tessarin (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} tessarin) wrote,@ 2008-04-10 19:20:00 |
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| Entry tags: | btvs_fic, by_eries_shore, faith/xander |
BTVSFIC - By Erie's shore - 15 2/?
Title: By Erie's shore
Author tessarin
Rating: 15
Characters: Faith/Xander, Giles, Willow,ensemble
Summary: By the shores of Lake Erie dark forces stir within and without recovering their strength. Faith and Xander struggle towards a new understanding and the forces of the Old and New Council prepare themselves for a new battle.
Warnings; Language (Faith is in it after all)
Disclaimer: Buffy the vampire slayer is owned by Fox. All characters bar original characters are copyrighted by Fox and Mutant Enemy.
Author's Note: This fic is the sequel to 'Running on' and takes place during the following December . As such reading the earlier story is recommended.Thanks to w00hoofor the beta.
"What do you think they're doing now?" Kennedy asked, skipping to catch up with Willow. Her girlfriend was weaving her way in and out through the grave markers leaving a cute trail through the snow. The graveyard they were patrolling was pretty non-descript, just one of many that dotted the Cleveland metropolitan area. Ostensibly they were here to keep an eye on some new Slayers, part of Kennedy’s responsibilities as one of the trainers. Really though, it was an excuse to escape the increasingly crowded confines of the school.
"Who?" Willow asked. She avoided looking at Kennedy instead tilting her face skywards, as she gazed up at the clear sky overhead and made a pretence of appearing to study it.
"Faith and Xander, of course!" Kennedy replied, exasperation creeping into her voice, despite the so sexy profile of her girlfriend’s face. She knew she had been had when she saw her Willow’s teasing smile.
"You asked for it," teased Willow, smirking visibly now. The redhead preened visibly holding her fingers up to indicate the latest score.
"Ha ha," replied Kennedy, sticking her tongue out. "Well, I bet they're doing it."
"That's hardly a guess," ventured Willow, her eyebrow showing Kennedy what she thought of her supposition.
"I know, they're always doing it,” said Kennedy. She tensed slightly, a warning tingle running up her spine as something stirred in the darkness. She relaxed as Nicki appeared out from the darkness and gave her thumbs up. Kennedy tried to avoid scowling at the young slayer, obviously not entirely successfully as she mouthed an apology before disappearing back into the darkness.
“You know, we should ask Giles to move our room.”
"I think its sweet," said Willow. She frowned suddenly disturbed by a faint buzzing in her pocket. She reached in and retrieved her new Blackberry and with a raised eyebrow started tapping away at its tiny keyboard.
"Anything serious?" asked Kennedy, keeping an eye peeled so that they didn't get jumped by any wandering Vamps. Unlikely given that the other members of her team were out there somewhere unseen in the darkness. Still it didn’t hurt to not be sloppy.
"No," replied Willow. "It was just Wilhelmina giving me a heads-up on a problem in England."
"I can never figure how you can do that," replied Kennedy motioning at the Blackberry. "My fingers are too fat."
"Hey there's nothing wrong with your fingers!" Willow scolded in reply. She punctuated her disapproval with a slight tut.
"True I suppose they have their other uses," smirked Kennedy, causing Willow to blush a very deep shade of red.
"So you never answered my question, what are they doing then?"
"Xander took Faith to watch a Hockey game," answered Willow with a slight shrug, her fingers flicking some snow from the top of a grave stone.
"You're not serious," laughed Kennedy.
"Why?" asked Willow, clearly surprised at her girlfriend’s reaction.
"He took her to a game renowned for its violence," explained Kennedy, looking at Willow like she had just grown two heads. "You’ve got to know this will not end well?"
******
"Hey watch where your putting those hands buddy," complained Faith, jostling against the two bulky figures holding her, just before she was bundled through the stadiums fire exit and out into the parking lot.
"That was wicked cool," she laughed.
Her whole body was tingling, flushed with adrenaline, and she had that low down tingle that just needed an outlet. Speaking of which where was he? Faith cast around her hair whipping around her face until she spotted her prey. He was busily picking himself off the ground where he had been tossed by the two bouncers.
Her smile died though when she caught sight of the look on Xander's face. He was pissed. Correction he was totally pissed.
"Satisfied," he grumbled, wincing as he clambered to his feet. His eye patch was awry and it took him a moment to realise before he reached up and readjusted it. He angrily brushed away Faith's hand as she reached down to help.
"Actually yeah," replied Faith, trying to cover the sudden flip flop in her stomach.
"Great, I'm glad at least one of us enjoyed themselves," complained Xander peevishly.
"Hey I didn't see you complaining. In fact you looked to be handling yourself okay," snapped Faith, wondering just what the hell was wrong with Mr Plaid.
"Sorry." Xander apologized. "It’s just it was going so well."
He paused, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets and turning slightly so that his back shielded them from the cold wind, which whirled around the outside of the stadium. He hunched there a moment, his face expressionless as he studied hers. His eye searching for something as Faith started to fidget under his frank scrutiny.
"You were enjoying yourself right?" he asked. His tone was unsure and hesitant.
"Course I was you idiot," replied Faith, resisting the urge to smack him around the side of the head. "God you're such a bonehead Xander, why do you even need to ask. Hell some ritualised violence, followed by some actual violence, and then...." She trailed off, but her smirk told Xander exactly what she was thinking.
"Great, see that's the problem," replied Xander. He leaned forward gently kissing her forehead leaving her stumbling as he pulled away.
"Jesus Xander. It was just blowing off some steam. In case you forgot this is kind of who I am. If..." she answered, before her brain kicked into gear and stopped her mouth before it said something terminal.
"What were you going to say..." he asked.
"Nothing. Oh fuck it. You knew what I was going to say. I'm not some project you know," she half growled, disconsolately kicking her shoe against the tarmac as she tried to dislodge a piece of chewing gum from itssole.
"Hey, Let me get that," sighed Xander, bending down as she braced against him, flicking at the stuck gum with an edge of his nail.
"Thanks," she replied, her voice suddenly sounding very small in her ears as the wind momentarily abated.
"Look I thought we were having some fun and admit it, we were," she asked, a teasing smile lighting up her face, a smile that turned into a full scale grin when an answering smile appeared on Xander's face.
"I get it Faith; I really do it’s just you know I would like for at least one of our dates not to end up in a brawl. Cause you know eventually I’m not going to be up for the dessert later," he leered over at her.
Faith laughed. A light cheerful sound, which warmed him through again despite the chill and the fact that they were having their first argument. Well first date argument if you discounted all the stuff in Dover.
"Okay Xander, so what do you suggest?" asked Faith, shaking her head in bemusement and jostling him with the curve of her hip.
"How about a little wager," challenged Xander, not fighting as his own smile started tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was worried it was bound to clue in Faith that he was up to something. Not that she probably cared as she clearly had no intention of losing any bet.
"I'm listening," she replied, her narrowing eyes let him know that she was getting better at reading him.
"How about if our next thing ends in violence you have to do a forfeit," suggested Xander, trying to sound more relaxed than he actually was.
"And what do I get if I win," asked a grinning Faith.
"I would say me," answered Xander. "But we both know that's a lie, as you'll get that anyway. How about..."
"No Twinkies for a month." Faith dived in, her suggestion taking the wind from his sails.
"Okay," he replied not a little horrified, thinking that wasn't quite what he had in mind. How the hell was he going to cope for a month without his soul food. Especially since Faith was likely to torture him by sucking the cream from them right in front of him. The vision that conjured brought him up short.
"Hey Earth to Xander," teased Faith, the dimpling of her cheeks and the flush in her face showing that she knew exactly what he had been thinking at that point.
"Agreed," he groaned admitting defeat.
"Okay the night is young and since Red and Kennedy were kind enough to sub for us, we better get the best use out of this early release," said Faith.
"So I’ll call a cab," suggested Xander, his arm going around Faith's waist and pulling her close, his mouth seeking hers. She responded hungrily before with a throaty and frustrated groan she pulled away.
"Nah ah, maybe later, for now I intend to win this bet Mr," she teased pulling away.
"Okay, but you'll just be starting your forfeit earlier," warned Xander.
"Dream on Patch," laughed Faith. She leaned in again, her breath slightly malty as her tongue conducted all sorts of oral gymnastics. She pulled away leaving him struggling for breath, as tugging on his hand she dragged him through the parked cars across the paved forecourt with its giant concrete balls and past the Terminal tower towards their as yet unknown destination.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"You'll see," she replied with a sly grin.
He found out later as they rounded the corner, coming out onto a seedy strip mall that Faith had obviously run across during one of her more extended patrols. The bar came complete with neon sign. At least it wasn't fritzing or he would have been dragging Faith away from the cliché. The meshed windows completed the down at heel look. A look reinforced by the presence of a number of motorbikes crowding the outside and the loud rock music spilling out of its doors.
"A bar, you're serious, a biker bar. You want this to count as our next date?" Xander asked, trying to sound cool and collected but unable to keep the tremor from his voice. Him, Faith and a bar where everyone would be eyeing her up and wondering what the hell she saw in him, was so not his idea of a good time.
"What, chicken? You're going to lose," squawked Faith, flapping her arms and doing such an adorable chicken impression that Xander almost caved then. Not that he would ever tell her that of course.
"Okay, but I thought it only fair that I warned you," huffed Xander, resigning himself. She was up to something but what.
"It's five by five Xander. Look lets just grab a few brews and play a bit of pool before we head back," answered Faith. She attempted to grin innocently, something at which she of course failed miserably.
Xander expected the bar to fall silent the moment they walked through the doors and was a little disappointed when despite Faith’s hypnotic presence it didn't.
Still he felt a few eyes in the place turn in their direction make a note of Faith and then dismiss him. The bar was pretty crowded. A crush of bodies and tables filled the floor between him and the bar. What’s more the barman looked like he had walked off the lot of a Tarantino movie which so did not fill Xander with confidence. It wasn’t that he was worried about handling himself, hell he had the bruises and health insurance bills to prove it.
"Go get us some drinks. I'll get us the pool table," shouted Faith.
Xander forced his way through the crowd muttering apologies as he went and waited for his turn at the bar. In the end it only took Xander three attempts to get the barman to notice him and retrieve a couple of beers.
"Thanks babe," drawled Faith, taking a swig and handing Xander a cue.
Xander settled back, bracing himself against the wooden wall of the booth which housed the pool table. Watching whilst Faith chalked her cue before she leaned over the table, shooting a saucy wink and quick smirk in his direction.
"Get comfy babe, cause you're going to be there a while," she taunted.
Xander just grunted in response. He could do with the rest as his shoulder was killing him courtesy of the purple gorilla tugging him over the seats. He took a long draw on his beer and settled down to enjoy the view, and boy was it a good view.
A view that was suddenly blocked by the huge figure of a tattooed biker.
"What are you doing with this loser," grunted the biker gesturing in Xander’s direction. He stepped between Xander and Faith baulking him in the process.
"Let’s just say he pleasures me in ways you never could," drawled Faith, stepping away from the biker and swaying saucily around to the other side of the table.
"Yeah, you haven’t seen me babe," sneered the biker. "What's say you ditch this little runt and come learn how to deal with a real man?"
"Yeah, well if you see any let me know," snorted Faith.
"Oh I'm man enough for you baby," smiled the biker, slapping then cupping Faith's ass. His grin just got wider when Faith cocked a disbelieving eye in his direction.
Xander almost chocked on his beer as Faith did nothing. She just left the hand there just sending a querying look in Xander's direction.
"Hey buddy, you want to move your hand from my girlfriend's ass," snapped Xander, tapping the biker on his shoulder.
"Fuck off," snarled the biker.
"Well, I’m really sorry to hear that," groaned Xander.
"So what you going to do about it," laughed the biker.
"This," snapped Xander as he slammed his fist into the sneering face and for the second time that night all hell broke loose.
******
"So girlfriend huh," grinned Faith, leaning into Xander as they stumbled along the street looking for a cab to hail.
"Said so didn't I and I have the bruises to prove it," groaned Xander. He winced before shooting a pained but proud smile in her direction.
"Hey not complaining. Actually it's kinda cool," grinned Faith.
"Really," replied Xander.
"Yeah, actually it's sorta okay. Kinda freaky, but okay. It was nice you know, having someone fighting for me," murmured Faith. She gazed at him from under her bangs, her eyes dark liquid pools that as always sucked him in, a small rueful smile playing on her lips.
"Thanks for the ringing endorsement," complained Xander.
"Hey stop whining or you won't get to collect your reward," drawled Faith, running her finger down his chest. "Seeing you so manly and masterful even if you were screaming like a girl, kinda turned me on. You did good tonight Xander I'm about ready to pop."
"So you ready for your forfeit?" Xander asked, his voice catching as Faith squirmed against him.
"Hey you lost buddy," snorted Faith, laughing clearly amused her dimples working overtime.
"Don't think so," corrected Xander, causing Faith to look at him like he had lost his mind.
"Hey are you trying to pull a fast one? Cause although I'm kinda pleasantly buzzed I thought we agreed, whoever caused the next fight got to forfeit. So by my reckoning babe that means no Twinkies for a month," teased Faith, her teeth lightly nipping his lip as she drew back from a quick kiss.
"You sure," grinned Xander.
"Yeah," replied Faith, her eyes narrowing she squinted slightly, swaying under the effects of alcohol.
Xander just watched her, drinking her in, thanking, wondering what he had ever done to deserve this. He tried and failed to keep the slight smile on his lips from broadening into a grin as he watched Faith replay the night's events.
"Oh shit," she groaned, sudden realisation dawning on her face. Xander couldn't resist it any more then. He just bent over and laughed a full belly laugh that had tears running down his face.
"You done," complained Faith, although she was clearly trying to stop a grin herself.
"Yeah, this is going to be sweet," teased Xander, resting his hands on Faith's hips and leaning in to kiss her. A kiss that was hungrily returned by Faith a throaty desperate catch in her voice.
"Cab," she sighed stepping back.
"What?" Xander asked, leaning in gently planting kisses up the side of Faith's neck.
"Cab…," replied Faith, her voice little more now than a husky whisper before groaning her eyes glazed she suddenly rammed his back against a wall, legs entwining around him, her fingers fumbling as she loosened Xander's belt.
"Cab," squeaked Xander.
"Can't wait," panted Faith.
*****
The wind was bitterly cold, the gusts steady and unrelenting. She didn't feel the cold though. She hadn't since that day, she couldn't remember exactly when. In fact she couldn't remember anything just the constant call, the tug that brought her to this exposed window ledge looking out over the surface of the lake.
Something had brought her here and she scrambled for the meaning. Before she felt it again, the momentary rush of terror and then the all consuming darkness. The caress of abomination and horror that scraped on her soul, that looked out of her eyes. No matter how much she screamed. No one heard her.
Her lips twitched upwards, curving into a smirk that echoed with memories of the woman screaming away in her own private hell. But faint echoes were all they were. Certainly anyone who knew her wouldn't have recognised the cruel cast to her lips or the cold deadness of her eyes. Her hand reached up, smoothing an errant piece of red hair back behind her ear. She cast her mind outwards seeking renewed contacts with her minions, her mind’s eye racing across the stormy waves of Lake Erie and towards the waiting bright lights of the city. Here and there animals looked up in to the darkness only to scatter in fear when her attention fell upon them.
Other eyes looked to the heavens as well. These yellow and feral, vampires interrupted in the midst of their feeding. They paused as they caught scent of the change being borne on the cold winds.
She ignored these microscopic distractions. In time she would have a use for them, but for now they could wait, she had more important things to do. She grinned as she spotted the familiar aura. Good she was waiting at the right spot.
She stepped onto the empty dockside, a cruel grin upon her face, her hand reaching out and cupping the face of the supplicant who waited trembling there.
"Stand up Clarice."
