno... reasure me you'll nerver leave me and then you'll take me in your strong but slender arms and fuck me into the couch cushions" Pereephones idea was definetly tempting and they did have too much to do this morning to enjoy a good hard shag, so she was definetly up for it and that was obvious.

"I will never leave you and i'm never getting bored of you... i played chess with you for 7 hours yesterday and i hate chess. but spending the time making you smile is all i want" Dawn slid down and laid beside her as both girls moved to lay upon their comfortable sofa and maybe enjoy some sexual exploration before going about the rest of their day.

"If you don't want me, in a Month or 8 i won't stop you from leaving... But, and don't look down on me for this but... don't" Dawns voice cracked as she realised she was almost begging for Persephone to stay but the women had no plans to even go anywhere at all.

"I have plans to marry you and have your children after Glory is dead, so don't ever say that again! if i leave you hunt me down, chain me up and bring me home cause i'll obviously be posessed by the spirit of stupidity" Persephone rose and got on top of Dawn and ripped her shirt wide open, her breasts on full display as the buttons flew in all directions.

Dawn squeaked a little as her lover so rarely took the dominant role but she found herself really enjoying it as she found herself falling into submission without any singular thought to the contrary.

"I am yours! these are mine! you are mine! I Will even take your last name if i have to! i even have a dressed picked out for when we finally tie the knot..." Persephone was tormenting Dawns perky tits and she felt a wetness pooling in her panties as her stomach tightened and she began to heartily moan as her muse put her back in her rightful place. underneath her, all hot and bothered and ready for action.

Dawns eyes seemed to blur with sudden tears that she couldn't hold back, they streamed hastily down her face and Persephone wiped them away with her thumbs and kissed her cheeks slowly but with great care.

"Thank you for finding me... in this world and making me feel this way, especially with the whole Glorificus jazz... it is really wonderful to be able to just hold you like this" Dawn placed her face between her chest and enjoyed the warmth but also the contact of her lips upon her sensitive and supple skin.

"We are gonna be travelling alot in the coming months while your mothers work hard, i can't believe they want us to go work so much... maybe you'll have to treat me to alot of dinners and shopping and maybe you could give me a demonstration of our nightly activities on our travels... right now!" Persephone began to make out with her hot and heavy and Dawn knew this was going to not make it to the bedroom so she locked the doors magically with the flick of her wrists.

"You wanna travel more than i do, we're taking cameras and i'm gonna be writing a journal... but i'll tell ya what... we'll take pics of every catch and write about em, maybe we could author a book or something, Faith has sold so much of her art in both dimensions she's raking it in and i can't let her out perform me! i'm like half of her!" Dawn pouted and her lips were stolen in the next moment and Dawn was slowly getting stripped and couldn't help but moan under her lovers passionate touch.

They never did make it to the bedroom but as Dawn and Persephone were hardly working and goofing off in the early hours of a wonderful morning, Buffy and Faith had received some news and were on the way to investigate. A god had come to town and she was looking for the Slayers but was going about it all wrong as a few people had already been murdered.

~~*

A woman of glowing golden skin in dark blue flowing robes stood surrounded by bodies of men Buffy and Faith had never seen before, but they seemed to come from the town over as a substantial crowd had gathered by the gate and the ladies had only just arrived and were commanding people to leave for their own safety. something they all adhered too as the walked off and stood a safe distance away from the gate, not fully leaving but also out of the way if a fight started.

"Are you the God Slayers! i am here for you and if you refuse my help... i will kill you both" Her deep but femimine voice carried a commanding tone both women could instinctually feel was filled with promise and not a cocky attitude but eons of experience so they responded carefully but listened with a calmed ear.

"I am Faith Summers and this is my lovely wife Buffy Summers... we should give you fair warning. if any harm befalls a single townsfolk, we will kill you! this is non negotiable, do you understand?" Faith spoke clear and with much dominance but it just caused the golden being to stifle a chuckle and thwt made both women very nervous as she replied.

"These people before me were planning a bank robbery in town, so i ripped out their hearts. a gift for you both! you may even keep the hearts if you wish I put them inside that empty bucket over yonder if you are interested" The goddess stepped over the bodies with ease and then she dissapeared and appeared behind Buffy and blew lightly in her ear very playfully and ducked a sudden and speedy back hand as if she was bored almost.

"So slow, however did you kill my enemy the Snake god? holy powers dwell within you both as well... and you have been studying the deeper magics... training may not be top troublesome afterall" The goddess moved and ducked many speedy hooks and jabs from Faith and even a very close flying kick that almost landed.

"You are vastly superior to what i have heard it seems, you might stand a chance to last a round or two with my loathed enemy, the Vacuous Glorificus!" The Goddess dodged a final jab and Faith stopped in her tracks at what she had just heard, this golden being knew Glory and was declaring her an enemy, even if she had to fight this creature, maybe diplomacy would help them attain some much needed info on this unknown god who was coming this summer to Sunnydale.

"What do you know of Glorificus? she is an upcoming issue we both have a personal reason for dealing with, any information you have pertaining to her... weaknesses would be greatly appreciated" Faith backed off and kept a 3 metre distance from the golden being who had herself stayed completly in place from where she stood and had slipped every hook and jab thrown with ease.

"I am one of the Gods who banished her, our spells are... well complex to say the least because in all honesty she was always stronger and well... we had to be alot sneakier than we would like to be" The golden being noticed the gaurds come down and take the bodies away and hadn't seen Buffy signal them to do so and then also Faith motioned for them to leave and quickly.

Faith smiled as she realised her and Buffy could easily use this new knowledge to her advantage and she told Buffy so telepathically bit in their own private code, they had no idea if any new enemy could read their minds, they were magically resistant but not immune to it entirely.

"So, just tells us how to kill her and we'll get it done, we got the weapons, the strength and hell we're getting stronger by the hour so... what are we doing talking, just give us the info and we'll use it to our advantage golden girl" Faith felt a change in aura and the golden being attack with an impossible burst of shining blue speed.

Faith however had felt Buffy pull out her C39 Mauser and let a few rounds fly in the beings direction and as she sped out of the way Faith spun up and around in the air as she changed direction and got uncomfortably close. The golden women suddenly flew into the gate as she struck an illusion of Faith above her, Faith had actually been pitching a perfect roundhouse invisibly and had slammed her with so much force the giant town gate now posessed a visible dent in the metal.

The golden women hit the ground and grinned happily as she realised these women she had heard of were most definetly the real deal, "Ha! that hurts quite a bit, Ilusionary magic, angelic godly strength and you obviously work well together, what a fun distraction!" she slowly got to her feel and coughed up some blood but healed a moment later and the magic washed away visibly into the ether.

"Look goldie, we want an answer, our gaurds are checking they are bounties you brought us and if so you will be payed proper, if not... we will kill you, this is our town, we like the people here so don't do anything stupid eh!" Faith placed her hand upon the 1911 and the golden lady in front of her definetly didn't know her gun didn't let loose bolts of lightning or something much worse and it kept her in place and more cautious than she had been before.

"Our Spell, she will be able to switch bodies with a bound human, we will not know who it is but everytime you... do enough damage, she will revert to a human form but if you kill him or her... Glory will cease to be... that is oneof the many reasons she will not appear in Sunnydale until August, the magic takes time but it gives us insurance at the cost of one innocent creature" The golden women was smirking and thought to herself that the women before her would be impressed but they seemed angry and jot impressed in the slightest.

"You cursed an innocent being to have a fail safe in place because you were all too weak to deal with this problem yourselves!" Buffy had stepped forward and seemed to want to fight this women herself for her malice. Dawn was a gift they both loved more than anything else but this person they bound Glory too was an innocent whose life would be taken for the greater good and Buffy wasn't sure she could ever do it.

"It makes your job easier! we can't enter that dimension due to the magics and our godly nature but the monks have fused your essense together and gave you both a daughter of impossible magical strength, you both were lucky to fall into this dimension and had the luck you had... or Glory, would eviscerate you in moments! we have made your jobs as heroes much easier!" The golden woman got into a defensive stance and Buffy wanted to take the bait but Faith stopped her.

"Thank you... for our daughter, but we protect innocents and kill evil... we have a moral code, a complex code but it is something we live by" Faith moved past Buffy and kissed her cheek before standing mere inches from this godly womens perfectly shining face.

She whispered in a deeper voice than she would usually use, "I will kill Glorificus because i have to protect my daughter and wife... if you ever come back to our beloved home... you will join that Vacuous Goddess you fear so much... do you understand me?" Faith then clasped a tight grip around her slender neck and lifted her effortlessly off the ground but she breathed normally and seemed to be thinking rather than panicking.

She responded calmly "Fine... I should thank you for helping us, put me down and i will give you a gift" The godess was let back down and she opened her palm which lightly shone and died down a few moments later, a stone of pure black with a golden river running through it's impossible blackness slipped into Faiths free hand.

"If you need to train with us, beings of greater and equal strength just tell the stone and you will be able to summon us... you still need to train for atleast 8 months and we can be of great help" She turned and ripped a portal in the air before her with little effort and magical whispers.

"What if we decide we don't need your help! we aren't fans of people who look down on the innocent goldie!" Buffy spoke in an angry tone that was punctuated by a strong gust of wind and a suprise tumbleweed that passed them all and crashed into the gate with a miniscule thud.

The golden goddess smiled earnestly and looked back to the town and really took it in before she left, "Well little one, every little helps and maybe we don't want to see a world or two end because of our own stupid mistakes... so take the help ok" and the Goddess of gold left and the portal closed behind her with a quick blip out of existence and both women were left alone

"So B... we have a backup plan now that doesn't involve deadly magics or a long complex binding spell... think we should trust Goldie or what?" Faith turned to watch Buffy huff and puff as she stomped the ground in anger, it took a moment to realise why but as soon as she spoke it all made sense.

"That golden fucking cunt just called me Little one! I'm not that small! oh... i wanna slap the gold from her cheeks so bad!" Buffy crossed her arms and Faith came over to hold her wife and soothe away the slight injustice her cute, vertically challenged wife had to suffer on the daily.

"Twinkie, i like how compact ya are, don't let some weak gods words get to ya... We'll use the stone to train after we discuss it with Ruby ok... we need another opinion anyway" Faith kissed her wifes wanting lips and walked towards the saloon to confirm the kills were legit and it turned out they were after a long discussion with Jean and the town gaurds but now they had a little hope and a real plan they could execute if everything went badly.

Question was, could they kill an innocent?

~~*

Dawn was confused as she stepped off the train platform With Persephones topic of conversation still on her mind as they entered the seaside town of Cerulea, the strong sea breeze invading their senses and filling them with a vigorous energy the desert air just couldn't inspire.

"How on Earth did you come up with that... I don't think turning demons into mint tea and drinking them to consume their powers isn't cannibalism... it sounds just like cannibalism with extra magical steps!" Dawn gave Persephone a faux worried look but smiled and laughed happily when the pretty light skinned women pushed her by the shoulder and begged her to stop teasing her in such a wY.

"It was in one of Rubys new books! and Buffy and Willow said it didn't count if ya don't cook em... they talked about some horror film i've never seen and that Mint tea was a drink so it should have a seperate term..." Persephone pouted and Dawn could help but catch that precious pout and turn it into a passionate kiss before grabbing her by the hand and dragging her towards the nearest inn so they could get their search started.

Bounty hunting was tough work but the spells they now knew could make it so much easier. Dawn remembered when she had first started bounty hunting and how difficult it had been to track down marks and how alot of the time it was alot of asking questions and searching an entire town from top to bottom while barely being able to alert the bounties themselves and arouse suspicion.

"What would drinking someone even be called, Drinkable'ism... nah! i'm gonna call it magical cannibalism cause as i said there are way to many extra steps baby" Persephone hiked her leather travel sack up into a more comfortable position and held her hand out and waited as Dawn enveloped her fingers and they walked down the seaside path towards the quaint little town.

It was hard to believe the reason they were here was because of cannibals, people who were eating others were not just frowned upon but needed to be dealt with so this was a simple execution rather than the regular hunt. Persephone had been learning about Earth history and Mythology and her name had come up and she took quite an avid interest in the greek legends but was really freaked out about the story of Hades ex lover, the Naiad Minthe.

"I'm just creeped out by the concept, i would never turn your ex into tea and drink him... that's just... disgusting and unusually cruel" Persephone shook off the idea of a tall glass of Spike to pair with dinner and felt herself become sick to the stomach at such an idea.

Dawn rolled her eyes and giggled as Persephone shot her a quick but cute pout, "Well, i was silly and young back then baby, never thought you would just pop up and be so... you! plus he was technically dead, dead and dusty tea would be horrible" Dawn knew Persephone didn't like William, she never had and Dawn had outgrown him and he her, but every now and then she sensed the jealousy in her girlfriend rise and Dawn would slap it back down with ease.

Persephone however never really believed Dawn had lost interest in the handsome vampire with a soul and aparently Faith also had the same issue with Buffy before Faith lost her mind and murdered the evil creature who had posessed the mind of the one she loved. Persephone wasn't sure she wouldn't do the same and there was a part of Dawn that they both knew was fully aware of that even now.

"Dawn... I... let's not talk about him, please" Persephones happy tone had dropped and she now looked away but refused to let go of her hand and Dawn responded with kindness as she knew they both were jealous people and didn't like sharing each other, past lovers were also something her lover had no idea about since Dawn was her first and she planned to be her only.

"We don't have to darling, he is gone and i'm happy about it, no feeling for him whatsoever... you really have no idea how happy i am do you? but don't worry, I'll prove that to you through my actions" Dawn pulled her closer and was happy to fell Persephone fall into her and walk beside her as two lovers who walked the canals of venice together on a summers eve.

The trees burst to life as a massive gust of wind bellowed past them and into town, their adventures just begining and their relationship deepening. the evening breeze meant they would probably do the majority of their work at night and wouldn't get to bed before the early hours of the morning but hunting cannibals wasn't exactly a picnic.

"I could picture us doing this forever you know, new lands and adventures, writing in our journals and taking pictures... should i take snap shots of bounty hunts or is that too macabre?" Dawn noticed the smile perk up on Persephones lips and she knew they would be ok, their adventures were just begining and although she worried about her mothers and how they were preparing for the horrora of Glorificus...

She knew the coming months were going to be alot of fun and if she was honest with herself as much as Persephone was then she was already fully aware this was what she wanted to do with her life... she wanted to adventure.