Chapter 31: Illyria and the new world
Wesley had awoken after a long night of research in Freds bed and her apartment was pristine as if it had been recently cleaned, there were even candles burning softly and it was obvious someone had brought him here but it didn't take long to realise who. He had made it clear they couldn't leave this dimension until tommorow night and told everyone to get their affairs in order as this strange off shoot of a slightly future timeline they found themselves within was soon to be left behind them all.
He turned and almost got the shock of his life as he realised it was Illyria who had brought him home and although she didn't have to sleep, she was sleeping and rather unexpectedly she was holding onto a book she had been reading. Wesley could make out it was The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and moved it away from her sleeping form, and he lay down next to her and just watched her sleep for what seemed like an eternity.
Until she spoke softly with her eyes closed "Can't you sleep Wesley, i find my systems start to heal slightly if i sleep like you humans do. it wouldn't be enough to stop my death but it does slow down the process considerably" Her montone way of speaking had been quite soothing and oddly disarming until he remembered that now was not the time to go crazy as soon he would have a portal to open and didn't need the added stress of lunacy in his conscience.
"We must work on your pillow talk if you decide to keep sharing a bed with me blue jay" Wesleys eyes were barely open and yet he could feel her confused eyes lay upon him as she asked him what he meant by calling her 'Blue jay' as she herself had nerver heard of it before and Freds memories were fragmented so her information was quite limited on the human front.
"What is a Blue jay and why did you call me so..." she wasn't angry but was eager eyed as she lay looking directly into Wesley stubble washed face, his half awake smile was oddly disaeming she thought to herself as she had to bring some control to her senses as she almost carressed his cheek again but stopped herself as she realised her would probably despise her touch and she didn't like the sting of rejection or how it felt.
"Well Illyria the Blue Jay is a Passerine birdin the family Corvidae, and is native to eastern North America. It usually lives in most of the eastern and central United States; some eastern populations may even be migratory if i recall. you are much the same color under a certain light" Wesleys sudden influx of knowledge was never a suprise to Illyria, it was more of a blessing if anything else.
"I would like to see this Passerine bird you speak of, i hope this isn't some sort of backhanded compliment like the ones i receive from the vampire on a regular basis. i couldn't stand such behavior from you also" Illyrias softness and worry that Wesley was making fun of her was aparent and worn across her usually gormless face and he felt as if he should reinforce the fact that he wasn't in fact mocking her.
"A blue jay is a beautiful bird who symbolizes strength and confidence, even communication... well i guess the first two suit you alot more. they can be loud bullies sometimes but many cultures view them as lucky or even a signs of good things to come..." Wesley felt her hand upon his as she pawed at him for closeness and he wasn't really in the mood to give her it but he felt as if she needed it, he could let his gaurd down a little if it made her a little calmer than usual.
"I do symbolize strength amongst many things but luck was never one of those things and no one ever believed good things were to come under my rule except victory in battle... the people are much softer than they used to be in both body and soul in these times it seems" Illyria entwined his finger with hers and she held them tightly in place as if she was claiming posession but Wesley didn't say anything about it as she wasn't hurting him and his fingers hadn't turned purple blue yet.
"We have many new qualities, well not all of us but we... do you enjoy being seen as strength and luck, confidence or... is that in some way offensive to you sensibilities as an old one? an eldritch god beyond mere mortal understanding" Wesley breathed a heavy sigh and was suprised to see Illyria scootch up closer but not too close, she lay just slightly across from him and her alien blue eyes were staring directly into his as if she was searching for something.
"I am vastly superior to gods and godesses, even in this itteration of myself... do you consider me beautiful? Winfred Burkle was quite beautiful, i have heard her spoken of as such among many other pleasent words which were used to describe your beloved" Illyria felt Wesley try to take his hand back but she didn't allow him to do so, she kept her hand in his and he eventually just gave up trying to free himself and accepted he was trapped and still very sleepy.
"I will only say this once to you Wesley, I would give you her back to you if i could... but i would believe myself to be very unhappy with the result if i did. You are my guide in this world and the longer we go on in one anothers company i found myself... warming to you" Illyria let his hand go and turned herself around to no longer view Wesleys handsome face, as she didn't want to see his response to her admission, she was frightened by the idea of his rejection but she didn't know why.
Wesley placed his warm hand across the small of her back and spoke in a soft gut masculine tone she realised was quite nice to listen to at 3 o'clock in the morning. "It's kind of you to say that Illyria, i never thought an ancient god king would be so... sentimental, i don't deserve your kindness or really anyones but... thank you Blue Jay" Wesley tried the nickname again and she was happily accepting her touch as she decided she might as well accept her pet name as well, until she found out what a Blue jay looked like of course.
Illyria sighed softly as she felt him move closer to her and his warm breath could be felt upon her slender neck, it made her warm even more to his presence, let alone his touch. "You can refer to me as Blue Jay, when we are alone... but what should i call you? i know of no creature who fits your form or description... you are unique in many pleasing ways" She smiled as she turned and placed herself against his chest and enjoyed the warmth she felt there within his reluctant embrace.
"You can find something i suppose or just call me Wesley like everyone else does, either way soon we will be away from this time divergent dimension and you will be repaired by a very powerful enchantress, well hopefully... she is powerful but you are an old one so this is all uncharted territory for most" Wesley allowed himself a moment of weakness as she held her close to himself and felt what was once Freds body against his and he felt a single tear fall down his face at the realisation of what he would never have.
"She will be fine from what i've been told, although this feeling is new and quite nice... like the song of the green, this embrace we share is very soothing... i think i can understand why Fred enjoyed this activity in her memories" Illyrias admission that she enjoyed being held by him was almost second to the fact the women he loved had the same feelings she enjoyed, somehow survive the take over process of her hollowed out body by this old one who was enjoying the warmth she felt between his arms.
"It's good to know her memories live on, even if the rest of her didn't... just don't take the echoes of her soul for granted Illyria. She was the best of all of us... it's a shame you never got to meet her, she would of found you to be a deeply magical and special sort of thing that yearns to be understood" His voice smoothly travelled through the room and echoed within the warmth of their shared candle light retreat away from the offices of Wolfram and heart.
"I believe myself and Miss Burkle would find ourselves at odds, we share to many differences of thought and opinion one would think, but we would certainly agree on one thing if her memories are any indication of her true character" Illyria closed her eyes as she lost herself in such a human way within the arms of another tender soul, she liked this feeling and it was something she enjoyed betwixt the confines of a private and shared darkness.
"And what is it so amirable a quality that both a god king and a kind maiden would share between them both?" Wesley also closed his eyes as she snuggled into his chest and smiled, he could sense her do so as she answered him with only the honest and unveiled truth.
"Jealousy, i do not share or deign to accept such a concept, her memories tell me she was similar in her thought patterns to my own. I will never share you Wesley, you are my guide to this world... I will accept no other" Illyrias declaration could have been misconstrued as a confession of something more but Wesley himself wasn't sure an old one would ever be able to understand the concept anyway.
Wesley let the moments which had passed betwixt them until he just had to ask, "What will you do, after we have repaired your... Freds body..." Wesley heard a low sigh come from the deposed old one as she or well it didn't really have an answer to his question and maybe she never would, but while they were alone maybe it was the best time for such a discuasion.
"My army is long gone and my future is unclear for the first time in millenia, this is an odd and unsecure feeling i am far from accustomed too. maybe i could live as a human, for awhile atleast, it could be a fine momentary distraction" Illyria chuckled at the idea and it was strange to experience such a being chuckle to herself about some unknown thought that had made her so rarely chuckle.
"Of course i could just rule all of existence as I had once before, but something about reliving my previous existence just does not tantalize me the way it once had" Illyria kissed wesleys bare chest with a soft but passionate motion she ended all to quickly as her thoughts travelled back to what he had said to her in the office yesterday.
"A human life could be fun, you would enjoy it but i couldn't imagine the almighty Illyria in a sun dress and holding down a house... your husband or wife would have to be a fierce being of immense integrity and strength of will to match you" his arms were wrapped around her in almost a posessive way but he softened as she looked up to him with a look of wonder in her eyes.
"I wouldn't even know where to begin but experiencing something new can be a worthwhile endeavour but ruling a universe with you by my side... would you not want to see how a true ruler presides over her dominion?" Illyria let out the warrior inside herself for just a moment but softened her lust for ruling and battle as she trailed her hands up and down Wesleys suprisingly muscular chest, he was most certainly a fighter of some strength.
"Ruling is not really my idea of a good time, I always envisioned a beautiful home with a white picket fence... and" He couldn't bring himself to say her name, he had fallen so deeply in love that it was only her that he saw whenever he closed his eyes. only her heavenly image was waiting for him whenever he had invisioned his future and now the possibility was long gone for him to be happy and he knew it all too well.
"Fred, you would of had her with you by your side... but now it's only myself that remains in her place..." She searched his eyes but they remained emotionless and closed off to her but why wouldn't they, her existence was the whole reason her Wesley couldn't be happy and it stung her deeply for some unrecognizable reason.
"Life finds a way to be cruel even to those who deserve much better, especially those people... the people used to blame us for their misfortunes. they never seemed to understand why living warranted pain being experienced every so often, it keeps you true and strong" Illyria closed her eyes and placed her face against his bare chest and held him for dear life, as if her own depended deeply upon it.
"The warmth we give one another... i see now how sometimes that can be enough. i know this hurts you and i feel selfish for asking this of you..." Illyria seemed to freeze as she tried to find the words that would best suit what she wanted but also made her still seem strong that was until Wesley spoke in his deep husky voice once again.
"I can hold you in my arms until we wake if you wish. maybe i can lie to myself for just a moment and give in to my deeper desires. just try not to take advantage of the moment Illyria... enjoy it for what it is" He began to stroke her hair in a soft sweeping motion and she did exactly as she was told and just enjoyed the moment for what it was, whatever it was.
They both fell asleep shortly after and even though Illyria didn't need to, she wanted to and for the first time in her entire existence she felt safe and warm, it was a new feeling that spoke to her soul on a deeper level. Her memories from Fred had influenced her more than she would ever know, she was becoming softer towards Wesley day by day and the worst of it was that she liked it.
The first time she had met him she made a note of his handsomeness, it was as much a part of him as Lornes green skin or Gunns bald head. But when she had returned to Wolfram and harts science department to check on her coffin the deal she struck with him made her huma heart flutter. how his voice broke when he spoke, the weakness she showed him and the strength he used to avenge his beloved.
It wasnt just the mark of a great Qwa'ha Xahn, it was the mark of a future general, her right hand. she would make it so, no matter what.
~~*
An hour before they were to leave this faulty dimension which was soon to dissapear everyone was gathered outside along an empty beach in the middle of nowhere, no one could foil their scheme to exit this hellhole and William himself was more than happy to leave after the powers that be screwed him over and reversed his humanity to make sure their little prophecy remained intact since Angel was long dead.
Gunn was up and far from healed but if they could get to Al-kufir and towards Buffy and Dawn then they would be back in their own proper time and could live a few years in their known past with the approximate information of everything that had happened or was going to happen. They would keep it secret but help where they could, Wesley would help Illyria get herself fixed up and Gunn was going to go home from Sunnydale after healing up with all his knowledge of the next few years big winning bets.
William however was going to just get piss shit drunk after taking lorne back to his club In L.A, he would like some peace after everything that happened and the Vampire with a soul didn't really need to spend any more time in this failure of a time line.
"So head boy! we got a way home or what? cause seeing my powerful ex is gonna be a whole lot better than blowing this soon to be empty distorted version of L.A!" William was honest about not liking the alternative destruction and not looking forward to seeing Dawn again as she was most likely dating the cute barmaid she had obvious feelings for but none of that mattered right how.
"Well i will have the portal open in a few minutes, make sure Charles is still concious when we walk through the portal" Wesley continued to place the magical artifacts in a demonic circle as this spell was mainly used to break through the barrier Ruby had erected to protect their home dimension and this would allow them to let Illyria open a portal directly there after the ritual would help them simply pass through.
The problem was is that due to the nature of the spell there might be a few odd instances of meeting people in Al-kufir or even Sunnydale months or weeks before they actually meet them. magic could be very complex at times and Wesley was doing his best but when it came to magic, your best wasn't always good enough.
"Why do i have to be concious Dr stabby... can't you just carry me through?" Gunn was snappy but Wesley just kept himself calm as Illyria watched both of them and he kept his cool and made his point clear as to why he should be concious while walking through the portal.
"Because it's a lot damn easier for you to walk through it then having William carry you, don't you think you've been enough of a burden on this team..." he was about to lay into the darker man when he felt Illyrias hand upon his shoulder and he turned to face her but she remained gormless as she spoke.
"When do i open the gateway? if he faints i can just throw him through it's not an issue" She removed her hand and looked over to Gunn who seemed to cool off at the threat of him being man handled by one of the most powerful old ones as if he was a small sand bag.
Wesley turned back and finished his spell and felt the power course through him as he signaled Illyria to open the portal and she held his hand as the power surged through him to her and into her as she opened a direct portal to Al-Kufir and William and the rest awaited the confirmation for them to walk through.
"Right everyone! walk through, the portal will close after we are safely on the other side... right?" Wesley looked at Illyria for confirmation and she nodded an affirmative yes and that was when William helped Gunn through the portal as he was still wobbly on his feet.
Lorne was fast behind them as he was looking forward himself to getting out of the demon hunting buisness and getting back to the running of his club back in the original L.A, which seemed to be a much better prospect then before since his dear english vampire friend had made it clear most of the worlds evil had already fled the dimension before he left and got pulled into the powers that be's odd time line nonsense.
Wesley held his hand out towards Illyria as they were now alone on the beach, "Lets go Blue Jay, let's see if this Ruby can get you back into fighting shape again" He smiled warmly as she hesitated for a moment before taking his hand and she allowed him to walk with her towards the portal.
"If she repairs my shell, you have to hold me again like you did this morning... i found your touch and presence to be, healing in many ways" Illyria walked into the portal with Wesley and for a second they were disoriented and Wesley was sure they had just spoke to Willow on Rovello drive, she had seen himself and Illyria.
Wesley was certain they were now standing outside the destroyed high school that was in the begining stages of being rebuilt from the ground up. but after a few seconds both of them were standing inside a Saloon and were surrounded by half human and half demon creatures who all had their weapons trained on the entire group.
Wesley looked around and surveyed the area and that was when he spied Faith walking through the Saloon doors with what must of been Dawn in tow as she fit Williams description perfectly. "Thank the gods we made it, Faith! sorry for dropping in like this but we are in dire need of your assistance" he let go of Illyrias hand and she wasn't happy he had but she remained gormless as she considered stopping time to get them all out of this situation but the response from this Faith made her hold off for a moment.
"Wesley, William... you could of sent word you were coming... my friends are quite trigger happy y'know. tends to happen when portals pop up and strange looking people pop out of em, Everyone drop ya guns and go back to your buisness, there is no threat here!" Faiths command was obeyed instantly and the entire saloon which wss packed went straight back to drinking and conversing without batting an eye lid.
"What are you doing back here William and you're a vampire once again... you weren't gone that long before you changed your mind about the whole living as a human thing did you" Faith joked but noticed her own daughter had her hand placed fimly on her threaded cane as if she was ready to stake him but let her weapon go after he gave them a quick explanation.
"Slayer, those damned 'powers that be' need a good old kick up the shitter, i've been trapped in an alternate version of L.A which was nearly 3 years ahead of the short time i've been away, oh i got my soul back... those assholes just reversed Rubys spell cause they needed a champion" William walked towards them and pointed to the injured black man who was barely standing and Faith shot a beam of healing energy towadds him and he was instantly healed much to his own suprise.
Gunn thanked her after removing his bandage and not even seeing a scar or nothing anymore and he felt like a billion bucks and then decided now he was healed up it was time to get on with his life and made that abundantly clear as he spoke up.
"Hey thanks for the mend Sheriff but if you could point me in the direction of the nearest portal back home i would be eternally greatful, i kinda wanna go live my life and Lorne here is going back to running his club, they do demon karaoke... it's kind of fun" Gunn was suprised to get some strange looks from those around him as he had no idea how anythimg worked or that Faith wasn't a sheriff but a bounty huntress and was basically the boss of everyone in this town although she'd never admit it.
Faith nodded and flicked open a portal directly to L.A in the corner of the room next to Jeans empty work area she knew no one would disturb them, "Well this is a direct portal to just outside L.A, hopefully you got enough cash and have a good life, i used a spell to read you minds, get going and don't look back" Faith had used magic wordlessly which was one of her special talents and her constant studies with Ruby had turned her into quite the formidable sorceress of late.
Gunn tipped an imaginary hat to the woman and Lorne thanked her profusely and told her the drink were free whenever she visited L.A, "If you're ever in town visit Keritas, Wes here can show you the way, just get those old vocals warmed up cause everyone sings in my bar, see ya cuties later" Lorne was second through the portal and it coosed behind them both, they were on a different path and Faith had read of their troubles through her spell and she didn't need to keep them longer than she needed to.
"So, an Old one Wesley... we already have a god problem on the way and this one was alot stronger than the snake god we killed... I read your minds quickly but i have to ask before this all goes down, is she good or evil" Faith signaled Dawn to keep her hand by her shotgun and Faith was ready to draw her own saber and pistol while preparing to cast a new time distortion spell.
Wesley playfully put his hands up in surrender and Illyria who was close to him gave him an odd look as she asked "Is this Faith a goddess? she has powers beyond human kind and they feel holy in origin. i haven't felt this kind of power since the before times when i conquered universes and her companion who shares her likeness is blessed magically also" Illyria cocked her head as she inspected them both but she showed no signs of preparing an attack.
A sigh escaped Wesleys lips as he placed a hand on Illyrias shoulder and she gave him a look as if she was searching his eyes to try and understand what he was up to. "Illyria is, complicated and we are actually here to search for aid from Ruby since her body is unable to contain her vast power. She could explode and basically destroy a continent or two if we don't find a way to fix her up, which is why we are here".
Faith looked him up and down and then did the same with the blue haired Old one and William nodded as if to confirm that is really why they have returned and this was just a part of the good guy gig they were all set up to enforce.
"We can see Ruby but my question stands, is the Old one on the side of good or evil! i have people to protect and this is mine and my families home, I have a duty to everyone here so answer my question before you are all expelled from my dimension and have to search for a soloution elsewhere" Faith looked them dead in their eyes as she prepared for a fight but William ended that quickly.
"She is a good guy... more or less, She's being guided by Wesley since waking up... you read our minds so you know who her body belongs too and how we feel about her!" The well dressed vampire was sporting a curly blonde haired look these days and his dark jeans and tight fitting shirt had made alot of the working girls swoon once again upon seeing him but he ignored them as the job was much more important.
"I have no reason to fight or conquer at this juncture, i need assitance and my Wesley has promised to help find a cure to my current ailment but make no mistake i am vastly superior in terms of magical and fighting prowess... if you help me, i would be most greatful" Illyria didn't sound threatening hut she sounded emotionless and more in the moment then some kind of uber powerful god monster as Faith knew the old ones were.
Spike gave Illyria and Wesley an inquistive look but let it go for now as it made much more sense to keep his eyes trained on the real threat, one he was well aware did not like him for deflowering her daughter for one and he was sure the fact he was a vampire again was a close second.
Illyria was the only mind she couldn't read and that made sense if she really was an old one as the others memories suggested, the hollowed out shell of Winifred burkle, the women her ex watcher loved dearly and a brilliant scientist to boot. the fates had been cruel to him indeed.
Faith let go of her holster and sheath and signalled Dawn to stand down, the whole bar who were listening intently suddenly got louder and truly went about their buisness asnthe drinking resumed and the day went on about them as if they didn't exist anymore.
"Dawn, go and inform your beautiful mother that we have visitors and grab Persephone as well, we need all hands on deck if we are to help and get this done, also take their memories and view them together... it seems they are telling the truth" Faith passed a few magical orange orbs out of her mind with her index finger and placed them in the hand of her loving and elegant daughter who left the Saloon with a nod of affirmation and didn't look back once.
When she was gone Faith turned to William and spoke in a low tone close enough to him that only they could hear each other, "If you go near my daughter again Willie... I'll rape your little vampire asshole with my saber, your final death will be slow and painful... i have learned how to do a blood eagle recently, just a little off topic information that might help you make the right and adult decision for once eh!" Faith walked away from him and moved towards Wesley and the Old one to speak freely.
"I will take you to Ruby and she can look over the Old one, but we will follow her lead on this, she is the expert afterall... she should be in her shop round about now helping my sisters out with the inventory for this month" Faith turned her head to Illyria and then back to Wesley as she considered this odd situation with a critical eye.
"What are your plans after she is fixed? I think you know i can't just leave an old one fluffing around, i will need assurances Watcher!" Faith didn't need to use a threatening tone, after reading his mind she was aware of how Spike or William as he goes by now had made her power and Buffys very clear and he knew not to mess with the purified Slayer, also making him aware she killed a snake god was a good way to keep him in line.
Wesley gave Illyria a soft look and then hardened his face again before giving Faith an answer, "I and Illyria have an agreement, we don't have a plan but we have some ideas of what we can do and none of it involves evil. I can promise you that Faith" He tensed up in fear as she neared him and Illyria instinctively got ready to fight but stopped herself as she placed a hand of his head and playfully ruffled his hair.
"Ruby will do what she can you know, old ones are kind of a special interest of hers... a hobby if you will. go grab some drinks as we're gonna wait here for the girls, does Illyria drink or eat anything?" Faith asked with a genuine aire of interest over the question and the old one answered her instantly.
"I can and it is somewhat enjoyable, although i have no actual need to do so i have come to enjoy certain pastries and confections in the weeks since my rebirth" Illyria followed Faith over to the bar and she ordered her a blueberry Nuka Cola and told her their were many different flavors herself and the wife enjoys on a regular basis.
William whispered in Wesleys ear, "Making deals without informing the team, ya never change do ya head boy. when were you gonna tell me about this?" But Wesley turned around and flipped the ensouled vampire the bird and it genuinely shocked the vampire to his very core, he never saw Wesley break character like that before and he was a little impressed.
Wesley kept his voice down but gave him a clear and level headed answer "What team William? Gunn and Lorne went home, you have no game plan and we both know the moment you can leave, you are gone... and i have, my own shit to deal with... so how about you sod off and drown your sorrows in a bottle pretty boy" Wesley turned his back on his boss for the last time and walked over to order a drink himself.
Illyria enjoyed the taste and asked what Faiths favourite was and that was when she turned and made Wesley order a cherry flavoured Nuka Cola and he oblidged her with a soft smile on his face. he couldn't see the heartbreak on Faiths face break through as she went through his memories once again and watched the death of his beloved Fred, the way he fought for her and eventually lost her forever.
William told Faith he was leaving and he'd be at his local in Sunnydale getting smashed and funnily enough she agreed to it and let him go, she had no reason to hold him here anyway and he had no reason to stay so he dissapeared into the evening air and didn't come back for love nor money.
Faith watched them both without making it obvious she was observing them and Illyria could be very pompous but also suprisingly childish and observant as she experienced new things and it was kind of cute. she ordered them some food and paid for everything and told Wesley to hold off on the liqour because she was sure he would need some level of sobriety to deal with whatever Ruby had planned and to her suprise he listened.
They went to the back of the saloon and Shared a table by one of the larger windows and she spoke freely to both and gave Wesley an interesting proposition, "If you're restarting your lives and your memories are true and unaltered in any way, maybe i have an interesting proposition for you both" Faith watched as Wesleys ears perked up and Illyria listened in as she was eating an oddly shaped green sausage that tasted a whole lot better than anything she had tried in Los Angeles at Wolfram and hart.
"And what on earth could you offer us and what the hell could we even pay you back with, we have nothing but our skills and Illyrias ungodly strength? Unless you need help with that Glorificus character William mentioned to us" Wesley had half struck the nail on the head but actually there was a whole lot more to it then that and Faith was aware of what they had agreed to last night in bed and she would use this to her advantage.
"That's half of it but she would be backup if we can't get the job done, also you and Illyria are going to become bounty hunters asyou need money to live and we own everything in this town and i can't just go around treating you better than others... you have to work" Faith called over Jean who she noticed pop in through a back door in the Saloon and he sauntered over like the adorable little pig man he was and Faith asked for his assistance.
"Jean can you set up two bounty hunter licenses for Illyria and Wesley here, they will be working soon and plan to stay in our town for a while" Faith watched as he lit his cigar and nodded his head in affirmation as he shook both newcomers hands and welcomed them to his beloved town before quickly dissapearing into his bounty office and getting to work.
"What if we want to find other work? or another place to live..." Wesley was interrupted as Faith pladed two finfers on his lips and told him quite forcibly to shut it before she looked deep into his eyes and made her point clear.
"I have told you and your little Blue Jay here, i have read your memories and this is your best chance to actually guide her as was your original promise, was it not?" the sudden realisation that Faith had seen their conversation in bed last night had made him cringe deeply and he could no longer look at his beautiful ex-Slayer in the eyes any longer from sheer embaressment.
Ilkyria on the other hand didn't seem to care, she didn't share the same type of feelings of shame as he did but she didn't like her new nickname comingout of someone elses mouth and she made sure Faith knew that.
"Do not call me that again being of light, that is Wesleys priviledge and will never be yours" Illyria bit down on her food with a look somewhere between anger and annoyance that was very hard to place on such a abnormally blank face.
Faith ignored the Old One and continued speaking to Wesley directly "I have a free home for you both but it is a one bed so sharing is caring, best hope she doesn't hog the covers eh! oh... and you'll be travelling with me and Buffy as you receive training and then my daughter and her girlfriend" Faith smiled sweetly towards ajean as he returned with the new licenses and left juet as quickly as he had to cash out a random bounty hunter who had just dragged in a collar.
"But you will pay rent and you will work hard, in your memories ya wanted to show her a better way of living away from all the war mongering didn't you? this is your best chance considering she would never fit in around Sunnyhell and there are demons who live here as you can see so she won't exactly be an outcast will she" Faith let the actual magnitude of their shared situation sink in and all Wesley could do to respond is ask why she was helping them.
"Why on earth are you going above and beyond to help us, this isn't the Faith i remember..." Wesley looked so confused as this older and much more mature women sat across from him and controlled their discussion with ease and she was a far cry from the drunken runaway he tried to council before he defection to the mayor and his insane ascension plan.
Faith sighed and sat back with a cocky smile he certainly did remember plastered across her perfectly youthful face "You never knew the real me Wes, sounds like a line but it's not... you didn't have a clue i was pining over Buffy, that i wasn't much of a drinker because of my birth mother and you had no concept of what my actual thoughts and motives were during our short lived acquaintance but that being said" Faith paused as she got serious for a moment and her voice grew somber.
"You are a good man and if i hadn't seen your memories and analysed them with inhuman perception then i would have kicked you both out on your asses but i do owe you an apology for my actions back then and this is the best way to do so i think" Faith took a swig of her sugary drink and was suprised as Illyria joined the conversation and gave her thoughts on the matter after looking over their new licenses.
"I quite like this idea and if she feels some sort of need to help us because of how she wronged you in the past then we should accept... as long as i do not explode anytime soon that is. I am still a, what did you call it? a ticking time bomb" She finished her meal and Faith enjoyed how blunt this Old One was and how willing she was to try something new, it was a suprisingly human quality she posessed.
"Ruby is your best chance for survival, i can't promise anything but she is the best at what she does... listen to her Wesley, this is your best chance to keep the good fight going and you know that by now" Faith felt the presence of her wife and daughter marching towards the Saloon and Persephone was trailing close behind and her eneryy was far from calm and that was probably becuase she knew the vampire had returned and she was not his biggest fan.
Wesley answered Faith and did so with his deep musky voice as he knew his options were limited and so was Faiths kindness if he didn't take her up on it quick enough "Fine, we will work and train with you both, so long as Illyria is repaired and no longer poses an ever lasting threat just by sitting there" He turned ro see Buffy summers walk through the door withnher rifle under arm and moving towards their table with alarming speed as she was tailed by Dawn and shortly after Persephone.
"Put the gun down honey, we have an accord... old Wes here and his little blue bird are our newest bounty hunters and we'll all be training together for Glory andof course making some cash along the way" Faith grinned happily as her stuningly gorgeous wife reholstered her gun and then turned her anger towards Faith.
"Do not block our connection again, i thought you were in danger! jackass!" Buffy got her wife in a headlock and Faith cried uncle before reversing their positions and now they were play fighting as Dawn placed her face in her palm and cast illusion magic to make them invisible and silent to everyone so she wouldn't be embarassed in public by her very loud and very lesbian mothers.
"Sorry B, i thought it'd be cool if i got to suprise ya for once, i got a back up for Glory honey so be happy you married a strategic genius!" Faith boasted but was silenced as Buffy brought her in for a deep and passionate kiss before slowly letting her go and lowering her tone as she responded.
"Yeah your a genius, so use that brain and never block our connection again or i'll bend you ofer my knee and..." Buffy was interrupted by a shocked Dawn who most certainly didn't need that image playing behind her eyes and neither did Persephone who she noted was surveying the area and on the look out for William. she knew that was going to be an annoyance she would have to put up with wether he showed up again or not.
"Mothers of mine, no images please, why don't we get these two over to Ruby before she blows the town to smithereens eh! and baby... he's not here so calm down please..." Dawn took her girlfriends hand and got rid of the illusion spell so they were visible again and everyone could hear them before she exited the Saloon with her girlfriend in tow and they made their way over to pre warn Ruby of what was happening.
Wesley finished his drink and stood up and put his hand out for Buffy to shake, "Thank you for your help Mrs Summers, we are both greatful for the assitance" and he wore a confused look as both ex Slayers seemed to be having a private conversation between each other without words before they both turned to look at him with questioning eyes.
"Which Mrs Summers are you thanking, me or B or both? cause i did take her last name ya know" Faith gave a cheeky grin to her old watcher and he cohldn't believe the beligerent girl he met in Sunnydale on his first council assignment was now a happily married mother of a magical daughter, but she also took Buffys last name. Spike had mentioned everything that had happened before he left but had left out that small detail and it made him realise Faith was right all along, he really had no idea who the women before him really was.
~~*
Ruby had been examining Illyria magically for over an hour and there was only so much everyone could take as she was being asked not only the strangest questions but also being bombarded by the strangeet looking magic any of them had ever seen before. Rubys interest in the old ones and gods had really paid off in the last couple of months as Wesley jumped for joy as the deeply talented enchantress had not only diagnosed the porblem but knew how to fix her cracked shell with very minimal effort.
"I can fix her now but she will have to come to me once a day until she is fully repaired oh and there is no way to bring the original host back but you already know that, Old Ones are destructive in everything they do so, yeah not happening" Ruby began to worked on Illyrias shell by filling her with deep magic and mending the leaks slowly as she stabilised her form with another type of magic none of them had ever seen before butthat gave Wesley hope that Ruby was the best person to do this job.
It was harrowing knowing Fred was truly dead but atleast no one would lose their life if Illyria decided to go supernova and lay waste to a continent because she decided to just pop one day. he hid his fears and worries well, atleast he believed so but Faith was no fool and she could feel his heart break as Ruby laid that final nail down and hammered the truth into his dreams coffin and she just kept shovelling more truth upon it as she described why it was impossible for Fred to return.
Faith in the end offered to go outside with him and help get him away from the scene of his beloved writhing in agony as she was slowly repaired by a powerful enchantress who had this point become so much more but he simply refused as he promised Illyria he wouldn't go anywhere.
She knew now from his memories just how screwed up his situation was and understood a little of why he was doing this but she also couldn't agree that it was mentally healthy in the slightest. Although considering his situation, if the roles were reversed... she would do the same for Buffy and she knew she would and through their connection Buffy admited she would of also fiund herself in the exact same predicament.
Illyria had managed to calm herself considerably as she managed to find herself in a meditative state almost, somewhere between serenity and painful indifference. Buffy was away and settin up one of the free houses they had along the mountain side and the one close to Dawn and Persephone had recently been emptied after a carpenter found a new job a few towns over and couldn't help but take the opportunity as he got to learn on the job too and that was something he was really interested in and no one tried to stop him as the town was filled with high skilled workers.
"Hmmm... those are some deeply carved magical fissures! you're lucky she didn't explode sooner... this body is quite the masterpiece, considering it's holding the unsupressed essence of the God king of eternal victory, Illyria" Ruby stabilised her with even stronger magic and set about containing even more found leaks of ancient energies and she seemed happy with the progress she was quickly making.
Wesley didn't respond as he turned his head away for the moment and couldn't stand to look at her or Ruby for the moment and Faith who was standing next to him felt that but she didn't know what to do or how to react. He wasn't experiencing a normal death of a loved one, he was watching the body of the women he loved and adored being piloted by a primordial being of immeasurable strength and needed him to learn how to live once again.
She could also tell from his memories that this being was kinda sweet on him and had an obvious interest he was unwilling to explore or exploit and that just made her opinion of him all the more higher. He had really grown up from the weasel like librarian who betrayed Buffy and her to the council at every turn and turned into a respectable man who fought for what was right and true, even if sometimes he did screw up a little.
"I think after a week or two i can have her fully healed and maybe reinforced too so this stupid nonsense never happens again... you must of been hit out of phase but if i just tweak this and infuse that" Ruby was having the time of her life and kept working away with her magical powers as Wesley just watched on and stayed diligently in place as Illyrias eyes searched for him every now and then as she remained laying down in the middle of the room in the middle of the air.
Faith placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him some good news "Buffy just spoke to me through our private connection and she has finished checking out a good house for you both, we'll give you an allowance until she's fully up and running, allows ya to buy clothes and some weapons, get food in the pantry" She removed her hand and in the middle of Rubys shop she took two chairs and placed them just far enough from Rubys work and still allowed Illyria to look over towards them both if she needed too.
"Thank you, Faith... I never apologised for my mishandling of you, as a failed watcher... for that I am truly sorry" Faith did something he would of never expected and as she was much stronger and taller she pulled him in for a sudden hug and stroked the back of his head slowly as he rested his head onnher shoulder for the moment.
"You don't need to apologise for that, not to me... ya never stood a chance of being my watcher, no one did. I became better the moment i fell through that portal Wes, best thing that ever happened to me" She let him go and noticed Illyria who even suspended magically in the air gave quite the threatening death glare and Faith could feel in the back of her head she was vastly more powerful than herself but she'd still try and fight if it came to that.
"Don't look at me like that Old One, i'm not stealin 'Your' Wesley, I'm a happily married women and my girls sorting out a new life for ya so shoot that death glare towards ya future bounties, i don't endure that crap for too long and don't forget it" Faith showed her ring and Illyria accepted her words and went back to looking at the ceiling as Wesley asked her an unexpected question.
"Did you ever find out why that portal appeared, was it a natural portal or did someone place you in the vicinity of it where they knew you and Buffy would fall into them... Spike said she fell through a day later and you were over a year older" You could tell by the look on Wesleys face he hadn't totally believed the bleached blonde wonder but Faiths eyes told him that was pretty much the whole sha'bang.
"Nope, never did and yeah we know it's suspicious but... we are nearing god levels of strength and our magic is leauges above anything on earth and most beings here can't compare either. Do you think evil would want us both gone, gain power and then due to time dialation come back a day later Sunnydale time and shit stomp their plans?" Faith cocked her head and gave him a look that said it definetly wasn't a bad guy who did this but what about the powers that be.
"Spike left here as a man, a month later the powers stole him away and he became their champion due to some Shanshu prophecy where a vamp with a soul would play a major part in the apocalypse and you killed the first one so they had to improvise it seems" Wesley handed her his new drivers license and it was issued almost three years from now and that made her realise William had a damn tough time after leaving and that's probably why he disappeared so quickly, guy wants some peace.
"Yeah, we were a whole three years ahead of you, and in a completly different timeline which is as we speak collapsing into nothingness" Wesley took his driving license back and placed it in his wallet as Faith relayed the information privately to Buffy and she had some Questions herself for Wesley so she turned her head back towards him to ask.
"Do you think the powers or Wolfram and Hart funneled you into that false reality? Maybe those monsters were hoping for you all to kick the bucket in that place" Faith didn't hafe to wait long for an answer as Wesley had actually worked the whole thing out but had kept it to himself, William and Illyria as it didn't really change anything for Lorne and Gunn now they were back home.
"The powers put us in place to fight them, you and Buffy changed the rules and slaughtered the worlds evil like you were running its pockets for spare change and they got scared Faith, they planned a dimensional shift of all their employees and prisoners on the physical plane" Wesley looked over to make sure Illyria was fine but other than a few grunts and groans she seemed fine.
"We were to be left behind as they suddenly collapsed the dimension after leaving, the biggest thorn in their side given the head office and kept husy until they could crush us all in one fell swoop... you both scare them and aparently when they discovered you had a daughter they planned to get out of this dimensional plane a whole lot faster" he was suprised Faith took the latter so well, especially since evil knew she had a daughter but she was calm and seemingly content.
Faith sighed with an exasperated tone, "Dawn is stronger now then we used to be and she grows in strength and knowledge ever day, she makes me and Buffy look like we were lazy back then plus our enchantments make sure our powers continue to grow steadily over time... hell me and Buffy are gonna live for thousands if not tens of thousands of years and stay forever young with the power of gods and soon Old Ones" Faith didn't brag, she just stated facts and let the dice roll where they may.
Wesley looked wide eyed at the admittance she was growing without training but Spike said she and the rest of them were training like crazy, he had left out the enchantments for some reason and he did wonder why but that could wait for another time.
"If your wondering why the enchantments work on us so well it is because we are magical beings and so is Dawn, a human would get to a peak and the enchantments would stop working but the human in question would be vastly stronger than before... maybe even more than a slayer after a few years if they trained diligently too" Faith handed Wesley a bracelet of strong Green leather that was bound together with odd metal and unknown runes.
"What is this for? and what do these markings say?" Wesley got straight back into magic guy mode and was trying to work the mystery out in his head but Faith iust told him straight and also gave him the creeps as she explained herself.
"Buffy and Drusilla told me you were all coming... they have visions and i prepared a bracelet for you with Ruby here... never take it off and after awhile you'll be stronger then that dipshit vamp whose off getting pissed as a skunk right now" Faith felt the cold feeling wash over him as she revealed why she had been so calm this entire time, it was becuase it was ordained by the seers and the Slayers visions.
"I could do with a stark drink myself right now, with everything that has happened and is happening, it's all a bit much don't you think?" Wesley pointed towards her leather jacket pocket as he had remembered she always carried a flask with hee but she caught on quick and explained herself as to why she couldn't give him a drink.
"I don't drink Wes, not my thing... only drink i've had in years was with Dawn over New Years, kinda worried Glorificus might kill us so we decided to do some stuff early... hell we ain't even Slayers anymore and the council is long gone... my demon and B's got purified... can't have angels drinking now can we. never worked out well in the bible" Faith chuckled but told him if he really needed a stiff drink then he could get one at Jeans Saloon but he should budget his expenses since he had to learn the value of money in this world and fast.
"So much has changed and even Earth is almost demon free and you're both Angelic in nature. i think after this we'll take a walk to our new abode and get some much needed dinner and some shut eye" Wesley put the bracelet on his right arm and took a bag of odd looking money of varying colors and realised he was in for quite the adventure whilst living here and trying to teach Illyria how to life a good life.
"We'll pick you both up early at about 9 o clock, teach ya the ropes and get you some rooty tooty point and shooties, She'll probably prefer a melee weapon... maybe a kanobo or something sharp" her idea seemed sound but Wesleys face said otherwise.
Wesley shot her a look that said 'you really don't understand Illyria at all' and she cottoned on quick that maybe the deposed old one would prefer something other than what she had so flippantly suggested and he set the record straight almost immediately.
"Knuckle dusters, a cestus maybe, with her powers in tact she won't need much and her hand to hand combat capabilities far outweigh ours and most likely yours and Buffys. maybe we should get some training sessions in as she would be a great source of training for us all" Wesley
Wesley didn't hear a response but instead watched as Faith manouvered herself towards the door and said calmly to Ruby she would return once her work was complete and she told Wesley to stay with 'his' old one and although it stung a little to have Illyria refered to as his, it was basically fact at this point in time.
Faith was gone like the wind and Wesley was silent for a minute or two as he watched over the enchantress and her subtle yet powerful magical work, the way she channeled her magicks with no effort whatsoever was frightening to say the least and she looked human and even felt human but it was obvious she was not. she moved with overly exaggerated movements and danced around Illyrias floating body as if gravity had little to no affect on her, but nothing was normal in this dimension and it was something he would learn to accept.
"How long does this type of spellcraft usually take? i've never seen magic so skillfully wielded, i must admit the researcher in me finds your abilities rather intriguing" Wesley noted she barely even looked towards him as she maintained focus and continued her slow repair and eventual reinforcement of Illhrias body but she did eventually respond.
"You should see Faith and our little family use magic, even Buffy puts most to shame now... one day Faith might even surpass me in knowledge if she wants too of course" Ruby turned to look Illyria in the eyes and asked her a question as she needed to gauge her patients responses to understand this old one better just in case she was making a mistake, Ruby was always careful of course and Old ones were not to be trusted.
"This treatment could take weeks or months depending on the extensive damage you have taken, i hope you have enough patients to undergo this once a day until the work is finished?" Ruby was infusing magics between the unseen cracks on her arms and began to slowly heal them as the monstrous being she healed pretended to ignore the pain as effectively as she could.
"I will abide, i wish to live and there are things i want to posess knowedge of as... i am interested in certain aspects of this new worlds ways. Wesley and i will live together and he will teach me how to exist in this painful world, I have no renewed lust to rule as my armies are long fallen" Illyria let her eyes wander over to Wesley before she contnued speaking in a soft tone and looked ovee to the hard working enchantress.
"I will come everyday until this body is repaired, i will also work to hold my keep. But i do need time to learn of the social normalcies and of course live as an individual... although i haven't seen spied many plants about and i do so enjoy hearing the green song" Illyria had ways of communing with many beings and plants where her favourite and it was obvious to Ruby as she noted it was one of the few moments that didn't concern her companion that seemed to allow emotion to grace if but for a moment her gormless face.
Ruby continued working in silence for a few moments before she spoke again "Sunnydale is filled with nature, trees and plants... some beautiful specimens if you have any interest innsuch things perhaps you can take up gardening... i myself own a florists where i sell flora and fauna... i doubt William will take his old job back but i have other workers for that" Ruby went silent as she began to heal an impossibly deep spiritual split that should have rendered Illyria dead weeks ago but it seemed the shell was stronger than it should of ever been and that confused her somewhat yet she remained silent.
"William enjoyed his time as a florist, he spoke often of the calmning solitude it brought him, but i would have no possible way of telling you with any certainty whether he would even stay on earth, let alone in Sunnydale after the powers that be turned him vampire once again" Wesley slowly stumbled over towards the table Illyria was floating above and gently brushed some stray blue hairs out of her eyes.
"How are you holding up Blue jay, is the pain bearable?" Wesley noted how her mouth had almost twitched into a smile but she forced it back and only her eyes darting about and searching for the right words were any proof that she wasn't sure how she should answer and was most likely trying to find a correct answer and not the honest one.
"I... i can feel the magical bonds reforming the shel... Freds body back together once more... but it is fairly obvious i am in dire need of repair, the enchantress is exuding much angst and is also perplexed i am somehow still together and even moving about" illyrias words stopped Ruby in her tracks and she gave the old one a strange look as if she wasn't sure what to make of her.
"I can not read minds, i am just very perceptive and your fresh human face is filled with emotions that are easy to read, your old form would have made it harder for me to access your thoughts and before you ask how i know, it's the energy around you and your aura is distinctive and not very human at all" Illyria didn't even look at her as she stated these facts and Ruby just shook her head and snickered as she continued working but she did have a few choice words to say.
"You are correct, this body is somehow holding up amazingly well and you should have exploded weeks ago... the fact you are still up and about is no less than a miracle, but i will need to repair you for hours each day but you are in luck, i rarely get to stretch my powers like this and i enjoy a challenge to boot" Ruby worked hard and began searching for more deep spiritual cracks and was not suprised when she found one deeper than the last.
"You will not be fighting for the next two weeks, bare minimum for you will be brisk walks and maybe you can have sex but i wouldn't risk the rough stuff... i will however place a few binding spells on your shell and the should help the energies self repair and then we can reinforce and strengthen your new form" Ruby knew tue sex comment would intrigue Illyria but make Wesley panic, as they obviously didn't have that kind of relationship but one of them most certainly had eyes for the other.
Wesleys voice tried to calm itself as he stumbled through his response "Well since no one is having sex that shouldn't be a problem, maybe we can make a small garden for your green song Illyria, the land is pretty damn dry and a few orchids or whatever would really brighten up the place" Wesley looked between both women and tried but failed to hide his nerves over such a conversational topic and it actually seemed to backfire as both tried to keep the conversation going but he stopped that instantly.
"So what do you say Illyria, the doctor has administered bed rest and a little less than light exercise so why don't we take this as an opportunity to rest but learn of our surroundings and how everything functions before we go around gun slinging and bounty hunting" He smiled nervously but Illyria answered with her usually stoic ways but Illuria just looked at him or what seemed like through him as she spoke with an obviously annoyed tone in her voice.
"Fine, we will do as you wish... the desert air is bad for human skin, we should find lotions to moisturise ourselves with... the tall symmetrical one with autumn coloured hair glows beautifully, i should inquire how she manages to escape the dry sun" Illyria closed her eyes and Wesley calmed himself down as Ruby began to speak after a long silence as she had spoke telepathically to Faith and she would deliver the good news.
"My daughter Faith, the autumn haired statue of a woman has said she will stock you bathroom with skin care products and if you do not enjoy the fragrances she can take you shipping to find the best scent to match your personal tastes" The shop shook for a moment and Ruby looked confused until she flicked her hand and a wisp of magic flew upstairs and through the ceiling, moments later her name was screamed in apology as her daughter realised she had messed up.
"Sorry about her, my oldest keeps practising musical based magic and well one day she is going to blow this shop up if i do not keep her eye in the prize, learning will lead her to a better future afterall... you were a ruler, so you would understand the need and lust for knowledge" Ruby continued healing Illyria as the minutes fleeted away and it seemed as if the Old One had fallen asleep as she locked herself away in deep thought.
Wesley had watched the entire process with an avid interest as he had never seen such strange magic employed so effortlessly and that's what made him realise Spike had not exaggerated once when he spoke of Rubys prowess and the Slayers new found strengths. It was probably why the once dark warrior left everything in Faiths hands without a second thought, he didn't even react much to Dawn... the powers really did do a number on him now that he thought about it.
~~*
Illyria felt amazing and although it was the end of her first session there was an extra bounce in her step that was difficult to hide, she had considered switching back into the Burkle persona but decided against it as she knew it would only cause Wesley pain and considering how well everything had been going she didn't wish to ruin an almost perfect day. Although if she did ever end up going shopping with Faith on the off chance she preferred other scents for her body lotions than she would have too as it was a less conspicuous way to get around and still get things done.
Faith had returned by the end of the first session with her daughter Dawn and she showed them the way to her own house and then her daughters before the next house came into view and it was quite a nice little hole in the wall, the white stone went well with the brown english red kind of color and the excitement in the air was palpable since Wesley thought they would have to probably camp out for a few nights before he could get everything together but this was perfect.
Faith opened the door and the house was cool and well furnished which was a surpise but also a welcome one since roughing it wasn't exactly the ex watchers favourite activity at the best of times. As Dawn showed Illyria where and what everything was Wesley closed the door behind him and acdepted the house keys from Faith and a few spares also as now he and Illyria would be co-habiting and as long as they adhered to their deal everything would be fine.
"I should thank you, yet i can't seem to find the adequate ones to do my feelings any real justice" Wesley was shocked as Faith placed her strong hand on his shoulder and spoke softly but with purpose as this woman was so unlike the fledgling Slayer he knew he almost mistook her for an elder who was wise beyond her years and he had to force himself to not treat her with more respect and reverance than she would have ever been used to.
"You are aware of our deal and this town is mine and Buffys so play nice, work hard and do as you are told... no killing unless necessary, oh! and also myself and my family constantly travel between here and Sunnydale so if you ever need to come with just ask" Faith let her hand fall back down to her side and she motioned for him to come over and join Dawn and Illyria in the bedroom.
"Well Illyria this is the queen size bed, not really sure if you need to sleep being an old one and all but if you do then there is no better way to do it. mattress is even memory foam so it adheres to your shape and is comfortable as all hell" Dawn pulled the covers back and let her hand sink into the bed while Illyria copied her and was surpised to see the mattress spring back into shape slowly and she had to admit it was rather soft and felt nice.
"I do not need to sleep being an ancient being but i must try this soft strangeness so i may as well give this odd contraption a fair try" Illyria turned to Wesley who then turned to Faith and he gave her a look that said everything she knew he would complain about without a single sound escaping his lips.
"Hey... you can sleep in the bed alone or together, you've done it before but... Wesley, i am going to speak my mind here and you are going to just listen for once" Faith turned to him and motioned for Dawn and Illyria to stop what they are doing and also pay attention.
"I will help you because honestly i treated you wrong but after reading your thoughts and emotions, becoming aware of your suffering has forced my hand and made it impossible for me to ignore" Faith conjured a window in the air and showed him the moment Fred died once more and he looked away but she forced him to look and as she took the window away and it fell into the ether of nothingness all magic returned back into she knew he understood her.
"Freds body is still here and Illyria is changed by her memories, her emotions are deep inside still and when Ruby has strengthened and repaired Freds hollowed out body you will hafe to live with the fact she is never coming back, but Illyria is here and she needs you" Faith looked over to the odd being who was ice cold and beautiful but also scared and quite lost, she could sense the creatures worry as if it was her own.
"She came to you after she lost her army, you made her a promise and now you have to fufill it... no one would judge you for doing the right thing but never forget she is a women now, a primordial god king bound in human and magical flesh... but she needs your help and guidance" Faith took a deep breath before she spoke again, she needed to prepare herself for these next words she was about to oour forth into the universe.
"I never needed a Watcher Wes, we both know that... especially now eh! but she needs one, like you and if anything happen between you both, we are all here to talk and to help if needs be" Faith motioned for Dawn to leave and she did so without a single word and the front door closed gently behind her as Faith was asked a question by a rather confused Illyria.
"Why are you helping us? You didn't need to make him relive that moment, it was unusually cruel and you could of made your point with just well placed words" Illyria was viwibly angry and confused gut Faiths calm nature unnerved the Old One and she stayed in place instead of flying off the handle and doing something they would both regret.
Faith turned her head slowly and looked directly into Wesleys tired eyes "She is changed by Fred and angry because i dared to cause you emotional distress, she has a moral and a just nature, dark sometimes but that is your job to help her with not mine" Faith turned to leave but stopped at the frint door as she placed her hand upon the handle and held it there in place.
"We save lives and keep evil off the streets here, rest up, get strong and live a nice life here with us... it will be quite an adventure but if she lays a single hand on my wife, daughter or mother... she will learn to wish she had stayed in that stone sarcophagus, understand me?" Faith stood by the door with an emotionless, gormless face that sent chills up his spine and he nodded in understanding.
Illyria was also quick to nod in agreement, she could sense Faith was strong and was a predator, not the prey. she reasoned that if Ruby knew ancient magics even she had never seen in her long rule as god king then maybe so did her daughter, adopted obviously but still... there was strength in her walk, she felt dominion behind her beautiful eyes. anyone who had half a brain wouldn't dare try anything and Illyria needed to be repaired and this was her only option, she would capitulate.
"I will abide, but if any being attacks me they will be dealt with swiftly and violently" Illyria spoke to the door as it slammed behind Faith who just said "Sounds good to me" and she was gone in a moment as if Illyrias answer didn't really matter. as if she knew the deposed despot had no real say in her actions anyway, not at this moment in time.
Wesley turned to Illyria and breathed a sharp sigh of relief as he gave her the present of a soft smile as he placed his hands on his hips "I believe Faith may have just saved us both, and no camping in the wilds, i would say that we landed pretty well on both of our feet wouldn't you" he threw himself down onto the new sofa and leaned back and closed his eyes as he let the moments tick by in peace until Illyria spoke up again.
"Do you trust this goddess to keep her word? she is a warrior and i can tell from how she carries herself she is not to be trifled with Wesley" Illyria was standing above wesleyand blocking the warm light that was warming his face, a feeling he had actually somewhat enjoyed but was now gone and ot caused him to let slip a slight groan which he quickly stifled.
"Faith is not a Goddess, she is an ex Slayer and now something more it seems but she is as you can see a good and moral women, the Faith i knew years ago would have slit our throats without a second thought. It seems motherhood and companionship have done her a world of good, we should find a way to pay her back in the future, especially as she really has gone above and beyond for us" Wesley opened his eyes and noticed Illyria was standing before him but barely looking him directly in the eyes as if she was trying to find the words to a question she wasn't sure she should ask.
"We can pay her back when i am back to full strength and reforged to my former glory... alas, we will be sharing a bed i assume... there is no reason for us to stop and I..." Illyria seemed tired and Wesley could feel how the magical process had taken the wind out of her sails, she had barely talked back to him or Faith and usually she spoke her mind so freely it could be off putting to say the least.
Wesley stood up and held his hand out for Illyria which she took suprisingly fast into her own and held it tighter than he would of expected her to, "I will not leave your side as you recover, i heard once a good emotional health is a great aid to the healing process... it is not weakness to cling to another for warmth and solace, especially when you are hurt... it just should be someone right and trustworthy" Wesley helped her over to their new bed and it seemed they would be sharing it for whoever knew how long.
"Thank you... Wesley" Illyria found herself under the covers and Wesley went to make sure the front door was locked before he returned to join her and they both fell asleep in one anothers arms as the stress and worries of the day faded away into the deep dark of a new worlds forgiving night.