Buffy sighed heavily, eyes scanning their surroundings through the clouded windows of the roaring bus. The convoy of military vehicles must have been on them since they left the hospital; there was no way they could have made this kind of formation otherwise without anyone noticing. They couldn't have been too close, however.
The land rover rapid deployment trucks had them boxed in; two flanking the left and right, one in the front, and a whole string of them from behind.
“Just great.” She grumbled under her breath; the slayer wished someone would offer up a suggestion. It seemed every time she managed to solve one problem, another one even worse than the one before came along.
“Buffy,” Willow’s voice broke her out of her stupor. The green-eyed witch was sitting in the seat in front of her with Kennedy beside her. Both women were looking at her, with the younger one alternating between checking out the windows and glancing at the silent slayer beside her.
“Wills.” She said in acknowledgement.
Willow and Kennedy shared a look. “What’s on your mind?”
Chaos was on her mind. How in the hell did this happen? Patriot Act? Terrorism? And here she thinking she was saving the world. Stupid her. “Well at first I thought we should go with them and try and explain to them what happened.”
Kennedy, ever the helpful sarcastic girl she was, snorted in amusement. “Yeah, I’m sure they’ll listen. ‘Gee, GI Joe, the thing is we just had to blow up Sunnydale because otherwise The First, which is the first evil ever in the world and wants to – ya know – obliterate you, and its army of vampires were going to kill everyone and take over the world. By the way, how’re the wife and kids doing?’”
“Kennedy,” Willow chastised her, jabbing her elbow into her side. The once potential shrugged, unapologetic. “But she is right, Buff. I mean, call me a pessimist, but I doubt they’ll listen to anything we have to say, especially since, “ she shrugged her shoulders, “you know there’s nothing we could actually say.”
Buffy rolled her eyes in distress, unconsciously squeezing Faith’s fingers for comfort. “That’s what I thought.”
“So what do we do? We can’t exactly tell them we want a rain check on this date.”
“I was kind of hoping you might have an idea.” She looked up at Willow sheepishly through her lashes. “I’ve got nothing short of suicide.”
“We could always seduce them.” Faith offered, finally speaking after what seemed like forever. Willow, Buffy, and Kennedy looked at her strangely, as if she’d materialized a third eye. “What?”
“Please tell me that was a joke.” The blonde slayer groaned, but she knew that look in Faith’s eyes – the one that said she was about to do something really, really stupid and destructive out of desperation. She wouldn’t put a stunt like that past her.
“I just prevented the world from taking a header into oblivion. Sorry if I don’t like the idea of three life sentences.” She snapped, her body becoming stiff as she noticed Buffy’s hand still holding onto hers tightly. It softened her. “Sorry, B, I just, I’m scared, ya know?”
Through the rearview mirror, Giles eyes ticked between watching the vehicles behind them and the wary, tired faces of the slayers all looking back at him. His stomach knotted up when he caught a brief glimpse of Faith’s pale complexion and Buffy’s distraught expression.
The choice should be easy enough: comment sense told her to stand by her answer, to follow the commander back to wherever the hell they were taking them and settle things like civilized humans.
Glancing over at Faith, Buffy chewed on her lip. She was tense in her seat, her body stiff and ready to lunge, like a rattlesnake waiting for the right opportunity to strike. The hand in her own was ferociously hot and clammy as the rogue-gone-good girl shook her head.
Buffy felt for Faith then. According to Willow, she had gotten quite the beat down, both from Angel and The Beast. Even after nearly losing her life, she had willingly jumped at the first opportunity presented to her to get back to Sunnydale and help with The First. Faith was a changed woman; anyone with eyes could see that. The question now, though, was this: Was she herself a changed woman?
They say that everyone gets an opportunity to right their wrongs, to try and make things better and atone for their wrong doings. Maybe saving the world gave her favor points, but the real wrong she had done was still unpaid for.
Once upon a time in Sunnydale, an obnoxious young girl strolled into town. She acted tough, and she was in fact very tough. She wore leather to a T and her attitude stunk to high heaven. Typical badass. No one bothered to look beyond the surface, completely satisfied with the girl in the display box. If someone had just taken one more second, looked a little bit closer, a little bit deeper, then maybe…
Faith turned her head stiffly, like a robot, and met Buffy’s worried, yet calm eyes. Her heart jumped into her throat and nearly choked her. The golden girl looked resolved – it could only mean one thing. Try as hard as she might to stay calm, Faith couldn’t help herself and she imagined the worst possible scenario.
Buffy had never felt so bad for the things she had done more than she did right now. Faith wasn’t the only who had gotten hurt back then. Faith was scared?
Oh boy did she know about being scared. She had been scared all of her life. Afraid of being used, afraid of opening up, afraid to admit what she really felt, scared of being left alone. “Yeah, I know a thing or two about being scared.” Her voice cracked as she said this.
For Faith to openly admit being afraid of something, for her to show this kind of vulnerability- if her mind hadn’t been made up, it sure was now. “Giles! We have to do something, we can’t go with these guys.”
“Good lord,” Giles sighed in relief. He felt a burden lift from his shoulders. He had gotten the feeling that complying with the commander was not the best way to go about things. What were they going to tell the US Army once they were in custody? It had lousy written all over it. “I thought you had lost your common sense.”
“I did, otherwise we wouldn’t be doing this,” she explained, offering him a smile through the mirror. “Do you still have a map?”
Giles’ head disappeared then reappeared, a map in his hand. “Right here.”
“Xander,” the blonde was in action now. “Can you drive?”
“Road Rage style.” He grinned.
“Huh?”
Faith chuckled. “He means very bad, B, which is good in this case.” Now that they had a plan and they were acting on it, she didn’t feel like she was a hurt animal about to get trapped in a corner, suddenly a whole new path opened up before her for her to run through.
“Okay, here’s the plan. Willow, do you think you could perform a cloaking spell of some kind, to hide the bus?”
Willow nodded enthusiastically. “Sure can do. What are you thinking?”
Buffy whistled and got the attention of the few girls at the front of the bus. They subtly made their way to the seats around the original Scooby gang, making sure to keep out of the limelight the military vehicles kept on the bus.
“Alright, listen up people, it seems we have ourselves a situation.” A few groans made her nod in sympathy. “I know, I know, what a way to say thank you. So here’s the deal: we can’t go onto a military base, that’s dead certain. These guys could lock us up forever; they could be from the Initiative for all we know.”
“Of course…” Giles muttered away to himself, smacking his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that? It’s the only way they would know Buffy’s name.”
Buffy nodded in the direction of her Watcher before returning her attention to the girls. “My plan is this. Willow will cloak the bus with a spell, making us virtually invisible to the trucks behind us. I have a feeling they won’t take well to that. Chances are they’ll start shooting blindly. Xander will maneuver the bus onto the side of the road at which point, you’ll abandoned the bus and head into the desert.”
“Wait. What do you mean you?”
Buffy smirked at Kennedy. For being such a brat, she caught on to things quickly. “I mean you, me, and Faith are staying behind to try and take one of those trucks.”
Half lidded eyes shot open, jaws dropped, the grasshoppers outside went silent and all that was left was the sound of silence save for the crunching of tires on gravel and the roaring of engines on the deserted stretch of highway. The sound of the military trucks all around them served to emphasize just how badly they needed to get away.
“Live to die another day, huh, B?” Faith broke the silence. “I like it,” she said sarcastically. The point of getting away was to stay alive and free. Now she was going to actually try and steal a deployment vehicle full of men who wanted her behind the thickest of steel bars. “Really, even for me, this is crazy.”
Buffy leaned into her side, whispering into her. “I just got you back, and I’m not about to make the same mistake twice.” A moment of silence passed between them. Faith looked intently into Buffy’s eyes and the blonde did the same. Something changed in the dark slayer’s cinnamon colored eyes, something that made Buffy shiver, and at once she knew her decision was the right one.
A thousand questions popped into the brunette’s mind as the blonde went over the details of their escape plan, but the one that bothered her the most was the one that kept asking why?
Why was she being so nice to Buffy? Why was Buffy being to nice to her? Why did it feel like everything was going to be alright? Why were the feelings she thought she had buried three years ago coming back to her full-scale? Why did her heart flutter like butterflies’ wings as Buffy held her hand?
She knew if she had time to ponder these questions, they would get to her. So for once in her life, Faith was glad to pay full attention to Willow as she went on about the pros and cons of three girls trying to hijack an armored military vehicle right from underneath a unit’s nose.
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There’s this thing that happens every once in a while in our lives. We don’t expect it, so we don’t plan for it. It comes with the strength of a hurricane, but there is no warning beforehand. When it happens, sometimes we don’t know what to do. We are caught in the storm, tossed around like rag dolls in its winds, drowning and drowned by the relentless waters – and are left struck, stunned, dumbfounded, shocked – by how quickly it happens.
One day you don’t know anything, and then, when the – this – moment comes, you have to make a choice. I have to make a choice.
Do you know that moment? Do you feel what I feel every time I look at you? Do you think maybe you could love me?
It’s not like I asked her out loud. We were in battle now, fighting – two warriors together against the world: us against the world. Talking now seemed like really bad timing. She looked so beautiful, with her hair obscuring her eyes – eyes that had made and broken me, could make or break again. Bullets sprayed all around us, a downpour of silver shells raining all around us, and like professional dancers, graceful, agile, and fluid, we danced around them in a ritual we both knew by heart.
And then she looked at me. And then I knew. In that storm of life that seemed so brutal and cruel, harsh, unforgiving, through the mud and the fog. The haze cleared: I found the eye of my own personal storm, a moment of peace and clarity. Here was my moment… and I just knew.
-----------
The plan had gone smoothly, and now Faith found herself pulling up to the Hyperion Hotel in an armored truck with Willow, Kennedy, and Buffy beside her. She killed the engine and retrieved the keys from the ignition, shoving them into the breast pocket of her jean jacket. Now that that threat was over, and the adrenaline of the day had worn off, she could barely keep her eyes open, yet, her mind was already racing ahead of her, trapping her in a pit that made her soul rot from the roots. Buffy must have been just as tired as her, but the blonde was impatiently tapping her fingers on the back of her headrest, waiting to be let out.
“See that, Faith? She can’t wait to see her boy toy,” her mind snarled, relentless.
The other truck with Giles, Xander, Vi, and Rona had already arrived, and they were pouring out as Lorne made his way up to them and greeted them. Vi and Rona shook his hand warily, no doubt feeling that unmistakable buzz inside of them at the demon’s presence.
Next behind the green, horned demon was Fred – LA Willow – as Faith had taken to calling her. She carried a box from which she took bottled water and handed them to each of the guests. From the corner of her eye, Faith spotted Willow watching her with admiration. She was grateful for the small distraction as she pictured Willow getting it on with Kennedy and Fred. It wasn’t a bad picture.
Now came Wesley, Conner, and Gunn. They passed right by Giles and his group, making their way to Faith’s truck. So much for the distractions.
“Alright ladies, show time,” Faith sighed, cracking the door open. So she was back to square one already, back in LA. She got the feeling that she was going backwards in this life instead of forwards.
Kennedy stepped out behind Faith and stretched, taking in a deep breath and groaning as her muscles relaxed. The potential-gone-slayer was juiced up, and having four people cramped in the backseat of a car that was made for two wasn’t the best remedy. Willow got out next, immediately taking Kennedy’s hand as Fred approached her. Buffy was the last to step out, staying beside Faith, leaning against the truck’s side.
“I can’t believe we made it.”
“Yeah, me neither.” Faith replied, her tone lifeless and detached. She didn’t seem interested at all; she seemed completely out of it.
Buffy glanced at her. She was acting so strange. But then again, so was she. Trying to be smooth about it, she reached out and took her hand once again, lacing their fingers together. She felt a warm comfort every time she was close to her that no one else could bring her. “Are you okay?”
She shrugged. “Five by five.”
Buffy turned fully to inspect her. Other than looking ready to drop dead from exhaustion, and a few cuts and bruises on her face, Faith did in fact seem fine. Unfortunately, her expression, the look in her eyes? They told a different story.
“Faith-” The Californian wanted to talk to her, now that they could do so without having to worry about helicopters shooting them down or demons coming around to gut them.
“Buffy?” Angel’s pleasantly surprised voice greeted the blonde slayer. The century old vampire came strolling towards her, his arms open and his lips curved into a genuinely happy smile.
“Ang-” Buffy was about to greet him when Faith roughly jerked her hand away from her, folding her arms across her chest and looking down at her boots. She scuffed the tip of the left one against the gravel on the lot.
Buffy’s brows furrowed. “Faith-”
“Angel’s waiting for ya, B,” she interrupted softly, obviously unhappy about something.
The blonde just couldn’t figure out why she was acting like this so suddenly. Hadn’t they been joking on the bus? Hadn’t they sat together? Hadn’t she just about penciled her name on America’s Most Wanted list for her? What was wrong now? Just as she was about to ask her, Angel’s arms wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her into a tight, almost intimate embrace.
“Buffy, it’s so good to see you,” he said solemnly, holding her firmly in his grasp. “You don’t know how worried I was about you.”
Giving Faith one more look, Buffy slowly allowed her own arms to encircle the vampire’s waist. “It’s good to see you too, Angel,” she sighed, resting her head against his brood chest, closing her eyes and leaning in to him.
It had been so long since she allowed herself to be comforted like this: it felt really good. It caught up with then, just how tired she really was. Whatever was going on with Faith could just wait until tomorrow – or a week depending on how long she slept the sleep of the dead after tonight.
Angel’s smile softened: he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Are you cookies yet?” he whispered, thinking only Buffy would hear his words. Unfortunately for him he seemed to have forgotten that Buffy wasn’t the only one who could hear him.
“Hmm, maybe.”
Faith scoffed, but she had to admit, if Buffy wasn’t covered in dirt and blood, with her hair in a messy disarray, she and Angel would look like the picture perfect couple. LA sweet hearts. The thought made her uneasy.
“Ugh, heterosexuals are so disgusting,” Kennedy commented then, after seeing the light go out in Faith’s uncomfortable shifting.
Buffy’s eyes snapped open. Angel felt her begin to pull away. He tightened his grip on her, not willing to lose her so fast after being apart for so long. Buffy gave in, too tired mentally and physically to try and stop him. She even let him slip her hand into his. It didn’t feel wrong to have Angel hold her like this. It just didn’t feel like the way it used to. She figured most of that was her fault.
After what seemed like ages, Angel finally pulled away, but he didn’t release her hand. Buffy let him lead her towards the others gathered around the second vehicle.
Kennedy observed them with a critical eye, noting the way they looked to fit each other well – the way the vampire looked so alive with her. It made her want to puke. “Are they always that disturbing?” she asked, wrapping her own arm around Willow’s shoulders, shaking her head at Angel and Buffy.
Willow smirked. “Oh trust me, it will only get worse.”
“How comforting,” the newbie slayer grunted, taking a slow pace towards the ever expanding group. “Hey Faith, you planning on sleeping out here or something?”
Buffy’s head perked up. She looked over her shoulder at the brunette pushing herself off of the truck’s side, taking a few slow steps backwards. “Faith, where are you going?”
Angel turned around and looked at her. “Faith, I didn’t see you there.”
“It’s all good, Fang.” Now that all eyes were on her, Faith wanted to hightail it out of there. It was impossible, but she felt like her thoughts and feelings were on display, felt like everyone could see what was going on inside of her head and heart. She just needed to get away now. “I think I’m going to go for a little walk; burn off some of this buzz,” she said monotonously. “I’m still wired.”
“Are you sure? What about the cops?” Kennedy jumped in. For all that she hated authority figures, she kind of still found Faith to be a badass, even when she was the leader. It would be a shame if she got picked up by the pigs now.
“I’ll give them the slip; slayers are awfully good at giving people the slip. Anyways,” she spun on her heel, waving dismissively, “all that fighting has me ready to pop if you know what I mean.”
Buffy huffed slightly at her comment. “Do you really think now of all times is the best time to go out and pick up some random guy at a bar?” What was that? The jibe at her actually hurt a little, and it wasn’t a playful one either. “Talk about bad self-restraint.”
She was hoping maybe Faith might snarl back at her, start a verbal spar and therefore forget about going out to get laid. But the sulking woman jammed her hands into her pockets and walked down the parking lot and onto the sidewalk at a quick pace, not once turning back to look at them nor answering their questions. Within a few short seconds she had disappeared around the bend of the block.
Willow, Giles, Xander, and Kennedy all simultaneously turned to look at Buffy. The blonde shrunk back under their stares. “What?” She asked innocently.
“Buffy,” Giles said her name in a way that made her feel like she was 16 again.
“What?” She grew defensive now.
“Are you really that blonde?” Kennedy asked, running her fingers through her messy brown locks. “Didn’t you see her?”
“Yeah, it looked like typical Faith. What do you want me to do about it? I don’t even know what’s wrong with her. She was fine just a few minutes ago.”
“I don’t think any of us should be running out and about,” Xander stepped in, “but especially not Faith.”
Buffy crossed her arms over her chest, much in the manner Faith had a short minute ago. “You guys want me to go get her,” she stated. Silence was her answer. The distressed blonde looked to her vamp in scratchy wool trench coats, eyes pleading.
“I think Faith can handle herself,” he tried. “Besides, I was kind of hoping we could talk.”
Caught between the sword and the shield. Way to go Buffy.
“I think it is in everyone’s best interest if Buffy goes after Faith. You are the only one she will listen to,” Giles yawned. The old Watcher was definitely too out of shape to try and keep up with an upset slayer at this time of the night. “The last thing we need is for her to start a commotion and attract the authorities.”
“It wouldn’t be such a bad idea,” Willow agreed with a nod. Buffy glared at her. The witch gulped roughly, stepping closer to her girlfriend. “But it’s up to you Buff, Faith’s a big girl. I’m sure a night out in the town won’t kill her…Right?”
Contributed by SammyFLuv
Where Do We Go From Here?
-- If Buffy decides to go inside with Angel, click here.
-- If Buffy convinces herself to go after Faith, click here.
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