Of Birds and Slayers

(Shivaree – I will go quietly)

“Willow called me from the hospital, a potential has been attacked. I’m on my way to meet up with them. As soon as I have information about it, I’ll give you a call. While I’m away, Shannah is responsible of you.” Buffy declared. She took her jacket and went closer to the dark brunette.

“If there’s any problem, don’t take any risks, ‘kay?” Shannah nodded. “Oh, and don’t forget we have a guest, she’ll be there in half an hour I guess.” The short blonde added in a quite cold tone.

“Okay, you can count on me.” Buffy smiled and left. About twenty seconds after, Vi came running from the kitchen.

“Shannah! Linda and Cindy are fighting for the last piece of pizza!” The young potential was panicking. The brunette followed her into the kitchen were she stared dumbfounded at the two girls trying to bite and scratch each other on the floor. She drew out her right-hand claws and stuck it into the piece of pizza. Then the dark girl whistled loudly and both teenagers stopped to look up at the Phoenix. Their look went from shame to horror when they saw Shannah taking a bite of the piece of pizza.

“Now I guess you won’t fight for it, will you?” she smirked, then turned to face the others. “ Listen guys, I think we have enough enemies. I know it’s a lame and boring speech you’ve already heard, but we have to stay together if we wanna survive. Behave like warriors, not like hormonal teenagers!” she paused and turned to face the others “Now I’m gonna order four more pizzas, try to let those two have their pieces.” She pointed Linda and Cindy and took the phone, getting cheers from the potentials. Andrew came closer to her and knelt in front of her.

“You’re the best Wolverine, we honor you!” and he put his left hand above his right lung.

“Thanks! I guess...” then she turned her attention to the delivery guy on the other end of the phone. When the call ended she said to everyone “The pizzas will be here in thirty minutes, don’t eat each other until then.” And she went to the living room.

“That’s a good trick you did.” A voice said from behind her. Shannah turned and smiled at Giles.

“I’m a hormonal teenager, as well! I know my needs!” she laughed.

“ How are you?” the watcher asked in a more serious tone.

“I’m starting to get along well with the girls. But I still know that I can’t become attached with them, with the Great Battle coming and all-”

“Why couldn’t you do that?” Giles interrupted.

“You know it, as well as Buffy knows it.” she replied in a whisper and looked down. Giles nodded. She sat on the couch and so did the watcher.

“It’s a war and people dies. Some of them will. And maybe Buffy will. If that ever happens, then I will die too. And I can’t even assure you that I will still be alive to defend her when her end will come. You see what I mean?” Shannah was slightly shaking.

“You’re right, some of us will die. But you forget one major thing. Your strength, as well as Buffy’s, is linked with your feelings. And if you don’t let yourself feel anything, then you deny your own human power.” He paused to study the brunette’s face. She was lost in deep thoughts. “I’m gonna go see if they’re alright.” Giles patted her shoulder and left. Half way, he meet up with a very disturbed Kennedy.

“Is everything alright, Kennedy?” The watcher asked worried.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” She answered absent-mindedly, staring at Shannah who was still thinking on the couch.

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There was a knock on the door.

“Pizzas!” a group of hysterical girls screamed, as they were running to the door.

“I’m on it!” Shannah said and went to open the door. She froze when she saw the figure standing there. Dark hair, piercing gaze, leather clothes...

“Fuckin’ shit!” Both Shannah and Faith shrieked, making the others jump, before pouncing on each other in laughter.

“Okay, that’s weird...” Dawn commented.

“Obviously they know each other...” Kennedy added, bitterly. They pulled away from their embrace.

“If I’ve known you’d be here, I wouldn’t have taken my time to come!” Faith grinned.

“I didn’t know YOU were the Rogue Slayer! That fuckin’ explains a lot about the Carrie incident...” Shannah teased her friend and poked her shoulder.

“What about you Miss ‘No no I don’t work out’? So you’re a potential uh?”

“Not exactly...” the Phoenix chuckled before showing her metal claws.

“Fuck!” was all Faith managed to say in a burst of laughter. “I can’t believe you hide it from me for so long!”

“Um, excuse me girls, could you please come in, so we could all sit and talk about the main reason of Faith’s presence here?” Giles interrupted them getting together again.

“Yeah, sorry G-man! Let’s go sit and talk!” Faith grinned and looked at Shannah who just shrugged and grinned back. A small voice came from behind them.

“Excuse me, did you order four pizzas?”

“Pizzas!”

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The two friends were sitting on the steps of the backyard, smoking.

“So you’re the Phoenix uh?”

“Yep”

“If Buffy or I die, you’ll die as well...that sucks! Hope Blondie is gonna survive, or I’ll lose you man!” Shannah laughed.

“Yeah, let’s hope we all survive! ... How did it go for you after I was released?” The young girl asked in a more serious tone.

“Well, you know how jail is...I have to admit I missed you, it wasn’t as fun as when you were in. What about you?”

“After eight months for possession of hard drugs, eight wonderful months I spent with you!” she chuckled “I was kinda lost you know? Even more than before I got arrested. I fucked different girls every night, got myself high with shit and alcohol...until the Council told me to go to Sunnydale for the Great Battle. And here I am.” There was a silence between the two friends.

“Why did you come?”

“’Cause that’s my fate since I was born: defend the Slayer...Slayers.” Shannah corrected herself. “Why are you here? You weren’t suppose to be freed until decades...”

“I’m a fugitive. Had to help an old friend of mine to get his soul back. Willow brought me here to help.” Faith said finally.

“We’re gonna be a fuckin’ team, man!” Shannah said in a playful tone and tousled Faith’s hair. Looking at the two of them by the kitchen’s window, Kennedy was thinking hard about everything she was hearing. Echoes of Shannah’s words were sweeping over her mind.

‘I can’t become attached with them’

‘I can’t assure you that I will still be alive’

‘I fucked different girls every night, got myself high’

‘She didn’t say a word to me or even looked at me since we kissed...Maybe she doesn’t want me, maybe she just wants to use me...’ The Latino potential felt terribly lost and upset.

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