The Slayer

 

The Slayer

By Norwalker

Part 25 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

 

 

 

"Well, this is it," Cordelia says, standing at the stairs leading up to Sunnydale high.

"Yeah, well, it's ok, I guess," Buffy stands next to her. Her expression is blank, as if a thought hadn't crossed her mind in days. "Kinda old fashioned, isn't it?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes, letting out an impatient breath. Well, exactly what was I expecting. She was like this yesterday when I took her around town, showing her the sights. She was  like "There's only one Starbucks in this town?" God, she's a total snob!

Sunday had been a disaster, as far as Cordelia was concerned. She'd wanted to meet with up with Faith, hang out…ok, and do other things.Geeze…. Instead, she'd been saddled with 'The Runt'… heh, that fits perfectly! … showing her around Sunnydale.

"She's new here," Cornell said, finishing his coffee, reading the Sunday paper at the breakfast table. Sitting next to him was Joyce, who seemed a little distracted.

Man, she looks like she had a rough night, Cordelia thought to herself, seeing Joyce's slightly frazzled appearance. Well, being the Runt's mom, I can see that.

"But, daddy, I had plans for today," Cordelia whined, not wanting to be stuck with her Royal Brattiness today of all days. "I was going to meet up with some friends. We were going to hang out…"

"Cordelia," Cornell lowers his paper, his expression slightly impatient. "I think you're hanging out with friends can wait. Doesn't exactly sound urgent. Buffy is new here. She and Joyce will be in Sunnydale for awhile; she needs to get acquainted with the town. I don't think it'll kill you to show her around."

"But, daddy…"

"No buts, young lady," Cornell's tone was firm. "I don't ask you to do many things for me, Cordelia. You have a pretty good life here, and I don't think I'm onerous in reminding you that you have some responsibilities that go with being my daughter. One of them is that you treat our guests with some courtesy and consideration. Buffy is a stranger in Sunnydale, and you showing her around, maybe introducing her to some of your friends, might ease her way here. Are you so selfish that you can't take on day out of your 'busy' schedule and show Buffy Sunnydale?"

"No, daddy," Cordelia answered, resentful but chastened. She wasn't exactly doing cartwheels at the prospect. This totally sucks!!!

Joyce Summers seemed to emerge from a fog, her mom instincts kicking in.

"Cornell, maybe it'd be best not force the issue. I'm pretty sure my daughter is resourceful enough to find her way around Sunnydale. Cordelia has a right to her day off." She smiles at Cordelia, who smiles back, gratefully.  At least Mrs. Summers is cool!

"That's really not the point, Joyce, though I'm sure Cordelia thanks you for your generosity. The point is that Cordelia knows that it's impolite to leave a guest stranded with nothing to do in a strange place. It won't kill her to take Buffy around Sunnydale." Cornell turns to Cordelia. "Will it, sugarpop?"

Trapped! Crap!

Cordelia looks over to Buffy, to see her reaction. She watches as Buffy wolfs down her breakfast, seemingly oblivious, except for a small smirk on her face. God, would you look at her eat? Do they throw her the meat raw, or what?

"No, of course not, daddy," Cordelia forces a smile. "I'm sure Buffy and I will have a great time hanging out."

"Yeah, that sounds cool, I guess," Buffy says between bites.

"Well, there we are then," Cornell smiles. "You show Buffy around Sunnydale, and I'll give Joyce a tour around the estate. Would you like that, Joyce?"

A lusty gleam briefly shines in Joyce's eyes. Unconsciously, she licks her lips.

"That would be wonderful. Cornell. It's a beautiful place."

Cordelia smells a rat, but decides not to call her dad on it. Bad enough I'm stuck with the bratticus maximus. I really don't want to add to my problems. Whatever the deal is, I don't want to know…

"So, Buffy," Cordelia does her best to pour on the charm, despite she can't stand the petite blond. "Where'd you like to go first? Downtown? The Mall? The beach…?"

"Whatever," Buffy shrugs, her lack of enthusiasm evident.

And that's how most of the day went. Cordelia played tour guide, squiring Buffy around in her car, pointing out the 'sights' of Sunnydale while Buffy seemed terminally bored.

The mall. Downtown, with it's little unique shops. The Sun Movie theater. Even the Bronze hardly got a rise out of her. The only cool spot in town, and she acts like it's blasé. God, how jaded can you get?

Cordelia drove out of town, showing Buffy the scenery. Nothing.  Took her down to the shore, with its cliffs and cool rock formations. Yawn.  Took her too the sea caves, which were particularly beautiful at sunset and sunrise. Buffy seemed to be elsewhere. Geeze, how bored can you be and still breathe?

Finally out of desperation, Cordelia started babbling about some of the strange things that happen around Sunnydale.

The unexplained disappearances, that everyone seemed to forget in a day or two. The fact that Sunnydale, a town with less than 50,000 people, had 12, count them, 12 cemeteries, and 41 churches.

"41 churches?" Buffy's interest finally seemed piqued. "Wow, you guys must really be religious." She grins lopsidedly. "But why all the cemeteries?"

Geeze, that gets her motor running? Is she totally weird, or what?

Cordelia went on to reveal that all too often, bodies just showed up out of nowhere, needing to be buried. That's why there were so many cemeteries. At least, that's what Cordelia believed.

"Dead bodies?" Definite interest. "Did you ever like, see one?"

"Eeew, gross!" Cordelia exclaimed, frowning. "Who'd want to see a dead body? I just heard rumors about it." And, of course, happen to know the slayer…

"I dunno, it'd be kinda cool, I guess, " Buffy passed it off, dropping back in her lethargy. "Just wondered if there was anything odd about them…"

 God, she's a whacko! She wants to see dead bodies, and … can you spell serial killer! Hang out at mortuaries, much? God, what a total freak!

"Odd?" Cordelia verbalized, politely, "like what?"

"I dunno… extreme blood loss…"  Buffy tried to hide her interest, but Cordelia could see the excitement. God, is she a nut, or what?

"Look, I don't gotta clue, ok? Can we talk about something else?"

That pretty much ended the topic, but for the rest of the day, Cordelia kept a careful eye on Buffy. She didn't want to be on the wrong end of something sharp and deadly.

God, what kind of creepy bitch is she? Wanting to know about dead bodies and cemeteries and weird stuff.  Cordelia shudders. Be so glad to dump her off on the other freaks at school. She'll probably fit right in… with the loser whacko psycho crowd!

"Yeah, I guess it looks old fashioned, " Cordelia says, returning to the present, "but actually, there's lots of renovations going on. Daddy invested a fortune updating the technology of the place, new computers and the latest and greatest in educational stuff. New Gym, state of the art equipment. Even going to update the library. New computers and stuff, make it all like digital." Cordelia is quite proud of her father's involvement with Sunnydale High.

She turns to see Buffy looking at her with a penetrating look, her head cocked to the side.

"Well, I guess we know how you got to be queen of Sunnydale High, don't we?" Buffy smirks.

Ok, Cor, patience. Patience. She's new, she's a guest, and she's a 'tard. We don't hit tards, right? It's not cool. It's not cool. Don't hit her…

Still, Cordelia is finding it increasingly difficult to hold back on her anger. She knows Buffy's baiting her, but it doesn't help any. I so want to smack that smug smile on her face, and rip out her hair by the bleached roots…

"C'mon, Buffy," Cordelia says, chillingly polite. "Let's get you to the office so you can register…" Grabbing Buffy's hand, she starts leading the smaller girl up the stairs.

They just enter the building when Cordelia sees the Cordettes, huddled in a group by Andrea's locker. She hesitates, not wanting to face this right now.

Ok, Cor, get a grip. What can they do, anyway? Just brave it out, like you always do.

She walks up to the group, forgetting she's still got a grip on Buffy's hand. They look at her, then stare at her hand. Cordelia, realizing what's going through their brains, quickly drops Buffy's hand.

"Hey, guys." Cordelia acts as if nothing's changed.

"Hey, Cordelia," Cindy Takeshi smirks, moving to the front. "How are you? I mean, after Saturday night, you must be devastated." Her tone is all  honeyed and slightly off. "That was such a drag, what Harmony did."

Yeah, I bet it was, you little …

"Where is Harm? I wanted to talk to her," Cordelia asks, noting the conspicuous absence of the blonde Judas.

"Dunno," Andrea pipes up. "She wasn't anywhere yesterday. Maybe she went into hiding. Figuring you'd be gunning for her."

"Yeah," Aurora stares at her. "She probably figures you hate her. Though, considering, she's probably the only girl you hate."

The three of them giggle maliciously.

Cordelia feels the knives growing out of her back as the seconds pass, but she decides to ignore the innuendos.  Bunch of losers. Why was I hanging with them again? She stares at each one in turn.  Oh yeah, they were hanging with ME. Because I made them popular. That's right!

"Well, forget Harm. I'll talk to her when I see her. I wanted to intro you guys to someone."

The three turn and look at Buffy like she's an insect on display.

Buffy stares back at the three, recognizing the types immediately. Hangers on. The group. The ones who hang with the  Queen as her court. And boy, are the claws out this morning. I wonder exactly what happened ?

"So, new girl huh?" Cindy says. "What happened? Move on already?"

"Yeah, wasn't  what's her face… Faith?… enough for you?" Aurora smiles.

"Gee, and you seemed so … so close…" Andrea can barely hold back a snicker.

"What the heck are they talking about?" Buffy says to Cordelia, sotto voce.

"Forget it. Not important." Cordelia frowns, wishing she could kill with a glance. If so, there would be three grease spots on the floor at this moment.

"Anyway," Cordelia pipes up, acting as if everything is normal. " This is Buffy Summers. She just moved here." She turns to Buffy. "This is Andrea Thompson, Cindy Takeshi, and Aurora Jones."

Buffy sticks out her hand, wondering if it'll be bitten off by the jackals in front of her. "Hey, guys." She smiles pleasantly.

The three just stare at her, smirking.

"So, new here, huh? Where you staying?"

"Uhhh… me and my mom are living with Cordelia at the moment…"

That statement brings on a chorus of knowing looks and giggles. Ok, what's wrong with the weird sisters, anyway?  Buffy starts to fume.

Cordelia feels her ears burning. God, rude much? Whatta bunch of hyenas. No, wait, Hyenas are more attractive.

"Sooo…" Aurora can barely keep a straight face. "You're living with Cordelia, huh?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Buffy is growing flustered, and somewhat angry.

"Oh… nothing…" Cindy giggles, looking at Cordelia and Buffy. "Must be nice… do you like… share a room?"

"No, she has her own room." Cordelia's tone has dropped 20 degrees. "Well, nice seeing you ladies again. Gotta get Buffy to the office, so she can register."

Buffy looks around the group, wondering exactly what the situation is. She knows for a fact that it's lucky they're not carrying knives, because everyone would be on the ground bleeding. Nasty, nasty bitches.

"Yeah, I guess we better get to the office," Buffy agrees, suddenly wanting to be elsewhere, fast.

"Oh, don't let us stop you girls. I'm sure you have lots of things to take care of."

More titters and giggles.

Cordelia's eyes narrow.

"Don’t forget, ladies. There's practice this afternoon. Be prepared to sweat. The routines lately have been…well, let's just say terrible is too mild a word. I'm thinking some of you are slacking off… and I plan on winning State this year. Clear?"

As quick as frost melts in sunshine, the knowing smiles and giggles fade from the group. They look at Cordelia, and she can see the fear in their eyes.

"But…"

"I thought…"

"You said …"

"I was quitting? You know what? I can't do that. Not to my team," Cordelia says in an airy, almost casual voice. "After all, we've been through a lot, right?"  She looks at the other three girls.

"Uhhh… yeah…"

"Sure…"

"Right…"

"And it wouldn't be fair to just abandon you in this late stage," Her smile grows more confident. "I mean, really, can you see Harmony leading the squad? Really?"

That brings on a chorus of giggles.

"Right. So, unless they kick me off, I guess you're stuck with me."

The three look at each other, a little hope in their eyes. Maybe they'll kick her off!

"Of course, if they try," Cordelia continues, almost as if she can read their thoughts, "My daddy knows a lot of powerful lawyers. I'm pretty sure this would be a discrimination case… and I'm also sure funding for Sunnydale High might suddenly dry up…" She looks at her three former friends and sycophants. "We wouldn't want that, would we?"

The three, almost reluctantly, shake their heads.

"Good…" She smiles brightly, having won a tiny victory. "You know what? I'm feeling generous. I mean, c'mon, it's right after Homecoming dance. I'm sure you girls are still tired from Saturday's festivities. What say we cancel practice today, and we'll pick it up tomorrow?"

A look of relief washes over their faces. They know they just ducked a bullet. They all nod vigorously.

"Sure, Cor, whatever you say."

"Right there with you Cor. We'll be there tomorrow, with bells on"

"You betcha, captain."

Cordelia, always  the puppet master, pulls her final string.

"By the way, Buffy here is a former Hemery High Glamazon. Think we can make room for her on the team? Seeing as Harmony is missing in action… and off the team, to boot?"

The three look at Buffy with renewed interest.

"You're a glamazon?"

"Wow, that's totally cool!"

"Hey, we're so gonna beat those  Hemery High Harlots this year!" Cindy crows. Then she blushes, realizing her faux pas. "Sorry, just a school thing."

"Hey, no worries," Buffy says, "I mean, I'm a razorback now, right?"

"Oh yeah!"

"Sure!"

"Welcome aboard, sistuh!"

Cordelia watches the obsequious clamor with a cool eye. Three birds with one stone. The girls are back in line, Daddy gets OFF my back about the runt, and good old Buffy owes me one. God, I'm not good! I'm GREAT!

"Don't you girls have elsewhere to be?" Cordelia says to the group.

"On it!"

"Nice meeting you!"

"Later!"

The three disappear down the hall, chattering noisily.

Buffy looks at Cordelia, who's watching the girls, with a new respect.

I gotta admit, she's in charge. I don't know what went on to fuel the revolt, but she handled it like a pro. Hmmm… maybe I should watch her a bit more carefully.

Cordelia turns, and catches Buffy watching her intently. It gives her an uneasy feeling.

"C'mon, Buffy," She covers, "We better get you to the office before…"

"Hey.. Cordelia… wait up."

Oh crap! Now what?

Cordelia turns, and sees the last two people she wants to run into coming on fast.  

"Willow, Xander… just who I wanted to see. Not. Kinda busy…"

"New girl?" Willow says, pulling up and seeing Buffy.

"New girl?" Xander echoes, coming up beside Willow.

Buffy takes a look at the pair, and makes an immediate judgment. Geeks!

"Huh? Oh yeah. Buffy, this is Xander and Willow. This is Buffy." Cordelia keeps it short and sweet. "Nice running into you guys, but we really gotta motor…"

"Really?" Willow is smirking faintly. "Oh well, we just saw something we thought you'd want to know about…" She shrugs. "No big."

"No big?" Xander, not following along really well, protests. "I thought it was a pretty big, big."

"Saw something? What're you two babbling about now?"

"Forget it, Cordelia. I mean, you're so busy and all." Willow turns, playing the bluff perfectly.

Xander finally catches up. "Yeah, forget it. I mean, who cares about a picture, anyway?"

"Picture?" Cordelia gets a cold feeling in her gut. "What picture?"

"Forget it, Cordy. It's not important. Not enough for you to break your busy schedule, right?" Willow looks at her with arched brow.

Cordelia looks at Willow, then at Xander.  She feels her cool dissipating quickly.

"Stop playing games, freaks. What picture are you talking about."

"Well, if you're going to call us names…" Xander shrugs, Willow shrugs, they both turn to leave.

"Ok, ok, I'm sorry, I'm just… just show me the picture, ok?"

"Say, please," Willow is enjoying this all too much.

Cordelia feels her anger rising quickly. Still, she manages to hang on.

"Please!"

Buffy is watching this with some amusement.  From Zenith to Zero in 30 seconds. Too cool!

Willow and Xander look at each other, and relent.

"Ok, follow us," Xander says, heading off down the hall.

The four of them get halfway, and suddenly, Cordelia realizes what this is all about.

In front of them, plastered on the main Bulletin Board of the school is a huge blow up of Cordelia in a major passionate lip lock with Faith. Even though you can see the two subjects of the picture, there are scrawls in magic marker and pens all over it, a few supportive, most nasty and cheap.

Cordelia stands there, her face pale with bright spots of red on her cheeks.  Her mouth is dry, and she feels a strong urge to run away.

"Well, now I know what that was all about back there," Buffy says, putting 2 and 2 together. "Like, wow,  you're a total lesbo, huh?"

Cordelia feels an itching in her hands, as if they want to wrap themselves around the Runt's neck and choke her until her eyes pop out.

"Ok, nice one, guys," Cordelia says in a snarky tone. "This your work? Decide you totally want to humiliate me?" She turns on Willow andXander, "I've heard of cheap shots before, but I thought we had an understanding…" this last is directed right at Willow.

"Hey, that wasn't us!" Xander says, firmly. "We saw it, and we thought maybe you'd want to see it… do something about it."

"Yeah, there up all over school on the bulletin boards," Willow says, her own tone a bit frosty. "We…didn't like it, and wanted to help. Guess we were wrong, huh?" She grabs Xander's arm. "C'mon, we're obviously not wanted around here."

Cordelia looks at them, and sees they're genuine. They weren't trying to rub my nose in it. Why?

"Look… guys, I'm sorry, ok?" Cordelia says contritely. "I… it's just such a shock, seeing it here… and reading what people really think."

For a brief moment, Cordelia understands the other side of the insults she's so ready to dish out. She walks over, and puts her hand briefly on the photograph of her and Faith. Then she starts ripping it down.

She senses company, and turns to see Willow and Xander helping her. Even Buffy gets in the act, taking the trash and canning it.

"I'm not ashamed of what I feel," Cordelia says, ripping down the poster. "I know you guys probably don't like it, but I do love her. I just hate this kinda crap…" She rips faster, getting it down as quickly as she can.

"Yeah, well… we don't like you, don't get that wrong. You're annoying and a snob," Xander says, ripping down a section. "But you don't deserve this. No one deserves being humiliated like this."

"Yeah, what he said," Willow helps. "Anyway, there's a lot more posted all over school. You're prolly gonna be busy for awhile."

"Thanks," Cordelia says, simply and genuinely.

"Forget it," Xander says, "Really. We have a rep to keep, ok?"

"Let's go, Xan. You still got to get your books for class."

"Oh man, books? Don't I deserve a book free day?" Xander says as they take off.

"Xander? For you, every day is a book free day."

They disappear around a corner.

Buffy and Cordelia stand there for a moment. Cordelia stares at the trash can. She  realizes that it doesn’t matter anymore, whether or not she gets them all down or not. More will just appear, or other crap will show up.

Her little victory from earlier vaporizes, and she realizes that today is probably going to be a long, grueling day. She's not looking forward to it at all.

"C'mon, Buffy," She says quietly, "We better get you to the office."

---

 

2

 

 

"Oh, bloody hell!"

Giles slams the book closed he's been trying to read.  He has an impatient, tired look on his face. He looks around his office, for the first time in his life feeling overwhelmed by books.

He has barely slept in the past 36 hours, since the dance Saturday, and it shows. His eyes are red and weary looking. His clothing, normally neat as a pin, is a bit rumpled, his tie loosened. His hair is standing out in wisps at certain places.

He feels tired, frustrated and more than a little angry. He's convinced that the attack on the Homecoming Dance wasn't just a random attack; too many things were just too coincidental for it to be a random attack. Why was the Master there? He never does anything like that, unless there is some compelling reason behind it. And Spike. Everything I've read about him tells me he's a mercenary; why is he suddenly inSunnydale unless someone is bankrolling him? Last sighting of him was years ago, and in Budapest.

The real source of his anger is his own vacillation. He's stuck, not knowing what to do about Faith…

"I'm telling you Rupert, Spike isn't here on a whim. He's up to something. Someone brought him here…" Angel stood just inside Giles' apartment.

"There's no proof of that. Perhaps he's hunting on different grounds. After all, I'm sure Europe has become rather 'hot' for him after 150 years of  bloodshed…"

"C'mon, Rupert. That doesn't fly. You know as well as I do that these days, people don't believe in vampires. Even outside of Sunnydale, and whatever is going on to make people forget, people chalk up vampires in the same class as the Bogeyman or the monster in the closet. They're just fairytales. Even if they came across a fresh victim, the killing would just be put down to some psychopath with delusions of being a vampire. Vampires aren't real… everyone knows that," Angel's tone was dripping sarcasm. "So, someone like Spike wouldn't have any trouble hiding out… if that's what he were doing" Angel shook his head, "No, he's here for a reason… and we both know who brought him here…" Angel started pacing back and forth  in frustration. "Why can't you just admit that?"

"Why are you so fired up to condemn the man? There's no direct evidence linking him to any of the strange occurrences happening here in Sunnydale…"

"My god, man, do you need a neon sign  reading "Here he is. Here's the bad guy" flashing over his head? Everything  you've come across about the weirdness around here seems to point back to him…"

"The operative phrase is 'seems to'," Giles pointed out. "There might be some other explanation for what's happening here."

"Oh, there's another explanation all right," Angel stops pacing, glaring at Giles. His tone is slightly mocking. "You don't want to tell her. You're afraid to tell her…"

"I beg your pardon?" Giles' tone contradicted that statement.

"You're afraid that if you tell Faith that her girlfriend's father is not what he seems to be;  that he very well might be the center of all the weirdness going on here in Sunnydale, she might not believe you, "Angel says quietly, his tone almost gentle. "Perhaps worse, you're afraid she won't believe in you anymore. Perhaps she'll  think you're trying to break up her and Cordelia…." Angel came over, and put a hand on Giles' shoulder. "… and if she were forced to choose, she wouldn't choose you…"

Giles stiffened under his touch, and Angel could smell the blood rising in him.

"I don't believe you just said that," Giles' voice is stiff and formal. "I'm a professional, Angel. My relationship with Faith is strictly professional… watcher to slayer. Nothing more. I use judgment, experience and research to determine her course of action," Giles turns on him, his eyes narrowed. "I depend on evidence, not speculation, to act. When I have clear evidence of his involvement, I won't hesitate to send Faith in. My feelings, or any feelings Faith might have for Ms. Chase do not enter into my decisions."

"I see," Angel moved around in front of Giles, "I'm afraid you're lying to me, Giles. I can hear the increase in your heart rate, and the change in your breathing. You can't lie to a vampire, Giles. You know that." He put a hand on Giles' shoulder. "I'm sorry what happened between you and your daughter…"

Giles looked startled for a brief instant, but recovered quickly.

"I'm sorry, but I fail to see what Claire has to do with this…"

"Do you really, Rupert?" Angel's mouth tightens. "Do you really think I'm a fool? I haven't lived as long as I have being one, and I haven't started now. I checked out both you and Faith before I ever approached you…" His expression reflects some sympathy. "I know what happened between you and Claire…"

"I think you've said enough for this evening, " Rupert's tone had turned chilly. "I will tell Faith when I feel it's time. I am her watcher, after all. Not you, Angel."

He walked over to the door, opening it.

"I believe you have other business to attend to?"

Angel's face went blank, almost resembling a mask. "Very well, Giles.  Play it your way," Angel walked to the door, brushing past the watcher as he left. He turns at the step. "I just hope that withholding this from her doesn't cause her harm." His face takes on a grim cast. "If you really cared about her, you'd tell her…"

Before Giles could respond, he disappeared into the shadows.

"Damn him," Giles mutters, bringing his fist down on his desk in his library office. "Who the hell does he think he is? He knows… he knows nothing…"

Angel's words had an effect on him, however. He sequestered himself in the library all  Sunday, going over his notes, searching through old texts, even using the 'infernal computer' to try to put the pieces together. To connect the dots. To have the proof.

I'm a professional, Giles told himself, as he continued his research. I don't jump willy nilly into something simply because it seems obvious. I take the time necessary to arrive at the right solution. Why can't that bleeding burke see that?

It wasn't always like that, though, was it Rupert? You didn't take the time to 'check out' that villa in Tuscany, did you, before sending Margaret  and Claire there. Did you? And they paid for it, didn't they? You weren't there when they were attacked, were you? Oh no, you were in Istanbul, on Council business. Then word came…  they had been attacked by a particularly nasty customer called Kakistos… "Worst of the worst". An old vampire, that made his 'home' in Tuscany. That had a long standing feud with the council. What better way to 'revenge' himself than attack one of the key members?

How could I not know that? How could I … He stopped, putting his head in his hands. I'm just tired, he thought, as the pages blurred before him. My eyes are just tired… I need to rest them…

He pulled off his glasses, and  wiped them, as was his custom, and rubbed the bridge of his nose before replacing them.

It won't happen again. I won't make that mistake again… He stood up from his desk, walking over and searching the titles, takes a large volume off the shelf. I'll be prepared this time. This time, there will be no doubt…

So he worked on, Sunday morning passed into afternoon and then evening, and Giles never stopped. The hours flew by, unnoticed, until finally the text swam before his eyes. It didn't make sense to him any longer, and he leaned his head in his hands.

"Just five minutes… I'll just close my eyes for five minutes…" He laid his head down on the desk.

He awoke with a start, at first not knowing where he was. It was dark, and everything seemed strange. There was a knock on the door.

"Who in Hades would be knocking me up at this hour?" Giles grumbled sleepily, rising to answer the door, which seemed to be shaking from the pounding.

"Just a moment," Giles called out, rubbing his eyes and putting on his glasses. It's not like it's the end of the world…yet.

Giles let out a sigh, and walked to the door, opening a crack and peering out.

Standing there was Colin Robson, Giles oldest friend on the council.

What is he doing here? He's supposed to be in Devon…

"Robson? What is it? Do you know what time it is, man?" Giles opened the door wide. "What're you doing here, man?"

He invited Robson in, and suddenly realized something's very wrong.  This isn't where I'm supposed to be… this room, I know it… but where? Where have I seen it before? Why aren't I in my office?

Just as suddenly, Giles got a cold feeling in his stomach. This is wrong. Very wrong…  he saw the expression on Robson's face, and suddenly knew where he was. When he was.

"Rupert, maybe you should sit down. I have something to tell you…"

NO! DON'T! If you don't say it, it won't be real. It won't be happening again…

Instead he said. "What is it, Colin? What's wrong?"

He was trapped. He couldn't change the script. It had to play out as it had that night, and so many nights after.

"Rupert, I don't know how to tell you. It's about Margaret and Claire…"

Oh, no! No! NO! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not again, it can't happen again…

" … I WON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!" Giles yells out, waking himself up from the nightmare.

What? Where…  Giles looks around, realizing he's back in his office, the sun barely breaking through the window. He looks at the clock over the door, and realizes it's 6:17 a.m.  Monday? It's Monday morning? How long have I been asleep?

He leans back in his chair, his muscles groaning from the abuse of sleeping at his desk. He reaches up and touches his face, and realizes he'll need to attend to his grooming in the office. Damn, and I'm still not done… I need to keep looking…

He opens the drawer to his desk, reaching in for the electric razor he keeps there for just such emergencies. His hand touches something else, and he pulls it out, wanting and at the same time, not wanting to look at it.

He lifts the framed photograph, and stares at it. It's a picture of a woman and a youngish girl, no more than 10 or 11. The woman is kneeling on the ground, her arms around the child. She is blonde, with startling blue eyes and a pretty, oval shaped face. The girl is obviously her daughter; she looks like a younger version of her mother. Both are  smiling hugely for the camera.

Margaret and Claire. They were so happy… Giles can't help the small smile that touches his lips. It was taken only a few weeks before…

Six years ago. It was six years ago, but the ache he feels is like it was yesterday. Six years, and not a day that didn't feel like he was in hell.

She'd be Faith's age now. I wonder if Claire would even like Faith? She was always so shy…

"Stop it, you sentimental fool, " Giles puts the picture away, reaching back for the razor. "No time for reminiscences. You have a job to do…"

He has to find it. He has to. He won't let it happen again. Not to his charge. He won't be caught unprepared again…

Forgetting the shaver, he opens a book on his desk, and begins to study it. His thoughts are interrupted suddenly by the sounds of very loud music with a strong bass beat thudding through the walls. He slams the book closed.

" What in hell is going on?"

He pushes out of his chair, and quickly strides over to the door, opening it and exiting his office. Crossing quickly, he comes to the balustrade overlooking the ground floor of the library.

Looking down, he sees Faith doing step aerobics near the reading table. Sighing, he calls out.

"Faith… FAITH! Can you hear me!?!"

Faith, however, doesn't acknowledge hearing him, or even his presence. She continues doing her workout, oblivious to any presence around her.

Disgusted, feeling as if his head will pound right out of his skull, Giles heads downstairs, hoping to catch her attention.

Faith goes through her routine, eyes closed, trying to block out the world.

She's still feeling uneasy and scared by her experience in her bedroom Saturday night. She's never experienced anything like that before, and frankly doesn't want to repeat the experience anytime in this lifetime.

She hardly slept at all that night, even after crashing on the couch in the living room. She couldn't get the feeling she was being watched out of her head. She dozed off, only to waken suddenly, covered in sweat, a dream half forgotten but leaving her uneasy. Finally, just as the sun was breaking over the horizon, she gave up. Downing some coffee, and something that would pass as breakfast, she scooted out of her apartment, needing to get away.

She spent the day wandering about. Vaguely, at the back of her mind, she felt she was searching for something. Once or twice, she found herself on the way over to Cordelia's house. She felt as if something were pulling her over there.

Oh yeah, it's called hormones, girl. You're trying to bury whatever's happening to you in some slap and tickle. Don't think so.

She resisted going over, and kept wandering until it got close to dusk.  Finally, feeling frustrated at not finding what she was looking for… or even knowing WHAT I'm looking for… she found herself at Giles' apartment. She trotted down the steps leading to his place, and knocked on the door.

She waited for awhile, then knocked again. Still not getting an answer, she pounded on the door. Nothing. Where the hell is he? Finally, disgusted, she just gave up and went home.

Still she couldn't quite make herself stay in her bedroom. She felt something there, something that gave her a raging case of the wiggins, and she had no intention of going through what she had last night.  Settling in on the couch, beer in hand, she finally fell asleep with the TV on.

She spent another restless night, tossing and turning on the couch, almost falling off twice.  She finally woke up fully at 6 am, feeling like she'd been run through the spin cycle a few times.

"Ok, this is bogus. I gotta talk to Giles. Something's going on here, and I need some answers, pronto."

Taking a shower and eating breakfast, she still had the eerie feeling she was being watched. More than once while dressing, she'd turn around quickly to see who was behind her… only to find nothing behind her.

Ok, now I know I'm losing it. This is dumb, and frankly, I don't need it right now.

She hurried out of the apartment. Anywhere's gotta be better than here.

Arriving at school early, she conned the janitor to let her in. She made her way towards the library, stopping now and then to turn around. She felt something was staring at her. Finally, entering the library, and not seeing Giles, she was a little disappointed. Gawd, where's a fucking watcher when you need him, anyway? Deciding she needed to do something to take her mind off things, she changed her clothes in the closet, emerged and turned on her boom box. Loud. Hell, no one's here, so what's the diff? She started going through her routine, closing her eyes to concentrate.

"FAITH!"

Suddenly someone shakes her, and her eyes fly open. Instinctively, she lashes out, hitting Giles and knocking him back against the closest bookcase.

"Oh god, Giles!" Faith rushes over to him, helping him up. "Are you ok?" Seeing he's unhurt, her anger rises. "What the hell were you thinking, anyway? Don't you know better than to sneak up on somebody like that?"

Giles, his glasses askew, rises from the floor. "I wasn't 'sneaking up' on you, Faith. You have that bloody noise you call music so loud, you couldn't hear a nuclear blast if it came." Giles straightens his glasses and brushes himself off. "Do you think you could think of someone else's  eardrums for a change?"

"Well, I see someone took their extra strength grumpy pill this morning," Faith mutters, walking over to lower her stereo. "There, better?"

" Yes, much, thank you," Giles is still feeling grumpy, and sore at being hit rather forcefully by Faith. "Now maybe I can do research without my teeth rattling in my jaw."

"Well, excuse me for exercising," Faith replies sharply. "I'm the slayer, I gotta stay in shape, ya know? Maybe if you didn't sneak around here like some ghost or something, I'd know you were here…"

"Well, perhaps if you came in on time once in awhile, you'd know I was almost always early." Giles frowns severely, clearly losing patience with her. "Of course, I'll probably be long in my grave before that ever occurs."

"Well, maybe if you got out once in awhile, rather than sticking your nose in a book all the time, you'd figure out there's more to life than stupid books. Yeah, but you? Get a life? I'll be long dead before that ever happens!"

"You insufferable little… CHILD!" Giles' cheeks flame red. "You think you know all about life at what… 16? You've barely been on this planet longer than a well aged bottle of Scotch! You think you have all the answers? You stupid twit! You don't even have the beginning of a clue!" Giles storms away, partially fearing his own rage. "You have no idea what I've sacrificed to be here, to , as you so eloquently put it, stick my nose in a book, to try to find the answers to help you." He moves back to the desk, leaning over into Faith's face. "Tell me exactly what YOU'RE doing to help? All you know are going out, getting pissed, and maybe dancing your arse off all night. Some of us take this very seriously, Faith. Too bad you're not one."

"Yeah, you're right Giles," Faith's voice is very soft, very cold. "I'm 16, cuz slayers get picked young. And yeah, I don't know lots. I don't got the luxury to spend time learning a lotta crap like you do. I live hard, fight hard and play hard, cuz I gotta pack a life in on an expiration date that a fruit fly would laugh at. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll see 18. Kinda doubt it though. With the way crap keeps happenin' around here, I'll probably be dead before you figure out what's goin' on!"

Faith watches as Giles' eyes go wide. She sees the color drain from his face, and the knuckles of his hands go white where he's gripping the table.  Oh god, what the fuck did I do? But worst of all, she sees the utter defeat and hurt in his eyes, and that cuts deeper than anything.

Giles stands up, and walks over to the bookshelves. He stands very still for a moment, staring at the books. Then he violently starts kicking at the books, knocking them off the shelves in a rage. His hands join in, and soon books are scattered everywhere.

"Books! Stupid, bloody, useless books!" His voice is thick with anger and frustration.

 He leans against the bookshelf, as if all the fight and life has drained from him. He breathes shallowly and hard, as if he can't catch his breath.

"Giles," Faith, a little frightened, approaches him cautiously. "Are you all right?" She carefully steps round the volumes scattered chaotically on the floor.

"I… I'm sorry…" Giles tries desperately to hold on to a shred of his former calm and dignity.  He squats down, starting to recover the books he's tossed about in his tantrum. "I… haven't slept well the last few nights…"

"I'm sorry too, Giles," Faith gets down to help him with the mess. "I shouldn't have said that crap to you. I'm… things … weird things have been happening… and I'm kinda … freaked out…"

Giles looks up sharply. "Freaked out?"

"you know, kinda scared and all…"

"I know what 'freaked out' means. I meant, what did it? Has something been happening…?"

"Lots of crap, Giles, " Faith pushes the books on the shelves, not caring about order or neatness. "Like, after the dance Saturday… something… happened…"

Faith goes on to explain about the strange occurrence  Saturday night, and her dreams about Cordelia becoming some kind of monster and eating her up. Then she got into the dream about floating and falling, and landing in some strange place fighting some girl to keep her from killing Angel. By the end of her story, she feels like she's going nuts; the worried look on Giles' face doesn't help.

"That's it, isn't it?" Faith smirks. "I'm going Looney tunes, right? Time to get fitted for my straight jacket? Find a nice padded room with my name on it?" The smirk fades, leaving a young woman looking a little lost. "I'm kinda scared here, Giles…"

Giles, seeing the distress in her eyes, comes over to put a hand on her shoulder. Without warning, she wraps her arms around him, burying her head in his chest. He can feel her shaking, and he instinctively holds her, stroking her hair, trying to calm her.

"You're not insane, Faith," Giles says gently, still holding the young woman, "I've let you down … I haven't taught you everything you need to know. What you had were slayer dreams, Faith. They tend to be more laden with portents than literally prophetic, but there are elements of truth in them…"

"English, please? Smaller, easier to chew words?"

Giles smiles just a bit, knowing she must feel better if she can tease him.

"What I mean is, you can't take the dreams literally, but they are indications of things to come."

"But it's so nuts, Giles. I mean… c'mon, Cordelia becoming some kinda big blob-o creature… and some blond crazy chick actually almost beating my butt fighting me to kill Angel? It's …"

"A warning, Faith. Like that little incident in your flat. Someone or something is warning you to be on your guard…"

"Against what? I don't have a clue here, Giles…"

You're out of time, Rupert. You can't leave her in the dark any longer.

"Faith, I need you to see something…"

 

3

 

Buffy stares into the locker that's been assigned to her. She has a grim expression on her face as she reads the titles of her textbooks.

Elements of Trigonometry… oh, boy, that sounds like fun… Events in World History… yeah, another winner… The scope of he modern novel… ok, who thinks up these names?

She pauses, seeing a folded piece of paper sitting near the books. Reaching in, she grabs the paper and opens it. Her eyes go a little wider, then she wads the paper up, sticking it in her jeans' pocket.

 Shuddering a little, she slams the locker shut, with nary a book in her hand.  Ok, school? Total waste of time right now. I so got better things to do than be put to sleep by some really boring crap I'll never use…

She looks carefully down one side of the hall, then the other. She's looking out for the little man affectionately known as Principal Snyder. Seeing the coast clear, she quickly shuts the locker, and fading into the thinning crowd, makes her way towards an exit.

She strides quickly down the sidewalk, heading for the main gate. All the while, her brain is working at a frenzied place.

There's got to be somewhere around this crappy little town where I can find out about him… She thinks, approaching the gate, some little waterhole for the unholy. God, every town has at least one, and if Merrick was right, this is a Hellmouth. Probably a whole section of town devoted to the Bad, Ugly and Slimy. I just gotta find where….

She reaches the gate, and pulls on it. Locked.

Damn… now what? She looks up at the height… a good 10 feet plus tall.  I could probably hop it if I get a running…

"Excuse me, are you lost?" A rather sarcastic voice behind her interrupts her thoughts. She turns to see that lovable munchkin, Principal Snyder, looking officious, arms folded across his chest.

"Er… uhhh…” Damn, what's his name again? Oh yeah," … Principal Snyder. Thank goodness! I was looking for my history class, and I seem to have taken a wrong turn somewhere…"

"I hardly think you'll find it out there, Missy…" Snyder stares at her. "You're the new girl… Summers… yes…"

"That's right. Buffy Summers." Buffy smiles winningly.

"You can save the display of dental hygiene, Ms. Summers," Snyder glares at her. "You'll find I'm not easily buffaloed by the smile of a pretty sophomore." He tilts his head. "Now, maybe it's unclear to you, but that…" He points at the school buildings," contain classrooms. That…" pointing towards the street, "doesn't. However, seeing how you're new here, perhaps you need time to learn the difference. I'm sure an hour or two of detention would give you time to recognize the difference."

"What? I got lost… it's my first day. And you're giving me detention?"

"Oh, please, Ms. Summers," Snyder growls at her. "Perhaps the principal at your last school might've bought that pabulum, but you'll find I'm nobody's fool. I realize that as a student, you're main objective is to get out of school any possible way can. Well, here's a warning. Your tricks won't work with me." He turns, waving her along to follow. "If you'll follow me…"

Buffy follows a long for a few steps, then stops. "Wait, ok, the truth…" Think, Buffy, think!

"That would be a novelty."

"Look, there's an emergency at home. I have to go there right away!"

"That's odd," Snyder sneers. "usually, the parents call the school for in case of emergency…"

"Cell phone. I got the call on my cell!"

"Cell phones aren't allowed on campus. I told you that earlier…"

"I know. I told them that. So I hung up immediately, and now I have to go find out what the emergency is!"

"Very amusing, Ms. Summer. Not very bright, but amusing," Snyder turns towards the school," I think you've earned another few days in detention for your cleverness…"

Buffy sees him start off, but instead of following, quietly turns, and running quickly, scales the fence, flips herself over, and lands outside. Seeing Snyder still walking, she quickly disappears up the street.

"… I know you juvenile delinquents think you can pull a fast one on me, but I'm just too clever for you. I hope you'll learn someday that the rules have meaning here at Sunnydale High, and if you break the rules  you'll suffer the consequences. Is that clear to you Ms. Summers?"

Snyder takes a few more steps, reaching the school doors, and stops. "I asked, is that clear?" He turns around.

He sees nothing behind him, and his face turns a rather bright red. He turns left, right, and center, and still nothing. He picks a direction, towards the fields, and starts off.

"Ok, Ms. Summers, you want to play games, that's just fine. You can run, but you can't hide. I'll find you, and when I do… you'll still be doing detention while your grandchildren attend school here…"

He turns the corner of the gym, and marches towards the fields, determined to find her.

To be continued.