Swallowed whole and out of reach, the black sheep

[prodigal_slayer]

I had two coffees in my hand, one kept returning to my lips and the other one was sort of bein' juggled between two hands as I tried to smoke a cigarette too. I figured I had shit for luck with the pizza I was bringin' Tara last night, might as well try coffee this time. 'Sides, I needed a serious caffeine injection because it was ten a.m. and

Comments

[watcher_pryce]

"Fourth floor, room 43," I muttered, looking around for a pen to write it down. Scowling at myself, I realized that this wasn't actually necessary. I know where Faith's dorm was for crying out loud, the one next to it should really not be hard to find. "I'm on my."

Putting down the phone, I checked my watch while making my way over to the weapons chest. I couldn't very well tote around the usual in broad daylight, but I wasn't about to leave the house without my gun. Grabbing it, I made sure it was loaded, stuffed some extra bullets in the pockets of my jacket and grabbed the keys

Its times like these I lament the fact that I don't have a car. Perhaps I should consider getting myself a bicycle or some such. That would go fast then on foot, and in this blasted down faster then a car. Quickly I locked the door behind me and took off in a run. Straight through the park and onto the campus.

Luckily most students had already left for the vacation, so I didn't have to elbow my way through a throng of bodies. Panting for air, I made navigated my way over to Faith's dorm. From there I ran to the one next to it, fourth floor, room 43.

"Faith?" Glancing around for anything suspicious, I knocked on the door.

[prodigal_slayer]

It wasn't much longer after I'd found the body that I finally heard the knock at the door and the familiar comforting voice on the other side. Wesley was here. Quickly I opened the door as he let himself in and stopped short at what he saw laying on the ground by the closet door. Yeah, it was kinda upsetting but not nearly as upsetting as it would have been if that dead girl had been Tara. Still, it wasn't really easy to look at cause sometimes they all felt like a failure. I couldn't be everywhere at once, I couldn't save everyone. I'd accepted that fact a wicked long time ago. I wondered if it hit Wesley harder or less hard than it did me. Less hard because he really wasn't he superhero in the mix here. More like crusty old Albert wiling away long hours knitting booties for Robin in the batcave. Okay, that wasn't really a fair comparison but still a humorous one. Harder because he had to accept the fact that he was all breakable just like everyone else. Whereas me? Well, I wasn't exactly indestructible but I was a fair bit more hardy than your average Joe. Of course, that wasn't gonna stop me from dyin' way earlier than Wes ever would. Just goes with the gig.

"Tara's roomate." I said grimly, vaguelly wondering what the hell we were gonna do with the body. I guess we'd just leave her here and bail. Let the Boston PD deal with her as soon as someone found her. Hopefully that person could be Tara as soon as we found her. I had the feeling that finding Tara was gonna be alot easier said than done. First I had to find the Immortal. He was baiting me and what else could I do but play along? He hadn't killed me yet and that was kind've a plus but I knew it was a dim hope to think that he might not be plannin' on killin' me at all. I really was hopin' to kill him before he had the chance.

"I looked around everywhere but....I didn't see any clues about where they might've taken her. Sorry I woke you up but I figured two pairs of eyes is better than one." I knew I didn't have to apologize especially since Wesley had pretty much grown used to the midnight calls for help, rousing him from sleep. But still, it was good to appease him every once in awhile. Especially if I needed his help. I figured that Tara was gonna need all the help she could get if The Immortal really was the one who nabbed her.

With a sigh I sat down on the edge of Tara's bed as Wesley's eyes began sweeping around the room. Now I was gonna have to face the royal pain in the ass with absolutely not witch friend to help with the pesky magick tricks. Maybe I should learn a couple magick tricks all my own but I was pretty sure I'd only end up screwin' 'em up. Best I left the magick up to the witchy types.

[watcher_pryce]

When she opened the door, I quickly ducked in before anyone might see us. It might not be busy at this time of year, but one never knew. Especially not in our line of work. She closed the door behind me and just as I was about to turn around, I noticed something from the corners of my eyes. A body.

Oh god. Was that Tara? No, Faith would've mentioned it Tara was dead. Then again, she might have only just discovered it. Concerned, I turned to look at Faith and let out a relieved breath when she said it was Tara's roommate. Which was a pretty awful thing to do, not to mention thoughtless, but I couldn't help it. I nodded at her, stepping further into the room.

"We'd best leave it here for the police. I'll make an anonymous call later today." That was the way we usually worked when we'd not been able to save the innocent. Can't save them all, but it still feels as though you've failed them when you arrive to late. I knew Faith felt that even stronger, no matter what I'd tell her. She'd still blame herself, which is why she was a good Slayer.

Sighing, I started to scan the room. I had very little hope in finding a clue here. Especially if Faith had already taken a good look. There wasn't much she missed, not with her eyes or intuition.

"Dammit," I muttered, knowing this was a nasty blow to our plan. Faith needed Tara to perform the spell to fight this immortal bastard. "Where could he have taken her?" I asked at no one in particular. Just thinking out loud, as was my habit. By now we've known several places where he could keep her. I was almost certain he'd keep her alive. She as to powerful to kill, he'd use that power. Narrowing my eyes, I kept scanning the room for a clue. Any clue, no matter how small, could be the very thing to free Tara.

[prodigal_slayer]

"Fuck if I know." I admitted glumly as Wes stood across from me as I sat on the edge of the bed. He had that thinking look on his face and I wondered if mine looked anything like that. No way. I had no idea where The Immortal brought her and let's face it, he could've brought her anywhere. "He's got the whole city wired, Wes. He could be stashin' her anywhere." I chewed on my bottom lip as I thought about all the places she could be. She could be at the warehouse he shipped out of down by the harbor, but he would probably know that's the first place he'd look for her. Not that that was gonna stop me from goin' anyway. Cause I had the feeling that he wanted me to, that I had to find him in order to find her. He wanted something from me or else I'd already be dead. I couldn't believe that he was just doin' all this cause he was bored, in order to bait me.

"No." I shook my head as I quickly stood up from the bed. "You know what this is. He's callin' me out, Wes. He's got her somewhere and he wants to gloat. He wants to find me, or make me find him. I dunno which." Which by the way was kind've annoying as everytime I went up against him I got my ass thoroughly kicked. I was goin' in there empty handed no matter how many weapons I brought with me and it wasn't that I'd managed to fight my way out of all the situations he'd put me in, it was more like he was lettin' me live. He was playin' with me. Had I mentioned how much I hated this guy?

"I don't know what else to do. Unless you got a better plan." But there was no way in hell I was lettin' Tara meet the same fate her roomate had. I couldn't save her, but I had to save Tara. I needed her and besides, she was the only person around here who was actually kind've nice to me. Made sure I didn't fail my final even if she was pissed a la Wesley that I'd cheated off of her during the exam. For some reason this one just seemed more important than the rest of them, and it didn't have that much to do with the fact that she was the only one who coudl perform the spell I needed her to do. Had the Immortal known that? Is that why he'd taken her?

[watcher_pryce]

I raised my eyebrow at her. Even though I was quite used to her use of language by now, it never failed to elicit this reaction from me. And to be quite honest, I thought the situation was rather appropriate for such use of language.

The face of utter dejection mixed with determination on her face caused a small chill to go up my spine. I'd seen that look before. It was my lest favorite look because that usually meant she was going to whatever it took no matter what I'd say. It meant there was a big chance I might loose my Slayer. And the Council can go bugger themselves, but Faith wasn't 'just' my Slayer or even 'a' Slayer to me. She was Faith, she was like family and no one likes their family going off into a battle they may or may not return from. Even when there is nothing one can do about it.

Sighing, I crossed my arms over my chest and glanced at the floor. Did I have a better plan? No, not really. We had tried just about anything when it came to that bastard. Tara had been our final option and now she was in danger. I blamed myself for allowing a 'civilian' as they so nicely put it, to get involved into this fight. I should have never allowed the girl to agree with the spell, to agree to perform it for us. Look what it got her, a dead roommate and lord only knows if she's still alive herself.

She probably is, as long as she's of use to this bastard.

"I'm afraid I don't have a better plan," I sighed, lifting my head to look at her. I pushed my glasses up my nose and shrugged. "Other then coming along and making sure you don't run in seven ditches at once. We've tried every know resource when it comes to that wanker. There is not much else we can do then find Tara and get her out of there." Safe, sound, alive and in one piece. Preferably with Faith the same way.

[prodigal_slayer]

Well, if Wes didn't have a better plan than we really were pretty well fucked here. Cause I relied on Wes to come up with the better plans. That was his job! Watcher. Comer upper of better plans than me. The seriousness almost melted away from the situation when he referred to the Immortal as a 'wanker'. Guess Wes was really worked up too, usin' language like that. Tsk tsk. What would the Council say? Next I'd have him sayin' 'fuck'. Naw. That wasn't likely to happen. Unless I made him really mad...

"No, Wes you can't....seven ditches at once?" I scrunched up my face and gave him a confused look, completely distracted for a second. What the hell did that mean? Shaking my head I did my best to give him another very serious look. I wasn't fuckin' around here and neither was the Immortal. Knew that much for sure.

"You can't." I said quickly and he opened his mouth to argue but I cut him off again. "Wes! He's already got Tara holed up somewhere and the last thing I need is for him to come lookin' for you too. If he thinks he can use you against me, he will. And you've seen what I come back lookin' like everytime I fight him and I'm the slayer."

He still looked indignant and I couldn't really blame him. If I was him I'd insist on coming to. But I hoped that if I was him I'd understand why I couldn't have him come with me. It was too dangerous. I couldn't risk him.

"I can't lose you." I said seriously. "You're the only thing I have, Wesley. I need you to stay safe."

[watcher_pryce]

She wanted to go alone, as per usual. And as per usual I bristled at that. Dammit, she needs some backup here. And I may not be much but I could watch her back. I was well aware that when it came to fighting I was better off staying with the long distance weapons. I could throw a good punch. And then put ice on my hand later, but that wasn’t the point. I had a bad feeling about this and I didn’t want her out there on her own.

Ignoring her confusion, she was too easily distracted, I shook my head. She can stand there being all defiant and stubborn, I was coming with. There was no way I was going to let her handle this alone. I needed to know she was safe, and the best way to do that was to tag along. I could take care of myself, and if I did get hurt it was just part of the job. Just as it was part of her. I knew what I was getting into when I became her watcher.

Except, I did more then watch didn’t I? It went against all rules of the sacred Council, but their rules had little meaning to me these days.

Her words however took my by surprise. I looked at her stunned for a moment before I found my voice again. “And I can’t not know you’re alright, Faith. I can’t let you go out there without backup. I’m coming with.” *I* can't loose you. And that’s that. Right?

[prodigal_slayer]

Setting my mouth into an angry line I was about to argue with him when I could see the determination in his eyes. He was comin' with me and there wasn't any way that I could convince him otherwise. If something happened to him...I really hated the idea that something might happen to him. Finally I just gave in because there wasn't anything I could do about it. And as much as I'd never admit it? It did make me feel better knowin' that he had my back. Really? He was the only one I could trust to ever have my back for real.

I nodded at him. "Okay, you can come with me, but long range weapons only. Leave the hand to hand to me and if it gets too rough I want you to bail." I said seriously, knowing that he wouldn't listen to me anyway. There was no way Wes would turn tail and run if things got wicked bad. He'd wanna see it all the way through. Another reason why he was the only one I trusted to have my back.

I had to get out of this room, it was makin' me crazy just standin' around when we had to find Tara and figure out how to waste The Immortal.

"Do you think you could do a locater spell on Tara? If we can at least find out where she is....." I let the words trail off becuase I knew Wes could do some magick stuff but not that much. I also knew The Immortal could just figure out some way to block us from finding her if he really wanted to. I was bankin' on the fact that The Immortal was callin' me out.

He wanted me to find him and he was using Tara to draw me to him.

[watcher_pryce]

It was tempting to raise my eyebrow at her when she damn near gave me permission tag along. Just who is the watcher here? As if I'd have taken no for an answer. I don't bloody well think so. Giving her a blank look when she practically ordered me to bail when things got rough, I snorted.

Right, as if I'd leave her alone then. Silly girl. She knew I'd never do that, no matter what. I knew what I was getting in to when I took this job. And I knew that if it weren't for Faith being so overprotective, I'd have died several times ago. One day the time would come when she'd not be able to protect me. But it would be my choice, because I chose to fight along side her.

Not sit back and watch her die to write it down in a bloody journal.

"I just need something that was hers." Frowning, I stepped away from the body and started to look through her room. I just needs something that meant something to Tara. Then it would be easy to find her and with her his bastard no doubt. Finally spotting something that looked like hers, I picked it up and nodded. It had her energy pattern.

"Alright then," muttered, sitting down on the floor. One usually needed candles with it, but I'd skip the official crap and got right down to it. Closing my eyes, I concentrated while clutching a small teddy bear in my hands. I could feel the small ball of energy forming itself and when I opened my eyes after... I don't know how long, I was breathing hard, but there was a small orange ball hovering in front of me.

"And now we just follow the leader," I whispered.