Catch you on the flipside

Buffy stood in the middle of the checkpoint which was an abandoned Initiative fallout shelter that she and the others had established shortly after the outbreak. The entrance was hidden under a layer of dirt and plants upon opening it Buffy had recoiled at the strong scent of death that wafted out.



Lonnie had been concerned but when they climbed down the ladder and turned on the lights that concern had been replaced by fear and rage.



The Spartan room that consisted of the slayers weapons chamber was destroyed. Wires and cables hung freely from the ceiling, the lights flickered but what stunned the pair was the blood on the walls. It wasn’t splatter it was drenched.



Buffy kneeled and dipped her fingers in it. The blood was dried; things had been this way for awhile. Standing Buffy pulled out her short sword and met Lonnie’s eyes. Buffy felt guilty at times for bringing Lonnie to this world, this world of violence and evil. Buffy relished the memories of the calm life the village had brought.



“We’re not splitting up on this one Buffy.” Lonnie said firmly.



Buffy saw that there was no room to argue and honestly she didn’t want to let the red head out of her sight. “It’s not a big shelter, just be careful.”



Lonnie nodded and pulled out her club and dagger, crouching into a defensive posture she followed Buffy’s lead. The search resulted in nothing but more blood and signs of decay.



“There aren’t any bodies.” Buffy said.



“Your right. There’s too much blood for them to have been turned so…did they eat them?” Lonnie asked.



“I don’t know, they couldn’t have turned them anyway they’re female.” Buffy reasoned.



“Come on, let’s pack what we can and see if the radio still works.” Buffy said turning she started the short through the debris in the far corner. Bending she pulled and sorted away broken chairs and…hair. Buffy gagged but what caught her eye distracted her from that action.



It was a hole, tucked away in the corner of the room. Something had drilled a tunnel underground through twelve foot thick walls of cement and steel. “Lonnie.” She whispered.

Lonnie turned and was stunned at what she saw. Moving to stand by her mate she suddenly knew where they were going next. “Really?” she asked.



“Hmmm? Oh yeah. We got to check this out.” Buffy said, shedding her jacket and setting her pack against the wall.



“Buffy, it’s a deep dark tunnel and whatever built it drilled through all this rock and metal. I personally don’t want to know what did that.”



“I know, I’m just going to have a peek.” Buffy reasoned “Just help me get down here.”

Lonnie gave in and helped lower her mate to the floor of the hole which was about an eight foot drop. With Buffy safely on the ground Lonnie moved and leapt down the hole, hissing when she landed and her knees stung.



“You okay?” Buffy asked. Lonnie smiled and nodded, subtly flexing her knee. She was getting to old for this shit.



Suddenly a shadow flashed in front of Buffy causing the slayer to draw her sword to ready as she stared down the far wall. “Hello?” she called.



Lonnie had her blade ready and club in position at a moment’s notice. Slowly the shadow shifted and they stared in amazement as a small frame came out of the shadows. It was a child, completely androgynous with lankly dark hair, the boys skin was strange it was a deep olive tone but very pale. The child was wearing nothing but a pair of paper thin jeans and a dirty faded t shirt.



What hit Lonnie the most were his eyes, they were silver completely no white. They appeared through the darkness like swirling pools of silver mercury.

“That child isn’t human.” Lonnie whispered.



“Ya think.” Buffy hissed, she wasn’t sure what to do, after the last few years everyone was a threat whether it was a toddler or a bed ridden old granny. No one on the outside could be trusted.



“What’s your name?” Lonnie asked the child. Its eyes darted fearfully at Lonnie’s voice and shrank into he shadows. “No its okay. Come on…come on.”



“What are you doing?” Buffy hissed. Rolling her eyes when Lonnie gave her the ‘trust me’ look.



“Its okay, I’m not going to hurt you.” Lonnie said softly putting her hand out. Several minutes passed and Lonnie was almost ready to take her hand back when the child stepped back out of the shadows and stared at Lonnie’s hand. Hesitantly the child reached out and laid its hand in Lonnie’s. Standing slowly Lonnie looked to Buffy and shrugged.



“What’s your name?” Buffy asked.



“Scrat.” The child whispered softly.



“Would you like to come home with us?” Lonnie asked, Buffy jolted a little when her mate suggested that.



“Why?” Scrat asked.



“We won’t hurt you, we can help you.” Lonnie said gently.



“Okay.” Scrat said softly.



“Do you know what happened up there?” Buffy asked. Scrat shrank back and nodded.



“The day walkers.” Lonnie studied the child carefully before standing.



“If you would like to come home with us you can. That’s up to you.” Buffy said clearly. She wasn’t sure how she felt about this, they were in a chamber that should have been impossible to build under a room full of her slayers blood with a kid who had silver eyes and was REALLY fast.



“Okay.” Scrat whispered. “I know a faster way out.”



“Show us?” Buffy asked, Scrat nodded. “Okay we need to grab our packs and we’ll go.”



“Okay” Scrat said, looking up at the strangers. The blonde one wasn’t human, her scent was off and the red head smelled human but moved like a hunter.



And to think he had believed today would be boring.





***********************





Sasha came awake slowly finding she wasn’t alone in bed, looking down curiously she suddenly remembered that Kennedy was in bed with her, she remembered that after she saw Kennedys head laid on her stomach sleeping soundly.



Kennedy lay diagonal across the bed naked, flashing back to the night before Sasha suddenly wished she hadn’t been so insistent that Kennedy drop her prudish moral traditions on nudity. Sasha felt her attention drift down the slayers body until it rested on her pussy. Kennedy’s legs were parted and Sasha could see clearly the smooth lines and skin that made Kennedy so beautiful. ‘No, stop thinking about that’ Sasha mentally snapped.



It didn’t help that she could still recall the last time Kennedy had been in her bed. She remembered how good the slayer had felt, how sweet her taste was…GODS! Sasha snarled this wasn’t how this was supposed to go. She was going to find this fucking cure and get out of getting smited all the way back to existence.



Sitting up Sasha scooted out from under the slayer carefully, standing she was suddenly assailed by the ever present and oh so annoying urge to use the toilet. Truly being human sucked. After relieving herself she came out and saw Kennedy sitting up in bed groggily looking around as if trying to remember where she was.



“So…tell me the plan.” Kennedy said sleepily rubbing her eyes, completely oblivious to the fact that she was naked.



“Its like I said, going to the palace with Petius, tail my younger self and see what it is.” Sasha explained.



“How, why don’t you remember this stuff?” Kennedy asked.



“Well for one it was a long time ago and for another I more or less blocked out this century.” Sasha muttered.



“What is it you do in the palace?” Kennedy asked, flopping back on the bed.



“I’m a servant. A slave to the queen.” Sasha said, looking down as she fastened her tunic, looking up she was surprised to see Kennedy looking at her with the oddest expression on her face. “Do not pity me.” She bit out.



“I’m not, what kind of slave?” Kennedy asked, curious about the strange panic she saw on Sasha’s face.



“I was a body slave. A sex slave to the highest bidder.” Sasha admitted crossing her arms she stared down eh slayer.



“Oh…okay. And the now you belongs to the queen?” Kennedy asked, a little stunned at this revalation.



“Yes, the only public place I am allowed is in the royal court and that’s only during her orgies.” Sasha said non chalantly.



“Orgies?” Kennedy asked a little surprised the more Sasha told her, no wonder the bitch never said anything.



“Yes, the queen is notorious for her…appetite. So the plan is you tag along as my body slave to one of these parties and follow the other me around.”



“How will I know if I see something?” Kennedy asked, a little grateful to be away from Sasha’s crappy childhood topic.



“You won’t for the most part. Just get as close to the old me as you can, and see if I say anything or if something stands out to you. Ill nose around court and see what the gossip says.”



“Okay so care to explain to me what exactly goes in this body slave crap? Cause I am so not your slave.” Kennedy said casually.



Sighing Sasha sat beside Kennedy and looked over at the infuriating girl. “No one is allowed to touch you without my permission, you are required to…service me at anytime I request it at least in public which I won’t do unless I have too. Basically that’s it.”



“That’s barbaric. I mean what the fuck? So in this little game I’m your whore?” Kennedy snapped.



“Looking as that does about the only way to keep your ass safe yes you are. You can’t talk back either.” Sasha said helpfully ignoring Kennedys glare.



“So what exactly “Kennedy began but stopped when there was a soft knock at the door.



Turning she was suddenly thrown back on the bed as Sasha quickly pinned her down and kissed her. Through all this Kennedy’s eyes remained open in surprise.



The door opened to reveal a slight servant demon, same species as the one from last night. Sasha pulled back and stood regally. Kennedy looked on in awe at the sudden transformation in persona. Gone was the sarcastic arrogant ass she knew all too well and in its place was nothing but a sense of entitlement and authoritive stature.



“Yes?” Sasha snapped, acting angrier than she really was. The servant jumped slightly at the Lady’s voice.



“I’ve come to announce first meal her lordship. Will you be joining the matron of the house?”



“Yes, I will be there shortly.” Sasha had to retain her position until the servant had left before turning to Kennedy. “Get dressed. As soon as the meals done were going into the city.”



Kennedy suddenly looked up at Sasha “Be careful” she stated.



Sasha frowned in confusion but nodded before giving Kennedy a bright smile. “Of course. I mean I’m on in one of the most violent periods of history in a HUMAN body no less….what could go wrong?” Sasha smiled one last time before turning and striding from the chamber leaving Kennedy sitting alone in the room.



Kennedy looked around and sighed, while Sasha was off doing whatever she was pretty sure she was supposed to stay in the room. Screw that. Kennedy jumped up and pulled on her tunic, struggling with the clasp she almost wanted to whoop in victory when it finally fastened.



Carefully opening the door she peeked her head out and checked the hallway. All clear. Stepping out she smoothed out the tunic and started walking toward the large gates at the end of the hall, one gate was open to reveal what looked like a garden outside.



Stepping outside into the sun Kennedy could see and marvel at her surroundings. Grassy fields surrounded her and in the distance there was a massive stone wall that surrounded what could only be Atlantis. From here the city seemed to resemble Troy from the movie.

Turning when she heard voices she saw a guard laughing as a clearly distraught girl cowered on the ground I’m the middle of scattered linens. Kennedy knew if she still had her slayer powers she would be growling when she saw the guard proceed to kick the servant.



“HEY!” she shouted walking over to the guard, “Leave her alone.” When she got to the pair she almost shrank back when she realized the Guard was a demon. Steeling her will she glared at the tall demon.



“You have no right to talk to me that way slave.” The demand snarled, revealing rows of big sharp teeth.



Years of slaying and motherhood had honed Kennedy’s poker face. “Slave or not I will beat your ass back to the devil.”



“Who?” the guard asked in confusion.



“Nothing.” Kennedy said, trying her best to stare down the guard. And she was guessing about the time she saw the oversized meaty fist coming towards her was when she REALLY regretted not being a slayer anymore.



Sasha’s going to kill me. Was the last clear thought she had as consciousness eluded her.





**********





Kennedy came awake slowly, her head felt like it was full of lead and yep…it was throbbing. Groaning she cracked open one eye and looked up to see Sasha staring down at her with a million emotions in her eyes. Panic, fury, concern and fear.



“Hey. Fancy seeing you here.” She quipped as she pulled herself into sitting position.

“Are you alright?” Sasha asked, if her head hadn’t hurt so badly Kennedy would have wondered at the strange tone to Sasha’s voice.



“Um, yea. Got whaled by this really ugly motherfu…” Kennedy trailed off when she saw said Guard standing a few feet behind Sasha smirking.



“You harassed a guard who you are beneath. Do you claim different?”



“What? No he was assaulting that girl.” Kennedy said defensively.



“That…that slave wasn’t your business. He is a citizen, you are not. Do you accept the punishment.” Sasha asked, her voice sounding firm but Kennedy caught the thin waver in its strength. At this point in time she really didn’t care.



“Punishment? What the hell do I get punished for?” She snapped. Okay she was pissed.



“You offended this guard who is your superior, as your Mistress I will punish you before Lady Petius.”



“THE HELL YOU WILL!” Kennedy snarled. Reeling when Sasha slapped her across the face.



“You will obey me or so help me you will be sold.” Sasha said staring earnestly into Kennedys eyes, suddenly the message was clear. She had gotten herself into more trouble and if she didn’t shut up and take whatever it was they were both royally fucked.



“Yes Mistress.” Kennedy winced at the way that sounded coming from her mouth.



“Good. Stand.” Sasha stood and stopped herself from helping the slayer stand as well.



Looking to the guard who she really wished she could kill for laying a hand on Kennedy she knew she had to pick the battles. “I will retire and serve the punishment.” Sasha made a grab for Kennedys arm when Petius cleared her throat. “Yes Lady.”



“You know who my mother is.” Petius stated.



“Yes of course.” Sasha answered.



“If she is not punished in the manner fitting a body slave I will know and be forced to do it myself.” Petius smiled coyly.



“Yes I know.” Sasha winced thinking of the headache that was going to begin the second that chamber door was closed.





***********************





Faith carefully lit the oil lamp and watched as the damp basement lit up. She had been here two days and in that time she had managed to clean most of the mess away, she had arranged a small cot in the corner of the room, after attaching chains to the wall she had laid her mate down carefully and fastened each wrist in the irons.



She had felt sick locking up her mate that way but after two days she could see the virus was making more obvious changes in her mate.



Rayas skin was paler than she had ever seen it, her skin was breaking out in the translucent veins and her gums were turning black.



Settling down on the ground beside her mate she watched Raya sleep on, after a moment she turned to the bag beside her and pulled out the .45 colt. The gun felt foreign and heavy in her palm. She knew it would do no good whatsoever to anything but her own skull if it came to that.



Forgetting the weapon she looked to Raya and remembered before all of this, before the virus before any of it. When life had been simple, easy.



Just being with Raya, raising the cubs. She smiled as she remembered David’s ascension ceremony. She smiled thinking back over the years, she had changed so much, and looking down at her hands she studied the engagement ring that Raya had given her all those years ago. It was still as brilliant today as it was the day she had put it on her finger.



“Soon it’ll be over.” Faith said out loud as she leaned her head against Rayas thigh, feeling connection through he simple touch. “I’m not going anywhere wolfie.”



TBC

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