Geyer's Birthday fic... Part 2

[talesofspike]

As promised, Chapter 2. Happy Birthday -2 to geyer! Chapter 3 to follow tomorrow with (if I get it finished on time) Chapter 4 on Sunday.

This chapter includes non-explicit nonconsensual sexual content.

Comments

[zanthinegirl]

I still love that scene with Angel rescuing the puppy!

Nicely done. Poor Wes; that explanation totally makes sense. Och!

And Yikes! I have to say I always suspected poor Faith's story was something like this, but how horrible.

The watcher cast a sympathetic glance in the slayer's direction, "or at least from our point of view it was good news. I suppose you might have felt differently."

Faith looked away. "I'm guessing that about now I wasn't feeling much of anything."

Wes didn't let it go. "We don't choose who we care about, Faith, and even knowing the worst about them doesn't make it any easier to let go."

Nice touch here. One thing I loved about Faith's trek to Sunnydale was the was that the first appeared to her as the mayor. I suppose he was one of the few people to genuinely care about her!

[talesofspike]

Thanks, honey! I'm glad you liked it.

I never really bought that someone who turned up on a shiny new Harley and wearing leathers that alone probably cost several hundred dollars, stayed in America because the council wouldn't pay the air fare. Okay, so they probably didn't, but if he'd had anyone to go home to he obviously had enough money to go.

As you say, it doesn't take a huge leap to imagine Faith's past including that sort of scene.

As for the mayor, Wes is coming fresh from Lilah's death, so he's in a perfect position to understand.

[spikereader]

Your explanation of what bits came from where has helped enormously.

Poor Faith and Wes - they are going to have a much better understanding of each other when they come through this. I wonder how they will react when they come round.

[talesofspike]

Thanks, honey! There were two possible ways to run with this fic once I had the basic idea. I could have stuck with just Angel's memories, like they did on the show, and Faith and Wes could have had a great time making fun of Angelus, but at the end of it they would probably both have simply walked away and forgotten about it... Or I could take the option I-. Actually, geyer chose the option where the story itself is darker but because they go through all of this together, there's an understanding and a bond that wouldn't be there otherwise.

[curiouswombat]

Solemn reading for my lunch break - but still riveting, absolutely riveting.

[talesofspike]

It's definitely not the fluffiest thing I've ever written, but I hope the pay off at the end will make it worth it. I keep wanting to say things like glad you enjoyed it when people comment but it doesn't seem entirely appropriate. Riveting is definitely of the good, though.

BTW. Not that I can guarantee co-operation from the muse (and I still have to finish off the last chapter of this), but say I was looking to do something a bit lighter between now and Wednesday before I goes back to 'Broken Things', do you think hubby would prefer Better Sunnydale or Ganya?

[geyer]

Incredible chapter, sweetie. You do dark very well. I really hurt for Wes and Faith, and I really want someone to hurt Roger. You're doing a great job of giving W&F a foundation of understanding each other, painful as it is.

I must admit to sympathizing with Connor's opinion about putting Angelus down. There's no situation so bad that Angelus can't make it worse.

This is a great present, hon. Thank you! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's chapter.

[talesofspike]

You're welcome, honey! Guess today must be one of your Fridays off. :) I'm really glad you're - I don't know what to put where I'd normally say enjoying it, but you know what I mean.

Faith was so damaged even before she got to Sunnydale that I felt her worst memories had to predate her even getting there and I worked up a backstory that I felt fitted the evidence. Likewise, given Wes turned up in LA with several thousand dollars worth of new motorcycle and bikers' leathers, there had to be another reason, other than the council refusing to pay his air fare, for him to not return home.

As you say, they're going to end up knowing each other far better than anyone might have known either of them for quite some time. Getting rid of Angelus... soooo tempting but Faith wouldn't be too happy about it.

Hugs, honey!

[geyer]

No, I'm working today, but since I put in an extra hour yesterday, I get to flex my time today. Next weekend should be nice--not only do I have Friday off, but Monday's a holiday (Columbus Day--not celebrated very much here in California, but my employer observes it), so I'll have a four-day weekend.

Anyway, first thing I did when I got online was look for the chapter.

Knowing so much is a two-edged sword. It will make it easier to hurt each other, too.

Yes, I know Faith refused to consider killing Angelus as an option. But maybe they could dig up some Initiative scientists and insert a chip in Angel that would immobilize him any time Angelus came back. Nobody deserves excruciating pain more than Angelus. Except maybe Roger.

[talesofspike]

Next weekend definitely sounds good, provided you don't end up having to go in at some point even though you're meant to be off.

Good to know you're looking forward to it that much.

Yeah, it could lead to some potentially interesting situations afterward, but I think both of them would have to be hurting pretty bad to use that information against the other.

Lol! Definitely a nice thought, though I think most of the scientific contingent of the Sunnydale op were first up against the wall come the demon revolution... And, Roger, well, some people definitely shouldn't be allowed to have kids.

[enigmaticblues]

I love the emotion you're building between Wes and Faith here. The understanding that's beginning to develop is a beautiful thing to behold.

[talesofspike]

Thank you, honey! I'm really glad that it's coming across how I wanted it to. Hugs!