CHAPTER 58

 

Willow ignored the sudden loud buzzing in her head and concentrated on the shining web. Each strand was infused with enormous power, and Willow pulled in Dawn – and her energy – in to examine the lines more closely.

 

What is that thing? Dawn leaned over Willow’s astral shoulder. Did the First do that?

 

It was an interesting question. Buffy had said the First was in the house. Still…Willow hesitated before answering. She hadn’t felt anything evil in the house, and the warding was solid. I don’t know, Dawn. I… Breaking off, Willow tried to find a way to solve their dilemma. Hang on tight. Making up her mind, Willow reached out a tendril of their combined magic and gripped one of the strands.

 

Raw energy blasted through her.

 

Hands burning, Willow tried to let go, to pull away. She was buffeted by the terrifying energy on one side and Dawn’s frantic attempts to untangle the link between them. Reeling, Willow got lost in eddies of power. Unable to react in any way, Willow could only watch as the strand clung to her and then expanded.

 

It was as if someone had flicked a switch. In the span of a heartbeat, the buzz and the blazing power tempered. Finally able to think, Willow realized the power signature was familiar somehow. No longer completely at the mercy of the magic, Willow decided to press for more information. Communicating the plan to Dawn, Willow waited on her shaky, yet enthusiastic approval, before opening them both fully to the energy.

 

***

 

“Why do I need a big knife?” the woman demanded. “And…is that blood on it? What have you been doing?”

 

The dagger didn’t waver. Faith merely grunted impatiently. “Shut up and take it.”

 

The woman followed Faith’s command with a scowl, plucking the dagger from Faith’s hand. “Happy now? Or do you want me to do something with it?” Like stab you with it? The unspoken words were apparent from the laser-like glare the woman gave Faith.

 

Faith’s hand closed into a fist. She’d been so sure that the woman in front of her was the First. “Keep it,” she said brusquely. “You never know when you might need it.” With a twisted attempt at a reassuring smile, Faith stepped back. Her skin prickled, and her Slayer grew even more restive.

 

She risked a look at Buffy.

 

Eyes a molten copper, Buffy stared blankly down the hallway with the Scythe held in front of her.

 

Focusing intently on the weapon, Faith reached for it with her senses. At first, nothing happened. Without warning, though, her luck changed. A klaxon shrilled in her head. She nearly staggered back in shock. God, no wonder Buffy had bitched about the feeling. Faith lost touch with the hallway for a minute, desperately treading the wave of power flooding over her.

 

Slowly, she regained her footing. Faith smiled in satisfaction. She could handle the Scythe. After watching Buffy, she hadn’t been sure. It simply took a lot of concentration – and the full cooperation of her Slayer. Primal energy rippled throughout Faith’s body as the Slayer stretched out and seemingly merged with her. It was odd. Almost as if Faith were shedding a too tight skin and fitting into a new one.

 

“Are you going to stand here all day? Or was there a reason you galloped up the stairs?” Cordelia’s irritated comment snapped Faith out of her internal examination.

 

When she raised her eyes to Cordelia, Faith’s vision bore the slightest hint of a copper overlay. “Sorry, Prom Queen. We’ve had a hell of a night.” She didn’t go into details. Not yet. Turning her attention to the men holding the blanket stretcher, she ordered, “Get her downstairs and into the living room. Have Tara take a look and see if the witches can help get her on her feet.” They needed all hands on deck right now. “Demon Girl, too,” she added as they began their descent.

 

“Trouble?” It was so easy to forget that this wasn’t the same Cordelia she’d known at Sunnydale High School.

 

At Faith’s side, Buffy shook her head and blinked. “The First’s here, and we can’t find it,” she muttered. Still not appearing to be completely with them, Buffy began to sweep the hallway with and intense gaze. “That’s why we want everyone in the same place. If this,” she brandished the Scythe, “can’t pinpoint the First, we’ll do it the old fashioned way.”

 

Nearly rolling her eyes at the dramatics, Faith gestured with her head. “Hit the stairs, too, Queenie. Me and B’ll finish up the hunt and grab our girls on the way back.”

 

“There isn’t anything up here to find, Faith. I’m the last one.” With a sarcastic look at Buffy, Cordelia continued, “But if you want to waste your time, be my guest. Buffy’s never listened to any of my advice.  I mean, look at those clothes…” Her footsteps thundered on the stairs as she ran for the first floor.

 

Keeping a straight face by sheer willpower, Faith didn’t glance at Buffy. Instead, she attempted to refocus her attention on their missing enemy. “Any more luck finding the First, B?” She didn’t really need a response. Faith was still aware of the Scythe and could feel its warning singing in her blood. The First was here…and yet it wasn’t.

 

“Not so you’d notice.” Buffy sounded resigned now. All her earlier anger had faded. “Come on. We’ll check the rooms up here just in case and then head to the basement. Will and Dawn are doing something magic-y. I can feel her crawling around in my head.”

 

Faith  suddenly realized that she could, too.

 

She was so busy marveling at the new feeling, she nearly missed Buffy moving out. She hugged the wall to Faith’s right, and Faith had to scramble to take up a protective position behind her. “B… Do we really need to stay up here? Cordy said there weren’t any more people. Just us.”  Clearing her throat, she pushed on. Although this wasn’t exactly the best time, Faith was tired of feeling inadequate. Despite her new awareness of the Scythe and Willow’s magic, there was one thing missing. “How do you do that? Talk with Red, I mean?” She was glad she was behind Buffy when she asked the question.

 

“I don’t know.” Buffy dashed into the first room on their right.

 

Following with her remaining knife outstretched, Faith withheld her response until she was sure the room was clear. “Ain’t good enough, B. I…I want to be able to do that with Dawn.” The words were soft and lacked Faith’s usual brashness. She listened to the Slayer’s suggestion and gave Buffy complete honesty for once. Dawn was her wife (Faith twitched at the thought), and she deserved to have the same type of connection that Buffy and Willow shared.

 

They returned to skulking in the hallway, inching closer to the next room. “Well, you could ask Will. I’m sure she’d be happy to help you and Dawn.” Buffy’s  lips twisted wryly. “And can I just mention how freaked I am – on the inside – at the fact it’s my sister we’re talking about?”

 

Your sister, or the fact she’s with me? Faith said to herself. “Ah…I don’t think so, B,” she finally said out loud as they took up mirrored stances on either side of the door frame. “Your girl has this thing for fireballs and threats when I’m around. Don’t want to risk burning in Hell before my time.”

 

This time Faith took point on the entry into the room.

 

“OK. I’m done with this.” The bedroom was empty. “Until you can get that thing to put a big arrow over the First, we ain’t playing cops and robbers no more.” Standing up from her crouch, Faith tucked the dagger into the waistband of her jeans. “You think Big Red would show me and Dawn about that bond thing?” she asked, returning to the previous conversation.

 

Not looking ready to give up the search (probably because of the clanging in her senses), Buffy stayed protectively hunched over with the Scythe at the ready. “Big Red? If you're worried about Willow fireballing you, I'm thinking you better be careful what you nickname Jennifer.” Slowly relaxing, Buffy grinned at Faith. “And I really want to be there when you call Willow Middle Red.”

 

That sounded about as much fun as asking Willow to help her connect with Dawn. “Ah…maybe I’ll skip that,” Faith mumbled. “Come on. This thing in my head says we still got a problem. If Red…” she cut herself off. “If Willow,” Faith tried again, “can’t get that damned axe to speak Slayer, we’re dead.”

 

“And seeing Dawn has nothing to do with the sudden need to go to the basement?” Buffy turned and trotted for the hallway.

 

It was a trick question. Faith caught up with Buffy in a few bounds and bumped her shoulder. “Nah. I was thinking about you the whole time, B. You and Red,” she didn’t try to censor the nickname this time, “have been joined at the hip since I got to Sunnydale the first time. Bet you’re all Willow-sick by now.”

 

***

 

Buffy shoved back. “Am not,” she retorted. “You’re making that up.” She was getting used to the scream of the Scythe – enough that throwing out the window or coming apart in frustration were only distant options, anyway. “You touched it.” Holding the Scythe out toward Faith, Buffy tilted her head inquiringly. “How’s your Scythe-ese?”

 

“Crappy.” Faith grinned and her dimples popped out. “All I got is a big, irritating buzz. It did something, though. The Slayer’s out and ready to rumble.”

 

The news shouldn’t have been a surprise. Buffy’s foot nearly missed the stairs, however. “How do you do that? When the big Buffy/Slayer merger happened, I freaked. You? All you do is shrug and go on. It’s not fair.” Why was Faith so comfortable with the primal side of herself?

 

“Fair?” Faith snorted. “Give me a break, B. Even you ain’t that stupid.” She shot ahead of Buffy when they reached the ground floor. “You wanna know how I learned to deal with the Slayer?”

 

Buffy hung her head. Faith’s voice was rising, and some of the old anger marked her words. “Um…not now,” she said, trying to verbally backpedal.

 

She’d gone too far, though. Faith didn’t listen and forged ahead. “I let her control me, B. You were there. You saw it.” Wrenching open the door to the basement, Faith paused on the threshold. “Thanks to Angel and two years in a tiny cell, I learned how to keep that from happening again. Still scares the piss out of me, but me and the Slayer understand each other now.”

 

***

 

As the magic continued to expand and wrap around and through Willow and Dawn, Willow began to see more. The source of the energy glowed brightly in Buffy’s hands. It had to be the Scythe. Willow started there, at the beginning. One thick cord of power stretched from the weapon and then branched out into a myriad of smaller strands. Most of those strands bypassed Faith; however, Willow glimpsed another, thicker connection to her. She peered closer. Was there one to Buffy as well?

 

Yes; although it was difficult to see at that range, Willow traced another thick tie from the weapon to her wife. Things began to come together. Testing her theory, Willow drew herself and Dawn downstairs into the living room. There, in a room crowded with the life signatures of most of the people in the house, a dizzying array of magical power lines branched out.

 

That’s when Willow fully understood. It’s not the First. She wanted to whoop for joy.

 

Dawn had followed her logic. Her elation was like a giggle through their link. Buffy’s going to be mad when she finds out. She hates to be wrong.

 

Not this time. Willow was absolutely sure of that. She took another look at the shining strands of magic linking all of the Potentials to the Scythe and smiled.  Let’s go. We’ve seen enough.

 

The trip back to the basement and their bodies required only a thought. With a tired groan, Willow slumped to the cold stone floor. “Goddess, that never gets easier.”

 

“At least you’ve done it before.” When Willow managed to raise her head, she realized Dawn was in far worse shape than she was. Pale, with her lips pressed in a grim line, Dawn appeared close to complete collapse. “Me? I skipped more than a few lessons along the way. You know…from pencil floating to out of body experiences in one big leap.”

 

Dawn’s words slurred at the end and her pallor deepened. Willow didn’t waste time answering. She scrambled to her feet and dove across the intervening space just as Dawn’s knees buckled and her eyes rolled back in her head.

 

CHAPTER 59

 

Willow got to Dawn before she hit the ground. Unfortunately, her awkward position and Dawn’s greater size meant Willow couldn’t keep Dawn off the ground. Willow landed hard on the stone floor and grunted as Dawn used her stomach for her own touchdown.

 

“Will?” Buffy’s voice carried in from the other room. Seconds later, she and Faith skidded to a halt right outside of the magical barrier surrounding the altar. “Will!” Eyes wide, Buffy stared at her.

 

Too tired to move Dawn, Willow smiled from her spot on the floor. “Hey, Buffy.”  She needed help – and that meant taking down the Circle. “Um…give me a minute, will you?”

 

“What the fuck, Red?” Faith stepped closer, and her proximity registered along Willow’s channels as the Circle dragged in more power and thickened. “What did you do to Dawn?” Her eyes were glued to the unconscious Dawn.

 

The barrier needed to come down. Having no trouble recognizing the worry in Faith’s voice and expression, Willow mentally scrambled for the energy to ground the magic.

 

“Red!” Faith wasn’t waiting for an answer.

 

Sparks flared when she pounded against the Circle. Willow gritted her teeth against the new power drain and closed her eyes. Buffy, she called silently to her wife. Get Faith away from the Circle. I don’t have a lot of energy left, and I need a chance to dismantle the barrier so you can get inside.

 

A trickle of understanding answered her.

 

Not bothering to open her eyes and see if Buffy was successful in controlling Faith, Willow reached out for the Circle.

 

***

 

Faith growled when Willow didn’t respond. Ready to tear through the shimmering curtain in front of her, she reached out with both hands.

 

“Don’t, Faith.” Buffy gripped Faith’s shirt and dragged her back a few steps.

 

Struggling against the hold, Faith growled again – this time, though, it wasn’t a sound of frustration. Seeing Dawn lying so still in Willow’s arms…The Slayer was coming to the fore.

 

“Oh, knock it off!” Glaring at Faith, Buffy let go and pointed at Willow and Dawn. “You can’t get in there until Willow does something with the magic. She’s trying, and all your snarling and pounding isn’t going to help.”

 

“But…” Faith wasn’t ready to listen. Dawn hadn’t moved since they’d entered the basement, and Buffy’s explanation didn’t include any commentary on her condition. Faith didn’t care about magical barriers – or Willow. Her only concern was Dawn. Making sure that Dawn wasn’t hurt.

 

Buffy gently thumped Faith’s shoulder. “I get it. I do, Faith. Willow said to wait, though. So we wait.” As if trying to allay Faith’s fears, she continued. “Will didn’t sound worried. Only tired. Dawn doesn’t deal with the magical side of things often. You know that. I’m betting that’s why she’s out like a light in there.”

 

It made sense. Taking a less aggressive stance, Faith watched the barrier intently. “Sorry, B,” she mumbled. Her eyes flickered to Buffy. “I ain’t used to this shit. You know, caring for D.” Faith felt her lips twist. “Makes everything harder.”

 

“You’re wrong,” Buffy answered softly.

 

“What?” Faith gave up her vigil as she turned to face Buffy. “How the fuck can you say that? One minute, I’m good to go, explaining the whole Slayer gig to you. The next? I’m ready to rip your girl’s head off or die trying.” Her voice faltered. “And all because D’s maybe hurt. How the hell can that be anything but hard?”

 

She didn’t understand the look in Buffy’s eyes – or her soft smile. “Faith, I know you love what we do. The Slaying. You told me that a long time ago. Sometimes, though, it’s not only about fighting and killing evil.”

 

The barrier flickered, and Faith and Buffy stopped talking to watch it for a minute.

 

“Sometimes,” Buffy went on when the magical wall didn’t disappear entirely, “it’s about protecting your family and the people you love. It’s better that way. It gives you a purpose, a reason to keep going when the evil just keeps coming and you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle.”

 

Faith let that sink in. Staring at Dawn through a rapidly thinning barrier, she turned Buffy’s words over and over in her mind. Protect the ones you love. Could she do that? Could she keep Dawn safe? The Slayer roared a resounding Yes! in her mind. “Can you show me how to do that, B?” It no longer felt weak to ask that question. Faith let the Slayer’s resolve fill her and accepted the truth. Buffy was the best they had, and Faith needed to learn from her.

 

“There isn’t a handbook for love, Faith.” Buffy wrapped an arm around Faith’s shoulder. “If there was, Will and I wouldn’t have wasted so many years as best friends. You’ll have to learn the way we are: on your own. If you want my help with fighting or pretending to be in charge, though, you bet. I’m sure Giles and Kirstan will be happy to chip in, too.”

 

Warmed by the words and Buffy’s clear acceptance, Faith nodded. “Thanks, B.” She hesitantly raised her left arm and returned the one-armed hug.

 

The moment was lost when the Circle dropped away.

 

Forgetting all about Buffy and Willow, Faith dashed across the intervening space and pulled Dawn into her arms. She cradled Dawn against her chest and headed for the stairs. Whatever assurances Buffy had given her, Faith wanted confirmation that Dawn was merely tired. Jennifer or Tara would work for that.

 

***

 

Buffy watched them go.  “I’m scared, Will,” she told the woman in her arms.

 

“Why?” Willow poked her chest and grinned. “I’ve got news of the good and happy. There should be no fear.”

 

Returning the smile, Buffy laughed. “I like good news; I was referring to Faith and my sister, though. Did you see that? We could have been naked and making out in here and Faith wouldn’t have stopped to watch. That scares me.”

 

“I am so not making love to you in my mother’s altar room, Buffy.  Not even to test your theory.” Willow wiggled out of Buffy’s embrace and stood. “We’ll lock ourselves in the Den of Love for that. I like privacy, Buff. Remember that.”

 

Buffy stood. “Got it. No public sex.” She grabbed Willow’s hand to keep her in place. “Are you sure you’re OK?” she asked more seriously.

 

“Tired.” Willow met Buffy’s eyes. “Very, very tired.” The feeling trickled through their link to support the statement. “That’s all, sweetie. The mini-freak from earlier is over, I promise.” She tugged at Buffy’s hand. “Come on. We really need to talk to the troops. Dawn and I made a huge discovery.”

 

Using their joined hands, Buffy pulled her closer.  “If I didn’t have to lug this around,” Buffy brandished the Scythe in her left hand, “I’d carry you upstairs in style. Guess you’ll have to settle for something less fantastic - like walking.” She leaned up and kissed Willow softly. “Love you, Wills. I’m glad you’ve got my back.” The talk with Faith about love and Slaying fresh in her mind, Buffy felt some of her disenchantment with her life ease.

 

“I love you, too, Buffy.” Willow upped the ante and nibbled on Buffy’s neck.

 

The need for privacy and spreading Willow’s good news took a back seat. Buffy moaned and let her head fall back, inviting more nibbling.

 

The moan turned to a grunt of surprise when Willow’s lips were replaced with sharp teeth.  “Get moving, Slayer. We don’t have time to take care of your HHs right now.” Green eyes twinkled merrily as Willow smirked. “You’ll have to ask Mama if she has some low-fat yoghurt.”

 

“Bitch,” Buffy said with a mock pout. “I’m going to remember this when we get back to the guest house.” Still cradling Willow’s hand gently, she made her way upstairs to the sound of Willow’s giggles. It felt good to smile, and Buffy didn’t let that expression fade even when they entered the living room.

 

The large space was crowded. It hadn’t been designed as a War Room, and every inch of seating and much of the floor was covered in bodies.

 

“I thought we were facing an attack,” Kirstan said. She stood guard near the doorway, gripping daggers in each hand. “Faith carried Dawn in here like she was being chased. And you?” One sharp metal tip pointed in Buffy’s direction. “You and my daughter come in here giggling. Should I be concerned?”

 

Willow’s head lifted from where is rested against Buffy’s shoulder. “We’re Scoobies. We laugh in the face of danger – and then Xander runs and hides until it goes away.” The original Scoobies were the only people who chuckled. Willow sobered as she continued. “The First isn’t here, Mom. At least, not yet. The feeling Buffy got from the Scythe wasn’t a warning.”

 

The resulting clamor helped Buffy hide her own shock at the news. How the hell did Willow know it wasn’t the First? What else could be causing the constant clanging in her head?

 

“What?” Kennedy’s voice was the loudest. “You’re joking! We’ve been jammed in here expecting an attack, and now you tell us Buffy was wrong?”

 

Giles frowned at Kennedy in displeasure before echoing her internal question. “If it wasn’t the First, my dear, what was Buffy feeling? Is there some other danger we should be aware of? Or…” Tilting his head, he asked softly, “Have you perhaps discovered how to use the Scythe?”

 

The rest of the questions flowed together, and Buffy couldn’t pinpoint one from the other. Striding across the room, she waited until a couple of Potentials abandoned their seats on the couch near Faith and Dawn before sitting down.

 

 Willow’s fingers slipped from her and she didn’t join Buffy on the couch. Buffy didn’t protest. This was Willow’s show. “Dawn and I set a ward around the house,” Willow started. She waved a hand in the air. “You can’t see it, I know. Just take my word for the fact it’s there.”

 

Rousing slightly from her slumped position in Faith’s lap, Dawn agreed. “Willow’s big on double checking, too. Trust her. There’s a big magic bubble around the house.”

 

***

 

Before Dawn could get any more animated, Faith wrapped her arms tightly around her, keeping her settled on her lap. “So we’re safe,” she summed up the situation. “What about that fucking gong in my head? If it ain’t the First, what is it?” And how did they make it go away?

 

Willow took the interruption in stride. “It’s you,” she answered. “Well, you and Buffy and all the Potentials.” Holding out a hand, Willow waited until Buffy reluctantly handed her the Scythe. “This,” she continued with the weapon balanced in both hands, “is connected to all of you with some pretty awesome power. Like a spider web. Without the creepy spider.” Her familiar, quirky smile crept out.

 

The image was interesting; although, Faith wasn’t sure how this was good news. “Does this mean any of us can use the thing? Me or Buffy? Even one of the Juniors?”

 

“I think it’s more than that.” Willow brandished the Scythe in front of Faith. “You said you heard the warning, too. How?”

 

Faith shrugged. “B was bitching about the First and the noise in her head. I wanted to see if it was really that bad or if she was whining, like always.” She smirked as Buffy glowered at her. “I let my Slayer senses do a little walking, and boom. Instant buzz.”

 

Her explanation got an excited bounce out of Willow – and the Scythe waved dangerously close to Faith and Dawn.

 

“Hey, before you poke my eye out with that thing, give it back to B.” Faith cradled Dawn protectively and watched to make sure the Scythe didn’t get any closer.

 

The blade moved away as Willow set the head on the floor. “I think that buzz is important, Faith. I think… I think the Scythe helps wake up the Slayer.” Biting her lip, she looked at Buffy.  “Remember how it got you to let the Slayer out, Buffy? You’ve never done that before.”

 

Buffy still didn’t look happy about that, and Faith rolled her eyes. “Yeah, me and B were talking about that earlier,” she said before Buffy could start whining again. “So what? Other than maybe making us stronger, it don’t seem like much against the First and all its boys.”

 

“Think about it.” Willow pointed to each of the Potentials one by one. “What if the Scythe didn’t just work on active Slayers? What if it could wake up our own army of Potential Slayers?”

 

CHAPTER 60

 

For an instant, Faith let the surge of excited voices in the room pull her along. A Slayer Army. Not even the First could stand up to that.

 

Then reality set in.

 

Straightening as much as she could with Dawn in her arms, Faith braced herself to be the messenger of doom. “Uh, Red?” she asked. Her question didn’t put a dent in the noise. With a sigh, Faith closed her eyes. Clearing her throat, she tried a second time to gain Willow’s attention. “Red!”

 

A startled silence fell over the room.

 

It was hard to reopen her eyes, but Faith pried them open and looked at Willow. “Maybe I’m not gettin’ all the details. You think we can let the Juniors use the Scythe to what? Make them Slayers now? Kinda like me and B – except I don’t have to die to activate any of them?”

 

“Exactly!” Willow grinned. “I wasn’t sure at first. Then you said all you had to do was reach out to the Scythe with your senses. We may not have many Potentials here, but if they were Slayers… Well, the First wouldn’t stand a chance against all of you.”

 

A chill of fear brushed Faith’s soul. Willow couldn’t be serious. “You’re out of your fucking mind.” The words slipped out before Faith found a better way of phrasing her objection.

 

Willow flushed angrily and her hand curled around the Scythe. “You have a better plan?” she demanded. “Oh, wait! I bet I know.” Moving closer, Willow glared down at Faith. “I bet you want to go in with stakes and swords waving. That’s all you were ever good for. Charge in with no plan or thought for consequences.”

 

“Will!” Buffy and Dawn spoke at the same time.

 

The dual protest froze Willow for a second, and then she backed up a step. “I’m sorry, Buffy.” She glanced over at her wife as Faith hugged Dawn tighter. “That came out a lot harsher than I wanted.” Her next statement ruined the apology, however. “It doesn’t mean I was wrong. This is a good plan. The Scythe is amazing, guys. I’ve never seen so much power. If we can harness that and create enough Slayers to balance the playing field, why not?”

 

Here was her chance. Faith stood up slowly, setting Dawn gently on her feet. “Yeah, it sounds good, Red. Until you look at it another way.” Rubbing her hands up and down the legs of her pants, Faith searched for the right words. “You want to do whatever it takes to win. It’s what the Scoobs have been about since I got to SunnyD. This time, you ain’t doing what you accused me of a minute ago.”

 

She could feel every eye in the room on her; yet Faith kept her eyes on Willow. Willow was the key. If Faith could get her to understand, the rest of the gang would fall in line.

 

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Willow wasn’t anywhere near understanding. Arms crossed over her chest, she pressed her lips together as if daring Faith to go on.

 

It wasn’t a challenge Faith wanted to accept. Feeling the weight of the responsibility Buffy had given her dragging at her shoulders, Faith ignored her desire to turn and walk away. “I mean you ain’t thought this all the way through. You want to turn these kids into killing machines. The First won’t stand a chance. Whoo fucking hoo.” Each word took tremendous effort to utter, and Faith felt sweat soak her shirt and hair. “What happens after the big battle?”

 

Willow stared at her in confusion. “I…I don’t…”

 

“You don’t know,” Faith finished for her. “Well, I got a pretty good idea, Red, and it ain’t something you want to see.” Nearly leaning forward, Faith willed Willow to make the connection.

 

The green eyes narrowed, and Willow’s brow wrinkled.

 

She was getting close, Faith realized. What else could she say without getting too graphic?

 

The decision was taken out of her hands. “I’ve got an idea, too,” Kennedy interrupted. “You don’t want Willow to use the Scythe because you don’t want us to be Slayers. I mean, Buffy’s getting out of the business. That leaves you in charge since you’re the Lead Slayer, right, Faith? Why would you want competition from someone younger and better?”

 

The inference was clear. “Someone like you, Junior?” Faith prayed Kennedy wasn’t dumb enough to push any farther.

 

“Yeah. Just like me.” Moving through a few of the bodies sitting on the floor, Kennedy stood with her hands planted on her hips and smirked at Faith. “I heard that Kirstan wiped the mat with you yesterday. For the girl who plans on leading us, you don’t seem to have what it takes. Why don’t you step aside – like Buffy – and let me handle things? My Watcher was grooming me to be the next Slayer anyway.”

 

Faith bowed to the inevitable. Willow hadn’t caught her veiled hints, and now Kennedy was trying to cause trouble. Reaching her Slayer no longer took effort. Faith let the full energy of her primal side uncoil and took a single, sinuous stride toward Kennedy. “Let me give you some info, Junior.” Voice dropping lower, Faith closed the final gap between them in a rush. One hand reached out to caress Kennedy’s cheek. “I ain’t B.” The hand shifted in a blur, closing tightly around Kennedy’s throat and pulling her up until her toes scrabbled for purchase on the carpet. “In fact, your Watcher shoulda been warning you what happens when Slayers lose control.”

 

Out of the corner of her eye, Faith saw Willow’s head come up and her eyes widen. “Faith…”

 

Raising her free hand to stop whatever comment Willow was about to make, Faith remained focused on Kennedy. “You know who I am, Junior?” Nearly hissing the words, Faith slowly tightened her fingers around Kennedy’s neck. She could hear the harsh, gasping breaths as the other girl fought to breathe. “I’m your worst nightmare. I’m Faith – the Dark Slayer. A murderer twice over.” Memories threatened to steal the hold Faith had over the rage normally buried deep inside. Her muscles twitched and the room darkened. “I played for the other team, Junior. Worked for a demon and came real close to taking the Scoobs out of the game.”

 

***

 

Buffy watched Faith closely. Her Slayer watched, too. Faith was in control – for the moment. Not wanting to startle Faith, Buffy stood very slowly and inched around Dawn.

 

She had hoped to get closer to Faith. There was bound to be some fallout once the show was over. However, Dawn’s hand gripped Buffy’s arm before she made even half the journey. “Buffy, you have to stop her!” Dawn whispered.

 

Shaking her head, Buffy disagreed. Faith was making one hell of a point – with the entire group. She met Dawn’s tear-filled eyes. “Wait, Dawnie. Faith knows what she’s doing. Trust her.” For the first time, Buffy realized that she trusted Faith. Without reservation. When Dawn’s fingers relaxed their hold, Buffy smiled in approval and continued her careful trip toward Faith.

 

Faith was winding down. Kennedy’s feet were nearly flat on the floor now. “If you think you can take me, you give it your best shot, Junior.” With a vicious shove, Faith sent Kennedy sprawling several feet away. “No way am I letting Red juice you up, though. You’re a mini-me waiting to happen. All mouth and no self control.”

 

“We’ll find another way, Faith,” Buffy said, smoothly joining the conversation before Kennedy could respond. “I don’t think we realized…” Breaking off, Buffy scanned the room. There were a lot of pale faces among the newer members of the group. The older ones, though…They looked back at Buffy, eyes dark with understanding.

 

“Yeah, B. You never did.” Faith’s head dropped forward, and her hair obscured her features as she continued. “Give some dumb kid superpowers without enough training and you get a killer.” Her head rose, and Buffy flinched from the pain-filled look on Faith’s face. “You need Slayers, B. Slayers know who the enemy is; they don’t become the enemy.”

 

This had to end. Buffy reached out a hand. “There are no enemies here, Faith.” The wounds from the past needed to heal, and Buffy knew the ones she and Faith had inflicted on each other ran the deepest. “We’re all in this together.”

 

She held her breath as Faith stared at her hand for a second. Then strong fingers twined with hers. “Together, B.” A familiar smirk followed the words. “’Course, you ain’t wearing the big hat no more. Guess together means you gotta follow orders like the rest of the Slayerettes.”

 

“I’m sure Buffy – and the rest of us – will do what is required,” Giles stated, shattering the moment. “Perhaps our time would be best served if we were to figure out what, precisely, that will entail.”

 

Rolling her eyes at Faith, Buffy let their hands slip apart and turned to Giles. “Seven years, and you still don’t get it, Giles. We’ll have a plan.” She couldn’t resist smirking as she continued. “We always do. Even if it is something simple like: rush in through the front door and kill anything vampy that moves.”

 

“Sorry, B. Can’t do it that way anymore.” Faith returned to her seat on the couch. “Red got all bitchy when she thought that was my plan. We need something flashier. How about we let the witches blow open the front door and go in with fireballs blazing? We’ll wait with the Juniors until the coast is clear and then do the clean up?”

 

As laughter filtered through the room, Buffy realized most of the newest members of the team weren’t joining in. She glanced at Faith – and saw the same knowledge in her eyes. Sobering quickly, she dropped onto the couch. “You’re asking me, Faith? I think someone just reminded me that I was now a simple Slayerette. I don’t make decisions. You do. So…” She dragged the word out.

 

“So I need to stop playing and let the brains in the room give me all the info, B.” Faith picked up the conversational ball seamlessly. “Red, put the toy down and let’s see what else we can do besides letting the Juniors play in the bigs.”

 

There was a wave of motion as each Potential shifted.

 

“We’ll keep that on the table – in case we ain’t got any other options, though.” Faith was getting good at the leadership. She wasn’t closing the door on Willow’s plan, and that kept the Potentials from following Kennedy’s lead and arguing. Buffy watched as Faith shifted on the couch so she had a better view of the room. “Old Timer? Giles?” Faith scanned the rest of the people huddled close. “Anybody? I ain’t like B. You all got a say in how we do this.”

 

It was very clear that Buffy was going to have to get used to the “I ain’t B” comments. Leaning back against the couch, she waited for someone to respond to Faith’s question. Willow made the wait easier when she propped the Scythe near Buffy’s knee and curled up in Buffy’s lap.

 

“I am not sure what other options we have,” one of the new Watchers said finally.

 

Buffy wrapped her arms around Willow and chimed in. “Maybe…maybe not. If the Scythe is as powerful as Willow thinks, can we use that against the First directly?”

 

A sigh brushed Buffy’s neck. “I don’t know, Buffy.” Sitting up slightly, Willow frowned. “It’s possible, but I don’t think the Scythe’s power can be used as a weapon. It was…I don’t know. More like a simple bond. A connection.”

 

“Would you and Buffy be able to use it to augment your power, Willow?” Jennifer’s frown was familiar. She tilted her head in an eerie mimicry of Willow as she talked. “I’m trying to use your analogy of the spider web. Those aren’t normally decorations. They’re traps. Can you expand the web so that the First gets tangled in the magical lines?”

 

***

 

The idea seemed plausible. Willow closed her eyes and recalled the interconnecting lines of power. “If there was a way to add energy, we could expand the web.” Something tickled the back of her mind. Concentrating harder, Willow tried to tease the idea out. Adding power. That was the key. But the key to what?

 

CHAPTER 61

 

“Add energy? Like the First did with you?” Tara spoke quietly from her spot near Drew. “How would that work, Willow? The First doesn’t have a form.”

 

Damn. Tara was right. Slumping against Buffy, Willow hoped someone else in the room had an idea what to do. She was tapped out. She wasn’t Buffy’s (or Faith’s, since she was in charge) Big Gun this time around.

 

“I am loathe to suggest it; however, we do have an extraordinary amount of magically trained individuals. Is the First vulnerable to magical attack?” Willow recognized the new Watcher but couldn’t put a name to the face. “Does it need a corporeal form for us to harm it without weapons?”

 

“In theory, perhaps not,” Giles answered. “It did defeat Willow, though, in an extremely weakened state.” He turned to Jennifer. “Could we bind the First somehow? Surround it with energy and replicate a form?”

 

Surround it with energy… The room disappeared as Willow’s mind filled with images of the DMP. The mental picture was so clear, she could smell the grease, hear the hiss of the fries as they cooked, and see the overflowing soda cup in the machine in front of her. “That’s it!” The soda cup represented the First’s form. She scrambled off Buffy’s lap and pointed enthusiastically at Giles. “That’s it. We have to build a…build a cup and fill the First with so much power that he overloads. Like he did with my reservoir.”

 

Voices sprang up from every direction. Willow didn’t even try to follow the threads of conversation. She focused solely on Jennifer, who was frowning in confusion. “I’m hoping you don’t mean a literal cup, Willow,” Jennifer said dryly.

 

Rolling her eyes, Willow shook her head. “A literal one, Mama. Like Giles was saying. Remember the Slayer dream and the overflowing cup? That’s what we need to do. Put the First in a form – represented by the cup – and then pour in the magic until it can’t hold any more.”

 

“This is the First Evil, Willow. How could we possibly have enough power to do that?” Jennifer asked. “Even if we find a way to do what Mr. Giles is suggesting, I’m not convinced we can generate the magical energy to overload it.”

 

***

 

Faith watched Willow for a minute as she stared at Jennifer and chewed her lip. She could almost smell the smoke as the wheels in Willow’s head turned in an effort to find an answer to Jennifer’s doubt.

 

Then her attention wandered.

 

Magic wasn’t her thing; that’s why there were witches around. Completely bored, she let her eyes travel around the room. The Potentials were restless, too. Poor kids. They had even less understanding of the complex magical strategy session than Faith. At least she’d been a part of Scooby research sessions every once in a while.

 

Too bad she couldn’t give in and let them hit the Training Barn with Kirstan.

 

“Hey, Junior!” Before she had a chance to question the idea that suddenly sprang to mind, Faith pointed at Kennedy. “Stop pouting and get your ass in gear. Take a Watcher or two and the rest of the minis downstairs for more training.”

 

The conversation regarding the First ground to a halt at her interruption. “What about the First? What if it really is in the house?” Xander asked quietly. “You want to let him or the Bringers cut our forces in half?”

 

Meeting his eyes, Faith didn’t flinch as she responded. “Red  and D say it ain’t in the house, and we need to get the kids used to handling weapons. The last time the Bringers busted in, your girl nearly died. Playin’ it safe ain’t the Scooby Way.”

 

He nodded tightly. “My bad.” Slumping down next to a seemingly unconscious Anya, Xander stroked his girlfriend’s hand. “Sorry.”

 

“Not bad, Xan. Ain’t nothing to be sorry for.” Faith smiled slightly. “You’re the soldier boy; you know more about this shit than I do. Feel free to jump in any time. This time, though, we gotta take the risk of sending the kiddies to a different room.” She looked away, noting that the Potentials hadn’t moved. They still sat (or sprawled, in some cases) on the floor. “Unless you want me to give all of you a lesson in real Slayer skill, I better see movement. Now!” Faith snapped, starting to stand.

 

In seconds, the floor cleared as the Potentials surged up and scrambled for the door. Kennedy brought up the rear, and she paused briefly to speak with two of the new Watchers.

 

Convinced that the new crew was on board with their assignments, Faith wiggled closer to Dawn. “Sorry about that, Red. Thought the Juniors could use some more exercise since they weren’t helping with the research.” With a smirk and a wink, she said, “I’m all ears now, though. Impress me with what you’ve come up with so far.”

Willow gave her an arch look. “You, listen to the plan? Are you sure you don’t want to join the Potentials?”

 

This time, Faith didn’t think Willow was serious about her accusation; although, it was a direct hit. Mock scowling, Faith grumbled, “Yeah. I do. Unfortunately, I gotta hold your hand while we figure out what to do about the First. Since I ain’t heard any plans, I guess you don’t have one yet.”

 

That got a snicker from Buffy. “Huh. If you’re stuck here, I can go work out.” She looked at Willow with wide eyes. “You won’t mind will you, Will? Dawn can keep you company while General Faith and the troops talk strategy.”

 

The levity felt good, and Faith was willing to play along – until she looked up and met Kirstan’s gaze.  The older Slayer was not amused. “Afraid that won’t work, either, B.” Trying not to shift under Kirstan’s eyes, Faith cleared her throat and got quickly back to business. “Where are we on blowing the First up?”

 

“Nowhere,” Drew said. “Willow and Mama think we can pull in enough power if we link all of us together through the Scythe. We just need to find a way to make the First solid. Throwing magic at it isn’t any different than throwing a knife…” She made a swooshing gesture with one hand. “It will go right through.”

 

“There has to be a way to hold the First together somehow.” Willow sounded frustrated. “Put some type of barrier around him. That’s where we keep getting hung up.”

 

Xander waved a hand. “Like a stasis field?” When the assembled researchers looked at him, he blushed. “Hey, I watch Star Trek, what can I say? It sounds like something they use. If we put a magical wall around the First, would that work?”

 

Jennifer shook her head. “It sounds good.” Before anyone got their hopes up, though, she continued. “Unfortunately, that takes too much power. We’d be able to do one or the other – bind the First or overload it. Not both.”

 

Slumping back on the couch, Faith tried not to look like she was giving up. She wasn’t…  Maybe they were looking in the wrong place. Magic might not be the answer. “What about that guy at the school? The one that kept telling me I’d burn in Hell? I bet he knows what the First has in mind.” She ignored a shiver of unease as she continued. “With a little persuasion, he might give us something we could use.”

 

“What guy? And what do you mean by persuasion? Like grabbing him by the throat and holding him off the ground while he chokes?” Dawn looked up at Faith with a frown. “No way. Kennedy may have deserved it. And she’s a Potential. She wasn’t in any danger. You aren’t adding number three to your list of things to regret. We’ll find another way.”

 

Her clear concern felt good. Unfortunately, Faith wasn’t sure they could afford it. “D…” How could she explain that she wasn’t planning to kill the guy, just rough him up a little?

 

“The man at the school? You mean the priest?” Drew broke in, saving Faith from a difficult explanation.

 

“That’s the one.” Holding Dawn tightly in a silent thanks for wanting to keep her on the good side of the fight, Faith glanced across the room at Drew. “He was more than a ‘Bringer. He had eyes, ya’ know? And he kept going on and on about what would happen when the First won. Called him the Lord and shit. That sounds like maybe he knows something about the First’s plan.” She hoped. 

 

Willow was the first to reply. “Uh…priest? There was a priest in the Sunnydale High School basement?” She glared indiscriminately around the room. “Why am I just now hearing about this? Hello! There was a priest in the Slayer dream Buffy and I shared.”

 

The heat of an imaginary fireball warmed Faith’s skin, and she pulled Dawn more directly in front of her torso. “I told B,” she mumbled from her safe spot behind her girlfriend.

 

Buffy’s wry expression seemed to indicate she was not happy about that fact. “Yeah, sorry, Will. I kind of forgot. You know, we were a little busy trying to find the First – who I thought was in the house – when we got back. Apparently, the First has some kind of assistant. The priest Faith fought in the basement.”

 

“It seems we have the final two pieces of the puzzle.” Kirstan moved slowly to a chair and sat down.  She shifted uncomfortably for a second, wincing a few times until she appeared to find a comfortable position.

 

The reminder of Kirstan’s injury, and the reason behind it, caused Faith to do some squirming of her own. Until Dawn’s hand reached back to lightly stroke her cheek. “We have them,” Dawn agreed. “How do they fit together?”

 

“Perhaps we are still missing something.” Elbows resting on his knees, Giles leaned forward. “Is the reason for the priest’s appearance his vocation? Or is it something else?”

 

***

 

“What else could there be?” Willow shook her head and tried to recall the details of that part of the dream. “The priest in the dream was celebrating Mass, Giles. We tried this angle before.” She struggled to keep the edge of impatience out of her voice. This was wasting time. Why weren’t they working on how to destroy the First?

 

Giles didn’t bother hiding his impatience. It blazed from his eyes – along with his clear disappointment in Willow’s response. “Yes, Willow, we did. However, at the time, we did not think the priest himself would be real. Our research centered on cataloguing random details you and Buffy recalled. Those details may provide a way to connect this man to the First’s plan.”

 

Buffy suddenly gripped Willow’s hand tightly. “What if I try to remember everything again?” she offered. Relax, Will. You know this is how Giles always does things. We’ll have to go over this dream until it turns into a nightmare.

 

The words, whispered through their link, made Willow blush. She did know the way Giles operated. “Sorry, Giles,” she apologized out loud. “I guess I’m more freaked about all this than I thought.” Pulling away from Buffy for a second, Willow dropped to sit on the floor next to her wife’s leg. “Let’s go through the dream again.” She closed her eyes to help with the visualization and launched into another verbal description.

 

She’d gotten through a rundown of the priest’s robe and the people sitting in the pew with her and Buffy when Tara interrupted. “W-Willow? You said something the first time about what the priest was saying.  That he was apologizing…”

 

“’Mea culpa’,” Willow quoted from memory. Then she remembered something else. “Fred, did you ever find out what the red robes meant? Is that the clue we need?”

 

“A little.” Fred glanced at Willow for a second before returning to her examination of her shoes. “It wasn’t much, though. Red is one of the accepted colors for liturgical robes. Usually, red symbolizes blood or fire.”

 

It might not be much, but Willow thought the information seemed fitting. “Red for blood. That’s good. I mean, not good good. More good that it matches this priest working for the First. That’s bound to mean bloodshed.” No one else jumped on board with her rambling explanation. “Or not.” She cleared her throat and leaned her head against Buffy’s knee. “Anything else, Fred?”

 

A rapidly nodding head answered her. “Yes. The color can also represent one of the feasts celebrating martyrs or saints.” She stopped and pushed her glasses up her nose. “I couldn’t find anything to really tie the robe to anything more sinister. Sorry.”

 

Another dead end. Hiding in the guest house until this was all over sounded better and better. “If it’s not the color, what?” Willow continued to push for an answer. Her head pounded and thinking made the pain worse.

 

Surprisingly, it was Faith who answered. “What if it’s more where the priest is in the mass?”

 

Willow’s eyes popped open despite the headache and she craned her neck around to look at Faith. “You know about Catholic religious ceremonies?” she asked incredulously.

 

She wished she’d kept the comment to herself when Faith met her eyes and said softly, “Yeah, Red. I grew up in Boston, remember? It’s got a lot of churches – and they’re quiet, cool, and free to get in all day long. I spent my share of time hanging out in there.”

 

Buffy came to Willow’s rescue again. “If we aren’t looking at the robe, Faith, what could it be? I don’t know anything about masses – in Latin or English.” Her smile verged on mocking. “Besides, you’re in charge now. Impress us with your brilliance. It’s part of the job.”

 

“Right.” The word was sarcastic, but Faith had relaxed  at Buffy’s good-natured teasing. So did Willow. “All I’m saying, B, is that the part Red mentioned starts the whole asking God to forgive your sins thing. From there, you get some chanting and shit and then communion. When the people in the church go up and get bread and drink wine.”

 

“That goes along with what you told us the priest yelled at you in the basement, Faith.” Drew stretched her arms over her head as she spoke. “All that stuff about going to hell and paying for your sins.”

 

“Huh.” Faith seemed surprised by the news. “Guess it does, Little Red.”

 

Willow hadn’t heard about any of this. “I’ve got an idea,” she said with a slight growl in her voice. “Why don’t you walk us through what happened in the basement, Faith, in case one of us who hasn’t heard about it sees a connection with the dream.”

 

The smile Faith gave her didn’t do anything to alleviate Willow’s irritation. “Sure, Red. Here’s the recap. I got my assed kicked by the priest while listening to a lecture on how I was a whore and taking the fast train to Hell.”  She paused and cocked her head. “Oh, and the guy kept bragging about how I hadn’t seen anything yet. The big show was on the way and he was gonna make sure I got what was coming to me since he was the ‘right hand of the Lord’.”

 

“You didn’t tell us that part before, Faith,” Tara said. Unlike Willow’s similar statement, she didn’t sound angry about it. Poking Drew in the side until the other girl moved out of the way, Tara climbed to her feet. “It could have saved us a lot of time…”

 

Willow glanced up at Faith and Buffy and shared a look with each of them. “I guess you’ve solved our mystery,” she said to her former girlfriend. Her title of “Big Gun” was so in jeopardy right now. Regarding Tara glumly, Willow murmured, “How about sharing with the rest of us?”

 

CHAPTER 62

 

One of Tara’s eyebrows rose, and she gave Willow a familiar smile. “I’m not the one with problems sharing, sweetie.” A blush crawled up Willow’s face at the mild rebuke as Tara continued. “We’ve all been concentrating on what the man – the priest – knew about the First, but I don’t think that’s why he’s important. I don’t think he knows anything.”

 

That didn’t make sense. Straightening and ignoring the lingering embarrassment over Tara’s statement, Willow asked, “If he doesn’t know anything, why is he with the First?”

 

“It isn’t what he knows, Willow. It’s what he is.” Tara’s voice rose slightly and her smile widened with excitement. “We’ve been over and over the dream and the information from the books. What does the First need more than anything?”

 

It was like listening to Giles. Shifting impatiently, Willow wondered why everyone (Tara, in particular) felt the need to drag things out. Buffy’s hand on her shoulder pulled Willow back to the conversation.

 

“He needs a body,” Buffy answered Tara’s question. Her fingers gripped Willow’s shoulder tighter, and she leaned forward. “Oh my God. He needs a body. Will, the priest…”

 

The repetition of the phrase woke Willow’s mind. She followed Buffy’s line of reasoning and Her eyes widened. “You think the priest is a vessel,” she stated softly. “The First can use his body to gain a form.” And as soon as that happened…the full power of the First Evil would be free. “We can’t let that happen.”

 

“Don’t worry, Red. It won’t.” Faith raised shadowed eyes and smiled tightly. “Now that we know about the body switch, it ain’t a big deal to keep it from happening.” The smile wavered. “Too bad I didn’t know in the basement. We coulda ended this thing then.”

 

It was the perfect solution. Looking into Faith’s eyes, though, Willow realized making that solution happen was anything but perfect.

 

Kirstan must have come to the same conclusion. “Don’t count your guilty votes yet, little girl.” Pointing a finger at Faith, she said firmly, “You aren’t the only one who can take care of the priest. The rules about killing humans only apply to Slayers. We might be short on numbers; however, there are still some ‘regular’ people available to do the job.”

 

“Indeed,” Giles agreed. “It has long been part of a Watcher’s training to accept that role. No matter the mystical nature of the Slayer, her foes are not solely demonic.”

 

Relaxing back against Buffy’s leg, Willow sighed softly. Thank the Goddess for that. In the heat of battle, taking out a ‘Bringer didn’t seem so terrible. Planning to kill the priest in cold blood was far different. It wasn’t right to place Faith in that situation, and asking Buffy to do it was never going to happen. Not as long as Willow was around.

 

“Does it need to come to that, Rupert?” Wesley stretched his legs out in front him as he reclined on a couch across the room. “Killing the priest might delay the First’s ascent to power; it won’t keep it from simply finding a new vessel and completing its plans at another time. We should focus our efforts on that eventuality.”

 

Unfortunately, Willow didn’t think Wesley understood the risks of that option. Absently stroking a hand up and down Buffy’s calf, she said, “It isn’t that easy. If we go with Xander’s idea and create a form for the First, it still can’t access its power. Let it infuse a vessel, though, and we don’t have an edge anymore.” In fact, given what the First had accomplished by simply siphoning energy from her reservoir, Willow didn’t even want to imagine how much the balance of power would shift if it had a corporeal form. “The priest is the key. I don’t think the First can simply find a new vessel if we can take it out. It’s like with the Master. The vessel is chosen because he or she can channel power that the Master – or the First – needs. You can’t just run down Main Street and pick the first person you see. You have to hunt for the right one.”

 

Her words fell into a sudden silence.

 

“It looks like we got one choice, Red.” Faith said brusquely, breaking the quiet. “Let the First get all superpowered and then you and the Other Reds can do your mojo.”

 

As always, Faith’s blunt assessment of the facts set Willow’s teeth on edge. She pushed the irritation back, though. No matter how much she might have liked a different summation, Faith had gotten the basics of their situation correct.

 

Drew didn’t sound upset when she rejoined the conversation. “It’s hard to say that’s the only decision when we aren’t sure what that mojo means, Faith. Mama?” She turned to Jennifer. “Overloading something as powerful as the First…Will eight of us be enough?”

 

***

 

Buffy shifted on the couch so she could get a better look at Jennifer. This was way over her head. All of the magic and the First using a vessel. She didn’t want to look stupid, though. And that made it harder to interject a soft, “Eight? I thought there were only six of us.”

 

“I was wondering that myself,” Jennifer said with a sardonic glance at Drew. “You’ve been hiding something from me, haven’t you?”

 

With a shrug, Drew brushed off the question. “We didn’t want to be a distraction. Besides, I’m not like Buffy or Faith. I knew about the bond. The only reason it took me and Tara this long was that I had to get right with putting aside my magical studies.”

 

Willow stiffened against Buffy’s leg. “Tara!”

 

This felt far different now that Buffy wasn’t the one facing a former lover’s change in status. Easy, Will, she cautioned mentally. Working to keep any hint of her amusement from her thoughts, Buffy began a slow massage of Willow’s shoulders. It slipped in anyway. Do I need to drag you off to the Love Den and remind you who you’re in love with?

 

A bright blush crawled up Willow’s cheeks and her head shook violently. “No,” she mumbled.

 

Her response to Buffy’s mental commentary sparked a reaction in Drew. “No? Did I miss something, Willow?” Springing upright, she faced Willow and Buffy with her fisted hands planted on her hips. “Like maybe you being married to someone else? You have no right…”

 

Drew broke off abruptly when Tara calmly reached out and took one of her hands. “Sit down, sweetie. Willow wasn’t talking to us.” She smiled and pointed the index finger on her free hand at Buffy. “She was talking to Buffy…”

 

It hit Buffy hard. It wasn’t a surprise that Tara knew about the link. Most of the people gathered in the room knew about that. Buffy’s stomach twisted at the thought that Tara might actually sense when she used the link to converse with Willow. Meeting Tara’s eyes, Buffy wrestled with a sudden, and completely inappropriate, surge of jealousy.

 

“Damn, T. Why’d you break up the fight? It woulda been way better than more research on the First.” Faith smirked and winked at Buffy. “Think about it, B. Two Reds rolling around on the floor.  Toss a little mud or oil on ‘em…”

 

Muscles tightening, Buffy started to get up. Still struggling with her reaction to Tara, Faith’s comment grated on her already taut nerves. Faith was out of line – just like always. Then she met Faith’s eyes and froze. Those eyes weren’t laughing. This wasn’t a joke. It was an attempt to keep things from exploding. Sobering quickly, Buffy played along. “Next time?”

 

Faith’s smirk twisted slightly. “Good call. You always did keep things to the point, B.” Faith turned back to Drew. “Sorry, Little Red. The smackdown’s gotta wait.” It worked; although, Drew didn’t appear to be happy as she resumed her seat. “So it looks like we let the First do its thing with the priest. Then what? How, exactly, do we blow it up?”

 

There was a lot of shifting and cleared throats among the witches.

 

“It should be really simple, Faith,” Jennifer finally answered. Should be. Buffy rolled her eyes and waited for the rest of the news. “If I understand Willow’s plan, all of us – the bonded pairs – combine our energies and pour it into the First’s new body.”

 

Ah. “Kind of like the soda machine pouring soda into the cup,” Buffy said. She grinned in relief. That didn’t sound so bad. “As long as we have more energy than the First has space, the magic should overload.”

 

“In theory,” Willow agreed. Her fingers wrapped around Buffy’s calf as she talked. “Only, because the priest is corporeal, the magic will be trapped inside him. Instead of spilling over, it should cause the First explode.”

 

There were a lot of ‘shoulds’ and ‘coulds’. Buffy narrowed her eyes and said, “Theory and reality are never the same thing, Will. It’s like prophecies and me staying dead.”

 

It was supposed to be a joke, only no one laughed.

 

“If the magic don’t work right, can we just kill the First? Once it’s got a body, stakes or swords will do the job.” Faith pointed at the Scythe, leaning against the side of the couch. “Bet that’ll solve all our problems.”

 

Looking thoughtful, Giles said, “The only flaw I can see is the lack of detail regarding the magical portion of the attack. How are you going to incite the First to join with its vessel?” He peered over his glasses at Jennifer. “And how will the power transfer take place? You are undoubtedly experienced in arcane matters; however, only half of your group is comfortable with magic use.”

 

Buffy was glad he refrained from pointing out that the inexperienced parts of the crew were (with the exception of Dawn) all Slayers. “That isn’t true, Giles.” When everyone looked at her, she shrugged. “Faith and I are pretty much the problem. Dawn’s had some training and Kirstan’s picked up a few things from Jennifer, I’m sure. How can you get us up to speed?”

 

A sharp finger poked into Buffy’s knee. “Hello? Wife here?” Willow gave Buffy a mock glare. “Did you think I was going to drag you to the fight with a ‘don’t worry, Buff, I’ve got it covered?’”

 

They’d worked without a net for so long, the thought had crossed Buffy’s mind. She avoided making that admission, however. “Nope,” she lied with a bright smile – then quickly changed the subject. “Faith and I will be at your disposal for Magic Lessons, Will.”

 

“We aren’t going to have time for that, Buffy,” Jennifer disagreed. “I doubt the First will sit back and wait for us to find a way to destroy it. The ritual used to open the Seal required a lot of power. It’s weakened, and tonight had to be a blow to its plans. We effectively limited its forces by keeping the Hellmouth closed.”

 

“Great. It’s tired and pissed it off and it’s probably going to end up here.” Faith didn’t look entirely unhappy at that. “Xan, your soldier memories up for a job?”

 

One hand gently stroking Anya’s shoulder, Xander nodded. “I can try, Faith. We don’t have any more resources than we did the first time you asked me that, though.”

 

***

 

The reminder wasn’t necessary. Faith was very aware of just how bad the situation was. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she met Xander’s eyes. “Do what you can,” she told him soberly before glancing at the rest of the room. Without the Potentials and the two Watchers who had followed them to the basement, the research crew had drastically thinned in number.

 

“I can help.” Gunn raised a hand to get Faith’s attention. “Got lots of experience taking out demons and vamps with small groups.”

 

Sometimes, being in charge wasn’t so bad. Before Faith had to more than nod at Gunn’s suggestion, Xander spoke up. “The more the merrier. How about you, Wes? You look like you’ve picked up a thing or two since LA.”

 

Bodies shifted and realigned themselves in the room. Faith resumed her scan once everyone had resettled. “Go with that, Xan. Take Gunn and Wes and…” She paused and pointed at one of the Watchers. “I’m bad with names.”

 

An eyebrow quirked in an eerie resemblance to Giles. “Edward Ayre,” the thin, balding man uttered in clipped tones.

 

“You’re with them, Eddie.” Faith bit back a smirk at his outraged look. After all the time at the ranch, he still hadn’t figured out the way she operated. “Once you got a plan, let us know. Remember that the Juniors are gonna have to pull their weight.”

 

Xander nodded in acknowledgement and then he and his troops filed out of the large room.

 

Into the vacuum left behind by their departure, Tara said softly, “What about the magic? Shouldn’t we at least have an idea how our plan will work before we have to use it for real?”

 

The very idea made Faith’s skin crawl. No matter how certain Willow and the rest of the red heads in the room were, she didn’t trust magic to take out the First. “Uh…” Couldn’t they find another way?

 

“We don’t want to expend too much power yet.” Jennifer’s comment nearly brought a cheer from Faith – until she continued. “That doesn’t mean we can’t work on getting the links established and learn to keep them solid. Group casting isn’t easy under the best circumstances, and I doubt the First is going to stand still and let us try to destroy it.”

 

It was a good point. “What do we need to do?” Even Faith could hear the reluctance in her own voice.

 

Frowning, Jennifer didn’t answer immediately. “The eight of us are going to have to do a little mind melding, to borrow Xander’s Star Trek reference.” Her expression didn’t lighten. “For the non-magic users…that means lowering shield and merging our personal energies. Reaching out and holding invisible hands.”

 

“Is it too late to say ‘no’?” Dawn wiggled in Faith’s lap. “Too much sharing is bad. Not to mention I might be scarred by some of the things in Buffy’s head.”

 

There were some smothered chuckles – and a lot of understanding looks.

 

“Sorry, Dawnie,” Willow chirped. “You’ll just have to put up with it. Besides, you’re forgetting one very cringe-worthy item.” She waved a hand around the room. “I get to share those kinds of things with my parents, my ex girlfriend, my sister (who’s dating my ex-girlfriend)…” Her cheerful smile faded. “We’re all in the same boat.”

 

“Before this gets anymore out of hand, I suggest you get started.” The female Watcher to Giles’ left stood. “Those of us not intimately involved in the process will set up a protective perimeter and continue to research ways to defeat the First.”

 

Seven people made a thin line of defense. The uninjured members of the research crew grabbed books and weapons and spread out in a circle around the paired couples.

 

Jennifer remained in command within the protective boundary. “OK, ladies, move in closer. This is going to be hard enough without us reaching halfway across the room to make contact. Sit on the floor and make sure you’re touching the person on either side of you. Hands, knees…It doesn’t matter how. Touch will make this easier.”

 

Reluctantly letting Dawn of her lap, Faith stood and kept a tight hold on her girlfriend’s hand. They joined the rest of the crew on the large area rug and Faith was unhappily aware that Willow sat on her left.

 

She caught a similarly pained expression on Willow’s face before it smoothed out.

 

In seconds, all eight women sat on the floor, cross-legged with the exception of Kirstan, who mostly leaned against Jennifer. “Let’s start slowly, ladies, and work through our bonds. No big surprises at first. Just close your eyes, relax, and reach out to your mate.”

 

CHAPTER 63

 

It was like swimming in a pool of thick black ink. Faith wallowed around blindly as she tried to find Dawn. She knew her shields were down. She’d had enough training from Diana and Giles in the early days to do that successfully. Faith could even – faintly – feel the other power signatures in the room. Pinpointing the one she wanted, though, proved more difficult.

 

Sweat popped out on her forehead. The cold, clammy sensation mixed with the rising frustration she felt at her failure. Fuck! Faith growled at herself.

 

Not here, honey. Dawn’s giggle tickled Faith’s mind. Buffy’s in the room with us. You’ll just have to hold off those H’s and wait.

 

The frustration and anger faded in an instant. Tentatively, Faith responded, Come on. Watching us might teach her a thing or two. With each mental word, the conversation got easier. Faith relaxed and reached out farther with her senses. As nice as it was to finally accomplish this one skill… Well, she wanted more.

 

Dawn was patiently waiting for her. The darkness Faith had been swimming through faded with a soundless pop. Rainbow colors flared in its place, and Faith blinked mental eyes at the sudden brightness. Looks like a real good trip, D. It always this freaky in your head?

 

Who said we were in my head? This might just be yours… Faith could feel Dawn’s smile as she talked. I bet you’re a big old softie behind the Dark Faith smirk. Two invisible arms wrapped around Faith and held on tight. And I want that Faith to be all mine.

 

Before Faith could figure out how to return the hug, Jennifer’s voice broke into their conversation. Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but we need to move this along. Talking with your partner should be second nature. Extending beyond the link, though, is harder.

 

An image popped into Faith’s mind: a table, filled with a half-completed puzzle.

 

Merging all of us together is like putting a puzzle together. Jennifer continued. Each one of us is a separate piece. You need to keep your hold on your partner and reach out to the ‘piece’ on your left. If your partner is on your left, stay put and let the rest of us fit in around you.

 

When Jennifer finished giving directions, Faith reluctantly tried to follow them. Her muscles strained along with her mind as she sought to split her focus between the feel of Dawn still wrapped around her and locating Willow.

 

***

 

Willow gripped Buffy’s hand tightly as she waited for the next step. Her position on the floor meant there wasn’t much for her to do at the moment; Buffy sat on her left, and they’d easily opened themselves to each other. It was hard to simply sit, though. Willow could see all of the others in the room clearly with her internal sight.

 

Drew and Tara were solid and calm. As Willow watched, a slight flare along the edges of Jennifer’s and Drew’s auras announced that they had successfully merged their personal barriers.

 

Pushing more power through her bond with Buffy, Willow tried to help her wife make the same connection with Tara. All you have to do, sweetie, is… Her mental encouragement broke off in a pained grunt as something slammed into her from the right.

 

Willow redirected her attention in another direction. Wildly flaring colors and jagged edges greeted her gaze.

 

Faith.  She was trying too hard to make her connection with Willow.

 

Pull back, Willow told her. The message obviously didn’t get through. Faith brutally slammed into her right side,  and another groan escaped Willow. Faith! There was no response so Willow did the only thing she could think of. Ignoring Jennifer’s instructions, she reached around Faith and tapped on Dawn’s energy. Dawnie, I need some help.

 

I know, and I’m trying, Will. Dawn’s mental voice sounded strained. I’m talking to Faith now; she doesn’t understand what I’m trying to tell her!

 

Wonderful. Stifling an impatient sigh, Willow raised a shield between herself and Faith and considered her options. There weren’t any. They needed to get used to merging their energies. That meant learning to work together. Turning her head and scanning the other auras, Willow saw that everyone else had completed the circuit. She and Faith were the only signs of dissonance.

 

Mama? Willow asked. Can you see what’s going on? There was no way she wanted to try forcing the meld on Faith.

 

A light brush on her face indicated that Jennifer was already working on a solution. Lower your barrier again, Willow. I’m going to have Kirstan make the first move and bring Faith in. They’ve already got a bond through their Slayers.

 

Not to mention that there was no shared (and painful) history between them. Willow appreciated Jennifer leaving that part out. Got it. She pulled the shield down and floated, giving Kirstan a chance to get past Faith’s whirling emotions.

 

A subtle shift in the power nearby, though, had Willow quickly holding up a mental hand. Wait! Not yet, Mom. I think… I think Dawn’s got this one.

 

***

 

Faith didn’t understand. She could see Willow in front of her; feel the edges of her energy. Why couldn’t she get her own ‘piece’ to fit into place? Reaching out again, Faith tried to grip Willow’s glowing aura. The soft outline of blue energy rippled at her touch - and then faded under her fingers.

 

Damn it! Nearly growling, Faith poured more energy into her efforts. Jennifer had said this was like putting a puzzle together. Well, when the pieces didn’t quite fit, sometimes you had to muscle it in. She started to reach for Willow one more time. She could do this.

 

Before Faith had a chance to prove her skills, Dawn intervened. Hey, Will and I worked together earlier. I bet some of that link is still there. Want me to drive for a minute?

 

Under normal circumstances, Faith would never have agreed. She was a Slayer, after all. She could stake a dozen vampires without breaking a sweat. Whatever, D. Despite needing Dawn’s help, Faith wasn’t able to accept it gracefully. Not yet, anyway. It rankled that that she couldn’t keep up with the rest of the group. Gritting her teeth, Faith relinquished control, sinking her awareness deeper into the link she had managed to form with Dawn.

 

Control issues? Faith swore she felt one of Dawn’s fingers jab her side as she mocked Faith’s reluctant agreement. We are so going to get rid of those. I’m not letting you turn into a taller, sexier version of my sister.

 

That won’t happen. Willow’s voice joined their conversation as a new, unbelievably strong hand gripped Faith’s left. Buffy’s one of a kind.

 

The Circle was now complete. Glancing up through the shimmering waves of power Willow emanated, Faith peered at the rest of the room. It was easy to pick out her own and Buffy’s auras – they were the only two forms not blazing brightly. Dull and orange, they pulsed almost sullenly, two unwilling participants in the mystical procedure.

 

What now? Faith waited impatiently for someone to do something. Wasn’t this only the first step?

 

Even before she’d completed the thought, Kirstan spoke up. You know, kid, we’re going to add patience to the list of things I’m teaching you.

 

And all of you like to talk too much, Jennifer added. Faith heard the gentle teasing in her mental voice. This is the first step, yes. From here, though…We’ll need another session for that. I can feel the strain. We’re fighting the meld, and we can’t do that and pool our power.

 

Faith frowned and monitored her connections to Willow and Dawn. It took a few tries before she saw what Jennifer referred to. A weakness. A place where her hold on the other two wavered and stretched thinly.  My bad, Faith mumbled to the group. She fought the urge to pull away and closed her hand around Dawn’s more tightly. That connection firmed. However, when she tried the same maneuver on Willow…

 

Her fingers slipped and seemed to fall through Willow’s. The group dimmed and the real view of the room sprang up in stark contrast to the ephemeral circle of people sitting on the area rug.

 

You can’t leave yet, Faith, Willow commented. The party’s just started.

 

Energy poured through Faith, numbing her left side and making her head buzz. Reeling at the influx, she blinked – and the physical room disappeared.

 

Listen up, ladies. This is serious business. Jennifer’s glare came through their link as a heavy weight settling on Faith’s shoulder. This isn’t the place for showing off.

 

Now Willow’s embarrassment colored the room in a rose-colored haze.

 

And you can’t do this with brute force, either. Jennifer added.

 

Got it. Faith didn’t bother looking to see how her own twisted emotions affected the group. She kept her focus on the two women sitting next to her and listened for more direction from their obvious leader.

 

An invisible hand brushed Faith’s shoulder. This is advanced magic. If you aren’t used to it, it isn’t supposed to be easy. The important thing is that we managed to come together. The next time we try this…We add the next step.

 

When? Buffy asked. The First isn’t going to wait forever. If you were right about us slowing it down…

 

Faith picked up on the thought. B’s got a point. Don’t we need to get this whole magic deal figured out before we got ‘Bringers coming through the windows again? Tell us what we gotta do, Momma Red, and let’s do it.

 

Agreement trickled through the link, and Faith relaxed marginally. At least most of them were on the same page.

 

I agree we’re in a hurry, but we need to stop, Faith, Tara said on the heels that thought. You’re already going to wake up with a killer headache. We’re stretched too thin after last night. Let’s get some rest and try again this evening.

 

It makes sense, T. Tired ain’t half of what I’m feeling. Not to mention the fact Kirstan had to be close to collapsing. Faith pushed for more, though. If the First showed up on the doorstep before they knew what the next step was… Look, we don’t gotta do the whole thing. I just think it’s smart to make sure we’re good to go if the First shows up.

 

She felt Tara waver. The link wasn’t letting anyone hide their emotions. I don’t think… Tara began to back away from her previous hard line refusal.

 

Enough, Faith. Kirstan was adamant. I’m old, I’m tired, and I’m half dead. We’re closing up shop for the day. I know we keep telling you to make the tough choices, and normally I’d sit back and let you do just that.

 

This wasn’t normal. Kirstan’s implication made reversing her decision easier. I’m gonna give you a break this once, Old Timer. Next time, though… Faith turned to Jennifer. How do we take this big-assed puzzle apart now?

 

Jennifer’s mental thank you was faint but heartfelt. Letting go is the easy part. Release your hold on the people next to you and bring your shields back up. As if she had suited actions to words, Jennifer faded from Faith’s awareness.

 

One by one, the rest of the gang blinked out until only Dawn remained. Alone at last, Dawn said with a smile. I could get used to this. Seeing the New Faith.

 

Yeah, yeah. Faith reluctantly released Dawn and blinked. The living room brightened around them and she stifled a groan as her muscles protested the prolonged time on the floor. “I thought this magic was supposed to be easier than Slayin’.” She stood, swaying unsteadily for a second, and looked at Jennifer. “Let me and B get the Old Timer settled. She’s too heavy for you to carry by yourself.”

 

***

 

Buffy tossed a leftover piece of broken table leg at Faith. “Hey, I didn’t volunteer to tote and carry. I’m on the injured list, remember?” She pointed to her bloody thigh.

 

If she was hoping for sympathy, she didn’t get any. “Suck it up, B. That’s just a scratch. The Old Timer took one in the back. Quit bitching and give me a hand.” Faith twirled the mini stake on her palm before dropping it on a chair.

 

Rolling her eyes, Buffy winked at Willow on her way to Kirstan’s spot on the floor. “I can bitch all I want. I’m not in charge anymore. It’s my job to make things as hard as possible for you. Think back.  I’m sure you can remember how you…helped me back in the day.” This was fun. Buffy enjoyed the chance to poke at Faith without fear of starting a fight.

 

When she reached Kirstan, Buffy knelt and levered a shoulder under Kirstan’s right arm.

 

Faith took the other side. “On three, B?”

 

“Shut up and move already,” Kirstan commented tightly. Buffy noticed the pinched look on her face. “I’ll be too old to fight the First if you two keep up the comedy routine. Practice on your own time.”

 

Sobering immediately, Buffy met Faith’s eyes and they rose in concert with Kirstan balanced between them.

 

CHAPTER 64

 

“Ever think this was a bad idea?” Faith asked as they followed Jennifer out of the living room.

 

If she hadn’t been so busy trying to support Kirstan’s much taller body, Buffy might have responded with more than a gasp and, “Not until now.” In fact, now that they were staggering down the hallway like a modern version of the Three Stooges, Buffy admitted it would have been easier for her and Faith to have carried Kirstan.

 

Luckily, despite the poor planning, the trip through the house didn’t take long. That didn’t mean all three of them weren’t sweating and aching by the time she and Faith gently lowered Kirstan onto her bed.  The older Slayer was pale and her lips pressed together tightly.

 

Buffy automatically checked Kirstan’s shirt for signs of blood. All the moving around wasn’t recommended after getting stabbed. She relaxed slightly when she glimpsed only a few bright red dots staining the fabric. “I swear, when Will and I finally retire, I refuse to get fat like some people,” Buffy teased softly as she took a step away from the bed.

 

Kirstan’s lips twitched out of their grim line. “Wait until the kids come. Somehow, you’ll gain all the weight Willow won’t. Jenny never picked up an ounce…”

 

“I did, too,” Jennifer protested from the bathroom doorway. “You have selective memory. I looked like I’d swallowed a house, and you moaned and groaned every time you had to carry me up the stairs.” She walked closer and set a basin of water and some towels on the nightstand. “Thank you, girls. I think I can handle her from here.”

 

Buffy looked at Faith. “That’s our cue.” Rolling her shoulders, she plodded back into the hall. It had been a long day. “You doing OK?” Although she wanted to disappear into a bedroom with Willow, Buffy had to ask. Faith appeared more than simply tired. Dark bruises marred the flesh under her eyes and there wasn’t a hint of a smile or smirk in sight.

 

“Five by five, B,” Faith muttered. The phrase was familiar – and in no way comforting. “How ‘bout you? I was only joking about the scratch. You want me to look at the cut? Stitch it up?” Pointing at Buffy’s thigh, Faith indicated the gash.

 

“Please.” Lightly bumping into Faith, Buffy brushed off the concern. The wound was already healing, the skin knitting together. “It’ll be fine by tonight. You look like shit, though. Are you sure you don’t need Tara or Will to check you out?” Knowing Faith had never been big on letting anyone care for her injuries, Buffy added, “Dawn can get really mad if she thinks you’re not taking care of yourself. I thought she was going to tie me to the bed a few weeks ago when a vamp broke a couple of my ribs.”

 

That got a smile. “I can handle D,” Faith boasted. “Besides, if she wants to tie me to the bed…”

 

Buffy’s hand snapped up. “Don’t go there. I so don’t want to try sleeping with that image of my sister in my head.” She glared at Faith…and then chuckled when Faith’s smirk grew. “Bitch.”

 

 

“You know it, B. I might be New Faith, but some things ain’t never going to change.” Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, Faith tilted her head to one side. “Your girl’s up there, waiting for you. Hit the road, B. I’m gonna check on the new crew first.”

 

Wow. Buffy almost reached out to see if Faith was real. “Uh…OK,” she muttered and set her foot on the first step. “I can stay, if you need me to.” Her body overruled her mind even as she spoke and she climbed the next few steps before Faith had a chance to answer. As Faith had pointed out, Willow was waiting for her – and they’d collectively put Faith in charge. Buffy was free to leave. Letting that thought seep into consciousness, Buffy concentrated on the light brush of mental fingers on her mind.

 

“Get outta here, B, before Red comes down and blames me for slowing you down.” Faith’s comment barely penetrated Buffy’s awareness.

 

“Night,” Buffy managed to answer and then she picked up her pace. Taking the final few stairs two at a time, she hit the second floor landing and paused. Which room?

 

A pale blue mist appeared in the hallway as if conjured by her thoughts.

 

Buffy hesitated, testing the trail of energy with her senses. Not evil. Not by a long shot. The glowing trail felt distinctly ‘Willow’. “Guess this is my personal Willow-brick road,” she muttered with a grin. Following the strange homing beacon, Buffy made her way to the last room in the hallway and reached for the door handle.

 

The door swung open before she could complete the movement.

 

“What took you so long?” Willow’s voice asked.

 

“Uh…” Slipping inside, Buffy visually searched the small room. She could feel Willow; there was no sight of her in the bedroom, though. “Will, come on. I’m too tired to play hide and seek.”

 

Party pooper, Willow grumped in Buffy’s mind. I wasn’t planning on making you count to ten and then hunt me down. I’m in the bathroom…with your bubble bath. In case your Slayer senses aren’t working, you stink.

 

The last comment was accompanied by a very clear image of Willow wrinkling her nose, and Buffy laughed. “Sorry, Will.” Plodding across the room, Buffy stuck her head through the partially open bathroom door with the intention of apologizing again.

 

The words stuck in her throat.

 

Surrounded by flickering candlelight and piles of frothy bubbles, Willow leaned against the back of a narrow tub.

 

Buffy’s exhaustion took a backseat to desire. “God…” The soft benediction was eclipsed by a growl as her post-battle desire rekindled. The ripped and blood-stained jeans Buffy wore became a pile of denim pieces on the tile floor; her shirt followed quickly.

 

“Now, Buffy,” Willow chided with a grin, “you didn’t exactly come with suitcases in hand. What are you going to wear to fight the First?”

 

Clothing wasn’t even on the list of things in Buffy’s mind. In two powerful steps, she stood at the side of the tub and stared down at the pale, freckled skin peeking above the bubbles. “I’ll try Faith’s demon fighting outfit,” she declared absently. “Somebody has to match that thing she did with the Church bus.”

 

Hmmm… Buffy purred when Willow giggled at her comment – and bubbles slipped and slid away from her jiggling breasts.

 

“I like it when you laugh.” It was a true statement; although, Buffy didn’t fully explain her enjoyment.

 

“Do you like the sound…or the view?” Willow wasn’t stupid. She pointed a finger at Buffy and tried to scowl. “Stop ogling me and get in. I can feel you touching me from over there, and I can tell you right now there are no cuddles to be had until you wash the dirt and blood off, Slayer.”

 

It was enough to prod Buffy out of her stupor. Lifting one foot, she searched for a Willow-free spot in the tub. The hot water seared her skin for the first few seconds until she was fully immersed. Then the tingling faded and the warmth soaked into her tired muscles. “You’re a genius, Will. And you take such good care of me.” Buffy spoke softly, but the words still echoed through the small room.

 

And I always will, Buffy. Willow’s mental voice was much better. It didn’t fill the room; it filled Buffy instead. The feel of her hands and the washcloth gliding up and down Buffy’s arms mixed with mental caresses along their link. We have a lifetime to spend together, sweetie. I’m not going anywhere.

 

I know, Buffy replied. Then she grinned wryly. Well, I think my heart knows it. My head…

 

An affectionate mental hand tapped Buffy’s head. Stupid head. It needs to listen better. I’m right here, Buffy. With you in this tub, in the big fight, and in our future.

 

***

 

Willow continued to gently clean the grime from Buffy’s body, taking extra care with the healing cut on her leg, as she talked. I’m not letting you back out now. I’ve got my wedding dress all picked out and our honeymoon spot reserved.

 

She thought for a second that Buffy was going to freak. The relaxed muscles under Willow’s hands twitched. As long as you don’t have plans for a sunny beach, Will, we’re good. I’ve had enough sun and sand for one lifetime. How about something less swim-y and more snow-y? I haven’t seen snow since Mom took me and Dawn to visit our aunt in Illinois.

 

The link they shared didn’t allow Willow any privacy for her mental victory dance, and she heard Buffy’s laughter as she celebrated. Will Montana do? Mom and Dad went there once, and they brought back a lot of pictures. It has mountains and snow… and privacy. She purred the last word and stroked the washcloth over Buffy’s face. We can find a little cabin somewhere and create our own Den of Love where there are no parents, sisters, or wanna-be Slayers around.

 

Perfect. Buffy’s mental voice was fuzzy with a mixture of desire and exhaustion. I can’t wait to leave. We aren’t even going to take the time to pack. We can buy what we need on the way.

 

Of course, Willow picked up Buffy’s real intention behind the words. We’ll burn the cabin down trying to stay warm if we’re naked the whole time, she replied fondly. Tossing the washcloth aside, Willow stood up and reached for one of the towels on the nearby rack. But…you might be able to convince me to give it a try.

 

Buffy’s relaxed pose was a ruse now. Willow shuddered at the raw emotion flooding through their bond. Water cascaded to the floor as Buffy surged from the tub and ripped the towel from Willow’s hand and wrapped her up in it. “Be convinced,” Buffy stated.

 

Oops. Willow looked up into the molten copper eyes of the Slayer. “I’m naked now, Buffy.” Getting a hand free of her cotton cocoon, she reached out and stroked along Buffy’s neck. “And it’s plenty warm in here.” Stifling, in fact. “Why don’t you carry me to bed, and we can pretend we’re in our cabin right now.”

 

“I don’t need to pretend, Will.” Buffy’s voice was deep and rough. as the Slayer’s primitive speech patterns merged with Buffy’s normal tone. “For tonight, this is our cabin – and I’m not letting you near clothes until the First is on the doorstep.” Her head bent and her lips claimed Willow’s as they moved out of the bathroom.

 

The towel disappeared moments later. The comforter was cool against Willow’s back when Buffy gently lay her down. “Who needs clothes?” Winding her legs around Buffy’s waist, Willow made sure her wife couldn’t escape. Droplets of the water still beading Buffy’s skin dripped onto her stomach and chest. “Someone’s getting me all wet, Slayer. You should have taken the time to dry off. Look at me.” With a smirk, Willow drew Buffy’s attention to the water drops on her chest by stroking a finger along her skin.

 

Buffy’s eyes followed the movement hypnotically. “Sorry…” she mumbled. One hand lifted and she started to reach for the towel that had fallen onto the floor below them.

 

“No, Slayer,” Willow disagreed. “We don’t need that.” She flexed her legs so that Buffy lay pressed against her. Threading her fingers into Buffy’s wet hair, she steered Buffy’s head closer to her chest.

 

It was all the encouragement Buffy needed.

 

The first water droplet evaporated under a puff of warm breath. Then, as if making sure Willow was completely dry, Buffy’s lips skimmed the same spot. “All gone,” she whispered softly. The lips lifted before finding the next wet patch. “Don’t worry, Will… I’ll take care of everything.”

 

***

 

 

Faith watched Buffy sprint up the stairs and chuckled. Someone was expecting to get lucky. Turning away from the staircase, the laughter faded. Well, luck wasn’t in her future. She had work to do. They all needed sleep – and to stay safe.

 

That meant putting sentries around the house.

 

Already sorting through the new faces and names of the Potentials and Watchers, Faith strode down the hall toward the living room.

 

“Is Kirstan alright?” Dawn met Faith at the doorway, wrapping her in a tight hug.

 

A purr tried to work its way out of Faith’s throat as she returned the embrace. “Five by five, D. Mama Red’s in there makin’ sure she’s comfy, if you know what I mean.” Some of Faith’s exhaustion faded as Dawn’s hands stroked up and down her back.

 

The almost-purr mutated into a yelp as one of Dawn’s hands gave up stroking and smacked into Faith’s butt. “I do, and that’s not what Jennifer’s doing right now. And you know what I mean.” With a wink and a light pat to the same spot she’d smacked, Dawn stepped away. “I thought you’d be in to check on things here so I waited for you. Xander and the Talking Heads are back. They’ve got a few things set up.”

 

“Wicked.” Faith grabbed one of Dawn’s hands and continued into the room. Only a few people remained around one of the larger research tables. “Hey, Soldier Boy. What did you and the troops come up with?”

 

Eyes bloodshot and face marred by stubble, Xander looked up from the notepad in front of him. “Well, General, me and the boys did our best.” Despite his obvious fatigue, he grinned and slid the notes across the table. “Take a look. We’ve split the crew up into teams, one experienced fighter, a Watcher, and a few Potentials on each. The teams rotate from perimeter watch to KP to sleep.”

 

It sounded too good to be true. How had their small group suddenly gotten big enough to cover that many tasks? “What’s the catch?” Faith asked, not bothering to read the illegible scribble on the paper.

 

CHAPTER 65

 

“No catch,” Xander said immediately. “Once we stopped worrying about guarding the entire ranch, the math got easier. We pulled you and the magic crew out of the mix, though, Faith. I missed the practice session, but Dawnie filled me in. You’ve got other things to worry about. The rest of us can take care of the details while your gang figures out the important stuff like how to destroy the First.”

 

It was almost more than Faith could take in. The last time she’d talked to Xander, his news had all been grim. Now, though…Now it looked like they had a fighting chance. “Fuck, Xan, I’m thinking you should be in charge.” She wasn’t joking; Faith finally looked at the list of names on the paper Xander had given her with awe. It was so simple – and she knew she’d never have managed to do it herself.

 

As if sensing Faith’s sudden loss of confidence, Xander stood and stretched. “I may have the right memories, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready for a promotion. My Halloween persona was more familiar with small scale operations. I can move around a platoon of soldiers, sure. If things get more complicated, I’m out of my league.” He rubbed his eyes and yawned. “That’s why the Council or whoever created Slayers. Superheroes get the tough jobs like figuring out where the entire army goes.”

 

Rolling her eyes, Faith couldn’t resist pointing out the limitation of their ‘army.’ “We got thirty-four people, X-Man. That ain’t an army.” She broke off when Dawn put a hand on her shoulder.

 

“Numbers don’t matter, Faith. We’ve got something better: Slayers and witches.” With a wink at Xander, Dawn used the hand she’d placed on Faith’s shoulder to push her away from the research table. “Huh. It looks like Xander’s got it all covered for now. I guess that means I can force you upstairs for some…sleep.”

 

Faith, who had been resisting the gentle pushing, suddenly stopped trying to stay at the table. “Sleep,” she echoed. Meeting Dawn’s eyes, she felt a shiver work its way through her body. Those eyes weren’t tired – and they didn’t make Faith feel the urge to yawn. In fact, Faith clenched her hands to keep from simply tossing Dawn over her shoulder and sprinting for the stairs.

 

That was the old Faith.

 

The new Faith reached up and twined her fingers with Dawn’s, drawing the hand from her shoulder to her mouth. Her lips caressed Dawn’s palm. “The First’s gonna be knocking on the door soon. Need to be ready to rumble. You got something in mind to help us sleep real good?”

 

There was no verbal answer to her query. That didn’t mean Dawn had no response. A light tickle brushed Faith’s mind, followed by the faint sound of giggles.

 

Faith’s lips twitched at the mental sound. She didn’t reach out through their link, though. The solid weight of Dawn’s hand in hers was enough. It anchored Faith; it provided a focus for the desire slowly uncoiling inside.

 

“If you think you might need help, Faith…” Xander’s voice barely penetrated Faith’s consciousness. “I’m sure An can give you some pointers. Twelve hundred years gives her a lot of ideas about sleep.”

 

Tearing her eyes away from Dawn, Faith looked up. Xander smirked back at her. “Think D and I got it under control, Xan. I’m leavin’ you in charge down here. Get the groups set up and shit. If anything blows up…”

 

Xander nodded and waved. “We’ll come get you. Got it.”

 

When he turned away, Faith let her awareness of the room slip away. She gripped Dawn’s hand tighter and strode for the hallway. In silence, they completed the trip to the second floor of the house, joined only by their hands.

 

At the second floor landing, Dawn took the lead. Continuing down the hallway, she opened the first door on the right and walked into the same small bedroom they’d shared for their honeymoon. “Close the door,” Dawn ordered softly. Her hand fell away from Faith’s as she moved a few steps into the room.

 

Without a word, Faith put a palm out and did as requested. The move seemed to close them off from the rest of the world. Faith couldn’t hear anything outside the room. She and Dawn were alone. As if that thought were a subliminal signal, she felt muscles she hadn’t known were tense relax.

 

The relaxation didn’t last long. Her muscles went taut, and her breathing quickened as Dawn’s hands rose to the button on her shirt. Faith’s eyes were drawn to the tiny plastic circle as it slipped through the buttonhole.

 

“D, you don’t gotta…” Faith took a step toward Dawn and stopped when Dawn’s hands froze on the next button and a wave of refusal pressed through their link. Faith retraced her step and waited.

 

Dawn went back to the buttons. “I’m curious, Faith.” The shirt gaped open now, revealing a tantalizing strip of skin and the top edge of Dawn’s bra. “Are you always going to be like this? Hanging back? Waiting for me to tell you it’s OK to touch me?”

 

The questions were a surprise – although, they weren’t an inaccurate account. Faith flushed and then scowled to hide her reaction. “You were the one that told me to stop, D.” She knew exactly what Dawn meant, though. She had been hanging back, objecting to Dawn’s obvious sexual invitation.

 

When Dawn’s strip tease didn’t resume, Faith closed her eyes and bowed to the inevitable.

 

Sometimes being a reformed Slayer and a new girlfriend sucked. “It ain’t what you think, D,” Faith muttered.

 

“What am I thinking, Faith? You haven’t asked me that. Not once.” Dawn moved closer; Faith heard the quiet footfalls, even though she refused to open her eyes and look. “You claim to know, but have you really looked to see what’s in my mind?” Dawn was so close now that Faith felt warm breath caress her cheek. “You can do that now…”

 

Yes, she could. Faith frowned in confusion. She’d wanted that, wanted to have what Buffy and Willow so obviously shared. Now that it was right there, waiting for her to use, though, Faith wasn’t sure it was such a wonderful skill. Being that close to someone…

 

Dawn took the decision out of her hands. What are you afraid of, Faith? Dawn’s mental voice was gentle, and a light brush of ephemeral fingers accompanied the question. Anything you share through the bond…it’s only for us. I’m not going to run to Buffy or Willow and tell them all your secrets. I love you, Faith. I would never do that to you.

 

The invisible caressing continued; although, Dawn didn’t press for anything more. Slowly, carefully, Faith relaxed into the touch. I…I love you, too, D. The words were hard to say, and not just because the method of communication was relatively new. Faith didn’t back away, though. She needed to tell Dawn the truth. She wanted to. And I don’t think you’d go running to B. Laughter edged the link. Never thought you were all that share-y with big sis.

 

The laughter turned into a yelp when Dawn stopped stroking and pinched in retaliation. Meanie. And to think I was going to do something nice for you. Her pout was just enough overdone that Faith knew Dawn was teasing.

 

“Nice? What kind of nice, D? Looked like you were all set for some slap and tickle when we got here.” Faith made sure to send an unspoken apology for shattering the mood through their link. The mental sharing wasn’t as scary as she’d imagined, but Faith did feel as if her emotions were far too exposed. It was going to take time before opening herself to Dawn didn’t have her nearly running for cover.

 

A soft smile answered her comment. “The slap and tickle may be part of what we do, Faith. For now, though…” Dawn reached up and bracketed Faith’s face with her hands. “For now, I want to work on something with a little more meaning. Like making love.” Holding Faith’s head steady, she gazed deeply into her eyes. “Let me show you what I mean.”

 

All of Faith’s varied sexual experiences faded under Dawn’s stare. “Sure, D. Whatever you wanna do.” There was no doubt in her mind that Dawn could teach her a thing or two about love. She’d had Buffy, Joyce, and the Scoobies to give her the foundation that Faith had always lacked. Deliberately letting her hands hang at her sides, Faith tacitly gave Dawn permission to get started.

 

A ghost of a smile crossed Dawn’s face. “I’m not going to hurt you, Faith. That’s so not in the plans for tonight.” She stroked her fingers over Faith’s cheeks and lips, the touch light and languid. “Relax. I want you to enjoy the experience.” So slowly that Faith almost missed it, Dawn’s hands dropped lower. Chin, neck…

 

Faith shivered when the caresses reached the hollow of her throat and slipped inside her shirt. Her skin prickled, and it felt as if every hair on her body came to attention. The hands were gone the next second; although, Faith didn’t have time to mourn the loss.

 

Dawn maintained her leisurely trip down Faith’s body. Her next targets were Faith’s breasts. “I love you, Faith.” With her thumb and index fingers, she plucked at Faith’s peaked nipples through her shirt. “If I have to tell you that a hundred times a day for the rest of our lives to get you to believe me, I will.”

 

The pleasurable pain from the touches and the warmth in Faith’s chest from Dawn’s declaration mixed and swelled. Tears burned her eyes even as her head dropped back and she sucked in a deep breath. “Love…” Her voice caught for an instant as Dawn rubbed her thumbs in tight circles over her nipples. “Love you, too,” she finally managed to choke out only because Dawn’s hands were on the move again, and there was a break in the caresses.

 

“I know, baby. I know.” Faith’s hips surged forward as Dawn inserted one hand beneath the waistband of her jeans. The rasp of the zipper sliding down seemed to echo in her head as Dawn whispered, “I can feel your love, Faith. In my head and my heart. Do you know you tell me every second what you feel?”

 

Faith hadn’t known that. “D…” What else was she saying without being aware of it? And who was she saying it to? She stiffened.

 

“Stop.” Dawn didn’t follow her own command. Instead, she shoved Faith’s jeans over her hips. “I’m the only one who can feel your emotions, Faith. It’s our bond. Remember how you wanted it to work like Buffy’s but you didn’t think you could do it?” Dawn’s voice carried a hint of smugness as she said, “You can; we were able to talk in the big group meld. I know you can do it when we’re alone, too. You can do anything Buffy can do. ”

 

A silent, “Only better,” rang in Faith’s head and she laughed.

 

“Easy, D. I’m gettin’ over my Second Slayer problems all on my own. You don’t need to be that way.” That didn’t mean Faith hadn’t enjoyed Dawn’s pride in her accomplishments. In fact…It gave her the courage and motivation to ignore her unease, and she reached out to Dawn through their bond. I like knowin’ you’re in my corner, D. Ain’t never been anybody there before you.

 

“I’m your biggest fan, Faith.” Dawn’s body pressed into Faith’s legs as she dropped to her knees and removed her boots. “Fan, coach, lover, friend…Whatever you need, that’s what I’ll be.”

 

All I need is you, D. You ain’t gotta be anything else. For the first time, Faith realized that using the link meant never having to worry that Dawn wouldn’t understand her meaning. Her mental voice was more than mere words. Each one was a thought, filled with colors and textures and the emotions she had always been afraid to admit. Her fear melted away as she placed a hand on Dawn’s shoulder for balance and stepped out of her pants. Opening her mind fully, Faith invited Dawn inside.

 

A bubble of happiness floated into their bond. Thank you, Faith. The bubble shimmered and contracted and then expanded as if Dawn’s emotions had blown into it. When it touched Faith, it popped soundlessly, coating Faith in everything Dawn was feeling.

 

The outer world faded away.

 

Faith didn’t care. She was wrapped in Dawn’s arms and supported by the gentle waves of Dawn’s love. Letting her lips trace a path along Dawn’s throat, Faith relished Dawn’s shiver and the shimmering red-gold flame of their shared desire in her mind. Show me more about love, D.

 

 

 

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