~Three days later, Sunnydale~

Cordelia slammed the large book in front of her shut.  "Okay, that's it!"

"What?", Xander asked, his voice muffled by the bag of Doritos he was currently consuming single-handedly.

"Did you find something useful?", Anya asked.

The Seer glared at the two.  "No.  I'm sick of this.  There is nothing in these books about how to kill a god.  Ugh!!!"  She stood up from the large
wooden table and began to pace.

"Honestly Cordelia, I'm as disinheartened as you are, but we have to try.  Right now research is the only option we have", Giles told the tall
brunette, looking up from the scroll he was currently pouring over.

Cordelia rolled her eyes.  "Are you sure you can't get any more help from the Watcher's Council?"

"Quite", Giles said dryly, pinching the bridge of his nose.  "I suspect in this instant they're actually on the up and up.  I doubt they wish Glorificus victory in destroying the world."

She sighed, eyeing the Scoobies in annoyance.

"This would be sooo much easier if Willow and Angel were here to help."

Xander crunched away on his tortilla chips, nodding his head in agreement.  "At least we know they're okay."

"True", the former May Queen admitted.  "I wasn't enjoying their little disappearing act.  Two days without hearing from either of them after what
happened was seriously nail biting... Not that I would ever actually bite my nails.  I mean, ewwww..."

"We know what you mean Cordelia", Giles broke in halting her tirade.  "You must give them a bit of time.  After all its not unreasonable for them to
need a bit of private time.  Angel did think his mate was dead."

The brunette sniffed haughtily and crossed her arms peering at the Watcher.  "Oh puh-lease.  Angel's just brooding.  He's probably all ashamed and sorry about flipping out like he did and running around Sunnydale with his demon hanging out."

Despite himself, Giles found a ghost of a smile touching his lips.  That sounded *exactly* like something the souled vampire would do.

~ L.A. ~

The Watcher sat in the sunny courtyard with his latest book.  He stared at the print until it swam before his eyes, before letting his eyes drift where they wanted.  Which of course was into dangerous territory.  Namely Faith, chasing and being chased by their newest saved soul, a tiny demon puppy named Max.

Wesley's brow furrowed.  He still didn't know why she'd named the thing that.  Max seemed like such a strange, simple name for a devil dog.

He sighed, watching as the rogue Slayer laughed out loud as the creature chased after her, nipping at her bare heels.  Her golden skin shone in the
occasional flash of sunlight which broke through the leaves of the tree they frolicked under.  Strong calves flexed, as she executed a perfect 360 degree turn and proceeded to do the chasing, her dark eyes lit from within.

Unable to help himself Wesley smiled, despite the bit of jealousy gnawing at his innards.  He wanted to be the one to make Faith happy.

"You wanna join us?"

Startled, Wesley looked up.  The object of his affections stood before him, a light film of sweat dotting her forehead and making her purple tank top
cling lovingly.

"Huh?  Uh, no", the former Watcher said quickly. "Thank you, but you and Max seem to be having quite a bit of fun by yourselves."

The puppy scrambled behind Faith, darting from shadow to shadow.  Although the sun did not adversely affect the creature, Wesley had been right when he'd said that it was photosensitive.  Day was not its natural environment.

"How's the book?", Faith asked him suddenly, dropping to the ground before his lawn chair.  Max immediately crawled into the Slayer's lap, his pink,
rough tongue lapping at her wrist.

"Its entertaining, although not very good", Wesley told her, watching as she smiled and scratched the pup behind his tiny horns.  Max groaned, cocking his head so that Faith would have to scratch the other side as well.

She nodded.  "Oh, cause you haven't turned the page in like twenty minutes."

Wesley coughed, a flush crawling up his skin.  He could almost hear Gunn in his head.  "Busted!", his friend would say.

The Englishman, looked down at the hardcover book in his lap glad that things had died down enough they could fool around like this for a day.  The book was 'Violets are Blue' by James Patterson.  "Its a bit formulaic", Wesley said, "I'm fairly certain I've already figured it out."

"Gotcha", Faith murmured, her eyes peering up at him intently.  After a moment, she spoke again.  "Do you think I'd like it?"

"Its fairly violent and graphic", Wesley said, a mischievous grin touched his features. "I think you may actually love it."

Faith stuck her tongue out at him, and stood, brushing blades of grass off her jean shorts.  Cinnamon highlights lit her hair in the sunlight.

"You know Faith I meant to ask you..."

The dark Slayer looked at him curiously.

"What?"

"Why Max?"

She smiled.  "Oh.... did you ever see Gladiator?"

Wesley nodded.  "Ahhh.. so you named him after Maximus Aurelius, the character played by Russell Crowe--  May I ask why?"

"When it came out I was still in jail", Faith said slowly, her eyes following Max's progress as he jumped from shadow to shadow.  "I liked the way the Gladiator guy never gave up.  He fought, even when everything had been taken away from him, even at the end."

"I see", Wesley said.

Faith's gaze flickered from her new pet, back to the seated ex-Watcher.  Raising her fingers to her mouth, an ear-splitting whistle soon rang out in
the tiny courtyard.  Wesley flinched, but Max immediately perked up, following its new 'mom' back into the Hyperion.

~ Sunnydale~

Buffy and Gunn staggered into the shop portion of the Magic Box.  Both were drenched in sweat.

Cordelia arched an eyebrow.  "Have fun?"

Gunn grinned, grabbing the cold bottle of water Xander tossed him.

"You guys want any?", the construction worker asked.  "We ordered pizza."

"Oh", Buffy groaned, walking straight towards the food.

"I really hate Slayer metabolism", Cordelia said under her breath.

"What was that Delia?"

The Seer turned, spotting a familiar little redhead by the front door, her tall, dark mate nearby.  "Willow!  Angel!"

"Its about time you two came out of hiding", Gunn told the couple.

Willow looked up at Angel, and grabbed his hand in a reassuring hold.  "Yeah", she said, "it *was* about time."  After a moment, the red witch's
eye's met Buffy's.

"Hi."

The Slayer blinked and swallowed past the bitter lump in her throat.  "Hi Willow."  She nodded politely, if a trifle stiltedly to the souled vampire.
"Angel."

Cordelia grinned.  "Giles", she called over her shoulder to the Englishman who was currently in the back making tea.  "GILES!!"

"Oh what is it Cordelia?", the older man's voice came from the back room.

"Willow and Angel are back, and guess what?  I was right, he was brooding", the Seer yelled obnoxiously.

Willow chuckled and shook her head.

Cordelia winked at the redhead, and started to say something else.  Her mouth opened but nothing came out.  Her hand went to her forehead, and
suddenly an agonized scream was ripped from her throat.

"Delia!", Gunn shouted, dropping his slice of pizza to the ground and lunging for the woman he loved as her knees gave out beneath her.

"Bloody hell", Giles said, placing the tea cup he held on the table shakily.  "What the--"

"Water", Angel shouted.  "Get her water and some aspirin, she's having a vision."

Xander scrambled from his seat and grabbed his coat from the hook.  He handed it to Gunn.  "Here put that under her head."

"Thanks man."

"Can't you help her Willow?", Anya asked the wiccan.

Willow shook her head sadly.  "I used to be able to, but the healing spell I used is barely helping her at all anymore.  Whatever's causing the pain, its getting worse.  I feel so helpless when this happens to her."

Anya stared at the fallen Seer strangely catching Xander's eye.  He wondered what she was thinking, and made a note to ask her about it later.
 

~Part: 47~

Cordelia groaned, and finally managed to open her eyes, at least a little.  She couldn't help but slit them against the light.  The brightness hurt
abysmally.  She could feel strong arms around her, and fought the urge to snuggle into the safety they offered, aware that they were those of the man she loved.  Unfortunately though, she couldn't.

She pushed Gunn's arms away, still blinking owlishly.

"Delia?", she heard him ask.

The brunette licked her dry lips.  "Phone", her voice rasped.

"Cordelia.. the vision?--", Angel prompted.

She shook her head, and reached for the portable phone Amy took off the wall behind the register.  The witch gave it to the souled vampire and he relayed it to Cordelia.

Quickly, the Seer tapped out a phone number, while Buffy, Giles and Amy looked on curiously.

"Wes, hi.  I had a vision", she spoke into the appliance.

"Demon attack behind that big dance club Carbon...", her voice trailed off.  "Yeah, it did kind of look like a dog... but... no, it happens tonight.
Yes, I'm sure.... Huh?  Small?  I don't know, it looked kinda big actually.  Like a Great Dane or something.  Okay.  Bye."

Cordelia hung up moments later, looking vaguely confused.

"What?", Gunn asked.

"I don't know", the former May Queen stated, her hand reaching up to idly rub at her temples.  "It was like, he already *knew* what I was talking
about or something."

Angel's features were tight.  "Should I head back to L.A.?  Will they need me?"

The young woman managed to smile reassuringly, grabbing her best friend's hand and giving its large, rough surface a squeeze.

"They can handle it Angel.  I saw that."

The vampire's dark eyes stared into the Seer's hazel gaze.  Slowly, finally, he nodded.

"Now", Cordelia said, "can someone pick me up please.  This floor is *hard* and my butt is starting to hurt."

Gunn and Angel helped the tall woman up from her prone position and over to a chair, where she promptly laid her head on the cool wooden table in front of her.

Willow shook her head in helpless frustration.  "Cordy, do you want me to try--?"

"No", her friend's voice cut in.  "It hasn't been helping me very much lately.  Save that energy for someplace it will be useful, like fighting that crazy Glory bitch."

"Speaking of which", Angel stated, addressing everyone in the store for the first time.  "What do we know about her?"

Instantly, Buffy shifted into Slayer mode.  "Not much", she said succinctly.   "This is what we do know...", she began, looking toward Giles for support and help in filling in any blanks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~L.A.~

The Englishman slowly hung up the phone and walked out of the office.  Max ran around the lobby, a sock in his jaws.  The tiny creature gnawed on it furiously.

"What's going on?", Faith asked, walking out of the kitchen, a small plate held in one hand.

Wesley cleared his throat.

Max ran towards the dark haired woman, as she knelt and placed the plate down.  It held chopped up pieces of sandwich meat.  Much to Wesley's
surprise, the baby demon seemed to love ham.

Faith grinned and looked up at the preoccupied former Watcher.  "Wes?"

"Cordelia called.  She'd had a vision."

She smiled confidently.  "No problem, we can take care of it for Angel."

"She dreamed of a devil dog attacking someone behind that dance club Carbon--"

The Slayer stood, unconsciously stepping away from where the "puppy" ate in innocent enjoyment.  She swallowed with difficulty.  "Was it--?  Do I have to kill--?"

"NO!", Wesley shouted, interrupting her.  "No", he said again, in a calmer manner.  "I don't believe so.  I asked her about the size of the animal, and
what she said led me to assume it was another full grown creature."

Faith's eyes drifted back to Max.  He'd finished his meal and trotted back to his human.  "Are you sure?", the Slayer whispered, taking another step
away from the "puppy".  "Cordy doesn't have visions of the future does she?"

"She does, but only of the near future", the dark haired male told her.

Max made a small whining noise and Faith frowned.  She walked away from him and made her way up the stairs.  "Call me when we need to head out", she said gruffly.

The baby demon watched her leave with large, sad green eyes.  He whimpered, trying to get his human's attention, but she never came back and he couldn't navigate the stairs by himself, he was too small.

Wesley sighed, and picked up the creature.  It was warm and wriggly.  "Sorry about that Max old boy, I suppose there would have been better ways for me to tell her.  I think she thought she'd have to hurt you."  He scratched, the demon beneath the chin, marveling at the intelligence in its eyes.  "I think she's gotten very attached to you... you lucky dog...", he murmured, under his breath.  "No offense."

Max made a yipping noise.

"Thanks", Wesley replied, before heading back to the office.  He had to make arrangements.  If they had to stop a demon tonight, it wouldn't do to leave Max alone in the hotel for a long time.  He wondered how Lorne would feel about demon-sitting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Sunnydale~

Buffy stared at the floor, her recitation complete.  It had been short, but not sweet.  It was laughable, they really knew next to nothing about Glory at all.  Just that she was a hell god from another dimension, that she had little grubby minions with bad hair, that she had a bunch of weirdo guys who thought they were knights so gung-ho to stop her they'd kill any one who got in their way, including innocents and magical keys who were now fifteen year old girls.  They knew that she shared a body with a mortal, and that it was probably only in that mortal form that they could kill her.  But if they killed an innocent person, what did that make them?  Didn't that make them as bad as all the evil they'd been fighting for years?  Buffy didn't think she could do that.  Frankly, she didn't even know if Angel could.  Angelus, sure, but Angel....  Not that they were likely to even have to deal with that ethical dilemma since they had no idea *who* that person was.

She sighed, and looked up.  Willow looked thoughtful.

"Any ideas Willow?", she asked hopefully.

The redhead seemed surprised, the other woman had asked her opinion.  Slowly, she nodded.  "Yeah, I do, but I'm gonna have to work on it.  I'm not going to get your hopes up if it doesn't pan out."

Buffy nodded.

Cordelia groaned softly, her head still laying on the cool wooden surface of table.

"Guys, I think I'm taking Delia back to the hotel to rest", Gunn began, "she's still hurting and I want her to be comfortable. Hopefully she can get
some sleep."

Angel stood.  "Do you need help?"

"Not with her", the demon hunter grunted, sliding one arm beneath Cordelia's knees and the other under her arms.  He lifted her easily.

"I'll get the door", the souled vampire stated, "then you can take my car.  Willow and I will walk back."

"Cool", Gunn said gratefully.  "Thanks."

The Warrior for the Powers That Be just nodded.  The two males left the shop with Cordelia in tow.

Amy, who'd been silent all this time, yawned and looked pointedly at her watch.  "Is it okay if I beg off from the research party tonight guys?  I'm
feeling kinda out of it."

Giles sighed and took of his glasses, polishing the lenses idly before answering the blond witch.  "Of course Amy.  I think we could all use some
rest."

"Do you want me to walk you home?", Buffy asked.

"No, that's okay.  Spike's probably waiting for me.... ", Amy's voice trailed off, as a flash of *something* crossed the petite blond's face.

"Could you tell him I said hi?", Dawn queried from where she sat.

The wiccan smiled at the teen.  "Sure Dawnie I'll let him know."

Seeing that everyone appeared to be dispersing, Giles stood.  "We should all go home and reconvene tomorrow morning..."  Just then, Angel came back into the shop.  "Those of us that can, that is...", the Watcher tacked on hastily.

"Great.  We can go home and have orgasms", Anya announced loudly, much to Xander's chagrin.

"Anya!"

"What?"

"I thought we talked about this."

"What?"

Xander sighed, winking at Willow.  The redheaded witch grinned back  and snuggled into her mate's side.

The golden Slayer's voice broke into the silly moment.  "So Giles, could you drop Dawn off at home.  I have to patrol."  She turned to Willow and Angel, her hands clasped together in front of her.  "Wills, Angel, you guys are welcome to come, if you want?"

Willow smiled at the other woman encouragingly, amazed and grateful Buffy was actually attempting to be mature about all that had happened.  She looked up to see what her mate's reaction to all this would be and was relieved when Angel nodded in agreement.  He really was being big about this, she was aware, just how much Buffy's presence bothered him now that he was fully merged with his demon.  To be honest, the Slayer's presence bothered her a bit as well.  Nothing overwhelming... just vaguely annoying, like the drone of a fly. She supposed that was normal, or as normal as anything was in her life. Afterall, she was mated to a master vampire.

"We'd love to", Willow told Buffy earnestly.
 

~Part: 48~

~Sunnydale~

The three walked in silence.  Although the mood was friendly enough, all were still reserved.  It was difficult to move past something which proved
to be almost impossible to talk about.

Already five vampires had met dusty ends.  It had been absurdly easy, and Buffy had been shocked to realize that she no longer had to worry about Willow's safety the way she had when they had last patrolled together over a year before.  It also felt completely different.  This was nothing like
patrolling with the Scoobies.  She worried about them constantly.  On some level the Slayer knew that held her back, but she couldn't not allow them to help her. Besides, it was only with their help that she held on to the tiny scraps left of herself.  Without them, did she even know where the Slayer ended and Buffy began?  Did Buffy even exist anymore?

The dark haired vampire noticed the blond's preoccupation and made a decision.  Angel gave Willow's hand a squeeze, and reached out through the
bond.  'Will you be alright Ionuin?'

'Yes', her brow furrowed.  'Why?'

'I will give you and the Slayer privacy, my presence is putting a damper on things.'

'Oh good idea. I love you Angel.  But Angel... could you try calling her Buffy again?  Please', the redhead thought back appreciatively, flashing the
dark vampire a heartfelt smile.

'I'll try', he said mentally.  Then he spoke aloud.  "We'd cover more ground if we split up", the souled vampire said.  He looked out over the silent
graveyard.   "I'll meet you at the gate in half an hour."

Buffy grinned and shook her head at the sheer irony of the situation as she watched her former boyfriend walk away.  "He still always thinks he knows what's best, huh?"

"Yeah", Willow said in agreement.  "What's scary is, he's usually right...  well unless you count when he's being overprotective and hovering--"

"Or being all macho and untalkey", Buffy added.

The two women stopped walking, and turned to face one another.  Slowly, a large grin split both of their faces.

"Wow", Buffy quipped, her eyes falling to stare at her boots, "and joking with you about what kind of boyfriend Angel is, was so the last thing I
thought I would ever talk to you about."

Abruptly, Willow sobered.  "I'm sorry", she said quietly.  "About everything.  I'm sorry I hurt you.  I'm sorry I wasn't here when you needed me.  I'm sorry I wasn't a better friend--"

Buffy placed two gentle fingers on Willow's lips halting her friend's babble.  "Don't say that.  You were always the best friend a Slayer could have.  I was the one who was a sucky ass friend.  I got all caught up with Riley, I wasn't exactly supportive when you and Tara got coupley, and...", she paused and swallowed.  "I know you didn't mean to hurt me.  I just-- I just always thought it would be me, you know?  But it wasn't, it was you."

The petite blond peered at the witch intently, before allowing her hand to drop.  "I couldn't do it Willow.  You gave a part of yourself to him, and I
always kept a part of myself away from him.  When we were together, I always pretended to be a normal girl with her normal gorgeous boyfriend.  But we're not normal.  I'm a Slayer and Angel is a vampire.  I always tried to ignore that, and push it aside.  I pretended.  A lot."  Her face was thoughtful, Buffy's hazel eyes hazy with memories.  "You don't pretend.  He deserves that.  It was time I let it go... It was time for me to let go of a lot of things", she murmured.

Willow blinked back tears, her hand reaching out to the person in front of her.  Buffy met her half way.  Hands clasped and gazes locked, the two old friends hugged.

"I'm sorry about your mom Buffy", the hacker whispered, against the Slayer's blond locks.  The blond's body stiffened.  For a moment, Willow thought she would pull away, but then the slight young woman relaxed.

In a voice thick with unshed tears, the Slayer finally spoke.  "I miss her so much Wills."  The strain of holding back could no longer be ignored, and
it was with a tiny hiccupping sob that the tears began.

Willow held a shaking Buffy close, making nonsensical noises comforting noises, until the memories bombarded her.  All the mommy things her own
mother had never done, Buffy's mom had.  Like taking them all out shopping, and teaching her how to use makeup.  Or making her hot chocolate and expressing an interest in who she was as a person, and stopping to talk to her because she wanted to, not because on some infrequent layover in Sunnydale she felt she *had* to.

The witch's lip quivered, and she buried her tear streaked face in the Slayer's golden hair.  Together, they cried.

From where he stood in the shadow of one of the cemetery's larger mausoleums, Angel hoped that the healing had begun.  Taking one last look at
the two embracing friends, he walked away.

~L.A.~

"How much longer is this going to take Wes?", Faith grumbled roughly.  "This place stinks!"

Wesley wrinkled his nose, not exactly ecstatic with their hiding spot either.  He poked his head out and looked out into the alley.  Taking a quick look he hid himself back behind the foul smelling dumpster.

"Does it look like I'm enjoying this?", he hissed under his breath.  Faith opened her mouth.

"Oh, do shut up", the former Watcher said quickly, forestalling any biting remarks that may have shot from her smart mouth.

"Ohhh... I love it when you act all manly."  Faith chuckled, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief.  Wesley looked away and back down the alley, glad to see the beginnings of humor back on her face.  He was about to comment on that fact, when he glanced at her again.  She was staring at him.  Their eyes locked.

Faith licked her lips almost nervously, and Wesley's blue eyes flickered to the movement, riveted on the moist, red slash of her mouth.

A panicked scream interrupted the building tension.

"What the fuck?--", the Slayer muttered, pushing herself to her feet, adrenalin rushing through her.  The alley was pretty dark, but she could just make out the sound of harsh breathing and a low, powerful growl that sent shivers of familiarity through her form.

She moved past the former Watcher.  Wesley was already peering into the dark. He spotted movement near the alley entrance.

"There", he said, pointing.

Faith grinned, the cocksure arrogance of the smile, sending Wesley's heart beating a mile a minute.  Without a word, she darted off in the direction of the noise.

"Bugger", he swore under his breath, before following.

A high pitched yelp, made him grit his teeth.  The Englishman checked his crossbow before throwing himself into the fray.  He knew it couldn't kill
the creature, but he was semi-sure a wooden bolt could hurt it.  If he'd had time, he would have tried to find bolts made of alder wood... but that was neither here nor there.  He only hoped he could get to the young man Cordelia had seen being mauled in her vision before he got hurt. He only
hoped that Faith and himself were also so lucky.

Faith took no notice of the young man the devil dog had backed up against the wall.  All she got was a fleeting glimpse of a tall, lanky form and dark hair, before she rushed past and slammed into the demon sending them both skittering away from the guy in a mass of coiled violence and muscle.

Eric gasped, his breath expelling in a surprised rush of gratitude when something or someone kept that weird looking dog from taking a chunk out of
his hide.  He pressed against the dark, damp brick behind the club, and cursed the moment he'd decided to light up outside instead of staying in the hot confines of the dance club.

He watched the hottie kick the shit out of the big dog in shocked awe, and almost wet himself when he was grabbed and pulled away just in time to see the dark haired woman kick the animal into the wall, scant feet away from where he stood.  'How the hell did she do that?  That dog was huge.'

Eric looked at the guy who'd pulled him clear.

"Thanks man."

Wesley nodded curtly, before shoving him behind him, and bringing the crossbow up.

The creature growled, sending the hairs on the men's necks on end.  Eric strained to see over the guy's shoulder.

Faith focused on the devil dog, looking for an opening.  If anything, this one was larger than the one she'd killed before.  Even as her mind worked on some kind of strategy which would get her close enough to a vulnerable spot on the demon, she was also wondering if Wesley's theory was correct.  Could this be the mate of the one she'd killed.  Was this Max's daddy?  Apparently, this type of demon mated for life, a fact both she and Wes had forgotten when they'd gone into that abandoned building scant days before.

The creature paced.  The glittering green eyes flashed before stopping in its tracks and crouching.  Its large, almost pit bull-like head swiveled.
The eyes peered at Wesley and other male. Faith took that as an opportunity to try to get closer.  Unfortunately, the demon had planned for just that eventuality, and pounced.  "Faith!", Wesley shouted.  "Look out!!"
 

~Part: 49~

The demon dog was fast.  Too fast.  The dark Slayer couldn't react in time.  "Mmmpf!", she groaned, as the creature knocked her down, its formidable weight on her chest.  Breathing hurt, and she realized the thing had probably broken a few of her ribs.  She strained, but her arms were pinned.  The angle, gravity and it's weight made it impossible for her to shove it off.  Her hands curled automatically around her weapon, but they were empty. The knife was gone.

Unadulterated fear slammed into her for the first time in-- she couldn't even remember.  Faith realized with a start, that she didn't want to die.
She had reasons to live.  She had friends, she had Max, she had-- "Wes!", she screamed.

The dog-like thing let out a chilling roar, saliva dripping from its massive jaws onto her cheek.  Suddenly, its head moved with the speed of a striking cobra--  only to be stopped by the sudden introduction of a wooden bolt into its eye socket.

Faith blinked, and turned her head to find Wesley standing maybe five feet away, crossbow still upraised.

The demon howled, its agony filtering unchecked from its throat, as it reeled back and consequently off of Faith, while batting at the bolt in it's
face with a large, heavy paw.

Reacting solely on instinct, the Slayer rolled right, easily getting back on her feet despite the pain in her side.  Her eyes followed the creature as it
continued to swat almost pathetically at the bolt.  Finally, the demon lowered it head to the ground, trying to trap the wooden implement between
its paw and the cement in order to remove it.

While her eyes searched the refuse strewn ground for the missing alder knife, she heard another tell-tale *thwap*.

She raised her gaze just in time to see another wooden bolt hit the demon dog.  This time in the neck.  Her brown orbs widened in admiration.

'Wow, and Wesley didn't think he was good at that thing?'

"Faith", the former Watcher yelled, "the knife, its by trash can!"

Spotting it, the Slayer rushed forward, leaping headfirst over the pain-wracked body of the thrashing demon.  She tucked her head and landed on
the hard pavement on her back, rolling back to her feet even as she grabbed the alder knife with one hand all in one fluid move.  It had probably looked really cool, but had been painful as hell.  Her ribs hadn't deserved that kind of abuse, and Faith had only just, managed to hold back a pain filled yell.

Knife in hand, Faith pushed the agony back and focused on her duty.

Wesley shoved the young man back again.  The stupid idiot was too curious for his own good.

"I want to see, damn it!", Eric hissed at the slightly shorter man, finally managing to get by him.  He glared at him, before looking back at where he'd last seen the dark haired chick, just in time to see her straddle the incapacitated creature's back.  She wrapped an arm about its neck, bringing
its head up towards her before quickly slitting its throat with a strange knife she held in her hand.

"Holy shit!", he crowed.  "You killed it.  I mean... damn.  Thanks."

Startled, Faith dropped the devil dog's head.  It hit the pavement with a sickening thud.  She hadn't expected the guy they'd saved would stick
around.  They usually didn't.  Realizing she hadn't even looked in his direction since the entire thing began, the rogue Slayer glanced upwards and
stood.  She gasped, the color draining from her face.

"Hey, I know you", Eric said.

"No", Faith said shortly, "you don't."  The Slayer turned, giving him her back.  "Lets go Wesley."

Wesley frowned and looked from the younger man to Faith's back.  'They knew each other?'

Eric smiled slyly.  "No, I remember you.  I remember you real good."

"Shut up", Faith said quietly, never bothering to turn around.

The dark haired guy's eyes roved over Faith's form hungrily.  "Yeah, I know you all right.  It was here, at the club, about a month ago...  You remember don't you?"

Faith grit her teeth, her eyes squeezing closed.  "Shut up."

"I didn't forget you", Eric continued, "not with that body, not when you--"

Whatever else he was going to say was cut off.

The sudden silence made her turn. Dark eyes widened in horror. "Shit! Wes! Let him go."

Wesley had pinned the guy to the brick wall, his elbow at his throat.  "Do you have any concept whatsoever of the meaning of respect?", the former Watcher hissed into his ear.  "She just saved your miserable life, you bloody --"

The Slayer grabbed Wes's shoulder.  "Wes, stop!", she shouted.  Her words interrupted his diatribe, but did nothing to make the Englishman release the guy.

"Let him go Wesley.  Please... I'm not worth it", she said in a small voice.

The ex-Watcher visibly flinched, and after another moment, released his hold on the younger man.  "Get out of here", Wesley bit out, his voice filled with quiet menace.

Relieved but shaken, Eric kept him mouth shut and split.  All that mattered was that he was alive.

Wesley turned to face Faith, unable to put into words, how much it hurt him to hear her say things like that about herself.  He put a hand on her
shoulder, only to have her shrug it off.  She began to walk away but he didn't move from his place.

"I think you're worth it, Faith."

Wesley's voice froze her in place.  She didn't turn.  "Why?  Because I'm the Slayer?", she replied harshly.

"No, because you're Faith."

The dark haired woman took a long, shaky breath.

"I'm sorry", the Brit murmured, "I know I swore I would leave you alone, but I can't."  He sounded closer now.  "I think you're worth it.  I think you're one of the best among us, I think you're worth more than I ever will be."

"No--", she responded, "no way."

"But you are, don't you see?  You've been touched by the dark, and yet you chose the light.  You voluntarily decided to make amends for your actions, and now even though you are free, you've continued the battle.  Bloody hell woman, you even picked up a stray baby demon!  Not many people, especially a Watcher trained Slayer would do such a thing, Faith."

"You would have", Faith said stubbornly, meeting Wesley's gaze.

The former Watcher met her stare evenly, even as he shook his head.  "No.  I would not have", he said honestly.

"Perhaps I would not have been able to force myself to kill it, but I had honestly planned on leaving it abandoned in that building and washing my
hands of the whole business that night", he admitted.

The rogue Slayer's mouth opened and then closed.

"I'm not perfect Faith.  No one is.  I'm not a saint.  I'm a human being, and humans make mistakes and do some extraordinarily shitty things."

"But--"

"You have to forgive yourself Faith.  You have to forgive yourself for making some mistakes, for being young and rebellious, for allowing things
like hatred and jealousy to consume you.  It could have happened to anybody, had their path through life run as yours had....", Wesley said seriously, his blue eyes raking over her face.

Moisture welled in the dark depths of her eyes.  "Its hard Wesley."

"It would be easier, if you let people get close to you Faith.  Letting us help you... letting me help you.  But you have to let me in. Will you let me
in Faith?  Would you let me help you?", he asked gently.

Unchecked tears fell from her eyes.  "Wesley I lo--"

"Shhhh...", Wesley murmured under his breath, pressing a single finger to her lips to quiet her.  "One thing at a time. Will you?"

"Yes."  A small smile lit the Slayer's face.

The tall Englishman sent a grateful prayer to the heavens and pressed a kiss to the top of Faith's head.  He wrapped an arm about her shoulders.
"Wonderful", he said, as they slowly began to walk.

His voice trailed behind them as they ambled along the street.

"We should begin again, I think."

"Huh."

"Yes we should."  Suddenly, he stopped walking and turned to face her, sticking his hand out at her.

"What are you--"

"Wesley Wyndham-Pryce at your service... and you are?"

To her own shock, Faith giggled before taking his proffered hand, and giving it a firm shake.  "Faith, Faith Wilkins."

Wesley smiled at her.  "Well Miss Wilkins, I dare say its quite forward of me, but I wondered how you would feel about accompanying me to a movie
tomorrow night."

Shrugging slightly, the dark Slayer followed his lead.  "Why Mr. Wyndham-Pryce, I'm shocked, are you asking me for a date?"

"Well considering everything that's happened Miss Wilkins, I think its about time we did this the right way, don't you?"

Faith smirked, remembering all too clearly, one night when many, many things went right.  "As I recall, I believe we've done a few things right Mr.
Wyndham-Pryce."

Wesley blushed.  "Faith.... ", he said warningly.

"Especially that hot move you did with your tongue."

"Faith!"
 

~Part: 50~

~Sunnydale~

Glory paced the floor, her rage palpable to the cringing minions that hid throughout the room hoping not to garner her attention.  Abruptly, the blond stopped in the middle of the room her eyes seeking those of her head toady.

"Report!", she barked.

"Well Glorious One, we did as you asked and followed the Slayer again", he said timidly.

"And!!"

"And, well nothing.  She went on patrol as usual.  However, there were two new people there with her."

The hell god stood staring into space, twining her curly hair about a finger.  "Were they the same ones who interfered a couple of days ago?"

The minion hastily shook his head.  "No oh beauteous, marvelous--"

"Would you get on with it", Glory hissed, interrupting his fawning.

He cleared his throat.  "No.  One was a tall, dark haired male and the other was a small, redheaded female."

"Darn", Glory sighed, her eyes glassy, "I really wanted to ask that dark haired chick with the crossbow where she got her shoes; they were so hot.
Or, at the very least suck her brain out of her ears with a straw."

The head minion gulped.  He had run out of things to say.  Glory drew nearer.

The hell god's temper flared and she stomped her foot, cracking the marble tile beneath her high, red heeled shoes.  "Is that it?  Doesn't anyone know anything?!"

Her demonic helper cringed beneath the force of her glare, visibly shaking as she stalked towards him.  He cringed, but froze in hopeful terror when
instead of brain-sucking him or turning him inside out, Glorificus suddenly smiled.

"Guess that means I'm gonna have to pay the Slayer a visit, huh?"

They entered his crypt, and she sat on the bed, watching as he pulled the heavy stone sarcophagus slightly over the entrance.

Amy sighed heavily.

Spike frowned at the sound and climbed down the metal ladder.  He walked towards his witch.  "What's wrong luv?"

"I'm just so frustrated", she said after a moment.

The cocky vampire arched a scarred eyebrow, a low chuckle erupting from is throat.

The young woman rolled her eyes.  "Not *that* way you insufferable vampire."

He winked at her.  He'd known what she meant.  "No luck, eh?"

Amy shook her head.  "No. Even with all the new help, there is absolutely nothing out there about how to destroy a god.  It scares me Spike.  I don't want anything to happen to her."

"I don't either Amy-pet", he said, kneeling in front of her and placing his head on her lap.  "As bizarre as it may seem, I care about Nibblet.  I'm not
going to let anything happen to her."

"I know", the witch murmured.  "You're a softie, deep down in that black heart of yours."

Spike grimaced.  "Bloody hell woman, don't let that get out."

"It'll be out little secret Spike."  Her hand ruffled the surprising soft strands of the vampire's hair.

He grabbed her wrist, the abruptness of the move caused her eyes to widen. "Spike?"

"No.  No more secrets."

Amy swallowed, nodding.  She knew exactly what he was talking about.  Guilt squeezed her heart.

"We're together, and now everyone knows it.  Not to mention, I don't have to follow Slutty around like a puppy dog anymore", the British vampire told her.

"I know, I'm sorry."

"I love you pet, and if I hadn't I wouldn't have done it."  Spike nuzzled her cheek.  "I just don't ever want to be placed in that kind of position
again.  The secrets were killing me..."

"Not too hard considering you're already dead", she quipped weakly.

Spike glared at her.

"Sorry", she whispered, her eyes dropping.  "I just thought... I'm sorry."

The chipped vampire lifted her chin, a single finger tilting her head towards his own.  He kissed her softly.

"I know Amy.  Its over now, and I'm glad."

"At least things seemed to be getting a little better.  Even Buffy seemed a bit more...", her voice trailed off searching for the words.

"Like her old annoying perky Slayer self?", Spike supplied.

Amy chuckled.  "Yeah."

"I think she got a serious wake up call when she went after my Sire and Red that night.  I also think the cheerleader probably had something to do with it.  The chit's got a big mouth, and she tells the truth... loudly and repeatedly", he observed.

"I think you're right."  She shook her head, and touched his cheek gently. "Still, even though she's a bit more present, I don't think Buffy can take
Glory on.  Not really.  Buffy can hold her at bay, but she can't stop her. Only killing her will stop her."

"Or..."

The blond witch looked at him sharply.  "What?"

"Or hiding what she seeks.  That would stop her", Spike said, capturing her gaze with icy cerulean eyes.

"Just like that?  Just leave?"

"Why not?", he continued.  "We can't let the loony bitch hurt Dawn and we can't let the world get sucked into hell...  its an option, and right now it
seems to be one of the few viable ones."

The young woman closed her eyes.  He was right.  It was an option, one that they had all been avoiding thinking about.

"Are you tired pet?", the bleached blond asked as he pulled down the zipper to her boots and took them off.

"Yeah... I just want--", she opened her eyes, "I just want to lie by your side and pretend for just a little while that nothing else exists.

Spike smirked, and stood, shrugging out of his leather duster.  It fell in a heap on the stone floor.

Amy pushed pack further onto the bed and rolled over on her side while he bent to unlace his own boots.  After a moment, the bed dipped and she felt her vampire's strong form spoon against her back, his arms wrapping around her waist.

~L.A.~

"I can't believe you didn't tell me immediately that you were injured", Wesley griped as he closed and locked the door to the Hyperion behind them.

Faith rolled her eyes, bending over and placing Max on the marble floor. The tiny devil dog immediately darted through the lobby and into the office,
nose flaring and ears alert.  She grinned.  Some day he was going to be a kick ass guard demon, that was for sure.

"You weren't even going to tell me, were you?", the ex Watcher grumbled. "If Lorne hadn't told me he saw pain in your aura, you were just going to
ignore it...."

"Ahh.. forget it Wes.  No harm, no foul okay?", she told him, taking the wooden dagger from her waistband.  She stared at it for a moment, marveling at its smoothness.  Any trace of the blood of the devil dog she'd killed, was gone.  It was like the thing absorbed it somehow.  The dark Slayer shook her head in amazement.

"Wow."

"What?", Wesley asked.

Faith handed him the dagger.

The Englishman looked at it.  "Interesting isn't it?  It did that the last time too."

Striding towards the weapons locker, Wesley opened it and grabbed a scrap of purple silk.  He wrapped the alder knife in it carefully and placed it on a small shelf.

He turned around.  "Come on."

"What?  Where?", Faith asked, her eyes straying from Max's antics with one of Wesley's socks.  She didn't even know how he'd gotten a hold of it.

"I'm going to examine those ribs of yours."

Faith's eyes widened.  "Can you not, and say you did?"

"Faith."

"But I'll be fine in a few days....", she said, frowning when it came out more like a whine.

"Perhaps, but I know you're in pain right now, and I insist on wrapping them before you go to bed."

The Slayer scrunched up her nose and glanced over her shoulder at him. She only just resisted the urge to tease him about his choice of words, the
stubborn set of his shoulders telling her everything.

"Fine", she sighed.

She whistled, and Max ran over to her.  She scooped him up and felt a twinge in her side.  Grimacing, she followed her former Watcher.  It was so
annoying when he was right.

~Late night, Sunnydale~

Xander awoke to an empty, lonely bed.

"Anya?", he called out.  Blinking sleepily, he noticed the large, red digital numbers on his alarm clock.

'Three fifteen in the morning...'

Struggling to a sitting position, the dark haired young man pushed the covers aside.

Yawning, Xander stretched and scratched his stomach through the thin cotton of his tee shirt, as he practically stumbled to the door of the bedroom.

Opening it, he was startled to hear voices.

Following the sound, slowly, he walked down the hallway and gasped.

Anya sat on the couch, facing the lazy boy chair where a tall, familiar looking demon sat, his long purple cloak almost hiding his feet completely.

"Anya!", Xander squeaked.

The ex-demon turned and smiled at him sweetly.

"Hi Xander, you look tired."

"And that would make sense since I'm awake and its almost four in the morning", he joked automatically.  Slowly, he neared her seat, his eyes not
leaving the face of the other occupant of the room.  His eyes widened as the identity of the demon finally made its way out of his still half-asleep
brain.

"D'Hoffryn?"

The demon nodded politely.

Xander blinked, and then turned his head to glare at his girlfriend.

"What the hell--", cutting himself off, Xander turned to D'Hoffryn, "no offense."

"None taken", Anya's former demonic boss said.

"Thanks", Xander replied, before looking at Anya again.

"What the hell are you doing?  Do you know what time it is?"

His girlfriend's gaze was guileless.  "Yes, its the demon world break time. Everyone gets two fifteen minute breaks as well as a paid lunch.  This is
one of their breaks."

Xander stared at her blankly.

"Oh."

Taking pity on her boyfriend, Anya finally attempted an explanation.  "I called him here.  I want to call in a favor."

"A favor", the youth mumbled, his mouth going dry.  "You're not--  You're not leaving me, and going back to the vengeance business are you?"  His
voice rose with every word.  She couldn't leave him.  She just couldn't.  He loved her.

Anya smiled at him.  "No silly.  I'm calling in a favor for your ex-girlfriend.  I have you and she doesn't, so I'm going to do something nice for her."

Xander frowned, his mind going careening to a disbelieving halt.  After almost a full minute of silence, his eyes went from his girlfriend's pretty
face to D'Hoffryn's less than pretty features.

"You want to help Cordelia?"

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