Chapter 59: Long Story Short
“So the Council brought you over to be evaluated? You’re not supposed to be in prison anymore?” Buffy asked slowly as the three headed out of the cemetery and toward Giles’ apartment. Buffy had called him and told him to get everybody over there for an emergency meeting.
“Yeah. You can call the prison if you want, B.”
“Giles is already on it.”
“Figures,” Faith grumbled. She looked at Spike, narrowing her eyes.
“What?”
“Spike, right?” She chuckled. “I remember you.”
“We’ve met before?”
“Well, yeah, but I was kinda wearing Buffy’s body at the time.” Buffy shot a glare at Faith who just shrugged. “Sorry, B. I had to have some fun, didn’t I? You know me.”
“Yeah. I used to think I did anyway.”
“Oh right,” Spike finally said aloud. “What was it? You said you could…ride me at a gallop…make me pop like warm champagne?”
“You remember me. I’m touched.” This time, Buffy’s glare was shot in Spike’s direction. He held his hands up.
“What? She said it.”
“Whatever,” Buffy muttered, adjusting her shopping bags in her hands. Spike was already carrying several of them, but he held out his hand, reaching for me. “I can handle some shopping bags, Spike. They’re full of clothes, not lead bricks.”
“Just offering to help, pet.” Faith snorted.
“Yeah, well, I’m not completely helpless. I can carry my own bags.” She hated snapping at him, but apparently, the mood swings were kicking in again, and she just couldn’t control the flow of word vomit.
“Like I said, just offering. Don’t have to get shirty about it.”
“Shirty? Is that even a word?” Buffy asked, turning to face the vampire. Faith snorted.
Both turned to her, and in unison asked “what?”
“You two sound like an old married couple.” They looked at each other and then back at Faith without a word, and her jaw dropped. “No way. Oh no fucking way. This is too good. Buffy the Chosen One marries the enemy! This’ll be a good one for the books one day, for sure.”
“He’s not the enemy.”
“Oh really?”
“He has a soul, and that’s beside the point. He’s been helping us for years.”
“That right? Well, good for you. You actually tamed one. Wait, or is this the second one you’ve tamed? Hmm, I guess Angel was already kinda pre-tamed when you came along.”
“Shut up, Faith,” Buffy warned.
“Just catching up, B.”
“What are you doing here anyway?”
“I told you. I’m free.”
“No, you said the Council freed you, and you went through some sort of evaluation. You didn’t say why you’re suddenly here looking like somebody hit you in the face with a semi truck.”
“I don’t look that bad, do I?”
“No, but it’s nice to dream.”
“Ouch,” Faith laughed, glancing over at Spike. “Looks like marrying you put the a little bit of the bitch in Buffy.”
“Not exactly how I’d put it,” Spike muttered, receiving an elbow in the arm in response. Faith eyed the two suspiciously but decided not to ask questions.
“So when are you gonna talk about it, Faith? My patience is pretty thin these days.”
“Hold your horses, B. Wanna get the whole gang together, just like old times. That way I don’t have to repeat myself ten times.”
“Great,” Buffy breathed, picking up the pace. “Then let’s hurry.”
***
Everyone sat silently still at Giles’ after having listened to Faith explain the sordid story. Buffy stood next to Spike, coat pulled around herself, not quite ready to reveal her pregnancy to her fellow Slayer quite yet. As the prophecy had said, the danger was coming from within. That possibility could very well now be placed on Faith, though according to her story, it might be Dana or Travers.
“So let me get this straight,” Xander said slowly. “Quentin Travers called you, said he had this opportunity for you to be a Slayer all over again without having to do anymore time. You get there, meet Dana, become best buds…”
“Ah, I wouldn’t go that far, but she was cool. Kinda naïve, but not a bad kid.”
“And there’s this drug Travers has been trying to get her to try out. Some experimental thing.”
“Right. And they got to her first. I heard him telling her that I was her mission. I thought he meant she was supposed to take me out, but she shows up, and I stupidly answered the door, thinking maybe she had a little fire in her and played Travers like a fiddle. But, no. I open the door, she beats the hell out of me, drugs me up real nice, and about a day later, I wake up all fuzzy, but the drug’s wearing off.”
“But it didn’t wear off of her?”
“I think he gave her a lot more than one dose. I’m not sure if she can be, you know, fixed.” Faith shrugged her shoulders. “Anyway, I got free and I ran.”
“And a week later, bam, here you are?”
“Pretty much. I was gonna call, but I figured I’d drop in for a surprise. It’s more fun that way. Besides, if anybody can help me take down a Slayer, it’s Slayer numero uno here.” She smiled at Buffy who looked away. “C’mon, B. Learn how to take a compliment.”
“Fantastic,” Giles muttered. “You’ve led her straight to us.” Faith furrowed her brows.
“What’s the big? I mean, we’ve got major Wiccas here, the whole Scooby gang.” She looked at Anya and then at Xander. “Still not really sure what you two are useful for.” Anya looked at her husband and then back at the woman who’d taken his virginity.
“I look after the money, and I run the shop. If it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t have access to half of the books and spells they need.” Faith nodded.
“Fair. And Xander? Still that, uh, seven minutes in heaven kinda guy?” Xander’s face paled. Anya stood up.
“Actually, sixteen,” Anya pointed out. “We’ve gone longer, but I’d say sixteen is about average, wouldn’t you honey?” With his eyes, Xander pleaded for his wife to stop, but she couldn’t see through it. Xander was actually relieved when Faith spoke next. “And a ring? Oh, let me guess. You two are hitched.” Anya nodded happily. “Wow. See, Xander, I can see. He’s kinda a need guy, but B? Never imagined her to be the ball and chain kinda girl. Guess things change.”
“A lot’s changed, but clearly you haven’t,” Willow muttered. Faith eyed her and then Tara.
“Nice to see the two of you are still together. You are still together, right? I mean, why else would Tara be here? It’s not like she has anything in common with…”
“Why don’t you just shut up, Faith?” Dawn asked. “Maybe if you’d stop acting like a bitch and learn how to have civilized conversations, people wouldn’t hate you so much.”
“Not so sure about that,” Willow pointed out. Faith sighed heavily.
“Whatever. Look, are you gonna help me or not? Don’t wanna kill the kid. It’s not her fault she’s all pumped up with the amnesia juice. But she’s strong. I have a feeling we’ll have to get pretty rough with her.”
“What makes me think we would help you, Faith?” Giles wondered, placing the earpiece of his glasses in the corner of his mouth.
“Because you’re obviously freaked about me being here, because she’s on my trail. What’s going on?”
“You haven’t exactly given us reason enough to trust you enough. Don’t think we’re going to make with the spillage tonight.” Buffy stood up and crossed her arms across her stomach. “You have a place to stay?”
“I can find a hotel. Anything’s better than a bunk in a cold, concrete room, you know?” She smirked. “Oh wait. You don’t know.”
“You’re staying with me.”
“Well, that’s awful hospitable of you, B.”
“I’d rather you be under my roof where I can keep an eye on you.” Faith opened her mouth to speak, but Buffy continued first. “But if you try anything, I won’t hesitate to chain you up in the basement.” Faith thought about asking Buffy when she’d gotten into bondage, but from the annoyed look in her sister Slayer’s eyes, she decided against it.
“Fine, whatever. Let’s just get out of here.” With that, Faith made for the door, and when nobody moved to follow, she turned and raised her eyebrows. “Or I could just walk myself home and see what kind of shenanigans I can get into along the way.”
“Right,” Buffy sighed. She grabbed some of her shopping bags, Spike grabbed a couple, and Dawn grabbed a few more.
“We’ll be there shortly,” Willow called, as they all exited Giles’ home. Buffy took a deep breath and tried to force back the anger she still held against Faith for the past. If she really was on their side, it was going to take a lot of effort on both of their parts to work together and get this whole Council thing sorted out. She just had to calm herself and hope that Faith wouldn’t tempt her to bash her head in or beat the living snot out of her before sunrise.
***
“Did you hear something?”
“No.”
“I think I heard something.”
“Luv, I’ve got better hearing than you. I didn’t hear a bloody thing.”
“Then maybe it’s too quiet. She’s up to something.”
“Buffy, you need to get some rest.”
“Yeah, but I can’t do that with Faith sleeping on my couch.”
“You’re the one that invited her.”
“Excuse me?”
“No excuse needed. You told her to stay here so you could keep an eye on her.”
“And now you’re nagging me for it?”
“Bloody hell, woman, I’m not nagging you. I’m just saying, it was your choice.” Buffy stared at him for the longest moment before turning her head away and folding her arms. “Oh, brilliant. Giving me the silent treatment, are you?”
“You know,” she hissed, “I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a little support.” Spike narrowed his eyes at her. He loved her. He was bug shagging crazy about the bloody woman, but right now she made absolutely no sense at all.
“A little support? You want me to tell you that you were wrong to invite her into our home?” Buffy opened her mouth to speak but closed it just as quickly. “It’s alright, luv. Just rest.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh Lord, here we go. Look, Buffy’s hormones, I would love to speak to my wonderful, sweet, beautiful wife. When she comes back, could you tell her so?” Buffy glared at him, and he smiled a little, kissing her forehead. Finally, Buffy sighed and pulled herself out of bed. “Where you going?”
“I’m gonna make a sweep through the cemetery.” She started pulling her clothes on.
“Oh. Alright.” He started to get out of bed.
“No. No, I wanna go alone.”
“Oh. Right.”
“I just need to walk off this hormone surge before I say something I don’t mean.” She leaned down to kiss him softly. “I’ll be back soon, ok?” Spike nodded.
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” she whispered, zipping up her jeans. As soon as she had her shoes on, she was heading out the door. When she reached the foot of the stairs, she saw Faith sprawled out on the couch. Tiptoeing to the door, she unlocked it, and with painstaking slowness, she opened the door and headed out into the cool, brisk night.
***
The crunch of her boots on the cool ground was satisfying to the Slayer. The night was silent, and the air was crisp. Being alone was nice sometimes. Despite the fact that she would be happy to spend every moment for the rest of her life in the arms of her husband, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that had she not left that room when she had tonight, things would have been said and not meant, but it still would have ruffled some feathers in their marriage bed.
She inhaled a slow, steady breath, feeling the cool air calm her down a little. She was shivering slightly, so she pulled her coat tighter around her body. But just as she started to pick up the pace through the cemetery, she heard the scrape of boots behind her. Sighing, she froze and looked skyward, wondering why she was being punished.
“What do you want, Faith?”
“Same as you. To do a little damage to the demon world.” Buffy spun on her heel to look at her fellow Slayer.
“I didn’t say I wanted company.”
“I didn’t ask. Heard you sneak out. Thought it might be nice.”
“Why don’t you stick to that corner, and I’ll stick to this one? If you insist on being here…”
“Buffy, I didn’t come here to piss you off.” At Buffy’s doubtful glance, she shrugged and stuffed her hands in her pockets. “Ok, maybe I did a little. But come on. We’re fighting on the same side.”
“For once.” Buffy turned and headed off in the same direction she was heading before. Faith hurried after her until she was walking with the same quick pace across the cemetery.
“You don’t want me here.”
“What gave you that idea? Was it not obvious enough for you?”
“Listen, B…”
“No, you listen. Just because Angel believed you had some redeeming qualities doesn’t mean I’m going to automatically be your best friend.” Faith looked a little taken aback. She wished she didn’t care so damned much with Buffy thought of her.
“Well, it’s great to know you have such high hopes for a girl like me.” Faith turned and started to head off, but Buffy cringed inwardly and sighed.
“Faith, wait.”
“Why the hell should I? Obviously I can’t do right in your eyes. I mean, of course Angel and Spike are worth forgiving for all the people they’ve killed…and eaten…but me? Oh no, I’m just a piece of trash that doesn’t deserve forgiveness, right?”
“That’s not…”
“Or maybe you just have to be the Slayer’s sex puppy, huh? Maybe that’s the only way to get a little forgiveness.” Before she knew what she was doing, Buffy reached out and slapped Faith across the face. Faith felt the sting, and she smiled a little. “Good to see you’ve still got it, B.”
“Don’t talk about Angel. Or Spike. You don’t know anything about…”
“All I know is that you can’t stand that I’m trying to pick myself up off the floor. I’ve done some seriously fucked up things, yeah. I admit that. But I’m trying here, B.”
“Not very hard.”
“I’m not saying I wanna be best pals. I just want you to know that I’m done with all that. I don’t care about getting even with you. I don’t care that you’re always going to be the Chosen One—the one everybody looks to for orders, even when another Slayer’s around. Bugs me a little, but I’m cool with it. Why? Because I realize that I don’t have to prove myself. I just have to do what I was born to do, you know?”
“Does that include sleeping with the men I care about, or is that just a bonus.” Faith couldn’t help the smirk that spread over her face.
“You really think I want Spike?”
“No. Not Spike.”
“So this is about Riley? Or is it Angel? Take your pick, B, because I won’t lie. I tried to take Angel away from you, but he was too devoted to following you around like a puppy. And Riley? Well, the boy was a pretty package, but he wasn’t too smart in the head. Wasn’t too good of a lay either, but I’m sure you already knew that, or else you wouldn’t be doing the bedroom bunny hug with William the Bloody.” Buffy sighed heavily and took a few moments of pause to think about what to say to the other Slayer. Truthfully, she wanted nothing more to have it out with Faith. A full on hand to hand combat with some major pain, but she had good reason for not getting into that right now.
“I really don’t wanna talk about the past, Faith. What you did is done, ok?” She turned and walked away.
“What? That’s it?”
“What do you want me to say? It’s the past. It happened, and it’s over. If things had gone differently, maybe I wouldn’t be where I am today. And I’m happy with where I am.”
“Oh come on. Don’t give me that bullshit, B. You can’t tell me you don’t look at me and hate me because of what I did.” Buffy turned to face Faith. Despite everything that had happened between them in the past, she couldn’t hate the girl. Faith had had a completely different upbringing than her, and Buffy knew that given similar circumstances, she could have ended up the same way. But with the baby on the way, having Faith around was a frightening notion. Maybe Faith was reformed, but that didn’t mean she wanted her child growing up around someone like Faith, who, in the past, and switched sides at the drop of a dime.
“I don’t hate you, Faith. Ok? I don’t. I probably should. But I don’t. But I also don’t want you in my life. When this thing with Dana’s over, I want you gone, you got that?” Faith shrugged her shoulders.
“You got it, B.”
“Good.” When she spun back around, her face connected with a cold, dead fist, and she stumbled backward. Faith caught her but immediately left her side to chase after the freshly woken vampire.
He didn’t get very far. Faith grabbed him by the collar and swung him back, knocking his head into a tree. Buffy grabbed her stake from her pocket, rushing at him. But, he caught his balance, barreled past Faith, and startled to run behind a crypt.
“Faith, go that way,” Buffy instructed. Without hesitation, Faith rushed around one side, while she headed around the other. Faith must have reached him first, as he came sprinting out, his massive hands pushing at Buffy’s chest, sending her flying back against a grave stone. She felt a twinge of pain in her back, and she groaned, clutching her stomach.
“I got this one!” Faith claimed, tossing her stake at the escaping vampire. The force of the blow was enough to impale him, and within moments, the stake clattered to the grassy ground in a wave of dust.
When Faith turned around from retrieving her stake, Buffy was kneeling on the ground, clutching her stomach, frozen in what looked like fear. Faith furrowed her brows and tentatively stepped up to the other Slayer’s side.
“B?”
“I’m fine. Just…give me a second.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing! Ok?” She stood up, pulling her coat tightly around herself. Faith, completely not buying Buffy’s assurances, considering she was clutching herself and gritting her teeth, pulled the Slayer up, and in doing so, the coat slipped out of place, revealing the secret Buffy had been hiding from her. Faith’s eyes immediately widened at the sight, and she looked back up at her sister Slayer.
“Holy shit, B! You’re pregnant?!”
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Hey guys! Thanks for all of your kind comments regarding my health and this story. I'm going to go ahead and go to the hospital and get this checked out. But I finished this chapter last night and wanted to post it before I go in. I'll update you all on what happens!
Chapter End Notes:
Please let me know what you thought of the chapter! I would greatly appreciate it! :)