Seasons of Faith

 

Seasons of faith

Chapter 22

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" Death is your gift."

Buffy stood watch over the mansion that Glory was occupying. It'd been quiet for the last few days. Too quiet. She was up to something, she knew it. She and Faith had been keeping watch, taking shifts. All the better, since they were hardly speaking to each other.

Ever since their last fight, words had failed both of them. They mumble something in the mornings, neither knowing whether it's 'hello' or ' fuck you'. They just know being with each other is painful. So they do their best to avoid each other. They both know things're broken, really broken. They don't know whether they can fix them.

Buffy was grateful that they decided to take shifts watching out for Glory. It gave her time to think. She needed it. She had to find some way to fix this. Some way to get Faith to stay.

Buffy finally realizes how much she's let Faith down. ' All she wanted was to be let in, and I didn't let her in. How could I be so damned foolish? I let my foolish pride, and my pain, get in the way. Why didn't I see what I was doing to her? What I was doing to us. Because I wrecked us, really bad."

Buffy scans over the area, not seeing anything. She shifts position, and looks in the other direction. Still nothing. She quietly returns to her thoughts.

'Mom, what do I do? I need you, bad, right now. How do I let her know I finally get it? How do I let her know I wasn't trying to shut her out, not really? I … I didn't want her to have to be burdened helping me over my crap. I thought I could handle it, I really did. Oh, yeah, I handled it so fucking well, didn't I mom? … oh, sorry about the "F" word. I'm gonna lose her mom, I know it. I just wanted to be strong for her. Let her know she could count on me…and I totally screwed it up. When am I gonna grow up, mom? Be as smart as you? Hey, don't be tellin' anyone I said that, I'll deny it. I dunno what I'm gonna do mom, I really don't. Faith's leaving… how'm I gonna raise Dawnie alone? How'd you do it mom? You had me, and Dawn…ok, only for a little while, I know that…but, you made it looks so easy. I can't do it, mom. I can't . I don't know how. I'm already screwing up so badly. Dawn's cutting school. I got called in about it. Shit, their gonna take her away from me. Me and Faith. But Faith's gonna leave me too. Damn me, damn, damn, damn! Sorry, mom, don't mean to swear so much, but I can't help it. I'm gonna lose Dawn, I'm losing Faith… I lost you. I'm gonna be alone. I can't take it. I don't know what to do!!!" Buffy feels the tears leaking out of her eyes. She rubs at her eyes harshly. Dammit , Buffy stop feeling sorry for yourself.

"Death is your gift"

' What the hell does that mean? " Death is your gift" God, what's that supposed to tell me? What was she trying to say to me?'

Buffy remembers the vision. She was in the desert… how, she hasn't a clue, since she was in her bedroom just before that. What did she say? The first slayer? Something about letting Faith in…into the place I keep the pain, the darkness…what did that mean? Let her in? Ok, ok…I get it. Let her see me, warts and all. Let her …oh, god… Let her in. Open myself all the way to her. Trust. Damn, I'm fucking stupid. Of course. Buffy you're an IDIOT!!! ( no arguments here). Just let her know you're scared. That you're hurting. That … you need her, really need her. She'll know you need her. Buffy, why have you been so dumb?" Buffy sees the light come on in her head." God, if I'm not too late!" Buffy pulls out her cell phone. She dial's a number.

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Faith stares at the ceiling. She can't sleep. Hasn't been able to sleep much lately.

What she has to do is killing her. The last thing she wants is to leave. But she can't go on this way. Buffy has shown her time and again that she doesn't need her. That she can manage on her own. But Faith can't just be a toy. She can't exist thinking that she's a luxury, not a necessity. She's been bounced around, thrown away by too many people. When she met Buffy, saw how her heart was crying out for love, Faith thought she'd found her destiny. Screw slaying, Buffy meant everything to her. She thought here was the one, the one that needs me like I need her.

But she'd been wrong. Time and time again, Buffy showed her that when it was important, it wasn't Faith she'd turn to . Angel, her mom, Giles, yes. Faith? No. Faith tried, time and again, to prove herself to Buffy. Tried to improve her skills, get her diploma, train harder to be a better slayer. She wanted to be there when Joyce died, help Buffy through it. But Buffy turned to someone else. Why? Why can't she just need me too?

Faith is interrupted in her thoughts by her cell ringing. Damn. She gets up, bone weary. She picks up her cell.

"Faith!" Buffy's voice comes over the phone.

"Buffy?" Faith replies." What is it? Is there trouble?"

" I need you!" Buffy says, emphatically." Take Dawn to Willow's, then come here."

" You're at the spot?" Faith asks, indicating the place their observing Glory.

"Yes. Come as soon as you can, please!" Buffy says, and hangs up.

Damn…something bad must be coming down. Without hesitation, she starts dressing. All the time, her worry's increasing. I hope it's not too late. God, she's gotta be in trouble. Hurry up, Faith. Faster.

As soon as she's dressed, she calls out to Dawn.

"Dawn, c'mon. We gotta go. We're going to Red's" Faith calls out, leaving her room.

She just hopes she's not too late!

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Faith is running hard, trying to get to Buffy in time.

She runs up, and sees Buffy looking away from her. She seems to be scanning the area around them. God, are they moving? Are they getting ready to attack? Faith's mind is going 1000 miles a minute, trying to figure what's going on.

Buffy turns to her, her face worried. She sees Faith running up, and her face shows her relief. She quickly rushes out to meet Faith , and pulls her down behind the covering bushes.

"Faith, I'm glad you came!" Buffy says, whispering

"What's going on B?" Faith asks, a little puzzled. She didn't see any particular activity going on at the mansion as she came up. Maybe it's something else? Maybe they've already moved out?

To Faith's enormous surprise, Buffy hugs her tight to her. Faith is growing more confused by the moment. Then Buffy gets her yet again, because Buffy is kissing her all over her face. Faith is … in shock.

"Buffy!!!" Faith whispers, harshly." What the hell is going on?" What the hell is Buffy trying to pull now?

"Shhh, Faith, Faith, baby, please. Please let me talk." Buffy says, pulling her closer. Faith struggles against her and breaks free.

"Buffy!" Faith has a hard time keeping her voice low." What's going on here? You called me at home, got me to take Dawn to Willows, and rush here. I thought Glory was in attack mode. Then you start this crap. What're you doing?"

"Faith, please, just listen" Buffy says quietly." God, I thought I knew what I was gonna say, but it's flown outta my head. Damn. Look, Faith, all I know is I need you" Buffy says, quietly but intensely." Not just for Glory, not just fighting the bad guys. I need you, Faith, like I've never needed anyone before. God, Faith, I don't know what I'm doing. I scared to death! I can't see how I'm gonna cope with all the crap. And I'm not talking about Glory. I mean… with Dawn, and living. And … just living Faith. I'm weak, Faith, weak and scared. I don’t know how to do it. I need you to help me. Help me make it through." She stops, pausing to catch her breath." Ever since I became the slayer, everybody's looked to me to figure it all out. I've had to do it all, alone. Fight the bad, hide who I am, go to school and get the grades to go to college. Protect my friends and family. Figure out my life. But, Faith, I just can't do it alone. I need someone, someone like you, to help me. I need someone I can lean on, count on when it gets bad. I got so much hurt inside, I wanna die sometimes it hurts so much. And I can't tell anybody. Not Willow, not Dawn, not Giles… no one… no one but you. Cuz you know what's it like to be like this." Buffy stops to catch her breath again.

Faith is sitting there, her mouth open. She can't believe what she's hearing, but more, please!!!

" Faith… I knew when I met you 3 years ago, you were different. Different from anyone I've ever known before. Something inside me, something in my heart knew you were the one. The one I could count on when it all went bad. But I didn't listen, Faith. I didn't trust you, because I'd let Angel in, and it all went to hell. I was dying , Faith. Inside, I was dying when I met you. You brought me back to life. You saved me baby." Buffy, overcome with emotion, pulls Faith to her again, kissing her face all over. Faith doesn't resist. She can't resist. She's crying because this is what she's needed to hear, to believe, for the last 3 years. She hugs Buffy.

" When I found out you're a slayer, I nearly fainted. It was like the Powers that be sent you to me. God, Faith, I've been so stupid. I've tried to be strong, take it on alone. I… turned to others when I needed help. I didn't want you to think of me as weak, or needy. I foolishly thought you'd leave me , if I were ever weak. God, I'm a dope. I don't know how you put up with me for so long. But, I guess that's the point, huh? I'm stupid. I'd have to be to let you go… yet I kept shoving you away when all you wanted to do was help me. How stupid is that?" Buffy asks.( Do we really have to clue her in?). " But I won't do it again. I won't, I promise. I know, I've asked you to forgive me before. To take me back so many times. I don't got another chance coming. I know that. But.. oh, god, Please Faith. Stay with me. Help me, please. I need you Faith. Please!!!" Buffy is begging now, her arms around Faith, her head on Faith's chest. Faith, despite herself, comforts Buffy. She strokes her hair and holds her 'til she calms down.

Faith gently pushes Buffy away, bring her up so they’re face to face. She holds Buffy by the shoulders, keeping a little distance between them. We all know Faith at heart is a softie. Marshmallows are tougher than her heart. But even softies have their limits.

" B, I have to give it to you, you got the strangest sense of timing I've ever seen" Faith starts quietly. " Everything you've said is what I wanted to hear for the last 3 years. That you needed me for everything. But, B, much as I wanna forgive you, much as I wanna believe you, I can't trust you." Faith watches as Buffy's face falls. Faith feels her heart breaking. She wants to give in so bad it hurts. But she can't. She has to be tough.

"Thing is B, you're gonna have to earn my trust back. You've shut me out too many times. I can't just take another chance with you. It hurts too much. I love you too much. That’s my issue, not yours. All I ever wanted, Buffy, was for you to make me your partner. To make me equal in this relationship. I busted my butt to prove myself, but it was never enough. I can't go this roller coaster anymore. It's all or nothing now, B. You say you want me back. You say you're gonna let me in. But words aren't enough now. You've gotta win me back B. It's up to you now. You gotta prove to me that you really want me as your partner. I can't tell you how, you gotta figure it out. You got 'til we fight Glory. Provided we survive it. If we do, then if things haven't changed, if it's the same as now, I'm leaving. It's harsh, I know. But I just can't do it anymore." Faith stands up, and looks around. Buffy stands up beside her.

" I'm gonna win you back, Faith." Buffy says, quietly, her voice resolved." Whatever it takes, I'm gonna win you back!"

" I hope so, B. I don't like the idea of you not being in my life. But …" Faith stops there.

" Can I ask you one favor?" Buffy asks, quietly.

" You can ask" Faith replies." No promises"

" If I don't survive this…" Buffy starts, but Faith interrupts her.

"Don't say that, B! You're gonna survive this!" Faith says emphatically. She doesn't even want to think of Buffy….

" Faith. Lets be real. We're facing a hell god. Who knows what'll happen?" Buffy says, her voice quiet but with a hard, realistic edge." I need you to promise me something, if I don't make it through".

" Buffy, Please! Don't…." Faith says

"FAITH!" Buffy says, a bit harshly.

Faith is quiet.

" I need you to promise me, that if I don't make it through, you'll look after Dawnie for me" Buffy says quietly.

Faith looks at Buffy. She doesn't know what to say.

"Buffy, I can hardly look after myself…" Faith begins, but is stopped by Buffy.

" Faith, you just told me in no uncertain words that by cutting you out, I made you miserable. That you wanted me to need you like you needed me. Ok, I need you to do this. Promise me, Faith. I need to know that Dawn'll be taken care of, no matter what" Buffy is firm.

" Ok, Buffy. If you need me to do that, I'll do it. I promise" Faith says, equally firmly, and resolved.

"Thank you" Buffy says quietly. She starts to scan for activity at the mansion.

Faith stands next to her, hoping she's made the right decision. She's got a bad feeling about this.

A real bad feeling.

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"Where did you get this?" Giles asks, scanning the book.

Spike, along with Xander, Willow and Anya, are standing in the Magic Box with Giles. The scoobies are obviously uneasy about Spike being there, but he's brought something. Something important. Spike's feeling pretty puffed up at the moment.

"Well, mate" He starts." Me and the boy" He nods at Xander. Xander flushes at being called "boy". Spike continues " We went and visited a friend of mine. Well… not my friend, really. A friend of a friend. A real knowledgeable …demon… on the supernatural and all that rot" Spike makes a face. " Doc's his name, if you catch the drift. Anyway, we went, and visited him. He was gracious enough, I guess, but he seemed a bit evasive on the subject of Glory. Making noises like we should just leave that alone. Noticed he got up and stood in front of something, and it hit me. The sodding bugger was trying to hide something. Well, we called him on it, and did he change records, let me tell you" Spike pauses. For effect(not like he needs to breathe)." Anyway, it turns out the pillock is in the Glory rah-rah camp. Tries to get hostile on us. Has this really long tongue, but you can ask the boy about that one." Spike pauses, grinning at Xander." Anyway, we fight, and the boy here manages to spear him with his own weapon. Good un, that. Anyway, had to retrieve that little jewel from the fire where he threw it" Spike shows his burned hands." Not exactly something you like to do at home, ya know? Anyway, we brought it here, thinking it might be important".

Giles is scanning through the text. He seems to be rather excited( kinda hard to tell.. British, you know).

About that time, the slayers enter the Magic Box. Surveillance has been a dud. Not much going on at the mansion at the moment.

"Hey, guys" Buffy calls out, walking towards the group.

"What's up?" Faith asks, seeing them looking at something. A Book…ugh!

"Seems Spike and Xander have come across something detailing some information about Glory" Giles replies." I haven't had much time to look it over, but it looks like it might give us some good information about her"

"Really?" Buffy says, a bit excited. This is good news!" What's it say? Anything on how we can kick her ass?"

Faith wanders over, and sees a huge hammer leaning against the back wall. She goes over to investigate it.

" Nothing really yet." Giles replies to Buffy's query." But there's some information in here about the Key"

"Speaking of which, where IS Dawn?" Buffy asks, looking around." She's supposed to be with you, Willow!" She doesn’t sound pleased.

"It's ok, Buffy" Willow replies, quickly." She's at your house with Tara. She's safe. Doing homework"

"HUH? Dawn? Ms. Cut class, doing homework?" Buffy asked, amazed." What'd you do? Torture her?"

"No, nothing like that" Willow says, a bit defensively. She pauses." We kinda bribed her, Tara and I"

"Oh, boy" Buffy replies." Ok, what?"

"Ummm… we promised we'd teach her a glamour spell, if she'd do her homework" Willow says, her voice going quiet.

Buffy looks a little exasperated. But Faith calls from the corner." Hey, good one, Red" She holds up her thumb . " I use teaching her to fight as a bribe. Works great" Faith grins.

" You two" Buffy says, exasperated. But she knows she's defeated. Getting Dawn to do her work is no picnic.

" Hey, guys, what is this, anyway?" Faith asks, reaching for the hammer.

" Hmmm?" Giles asks, looking at Faith." Oh…be careful with that. It's a troll hammer. Very heavy…" He says, as Faith picks it up. She plays with it like it weighs a pound.

" Cool." Faith says, liking the way it feels." Where'd it come from?"

Willow and Anya, looking at each other with pained and guilty expressions, say together, " Don't ask!"

Faith looks at them…and then at Giles, who just looks exasperated. She shrugs.

"Ok doke" She says, playing around with it.

" Oh, dear. Oh… dear" Giles says, not sounding happy.

" Oh dear?" Buffy says, nervously. "What do you mean, " Oh dear" ?"

"It tells what Glory needs the key for." Giles says. His face was grim

" What is it, Giles?" Buffy asks, not liking the suspense, or the look on Giles' face.

"Evidently, Glory uses the 'key' to open a portal from our dimension, to hers. This allows her to escape from here, and return to her own dimension" Giles relates.

"That's not all of it. I know it, Giles" Buffy says, pushing him a little. "Tell me it all"

"Thing is, when she uses the key, it rips a hole in the fabric separating the dimensions. This causes all the various dimensions to bleed together, including ours" He goes on, somewhat reluctantly." The Key was originally energy. It was designed to fit the 'lock' so to speak, keeping the dimensions apart. Once it was used, it would dissipate, eventually, closing the hole in the fabric. But" He hesitates. This is the really bad part." Now, since the Key has been made flesh, Dawn, it's different. It requires a blood ritual".

" Why does it always have to be blood?" Xander asks, blanching just a little. " Why couldn't be the chocolate syrup ritual once in awhile?"

" Because, you git, it's all about the blood" Spike pipes up." Blood…is the life, it binds us. It's what all about. Why do you think we drink it?"

" I still don't understand, Giles. Blood ritual?" Buffy asks. Maybe she's being deliberately obtuse.

" For Glory to use the key, as it's now configured, she has to …bleed Dawn. Cut her, so her blood flows. That'll start the process. The only way to stop it's for the blood to stop flowing"

Buffy looks puzzled.

" To close the portal, the blood has to stop flowing. Dawn would have to …die" Giles says, quietly.

Buffy is horrified. She looks at Giles like he's an axe murderer. She gets up and paces.

" No way." She says." That can't be right. No fucking way, Giles!"

Giles replies. " I'm sorry, Buffy. But it's the only way to seal up the rift created."

" Then find another way!" Buffy yells." Because Dawn isn't dying!"

" There is no other way, Buffy" Giles says.

" Dawn isn't dying!" Buffy repeats, her voice saying don't even think about it.

" Buffy, you don't understand. Unless the rift is sealed, all the dimensions will bleed together. It will literally be a hell on earth!"

" No, you don't understand, Giles. She's my sister… my blood. I'll protect her with everything I've got!" Buffy says, quietly.

" Everyone will die. Including Dawn" Giles tries to reason with her.

"Then the last thing she'll see is me protecting her." Buffy says." Be prepared. If the ritual starts, then we're all dying"

" Buffy, you're being unreasonable" Giles protests.

" Unreasonable? I've given everything to this calling, Giles. I've lost my mother, I've given up having a normal life. I'm losing everything" She says, briefly looking in Faith's direction." I'll tell you this right now, Giles. If somehow, Dawn dies, I'm through. I quit. The world can go to hell!"

Buffy, in a towering rage, just looks around the table, daring anyone to argue with her. She gets no takers. She turns, and storms out of the shop. She calls back over her shoulder. " Let me be clear. If the ritual starts, and any of you , ANY of you, try to approach her, try to kill her, I'll kill you. Every one of you, if I have to!" With that, she storms out.

The people at the table sit in stunned silence. Faith, not even saying a word, runs after Buffy.

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" B! Wait up… C'mon B, wait for me!" Faith calls out, at the retreating slayer. Buffy halts. She turns back, a grim and determined look on her face. Faith catches up with her.

" Don't EVEN try to change my mind, Faith. I don't care. There's no way I'm gonna let anyone hurt Dawnie." Buffy says, her voice saying her decision is final.

" Ya know, you can be pretty damned stubborn sometimes" Faith says, wearing a small grin. " And you're kinda cute when you're bein' all stubborn" Buffy blushes." Yeah, when you blush, too" Buffy blushes deeper. " Look, B, all I wanted to let ya know is I'm with ya. I won't let nobody hurt Dawnie if I can help it. We'll protect her. We'll figure some way to knock down that Bitch God. If for no other reason than to get her for that hair. God, could a perm be uglier?" Faith chuckles. Buffy giggles.

"Thanks, Faith. Means a lot to me, you being on my side and all" Buffy said. Impulsively, she hugs Faith. Faith is so not minding that. Buffy say, in a whisper" I can always count on you. I was so stupid not to see that".

" Good thing I didn't fall in love with your brain then, huh?" Faith says, teasing her.

Buffy gives her an " I don't believe you just said that!" look, and punches her on the arm. Faith just laughs.

"Guess it wasn't for you're sweet temper, either huh?" She says, dancing backwards a little to keep outta Buffy's reach. Buffy comes at her, but Faith just keeps dodging her. Finally, Buffy just sticks out her tongue at Faith, turns and starts to walk away.

" Cute. B. Not too bright a response, but cute " Faith teases her. Buffy just looks over her shoulder, and sticks out her tongue again. " So eloquent and elegant, B." Faith mocks her. " Guess I'll just have to swallow that tongue of yours right up, huh?"

" You wish" Buffy says, pretending to be huffy. But she's loving it.

"Nawww, you wish" Faith teases, still dancing around her. Buffy suddenly grabs Faith, taking her totally by surprise. She pulls he close…very close

" Yeah. Guess I kinda do" She whispers, softly. Before Faith can react, Buffy pulls her even closer, and lays a kiss on her. She outlines Faith's lips with her tongue, then shoves her away, and walks off.

Faith stands there, a bit flabbergasted, touching her lips. DAMN her, she always gets me! Not this time!

Faith rushes up on Buffy, grabs her and swings her around. Buffy looks half scared, but half excited, too. Before she can react, Faith returns the kiss, a really wet hot one. She parts slowly from her sister slayer, and sees Buffy still has her eyes closed, and her mouth parted, wanting more. She smirks, and turns away, walking off jauntily.

" Nawww, B. My turn to walk away." Faith says, looking back over her shoulder and winking. She hums a little victory tune.

"I'm so gonna get you!" Buffy threatens, playfully. She starts to trot after Faith. Faith starts running.

" Gotta catch me first, Slayer" She giggles, and runs off, Buffy in hot pursuit.

It's pure pleasure, watching them. Buffy's enjoying the chase, Faith is enjoying being chased. She teases Buffy by slowing down just enough so Buffy can almost catch her, then kicking out and running again, leaving Buffy to follow. Both are laughing and yelling like kids. It's something they've rarely gotten to do with each other: play. Pure and simple. It's pure fun for both of them. One of those nice little moments they hardly ever get with each other.

They run up to the house on Revello Drive, and halt in the front yard, Buffy catches Faith in her arms, and they smooch. Faith breaks off, and is serious for a moment.

" You know this doesn't change things, B." She says, quietly. Even though she's mad about the girl, she doesn't want Buffy to get the wrong idea. She meant what she said to her earlier.

" Don't care. Wanna smooch. Buffy wants kisses!" Buffy says, pulling Faith back, oh so willingly.

They kiss for awhile, just enjoying the shared closeness. It would've gone on longer, but Buffy got a strange expression on her face.

"What? What is it, B?" Faith says, a little worried. Did she do something wrong.

"The house, Faith. Something's wrong." Buffy said, staring at the house. Faith looks at the house, but doesn't understand.

"What, B?" Faith asks, confused. Buffy quietly approaches the house, Faith following.

" No lights. There should be lights on, but there's no lights." Buffy says. Faith gets it now. Something IS wrong. The approach the front door cautiously. Faith nods with her head that she's going around back to enter. Buffy signals her agreement, and Faith leaves for the back of the house. Buffy approaches the front door, quietly scoping out the situation. She listens to for any kind of strange sounds, but all is quiet. She tries the front door, and finds it unlocked. Not good. She enters the house slowly, not sure what she's going to find inside. It's dark, no light available except for the streetlights from outside.

She moves carefully through the rooms, listening for any unusual noises or activities. She refrains from turning on lights, not wanting to give any potential enemies a signal that she's approaching. She makes her way towards the back of the house quietly pausing at times, her senses keenly attuned to the environment. She hears a soft step in the next room, and she quietly fades back into the wall, trying to blend with the shadows. She quiets her breathing, hoping whoever or whatever it is doesn't sense her. She sees a shadowy figure outlined by the moonlight, and cautiously approaches, hoping to take whoever it is by surprise. She sneaks up on the figure, who seems busy surveying the place. Before you can blink, she's got her arm around its neck, and her stake is raised. As her arm descends, it's stopped by … Faith???!!!!

"B!!! It's me, Faith" Faith whispers urgently.

"Jesus, Faith. You scared the crap outta me!" Buffy whispers, shaking." I think we better stick together, or we're gonna kill each other"

" Yeah, you got a little close with that stake, B" Faith grins," kinda feeling I was close to getting dusted there"

" Not funny, Faith" Buffy whispers, her voice shaking," not at all funny"

" It's ok, B." Faith murmurs, squeezing Buffy's forearm," 5 by 5. It's all gonna be 5 by 5. Trust me".

" Let's check upstairs" Buffy says, recovering, " Maybe they're … just sleeping or something". She's not believing this though. Her slayer sense is going off big time.

"Yeah" Faith whispers, moving towards the stairs," maybe. Or maybe they went out for ice cream".

" If they did, I'm so gonna kill them" Buffy says quietly, " scaring us like this ".

The slayers ascend the stairs, Faith in the lead. They quietly move down the hall, looking carefully in each room. They finally come to Dawn's room, and stop at the door.

" I told you, B." Faith says, getting ready to open the door, " they probably just went to get ice cream. Man, I hope they remember to bring back some chocolate ripple".

"Yeah, yeah, yeah" Buffy says, beginning to relax a little," just open the door, ok?"

Faith swings open the door. All of a sudden, the lights snap on. In the middle of the room is Glory, holding Tara by her collar. She's unconscious. Under the other arm she's got Dawn, who's conscious, but has been gagged with duct tape, and is struggling. Surrounding her is a group of minions.

"SURPRISE!!!" Glory shouts, smiling her wicked, insane smile.

 

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Giles, Willow and Xander are seated at the table in the Magic Box. Anya is behind the counter, doing her favorite thing, counting the money. Spike sits off a bit from the others. Giles is studying the tome on Glory, and suddenly looks up.

"Here's something interesting" Giles says to the group.

"Oh… naked pictures?" Xander perks up. He cranes his neck, trying to get a peek at the tome.

"Hardly" Giles sighs, a little exasperated," it would appear that Glory's on a time limit."

"What do you mean, Giles?" Willow asks, throwing Xander a look

" Well, according to this text, Glory has to open the portal at a certain time. The mystical forces have to be in the right alignment. Evidently, if she misses her window of opportunity, she misses out. She can't use the key to open the portal. She's stuck here."

" That just great" Xander says, " we'll be stuck with her insaneness forever".

" That means, though, that Dawn would be safe though, right?" Willow asks, " I mean, be kind of pointless for her to go after the key if she can't use it anymore, right?"

" Yes, but she might be so bloody angry she'll decide to take it out on us" Spike pipes in. No one looks happy at that idea.

"Well... there's another thing. Unless she can get back to her dimension, it says here that her powers will diminish over time…she'd essentially become little more than human".

" Still give her time to kick our bleedin' arses from here to hell and back" Spike grumbles.

" So, is there any mention when she has to…ummm… do this ritual?" Willow asks.

"I'd have to do some research. There is a mention of the alignment, and some calculations are needed. But it can't be too long from now." Giles says," She's been awfully anxious about getting… the key".

" Oh for god's sake" Spike says, a little perturbed," it's the little bit you're talking about. You're acting like she's some kind of object. She's a bloody person, you gits. No wonder the slayer got upset at you!"

Everyone at the table is quiet, feeling a little guilty. A hush descends in the shop. Finally, Anya pipes in from the counter.

"I don't see why you just can't get her out of town for awhile" Anya says," that would put a big crimp in her plans, don't you think?"

" Very likely the minions would be watching us. Any sudden moves would draw suspicion" Giles says.

" Yeah, but hey, she doesn't know who the key is, does she?" Willow pipes up. " We could split up, maybe distract her enough to let Dawn get away."

" Very true, she doesn't know" Giles mused. He turns and looks at Spike, grim faced." She doesn't , does she?"

Everyone turns to look at Spike.

" What're you looking at, you pillocks? I didn't tell her anything!" Spike says, defensively.

" That's what you say, Dead boy" Xander says, sarcastically.

" Well it's true, you idiot. I like the nibblet. She treats me fair…unlike some I could mention" Spike mutters.

"Agreed then" Giles says, overruling the sniping, and bring it back to business," I'll do some research, see if I can suss out the date for this … event. In the meantime, someone has to get Buffy and Faith back, fill them in. See if they're amenable".

" I'll do that" Willow volunteers, " I've gotta go by Buffy's house anyway to hook up with Tara."

The meeting is just about to break up when the phone rings. Anya answers it, and listens for a bit. She waves to Giles to come over.

" It's Faith. We've got some problems" Anya says, handing the phone to Giles.

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" It's about time" Glory says, gloating," thought you two would never make it. God, heard you two downstairs moving like a bunch of elephants. You got to learn to move more quietly"

" Let them go" Buffy growls, her voice low and threatening.

" Or what?" Glory smiles," You'll hit me? I know I'm scared!" Faith mocks her." Anyway, I just got my key back, all shiny… well… fresh, anyway… though she's a squirmy little thing, isn't she?" Faith pulls her arm tighter, to choke Dawn." Oh, don't worry, slayer. I'm not going to harm my key. Be kind of useless to me then, wouldn't she?"

Buffy rushes at her, but her minions group up to protect Glory.

" Do you think they can stop me?" Buffy says, her anger evident.

"Probably not. But while you're killing them I'll just make my escape" Glory says, coolly.

" Don't think so, bitch!" Faith yells. While distracted by Buffy, she's come from the other side, vaulting over the minions and landing a kick at Glory. Glory, not prepared, staggers back, but doesn't let go of Tara or Dawn. She turns towards Faith.

" You again. God, you're annoying, you know that? We're just having a little chat and you have to go all postal" Glory pushes Tara at Faith hard… very hard… both are shoved back into the wall. Faith, stunned…slides down the wall.

Buffy goes postal. She starts laying into the minions, tossing them aside to get to Glory. Glory, seeing her minions are not all that great at fighting the slayer, decides now would be a good time to make her exit. Moving backwards, she starts pounding the wall, causing the whole house to shake. Soon she's pounded a large hole into the exterior wall.

"Well, time for me to say goodnight, I guess. Got places to be, keys to use, you know. You two… are such party poops" She mocks them.

Buffy, having plowed through the minions, makes for Glory. She's almost at her when Glory, with her free hand, delivers a hard punch, knocking Buffy back into the wall.

" You slayers are so thick headed. You never learn, do you?" Glory mocks Buffy, who's on her butt on the floor. Buffy starts to get up, ready to rush her again. Faith has also recovered, and is getting up.

"Well…that's my cue. Ta-ta for now," Glory mocks. She turns and disappears out the hole. Buffy and Faith both make for the hole…but by the time they get there, Glory, carrying Dawn, has vanished.

"Where the hell did she go?" Faith asks Buffy, looking around to see if she can spot Glory. Nothing

Buffy doesn't reply, and Faith looks at her. Buffy is just staring, looking glassy eyed. She seems distracted, not really aware of what's going on.

"B??" Faith queries, as she moves closer to Buffy," you ok?"

Buffy looks at Faith like she doesn't recognize her. She turns back and stares out the hole.

" B! What is it?" Faith moves closer. She puts an arm around Buffy. Buffy stands stiff and unresponsive. Finally she speaks.

" I failed, Faith" Buffy says, her voice flat. She's wearing a thousand yard stare, not seeming to see Faith.

" Buffy, it's not your fault!" Faith says, " You couldn't be everywhere at once".

" I never should've let her out of my sight, or yours. But no, I had to call you away, leaving her with Willow and Tara. I screwed up bad" Buffy says, her voice remorseful and sounding guilty." Now Glory has her. How're we gonna get her back? Where'd she take her?" Buffy asks.

Faith looks back at the unconscious minions. " I think we got that covered".

" You don't get it, Faith" Buffy says, quietly," for a moment there, when Glory took Dawn and disappeared… I felt.. relief. I just want it to be over! I'm so tired of everything" Buffy is starting to crack, Faith can see it. She comes closer, and takes Buffy in her arms.

" It's ok, Buffy.. It's ok" Faith says, comforting her lover, " we'll get her back. I promise!"

Buffy just looks down. She's not so sure. Not at all.

" Look, B. We've been through a lot together. We'll get through this together. You, me and Dawnie. Trust me." Faith assures her. Buffy just looks at her, begging for direction. Faith takes charge.

"Buffy, you tie up the minions. I think we can use them to lead us to Glory. I'll look after Tara, and call the others. Ok?" Faith sounds confident. Buffy takes heart, and moves towards the hall, going for rope. She stops, and turns around.

"Thank you, Faith" Buffy says quietly, " thanks." She exits into the hall.

Faith bends over Tara, checking her pulse. She's ok. She's unconscious, but her pulse is strong. She takes out her cell and beings to dial.

She just wished she felt as confident as she sounded.

 

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