Crossing The Line

All around him where his men, the ones worthy enough to be in his presence, the ones smart enough to have a chance of surviving, and the ones loyal enough to stand by his side unconditionally. Some of them were simply resting from the previous night's activities, while others were recupporating from a street brawl hours earlier, in the hours before dawn sat on her high throne.

"Master?" A tall, dark haired man bowed before him, awaiting permission to speak.

"What is it?" His thunderous voice boomed loudly in the underground of the winery, shaking the weak building, arousing the slumbering creatures.

The vampire before him jerked up, taking baby steps backward, intimated by the sheer raw power that emanated simply from his skin. "Sir, we found the slayer's scythe, tis hidden in her room in a chest under lock and key. We could not get to it uninvited. We need orders master."

"The slayer's scythe?...I know the perfect man for the job. Go now and bring me Angelus."

The vampire bowed again before getting on to carry out his masters will.

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Dawn had a look of total terror on her face, and she wasn't the only one. Faith and Kennedy were staring down upon the dread thing as if it were a vampire, a vampire they wished they could put down.

"If I die, I'm ganna be so pissed off at B." Faith's eye twitched, her body recoiled with tension and pose suggesting she would bolt any second.

Dawn shuddered, "You know, my girlfriend wouldn't like me dead."

"Screw this. You-you, you can't leave me alone with this one. If you do, you're an accomplice to murder." Kennedy stared wide eyed, a light sheen of sweat covering her skin.

Faith sighed, rolling her shoulders and neck, jumping up and down in place and boxing the air, gathering about her wit. "Hey we asked for it, and now we have it."

"Careful you wish for, you might just get it." Kennedy grumbled, already in a sour mood for fear her life would abruptly be stopped by the thing before her.

"Look at it, it's, it's a monster, it's worse than a monster, I don't have a word for it." Dawn poked at it, jumping back to steer clear.

"Alright. I'm going in," Faith announced, "and you two are coming with me."

"WHAT?!" The two girls beside her shouted in horrfied unison, both attempting to back away before it's too late.

"Come on," Faith coaxed, " if I'm ganna die, you two are coming with me. I will not journey alone to the underworld." She meant it as a joke, but look back upon the inferno thing, she knew she was serious.

"I have a better idea," Kennedy interrupted, "lets not and say we did, Buffy will never know."

Dawn gasped, a look of disbelief contorting her features, "Kennedy," she placed her hand over her heart, feigning distress, "I can not believe that you of all people came up with such diabolicly good plan, run!" She scampered out of the kitchen, the other girls on her heels.

"B's ganna kill for leaving her omlettes there, you know that right?" Faith panted, messing with the knob to the front door. They were heading to Magic Box and hopefully away from Buffy's wrath when she found out they'd deserted her breakfast.

"Yeah well, trust me, I'd rather die at the hands of my sister, it will be quick and painless. Now eating that, that thing, that would gurantee slow excrutiaiting pain that would leave you wishing for sweet sweet death."

Faith slammed the door shut, ushering the others down the sidewalk, "That's a little abrasive don't ya think pip squeak?"

Kennedy scoffed, her disdemenor back in place now that she had avoided death, "From what I've heard,that is putting it mildly."

Faith shook her head but chuckled none the less, hearing Dawn snicker into her hand.

She really did love her girlfriend to death, but it would be messed up if only she died, and at the hands of Buffy's omlettes none the less. Satan would be laughing at her when she got to hell, and then she would have to kick his ass and probably get damned even more. No, the best anyone could do was steer clear of Buffy's cooking.

"So Faith, spill, give me some dating 101." Dawn bumped shoulders with a little smirk.

"I don't date."

"What do you call what you're doing then hot shot?"

"I call it, I'm in love with your sister."

Dawn took a second to smile at Faith, the girl really had changed for the better, and she was glad Buffy had finally found someone who would stick by her forever, no matter what. It made her happy to see Buffy so content, nothing could ruin her spirits anymore, she was just so full of life whenever she was around Faith, and vice versa. They were ying and yang, they completed each other. She hoped one day she could find someone like that.

"I'll help you out kiddo." Kennedy offered.

"Alright." Dawn nodded eagerly, Kennedy had been into chicks all her life, so was bound to have a smooth move or two up those leather sleeves. Leather sleeves, should she get a leather jacket? Rayne loved leather just as much Faith, or Kennedy, or Buffy even, maybe more.

"So first thing is, you have to woe, but I'm guessing Rayne's doing the woeing?" At Dawn's nod, she continued, "Well okay. There's telling her sweet things, buying her the stuff she likes, doing the stuff she likes to do together, there's going out, and then there's sweet, hot, intense sex. Which do you wanna do first?"

"Um hello? Kid's sister's girlfriend over here?"

"What? You won't help her, so let me."

"Okay if sex talk is what you meant, well I can teach you a few moves that drive B up the wall, literally." Faith wiggles her brows suggestively.

"Oh god, I'm ganna be sick." Dawn covers her mouth, shoving open the door to the Magic Box, the bell at the top announcing their arrival.

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Anya was happily counting the money in the cash register, oblivious to anything but the green paper that got her what she wanted. Every now and again Giles would sigh in defeat, wondering why he gave ownership of half of the store to her, but he had been parting for the mother country in a hurry, he really hadn't thought about it...


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Dawn did not miss the look of sorrow on Giles' face as they entered. Everything was so familiar in the magic shop, in fact, she half expected Anya to come jumping out of the training room, carrying boxes or an inventory. But as she walked past the counter and situated herself on the couch, the ex vengence demon did not pop out of anywhere.

Giles cleared his throat as he followed the young women to the table in the back of his shop. He was never truly comfortable with young wild girls, but after sticking with Buffy so many years, he'd learned not to be such a 'tweed', as Faith called him. But still he couldn't help it, and old habits died hard. As Faith settled into a chair, and Kennedy practically sat on her lap trying to squeeze in, he removed his spotless glasses and began the task of making them impecable.


Buffy grunted, kicking and punching the bag hung on chains inside the training room. The poor thing looked like one more hit would disenbowl it, but she didn't care. She was too fustrated, and too jumpy to just stop such an intense routine she had worked herself into.

She leapt into the air a good three feet before snapping her leg out and catching the top part of the bag with her thigh, the other foot kicking out and sweeping the bottom. Reaching the ground, she ducked then swung a right hook into its side, her fist burying deep into the material, nearly ripping it. Snatching her hand back, she jutted out her knee, destroying the bag's midsection. And with one final roundhouse, the bag flew off of the chain, landing rather loudly against the weapons shelf.

She panted, her face a mask of fierce rage, sweat rolling off of her like a river. She glared at the bag, she wasn't ready to stop, she was too fired up, she was only getting started.

"Damn," she said under her breath. She was really riled up. But who wouldn't be? Her friends and she had barely avoided becoming seriously dead with the first. They had all been injured horribly at some point, and they'd lost too many people. She thought everything having to do with the first evil was over.

But no, here it was again, somehow managing to disturb her in her best moments. It snuck up into her body and blanketed her with fear and sorrow and despair. It wasn't the first she would be fighting, but it was its henchman, and the hellgod at that.

Last time she'd faced him she'd barely made it, and it scared her. That and, it seemed to bring about a bout of bad luck. Her mother had died, Riely had left, Glory had come to take Dawn away, she'd died again, been brought back, Anya had become a vengence demon again, and then the first had decided to show up.

So was it really that much of a surprise that she was so wired up, she could blow at any second?

"Have to keep a clear head." She told herself, grabbing a towel and drying herself off. Lifting the bag, she placed it against the wall, making a mental note to ask Xander to fix the chain or replace the bag, she left the training room, relieved to find that her friends had already gathered in the Magic Shop.

"Hey B." Faith waved at her, smiling brightly and patting her leg.

Buffy shook her head, but smiled at her girl. Never in a million years would she had thought she and Faith would be together. But it was good, Faith had made her feel alive again, and she could never thank the girl enough.

Strutting over to the couch, she straddled her lap, pushing her head back against the couch and kissing her deeply, making her moan softly into her mouth.

"Uh hem, yes well, now that we're done saying hello," Giles started, his face a beet red.

"No, no. Let them say hello Giles." Xander watched, his eye wide, mouth hanging slightly open. "I love hellos."

Buffy smirked into the kiss, biting down on Faith's tongue before releasing her. Faith groaned, wrapping her arms around the older slayer's waist, missing the contact. Buffy placed a hand over hers, sitting up straight and sliding over to the side.

"Okay well, is everyone here?" She asked.

"Willow's doing research on the computer, she said she'd be over here in a few minutes so to go ahead and start." Xander informed them all, smiling at Kennedy when a look of longing crossed her.

"Right then. Okay, so I dusted a few vamps on the way over here, but I did manage to get a little intel. The story is that Omega is planning to reopen the hellmouth, but to do so he needs black magic and someone to weild the magic, someone powerful. I'm thinking we might have a list of one suspect."

"Willow," Giles whispered, one hand tucked in his pocket while the other rubbed at his chin thoughtfully.

"Well then there's nothing to worry about." Xander leapt to his feet, finally having something productive to say.

"How do you figure Xan-man?"

"Well, come on, Willow would never help this big bad, so his plan was basically screwed the second he started leaning towards black magic." Xander concluded, doing his snoopy dance, much to Dawn's amusement.

"Not quite Xander," Giles twirled at his non exsistent beard, looking deep in thought. "Willow's not the only one with powerful magic. Although she is one of the stronger ones. If he can't get to Willow, it's only a matter of time until he finds someone else."

Xander was about to pitch in his two cents worth when the door bell jingled again. Everyone turned to face in the general direction of the door. There was a squeal of excitement when two figures stepped out into their area.

"Rayne!" Dawn gasped, her excitement gone as she noticed all the lacerations on her face.

"Hey," she smiled weakly, looking edgey, "um, do you guys know, Angel?" she asked, pointing to the vampire trying to put out the small flames all over himself.

"Do we, Angel what are you doing here?" Buffy questioned him, her eyes ticking to the little flames all over his body, finding it amusing as he hopped around, cursing under his breath. It took several more swats, but eventually he put them all out. Straightening out his leather trenchcoat, he stood up tall, smiling broadly.

"Buffy, it's good to see you again." He approached her, arms extended for a hug.

Buffy looked at Angel as if he were crazy, a brow arched slowly. "Um, yeah, what are you doing here?"

Angel shrugged, dropping his hands, "Right. I'm here to tell you that Omega is back, and he's looking for you."

"Um, yeah, we know that Soulboy," Faith stood to greet him. She extended her hand, "Hi Angel."

Angel looked at her hand, then up to her face before taking her hand and giving it a firm shake, "Faith. You have no idea how happy I am to see you."

"Um..." Rayne shifted nervously, shooting glances at Dawn to try and get her attention.

Dawn shot up from her seat, reaching out for her girlfriend tentivly, "Oh man, baby what happened?" she asked her, wrapping her arm around hers and leading her to her previous seat. Sitting her down, she took a look over her, it didn't look life threatening, but hospital worthy none the less.

It was now that everyone decided to pay attention to the injured girl. Faith went to the back of the counter, retrieveing a first aid kit, and handing it Buffy, she was better with the patching up.

"Oww," she hissed as Buffy dabbed at a cut on her neck, wincing every five seconds.

"Sorry," Buffy apologized, making an attempt to be more gentle.

She was still shocked with Rayne, she had never meet a vampire like her before in her life. It was cool though, a vampire that could walk in the sun, could drink holy water and play with crosses. The only thing that might be a problem every now and again was the fact that her fangs were always out, nd her face never morphed, that was an added bonus.

How Dawn had happened across the young girl, was an mystery, but she content that she had. She had never seen her little sister happier.

Faith continued observing the young vampiress, they were good friends, and as good friends she had come to read the girl very well. Right the girl was coiled like a spring, the way she seat showed a defensivness and she looked very protective of Dawn. Something was bothering the girl, she kept stealing little looks at Angel, she could swear she saw her bare her fangs at him.

"Soul Angel, how do you know Rayne?" She asked, deciding to poke around a little and find out just what was unnerving the young girl.

"We met last night at Willy's. I was there looking to hear the word and I guess Rayne was too."

"So what happened then?"

Angel shrugged, "I got attacked, she helped me out but got a good beating for it."

Rayne scoffed, hanging her head, he was playing them like guitar hero, pressing all the right buttons to win. She wanted to say something, but he knew how she ticked, everyone in the room would be dead if she spoke, so kept quiet. "So what are we going to do?"

Buffy patted her shoulder, feeling bad when the girl groaned in pain, "Sorry," she grinned sheepishly. "Well I suggest we all split up, go look around town, see if we can spot anything going down, and then we'll meet back at my place tonight, eight o clock, that sound good?"

Everyone nodded their agreement, everyone but Rayne.

"Um actually, I was planning on taking Dawn out for dinner tonight if you don't mind." So it was a lie, but there was no way in hell she was letting her girl sit in the same room with Angelus after dark.

"I don't think that's such a good idea. There's danger out there, and with you hurt, I don't think I want to risk you taking my little Dawnie out after dark." Angel smirked, wrapping his arms around Dawn in a tight embrace. It did not go unnoticed by Rayne as he took a sniff from Dawn's neck.

"He's right."

"What?" Rayne vaulted from her seat, ignoring the tugging feeling in her side, "But Buffy, you know I'll protect Dawn." She didn't want to admit it, but she was pleading, and she wouldn't care if it came down to begging.

"Hey," Faith placed a hand on her shoulder, "it's not just pip squeak we're worried about kid, it's you too. You're hurt. I have no doubt you'd protect Dawn, but who's going to protect you? Just go home with her right now, that way you'll have a good two hours to youself."

Rayne tried to swallow back the acidy bile rising from her throat, Angelus would be going there, noone would be safe. She was about to protest, when Dawn grabbed her arm and started dragging her towards the door.

"Okay then, we'll see you tonight. Are you going Angel?"

"Count on it." He caught Rayne's eye, a flash of yellow peeking out.

"Alright then," Faith clapped her hands together excitedly, looking almost giddy, "Kennedy, Willow, you two hit the wharf. Giles, Xander, you guys hit downtown. B and I will get the cemetery. Soulboy you might want to stay here til further notice. Just head on over to the house when the sun goes down okay?"

"Definately."

"Well okay," Faith started for the door, holding Buffy's hand tightly, "see you then."

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AN: Sup guys, hope you're enjoying the story so far, and um remember, my muse likes reviews, so drop one or two, I'd really appreciate it.