Parts: 41 - 50
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~Part: 41~
It had been two days since they had all settled into the mansion, two days since the note from Buffy had been found. Angel still had yet to decide what - if anything - to do. He knew he couldn't leave Ira hanging at that place forever, or until he died, and his demon was clamoring against the bonds of his soul wanting to hurt the man that had hurt his mate. He had told Joyce about Buffy leaving and the woman had been held in his arms as she sobbed her grief.
She couldn't fathom what had happened to her daughter to make her into what she had become. She didn't understand any of this, not Willow's father going evil, if he had gone at all. From what she understood he had always been this way and Willow's mother had simply protected her from seeing it. She didn't understand how her own daughter could be so.but then again, whether he would admit it or not, Buffy's father was just as selfish. What the hell had happened to her family?
Angel sat in front of the fireplace as he tried to figure this out. Was he meant to go after Ira? Would he be able to come back from his demon? Angelus was begging to be let out to take his pleasure with torturing Ira and he couldn't help but agree with it. This one man had destroyed his mate's home, her family.
Shaking her head as she descended the stairs, Drusilla moved to sit next to her sire.
"Brooding isn't just a way of life for you, it's an art form isn't it?" she asked with amusement as her voice jerked him out of his dark thoughts.
"Dru," he said looking over at his childe. God how he missed her, and to think, she was more sane now then she had been even before he had turned her.
"Angel. He deserves it, plus a hell of a lot more," she said after a moment.
"Who deserves what?"
"Don't play coy with me, you know who I mean."
"Ira," he said simply looking down at his clasped hands, his elbows resting on his knees.
"He nearly destroyed your mate. He killed his own wife in a very brutal way. I can guarantee you right now, whatever Buffy did to him, it wasn't enough," cupping his chin in her curved fingers, Dru turned his face so that he was looking into her face. Searching his eyes she said, "He needs to be begging for his death. He needs to die knowing that what he did, that there's no escape from it. That he didn't get away with it. Let Angelus out, he won't hurt Willow; you've told her that, no you need to believe it. If you're worried about him hurting the others - don't be. Search your demon, you'll find he actually likes them all. And if you don't believe me, then believe that your mate has the power to bring you back, and I don't mean through magick, I mean through your bond. Through your love for her and her love for you. And if nothing else, we can always chain you to the bed," she said with an amused smirk and stood. "Now I'm of to the kitchen for blood, do you - of course you need some. How long have you been brooding anyway?"
"Uh."
"Right of course, long before sunset. You really need to get a new hobby." Kissing his forehead she went into the kitchen.
~Part: 42~
Spike lay watching Willow as she slept, ever since he had come into the room on the first night since they'd all been the mansion, that's where he had slept since. He and Angel always lying on either side of Willow, sandwiching her in between their bodies. When she had woken that first night with him holding her she had seemed - comfortable with his presence. He lifted his hand to her face and held her cheek in his palm as his thumb brushed over her cheekbone. Leaning over her, his lips met hers in a gentle kiss.
Willow awakened to the feel of lips upon hers and kissed them back as she awoke. Opening her eyes as the person pulled back, she smiled softly at Spike. Putting her hand to his cheek she spoke softly.
"I don't mind having you here in our bed, in fact I rather like it. But Spike if you're going to join Angel and I in our bed - you know what I mean," she said as he looked at said bed. "Then I want him to be here for the first time that we're all together. He's your sire and my mate, but while I may say yes, the final decision is his. You understand don't you?" her emerald eyes searching his ice blue eyes as she pleaded him to understand.
Kissing her forehead Spike nodded and smiled down at her. "That I do luv."
"Good. Now up, get up," she commanded and moved to get dressed. Turning back and finding him still lying in the bed watching as her as she dressed Willow scrunched her nose at him and threw her night shirt in his face. "Up!"
They were both laughing as they existed the room twenty minutes later.
"AHA!"
Willow jumped slightly and knocked into Spike as she heard the triumphant shout come from the library in the mansion. Poking her head in she found Giles amidst a number of books that were spread open around him. He was holding one in his hands and reading intently as she came up behind him. Ruffling his hair she kissed his head.
"Hey daddy. What'd ya find?"
"Hello dear," he greeted back. "Well I found the information on the ascension," he said holding the book up so that she could see.
"Eww," she said wrinkling her nose as Spike came up to her side and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Is that the demon before or after the ascension?"
"After."
"Quite an ugly bloke innit he?" Spike said as he looked at the woodcarving on the page.
"Who's ugly?" Faith asked as she stepped into the library with Wesley at her side. She saw Willow smile her approval at the new pair and winked at the girl. Faith's eyes grew wide as she looked at the picture. "Uh, right. So big thing. I can tell ya that a stake ain't gonna cut it on that one."
~Part: 43~
Joyce, Cordelia and Xander all walked into the mansion each carrying an armload of bags from the market. Walking into the front room, Dru's eyes widened at the sheer amount each person held, taking a bag from each person she led them into the kitchen and directed them to the pantries. Angel looked up from his mug of blood and his eyes widened as well. He then smiled at the smile on Joyce's face, glad to see the woman with a return of the light in her eyes.
"We're human Angel, we need food. Besides, I have it on good authority that a certain blond boy of yours likes - or rather loves hot chocolate," she said and watched as both Angel and Dru smiled at the mention of Spike's favorite beverage, aside from alcohol that is.
"With the little marshmallows," Spike asked his eyes wide as he stepped into the kitchen. Digging through one of her bags, Cordy pulled out said bag of marshmallows and tossed it at the vampire.
"Have at it Blondie," Cordy said with a laugh.
Spike gave Cordelia a teasing look and tossed a couple of marshmallows at the girl hitting her in the back.
"Oh that's it!" Cordy laughed and pulled another bag of marshmallows out her bag, opening it, she tossed a small handful of the small white puffs at the vampire. Cordy squealed with laughter as he threw more at her as she ran out the kitchen, the vampire hot on her trail. "Get him!" she suddenly yelled out and turned her ammunition on Angel, pelting him with a full handful of little white marshmallows.
Spike joined in and they both attacked Angel as he tried to run and avoid them. All three were laughing with excitement when Willow suddenly tackled Angel, bringing him to the ground as he rolled to land on his back. Sitting upon him, straddling his waist she began to relentlessly tickle the souled vampire. He felt someone at his legs and then without warning his shoes and socks were removed and his ankles were held in a firm grip as his feet were tickled.
The tickling went on for a good five minutes before Joyce stepped out of the kitchen intent on telling them to keep it down when Drusilla came running out of the kitchen behind her.
"Dog pile!" Faith yelled as she ran next to Dru and the two females jumped on top of Angel and Willow.
"Ooof!" Angel groaned as the weight on top of him was added to. Chuckling he pulled Willow into a sloppy kiss.
"Oh!" she cried out as she pulled back. "You slobbered me!"
Spike chuckled somewhere behind her and Angel leaned forward and licked her neck sending delightful shivers down her spine. Grazing the delicate skin of her neck with his fangs; all three vampires smelled the redhead's suddenly strong arousal.
"Oh that's it!" Willow called out and suddenly Angel found himself being tickled again.
"No no! I'll be good!" chuckled Angel.
"Well since you said it so nicely," Willow giggled at him and Spike lifted the girl off of him.
"You know Fang," Faith said. "Next time we spar I'm gonna have to use this new info. Hmmm, ya gotta wonder what the big bads would do if they knew the great Angel was ticklish."
~Part: 44~
Ira hung limply from the chain that held him as he wondered if he would hang there until he died. Just as he was about to once again fall asleep once again he heard the sound of the door upstairs being opened and closed and then foot steps along the floorboards. Soon the basement door was opened and someone was coming down the steps. The footsteps were slow and controlled as though a silent beast were stalking it's prey.
A dark looming figure hung just on the edges of the light, illuminated enough to tell the person was male, but unable to see any features. A low cruel chuckle issued from the dark figure send tendrils of fear curling up and down the chained man's spine.
"Hello Ira," the figured purred low and dangerous. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Angelus," the vampire purred as he stepped fully into the light. "My mate.well you hurt her." His smirk fell away as his face became hard and deadly. "Badly."
"I didn't think a vampire would align itself with a slayer," Ira hoped his voice was more confident then he felt.
"Oh I don't give a shit about the slayer. I'm talking about Willow. That beautiful red fire is my mate. You hurt her.and now," he said as he slipped spiked steel knuckles onto his hands, "you pay."
Angelus began to punch Ira in the stomach, the steel spikes slipping into his flesh like it was butter. Ira screamed as the spikes punched into his flesh, rising at one point and going through his ribs, breaking the bones and nicking his lungs and liver. For three longs hours the torture continued, Angelus employed a variety of objects at one time lifting a small glass box and releasing a single scarab onto the man's shoulder. He watched as the insect slipped underneath the man's skin and traveled throughout the body.
"Scarabs. Flesh eating insects, found only in Egypt. Or the right occult shop. Do you know that they hibernate in shells made of their own exoskeleton? You can't tell if one is dead or alive when they're like that. They're sold as rare jewels. You have to wonder how many people got eaten," Angelus said conversationally as the man's frightened whimpers of pain reached his ears. Angelus had long since ripped out Ira's tongue and now it lay on the floor underneath the tortured man's foot.
"Enjoy." Angelus turned and walked to the door of the basement. "Oh," he said turning around for a moment. "It may take up to a week for it to kill you. In case you were wondering. Bon appetite."
~Part: 45~
Angelus walked into the mansion and to his mate. He watched her as she slept in the large black leather arm chair, a book dangling from her lap precariously. Taking the heavy book from her hands slowly, he leaned foreword and kissed her gently. "He'll never hurt you again Princess."
"Angelus?" Willow moaned softly as she woke.
"How do you know I don't have my soul Little One?" he asked as he crouched in front of her.
"Actually your soul is permanent, it's just one can be allowed to dominate the other - well you can be allowed to be free until Angel - the soul takes control again."
"Willow?" he asked as she grimaced.
"I feel funny." Her voice was quiet and shook a bit.
"I don't know, it's really cold in here," she said though her cheeks seemed to be flushed from heat.
Raising his hand to her forehead Angelus' eyes opened wide. "Shit Willow you're burning up. Alright," he set the book aside and lifted his mate into his arms. "To bed with you."
"I'm not tired," she said sleepily as her eyes fluttered shut as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Yes you are," he chuckled softly as he carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom. Laying her down on the bed he undressed her and then put one of his silk shirts on her. As his hand brushed her chest he found her skin to feel like liquid fire. In an instant Angel was in control again and jogging across the hall to Giles's room. Knocking on the door, he waited for the watcher to appear.
"Angel?" Giles asked blearily, looking at his watch he found it to be 2am.
"Something's wrong with Willow, I don't know what to do."
Giles followed Angel back to his room his worry growing for his daughter. Sitting beside the girl on the bed, Giles placed his hand over her forehead.
"Bloody hell," Giles cursed. Willow's temperature was rising fast. "Run a cool bath we need to try and get her temperature down."
Doing as Giles instructed Angel quickly filled the tub with luke warm water. Returning, he removed the shirt leaving the girl naked and carried her into the bathroom. Placing her in the cool water he turned back to her adoptive father.
"How long do I leave her in?"
"Until she feels cooler."
"And if she doesn't?"
"We take her to the hospital."
~Part: 46~
Sometime during the bath, Willow's eyes fluttered open and as they opened she found Angel and Giles kneeling next to each other by the tub. Raising her hand out of the water she brought it to Giles's face and wiped away the tears that had fallen upon his cheeks unbeknownst to him.
"Daddy?" she said tiredly and Giles immediately turned to her, taking her wet hand from his face and holding it in his while his other hand stroked her still fevered cheek. "Daddy what's wrong?" Not thinking about the water or the fact that Willow was naked, Giles reached into the water and gathered Willow into his arms holding her tightly to his chest.
Angel watched the scene with a soft smile. He knew had it been anyone other than Giles he probably would have been extremely jealous. But this was his mate's father. A father she had waited her life to have. He watched as Giles hugged Willow tightly and stroked her hair, almost as though he was afraid to let her go, afraid of loosing her.
"You scared the hell out of me girl," Giles growled affectionately it only served to tighten Willow's hold on him.
"I was only tired daddy, I mean maybe I felt a little icky but I think - " Willow cut off rather suddenly as she buried her face in his shoulder and her breathing became laboured.
"Willow," Giles said as he moved to view the girl's ashen face. "What is it?"
"The room.me.I feel all spiny." she panted out. "Just gimme a sec."
"Will," Angel said as he saw Spike enter the large bathroom.
"You haven't called me that in ages Angelus.what's wrong with mum?" the blond vampire asked his brows knitted in worry as he joined the two men at the tub and touched Willow's shoulder. "Luv? You alright?"
"I.I feel like I'm.gonna pass out," she panted.
Quickly Spike took control of the situation, retrieving a large towel from the cabinet he disentangled Giles from the girl and lifted her out of the bath, setting her on the mat beside the tub. Wrapping her in the towel he wrapped it around her and then wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her to him her back to his chest. Leaning against Angel, the blonde whispered in her ear.
"Close your eyes pet.that's a girl, now focus on my voice. shhhh," he cooed when she tried to speak, "just focus on my voice ducks.breathe deep.in.out.in.out.that's m'girl.now take a deep breath, hold it.hold it.now slowly release it.that's a girl." kissing her temple he asked, "still feelin woozy?" when she nodded he held her a bit tighter and turned his attention to Giles. "Get a candle and bring it in here.hush pet it'll be alright, I've got you," Spike whispered when she began to shudder a bit.
"I feel like I'm falling and I can't stop," she whispered frightenedly to the vampire holding her.
"I know luv I've got you, I won't let you fall.Turn out the light and light the candle.Willow luv, when I say to, open your eyes slowly ok," he nodded to Giles as the girl nodded against his chest and the watcher did as asked. "Ok luv, open em.Focus on the flame. that's it.the flame is the only thing in the room, let it be your balance point, give you something to stand on, let me be your wall. You feel like you're fallin you just lean back and I'll keep you steady. Focus on the light." he kissed her hair as he listened to her heart grow steady from it's frantic pace it had held since her dizziness set in. "Feel better now pet?"
When she nodded weakly against him, he blew out the candle and gently shifted the girl so that she was sitting astride his lap. Holding her tightly to his chest, with one arm still around her back, he drew his legs under him and gathered his footing as he kneeled beside her and Giles turned the bathroom light back on. Slipping an arm behind her knees, Spike slowly stood and carried Willow back to the bed.
Laying her on the silken sheets, he unwrapped the towel and began to dry her still wet body. When her eyes opened and looked up tiredly at him, he leaned over and kissed her forehead, "Go to sleep kitten, you're safe, you're ok." Watching as her eyes closed, he lifted the discarded shirt from Angel's bed and dressed her in it. Pulling the sheets and comforter up to her chin, he tucked her in.
Looking up at the curious glances from Giles and Angel he rolled his eyes. "Dru used to get spells like that."
~Part: 47~
"Hello Faith."
Faith froze at the sound of the voice. Turning around slowly she dropped the stake that she was holding as she found herself looking into the eyes of her mother's boyfriend. Her breathing stopped as she looked at him. It couldn't be, blinking rapidly she opened her eyes and stared. He was still there. As he reached a hand out to touch her face, she bolted and ran as fast as she could back to the mansion.
Wesley looked up sharply as his slayer came barreling into the mansion and kept running at brake neck speed up the stairs. Setting his book down, he quickly followed her up to her room. Opening her door, he was rather disturbed to find her sitting in the far corner of the room, between the dresser and the wall. Her legs were pulled up tight against her chest, her arms wrapped around them. Her face was buried in her knees and she shook as she quickly rocked back and forth, the rocking a small but rapid movement.
Moving quickly to her, Wesley crouched down in front of her and touched her arm. When his hand made contact with her, she slammed herself back against the wall as though she were trying to hide in it. Pulling his hand back as though burned, he tried another approach.
"Faith," he spoke quietly, his voice comforting. "Faith.look at me dear.It's me Faith, it's Wesley.that's it focus.Faith?" he asked as she grew still.
Faith heard the voice, knew it was a safe voice and slowly let herself be drawn into it. Looking up as the voice asked her to, she focused in on the face, suddenly realizing who it was in front of her.
Without warning, Faith launched herself at Wesley, and he caught her as she clung to him for dear life. Holding the girl tightly to him, he stroked her hair and a few times before simply cupping her head to his shoulder where she'd buried it. Rocking them slowly, Wesley whispered soft unintelligible words of comfort and safety to the trembling girl. She was shaking so violently he was almost afraid that she'd shake herself to pieces in his arms. Releasing one arm from around her she suddenly looked up at the lost contact, her eyes wild and terrified.
"Shhhh.." Wesley whispered and kissed her forehead. "It's alright dear; I'm just going to get us up off this floor. I'm not letting go, I promise," he soothed when she clung more tightly to him. Slipping an arm behind her knees, he lifted her and carried her to the bed, sitting down with her in his lap. Leaning against the headboard, he held the frightened girl against his chest.
"It's alright, you're safe, I've got you," he whispered to her, keeping his voice low for fear of scaring her even more. Kicking off his shoes, he eased them down the bed until they were lying flat, his head on her pillows and her head pillowed on his chest.
Slipping a hand behind her knee, he brought her feet up to him one at a time and took off her shoes, letting them drop to the floor and then let the girl stretch herself out against his side, making herself comfortable as she clung to him. Whispering words of comfort to her he pulled the blanket up over the two of them and held her tightly, kissing her hair he held her as they both fell asleep.
Sometime near dawn, Wesley was awakened by the frightened murmurs and frantic movements of the girl in his arms. Opening his eyes, he tightened his arms as he felt the tears she cried dampen his shirt. Whispering to her, he rubbed her back and stroked her hair until his words and actions soothed her once again into a soundless sleep.
When next he awoke, Wesley found his arms devoid of the girl he had been holding. Opening his eyes, he found the room awash with sunlight and watched Faith as she stood by the window looking out upon the day. Slipping out of the bed, he moved to stand behind her. Slowly wrapping his arms around her he shushed her softly as she jumped at his touch. Kissing her hair, he held her as she leaned back against him. Rubbing her arms he held her close.
"What happened last night luv?" the endearment slipping out unnoticed.
"It was nothing," she protested though the shaking of her voice denied what she said.
Turning her to face him, he saw the still wet tears on her face. Bringing his hand to palm her cheek he looked upon her softly as she leaned into the touch unconsciously. Seeing the still slight fear in her eyes and the lost look in her eyes, he moaned softly his sadness and kissed her forehead. Bringing her into his arms once more, he hugged her to his chest and rested his chin upon her head.
"Oh sweetheart, what happened last night?"
Clinging to him tightly as she tried to drown out the man's face with Wesley's voice, she spoke in a bare whisper her voice trembling.
"While I was on patrol.someone called my name.when I turned around.it was him."she trailed off and her trembling increased from her voice to full body as it had been last night. Wrapping his arms more tightly around the girl as he tried to make her feel safe, he listened silently as she continued. "It was my mother's boyfriend," she spat out the word.
"The one who raped you?" he asked pulling back to look in her eyes. When she nodded, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, as though he were never going to let her go.
"I thought.I'm a slayer now.I shouldn't have been so scared." Her voice trembled and shook, breaking on the words.
"Oh Faith. Added physical strength has nothing to do with fear. He tormented you.hell girl he raped you, mind and body. If he comes near you again, I will end him," Wesley said pulling back just enough to look into her eyes, his own cold and hard with his promise to her.
"And I'll help him," Giles said in a very Ripperish tone from the open doorway. "It was not my intention to intrude on your conversation; I came to call you for breakfast. But I cannot stand idly by. If he confronts you again, Wesley and I will go after him."
"As will I and my family," said a dark voice from behind Giles. Moving into the room, Giles gave Angel room to step inside as well. Walking over to where Faith and Wesley stood, Angel stroked her hair once and took her hand. "Giles told us everything sweetie." When Faith looked down in shame, he cupped her chin and made her look up at him. "You have nothing to be ashamed of. What happened was not your fault."
"It feels like it was."
"No. They hurt you and they made you feel that it was your fault they did, and they will pay for it. You have a family now kiddo, deal with it." He smiled at her.
"I've never had a family before, what does it do?"
"This."
"Threaten people?" she asked her brows knitted in confusion though her eyes held a soft amusement through the tears that had gathered in them.
"No," he chuckled. "We protect our own," he said seriously. "We love each other, keep each other safe, champion for each other against those who would do us harm."
"Have fun torturing people when they do one of ours harm," Spike said with a glint of dark amusement in his voice.
"Look it's a party," she said softly trying to break up the thick air of tension.
"No' a party. We need a tied up vic and sharps for that," Spike said as he moved to the girl. His eyes turned deadly as he held Faith's gaze. "We'll catch him for ya, we'll string him up and have ourselves a good round of torture, you can join in if you want, give the sod a few good licks if you want."
Faith giggled softly at his words and moved to hug him, Wesley releasing his hold as she moved into the vampire's embrace. Spike hugged her tightly to him and then ruffled her hair. "Chin up pet," he said and handed her back to her watcher. Wesley hugged her and the released her as they followed the others down stairs for breakfast.
~Part: 48~
"Hey Mum," Spike greeted as he walked into the kitchen and hugged Willow from behind. Willow turned around in his arms and hugged him back, her arms going around his neck.
"Hey baby, how's mama's boy doin?" she asked kissing his cheek.
"I'm fine mum." Looking at Angel with a smug expression Spike said, "See, I'm hers."
"Like you have a choice," Angel muttered. "She has you wrapped around her little finger like a diamond ring William."
"Does not!"
"Does too."
"Does not!"
"Boys," Willow reprimanded. "Spike honey will you make the tea? You make such good tea." One look from those baby doll emerald eyes and Spike was gonner.
"Sure mum." Spike kissed her cheek and reached for the empty kettle on the stove, filling it with cold water he replaced it and set the flame on low.
"Does too."
"Angel!" Willow turned to her mate and pointed at the fridge. "Eggs please baby, you make em best."
"Of course lover." Angel kissed her pouty lips as he moved to the fried.
"Now who's whipped?" Spike smirked.
"Only use your power for good Will," Xander grinned at his lifelong friend as he entered the kitchen.
"Of course," the redhead replied with an innocent `who me?' expression.
"Faith sweetie, are you alright?" Willow asked looking at the girl whose pallor was still rather ashen.
Nodding silently, Faith moved to the table and sat down her gaze and manner distracted to a point that made her movements seem like those of a zombie. Willow sat down next to the distracted slayer as Drusilla came up behind her. Looking at Faith and noting her uneasy faraway look, she turned to Willow.
Seeing the questioning look she was receiving from Drusilla, Willow shook her head and shrugged. Hearing the front door of the mansion open signaling the return of Joyce and Cordelia from their shopping. Cordelia entered the kitchen carrying a canvas bag and handed it to Spike.
"That's all we could get from the bank and you had better appreciate what I had to do."
Eyeing Cordelia up and down a very appreciate smirk drew upon Spike's face as he eyed the low cleavage and short skirt.
"Oh pet I do," the blonde vampire purred at the cheerleader.
"Yeah I bet you do Junior." Xander walked up to the pair and eyed Cordy in much the same way that Spike had. "Damn Delia!"
"I told her that we could just ask nicely and see where that got us," Joyce said as she set her purse down. "However I didn't count on her being right." Cordelia smiled smugly at that. At the questioning looks she continued. "The longer the legs and the smaller the top the more you're liable to get."
"And it was true," Cordy said proudly. "That attendant put ten bags of blood in there before he even realized he put one in. Then when he asked how much we needed I said enough for a full transfusion and he gave us six more."
"But why not just go down to the butchers?" Angel asked.
"Because no mate and no step-children," she called them the term still feeling a bit weird on her tongue and lips, "of mine will be drinking that barnyard swill. I want you all sated and content. So human blood," Willow answered.
Spike chuckled and wrapped his arms around Willow's waist from behind. "See dad, told you she'd make a good mum for us kiddies."
Willow wrapped her arms over Spike's and leaned back into his hold, her eyes starring at Angel invitingly. The dark vampire moved closer to them and cupped Willow's face in his palms kissing her soundly.
~Part: 49~
"Hello," Faith said answering the phone.
"Faith sweetie is that you?"
The brunette blanched at the woman's voice on the other end, clenching her jaw to keep from screaming for Wesley, she gathered her emotions under control. Besides, it would do her no good to call out for Wesley; she was alone in the mansion.
"Mom?" she asked proud to find that her voice was far calmer than she felt.
"Yes dear, it's mother," the woman answered, her voice deceptively calm and caring. "Your father and I were so worried after you ran away-"
"Don't you talk about Daddy. He's been dead for ten years; you gave up all rights to him when you burned his things." Faith's hands shook and she bit her bottom lip to stop its trembling.
"Not that stupid excuse for a man. I'm talking about Michael, when you left he and I were only dating. We're married now, he's your father."
"What?" Faith asked disbelieving her voice shaking lightly on the word. "He is not, nor will he ever be my father. My father is dead, my Father died a hero!" she growled into the phone wanting to be as far away from the woman and the memories she brought back as possible.
"Faith Hope Marley-"
"Michalina. Daddy's name was Michalina. Mick-a-leena," she said stretching it out and grounding it out.
"Not any more," the woman spoke with a cool calm. "Michael has officially adopted you, and now that we've found you, you'll be coming home with us."
"No. He is not my father, and I will not be going anywhere with you," she growled, silent tears coursing down her cheeks unnoticed.
"Faith don't argue with me I'm your mother!"
Closing her eyes tightly against the woman's voice, Faith tried desperately to regain control over her emotions. She felt as though she couldn't breathe, as though someone were holding her lungs and heart in a vice-like grip. She couldn't breathe.oh god she couldn't breathe. Suddenly she felt delicate arms wrap around her and her head was pulled to a shoulder that smelled of lavender and lilacs - Cordelia her mind registered.
~Part: 50~
Cordelia had made it back to the mansion before the others, her business taken care of quickly. Upon stepping into the mansion, she saw Faith looking as though she had seen a ghost and looking for all the world as though she would faint. Dropping her bags, she rushed to the girl's side as the slayer fell to her knees upon the stone floor. Taking the phone from her icy hands Cordelia spoke quickly.
"You'll have to call back."
Hanging up the phone she wrapped her arms around Faith and drew the girl's head to her shoulder. Holding the dark slayer to her, the cheerleader rocked back and forth slowly trying to calm the girl.
"Faith, Faith honey you have to breathe." Cordelia smoothed the girl's hair as she spoke trying to calm her with her voice. "C'mon sweetie," Cordy said as she pulled back and held Faith's face her in her hands, thumbing away the girl's tears. "You need to breathe."
"I-I can't," Faith wheezed as she began hyperventilating, her breaths coming very fast with barely any air in them. "I.can't. breathe," she choked out.
"Faith honey calm down," Cordy said looking into the girl's wild eyes, "c'mon sweetie. Slow deep breaths..that's it.c'mon again. there ya go," Cordy said as she pulled Faith back into her arms, the girl leaning into her weakly. She began to feel something wet on her shoulder and then both felt and heard the girl's sobs as she shook in her arms. "Oh sweetie," Cordy said wrapping her arms more tightly around the girl. Stroking her hair, Cordy held onto Faith as she rode out her tears.
It was a good fifteen minutes until the slayer stopped crying and gathered her wits about her. Slowly she disentangled herself from Cordy's arms and stood a little shakily, Cordy supporting her as she stood along with her. As Cordy brushed Faith's hair back from her face, Faith realized just how tired her emotional outburst had made her. Looking at Cordy, her eyes begging her to understand her words.
"Nothing happened-"
"Faith-"
"If they ask, nothing happened, I was just tired."
"Faith honey."
"Please. I just," Faith closed her eyes against a new wave of tears that she felt coming. "They can't know. I just - I have to deal with this myself. Please Cordy, please don't tell them."
Looking into the girl's brown eyes shiny with tears, Cordy couldn't refuse her request. The girl looked as though she would drop where she stood and so against her better judgment, Cordy consented.
"Ok," Cordy said on a sigh. "I won't tell them. Hell I don't even know what happened myself."
"Thank you," Faith said tiredly and slowly made her way upstairs and into her room. Slipping into the bed, she cried herself to sleep.