Passion, Pain and Pleasure

A/N: Okay so what is happening here?!  This is a rewrite of a previous chapter 3 I posted.  And to make a long story short the previous chapter three sucked. I mean I thought the writing was okay, but the plot devices were cheap. This is why people do betas right? Anyways when I was conceiving where to take this story I had two ideas. The first (now deleted) was multiple prophecies which would converge into a super climax of epic proportions (okay not really...) and the second was much simpler. And that is where we are going now. If you read the first version of chapter 3 and thought 'I'd rather eat from a baby's diaper than read this crap!' then please give me another shot. :) A few things remain the same as there were parts I really liked. But most of it hit the trash heap.  Much shorter chapter, but I didn't want to force it again.  More soon!

A/N2: Thanks Oric13. I needed that. Best feedback I could have gotten. I didn't really like it either and all of your points were valid most especially the one about the Mayor. I just needed someone else to say it I think. For everyone else, see I really do read reviews. :) So thanks for your thoughts!

 

Chapter Three

January 2000

A few sharp raps at his door had brought Richard Wilkins III out of his reverie. Paperwork usually was a welcome sight, but today he just couldn't concentrate. Sure he was no longer Mayor, but that didn't mean a decrease in responsibilities. Quite the opposite actually! Sure a few worries were removed after Ascension. He no longer had to concern himself with things like petty assassins, but managing a growing empire could be overwhelming if one let it be.

“Come in,” he announced.

One of the vampires who worked for him walked in. He wore a nice suit, but his tie was crooked. “Hey Boss. We got someone who might be interesting to you. Caught her and some other breaking into one of your warehouses.”

Richard stood up and walked around his desk so that he could face the vampire. “Hmmmm, could it be one of those Spice Girls? I don't really approve of the way they are gallivanting around in those tiny little outfits. What kind of message are we sending to young girls?” he said as he fixed the minion's tie. “Now in the future remember that you only get one chance to make a first impression so try to keep your appearance in tip top shape.”

The vampire looked uncomfortable, but nodded his agreement. “Uh yeah Boss. Sure thing. We got the Slayer. Uh, not your Slayer but the other one. She and like ten others were trying to break into your place. They got something from there, but the Slayer stayed behind so that they could escape. She took a lot of us out, but we finally took her down. She is in one of the new jail cells. Couldn't think of anything else that might hold her.”

Richard could feel the anger bubbling to a boil inside of him. This girl who had tried to kill his Faith was finally within his grasp. Instinct had him wanting to kill her now. To rip that traitorous little head off of her shoulders. Faith had offered that girl everything and the little delinquent had only threw it back into Faith's face. Still Richard was a man of integrity and believed that the punishment should fit the crime.

He patted the vampire on the shoulder and smiled warmly. “Excellent job. Have someone bring the car around to the front of the building in five minutes.”

“You going to take care of the Slayer yourself?”

Richard scoffed. “No of course not. But we should make a quick stop to see her just so that I can verify that we have the right Slayer. Its not that I don't trust you boys, but I would hate to disappoint my Faith. Now hurry along. Five minutes.”

Later as Richard walked through the building he had purchased to be Faith's home, he marveled at the events that had taken place over the last few days. First his Faith waking up, and now this other Slayer being delivered into his hands. He wasn't one to hold stock with serendipity, but this seemed much too fortuitous to be mere coincidence.

When the elevator finally dinged for the top floor Faith was waiting for him. She gave him a quick hug and invited him in.

"Faith! I'm glad to see you up and about. Looks like you are feeling better I see.”

She grinned widely at him. “Five by five Boss. Should be ready to get out there and fight the good fight for you soon. Also this crib you gave me kicks ass! Can't believe all this shit is mine.”

Richard chuckled. “Only the best for my girl, that what I always say. You deserve everything here and more Faith. Hard work should be rewarded, that is my philosophy. And speaking of rewards if you could have anything in the entire world what would it be?”

Faith's eyes darkened and her jaw clenched, and there was no hesitation in her response. “Buffy fuckin' Summers at my mercy would be the first choice. A Harley would be a distant second.”

“Well Faith, I think I can make both of those things happen. You did sleep through the holidays, and I didn't have much of a chance to go shopping.”

Faith stared him blankly. “You got Buffy?”

This time it was Richard's turn to smile widely. “All yours Faith. She is all yours.”

January 2010

I used to be a hero. The honest to God save the world and protect the innocent kind of hero. I was The Chosen One and most of the time I'd say I hated it. I viewed my calling as a burden, and it was. One girl in all the world? Seriously? That was awesome in the way its not. I was given a death sentence when I was 15 years old. Unfair is an understatement. I hated that life sometimes, but given the choice now, I'd love to go back to that girl and tell her she had everything. I traded being a hero for being Faith's whore.

I'm standing nude in our bathroom in front of the the full length mirror gazing at her handiwork. FAITH carved into my stomach. And below that a heart with a stake in it. I can't help but laugh bitterly as I consider that this is Faith's twisted version of romance. God help me if she ever proposes. The cuts are throbbing, but look like they are going to heal soon. I always heal quickly these days. Faith broke my arm in two places a few weeks ago and it was good as new six days later. I wonder if perhaps the Slayer power grows stronger the longer I stay alive. Staying alive isn't hard. Despite her frequent outbursts of anger and cruelty, Faith would never let me go.

I run my fingers over the wounds on my stomach. The pain is immediate and exhilarating. Ten years now there has been sick part of me that aches for the searing agony I receive at Faith's skilled hands. These perverse desires disgust me to my very core, but I can't help but to submit willingly and completely to my lover.

My lover. Faith. Faith whose vicious touch has harmed me countless times. I could say that I hate the things she does, but that would be a lie. Those times when she forces me down and violates me to the point that I am torn and screaming in pain and pleasure, those are the times when I feel most alive. I hate that I yearn for her. I hate that she yearns for me too. I want to hate Faith for the cruelties she cheerfully exacts upon my body. I don't, but I do hate myself needing her to do it. I hate that her name carved into my stomach thrills me.

She said that she loves me. I believe her. I think I've known for awhile now, but I can't even wrap my mind around the idea of it. I knew love once and it was nothing like this. The people who loved me didn't beat me, fuck me til I bled or carve their names into me. Still I have no doubt. Just as I belong to her, she also belongs to me.

“My Faith,” I whisper as I once again graze my fingers along her name forever written across the plains of my flesh.