Chapter 13

Something is wrong. By degrees the darkness around me fades to a dull gray. Fuck. I roll on ta my side an' groan. Cock jugglin' thunder cunts. The creature stirs… I can feel the amusement in Buffy's voice at that. Glad she can find somethin' funny about this situation. I take in my surroundings an' sigh. Again? I roll my neck an' stand to get the blood flowin' a little.

"All of us stuck here?"

I dunno why I'm botherin' ta say it out loud. Buffy probably can't really hear me. Yep. You, me, Cori and Ramsey. Okay I take that shit back. She can hear me. Huh. I grunt at nothin' in particular.

"How long was I out?"

There's just the soft hint of laughter now. Can someone just tell me why the fuck she's so fuckin' amused?

Tap tap tap.

I'm goin' fuckin' bonkers.

Tap tap tap.

Wait a second. I kneel and knock on the concrete wall. Tap tap tap comes back at me. Huh. I search out the end of my connection and feel the answering tug from the kid.

"Heya, kiddo."

Relief floods her end an' I nod. Yeah. I'm worried too. I reach over my shoulder an' touch it gingerly. It hurts. Dried blood crackles an' sticks to my fingers as I wince. Oh fuck me. My head tips to the side an' I puke my guts out in the corner. Pain sure has a hell of a way of makin' ya aware of it. Spots of black dot my vision an' I have ta rest my sweaty head against the wall so I don't pass out.

It's bad enough of an injury that it'll take some time ta heal. And it'll hurt like a bitch. An' then it'll fuckin' itch. I wonder if B will be nice an' scratch it for me. Count on it, Stud. Okay. That's just creepy now.

"Cut it out, B. You're freakin me out."

Silence. Blessed fuckin' silence. So now I guess we wait. I hate waitin'. It leaves me thinkin' about things that hurt. Like Vikrant. And how he's not gonna be blushin' all cute for me anymore. My blood turns ta acid an' I lash out at the door. I barely feel the recoil of my fists hittin' unrelenting solid steel. I hear yellin' but I don't know who it is.

My throat is as sore as my knuckles. Oh. Guess it was me hollarin'.  FUUUUUCCCKKKKK!!!

I give the door one last kick before slidin' down the wall to the floor. Everything fuckin' hurts. An' I didn't do dick but leave blood smears on the door. Done beating yourself up yet?

"No."

It's my fault. I got us all stuck in here an' got a good guy killed. An' who knows who else got hurt in the brawl. A warm spot starts in my chest an' spreads out with every heartbeat. No. I don't wanna feel okay. Who's makin' Ramsey feel okay? Huh? I push back against the intrusion on my anger.

Don't fuckin' do this to me, Buffy. Don't take this away from me. Please. But she doesn't listen. She just sneaks back in. Her an' the kid. Just waitin' there. Waitin' for me. I sigh an' let go, let them in. What was a burnin' in my joints is now just a soothing warmth. I shudder an' wish not for the first time that I could cry.

"I'm sorry."

Not your fault, babe.

Yeah. Not my fault. I'll try ta remember that when we get out an' I hafta look Ramsey in the eye. I lean back an' hiss at the pain in my shoulder. I musta reopened the wound a little bit. I'd say that's what you get, but I don't think you'd appreciate it very much. And yet she says it. I snort a chuckle at it anyway. It'll be alright in a little while, I just need ta give it time. Somethin' I think I'll have plenty of.

The calm of having Buffy an' Cori with me keeps me from noticin' the tingling in my shoulder for a long time. I raise my head and look over. It's hard ta see with the old blood there so I reach out an' touch it lightly. It's hot. But it's not bleedin'.  And best of all I think the skin is startin' to seal over. Huh. That's new. It's too fast. Even for me. I can feel Cori's surprise but not Buffy's.

"This you, Shortchange?"

I want you whole.

"Why?"

Not that I mind gettin' healed up with a quickness. Because I want you. Ungh. That's gonna start a whole new kinda heat if she keeps talkin' ta me like that. But she got what she wanted. I'm not throwin' myself a pity party anymore. The echo from Cori fades and it's just me an' B in here now.

"What are we gonna do now, B? Huh?"

I can't help but be down about it. I mean we're fucked here. We'll wait, Faith. That's gonna be hard for me. So I do what I always do when the walls start ta close in on me. I set up for the first position of my Tai Chi routine. I'll hafta modify it a lil until my shoulder is a hundred percent better.  Buffy shuffles into position in her cell an' I hafta smile a lil bit. We can do this together. Who knows, maybe well figure somethin' out while were at it.

I have no idea how long we've been in here. A while. The upside, if there is an upside, is that Faith and I have been in constant contact. Not physically but damn near enough. Exploring this whole ghost body thing has been a lot of fun. I'm not sure how Cori feels about it. I can't seem to cut her off entirely from the connection so I'm pretty sure even though she's not present she still knows what's going on. If we were anywhere else, anybody else, I might feel a little embarrassment about it but...it's prison.

Things are so different in here. Regular rules of polite social interaction are pretty much thrown out the window. I rest my palms against the wall and start stretching like I do everyday at this time. My lips curve in to a smile when I feel my Slayers starting to move around. Faith always takes a second to bounce around letting the blood circulate. Cori. Well, she's different. She just jumps right into it. Oh, to be young again. I roll my eyes at my own thought.

Before we can get started, bright overhead lights click on. I shield my eyes with an arm when the door opens. I barely have time to react when I'm crowded into a corner by two guards with riot gear and cattle prods. Yay. We must be getting out today. Or, you know, we're getting prepped for the chinchilla farm. Okay, the first guard to stick his cattle prod anywhere I'm not okay with gets it shoved right up his ass. Ow! Don't fight it, B. Oh she's one to talk. I sigh and face the wall when ordered.

I'm waiting for the cuffs when my world goes black.

It didn't hafta be that way. I roll on my side for a second an' just breathe. Fuckers. I hate getting' knocked out. Carefully I sit up an' search out my connection. Hey look at that. We're all good. I test the door on my cell an' jump outta my shorts when it opens. What the fuck time is it? I step out an' look down the line. Must be just after lunch. Which means most everyone is in the yard. I start that way but take a detour to Ramsey's cell. I didn't really think she was in mood ta get a lil bit of sun so I'm not surprised to find her sittin' on her bunk with her knees drawn up to her chest.

"Hey."

She looks up at me an nods once.

"Faith."

 I settle on her bunk next to her an rest my head against the wall.

"What are you doing?"

Me? "Sittin'."

She blinks at me but I don't think she knows what ta say or do about it.

"I'm not so big on apologies...but I'm sorry about your brother. He was a good guy."

Didn't know him that well, didn't even really trust him until the end. But I'll miss him.

"I appreciate your sympathies."

Its so fuckin' polite there's no emotion to it. Now I know a thing or two about tryin' ta bury the rage so I just sit here with her for awhile.

"Is there anything else?"

Yeah. There is.

"Uh huh. Get your ass up. B's dyin' ta see ya."

She gives me a snarl for my attitude.

"Ya know, I might've almost been afraid of that if I didn’t' know Buffy would kick your ass if ya hurt me before she's through with me."

The confusion on her face is priceless an' I snort out a chuckle.

"I was not aware that Slayers...giggled."

Wha? I give Ramsey a look before yankin' her off the bunk by the ankles. Asshole.

"Okay okay!"

I help her stand an' sling an arm over her shoulders as we make our way outside. Buffy is already out at the benches with Cori. We make our way to them ignorin' the looks from everyone else. They can all eat a dick for all I care.

"Hey baby."

I drop myself down next ta my girl an' give her a wink. The smile she gives me makes my toes curl. I gotta get some hands-on lovin' real soon. Ramsey just stands there not really lookin' at either one of us. I look ta Buffy not really sure what to say or do here. She looks at me once before standin' and hugging Ramsey tightly.

"I'm so sorry about Vikrant."

It takes awhile before Ramsey hugs her back. But she does. But now that I'm sittin' here watchin' I hafta wonder. Where the hell does Ramsey hide her tail?

"He was a brave man."

"He was many things. Brave and good among them."

They break apart before any of the bulls blow a whistle on them.

"I hope he is at peace."

Me too. I look down at the little Slayer that could. She's leanin' against my arm like she's afraid of her own shadow.  Didn't we have this convo already?

"Faith?"

I shake myself out of my thoughts an' look in the direction she's pointin'. A smile like the sun breaks out on my face. The kid probably thinks there's gonna be a throw down, but its just Proph an' her crew.

"Damn girl, you lookin' whiter than usual."

Yeah. Well bein' in the hole does that to a girl. I get up an bump knuckles with her.

"Who's the piece?"

I look over my shoulder at Cori who's tryin' her hardest ta turn invisible. Buffy clears her throat an' I glance at her. She shakes her head no once lettin' me know I can not trade a Slayer for cigarettes. I know I know. I swear it only crossed my mind for a second.

"Cori. She's mine."

The kid looks up at me in mild horror but calms down when Buffy forces the connection open. Well. There goes my fun. If the kid knows I'm not serious I can't fuck with her.

"This is Prophet. She's good people."

"Hi."

Aw. I almost laugh at the small voice. It's like havin' a baby. Okay it's not cute anymore. I roll my eyes an' look Prophet over.

"You don't look too worse for wear. What happened?" I hope she got that bitch good.

"Bulls came in and busted it up. Ain't no thang, baby. Ain't no thang."

I'm guessin' that means she had a hell of a lot of fun.

"I notice your end didn't go exactly as planned."

Yeah. That's the understatement of the year. I don't say it but she can tell by the look on my face. I shove my hands into the pockets of my jumper an' shrug. It's gonna weigh heavy on us for a long time.

"Where's Ditto been?" That's what I want to know.

Prophet shrugs. "Not around here that's for damn sure. Big T said word was she was in solitary with y'all."

Is that right? I glance over at Buffy who raises her brows at that. Someone is in trouble besides us. I think I kinda like that.

"What're you gonna do now?"

That's been the question running itself fucking ragged in my brain since I woke up in solitary.

"Dunno yet. Listen...what'll it cost me for a carton of smokes an' another favor?"

I only get a laugh in response. I don't think I have enough of whatever it is that she needs to make that kind of exchange.

"Depends on the favor. And how attached you are to your new piece."

I look at Buffy again who just glares this time. Alright. I can see when I'm gettin' the Presidential Veto.

"Pretty attached. What else ya want?" I don't like the smile on her face.

"Aw c'mon, Proph, don't do me like that." Not that I have any reason ta think we're tight or anything.

"I don't owe you dick. white girl."

Yeah no shit. C'mon. What's it gonna take besides slave trade ta get what I need?

"But I like you. You got flair, girl."

"You should see her in leather."

I look back at Buffy an' flash her some dimples.  When I turn back to Proph she's got a considerin' look on her face.

"I'll front you a pack or two. What's the favor?"

Yes!

"Nothin' big. I just need a letter ta get sent out without the guards knowin'. Can ya manage?"

We cant pass anything off without it bein' checked but I'm sure someone can get somethin' out.

She blows a kiss ta Cori, an' turns in a huff of sleek, dark skin. Damn she's hot.

You want to keep those eyes?

 I stop mid check-out an' shrug. Yeah. I guess I do.

"The better ta see ya with, B. Gotta keep' em."

"Then keep them off other women."

Jealous jealous. I lean into her body, just so fuckin' glad that we're out of the hole. Her scent reaches my nose, ticklin' it. I'm guessin' it's been a few weeks since we've seen a shower. You'd think it'd be gross, but the scent of Buffy's sweat an' sex seems ta go right to my clit. Even the earthy smell of dirt clingin' to her jumper gets me hot.

"Trust me, B. Ya got no worries. I know who I belong ta."

She smiles an' jerks her head at Ramsey. She doesn't look so good. I nod an' look over at the sparse patch of scrub grass just past the basketball courts.

"I'm gonna run through a lil work out ta get the kinks out."

I know Buffy an' Cori will follow me. I'm surprised when Ramsey does too. But hey, whatever.

I roll my head and fall into Preparation Form. The four of us move together without so much as a word between us. I wanted the longer work-out ta finally get a feel for what my shoulder can do. It's a little tight but the muscles stretch an' loosen as we work through Grasping the Birds tail and on to the next series of moves. The wind blows through the yard an' I realize how quiet it is.

Pockets of people are starin' at us. Some of them are tryin' ta figure out what the fuck we're doin' but others are just kinda starin'. As if they see somethin' they can't have. When I look at the rest of my crew I realize we all have peace. Maybe not all'a time or whatever but right now we've got it. An the rest of them want it. They want it so bad I can see the hunger in their eyes. I flick my eyes over to Buffy. She doesn't even notice that everyone is watchin' her.

I might have started us off ,but she's clearly the one in control of leadin' the technique. Goddamn she's beautiful. I Cross Hands an Embrace the Tiger before returning ta Mountain pose.  Buffy's hands come up ta rest on my shoulder an' she leans forward.

"We have an audience. And I think I have a plan."

Oh yeah? I like the sound of that.

"Yeah?"

She nods.

"How do you feel about doing this on a large scale?"

"What? Like the whole prison? I don't get it."

"We need friends here, Faith. As many as we can find."

She wants ta seriously try ta bind all the groups in here?

"We can try it."

I give a short nod an' we fall back in to position. She might have a damn good idea. Better'n my last one anyway.

She's too quiet still. Even days after we've been let out, Ramsey still hasn't tried to make any attempt at living. Faith looks at me and taps Cori on her shoulder to take her away somewhere. Leaving me with Ramsey. I reach out and touch her hand.

"Hey."

"Hi."

Her eyes, once luminously gold are a dull pale yellow. How do you help someone that doesn't really want help? Okay. Let's think about this. Have there been any people in my life that have been closed off? Gee. That one is a no brainer. Just look at who I'm currently dating. As if we could actually go out on a date while stuck in prison. Still.

"You want to talk about it?"

She gives me a wild-eyed look as if she's terrified of actually talking about it. Okay. I know when I'm beat. I sigh softly.

"Okay. You don't have to. I just thought maybe you might want to let some things out." In a healthy way.

She just shakes her head. "I will mourn Vikrant until I join his spirit."

Ramsey rubs the palms of her hands together lightly. "Our people will mourn his loss. Without him we are only half of what we could be." What does that even mean?

"I don't understand." And I want to. I don't know if it's guilt over being part of the reason he's dead or not, but I want to know all about him. Anything.

"My people have what we call Dumajin. We were marked and trained as children to be the keepers of the portals my people use to travel."

Well that makes some sense. They did manage to open a small portal. With a hell of a lot of effort though.

"But you couldn't that night. What's your best guess?"

She shakes her head.

"Only one thing could prevent those of us from opening a doorway. Blood magic."

No good. "Can you get around it?"

She shakes her head sadly.

"Not alone. I am only one half of the key. Vikrant...he was my..."

I watch her swallow hard and shake her head as if she's shaking off the pain. I know for a fact that's not possible.

"He bore the other half of the marks. He carried my blood. We are alone here in this place."

So as Faith would say, we're fucked. Great.

"Maybe not."

We still have allies on the outside. If we can reach them. A buzzer goes off signaling the start of dinner. We've been sticking together in pairs just to be safe but so far we haven't had so much as a dirty look in our direction. Not even from Ditto who made her appearance at breakfast this morning. I think something is up but it's best if we all just play nice for as long as possible.

"Can you teach anyone to be the other half of the key?"

Ramsey stumbles and looks at me as if I'm the craziest thing on two legs she's ever seen. Which may be possible. Right now I feel like I'm talking the crazy talk.

"No one that does not have the blood of my people will be able to open a portal."

Okay well that answers that.

"But...I have heard of things that might help. I will need time to think upon these things."

I nod and look around the mess for Faith and Cori. They're already at a table with Prophet and her girls.

"Summers!"

Shit. Now what?

"Hands on your head, face the wall and kneel."

I wait silently while they shackle my ankles and cuff me. Ramsey practically hisses when they yank me up to my feet and lock me into a waist chain. Okay, now I'm starting to worry.

"What's going on?"

I hope it's not something bad. Or at least not something worse than the bad that is my life right now.

"Visitor."

My face goes white as all the blood drains out of it. Visitor? Oh god. I haven't even considered the possibility that someone would come here to see me. And it's not even visiting day. I blink at the guard and raise my brows.

"Lawyer." I don't have a  lawyer.

He shuffles me out of the mess and down the hall with a firm grip on my arm. It'll leave a bruise but I'm too curious about who's here to shrug him off. Also. I'm not a fan of the cattle prods.

"Wait here."

 I nod and wait exactly where he leaves me. Nope. I'm not starting any kind of trouble. Not while I'm by myself anyway. I reach down my connection to Faith and feel her comforting presence. Whatever happens she'll know immediately. And I really feel bad for whoever gets between her and her mad dash to find me if it all goes badly. Okay, not really.

The guard knocks on the metal door three times. It buzzes and opens and he leads me to a small room with two chairs and a table. This is new.

"Sit."

 I do as I'm told and get bolted to the chair. Um. Can we say gulp?

"Behave or you go to the hole again."

Hey I'm the one chained up here. The door opens again and I almost pass out with relief.

Willow.

She sits across from me with a cool expression on her face and stack of papers. I have no idea if those are for show or not but she's scribbling notes as if it's all real.

"So you're my new lawyer, huh?"

"Yup. You're not going to call me horrible names and make me leave again are you?"

Guilt washes over me. God I'm such a bitch. Or I was.

"Because if you are I'm going to have to charge double." It makes me smile a little.

"Why are you here?" She's here when we need her most and that's the important thing.

"Well, a foul-mouthed little bird reminded me that some things are bigger than hurt feelings."

Faith. I don't know if I want to smack her one or kiss her for this. I bite my lip.

"I'm sorry, Will. I'm so so sorry." She reaches out and pats my hand.

"We'll talk about it later. Right now I'm going to go over some notes on your case. I might have some questions so I need you here."

Huh? I look at my guard then Willow. Okay well I'll just go along with it.

Do they know?

I nod at her.

"Okay."

They know who and what I am. They know who Faith is and for all I know they know who Willow is.

"Now we tried several times to contact you via mail and telephone. Is there a particular reason why we couldn't reach you?" I watch her pen poised over the legal pad.

"I was in solitary." She scribbles then hrms.

"For how long?"

"I don't know."

She stops then and looks at the guard with something close to widow-maker Willow face. When she looks at me though, compassion blossoms in her eyes.

"I feel betrayed, Willow." She nods.

"It's been happening a lot these days."

Yeah. Says Cori who's in here with us.

We're working on it.

I know she's working on it, so I nod once.

"Tell Jamie I miss him."

She catches the cold note in my voice and blinks. Then it hits her. Hard. Willow lets out a breath and leans back in her chair.

"I'll do that."

I want him alive. For Faith. So she can get information out of him. In the messiest, bloodiest, most painful possible way.

"So. Is it as bad as it seems in here?  You know. Are women like...off the chain?"

Off...the chain....

"I thought Giles said you weren't allowed to watch Diane Sawyer exposes anymore."

She laughs and I swear to god it's like water on a hot day.

"I have my ways."

Yeah, I'm sure she does. She is the woman with the power after all.

"Is there anything that you need while you're in here?"

"Shampoo." Real shampoo. With fruity smells instead of the hard cake bar of soap I have to use on the rest of my body.  And a way to contact you guys. The walls have ears.

She nods.

"I'll see what we can do. In the meantime I've left some books with the associate warden. She'll look through them and send them to your cell. I suggest you read up on your case as much as possible."

 Right. Booking it. Hopefully there is something useful in those books.

"Wait!"

Willow stops at the door and turns to me.

"Will you tell my sister..." Tell her what exactly? I'm sorry? I'll be home soon?

"I will."

I believe her. We nod once and I watch her leave. Pain in my chest throbs a few times before Faith fills my body leaving me feeling like I'm curled tight in her arms. How did I ever live without this before?  

Chapter 14

"So look man, you got two options here. Either you pay me cash or you find another way to make good on what you owe me."

I'm sittin' here watchin' Proph conduct a lil business while she rolls a pin-nail. Ten bucks for somethin' that can barely be called joint. I take a drag off my cigarette an' shake my head at the woman who's tryin' desperately ta come up with something good enough to pay up with. That's the thing about habits in prison. Either ya break out of what ya got, or ya find a way ta pay for your small mercies.

That's what I call 'em. Proph takes ten from Shonda an' hands her the smoke. I give her a nod as she walks out of the cell, brushin' against the other woman hard. It's a hint.

"What um...what do you want? I don't have anything."

She shouldn't have said that. Prophets' eyes rise from the new one she's rollin'. This one is for us. It's actually worth the effort of smokin'.

"Nothing?"

This makes the woman squirm. Look. I might be a Slayer. Might even be a good guy from time ta time. But this is life. I could step in an' make this one owe me a favor later but why? Nothing in it for me.

"You sure about that sweet thang?" The woman's throat tightens convulsively.

"I'm not gay."

I chuckle at that and shake my head again.

"I..."

Shit. She doesn't know dick about the way it works. I kick my feet up an' rest them on a stack of books.

"Shit baby, ain't half the bitches up in here are gay. But uh, even the straightest girl's got needs right? You think I rock pussy on the outside? Fuck no. I got a man, and a kid."

The woman blinks at me a few times.

"You're not gay either?"

I almost answer but Prophet snorts, chokin' on her hit.

"Hell no, this bitch right here LOVES pussy."

Cant really argue that, can I? I just grin an swipe a hit.

"So what's it gonna be? You gonna give me money or pussy?"

The woman debates it before scooting further into the cell to hover nervously near Prophet.

"I don't have money but...I...I need it."

Yeah I feel ya. I watch her drop to her knees slowly to start tugging  Proph's  jumper. This is my time ta peace it while I still can. And while I'm at it, I'm takin' this joint with me.

"Later P. Let me know when you got a line out, yeah?"

She barely gives me a grunt of acknowledgement as she gets way too preoccupied with her new toy. Fuck. I let out a deep breath an' close my eyes to focus. Buffy. I can feel her against my skin as she becomes aware of me. She wasn't so happy with me for a few days after that whole thing with Red, but we're okay. I thought for sure she was gonna gimme a knuckle sammy for the effort but she didn't.

At first she was in shock a little I think. She just let me hold her as she cried it out a little. My eyes open an' I start toward the library. Of course after the cryin 'came a lil glarin'. I let her. An' after that it was just okay. We didn't need ta say anything about it. Didn't need to go over the whys an' whens of it all. I get her in a way no one else ever will.  And she gets me. Gets right ta the soul of me. I give a nod to a new face that's quickly becoming familiar.

Ever since that first day of workin' out in the yard we've had more an' more inmates joinin' in. Some of them were the outcasts. No crew ta cling to. New intakes mostly at first. But it's been growin'. Everyone seems ta be drawn ta B. Not that I don't get it, cause I do. In here you want somewhere ta belong, someone ta see you, see you an' save you. The second Buffy lays those greens on ya, you feel it. That instant throb of safety. It's been a lotta years since me an' Buffy first met, but damn do I remember the feelin'. I saw her a long time before she saw me.

I'll admit it. I was checkin' her out. I mean, she was the balls, right? My Watcher was all about the hero worship. I get it now. But then I just wanted to know what the fuck it was about her that made her so goddamned special. What made her better than me? I mean, I was a Slayer then too. So we should be the same, right? Damn. I have never been more wrong in my life. Of course on the flip side of that...I was more right than I'd ever know at that point.

I flash a back-handed peace sign at a group of people an' tuck my joint behind my ear as I pass a bull. I don't think he noticed. A quick jog up the stairs puts me right where I wanna be, an' I stroll in ta the library with my usual cocky strut. Buffy looks up from her book in the corner table an' I head to it like a heat-seekin' missile. I turn a chair around an' straddle it before lightin' up.

"Faith. We're in a library."

I just give her a look an' pass it to her after I take a hit.

"So what? That's part of a book." She looks at it closely, squintin' ta make out the small print.

"Tell me that's not what I think it is."

I shrug.

"We're going to hell."

Hey the big guy owes us a few. I think He'd understand. She takes her hit and hands it back.

"I've found out a few interesting things. Will was pretty clever with this book."

I look at the mostly blank pages. What the fuck?

"Yeah?"

She nods an' turns the book to face me. Words fill the pages like little ants spreading out from the spine. I look at the joint in my hand, then the book, then Buffy. She snickers and I shrug. Hey, at least I'm being entertaining.

"Giles mighta taught you to read this shit but I kinda wish it was in English."

As soon as the words are out of my mouth the text wavers, translating to English. Now that is some cool ass shit. I pass off an' flip the page.

It's about Dante. I give a soft whistle of awe. That's a fuck of a lot of words. I hand the book back.

"I can see you're not in a read-y mood. I'll give you the Cliffs Notes version later."

That's my girl. I smile an stretch before crossin' my arms over the back of the chair an' restin' my chin on them.

"Are you going to sit there all creepy and stare at me the whole time?"   Yup.

Buffy stares at me for a minute before shovin' a three year old copy of  People in my face. I laugh an' make myself more comfortable as I open the magazine. Who wouldda thought way back when that we'd be this cool with each other? I sure as fuck didn't. Then again...I didn't think a whole lot of shit would ever happen between us. And it did. Not just sex stuff. Hrm. I let my mind wander down that road for a minute before I rein it in.

Sittin' there at the bar in the Bronze, lettin' my beer bottle collect fat beads of sweat while I stared at this lil bit of nothin', I never thought any of this would happen. Nah that's not true. I knew right then. That very second. She wasn't a lil bit of nothin'. She was Everything. Jaded little wounded bird me was caught up in everything Buffy right then. She doesn't know it but I wanted so bad ta be in that bubble of awareness around her. I wanted her ta feel me like I felt her.

I didn't even know why I felt her. I just knew...bone deep, I knew it was always gonna be about her. When she smiled an' licked her lips, and lifted her chin castin' her line of sight in my direction my heart stopped, cause I didn't know what I'd do if she saw me. If she saw the naked need in my eyes. But she passed over me without so much as a pause. She owned me and she didn't even know I existed. That's when it all changed for me.

Moments, ya know? Some moments define you. That missed moment made something in the broken part of my brain made me do...unimaginably stupid things later. All just ta stand out an' catch her attention cause I didn't the first time. God what a fuckin 'kid I was. I flip the page in my magazine without really noticing anything about it. I can feel Buffy's eyes on me an' I look up and flash her a grin.

"Wha?"

"What are you thinking about?"

Me? Uh. Shit. I blink an' shrug a bit. Might as well go for it.

"The night we met."

She rolls her eyes and laughs a little. "God, I was such a fucking kid."

It makes my smile grow wider knowin' that I was just thinkin' that. See, I was right. We are the same. Now. We weren't then.

"We both were. Dumb ones." She nods at that and puts out the roach against the window sill.

"So what about the night we met?"

I shake my head. I'm gonna sound like such a retard. But then...maybe I don't need ta tell her. I take Buffy's hand in mine, stretching her fingers out to rest against my own. Palm to palm. I call up the image I have of her an' focus on it as hard as I can.

"Whoa...oh my god, what was going on with my hair?"

That's such a typical Buffy comment that it breaks my concentration as I crack the fuck up. I feel her fingers runnin' through my hair.

"What made you think of that?"

"Was thinkin' about how ya got this thing about ya. It pulls people in ya know?"

She gives me a blank look because I'm not explaining very well. I grunt an' try again.

"The first night I saw you, I wanted you to see me too. Because I knew everything would make sense then. Maybe it's cause we were both Slayers or because you were a fuckin' hot piece of ass, I dunno. I just know I wanted ta be near ya."

She takes the magazine out of my hand and swats me hard on the side of the head for my comment.

"Dick."

We grin at each other and I shrug.

"Babe, ya got groups of women that would rather spit on each other than work together, willingly spendin' all their outdoor free time with each other. Just ta be near you."

It hits her hard then an' I smile.

"That's retarded. I'm just...Buffy."

"An' that's why I got a massive hard-on for you."

She gives me a look.

"Okay it's why I'm ass over head in love with you. Better?"

"Yes, thank you."

I roll my eyes when she leans forward and gives me a peck on the lips.

"Did Prophet tell you when the next letter is getting out?"

 I shake my head at that.

"Not yet. Looks like they're shuttin' down all of the communication in or out. I don't think they like us havin' so much influence on the rest of the inmates."

That makes her just as amused as it does me. At least we know we're gettin' to them.

"So you ready ta get your ink work done?"

Buffy looks at me and gives a deep breath.

"Yes."

That's a pretty firm yes. I wait it out.

"The last time I had a magic based tattoo it didn’t' go so well." I smirk at that.

"Don't worry, B, I'll hold your hand." She smiles once more and it fuckin' takes my breath away. I'll love you forever, B. Just don't ever stop seein' me.

Sometimes I can't fathom how I end up in the positions I end up in. I watch Ramsey slice a deep gash in her forearm so that her blood fills a small bowl. God, that has got to hurt but she goes about her business as if she doesn't even notice.

"Though you were not born to my People, you have become Sisters to me. A tie to bind me to this world as my last has gone before me."

She holds the bowl out to Faith who holds it carefully in both her hands.

"You who are not born to Us will bear Our Blood."

At Ramsey's nod I drizzle in the thick black ink we collected from pens. Many many many pens. She mixes it carefully and adds something slightly smelly and powdery. I have no idea what it is or where she got it, but I don't think it really matters at this point.

It's not like I can just say Just kidding! and go back to my bunk. The number one reason is because I'm pretty sure that Faith would pick on me. But there are other more important reasons why. Ramsey helped us when she didn't have to. She lost her brother in our struggle. A part of me feels responsible for that. I know Faith does too, but for different reasons. If I hadn't allowed myself to be put in prison Vikrant would still be alive. The thing is...I am not a child anymore. I cant lose myself in guilt and responsibility anymore. We lose our friends. We lose our family.

I still cry over Tara sometimes. So many faces and pieces of our hearts. I have to be here because I can't let her lose a piece of her heart without offering her another. Mine. I smile wanly at Faith when Prophet pulls my jumper down for me. My arms go up and she pulls up my tank off, leaving me bare-chested for the rest of the block to see. Faith's fiery gaze on my body causes a flush that has nothing to do with embarrassment. I watch Cori repeat the process for Faith. My. God.

There are no words to describe the perfection of her body. None. Faith quirks a cocky grin at me and I roll my eyes. Ass. We lay on our stomachs and lock hands. I'm very aware of the eyes of curious inmates on us. Not a few of them have lust burning the skin of my back. It's not unpleasant to say the least. I stare at Faith, inches from me and smile. She's not even nervous. Me? I'm just a little bit. It's not the fact that it's a tattoo really it's just that it's got blood in it. Yick. Plus. There's this whole pain factor that I'm sure goes along with it. I know I know. I'm a Slayer and I'm acting like a big baby but...pain. It just freaks me out.

Faith grips my hand a little tighter to get my attention on her and off my anxiety. Just like she plans, my attention goes to her lips. So full and soft. The first time we kissed I swear I thought I would die on the spot. There was just so much anticipation and tension between us that when it happened I wanted to melt into her. I wanted to be devoured by those lips.

I still do. There's a sharp sting as the needle pierces the flesh of my right shoulder. It's really not that bad if I focus on something else.

"I'm right here, B."

Right. Faith. I blink a few times as the pin prick pain turns into a deep muscle burn. I think it might be the demon blood. I knew there was a reason to be nervous. I give Faith a pained grin.

"And half naked even."

She chuckles at that and bites her lip. Oh yeah. That one went right to my clit.

"I knew ya were a freak like me." She has no idea. But I am so going to show her when we get the hell out of here.

"I think I could show you a thing or two these days." Her brows come up in perfect arches.

"Ungh, now that sounds promisin'. Got somethin' special in mind, B?"

I smile sweetly through the stinging burn crawling down my arm as Ramsey works.

"Oh yeah. We're talking hours, probably days together. With restraints. And toys. Lots and lots of toys. Lots." The lust that rolls through my body from her reaction causes me to gasp.

"Oh it's like that, huh?"

Yup. It sure is. I love it when she grunts at me and gives me just a hint of a lip curl. Sexy thy name is Faith Lehane.

"I got plans for you too, baby."

Okay. If any other lover of mine had called me baby the way she does I probably would have punched them. I did punch Spike several times for it. But when she says it...the way it's possessive and sweet at the same time. I don't know. It just does it for me. A shiver runs down my spine at it.

"Care to share?"

I'm thinking that I just started something I'm not sure I'll win. Fire burns under the surface of my skin and when Faith gives me a low chuckle I realize that the burn of ink has nothing on the burn between my legs for her. I didn't even think it was possible to want someone so much.
"Maybe. What'ya gimme for it?"

I glance up at Prophet's soft laugh. Almost forgot we had an audience. Her coal black eyes are shining down on us, glassy and transfixed. She's not the only one.

All around us faces are turned our way. Tanned, rough skinned arms hanging out from between the bars of other cells facing us, and a row of  chocolate dark eyes staring from the top bunk, small clusters of women gathered at the door to the cell. And every one of them is looking at us.

I can feel Faith's desire rise like a flood. Oh god. I grip her hand tighter letting everything else fade away. It's just me, her, the mutual burn of freshly inked skin, and lust. Maybe I don't dislike pain as much as I thought. Something about it just makes the way she's looking at me that much more powerful.

"You already have everything I am."

Her smile goes from cunning to sweet and it changes her whole face.

"How do you do that?"

Do what? I blink at her a few times trying to fight the haze of need starting to cloud my vision.

"Make me feel like I'm worth it?"

How...how do I make her feel like she's worth it? I don't even know how to answer that question because I never expected to hear it.

"You were always worth it, Faith. I just couldn't see it until it was almost too late for me."

Boy, am I glad I didn't miss my chance to tell her. To show her how much I love her. How wrong I was about so many things. Tears spring up in my eyes but she brushes them away before they get halfway down my cheeks.

"Still right here, B. Always will be."

And that's why she's worth it. That and a million other reasons.

"An' I'm kinda thinkin' I wanna start with you ridin' my face."

Boy, that was a quick topic change. One that does nothing to quell the deep throbbing already going on here.

"But that's just ta start."

I don't think I have ever wanted another person the way I want her. It's everything about her.

Ramsey sits up and stretches her back, giving me a break.

"Am I done?"

She nods and moves to crouch over Faith the same way she had done to me. I look down at the swirling lines decorating my body from shoulder to the tip of my middle finger. If I squint my eyes and stare at them the lines seem to move in slow circular patterns. Wow. Prophet whistles her appreciation of the work and kneels on the floor to rub the sweet smelling Vaseline over my arm for me.

I guess I could tell her there's no point because it'll be healed by tonight, but I don't. I'm too stuck on watching the entirely too serene look on Faith's face. I can feel my marks responding to hers as they get filled in by a steady-handed Ramsey. The shapes and patterns on her skin are bolder, making mine look almost delicate in comparison. But they match. They belong together. Like Faith and I belong together. Swirls and dips cascade down from her shoulder nearly blending with the tumble of waves from her hair.

My eyes trail up the length of her arm but I don't gasp until I see the beautiful luminous shimmering deep gold ringing her eyes.

"So pretty." I reach out to touch the curve of her jaw focusing on her eyes.

"Think the rest of the Scoobs are gonna be jealous we got matchin' tats an 'eyes in prison?"

The absurdity of that makes me laugh. God. I need to get out of here with her. Like. Nowish would be good.

"Xander definitely will."

Her fingers slide against mine, her thumb brushing over my knuckles causing yet another shiver of anticipation. I look to Ramsey who's resting on her back against the wall of the cell.

"Are we ready?"

Her nod is slow when it comes but solid.

"You are Moin Dumajin. Heartblood Keys."

The sound of it strikes a chord in me and I glance to Faith. Her chin raises with pride, her chest swelling with it as it fills her. It's our destiny to do this. I know that now.

"Leave me. Please?"

A part of me crumbles, but Faiths reassuring presence strengthens me.

"Don't worry about her, Princess. Me and the Kid here will check up on her later."

Prophet gets up and snaps her fingers a few times. Women drop down from the bunk and file out of the cell with soft murmurs of quiet conversation. Faith shrugs on her shirt and holds out a hand for me to help me up. When she pulls me to my feet my body crushes against hers as if we were magnetically drawn together. My breath is harsh and ragged from the contact and I lick my lips.

"You okay there, B?"

I nod once before tangling my hands in her hair and pulling her mouth to mine in a desperate lunge. It's hot and rough as we fight to consume each other. Fuck. I pull back and try to catch my breath, but it's hard to do with Faith covering every inch of exposed skin she can with little nips and teasing licks. I need her.

"Five by five, Faith."

Her eyes come up to meet mine in a devilishly amused shine.

"Now get me out of here."

She doesn't waste time asking questions, she just takes me by the hand and leads me down the stairs to the little used chapel. I know I've never been in here before but I think it's because somewhere along the way I stopped waiting for God to rescue me from myself.

I don't give her time to turn and tell me the coast is clear. I give Faith's back a hard enough shove to push her through the door and shut it behind me. I need her. I need her right now. My hands fumble with the tied sleeves of her jumper until I get tired of trying and yank it down her legs impatiently. I'm glad she's not trying to argue it. That'd be a total buzz kill. The scent of her surrounds me in a heady wave and I drop to my knees, pushing her back on one of the padded benches.

She gasps when I spread her open for me. The hard nub of her clit stands out and I swirl my tongue around it before sucking it between my lips. Faith bucks against me so I grip her hips hard to hold her in place. I hunger for her. For the taste of her, the scent of her. I hunger for the sounds of her moans and sighs. I hunger for the heat rising off our bodies as I feed my lust to claim her. She cries out my name when I fill her and thrust with each hard tugging suck. Please. Please. Let me have you.

Faith's body rocks hard against me when she comes. Her new tattoos make a stark contrast on her skin, making her seem to glow all the more to me. If ever there was an angel on earth...

There is no time to contemplate that thought. Her breath barely caught, Faith pulls me up to her, crushing us together in a tight embrace.

"Off. Now."

Hey, who am I to complain? I'm barely out of my jumper when she pulls me into a straddle on her lap. This isn't about saving the world. It's about saving each other. A whine of pleasure escapes my lips at the first touch of her fingertips along my slicked sex. She's teasing me, stroking my entrance and sliding up to press against my clit. My hips move to the pace she sets up until she grunts and my world goes upside down.
 
I'm caught firmly in Faiths grip, dangling precariously off the bench. I open my mouth to complain but all that comes out is a deep satisfied groan when she slides home inside of me. I close my eyes and let her thrust relentlessly into me, bringing me closer to the edge with each curling jerk of her fingers. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. I reach out blindly for her, fingernails grazing over her tender arm. She hisses and yanks me up, pinning me between her and the bench back.

I need her deeper. Harder. I give a pleading whimper when I feel her hot hands on my ankles, pulling them up and slinging my legs over her shoulders.

"God yessssssss."

We lock eyes in the musty silence, the only sound, one heart beat. Two hearts beating the same crazy staccato. The feeling of dislocation only lasts a second before Faith begins her wild thrusts against me. I match her pounding movements until she grips my wrists hard, holding them above my head with one hand. My body clenches tightly around her the second she bites into the already abused flesh of my shoulder. God doesn't even begin to cover this religious experience.

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