The Slayer
By Norwalker
Part 20 of a multipart story.
Summary: What if Faith came first? If she were the slayer before Buffy( if Buffy even became a slayer)? Just my take on what might have happened. AU, of course.
Pairings: Not sure yet. You might be surprised.
Rating: M( R )
Disclaimer: Characters depicted in this story, except for original characters created by the author, are the sole property of Mutant Enemy, Fox and Joss Whedon.
1
Faith pulls Cordelia roughly into the center of her living room. Letting the gold chain drops, she looks around, frowning.
Cordelia stands where she was left, looking at Faith nervously.
"What's wrong?" Cordelia finally asks, noticing Faith seems to be looking for something.
"Your coat. Where is it?"
"Outside, I guess," Cordy seems puzzled. "Why do you want my coat?"
Faith doesn't answer. She walks to the door, and opens it. Reaching down, she grabs Cordelia's coat, and turns, throwing it at her. " Put it on."
"What?" Cordelia is really confused now. "Put it on?"
"Just do it, Cor," Faith orders, walking back to the center of the room.
"What's wrong?" Cordy struggles to get into the coat. "What did I do wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Faith almost laughs, "You're joking, right?" She looks at Cordy as if she's grown a third eye. "I don't get it. What're you doing here?"
"I told you. I'm here to give myself to you," Cordelia lowers her face. "If you want me."
"This doesn't make sense to me. You couldn't wait to get away from me at the school. I saw the look in your eyes, the way you're body reacted when I got close to you." She stares at Cordelia. "Yet, here you are, barely an hour later, saying you want to 'give yourself to me'. It doesn't make sense, not after everything that's happened tonight. Why?"
"I…" Cordelia trails off, still looking at the carpet. How can she tell Faith why, when she doesn't even really know herself? "I … don't know why, exactly. I just know I need to be here, with you."
"That doesn't tell me shit, Cor," Faith moves closer to her, "Why?"
Cordelia moves back a step.
"I…I love you, Faith. I need you."
Faith gently takes Cordelia's hand. She can feel Cordy shivering where she stands. She smiles tightly.
"You love me," Faith says, reaching out to touch her face. Cordy jerks back, briefly looking at her. She then lowers her eyes again. "Yet you fear me." She leans into Cordelia, placing a hand on her shoulder. "That's fear, Cor, not love." She whispers softly in her ear.
Cordy feels Faith's presence so keenly, so overwhelmingly, that she begins to tremble. Fear mixed with desire mixed with lust moves through her body, causing her to shiver. She feels heat wash through her body, her nipples are engorged and erect, and a familiar wetness is felt on her thighs. She pants lightly, unable to catch a deep breath.
"I know when I'm with you … I feel whole. I feel real…" Cordelia's tremors increase when she feels Faith's fingers on her shoulder, seeming to burn a hole in her coat. She looks up. " I feel alive when I'm with you…" her tone is breathy.
"You like how I make you feel, don't you?" Faith whispers in her ear. She reaches behind Cordy, stroking her neck with her hand. "you like what I do to you."
"Yesss," Cordelia hisses, feeling her desire mount. Her heart starts beating faster. She lowers her head, feeling shame mixed with lust.
Faith feels her own lust stirring in her loins, realizing the effect she's having on Cordelia. Unconsciously, she licks her lips.
"Look at me," Faith says softly, but her tone is firm, commanding.
Cordelia can't look at her. Her shame at being so easily controlled, the lust she feels, the fear, all make her stare downwards.
"No more games, Cor. No more demands. If you want me, want this, then you give yourself to me. Without reservation. You're mine, to do with what I please." She grab's Cordelia's chin, forcing her to look at her." Am I clear?"
Cordy stares into Faith's stern, demanding eyes. She feels a rush of fear mixed with love mixed with lust overtake her. She feels the chill bumps rise on her skin.
"Yesss, Faith…" She feels Faith's fingers squeeze her face, "… mistress."
Faith feels a strong rush of lust pour through her body. The feeling of control is a powerful aphrodisiac for her. Still, she can't forget what Cordelia said to her earlier, what she did earlier.
"Why should I believe you? You walked away from me," Faith's tone is harsh. "Now you come here, wanting back in. It's not that easy, Cor. You don't just come back. If you want back in, you need to show me that you will obey me without question. Without thought." She grab's Cordy's hair, and tugs on it. "Do you understand? You need to be genuinely sorry for being a willful little slut." She releases Cordy's hair, and steps away, turning her back. "No, I don't think I want you back."
Cordy feels icy claws gripping her stomach.
She doesn't want me! She hates me! Desperate, she drops to her knees.
"Please, Faith, please. I need you. Please, take me back. Punish me, do whatever you want to me. Just don't push me away, please." Cordy feels tears on her cheeks. "Love me, mistress. Hurt me." Her voice reflects her anguish.
Faith feels the power Cordelia has given to her, and it fuels her desire. It awakens a compassion for the woman . She turns, and seeing Cordelia kneeling, walks to her. She cups her face in her hands.
"It's not about hurting you, Cordelia," Faith says gently, "It's about teaching you to trust me. To let me make the decisions. To free you from worrying about it? Do you get that?" She gently starts to stroke her hair.
"You don’t want to hurt me?"
"Of course not," Faith reaches down, and pulls Cordy to her feet. Pulling her close, she slips her arms around her waist. She kisses her deeply.
Cordelia sighs, feeling tingles run through her. Her lips open to receive Faith's demanding tongue. She feels Faith's hands caress her back.
"But you're willful and defiant, Cor," Faith says softly, breaking the kiss. "And I can't, I won't have that." She pushes Cordelia away. "You need to learn to defer to me, do you understand? I have to teach you. Do you get it?"
"Yes," Cordy says, looking down. She feels ashamed. "I need to be punished. I've been bad."
"That's my good girl," Faith walks around behind her. She gently tugs at the coat. Cordy puts out her arms, and Faith removes it . "Now, come." She grabs the chain about Cordy's waist, and tugging on it, leads Cordelia to the sofa.
"Bend over the arm," She says curtly.
Cordy complies, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She feels the stirring of fear in her gut, and her breathing becomes harsh.
"Don't move!"
Faith disappears for a moment, and returns, carrying a belt. She walks over to where Cordelia waits, ass in the air. She shows the belt to Cordelia, then draws the belt over Cordelia's buttocks.
Cordelia shivers in anticipation. In spite of her fear, she feels a warm wetness between her thighs.
Faith loops the belt, then put her hand on Cordelia's back, holding her down.
"Lie still," She commands, raising her arm.
WHACK!
She brings the belt down, pulling the force at the last second to give maximum sting with minimal hurt.
Cordelia cries out. Her body shivers.
"Be quiet," Faith growls, and brings down another stroke.
WHACK!!
Cordy bites her lip, hard, but remains quiet.
WHACK!
The belt sends throbbing pangs through her body, and her buttocks tighten involuntarily. She grips the cushions under her fingers, and tears sting her eyes. Her lip quivers, but she remains silent.
WHACK!
Faith rubs Cordy's red, sore ass, dissipating some of the stings. She hears Cordy sigh audibly.
"Why am I doing this?" Faith asks, tersely.
"Because I'm bad."
"No!"
She raises the belt, and whacks Cordy's behind again, harder.
Cordy cries out, then bites her lip.
"Why am I doing this?"
"I… I don't… know…"
"Wrong!"
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
" Why?"
"B-Because I … I… left you!" Cordy stammers. Her ass feels like it's on fire. She moans softly. Despite her best effort, tears start to stream down her cheeks. " I…I n-never should've l-left you."
"Yes, baby, yes," Faith's tone softens. She raises the belt again, and strikes Cordy hard across the ass.
Cordy cries out, tears coming faster.
"Will you do it again?" She raises the belt.
"N-No, n-never I promise, Faith!"
Faith whacks her across the ass one last time. Cordy cries out, and looks back at Faith.
"Just so you won't forget." She leans over, starting to massage the stricken buttocks, spreading the pain. She chuckles softly to herself when she smells Cordy's excitement. Leaning over, she licks a long slow lick in the crevice between Cordy's ass cheeks.
Cordelia feels a strong, lusty shudder course through her body. She moans softly.
" Stand up," Faith orders, grabbing on the chain and tugging.
Cordelia pushes off, and stands up, feeling a little shaky. Faith tugs on her chain.
"Come here"
Cordelia complies, and Faith takes her in her arms. She cups Cordy's head, and pulls her face to her own. She kisses her deeply, fiercely.
Cordy gives into the kiss, allowing herself to be controlled. She opens her mouth when Faith's tongue presses against her teeth, and sucks in her tongue. The kiss is demanding, almost brutal. Faith's lips are mashed against her own. Faith pulls her into a tight grip.
Cordy feels the heat of their bodies pressed together, and shivers in lust. She feels her pussy start to spasm, and the hot trickle of her juices flowing down her thighs.
"On your knees, slut," Faith barks, breaking the kiss and embrace.
Cordy complies, kneeling before her. Faith looks down on her, smirking.
"Good. Wait here, and don't move."
"Yes, Faith," Cordelia answers meekly. She lowers her eyes to the floor.
Faith leaves, walking into her bedroom.
2
Cordy sits on her haunches, wincing a little from the fire in her buttocks. Still, she doesn't move, and doesn't look up. She doesn't want to risk upsetting Faith. Shifting her weight, she winces when her heel touches her ass cheek.
God, does she have to hit so hard? I swear, sometimes I'd like to… What? Gimme a break, you love it! I don't love it. Not with my butt burning. Yeah, sure ya don't. That's why you keep coming back for more, right? Because you hate it? I come back and take it, because I love her. You come back and take it, because you love IT! Don't try to fool me, Cordy. I'm you, remember? I'm here all the time. I know what you like. I know every time she beats your bottom, you get more wetter than hell. I know what you dream about, too… That's private! Stupid! I'm you! No private from me, dope. I know how you dream about her tying you up…right…? Yeah… And how you love feeling helpless, and how you want her to get a little more aggressive, start using some real toys… like a nice whip… make you sting and squirm baby… Uh-huh, Cordelia murmurs to herself, continuing the fantasy her id started. She imagines Faith tying her to a pole, her bottom facing out. Faith all dressed in shiny black leather…
Gonna buy her something really nice, soon… holding a cat-o-nine tails. Faith trash talking her, calling her slut and whore… and how that makes Cordelia feel scared and so turned on, she can feel her pussy start to quiver… and then the inevitable feel of her juices running down her leg…
and then the sting of the whip crosses my back and buttocks… and I cry out…" More, hurt me more…" She almost jumps out her skin when she feels Faith's hand on her shoulder.
"More… hurt me more…" Cordy whispers, still caught in her fantasy.
"Huh?" Faith asks, wondering where Cordy went. Wondering if she'd like being there with her.
Cordy shakes off her daydream, and senses Faith kneeling down beside her, and feels Faith's arm go around her shoulder.
"I won't hurt you, baby, not really. You know that, right?" Faith asks her softly.
"Yes," Cordelia answers, "I know."
"Do you trust me, Cor?" Faith strokes her fingers along Faith's arm.
"Yes," Cordy repeats.
Oh, hurt me nice, baby. "Good."
Before she knows what's happening, Faith has slipped a cloth around her head, blindfolding her.
"Wha…?" She asks, voice quivering.
Faith cups her face in her hands, and kisses Cordy on the lips. She can feel the girl's lips quivering under her own. She rubs little circles on Cordy's back.
"It's ok, don't panic. You trust me, right?"
"Yes," she sighs softly.
"Ok, lover, get on your hands and knees." Faith gently presses on Cordy's back pushing her forward. " That's good, baby."
Cordy waits nervously. She starts a bit when she feels Faith's soft lips on her thighs. She relaxes, getting tingles as Faith continues to kiss and nibble on her thigh. She feels Faith switch to her other thigh, and realizes Faith is kneeling behind her, between her legs. She feels Faith's hands lightly caress her thighs, and she lets out a little happy sigh.
Faith smiles, and continues her attentions, switching to her tongue when she reaches the reddened globes of Cordy's ass. Slowly, she licks the globes, hearing Cordy murmur softly, and sighing heavily. She moves from side to side, slowly drawing closer to the center.
Cordy feels a huge shiver go through her when Faith's tongue slowly washes the little area between her pussy and rear hole. Almost involuntarily, her ass begins to sway gently. She feels strong tingles shooting through her, seeming to go through her gut, up her body into her breasts. She feels her nipples harden and get that achy suck me feeling to them.
Her panting turns to low moans when she feels Faith's warm tongue start to rim her little rear hole. The feeling is incredibly erotic, and she pushes back against Faith, urging her on. Faith does so, licking in a little circle around and over Cordy's ass, and slipping her tongue down occasionally to lick at the edge of Cordelia's pussy.
Cordy's moan turns to a whimper when Faith's tongue suddenly stops. She looks around, despite being blindfolded and not being able to see anything. Then something presses against her lips. She feels Faith stroking her neck.
"Open up, baby, let it in. Suck it really nice. Make it nice and wet," Faith coos in her ear, pressing the object against Cordy's lips. She opens her mouth, and Faith gently pushes the object just into her mouth.
Cordy begins sucking on it, thinking it's the dildo from the other night. She feels her body relax a little, thinking that Faith is going to 'fuck' her like the other time. She begins to swirl her tongue around the object, realizing it feels a little different. But she doesn't mind; she gets into it, sucking on it lustily, as if it were Faith's dick. Faith caresses her back and shoulders.
Faith withdraws the object, and goes around behind Cordelia. Anticipating Faith, Cordelia spreads her legs, arching her ass up a little. Faith smiles, and kneels down behind Cordelia.
Cordelia raises her head suddenly when she feels something pressed against her rear hole. She moves her head around quickly, as if trying to see despite her blindfold. Faith gently caresses her back.
" What? What're you doing?" Cordy asks, nervously. She feels her sphincter tighten.
Faith caresses her back, pressing the dildo against her rear hole.
"It's going to be ok, baby. Trust me. Just try to relax. It won't hurt as much if you relax."
" You … you're going to put that thing up my ass?" Cordy sounds very nervous now.
"Just trust me, baby. It'll be fine." She caresses Cordy's rear lovingly.
Cordy is nervous, but lowers her head submissively. Faith takes the wetted dildo, and gently presses into Cordy's rear hole. Feeling resistance, she stops.
"Relax, try to relax, baby."
Cordy concentrates, trying to open her sphincter wider. Faith pushes the dildo deeper, and Cordy moans.
"It hurts, it hurts," Cordy whimpers, "Ooooo…it really feels… strange… and it hurts…"
" Shhh…" Faith coos in Cordy's ear, She reaches down, and gently starts to stroke Cordy's clit. "It's going to be all right…" She pushes the dildo deeper into Cordy's rear.
Cordy feels the pleasure of Faith's fingering, along with the pain of the dildo, and shudders. She lowers her upper body to the floor, wincing as the dildo goes deeper up her ass. She bites her lip, hard, not to cry out.
Faith teases Cordy's clit, sending pleasure throughout Cordy. Despite herself, Cordy feels herself growing more and more aroused, more excited. Her whimpers turn into little moans as she begins to get used to the feel of the dildo pushing it's way up her.
Inch by inch, Faith pushes the handheld dildo deeper up Cordy's ass, as she slips a finger into Cordy's wet slit, starting to finger fuck her. Cordy moans grow louder, and she begins to shiver and shake. She feels her ass loosening more, taking more of the dildo.
Finally, Faith reaches the end, and smiling a little, turns a little knob at the end of the dildo.
The vibrations hit Cordelia like a bus, and she groans loudly as she feels the vibrations permeate her body.
Faith slips underneath her, and begins to lick at Cordy's leaking pussy. She reaches up and begins to move the vibrator in and out of Cordelia's ass.
Cordelia starts to shake all over. She's never experienced anything like this, and the pain of the dildo being forced in and out of her tight asshole only makes the pleasure given to her by the vibrations and Faith's warm tongue more intense. The pleasure is so intense, so encompassing that she feels her knees grow weak. She falls over on her side, to keep from falling flat onto Faith.
Faith chuckles quietly, and lifting Cordy's leg, she continues licking her wet pussy, stabbing her tongue in and out of her swollen lips. Her hand reaches around for the dildo, and she twists the knob again, cranking up the vibrations.
Cordy loses it then, starting to writhe her hips, and losing herself to the intense pleasure.
" Oooo god oohhh god Faith oh my god it's sooo sooo… " She cries out, as the first orgasm rips through her like a freight train."AAAAHHHHHHH…"
Faith adjusts herself, sitting up and reaching around to pump the dildo in and out of Cordy's ass. Cordy screams, and then another orgasm crashes through her, shattering her into tiny itty bitty pieces. Faith finger fucks her, occasionally flicking her swollen clitoris, which is sticking out from its hood like a tiny bullet. Cordy's body keeps rocking, her moans and screams keep coming as one after another after another orgasm rips through her body. Finally she stiffens, arching her back and crying out. Then she collapses, her body still.
Faith gently removes the vibrating beast from Cordy's rear, turning it off and setting it aside. She then lays down next to Cordy, pulling her close and cuddling her. She feels Cordelia shiver and shudder in her arms.
"Are you ok?" Faith asks as Cordy's eyes come open.
Cordy's bottom lips starts to quiver. She looks at Faith with large puppy eyes.
"My ass hurts," She whimpers, pouting. "It really hurts. God, first you beat it, then you stick that thing up it… oh…and…" she grabs Faith, giving her a huge, deep wet kiss.
Faith, surprised, just goes with the kiss.
" …that was the most intense thing that ever happened to me," Cordy finishes, wetting Faith's face with kisses. " Oh my god, I've never felt anything like that…" Faith starts chuckling as Cordy smothers her with kisses,"… thank you, god thank you."
"Ok, that's enough," Faith works for stern, but it comes out bemused.
God, the girl's nuts!. She scoops Cordy up, holding her in her arms. She stands up, and Cordy throws her arms around Faith's neck. She nuzzles her face into Faith's shoulder. "Let's see if we can't do something about that ass."
She carries Cordelia towards the bedroom.
3
"Mmmm… that's nice," Cordelia purrs softly.
She is lying face down on Faith's bed, head buried in a pillow. Another pillow is under her pelvis.
Faith is straddling her legs, rubbing a cooling salve over her aching ass cheeks. The sudden sensation of coolness, along with Faith's touch is making her feel good. Very good. And very wet.
God, is there a time when she touches me, and I don't get wet? Cordy wonders to herself, her mind slightly foggy. She can feel her nipples, pushing against the sheets, very erect. And her clit is very stimulated from the motions of Faith rubbing her butt.
God, I'm such a slut! "Feel better now?" Faith asks, rubbing the salve into Cordy's ass. She lets her finger slip between Cordy's legs, stroking her. Cordy gasps, then sighs.
"Uh-huh," She says softly. She snuggles deeper into the pillow.
"Nuh-uh, none of that," Faith chuckles, grabbing her hips. "Turn over."
"Hmmm?" Cordy feels sleepy, and just lies there.
"Turn. Over!" Faith slaps her upturned butt. She grabs Cordy by the hips, and starts rolling her over.
"What?" Cordy feels herself being rolled onto her back. She helps, turning over and lying flat.
Faith straddles her, and leans over, looking down into Cordy's eyes.
"You forget who's on top here, baby?" She raises her hand.
"N-No," Cordy's brain clears, and she's all attention. "I…"
"Shhh. It's ok," Faith kisses her lightly, rubbing her cheek, "just don't forget who's who here." She sits up, and then smiles. "Look at you, still horny." She grabs Cordy's nipples, pinching them.
"Uhhh… yeah…" Cordy feels strong tingles run right to her center. Her hips wiggle a little under Faith.
"Well, what're we gonna do about that, huh?" Faith leans over, and starts licking one of Cordy's nipples. "Got any ideas about that?" She teases her. Then she bites Cordy's nipple.
"Ooooo yeah… ok…that's not helping…" Cordy pants, wriggling more under Faith.
" Really?" Faith sucks in Cordy's nipple, and sucks on it. She releases it with a loud, smacking noise. "How's that?"
"Uhhh… uhhh…"
"Yeah, thought so," Faith slips her pelvis down so she's between Cordelia's legs. "Hmmm…whatta we got here? Feels kinda wet" She rubs her mound against Cordelia's. "Yeah, really wet…" She scoots up just a bit, and starts kissing Cordelia. Her hips to roll as she rubs her mound on Cordy's. "Mmmm, yeah I like that…" She pushes her own damp pussy against Cordy, starting to rub it slowly.
Faith's kiss is demanding and hot. She sucks in Cordelia's tongue, and starts sucking on it like a lollipop. Cordy moans softly as she begins to feel her excitement grow. She pulls Faith's tongue into her mouth as her legs close around Faith's waist, pulling her closer.
"Fuck, oh Fuck," Faith pants, her clit throbbing, rubbing against Cordelia's "Fuck feels good…" her hips start to roll faster, and she starts to rub harder. "Like that baby? Like me fucking you?" She starts to hump against Cordy.
"Oh god, oh god oh… damn that's… uhhh, god …mmmm… sooo goood," Cordy starts to rub back, feeling the fires building in her pussy starting to flood through the rest of her. "God do it harder Faith, rub harder". Cordelia reaches down, grabbing Faith's ass, pushing her harder against her. " feels sooo gooood" Cordy moans.
Faith arches up, starting to rub her whole body against Cordy. Their breathing becomes shallower, their bodies feel like they're on fire. Faith kisses Cordy again, stabbing her tongue into her mouth, taking what she wants.
"Uhhh… yeah oooh uhhh uuhhh baby mmmm oooo ahhh " Faith's body rubs harder against Cordy, her clit sending throbbing fire throughout her. She grabs Cordy's head, pulling it to her breasts. Cordy bites her nipples, and Faith cries out, loving the raw charge Cordy's bites give her. Her pelvis starts to pound on Cordy's, her juices leaking copiously onto Cordy's wet pussy.
Cordy humps back, crying in ecstasy as her clit sends white hot fire through her entire body. She pulls Faith's body against hers, her nipples feeling raw and achy from Faith's breasts rubbing on hers. She loves it, it's so hot and raw and almost brutal. She rubs and humps harder, trying to push them both over the edge.
Their cries fill the room as both, almost simultaneously cry and stiffen against each other. Their bodies keep moving, but their minds are captured in wave after wave of pure pleasure. They grapple and moan, rolling and humping each other, keeping the pleasure going. They kiss, and then kiss again, crying out into each other's mouth.
Finally, exhausted, covered in sweat, they lay still, holding each other. Their breathing is deep and wheezing. They look at each other, and kiss again, a softer kiss. Their hands rub and caress each other, and they sigh softly. They lay for a moment, just tangled up in each other.
Faith sees Cordelia looking at her intently , and feels a little defensive.
"What?"
"Nothing, honey… just, I love you," Cordy says softly.
"I need to sleep. You do too," Faith says, turning over and away from Cordelia. She stares out into space, not able to deal with the emotions she's feeling.
Cordy looks at her back. She sighs softly, realizing that Faith is hiding, needs to hide. She doesn't push it, but just moves closer, laying next to her. She lets her eyes close, cursing Bree for making Faith hurt so much.
Don't worry, baby. I won't hurt you. I promise. Cordy drifts off to sleep.
Faith stares into the night, seeking answers. Answers she might never find.
4
Buffy looks down at the ground below her, and her heart catches in her throat.
I'm dreaming. This has to be a dream. I mean, I can't fly. Can I? This isn't like some slayer power they didn't tell me about, is it? No, this has to be a dream. Doesn't it? Yet, here she is, flying high above the ground. She can feel the cool night air as it blows across her face, and looking forward, she sees all ofL.A. stretching out before her.
Dream or not, she's enjoying this. Yes, it's a little scary, but she feels light, very light, and free. Free from pain, free from worry; in this place, right here, right now, she feels good. Better than she's felt in a long time.
Well, dream or not, I might as well enjoy it. Buffy thinks as she zooms high over the city. She float over what appears to be the Hollywood Hills, and sees the famous " Hollywood" sign below. Except it no long reads "Hollywood"
BuffyWould
Buffy Would? Buffy would what? She zooms in closer to take a better look, and gets a little shock. On the W is standing Ford, dressed all in white, except for an old fashioned vest. He's holding what looks to be an oversized pocket watch in his hand, and he looks worried.
"Oh dear, oh dear. I'm late, I'm very, very late," Ford frets, looking at the watch.
"Ford! Honey!" Buffy floats down next to him. She feels an updraft she doesn't expect, and for the first time looks at herself. She's dressed in a blue short puffed sleeved dress with a white apron tied in front. She had on white socks and black patent shoes.
Whoa! So not my look, she thought, shaking her head.
Curiouser and curiouser! This is getting strange. Oh, and flying through the air isn't strange? "Buffy," Ford says, seeming to be himself despite his strange get up, "I've really, really got to go. But I had to tell you…"
"Go? But I just got here!"
"I'm sorry, but I'm really late already," Ford looks a little sorrowful.
"Ok, well, if you're in such a hurry," Buffy feels anger.
What's more important than being with me?! " Spit it out, go ahead, whatever it was you had to tell me!"
"Just that, things aren't what they seem to be, Buffy." Ford looks at his watch. "I've really got to go. Sorry, babe." Ford hops off the sign, and starts falling.
"FORD!" Buffy, forgetting her anger, leaps after him, trying to save him.
I mean, after all I can fly, right? But she finds all of a sudden she can't fly! She's falling, falling, falling… Ford is right ahead of her. She tries to reach out, to catch him. But she can't quite reach him… and then she notices the blood.
Blood seems to be everywhere. She's in a room, a small dark room. The room is dark, except for a single bare bulb in the center of the room. There's a post near where she's standing; on the posts are remnants of ropes, which seem to have been cut away. She goes over, and almost steps in a pool of blood. She backs off, revolted. And backs right into Merrick's arms.
"What? Merrick? What's going on?"
Merrick is dressed in green scrubs, and looks at Buffy with a sad expression.
" This is it, Buffy. This is where we found him. Billy."
Buffy looks around. She gags at all the blood. But worse is what she finds on the wall.
Her. Pictures of her. Covering the walls.
"What?"
"I told you, remember? This Angelus… this murderer… he has an obsession about you…some kind of prophecy. 'The slayer will die, and the master will rise.' Don't you remember me telling you that?" Merrick turns around, studying the walls.
"Is he here? Where is he?" Buffy feels her rage burning in her chest. "I want to meet this … monster, so I can give him my own little gift." She pulls out a stake from her coat.
Whoa! When did the wardrobe change? She notes she's dressed normally again. She holds up the stake in front of her. "Where is he? I owe him something."
"He's not here," A voice, a female voice calls out from behind her. She whirls around.
In front of her is dark haired girl, a little older than she is. Like Buffy, she's dressed in jeans and a tee shirt. She's carrying a sword.
"You can't have Angel. He didn't do this, don't you get that, dummy?" She frowns at Buffy, raising the sword. "It's a lie, all of it."
" Don't listen to her, Buffy. She's evil. She's with Angelus. She wants to kill you." Merrick is still turned away from her, studying the wall.
The sword in the girl's hand flashes, and swings towards Buffy. Buffy raises her stake, but it's no longer a stake, but a sword. The swords bang together, making a dull clank as they meet.
The fight is on. Back and forth, Buffy and the dark haired girl move across the floor, the swords clanging merrily as they fight. The room itself is much larger than it first appeared, and has grown lighter. They're not in a room anymore, but a courtyard. At night, under the moonlight.
They battle back and forth, and at first the fight seems fairly even. Before long, however, Buffy realizes that the girl is getting the best of her. She feels her sword cut her arm, and realizes that she's bleeding.
"I told you, you should've paid more attention during fencing," Merrick chides, still not looking at her. "Seems she did, when she was training."
"What're you talking about?" Buffy parries, a thrust, and gets a clean hit herself. " Wanna quit lecturing me here, and help out?"
"Certainly, Buffy," Merrick says.
Out of the shadows, two forms emerge. The male is tall and blonde; the female has dark hair, and seems to be weaving back and forth.
The dark haired girl fights harder, and gets in a hit on Buffy's arm. Buffy's sword goes flying and she's standing defenseless, looking at the girl.
" Well, looks like times up," The girls says, raising her sword over her head.
That's when the two dark figures grab her, causing her to drop her sword.
"Now, now, pet, that would be cheating, you know!" The male says, pulling the girl away, holding her.
"Isn't she just loverly," The female says, in a sing-song voice. "Won't she be tasty? Being a slayer and all."
"Slayer?" Buffy says, turning to Merrick. "What're they talking about? I'm the Slayer." She hears a scream behind her, and sees the tall blonde man vamp out. "Fuck, vampires!" She starts towards the group when she finds herself held; held fast by a powerful hand.
"Merrick, what?" She turns around, but it's no longer Merrick. A very old, bald vampire is holding her, it's amber eyes glittering. " Who the hell? Where's Merrick?" She struggles, but can't break free. "Let me go!"
The bald vampire, resembling a bat, drags her closer. He seems amused by the whole affair, grinning a wicked evil grin at her.
"My, my aren't you the tasty little bit. I'm sure you'll be especially sweet. It's been a very long time since I've had a slayer…"
Behind her, Buffy hears a loud, long scream.
"… while it seems my young colleague there seems to bag them wholesale!" He opens his mouth, revealing very sharp teeth capped by a pair of extra long, extra sharp canines. "Now, be a good girl and hold still." He tilts his head, leaning in for the bite.
Buffy struggles against him, but he's too powerful to resist.
"What's going on? Where are we? What happened to Merrick?"
"Haven't you been listening, my dear? Things are never quite what they seem." He pulls her closer. She can smell his fetid breath as it washes over her face. " Surprise!"
He bites her.
She screams.
As her vision starts to fade, she sees a man behind the vampire, watching her, laughing softly.
She wakes up, still screaming.
Joyce Summers rushes into the room, looking scared. She comes over to Buffy, who's still screaming.
" Buffy, BUFFY! Wake up, wake up honey!" She grasps Buffy's arms, shaking her.
Buffy suddenly shivers , but she stops screaming. She stares at her mother strangely.
" Buffy, are you ok?" Joyce asks, pulling her daughter closer. "It's ok, now, honey. I'm here now." She starts to stroke her daughter's hair. "It was just a dream, just a bad dream."
Buffy sits there, in her mother's arms, still shaking. Her mind is awhirl. She clings tightly to Joyce, scared to death.
Just a dream, it was just a dream I'm ok, it's just a dream. Just a dream Wasn't it? She can still feel the vampire's teeth on her neck, the way his breath smelled. She shudders again.
What did he mean? Things are never quite what they seem? What did he mean?
5
Willow tosses and turns in her bed, unable to get comfortable.
How could she ever get comfortable after seeing what she saw? How could she sleep?
I don't get it. I just don't understand it. How can she do it, after what Cordelia's done? Doesn't she remember the humiliation at the Bronze? I do! Doesn't she remember the hundreds of times she's complained about her, put her down, wrote her off? I do! Does Faith even have a clue who she is? How dangerous she can be? How she can turn on you like a snake? I DO! "She's just a cheerleader, Red. A joke. She doesn't mean squat!" Really? She means nothing. Is that so? So why is she down there now, doing who knows what, with her? HER!
God, how could I be so blind? I knew, I just KNEW something was going on. But I let her wave it off, believed her when she said it was nothing. That other night, god , she must've been laughing her ass off while lying through her teeth to me. God, what kind of idiot did she think I was when I tried to set her up with Josh Logan! She must've been barely able to keep a straight face. NOW I get why Cordelia was acting like a jealous wife! God, can I be stupider?
Aw, who cares anyway? I should be worried for her? Yeah, sure. Like she gives a damn about me, right? She hasn't liked me since day one, and I've just been too dumb to see it! Not like she hasn't dropped anvils in my path. I just wanted to believe that I meant something to her. I thought we were friends… evidently, I'm the only one thinking that. It was probably just a case of pity the poor geek, and I thought it was more. Stupid much, Will? Desperate much?
Willow sits up in her bed, arms around knees. Xander was right. Let her go her own way, and we go ours, and we don't get so interested in her doings.
Oh god, Xander! I've so blown it there! He'll prolly never want to be with me again. He wasn't even mad. God I could deal with mad. But it was just like he gave up. He gave up on me! Can I blame him, after everything. And for what? WHAT? Nothing , absolutely, positively nothing.
Well, damn her then! I'm going to let her know EXACTLY how I feel about this! Willow gets up, and grabs her robe. She passes the window, and notices the light out in the garage apartment. She stops, and frowns. Ok, maybe not tonight. But tomorrow, first thing. And another thing. Not so sure I want her around, if she's gonna have Cordelia up there regularly. I don't trust Cordelia, and I never will. So, maybe she'll have to make some other arrangements. I'll talk to the parentals. God, I hate her! I really…
She sighs, and stands looking out the window.
Forget it. What's the point? Getting her kicked out? That's not gonna change things, is it? Nope. I'll talk to her, yeah, but it'll be the last time. I just gotta know why. I gotta.
Then she and her …. Willow can't even think the word … can both go to hell!
Angry, and hurt, she throws herself back into her bed, pulling the covers over her head.
The hell with them!
The hell with HER!
***
Xander lays awake in his bed, staring at the ceiling.
He's tried counting sheep. No go. He tried counting bunnies. Still nothing. He tried counting naked Playboy bunnies. Somehow, that didn't help. He even, in desperation, tried counting Principal Snyders. That only scared him.
One Principal Snyder is too many. It was hopeless. He couldn't get his mind off a certain very cute, very sexy little redheaded girl with freckles. One which not that long ago, he was under the covers with.
Ok, it was only because we were playing strip treasure hunt, but still. We were having fun, a good time, everything was peachy with a large side of keen, and then, boom, I had to get all bent out of shape. Just because Willow was … ok, Willow was paying more attention to Faith's doings, than to our doings. That kinda hurt. I mean, ok, if we were like sitting around, doing nothing, and she takes an interest, well yeah, I get that. But we were hot and heavy, and all of a sudden, it was like I wasn't there! That's kinda bogus! Oh yeah, and you never, EVER ignored Will when say you were scamming on a girl, or talking to Jesse, or anything, right? Yeah, but that was like different. We weren't boyfriend and girlfriend then. I mean, oh hell, you know what I mean. This is different. I'm her boyfriend, she's supposed to pay more attention to me! Uh-huh. And maybe then, she can be barefoot and pregnant, chained to the stove in the kitchen! Or maybe you can bind her feet, or maybe just maybe get her fitted for a chastity belt? "Get me my food woman!" Yeah, you're something, Xan. A real progressive kinda guy! Ha-ha funny. Really funny. I'm not like some Male chauvinist pig or something. Am I? If the hoof fits… Well, what about her? I'm interesting, until almost anyone shows up. And then it's back of the bus, Xander.
That's not fair at all. Can she help it she's curious? Can I help it I need some attention here? I'm not asking for much, just when we're together, I kinda have some importance. I don’t like being the doormat. Well, not unless we're playing Mistress of Pain and her Slave… You, my friend, are incorrigible. And very much the pig. Oink, oink! Ok, ok, I'm not perfect. I'm working on it, I really am! Still, I love her… And you think she… …
doesn't love me? I dunno, but I gotta wonder sometimes. Sometimes I think I'm more an accessory, than real boyfriend to her. No, that's not right. Will treats me ok, just sometimes I feel like I'm not there; or only there because she needs someone to talk about Faith about. I see. So like you're a little jealous? No! I'm a lot jealous… sometimes… I really, really love her, and sometimes it just hurts that I… I don't think she loves me as much as I love her.
Xander sits up, and turns on his light. On his nightstand is a small picture of Willow, a head shot smiling. He picks it up and holds it, looking at it.
"Got a clue how much I love you, dope?" He murmurs. He puts it back on the nightstand. "Why can't you pay attention to me for once, and forget her?"
He turns out the light, and lays back on the bed.
So, that's it? You had a snit because you thought she wasn't paying enough attention to you? Kinda. Sorta. I don't know. Just I thought tonight was about us. But Faith shows up suddenly, not even with us, and boom she's off. You're being childish, you know that? Grow UP! Yeah… damn. I just don't know what to do… Xander rolls over, pulling the covers over his head.
What am I gonna do?
To be continued
