AB/BtVS FF: Alive at Last 70-2/? (Willow/Asher)
TITLE: Alive at Last
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii overall
PAIRING: Willow/Asher
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the two series for Buffyverse stuff.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone. I'm just having a little fun.
NOTES: This story is AU, since it's a crossover; because of that, I've taken a few creative liberties with explaining why the BtVS vampires are different than the AB vampires, and so on.
Previous Chapters: 1-3, 4, 5, 6-7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23-4, 25, 26-7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32-3, 34, 35-6, 37-8, 39, 40-1, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49-50, 51-2, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61-2, 63-4, 65-7, 68, 69
PART SEVENTY
Much to almost everyone's surprise, Willow did not turn into a wolf on the full moon. She didn't turn into a leopard, either. In fact, she stayed in bed, most of the time with Asher, and she ate takeout and watched cheesy movies.
After Richard left her alone the night before the day of the full moon, Willow wandered around the Circus of the Damned and tried to determine if she felt differently since before the attack at the lunapar. Some of the changes to personality, like her lack of squeamishness, she had noticed before the attack and had always attributed to her link with Asher. Jean-Claude had once told her that she might take on some of his personality traits, so she didn't think anything of those slight changes.
The spirit Raina had visited her a couple of times, but she liked to torment Anita---and Anita didn't turn into a werewolf. Willow associated Raina's appearance in her psyche with her visit to the lunapar---but not with the attack that followed. Through her magic, she was connected to spirits and otherworldly entities. She had walked upon a sacred space with people that Raina was connected to and liked to torment.
She still felt equally connected to Jason and Nathaniel, in the weird way that they had been since Willow took Asher's four marks. Those connections weren't obvious; they usually manifested themselves in a need to be close when they were in the same room. But, Willow hadn't felt a change and the balance between them hadn't shifted. She had thought that if she had been infected with one strain of lycanthropy that she would feel more drawn to either Jason or Nathaniel. But, nothing had changed between them in that way.
Asher seemed relieved---as did Anita---in the days that followed the full moon. But both Asher and Jean-Claude started to watch her carefully, especially when Richard was in the Circus of the Damned. Willow suspected that was why the Ulfric slowly stopped visiting the underground palace.
She also noticed a more possessive attitude in Asher, whenever he was around her in the presence of others. He made sure to keep a hand on her---usually on her thigh or hip or her own hand---as if to tell everyone that she was with him. Sometimes she found it comforting, but other times, she found it irritating. But, she didn't say anything because she wasn't sure how to talk to him about it.
"He's jealous," Jason said, two days after the full moon, after Asher and Jean-Claude went to work at Danse Macabre and Guilty Pleasures, respectively, and Willow had a few minutes alone with the young werewolf.
Willow looked up from her coffee and frowned. "What? Why?"
"You and Richard slept together. And you didn't tell Asher about it."
She blushed. "We didn't... do anything, though," she protested. "We just napped."
"That's what I said," Jason said with a little roll of his eyes.
"He said I was shivering!" Willow exclaimed. "I was asleep... we were asleep. He doesn't act differently when you and I take a nap."
"Yeah, but I'm not as dominant as he is... or as dominant as Richard," Jason pointed out. "He's not threatened by me. He's something else when you nap with Nathaniel."
"What?"
Jason smiled and shook his head slightly before shrugging. "Look, he just wants everyone to know you're with him."
"So, he's insecure."
"No comment."
Willow sighed. "Vampires are complicated. So are shapeshifters, for that matter. You're all complicated!"
"Yeah, and you're easy to figure out, too," Jason muttered dryly.
"I heard that!" Willow exclaimed.
The young werewolf grinned. "Yeah, I know."
She fidgeted and looked down at her watch. "He's not going to be home for hours..." she trailed off and frowned a bit. "Okay, I'm gonna go change and head to Danse Macabre," she told Jason.
"He wouldn't want you to do that," the werewolf pointed out.
"Well, I can't sit around here and imagine all the ways our little talk is gonna go," she said, "I have to go down there and make sure he knows... stuff."
"Stuff."
Willow smiled. "Yes. Stuff."
"Sounds... serious."
She shrugged. "It's just... I don't want him thinking I'm... I don't want this hanging over my head anymore. It's been two days. I've finally figured out what his issues are and... I want to shoo these storm clouds away before they rain all over me."
"Alright, but when he finds out that you went across town---"
"I'll take a car," she interrupted. "I won't exactly be wandering around the city, looking for anyone that might want me dead... for reasons passing my understanding."
Jason sighed. "Willow..."
"I can be careful," the witch insisted. "My magic's less fritzy, my shoulders are all better... I'll be fine."
"At least ask Jean-Claude's driver to take you," Jason insisted.
Willow rolled her eyes and sighed. She knew when to give in. "Okay, okay. I'll ask him to take me into town."
"Thanks."
She took her coffee mug to the sink and poured the remnants of coffee down the drain. She bounced over to Jason, kissed his cheek, and then rushed out of the well-lit kitchen to head down the hall to her room to change her clothes before she went to the dance club.
&&&&
PART SEVENTY-ONE
Asher looked up when he sensed Willow enter the building. He set his pen down and dismissed the new employees from his office, hoping that his lecture on proper conduct of the human customers made an impression, and then he waited by the door for his human servant to appear.
When Willow walked into the room, he had intended to pounce upon her immediately; however, he saw that she was wearing his favourite boots and leather pants, so he was busy staring at her when he should have been telling her that being in the city unescorted was dangerous.
"Hi," she murmured, after a couple of minutes passed.
"Salut," he replied. He walked towards her and slipped his hands on her hips before sliding them into her back pockets. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk."
He frowned. "Alright... if we must."
Willow's eyes widened and she put her hands on his chest. "No, silly," she said quickly, "it's not a bad talk. It's just... well, I guess it's good, if it's not bad. But, I need to tell you some things and it can't wait because you don't settle down around me anymore for extended periods of time. So, I'm coming to you. And you're gonna listen, mister."
Asher could feel a small smile tugging at his lips. "D'accord," he agreed. "I will listen."
"I'm not dating Richard," she told him. "I'm not dating anyone else. So, the possessive touching thing isn't really necessary, because everyone knows I'm only with you."
The blond vampire arched an eyebrow. "The 'possessive touching thing?'"
"Yeah," she replied. "You know... you're always touching me. Holding my hand or hip---"
"It could not just be because I want to touch you?" he inquired. He took pleasure in the way she blushed; the colour rose from her throat, reaching her cheeks slowly. Then, he pressed his body against hers, while holding her in place. "Because I do want to touch you most of the time we're in the same room."
"Well, it feels possessive," she whispered.
He nodded. "Some of it is about possession," he admitted.
"Oh."
He thought she was going to accept his behavior, but then her brow furrowed.
"Hey, wait, buddy," she said in a firm voice. "You can't just... look at me like that when you're touching me like... like this, and expect me to just---I know what you're doing and it won't work! We need to talk!"
"About what?"
"About... stuff. And I can't think when you're this close to me," she replied.
Since he was in no mood to release her, he smiled and said: "Try."
Willow sighed and nodded. Then, she put her hands on his chest and looked into his eyes. "I know you know Richard took a nap with me," she said quietly. "But, it was a nap. I was shivering, he said."
He knew nothing overtly sexual had occurred between them, but he had felt how comfortable they had been with each other. He knew that he and Willow shared plenty of comfort, but he was jealous that someone else could enter her personal space with little issue. He hadn't wanted to discuss that night with Willow, but it looked like she wasn't going to give him a choice in the matter.
"Mon colibri, I felt how at ease you were. Jean-Claude felt how at ease Richard was with you."
"Maybe it's because I don't hate him," Willow said softly. "I mean, why he was at ease. Plus, I was warm."
"I saw..." he trailed off. He didn't know if he should tell her about the animals he saw when he reached out to her through their bond. "I felt how comfortable you were. I did not want to make an issue of it because you were recovering from the events at the lunapar, but..."
"I'm more comfortable with you," she said when he stopped talking. "Besides, my nap was interrupted by crazy Raina. So, it wasn't that pleasant." She smiled and leaned up on her toes to kiss him. After brushing her lips over his, she said, "If it was something, I would have told you before it happened. We need to be honest with each other."
"You are not dating Richard."
Willow smiled and shook her head. "No."
"Do you take offense to my touching you?"
She shook her head again. "No... as long as it's not about marking territory." She slid her hands from his chest to the back of his neck, underneath his long hair. "Touching me is definitely okay, as long as it's for other reasons."
"I'm glad."
"And for the record, you never act this crazy over Jason or Nathaniel," she added.
Asher smiled and shrugged. "They are your familiars. Besides, Nathaniel drives me to distraction entirely on his own."
He almost groaned when Willow grinned. She kissed him twice and then asked, "Do you have a crush on the wereleopard?"
"I am hundreds of years old, I do not have 'crushes,'" he insisted, spitting disdain out with that last word.
"You have a crush."
"What I want to do to him is not sweet and pure and innocent, as a crush is supposed to be," he told her.
Willow blushed again. "Oh... the stuff he wants but doesn't get. You want to give it to him."
"Yes," he replied while trying not to squirm.
"Cool."
"That's it?"
Willow shrugged. "Yeah. What did you want me to say?"
He shrugged, too. "I do not know," he admitted.
"So... do you feel better?"
"I would have felt better if you stayed at the Circus, instead of coming across town on your own---"
"I'm here, safe and sound," she interrupted. "And if you want, I'll stay here with you until it's time to go home, so you can keep yours eyes on me."
He sighed unnecessarily. "Do you understand that something is happening---"
"Yeah," she cut in, "I do. But, I needed to see you."
"You are staying here until it is time to return to the Circus," he said quietly. "I will escort you."
Willow nodded. "Sure," she murmured. "Whatever you say."
"Just like that?"
She smiled and nodded. "Well, I like staying with you," she said in a soft voice. "You've never heard me complain before, have you?"
Asher shook his head. "Non," he replied.
Willow grinned and leaned inwards and upwards so she could kiss him. Asher closed his eyes when he felt their lips touch; his hands gripped her and pulled her more firmly against his body as the kiss deepened. He felt the pleasure she felt and he savoured that warm feeling as it mirrored his own.
&&&&
PART SEVENTY-TWO
When Animators, Incorporated called Anita in on an emergency, Willow and Edward had been dragged along with her---Willow, for magical expertise and much to Asher's disapproval, and Edward, for protection. Willow had expected to see an army of zombies, awaiting commands or eating brains, but all Willow saw was a nervous animator who had a zombie bound in a protective circle with even more nervous onlookers.
The animator's name was Larry Kirkland. Willow could feel the power he had---it wasn't quite as powerful as Anita's, as far as Willow could tell, but she knew Anita had other powers besides her necromancy and was on an entirely different scale altogether. Anita seemed to be friends with the young man; after dismissing the clients, she lectured him for a little while, but then, with a small smile and a few jokes shared between them, she helped Larry put the unruly zombie, a man who had too much blood and could think for himself, back into the ground.
"Hey, that was pretty cool."
Edward and Anita both drew weapons and aimed them towards the brunette who had jumped down off of a tree bough and landed in front of the four people.
"Don't shoot!" Willow exclaimed.
"She's a slayer," Anita commented.
Willow looked from the newcomer to Anita and waved her hands a little. "Yeah, but she's not a bad one!" She looked at Edward. "Do not shoot her!"
"I don't take orders from you," Edward said quietly as he raised the gun. "Who are you?" he asked the brunette.
She smiled. "Point the gun somewhere else before I point it for you," she threatened. "I don't like guns."
"Crossbows were more your thing," Willow commented quietly.
"I'm not hunting vamps, Will." The newcomer smiled and shrugged. "Well, not tonight, anyway."
Anita looked from Willow to the slayer. "She a friend of yours?"
"Uh... sorta," Willow replied. "Guys, this is Faith. She's one of the good slayers."
Larry cleared his throat. "I... I've missed a lot, haven't I?"
Anita and Willow shared a look and a humourless laugh. The necromancer looked at the young man. "You should probably head home, Larry," she advised. "I'll see you at work."
"Yeah... okay," he said before starting to move towards the roadway. "I know this goes without saying," he added, "but, please be careful."
"Always," Anita replied, nodding before she looked down her gun at Faith.
Faith tilted her head and motioned towards the gun. "You really want to put that down," she advised.
"Faith..." Willow said, hoping her tone of voice was enough to warn the slayer.
The brunette looked at the witch. "What? You telling me she's got my speed and strength?"
"I'm telling you that you probably don't want to find out," Willow replied. "We've had a rough few days."
Faith nodded. "I know. Why do you think I'm here?"
Willow shrugged. "Either you heard St. Louis was the ultimate party town or there's a hellmouth here..." she trailed off and paled. "Oh god, please don't tell me there's a hellmouth opening here."
"Nah, we've got a team dealing with one in Boston, though. Nasty stuff coming up out of there," Faith replied. She shoved her hands into her leather pants and said, "Giles was gonna send B. The coven warned him you were tapping into some dark stuff... and when they found out Angel was here..." she trailed off. Then, she grimaced. "Let's just say, when Connor gave me the four-one-one, I managed to convince him to let B take a vacation while I took this trip for the team."
Willow rolled her eyes. "The coven? Great... just great."
"That's why I'm here," Faith said with an understanding shrug. She smiled and added, "Well, that and Robin and I broke up, and I heard that St. Louis was a great place to party."
"We've got rogue slayers," Willow told her, "and they pretty much want to kill us all. Plus, that law firm from L.A. has a branch here. We think they're in on the hits."
"An awesome party town," Faith amended. She grinned. "Some violence, some great clubs... everything's gonna be five by five," she said as she put her arm around Willow's shoulders and started guiding the witch towards the car they had used to drive to the cemetery.
Behind them, Willow heard Edward and Anita talking.
"I think I might like her," Edward commented.
Anita asked, "Five by five what?"
TBC...
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii overall
PAIRING: Willow/Asher
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the two series for Buffyverse stuff.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone. I'm just having a little fun.
NOTES: This story is AU, since it's a crossover; because of that, I've taken a few creative liberties with explaining why the BtVS vampires are different than the AB vampires, and so on.
Previous Chapters: 1-3, 4, 5, 6-7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23-4, 25, 26-7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32-3, 34, 35-6, 37-8, 39, 40-1, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49-50, 51-2, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61-2, 63-4, 65-7, 68, 69
PART SEVENTY
Much to almost everyone's surprise, Willow did not turn into a wolf on the full moon. She didn't turn into a leopard, either. In fact, she stayed in bed, most of the time with Asher, and she ate takeout and watched cheesy movies.
After Richard left her alone the night before the day of the full moon, Willow wandered around the Circus of the Damned and tried to determine if she felt differently since before the attack at the lunapar. Some of the changes to personality, like her lack of squeamishness, she had noticed before the attack and had always attributed to her link with Asher. Jean-Claude had once told her that she might take on some of his personality traits, so she didn't think anything of those slight changes.
The spirit Raina had visited her a couple of times, but she liked to torment Anita---and Anita didn't turn into a werewolf. Willow associated Raina's appearance in her psyche with her visit to the lunapar---but not with the attack that followed. Through her magic, she was connected to spirits and otherworldly entities. She had walked upon a sacred space with people that Raina was connected to and liked to torment.
She still felt equally connected to Jason and Nathaniel, in the weird way that they had been since Willow took Asher's four marks. Those connections weren't obvious; they usually manifested themselves in a need to be close when they were in the same room. But, Willow hadn't felt a change and the balance between them hadn't shifted. She had thought that if she had been infected with one strain of lycanthropy that she would feel more drawn to either Jason or Nathaniel. But, nothing had changed between them in that way.
Asher seemed relieved---as did Anita---in the days that followed the full moon. But both Asher and Jean-Claude started to watch her carefully, especially when Richard was in the Circus of the Damned. Willow suspected that was why the Ulfric slowly stopped visiting the underground palace.
She also noticed a more possessive attitude in Asher, whenever he was around her in the presence of others. He made sure to keep a hand on her---usually on her thigh or hip or her own hand---as if to tell everyone that she was with him. Sometimes she found it comforting, but other times, she found it irritating. But, she didn't say anything because she wasn't sure how to talk to him about it.
"He's jealous," Jason said, two days after the full moon, after Asher and Jean-Claude went to work at Danse Macabre and Guilty Pleasures, respectively, and Willow had a few minutes alone with the young werewolf.
Willow looked up from her coffee and frowned. "What? Why?"
"You and Richard slept together. And you didn't tell Asher about it."
She blushed. "We didn't... do anything, though," she protested. "We just napped."
"That's what I said," Jason said with a little roll of his eyes.
"He said I was shivering!" Willow exclaimed. "I was asleep... we were asleep. He doesn't act differently when you and I take a nap."
"Yeah, but I'm not as dominant as he is... or as dominant as Richard," Jason pointed out. "He's not threatened by me. He's something else when you nap with Nathaniel."
"What?"
Jason smiled and shook his head slightly before shrugging. "Look, he just wants everyone to know you're with him."
"So, he's insecure."
"No comment."
Willow sighed. "Vampires are complicated. So are shapeshifters, for that matter. You're all complicated!"
"Yeah, and you're easy to figure out, too," Jason muttered dryly.
"I heard that!" Willow exclaimed.
The young werewolf grinned. "Yeah, I know."
She fidgeted and looked down at her watch. "He's not going to be home for hours..." she trailed off and frowned a bit. "Okay, I'm gonna go change and head to Danse Macabre," she told Jason.
"He wouldn't want you to do that," the werewolf pointed out.
"Well, I can't sit around here and imagine all the ways our little talk is gonna go," she said, "I have to go down there and make sure he knows... stuff."
"Stuff."
Willow smiled. "Yes. Stuff."
"Sounds... serious."
She shrugged. "It's just... I don't want him thinking I'm... I don't want this hanging over my head anymore. It's been two days. I've finally figured out what his issues are and... I want to shoo these storm clouds away before they rain all over me."
"Alright, but when he finds out that you went across town---"
"I'll take a car," she interrupted. "I won't exactly be wandering around the city, looking for anyone that might want me dead... for reasons passing my understanding."
Jason sighed. "Willow..."
"I can be careful," the witch insisted. "My magic's less fritzy, my shoulders are all better... I'll be fine."
"At least ask Jean-Claude's driver to take you," Jason insisted.
Willow rolled her eyes and sighed. She knew when to give in. "Okay, okay. I'll ask him to take me into town."
"Thanks."
She took her coffee mug to the sink and poured the remnants of coffee down the drain. She bounced over to Jason, kissed his cheek, and then rushed out of the well-lit kitchen to head down the hall to her room to change her clothes before she went to the dance club.
&&&&
PART SEVENTY-ONE
Asher looked up when he sensed Willow enter the building. He set his pen down and dismissed the new employees from his office, hoping that his lecture on proper conduct of the human customers made an impression, and then he waited by the door for his human servant to appear.
When Willow walked into the room, he had intended to pounce upon her immediately; however, he saw that she was wearing his favourite boots and leather pants, so he was busy staring at her when he should have been telling her that being in the city unescorted was dangerous.
"Hi," she murmured, after a couple of minutes passed.
"Salut," he replied. He walked towards her and slipped his hands on her hips before sliding them into her back pockets. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk."
He frowned. "Alright... if we must."
Willow's eyes widened and she put her hands on his chest. "No, silly," she said quickly, "it's not a bad talk. It's just... well, I guess it's good, if it's not bad. But, I need to tell you some things and it can't wait because you don't settle down around me anymore for extended periods of time. So, I'm coming to you. And you're gonna listen, mister."
Asher could feel a small smile tugging at his lips. "D'accord," he agreed. "I will listen."
"I'm not dating Richard," she told him. "I'm not dating anyone else. So, the possessive touching thing isn't really necessary, because everyone knows I'm only with you."
The blond vampire arched an eyebrow. "The 'possessive touching thing?'"
"Yeah," she replied. "You know... you're always touching me. Holding my hand or hip---"
"It could not just be because I want to touch you?" he inquired. He took pleasure in the way she blushed; the colour rose from her throat, reaching her cheeks slowly. Then, he pressed his body against hers, while holding her in place. "Because I do want to touch you most of the time we're in the same room."
"Well, it feels possessive," she whispered.
He nodded. "Some of it is about possession," he admitted.
"Oh."
He thought she was going to accept his behavior, but then her brow furrowed.
"Hey, wait, buddy," she said in a firm voice. "You can't just... look at me like that when you're touching me like... like this, and expect me to just---I know what you're doing and it won't work! We need to talk!"
"About what?"
"About... stuff. And I can't think when you're this close to me," she replied.
Since he was in no mood to release her, he smiled and said: "Try."
Willow sighed and nodded. Then, she put her hands on his chest and looked into his eyes. "I know you know Richard took a nap with me," she said quietly. "But, it was a nap. I was shivering, he said."
He knew nothing overtly sexual had occurred between them, but he had felt how comfortable they had been with each other. He knew that he and Willow shared plenty of comfort, but he was jealous that someone else could enter her personal space with little issue. He hadn't wanted to discuss that night with Willow, but it looked like she wasn't going to give him a choice in the matter.
"Mon colibri, I felt how at ease you were. Jean-Claude felt how at ease Richard was with you."
"Maybe it's because I don't hate him," Willow said softly. "I mean, why he was at ease. Plus, I was warm."
"I saw..." he trailed off. He didn't know if he should tell her about the animals he saw when he reached out to her through their bond. "I felt how comfortable you were. I did not want to make an issue of it because you were recovering from the events at the lunapar, but..."
"I'm more comfortable with you," she said when he stopped talking. "Besides, my nap was interrupted by crazy Raina. So, it wasn't that pleasant." She smiled and leaned up on her toes to kiss him. After brushing her lips over his, she said, "If it was something, I would have told you before it happened. We need to be honest with each other."
"You are not dating Richard."
Willow smiled and shook her head. "No."
"Do you take offense to my touching you?"
She shook her head again. "No... as long as it's not about marking territory." She slid her hands from his chest to the back of his neck, underneath his long hair. "Touching me is definitely okay, as long as it's for other reasons."
"I'm glad."
"And for the record, you never act this crazy over Jason or Nathaniel," she added.
Asher smiled and shrugged. "They are your familiars. Besides, Nathaniel drives me to distraction entirely on his own."
He almost groaned when Willow grinned. She kissed him twice and then asked, "Do you have a crush on the wereleopard?"
"I am hundreds of years old, I do not have 'crushes,'" he insisted, spitting disdain out with that last word.
"You have a crush."
"What I want to do to him is not sweet and pure and innocent, as a crush is supposed to be," he told her.
Willow blushed again. "Oh... the stuff he wants but doesn't get. You want to give it to him."
"Yes," he replied while trying not to squirm.
"Cool."
"That's it?"
Willow shrugged. "Yeah. What did you want me to say?"
He shrugged, too. "I do not know," he admitted.
"So... do you feel better?"
"I would have felt better if you stayed at the Circus, instead of coming across town on your own---"
"I'm here, safe and sound," she interrupted. "And if you want, I'll stay here with you until it's time to go home, so you can keep yours eyes on me."
He sighed unnecessarily. "Do you understand that something is happening---"
"Yeah," she cut in, "I do. But, I needed to see you."
"You are staying here until it is time to return to the Circus," he said quietly. "I will escort you."
Willow nodded. "Sure," she murmured. "Whatever you say."
"Just like that?"
She smiled and nodded. "Well, I like staying with you," she said in a soft voice. "You've never heard me complain before, have you?"
Asher shook his head. "Non," he replied.
Willow grinned and leaned inwards and upwards so she could kiss him. Asher closed his eyes when he felt their lips touch; his hands gripped her and pulled her more firmly against his body as the kiss deepened. He felt the pleasure she felt and he savoured that warm feeling as it mirrored his own.
&&&&
PART SEVENTY-TWO
When Animators, Incorporated called Anita in on an emergency, Willow and Edward had been dragged along with her---Willow, for magical expertise and much to Asher's disapproval, and Edward, for protection. Willow had expected to see an army of zombies, awaiting commands or eating brains, but all Willow saw was a nervous animator who had a zombie bound in a protective circle with even more nervous onlookers.
The animator's name was Larry Kirkland. Willow could feel the power he had---it wasn't quite as powerful as Anita's, as far as Willow could tell, but she knew Anita had other powers besides her necromancy and was on an entirely different scale altogether. Anita seemed to be friends with the young man; after dismissing the clients, she lectured him for a little while, but then, with a small smile and a few jokes shared between them, she helped Larry put the unruly zombie, a man who had too much blood and could think for himself, back into the ground.
"Hey, that was pretty cool."
Edward and Anita both drew weapons and aimed them towards the brunette who had jumped down off of a tree bough and landed in front of the four people.
"Don't shoot!" Willow exclaimed.
"She's a slayer," Anita commented.
Willow looked from the newcomer to Anita and waved her hands a little. "Yeah, but she's not a bad one!" She looked at Edward. "Do not shoot her!"
"I don't take orders from you," Edward said quietly as he raised the gun. "Who are you?" he asked the brunette.
She smiled. "Point the gun somewhere else before I point it for you," she threatened. "I don't like guns."
"Crossbows were more your thing," Willow commented quietly.
"I'm not hunting vamps, Will." The newcomer smiled and shrugged. "Well, not tonight, anyway."
Anita looked from Willow to the slayer. "She a friend of yours?"
"Uh... sorta," Willow replied. "Guys, this is Faith. She's one of the good slayers."
Larry cleared his throat. "I... I've missed a lot, haven't I?"
Anita and Willow shared a look and a humourless laugh. The necromancer looked at the young man. "You should probably head home, Larry," she advised. "I'll see you at work."
"Yeah... okay," he said before starting to move towards the roadway. "I know this goes without saying," he added, "but, please be careful."
"Always," Anita replied, nodding before she looked down her gun at Faith.
Faith tilted her head and motioned towards the gun. "You really want to put that down," she advised.
"Faith..." Willow said, hoping her tone of voice was enough to warn the slayer.
The brunette looked at the witch. "What? You telling me she's got my speed and strength?"
"I'm telling you that you probably don't want to find out," Willow replied. "We've had a rough few days."
Faith nodded. "I know. Why do you think I'm here?"
Willow shrugged. "Either you heard St. Louis was the ultimate party town or there's a hellmouth here..." she trailed off and paled. "Oh god, please don't tell me there's a hellmouth opening here."
"Nah, we've got a team dealing with one in Boston, though. Nasty stuff coming up out of there," Faith replied. She shoved her hands into her leather pants and said, "Giles was gonna send B. The coven warned him you were tapping into some dark stuff... and when they found out Angel was here..." she trailed off. Then, she grimaced. "Let's just say, when Connor gave me the four-one-one, I managed to convince him to let B take a vacation while I took this trip for the team."
Willow rolled her eyes. "The coven? Great... just great."
"That's why I'm here," Faith said with an understanding shrug. She smiled and added, "Well, that and Robin and I broke up, and I heard that St. Louis was a great place to party."
"We've got rogue slayers," Willow told her, "and they pretty much want to kill us all. Plus, that law firm from L.A. has a branch here. We think they're in on the hits."
"An awesome party town," Faith amended. She grinned. "Some violence, some great clubs... everything's gonna be five by five," she said as she put her arm around Willow's shoulders and started guiding the witch towards the car they had used to drive to the cemetery.
Behind them, Willow heard Edward and Anita talking.
"I think I might like her," Edward commented.
Anita asked, "Five by five what?"
TBC...