Chapter Seventeen

Giles is puttering around making tea and being all British. I’m not sure but I think he’s slightly uncomfortable with the new Faith. It’s almost like he doesn’t know where he fits in or what he should be doing. I watch him filling his mug with water and lean on the counter across from him. “So, what’s new in the wide world of Hellmouths? Anything new we should be worried about?”

He putters some more and smiles slightly. “Actually no. There’s been a few minor demon uprisings. One in Asia and one in The States. I sent two teams of four to each site and things were well in hand. How was Texas?” I give a nod and smile a bit. How was Texas? Stupendous, grand, fanfuckingtastic. Also frustrating and worrisome.

“Rednecks aside it was pretty good. Faith and I talked about some things which is always a better choice than throwing each other through windows, doors and off rooftops.” Giles chuckles a bit at my attempt at humor. I really wish I could go back and undo all the things we did to hurt each other but I can’t so the best I can do is laugh off the pain and hope that we never get that far gone again.

I watch him sip his tea and wait for it. Giles has this thing he does. He’ll sip, pause, nod once and then start telling me what’s on his mind. He thinks I don’t know it’s how he figures out how to break news to me. My stomach triple ties in to a knot that even the laughter from the other room can’t soothe. “You’ve been lonely a long time Buffy.”

“You have but face again.” Giles grimaces at the comment and raises a shoulder in a slight shrug.

This can’t be good right? “Well I imagine this is the part where you’re expecting me to ask if you’re ready for this. A child. A serious partner. Living arrangements. Long term planning. You won’t get that from me. I’m your Watcher Buffy and I know you perhaps as well as your peers. And one thing I am quite familiar with is the pain you’ve been living in without her. Quite frankly I think it’s quite about time you two worked it out.”

Whoa. That’s like whoa you know? I blink a few times and open my mouth to say something but close it quickly. “That means a lot to me Giles. I was worried that you didn’t think this was such a good idea.” He pushes up his glasses and leans back against his own counter.

“Yes well six years ago I would have had to agree with you. But Faith has become something much more than the troubled girl willing to reform that she was then. She’s grown quite a bit in the years you’ve been separated. Not just as a Slayer as an individual. Though to be fair she wasn’t the only one that had growing to do.” And he gives me his Watcher look. I nod at it.

Yeah I know I was a spoiled brat sometimes. But I feel really bad about it now. “Yeah yeah Buffy’s a brat.” I grin at him and reach out to squeeze his arm. It really does mean a lot to me that he cares so much. I love my father but I’ll never know or trust him the way that I do Giles. Another bubble of laughter comes from the other room and I leave the kitchen so I can join in with the gang.

I don’t get far before Willow’s hand shoots out and grabs my wrist. “Buffy. Got a second?” For you Willow? Always. I nod and follow her past the group lounging around the sitting room. Everyone’s attention is on Wes as he’s relaying some funny story about something I’m sure I won’t think is quite as funny. Like the times he’s walked in on me and Faith in compromising positions.

“So what’s the what Wills?” I settle in to one of the comfy leather reading chairs in Giles’ library. I say library but it has less books and more with the records. It’s his favorite place in the flat. Just a small nook with a turntable and rows and rows of old albums. Faith would probably drool all over the place if she knew it was here. Willow drops in to the chair next to me and grins.

“What’s the what? The what is the scoop. I feel a girly talk coming on.” Oh thank the PtB for my Willow shaped friend. I love Dawn and I know I can tell her just about anything but it’s different with Willow. First of all she totally gets the girl on girl loving and secondly she doesn’t want to flay Faith for ditching me. I get an excited grin and look back at the empty doorway back down the hall. Just making sure no one’s sitting right there. “So what’s it been like? Is she totally different now? Because she seems different. Calmer. Obviously less with the homicidal. Okay okay I know she hasn’t been that way in a long time but you have to admit she was always really you know...aggressive.”

Wow now that’s what I call a ramble. “It’s been...wow. She’s as intense as ever but it’s different it’s a little less wild. I mean I hate to make her sound domestic because Faith and domestic are like twins in the world of bizzaro land. But being with her has felt so right. Safe even. And I kid you not she fucking cuddles.” Alot. I won’t say that part because I think if Faith ever found out I’d let the cat out of the bag she’d be really pissed.

“No way. That’s pretty wow.” Willow beams at me and grips my hand. Oh I know what’s coming next. She glances at the door then leans in close. “So. How’s stuff. You know. Stuff.” Heh. I love Willow.

“Wills...she can do things that could bring a grown Slayer to tears.” I shit you not. Her brow quirks and she gets this devilish little grin. Oh I think she might actually shock me. Occasionally Willow will just get wild and say something completely un-Willow like.

“I’m thinking yeah ‘cause Slayer lust times two. So. Who tops who?” Is she kidding? Because hello. Faith is clearly the top. I give her a blank look and she waves her hand out in front of her. “Okay dumb question. So when you say bring you to tears what are we talking here?” I open my mouth to tell Willow all about it when Dawn pokes her head in to the room.

“Please don’t answer that.” Oh but I want to scar her for life. I debate it for a second and shrug. Okay this time I’ll keep it to myself but I’ll get Dawn at some point. It’s my sisterly right to torture my baby sister. “I’m so hiding out with you guys, Kennedy and Faith are arm wrestling and Xander and Wes are giving the play by play commentaries.”

Willow laughs as Dawn makes her way in to the room and settles on the arm of my chair. I knew that having Faith and Kennedy in the same room would end up turning in to a show of who’s toughest of the tough. They’re really competitive like that. Too bad for them that the toughest of the tough is up here and I am she. I am the one that died twice afterall. “So what brought on the displays of bravado?”

Dawn’s eyes brighten. Oh this is going to be good. Hopefully better than Willow’s less than racy questions. “Well I think we all felt a little uncomfortable when Xander almost started to cry his eye out.” I snicker and wonder who hit him and why. Willow pipes up with a half giggle.

“Why was he crying? Kennedy wasn’t going on again about her adventures in lesbianism was she? Because we talked about this already.” Poor Xander, everytime sex is brought up he always has the first initial reaction of ‘ooh girly lovin’ but then he has to realize that he can’t react because he’s usually in a room full of women. Kennedy likes to torture him from time to time.

“No it’s even better than that. So Xander was all nosy about Wes and Faith pretty much let Wes do all the talking. Which, totally typical of her to avoid dealing. Not the point. Anyway. So they get to talking about names and Wes turns those huge eyes on Xander and says ‘Mamma says she named me after the people that taught her what courage and forgiveness really are.’ And then! Faith looks right at Xander and gives him this like nod and he gives her one back. It was all very Hallmark.”

Oh my God. Willow looks at me with raised brows and I nod. “She’s the real deal. Kinda scary and intimidating actually.” I mean have I changed as much as she has or am I still as shallow and petty as I ever was? I’d like to think I’ve grown but I have to wonder sometimes. I shrug it off and smile. “It’s so weird to see her with Wes. I swear if there was a cuteness of the universe award they’d win it. He’s smart and kind of a little punk sometimes but really sweet and sensitive. And those dimples.”

Dawn snorts and I look up at her in confusion. “Oh like you didn’t know you were a sucker for dimples. Were you even present your senior year?” Oh. Heh. Well. Yeah okay when she puts it like that I can see her point. Willow pokes at my knee smirks. So great everyone knew I had the big love for Faith and no one bothered to tell me. I should be bothered by this I really should. A random surge of love comes through my connection and feel my heart swell.

“Okay guys. I’m glad we’re all here for some catching up but I’m feeling pretty jet laggy. Can we all meet at my place tomorrow for lunch? I have to tell you about this freakass little town Faith lives in. There’s much mocking to be made.” Willow nods and nudges Dawn in the shoulder.

“Thanks for letting us stay at your place Dawnie. You’ll hardly know I’m there. Kennedy on the other hand will probably be all about making her presence known.” I grin and look over at Dawn who shrugs. I’m glad to see her being so close to Willow and Kennedy. I didn’t think she’d ever get over Tara’s death. They had a bond and I think sometimes Dawn wished that Tara had been her big sister. I don’t blame her. I wished it too sometimes.

But Dawn was pretty open to anyone Willow would want to spend time with. She just wants Wills to be happy. “Not a problem Will, me casa es su casa.” I just had a horrible thought. God, why do I have to be so fucked up? Why did I have to think that things are just perfect and nothing can bring me down. Why God? Why? I just gave myself the biggest godsmack jinx ever.

Chapter Eighteen

I got a crick in my neck. But then that’s what happens when you have to hide in the damn cargo hold of a damn jet. I finally got smart and took care of that dumbass stewardess. I probably coulda killed her a few hours ago and then I probably wouldn’t have this damn crick in my neck. Ah well. I figure once the plane starts to get closer to land I intend on havin’ me a party up in that rich man’s cabin.

Bunch of coked up business men. Bet they got that good shit too. Ma won’t mind since I got an hour or two before we land. I glance back at the body on the floor and nudge it with the toe of my boot. What a damn waste. I coulda shown her a real good time. Ma frowns down at the body and sighs. “Another whore. Look at what she is wearin’. Has the entire world lost it’s damn mind since I died?”

Yeah Ma. The whole fuckin’ world went crazy while you took a dirt nap. I huff and pick up the body so I can stow her someplace outta sight. “Plane should be landin’ in a bit. Gonna go upstairs there and have me some fun.” I’m not askin’ for permission. That’d be the same as askin’ her to say no. Ya gotta just go on and do it or else she’ll have control over you.

Ma’s back gets all stiff and she gives me a disgusted look. I just shrug at her and shove the body in to a small back compartment. When I turn around she’s standin’ there right behind me. The stewardess not Ma. What the fuck? “I don’t think it’s a very good idea for you to go up there.” I give her a glance and snort.

You know I can’t decide if I’m glad I killed her or not. On the one hand this bitch is annoying so knowin’ she’s dead is kinda comfortin’ but now that she is dead now The First is in control of her. Which means keepin’ her shut up ain’t gonna happen. I sigh heavily and shake my head. “Naw, ‘course you don’t. Why should I get to have any fun? I mean it’s not like I got my face bashed in by that bitch Faith, or had her take my boy to another country with that tramp of hers. Or had my dead Ma haunt me in ta fightin’ off some weird ass demon thing. Or you know had a magic snake bite my ass an’ make me in to a freak monster movie extra. Christ. What do I need a lil bit of fun for?”

She gives me a mild look and then shrugs. See? I got me a point. A valid one too. Ma would be so proud. “I it can’t really hurt. Just don’t hurt the pilot. Unless of course you’d like to land the plane yourself.” Right. Don’t kill the pilot. I can handle that. I hitch up my pants and kick up my heels as I make my way to the hatch going up to the cabin. The truth is I really want to see what my new and improved body can do.

I can taste them on the air before I actually see them. Big coupla fellas. One sorta looks like that guy that used to play that mobster on TV. Can’t remember his name now but he looks kinda like him. The other one kinda looks like a rat. There’s fear all over him, stinkin’ up the plane. I watch for a few seconds as they do lines on the chrome topped table. I step out of the shadows as the plane gets to rockin’ again.

The big one cusses up a mean streak when his wine glasses topples over. I think it’s kinda funny. “Sherry! Get your ass out here and clean this mess up will you? And you tell that stupid fuck of a pilot that if he...” There ain’t nothin’ in the world like the look of surprise on a person’s face when they know they’re in deep shit. “Who the fuck are you?” Oh not so cocky now are ya big man? I grab the front of his shirt and haul him up easily. I bet ya he’s wonderin’ if the drugs are makin’ him think I’m green or if I really am.

“Sherry can’t help you right now. No one can.” Gotta keep the screamin’ down or it’ll bring out the pilot and co pilot and we can’t have that. I’d have to kill ‘em and then try and land the plane on my own. Hrm. Well this wasn’t a very well thought out plan but I still intend to have my fun. I flick my tongue out at him and smirk. He starts up like he just might holler out but I stop him quick. “Ah ah ah. You don’t wanna do that.”

The little one is edging away from his seat but I put a booted foot up right between his legs and rest it on the edge of the chair. He looks at me like a scared little rabbit. First he’s a rat and now he’s a rabbit. I’m startin’ to make myself hungry. I push big man down in to his chair and eye the lines of coke on the table. Kill first, party later. I have my priorities here. “Look I don’t know who you are but anything I have, anything we have it’s yours. You don’t have to...” My hands come up and I twist the big ‘un’s head with a sick crack. I didn’t much care for him anyway.

“Now where do you think you’re gonna run to?” Ratty shakes his head no like that’s an actual answer. I just smile wider. He goes pale and sinks back further in his seat. “What’s the matter boy? Ain’t you ever seen someone like me?” He shakes his head no and I chuckle. Nope, didn’t figure he had. “Well g’wan. Try an’ run. I wanna get a bit of a work out in. I’ve been cooped up too long.”

Chapter Nineteen

Lucky for me it was dark when we landed. Fuckin’ long ass flight. I sigh and drop lightly to the ground as I watch the only glowing window in the building. I need to get in there. My boy is in there. Ma looks up at the place and shakes her head. “You sure they in there boy?” I give her a pissed off look and flick my tongue out. Positive. I can taste them and even if I couldn’t I saw them and Wes about an hour ago. Just walkin’ in as if that was home. Fuck them.

That bitch never had it so good as she did with me. This thing with the blonde is just a lie. Somethin’ to tell herself she wants even though we both know she don’t. She wants me. I know she does. You don’t play a man the way she tried to play me unless you want that man bad. “They’re in there. Saw Faith leanin’ against the wall a few minutes ago.” She didn’t see me I don’t think. Hell even if she had she might not realize I was me. She’d never think that I’d fly out here after her. She doesn’t even trouble herself to think I might just come chase her down. Now me and Faith are gonna hafta talk about that. But it can wait. Don’t worry baby girl you and me are gonna have that reunion soon.

I smirk and Ma makes her usual annoyed sigh sound. “I hope you don’t think this is all romance and roses boy. You’re going in there to kill those girls. Not date them.” I didn’t say one word about datin’ anyone. I give her a glance and shrug but she can tell that there’s somethin’ goin’ on in my head. She gives me another annoyed sigh and shakes her head. “Goddamnit Jimmy. There ain’t nothing you can offer those two girls but a hot load of death. Yours if you don’t get your ass in there and get your boy before we start to get a little testy.”

A little? And what’s with this we business? Her and the First or just her and her fuckin’ hormones? I grunt and heft the piece of iron rebar I pulled outta some construction site on the way. With my speed and strength I’m more than a match for those two. Plus. I got me a big metal stick. My feet are heavy as I take the steps to the door. The front door to the building is locked but I duck in to the shadows as some dumbshit comes out. Before the door closes I reach out a hand and push it back open. Now. That window was right about here, second floor. I lean against the door and taste the air. Oh yeah that’s them alright.

Wes is crackin’ up in there. Must be somethin’ goin’ on. “Kissy noises again??” They kiss in front of him? That poor boy is gonna be so messed up thinkin’ all this is right. I hiss and knock on the door. The rebar is heavy in my hand and I grip it tighter. I can make it cleaner if the bitch answers but if not her it’s gonna be messy. I hear the lock turning and raise my arm and flex my fingers around the cold metal in my hand. “No Wes, go help B set the table. Thanks boyo.” Good it’s Faith, that makes this so much better.

As soon as the door gets open an inch I’m barrelin’ through it. I feel it give under the weight of my shoulder. I smile when I hear the breath get knocked outta her when she hits the wall. It won’t stop her. No. Probably barely even slow her down but I’m ready for her. Faith is on her feet before I clear the door. “Hey baby.” My tongue flicks out at her to show her what I can do with it. “Been missin’ you a long time. Lemme show you how long.” Her jaw drops and I take that second to give her a good whack. It stuns her long enough for me to hit her a couple more times. I reach down and grip her neck tightly. She gasps and groans and it gets me hard. “Not right now baby but I promise you we’ll have our dance.”

My hands feel good on her throat. Faith is fadin’ in and out. No no. Can’t have that. She’s gotta see the show. I haul her up but ease off on my grip. She starts to come to and I smirk. You always did like it rough, well now you’re gonna get what ya asked for. I bring the rebar up again and pin her to the wall through her shoulder with it. She lets out a strangled gasp and I blow her a kiss. “Wait here baby. I need to do some things before you and I get reacquainted.” And she passes out. Pussy.

I creep down the hall and taste the air to get the feel of the place. Hm. Kitchen. As I get closer I can hear them laughin’ and shit. I can’t hardly believe my fuckin’ ears. You know that boy don’t do nothin’ but pout and whine an’ shit? I hear him laughin’ with this bitch and it makes me crazy. Well he ain’t gonna be laughin’ too much longer. That’s for damn sure. “Faith? Who’s at the door?” She’s worried. I can taste it. She can’t possibly know anything. I was quick and quiet. She can’t fuckin’ know already.

I hear feet shuffle and I think I’ll just back up a bit here. Why not let Buffy get Wes outta the way. Makes my job easier. Only thing is now she knows I’m here. Gotta surprise her. Yeah. I reach Faith again and pat her face to wake her up. Show me them big brown eyes baby. I smirk at her when she recognizes me. I get my hand on the rebar just as Buffy’s skiddin’ to a halt in front of me. “Sorry baby. We’ll finish this later.” Usin’ all my strength I yank that puppy right out of her shoulder and let her drop to the ground with a yelp. She won’t be gettin’ up no time soon.

It doesn’t take me more than a half a second to face her. Ya know in pictures you couldn’t tell she’s such a lil thing. All green eyes and long blonde hair. I bring my arm down quick to try an’ stun her the way I done Faith. She’s quick though and halfway gets her arm up. The blow I give her breaks her forearm I bet. I know I felt somethin’ give a good crunch. I gotta press my advantage here or I’m gonna have a long drawn out fight an’ I’m not in the mood for that shit. I hit again and again and again until she’s givin’ up ground and backed against a corner. I raise my arm again but she’s fast.

Faster than I’m ready for. Well goddamn. I grunt as the weight of her body knocks mine off my feet. There’s a second where we just hover in midair but then we crash to the ground in a hard thud. I hate this bitch. We struggle around for a minute and I won’t lie, the state Faith got me in earlier and havin' this one wrigglin’ around on me has got me a lil bit riled up. Maybe more than a little bit. She’s got one hand clamped around the forearm with my brand spankin’ new snake tattoo. Something weird moves under the skin and she lets go quickly.

I smirk at the dumb bitch and slam my elbow in to her nose. It stuns her and I take my chance before she snaps out of it. I get her pinned under me and flick out my tongue to her face. She flinches away and struggles but I got her pinned good and hard. And if it worked on Faith it’ll damn well work on this one. I wonder if she’ll taste as sweet. “Oh no no darlin’ you and me got a date. Feel free to scream and fight, I kinda like it better that way. Ain’t that right Faith?”

I don’t expect her to answer so I just chuckle. Buffy struggles again and I slam her head down on the floor a couple of times. I can see real fear in her eyes. Pretty pretty green eyes. I think I’ll start with those. We lock eyes as I get closer to her face and smile. Fear. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of tastin’ that. Little gold flecks in her eyes darken as she starts to get bold again. “Ya know the snake thing? Not that impressive.” Oh you’re a funny one. Always runnin’ off at the mouth just like the first time we met. I wonder if this is what Faith likes about her. Freaks. I hiss loudly and rear my head back to gouge my fangs in to her but she fuckin’ head butts me right in the fuckin’ mouth. Blood as black as tar bubbles up and I reach up to my mouth.

Goddamnit. My fuckin’ fangs! She knocked out my goddamn motherfuckin’ fangs. Fuckin’ whore ass motherfuck slut...GODDAMNIT! I stumble back against something hard and unmovable like a rock or somethin’. My head tips back as something warm and wet lands on my forehead. How the fuck did she get up? And where the fuck is my rebar? Faith’s arm shoots down from outta nowhere and grips my tongue between her fingers before I can get it back in my mouth. “You dickless son of a bitch.” How come she cusses better than me? I holler out as she tugs on my tongue.

She lets go of my tongue and slams the rebar across my head. Well that answers that question. Stars spark behind my eyes and I think she knocked me blind. I shake my head but she hit me again and I take a tumble to the floor. She gives me a kick that sends my ass slidin’ across the floor. I give a grunt as the wind gets knocked outta me. Guess that’s what hippies call instant karma. My eyes snap to Buffy’s form on the floor when she pipes up.

“Faith wait...” I start to crawl off while Faith’s distracted but she stomps her foot down hard on my knee. SOM’BITCH! I yelp out and look around the room. Ma. Where is she? I see a flash and I look back behind Faith. Ma. There’s my Ma. I reach out a hand but she just shakes her head at me. What? What the fuck is that about?

“Boy. You’re in it now. I told you not to underestimate them. Told you it wasn’t no damn date. I told you Jimmy.” Another head shake. Well fuck her then. I sneer even though I’m back to havin’ no teeth. I’ll be damned if I let these bitches take me out. I shove offa Faith’s leg hard enough to knock her over. It hurts like a motherfucker when I stand up and try to make a run for it. I can feel the ripple of air as somethin’ whizzes by my ear. I stop just a hair from runnin’ face first in to the rebar stickin’ outta the wall in front of me. Fuck me that was close.

“Where ya goin’ Jimmy? Thought you an’ me had plans.” You know I thought I was pretty scared to go in that damn cave but right about now I imagine that was a right calm spell I was going through. My heart beats quickly as I back away from the rebar and face Faith. She eyes me up and down and I swear she shouldn’t be standin’ let alone be smirkin’. I watch her as she goes to Buffy’s side and helps her up. What the fuck? Are they invincible too? No. Buffy’s limpin’ around. I did that. Yessir. I try to get the smug look off my face before Faith sees it but her fist connects with my already abused mouth.

I feel bone crunch in my mouth and I’m pretty sure she cracked my jaw. Fuck. Fuckin’ feels like a donkey kick in the face. Two years ago at Twin Moon Rodeo I got kicked in the face by a donkey. To be fair I was piss ass drunk and I probably shouldn’t have tried to steal him but one my cousins from down south bet me I couldn’t do it without gettin’ caught. If he won he’d get to fuck Faith. I wasn’t gonna let that shit happen so I stole the fuckin' donkey. And broke my jaw for it. I was pretty pissed off when I came home that night.

Woulda kicked the shit out of anyone then. Jaw all wired shut. But Faith was real kind to me. Oh yeah. That mouth of hers...yeah. But she ain’t bein’ nice now. Now she’s glarin’ somethin’ fierce. If her look could control the weather my balls would freeze right off. “What. The. Fuck?” Well I guess that’s a vague but fair question. As in what the fuck am I doin’ here. What the fuck happened to me? Blah blah blah. Well I don’t answer to no bitch. Ma shimmers right behind Faith’s shoulder and sighs. Oh fuck her. I’m over this First bullshit. She can’t help me now anyway.

I don’t think Faith is gonna wait too long for an answer but it don’t matter none ‘cause before I can even blink that blonde bitch pops me a good one. I yell out and drop to the ground. My mouth. My fuckin’ mouth. I cower away before she can kick me. I can’t believe Faith is just lettin’ her get at me like this. So this is it. This is what she chooses. Fuck her. Fuckin’ goddamn whore. She picked that bitch over me. “Buffy don’t.” What? That’s right bitch. That’s fuckin’ right.

If you know what’s good for you you’ll get your whore off of me. I’d say all this out loud but since I can’t barely move my mouth I’ll just think it out. Real loud even. Buffy turns to look at Faith but Faith ain’t lookin’ at her. She’s lookin’ at me. That’s right baby you an’ me. I can tune everythin’ out. Buffy, the sound of Wes tryin’ to break out of where ever the fuck Buffy stashed him, hell I can even tune out Ma. Almost. “Idiot manchild.” But she takes off so it’s all good.

“Told ya didn’t I Jimmy? Come near me or mine and it was gonna get ugly?” I’m startin’ to get that scared feelin’ all over again. Her hands are rough when she pulls me up from the floor and starts pushin’ and hittin’ me. “You hit me with a shovel, you stole my son, you threaten my family, you fuckin’ follow me to another country.” Each hit and kick has me stumbling back from her. I’m trippin’ over furniture and I broke the fuckin’ coffee table when Faith gives me a particularly hard uppercut. Goddamn she hits like a man. “You hit me in the face with a metal bar. You pin me to a goddamn wall like a fly. And then...” Oh shit.

I feel her hands grab either side of my face as she hauls me up to my feet again. “Then you put your hands on my girl.” Oh fu...

Chapter Twenty

Ain’t that right Faith?” You motherfucker. I struggle under Jimmy again and I swear to god I want to murder him right fucking now. His hand comes down and slams my head in to the hard floor. Ow. Ow. Ow Hair. Ow. His face gets impossibly close to mine and I start to panic a little because. Ew. We lock eyes for about a minute before I see something that sends all my senses reeling for a half second with shock at the intensity coming off her. Her. My girl. I swear she stood up right out of the shadows like an avenging angel or you know a murderously angry Slayer.

He her hurt pretty bad too since she’s bleeding a lot and the cuts on her head are sheeting blood down her face. But what really has my attention is the look in her eyes. I know that look and I know the girl with that look and Jimmy’s going to die. This is one of those situations that I have to put a check in the ‘Yes! Please!’ column and call it a day. I have to get him off of me so I give him an annoyed look. “Ya know the snake thing? Not that impressive.”

He’s all ego so when he gets his ego bruised he gets all butt hurt. I get him with a good hard headbutt. Owie. I hate doing those. But it worked, I’m pretty sure I felt his teeth break with that hit. Which is good because I want no part of him plunging in to any part of me or Faith. Jimmy backs right in to Faith’s legs but she doesn’t even stumble back. It’s like she’s frozen there. Except for the fact that she’s actively bleeding all over her baby daddy. Wow. Things I never thought I’d say.

I sigh with relief when she grabs him and starts kicking his ass. Ow. I roll over on to my side. I wince at the pain in my arm and realize that we don’t know why Jimmy looks like a man...snake...thing. “Faith wait...” She gives me the most incredulous look. Oh. No baby. I shake my head no to let her know I don’t mean don’t kill him. I just mean don’t kill him yet. I open my mouth to tell her to find out what this is all about first but Jimmy gets the bright idea to try and make a break for it.

He’s not bright. Faith stomps his knee and I bite my lip. That had to be painful. She grinds her boot in a little and then turns back to me with a raised brow. There really seriously is something wrong with me. I know I have strong sexual urges at in appropriate times but this is starting to make me wonder. I’m just going to chalk it up to after fight lusties and move on. Jimmy takes that second of mutual distraction to try again.

Faith’s ass hits the floor hard and I wince because just watching it hurt. She grunts and I scooch closer to her. She practically growls and chucks that pipe thingy at Jimmy’s head. I can actually appreciate the beauty of that on a totally Slayer related level. That’s precision throwing with an arm that very recently was skewered with a rusty metal spike. “Where ya goin’ Jimmy? Thought me an’ you had plans.” Ha yeah like that would ever happen.

I want to kill him. I really really really really do. I think Faith senses it through our connection because she ignores him entirely and starts to help me up. I glance in to her eyes when I stand. She’s worried about me. I soothe her questioning glance with a slight smile. I’m sore and I think my arm is broken. I’ll have one hell of a headache but it’s nothing a couple of days of Slayer healing can’t completely fix. I’m more worried about her shoulder and the blood that pours out of it every time she moves that arm. She’s acting like it doesn’t hurt but it has to. I look up in time to catch Jimmy’s little look.

What an idiot. And what is with the looks over Faith’s shoulder? There’s no one there freako. I feel a strong rush of dark energy sweep through our connection when she hits him. Ow that had to hurt. I almost feel sorry for him. Only not really. “What. The. Fuck.” Yeah. That’s what I want to know. Only I want to hit him because I just now realized that he had me pinned the same way that he used to pin Faith and he wanted me to know it. Bastard. She didn’t want that. I don’t realize I’ve taken a swing at him until I feel my fist connect with his bloody gummy maw of a mouth.

Can I just say...yick. I’ve punched my hand in to some really disgusting things in my life but that one was pretty bad. Maybe because it’s Jimmy and he could have rabies or something equally as mouth foamy. Faith’s arm around my waist only just catches me before I stomp his head in to a goopey mess on the pretty rug Willow and Kennedy gave me for my birthday. Wait. I like that rug, it’s got really pretty chocolate and sage colors in it. It’s very calming and warm. On second thought maybe I don’t want to stomp his head there. Ooh but the rest of the floor is hardwood so easy clean up.

A loud crash from the kitchen jerks my attention away from Faith and Jimmy. Wes. Oh my God he’s still locked in the pantry. I’m sorry Bubba but I can’t get you out just yet. I can hear Faith kicking Jimmy’s ass in to a new shape. But I can also hear Wes yelling out a few choice words that I know, that he knows would seriously cost him in the curse jar. Considering the situation I don’t think Faith will charge him. She’d probably be proud. I bite my lip and wince when Jimmy goes through my coffee table. Oh. Coffee table. Well as if he didn’t already need to die but now he really has to go.

Xander built me that coffee table. “And then you put your hands on my girl.” I look up at Faith as the rising tide of darkness crashes over and through me hard enough to take my breath away. Faith’s hands on either side of Jimmy’s head jerk to haul his battered body up and back. I flinch at the sick sound of the rebar going through his head and face. I want to look away but I can’t because this is a part of who Faith is. A part I’ve come to accept. Even find agreement with.

I shuffle over to her and rest my head between her shoulder blades. The tension in Faith’s body lessens but it doesn’t go away. I put my arms around her and feel her relax in to me. She’s not going to be okay for awhile. I know this and I’m prepared for it. She just needs to know I’m not going anywhere. “Faith?” Wes is really working the pantry door. It sounds like he’s almost got it broken open. I wouldn’t be surprised. So. I don’t have much time. “Go to your son, I’ll call Giles and have him send Clean Up. I’ll be with you soon. I promise.” Always.

She turns in my arms and I can still see the shine of power lust in her eyes. It takes my breath away and I’m just sitting here looking possibly retarded because I can’t stop staring at her. Her fingers trace my bottom lip and I press a kiss to them. I promise Faith. I’m not going anywhere. She gives me a nod and walks away from Jimmy’s body without looking back. I watch her go in to the kitchen and look back at the body. I sigh and find the phone in the wreck that used to be my coffee table. Oh well it died for a good cause.

I dial Giles’ number and watch as Faith carries Wes up the stairs and in to our bedroom. Our. Hrm. That has a nice ring to it. I hope she remembered to wipe the blood off her face before she opened the door to get Wes. That could traumatize him. “Giles? Sorry for the lateness. Faith and I just had an unexpected visitor.” His concern touches me. I can hear it and even feel it in his voice when he speaks. “No we’re okay it’s just...complicated. It’s him Giles. Wes’ dad.”

Oh. Yeah that’s about all anyone can say about that. “It was weird. You might want to put his body on ice and have Andrew and the Nerd Herd go over it. He's kind of a snake-man. No Giles. A man that looks like a snake. Okay fine he’s kind of a man-snake.” Honestly. Is that really important right now? I sigh and shake my head. I don’t want to be here on the phone with him. I want to be upstairs with Faith and Wes. And we still have to do something about her shoulder. “Oh and probably getting Janice to do a little patching up might be good. It’s not bad well I don’t think. Faith kind of got stabbed in the shoulder with a metal bar.”

Giles’ quiet ‘Good Heavens...’ makes me smile. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. Or father. “I’m going to go check on Faith and Wesley so if you or Xander could you know keep an eye on the cleaning up stuff that’d be really kind.” He assures me that it’s all going to be taken care of so I hang up and make my way slowly up the stairs. I lean against the doorframe to watch for a second. Wes is clinging to Faith and she’s leaning back against the headboard just holding him and running her hands through his hair.

I expected some hysterics even crying but I did not expect the quiet relief in the air. This was pretty scary for an adult let alone a kid. Faith’s dark eyes rest on me and I nod. It’s all taken care of baby. I move in to the room and Faith scoots forward so I can slide in behind her and Wes. Normally she’s the one holding me like this but it’s nice to be able to hold her. She leans back in to me and I sigh. In a little while I’ll convince her to let Giles or Xander keep an eye on Wes while we shower and I convince her to get her shoulder looked at. And then we’ll all go to sleep and worry about tomorrow...well tomorrow.

“Why ya so good to me B?” Faith’s low rumbling voice makes me smile and shrug. Why? Because she’s letting me, because I love her and I love Wes and I need this. Because if she walks away from me I’ll be a shell of a woman. Because this is right.

“Because I love you more than I have ever loved anyone in my life.” She tips her head back on my shoulder so she can look at me better. I’m serious. I know she has this violence to her. This darkness that will always be a part of her. It will always be a part of us. I remember the old guys that gave the First Slayer the bad juju to make her powerful. It’s just as much a part of me as it is Faith she just has a special relationship with it is all. I accepted that the night I dragged her in to a dressing room at the bar and gave her head. That was me giving in whole heartedly and so willingly.

But she doesn’t know that. She doesn’t understand it and really I just figured it out so it’s reasonable. “Yeah? How do you know?” What do you mean how do I know? I know I love you more than I have loved anyone because well. I do. I give her a bored look and raise my brows. “Not ya know. How do you know, know but like this is it. I’m...scary. I’m...”

I cut off whatever she’s going to say by brushing my lips lightly over hers. “You’re Faith and I’m Buffy. We’re Slayers. We’re friends. We’re lovers. We’re family.” She opens her mouth and I already know what’s coming. Sometimes she’s like a little kid. “Because I know.” She gives me a dubious look and closes her mouth. I sigh and bite back a chuckle. “Because when I think of all the people I’ve shared my heart with there were two categories. There was everyone else and then there was...” I shrug a shoulder and trail off.

“And then there was?” Faith’s voice is soft, barely a whisper. It’s tremulous and the fear in her question leaks in to our connection.

“And then there was you.” There is no comparison. I loved Angel and I really truly thought we had a love to end all loves but it wasn't that way. I was young and naive and I wanted to be special like other girls are special. I wanted a boy to love me and protect me. Little did I know I’d feel more loved and protected by a girl than any of the other guys I dated. And not just any girl. Because Faith was my first experience but she wasn’t the only one.

It’s her. It’s always been her. “But...he’s your soulmate.” He. Angel. No baby. He wasn’t. He couldn’t ever be. I feel our connection throb between us and smiled gently.

“I thought so once. But then...well then there was you.” Again. If she doesn’t get it now I don’t know what else to do to convince her that this is real that this is it. It’s new but that doesn’t make it any less real. I want this now and I want it forever and I’m not taking no for an answer. Granted that sounds kinda obsessive crazy and we just dealt with that because of Jimmy and all but I’m not about to get myself turned in to a snake thing to stalk her if she doesn’t want this. I just need to know she’ll let me stick around. “So how long do you think we’ll last?” I’m kind of joking. I want to make light of it but I want a serious answer.

Does that make sense? Faith smiles tenderly up at me. “As long as ya let me love ya B.” Okay. See that right there? That’s it. That’s point where I realized it. By it I mean the thing she does that makes my broken table and sore body all worth it.

“So forever then. I’m pretty sure I can work that in to my schedule.” We chuckle as the door downstairs creaks open. I can hear Xander’s voice float up. He’s really got take charge guy thing going on. Faith sighs and looks down at Wes who wouldn’t know if a marching band were in the room. My poor baby boy. Xander’s head pokes around the frame and his face has a current of tension just under the surface.

“Hey you’re okay right? You counted everyone’s fingers and toes and everything right?” His worry is sweet. I nod from behind Faith and flick my eyes to Wes. Xander steps in to the room and kneels next to Faith on the bed. “You want I should take Wes while you guys get cleaned up? Giles said you need your shoulder looked at.” For a second I’m not sure Faith is going to give him up. Xander rests a big hand on her shoulder and gives it a tender squeeze. Thankfully it’s not the bad shoulder. “With my life.” It’s all she needed. Xander will protect Wes with his life.

She lets him go and I help her up. Xander leans against the headboard with Wes cradled against him. Faith gives them a final look before heading in to the bathroom. I turn on the water and start peeling off her clothes. It’s like she’s shell shocked. Once we’re in the shower, letting the water wash the blood and sweat and grime off of us, it hits. Faith leans in to my body and breaks down. It breaks my heart but all I can do is be strong for her. So I hold Faith and let her work it out because I know this will be the last time she cries over this. He’ll never hurt them again and even though I didn’t kill him I would gladly have done it.

Chapter Twenty One

Things have gotten back to normal in the past week or so. Nothing yet on Jimmy’s snakeness. Wes doesn’t seem to be taking anything badly. In fact he's pretty much as energetic and lively as ever. Which is why tonight he’s going to stay with his uncle Xander. I pack his backpack with his books and sit on the edge of the bed. Faith is packing his clothes in to a small kid sized rolling suitcase. “Buffy?”

I lean over and pick Wes up. He curls in to me immediately and I get all heart melty again. “Yes Wesley?” He looks up at Faith and she smiles but doesn’t say anything. What? He gives her a nod and then looks at me with these huge brown eyes. Um. What was I thinking about? Oh. Right. He wanted to say something. I hope he’s finally forgiven me for locking him in the pantry that night.

“Now that my dad is dead...” Oh boy. I don’t know if I can handle whatever he’s going to ask me. It wasn’t my idea to tell him that Jimmy finally croaked it but Faith said he was four not retarded so I went with it. Plus not my son so what can I say. “Does this mean I can have two mammas instead?” Um. Okay. I can’t breathe. Is he asking what I think he’s asking me? I look up at Faith who’s just watching me try and work this out.

“Is that what you want Wes?” He furrows his little brow while he thinks it over. I’m telling you this kid isn’t your average four year old. He thinks like a much older person. Well not an adult but sometimes he’s quicker on the uptake than me or Faith are.

I hope he’s going to say yes. Because I’d die for this child. I’ll live for this child. And it doesn’t matter that I had nothing to do with his birth. I love him more than I thought it was even possible to love. “You love mamma. An’ she loves you. You came to save us. That’s what moms do.” I’m the one that got saved. He nods once as if he’s made his decision. “You always have time to play with me and you never yell. Well. Not at me. But sometimes mamma makes you yell. She does that sometimes.” He shrugs that off and I’m glad he made me laugh because I was starting to get teary eyed.

“You know I love you right Bubba? That no matter what, I will always love you.” I don’t want him to want this because he wants it for Faith. I want him to know I love him no matter what he decides. Faith’s body warms my back as she settles in behind us. My breath catches when Wes takes my face in his two little hands so he can look at me.

“That’s the best part mom.” When I die my heaven is going to be this moment over and over again.