tessarin (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} tessarin) wrote,@ 2008-05-14 20:51:00 |
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| Entry tags: | btvs_fic, by_eries_shore, faith/xander |
BTVSFIC - By Erie's Shore - 15 6/?
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.
"Oh, what's this?" Andrew asked. His hand rested on the leather bound cover of a rather large book balanced precariously on the edge of the all ready over laden desk in the corner of Ashley's room.
"Ah nothing," replied Ashley. She didn’t bother looking up from her note taking. In the end it was only the unmistakable sound of creaking leather that caused her to look up. Her eyes widened in panic as Andrew flipped open the cover of the only book he wasn't really supposed to see.
"Don't touch that," she screamed. It did the trick, causing Andrew to stumble back in horror. He tripped over backwards sending another pile of books cascading to the floor.
"Oops,” he grinned. He reached up accepting a helping hand from Albert who had set his own pile of books down on the floor. Not that you could tell exactly where he had put them down as her room bore more resemblance to an overflowing book storeroom than her bedroom.
"You okay?" Albert asked, sending a puzzled look in Ashley's direction.
"Of course," replied Andrew. He looked a little unnerved before he finally gathered himself and fixed his beady eyes on Ashley.
“But, the inquisitive amongst us might be wondering what it was about this particular book that's so interesting?"
"It's just something Mr Giles has asked me to take a look at," replied Ashley, a little too hotly holding the book closely to her chest.
"The Codex Oraculum. Doesn't sound familiar," mused Andrew.
"Will you just leave it," snapped Ashley. She grimaced as Andrew contrived to contort his face into a semblance of a kicked puppy.
"Look. I'm sorry Andy, its just you weren't here and Mr Giles needed some help. He asked me to give a hand," said Ashley.
"I'm sure if you ask Mr Giles he will tell you all about it," said Albert. He seemed completely oblivious to the ‘you’re not helping’ look Ashley sent him.
"I guess," replied Andrew. He shrugged fiddling with some other books. “Of course I still have to give him my big report. So maybe I can ask him then?"
"Probably," replied Ashley. “Anyway want to help with the rest?"
She grinned in what she hoped was a reassuring manner, as she gestured expansively to the multiple piles of books stacked all around the room including the recently demolished stack.
"Subtle much," said Albert. Her friend shook his head and rolled his eyes. "I swear Ashley you just want pack mules."
"Busted," grinned Ashley. “Well, Andy?"
"Okay," replied Andrew. He set the book he had been fingering gingerly down on the table.
"Good," said Ashley. She smiled at Andrew, relaxing slightly as his attention wandered again. “So I forgot to ask as to how you got on in Europe. Get to see many of the sights?"
"Oh, a few I saw where they filmed Genesis of the Daleks, and I spent many a happy afternoon in Forbidden Planet. Oh and that's not forgetting Playing games and Orcs Nest," said Andrew. “Plus you no doubt heard the great story of my exploits in old Valencia?"
"Yes, I do remember Mr Giles saying some about that," said Ashley non-committally.
"Yes. Actually he seemed most vocal when I discussed it with him on the phone, but I’m sure he would have acted in the same manner had he been in my situation," said Andrew.
"Well, yes that's one way of putting it," whispered Ashley.
"I see you have some of Abremicus' journals," said Andrew.
"Yes, are you familiar with them?" asked Albert.
"Well a little, unfortunately during my too close brush with the dark side, when I dabbled with the ways of the Sith," replied Andrew. He somehow managed to look alternately smug and repentant.
"What?" Albert looked perplexed. Ashley would have been to if she hadn’t had been brought up with a dweeb of a younger brother. Which reminded her maybe she should play nicer with Andrew, maybe she could pick Andrew’s brains about what to buy him for his upcoming birthday.
"So Andy, can you locate the rest of the journals? There seem to be about six of them mixed in with the stuff Albert brought up," asked Ashley.
"Certainly my leader," replied Andrew with a flourish and bow.
"What about these?" Albert asked.
"Over here Albie", replied Ashley. She secreted the Codex onto the shelf behind her back.
****
"I thought I would find you here," said Giles. He settled down on the bench overlooking the lake pausing only to brush some of the light layer of frost that encrusted the seat.
Dawn just flashed him a brief smile before returning her attention to studying the still dark horizon, looking Giles guessed for the first signs of her namesake.
"Sorry, I haven't had much time to talk to you since you arrived. Well one to one anyway," said Giles. He strained his own eyes picking out more shapes, the edges of trees, or the steep steps running down to the boat landing as the sky gradually lightened. He supposed only the most suicidal of Vampires would venture this close to the Council’s headquarters and that would be without the spells woven into the grounds by Willow and the coven.
They sat there a little while, his backsidegetting gradually colder despite the heavy insulating layers of his coat.
Dawn patted his leg before letting out a small sigh of pleasure as the sun finally crested the distant horizon. For an instant it threw Dawn's face into such a stark contrast that Giles couldn't help compare her profile to a Penny Black.
"Sorry Giles. I just don't like to miss it," said Dawn. She treated him with a mischievous shrug that so reminded him of Buffy that Giles couldn't help but smile in return. All grown up he thought. He wished Joyce could have been here to see what wonderful young women her daughters had grown into.
"No, although I must confess this is late, rather than early for me," he replied.
"Been out all night partying? Has that Slayer of yours been corrupting you so you can get your thing down," replied Dawn. She laughed mischief dancing in her tone.
"Ha ha, I'll have you know I was quite the night owl in my youth," grumbled Giles.
"What those happening waltz clubs." Dawn grinned at him her eyes twinkling with barely suppressed amusement.
"Tease all you will, some of us listen to real music," replied Giles.
Dawn stuck her tongue out. She settled back stretching her long legs resting on the grass.
"So, I meant to ask how your studies were going?" asked Giles
"Okay I guess. Actually I'm sort of lying their going great." Dawn grinned at him impishly. "I'm surprised you don't know what with all your spies and worldwide omnipotence."
"Good. Although I think you're sadly mistaken about the strength of my powers or the extent of my network," answered Giles.
"Actually I think you are," replied Dawn.
"Well, I hope you're right," said Giles. He smiled sadly wondering whether it would be a boon or a curse if his young charge was right.
"You know I am," replied Dawn. She stopped for a moment, chewing her lip as if she was considering something, risking a quick glance in Giles' direction before whispering to herself, obviously in an effort to psych herself up.
Giles tried not to let his amusement show having seen Buffy conduct exactly the same internal toing and froing before asking for something heinous like permission to be a cheerleader. Well not exactly that. He could clearly remember that to his exasperation that she hadn't and knowing Dawn he didn't think it was anything quite so trivial.
Eventually the young woman settled her internal battle and came out and asked, "Do you think there's sort of an atmosphere here?"
Not quite what he had been expecting and if he was honest Giles' wasn't exactly sure what Dawn was getting at.
"Sorry, I may be being a little slow, but how exactly," he inquired.
"Well, don't you think things are a little tense? Dawn repeated her question. She pursed her lips while at the same time lacing her fingers tightly together.
"No more than usual," admitted Giles sounding puzzled. “If you're worried about what Hans and David said during the meeting. Don't be."
"Well partly, but it was more a feeling I got whilst walking around the school. You know, something in the air, like something was ready to pop," replied Dawn her breath send forth great foggy clouds into the morning air.
"Like a foreboding?"
"Could be! Although to be honest I wouldn't say it was as strong as that. At least it’s nothing like the ones I remember or the ones covered in Drayton’s Compendium," replied Dawn. She peered over at him so that her long hair fanned out forming a lustrous curtain as she rested her head in her hands.
"How long have you had these feelings?" Giles asked concerned now as he took in the suddenly serious look on Dawn's face.
"Since I arrived," replied Dawn. "Do you think it could be something to do with me being the key?"
"It's possible," admitted Giles. "You may have a higher susceptibility to the flow of magic and to the interactions of the various dimensions. Maybe this extends into some sort of sixth sense?"
Dawn tutted and shrugged noncommittally.
"Maybe it’s just empathy, or that your very good a reading people."
"Yeah, like that’s likely! Otherwise I would be able to tell when Buffy was going to ground my ass," complained Dawn with a rueful smile.
"Well, from what I heard I think it was entirely justified," replied Giles.
"Na uh.” Dawn whined." She was so totally unreasonable. Anyway you weren't there."
"Well, it certainly felt like it," groaned Giles.
"She chews your ear off as well?" asked Dawn. She sounded somewhat sympathetic.
"That is one way of putting it. I think the words, grounded, life and throw away the key were used," replied Giles with an amused smile.
"God isn't she impossible," complained Dawn rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.
"That she is, but she does love you. She is just a little over protective that is all. Something I must admit we’re all a little bit guilty of," said Giles.
"Ah!" Dawn grimaced before looking down and making as if to study her manicure.
"So your network is working after all," said Dawn.
"I guess you could say in a way it is," agreed Giles. He shifted in a vain attempt at posterior warming before asking," Does this have something to do with what happened in Africa?"
"In a way," admitted Dawn.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Giles.
"No," replied Dawn.
"But you're going to," prompted Giles.
"Yes," admitted Dawn.
****
"You are so going down," taunted Mary. She shot an ever so pleased smirk in Rowena's direction as they strolled down Highland Avenue on the final leg of their evenings patrol. The sky was just beginning to lighten but not enough to do anything other than contribute to a gradual palingof the sky. Certainly it wasn’t warming up the freezing December air or doing anything to melt the snow that crunched underneath the frozen feet of the patrolling Slayers.
"You may think what you wish but the fact remains that it will be you who will be the loser," replied Rowena. She fixed her younger charge with a knowing smile that just caused Mary to look at her like she had just grown two heads.
"Hah," laughed Mary. She suddenly stopped cocking her head to one side. “You hear something Ro?"
"Other than you no," Rowena replied," Although...."
"Down," screamed Mary. She suddenly shoved Rowena to one side sending the Slayer spinning to the ground before she dived after her rolling behind the rear bumper of a parked Chevy.
The heavy quarrel of a crossbow embedded itself into the snow crusted trunk of one of the many trees that graced the sidewalk along the suburban road.
"What can you see," asked Rowena. He breathing was ragged as she drew in great lungful of cold air. All the while her own eyes desperately scanned the darkness looking for any sign of their assailant against the backdrop of dark windows, shrubs and snow covered front stoops.
"Nothing," replied Mary keeping her voice low. "That looks like some heavy duty stuff."
"Shit," groaned Mary. She looked for a moment like a scared little girl as she peered into the darkness before spotting the rest of their team sheltering behind some trash cans on the other side of the street, "Becky's hit."
"There is something, how you say, hinky about that quarrel," mused Rowena nodding in the direction of the tree.
"You think? Maybe we should break out the books," snapped Mary. She shivered and whispered, "Sorry." Rowena smiled reassuringly at the young Slayer.
"Actually maybe we can ask them," replied Rowena her arm outstretched pointing at the dark figures loping from the cover of a van parked in a driveway up the street.
Vampires at least six from the look of it led by a hulking Vampire clad in dock workers overalls.
"Get them, remember follow the plan," he snarled dispatching three Vamps in the direction of Tanya and the wounded Becky before turning in their direction a cruel grin on his face.
"No point hiding bitches cause I can see you," he growled. He pulled up his sleeves as he and a pair of minions started towards them.
"Who said we were hiding," snapped Rowena. She stepped out from her hiding place around the side of the car and sending a flying kick into the Vampire that sent him sprawling to the ground.
Taking advantage of the confusion Mary rushed forward tackling the other two Vampires. A quick flurry of punches drove one backwards snarling to topple over someone’s plastic flamingo in their front yard. Thankfully for Rowena's unspeakable love of the little fellows the garden ornament itself somehow contrived to come out unscathed from the demonic encounter.
"Bitch," snarled the Vampire. He backhanded Rowena so hard that she slammed into the side of the chevy leaving a nice dent that the owner was going to have a hell of time explaining to his insurance assessor.
Rowena slipped to one side the studs on her jeans scouring a nice scratch on the cars paintwork before the Vamps fist slammed through the side window. Fragments of glass richoted into her cheek. Her foot lashed backwards stamping on the inside of the Vamps knee sending his forehead slamming into the door rim. Before, with a reverse swing, she punched her stake through his back and then his heart dusting him.
A quick glance showed that Mary was still engaged with a couple of Vamps although she was looking the worst for wear blood running down her left arm. The nasty cut and slashed clothing testament to the sharpness of the cruel knife being wielded by one of the Vampires. Her sister Slayer also sported some nasty bruises but was fending off the two Vamps gamely. A job that got considerably easier when Rowena drifted up silently behind one who had little time other than to give a panicked squawk before he was a pile of dust on the ground.
Mary stumbled causing the remaining Vampire on their side of the street to over commit as he lunged forward, leaving himself open to Rowena's stake which he didn't even see coming.
"Beth." Mary coughed blood, dropping to the ground. Rowena turned to where her despairing Slayer had pointed.
Beth was down on the ground not moving, a Vamp her bleached blond hair masking her face was feeding on the fallen Slayer. Tanya hung limply in the grip of another Vampire who turned a growling and blood smeared face in Rowena's direction before dropping the dead Slayer to the ground like a discarded fast food meal before backing away into the darkness.
"Gottverdammte Scheiße," screamed Rowena losing it and running over the road only to double over as the bleached blonde surged to her feet sending a massive punch into her kidneys sending her staggering to one side double up in pain.
The Vamp closed on Rowena another punch to her jaw sending her spinning to the ground.
"Run," she screamed blood and teeth spattering the ground as the Vampire leered down at her the blood of Becky still dripping from her fangs.
"Don't worry you'll get to live Slayer. I think my mistress will be happy with tonight’s work. Who would have thought two Slayers could be taken so easily," sneered Clarice, "As for you. You're safe at least until my mistress decrees your death."
"Verdammte Scheiße," snarled Rowena until the Vampires arm snaked out and gripped her throat, an iron vice choking the air from her before with a snarl Clarice tossed Rowena to the ground.
"Free ride is over Slayer, Cleveland is our town and you can tell your precious Council we'll be coming for you all soon enough." With that Clarice turned on her heel and strode off into the darkness the silhouettes of other Vampires joining her from the shadows.
Rowena just laid there her breath burbling in her throat, the night sky tunnelling in as the pain narrowed her vision.
"Ro, are you okay?" Mary asked, she staggered to her side and helped her team leader to her feet.
"Nein." Rowena shuddered as she clambered to her feet, her arms couldn't stop trembling. Each step felt like she was walking on hot charcoal.
"Oh God, Beth," sobbed Mary. Her hand trembled as she closed the blank staring eyes of the girl who until a few minutes before had been smiling along as she teased Ro.
Rowena reached out taking Mary's hand as they stared down at Tanya, the bruises on her arms and face showed she had fought and struggled as the Vampire had drained away her life’s blood. No easy death due to Vampiric rapture for Tanya.
Rowena reached down slid her arms under the body and then braced herself before lifting the body.
"Ro," asked Mary.
"Ro!"
"What are you doing?" Mary asked looking around, panic seeping into her tone. "We need to get back and warn the others."
"I'm not leaving them here," replied Rowena her voice sounded flat, dead in her ears.
"But they're..." Mary paused as a sob bubbled past her lips. "They're dead Ro there's nothing we can do for them now."
"No, you don't understand they're my team," replied Rowena.
"Ro," pleaded Mary. She tugged ineffectively at Rowena’s sleeve. "We've got to go."
"I'm not leaving them!!" Rowena screamed. She rounded on Mary causing the young Slayer to take a step backwards. She bit her lip as she ignored the tears running down her face.
"Okay, but I'm not leaving you. I can't lose you as well. So we go together," replied Mary biting down a cry of pain as she bent down and lifted Beth's body free of the ground.
"Let's go home," said Rowena.
****
The knock at the door for all its gentleness might as well have been the marching band at Penn state for the effect in had on Ashley's concentration. Even this slight disturbance forced her to look up from her study of the cryptic passage.
Oh god please no she thought as she prised herself wearily out of her chair, her limbs protesting through lack of use as she hobbled over to the door.
"Coming," she snapped. Her lack of sleep and the consumption of too much caffeine expressed itself in a waspish temper that she usually managed to keep under check.
She prised open the door and peered through the gap praying that it wasn't Andrew again. She swore if he compared his role in the last battle as like that of Kirk’s battle with Khan she would brain the little idiot.
Her heart sank as she spied the back of a tweed jacket, but then the figure turned and she sighed in relief.
"Oh Mr Giles," she exclaimed.
"Do you mind if I come in?" Giles smiled and Ashley became suddenly aware of her half clothed state her robe hanging half open.
"Of course," she stepped aside desperately trying to suppress the blush as the head of the Council moved past her into the disaster zone that was her room.
"Sorry about the mess," she said as she hurriedly straightened her robe and fixed anutterly fake smile on her face.
"Oh sit down Ashley I haven't come to pry," said Giles. He favoured her with what she was coming to recognise as one of his trademarked amused smile. He looked around before gently moving a pile of books from a chair and gesturing for her to sit.
"Thanks," replied Ashley sinking into the more comfortable armchair. “I would offer something but unfortunately I've only got cold coffee.”
"Thank you, but I'm fine. Actually I was lying about not coming to pry," replied Giles smiling as he took in the multitude of half empty mugs.
"Oh," replied Ashley.
"You're not pushing yourself too hard?"
"No, I'm fine. I was just trying to finish translating this passage," replied Ashley.
"Good," answered Giles. Although Ashley could tell he was far from convinced.
"So how is it going, if I might ask?"
"Well the transcription of the Sanskrit into Aramaic seems a little too literal, at least in my opinion," replied Ashley.
"So you question the veracity of Marcus' concerns?" asked Giles. He studied her so intently that Ashley could feel the flush on her face as she stammered out her response.
"No, not precisely although I think he may be being a little too literal in his translation. Which as you know is always a problem where prophecies are concerned."
"I see." Giles removed his glasses giving them a gentle clean with his rag. "You haven't spoken of this with anyone?"
"No!" Ashley snapped then regretted it immediately as Mr Giles drew back slightly surprised at her rebuke.
"Sorry," she apologised.
"There's no need. I shouldn't have asked. I know you promised you wouldn't speak of it to anyone other than me. I trust you, it’s just..." He replied trailing off and looking slightly embarrassed causing Ashley to boggle at him.
"Just," she asked.
"Andrew caught me in the kitchen earlier asking if he could help with whatever top secret hush hush project it was you were working on," he admitted.
"Oh God. I'm sorry Mr Giles. I thought he didn't really get a chance to see it. It was literally only a peek before I snatched it away. That’s why I've been translating it in my room rather than in the library."
"Ashley, I don't think there’s any reason to worry. Andrew knows the title and might do some digging on his own especially if he knew the identity of the suspected principals but I've given him some other work to do that should keep him tied up a while," replied Giles.
"Thank you," replied Ashley.
"But I do think from the looks of it that you could do with some help," suggested Giles. He reached out givingher knee a gentle squeeze when he saw how crestfallen she was.
"This isn't a judgement on your abilities Ashley; you're one of our brightest hopes." Giles smiled.
"And don't worry I wasn't thinking of asking Andrew. No, actually I was thinking of asking Dawn."
"Oh," replied Ashley.
"So what do you think?" asked Giles.
Ashley didn't have an opportunity to give her answer as the heavy sound of running feet, slamming doors and other commotion out in the hallway drew both their gazes to her doorway.
There was a heavy banging on her door and before she could even get up to open it someone tried the handle and finding it unlocked shoved the door open.
"Ashley come quick, there's trouble," said a half dressed Albert. He flushed with embarrassment as he took in the presence of Mr Giles.
"What is it Albert?" asked Giles.
"It's Rowena's team they've been attacked and there have been casualties," he replied.
****
"Ro, please you've got to put her down," pleaded Kennedy trying to edge a fraction closer to the distraught Slayer. Her normally composed face a picture of misery, eyes red raw from crying, her tee-shirt, oh god her tee-shirt covered in Becky's blood.
She tried to ignore the sobbing coming from the corner of the entrance hall where Willow comforted Mary. She was holding her tight to her chest, gently rocking her as the young Slayer finally broke down as she set the body of Tanya on the floor.
"Ro, speak to me," pleaded Kennedy taking a step closer and gently touching the girls arm. She paused and then gently reached up pressuring Rowena's chin so that she could look her in the eyes. She resisted Kennedy at first but then the fight seemed to go out of her.
"She's gone Ro," said Kennedy. the taste of salt on her lips proof of the tears running down her own face.
Rowena broke then. The tears coming in a steady stream, her wail of despair echoed round the hall causing Willow to send a concerned look in her direction. Rowena sagged to the ground and Kennedy braced her gently shifting her hands out of the way so that she could ease Beth's body to the floor between them, her arms reached and she pulled the Slayer into a hug.
Kennedy wasn't how sure how long she held Rowena. It could not have been long but she pulled back studied Ro's face, took in the bruises already fading courtesy of the wonders of Slayer healing.
"We need to get you looked at," said Kennedy.
"I failed them," repliedRowena her tone devoid of all emotion.
"You didn't," snapped Kennedy. She was pleased to see an answering flash of anger in the girl's eyes. That was better; let the anger come and burn away the guilt she was obviously feeling.
Kennedy didn't know what had gone down but she knew Rowena and doubted this was her fault. First though they needed to get her and Mary checked out and then find out what had happened.
"Come on," she gently pulled Rowena to her feet peripherally aware of the groups of Slayers and Watchers who clustered around the edge of the entrance hall, watching as she and Willow ushered the pair of injured Slayers towards the medical room. She caught Giles' eye as they passed the bottom of the stairs he gave her a quick nod.
****
"Right, Annabelle, Trixie, Satsu and Elbelle can you see to Tanya and Beth. The rest of you I want three teams sweeping the area out there in the next ten minutes. Keep your eyes peeled and report back. Don't go haring off after revenge. At least until we know what we're facing," said Giles as he addressed the fifteen or so Slayers and Watchers who crowded the stairs and the hallway.
"Do you want me to take a team?" asked Ashley.
"No, I need you to help me coax what happened out of Rowena and Mary," said Giles.
"Albert, go and find Faith and Xander, they'll want to be in on this," said Willow.
"Trudy, please arrange for the other members of the High Council to meet with me in twenty minutes," asked Giles. He watched as Trudy shouldered her way up the stairs before she disappeared into the gloom.
"This is terrible," whispered Ashley as the two bodies were removed from the hallway.
"I fear we may have become too complacent in our superiority," replied Giles sadly. He reached out giving her arm a comforting squeeze.
"Come on we have the living to see to," he said.
"And the dead to avenge," added Ashley.
****
Faith stretched still drowsy her breasts gently brushing against Xander’s chest bringing back pleasant memories of earlier in the night as she moved past him to check what the fucking time was. Unfortunately it wasn’t that time. Although the doofus smiled obviously enjoying whatever dream he was having. Faith was pretty damn certain she would feature in it in some way given last night and she felt a momentary warm rush… She wasn’t sure what it was but it took all her willpower not to reach out, to run her hand across his chest or reach down and kiss those lips. Shit she was becoming such a sappy loser. Problem was much as she wanted to do it the fucking banging on the door was getting damn insistent.
“All right, I’m coming and this better be fucking good or you’re a dead man,” she snapped ripping the door open.
Albert was standing on the other side, he gawped as Faith opened the door, blushed a deep red making Faith suddenly aware of her naked state. So what let the guy get a freebie look its not like she was bothered .Although she was pissed about being stopped from waking Xander up in an interesting way, her irritation died as she caught sight of his own rumpled half dressed state.
“Well, are you going to tell me what you want, or am I going to spend all night freezing my nips off when instead I could be tucked up in a warm bed,” growled Faith.
“Sorry, I didn’t realise,” replied Albert desperately trying to cover his eyes. He steeled himself removing his hand and looked Faith straight in the eyes although Faith couldn’t help grinning at the obvious effort it took the young Watcher not to look south of there.
“It’s Rowena’s team, they’ve been attacked. She’s pretty bashed up and…” Albert paused and then delivered the bad news.
“Two of her team are dead. We lost Tanya and Beth.”
“Fuck,” hissed Faith all her irritation evaporating. She didn’t recognise the names; she might have recognised the faces not that she would ever get to put the two together now.
“Mr Giles asked me to get you and Mr Harris,” explained Albert.
“Tell him we’ll be right down Albie,” replied Faith. “Just give us a couple of minutes to throw on some clothes.”
“Okay, Miss Lehane I’m sorry… If I had realised,” apologised Albert.
“Don’t sweat it Albie, you did the right thing,” replied Faith with what she hoped was a comforting smile.
“I’ll be going then, I need to get something more than this on if I going to help one of the teams,” replied Albert gesturing at his dressing gown.
Faith turned to find herself being regarded by Xander propped up the covers fallen away.
“So you hear,” she asked shucking on a pair of jeans and pulling her old rank tee back over her head.
“Yeah I did!” Xander sighed swinging his legs out from under the covers and running his fingers through his tousled hair. He looked over at her his face a study in regret.
“You know this royally sucks! I mean we bring the girls into this life and you know they think it’s all great. Hot chicks with superpowers,” he snapped not noticing in his need to unload Faith’s wince.
“But what are we giving them really? A short and terrifying life that ends in death. Having your throat ripped out by some evil bastard and not having anyone know the reason why?”
“Hey, we’ll get the fuckers that did this babe. I promise,” said Faith. She circled the bed, pausing only to pick up her boots, her hand reaching out to brush his face before she pulled it back suddenly uncomfortable with this gesture of intimacy. It somehow felt more real, more dangerous than the other stuff she had been doing to Xander with the lights out.
“I know we will. It’s just…” Xander smiled ruefully, his hand snaking out quickly and snaring her fingers before she could finish pulling them away. He rubbed his thumb, rough but gentle over the calluses on her fingers, his gentle smile provoking a husky groan of frustration from Faith who finished pulling away.
“So you ready? The others will be waiting,” she asked. She looked down at her boyfriend, her breathe hissing out in an audible stream between her teeth as she registered the look on his face. She recognised the look. After all she had seen it on his face before, even been the cause of it. Fear, Xander was afraid but for the life of her Faith couldn’t figure out why.
“Yes,” replied Xander.
****
Giles looked up from his place sat on the small two seat settee next to Mary as the door to the medical room burst open.
It wasn’t who he had been expecting though, no swirl of lustrous brunette hair marking Faith’s arrival instead it was Robin’s bald pate that greeted him.
“Giles, we have to talk,” said Robin. He was clearly out of breath and his eyes widened in surprise as he took in the two shrouded bodies on the slabs and Rowena being tended to by Annabel.
“I agree, we need to understand what has happened and how to respond,” replied Giles getting to his feet. He gave Mary a comforting smile before turning his attention to Robin.
Robin grimaced, his fingers rubbing his eyes.
“I don’t think you understand Rupert,” he sighed drawing Giles aside.
“Oh,” replied Giles.
“I wasn’t talking about this,” replied Robin gesturing. “I’m sorry I didn’t know. I guess I should have realised when I saw all the Slayers and Watchers milling around.”
“I hate to be the bearer of more bad news.” Robin glanced around checking to see if they were being overheard but Ashley was busy sketching a likeness of the Vampire who had lead the attack in response to Mary’s description.
“Please explain Robin. I really haven’t got time or inclination to play games.” Giles half snapped in reply before grimacing himself in regret. “I’m sorry. Please do go on.”
“I had a call from Wilhelmina. You remember that mission I told you about?” asked Robin.
“Yes. Jez wasn’t it?”
“Right, well something has gone wrong. Jez is overdue and Wilhelmina hasn’t heard from the two Slayers she sent to investigate. In fact I have reason to believe they may all be dead.”
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