The Nightstalkers

The Nightstalkers (4/?)

The lounge was large, the size of her mom’s crib back in Boston, with plenty of leather couches for its users to lounge on, and grilles on its probably bullet-proof windows. Its floor was covered in a cream carpet so thick and soft it was like walking on air.

“Hello, I’m Wesley Whyhdham-Pryce; this rather large gentleman is Charles Gunn, LA demon hunter, and Faith Lehane, my Slayer.”

“I’m Xander Harris,” a grey-streaked, line-faced man that had to be twenty years older than the rest of the resistance fighters stepped forward, a blood-drenched dressing stuck to his thick neck. Faith recognised him as the man who’d collapsed into her arms.

”Ah! Mr Harris!” Wesley looked towards her. “Faith, this is the young man who started the second Slayer line!” Faith raised an eyebrow, so he had to be about the same age as the rest of them, his life must have been wicked hard. “It’s an honour to make your acquaintance. Mr Giles’ diaries were most complimentary about you.”

“Oh, I thought fashion victim Buffy was bad enough, but now we’ve got trailer trash Slayer.” Faith’s eyes narrowed as she heard the giggled comment and picked out its speaker, a pretty if vacant-looking blonde. There’d be time to deal with her later.

“However,” she realised the Watcher was still droning on, “I understood your ‘Scooby’ gang was much smaller.”

“It was,” hearing the hurt in the resistance leader’s voice, Faith suddenly understood that it was his pain that had aged him. “After he’d killed Buffy, Ripper attacked the high school through the tunnels beneath it, probably hoping to kill all those she’d known. Dozens died, but some of the survivors volunteered to join me and Cordy in fighting Ripper.”

“What are the names scratched in the wall behind you?” Gunn suddenly interrupted.

The young man looked down, his eyes growing even more sorrowful. “That’s our wall of remembrance – Jesse, Miss Calendar, Buffy, Kendra, everyone who’s fought and fallen has their names scratched there.”

Faith figured that’d be a great comfort to their corpses. “Well that’s moving,” her Watcher commented. Sad thing was the sap wasn’t jokin’, she was expecting tears any second. “But perhaps you could introduce us to your live cohorts.”

“Oh right,” the young man unconsciously raised his hand to the bandaged side of his neck before continuing. “Jonathan you’ve already met, he’s our electronic whiz and gadgets guy.”

Faith glanced towards the short teen. “Gadgets guy?”

The young man reddened at her attention. “I’ve invented some weapons to fight vampires.”

“Yeah?” Faith raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t mind seeing them some time.”

The boy’s blush deepened. “I…I’ll show you them a…any time you want.”

Faith grinned. She just bet he would. “This is Cordelia,” Xander continued with a look towards a striking brunette, “my girlfriend.” Faith’s brow furrowed, girl that hot with the sort of clothes she wore had to be slumming it with him. Either that or she was a thrill-seeker. “This is Amy Madison, our witch and research whiz,” Xander’s gaze moved from the Wicca to an Oriental-looking girl, “this is Joy.” Finally he turned towards the group’s other boys. “That’s Frederick Iverson, former editor of our school paper, Michael Cjajak, he’s a warlock, Devon, he used to front the biggest band in Sunnydale,” like that was an accomplishment, Faith smirked, “and they’re Owen, Scott, Percy, and Larry,” the resistance leader finished.

”Don’t forget me!” harped the blonde.

From the look on Harris’ face, he’d dearly love to. “And this is Harmony.”

“Honoured to meet you all,” Wesley nodded.

“Yeah,” Faith drawled with all the insincerity she could manage. “It’s been a real highlight for me too.” She cast a caustic look around. “All these resources, people, and all you seem to do is squat.”

An angry mutter circulated around the room and Xander glared at her. “We’re facing close to a hundred vampires here alone, four of which are amongst the world’s most feared Masters. And what about you?” the young man sneered. “It’s over two years since the last Slayer came here. What have you been doing? Working on your embroidery?”

“Embroidery? How about,” Faith smiled sweetly, “I rip YOUR prick off and shove it up YOUR ass?”

Eyes glittering, the young man opened his mouth to retort. “Xander, why don’t you tell us more about the forces you face? We already know about Ripper and Angelus, but perhaps you could inform us about the other vampires and their habits?”

“Fine,” Harris tore his gaze away from her and to her Watcher. “Near as we can tell it Angelus is Ripper’s no 2.”

“English said Angelus was a player,” Gunn interrupted. “Any tension between the two, something we could maybe work on?”

“Oh there’s tension,” Xander’s smile was like ice. “But Ripper kicked Angelus’ ass big time when he rose.”

“Oh yeah,” Xander’s main squeeze chirped in, “Angelus used to be serious eye-candy, not any more.”

“And the other Masters under Ripper’s command?” Wesley asked.

“Penn, one of Angelus’ childes and Mr. Trick,” Faith shuddered. “Met him?” Faith nodded at Harris question.

“And what of Drusilla and Spike?” Wesley hurriedly put in, her Watcher saving her from having to answer any further questions about her past with Trick. “I understand they were working with Angelus before Ripper rose?”

“They were,” Harris confirmed with a nod. “But from what we understand, Ripper couldn’t stand Dru, something about her ramblings,” Xander smiled wryly. “As someone who’d met Dru, I can definitely sympathise. But Ripper knew if he moved against Dru, he’d have to kill Spike too. So he sent Spike on some decoy mission,” the Sunnydaler broke off to stare at a suddenly grimacing Watcher, “what?”

“The mission was the wiping out of the Council.”

“Oh,” Harris stared at Wesley for a long second before continuing. “Once Spike had left Sunnydale, he had Angelus and Penn kill Dru. When Spike returned, Ripper, Angelus, Penn, and Trick ambushed and killed him.”

“Very cunning,” Wesley sighed, worry lines forming on his forehead. “And are there any other significant notable vampires? Competition?”

“Competition?” Xander chuckled and shook his head. “A girl by the name of Sunday arrived in town with maybe half a dozen childes. She thinks she’s someone, but the moment she annoys Ripper too much, he’ll squash her like an ant.” The young man paused. “There are two other notable vampires in Ripper’s crew though. When Ripper made his move for underworld domination, Wolfram & Hart sent one of their brightest and best to negotiate a truce with him. A lady lawyer by the name of Lillah. To show he wasn’t interested in sharing, Ripper turned her. She now runs the administrative side of his empire.”

“Oh really?” Wesley chuckled.

“Got a plan, Wes?” Faith asked. He mightn’t be worth shit in a fight, but her Watcher could plan.

“The beginnings of one,” Wesley turned to Xander, “does this Lillah have any notable powers?”

“Legs to die for but last year’s fashion sense,” Cordelia replied.

“He meant things that were actually useful, cheerleader,” Faith put in. The taller brunette eye-balled her. Faith grinned, girl had moxie.

“She’s just more intelligent than most vampires,” Xander hurriedly interrupted. “And then there’s Ethan Rayne.”

“Ethan Rayne? He’s here?” Wesley gasped.

”Yeah,” Xander nodded. “Seems old Ethan had a jones for power. So he came here to get some, only Ripper turned him immediately.”

“And all these vamps, wanna tell us about their habits and stuff?” Bored of leaning against the door, Faith dropped into a chair opposite Harmony and winked slowly. The blonde coloured and looked away, confirming Faith’s suspicions.

”Yeah,” Xander nodded. “They don’t hunt in town unless they’re looking for someone or something specific. Ripper doesn’t like the attention.”

“How do they feed then?” Gunn asked.

“Ripper’s out of town underlings send him ‘tribute’,” Xander grimaced. “Basically runaways snatched from the streets of America’s major cities. Only the best mind. If Ripper isn’t happy, you’re dust.”

“Nice,” Faith couldn’t prevent a shudder. If she hadn’t been Called, that could have been her fate.

“Yeah,” Xander agreed. “His major base is The Bronze, he has other places, but they’re all heavily guarded.”

“We’ll need a list so we can recon.” Xander’s mouth opened, but Faith pre-empted him. “They won’t see me.” Xander shrugged. “What about the players, their likes\dislikes?”

“Your choice.” Xander looked towards Jonathan. “Intel guy.”

Jonathan reddened as every eye turned to him. Faith grinned, his shyness was kinda cute. “Ripper runs a tight ship, mess up once and you best change your name and run. Try and betray him and it’s even worse.” The youth shuddered and looked towards her. “No-one’s allowed to kill a Slayer, they have to be brought to him. He likes to play with them. He also likes us, gets a kick out of our efforts. Angelus hates Ripper but hasn’t got a powerbase to move against him. His tastes runs to innocents – babies, virgins, priests, that sort of thing. Penn is fanatically loyal to Angelus. He nuttier than any of them, has a thing for families. But when he gets the urge, Ripper has him leave town to do it. Trick, we understand he was a slave turned by his owner two hundred years ago,” Wesley nodded, “he hates white people. Ethan’s a real toady for Ripper, he likes to do magical experimentation on people. Lillah works out of an office on 17th Street, she goes for pretty girls.”

“Doesn’t kill them though,” Amy commented. “Just disfigures them, cuts or burns their faces off, gouges out their eyes and then lets them go.”

“Okay,” Faith muttered, “that’s sick.”

“Is that it” Jonathan nodded at Wes’ question. “Then I suggest we retire?”

Xander nodded. “Jonathan could you show Gunn and Faith to the guest wing.” The resistance leader looked at Wes. “I think there’s stuff we need to talk about.”

* * *

“This is your room, Mr. Gunn and yours is next door, Faith.”

“Yeah,” Faith grinned at the youth, “question is though,” she gently bumped the youth with her hip, “where’s your room?” She slowly licked her lips. “You know, just in case I need you for anything later. A girl can get lonely.”

Jonathan reddened and backed away. “Um, just down the hallway. Bye.”

Faith chuckled in her throat. Damn, that was fun. “That wasn’t cool.” She looked up to see Gunn staring disapprovingly down at her. “We’re trying to make allies here, dial it down a little. Kid seems nice, you didn’t have to tease him like that.”

Faith scowled up at the demon hunter. “Sleep with a guy a couple of times, he thinks he owns ya. Newsflash, no one owns me!” Faith grabbed a hold of her door handle.

“Hey,” the African-American’s hand dropped onto her shoulder, “don’t be like that. I was just offering some advice. And,” the black chuckled, “if you’re feelin’ lonely…”

Faith shot the man a scornful look. “I won’t go short of company,” she asserted. “And just for the record, three times ain’t the charm, Chuck.”

Faith scowled as she closed her room’s door behind the protesting black. When she’d gained her powers, she’d swore she’d allow no-one, especially a man, to order her about. Didn’t stop the pricks trying though.

She forced herself to calm by thinking about the resistance group. It was a helluva sitch that Wes had got her into, but at least she wouldn’t have to go sneaking out to have some fun, there was some definite candidates.

Harris wasn’t much to look at, life had pretty much wrecked his looks. But the guy had serious backbone. That was a wicked turn-on. Plus life had taught her that things ran easier when you had a gang’s leader on side.

Devon had the sleazy rock thing going, that always got her going. Cjajak though, he was too weird even for her. Scott Hope was just a generic pretty boy, but she didn’t have a problem sharing her bed with someone who was nice to look at. Percy looked like a typical meat-head jock, but she didn’t pick guys for their brains. Owen looked kinda up himself, but nice enough. Larry was out, definitely a fag. Not that she held that against him, kinda hard to seeing as she swung both ways. Then there was Jonathan, Faith smiled softly, there was something sweet about the shy kid, maybe she wouldn’t mind making a man out of him.

So there was plenty of variety, plenty of beds to rock. But first there was Harmony. That bitch had a lesson to learn.

* * *

“Sire.”

Ripper rolled out of bed at Angelus’ voice outside his bedroom, slapping his slumbering bed partner on the ass as he did so. “I’ll be with you in a moment,” he retorted before sliding a finger down Joy-Joy’s back. “And you’ve been a naughty girl.” Joy-Joy giggled. “Which is how I like you. Get yourself a fresh feed from the pens.”

“Thank you, a yummy treat.”

“Bloody right.” After sliding on his dressing gown, he walked out of his room and to the vampire stood slouched against the wall. “I hope you had a damn good reason for interrupting me.”

The Irish vampire stiffened at his tone. “I think so. The ambush was foiled.”

“Foiled?” Ripper scowled. He’d wanted SOME of the resistance to escape, but this sounded different. “By who?”

Angelus paused, a worried look flickering across his scarred features. “The Slayer.”

“The Slayer.” Ripper shivered and closed his eyes in rapture. The Council had been destroyed, but the Slayer Line remained. And as long as what Watchers who survived were foolish enough to send their girls against him, he’d continue to enjoy butchering them.