Part 8

They were up against it. Standing closed in at a dead end in the sewer system, Buffy, Faith, Angel, Gunn and Wes, were currently being faced down by six of the same slime demons they had come across last night. They hadn't gone hunting, they had simply gone for information. The research team had found possible links between the demons and a very old, very evil demon king of the sea. These apparently were its minions, sent to do his bidding, clear the way for some sort of return to existence. From legend it was rather huge, able to swallow much of the western seaboard of North America in just one bite. The gang had decided that this wasn't something they wanted to see and therefore had gone searching for a way of stopping it from coming to pass.

All they had found were the slime fiends. And now they were getting their asses kicked. The sewer was dark and dank, not a problem for the superheroes, but certainly some problem for Gunn and Wes. Also the slime demons seemed to have an innate understanding of exactly where they were heading, hence being able to corner the group of friends in their current predicament.

The fighting was fierce, the slayers and Angel were pretty much able to handle a demon each, but for Gunn and Wes, the most they could do was keep a demon at bay. Striking out blindly, but with speed, hoping the sheer flurry of movement would be enough to deter. It was working. Kind of, but unfortunately they were outnumbered, with two spare demons able to land blows.

Faith was rethinking her earlier thought that getting messy with Buffy would be fun. This wasn't fun, this was dangerous. If she could take Gunn and Wes out of the fight, it would be easier, then the three of them left could just let rip, teach these slimy motherfuckers who was boss. Sure they had a king, but she was in the mood to teach them who was queen! Gunn and Wes were hard to persuade though, and she was getting hoarse from shouting.

"Guys... just clear the fuck out! There's a manhole above us for Christ sake... climb the ladder and reach for the stars..."

"Not happening Faith... oomph!"

The air rushed from Wes' body as he took a particularly hard hit, he fell to his knees and crawled back towards the ladder.

"Glad we see eye to eye, English boy... now Gunn, go with him, make sure he gets to the top... then call in the troops... I want three more slayers... ARGH!"

She broke off to sweep the legs from under the demon dumb enough to hit her face, she brought her boot down with such fury upon it's head that it split like a grape. Squelchy.

"Go for the heads, guys...they split real nice!"

Laughing to herself, Faith turned again to the retreating Gunn and Wes.

"Make that two slayers, just in case... get Rhona... and maybe Ken... now motor!"

The two guys made haste to the top of the ladder and up into the street. There Wes used his cell to summon the reinforcements, and within minutes they arrived. Wasting no time they dove straight through the hole and into the sewer. They were experienced slayers now, and always ready to fight.

"Yo Faith... great to see ya!"

"Hey, Ken, Rhona... you remember Buffy?"

The two newcomers ran their appraising eyes over their former leader. They couldn't help but feel respect for her command of the fight, her obvious superiority over her foes... but that didn't mean that their memories were necessarily fond of the old slayer. They remembered her bossiness, her detatchment... her inability to bond with any of them.

"Yeah, Hi Buffy... great to see you too."

It was said by both of them with sugary sweetness.

"Guys, great to see you... now maybe a little help? We can play catch ups later."

Rhona and Kennedy looked to each other, raising their eyebrows as if to say, 'same old Buffy', then they did indeed join the fight. It was easy now. Four slayers and a vampire against five measly demons. No sweat. But a hell of a lot of slime.

They didn't killed the last one straight away... had kept it alive to question, had pummelled it repeatedly until it gave up some words. They were not happy words, they had made the whole group uncomfortable, had turned their worlds upside down.

The demon spoke in a serpents tongue, hissing its words out, seeming to spit forth more slime with each one.

"The king will risssse... long livvve the king... when the vampire lossssesss his sssoul to the woman he lovessss... then he will ssshhhhow my master the way... will open the gatessss to hell... will let loossssse all manner of tormenntsss on... ARGHHHHHH!"

The demon screamed his death. His head squashed between the fingers of the dark slayer. She hadn't liked his words. Not one bit. The vampire losing his soul to the woman he loved? Sounded like bullshit to her.

Angel was looking at Buffy, staring at her to gage a reaction, Buffy was staring at Faith, looking to see what effect the words had had on her... Faith was staring at her hands, covered in slime... wondering if she had the courage to look up at Buffy. Rhona and Kennedy were staring at each other, wondering what the hell was going on. A demon talks in riddles and everyone spaces out? Seemed odd to them.

"Uh... guys? We won. Can we go now? Maybe get cleaned up?"

"Huh? Oh yes. Go girls. Thanks for coming and helping. Ring through to personnel, get them to update your bonuses. Add expenses for clothes."

"Hey, thanks man... that's great."

"No problem. Catch you later."

"Right. Bye Faith... Buffy. We'll catch up soon?"

Faith's reverie was broken. She looked up. At Buffy. Caught the eyes staring back at her. But she couldn't read what they meant, had no idea what Buffy was trying to say. Turning her attention to the others, she told them they would indeed catch up, to come out to the beach house on Sunday, they would have a party.

But she didn't feel like partying. She felt like getting the hell out of there. Trying to make sense of the words spoken... cos they DIDN'T make sense. Buffy and Angel..? That was over wasn't it? There had been Spike... and for Angel there was Cordelia. Kind of. They weren't still into each other? And even if they were... they wouldn't be THAT stupid, wouldn't end the world to get laid. No lay was worth that.

She looked again at Buffy. Maybe ONE lay was worth that. One girl.

At that moment, Faith vowed to herself that she wouldn't let it happen. She may have to stake Angel's ass, hell... she'd stake Buffy's ass too, but there was no way that the King of slimey shit was rising in her town. Her city. No way in hell.

"Guys, I think we should get out of here, obviously we need to talk, need to figure this shit out... get Wes on the case, get everyone on the case... just lets get the fuck out of here."

"Faith... lets not panic. That demon didn't know what it was talking about, I'm not gonna lose my soul to the woman I love, I can't... I wouldn't DO that. Nothing could make me do that."

Faith's face wore a wounded look as she spoke her reply. The words barely left her mouth a whisper, as if she almost didn't want to speak them.

"But you ARE still in love with her..? She could still MAKE you lose your soul..?"

Buffy was frozen, the same question had crossed her mind when Angel had spoken his words. They had moved on... she had been sure of it. Had known that Angel had fallen in love with Cordelia. And now she waited to hear his reaction. Breath held, not daring to make a sound.

"Yes."

He spoke the word as if he were ashamed. He HAD moved on. Had accepted that him and Buffy would never be. Could never be. But he hadn't stopped loving her. Hadn't stopped feeling his heart leap whenever he saw her, as if it was crying in his chest to beat out her name. To beat out his love. He had never thought he would speak the word though, but now, in this instant, it just seemed right. As if everyone should know the truth of the situation. If this threat was real, which he couldn't believe it was... they had to know.

Faith turned away from his truth. This all felt so dangerously familiar, Angel and her in love with the same girl. Again. Part of her felt betrayed by Angel, feeling like he shouldn't have spoken words to her about Buffy if he himself still loved her. She didn't register the disbelief and confusion in Buffy's eyes, she was already climbing the ladder to the street.

She didn't wait for them there either. This hurt, and she didn't need to hang around and make the pain worse. She would go home, sink a couple of beers. Maybe train. Wear herself out so she didn't have to think.

Anything was better then seeing Buffy right now. Faith was certain she had let some of her feelings show for the other girl in her reaction to Angel's words... and now she felt slightly lost. Fenced in by the weight of her fear of rejection. Of humiliation.

The Faith of old would have sought to take her pain out on someone else. But not this Faith. She would go home and she would push her body beyond all of its limitations. Would train until she collapsed. She owned her own pain these days. She owned it and she beat it.

As she pulled her car sharply into the space in front of her house, she looked forward to an evening of numbness. She hadn't felt such a need to be numb in a long time... not since the last time Buffy had chosen Angel over her.

She would train. She would hurt. And she would make herself feel better.

Buffy had exited the sewer and been upset not to see Faith waiting for her. She had seen how hurt Faith looked when Angel had spoken his words... couldn't miss her hasty retreat from the sewer tunnel. It all made her think that things WERE like that between the two of them. That Faith did have feelings for her that she had maybe been considering that she might possibly have for Faith. It confused her and she needed to see Faith. Now. Because the hasty retreat also told her that Faith was believing that her and Angel was a possibility... that she would ever sleep with him again. That she still loved him. She didn't. Not anymore.

She looked at Angel uncomfortably as he followed up her rear into the street. She had to tell him that she didn't love him, that things weren't like that for her. He was still in her heart, always would be... but never like that. Not again. He deserved to know.

"Angel."

"Buffy... wait, before you say anything that it's gonna hurt me to hear... I know how you feel, or how you don't feel..."

His shoulders slumped a little as he spoke. He had always harboured hope.

"...when I hugged you when you got here, I didn't feel your heart race... didn't feel excitement, I accepted it then and there... had been foolish to hope for any different. But I know. I didn't say what I said to make you love me back, I said it so everyone knew... so we could deal with what's coming."

"Thank you."

"Thank you?"

He looked at her questioningly.

"For not making me say it, for not making me hurt you. I'd never want to hurt you, Angel."

"I know..."

Angel took a moment, considered his words.

"...but now you have to make sure you're not hurting Faith."

"Hurting Faith? I wouldn't hurt Faith."

"Because you love her?"

Buffy's face showed her shock. She hadn't meant that. Hadn't been thinking that.

"I love her?"

"You don't? I saw how you reacted to my words in there, it confirmed what I thought. You didn't look to me, you looked to her, I saw your eyes register her pain, I saw you reach out with your gaze... feel it Buffy, because she needs you..."

It hurt to push her towards another's arms. But he wasn't stupid. He also loved Faith, couldn't stand the thought of her in pain because of him.

"...She'll never admit it, but she's hurting now, and only you can stop it. Let yourself feel. Tell her how you feel."

Buffy stood there stunned. Did she love Faith? Was that the answer to her life's conundrum? Could it really be that simple... or that complicated? She shook her head, looked to Angel.

"I don't... how do you know? Why would you say that..? And she doesn't, she wouldn't... me?"

"Yes Buffy. You."

Her face showed shocked again. Or fear. To finally totally recognise her feelings. Be told what she needed to hear. It scared the living shit out of her.

"I need to go to her."

To make it better.

"So go."

"Thank you, Angel. I mean it. Thank you!"

Buffy lent into the offered embrace. It felt warm. It felt safe.

She was mistaken.

As she made her way down the street, took off at a jog to make her way home, Angel studied her retreating form. His eyes narrowed. Her ass looked good. So tight. So firm. He could bite that ass. Sink his teeth straight into it and suck the very life force from her. It thrilled him, made him shudder with expectation. Made him want to lose his soul.

He shook his head clear. A confused look shadowing his face. He had spaced out for a minute. Blacked out. He didn't know, but he certainly hadn't a clue what he had just been thinking. Was aware only of a hissing.

The confusion worried him as he walked down the street. He would mention it to Wesley, no need to worry the others. He hoped it wasn't something to do with the demons. An attempt to take over his mind... get him to lose his soul.

In the sewers underneath him, more minions of the king hissed their excitement. It was working.

The king would rise. Long live the king!

Part 9

Buffy had returned home as quick as her little legs would carry her. She was desperate to see Faith, to put things straight. She wasn't thinking to pour out words of undying love, no, the idea was all too new to her to even think about speaking it to Faith, but she had to tell her that Angel wasn't even a blip on her radar screen anymore. That was long past. It was history.

She took her time in the shower, made sure that all the slime deposited on her body was now firmly deposited down the plug hole. The smell was atrocious, and she had to lather, rinse and repeat many times until she was happy that the smell no longer lingered.

Then she dressed in just a nice comfy pair of joggers and a little white vest. Admittedly it wasn't high style, but she looked good. She looked clean. And she felt refreshed. Ready to face Faith.

But facing Faith wouldn't be that easy. It never really was.

First she had gone to her front door, knocked a few times, even hollered a little, but there was no answer. Even the hellhound, who had attacked her on the porch, only offered subdued whimpering instead of a full on bark fest.

Next she had gone back inside and manned the phone. Rang Angel, retrieved Faith's cell number and then left maybe excessive messages on her answer phone urging her to call. No joy there. A return call wasn't forthcoming.

Buffy was stuck for ideas. Had no clue where Faith would be likely to hang out. If she was the Faith of old she was probably out partying now, looking for the fun, maybe looking to get laid? But Angel had said Faith wasn't so much the party girl now... so where was she?

She finally gave in. It was getting late, bed was calling, and tomorrow was another day. Sure she would rather see Faith now, get things nice and sorted, but it seemed as though that wasn't an option. Buffy warmed herself some milk, added a couple of spoons of chocolate, took her mug and headed for the porch. She would sit outside and drink this, meditate under the stars, then she would sleep.

And that's where she found Faith. Under the stars, working her ass off. She had moved a training dummy out onto the beach, and she was kicking the absolute shit out of it. Pounding on it. Unleashing a fury of moves so fierce that it was a wonder the dummy still stood. Or that it's limbs were still attached.

Buffy could feel the anger coming from her, but more then that the raw power. It was as if she was in a trance, focussed wholly in the thing in front of her. Buffy had to wonder who it was she was seeing, who it was she was beating the crap out of. She kinda hoped it wasn't her, but then she also knew it was a possibility.

For a while she decided to not say anything. To not make Faith aware that she was there and watching. She reasoned with herself that obviously Faith didn't want to be interrupted... so she wouldn't. Because that would be rude. And she wasn't rude. So she sat back and watched. Observed. Thought.

Love was a funny thing to her. She was sure it had been real with Angel. Knew it had been real. But then it was doomed, so really..? Not fun. And then Riley. She had never felt that THING for him. Sure he had meant a lot, but never enough. Not enough to satisfy. And Spike..? Not love. Never love. Just need. A need to exist at first... and then the last days, the ones in Sunnydale. Maybe that had been as close to loving him as she had ever come, but even then it wasn't with all her heart. It had been an acceptance that he was there for her, that he believed in her when others didn't.

And now..? Did she love Faith?

Buffy watched as Faith executed her body through a stunning array of moves. Watched the way her muscles twisted and turned underneath her skin. Her perfect skin. In the moonlight she could just about make out a bruise above Faith's right eye, probably from where the slime thing had caught her... it didn't alter her beauty. For Buffy it maybe increased it. Knowing that it was an injury received whilst slaying. She didn't mean to study so intently the curves of Faith's figure, but she couldn't help it. The dark haired girl was wearing so little, just those teeny shorts again which so perfectly hugged her firm little round butt, and a shirt so small, that for sure it had to have been just an afterthought. She felt desire when she looked at her. Not necessarily a desire to sleep with her, but a desire to go to her. To touch her. To hold her. It kinda felt like love.

For a moment she smiled to herself.

But how could it be love? She had been back for less then two days. If it was love now, did it mean it had always been love? All the times she had dismissed feelings, at first because Faith was a girl, then because Faith was so darn coarse all the time, then because she was evil... and then because she hadn't said the words. All those times..? Had it been love?

When Faith had spoken to her before about the loneliness, and existing together... that had filled Buffy with hope that things would get better between them, but something else. At the time, even in the midst of all the First crap and the Spike crap... part of her had longed for Faith to say the words. To tell her that she had feelings. Real feelings. But she hadn't. Had in fact told her about Robin. So she had forgotten the idea again.

In the end, she could see that it would have to be her that went to Faith. Her that spoke the words and asked the questions. She had to know. Had to know if this was love, if it was something else... if Faith even felt anything like the same way?

So lost was Buffy in her own little world that she had forgotten about the presence of the one she was thinking of. But the one she was thinking of was more then aware that SHE was there. Had been aware from the minute she had walked out onto the porch, all the minutes she had being staring into space, the minute she had sipped at her cup only to make a funny face cos the liquid had gone cold. Totally aware.

Faith hadn't waved or spoke recognition because she wasn't ready to deal with that crap yet. She still had a hell of a lot more pounding to do before she felt ready. But then she had looked over, had seen the wonderment on Buffy's face as she stared out to sea, and for her, at that moment, the most important thing in her world was to know what Buffy was thinking about, what could make her face light up in such a way.

She stopped her punches, her kicks and walked slowly over.

"Hey, B... what ya thinking about?"

The words exited her mouth so softly, afraid to break the silence which had encapsulated the two of them.

It still caught Buffy unaware though. Made her look up in surprise and then pleasure.

"What am I thinking about?"

Her eyes went wide as she considered the multitude of things which had crossed through her mind in the last hour or so, it was all so deep, all so meaningful. All so Faith.

"I guess I was thinking about a lot of things. Life. Love. The usual."

"The usual? Sounds kinda heavy to me. I pretty much think about food and slaying. Keeps it simpler."

"I guess it would. But then I'm not hungry, and I'm done with slaying for the night..."

"Did you speak to Angel?"

Faith had to ask. Didn't really want to know, but HAD to know.

"Yeah. And thanks for waiting for me, by the way."

"I had to split, I smelt like shit AGAIN, needed a shower, needed fresh air."

"And you couldn't have that with me?"

"A shower..?"

Buffy mentally kicked herself. Of course she hadn't meant a shower. The fresh air bit she had meant.

"No, Faith. Not the shower."

"Tell ya the truth, B, I just didn't wanna get caught up in 'you and Angel' shit. Figured you guys maybe needed to 'talk' or something..."

"About that, Faith..."

Buffy considered to herself what to say, how to say it. If she could find the words.

"...me and Angel. Well there ISN'T a me and Angel. Not anymore, not for a long time."

"Not my business if there is. Unless of course you were planning on giving the guy a happy, then it's my business, cos well... with the demons and stuff..."

"I'm not planning on giving Angel a happy."

"Well then, I guess it's not my business."

Buffy couldn't help but let out a sigh. Nothing was ever just easy.

"Faith, it IS your business, ok? All this talk about catching up, hanging out together... well in my head that's all kind of the prelude to a friendship, a friendship which I want with you, so will you stop acting as if my life doesn't concern you. It does. I WANT it to."

"You want your life to concern me?"

"In my mind, Faith, it already DOES concern you. That's kinda what I was thinking about."

"Oh."

Faith didn't know what that meant exactly. But it sounded kind of good, kind of promising. And if thinking about that had been what had lit Buffy's face..? Well that kind of made her feel a whole lot of happy.

For a couple of minutes there was silence, neither one really knowing what to say next. Buffy was scared at the realisation of her feelings, not scared of them, not now, but scared that Faith wouldn't be able to give her what she needed, wouldn't want to. So she was biting her tongue, trying desperately to think of something non related to say. Faith was just silently wondering. If this time was finally gonna be the right time. The time when it became necessary to say all the things she had always dreamed of saying, to whisper the words she had always longed to speak. But how did she know? And how did you start to say words you had kept prisoner for so long?

So neither of them spoke the words. They studied the floor, they studied the porch, and finally they silently studied each other.

Faith could feel her body tensing again. Straining. Her muscles winding tighter and tighter by the second. If something didn't break the spell in a moment, then she would be mounting the porch and mounting Buffy.

"So, B..?"

But Buffy didn't answer, was still lost in the eyes of Faith. The most she gave of acknowledgement was the slight dilating of her pupils as she spread her eyes to wordlessly encourage Faith to continue.

"...do you wanna, heck, I don't know..."

She broke the eye contact, it was too much right now, she looked around for escape, spotted the dummy standing forlorn and alone on the beach.

"...do ya wanna train?"

Confusion registered on Buffy's face. Did she want a train? Was that slang?

"Train? Why would I want a train?"

"You really are a spaz ain't ya? I always remembered ya being one, but thought maybe I'd twisted things in my head, maybe knock some of that perfection off ya, but it's all true."

"Do I want a train and 'I' am the spaz? You lose me."

Faith had to laugh. It was all so familiar in it's own crazy way. Buffy was just so... Buffy like! And she loved it. And she loved her. And if she wanted a train, she'd steal her the biggest god damn locomotive the world had ever seen.

"I asked you if you wanted TO train. Dumbass!"

Buffy coloured red. It was a good colour on her.

"Right, which I knew really, and makes a lot more sense then wanting A train... but train? Now? In the middle of the night, in the dark, you want to train?"

Sure it was kinda dark, but the moon was out and bright, and yeah it was the middle of the night, but it wasn't like they had jobs to go to in the morning. Faith thought that training was the best idea in the world. The second best at least.

"You scared of getting beat down, sweet cheeks? Cos if that's the problem, well I guess I can go easy on ya, treat ya like a newbie... just a little tickle here and there."

"Do you know how much I'm gonna have to hurt you for that, Faith?"

Buffy spoke the words, but truthfully? She had seen Faith, seen the power in her punch, speed in her moves... and she wasn't so sure she COULD take her.

"Ya think so do ya? Well then...hurt me, baby."

"I'm NOT your baby."

"I know that, B... but come the end of this little sesh, I might just make ya me bitch!"

She wiggled her eyebrows, offered her sexiest smile. This could be fun. Something was happening between her and Buffy, not sure what, but things were getting there, the there she had always thought they should have gone to. And now they were gonna kick shit out of each other. The mating ritual of the slayer.

"Maybe you'll be MY bitch, Faith."

"Who knows..? Maybe I will."

Buffy downed the remaining dregs of her cold chocolate drink and walked the steps from her porch to the beach. With each footstep her heartbeat increased, her excitement grew. Faith was waiting for her. Hands on hips, sizing her up. The funny thing was though, she didn't look like she was sizing her up for a fight. Nope. It kinda looked like she was sizing her up for a whole lot more. A hell of a whole lot more!

Angel WAS tired. Unusually so. He had climbed straight into bed and was out in minutes. It wasn't peaceful sleep though. Far below him, under the streets, more demons were gathering. Hundreds now, all hissing, all chanting. They wanted their King to rise. They needed him to. Without him to sustain them, they would die in this hostile world.

Angel's body was sweat soaked. He twisted and turned under his sheets, wrapped tightly within a dream. An un-named emotion playing across his face.

In his mind he could see her. She was so real, so there, so his. He raised his palm to touch her, to feel her skin... and he could. It was warm to the touch, slick to the touch, bathed in the sweat that their love-making had produced.

He could feel her all around him. Feel himself inside her, sliding against her, her muscles tightening to keep him there. Hers. He opened his eyes. Felt love.

Buffy. His Buffy, riding him. Her head thrown back in total ecstasy, hers hands down at her sides, clenching the sheets, balling them up in her fists as she fought to keep concentration. To keep focused on her goal.

Then it changed. She was gone from him, her weight lifted... her mouth taking the place of where her pussy had just been. She was sucking him. Her lips wrapped around his cock, reclaiming all the juices that she herself had just put there. She looked so perfect, so beautiful...

With that he was ripped from his place. He was above the bed, watching, nothing but the voyeur, again. It was still her. But now it was not him she was riding. It was Faith.

Her head was still thrown back, the ecstasy holding her firm in it's grasp, from dream scene to dream scene, it stayed the same. He could see where Faith's hand was touching her, could see where her fingers disappeared inside of her, could see the wetness spilling forth. Buffy's wetness. HIS wetness.

Buffy was riding her hard. On her hands and knees above Faith, rocking mercilessly, slamming down, taking everything she could... and as she came, she screamed. Over and over. Faiths name. Just Faith.

He felt it tug at him. Felt it anger him.

When he looked again, they were pulling back. Together, their eyes meeting. Buffy and Faith. And he could see it, see the love, the real love, the true love. From deep within his soul he screamed. An animals scream. A monsters scream.

With sudden force he was thrown back on the bed. And now HE was looking into Buffy's eyes. He could see the fear there. Laughed. She struggled underneath him. He morphed. She began to scream. He bit her. Felt the power as her blood filled his veins. Spilt into his mouth as he spilt into her. As he drank her dry, he could feel the silent pleas fall unanswered from her lips. It made him smile as he awoke.

Slowly his eyes opened. Took in the room around him, took in the firm hand grasping his cock. The dream. Buffy. He let out a sigh as he lay his head back down and reclosed his eyes. Buffy.

He could see her again as he stole the blood from her veins, as her legs wrapped around him, trying to pull him from her. As he drunk her dry. Her screams. And he came, by his own hand, dreaming of her misery.

He was up and dressed quickly, ready to leave. Walking around, one last look. Pausing. For a minute, a moment, recognition in his eyes, pain, understanding. And then gone again. The sound of hissing all he was sure of.

He approached the elevator, pushed the down button. As it slowly climbed the floors to collect him, he laughed to himself. Manically. Spoke with the voice of Angelus.

"Looks like a got myself a hot date."

Part 11

Down on the beach, at the waters edge, Buffy and Faith were still training. Both of them were going at it hard, not afraid to let go, never afraid to let go. Their bodies were becoming exhausted but their souls felt replenished, rejuvenated, and it urged them to continue. To keep pushing. Their moves were fast, frantic... and both of them would be lying if they had said it didn't make them hot. They were almost burning for each other. Intense.

Far back in the distance were the high standing buildings of downtown LA. The sun was rising over them now, just peeking it's first rays over the smallest of them and between the gaps of all of them. Warming rays. Rays that travelled the distance to the beach, and illuminated the sweat engulfed bodies of both girls, making them shine with the sunrise.

They collapsed together, in synch. Just their toes creeping forward to cool in the ocean. The sea still cold from the night just passed.

Faith looked over at Buffy. Just an outstretched arm away. Just a touch away. It seemed funny to her that she had spent all night touching Buffy, and now the thought terrified her. She opened her mouth, stole the silence.

"So, B..? Are we done?"

"Done? Have you had enough, Faith?"

"Of you, Buffy?... Never."

She offered her trademark grin and flipped to standing. Outstretched an arm to help Buffy to her feet. Safe touching.

Buffy was glad to keep going. Ecstatic. Nothing had felt this good in ages. Nothing had come this close to feeling this good in ages. And by that, she meant NOTHING! It was thrilling and exciting and electric and passionate... and really..? Kinda hot, as well. She vowed to push it now, to unleash the last of her everything. She was taking Faith down, and when she had her down..? Well that's when she got a little bit lost.

They fought fierce and they fought true. Both of them pushing the last ounces of strength from their bodies, trying with all they had to be the one that took the other down. In the end it was Faith who succeeded. The old kick and sweep, worked on Buffy ALL the time. Well some of the time. Faith didn't care, it had worked this time.

And now Buffy was underneath her. Firmly underneath her. And she could feel her, feel where skin touched skin, sweat mixed with sweat. Her thigh was pressed hard between Buffy's thighs, and maybe that was why Buffy was panting, breath ragged, or maybe it was the way that their breasts pressed so tightly together, making friction, using friction... or maybe it was really the way that their eyes were meeting. All the time that their bodies sought to writhe against the other, their eyes stayed firm. Locked together. Asking questions and answering questions. Finally, understanding. Finally as one.

It was with a whisper that Faith eventually spoke. Hoarse. Scratchy.

"So tell me, B... have YOU had enough?"

For a moment Buffy felt thrown by the question. Yes. No. Help? Everything was so close, so real. This was Faith, on top of her, pushing against her, asking her if she'd had enough. So close. So real. And so everything that she wanted.

But so quick. She could feel the heat racing through her body, tearing through her. It both excited and scared. But mostly..? Excited.

She locked again into Faith's gaze, saw the answers. Put her lips to her ear, drew a deep breath in.

"More, Faith. Show me more."

Faith didn't need any further invitation. She lowered her head slowly, still not sure that Buffy wouldn't come to her senses any second and beat her shitless for groping her. It would ruin the mood if she did. So slowly she went. And then she was there. Their lips were dancing softly together, their mouths barely open, just nipping at each other. Faith ran her tongue along Buffy's lower lip, looking for entrance, asking for permission, and then they were kissing.

And it wasn't soft and gentle anymore. It was real and hard and urgent. It was every single pent up emotion, every single longing gaze, every single furtive touch... all of it. Now. Theirs finally to have. To know.

They were getting lost in the moment, both of them, hands seeking to find purchase on skin. To uncover it and to claim it. Their mouths had left the other, Buffy's to taste the sweat that glistened along the collar bone of her partner, and Faith to throw her head back and wish a silent hello to the morning. To the heavens. It was beautiful.

And then the dog was howling.

Morning had woken him too, and he was distraught to find his master still missing. He was worried and alone. And also kinda scared. He was only a puppy after all. So he barked. And when that didn't work he howled. Like a wolf to the moon.

On the beach, down by the water, Buffy and Faith broke apart. It was so quick it was comical, as were the shy and embarrassed glances that they then exchanged.

"I had better, uh..."

"You should go let the hound out."

"Right."

"Uh-huh."

As they found a silent stare their embarrassment fell away. Everything fell away. They were lost again in the other, nothing else existing. Buffy reached out and drew Faith softly to her. Gave her the sweetest of kisses. Their lips yielding to the other, in a show of control. Controlled by meaning.

And then the dog started up again. Faith couldn't help but glare, she knew the puppy didn't mean it... but... ARGH! That just now, kissing Buffy by the waters edge with the sun coming up behind them..? Well that was probably fantasy number somewhere in the top ten in her mind. And it was ruined! By the damn dog barking. It was a good job that she loved the little guy.

They slowly rose from their position on the ground, shaking sand from their clothes and bodies.

"I suppose I should go in... get some rest?"

Buffy didn't want to. She wanted to stay here. With Faith. Kissing Faith. Definitely kissing Faith. But she couldn't because... well, she didn't know why, but she figured that going in and resting was the right thing to do. And she was kinda bowled over. By the kissing Faith. Maybe she would ring Willow. And rest.

"Yeah, B. Long night. I spose I should go rest too."

As they started to separate, travel the distance to their homes, they still kept their eyes locked together, held prisoner by longing.

"I WILL see you later, right?"

She knew she would, but she had to ask. Had to have Faith's reassurance.

"You can bet on it!"

And with that she was at her door. Her last glimpse of Faith, her retreating smile. A huge smile, which also made her smile pretty huge. There was assurance in smiles. And she loved Faith's. Absolutely loved it.

The beach was full of demons. At first they had thought that they could fight, didn't realise fully the extent of the amount of foes they would face. Were charged on Faith's anger at the attack on Scoobs, her need to find him, to strike out revenge.

Buffy was realising though, if they stayed here? They would die. No two ways about it, no mystery plan to save the day, nothing. Stay. Die. That was it. She was screaming at Faith, trying to get her attention above the hissing of the slime freaks.

"Faith... come on, we need to get out of here... NOW!"

"I hear ya, B... but fuck damn these assholes are hard to leave."

She popped the head of the one nearest her, it was hard to tell, she was surrounded by so many. She was trying so hard to locate Scoobs, she knew it was futile, knew it was hopeless... but she couldn't bear to lose him. Not him AND Angel.

"Faith..?"

She resigned herself. Would return later to find her little buddy.

"I got ya."

They fled together, always helping the other to clear a path, to make a way through. It was scary just how many of the demons that there now were, so many more then only last night. They both worried that it was linked to the possible re-emergence of Angelus. That it was likely. That the prophesy spoke the truth.

At the LA headquarters of W&H the gang were assembling. Everyone was there, all of them desperate to begin the search for Angelus. Some because they had heard of how vicious, how dangerous Angelus could be. His friends, because they KNEW how vicious and dangerous, and a whole lot more then that he could be. It was frightening.

All of the slayers in the areas close by had been called in. All of them would be getting extra bonuses this month, they'd probably all earn it as well. Faith was psyched, running on adrenalin, totally buzzing. Deep down she had a great deal of anger beginning to rise up. The slime demons had stolen Angel, had killed Scoobs, and now they were threatening to take Buffy. She wouldn't let it happen. Would kill anyone that did let it happen.

"Everyone listen up!"

She commanded the room, and it obeyed her command. She WAS the girl in charge.

"I want everyone here now to listen to me, from this moment we assume that the demons have Angel... it's a given. No second guessing, we don't have time, and I can't be assed with the being wrong. The demons HAVE Angel. End of. We also assume it's an attempt to rob him of his soul, maybe they've already done it, but until I see it, I'm not believing it... and that means that this is all about the re-con."

Faith threw glares at all of the slayers. No one would kill Angel on her watch. No one.

"I want reinforcements called in. And I want them here now. Get Giles... Buffy, if you wouldn't mind?"

"No probs, Faith, consider it done." She flashed Faith a smile. The sitch was shit, but her girl was still hot. And taking charge..? She couldn't wait to obey.

"Get Willow too whilst you're at it, she said to call her if the old soul goes walkies... I guess this would be a good time. Tell her as fast as she can, I want Angel back as soon as. And I wanna squash those demons."

The next words would be hard to say, but in Faith's opinion they had to be said, and she was in charge, so her word went.

"Last things... I want Buffy out of this."

"Faith!"

"No, B. You said you could follow, so fall in line. They want you, I am not taking you out there and using you as bait. That's bullshit. You'll stay here, man the phones, call in ALL of our slayer reserves. The ones near the airports I want on planes."

People started moving. They had heard Faith's orders, and now they were breaking into their divisions and organising. The demons may number hundreds, but they could call on that many troops as well. They would do what it took to find Angel. To bring him home.

As the room cleared there was only Buffy and Faith remaining.

"I don't appreciate being left at home on the couch, Faith."

"And I don't appreciate losing the people I care about."

"I know... it's ok. I'll stay."

They shared a smile.

"Are you sure that we need ALL the slayers? Maybe you're just looking for a good old get together? Chance for a knees up?"

Faith wished that, that was the case. Just getting everyone together for a party. A slayer reunion. All the girls passed through LA eventually. For training, for knowledge. To travel down to Sunnydale and witness the pit that used to be a hell mouth. A party would be good. But that wasn't the case.

"I don't know, B... I just get this feeling, real deep down, that this... whatever this is. I think it's big... I think it could be huge..."

She looked into Buffy's eyes, relayed her fears.

"...I just think that maybe it's time. Time to reassemble the army."

Deep below Los Angeles, close to the bowels of hell, the demons were regrouping. Their losses hadn't been many, but still they were angered. They would call forth more demons, many more, a force so huge that the slayers would be sure to crumble before them. To give them what they needed.

"So where is she, guys? My tasty dinner, my meals on wheels, door to door service?"

The head demon approached the chained Angelus. It shamed him to speak of their failure, it bought down bad favour upon them, the King would not be happy.

"Ssshe evaded ussss thissss time... got away..."

Angelus rose up in fury at the news, pulled hard against the chains that bound him.

"You let her get away? Tell me you're joking? I'm stuck here, chained to a damp wall, smelling like shit, and all you can do is let her get away? I'm out, that's it. No more mildew for me."

The demons balked at this. Without Angelus, their master could not rise, would not rise. That would be a disaster.

"What do you ssssuggessst then wisssse one. You know the sssslayerss, what would you do?"

"I'll tell you what I'd do... I'd send me to get her. She never could resist my charm... I think it's the Irish in me, no surer way to find a path into a girls skirts..."

The slime monsters conversed telepathically, it did seem that sending Angelus out was the best option. They could stay here, focus the chanting, make sure nothing went wrong. But if he failed... if he got staked by the slayers? Their lives would be over.

The head honcho waved his hands over the chains and let them fall to the floor.

Angelus was free.

"Do not fail usssss."

"No worries there, slime guy, I'm scoring myself a girl!"

It was with a confident step that he left the sewers. Broke the surface, sniffed the air.

"Buffyyyyy..? Buffyyyyyyy? Come out, come out, wherever you are..?"