Chance Card: Get Out of Jail Free. Do Not Pass Go - Collect Your Redemption Here.

[_badass_slayer_]

"I was your Watcher, Faith. And if you kill me, there's just one thing I want you to remember."
"What's that, love?"
"You are a piece of sh-"
"You're one to talk! Guess we'll just have to try a little harder."

Smashing the glass out of picture frame nearby, I study the jagged shard closely.

"We'll switch to sharp for a while."

Comments

[_wes_pryce_]

The world is a dark and dreary place. But without friends, without family it's even darker. If not much easier. Or so one would think. No on to keep in mind, no one who'll ask you why or what or who. No one to be responsible for. And it would be easy, if only I didn't know the joys of having friends and family.

But once again I've managed to mess everything up. Sitting in my apartment, plunged into darkness for the occasion, I just stare out the window. The world is rushing past. Fools. They've no idea what's going on out there. What's lurking in the shadows of darkness. What's lurking in the light.

"You're a dead man, Pryce! You took my son! You're a dead man! Do you hear me! Dead!"

Ah Angel. How many times did I not wish he would make true on his threat. How many times have I not wished he'd actually succeeded at the hospital. But he didn't. And deep down he doesn't want me dead. After all, how hard is it for a master vampire to kill a weak and defenseless man lying helpless in a hospital bed?

"It was all for nothing, Wes. Don't

[_badass_slayer_]

I'm thinkin' up what I'm gonna say to him when all of the sudden, the door flies open, and this pissed off voice comes barreling at me.

"What the bloody hell do you want! I thought I'd been pretty clear when I told you to never come back."

Holy. Shit. Wesley looks way different from the last time I saw him, that's for sure. Damn. Gone are the prissy, Watcher suits and glasses. He's wearing blue jeans and a buttoned down shirt. Blue jeans? On Wesley?! His eyes are steely, and he's sporting one helluva scar on his neck.

He looks wicked fucked up, yo.

"Faith?"

Wes says my name and my heart starts jumpin' in my chest. 'Think fast, Faith, before he slams the door in your face.'

"Yeah. It's me. Foot loose and fancy free," I reply, tryin' to sound like my usual cocky self. Ain't quite workin', though. I don't know what the fuck I'm doing here. I mean, sure, I need to make amends with the guy and all that shit, but he's not looking like he wants visitors right now.

[_wes_pryce_]

Faith. Of all the people I had expected to darken my doorstep she wasn't on top of my list. Hell, she wasn't even on the list. And just a few month ago, I'd have been trembling a bit just at the sight of her. Though I have to admit, the urge to scratch the scars she's left behind on our last encounter has faded

[_badass_slayer_]

I'm a little startled at the raspiness in his voice. Whatever happened to his throat must've been wicked serious. I need to get the story on that.

I enter the dimly lit apartment, takin' in everything. It's strange, but, somehow, I figured Wesley to be a neat freak. Guess not. Clothes and papers are strewn all over the place. And is that a bottle of Jack on his table? His place has a chill, too--wasn't expecting that, either.

Once I'm done scoping out his pad, I sit down in a chair and ask, "So...how are things?" 'How are thing'? Could I sound any more lame? Great way to start the conversation, Faith. I cringe, inwardly, and wait for an answer.

[_badass_slayer_]

"It's not so hard to find yourself a piece of wood, Faith," he mutters, probably thinkin' I didn't hear him. Well, I did, and excuse the fuck out of me for being behind bars. Guards at the prison check up and down for weapons, so it wouldn't do to have something sharp and pointy on me.

He wants me to stop callin' him boss? God. Chill, Wes. Damn. Lighten up, will ya? I'm just playin'. But apparently, he didn't get a sense of humor with his makeover.

"Neither are you my boss, so don't give me any orders."

I have to suppress the urge to bitch slap him cuz he's pissin' me off wicked bad. Instead, I clench my fists at my side for a sec then follow him down the stairs.

[_wes_pryce_]

Once outside, I stop and glance around for a second. Do I want to run into Lilah? Or do I just want to forget tonight? Get drunk, get in a barbrawl. Hmm, maybe I should try a new pub. Ignoring Faith, since I didn't actually ask her to come along, I just start walking. Who asked her to follow me around anyway?

Pushing my hands in my pocket, I walk to the nearest corner and then turn left. I could try that pub at the end of block. Odd, so near and I've never actually gone there. Might as well do that now. Pushing my hands in my pockets, I can hear Faith following behind me. A cold shiver goes down my spine at that.

Smart move, Pryce. Turn your back at her. Did you forget what she did? No, I didn't. But at the moment I can't seem to care. Maybe I'm actually hoping she'll finish the job she started a few years back, I don't deserve any less. I don't seem to care either way.

[_badass_slayer_]

Scannin' the periph' for any signs of vamp activity, I let my eyes roam over Wes' backside. And a damn firm backside, it is. Shit, I need to get laid wicked fast. Locked up with those Butch chics left me no room to let off steam. Sure it would'a been no prob askin' one of them to assist, but I settled for gettin' myself off in the shower instead

[_wes_pryce_]

The moment I stepped into the pub, I knew I should listen to my instincts. But considering they were the ones that had gotten me into this mess, it's not a really surprise I've not been listening to them is it? The place was far to bright, the people were too happy, too cheerful and it was to crowded. I couldn't be bothered by going back out and of to another pub though. This would just have to do

[_badass_slayer_]

He continues to wipe at my tears, but the gesture only serves to upset me more. He's being' all sweet and shit. Freaks me out.

I'm actin' ridiculous. I mean, I'm Faith, I don't cry in front of people. Wes gives me a weak smile and looks at our hands still laced together. And that's when I see the blood stainin' my own. No...not another flashback.

I drop the knife and watch it tumble out of my hands to the ground. "No," I whisper, looking at the blood stains on my palms.I blink when Wes mentions bandagin' his wound. "Hang on," I say, thinkin' of somethin' we can use. Lettin' go of his hand, I walk behind the bar and grab a towel. Tearin' off a section, I make my way back over to him and wrap the cloth around the cut. As I'm tying a knot, I spot the red stains I smeared on the material. Need to wash my hands wicked soon. Wesley's voice brings me outta La-La Land, when he asks if I have a place to stay

[_wes_pryce_]

I do wish she'd stop crying, I don't know how to handle crying females. Especially not Faith. All I seem to be able to do is stand there dumbly and say stupid things.

Faith's eyes seem to glaze over again and I give her a confused look. Where is she disappearing to all the time when she gets that look? Inquiring mind would like to know, is she trying to come up with a new way to catch me of guard? Is this all an act to lull me into some kinds of state of unawareness?

But it seems real to me. I guess I'll just to take a chance. I've nothing left to loose other then my life. And really, that's not worth all that much, nothing really. There's a reason I go out every night looking for trouble.

I blink as she wraps a towel around my hand, I can still feel tiny bits of glass pressed into the flesh. I don't have the energy to wince anymore. After one had to sit through a torture by ones own Slayer, after one had a building explode around you, after one has been shot, got ones throat cut, a bit of glass in ones hands doesn't mean anything

[_badass_slayer_]

He's lookin' at me with a weird expression on his face. I bet I'm freakin' him out as much as I'm freakin' myself out. Being in the Pen has made me all soft and shit. I need to stop cryin' so he doesn't start to wonder if I'm under a fuckin' spell--the Faith Has Turned Into A Weepy Girl spell.

I rub the remaining tears away, and he questions if I have a better place to stay and smiles, walkin' out the door. Now I don't know what to do. I can follow him, go back to his crib, and hey! we might even get bouncy. But I feel...conflicted. The old me would have already split town, but I'm not that girl anymore. I've changed. My eyes land on the blood stains, and I realize I owe it to myself and him to try.

"Let's book, boss," I smirk, catchin' up to him outside the bar. Let's see how long it takes him to say 'Stop calling me boss'. This is gonna be fun.

[_wes_pryce_]

Glancing over my shoulder, I narrow my eyes at her. "Don't cal me boss." Turning back to look straight ahead again, my mouth quirks up in a small grin. This should get interesting, very interesting. Pushing my hands in my pockets, I start to walk out the small alley and onto the streets.

Odd how the lights suddenly seem brighter and the noises of the city louder. It's like there was a vail over my eyes and ears, numbing everything. Seems to be lifted a bit now. Or maybe that's because I'm not as nicely drunk as I usually am. Yes, I suppose that's it.

"So...Faith, tell me," I start, just wandering around really. Not actually going back to my apartment. I don't feel like that right now, the place is as depressing as....well, me. "Are you tired? Hungry? Or do you feel like taking on some more action. There's always some nest to be cleared out over at the district area." And we might run into Angel and company, but I don't really care about that right now.

About just as much as they care about me. Liar.