FIC: Episode 2 in T.C.P.S. "I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found." (5/8)

[Heather & Kimber <kacoe@xxxxxxx>]

TITLE: Episode 2 in T.C.P.S. "I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found." (5/8)
AUTHORS: Heather (nerdgurrl@xxxxxxxxx) & ~~Kimber (kacoe@xxxxxxx)
DISCLAIMER: All recognizable characters from the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer
belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Any additional characters mentioned are the
property of the authors and may not be used without permission. This arrangement of words
in cyberspace is also owned by the authors and may not be displayed, copied, quoted from
or used without permission. This is a work of fiction done for enjoyment and the authors
who are in no way receiving monetary compensation for their efforts.
SUMMARY: Episode 2 in Heather and Kimber's "Convergent Paths Series". The alternate
universe version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
SPOILERS: Season one thru four including all season five speculations.
DISTRIBUTION: None. Lists only.
BETA READER: Kieran. woo hoo! a.k.a "Captain, our Captain!" You rock!
AUTHORS NOTES:
Thoughts enclosed in <. . .>
Flashbacks enclosed in ((. . .))
Emphasis is denoted with *. . .*

---------

Purple/ blue rays of light spilled through the blinds, making the transition between day
and night. Giles was in the center of the room giving instructions and droning on.
Willow sat next to Buffy who was cleaning her nails with Mr. Pointy. Clarence stood to
her other side, unable to fit into any of the librarys chairs. Amy sat across from
Willow and Buffy simply taking in all the information given. Cordelia and Xander sat at
the far end of the library as Cordelia shot alternately disgusted looks at Clarence, and
curious ones at Faith. Willow smiled nervously at the new Slayer, in a vain attempt to
make her more comfortable.

Faith. Looking at Faith standing in the back of the library, leaning against a book
shelf, arms crossed, face closed off, Willow thought back to the girls actions earlier
that day.

Last night, after Buffy and Willow left, Willow suggested that instead of meeting everyone
at the library at sunset, that they should pick up Faith earlier and show her around
Sunnydale, and update her on the badies and such. The next morning they arrived at
Giless with offerings for the new Slayer. Buffy brought her a change of clothes, (a
plain black scoop neck T-shirt and a pair of brown leather pants bought in a moment of
weakness and never worn.), and Willow brought a box of doughnuts. Faith pounced on both
with a muttered thanks, quickly scarfing down one doughnut, then gnawing on another as she
bounded for the shower.

Twenty minutes later the trio was on their way. They showed Faith the cemeteries, the
bronze, the school and Willies, peppering the tour with tales of the badies of
Sunnydale. Faith asked the occasional question, but other than that, remained mostly
silent. Faith wasnt rude or abrupt or anything, (even though she did have a colorful and
blunt way of stating things), she was just detached. Detached and professional. Buffy was
a teenage girl that also happened to be the Slayer, Faith was the complete opposite. She
was a slayer, plain and simple. Every attempt that Willow or Buffy made to get any
personal information out of the dark haired slayer was expertly diverted by small talk or
a question about the town. Eventually the subject was dropped all together. After the
tour, and a quick dinner, they all met back at the library, where Giles was now going over
some routine instructions about Willies and the patrol route.

Willow studied the brooding slayer a little longer, silently resolving to befriend her one
way or the other, knowing that Buffy felt the same way. It wasnt that they pitied her or
anything. Oh no, Faith was not a person who accepted pity. It was just every once in a
while, Willow could see a flash of pain and loneliness on the normally stoic and
expressionless face of the brunette. Willow sighed softly, then forced her attention back
to Giles.

Giles looked up from his book on bog beasts and other swamp creature lore, and repressed a
smile as he took in the bored looks of his audience. Even Clarence, the bog beast in
question, was somewhat slack jawed, his eyes slightly glazing over.

Well, um yes& Giles stammered, That should um, give you enough information to go on.
Buffy and Faith go see what you can find out from Willie. Willow and Amy, can you go with
Clarence down by the beaches and cliffs? Maybe she is near the water. Cordelia and Xander,
you two can stay here and help me research. All right? Giles nodded to them all then
walked to the back of the library and began pulling books of the shelf.

For once I agree with you, Giles, Cordelia said with an up turned nose. I am not going
any where with that walking mountain of slime. Cordelia shook her head and flounced to
the back of the library. I cant believe what losers you all are, GOD.

Xander shook his head and slunked off after her; Willow placed a comforting hand on
Clarences massive green arm and smiled apologetically. Faith arched her eyebrow, and
smiled a cocky half grin. So, are things always this jumping and exciting? Faith asked
sarcastically. G is a regular laugh riot.

Buffy smiled at the other Slayer. Yep, thats Giles, funny tweed man.

Willow giggled slightly; the blond Slayers smile was infectious. Oh yeah! Mickey and the
gang have nothing on us. This place is better than Disneyland.

Faith smiled at the quirky red head. Then as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, her mask
firmly in place once more.

Buffy grinned at the hacker, then turned to face Faith. We should make our escape before
Giles comes back and lectures us again. Buffy glanced at Giles in the stacks and shot him
an affectionate smile, then turned back to the brunette. So, feel like kicking a little
ass?

Faiths smiled was feral; brown eyes flashed and white teeth glinted. Always, she
stated, as she grabbed a bag full of supplies.

Buffy jumped up and grabbed her backpack. Hey? What happened to Oz? I thought he was
going to meet us here, she asked Willow.

Willow frowned slightly. He called and said that the band decided to practice tonight,
something about maybe finding a new singer.

Buffy gave her friend a quick hug. Im sorry, Will. I know you havent seen a lot of him
lately, mostly due to me.

Willow squeezed Buffys hand reassuringly and shook her head. Its ok. Besides its not
your fault. He has his music thing, and I have my thing. He just has to understand
that. Besides, I have more important things to do besides hang out at band practice. No
matter how cool it is to have a musician as a boyfriend. Willow smiled up at Clarence.
We have Clarences mate to find. By the way, you never told me her name. We cant just
go up to her and call her 'hey you' can we?

Clarence smiled at the little hacker; which was a strange site indeed. Bog beasts were
not meant to smile. The smile came across looking more like a half scowl and half
maniacal Joker Style grin. But the meaning was clear, and it was endearing all the
same.

Her name is Maribelle, Clarence rumbled reverently. But everyone calls her Belle.

Of course they do, Buffy muttered to herself, rolling her eyes. Well, we should get.
The bad guys wont beat up themselves. Be careful Willow.

Willow grinned at Buffy, then looked up at her green companion. I will Buffy, but I
dont think that vampires are going to bother us with Clarence around.

True, but watch your back anyway, OK?

Clarence turned to Buffy. I will make sure that no harm comes to the little witch, he
said somberly.

Buffy nodded in understanding. Thank you. Despite herself, and partially because of
Willow, the slayer began to kind of like the bog beast.

Faith casually twirled a stake in her hand, observing the people that had suddenly pushed
their way into her life. Despite all of the crazy dangerous things that went on in
Sunnydale, they obviously all cared about each other, and they all did their part to fight
against evil. They were a team.

Faith scowled slightly at the thought. That went against everything that she had been
taught, both on the streets and by her watcher. Never rely on anyone but yourself. Never
trust anyone, because sooner or later they will turn around and screw you. Despite that,
she felt herself being pulled toward them, like a cold traveler to a warm fire. For a
moment she wanted to be a part of something. Then, maybe, she wouldnt feel so damn
alone all the time. Then reality reasserted its self. <Stop dreamin Faith, cuz it aint
never gonna happen. Even if they did want you to be a part of their Scooby gang its
just a fairytale. > She thought to herself, adding another layer to the armor that was
Faith. <You havent stayed alive this long by believing in fairy tales. The only person
you can count on is you. >

Faith scowled again, then walked to the door. Is touchy feely hour over now? Cuz we have
vampires that need to be dead, roaming around.

Buffy nodded. Ok Were out. Lets be careful out there. Buffy replied saucily, having
been addicted to Hill Street Blues when she was younger. With a tip or her imaginary hat,
Buffy followed the other slayer out of the library.