BTVSFIC - By Erie's Shore - 20/?
Title: By Erie's shore
Author tessarin
Rating: 15
Characters: Faith/Xander, Giles, Willow,ensemble
Summary: By the shores of Lake Erie dark forces stir within and without recovering their strength. Faith and Xander struggle towards a new understanding and the forces of the Old and New Council prepare themselves for a new battle.
Warnings; Language (Faith is in it after all)
Disclaimer: Buffy the vampire slayer is owned by Fox. All characters bar original characters are copyrighted by Fox and Mutant Enemy.
Author's Note: This fic is the sequel to 'Running on' and takes place during the following December . As such reading the earlier story is recommended.Thanks to w00hoo for the beta.
Three simple words, three words written in small neatly blocked letters that stood stark against the white backdrop of the ticket despite their tiny size. Three words that she couldn’t believe. Didn’t want to believe but she did.
Trudy killed Rona.
Faith knew that no one else would believe them. Xander who lay sprawled out on the bed besides her dead to the world certainly wouldn’t, for all that he shared Andrew’s dorkiness.
But she did. She didn’t fucking like it, but instinctively she knew they were true. The twisted knot in her gut told her the truth. She knew Andrew felt that somehow they walked the same path. That might be some much bullshit but it meant that he wouldn’t dare feed her a line. That she scared the fuck out of him of course also helped.
She glanced over her shoulder at Xander, her long hair tickling her bare shoulders. Part of her wanted to reach out, to run her fingers across his chest and wake him up to share this secret which scared her shitless. But she resisted, he looked so peaceful and for the first time in weeks he looked rested, dead to the worries of the world. Despite her best efforts it brought a smile to her lips. She ignored that down low ache and eased herself gently out of the bed.
As she pulled on her discarded clothes she figured out a plan of action. First off she would track down the little weasel and check out his story. Find out why the hell he hadn’t gone to straight to Rupert with this. She eased the door closed behind her but not before she took one last look back into the room.
The house was pretty quiet as she paced the cool wooden floors. She passed a couple of baby Slayers ignoring their whispered conversation and snatched looks. The door to Andrew’s room was locked and came complete with a big stay out sign tacked to the door. She pounded on the door for a few seconds before calling out loud enough to wake the dead, “Hey, Andy get your sorry ass out of bed I need to talk to ya.”
There was no response and Andrew’s door stayed stubbornly shut. The door down the hall did open though and a bleary eyed head poked round the edge. From the state of her hair and the angry scowl she was shooting in Faith’s direction Faith figured she had at least got someone up.
“Hey, why don’t you can it. Can’t you see some of us are trying to catch some sleep.”
Faith stepped away from the door and nodded over her shoulder. “My bad, you know where Andy is? I kinda need to talk to him.”
“No.” The girl sounded mighty pissed and it wasn’t only because someone had disturbed her sleep. Faith quickly picked up on that screwy vibe she was getting from a lot of casa Cleveland these days especially from the baby Slayers.
“Look Fiona isn’t it?” Faith asked, she took a couple of steps down the corridor. Fiona watched her come but didn’t slam the door in her face instead she stepped out and closed her door behind her. The look she gave Faith managed to be both surly and mutinous at the same time. Girl was obviously itching for a smack down.
Faith sighed. “Look times past and I would have smacked your pretty ass all down this corridor for the shit you’re pulling here. But I don’t have time for your fucking games. All I’m doing is looking for Andy. Now do you want to tell me anything or do I have to make you run laps until you throw up.”
Faith smiled nastily at the young Slayer who looked like she had seen the bottom of too many Sam Adams. Fiona kept up on the attempt to stare Faith out for a few more seconds before she folded.
“Look I don’t know where the hell Andy is,” she grumbled. “If he’s not in his room then likely he’s down catching breakfast.”
“Thanks,” answered Faith turning to leave.
“Hey, is there something wrong?” Fiona called out before Faith had gone more than a few steps. Faith turned and looked at her, trying to school her face to look less pissed than she fealt. Fiona chewed her lip nervously before she elaborated. “With Andy I mean.”
“I don’t know,” admitted Faith. “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. It’s probably nothing,” answered Fiona. She shrugged noncommittally.
“Come on out with it?”
“Like I said it’s probably nothing. I mean I always figured Andrew was kind of…” Fiona trailed off and Faith had to bite her tongue to stop the reaming she so wanted to hand out.
“Gay,” said Fiona.
Faith snorted. “So, what’s that got to do with the price of eggs?”
“Nothing, most likely. It’s just last time I saw him he was playing house with Trudy,” answered Fiona.
“Thanks.” Faith answered. She didn’t know where the hell Andrew was but she had a pretty good idea and it wasn’t good. She needed to be sure first before she took this to Rupert. Especially since yours truly was high on everyone’s lists of prime suspects and she suspected Trudy was pretty much near the bottom. First off she was going to track Trudy down after that she hadn’t a fucking clue.
Faith eventually found Trudy. The young Slayer was working out in the Gym, it looked like she was working up quite a sweat as she pounded the crap out of a bag. The rest of the gym was almost empty with only Caridad and a few members of her team sparring over on one of the mats and April working out on some weights on the multi gym.
Faith ground her teeth together and tried to calm her breathing before she confronted Trudy. She needed to get the down low, figure out what the hell was going on, no matter how much a part of her wanted to settle this the old fashioned way without all the touch feely crap.
“What the fuck is this?” Faith asked. She strode across the floor and brandished the envelope as if the younger Slayer could already read its contents. Trudy looked up. For a moment her face was a picture of confusion. She looked like a panicked little girl suddenly caught doing something she shouldn’t. She paused to steady the swinging bag and stretched a little reaching up to wipe a sweaty strand of hair out of her eyes. Then she smiled at Faith, it seemed so suffused with a feeling of pure happiness and pleasure at seeing Faith that Faith began to doubt herself.
“You’ve got me Faith. Why don’t you let me take a look and maybe I can figure it out. You’ve got to admit it’s sort of hard not having X-ray vision.” Trudy grinned impishly.
“Here,” answered Faith. She slapped the envelope into Trudy’s outstretched hand. “I owe you this, especially since it’s likely a load of bull crap anyway.”
“Sounds serious,” replied Trudy. She pursed her lips but made no move to read the contents. Instead she ran her figures nervously around the edge of the envelope and regarded Faith with a calculating look.
Faith glanced around catching the curious stares their conversation was drawing. In particular she could see Caridad had stopped her sparring and was looking quizzically in Faith’s direction.
If this was true she could imagine how Xander would take it and if not she wasn’t going to let his rep take another hit. So she needed to be sure, needed to look Trudy in the eye when she finally read the accusation. Needed to figure out what the hell was going to happen when Xander found out. She stepped in closer and pitched her voice low, low enough she hoped to avoid being overheard. “Look, not here. Let’s find somewhere a little more private.”
“The roof,” suggested Trudy. She reached down and retrieved her gym bag.
“Fine,” agreed Faith. She turned and headed towards the stairs leading up to the roof. She risked a quick glance over her shoulder to check that Trudy was following and immediately regretted it when she saw she was.
*******
The comforting embrace of cottony woolly oblivion gradually released Xander from its clutches. He lay there drowsily feeling the play of cold air across the hairs on his arm and although his eyelids were still closed he knew that it was morning in that weird almost psychic way that you just did. Maybe it had even come and gone, he was so relaxed he had no idea how long he had slept. His lips twitched as a smile worked its way onto his lips. He reached out his arm patting down the bed in exaggerated strokes and in what he already knew was a futile search. He smiled as his fingers failed to find silky smooth skin. So she wasn't there, he resolved that he would just have to go and find her. Xander grinned as he sat up, covers falling away as he stretched and then just sat there for a moment. He cocked his head slightly as he listened to the sounds of a house waking up or going to sleep. The muffled scrapes and sounds of distant voices. The creaking of the pipes as someone somewhere took a shower, the sound of laughter and playing as they echoed up from the yard. The slap of flesh against flesh followed by a yelp as a pair of Slayers spared. Off in the distance he could hear the comforting sound of the freeway. That low constant drone made by the passage of thousands of tires against asphalt.
He laughed, ran his hands quickly through his hair, bounced eagerly out of bed and whistling headed for the bathroom. He stopped the whistling after nicking himself with the razor but that did nothing to put a damper on his good mood. Everything was right with the world, well everything other than the big demon trying to end it and the vampires trying to kill them all. But that was just part of the usual routine. Apart from that everything was great and not just because he got to have naked shower sex with a beautiful woman, which of course was all for the good as non naked shower sex would be odd and bad for clothes. Xander squinted and tried to visualize the mechanics involved before he grinned to himself and wondered whether he should talk to Faith about the possibility. He was sure she would be up for it and he was damn certain he would be. Now he just had to contrive a way to get her all dirty.
He finished washing up skipped, and then manly walked when he caught himself skipping, into their room praising the powers that be and Giles for ensuring that they had one of the few rooms with its own bathroom. A quick rummage through his portion of their large dresser provided him with a fresh shirt and jeans to replace the soiled pair that still lay on the floor along with all the rest of Faith's and his crap. He debated for all of about thirty seconds about tidying the room before he headed out after Faith and pulled the door closed behind him.
There was no sign of her down in the kitchen or the canteen so he settled for munching his way through a bowl of Cheerios with the late morning crowd. It wasn't a big crowd as most people had either made the earlier sittings or they were still buried under their duvets sleeping off a late patrol. Still, he mused as he looked around for somewhere to sit there were at least twenty or so assorted Watchers, Slayers and what not scattered around the room. Xander filled the bowl up so that it was practically overflowing, a veritable Mount St Helens of Cheerios without the blowing up and ashes thing. He shared a conspiratorial grin with Mary as he poured the milk and then dived in to demolish his masterpiece. He was busy chewing and reading the funnies when someone pitched up at his table. He squinted up at Rowena put down his spoon and grinned up at her.
"So, you didn’t go with the Cheerio's uh. Bad choice, you’re missing out on plenty of oaty goodness," said Xander. He paused when Rowena made no move to sit down and just stood there looking a little confused.
"Ah, so not an expert on the most important foodstuff of the day. Let me guess you're a toast sort of girl. Not that that’s wrong cause toast is good. Of course they're not a patch of the masterpiece of hot morningy goodness that is the hot pocket." He smiled encouragingly up at Rowena who was looking at him like he had grown a third head. He did a quick check to either side to see that he hadn't grown said heads.
"Sorry babbling, I'm a real breakfast bore, just ask Giles. Tell me to shut up or feel free to resort to stuffing cereal in my mouth but not Cap’n Chronic as that's just nasty." He waggled his eyebrows and kicked the chair out and motioned for Rowena. "Sit"
Rowena sat down her bowl filled with what looked like the sweepings from the bottom of a rabbit cage and eyed Xander speculatively. He leaned forward and whispered. "Thanks, I thought no one would sit with me cause of the smell."
"What smell?" asked Rowena.
"Oh no smell," said Xander with a wink. Rowena shook her head in obvious bemusement and chewed in an exaggerated fashion as she ate her muesli.
"Want some?" She asked when she spotted Xander watching her.
Xander shivered in mock distaste, "No thanks, Cheerios are fine. Funnies?"
That sat like that for a few minutes chewing the fat and the cereals.
******
Trudy still had the envelope held crumpled in her hand. Faith could almost feel its accusations burning through her back. Part of her felt that this was just a whole load of crap; Andrew’s accusations had to be wrong. There’s no way that Trudy could have killed Rona. But something was eating at her gut and something niggled at the back of her brain. Some fucking little voice that told her that Andrew was right. She knew she should have told Xander but she needed to figure out whether Andrew was just blowing smoke or whether…. Or whether his Slayer was a killer, like her?
Faith found the flight of stairs she was looking for and paused for a moment when she placed her foot on the bottom stair. All her senses were screaming at her that danger lay ahead, that she was making a mistake. Already her muscles had tensed up and she could almost feel the anticipation as her body readied itself for action. She pulled back the bolt and opened the door to the roof. There was a strong wind blowing moisture off the lake and Faith could feel the laden air caressing her skin. She stepped out onto the roof. Almost immediately she started to shiver as the cold wind whipped around her and she wished she had worn something a bit heavier than her tee. She turned and spotted Trudy come out right behind her.
The red haired Slayer stepped out onto the roof and looked around until she spotted Faith. Then she slammed the door and did something that Faith sure as hell wasn’t expecting. She started to chant. The words of the chant were picked up and carried on the wind to reach Faith and caused her to shiver in recognition. Words that were laden with power and tinged with the darkness that surrounded her. Trudy turned to face Faith a sad smile on her face. She reached into her bag and withdrew a bundle. She walked slowly towards Faith as she unwrapped it.
“I wondered how long it would take you,” said Trudy. Her voice was almost conversational as she finished unwrapping the bundle. Trudy almost groaned licking her lips as she withdrew its contents. She tilted her head and looked over at Faith.
“Shit!” Faith couldn’t help the exclamation that escaped her lips as she saw the madness that lurked in the depths of Trudy’s eyes. Trudy ignored her though keeping up the conversation as if they were talking about the smoothness of a beer. She ran her finger nail along the blade of the knife before she suddenly stopped and asked,
“Do you recognise it?”
“No,” replied Faith.
“It’s my freedom,” said Trudy. She giggled then, it was high pitched sound, spiralling upwards and utterly mad.
“And why’s that?” asked Faith. She took a couple of steps towards the younger Slayer, slowly, so she didn’t spook her.
Trudy laughed louder and she stepped away. She started to circle Faith, pacing restlessly in the manner that so many Slayers did. Faith tensed and she glanced towards the door wondering whether she should high tail it the hell out of there and get some help. The knowing smirk that flashed across the other Slayers face told Faith that Trudy had noticed her look and knew what it meant.
“You know what? Do you want to know whether she begged before I snapped her neck,” asked Trudy.
Faith ignored her taunts and instead made sure she was certain about the lay of the land. The roof in this part of the building was flat, around the size of a tennis court. It was covered with gritty asphalt, a covering that in places was frayed and worn. One side looked out over the garden and towards the cold expanse of Lake Erie. The Council chambers balcony lay about twenty feet below bound by a low brick wall. On the other side lay the main courtyard empty now, dimly illuminated by a pair of wall lights that sat at the top of the sweeping stairs.
“She didn’t. Didn’t even squeal, she was so fucking clueless that she hadn’t figured it out until I was on her and then, snap.” Trudy said, she pantomimed with her hands and shivered in pleasure.
“So, you telling me that Andrew was right?” snapped Faith, desperately trying to keep Trudy talking. Her voice crackled with anger and she stepped forward closing the distance between her and Trudy until they were practically standing face to face. Just a few inches separated them and Faith could practically feel Trudy’s eyes boring into her.
Trudy smiled nastily. Really it was more like a skinning back of her lips from her teeth giving her face a predatory look. She smirked and leaned in a little closer and whispered almost conspiratorially, “So, what are you going to do about it Faith? Tell Xander? Just cause you’re fucking him doesn’t mean he trusts you.”
“I know this isn’t you Trudy,” replied Faith. “And I don’t know what the hell has got into you. But this ends now.”
Trudy tilted her head to one side and smirked.
“You’re right. It was always going to end here.” She reached forward and seized a handful of Faith’s tee-shirt and tossed her effortlessly across the roof. Faith landed heavily, rolling almost to the edge. The rough asphalt was like coarse sandpaper on her arm, gouging deep scratches through which the blood welled up quickly. Faith cursed loudly as she clambered to her feet.
Trudy was on her almost immediately. Faith had to violently twist and turn as Trudy stabbed at her repeatedly with the knife. She hissed in pain as Trudy slashed raising a nasty red gash on her lower arm. Another slash this time to her leg caused her to scream out and her hand shot out and seized hold of Trudy’s wrist as the Slayer tried to stab her again. She twisted and slammed her knee into Trudy’s stomach and then twisted and wrenched the younger Slayers arm upwards. Trudy screamed in agony and lost her grip on the knife which dropped to the ground before skittering across the roof as Trudy smashed her elbow into the side of Faith’s cheek which shattered under the impact.
Faith staggered to one side her face feeling like it was on fire and had to use her forearms to ward off a savage combination of blows as her opponent got increasingly wild. Her arms still smarted from the asphalt massage and from the numerous slash wounds. She gritted her teeth in pain and quickly landed a quick one two combination that staggered Trudy backwards.
“Smooth,” taunted Trudy as she danced away from Faith lightly on her toes.
Faith shook her head and squinted at the younger Slayer who was now little more than a dark silhouette in the dim light.
“This isn’t you, this is something else,” said Faith. “This doesn’t have to go further.” She coughed and spat blood onto the ground.
For a moment Trudy stood there, a long shadow cast by the low winter sun. She stood at the very knife edge of the light and for a moment it seemed to Faith that some internal struggle was reflected in the Slayer’s face.
“You’re wrong Faith. This is all me,” said Trudy. “And this was the way it was meant to be.” She giggled and it was the sound of the lost. As she stepped further into the light the look in the girl’s eyes made Faith’s blood run cold. She realised now that she had made a mistake coming here. She looked again towards the door but realised that Trudy now blocked her way.
“Thinking of going somewhere?” Trudy taunted, she grinned and glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the door. “Only that door’s very locked.”
“Yeah,” said Faith. She sucked at her teeth as she picked out pieces of grit out of a cut on her forearm. As she did so she was aware of Trudy as she closed the distance and so was able to easily duck under the loose swing that Trudy aimed at her head. In response she slammed a backhanded blow into Trudy’s stomach and swivelled on her heel her leg shooting out as she tried to sweep her opponent from her feet. But Trudy anticipating that move from hours of shared sparing easily skipped over the kick and landing on her feet lashed a kick out at Faith. Faith grunted in pain as the kick landed in her side. She side stepped the follow up blows and started to rain a series of blows against Trudy’s body forcing the Slayer back with the speed and intensity of her attack. Faith kept the pressure up forcing Trudy’s arms to perform an ever faster choreographed series of defensive blocks as she tried and failed to ward off Faith’s attacks. As each blow landed there was no discernable change in Trudy’s demeanour, nothing that hinted at a weakening of her resolve.
Trudy stepped deftly inside a loose swing from Faith and jabbed upwards into her armpit causing Faith to grunt in pain and reel backwards. Trudy followed up with a vicious right hand smash to Faith’s temple that knocked Faith dazed to the ground.
She rolled away as Trudy stamped down just missing her knee by inches and flipped to her feet. She back handed Trudy hard catching her on the edge of her eye. Trudy screamed and Faith span, reaching out, her fingers lacing through to grab a handful of hair, she yanked down hard slamming a kick into Trudy’s midriff causing the younger Slayer to drop to her knees. Faith pulled the girl to her feet, one hand tightly knotted in her hair and the other gripping the back of her neck. She leaned in and whispered in her ear.
“What the fuck are you on Trudy stay down.”
“Or what?” Trudy choked.
“I’ll put you down,” ground out Faith.
“Don’t you realise it yet Faith,” said Trudy. Her words were hoarse, breathy and dancing on the edge of hysteria.
“This is what I wanted,” crowed Trudy. She slammed her head savagely backwards into Faith’s nose.
“You f..,” Faith swore, she staggered backwards, her nose broken and bleeding heavily. She lost her footing as Trudy broke free of her grip and lunged forward. Faith landed heavily on her ass. Cursing she flipped to her feet but not before Trudy reached the edge of the roof and picked up the knife.
****
"Open damn you," screamed Mary as she threw her shoulder against the stubbornly not budging door.
Mary stepped back and instead started kicking the door near its hinges. Other than giving her the mother of all terrible headaches the door didn't shift at all and with a scream of frustration Mary gave the door one last kick before giving up and sitting down disconsolately at the top of the stairs.
"Here, let me try," said Caridad.
"We need a ram or something?" grumbled Mary.
"This is Cleveland not England," complained Rachel.
"Still should have a ram or something," said Mary. She looked thoughtful for a moment and then grinned suddenly. "What about that long bench up near Maeve's room?"
"Yeah, that may do," said Rachel.
"Mary, you best find Ro or Mr Giles let them know we have a problem," said Caridad.
***
Xander heard the murmur that swept the canteen build to a hubbub as some choice titbit of news or emergency spread. When every head swivelled in unison as if he were eating breakfast at a convention of Terminators Xander felt his Cheerios threaten to make a break for freedom. He put his spoon down again and tried to stay calm as Mary worked her way in their direction. She squeezed past a Watcher Xander didn't recognise with a muttered apology although the fact she had to give it clearly pissed the young Slayer off. She glanced quickly over at Xander and blanched as if only realising for the first time that he was there and leaned over and whispered something in Rowena's ear. Xander figured it had to be bad by the way Rowena's eyes widened visibly and her face went so white that Xander thought she could audition for that weird Japanese theatre Giles had inflicted on them. She glanced away avoiding Xander's gaze and started to rise from her chair before Xander's gentle touch on her hand stopped her.
"Hey, you can tell me. I won't bite your head off. I promise," he said. He gave what he hoped was a comforting smile and avoided turning his head to look at the rest of the audience.
He didn't quite get the reaction he was looking for as Rowena's face crumpled. If a picture could tell a thousand words then the misery on her face told him that many and then some. Xander wasn't sure he wanted to know but Rowena was saved from telling him by Mary who leaned past her friend.
"There's someone fighting on the roof," she said. She sounded breathless as if she had just finished working out. She avoided Xander’s eye as if he had the plague.
"That's not all is it?" he asked.
"No, we think its Faith," admitted Mary. She shifted her gaze up from his bowl uncomfortable as she finally looked him in the eye. And just like that his good mood evaporated to be replaced with a feeling of panicked dread.
"Okay, so what the hell are we all standing around here. We've got to go help her." Xander snapped he shot to his feet knocking his chair over. He glared at the frozen assemblage.
"That's a problem," said Mary. She looked worried and worse she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here in front of Xander. "The door is blocked, or warded or something. We can't get through." Her lip trembled and she looked at the edge of tears.
"Well then get Nita or someone," said Xander trying and failing not to sound pissed. He grimaced annoyed at himself as the young Slayer crumpled under the scolding. "Look sorry Mary, my bad. Just track down a Witch or Shaman okay." He said, he smiled reassuringly at Mary who nodded her understanding, a little colour returning to her cheeks. "Gangway coming through," she shouted as she rushed from the room followed shortly after by a gaggle of Slayers.
Xander turned to Rowena. "We best get outside maybe we can catch a glimpse of Faith, let her know that help is coming." He turned and fixed the rest of the canteen with what he hoped was his best Giles impression. "The rest of you figure out how to break down that ward fast."
"Mr Harris," said Rowena.
"Ro you best get someone to check the perimeter," said Xander hurriedly over his shoulder as he headed towards the door hoping he sounded calmer than he felt.
*****
Faith froze, the muscles in her arms screamed with thwarted anticipation. It was almost as if they were urging her on, willing her to close the small gap that lay between them and wrench the knife from Trudy's grasp. To end it! The impulse was so strong almost predatory but it was punctuated with the sound of her ragged breathing and a dull awareness of the injuries she had already suffered. She could hear the voice and something else an almost unconscious urging that coiled up from the dark recesses of her mind. But she couldn't do it, a monster or vamp, sure the sucker would already be dust on the cold Cleveland wind. But this was Trudy. She relaxed slightly, letting her posture loosen as she carefully watched the young Slayer, perched as she was right on the single row of bricks that enclosed the flat portion of the roof.
Trudy held the knife out in front of her like it was a lifeline. She looked as smashed up as Faith felt. She waved the knife in an intricate pattern and as she did so Faith noticed a glowing trail of air marked its passage. Faith could hear the other Slayers as they laboured to break down the door, the constant thud as one after the other they tried their luck. She wondered how long it would be before someone figured they needed Nita and went to fetch the witch. Not long she figured.
"Give it up Trudy. Any second now and the cavalry's going to arrive," said Faith. She shifted slightly to keep square on to the Slayer as she stepped off the bricks. Trudy didn't come closer though. She just looked up at Faith and smiled.
"You know it's been fun watching you. All scurrying around like ants. I have watched you huddle and squirm, plan your silly little schemes. I have seen you scream and die like the little girls that you really are and all for nothing, because you're blind. Blind as always to the darkness that lies at the heart of everything."
"Pretty big words for someone who's just had their ass kicked," said Faith.
Trudy's mouth slimmed down to a thin angry line and she glared at Faith.
"Do you not yet understand Kitribu? One way or another you shall be the path to my resurrection."
Trudy lunged again as Faith twisted to one side swearing as the knife scoured a hot slice through her tee and into her side. As Trudy pulled the knife free Faith seized hold of her wrist and squeezed crushing bones and causing Trudy to howl in agony. She wrenched the knife from Trudy's grasp holding it out of her reach as the two of them continued to struggle at the edge of the roof.
Then they were face to face and she could see in almost perfect detail the cuts and bruises on the other woman's face. The eye rapidly swelling shut from where Faith had smashed in to it. She could almost see the darkness swirling in their depths. It was like looking into the eyes of something dead, like a vampire or something worse as they seemed to call to her draw her in, they promised peace and something more, something even more enticing, oblivion. And then just like that something changed. Her eyes softened and Trudy reeled back with a cry of horror. She fell to the ground right at the edge of the roof her hair for a moment masking her face from Faith's view. When she looked up again, Faith felt her breath stop.
"Faith, oh god, please help me." Trudy pleaded. Her voice sounded so lost and she held out her bloody hands looking at them in horror. She turned towards Faith anguish written all over her face.
"Help..." Trudy's said before her eyes suddenly went wide and it was like iron shutters came down on her soul. Faith could almost feel the chains as they wrapped themselves around Trudy, could hear the sound echoing from her own nightmares.
Trudy smirked and struggled to her feet.
Faith knew now. Knew the fate her friend had suffered and she stepped carefully away from the edge. She had to lure her away, find some way of taking her down and then maybe they could figure out what the fuck to do. Red would know what to do. All Faith had to do was keep Little Red under control until Big Red got here.
Whatever was possessing Trudy had different ideas as the Slayer suddenly rushed her, ran straight at her. Before Faith realised what was happening she had slammed into her. Trudy grunted and Faith could feel the blood welling up over her hands as Trudy pulled herself further onto the knife held outstretched in Faith's hand. Trudy coughed up blood, hot sticky speckles sprayed the side of Faith's face and then she twisted, stumbled a few steps and fell, pitched over the edge into the darkness below.
"Trudy," screamed Faith.
She lunged for the edge desperately trying to catch hold of Trudy’s leg as she went over. She squeezed her eyes shut when the body hit the flagstones of the courtyard below.
When she opened them again she looked straight into the single horrified eye of Xander.
Author tessarin
Rating: 15
Characters: Faith/Xander, Giles, Willow,ensemble
Summary: By the shores of Lake Erie dark forces stir within and without recovering their strength. Faith and Xander struggle towards a new understanding and the forces of the Old and New Council prepare themselves for a new battle.
Warnings; Language (Faith is in it after all)
Disclaimer: Buffy the vampire slayer is owned by Fox. All characters bar original characters are copyrighted by Fox and Mutant Enemy.
Author's Note: This fic is the sequel to 'Running on' and takes place during the following December . As such reading the earlier story is recommended.Thanks to w00hoo for the beta.
Three simple words, three words written in small neatly blocked letters that stood stark against the white backdrop of the ticket despite their tiny size. Three words that she couldn’t believe. Didn’t want to believe but she did.
Trudy killed Rona.
Faith knew that no one else would believe them. Xander who lay sprawled out on the bed besides her dead to the world certainly wouldn’t, for all that he shared Andrew’s dorkiness.
But she did. She didn’t fucking like it, but instinctively she knew they were true. The twisted knot in her gut told her the truth. She knew Andrew felt that somehow they walked the same path. That might be some much bullshit but it meant that he wouldn’t dare feed her a line. That she scared the fuck out of him of course also helped.
She glanced over her shoulder at Xander, her long hair tickling her bare shoulders. Part of her wanted to reach out, to run her fingers across his chest and wake him up to share this secret which scared her shitless. But she resisted, he looked so peaceful and for the first time in weeks he looked rested, dead to the worries of the world. Despite her best efforts it brought a smile to her lips. She ignored that down low ache and eased herself gently out of the bed.
As she pulled on her discarded clothes she figured out a plan of action. First off she would track down the little weasel and check out his story. Find out why the hell he hadn’t gone to straight to Rupert with this. She eased the door closed behind her but not before she took one last look back into the room.
The house was pretty quiet as she paced the cool wooden floors. She passed a couple of baby Slayers ignoring their whispered conversation and snatched looks. The door to Andrew’s room was locked and came complete with a big stay out sign tacked to the door. She pounded on the door for a few seconds before calling out loud enough to wake the dead, “Hey, Andy get your sorry ass out of bed I need to talk to ya.”
There was no response and Andrew’s door stayed stubbornly shut. The door down the hall did open though and a bleary eyed head poked round the edge. From the state of her hair and the angry scowl she was shooting in Faith’s direction Faith figured she had at least got someone up.
“Hey, why don’t you can it. Can’t you see some of us are trying to catch some sleep.”
Faith stepped away from the door and nodded over her shoulder. “My bad, you know where Andy is? I kinda need to talk to him.”
“No.” The girl sounded mighty pissed and it wasn’t only because someone had disturbed her sleep. Faith quickly picked up on that screwy vibe she was getting from a lot of casa Cleveland these days especially from the baby Slayers.
“Look Fiona isn’t it?” Faith asked, she took a couple of steps down the corridor. Fiona watched her come but didn’t slam the door in her face instead she stepped out and closed her door behind her. The look she gave Faith managed to be both surly and mutinous at the same time. Girl was obviously itching for a smack down.
Faith sighed. “Look times past and I would have smacked your pretty ass all down this corridor for the shit you’re pulling here. But I don’t have time for your fucking games. All I’m doing is looking for Andy. Now do you want to tell me anything or do I have to make you run laps until you throw up.”
Faith smiled nastily at the young Slayer who looked like she had seen the bottom of too many Sam Adams. Fiona kept up on the attempt to stare Faith out for a few more seconds before she folded.
“Look I don’t know where the hell Andy is,” she grumbled. “If he’s not in his room then likely he’s down catching breakfast.”
“Thanks,” answered Faith turning to leave.
“Hey, is there something wrong?” Fiona called out before Faith had gone more than a few steps. Faith turned and looked at her, trying to school her face to look less pissed than she fealt. Fiona chewed her lip nervously before she elaborated. “With Andy I mean.”
“I don’t know,” admitted Faith. “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. It’s probably nothing,” answered Fiona. She shrugged noncommittally.
“Come on out with it?”
“Like I said it’s probably nothing. I mean I always figured Andrew was kind of…” Fiona trailed off and Faith had to bite her tongue to stop the reaming she so wanted to hand out.
“Gay,” said Fiona.
Faith snorted. “So, what’s that got to do with the price of eggs?”
“Nothing, most likely. It’s just last time I saw him he was playing house with Trudy,” answered Fiona.
“Thanks.” Faith answered. She didn’t know where the hell Andrew was but she had a pretty good idea and it wasn’t good. She needed to be sure first before she took this to Rupert. Especially since yours truly was high on everyone’s lists of prime suspects and she suspected Trudy was pretty much near the bottom. First off she was going to track Trudy down after that she hadn’t a fucking clue.
Faith eventually found Trudy. The young Slayer was working out in the Gym, it looked like she was working up quite a sweat as she pounded the crap out of a bag. The rest of the gym was almost empty with only Caridad and a few members of her team sparring over on one of the mats and April working out on some weights on the multi gym.
Faith ground her teeth together and tried to calm her breathing before she confronted Trudy. She needed to get the down low, figure out what the hell was going on, no matter how much a part of her wanted to settle this the old fashioned way without all the touch feely crap.
“What the fuck is this?” Faith asked. She strode across the floor and brandished the envelope as if the younger Slayer could already read its contents. Trudy looked up. For a moment her face was a picture of confusion. She looked like a panicked little girl suddenly caught doing something she shouldn’t. She paused to steady the swinging bag and stretched a little reaching up to wipe a sweaty strand of hair out of her eyes. Then she smiled at Faith, it seemed so suffused with a feeling of pure happiness and pleasure at seeing Faith that Faith began to doubt herself.
“You’ve got me Faith. Why don’t you let me take a look and maybe I can figure it out. You’ve got to admit it’s sort of hard not having X-ray vision.” Trudy grinned impishly.
“Here,” answered Faith. She slapped the envelope into Trudy’s outstretched hand. “I owe you this, especially since it’s likely a load of bull crap anyway.”
“Sounds serious,” replied Trudy. She pursed her lips but made no move to read the contents. Instead she ran her figures nervously around the edge of the envelope and regarded Faith with a calculating look.
Faith glanced around catching the curious stares their conversation was drawing. In particular she could see Caridad had stopped her sparring and was looking quizzically in Faith’s direction.
If this was true she could imagine how Xander would take it and if not she wasn’t going to let his rep take another hit. So she needed to be sure, needed to look Trudy in the eye when she finally read the accusation. Needed to figure out what the hell was going to happen when Xander found out. She stepped in closer and pitched her voice low, low enough she hoped to avoid being overheard. “Look, not here. Let’s find somewhere a little more private.”
“The roof,” suggested Trudy. She reached down and retrieved her gym bag.
“Fine,” agreed Faith. She turned and headed towards the stairs leading up to the roof. She risked a quick glance over her shoulder to check that Trudy was following and immediately regretted it when she saw she was.
*******
The comforting embrace of cottony woolly oblivion gradually released Xander from its clutches. He lay there drowsily feeling the play of cold air across the hairs on his arm and although his eyelids were still closed he knew that it was morning in that weird almost psychic way that you just did. Maybe it had even come and gone, he was so relaxed he had no idea how long he had slept. His lips twitched as a smile worked its way onto his lips. He reached out his arm patting down the bed in exaggerated strokes and in what he already knew was a futile search. He smiled as his fingers failed to find silky smooth skin. So she wasn't there, he resolved that he would just have to go and find her. Xander grinned as he sat up, covers falling away as he stretched and then just sat there for a moment. He cocked his head slightly as he listened to the sounds of a house waking up or going to sleep. The muffled scrapes and sounds of distant voices. The creaking of the pipes as someone somewhere took a shower, the sound of laughter and playing as they echoed up from the yard. The slap of flesh against flesh followed by a yelp as a pair of Slayers spared. Off in the distance he could hear the comforting sound of the freeway. That low constant drone made by the passage of thousands of tires against asphalt.
He laughed, ran his hands quickly through his hair, bounced eagerly out of bed and whistling headed for the bathroom. He stopped the whistling after nicking himself with the razor but that did nothing to put a damper on his good mood. Everything was right with the world, well everything other than the big demon trying to end it and the vampires trying to kill them all. But that was just part of the usual routine. Apart from that everything was great and not just because he got to have naked shower sex with a beautiful woman, which of course was all for the good as non naked shower sex would be odd and bad for clothes. Xander squinted and tried to visualize the mechanics involved before he grinned to himself and wondered whether he should talk to Faith about the possibility. He was sure she would be up for it and he was damn certain he would be. Now he just had to contrive a way to get her all dirty.
He finished washing up skipped, and then manly walked when he caught himself skipping, into their room praising the powers that be and Giles for ensuring that they had one of the few rooms with its own bathroom. A quick rummage through his portion of their large dresser provided him with a fresh shirt and jeans to replace the soiled pair that still lay on the floor along with all the rest of Faith's and his crap. He debated for all of about thirty seconds about tidying the room before he headed out after Faith and pulled the door closed behind him.
There was no sign of her down in the kitchen or the canteen so he settled for munching his way through a bowl of Cheerios with the late morning crowd. It wasn't a big crowd as most people had either made the earlier sittings or they were still buried under their duvets sleeping off a late patrol. Still, he mused as he looked around for somewhere to sit there were at least twenty or so assorted Watchers, Slayers and what not scattered around the room. Xander filled the bowl up so that it was practically overflowing, a veritable Mount St Helens of Cheerios without the blowing up and ashes thing. He shared a conspiratorial grin with Mary as he poured the milk and then dived in to demolish his masterpiece. He was busy chewing and reading the funnies when someone pitched up at his table. He squinted up at Rowena put down his spoon and grinned up at her.
"So, you didn’t go with the Cheerio's uh. Bad choice, you’re missing out on plenty of oaty goodness," said Xander. He paused when Rowena made no move to sit down and just stood there looking a little confused.
"Ah, so not an expert on the most important foodstuff of the day. Let me guess you're a toast sort of girl. Not that that’s wrong cause toast is good. Of course they're not a patch of the masterpiece of hot morningy goodness that is the hot pocket." He smiled encouragingly up at Rowena who was looking at him like he had grown a third head. He did a quick check to either side to see that he hadn't grown said heads.
"Sorry babbling, I'm a real breakfast bore, just ask Giles. Tell me to shut up or feel free to resort to stuffing cereal in my mouth but not Cap’n Chronic as that's just nasty." He waggled his eyebrows and kicked the chair out and motioned for Rowena. "Sit"
Rowena sat down her bowl filled with what looked like the sweepings from the bottom of a rabbit cage and eyed Xander speculatively. He leaned forward and whispered. "Thanks, I thought no one would sit with me cause of the smell."
"What smell?" asked Rowena.
"Oh no smell," said Xander with a wink. Rowena shook her head in obvious bemusement and chewed in an exaggerated fashion as she ate her muesli.
"Want some?" She asked when she spotted Xander watching her.
Xander shivered in mock distaste, "No thanks, Cheerios are fine. Funnies?"
That sat like that for a few minutes chewing the fat and the cereals.
******
Trudy still had the envelope held crumpled in her hand. Faith could almost feel its accusations burning through her back. Part of her felt that this was just a whole load of crap; Andrew’s accusations had to be wrong. There’s no way that Trudy could have killed Rona. But something was eating at her gut and something niggled at the back of her brain. Some fucking little voice that told her that Andrew was right. She knew she should have told Xander but she needed to figure out whether Andrew was just blowing smoke or whether…. Or whether his Slayer was a killer, like her?
Faith found the flight of stairs she was looking for and paused for a moment when she placed her foot on the bottom stair. All her senses were screaming at her that danger lay ahead, that she was making a mistake. Already her muscles had tensed up and she could almost feel the anticipation as her body readied itself for action. She pulled back the bolt and opened the door to the roof. There was a strong wind blowing moisture off the lake and Faith could feel the laden air caressing her skin. She stepped out onto the roof. Almost immediately she started to shiver as the cold wind whipped around her and she wished she had worn something a bit heavier than her tee. She turned and spotted Trudy come out right behind her.
The red haired Slayer stepped out onto the roof and looked around until she spotted Faith. Then she slammed the door and did something that Faith sure as hell wasn’t expecting. She started to chant. The words of the chant were picked up and carried on the wind to reach Faith and caused her to shiver in recognition. Words that were laden with power and tinged with the darkness that surrounded her. Trudy turned to face Faith a sad smile on her face. She reached into her bag and withdrew a bundle. She walked slowly towards Faith as she unwrapped it.
“I wondered how long it would take you,” said Trudy. Her voice was almost conversational as she finished unwrapping the bundle. Trudy almost groaned licking her lips as she withdrew its contents. She tilted her head and looked over at Faith.
“Shit!” Faith couldn’t help the exclamation that escaped her lips as she saw the madness that lurked in the depths of Trudy’s eyes. Trudy ignored her though keeping up the conversation as if they were talking about the smoothness of a beer. She ran her finger nail along the blade of the knife before she suddenly stopped and asked,
“Do you recognise it?”
“No,” replied Faith.
“It’s my freedom,” said Trudy. She giggled then, it was high pitched sound, spiralling upwards and utterly mad.
“And why’s that?” asked Faith. She took a couple of steps towards the younger Slayer, slowly, so she didn’t spook her.
Trudy laughed louder and she stepped away. She started to circle Faith, pacing restlessly in the manner that so many Slayers did. Faith tensed and she glanced towards the door wondering whether she should high tail it the hell out of there and get some help. The knowing smirk that flashed across the other Slayers face told Faith that Trudy had noticed her look and knew what it meant.
“You know what? Do you want to know whether she begged before I snapped her neck,” asked Trudy.
Faith ignored her taunts and instead made sure she was certain about the lay of the land. The roof in this part of the building was flat, around the size of a tennis court. It was covered with gritty asphalt, a covering that in places was frayed and worn. One side looked out over the garden and towards the cold expanse of Lake Erie. The Council chambers balcony lay about twenty feet below bound by a low brick wall. On the other side lay the main courtyard empty now, dimly illuminated by a pair of wall lights that sat at the top of the sweeping stairs.
“She didn’t. Didn’t even squeal, she was so fucking clueless that she hadn’t figured it out until I was on her and then, snap.” Trudy said, she pantomimed with her hands and shivered in pleasure.
“So, you telling me that Andrew was right?” snapped Faith, desperately trying to keep Trudy talking. Her voice crackled with anger and she stepped forward closing the distance between her and Trudy until they were practically standing face to face. Just a few inches separated them and Faith could practically feel Trudy’s eyes boring into her.
Trudy smiled nastily. Really it was more like a skinning back of her lips from her teeth giving her face a predatory look. She smirked and leaned in a little closer and whispered almost conspiratorially, “So, what are you going to do about it Faith? Tell Xander? Just cause you’re fucking him doesn’t mean he trusts you.”
“I know this isn’t you Trudy,” replied Faith. “And I don’t know what the hell has got into you. But this ends now.”
Trudy tilted her head to one side and smirked.
“You’re right. It was always going to end here.” She reached forward and seized a handful of Faith’s tee-shirt and tossed her effortlessly across the roof. Faith landed heavily, rolling almost to the edge. The rough asphalt was like coarse sandpaper on her arm, gouging deep scratches through which the blood welled up quickly. Faith cursed loudly as she clambered to her feet.
Trudy was on her almost immediately. Faith had to violently twist and turn as Trudy stabbed at her repeatedly with the knife. She hissed in pain as Trudy slashed raising a nasty red gash on her lower arm. Another slash this time to her leg caused her to scream out and her hand shot out and seized hold of Trudy’s wrist as the Slayer tried to stab her again. She twisted and slammed her knee into Trudy’s stomach and then twisted and wrenched the younger Slayers arm upwards. Trudy screamed in agony and lost her grip on the knife which dropped to the ground before skittering across the roof as Trudy smashed her elbow into the side of Faith’s cheek which shattered under the impact.
Faith staggered to one side her face feeling like it was on fire and had to use her forearms to ward off a savage combination of blows as her opponent got increasingly wild. Her arms still smarted from the asphalt massage and from the numerous slash wounds. She gritted her teeth in pain and quickly landed a quick one two combination that staggered Trudy backwards.
“Smooth,” taunted Trudy as she danced away from Faith lightly on her toes.
Faith shook her head and squinted at the younger Slayer who was now little more than a dark silhouette in the dim light.
“This isn’t you, this is something else,” said Faith. “This doesn’t have to go further.” She coughed and spat blood onto the ground.
For a moment Trudy stood there, a long shadow cast by the low winter sun. She stood at the very knife edge of the light and for a moment it seemed to Faith that some internal struggle was reflected in the Slayer’s face.
“You’re wrong Faith. This is all me,” said Trudy. “And this was the way it was meant to be.” She giggled and it was the sound of the lost. As she stepped further into the light the look in the girl’s eyes made Faith’s blood run cold. She realised now that she had made a mistake coming here. She looked again towards the door but realised that Trudy now blocked her way.
“Thinking of going somewhere?” Trudy taunted, she grinned and glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the door. “Only that door’s very locked.”
“Yeah,” said Faith. She sucked at her teeth as she picked out pieces of grit out of a cut on her forearm. As she did so she was aware of Trudy as she closed the distance and so was able to easily duck under the loose swing that Trudy aimed at her head. In response she slammed a backhanded blow into Trudy’s stomach and swivelled on her heel her leg shooting out as she tried to sweep her opponent from her feet. But Trudy anticipating that move from hours of shared sparing easily skipped over the kick and landing on her feet lashed a kick out at Faith. Faith grunted in pain as the kick landed in her side. She side stepped the follow up blows and started to rain a series of blows against Trudy’s body forcing the Slayer back with the speed and intensity of her attack. Faith kept the pressure up forcing Trudy’s arms to perform an ever faster choreographed series of defensive blocks as she tried and failed to ward off Faith’s attacks. As each blow landed there was no discernable change in Trudy’s demeanour, nothing that hinted at a weakening of her resolve.
Trudy stepped deftly inside a loose swing from Faith and jabbed upwards into her armpit causing Faith to grunt in pain and reel backwards. Trudy followed up with a vicious right hand smash to Faith’s temple that knocked Faith dazed to the ground.
She rolled away as Trudy stamped down just missing her knee by inches and flipped to her feet. She back handed Trudy hard catching her on the edge of her eye. Trudy screamed and Faith span, reaching out, her fingers lacing through to grab a handful of hair, she yanked down hard slamming a kick into Trudy’s midriff causing the younger Slayer to drop to her knees. Faith pulled the girl to her feet, one hand tightly knotted in her hair and the other gripping the back of her neck. She leaned in and whispered in her ear.
“What the fuck are you on Trudy stay down.”
“Or what?” Trudy choked.
“I’ll put you down,” ground out Faith.
“Don’t you realise it yet Faith,” said Trudy. Her words were hoarse, breathy and dancing on the edge of hysteria.
“This is what I wanted,” crowed Trudy. She slammed her head savagely backwards into Faith’s nose.
“You f..,” Faith swore, she staggered backwards, her nose broken and bleeding heavily. She lost her footing as Trudy broke free of her grip and lunged forward. Faith landed heavily on her ass. Cursing she flipped to her feet but not before Trudy reached the edge of the roof and picked up the knife.
****
"Open damn you," screamed Mary as she threw her shoulder against the stubbornly not budging door.
Mary stepped back and instead started kicking the door near its hinges. Other than giving her the mother of all terrible headaches the door didn't shift at all and with a scream of frustration Mary gave the door one last kick before giving up and sitting down disconsolately at the top of the stairs.
"Here, let me try," said Caridad.
"We need a ram or something?" grumbled Mary.
"This is Cleveland not England," complained Rachel.
"Still should have a ram or something," said Mary. She looked thoughtful for a moment and then grinned suddenly. "What about that long bench up near Maeve's room?"
"Yeah, that may do," said Rachel.
"Mary, you best find Ro or Mr Giles let them know we have a problem," said Caridad.
***
Xander heard the murmur that swept the canteen build to a hubbub as some choice titbit of news or emergency spread. When every head swivelled in unison as if he were eating breakfast at a convention of Terminators Xander felt his Cheerios threaten to make a break for freedom. He put his spoon down again and tried to stay calm as Mary worked her way in their direction. She squeezed past a Watcher Xander didn't recognise with a muttered apology although the fact she had to give it clearly pissed the young Slayer off. She glanced quickly over at Xander and blanched as if only realising for the first time that he was there and leaned over and whispered something in Rowena's ear. Xander figured it had to be bad by the way Rowena's eyes widened visibly and her face went so white that Xander thought she could audition for that weird Japanese theatre Giles had inflicted on them. She glanced away avoiding Xander's gaze and started to rise from her chair before Xander's gentle touch on her hand stopped her.
"Hey, you can tell me. I won't bite your head off. I promise," he said. He gave what he hoped was a comforting smile and avoided turning his head to look at the rest of the audience.
He didn't quite get the reaction he was looking for as Rowena's face crumpled. If a picture could tell a thousand words then the misery on her face told him that many and then some. Xander wasn't sure he wanted to know but Rowena was saved from telling him by Mary who leaned past her friend.
"There's someone fighting on the roof," she said. She sounded breathless as if she had just finished working out. She avoided Xander’s eye as if he had the plague.
"That's not all is it?" he asked.
"No, we think its Faith," admitted Mary. She shifted her gaze up from his bowl uncomfortable as she finally looked him in the eye. And just like that his good mood evaporated to be replaced with a feeling of panicked dread.
"Okay, so what the hell are we all standing around here. We've got to go help her." Xander snapped he shot to his feet knocking his chair over. He glared at the frozen assemblage.
"That's a problem," said Mary. She looked worried and worse she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here in front of Xander. "The door is blocked, or warded or something. We can't get through." Her lip trembled and she looked at the edge of tears.
"Well then get Nita or someone," said Xander trying and failing not to sound pissed. He grimaced annoyed at himself as the young Slayer crumpled under the scolding. "Look sorry Mary, my bad. Just track down a Witch or Shaman okay." He said, he smiled reassuringly at Mary who nodded her understanding, a little colour returning to her cheeks. "Gangway coming through," she shouted as she rushed from the room followed shortly after by a gaggle of Slayers.
Xander turned to Rowena. "We best get outside maybe we can catch a glimpse of Faith, let her know that help is coming." He turned and fixed the rest of the canteen with what he hoped was his best Giles impression. "The rest of you figure out how to break down that ward fast."
"Mr Harris," said Rowena.
"Ro you best get someone to check the perimeter," said Xander hurriedly over his shoulder as he headed towards the door hoping he sounded calmer than he felt.
*****
Faith froze, the muscles in her arms screamed with thwarted anticipation. It was almost as if they were urging her on, willing her to close the small gap that lay between them and wrench the knife from Trudy's grasp. To end it! The impulse was so strong almost predatory but it was punctuated with the sound of her ragged breathing and a dull awareness of the injuries she had already suffered. She could hear the voice and something else an almost unconscious urging that coiled up from the dark recesses of her mind. But she couldn't do it, a monster or vamp, sure the sucker would already be dust on the cold Cleveland wind. But this was Trudy. She relaxed slightly, letting her posture loosen as she carefully watched the young Slayer, perched as she was right on the single row of bricks that enclosed the flat portion of the roof.
Trudy held the knife out in front of her like it was a lifeline. She looked as smashed up as Faith felt. She waved the knife in an intricate pattern and as she did so Faith noticed a glowing trail of air marked its passage. Faith could hear the other Slayers as they laboured to break down the door, the constant thud as one after the other they tried their luck. She wondered how long it would be before someone figured they needed Nita and went to fetch the witch. Not long she figured.
"Give it up Trudy. Any second now and the cavalry's going to arrive," said Faith. She shifted slightly to keep square on to the Slayer as she stepped off the bricks. Trudy didn't come closer though. She just looked up at Faith and smiled.
"You know it's been fun watching you. All scurrying around like ants. I have watched you huddle and squirm, plan your silly little schemes. I have seen you scream and die like the little girls that you really are and all for nothing, because you're blind. Blind as always to the darkness that lies at the heart of everything."
"Pretty big words for someone who's just had their ass kicked," said Faith.
Trudy's mouth slimmed down to a thin angry line and she glared at Faith.
"Do you not yet understand Kitribu? One way or another you shall be the path to my resurrection."
Trudy lunged again as Faith twisted to one side swearing as the knife scoured a hot slice through her tee and into her side. As Trudy pulled the knife free Faith seized hold of her wrist and squeezed crushing bones and causing Trudy to howl in agony. She wrenched the knife from Trudy's grasp holding it out of her reach as the two of them continued to struggle at the edge of the roof.
Then they were face to face and she could see in almost perfect detail the cuts and bruises on the other woman's face. The eye rapidly swelling shut from where Faith had smashed in to it. She could almost see the darkness swirling in their depths. It was like looking into the eyes of something dead, like a vampire or something worse as they seemed to call to her draw her in, they promised peace and something more, something even more enticing, oblivion. And then just like that something changed. Her eyes softened and Trudy reeled back with a cry of horror. She fell to the ground right at the edge of the roof her hair for a moment masking her face from Faith's view. When she looked up again, Faith felt her breath stop.
"Faith, oh god, please help me." Trudy pleaded. Her voice sounded so lost and she held out her bloody hands looking at them in horror. She turned towards Faith anguish written all over her face.
"Help..." Trudy's said before her eyes suddenly went wide and it was like iron shutters came down on her soul. Faith could almost feel the chains as they wrapped themselves around Trudy, could hear the sound echoing from her own nightmares.
Trudy smirked and struggled to her feet.
Faith knew now. Knew the fate her friend had suffered and she stepped carefully away from the edge. She had to lure her away, find some way of taking her down and then maybe they could figure out what the fuck to do. Red would know what to do. All Faith had to do was keep Little Red under control until Big Red got here.
Whatever was possessing Trudy had different ideas as the Slayer suddenly rushed her, ran straight at her. Before Faith realised what was happening she had slammed into her. Trudy grunted and Faith could feel the blood welling up over her hands as Trudy pulled herself further onto the knife held outstretched in Faith's hand. Trudy coughed up blood, hot sticky speckles sprayed the side of Faith's face and then she twisted, stumbled a few steps and fell, pitched over the edge into the darkness below.
"Trudy," screamed Faith.
She lunged for the edge desperately trying to catch hold of Trudy’s leg as she went over. She squeezed her eyes shut when the body hit the flagstones of the courtyard below.
When she opened them again she looked straight into the single horrified eye of Xander.