CHAPTER 28

“We had a Slayer dream telling me I shouldn’t work at the DMP?” Willow asked in confusion.

Sleep-dazed hazel eyes blinked at her for a minute before Buffy burst into laughter. “Um, I’m going out on a limb here, but no. I don’t think the dream had anything to do with your future as a Food Services worker, Wills.” Her somber mood broken by Willow’s question, Buffy went on. “How did I get back here? The last thing I remember is seeing Mom in the Training Barn.”

Willow’s eyes shot open. “Your mom?”

“Yeah.” Buffy’s levity faded. “Mom. She showed up when I finished my workout.” Tears welled and overflowed. “God, I knew it wasn’t her. She felt…she felt evil. My Slayer senses were freaking out. It didn’t matter, though. I wanted it to be her, Will. I just wanted Mom back.”

Their positions didn’t do much for cuddling. Willow rolled over, pulling Buffy nearly on top of her. “Shh, sweetie. Come on. You need to calm down.” Their link swelled with the Slayer’s grief and despair. Willow blinked away tears of her own, head and heart pounding from the emotions battering her.

Exhaustion finally slowed the tears. Buffy’s eyes drooped closed, her sobs tapering off. “She was disappointed in me, Will. I tried so hard. I know I wasn’t the daughter Mom wanted. Why didn’t she understand that?”

Willow stared up at Buffy’s closed lids and tear-streaked face. “Buffy, your mom did understand about the Slaying. That thing you talked to earlier wasn’t Mrs. Summers, no matter how perfect the illusion. You have to believe me, sweetie. That was so not your mom.”

Buffy wasn’t ready to hear that. “I know that. I do, Will.” Buffy’s voice wavered. “That doesn’t mean it didn’t have a point. How many times over the years did I not do what Mom wanted, though? Getting kicked out of Hemery, not going to Northwestern,-“

Jumping in before Buffy could go through the entire laundry list of imagined failures, Willow cupped the blonde’s face in her hands, thumbs feathering over her cheeks. “Stop.” Buffy struggled under her. “Buffy, stop.” Willow kept her voice soft yet urgent. She waited until Buffy grew still. “I know you guys had problems when you first moved to Sunnydale. After you finally told her about the Slaying, did your mom ever say she was disappointed? Even once?”

“She wanted-“ Buffy began.

“That wasn’t what I asked.” Willow refused to let her wife avoid the question. “Did she say she was disappointed?”

The muscles under Willow’s hands bunched and flexed.

“Buffy!” Willow snapped in exasperation.

“No.” The single word emerged in an explosive breath. “No, she never said it once she found out about the Slaying.” New tears leaked from beneath Buffy’s eyelids.

Using her thumbs, Willow gently brushed the moisture away. “Of course, she didn’t, Buffy. Your mom loved you.” Shifting so she lay pressed against Buffy’s left side, Willow tried to keep her wife talking. “What happened earlier, sweetie? You weren’t really yourself after we talked to Giles.”

Buffy merely shrugged, avoiding eye contact.

“You can talk now, or you can talk later,” Willow allowed, her voice firm. “Just remember I’m not going away, and you aren’t going to avoid this conversation.” Giving in to the hurt and betrayal their blocked link caused, she continued in a louder voice, “Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong? Or, if you can’t talk about it, why won’t you open the link? Let me feel what’s bothering you?”

“Will,” Buffy started, responding immediately to the sound of repressed tears in Willow’s voice, “there’s nothing wrong.”

“I’m supposed to believe that?” The question was shrill. “Buffy, you’ve told me absolutely everything about your life almost from the minute we met. Goddess, I knew more about you and Angel than I was ever comfortable with. We’ve shared so much while we were ‘just’ friends. Why is it so hard to talk to me now?” She paused, green eyes wide and tear filled. “Are you sorry?” Willow’s voice shook. “About the bond?

Silence stretched.

Stifling a sob, Willow rolled away and climbed out of bed. She hurriedly donned her clothes, shivering in the large room. It was so cold. Even fully clothed Willow couldn’t get warm. She hadn’t gotten more than a few steps toward the table when strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

Holding herself stiffly, Willow fought to hide the sobs wanting to tear from her throat. “I’m so sorry, Will.” Hot liquid soaked through the back of Willow’s shirt where Buffy’s face pressed.

“Me, too.” It was all the redhead could manage.

“No,” Buffy disagreed, “you don’t understand.”

Despite her best efforts, a sob slipped out. Willow slapped a hand over her mouth, hoping to contain the rest.

“Oh God, what have I done?” Buffy’s hoarse whisper barely registered through Willow’s grief. The Slayer moved away, gently turning Willow to face her.

Willow bit her lip at Buffy’s pale, drawn appearance. Rather than looking rested from her magic-induced nap, the Slayer looked worse. Her eyes were dull, the pupils completely dilated. The hands gripping her shoulders trembled. “Buffy,” Willow couldn’t help saying, “maybe you should sit down.”

“In a minute,” Buffy responded flatly. “Will, we need to talk.”

All of Willow’s hard won control shattered. “Really?” The word was loaded with sarcasm. “I thought you’d decided I wasn’t worth talking to.”

Buffy pale face flushed brightly. “No, Will, that’s so not it. I don’t…I don’t know how or where to even start.” She stared pleading at Willow.

Feeling incredibly tired from the emotional roller coaster of the last few days, Willow dropped her head. “Alright, Buffy. Do I need to play Twenty Questions? Can you give me an idea? Point me in the right direction?”

“I can’t do this anymore,” Buffy mumbled.

The world wavered. Willow felt hot and cold at the same time; a shrill ringing sang in her head. Afraid of the answer, Willow barely managed to whisper through numb lips, “Do what, Buffy?”

“This.” Buffy waved her hand around the room. “Be The Slayer; save the world again, all with a cheery smile and rousing speeches.”

For the first time since waking, Willow smiled. Relief made her almost giddy. This she could handle. As long as Buffy wasn’t saying she wanted out of their marriage…”Buffy, if you’d said that last week, we would have had problems. Now, though, we have options.” When the blonde regarded her quizzically, Willow grabbed her in a tight hug. “Faith’s back and willing to help, there are who knows how many Potential Slayers who will be joining us. There’s no reason for you to do this alone. Goddess, you may not have to do it at all. Mom retired. Why couldn’t you?”

***

“I’ve already forgiven you, Faith.” Dawn smiled at the shell shocked Slayer. “And if Willow and Buffy want to get rough, I’ll protect you.”

Faith smirked at that. “Thanks, D. Never had anybody want to take care of me. Anything else on offer with that?”

“Please. Get a room, will you?” They’d forgotten about Kennedy, huddled on the bed. The Potential glared at them. She pointed to the burned corpse. “And take that with you.”

“Damn, D. You got me so riled up, I forgot all about Mr. Crispy.” Faith winked teasingly at Dawn. “Too bad Junior here had to break things up. I was getting all set to show you my skills.”

Dawn giggled.

“Hey, what’s so funny? I could definitely use some of that.” Xander poked his head into the room. Blood stained his shirt and pants.

“Whoa, Xan, you OK?” Faith straightened, all joking gone.

He nodded. “There was another one in Amanda’s room. Kirstan and I took care of him. Things got a little messy.” He eyed the corpse on the floor. “You carry a blowtorch in your pocket?”

“Yeah, it makes lighting up so much easier.” Faith grinned and then grew serious. “You sure you’re alright?”

“I’m good. Kirstan did most of the work. I just ran in and finished the job once he was down. It’s his blood.” Xander looked away. “They’re human. I wasn’t…”

Faith swallowed hard, going very pale. “Fuck. I didn’t realize with the fire and all.” She glared at the form on the floor. “We may need a new game plan. Kirstan still next door?”

Xander nodded. “I think so.”

“Alright. Let’s get the trash taken out.” Faith nudged the body in front of her. “I think we need to move up our timetable and stop doing so much talking. The First’s on the move, and it looks like we’re targets.” She glanced at Kennedy. “Get dressed, Junior. Round up the other two Potentials. Nap time’s over.”

“Who said you were in charge?” Kennedy sprang out of bed, stepping into Faith’s personal space.

A cold smile stretched across the Slayer’s face. “Step back, kid, or I’m going to put you through the wall. This ain’t the time.” Ignoring the sputtering from the Potential, Faith bent and slung the charred remains over her shoulder. “D, find Giles. I don’t care if he’s hiding out drinking tea or whatever. We need him to hit the books and find out what these things are.”

Not bothering to see if the two girls followed orders, Faith carried her grisly cargo out the door and down the stairs. People huddled in the narrow hallway at the landing. “I’ve got a place out by the Training Barn.” Jennifer stepped away from the others and motioned for Faith to follow her. “Do you need a hand with that?”

“I’ve got it. Can you walk me out, though?” Faith looked at the older woman, hoping to convey her need to talk without having to come out and say it.

She received a narrow-eyed glance and a nod. “Sure. Let’s get that thing out of the house before the smell sets in too much.” Jennifer looked at the group still standing in the hallway. “Get the living room ready, guys. Food and drinks all around.” No one moved and a slim eyebrow shot up. “Now!” Bodies scurried for the kitchen. “Goddess save me from curious kids.”

Faith shifted her burden and followed the complaining Jennifer outside. Squinting against the bright sunlight, she took a deep breath and got started. “I’m thinking the group planning on going to Sunnydale is staying put.”

Green eyes watched her intently. Jennifer tilted her head, considering Faith’s comment. “That’s not a bad plan.” She crossed her arms over her chest, quietly continuing, “I’m wondering, though, why you seem nervous all of a sudden?”

“What did B and Red tell you about me?” Faith asked, working her way toward answering the question.

“Nothing.” They reached the Barn, bypassing the entrance and continuing on the path around the rear of the building. “Dump the body here. I’ll have Kirstan or one of the girls start a pyre later.”

Grimacing at the thought, Faith shifted the corpse from her shoulders, leaving it lying on the ground in a pile with the blood-stained body of its companion and some other trash. She stared at the two bodies for a long minute, arms wrapped over her stomach. More bodies. There was no way around it if the First sent more of these to the ranch.

Jennifer let her stand in silence. Once Faith turned away from the body, though, the redhead stated, “You never answered my question.”

“I’m getting there,” Faith responded moodily. She started down the path in the opposite direction of the house. “You and your girl don’t have a clue about anything.”

“Kirstan’s a Slayer. We know plenty.” Faith smirked at the bite in Jennifer’s voice.

Faith stopped, leaning against a split rail fence blocking access to a pasture. “You don’t know anything. B and her crew, they’ve already faced things you haven’t even met in your nightmares.” Her voice was harsh as she continued, “I’m one of those things.”

She saw Jennifer’s eyes widen.

“We ain’t got time for me to spill the whole freaking story. Take my word for it, you’d be better off if I could head back to town.” Faith half-turned, locking her eyes with Jennifer’s green ones. “We can’t afford to split the crew. You and T need to get the beacon spell going now.”

“We’re all set for the spell,” Jennifer said. “I’m still waiting to hear why I should be so afraid to have you here.”

Faith clenched her fists, sweat slicking her skin and her shoulders stiffening. “My last address was the California Institution for Women.”

CHAPTER 29

“OK,” Jennifer responded, green eyes wide, “I wasn’t expecting that.” She moved next to Faith, leaning against the fence. “Why?”

The moment of truth. Faith kept her eyes on her hands, gripping the wooden rail so hard she splintered the rough post. Bile burned her throat and stomach. Could she really tell this woman about her past?

“Faith?” She flinched at the hardness in Jennifer’s voice. It was as if Willow’s mother sensed the danger Faith represented.

“Murder One and assault,” Faith blurted, adrenaline coursed through her and all her muscles tensed against the need to run.

A moment passed. Then another. Birdcalls and wind rustling through the trees were the only response.

Finally, Jennifer pushed away from the fence. “Murder?” Although her face was carefully blank, her voice shook slightly. “That’s…It was a mistake, right? Why didn’t your Watcher and the Council help out?”

“It wasn’t a mistake,” Faith ground out. “My Watcher,” her lips twisted bitterly, “and the Tweeds in England tried to kill me.” There, it was all out. The whole truth, if not the whole story.

Unfortunately, the information seemed to be too much for Jennifer to handle. She took a quick step away before hurrying toward the house.

Faith maintained her stance when Jennifer walked away. Her vision blurred, and moisture dripped onto the backs of her hands. Redemption so sucked. Sobs choked her, and Faith struggled to breathe around the pressure in her throat.

Rapid footfalls sounded from behind. Sniffing and dragging a hand across her eyes, Faith straightened. “Giles and everyone-“ Dawn’s voice started and then stopped abruptly.

Not turning, Faith replied, “Spit it out, D. The gang’s doing what?” Her voice was huskier than usual.

It wasn’t going to be that simple. Dawn ignored the conversational nudge. “Faith, are you alright?” Faith heard her take a few more steps, could almost feel the younger girl behind her.

“Five by five, D.” She congratulated herself on the firm tone until Dawn snorted. Head dropping tiredly, Faith rubbed her eyes. “Let it go, Dawn,” she pleaded. “Just…let it go.”

“Only because we don’t have time for me to kick your ass.” Dawn sounded mad.

“Wow, D.” A flicker of amusement helped Faith shove the pain deep inside. Spinning, she forced a grin. “”What would B say if she heard you talk like that?”

Blue eyes glared at her. “Like Buffy has any room to talk.”

Striding forward, Faith looped an arm around Dawn’s shoulders. “See, that ain’t gonna work. I’m supposed to be taking care of things while the girls rest up. I’m sure Big Sister’s going to want a report on things.” She grunted when a sharp elbow poked her side. “Damn, D, what was that for?”

“For treating me like everyone else,” Dawn snapped as she tried to pull away; Faith didn’t let go. “I’m not a little kid anymore. I mean,” the taller girl rushed to explain, “Buffy had been a Slayer for three years when she was my age.”

Faith absorbed that statement in silence for a minute. “Yeah, she was.” Faith sighed, dropping her arm from around Dawn’s shoulders, letting it rest around her waist, instead. “I think we all kinda forget that.”

“Why?” Faith bit back a grin. Damned if Dawn didn’t sound like a three-year old with that question.

“Can’t speak for the rest of the gang, D.” Faith stumbled to the side when Dawn shoved her. “Give me a minute, damn it. I was trying to explain.” Leaning her head on Dawn’s shoulder, she hunted for the right words. “I guess, for me, you’re like…the way I want things to be. You know, happy and innocent. Not all fucked up.”

She could feel Dawn’s stare. “Like you?” Faith swallowed hard at Dawn’s quiet question.

“It doesn’t get much worse than me, Dawnie.” Tears threatened again. Cursing her sudden lack of emotional control, Faith gritted her teeth. She needed to be strong. Buffy and Willow were counting on her to keep the Scoobies on the right track. Breathing deeply and blinking rapidly, Faith refused to cry.

“Oh, yeah. The big, bad Dark Slayer,” Dawn mocked. She gripped Faith’s fingers where they rested against her hip, not letting her pull away. “I remember it all, Faith. Well,” she backtracked, “I remember what the monks put in my memories. You aren’t that person anymore.”

They were at the back door to the house now. Faith stopped walking and turned to face Dawn. “D-” Her voice squeaked on the word and she had to clear her throat before continuing. “It means a lot, you thinking that. You gotta know, though, it doesn’t work that way. Me and Fang talked a lot while I was in prison. Whatever I do now, it don’t change what I did in the past.” She met Dawn’s eyes resolutely, not hiding anything.

A slight flush colored Dawn’s cheeks. “I understand that, Faith.” Smiling, Dawn threw her arms around Faith, hugging her tightly. “I just want you to know, I know you’ve changed.”

Dawn’s words and her hug warmed Faith deep inside. Teetering on the edge of laughter and tears, she returned the embrace, face buried against Dawn’s shoulder. “God, D,” she whispered raggedly, “you have no idea what that means to me.” The earlier tears returned, refusing to be held off again. They soaked Dawn’s shirt.

“The rest of the gang will figure it out.” Dawn stroked Faith’s back, not pulling away. “I’m just smarter than they are about certain things.”

Faith laughed through her tears and pain at Dawn’s self-satisfied tone and leaned back. Peering up into Dawn’s eyes, she felt more at peace, more confident than ever before. “Thanks, Dawn.” Faith raised a shaking hand, softly stroking the younger girl’s face. She took a deep breath, amazed at how much better she felt. Dawn’s eyes darkened, and Faith’s palm tingled. For a minute, Faith was sure she felt…something, a whisper in her mind, a warmth surrounding her heart. She blinked, realizing she was up on her toes, lips nearly brushing Dawn’s.

“Faith?” Dawn’s voice was soft and deeper than normal. Faith could feel the other girl’s heart pounding against her.

“We…” she started before losing her train of thought. There was something she needed to do. What was it? Faith leaned in closer, mesmerized, when Dawn licked her lips.

***

“Retire?” Buffy looked at Willow, hazel eyes wide. “Can I retire? I mean, I know you said Kirstan did. Giles never said anything about being able to just quit. It was always ‘duty…blah, blah, blah…kill demons and save the world….blah, blah, blah…die an early death.”

Willow dropped her arms and moved to sit on the end of the bed. Tucking her legs underneath her Indian style, she said, “I don’t see why you can’t, Buffy. With Faith out of prison and back on the right side, you have more options.”

Almost giddy at the thought of not being solely responsible for saving the world, Buffy grinned. “Let’s plan on it, then. We can travel even more than your parents.” An awkward silence fell. “Well, um, the Rosenbergs. We can visit more countries than the Rosenbergs.”

Giggling at Buffy’s excitement, Willow held out a hand. “Come here, silly.”

“Hey, who’re you calling silly, Hirsch?” Mock scowling, Buffy stalked toward her wife. “I’ll have you know, I am perfectly serious.” She ruined the image by diving at Willow, pinning her to the bed, and tickling her. “See? Look at how serious I am.” Cheating slightly and using Slayer speed, Buffy out-maneuvered Willow’s squirming and writhing. “Perfectly serious, that’s me.”

“Buffy!” Willow gasped, flushed and breathless. She batted at the fingers seeking out –and finding – all of her most sensitive spots. “Please!”

Stilling her fingers, Buffy sat back on her heels and watched Willow hiccup and shudder on her way back to normal. “Thank you,” she said softly.

A warm hand cupped her face. “For what, baby?”

Avoiding the question, Buffy turned her head and kissed Willow’s palm.

“Buffy?” Willow tried to sit up. “What’s going on in your head right now?” The mood had shifted again. Buffy hunched forward, hands rubbing restlessly on her thighs.

“I…”Buffy finally met her gaze. “I’m sorry for blocking the link. I knew you were trying to help. Something kept telling me to keep you out.” Tears gleamed on her cheeks, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “You’re my best friend, Wills. Before anything else we are to each other, you’re my friend. Why can’t I talk to you? What’s so wrong with me that I run and hide every time something goes wrong?”

Willow bit her lip. She’d wondered the same thing as she’d battered against the blocked link. “Buffy, I can’t answer that.” Buffy flinched, dropping her head, and Willow reached out to tilt the narrow chin back up. “Let me finish before you go all Depresso Gal again, OK?”

“OK.” Buffy sniffed and scrubbed at her eyes.

Starting slowly, giving herself time to find the words, Willow continued, “If this were the first time, Buffy, I might think you didn’t want us to be together.” She grimaced ruefully. “Goddess, I did think that earlier, when you said you didn’t want to do this anymore. I should have known better.

“From the minute we met at Sunnydale High, you’ve always pulled away when things got tough.” Lost in memory, Willow’s voice softened, and she smiled whimsically. “I used to admire that, you know. Me, I just get all flustery and babble.”

It was too much for Buffy. “No! Willow, you-“

A single finger pressed against her lips. “Listen, would ya’?”

“Don’t wanna,” Buffy pouted. “I don’t want to hear how you’re so pathetic, and I’m so perfect.”

Willow blushed. She hadn’t been planning to say that…had she?

“Remember, Wills, best friends. I know you better than anyone else on the planet.” She leaned down, kissing Willow softly. “Let’s make a deal. You don’t beat up on yourself, and I won’t duck and cover when I get scared.”

Wrinkling her nose, Willow looked into Buffy’s eyes. Buffy made no attempt to look away, and Willow slowly nodded. “What did you have in mind to seal the deal?”

CHAPTER 30

Buffy smiled, mischief warming her eyes. “Well, I could tickle you some more.” Her fingers darted out, brushing Willow’s sides. The witch shrieked. Light flared throughout the room, and Buffy suddenly found herself held to the bed by unseen hands. “Or,” she said in a shaky voice, “I could just lay here and hope you don’t have revenge on your mind.”

“There will be no tickling,” Willow declared in a firm voice. She perched lightly on Buffy’s stomach. “None.”

Nodding, Buffy agreed wholeheartedly. “Got it. No tickling the witch.” She grinned. Willow was just too cute. She wasn’t quite wearing Resolve Face; it was a near miss, though.

“I knew you’d see it my way.” Bending down, Willow brushed Buffy’s lips with her own.

When Willow pulled away, Buffy tried to follow and keep contact. She was still fused to the bed. “Will,” she whined, “what’s with not letting me up?” Buffy eyed Willow’s smirk, nerves and desire twisting her stomach. “You wouldn’t?”

Willow’s smirk grew.

“No way. I don’t believe it!” Buffy was confident. Willow was not going to keep her magically tied to the bed. Her wife couldn’t even say the word sex without blushing. Kink of any kind was beyond her.

Expecting a verbal response, Buffy flinched when a warm tongue traced a path from her chin to the top of her right breast. Eyes wide, she finally realized Willow wasn’t going to back down. The tongue was back. It reversed the earlier path on the left side. Teeth nipped at her throat.

“Want to make a bet on what happens next?” Willow whispered teasingly.

***

Faith felt Dawn’s breath puff against her face. The other girl’s lips trembled slightly. Pressure built inside. Dimly, Faith realized she was about to kiss Dawn. She hesitated. Her body screamed its frustration. What was the problem?

“Faith?” the question was a mere whisper of sound.

Faith leaned in again. Her lips brushed Dawn’s lightly, once, twice. Her hands reached out, pulling Dawn closer. Everywhere they touched, Faith burned. She struggled to breathe. Her heart thundered in her chest, and adrenaline surged “Dawn-“ she growled.

As soon as she said the name, her actions registered somewhere other than her body.

Faith’s eyes shot wide and she staggered several steps away. “Fuck. Oh, fuck.” She held her hands out. Faith noticed they were shaking. Now, though, it was fueled by fear, rather than desire.

“Faith?” Dawn followed her, reaching out. “What’s wrong?” Dawn’s confusion and hurt pulled at Faith.

“Damn it, D! I kissed you.” Faith felt dizzy, lightheaded. She shook her head, trying to clear out the lingering fuzziness.

She saw Dawn frown, and the younger blinked dazedly. “I…Yeah. You did. Is…is there something wrong with that?”

Heat snaked through Faith. She could feel goosebumps erupt all over her body. Wrong? Faith’s mind and body disagreed. Closing her eyes, Faith took several deep breaths. Her body was going to get her killed.

“Faith?” Dawn had moved closer. Faith stiffened and opened her eyes. Pale, blue eyes dark and huge, Dawn stood only inches away. “Please. Please, tell me what I did wrong.”

“You didn’t,” Faith said urgently. “I did. I kissed you.” I just kissed Buffy’s little sister. The phrase kept repeating in her mind: Buffy’s little sister, Buffy’s little sister. “Do you have any idea what B would do to me if she found out?” She had to get Dawn to understand.

Dawn obviously didn’t understand. “You kissed me, and all you can think about is Buffy?” She flung her arms out dramatically, voice rising.

“No!” Faith hurried to explain. “I wasn’t thinking of Buffy when I kissed you. After the kiss, that’s when the B thing came up.” Faith swallowed hard. She wanted to pull Dawn back into her arms, but visions of knives and fireballs danced in her head.

Faith thought actual steam might come out of Dawn’s ears. “Kissing me was so boring you thought of my sister right afterward?” She stamped her foot. “Go to hell, Faith!” Before Faith could respond, Dawn sprinted for the house, slamming the door to the kitchen behind her.

“Fuck.” Faith jammed her hands in her pockets, and hunched forward. What the hell just happened? The kiss…A smirk twisted Faith’s lips. The kiss had been unbelievable. Who would have thought Buffy’s sister had such talent? Running her hands through her hair, Faith rolled her neck to get rid of the stiffness. No matter how amazing kissing Dawn had been, it was over. It wouldn’t – it couldn’t happen again. Faith had no intention of facing off with Buffy for any reason.

She had a job to do. Focusing on that, instead of a pair of blue eyes and soft lips, Faith stalked into the house. The Scoobies were waiting. They had a fight to plan.

The living room was crowded. The Scoobies and Willow’s family ranged around the room. “We need to speed up the time table, boys and girls,” she announced without fanfare. “In case you missed the excitement, the First seems to be on the move. His crew managed to get into the house this morning.”

“What do you w-want us to do?” Tara asked. She sat next to one of Willow’s clones.

Faith frowned, uncomfortable with even a Willow look-alike in position to critique her leadership skills. “T, you and Jennifer need to get the beacon spell up and running. I don’t know if the rest of you noticed, but the guys with the knives were in the Potentials’ rooms.”

No one said anything. Faith saw a lot of uncomfortable looks pass around the room. Stifling a sigh, she waited. Finally, Xander spoke up. “We’ll stop working on the bunk house, then. You want everyone here?”

“Yeah.” Faith smiled at Xander, relieved someone else understood. “We need to find a way to cram as many people into the main house as possible. It makes keepin’ everybody safe easier.”

“You can use the basement, if you want,” Jennifer offered quietly. “Not the Altar Room. We’ll need that for spells. The rest is big enough for a dozen people, if you bunk them.”

Faith considered that, hands rubbing nervously over her thighs. What should she do? She scanned the room. Maybe someone else would take the decision out of her hands, or say something to help her decide. Muscles tightening from the tension, Faith caught Dawn’s eyes. She still looks pissed. The thought floated through her mind. She couldn’t look away.

The warmth around her heart was back. Smiling, Faith relaxed. It would be OK. “Can you do that, Xan? Give us a room to store the kiddies when they show up?”

“They don’t call me Carpenter Guy for nothing,” he quipped. Grinning, he spread his arms expansively. “What else would you like? Five piece bath? A walk in closet for all your leather pants?”

“We get out of this alive, you’re on.” Faith turned to Kirstan. “Those guys got all the way to the house. That’s bad. Any ideas on how to keep ‘em out?”

Kirstan frowned, arms crossed over her chest. “Not really. Jennifer set up the warding on the ranch when we first moved here. We’ve never had any trouble.”

“Hate to break it to, Old Timer, but you’re way past trouble.” Winking at Kirstan’s glare, Faith picked up a dry erase marker from the table behind her. “Xan, I know we’ve got you doing the remodel, but you got any advice from your soldier days?”

“Set up a perimeter.” All the laughter was gone. Xander’s voice was clipped, flat. “You need sentries around the house, at least. The gates, too, if you can manage.”

Faith’s confidence faded slightly. They didn’t have the manpower for that. “Fuck.” Hopping up, she sat on the table and stared at the gang. “Alright, listen up.” Stomach twisting with nerves, Faith made her decision. “Until we get more girls here, things are going to be tight. Kirstan,” she glanced at the retired Slayer, “get the new kids trained. We don’t got time for technique and style. Just make sure they know which end of a stake to use. T, once you and Jennifer do the beacon spell, start looking for some way to ward the house. I want more than one layer of protection, starting at the gate and working back.”

She could feel the tension in the room rising as the meeting continued. The Scoobies, more experienced and used to the pace, were hitting their stride. Willow’s family, though, looked stunned and scared. “One more thing before we all run off.” Faith blinked when the room went instantly silent. “Um…” The weight of command was back. Taking a deep breath, Faith ignored the panic causing her heart to pound, and continued. “Giles, I’m hoping you’ve got the lowdown on what other tricks the First has. Them guys this morning took us by surprise, but they weren’t all that hard to bring down.”

Giles nodded. Faith noticed he sat in an armchair, well away from the rest of the crew. “This morning’s attackers are known as Harbingers of Death. As you no doubt noticed, they are human.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Without the Council’s records, I can only report from memory. The ‘Bringers are bound to the First through a bond of some sort. That bond allows them to communicate with others of their kind telepathically.”

“So the ones this morning were a test.” Kirstan moved closer, leaning against the arm of a chair. “We can assume the First now knows the layout of the upstairs and the identities of at least a few of us.”

“Won’t do him much good,” Faith commented, jumping down from the table. She paced restlessly. “Any other minions we need to worry about?”

Giles shook his head. “Nothing I recall.”

“What about the Turok Han?” Anya smiled brightly at everyone when they looked her way. “I mean, the First would have to locate the Seal and do a little chanting and sacrificing…You can’t just do any old ritual, either. There’s this whole-“

“An!” Xander interrupted. He looked at Faith, grimacing. “Sorry. She gets lost in the past sometimes. Honey, what’s a Turok Han, and why would the First want it?”

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