Do what must be done...
That'd be what I'm doing. Even though this is going to constitute doing something I'd much rather not do. Faith most likely won't be expecting to see me either, I know Angel's visited her a few times, but I think the correct term would be 'I just haven't had the time to'. That would be the best excuse
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"Wes."
"You're looking well." I'm not sure if it was sarcasm, or genuine, but she didn't quite look broken down like most of the prisoners seemed. She seemed to accept her fate more or less. That's admirable, considering where she is.
"Never woulda figured you'd be visitin' me. Wanna tell me what you're doin' here?"
"Angel's missing, and so is Cordelia." I said calmly, getting right down to business. I'd figure she'd appreciate that a lot more than pleasantries, I know I would. "I'm working on how to find them, but Fred and Gunn, the other people they work with," They, meaning not me anymore. I have to keep putting myself in the past tense with that, otherwise I'll forget. "They're by themselves."
It wasn't about just protecting Fred and Gunn, I knew Connor wasn't liable to hurt either of them... they're human. It's also about Los Angeles being left without a protector, and the innocent lives at stake. Hopefully Faith can be trusted enough to take up the gauntlet.
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Yeah, it’s this great prison life. Good for the complexion.
“Could definitely say the same for you. All rugged and shit. Hell, you might even be borderin’ on hot there Wes. What the hell’s got into you?”
I smirked, raisin’ my eyebrow. I wasn’t lyin’ either. Boy looked good. Damn good.
Leanin’ forward, I put my elbows on the counter in front of me, restin’ my forearm on the surface and holdin’ the phone up to my ear with my other hand.
“Now I know you didn’t come down here to tell me how good I was lookin’. What’s the real reason for you payin’ me a visit?”
"Angel's missing, and so is Cordelia."
I tilted my head to the side, lookin’ at him all confused like. Missing?
Before I could even say anything, he went on talkin’.
"I'm working on how to find them, but Fred and Gunn, the other people they work with, They're by themselves."
Color me confused. Last I heard, Wes was Angel’s right hand at Team Angel. And who the hell is Fred and Gunn?
“Okay, so they’re missin’. If Team Angel’s all split up like you’re makin’ it sound, then maybe they just took off. Whatever.” I shrugged. “Anyway, it looks like you got things all under control with the whole tryin’ to find ‘em and all. What I ain’t clear on is why you’re here tellin’ me about it.”
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I sighed, trying to figure out how exactly I'm going to word 'I need you to break out of prison', since the gaurds nearby wouldn't take kindly to the request. I really don't feel like getting arrested today, especially with all the work to be done.
"You know Angel, Faith. He doesn't just disappear without a good explanation, and Cordelia is the same way. They're dedicated to the cause, no matter what."
As to the splitting up part... "And they haven't." I said finally. "Split up, I mean." I sighed again. "It's an extremely long story filled with a great amount of inane details that would probably bore you to death." Actually, she might be interested, but I don't feel like going into it. "The long and the short of it is, I did something wrong, and I'm not working with Angel anymore."
I hoped she could understand why I was doing this, even though I didn't have a clue. "And with Angel and Cordelia gone, Los Angeles still requires a protector, otherwise innocent people will be dying. I can't do everything, I'll need help." Her help, if she feels like giving it.
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He did have a point. Somethin' wasn't right. I frowned, still listenin' and concentratin' on what he was sayin', but my mind was turnin' and I was tryin' to figure out what was goin' on. There had to be some kinda explanation. And I was determined to get to the bottom of it.
Somehow.
"And they haven't. Split up, I mean. It's an extremely long story filled with a great amount of inane details that would probably bore you to death. The long and the short of it is, I did something wrong, and I'm not working with Angel anymore."
As if I wasn't confused enough already. But he was right, I was already bored. With that part of it anyway. I was too focused on the whole Angel missin' part of it all. Oh, yeah and Corelia too.
"And with Angel and Cordelia gone, Los Angeles still requires a protector, otherwise innocent people will be dying. I can't do everything, I'll need help."
And I'm guessin' that's my answer on why he came here. He needs my help. I took a deep breath, shootin' a glance over towards the guards who weren't payin' attention to anything but somethin' on the tv. Sick bastards probaby watchin' porn or some shit.
I tightened my grip on the phone, leanin' closer and lowerin' my voice so the guards didn't hear me.
"Play it cool Wes and just do what I say."
I stood up, pushin' my chair back slow, not breakin' eye contact with Wes, but keepin' the guards in my periph. I gave Wes a small nod, backin' up a few steps. Not too far, just far enough to keep the phone in my hand.
"Now, if you don't want hurt, I suggest you move the fuck outta my way."
I dropped the phone and dove headfirst through the glass, Wes just barely jumpin' out of my way as I rolled on the ground and into a standing position. The two guards on that side of the glass came at me fast, and as much as this probably wasn't helpin' my case, I had to fight. I had to get the fuck outta here. One way or another.
I had to help him.
Angel.
I owed it to him. He's the only person who never gave up on me. Saved my ass when I needed it most.
Only now? He needs me.
And I ain't lettin' him down.
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I nodded shortly, and pushed back slowly in my chair as well, seeing one of the gaurds look up as my chair scraped against the floor louder than I'd intended. I glanced back to Faith, waiting for her to make a move one way or the other.
"Now, if you don't want to get hurt, I suggest you move the fuck outta my way."
"Thanks for the good advice." I muttered out of my breath and jumped out of the way just in time for her to break through the glass. That seemed to get the gaurd's attention a bit better than before.
I would have helped, but my job was to look like the surprised victim, so I backed up with the others who'd been visiting prisoners. I heard one or two people rooting Faith on as she fought the gaurds, and shook my head.
At least she understood now, I was sure I was going to have to spend an hour trying to get past her confusion. She is smarter than a lot give her credit for, at least when she sees things clearly.
I watched her take care of the gaurds quickly, and was pleased she didn't simply just kill one of them. I know I shouldn't have thought that, obviously she's trying if she willingly turned herself in, but it's something of a reflex.
I looked back to her when she was through, and to the window, hoping she caught my meaning. Had something of a kamikaze feel to it, but it would make for the quickest exit overall, she wouldn't have to fight her way out of here and inevitably be shot down.
We were a couple of stories up, and my limbs were screaming 'what are you thinking?!' at me as loud as they could, but I doubt such a thing would really phase Faith all that much.
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Glancin’ over, I seen he was just standin’ with the rest of the crowd, lookin’ the part of the scared victim. Good goin’ Wes. If it wasn’t for that rugged look he had goin’ on, I mighta thought he was bein’ for real. Same ol’ Wes and all. But somethin’ about him was different, so I knew better.
I got the guards knocked out and looked around, tryin’ to find someway to exit this place. Not too familiar with exits when you ain’t ever allowed out. Catchin’ Wes’ eyes, I followed where he was lookin’ and a grin crossed my face.
Jumpin’ out a window. Nice choice Watcher man. I nodded at him when we both looked back at each other and moved towards him, grabbin’ his arm and divin’ out the window.
Fallin’ through the air, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d made a mistake. I mean, hell, I would heal, but Wes? Man, he was human. Wasn’t no super healin’ strength to help him out. Oh well, too late for that now.
We landed hard on top of a car, the roof crushin’ under our weight and the impact of the fall. Rollin’ off I landed on my feet and looked at Wes with a smirk.
“How’s that for an escape? Let’s get the fuck outta here before Barney Fife gets his posse and comes after us.”
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We hit a car however, and while I felt the backlash of pain mostly in my back as the roof crushed under us, it wasn't near as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Then, I got off the car, and attempted to move.
Oh yes, there it is. Right in the lower back, there's a pleasant feeling.
“How’s that for an escape?" She seemed pleased with herself...
"Like something out a movie." I muttered, putting on a mask of indifference on smoothly, hoping I looked okay. I started away with her, ignoring the ache in my back and legs in the spots that took the biggest hit. It'll go away, and there's not too much time to complain at the moment.
"Let’s get the fuck outta here before Barney Fife gets his posse and comes after us.”
"My car is over there." I led her to my car a few rows down quickly, and got in. Once she was in as well, I sped out of the parking lot and down the street.
I looked back to her, and smirked a little as my eyes turned back to the road. "Thank you, Faith." I said after a moment's silence, and I meant it. I wasn't quite sure why I was saying it this early, other than she'd just broken out of jail to help.
"Anything in particular you'd like explained now that we're out of there, or would you rather skip it?" I figured it was best to get any questions out of the way on the drive to my flat. I couldn't help feeling my old Watcher instincts start to return just by being near her, but I curbed the impulse to start handing out orders. We were away, that was enough. For now, at least.
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I followed him, divin' into the backseat and layin' down. Wasn't takin' no chances.
When we got a fair amount away, I sat up, runnin' my hands through my hair and lookin' out the back window. Damn. I just fuckin' broke outta prison. This was seriously heavy.
But it was somethin' I had to do.
"Thank you, Faith."
I looked up, meetin' his eyes in the rearview and I gave a little grin, noddin' my head.
"Don't sweat it Wes. Big guy did a lot for me, figured I kinda owed it to him."
I climbed over the seat, ploppin' my ass down in the passenger seat. We was far enough away now. No use hidin' in the back seat any more.
I looked out the windows as we kept drivin'. Man, shit's really changed. Guess that kinda happens when you're locked up for awhile. Not like the world just waits for you to get out or nothin'.
"Anything in particular you'd like explained now that we're out of there, or would you rather skip it?"
I laughed a little. Now the old me? I woulda said, just skip it, show me what to kill and be done with it. But now? I kinda need to know at least a few details. Not like I want the fuckin' play by play and the whole textbook version.
"How 'bout you fill me in on the Cliff's notes version."
I smirked. I'd heard B use that before, so I figured I'd steal it now.
"What the hell's goin' on out here Wes? I'm gettin' the feeling you ain't tellin' me the full story. Wanna make with the 411 and clue a girl in?"
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There's a Buffy line if I've ever heard one, a sign of change since she wouldn't be caught dead remotely sounding like the other slayer. I can understand why.
"I don't think there is much of a cliffnotes' version to be honest." I said a little uneasily, trying not to sound sheepish. I don't want to come off as long winded and boring this early, or even melodramatic for that matter, there's hardly been any time for conversation.
"What the hell's goin' on out here Wes? I'm gettin' the feeling you ain't tellin' me the full story. Wanna make with the 411 and clue a girl in?"
"You're right." I said with a small shrug.
I sighed, trying to figure out how to word this without it being long winded and tiresome. Just thinking about it made me tired personally. "Well for starters, Darla was brought back by Wolfram and Hart to be used against Angel." I continued with the whole story, condensing it as much as I could so she wouldn't been too confused. Right down to the part where I gave up Connor to Holtz's people, and Justine proceeded to slit my throat.
Naturally, I left out Lilah, she didn't really need to know anyway. Besides, I'm not sure how she'd take it with everything she has to digest at the moment, and I don't think I can justify it away without a great deal of trouble. It's not important, as far as I'm concerned.
For the twenty minute ride, I thought it was an incredibly climactic story, with the betrayal at the end that I imagine I'll be redeeming myself for in one way or another, for a long time. I looked back to her with a sigh as we pulled into the parking lot where my flat was located. "And that's it." I shut off the engine, watching her eyes for a reaction.
"He's somewhere in the ocean, I intend to find him. You'll get to meet Justine when we get in, she's locked in the closet." I'm not sure how this would phase her after everything she's just heard in the space of twenty minutes. "She's helping." Whether she likes it or not.
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