Hellmouth Heroes

FIC: Hellmouth Heroes (9/?)

“H…..he’s going to get me.”

Wesley’s heart went out to the trembling teen sat curled up on her bed, lent against the wall’s furtherest corner, her eyes wide with fear. She’d been practically comatose since their departure from the cinema, having to be guided into her room. But no wonder considering what she’d previously suffered at Kaktisos’ callous hands.

“Now you listen here,” he forced a confident tone as he strode over and knelt opposite his charge, “he won’t get anywhere near you.” Wesley was shocked by the sweat pouring off the shivering beauty as he cupped her face in his hands. “Do you seriously think Giles and I are going to let him hurt you? Do you think your friends are going to allow that?”

”Won’t stop him,” Faith mumbled, eyes still glassy. “None of you can.”

“You seem to forget just who and what we are now.” Wesley comforted. “We’re hardly normal anymore are we?”

“H…he cut her up, sliced her into pieces,” Faith stuttered, tears gleaming in her luminous eyes, “t…..then h…he made me-.” The Slayer broke down, salty tears streaking down her high cheeks.

“I know dear,” he took the sobbing brunette and held her in his arms, “I know, I know. But he’ll never hurt you again, I promise.”

Not while he had breath in his body.

* * *

“I think we should go around to Faith’s tonight.” Alana broke the moody silence around their table. Every set of eyes turned to her. She shrugged. “What? She’s our friend, we should go and see her. She hasn’t been to school in three days.”

“She was such a mess,” Cordelia commented. “Like my mom if our house-keeper forgets to pick up her tranquilisers.”

“Nice comparison,” Xander dryly put in. “If you do come, try not to share it with Faith.”

“We should go,” Jonathan agreed. “But what do we talk about?”

“You tell her how much you miss her.” Everyone turned to Giles stood at the head of the canteen table, the Watcher having just walked in. “That things aren’t the same without her. That she’s a part of you.”

”Will you come, Giles?” Willow asked.

“Me?” Giles’ smile had a painful twist to it. “I’m afraid not. I’m not her friend, merely another teacher. This is your responsibility.”

* * *

Wesley’s heart dropped when he opened the door to find several of the ‘Scoobies’ loitering nervously on his porch. “Is Faith in?” Xander asked.

“Ah,” Wesley stared at the group’s spokesman. “Faith isn’t-.” He paused, Faith wasn’t ready for guests, but unless he pushed, she might never be. “You know where her room is, only be gentle with her.”

* * *

The Slayer started as her door opened, a whimper escaping her. “Hi Faith,” Cordelia cheerfully greeted as she strode in ahead of the others. “School’s been boringly high-cla-,” the cheerleader’s voice trailed off, a rare flutter of worry in her luminous eyes, “Faith what’s wrong? Kakistos is -.”

Faith shuddered at the mention, her tormentor’s hideous face leering at her.

“Faith what’s-.” Jonathan hurried towards her.

“No!” she screamed, rocking back and forth. “Stay away!”

”Cool it bud,” Gunn grabbed Jonathan by his arm and pulled him back. “Girl’s in a mess.”

“Right,” Cordelia spun to face the boys. “This is girl business, get out.”

“And you can leave the house,” Alana added. “We don’t need you listening in.”

“Are you sure -.”

”Girl’s stuff Jonathan,” Cordelia imperiously interrupted. “Go to the coffee house on the corner, mine’s a latté.”

* * *

Wesley looked up as the youngsters strode out of Faith’s room, disappointed they were leaving so quickly. “Oh,” his eyes narrowed as he noticed it was just the boys, “are the others-.”

“We got sent out for coffee,” a moodily-scowling Jonathan explained.

”Ah,” he grabbed his coat, “perhaps this for the best. Drinks on me I think. Let’s go.”

* * *

”Do you think she’ll be alright?”

Giles put his book down at Jenny’s softly spoken question, the enquiry forcing him to confront what he’d veered away from considering. “She’s strong,” he evaded. “And we will of course endeavour to help her in any way we can.”

”What did Kakistos do to her?”

Giles grimaced. When he knew Faith was heading towards them he’d took it upon himself to read the Council report of just what had happened. Although the report had concluded with the now obviously false declaration from Faith that Kakistos was dead what facts there were would sicken the stomach of the most hardened policeman and be turned down by any publisher of horror as just too terrible to read. He didn’t need to burden Jenny with the details of what had been inflicted on the already dreadfully damaged girl. “What’s important now,” again with the evasion he mused, “is helping Faith through any problems she has.”

”Do you think,” Jenny licked her lips. “I hate to put it like this, but do you think we have time?”

“Both Gunn and Cordelia are stronger than your average Slayer,” Giles replied. “Stronger than Faith was before her change and Buffy ever was. While I’m loathe to admit it, both Xander and Wesley are now far more tactically aware than any Watcher since the last of those who saw service in World War II retired from active duty. Alana, Jonathan, and the others all offer unique skills.”

“Yes, but that’s not what I meant,” Jenny nodded. “I think Wesley can be relied on, but Wood might feel duty-bound to report Faith’s inaction to the Council.”

“If he does,” Giles felt a cold fire light in his stomach, “he’ll find out just how little his new powers help him.”

* * *

“So,” Cordelia decided to take charge of the situation. After all, she was a Chase and that’s what Chases did, take charge. “Are you going to tell us what happened or do we have to guess?” Faith looked at her. “We’re not going anywhere, you might as well talk.”

* * *

Xander’s stomach did a somersault as the female half of the gang came out of Faith’s room, Amy, Willow, and Tara had been crying, and although Cordy and Alana were made of sterner stuff, they looked a little grey. “What happened?” Jonathan squeaked.

“We talked,” Cordelia said, her voice wavering a little. “Faith will come back to school tomorrow. I’ll be picking her up-.”

“But what happened!” Jonathan demanded.

“That’s Faith’s business,” Cordelia had evidently recovered enough of her poise to glare down imperiously at the suddenly wilting boy, “and if she wants to tell you, she will. But you won’t ask her and you will support her if she tells you, understand?” Jonathan nodded mutely, his face pale. “Good, then we’re leaving. Charles, you can walk me home.”

The black gulped. “Yes dear.”

* * *

Kaktisos paced the darkened warehouse, dust scuffling underfoot. The other night shouldn’t, couldn’t have happened. Humans who dared to hunt the children of the night were uncommon but far from unknown. Callahan, Van Helsing, Holtz, and Kane were amongst the names most feared by the rank and file vampires, but for one as old as he, none but the Slayer was a concern. Until he’d encountered the black and the wench, neither were supernatural in any way, and yet they’d managed to withstand his fury to protect the Slayer.

“Ha!” A laugh rumbled out of his chest. It didn’t matter. The little bitch had taken his eye, in return he intended to take her spirit, to break her completely, to make her beg for death’s sweet release. An escape he would withhold under he was bored, and then he would extinguish her.

His happy planning was interrupted when the doors to the back of the warehouse opened. “Is the ritual -.” His voice trailed off as a figure strode out, the demons massed in the warehouse respectfully parting to allow him out.

Kaktisos swallowed uncertainly, lips licking as he stared at the newcomer. The demon was only short and slight, yet the aura surrounding it seemed to throb with energy and power. The man was bald, his face taking on a peculiarly feline appearance that seem to match his cat-like stalk, and his pupils blood-red. Kaktisos belatedly realised that the vampire wasn’t slight at all, rather he was wiry, his body chock-full of a warrior’s functional muscle. “And who,” while he looked like a cat, the interloper’s voice was all snake’s hiss, “is in charge here?”

Kaktisos stared at the legendary vampire his mages had summonsed from the past, suddenly wondering at the wisdom of bringing the notorious vampire saint to this time and place. “I am.”

St. Vigeous smiled. “Wrong answer.”

Kaktisos gasped as the demon leapt toward him. Before he had time to react the vampire saint had his legs around his waist, his hands around his head. And then the demon twisted his head off his shoulders.

* * *

“Has Miss. Lehane decided not to grace us with her presence?” Wood queried as he strode into the library, the rest of them busy readying their weapons for patrol.

“Robin,” Giles shot the African-American Watcher a warning glare, “don’t start.”

“A night or two off after the shock could have been considered kind,” Wood shook his head, “but four? Surely that’s nothing more than weak. Perhaps the Council should be-.”

“Perhaps,” Jonathan started forward, a savagely protective look in his eyes, “you should shut your hole.”

”Relax Jonathan,” Xander joined Gunn in grabbing the angry youth and pulling him back, “hitting Wood won’t solve anything.”

“Hit him?” Jonathan looked up at his friend, eyes confused. “I wasn’t going to hit him.”

“Oh,” Xander looked briefly surprised before spinning around and connecting with a right cross to the jaw that sent the black man reeling, “perhaps it was just me then.”

”Oh bloody hell!” Giles jumped up as the black lunged at Xander.

The youth leapt to meet the African-American, then twisted into his opponent’s attack, judo-throwing him to the ground. At least that seemed to have been the plan but Wood landed in a crouch, catching the on-rushing youth with a left jab that opened up his bottom lip. Xander dived under a follow-up right cross before tackling the Watcher around the waist, bundling them both to the floor, Wood somehow twisting so he ended up on top.

And then they were on them, Cordy easily dragging Wood off Xander, while Gunn had the honour of holding down the Sunnydale native. “Enough! Enough!” Giles stepped in the middle of them. “We’re on the same bloody side here!”

“Are we?” Despite his recent brawl, there was a disturbing coldness in Xander’s eyes. “All he ever does is snipe and demoralise. Perhaps he should consider that it goes both ways. Maybe one of us will trip up when going to his aid-.”

”THAT IS ENOUGH!” he roared before calming. “Both of you, in my office now!”

The moment he’d closed the door behind him, he spun to face Wood. “As Xander pointed out, we’re supposedly a team. Faith has been through a trauma you can’t even comprehend, so if she needs time to get over it, that’s what she’s going to get, without interference from you or your blessed Council.” He turned his glare on Xander. “As for you Xander, I don’t care about Castle being some sort of battle-scarred veteran, WE don’t solve our disagreements by attacking one another, is that understood?” After a second, the Sunnydaler nodded. “Good. Wood, you’re on my team tonight.” Xander groaned. “Yes, Xander, you’re with Wesley.”

* * *

Xander slouched through the graveyard. He didn’t get why Giles had gone off on him, it wasn’t like he was the one working against the group. Xander stopped as he noticed Oz and Jonathan looking around. “What’s up-.” He gulped as a bunch of vampires stepped out of the shadows and surrounded them. “Oh, never mind, I got the memo.”

The demons didn’t charge, instead they parted allowing a red-eyed vampire that kinda looked like a cat to walk through their ranks. “You are this time’s defenders?” the vampire laughed. “Ha, let us see what you can do-.” The demon caught the crossbow bolts he and Wesley had simultaneously fired before charging them.

Xander had only the briefest second to ready himself, then the demon’s fist was crashing into his jaw, lifting him from his feet and depositing him dazedly on the ground some fifteen feet away, Wesley landing ten feet to his left. Oz and Jonathan didn’t do much better, then Alana and Gunn attacked.

The demon appeared like he could take Gunn on punch for punch and was even faster, sliding inside some of the African-American’s attacks. A luxury that Gunn didn’t have, each of the demon’s blows landing. And then a gust of wind from Alana lifted the vampire off his feet and flung him a dozen feet away, a barely dodged lightning bolt following soon after.

“Interesting!” the vampire cackled. “Inform the Slayer I’ll look forward to seeing her. Soon.”

* * *

Faith forced herself to breathe as she approached the school. It was light, no vampires to fear here. “Baby steps,” she muttered, “baby steps.” She began to smile as she noticed Xander and Gunn heading towards the school, and then scowled as she noticed the pained way Xander was moving and the swellings on Gunn’s head. What the hell could cause that?

Heart churning, she rushed over to the guys. “Hey boys, what’s the sitch?”

“Oh hey Faith.” Xander mumbled. “It’s good to see you, unexpected but good.”

“Just a fight with the football team-,” Gunn began to growl.

”Ah bullshit,” she retorted. “You’d lay out those pansies in about a minute, what happened?”

Xander and Gunn exchanged worried glances. “There’s a new vampire in town, a bad one.”

Faith swallowed. Her crew, the first people who’d thought she was worth a damn had been attacked doing her job? “Looks like I’m on patrol tonight.” ‘Cause that was what friendship was about, bein’ there for those you cared about no matter what.

* * *

Faith checked her jacket, making sure she could draw her stake fast enough if she needed it, ignoring the clamminess of her palms.

“Are you sure about this, Faith?”

”I’m fine damn it!” Faith forced a calming breath before turning to her Watcher. “I gotta do this Wes, ya dig?”

”Otherwise you’ll never be able to?” Wesley squeezed her shoulder when she nodded. “I understand, and think you’re very brave.” Faith smiled slightly, more pleased than she’d expected by the Watcher’s praise. “Just don’t do anything foolish, for some confounded reason I feel my life would be somewhat empty without you to plague it.”

”Jeez,” Faith’s smile broadened into something more genuine, “are we havin’ a Kodak moment, Wes?”

Wesley chuckled. “Perhaps.” The Watcher sobered. “Come on, the others will be waiting.”

Giles smiled at her as she and Wes arrived at the library. “Faith, it’s wonderful to see you.” The elder Watcher paused. “Because of the number of the vampires and this new threat, we’ll go out in one group. I somehow think this gentleman will be looking for us anyway.”

Every second in the cold night seemed like a day, a minute like a lifetime. Every snap of a twig, every rustle in the shadows, had her nearly shitting her britches. Every part of her screamed to flee inside, but she couldn’t. She was the Slayer, and being the Slayer had given her a chance to escape a dead-end, nightmarish life, to be someone decent, who helped people. She couldn’t betray her Calling by running.

”They’re here,” she started at Oz’s whisper, “I can smell them.”

And so they were, perhaps forty vampires left from the earlier battle. Faith licked her lips as their apparent leader appeared stood on a marble crypt. “You must be the Slayer,” he purred.

“Who are you?”

“My name dear child, is St. Vigeous,” the cat-like vampire smiled. “Slayer of several Slayers and killer of Kaktisos.”

Faith felt her shoulders relax and a smirk spread slowly across her face. Her tormenter, the demon who haunted her sleep was dead. “That’s all I needed to know.”

The vampire’s eyes widened as she charged in, barely managing to duck under her spinning heel-kick. Then the demon was up, grabbing her around her right hip and leveraging her to the ground. At the last second, she put her hands down under her and pushed off, propelling the suddenly off-balance monster backwards.

Faith landed in a crouch just before the demon, the vampire catching her with a boot on the temple. Dazed, she stumbled onto one knee. The demon laughed before attempting a follow-up right heel to the face that she swayed away from before grabbing his foot and twisting.

The demon grunted as it spun into the air before crashing to the ground. Faith pushed up through her legs, leaping onto the demon only to be greeted by a devastating left to the jaw that knocked her flat on the back.

The demon leapt up and strode over, foot swinging in a kick to the face that Faith only just managed to block on her forearms, crossing them into a protective x. Wincing at the kick’s bruising force, Faith rolled up and then dropped back onto her side under another attempted face-kick.

The moment her shoulder hit grass she was rolling up and into a fighter’s stance. The vampire laughed at her defiance before leaping at her, fangs glinting in the night sky. At the last second Faith sidestepped the attack and overhand-thrust with her stake.

”Fuck!” Faith cursed as the stake tore through the demon’s shoulder rather than its chest. Rather than continue cursing her luck, she side-kicked her opponent in his ribs before flying into a spin-kick that cracked into the back of the demon’s head and knocked him onto his knees. Faith brought her foot down hard on the top of her rival’s head as she descended, the blow’s impact jarring through her leg.

The vampire crashed to the ground soundlessly to the ground, Faith landing in a stood position straddling her downed rival. Faith brought her stake up. “Fuck!” She squealed in pain when the vampire rolled over and kicked her in the crotch.

Her strength suddenly gone, she was helpless to do anything except fall on her ass. Before she had time to even breath the demon was on her. “A good fight,” she gasped as the demon grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her head to the side, “but none can-.”

The vampire gasped as her back-up stake entered its chest, eyes widening in shock. The vampire’s dust fell on her. Yet despite the utter grossness, she couldn’t help but smile. It was over, her friends had beaten off the vampires and she’d killed the leader. She didn’t need to cower in the corners any longer.