Fic: Different Can Be Good (Gen) PG13
Title: Different Can Be Good
Author: LilRuca
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 2975 (wow, didn't realize it was that long)
Character: Giles & Faith.
Spoilers: None really, AU.
Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing. o.O
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There was always something in the back of her head saying that this was not how things were supposed to be. She brushed it off as infantile jealousy that she and Princess Buffy shared a Watcher. If one could actually say that. He doted on Buffy incessantly and virtually ignored her. Even when she asked questions, wanting to know more about who and what she was, he brushed her off. She had made up her mind not to care. It’s not like this was any different than any other place. She was innately unlovable. Hell, she wasn’t even likable.
The crystal training was strange, sitting at Buffy’s side while he quizzed them on odd shaped stones and gems of various sorts. She didn’t see the point. And neither did Buffy but she’d never admit it. She found it somewhat unnerving for some reason. Maybe because the one he always told them to focus on the hardest looked like an opalescent dildo and then they always faded away. Her and Buffy both. They’d rouse together and Buffy would mumble about daydreaming.
As this odd ‘training’ continued, she noticed that she and Buffy both seemed to be getting…well…weaker. Their strengths and powers seemed to be diminishing. She couldn’t help but be pleased that she proved less reliant on her powers than Buffy. Buffy’s aim was all off without the enhancements. Hers had definitely suffered but was grossly more on target than Little Miss Not So Perfect Afterall.
Nonetheless, she hated this sudden weakness more than she could ever describe. When their Watcher told them of two separate attacks, more than a few miles apart, she felt a momentary panic before clenching her jaw and going down to the docks as instructed, painfully aware that she had reverted to being thirteen and powerless. “Just take this and aim for the heart,” had been her first Watcher’s version of training. “This is how you kill it. Good luck with that.” The wishes of good luck came only when the odds were completely against her. Now Buffy’s Watcher said the same thing in the same sort of dismissive tone that said he doubted she‘d get through it. “Good luck, Faith.”
She would prove him wrong.
* * *
Rupert Giles went over the file one more time. There was painfully little information on his new charge. She had been taken into Diane’s custody at thirteen from a psychiatric ward in a Boston hospital. She had survived, doing a Slayer’s duties without a Slayer’s powers for approximately four years. Then Kakistos had appeared, torn Diane limb from limb, the assumption being that the girl had witnessed the massacre. Faith had run, seeking out the current Slayer and her Watcher, Merrick. While running, she had come into her powers. The details were virtually non-existent. Merely a few notes that she had lived with her mother and also in foster homes off and on, and had gotten herself a mild criminal record citing petty larceny and aggravated assault, usually dismissed on self-defense. She wasn’t due to turn eighteen for almost a month but Buffy’s birthday was coming up the next night and somehow Merrick had gotten the council to agree to both Cruciamentums being done at the same time. The whole sordid affair disgusted him to begin with, but now they weren’t even following their own rules.
He would not allow Faith to proceed with the ridiculous mockery of a test. There would be just enough time to put a stop to it. He could come in and simply lay his claim and take her from Merrick’s care entirely before the damage was irreversible. He had it all worked out so when there was a problem with his flight - one so big that it was a 12 hour delay and no other available flights, he had to fight to keep his darker traits in check. He tried to call but he only got Merrick’s answering machine. He tried the school but an answering machine came on saying that the school was closed and to call back during regular hours. Giles was beyond frustrated. He finally called the Council directly to tell them to put a stop to things before it was too late. He was told that he was overreacting and if she didn’t make it, she was never cut out to be a Slayer in the first place.
Fury coursed through his veins and he refused to give it any outlet. He went to have a drink or two in one of the airport’s lounges to calm his nerves.
* * *
Giles strode into the Sunnydale High School library where Merrick worked and the frown that was already in place deepened. Watcher sat with Slayer, looking desperate. Slayer looked beyond hurt but also icy and betrayed. He was too late to stop the Cruciamentums. “Where’s Faith?” Giles demanded after clearing his throat to announce his presence.
Buffy and Merrick both looked over then Buffy looked at her Watcher questioningly. Merrick flinched and stammered a few times, figuring she was still at the docks. He couldn’t help but bristle at the disapproving look the other man was giving him. “A man cannot be in two places at once!”
“A Watcher can ensure both his charges are alive before taking the time to explain to one so she isn’t angry with him.” Giles snapped back.
“No need. Five by five.” Faith drawled from the library doors, studying Giles with narrow and suspicious eyes. “Who the hell are you?” And why the hell did he care? The slightly younger Slayer was bloodied and bruising already. She favored one leg as she stood with her arms crossed. She was in obvious physical and emotional distress but if the way she masked the latter was any indication, her physical injuries were more severe than one would first assume. That assumption was bad enough.
Giles took in the sight of her, trying to comprehend what the hell Merrick had been thinking. “I am Rupert Giles. Your new Watcher.”
“I’d make some crack about requesting a transfer if I knew Watchers came so young an’ hot as you but I just wanna go home. I just came to see the disappointment on Merry’s face when he saw I wasn’t dead.” She sneered at Merrick.
Merrick frowned. “Faith, I was just -”
“About to come for me? In another few minutes. When Buffy was done pouting. Whatever, Watcher-man. I don’t die that easy.” Faith shook her head. “I’m going home.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Giles said quietly, knowing she’d hear. He didn’t try to stop her physically but hoped his words might do the trick. “To take you home.” That wasn’t here. Or it wouldn’t be if she went with him.
Faith stopped but didn’t turn to look at him. Honestly, the dingy motel wasn’t really all that appealing at the moment and after what she’d just been through, she figured she was up for anything. If it killed her? No doubt Merrick and Buffy would throw a party.
“Unless you’d rather stay here.” Giles allowed. Faith had to come with him but he wasn’t going to force the matter immediately.
“Here, the motel, with you…what’s it matter?” If she was stuck like this - without her powers - Faith figured she wouldn’t be around too much longer anyway.
Giles frowned at that because it did matter. He didn’t think she’d believe him if he tried to tell her so. She didn’t even know him.
Faith wasn’t about to ask Merrick if the condition was permanent, but with the way he was fawning over Buffy as though he’d killed her dog, she figured it was. She closed her eyes and forced herself not to be sick at the idea. When she opened her eyes again, she gestured for Giles to lead the way.
Giles lead the way to the hotel that he was staying at. It was a nice one and no doubt costing the Council a pretty penny. He couldn’t help but wonder if Faith would let him take care of her once they got there.
Faith didn’t speak until they were locked in his rooms, safe or not. “Am I stuck like this?” She asked, staring into the vanity mirror. She listened without interruption as he told her all he knew about what she’d been through. Her hands had clenched into tight fists and her eyes had widened, then narrowed once more. “It’s just a test. I get it. Every Slayer goes through this.” She tried to keep the horror she felt to herself. “Does it happen again? I mean, like when…if…a Slayer turns 21. Is it like ‘Blackjack, but the house still wins, puppet’.”
Giles shook his head. Puppet. Well, at least she saw what she was as far as the Council was concerned. “Slayers don’t reach 21.”
Faith was silent for a while, still staring into the mirror was an expression that was almost vacant, giving no hints as to what she saw there. “Is it always so personal? It was like they found some way into my brain and made the nightmares come true.” She was so still she looked like a statue except for her breathing, the way her lips moved when she spoke…the blood that was still flowing.
“I’m sorry. I know how stupid that sounds.” It was stupid, but he didn’t know what else to say. He was quiet for a moment, studying her. “I don’t really have any personal experience with the Cruciamentum.” He admitted. He had never administered the test and what he did know was without personal detail. “I just know that it’s intended to be…beyond difficult.”
“It’s a good test. I passed. I can face that, I can face anything. Or whatever.” Faith said idly, beginning to sway a little. She shook her head to steady herself again. “I need to shower. Get started on cleaning myself up.” She muttered, moving towards the bathroom. Her reserves were fading fast and she stumbled. “You can join me if you want to.” She tried to make it a joke, but she just didn’t care.
Giles briefly thought about it, only so that he could see the damage for himself and figure out how to take care of her. Sex didn’t even cross his mind, though that was obviously what she’d been implying. He let her go for the moment, listening to the shower come on. The water ran for over twenty minutes. She didn’t come out right away and after a few minutes he knocked lightly. “Faith?”
“Still messy.” She answered. “Could make it easier on you. Just finish the job.” She was sounding drowsy now and that wasn’t a good sign.
Giles tried the door and found it wasn’t locked. Had he asked, Faith would have told him locks just delay the inevitable so she never bothered with them anymore. She was sitting in the tub, looking extremely pale. She had a severe wound on her right side that was bleeding heavily. Whomever the vampire was that she had been fighting had obviously manage to sink their teeth in but she had done something to stop that, only it had resulted her throat actually being torn open. It must have been sheer luck that kept any artery from being severed.
"Don' feel good." She slurred.
How Giles managed not to panic, he didn’t quite know. “I don’t imagine you do.” He agreed, his heart hammering as he moved to doctor her as best he could. She was already turning an array of different colors for bruising and he had a feeling if he asked, she wouldn’t be able to tell him how she’d gotten out at all let alone all the way back to the library.
“Don’t let me die. He didn’t kill me before. I can’t let him kill me now…” Faith pleaded with him, looking at him with fear. “Please?” She didn’t seem against dying. She just didn’t want ‘him’ to be the cause of it.
Giles met her eyes. “You are not going to die, Faith.”
“Get me through this and you can have anything you want.” Faith promised him, tears of shame for her begging in her eyes. She knew she had to stay awake and asked if there was anything she could do to help him.
He didn’t reply to the first part, but did give her a few instructions. She was a surprisingly good patient, perhaps because she knew if she wasn’t she could end up dead. It was a long time before Giles was satisfied that she was going to be okay. He was glad he’d brought the more extensive emergency kit. He had more medical knowledge than most Watchers or she would have had to go to a hospital. Though he wasn’t sure there had been time for that anyway. He gently washed her to get any remaining blood off then picked her up and carried her to the bed. He gave her one of his shirts to sleep in since she didn’t have anything there.
Faith curled up on her less injured side. There was barely any part of her that wasn’t at least bruised. “I can sleep now?”
“Yes. I’ll keep an eye on you.” Giles replied, but she was already asleep by the time the words were out of his mouth. He could have wept for her, raged for her…or both. He stayed at her side, thinking on what more he could do for her.
She didn’t do much of anything but sleep for the first few days until at last the serum was working its way out of her system. There was a noticeable improvement overnight and she was sitting up when he came back after taking a shower and such. He smiled gently. “You’re looking better.” He said, relieved.
Faith nodded minutely. “I’m actually kinda hungry.” She admitted.
Giles smiled a little. “I could see you were starting to feel better. Just a minute.” He left and returned a moment later with a room service cart laden with quite the variety of foods. He couldn’t help but smile a little as her eyes lit up. He acknowledged her thanks with a murmur, more interested in seeing her eat. Hopefully it would rev up her Slayer metabolism and constitution even more. He noticed before long she was staying to very mundane things and suggested a few things to try. “They won’t kill you.” He assured with a smirk, eating a little himself as proof.
Faith tried the things he suggested. “Damn. I musta done something special I don’t remember.” She muttered. She didn’t give him time to reply to that which was probably for the better anyway. “I guess I’m finally getting back to normal.” She sounded more than a little relieved.
It hadn’t taken much at all to see that ‘normal’ to Buffy had meant not being a Slayer. Faith was the complete opposite. It was best she had been unconscious for most of the time since the ‘test’. She was lost without being a Slayer. “I guess so.” Giles agreed.
“Another two, three days, I’ll be right as rain.” Faith smirked. It faded thoughtfully. “I never got that saying.”
Giles arched an eyebrow then told her how it had come from a long line of ‘right as ______’ sayings. “It’s believed ‘right as rain’ continued to be passed on due to it’s alliteration.” He told her.
Faith thought on that for a moment, not having expected an answer. She continued eating, each bite slow and purposeful. “Five by five is an aviation thing. But I’m guessing you knew that.” She finally said after a while.
Giles nodded. “I did. I wanted to be a fighter pilot once.”
“Before you got stuck with being a tweed wearing baby-sitter.” Faith shook her head, almost apologetically. “My first Watcher got torn to bits. And Merrick wasn’t mine. So…Are you going to get torn apart?”
Giles took one of her hands in his own, meeting her eyes. “Not if I can help it.”
“Good. I’m tired of people getting hurt because of me.” Faith sighed, suddenly not hungry anymore.
The next few days passed fairly quickly. Giles often tried to talk with Faith but most of the time she seemed keen on pretending she didn’t know much of anything. Sometimes, when she was tired, the façade fell. She knew a lot more than she let on. At last she was nearly completely healed, her side and neck baring angry looking scars. “You aren’t taking me to England to be put down are you?” Faith asked him rather randomly.
“What?! No!” Giles said, alarmed such an idea would even enter her head.
“Oh. I thought maybe they still thought I was the rabid bad Slayer.” Faith shrugged. “It was an accident, you know. Not that anyone cares.”
“I care.” Giles said softly, sincerely.
Faith studied him. “Buffy told them I did it on purpose.” She said moodily. Buffy was the one to be believed after all. She told him a little about what had happened the night of the ‘murder’. From her point of view. “Maybe she was right. I knew he wasn’t a vampire. But…sometimes the bad guys don’t turn to dust…” She shook her head. There had been more than vampires out that night. “It was an accident.” She said again, almost desperately. She looked like she wasn’t sure she believed that anymore herself so she certainly didn’t expect him to.
“I believe you.” It was simple, yet very much not. Giles caressed her cheek then withdrew his hand as if burned.
Faith studied him a long while. “You’re different, huh?”
He arched an eyebrow. “I suppose so.”
“Hmm.” Faith murmured, then changed the subject. Maybe different could be a good thing.
A very good thing.
Author: LilRuca
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 2975 (wow, didn't realize it was that long)
Character: Giles & Faith.
Spoilers: None really, AU.
Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing. o.O
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There was always something in the back of her head saying that this was not how things were supposed to be. She brushed it off as infantile jealousy that she and Princess Buffy shared a Watcher. If one could actually say that. He doted on Buffy incessantly and virtually ignored her. Even when she asked questions, wanting to know more about who and what she was, he brushed her off. She had made up her mind not to care. It’s not like this was any different than any other place. She was innately unlovable. Hell, she wasn’t even likable.
The crystal training was strange, sitting at Buffy’s side while he quizzed them on odd shaped stones and gems of various sorts. She didn’t see the point. And neither did Buffy but she’d never admit it. She found it somewhat unnerving for some reason. Maybe because the one he always told them to focus on the hardest looked like an opalescent dildo and then they always faded away. Her and Buffy both. They’d rouse together and Buffy would mumble about daydreaming.
As this odd ‘training’ continued, she noticed that she and Buffy both seemed to be getting…well…weaker. Their strengths and powers seemed to be diminishing. She couldn’t help but be pleased that she proved less reliant on her powers than Buffy. Buffy’s aim was all off without the enhancements. Hers had definitely suffered but was grossly more on target than Little Miss Not So Perfect Afterall.
Nonetheless, she hated this sudden weakness more than she could ever describe. When their Watcher told them of two separate attacks, more than a few miles apart, she felt a momentary panic before clenching her jaw and going down to the docks as instructed, painfully aware that she had reverted to being thirteen and powerless. “Just take this and aim for the heart,” had been her first Watcher’s version of training. “This is how you kill it. Good luck with that.” The wishes of good luck came only when the odds were completely against her. Now Buffy’s Watcher said the same thing in the same sort of dismissive tone that said he doubted she‘d get through it. “Good luck, Faith.”
She would prove him wrong.
* * *
Rupert Giles went over the file one more time. There was painfully little information on his new charge. She had been taken into Diane’s custody at thirteen from a psychiatric ward in a Boston hospital. She had survived, doing a Slayer’s duties without a Slayer’s powers for approximately four years. Then Kakistos had appeared, torn Diane limb from limb, the assumption being that the girl had witnessed the massacre. Faith had run, seeking out the current Slayer and her Watcher, Merrick. While running, she had come into her powers. The details were virtually non-existent. Merely a few notes that she had lived with her mother and also in foster homes off and on, and had gotten herself a mild criminal record citing petty larceny and aggravated assault, usually dismissed on self-defense. She wasn’t due to turn eighteen for almost a month but Buffy’s birthday was coming up the next night and somehow Merrick had gotten the council to agree to both Cruciamentums being done at the same time. The whole sordid affair disgusted him to begin with, but now they weren’t even following their own rules.
He would not allow Faith to proceed with the ridiculous mockery of a test. There would be just enough time to put a stop to it. He could come in and simply lay his claim and take her from Merrick’s care entirely before the damage was irreversible. He had it all worked out so when there was a problem with his flight - one so big that it was a 12 hour delay and no other available flights, he had to fight to keep his darker traits in check. He tried to call but he only got Merrick’s answering machine. He tried the school but an answering machine came on saying that the school was closed and to call back during regular hours. Giles was beyond frustrated. He finally called the Council directly to tell them to put a stop to things before it was too late. He was told that he was overreacting and if she didn’t make it, she was never cut out to be a Slayer in the first place.
Fury coursed through his veins and he refused to give it any outlet. He went to have a drink or two in one of the airport’s lounges to calm his nerves.
* * *
Giles strode into the Sunnydale High School library where Merrick worked and the frown that was already in place deepened. Watcher sat with Slayer, looking desperate. Slayer looked beyond hurt but also icy and betrayed. He was too late to stop the Cruciamentums. “Where’s Faith?” Giles demanded after clearing his throat to announce his presence.
Buffy and Merrick both looked over then Buffy looked at her Watcher questioningly. Merrick flinched and stammered a few times, figuring she was still at the docks. He couldn’t help but bristle at the disapproving look the other man was giving him. “A man cannot be in two places at once!”
“A Watcher can ensure both his charges are alive before taking the time to explain to one so she isn’t angry with him.” Giles snapped back.
“No need. Five by five.” Faith drawled from the library doors, studying Giles with narrow and suspicious eyes. “Who the hell are you?” And why the hell did he care? The slightly younger Slayer was bloodied and bruising already. She favored one leg as she stood with her arms crossed. She was in obvious physical and emotional distress but if the way she masked the latter was any indication, her physical injuries were more severe than one would first assume. That assumption was bad enough.
Giles took in the sight of her, trying to comprehend what the hell Merrick had been thinking. “I am Rupert Giles. Your new Watcher.”
“I’d make some crack about requesting a transfer if I knew Watchers came so young an’ hot as you but I just wanna go home. I just came to see the disappointment on Merry’s face when he saw I wasn’t dead.” She sneered at Merrick.
Merrick frowned. “Faith, I was just -”
“About to come for me? In another few minutes. When Buffy was done pouting. Whatever, Watcher-man. I don’t die that easy.” Faith shook her head. “I’m going home.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Giles said quietly, knowing she’d hear. He didn’t try to stop her physically but hoped his words might do the trick. “To take you home.” That wasn’t here. Or it wouldn’t be if she went with him.
Faith stopped but didn’t turn to look at him. Honestly, the dingy motel wasn’t really all that appealing at the moment and after what she’d just been through, she figured she was up for anything. If it killed her? No doubt Merrick and Buffy would throw a party.
“Unless you’d rather stay here.” Giles allowed. Faith had to come with him but he wasn’t going to force the matter immediately.
“Here, the motel, with you…what’s it matter?” If she was stuck like this - without her powers - Faith figured she wouldn’t be around too much longer anyway.
Giles frowned at that because it did matter. He didn’t think she’d believe him if he tried to tell her so. She didn’t even know him.
Faith wasn’t about to ask Merrick if the condition was permanent, but with the way he was fawning over Buffy as though he’d killed her dog, she figured it was. She closed her eyes and forced herself not to be sick at the idea. When she opened her eyes again, she gestured for Giles to lead the way.
Giles lead the way to the hotel that he was staying at. It was a nice one and no doubt costing the Council a pretty penny. He couldn’t help but wonder if Faith would let him take care of her once they got there.
Faith didn’t speak until they were locked in his rooms, safe or not. “Am I stuck like this?” She asked, staring into the vanity mirror. She listened without interruption as he told her all he knew about what she’d been through. Her hands had clenched into tight fists and her eyes had widened, then narrowed once more. “It’s just a test. I get it. Every Slayer goes through this.” She tried to keep the horror she felt to herself. “Does it happen again? I mean, like when…if…a Slayer turns 21. Is it like ‘Blackjack, but the house still wins, puppet’.”
Giles shook his head. Puppet. Well, at least she saw what she was as far as the Council was concerned. “Slayers don’t reach 21.”
Faith was silent for a while, still staring into the mirror was an expression that was almost vacant, giving no hints as to what she saw there. “Is it always so personal? It was like they found some way into my brain and made the nightmares come true.” She was so still she looked like a statue except for her breathing, the way her lips moved when she spoke…the blood that was still flowing.
“I’m sorry. I know how stupid that sounds.” It was stupid, but he didn’t know what else to say. He was quiet for a moment, studying her. “I don’t really have any personal experience with the Cruciamentum.” He admitted. He had never administered the test and what he did know was without personal detail. “I just know that it’s intended to be…beyond difficult.”
“It’s a good test. I passed. I can face that, I can face anything. Or whatever.” Faith said idly, beginning to sway a little. She shook her head to steady herself again. “I need to shower. Get started on cleaning myself up.” She muttered, moving towards the bathroom. Her reserves were fading fast and she stumbled. “You can join me if you want to.” She tried to make it a joke, but she just didn’t care.
Giles briefly thought about it, only so that he could see the damage for himself and figure out how to take care of her. Sex didn’t even cross his mind, though that was obviously what she’d been implying. He let her go for the moment, listening to the shower come on. The water ran for over twenty minutes. She didn’t come out right away and after a few minutes he knocked lightly. “Faith?”
“Still messy.” She answered. “Could make it easier on you. Just finish the job.” She was sounding drowsy now and that wasn’t a good sign.
Giles tried the door and found it wasn’t locked. Had he asked, Faith would have told him locks just delay the inevitable so she never bothered with them anymore. She was sitting in the tub, looking extremely pale. She had a severe wound on her right side that was bleeding heavily. Whomever the vampire was that she had been fighting had obviously manage to sink their teeth in but she had done something to stop that, only it had resulted her throat actually being torn open. It must have been sheer luck that kept any artery from being severed.
"Don' feel good." She slurred.
How Giles managed not to panic, he didn’t quite know. “I don’t imagine you do.” He agreed, his heart hammering as he moved to doctor her as best he could. She was already turning an array of different colors for bruising and he had a feeling if he asked, she wouldn’t be able to tell him how she’d gotten out at all let alone all the way back to the library.
“Don’t let me die. He didn’t kill me before. I can’t let him kill me now…” Faith pleaded with him, looking at him with fear. “Please?” She didn’t seem against dying. She just didn’t want ‘him’ to be the cause of it.
Giles met her eyes. “You are not going to die, Faith.”
“Get me through this and you can have anything you want.” Faith promised him, tears of shame for her begging in her eyes. She knew she had to stay awake and asked if there was anything she could do to help him.
He didn’t reply to the first part, but did give her a few instructions. She was a surprisingly good patient, perhaps because she knew if she wasn’t she could end up dead. It was a long time before Giles was satisfied that she was going to be okay. He was glad he’d brought the more extensive emergency kit. He had more medical knowledge than most Watchers or she would have had to go to a hospital. Though he wasn’t sure there had been time for that anyway. He gently washed her to get any remaining blood off then picked her up and carried her to the bed. He gave her one of his shirts to sleep in since she didn’t have anything there.
Faith curled up on her less injured side. There was barely any part of her that wasn’t at least bruised. “I can sleep now?”
“Yes. I’ll keep an eye on you.” Giles replied, but she was already asleep by the time the words were out of his mouth. He could have wept for her, raged for her…or both. He stayed at her side, thinking on what more he could do for her.
She didn’t do much of anything but sleep for the first few days until at last the serum was working its way out of her system. There was a noticeable improvement overnight and she was sitting up when he came back after taking a shower and such. He smiled gently. “You’re looking better.” He said, relieved.
Faith nodded minutely. “I’m actually kinda hungry.” She admitted.
Giles smiled a little. “I could see you were starting to feel better. Just a minute.” He left and returned a moment later with a room service cart laden with quite the variety of foods. He couldn’t help but smile a little as her eyes lit up. He acknowledged her thanks with a murmur, more interested in seeing her eat. Hopefully it would rev up her Slayer metabolism and constitution even more. He noticed before long she was staying to very mundane things and suggested a few things to try. “They won’t kill you.” He assured with a smirk, eating a little himself as proof.
Faith tried the things he suggested. “Damn. I musta done something special I don’t remember.” She muttered. She didn’t give him time to reply to that which was probably for the better anyway. “I guess I’m finally getting back to normal.” She sounded more than a little relieved.
It hadn’t taken much at all to see that ‘normal’ to Buffy had meant not being a Slayer. Faith was the complete opposite. It was best she had been unconscious for most of the time since the ‘test’. She was lost without being a Slayer. “I guess so.” Giles agreed.
“Another two, three days, I’ll be right as rain.” Faith smirked. It faded thoughtfully. “I never got that saying.”
Giles arched an eyebrow then told her how it had come from a long line of ‘right as ______’ sayings. “It’s believed ‘right as rain’ continued to be passed on due to it’s alliteration.” He told her.
Faith thought on that for a moment, not having expected an answer. She continued eating, each bite slow and purposeful. “Five by five is an aviation thing. But I’m guessing you knew that.” She finally said after a while.
Giles nodded. “I did. I wanted to be a fighter pilot once.”
“Before you got stuck with being a tweed wearing baby-sitter.” Faith shook her head, almost apologetically. “My first Watcher got torn to bits. And Merrick wasn’t mine. So…Are you going to get torn apart?”
Giles took one of her hands in his own, meeting her eyes. “Not if I can help it.”
“Good. I’m tired of people getting hurt because of me.” Faith sighed, suddenly not hungry anymore.
The next few days passed fairly quickly. Giles often tried to talk with Faith but most of the time she seemed keen on pretending she didn’t know much of anything. Sometimes, when she was tired, the façade fell. She knew a lot more than she let on. At last she was nearly completely healed, her side and neck baring angry looking scars. “You aren’t taking me to England to be put down are you?” Faith asked him rather randomly.
“What?! No!” Giles said, alarmed such an idea would even enter her head.
“Oh. I thought maybe they still thought I was the rabid bad Slayer.” Faith shrugged. “It was an accident, you know. Not that anyone cares.”
“I care.” Giles said softly, sincerely.
Faith studied him. “Buffy told them I did it on purpose.” She said moodily. Buffy was the one to be believed after all. She told him a little about what had happened the night of the ‘murder’. From her point of view. “Maybe she was right. I knew he wasn’t a vampire. But…sometimes the bad guys don’t turn to dust…” She shook her head. There had been more than vampires out that night. “It was an accident.” She said again, almost desperately. She looked like she wasn’t sure she believed that anymore herself so she certainly didn’t expect him to.
“I believe you.” It was simple, yet very much not. Giles caressed her cheek then withdrew his hand as if burned.
Faith studied him a long while. “You’re different, huh?”
He arched an eyebrow. “I suppose so.”
“Hmm.” Faith murmured, then changed the subject. Maybe different could be a good thing.
A very good thing.