Genesis

Well it's finally arrived... I know I said months ago that I was gonna update... Well here it is.... "ahhh whats my excuse for the lack of updates" I hear you all ask, well I hope you have plenty of tissues.... My longterm relationship of 6 years finally came to an end... ;_; yea I know. Well I'm finally getting things in order... PROZAC is my friend.... anyway... enough of my self pitying.


Thank you to everyone who have been hanging in there and showing all the support... you've helped me through some rough times.

Please keep reviewing this, I'm trying my best to get back on top of things and well I would appreciate some TLC from you all.


Ok so without further delay.....

HERE IT IS


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Chapter 35

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Giles stepped out of the Hummer turning to help the devastated Slayer out of the back he placed his arm around her waist for support and felt as she seemed to try to bury herself in him.

Kennedy remained in the back with Willow as Wesley helped James into the house. Willow was in shock, they had all heard the anguished cry of her best friend earlier and she couldn’t get the picture of the petite blonde as she kneeled on the concrete staring at the deserted street out of her mind.

Kennedy sat holding Willow close, she was going over the fight in her head, there had to have been a different way to do things. When Buffy and Willow had taken James out her and Faith began to tag team the demons. But something happened she couldn’t work out what it was but all of a sudden they weren’t fighting back to back anymore, Kennedy found herself in the hall of the apartment block fighting off two of the demons.

She was sure that she had heard Faith still fighting in the apartment but had to keep fighting her own demons, she had managed to break one of the demons necks and knock the other one out just as she reached the exit.

That was the last thing she could remember, but there was something missing, how had she ended up in the hall? She was fighting back to back with Faith in the apartment, she wasn’t even nearest the door, Faith was. She sighed heavily and began to go over it again for the hundredth time, there had to be something she hadn’t noticed before.

Willow was calming slightly in her lover’s warm embrace, Faith being taken had affected her more than she ever realised it would. Years ago Willow wouldn’t have battered and eyelid if Faith had been kidnapped or even killed, but now since the Dark Slayer had been back she was beginning to see past the mask of indifference to the person to the soul beneath.

Faith was beginning to open up to them all, and Willow knew that it was mostly down to her relationship with Buffy. Buffy had shown Faith that she had trust in her, that her opinions matter and in turn Faith had begun to trust Buffy and the rest of them. Buffy had told Willow that Faith had opened up a little when they went for their picnic, she hadn’t elaborated saying that when Faith was ready she would tell people.

Willow’s mind just kept playing her pictures of how Buffy was curled in a ball sobbing by the time she reached her. She was reminded of the time that Glory had taken Dawn and how it had affected the blonde, she wasn’t catatonic this time but Willow was afraid that she could slip at any moment.

She had held the blonde as she cried, trying to remember spells or incantations to be able to locate Faith and follow them, but she failed, she couldn’t remember anything the whole situation had thrown her a loop and for some reason she jumped on for the ride.

Shifting her weight a little more into the tight embrace of her lover something slipped off her lap and made a thud as hit the floor.

“What the fuck?” Kennedy jumped.

“Shit I forgot.” Willow began. “Before Faith joined the fight she got the book to me and told me to make it invisible, which as you can see, or well, maybe not see I did, and then I had to get James outta there, and then with the you not coming out, then the you coming out, then Buffy going in and then with FAITH, I forgot.”

“Will, calm down Honey, breath, you’re gonna give yourself a heart attack.” Kennedy tried to make sense of the babble that had just left her girlfriends lips.

Taking a moment Willow breathed deeply trying to calm down. In the haste of the situation she had forgotten that she had the book.

“So where is it?” Kennedy asked looking to see if she could find the book.

“It’s invisible silly, you can’t see it.” Willow teased.

“I know that, so make it visible or something.” The brunette threw her lover a lopsided grin, happy now that she seemed to be back in the land of the living.

Willow muttered a few unintelligible words and looked down as a glowing light began to appear on the floor. Kennedy’s eyes were drawn to the light watching as the book seemed to appear from nowhere.

“I think we better take this inside.” Willow suggested reaching down and retrieving the book.

“Yep I guess we better.” The brunette replied, not really wanting to go into the house, she knew the others would be upset and angry at what had happened and partly because she was blaming herself for not going back in to help Faith after she had dealt with her demons.

*****

Dawn came crashing through the front door at speed, Xander had relayed what had happened and she couldn’t get to her sister fast enough. She knew that Buffy would be devastated. She had been watching how the relationship between the Slayers had been blossoming in the short time they had been together and knew how her sister felt about the Dark Slayer.

She rushed into the library knowing that is where everyone would be, the SIT’s following her curiosity getting the better of them. She stopped dead in her tracks as her eyes fell on the petite blonde. To say she was shocked at what she saw would be an understatement.

Buffy was currently pacing back and forth ranting and raving in a tirade throwing her arms around in wide sweeping gestures. This was the last thing Dawn had expected to see, she had been expecting to see her sister in shock or something.

Angel had focussed on the door to the library as soon as he heard the front door crash open, he knew it would be Dawn so he stood in silent observation. She had come rushing into the room as he knew she would he watched her as her expression turned from one of worry and concern to just plain confused.

“Hey Dawnie.” He approached.

“Oh, hi Angel.” The teen turned towards the vampire. “Ah, what’s going on? I thought Faith had been taken.”

“She has been.” He lowered his head, wishing he could have been there to help protect them.

“Then what the hell is wrong with her?” Dawn asked still confused at how her older sister was reacting.

“Well let’s just say never kidnap a Slayers’ girlfriend.” Angel said with a knowing smile.

“Ah, so this is pissed off Buffy, I think I get it.” Dawn smiled back grateful that her sister was going to be ok, well for the time being anyway she didn’t want to think about what would happen if anything bad were to happen to Faith.

Walking further into the room she observed the other members of their strange family, Willow and Kennedy were both sorting through boxes of books. Xander and Andrew were cataloguing them onto the computer then passing them to Cordelia and Anya who were arranging them in the stacks, they had quite a good little production line going.

Giles and Wesley were hunched over an ancient looking book with other reference books scattered across the table in front of them. Spike and Ami were sat on one of the large sofas watching with amusement as the petite blonde carried on with her muted muttering.

“Buffy, you wanna stop with the pacing, your making me wanna hurl.” Dawn asked she was getting tired of the her sisters, one, two, three, then turn, one, two, three then turn.

“Huh?” Buffy turned on hearing a familiar voice calling her name.

On seeing who had broken her train of thought on how to get Faith back she rushed to close the distance between them and pulled her sister into a fierce embrace.

“Oh thank god your safe.” She stated pulling back a little and raising her hands to cup both sides of her sister’s face.

“I’m fine Buff, now tell me what the fuck is going on.”

“DAWN!!” Buffy yelled. “Where did you get that from?”

“Ah, Faith actually.” Dawn shrugged a little while lowering her head, waiting for Buffy to begin her lecture on swearing.

Buffy’s eyes went wide when she heard her sister use the ‘F’ word and no not Faith, she was shocked at first but when Dawn had said she’d heard it from Faith she found it quite amusing, she had told Faith off countless times about swearing in front of Dawn but she continued to do it, well now she had proof that Dawn is an impressionable teen.

Dawn was beginning to get worried, it was always worse if Buffy thought about her lectures before she started them. She was shocked when she heard a giggle escape the blonde. She looked back up and saw as her sister was trying her hardest not to laugh, she smirked at the sight making the blonde snort and in turn that made her laugh. Before they could help it the sisters started laughing it was weird that even in with the current situation that they were able to see the funny side of things.

Finally gathering herself together Buffy motioned for her sister to follow her. Dawn joined Buffy on the sofa opposite Spike and Ami, she calmed herself ready to hear an explanation.

“Ok, well before Faith was taken.” Buffy paused gathering her thoughts. “She managed to get the book to Willow. That’s what Giles and Wesley are working on, we’re hoping that they can translate the text so we can find out if we can stop the rituals.”

“But what about Faith? You can’t tell me we’re not gonna go find her, they could have done anything to her by now.” The young brunette spoke hurriedly.

She had always liked Faith, even back in the day. Well the monks had given her those memories and the feelings that she felt, but Faith had never once tried to hurt her even tough she had plenty of opportunity. When Faith went to the Mayor it had hit Dawn hard, she didn’t want to believe that she would be capable of things that the Mayor asked of her.

“Oh don’t worry Dawnie, I’m gonna get her back.” The blonde was determined, no-one messes with her loved ones.

“But how? I mean do you know where they’ve taken her?”

“No, I have no idea, but Willow’s going to do a location spell and we hope that we can find her that way.” The blonde paused again not wanting to think about the but.

“But…there’s a but isn’t there?” Dawn asked cautiously.

“Yeah Dawn there’s a but.” Buffy lowered her head. “We think they might know a little magic.”

“What do you mean think?”

“Well, when me and Willow got James out Kennedy and Faith stayed behind still fighting the demons. They were fighting back to back from how Ken describes it and then she found herself and two of the demons out in the hallway. They only explanation would be magic.” Buffy tried to relay the story as best she could.

“Oh, so that means the location spell wont work.” Dawn nodded in understanding.

“Don’t worry Slayer ,‘Bit, we’ll find her.” Spike offered his support.

He was fighting the urge to wrap Buffy in his arms and tell her everything was going to be alright, but he had to resign himself to standing back and offering support as best he could.

Part of him had hoped that there would be a small possibility that he would have another chance with the petite blonde but he could see how much she loved the other Slayer. It was all over her face when she looked at the Dark Slayer or when she was talking about her, her hazel eyes glistened with emotion every time the brunette caught her gaze.

He wasn’t blind he could see it, sure it hurt, it hurt a damn lot but all he wanted was for Buffy to be happy and if that was with Faith then they had his blessings. But Faith had better be careful cause there was no way she would ever get away with hurting the blonde or the little bit.

“Thanks Spike.” Buffy smiled at him.

She knew that he still had feelings for her, and part of her wished she could feel half as much for him but she couldn’t, she had found the person who had been missing from her life. Faith had filled a great void in Buffy that no one had ever come close to doing before. Angel had been close for a while but with their situation it would never have worked out. Looking back now did she ever really want it to work out, or was it just something that had felt safe at the time, having the knowledge that they could never give full commitment to each other.

She had been scared of giving Riley full commitment too she had wanted the normal kind of relationship with someone normal. That hadn’t turned out to plan, but even with his knowledge of the things that go bump in the night there was still something missing. She supposed that’s part of the reason she let him go, sure she’d tried to catch him before he left but Xander’s words to her had made some sense at the time.

She had always been looking for what was missing with her relationships never at what she already had. Xander had made her see that, Riley was a good guy and he had given up a lot for her, he was willing to give up everything for her. In a way she’s grateful now that she never caught that helicopter, it truth it would never would have worked between them, he wouldn’t of handled things, he didn’t understand the Slayer in her.

Faith understood it all, she knew exactly how it felt to be a Slayer. Faith had understood and accepted it a long time ago, while Buffy was busy complaining about not being able to have a normal life Faith would be out searching for another nest to take out, she had always been an action kind of girl.

“Well I suppose I’d better go help the others.” Dawn offered, there was obviously nothing she could do until Willow did the location spell and she had to keep busy.

Buffy nodded in understanding, she was frustrated beyond belief. Willow had offered to do the location spell but they were waiting for sundown so that Angel and Spike would be able to go with them.

She stood and made her way out of the library, she needed to be alone for a while. She had managed to hold herself together for everyone but inside she was beginning to break.

Angel followed silently behind the petite blonde wanting to make sure that she was going to be ok.

“Buffy, are you ok, I mean really ok?” He asked with concern making her stop.

“No, not really, but I will be. I just, I just need some alone time.” She turned and offered a reassuring smile at her one time love.

“Ok, but if you need anything, and I mean anything just call.” The vampire offered and turned to join the others back in the library.

Buffy stood for a while looking at the empty space where Angel had just been, her mind a jumble of thought but the worst part was the pain she felt. No one was more shocked than she was when she realised how she felt about the beautiful brunette, but as always just as things seem to be working out for her the world seems to have a way of turning her life upside down.

Turning dejectedly towards the stairs she ascended them in a daze, reaching her apartment she grasped the handle. Opening the door slowly she took slow steps inside, as soon as she entered her senses were invaded by everything and everything reminded her of Faith.

She could smell her perfume that she wore, her eyes fell on the leather jacket that had been thrown on one of the chairs. She walked over and picked up the jacket lifting it to her face, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. It was everything Faith, from the smell of the soft leather to her perfume to the unmistakable aroma that was pure Faith.

Slipping her arms into the jacket she pulled it around herself trying anything to be able to feel her girlfriends warmth. She made her way out onto the balcony and ascended the steps to the roof, the sun was making it’s way across the horizon it would soon be dark enough for them to take action.

Settling down against the stone turret she looked across the garden they had created, a sad smile graced her face as she thought she may never get to experience this with Faith ever again. The garden had been their sanctuary away from the hubbub of the rest of the house, it was their little piece of the world. They would sit for hours Faith on the big lounge chair with Buffy between her legs snuggled together holding each other.

Buffy closed her eyes picturing the way Faith moved when she did her Tai-Chi routines, fluid, graceful yet strong movement of limbs she almost seemed to flow with the air around her. Buffy loved to watch her as she performed the ancient art, it was nothing more than breathtaking on times. But the best was when they practised together, each in tune with the other, eyes closed, breathing equal, each move performed with eerie synchronicity.

Letting her mind wander with the thought of her lover Buffy slowly drifted to sleep, the day finally taking its toll and her body and mind finally relenting.

*****

Cold there was nothing but cold, the darkness bearing down its weight on her whole being her soul crying out for light and warmth but nothing came. Her body broken her mind numb trying to block out the pain, eyes swollen shut, lips cut and bleeding.

Beginning to drift back from the blackness that had held her, her body began to scream with pain. Her left arm stuck out at an odd angle and the bone was protruding just below the elbow where her captors had broken it during their ‘interigation’.

She tried to concentrate her mind trying to find her centre in a hope to dull the pain. She was having trouble as her mind kept playing over what had happened, she was remembering back to James’ apartment from the time she dropped in on the fight.

She remembered watching Willow help James out and then Buffy joining them leaving only her and Kennedy against five demons. They had been fighting well, they had been back to back and getting in quite a few good hits, then everything changed, something had hit her from behind knocking her into the two demons in front of her.

She had managed to check out Kennedy’s progress while continuing to fight them off but she couldn’t see her or the demons she had been fighting. Instead she saw a tall hooded figure, she could make out a pair of glowing eyes coupled with a feral grin.

Those eyes still burned in her memory the strange glow piercing her to the core. Then everything had gone black, the next thing she could remember was being in a dark cell that reminding her of the time she spent in solitary in prison but that was another story. It was cold and damp, there was only a little light to aid her vision the walls were solid stone and the small amount of light making the moisture sparkle against the blackness.

The large solid door swung in to the coldness of the cell revealing the hooded figure to her once again. She began to rise unsteadily to her feet readying herself for whatever was to come.

Her muscles tensed as the hooded figure walked towards her, she could make out the same piercing eyes she had witnessed earlier but the rest of the features were shrouded in darkness from the hood and lack of light in the damp cell.

Faith pulled her right hand into a fist grimacing against the pain that shot through her arm, the hooded figure walked closer to her almost arms length away, she waited for an opening she just needed to be a little closer and she would unleash the power currently building in her body.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you childe.” Said the deceptively sweet voice invading her.

“Oh yeah, and why the fuck not?” As usual there was a certain bravado clear in her voice.

“Well childe, I would have you unconscious before you could raise your fist to elbow height.”

Faith stepped back a little, now wary of her foe. She still hadn’t worked out how she had been overpowered but magic was definitely an option. She looked on wearily as her captor raised her arms and lowered the hood and allowed it to flow down her back, revealing the person or demon beneath.

“And what make you so sure of that? And who the hell are you anyway?” Faith was becoming frustrated, she was never one to have patience. Shaking her head slightly trying to focus her gaze, she looked hard at the ‘thing’ in front of her, was it a Demon was it Human, she was having trouble.

“Who I am is no concern of yours Childe.” Came the sickly sweet voice once more. “And I am sure that in your present condition you already know the reason why I am sure that I could take you out without even blinking.”

Faith had to give her that one, she was still trying to figure out what had happened. Everything was scrambled in her head, she couldn’t work anything out, all she knew was that she was in pain. Her mind flashed back once again, Buffy what if she hadn’t got away, what if she was held captive here, what if she was just as injured if not worse than Faith herself?

Feeling the anxiety start to build inside Faith tried once again to find her center trying to calm herself, if Buffy had escaped she didn’t want to give the Demons any information. But she did not know if she had already said anything, she was trying as hard as she could to remember what had happened after Buffy and Will had left the room.

“You are strong Childe, many have not survived the punishment that you have suffered.” The voice brought her back to reality once more. “But you will tell us what we need to know, everyone has their breaking point.” And with that final word Faith’s captor turned and walked back out of her cell leaving her more confused than before.

“Well that was interesting.” Faith said to the blackness, she stood in the same defensive pose for a while but finally collapsed to the floor once more when her body could take no more. She hurt, fuck it hurt like a bitch, but there was no way she was going to give in to whoever it is that had her.


*****
TBC

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Well what do you all think, please let me know.... you're all I got now.