CHAPTER 31

“You’ve never heard of the Turok Han?” Anya was shocked. “I just…that’s…Giles?” she asked in confusion.

He shook his head tiredly, and Faith realized for the first time how very old he looked. “No, my dear. I’m afraid not. Perhaps you could enlighten us?”

Nodding slowly, Anya peered around the room at her audience. “The Turok Han are old.” For once, she wasn’t bubbly at the attention. She hesitated. “They are the original vampires, actually. The ones today were mixed with human genes centuries ago.”

“Same method of Slaying?” Faith asked. Anya was making her nervous. Xander’s girlfriend didn’t usually look so freaked. Twisting the cap on the marker in her hands, she watched the ex-demon closely.

“Not exactly.” Anya didn’t offer anything else, and Faith jumped off the table, too full of energy to sit any longer. However, Anya must have thought she was about to go Evil Faith. The blonde’s eyes widened, and she started speaking quickly. “You can still stake them, and sunlight is always a plus.”

Xander pulled his girlfriend close. “I’m sensing a but in there somewhere, An.”

Nodding her agreement, Faith leaned back against the table, clutching it with her hands. “Me, too, Demon Girl. We ain’t got time for sugar coating. Lay it all out for us.”

She felt her heart pound as Anya looked at her and announced, “Two things, really. One, they’re strong. Comparing, say, Angel to a Turok Han is like comparing my Xander to you, Faith.”

“Hey, I do OK,” Xander protested. “Vampires run screaming when I’m on the job.”

Smiling and patting his hand, Anya agreed. “Yes, they do. As long as Buffy is standing right behind you.”

Although the byplay had the rest of the room smiling, Faith’s throat ached. It was hard to force her question out. “And the second thing?” This whole First thing just kept getting worse.

“I…I guess there are three things, really,” Anya babbled. “Um, don’t bother with the holy water.” Recovering her usual perky personality, she grinned. “Holy water seems to run off these guys like they've been scotch-guarded." No one laughed, and she slumped. “OK, fine. Be that way. I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

The pouting lasted until Giles cleared his throat. Sounding put upon, Anya continued, “They also have really strong sternums.”

“And that means?” Faith growled. No one else said anything. All eyes locked onto the two women.

“Eat your Wheaties before you stake them.” Anya smirked. “Stakes need a little something extra behind them to go through a Turok Han’s chest.”

Faith rubbed her neck. “So we need a better way to kill them. If it takes too much effort to dust them, we can’t have the kids or the rest of you that up close and personal.” Without really thinking about it, she mumbled, “Fuck. It was easier playing on the other side. We never worried about this shit.”

She froze at the silence enveloping the room.

“There’s always beheading,” Kirstan commented, finally breaking the vocal lockdown. “Messy and it still means getting awfully close to the target, but even a ‘normal’ human can swing a sword or axe.”

Still reeling from all the details and considerations, Faith spun away from the group, pretending to look at the notes scribbled on the white board behind her. Her stomach burned and twisted. There were too many things that needed to be the number one priority. They had too few people to get all the tasks done at once.

While she struggled to make some kind of plan, the Willow-clone next to Tara asked Anya, “If Mr. Giles doesn’t know about these vampires, how do you?”

Faith heard the old Scooby gang laugh. “Have you ever heard of a demon named Anyanka?”

“Oddly enough, yes.” More silence. Faith waited for the rest of the answer as a plan started to come together in her mind. “Willow said she brought some vampire version of her to Sunnydale once,” the clone continued.

“Oh, that.” Anya sounded dismissive. “That really didn’t work out very well. That vampire was supposed to help me find my amulet, not turn into some fanged version…”

Faith slowly turned around. Her head pounded in time with her racing heart. How the hell did B do this all the time? She watched the gang, trying to feel out their morale, enjoying the byplay that was so much a part of Scooby life.

Head bowed and eyes closed in seeming pain, Xander muttered, “An, not now. Just please answer their questions, OK?”

“I did.” Faith smirked as Anya stared at Xander in confusion. “They wanted to know how I knew about the Turok Han. I was in the process of explaining that when you interrupted me.” She crossed her arms, glaring around the room. “Twelve hundred years. After all that time, I should understand you humans better. What more should I have said, Xander?”

“Twelve hundred years?” Willow’s sister squeaked, eyes wide. “She’s joking – right?” she pleaded with Xander.

He grinned and shook his head. “Nope.” Pushing his chest out and thumping it with a fist, he declared, “I am a demon magnet. Incan mummies, vampire hotties – I’ve attracted them all.” He grunted when Anya smack his arm.

“I told you, you’re mine now. You shouldn’t talk about your former girlfriends anymore,” Anya informed him.

This was getting out of hand. It was time to get everyone back on track. Faith pushed away from the table. “Thanks for the info, Anya.”

The blonde barely glanced at her, still busy glaring at Xander. Faith went on, “I guess we kinda forget you have a lot of info on the demon world.” She was feeling her way. “You, uh, you mentioned the First needed to call these Uber Vamp guys. Does that mean we might have a chance of keeping them out of the fight?”

Anya nodded, finally backing off the glare. “Yes.”

Sagging in relief, Faith rubbed the back of her neck. “Alright, gang. I know we keep changing things up. Let’s add one more item to the to do list: keeping the First from calling up the Turok Han.”

“I believe I can help with that,” Giles offered. “Anya mentioned a ritual. Perhaps she and I could research that and the possible locations of the Seal.”

“Good enough.” Faith grinned, energized by the ex-Watcher’s return to full duty. “Here’s the new assignment list. T, you and Red’s mom do the beacon thing. Kirstan, you work with the kids and start getting them ready for the fight.” No one moved. This was old news. “Giles, you and Anya work on stopping this ritual. Xan – we’re going to wait on the bunk beds. I need some kind of plan for the perimeter watch, and…” Faith hesitated, unable to remember Willow’s sister’s name.

A familiar quirky grin flashed. “Drew.”

“Right. Drew. You’re now in charge of the Hospitality Suite. Nothing fancy. Blankets and sleeping bags on the floor. It’s going to be one big indoor camping trip for whoever shows up.” This was it. Show time. Faith swallowed hard, hoping she hadn’t forgotten anything. Watching the gang break up and start on their tasks, she went over her plan again, poking at it, looking for holes.

A quiet voice interrupted her mental scrambling. “Should we leave Buffy and Willow out in the guest house?”

Dawn. Damn. Faith’s hands clenched, and she sucked in a deep breath before turning to face the younger girl. “They said they needed a break.” She couldn’t quite meet Dawn’s piercing blue eyes. Heart pounding, Faith struggled with an unusual hesitancy. Feeling awkward and almost shy, she mumbled, “It’s going to be crowded and busy in here. Don’t think that’s what the girls had in mind when they decided on a mini-vacation.”

She jerked when a warm hand caught her arm. “Faith, what if the First sends more of those ‘Bringers? Buffy and Willow don’t even know about them. They need to come in with the rest of us,” Dawn elaborated. Her voice was impatient, and Faith flushed. She hadn’t thought of that.

“Oh.” What else had she overlooked? Faith wrapped her arms around herself. “Good point.” Clearing her throat, she looked at Dawn. Those deep blue eyes left warmth wherever they touched. Muscles she hadn’t even realized were tense relaxed. “I guess I need to go give them the news, then.”

Dawn shook her head. “No. We’ll go talk to them. I think you and I have some things to discuss after the big meeting, and I don’t want you to disappear.”

***

Groaning, Buffy tossed her head from side to side. “Will,” she gasped, “please-“

“Please what, baby?” A triumphant smile on her lips, Willow leaned forward and blew a gentle breath over Buffy’s exposed clit. The smile mutated into a smirk at the hoarse shout the action garnered.

She waited. Buffy remained quiet – if you discounted the desperate sounding panting. Narrowing her eyes in concentration, Willow decided it was time to get serious. Obviously, she wasn’t working hard enough. Using just the tip of her tongue, she traced a teasing trail from the blonde’s clit through her wet folds. When she reached her target, Willow firmed up her tongue and thrust it as deeply as she could into her lover.

Strong hands gripped her hair as she lashed both sides of Buffy’s clenching inner walls. The body beneath her stiffened and stilled for a second then shuddered before finally collapsing back to the bed.

“Oh my God,” Willow heard as she crawled up the bed. “Will, where…how…oh my God.”

“You said that already, Buffy.” Laughing gently, Willow pulled Buffy into her arms, kissing her softly. “So, it was OK for you?”

Hazy hazel eyes stared at her. “Yeah. OK.” The eyes rolled and then closed. “If it got anymore OK’er, I’d been a puddle of Slayer goo.”

Giggling, Willow rested her cheek on Buffy’s hair. “Hmmm, good. Although, next time I’m pushing for the goo.” She drifted for a while, basking in the feel of Buffy in her arms.

A low rumble interrupted her fugue state.

“Hungry, Buffy?” She peered down, noting the slight blush on Buffy’s face.

“Maybe just a little,” her wife mumbled seconds before a louder growl sounded. Buffy cleared her throat. “Or a lot.”

Willow rolled off the bed. “Shower time for you, then. I’ll see what’s in the kitchen.” She held out her hand. “Move it, Slayer. I don’t want that beast in your stomach to get angry.” Buffy’s pout made her lips twitch, but Willow stayed firm. “Don’t make me magic your ass into the bathroom, Buffy.”

***

Hands covered in soapy water, Willow looked at Buffy. “You know, for a supposedly warded and private cabin, we get a lot of guests.”

“Not your sister again?” Buffy grumped, rinsing off the last of their breakfast dishes.

“Worse.” Willow frowned fiercely. “Faith and Dawn.” She built a door in the warding, keeping it open only long enough for the pair to walk through before sealing them off again. “Next time, we’re taking a vacation in another dimension.” Unease knotted her stomach. Already, Buffy looked tense, lines bracketing her mouth and eyes.

Shrugging, Buffy dropped the dish towel on the counter. “Like you told me earlier – let’s get through this latest Apocalypse. Then we explore our options.”

Hand in hand, they trudged into the living room, dropping into chairs at the table. Seconds later, a sharp knock sounded at the door. “Here we go,” Willow grimly announced.

CHAPTER 32

“Come in,” Willow called out. The door slowly eased open.

Dawn hesitantly peered around the frame. “You guys decent?” Seeing them sitting – fully clothed – at the table, she grinned. “Good. I didn’t want any mental scarring from seeing Buffy having sex.”

Despite the tension, Willow smiled back. “Not sex, Dawnie. Love.” Faith snorted from her position by the door. Willow’s smile faded. “Did you have something to add?” A hint of power edged the words.

“Nah, not me.” Faith slouched against the wall, eyes on the floor. It wasn’t the cocky pose Willow remembered. Something was bothering Faith. Heightened tension snaked through the cabin. “D and me just wanted to give you guys an update. Things are pretty fucked up.”

Buffy’s quiet, “Big surprise,” seemed to echo in the room.

Faith looked up. Voice hoarse, she mumbled, “Hey, B. You, ah, look better than….than before. Not quite as, um, tired.” Rocking on her heels, Faith stuffed her hands in the pockets of her jeans.

“Thanks.” The stilted conversation was painful to watch. Willow suddenly realized this was the first time the Slayers had met since Buffy had gone to Los Angeles and Faith had turned herself in to the police. Buffy’s grip on her hand tightened. “Thanks for coming out to help, Faith,” Buffy continued. The words sounded sincere, and Faith’s rocking slowed.

A small smile lightened Faith’s countenance. “Yeah. I got your back, B.” She cleared her throat. “Wish I could leave you to the honeymoon and all, though.”

“You need us?” Willow couldn’t help interrupting. Buffy and Faith’s conversational dancing was taking too long. She needed to know – now – how bad things had gotten. Leaving Faith in charge had been a terrible idea.

“Faith’s got the gang on top of it, Willow.” Dawn poked Faith in the arm, earning a dark look from the brunette Slayer. “If you don’t want to join a work group, we’ll be alright.”

She was missing something. “If you don’t need our help, why are you here?”

“Will!” Buffy protested. “That wasn’t nice.”

Faith chuckled. “No big, B. Red isn’t real happy I’m here at all. I guess us showing up and ruining your vacation isn’t helping.” Meeting Willow’s eyes, she went on, “We may have the research under control, but the First has a few tricks up his sleeve. He sent some bad guys here this morning.” Faith glanced at Dawn, lips twitching. “Thanks to Little Sis, here, I’m still on the active list.”

Dawn grinned and buffed her nails on her shirt. “Yep. Just call me the Firestarter. Good for lighting camp fires and demon torching.”

Faith grinned back. Willow frowned. When had all this chumminess happened? “Why don’t you two have a seat. Explanations sound good, and I’m not leaving here until I’m convinced we have to.” Willow refused to give an inch. The First be damned. Buffy was her primary concern right now. If she didn’t have to let Buffy back into the fight, the whole ranch, Sunnydale…it could all burn down around them. The cabin was safe, and Buffy needed the rest.

“Sure.” Dawn dragged a much more reluctant Faith across the room. Sitting down, she patted the seat of the chair next to her and waited until Faith sighed and slumped into it. “The First sent some things called ‘Bringers. They managed to get through Jennifer’s wards and into Kennedy’s and Amanda’s rooms.”

“Bringers?” Buffy sat forward. “No eyes, robes?”

Dawn nodded. “That’s them.”

Turning slightly so she could see Buffy and as well as Dawn and Faith, Willow asked, “Have we seen them before?” Willow didn’t remember them.

“Sort of.” Buffy’s right leg started to bounce. “You remember the Christmas it snowed?” Willow nodded. “Well, the ‘Bringers were the guys doing all the chanting and stuff under the Christmas tree lot. They weren’t much of a threat, though.”

“Don’t know about then, B. I was stuck at home with your mom and the eggnog,” Faith snipped. “They made a mess, that’s for sure. And the new kids were useless. Junior wasn’t quite screaming when I got there, but it was close. Biggest problem I see is: they’re human.”

The news wasn’t welcome. Willow felt Buffy’s hand flinch in hers. Faith looked pale, and the hand resting on the table twitched restlessly. Perfect. Like they needed more than the usual demons on the horizon. Slayers didn’t kill humans. Faith’s walk on the Dark Side had been an exception. Accidental deaths, sure. Planned killings? Willow’s head pounded. It would eat Buffy and Faith up inside every time they took out a ‘Bringer.

“That’s not good.” The link flooded with Buffy’s unease. She sprang to her feet, pacing behind Willow’s chair. “Giles have any suggestions? I mean, a way to keep them off the ranch?”

“No.” Faith watched Buffy tensely, the pace of her tapping fingers increasing. “He’s working with Anya. There’s bigger fish to fry than the guys in robes.”

Dawn reached out, placing her hand on top of Faith’s, stilling the fingers.

Without looking away from the pacing Buffy, Faith went on, “They think the First is going to call up some super vamps or something.”

Willow frowned. She’d been watching Faith. As the other girl had spoken, she’d twined her fingers with Dawn’s. Faith - holding hands? The conversation faded out. Willow ran through everything since Faith and Dawn had shown up. Oh shit. No way. Praying Buffy didn’t notice her preoccupation, Willow extended a tendril of power, testing the energy surrounding Faith and Dawn.

“Oh my Goddess!” Willow bit her lip. There was…Faith and Dawn. “Oh my Goddess.”

“Hey,” Buffy laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure Faith and the guys have it under control.” The hand tightened. “Right?” she directed at Faith.

Faith nodded; although, she didn’t look completely confident. “Right, B. Under control. Giles and Anya are working on the super vamps; me and Xan are doing some planning for patrols; the witchy crew is doing the beacon spell and beefing up the magical protections.”

Eyes widening, Willow watched Dawn edge her chair closer to Faith’s. Neither of the brunettes seemed aware of the movement. Willow was. She so was. Buffy would freak if she figured it out. Willow wasn’t doing well in the freak department, either.

Dawn deserved better than a convicted murderer. Willow tested the tenuous bond. There was still time. It wasn’t complete. “What do you need us to do?” she asked, mind working on a plan, a way to separate them before it was too late.

***

Dawn scooted closer. Faith winked at the younger girl. Things were going alright. Red was a little moody, but that was normal. “For now, just pack up and follow us back to the house. Everyone’s off doing their own thing, so you can sneak up and hide out.”

“You really don’t need us?” Buffy was wide eyed.

“No, B.” Faith smirked, leaning back in her chair and idly stroking Dawn’s jeans-covered thigh. “We’re good.” She might have her doubts about her ability to lead; she’d never admit them to Buffy.

Buffy still didn’t look convinced. A frown tugged her lips. “Alright. We don’t have anything to pack. Unless…Will? Did you have anything?”

Shaking her head, Willow glared at Faith. Faith followed the laser-like look – and jerked her hand from Dawn’s leg. Fuck. When had that happened? Her palm felt warm. Rubbing her own thigh this time, Faith tried to smile at Willow. It didn’t work. The glare didn’t fade.

“Will?” Buffy must have felt the tension now. She turned to face Faith, hands resting on Willow’s shoulders. “What’s with the killing look?”

Faith wanted an answer, too. She was doomed to disappointment. Narrow shoulders shrugged, and the green eyes dropped. “Just thinking about the First and how I’m way pissed our vacation got cut short.” Willow stood abruptly. “It so doesn’t want to get in my way right now.”

There was no doubt in Faith’s mind that Willow was lying. The verbal warning was meant for her, not the First. Playing a hunch, she got to her feet and held out a hand to Dawn. “Come on, baby, let’s show the girls to their rooms.”

Bullseye. Willow took the bait. “Baby? When did Dawn become your baby?”

“Chill, Red. I was just joking,” Faith mocked. It wasn’t exactly a lie.

Three pairs of eyes stared at her.

Raising her hands in surrender, Faith reiterated, “Joking. Got it? As in, not serious.”

“Thanks, Faith. Nice to know how you really feel.” Dawn spun and stalked for the door, slamming it behind her.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” Buffy asked in a soft voice. Faith looked at her quickly. Not good. Buffy was pale, lips pressed tightly together. The hands on Willow’s shoulders were now gripping, not resting.

Faith’s stomach cramped, the scar burning. “Nothing, B.” She forced herself to meet the hazel eyes. “I was just trying to be funny. Guess I missed.” Her hands balled into fists, and Faith struggled to stay in the cabin. She wanted, needed to go after Dawn. Explain.

That wasn’t an option. Willow, at least, suspected there was more than friendship between her and Dawn. Buffy was merely responding to her comment. It was time to pull away. Leave Dawn alone until things cooled down. Faith sighed, already feeling Dawn’s absence as an emptiness deep inside.

CHAPTER 33

Absently rubbing at the ache in her chest, Faith looked at Buffy. “Look, my bad for the joke. I’ll apologize to D the next time I see her.” The pain eased a little at the thought, and Faith relaxed some.

“Don’t worry about it.” Buffy shrugged and pulled Willow from her seat. “I guess I’m wound kind of tight. Not looking forward to getting back to work, you know?”

“Yeah.” Forcing a smile, Faith murmured, “It was nice getting out of prison and all, but that first vamp I saw? Scared the hell out of me.” Buffy looked confused. “I hadn’t Slayed in almost two years, B. I was afraid I’d forgotten how.”

Buffy giggled and even Willow smiled at that. “Hello, Faith. We’re Slayers. I don’t think we can forget. It’s part of the whole Slayer package.” They wandered outside, Willow closing and magically locking the door. Buffy moved away from Willow and poked Faith in the side. “You know, you mentioned I looked better. I’ve seen the way I look. Things must have been scary if this is an improvement.”

“Duh, B. The first time I saw you was when I had to haul your ass from the Training Barn to here. Even Angel has more color in his face than you did.” Faith jumped out of the way of Buffy’s retaliatory smack. “Did you happen to notice the smile on your face when you looked in the mirror today? I’ve never seen you look so relaxed.”

“It’s me.” Willow skipped alongside Buffy. “I’m good for her.”

Faith snorted at the cocky statement. “I’d say a little Buffy is good for you, Red. Nice modesty there, and I haven’t heard you babble once. Seems the benefits go both ways.”

“Hey! I’ve got an idea.” Buffy glowered when Faith and Willow both laughed. “Not nice. You’re both mean. Maybe I’ll keep my great thought to myself now.”

Rolling her eyes, Willow stopped their progress to hug Buffy. “I’m sorry, sweetie. We didn’t mean to insult you. Right, Faith?” She arched an eyebrow at Faith.

“Right.” Faith nodded rapidly, wanting to laugh at the two of them. “Sorry, B.”

“Well, OK.” In a complete change in mood, Buffy giggled and danced a few steps ahead before spinning to look at Willow and Faith. “I just thought, if a little Willow is good for me, maybe we should get you hooked up with Drew. I mean, she is a witch. And she even looks like Willow.”

***

Buffy grew concerned when the only response to her suggestion was the sound of the breeze in the trees and the chirping of the birds. Waving her hand at both of her companions, she asked, “You both still with me?”

“Right here, Buffy.” Willow’s light voice was faint, and Buffy noticed she looked pale. Of course, it was nothing compared to the sallow look to Faith’s skin.

“Faith?” Still no answer. Trying to keep the mood light, but wanting to make sure Faith was OK, Buffy teased, “You’re speechless. Never thought I’d see the day.”

Finally, Faith seemed to wake up. “Whatever, B.” She cleared her throat, not looking at Buffy or Willow. Her hands jammed into her pockets, and Buffy could tell they were in fists. “Before you start planning my wedding, you should know I ain’t looking for the happy ever after.”

Thinking she knew the reason behind Faith’s comment, Buffy rushed to reassure her sister Slayer. “Faith,” she said, keeping her voice soft, “we all know you aren’t the same person you were when we first met.” She grinned a little. “Even I can see that. I know the Council thought we were both ‘unworthy’ of bonding with a witch. They were wrong.”

Faith didn’t take the hand Buffy held out to her. She merely stared at it; Buffy thought she looked like she might cry. Faith blinked rapidly, a flush crawling up her cheeks. “B-“

The husky voice cracked, and Buffy looked at Willow, hoping for some help. Willow, though, seemed entranced by Faith’s struggle. Frowning, Buffy wondered if she’d missed something, some new fight between her wife and her sister Slayer while she’d been unconscious.

“B, you have no freaking idea how much that means. That you think I deserve something like what you have with Red.” As Buffy watched, a single tear made its way down Faith’s cheek. She didn’t seem to notice. Voice choked, she went on, “I can’t, though. Whatever happened to make the Council take me off the marriage list, they’re right. At least, they are now. I don’t deserve a partner.” Faith held up a hand, and Buffy closed her mouth with a snap, the protest unsaid. “When this is over, I’m going back to prison.”

“No way.” Buffy stepped forward, gripping Faith’s shoulder hard enough to bruise.

Faith wrenched away. “Yes, B. Remember what you said to me on the roof in LA? I belong in jail. I’m a killer. That didn’t disappear. Just because I’m here helping you with the First doesn’t change what I am or what I did.” She took a couple of steps away. “Look, I’m going to hit the training place.” Faith sprinted away.

“What the hell?” Buffy shook her head, confused and a little hurt at Faith’s response. Then she noticed Willow’s reaction. Willow stared after Faith, lips trembling. “Will, you want to tell me what’s going on? What the hell am I missing?” She started to get angry, especially when no answer was forthcoming. “Will! The trust and honesty thing goes both ways, you know. I deserve an answer. What’s with you and Faith?”

“I made a mistake,” Willow whispered.

Buffy moved slowly in Willow’s direction. Afraid to move too quickly, not wanting to startle Willow and end the conversation. “A mistake? What kind of mistake?” No way had Willow and Faith slept together – or even done anything remotely sexual. Buffy knew that information would have come through the link. Still, her head started to pound with the anguish coming through their link.

“I don’t…I don’t know how to explain. Look through the link, Buffy.” Willow met her eyes pleadingly.

Closing her eyes, Buffy let her inner vision go to work. Following the brightly flowing energy stretching between them, Buffy shuddered at the whirling mixture of pain, embarrassment, and shame in Willow’s mind. She nearly got sidetracked until an astral Willow took her hand and pulled her farther, past their bodies. It was like flying. Buffy ‘saw’ the ground whipping by, felt the wind on her face.

They ended their journey at the Training Barn. Is that…? Buffy asked.

Dawn, Willow confirmed. Buffy’s sister was wrapped around someone, kissing them almost violently. Buffy heard/felt Willow’s surprise and unease in the mental tone.

This is what you and Faith were being so weird about? Buffy didn’t get the problem. Dawn was old enough to date. It was a little uncomfortable to be watching her sister, but Buffy still didn’t understand Willow’s and Faith’s earlier reactions.

Astral Willow shook her head. Look at Dawn, Buffy. Not the surface. Scan her.

Reaching out, Buffy intuitively followed the energy patterns swirling in the air between them. With a frown, she saw the beginning construction of a conduit. A bond? Buffy asked, heart racing. Dawn’s bonded? No way. Dawn was too young. And…with whom? There were only a few possibilities.

Before Buffy could sort them all out, Dawn broke off the kiss and moved away from her companion. Buffy’s eyes narrowed and rage made her shake. Kennedy? She peered at the budding bond harder. No. There were no similar formations in the Potential’s aura.

An explosion of raw agony staggered her. Through the waves of pain, Buffy frantically searched for the cause.

Faith. Faith stood at the door to the barn. The delicate outline of her new bond with Dawn was clearly visible. The longer Faith stood watching Dawn and Kennedy, though, that bond twisted, the bright, shining conduit darkening, becoming brittle.

Willow tensed next to her. Buffy sensed the enormous power gathering around them.

Faith stepped toward the couple, hands balled into fists.

The magical energy swirling around Buffy increased again. Drunk on the power, Buffy barely managed to ask, What are you doing?

Making sure Faith doesn’t do something stupid, came the angry response. Buffy mentally nodded, realizing Willow was prepared to magically stop Faith if she went after Kennedy.

Wait, Will. Look at her. Faith wasn’t ready to charge. Far from it. She swayed on her feet, face alarmingly pale. Her arms wrapped around her stomach, and she doubled over. Get us back to our bodies. Something’s wrong. Hurry!

***

Faith stared at Dawn and Kennedy kissing. It was what she’d wanted. Dawn didn’t need someone like her, with her past. She wouldn’t have to worry about Buffy beating her to death anymore, either. Unfortunately, the happiness she should have been feeling was absent. Instead, a tearing agony raced through Faith.

Her stomach cramped. Nausea and pain mixed, and she finally went to one knee. Breathing shallowly, Faith squeezed her eyes shut.

She was so focused on the agony tearing through her, Faith didn’t hear Jennifer come out of the house. She did, however, flinch when a warm hand pressed against her shoulder. “Easy, Faith. Let me help.” Jennifer spoke in a soft, soothing tone.

Faith wanted to pull away. She remembered Jennifer’s reaction to her revelation about prison. However, the pain was too much. Faith gave in, nodding her permission.

She dimly heard Jennifer start to chant. A cool tickle moved through her. She shuddered at the feeling, fighting nausea and a strange desire to laugh. Finally, the pain was gone. The tickle lingered for a minute, and then it, too, disappeared. Faith shoved to her feet, wavering slightly. “What the hell just happened, and what did you do to me?”

Jennifer sighed, and Faith thought she looked worried. “I put up a block in your mind. It won’t last long, though. You’ll have to learn to do it yourself.” She grimaced. “Or deal with Dawn.”

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