FIC: Thanatos Kai Nous (2/2)

Title: Thanatos Kai Nous (2/2)

Author: Pat Kelly

Rating: R

Summary: Continuation of "A Mystical Experience" and "Facing Reality." Hope you like the episode. :-)

Spoilers: Season 3 and 5. Previous two fics.

Disclaimer: All hail Joss and his army of Mutant Enemies. I don't own. I make no money. The song is "The Stone" and was written by Dave Matthews. Woo hoo, Dave!

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Spike entered his crypt, and threw off the blanket that protected him from the sun.

"Out for a stroll?"

He turned toward the stone coffin, and saw Faith sitting on it, the legs dangling off the side. Making a surprised yell, he became angry, shrugging off his jacket.

"Jesus Christ, woman! Anybody ever tell you it's rude to break into people's *private* homes?" He asked her.

"I don't see a deed around here." Her eyes scanned the crypt. "Can't believe I'm getting lectured by a guy who played voyeur in my girl's bedroom. Got a pair. Careful, might rip 'em off."

The vampire coughed. "Hey, I was invited."

Faith hopped off her seat, and walked up to him. "You're a vampire, I'm aware. But...one, an invite doesn't entitle you to a peep show. Two, way I understand it, you ain't allowed in anymore. Good thing, cause if you triedit again, I'd get some wood, a bow, then test out my aim. After I beat the crap outta you."

"Never saw beneath the sheets, all right?" Spike's eyes bugged out. "Your girl?"

"Just caught that? And where do you get off using the 'J word'?"

"Aw, did I sin?" Spike's _expression_ was one of mock fear. "Well, if he shows up, I'll say I'm sorry. Confess, the whole bit. But I'm not holding my breath." He smirked.

"You're funny." She glared.

The smirk faltered. "So, what's this about you and Buffy now?"

"What do you wanna know?" Faith smiled. "If I touched her? If she screams when she reaches that high and releases all that pent up energy?" Spike's eyes were glazed over. "Sorry, givin' details, 'specially to you, not my thing. It's gotta eat at you, huh? It should."

"Why are you here?" He growled.

"To do this." She round housed the side of his head, and he fell to the floor. "We're gonna get a few things straight, Billy. Gonna be real open and share."

"Ow!" He grabbed his head. "You're a real bitch, you know that? Bloody hell."

"You're a perverted bastard, do you know that?" She shot back at him.

"No fair making judgments when you don't even know me, pet."

"Any guy who fixes up a mannequin to look like somebody and steals their clothes...yeah, I'll stick with my label."

"Buffy say that? Don't forget, she has a tendency to be overly dramatic. Exaggerates things and all that."

She kicked him in the stomach, shaking her head. "Mistake after mistake." She bent down. "Wanna know why I came here? Isn't cause of your obsession; she's got that under control. No, we're gonna discuss death wishes, and why the hell you told her she had one."

"Cause it's the truth." Faith raised her fist. "Her mum set it off, right? Damn, she's at the end of her line and I can't add to my record."

She punched him. "Shut the fuck up."

"Such language." He grimaced, and sneered. "I had nothing against Joyce.She always lent a kind ear. Always knew how to put the marshmallows in the cocoa just right. Sodding tragedy is what it was." He sounded sincere, and it threw her off temporarily. "It isn't just her. Every slayer has their time."

(Faith sobbed as she stood in the alley, rain soaking her.

"Angel, please, just do it! Angel...just do it! Please, just do it! Justkill me. Just kill me."

But he wouldn't.)

"And in case you're wonderin', ask to be killed and it doesn't count. Only a cry for help, then."

"What makes you an expert?" Faith challenged.

"Sit on a couch, hand over the bills, any good head doc'll tell you the same thing." He sat up. "Besides, you know how wishes work. Say 'em out loud, they don't come true."

***

"Where's Faith?" Willow asked as her friend sat down at the table.

"She had something she needed to do." Buffy said simply.

"Do you know what she's doing?"

"I can take a guess." The slayer grinned to herself.

Faith was looking out for her; doing the 'protect the girlfriend' thing.And just imagining what she was doing to Spike was filling her with large amounts of glee. It was so sweet. Maybe she could get past this 'death wish' mentality. Maybe Spike just did it to psych her out. If he couldn't have her the way he wanted, her bring dead would be the next best thing. But it wasn't leaving.

"But you're not super positive." The redhead continued. "So she could beout there doing...tons of unlawful stuff and..."

"I trust her, Will." She sighed. "Taking a couple steps back?"

Willow looked at her hands. "It's just -"

"I know what it is." Buffy interrupted. "Didn't I support you?"

"Yeah. You did." And the guilt came.

"All I needed to see was that you were happy, and as long as people can find other people to do that for them, it doesn't matter who those people are. You teach me that every time I watch you and Tara, and it's a good lesson, cause there's more important things to worry about."

"That's for sure."

"I didn't lose my mind. Being with Faith is a decision I made on my own,and I don't regret it. It's not gonna be a Hallmark relationship, that's prettymuch a given, but we both think it's worth trying. I love her, she loves me; there isn't much more to say. It's a change, and I thought you'd be the most understanding of everyone."

Willow frowned. "Buffy..."

"Obviously, I was wrong. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt." She leftthe table, leaving the hacker, and walking over to Xander and Tara, who were reading behind the counter. "Sorry."

"Don't be." Tara told her sadly.

"Dawn's okay?" She asked Xander.

"Grooving to that guy who has the same name as that scrumptious candy." He answered.

"What is it with her generation?" Buffy shook her head.

"Remember Vanilla Ice?" She blushed. "It's a sad, sad phase." He paused."I hope she's the one. You deserve it."

She smiled. "What do we know?"

Giles and Anya entered the main area of the store, and the watcher spoke.

"He's one of Glory's fellow Hell Gods. Neothan is Greek, a combined, butchered version of two words. Neos and Thanatos. Translated and used together, they mean 'New Death.' Unfortunately, that's as specific as we can get right now. I realize it's rather vague."

"Can you just tell me how to stop him? Is it the standard, 'break the statue' method?"

"No, actually." Anya said. "The other thing we know, is the summoning ritual. She has to repeat a few words, light a few candles...the usual. But she hasto finish it by destroying the statue. Which fits, really. Hell and destruction go together like..."

"Complete that simile with anything remotely related to intimacy, and you don't get a raise." Giles said, in all seriousness.

Anya was taken aback. "Like...like Disney Land and ugly children?"

***

The stone shattered on the sewer floor. She hated having to come down here, but it was the closest spot to the Hellmouth. You got better reception thatway. It was still disgusting. As she felt a chill sweep past her, she knew he was here, even though she couldn't see him. What she wouldn't give to be formless again. Unfortunately, she'd have to wait.

"You waste my time. I will not do what you ask." Neothan's voice, scratchy and ominous, said.

She was furious. "No, you're the one wasting my time! I did every singlestep right, so don't pull this crap with me, Neo!" Glory angrily told him. "Picka body and let's do this god to god. Or are you afraid?"

"I am not yours to command, Glory, nor are we equals. Not any longer. You made a fatal error, and we were right to banish you."

"I've said it again, and again, and *again*. I'm not the one who broke the rules. He did."

"But he is *your* brother. You had a responsibility to deal with him, and that was something you failed to do."

"I couldn't control him! He did what he wanted! Now we're," She gritted her teeth, "stuck together, no thanks to all of you, and guess what? I still can't, and he works against me every damn chance he gets!"

"Then you should not be allowed access to the Key if things remain unchanged. I am not going to help you attain it."

She stomped her foot, which caused a minor tremor. The minions coughed on the dust that had gathered.

"Fine! Go ahead and blame me for his problems!" She screamed, causing Dreg and Wret to cover their ears. She yanked on a few strands of her hair, causing her to jerk her head from side to side. "Very far from pleased! Shoes ruined! Smell won't ever wash out -" She sounded like she was about to snap.

"I find it fragrant and pleasantly intoxicating." Dreg said.

"Can it!"

"You're unstable." Neothan observed.

"Try being confined to mortal flesh for over a year, and see how stable you are!" She wouldn't have two failures in one day; she wouldn't. Suddenly, she smiled, looking around. "Oh Neo...remember that," She brought her thumb and finger together, "little favor you owe me? Think real hard, baby."

"How dare you!"

"Temper, temper." Glory walked around the small space. "Who covered for you when you had that tiny accident and all those big, dumb lizards caught that nasty virus?"

"We both know you did." The invisible god wasn't happy.

"That's right. A couple nice quakes split this insignificant planet, the small-brained creatures fell through the cracks, volcanoes erupted...some of my best work. And the all mighty Neothan's track record remained unblemished. Mine, on the other hand -"

"We had to deal with man after that."

"Whoa, you started that chain of events, not me."

"It was evolution's doing."

"Please." Her _expression_ became one of annoyance. "Don't hide behind their logic. Even for you, that's low. Anyway, Darwin was a fool; he wasn't even close to the answers."

"Enough. What do you want?"

She halted. "The slayer. On her deathbed. Forces her to give me the Key.If she wants to live, that is. And she better not sacrifice herself to protectit, cause besides the fact that martyrs never accomplish anything, I turn the world into my playground if she does." She grinned. "Promise me you'll make it good."

"I'll take care of it. But I need to know which one you want incapacitated."

"What do you mean which one?"

"There are two slayers active at this location." Glory looked shocked. "Were you not aware of this?"

"Apparently." She nodded, her lips pressed together tightly. "And it makes me wonder. Know what it makes me wonder? Why I'm always," She stared at her minions, a dark look in her eyes, "the last to know." She scratched her head. "Tell me. I'm confused."

"You," Wret coughed, "never asked."

Dreg moved away from his fellow minion, shaking his head.

"Didn't ask? Didn't ask?" She yelled, stalking closer to the idiotic minion. "It's kind of important news, don't you think?"

"Y-yes. For-forgive me." Wret bowed.

"And we're supposed to inform the god we worship of important news whether she asks or not, aren't we?"

"It won't happen again, your Magnificence. You see, uh, Master Ben is very persuasive, and I lost my focus temporarily. Though Dreg is innocent of any -"

"Ben? Ben's trying to steal my help away from me? This is what I mean!" She twisted his head clean off, and tossed it to the floor. Seeing the body still upright, she pushed it with her finger, and it collapsed. "Family sucks." She turned to Dreg. "I'll deal with you later."

He cowered. "Thank you for sparing me, oh Merciful One."

"Who says I did?" She thought to herself for a minute. "K. Change of plans."

***

Spike was sitting up, but Faith wasn't letting him move any more than that.

"She isn't ready to give in yet, but she's on that road." The brunette told him.

"And that's my fault?"

"You got her thinking about it, so even if you aren't lying, still sped the process up. I get to wail on you for that. Whenever I want."

"Uh, could do that. What would be stopping you, right?" He stuttered. "But maybe, instead, you could do something more productive. Like get her over it. Hasn't happened yet, but they say there's a first time for everything."

"Open to suggestions."

"Get a camera, shag her until she forgets all about it, and then give methe tape." Spike smirked. "You wouldn't believe what a film of two slayers in heat would go for on the underground market. Financially secure for the next two centuries, and that's just for starters. John Paul, the overrated, big hat-wearin' guy? God's bitch? I could have his Popely blood shipped here direct from the Old World. First class, next night delivery. We got guys on the inside, you know."

"And you can't figure out why she didn't fall for you." Faith grabbed his arm, flipped him over, and brought it behind his back, pulling with all her strength. She could break it off if she wanted to. "You're just askin' for a staking."

"So do it. Kill the vampire." He hissed from the pain. She didn't move. "Chip holding you back? Pity for Ol' Spike? Is it wrong? Sorry, doesn't make the grade. I see you and Blondie have one thing in common already. You're both weak."

"Weak?" She threw him into the side of the couch. "I got no problem with getting the job done, fangless or not. But you're pathetic, which seems to give me a warm feeling all over. Not sure why that is, but it's why you're not dead."

"Pathetic?" He snarled. "You -"

"Oh, and cause if there's anyone in this town with a death wish, it's you. I'm not surprised. I mean, damn, look at what you've been reduced to. So noway am I givin' you what you want. It's an out you don't deserve."

"You've overstayed your bloody welcome, Slayer." Spike struggled to his feet, and that sat on the couch.

"I don't think I have." She came and sat on the couch just to piss him off. "*I* decide when I leave, got it?"

"I don't get her. You play the good guy, you preach to me, but we all know you're just as tainted as I am. Least I have a reason nobody can argue with. What's yours?"

She backhanded him. "Not gonna pretend I have one good enough, but if you're wonderin' why I beat ya, easy."

"Don't feed me that soul crap. Heard it, doesn't stick." He grumbled.

"I can make my way over to the good side of the fence, and I'm workin' on it. Still pretty high, but I'm scaling. Months, years...whatever it takes. I'veseen evil. It's cushy for awhile, and then it falls through, leaves ya stranded.Not looking to go back. Especially with her pushing for me. Couldn't tell you why she is, but I'm just taking it and hoping it lasts. Cause she makes me wanna climb faster. Love's wicked strange; I feel like the luckiest girl alive."

"Luckiest slut alive is more like it." He said softly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"You, Billy? You're stuck on the bad side. Evil to the core, damned, eternal membership. You might not be able to do the deeds, but that doesn't change anything. You're disturbed. Why? Cause you're a demon. You forgotten that or something? You steal her photos, draw her, the clothes...that pushed her over the edge. Before, she just didn't like you. Now...she hates you more than she ever hated me. Congrats. I tried to ruin her life, but I never did the stuff you did. That really gets to people. Hell, I dunno, there could be good in you somewhere, but it doesn't balance out. It never will. Don't know what kindaguy you were with a pulse, but you gave that up for this. Deal and move on."

"More preaching. You should devote yourself to the church. Vow of celibacy be perfect for you." He hid the impression that made on him, well. "And how doyou even know -?"

"She's said it. You know her at all, you'd know she just doesn't throw those words around."

Spike was quiet.

"I'm not the spokesperson for all things good, here, and I ain't lookin'to be. Somebody gave me a chance, and I wanna weigh my karmic scale so it's leaning heavy in the direction the light guys want me to go. Haven't ever really been I'm pure, though. Destroyed most of what I had left after I came here."

"Not interested in your tale."

"Too bad." Another backhand. "I wanted 'em to like me; appreciate me, but I didn't give them a chance to, so I went searching for someone who'd move a little faster. Happened to be evil. Sucked me in, and soon it wasn't so evil anymore. I was danglin' on the edge. If I had told her I loved her then, I woulda gotten the same reaction you got. Wouldn't matter if she returned the feelings. Psychotic behavior doesn't attract anybody, and I was pretty far gone.

"Evil tricks ya. May try to do it again, but this time I'm gonna see it for what it is. Compared to yours, my kill rate is nothing, but it hurts like we're even. Feels like I have something branded on me, and everyone knows, and it'll never go away. Makes me sick, what I did, but I have to live with the guiltand rebuild. Generally, I'm likin' it. Lets you like yourself. And I'm sorry for every death I caused, but you're not. Even when I didn't think I cared, I cared."

"I'm a demon!" Spike insisted.

"Good, you do remember. Which is exactly why you don't have a shot." She reminded him. "I'm just hotter, anyway."

"Hey!"

"I wasn't trying to bond, just gettin' that clear."

"I was gonna kill for her." He muttered.

"And I'd die for her. Guess I win."

"I'd say you lose, luv. You're a survivor, not the self-sacrificing type. Who are you kidding?"

Faith wasn't going to let her herself get dragged back into it. She knewwhat she was willing to do, and she was done with the conversation. "Mess with her mind again, or do any..." She felt real dizzy all of the sudden. The room was spinning. "Any..."

"What is it?"

Now she was sweating. Knowing she was about to pass out, she didn't bother trying to hear him.

***

Bam.

Buffy assaulted the punching bag in the training room quickly, and with force. It was times like this she just wanted to let go and be that predator again. She didn't want to have to think about how empty a part of her felt without her mother around, or about Glory's plans, or about Spike, or abouther best friend's total lack of support. If Willow still couldn't like Faith, the least she could do was try and be happy for her. But she couldn't let go. It was something she had to get under control.

Usually thinking about Faith would make everything better temporarily, but that made her uncomfortable at the moment, because she had a really bad feeling. Normally she'd dismiss it, but the other slayer wasn't back yet. Hearing a knock at the back door, she hurried to it, not dwelling on the fact that someone knocking on the back door was odd. As she opened it, she became disappointed.

"Miss Ashton?" Buffy asked. "Do you normally avoid front doors?"

She let the woman through.

"I was running." Emily answered, breathing heavily. "And this was the closest entrance."

The color began to leave her face. "Running?"

"I'd explain, but there isn't much...where's Faith? It's important."

"Not here. Is she in trouble?"

"Buffy, you better get out here!" Xander called.

The slayer took off with Emily behind her, into the main area of the store. What she saw was her partner lying on the floor, eyes closed, and Tara leaning over her.

"She's burning up." The blonde witch said worriedly.

Giles picked Faith up from where Spike had haphazardly dropped her, and glared at the vampire.

"We need to get her some place more comfortable. We can tend to her bestat my flat, because something tells me common medical procedure won't help her."

Buffy focused on her enemy. "Get her in the car." She looked at Emily out of the corner of her eye. "You're going too. I'll be right there."

Everyone except Xander filed out, and Willow looked very upset.

"I'm staying." Her friend said, the rage he felt towards Spike coming across clear as day.

Spike held his hands up. "Now, now, I didn't lay a hand on her. I brought her here for you, cause I know how you two feel about one another. Let's not do anything we might regret, children."

"Do you hear something?" Xander asked.

"No, you?" Buffy questioned, walking closer to the frightened, undead Englishman. "Xander, shut the door."

***

"Did you stake him?" The now concerned redhead asked Xander later, as hegot off the telephone at Giles'.

"Where's the fun in that, Will?" He responded rhetorically.

"Who did you call?"

"Pickup guy."

She thought she was better off remaining in the dark.

Buffy knelt by the couch, which they had laid Faith on, and soaked the rag again so she could sit it on the brunette's forehead and break the fever. She stroked her hair soothingly.

"You're not the one who's supposed to go. I am. So don't skip out on me, okay? Hang on. You've got people to save, good things to do. People want you here; I want you here. We're just getting started, and you don't wanna missout, do you? Think of all the things we could try." She said in a choked whisper, while trying to smile. "I love you, and if that counts for anything..." She trailed off, her eyes going wide. Faith's face was - "Giles! She's breakingout in...I don't know what they are." She started to shake.

No. No. This was just a dream, right? She'd wake up any second, because the universe wouldn't take someone else from her so soon after...

'Calm down. You listening? Calm down, damn it! You're no good to her crazed.'

"It's safe to say that no doctor would either." The watcher said, putting the book he was reading down, and coming to look at the dark blotches appearingon the sickened slayer's skin. "Neothan apparently creates new illnesses to inflict on mankind, and then allows the illnesses to mutate on their own over time. There are sketchy writings that hold him responsible for the Black Plague, among other diseases. He never recycles a virus; he always invents another completely different from his last."

"Does that mean what she has...it's not curable?" Willow asked.

She had kind of eavesdropped on what her friend had said to Faith, and it broke her heart. The dark-haired slayer had gone to Spike and threatened him to protect Buffy. Stood up for her. She hadn't known that until ten minutes ago; she had simply jumped to conclusions. The old Faith wouldn't have done that, even before she went evil. It was love, all right.

He nodded reluctantly. "She's getting worse. Rapidly. If something isn'tdone -"

"Stop." Buffy held up her hand, she wouldn't hear it. "He's targeting her. He's speeding it up cause Glory's trying to get me to give her Dawn." She took hold of Faith's left hand, not caring about catching anything.

"You're not considering that as an option, are you?"

"No, of course not. But it means he's here somewhere, making sure he gets the job done. How do I fight him?"

"Buffy," Giles said sympathetically, "he's a God, not in physical form, and not even in the 'space' we're all occupying. There is no way I know of to -"

"I'm not losing her. I just got her back."

She looked at her girlfriend, not hiding her tears, and wishing the Bostonian would open her eyes so she could look into them, get lost in them. Or she could open her mouth and say her nickname, joke with her, make her laugh. That'd be good too. She continued gazing for several seconds, but eventually turned to the witches.

"What about magick?"

They shook their heads. "He has power we don't even come close to matching. Even together." Tara said helplessly.

"Dead in seconds." Willow added, feeling horrible. "I'm so sorry."

There was a double meaning, and it wasn't lost on Buffy, but she couldn't acknowledge it just then.

She found Anya. "They're right. He's in his element; it's too dangerous."

No one knew what to do. Xander thought it was unfair to give Faith another chance and then take it away; much like he had felt when Joyce passed. He liked Faith, and she wanted so badly to change her life around. As a whole, they felt sorry for both slayers, but besides that, the actions available to them were limited. If they had any doubts about how close the girls were, they were erased. As Willow's had been.

"There might be a way." Emily interjected.

They all stared at her.

"Then we're talking." Buffy told her. "Outside."

***

The two women went out into the courtyard, and Buffy sat on the steps, waiting for Emily to speak.

"I could've talked in there." She told the slayer.

"I know, but when everyone tells me it's hopeless, and then somebody tells me it's not, the odds are that whatever I have to do is pretty risky if they haven't heard of it. That means objections and arguing, which I don't have time for. She doesn't have time, period."

"You're right. It is risky. You could break the grip he has on her, but there's a good chance you'll die. And if you're not here, her future gets cloudier."

"You don't think I know I'm walking a really thin line? I bet my future's pretty cloudy if she goes, right?" Emily nodded. "We need each other. Get to the part where I help her."

"The general feeling is that you're not prepared for this. Some of my more important bosses think you'll fail, and both end up dead. The world doesn'thave time to wait and hope that another slayer will get to the level you reached. And there won't ever be a second slayer again, so yours and Faith's ability to function together..." She sighed. "The Watcher's Council will put a short leash on the new one, she'll follow their rules, and in six months another girl will give it a shot. Do you understand what could happen?"

Buffy pondered. "How did you know there was something wrong?"

"I was beeped." Emily answered, and under any other circumstances, she would've laughed at Buffy's _expression_. "Good's more traditional than Evil,but we are catching up. Somebody had the vision, they faxed the guy with accessto the information, it was debated, and it eventually got to me, since I'm Faith's guide. I was in such a hurry because I had to tell you what I'm going to tell you, but I hoped they were wrong. It happens. But not this time."

"So tell."

"You have to open your mind."

"Less vague."

"As a slayer, the only thing you've been taught, been shown, is how to hone your physical skills. To tap into thousands of years of strength and instinct. But you're only half a slayer that way. Faith too. There's a balance in everything, and you two don't have it."

"Okay..." Buffy trailed off. "Why am I just hearing about this now?"

"Because Mr. Giles, the Watchers, don't know about it. They have volumesand volumes on demons, ancient lore, prophecies...but all their information on slayers was collected through experience. No other slayer has lived long enough for them to find out that they all had enhanced mental abilities as well asthe physical ones. But the Powers are more informed."

"And they should be. They've been around long enough. Not to mention the omnipotence thing. Keep explaining."

"They've been growing in you for years, dormant, waiting for you to build up your strength. You have, and you can't get much better than you are now. They've wanted to come out, take you to the next level, make you complete. But you're not letting them, and it's why you've felt off. It's been gradually happening for years, just been more noticeable recently."

"With my inner beast coming out."

"It's dominating too much, but that's not all your fault. The First Slayer's spirit affected you more than we thought." Buffy opened her mouth. "Research. You're part of Faith's life, so I needed to know about you. Necessity for my job." She paused. "You think you're Buffy Summers and a slayer. You *are* a slayer. There's no separation; Buffy, slayer...same thing. And since you have a hard time realizing that, you're fighting against -"

"I didn't even know I was."

"Maybe not, but you're still suppressing who you are. Have you noticed that as the years have gone by, you've gotten more and more distant? Your abilities were trying to grow with you little by little, and because being a slayer affects every part of you, trying to stop it, consciously or not, affected your relationships with everyone around you, your mood...you're a slayer all the time. It's not something you can switch on and off."

"Great. Slayer Puberty." Buffy sighed.

"If you can get your physical and mental sides evened out, things will be better. You'll find that balance, be a better fighter, and be happier. She'll be better too, if she starts now. Anyone who's able to feel whole would change their outlook on life. It could be quick, could be slow.

"Those other slayers, the ones who died? They lost because they weren't,and because they were taken from their family and friends. All those people in there got you this far, but it's up to you to take this step by yourself. And soon. Or that death wish -"

"I get it." Wow, she could start being an actual person? One that was fun to be around? And she'd enjoy her life? The possibilities were staggering. "But this knowing everything about me? Deep thoughts? Huge creep factor. I don't think you're lying or anything; you're likeable. I just had to say that."

"I'm not trying to seduce her away from you." Emily swore, and Buffy blushed. "This is the dangerous part. Neothan's keeping Faith in that condition, andno amount of punching or kicking is going to send him away, because you can't touch him. He's a different, stronger enemy than a vampire, and you need a new way to fight. Because your enemies are going to get more powerful, and strike at you in ways your body can't defend against."

"Is this where the brain stuff comes in?"

"I'm not talking about your brain; I'm talking about your mind. The brain runs the body. While the mind can work through the brain, and starts there,it branches out and connects more to the soul and the things we can't see." That went right over her head. "It's confusing to me too, but I've learned not to trust language and definitions. Very abstract stuff. The mind is energy. And yours has a lot more than most people's. Plus, unlike them, you can use it."

"Like teleken...uh, like making objects move cause I want them to?"

"I don't know. You'll have to find that out. What I do know, is that Neothan isn't totally in our dimension, or totally in his. That means he's energy. I was told all this, by the way. I'm not as smart as I sound, and I don't have all the answers. I just want her alive."

"That's good, cause so do I." Buffy smiled. There was hope. "I can send him packing if I can overpower him, right?"

"Yeah, but the problem is, you're not developed in that area. It'll take awhile, and it'll take Faith even longer, because she's not as strong as you are yet. Jumping right into battle with an ancient god -"

"She's not gonna have a chance unless I try. I'm getting her, we're both gonna be fine, and then we'll train and practice. I'm ready to open my mind. It's probably buried deep though, cause I ignored it for so long. How do I unlock it?"

"Figured you'd be here." Dawn said, walking up. "Kirsty was there, and I didn't know she was coming, so when I saw her I said I couldn’t stay.She's such a biotch." She hissed. "Anyway, I had Christy's dad drop me off. Is everything okay now?" She saw the stranger. "And, um, hi."

Emily and Buffy looked at one another.

***

Buffy lied down on the floor of Giles' bedroom, and inhaled the incense from the candles she had lit. She wasn't quite sure what she was going to do, but she figured she'd enter into a trance state like she did when she found out about Dawn, but take it further. Then, she had still been able to move around in her body; now she wanted to separate from it. Though even if she was able to do that, the rest of her plan was dependant upon a hunch.

She had assured everyone that it would be all right, only telling Giles and Dawn the details of what Emily said to her. Who she had told to go home. She didn't want to tell her sister, but she had to, considering Dawn was an integral part of what she was going to do. Despite having no idea what the consequences would be, the young girl agreed because she wanted Faith to get better. Dawn didn't have to do anything really, except be prepared if something happened.

The apprehension and fear on her friends' faces had been obvious, but she headed upstairs with a brave smile for them. So here she was, closing her eyes, ready to do this.

Her mind had to be clear.

Deep breath. Deep breath. Deep breath.

All thoughts faded away, and she felt something begin to release.

Her chest rose and fell. The silence was calming, relaxing. Very relaxing...

Then she couldn't feel her feet. Her legs, her arms. One body part at a time.

A brief feeling of disorientation, and then she was out, looking down ather body.

She was formless. She was energy.

It was all tinted, as if she was staring out a car window.

Pure freedom.

But she still couldn't fight him. Desiring to be in the living room, shewas there in an instant. She could see all the people she cared about, as they were, but not as the energy they carried inside. Not yet. Xander was drumming his fingers on the table nervously, Giles was making tea, Anya was looking at the Comics section of the newspaper, and Tara was staring out the window.

Moving over to Faith, she saw Willow sitting by her. The brunette's eyelids were fluttering, and small moans of pain were escaping her lips. But she couldn't talk.

"Buffy's going...help...keep...fight..." The redhead's words came in andout, and they sounded far away.

Next to her, she could see one person's energy, because it was much more prominent than in the others. It was so bright and strong, that she could see it clearly in this state. Being related probably didn't hurt either. Her sister's human form had been replaced by her true one; a large, pulsing ripple of green energy. Buffy hurtled herself towards it.

***

Dawn felt her entire nervous system go into overload, stars in her eyes,and she couldn't remember where she was. She began to stumble. Just as she feltlike she was going to short-circuit, it was all over, and she had apparently begun to fall, because Xander was holding her.

"Almost lost it there." He said. "You okay?"

She sighed. He was *so* strong.

"I'm...not sure. Don't let go yet." She smiled secretly to herself.

***

Gone were the familiar faces, the furniture, the matter. It was all energy. Everything was a muted gray, except for the gang. Blue, purple, white, two pinks...she could only tell who three people were. Dawn, the green. Faith, a flickering gold. And wrapped around like tentacles, was the evil red and black energy of Neothan, the being responsible for trying to kill her girlfriend.He sensed her, and unlike the group's energies, his had a face. If she could've screamed, she would've.

Fire for eyes, and a gaping mouth that seemed as if it was ready to consume her.

"Come to rescue her? I do not know how it is possible, but you do not understand what you have gotten yourself into. We know the Key. If you lose here, all is lost for them."

"I don't intend to lose. "

There was an immense amount of power building, and it wanted release. Not understanding how she was doing it, she let the stream go, and it clashed with his. Reddish-black fought against gold. The energy of slayers.

***

"Buffy..." Faith forced the name out. The first word she had said all night.

That meant Buffy was doing it.

Willow smiled. "Soon. She'll be here soon."

Her forehead creased. "Strong...he's...too..."

The wicca's eyes widened. "Save your strength." She went over to her girlfriend. "We're helping. Buffy can't...not alone. We can distract him for her."

"We could, but -" Tara tried.

"They're *not* going to die." Willow said forcefully. "I need to do this. Help me." The blonde nodded slowly. "Make a protective circle."

***

There was no way she could keep this up. She was giving it all she had, but he knew what he was doing. It was like playing tug of war against a team filled with weight lifters, but on top of that, the harder he pushed, the harder he hurt her. She was still waiting to gain an advantage, but it didn't look like she was going to. At least she had kept it fairly even.

Suddenly, a burst of energy shot out from the two combined pink ones, and Buffy knew who they were. It hit Neothan dead on, catching him by surprise.She struck at him with full force again, pushing him back. Slowly, his hold on Faith became no more.

"We have your mother." He said in the middle of the onslaught.

Buffy automatically stopped, and because of that mistake, he hit her with all the power he had. Turning towards the agitators, he hurled a counterattack much stronger than their offense. Satisfied that his threats were taken care of,he looked to re-establish his hold on the target. But it had moved.

***

Faith, even though she couldn't see the attack with her eyes, knew it was coming and pulled the witches out of the way. In one second, it was like nothing had ever happened. But Tara and Willow weren't moving.

"Damn it!" Had she been too late?

Giles, Xander and Anya rushed over.

"Hey, she's not disgusting-looking anymore." Anya noticed.

"What happened to them?" Xander asked.

"I think they simply fainted." Giles said.

"Thinkin' isn't good enough. Gotta be sure." Faith told him. "Get some water."

He rushed and filled a cup.

"Can I pour it on them?" The ex-demon asked.

Handing her the cup, Giles sighed, and Anya splashed the water all over their faces. Within moments, they were sputtering and coughing. Getting up, they immediately hugged, planting small kisses on each other's lips.

"Got an audience, you know." Faith reminded them with a smirk.

"Faith? You're..." Willow hugged her next, realized what she was doing, and then pulled away. "Whew. Did you see that? If it hit us...too close."

"I didn't see anything." Xander remarked.

"You weren't in on the spell and the trance."

"Oh." He said. "How wrong is that? Something could be after me and I wouldn't even know. This place really, 'insert television censor beeps here' sometimes."

They all smirked.

"You saved our lives." Tara said gratefully to Faith, nudging her girlfriend.

"Um...right." She rubbed her arm. "Thanks. I mean that. Sincerely and everything." She smiled.

Dawn came and stood in front of Faith.

"What about Buffy?"

***

No, this wasn't right. The Key was blocking the slayer. Neothan couldn'tgo through it, nor did he want to. Because the Key wasn't on their side, it was a real threat to him, and he was afraid of it. All the gods were, though they'd never say it. It was a powerful tool to good and evil, but it wasn't theirsto control. Not yet. There was nothing he could do but admit silent defeat.

Glory wasn't going to like this, and it was no surprise to him that he didn't care.

***

Bursting into the bedroom, Faith dropped to her knees beside Buffy, and sat her up against the foot of the bed. She felt her wrist for a pulse. And felt for it again. And again. How come there was no pulse? There had to be a pulse. CPR? No, that was just a waste of time; there was nothing wrong with her body. She gripped her girlfriend's shoulders, as the group had come in behind her.

"Snap out of it, B. You're not gonna let that poor excuse for a god get the better of you, are ya? You're tougher than he is. You're tougher than his hell bitch partner too. You don't give up. And I thought you weren't gonna bail on us? If you do, I'll come kick your ass somehow. I warned ya. Shoulda taken me seriously."

She was getting nothing. And she was crying. She hated crying.

"Come on, this isn't funny. Whatever you did, you've got a new focus now. Something to work on. We'll do it together. We'll do lots of stuff together, just like you said. Plenty to try." She grinned. "I know you didn't come after me just to take my place, so get back here. Look at all the people who're waitin' on you."

Xander was shaking his head in disbelief, and Willow's lip was trembling. Giles was numb. Dawn couldn't handle it; she had her eyes closed. Tara and Anya held their respective others, a sadness welled up inside them.

"I'm not sentimental, so I'm not gonna make an attempt. I love you, theylove you, and if that counts for anything..." She got closer to her. "I can't find my way without you, and I know, deep down, you wouldn't die on me and leave me alone. So I'm gonna wait right here, till you wake up." She whispered next. "Need some help?"

Faith brought her lips to Buffy's.

***

Her light was just about out. She wasn't in control anymore, and it was taking every ounce she had left to stay. It would be so easy just to stop fighting it. She was so tired. Then somehow, she started moving, but she wasn't doing it. Something was pulling her, but she didn't pay much attention. Soon she was surrounded by all these colors. These lights. She knew what those lights were.

Didn't she?

She was getting closer to the gold light. She knew what that light was too. She was attracted to it. All the lights seemed to be pulling her, but the gold was the strongest. What was going on? Just as she reached the source of the energy, everything became bright white, and she could make out an outline. Of someone familiar. Someone she missed. A smile.

It was her. This was the point where she'd usually smile back, but she couldn't. Nevertheless, as things vanished, she was happily relieved.

She knew they didn't have her.

***

The first thing Buffy felt when she came back to the physical world, was Faith's mouth. Mind energy and all that was involved with it was amazing, but there were definitely some great things you could do with flesh. She began kissing her back and smiling. Faith realized this and pulled back in surprise. The brunette looked at her with disbelief, but the biggest smile Buffy had ever seen formed on her face.

"Son of a -" Faith gripped her in a hug and pulled her away from the bedand onto her back. "For the record? I hate suspense, B. I hate it."

Buffy gave her a mock glare. "You were on the verge of death before I was. You did it first; I get angry first. That's the rules."

"I hate the rules too."

They started kissing again, and Giles had to clear his throat.

"Don't worry. We d-did the same, um..." Tara blushed.

The slayers got up, and Buffy had a sheepish grin on her face. She was embraced by Willow and Xander tightly.

"Try not to scare us like that too often, okay Buff?" Xander asked. "We're too fond of you."

"Yeah. We're...easily frightened. Emotions run high." Willow said. "Thanks for not going away. I don't wanna lose my best friend."

"If I have anything to say about it, you won't." Buffy smiled. "And thank you."

She finally had the chance to respond to Willow's earlier words, and both knew what they meant. It was Giles' turn.

"I was in over my head." She told him.

"The two of you are standing here. That's all that matters." He said warmly. "This will be new for all of us, but we'll perfect it. I'm very proud." He hugged her, and then looked at Faith. "Of you both. You're a better person than you think you are."

Faith stared at her feet self-consciously.

"He's right." Willow chimed in. "I...well..."

The slayer met her eyes. That was for another time. Dawn crushed her sister in a hug when she and Giles separated.

"I guess it worked." The young girl said.

"Yeah." Buffy smiled. "It worked cause of you."

"You saw mom." She nodded. "Is she happy?"

"I think she is."

Faith came up beside her fellow slayer, but looked at Dawn.

"I owe you one, kiddo."

Xander watched as Buffy snaked an arm around Faith's waist, and Tara stroked Willow's hair.

"I'm the luckiest guy on the planet."

"Cause you're dating me, right?" Anya smiled brightly.

"Yes!" Xander exclaimed, nodding quickly. "Exactly."

Anya narrowed her eyes. "Do you think I'm stupid? You're picturing them naked!" She stormed out of the room.

"You're in it too! Really! Super naked!" He chased after her. "An!"

***

Ben shook the cobwebs away, and he soon realized they he wasn't wearing a dress this time. He was on the couch, wearing baggy sweats, and there was a carton of ice cream on the table. Dreg was watching him.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Your sister had a disappointment." The minion answered.

"The Key?"

"Neothan discovered nothing, and she has been rather depressed." Dreg frowned.

"That's such a shame." Ben smiled, picking up the carton. "You look likeyou were run over by a truck, and I really don't wanna lose my appetite. Get the hell out of here."

"As you wish."

***

Buffy stared inside the cage a week later. The same cage Kendra locked Angel up in three years ago. Her face was hardened; her _expression_ was one of pure hatred. She turned away for a moment, and reached inside her pocket.

"Here you go, Willy." She handed the owner the hundred dollars she promised him. "Thanks for holding him."

"He was loud for awhile, but...he quieted down." Willy grimaced. "Ever need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."

"You can excuse yourself now."

"Customer's always right."

The owner of the bar backed out of the room, and Buffy kicked in the cage door. She walked over to the darkened corner where Spike was avoiding the sun. He wasn't doing too well. Then again, that's what she had expected. After all, he hadn't eaten for a week. She could see his bones, his face was sunken, and there were dark circles under his eyes. Some of the bruises and holywater burns were still there, from when she and Xander beat him. If he stayed in this condition any longer, he'd die.

"Spike, you're wasting away." Buffy said, bending down. "And eww." She paused. "So am I still weak? Say it to my face."

"It was..." He coughed. "Wrong. Defenseless."

"Wrong?" She laughed. "There were bruises on Faith when you brought her to the shop. Her lip was bleeding. There was no way you could've done it when she was conscious. That means you hit her when she couldn't even move, and I bet it was worse than what she did to you. That was wrong."

"The pain was worth it." He smiled.

"You never stop. You're too pitiful to hit again, though." She shook her head. "Well, this is how it's gonna be. I'm sick of going easy on you, and thinking of you as a harmless animal. You're not. You're an asshole and a vampire, who does more psychological damage than anything else. And sometimes that's more dangerous, cause let's face it, when it came to one on one, youwere never any good. The Big Bad? Ooh. I'm quivering."

"Go rot in a hole." Spike spat. Blood came out.

"It doesn't look that fun to me."

"Don't knock it till you...try it."

"Oh, right. Whole death-wish thing? Getting over it." She smiled. "What we did to you? It was for Faith, all the people I never stopped you from hurting, and it was for all those times I should've kicked your ass, but walked away. You don't get rights. You're not a human being. When it comes to you, there is no right and wrong. I get that now, and in my opinion, you deserve a lot more pain than we dished out."

"I still brought...her to you."

"You did." She stood up, bringing him with her. "Which is why I'm letting you exist. But if I ever, *ever* see you again, you're dead. I'm not even gonnawait for you to do anything. Chip or no chip, I'm done messing around. It's not an empty threat, so if you have any brain cells at, you won't test me. "

They walked slowly out of the cage, and Spike's hand entered the sunlight's path.

"Sizzling!" He howled.

She sidestepped. "Tsk, tsk. Careful." She reached down to the floor, and removed the manhole. "Oh, it's not too big a drop. Have a safe trip."

She tossed him down, and the vampire landed in the sewer with a thud. Hehad to drink soon, then go check with someone. His version would be a huge improvement over the first model.

***

"Then you'll start tomorrow." Giles said.

"I'm thrilled." Faith said sarcastically. "Nah, I'm...grateful. Really am."

"I think you'll make a wonderful employee."

"That makes one of us." The phone began to ring, and she went and pickedit up. "Yeah?" She waited. "One sec." She handed the phone over with a shrug.

"Hello?" Giles greeted the person. "I see...no, I'm afraid that's not possible. They want nothing to do with you, and she has everything well in hand...you've been out of their lives...you don't even know them anymore...she's the one in control. If you have any gripes, you should call her. I'm the secondary figure in all of this...I suggest you respect her wishes, crawl back under that rock in which you've isolated yourself, and never call here again. Stay out of it." He hung up the phone.

"Giles?" Faith asked curiously.

"That was Buffy's father." She gaped. "He wants to get involved now. Strange."

"Very impressive." She praised him. "Think he'll listen?"

"Not a chance."

"Then she's gotta know that her dick of a father is tryin' to pick at the bones." Something occurred to her. The worst scenario of them all. "If he brings suits into it..."

"Lawyers, you mean."

She nodded. "It's gonna get complicated, whatever he does. Especially ifhe goes with lawyers and can afford the best. When they find out that they're related, cause of who she is...watch out."

"What are you talking about?"

"Ever been to LA?"

---------------