When paths cross.

[justaprophecy]

I wanted to sleep. All I wanted was a few hours to chill and let shit calm down. Especially me. A nice hot bath with fruity oils and a good book just to let all my probs melt out of me.

So I went to the first nightclub I could find.

Screw the bath, I needed release. Nothing's better than being surrounded by people who either want you or want to

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[justaprophecy]

Right when I thought I was gonna take a tumble backwards the bastard took hold of my wrists, balancing me back safely upon my feet. Whoa. Didn't think I was that trashed. Maybe I drank a little more than I thought.. or the coma thing just really smacked away my tolerance.

"I am watchin' where you're goin', pet, cuz believe me when I say it's a nice view where I'm standin'," a familiar voice said to me which hit me harder than a brick. I snapped my eyes up, lettin' my sight take a minute to focus before my suspicions were found correct. "Well aren't you the smooth talker," I smirked back at him as he released me, rubbin' my wrists. Heh.. if this wasn't a shocker. Last time I saw this guy he was makin' the lusty eyes at B .. well, me rather in another body .. and 'lo and behold lookie who pops up again. Seems he went from the lost and chipped horny puppy to chipped stalker-man extraordinare. Or he could've came here in L.A. to try and join the Faith round-up. "Think of that one all by yourself? A simple 'nice shoes, wanna fuck?' woulda done just fine."

"Now... Faith, right? Care t'chat up an old family friend on why you're here in town, drunk and stakin' vamps you grind that sweet arse of yours against, hmmm?"

Guess he's been watchin' me for awhile. Big surprise. "William the Bloody, yeah? It's Friday night, man," I answered with a sarcastic snicker as if the question were dumb. Which.. it was. Didn't know what the fuck he was talkin' about 'cept, great, he knew who I was. Another shocker. "Just blowin' off a little steam, y'know? I find it more constructive than crawlin' around in the shadows, watchin' chicks and bein' a stalker. But I guess if I stayed in Sunny-D long enough, got a chip in my head, I'd get bored and bounce around the town spookin' girls, too. Maybe I'd even bleach my hair." Couldn't really help myself. Here I was goin' off the mouth piss-ass drunk to a guy who's killed two Slayers in his unlife and now he was nothin' but a little helpless puppy. I'm not heartless -- I did feel some pity for the poor bastard.. he's been livin' in 'dale feelin' the wrath of B, right?

I sympathized.

Shrugging lazily, my lips curved into a cruel smirk. "In other words, blondie, it's none of your business.. 'specially since I don't know why the hell you're here, talkin' to me." My features twisted differently, however. I tilted my chin downward, givin' him the naughty seductive eye and a lickin' of lips as I moved a bit closer to 'im. My voice lowered to a soft whisper. "Unless you want a lil' repeat of what happened to your little vampy brother in there.."

[big_pile_o_dust]

"Think of that one all by yourself? A simple 'nice shoes, wanna fuck?' woulda done just fine."

Right, then. I nodded a few times before shovin' my hands into my duster pockets, searchin' for my lighter t'play with. "Well, I'll remember t'use that line on you later, then, pet... if it's gettin' you so hot and heavy."

"William the Bloody, yeah? It's Friday night, man..."

Wait, she knew who I was? I knew I was famous, but... didn't figure Faith for the book-learnin' type or what-all. Not from the way Rupert had painted this picture of her bein' some evil version of the little blonde Slayer back at SunnyHell. This should be interestin'...

"Just blowin' off a little steam, y'know? I find it more constructive than crawlin' around in the shadows, watchin' chicks and bein' a stalker. But I guess if I stayed in Sunny-D long enough, got a chip in my head, I'd get bored and bounce around the town spookin' girls, too. Maybe I'd even bleach my hair."

"How do you...?" I stepped closer t'her, eyein' her carefully. No one knew 'bout all that shit, I thought, except for everyone back 'home'. Tried t'compose myself, though, not let her know she got t'me. "Yeah, steam... guess once you've killed someone and escaped custody after playin' Sleepin' fuckin' Beauty all this time, you'd need t'do that... right?" I pressed.

Two could play her game.

"In other words, blondie, it's none of your business.. 'specially since I don't know why the hell you're here, talkin' to me. Unless you want a lil' repeat of what happened to your little vampy brother in there.."

I raised my hands in mock-surrender. "Not a brother, luv. I was simply inquirin'... I'm here, actually, lookin' for my Grand-Sire. Believe you know him... goes by the name 'Angel' now?" I took a quick drag and grinned as I watched her do the same. Funny. If she'd really wanted me dead, she would've dusted me by now.

Not had a conversation with me.

I tiled my head at her, tryin' t'sort her out. "We... haven't met yet... have we?"

[justaprophecy]

"How do you...?" He took a step closer toward me and I didn't budge. Instead I just tilted my head up a little and gave him that little grin of mine. I had to watch him closely though, I could literally see the gears turnin' in that pretty little head of his as it seemed he had to take a moment to collect his thoughts. I'm surprised he didn't put the pieces of the puzzle together yet.. due time though. Maybe he'll pop out the million dollar question.

"Yeah, steam... guess once you've killed someone and escaped custody after playin' Sleepin' fuckin' Beauty all this time, you'd need t'do that... right?"

"Wow," I replied, faking interest with the whole thumbs-up bit. Gotta say, he's got the balls. Especially for someone who can't hurt anything. "You did your homework, Sparky, I'm impressed." I clapped my hands in exaggeration, tryin' to keep all the negative emo's on the side. Things were about to get interestin' and I didn't want to ruin it so soon. "Get that from the Slayer pals or were you just that curious about me?" I gave a little wink, crossin' my arms over my chest as I listened to him go on.

"Not a brother, luv. I was simply inquirin'... I'm here, actually, lookin' for my Grand-Sire. Believe you know him... goes by the name 'Angel' now?"

Okay, that was a mood killer. Really didn't see this one comin' when I thought interesting. Know him? Sure I knew him. Did I want to? That was still up in the air. My playful facade all but vanished when his name brushed through my ears, making me pause for a sec. Damn. Every single time I seem to hear 'Angel' my stomach has to go and twist into knots. Sighing, I tried to find myself a bench to sit on since the balancin' ordeal was gettin' a little harder as time went on.. didn't work out well though.

"I might," I answered with a slight slur, fighting my sarcasm back into my attitude. "Might not. Depends how much that info is worth to ya." I lifted my eyebrows and left it to that 'cause honestly? I didn't want to get back on that subject. I was 'bout to open my mouth askin' him why the hell he was here when when Angel's keep was way on the other side.. but then he asked something that moved my thoughts way elsewhere.

"We... haven't met yet... have we?"

Ah, there it was. I let the Soul Boy deal die for now because now it was time to get those gears movin' just a little faster. I grinned and chuckled to myself, movin' my hand in to smoothly yet slowly snatch his little cancer stick away. "Reminds me," I purred out, taking in a long drag to feel the soothing smoke run down my throat and through my nose. Fuck, so much better. Been awhile since I had one of these.. almost had to close my eyes. ".. 'bout the whole hot an' heavy offer you gave me earlier. You shouldn't say things like that to me. You know why?" I looked up, my wicked grin spreadin' even wider. Had to see his face when I let the cat out of the bag. "Because it's wrong."

[big_pile_o_dust]

"You did your homework, Sparky, I'm impressed. Get that from the Slayer pals or were you just that curious about me?"

"Couldn't care less 'bout you, pet," I countered t'her patronizin' little applause. "Just somethin' a bloke like me hears 'bout. Vamp's got t'be careful these days when there's more than one bloody Slayer runnin' 'bout." I grinned at her, already beginning t'both like her and be fuckin' annoyed with her.

Sure beat the hell out of Slutty the Vampire Slayer. Ponce could take her for all I cared - shit, if he shagged her again, he'd go all evil and maybe he'd finally be fuckin' interestin' again. Wasn't like I had t'worry none 'bout him stealin' Dru from me or anythin' anymore.

Faith got all quiet on me, though, and sat down. I followed her slowly, sittin' next t'her and takin' a drag before she ended up stealin' my fag. "Oi! Watch it there!" I complained, but she was gone. Somewhere else... what had I said that got her changed so?

"I might... Might not. Depends how much that info is worth to ya."

Ah. Angel. Of course, the Great Forehead. Should've known. "Not worth much," I lied, sittin' back casually and tryin' t'decide just how much info t'pass onto her. "Just thought I'd pay him a visit, is all." I watched her face for any kind of reaction t'give me a clue as t'why she was upset 'bout him.

"Reminds me..."

"Hmmm?"

".. 'bout the whole hot an' heavy offer you gave me earlier. You shouldn't say things like that to me. You know why?"

This all sounded familiar, but I was willin' t'play for a bit. "No. Why?"

"Because it's wrong."

My brow furrowed as I tried t'get her meanin', but it hit me finally... my eyes opened wide and I stood, pointin' accusingly at Faith. "You!" I started pacin' back and forth, everythin' fallin' into place. "They couldn't find you, gave me your description... the party." I stopped and glared at her, my voice lowered to a whisper.

"Promises of poppin' me like warm champagne. Not exactly somethin' Buffy would say, now is it?" I murmured, my lips pressin' closer t'her ear as I continued. "But... I'm wagerin'... it's somethin' you would say. And do. Isn't that right?"

Didn't know how it had been her, but I didn't rightly care at the moment. Just rememberin' her words was gettin' me off-track from my plan and makin' me all hard for the Slayer before that I didn't really know...

[justaprophecy]

"Not worth much. Just thought I'd pay him a visit, is all."

"Mm," I hummed, not totally believin' that considerin' Angel was all soulful and Spike was.. well, not. It wasn't much that I learned from my previous Watcher 'bout the Fanged Four, but enough to paint a blurry picture. "Too bad, y'know, 'cause everyone's got a price." I figured there might be some way we could help each other out. He might want somethin' from me, I wanted somethin' from him. Sanctuary, I guess you could call it. Not to say I trusted the guy much.. well, I didn't trust anybody much.. but at least I don't have to worry 'bout him fangin' out on me.

Heh. Normally, I wouldn't consider somethin' like this. Wasn't my gig. I thought of myself more of the loner after everything that's happened. But right now I couldn't really turn anywhere else since I pretty much met my dead end.. no place in the world as the Boss rightly put it. An opportunity springs up, I like to try and catch it. Cash was low and stakes were high so stealin' dough wasn't much of an option if I wanted to stay low profile girl. Sparky 'ere might be able to help with this little problem.

I wasn't ready to step down. Not yet.

"You!" he suddenly stood up and exclaimed, forcin' me to rush out of my thoughts and glare at him. I extended my hand to push his little accusin' finger down, not really wantin' to draw in more attention. That was the last thing I needed right now. "They couldn't find you, gave me your description... the party."

"You know me.. all party girl," I grinned, stretching my arms out to either side then holding them above my head all casual-like. "What can I say? I like to make the scene."

"Promises of poppin' me like warm champagne. Not exactly somethin' Buffy would say, now is it? But... I'm wagerin'... it's somethin' you would say. And do. Isn't that right?"

I froze as he leaned in closer, bein' all hot and seductive. Had to say it got the little tingles in me going but I played along, faking a trembled breath that I held in my chest, havin' a bit of fun with this now that I got him all flustered. "Ohh Spike," I whispered, moistening my lips with my tongue. "Didja think of that all by yourself?" I led the cigarette back to my mouth and took another drag before offering it back to him. "Don't take it personal, Sparky. I'm just messin'. But you did manage to get here.. and I need to get outta the village for a while." I placed my hands on my butt in a comfortable yet slightly suggestive posture, tilting my chin up at him a bit. "Whaddya say? Help a girl out? Y'know," my eyes shifted as if I were trying to find a way to put it. "You scratch my back, I scratch your..." I smirked. "You get the idea."

[big_pile_o_dust]

"You know me.. all party girl. What can I say? I like to make the scene."

I huffed a bit at that. No, I actually didn't know her, only from what I'd been told - and now from that moment at the party where she'd gotten me so hard just from her naughty words whispered in my ear. Bitch.

She took another drag before handin' me the fag back, which was useless since there was nothin' left on it, so's I just threw it t'the ground and smashed it with the heel of my boot. Faith had quite the smug look on her face, though, and kept on talkin'.

"Don't take it personal, Sparky. I'm just messin'. But you did manage to get here.. and I need to get outta the village for a while."

Oh, if she called me Sparky just one more fuckin' time...

"Whaddya say? Help a girl out? Y'know, you scratch my back, I scratch your... you get the idea."

Well, this was interestin' in a few ways. One? A Slayer not tryin' t'bloody stake me. Two? She knew where Angel was at right now, I could tell, if I needed t'get back t'him and my gem. And three?

She was still flirtin' with me.

"Sure thing, pet," I purred back at her, holdin' out a hand t'help her off the bench and lead her t'some little apartment I was stayin' at after findin' out the people that were livin' there had recently gotten themselves killed.

"This way t'paradise," I smirked.

[justaprophecy]

My eyes were watchin' him, silently waiting for an answer. In the meanwhile my own brain was tickin' a bit, wonderin' why I was still debating over it. The words Angel gave me was still stickin' to me somehow and I was finding it hard to wash it off, metaphorically speaking. Guilt, maybe? More than likely. The whole feelin' of it was still pretty alien so I didn't have a fuckin' clue. I give the guy credit for puttin' up with me as long as he did. But really.. what choice did I have? This was the easiest route out. The redemption thing just didn't work.. I couldn't do it. Can't do it. I'm not like him.

It was hard. I didn't like hard. B's spotlight appearance didn't help much, I tell you that.

I sighed to myself, breathin' in mainly to try and collect the pieces before I went ballistic again. If I want to be carefree girl like I'm cravin' to be I had to get over this bullshit. That's what it was.. bullshit. I'm a Slayer, I'm supposed to be one of the two strongest chicks in the world. How can I be when I'm constantly surrounded by the people who enjoyed doggin' me down? Fine, I got issues. But c'mon. I played good guy for awhile and what happened? Buffy. All 'bout Buffy.. nothin' about Faith. I don't want to play runner-up.

It wasn't.. fair.

"Sure thing, pet," Spike suddenly chimed in and I blinked out of my thoughts, turnin' my full attention back to him. Gotta shove everything to the backburner, girl.. it's probably the booze.

"Great," I said in return, offering him a grin. He got up and passed a hand to me on which I took, almost fallin' back once before I successfully lifted myself up with him as my balance.. again.

"This way t'paradise.."

I tossed a look over my shoulder toward where Angel and all his crew were probably moppin' up the mess that started on top of that roof while I walked alongside Spike. "Ain't no such thing, Sparky," I said quietly to myself.