FIC: Three Years in Hell, A Lifetime of Pain (15A/?)

["BillGopher" <asagiri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To everyone who's waited very patiently or asked, thanks for being patient.
RL has been a bear for us both lately and unfortunately our project kept
suffering because of it. But we're getting back on track, so enjoy. :-D

Three Years in Hell, A Lifetime of Pain

By Red Demon & Bill Gopher

Disclaimers - Buffy and Co. belong to Joss, Mutant Enemy, UPN. We're just
borrowing them for a little.

Pairing - Beth/Faith

Archiving - As our girl Faith liked to say; Want, Take, Have. So go ahead,
just drop us a line so we know where it is.

Feedback - All comments and criticisms are welcome. However, flames will be
summarily deleted!!! senseiferret@xxxxxxx or billgopher@xxxxxxxxxxxx

<thoughts>
*Translation*
1 meter = 4 feet
1 kilometer = 0.62 miles

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

Mid-February
Outside Auro, France
Somewhere near the border of Germany and France

?Damnit Faith! What makes you think you can go into that village and get the
supplies? Do you even speak any French?? Beth paced back and forth. Stopping
suddenly, ?I?d have no problem getting in and out Faith.?


Faith looked up at Beth from where she was sitting, ?B, you?d stick out like
a sore thumb. Everything about you just screams ?I?m a soldier, look at me?,
you can?t pull it off.?



?Yes I can Faith??



?B?First, you walk, talk and stand like a soldier which?ll get you noticed
and then arrested. Second, you only know ?proper? French. Before I dropped
out of high school I had a friend from Louisiana and what I learned from her
won?t sound like I?m a friggin? school teacher or a book B.?



Faith stood up and moved over by Beth, ?B, trust me on this, please.? Faith
put her hands on Beth?s shoulders.



The emotions that played on Beth?s face vanished behind a cold mask as Beth
shoved Faith?s hands off her, ?The last time I did that, I ended up a POW,?
Beth said angrily and walked quickly away from Faith and over by the fire.



<Damn her!> Faith thought angrily.



<Damn her! Can?t she see I?m afraid for her if she gets captured? > Beth
kicked a small rock into the fire and watched the sparks it made as the rock
hit a piece of wood.



Faith walked over by the fire and stood near B. Faith forced herself to
swallow the angry reply on her lips, she knew it would only drive Beth away
and deeper in her shell. ?B, I?m the only one that can do this. Besides, who
else will get my butt out of jail if I get in trouble? ? Faith teased.



Beth smirked, ?Maybe?I just think it?s too dangerous and that I should go. I
can handle myself, especially if I run into trouble?? Beth kicked another
pebble into the fire. <You don?t deserve her you know.> Beth?s voice nagged
her. Angrily she shook her head trying to break those dark thoughts that
plagued her.



Faith put her arm over Beth?s shoulder, ?Yeah, and you?re idea of avoiding
trouble needs a little work B. Shoving the barrel of your pistol into
someone?s ear and telling them they have 10 seconds to decide if they?ll
help you or you?ll blow their brains out isn?t very subtle. You know I?m
right B.?



?Yeah, but I don?t have to like it though.?



?No you don?t. But I?ll be back in a couple of hours B.? Faith leaned over
and softly kissed Beth on the cheek. ?I?ll see you in a few,? and Faith
walked out of the camp quickly and towards the town of Auro.



<<<<<<>>>>>>



After checking her snares Beth had found she had caught two rabbits, quickly
she killed and cleaned them. Once back at their camp she put them on stakes
and started roasting them over the small fire. Suddenly tired, Beth shook
her head trying to clear it, but the need for sleep was too much and she
laid down on the blankets that made up her ?bed? and quickly fell asleep.



Beth found herself standing by a grave, looking around Beth recognized where
she was as the Roselawn Cemetery. At her feet was a headstone with her name
on it. <What is going on here? This is a dream, so why am I here?>



Out of the shadows Beth saw Willow walk out and head over towards her, as
Beth was about to greet her she saw Willow step into the light. Her throat
had been torn out and her clothes were bloody and torn, but what scared her
were Willow?s eyes, they completely black and emotionless.



?You failed me Beth, if you were here I?d be alive.? Said Willow.



Beth turned away, ?No, this is a dream. It?s not real!!?



?Is it a dream B?? asked Faith?s voice behind her.



Turning around Beth saw Faith now standing next to Willow. Beth saw the
fresh blood covering Faith?s jacket from the multiple bullet holes. <No!!!
This can?t be real, it can?t. I won?t lose her!>



?Where were you when I needed you B? I waited for you, but you never came.?



?Noooo!!!!!? Beth yelled as she shot upright, she felt herself covered in
sweat and her heart was racing. <It was only a dream, that?s all.> As she
wished this nightmare would stop haunting her, and afraid it might come
true?



<<<<<<>>>>>>



Sunnydale, CA

Beth?s Grave



The symbols that surrounded and were inscribed around Beth?s grave glowed a
bright, sickly green. Slowly the light faded from them and they disappeared
and to anyone looking at the grave nothing seemed out of the ordinary?



<<<<<<>>>>>>



Auro, France



Faith walked down the sidewalk, her hands full from the bags she was
carrying. Bags that held food, clothing and some extras she thought they
needed. It wasn?t a lot, but in the last house they had found a small stash
of money hidden in the freezer. Faith was just passing the Constable?s
office and stopped suddenly as something caught her eye and she stopped to
take a second look.


Turning Faith walked back and looked at the bulletin board she had passed.
In the very center was a large piece of paper with Beth?s picture, most of
what was written beneath it Faith couldn?t read. But she did see Beth?s name
and a large number ?$50,000? at the very bottom. Faith pulled the paper
loose, folded it and slipped it into her jacket pocket.


<Shit! What can go wrong next?> Faith thought annoyed. Walking towards the
outskirts of the city Faith saw several police cars parked in the street and
barricades had been put up blocking off the street except for one area where
there was a long line. Faith slowed but didn?t stop walking, not wanting to
call attention to herself. Seeing the closest person she walked over to him,
?Excusez-moi, ce qui est toute l'excitation vers le haut en avant?? *Excuse
me, what?s all the excitement up ahead?*

?Ah, le gouvernement veut s'assurer que chacun a leurs papiers
d'identification. Vous savez, des espions et tout cela.? *Oh, the government
wants to make sure everyone has their ID papers. You know, spies and all
that,* the man replied absently. Turning he looked at Faith for several
seconds and a frown crossed his face, ?Je ne me rappelle pas de vous voir
avant? *I don?t remember seeing you before* he asked suspiciously.


?Ah, I?m pas d?autour ici, merci.? *Oh, I?m not from around here, thank
you.* Faith turned to leave quickly and headed back towards a series of side
streets she had seen that would get her past this checkpoint.



30 Minutes Later?


Faith walked over to the clearing she and Beth had setup their camp earlier.
?Beth,? Faith called out when she didn?t see anyone. There was a slight
noise behind her, ?Yes??



Faith jumped as she turned around, startled by the voice behind her. ?Damnit
B, I really wish you?d stop that. I hate it when you do that.?



?Yeah, but it?s soo much fun to see you jump like that.? Beth teased.
?Besides I gotta stay sharp you know, we can?t afford it if I get sloppy.?
Beth?s voice turned serious and the smile disappeared from her face.



Faith frowned mentally, disturbed by the quick change in Beth?s mood. She?d
seen Beth get like this over the last few weeks, mostly when Beth beat
herself up for being captured and not being ?good enough?. ?What you get
for tonight?s menu B?? Faith asked already knowing the answer to the
question and trying to change the subject.



?Rabbit. I got two of them cooking now. They should be ready in a few. So
what?d you find out and what?s with the bags?? Beth asked as she walked over
to the small fire and turned the 2 spits that held the rabbits over the
flames.



Faith moved over by the small fire and sat down on a log, ?Well the bags are
some used clothes I picked up for us. We can?t go wearing camo?s as we
?stroll? through the countryside, and I got us some supplies as well. Some
fruit, cheese and other stuff. But we have another problem B.?



Beth sat down in front of Faith, ?Beyond being stuck in a country were at
war with, having little money, supplies or a way to get home?? Beth asked
sarcastically.



?Yeah, I was walking past the local police headquarters and I found this. I
can?t read it though.? Faith pulled the folded piece of paper out of her
jacket and handed it to Beth.



Beth took the folded paper opening it, and started reading;



?Lance Corporal Elizabeth A. Summers aka Beth Summers. ? Wanted for multiple
counts of War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity. Summers? oversaw the
murder and mass burial of over 100 French POW?s. This individual should be
considered armed and dangerous. We ask that any loyal citizen of France who
sees this person to inform either the local constabulary or garrison. There
is a $50,000 franc award for any information leading to the capture or the
body of this criminal. Elizabeth Summers was last seen North of Lyon and is
also in the company of another woman. This woman is wanted for questioning
and a $25,000 franc award for her capture alive is being offered.?



Beth?s features hardened as she finished reading and tossed the paper to the
ground. <Damnit!! It?s happening all over again.> She stood up suddenly and
walked away from the fire and Faith, only stopping at the edge of the
clearing.



Faith saw the mixed emotions on Beth?s face as she read the paper before
Beth?s face went cold and she walked away. Faith got up and walked after
Beth and stopped when she saw Beth standing at the edge of the clearing.
Slowly Faith made her way towards Beth and stopped a few feet away, ?B, you
going somewhere??



?Does it matter? Maybe it?d be better if I do. It?s happening all over again
F.? Beth said coldly.



?Yeah it does, and it?s not happening again. You didn?t do whatever it was
it said on that paper B. It?s just a bunch of lies.?



Beth turned to face Faith, ?How do you know Faith?? Beth walked over and
stopped just in front of Faith, ?How do you know I didn?t do what they said?
You don?t even know what they accused me of.? Beth?s voice was blank and
emotionless.



Faith looked deep into Beth?s eyes, ?Cause I know you B, that?s all I need
to know.? As hard as she tried all Faith could see was the pain and fear in
Beth?s eyes. ?Everything else doesn?t matter B.?



Beth whirled around, her back towards Faith, ?Why is it enough?? Tears
threatened to fall from her eyes and Beth struggled to control them. ?Why is
this happening again Faith??



Faith stepped up close behind Beth and put her arms around her pulling Beth
against her, ?I don?t know why they?re doing this. But you?re not alone
anymore, I?m not leaving.?



Beth pulled Faith?s arms around her tighter as she tried to disappear into
Faith?s embrace.



Faith felt Beth shudder in her embrace. ?I've got ya B. No one will every
harm you again k??



Beth sniffled looking into Faith?s eyes she saw understanding, but most of
all she saw trust and love.



==================


Council Chambers


The seven Council members sat seated around the large, circular table.



?It has come to my attention that you have allowed the first Slayer to
escape you Lord Vaarden,? T?Varas? silkily seductive voice said. ?And that
you have failed in your ?attempts? to re-acquire the dark Slayer or her
since you cannot even find either of them. When were you going to inform the
Council of this situation??



Vaarden looked over at the Succubus, ?It wasn?t necessary T?Varas, since I?
ve put several things in motion and she will be captured again shortly.?



?Wasssn?t necessssary?? Sharas hissed loudly. ?You do not decide what isss
necessssary for usss to know Vaarden!! You oversssteps yoursself!!? Sharas?
scaled fist slammed down on the table and left a deep impression in the
stone where her fist hit the table.



?No it is not. I have everything under control and I rule this Council and I
will decide what information is relevant.?



?You go to far Vaarden,? T?Varas said sharply. ?Sharas is correct, you do
not decide what information we will and will not hear. Do you understand
me??



Vaarden snorted, ?Very well T?Varas, Sharas. I will watch my ?step? and not
withhold any more information. There is a bounty on the Slayer?s head and
she will be dealt with shortly.?



?Very well Vaarden, but you will keepssses uss informed asss to whatss
transspiresss with her capturesss or death.? Sharas answered as she gave a
small nod towards T?Varas. ?What of our ssspy in the NSA??



Vaarden smiled beneath his hood, ?He has taken the place of a high-ranking
member there and his efforts have succeeded greatly. They are now in
complete disarray and will not be bothering us or anyone else for sometime.?



?And the Hellsssmouth ?Lord? Vaarden, how aresss thingsss moving alongsss
there??



?Our plans are proceeding as scheduled Sharas. The Hellmouth where it is
weakest and the building it is in has been secured, everything will be
finished in time.?



===================



Los Angeles, CA
Caritas


?So Angel, tell me again why we are here instead of at the hotel?? Wesley
asked as he carried in an armful of books into the bar.



Angel looked up from the book he was searching through and at Wesley, ?It?ll
be a lot harder for anyone to ?eavesdrop? on us here than at the hotel. With
some minor modifications to Lorn?s wards around the bar we can be pretty
sure no one can listen in on what we need to talk about.?



Gunn?s eyebrows screwed together in confusion, ?Angel, what are you talking
about??



?Beth?s not dead.? Angel stated simply.



For several seconds the silence hung in the room before several shocked
replies echoed loudly, ?WHAT!!? from Gunn and Wesley.



?She?s not dead, which means someone went to a lot of trouble to make us
think she was.? Angel answered again.



Wesley closed his mouth after picking it up from the floor, ?Why do you
think she?s alive?? he managed to finally ask.



?Because I saw her in a vision,? Cordelia answered from her seat at the bar,
?Beth?s alive and she?s with Faith.?



?Cordy,? Gunn started, ?how do you know it?s not another trick by Wolfram &
Hart? They?ve done this before.?



Cordelia stood up from the bar stool, ?Because I ?know?, I don?t know how I
do. I just know that she?s alive.? Cordelia said angrily.



Gunn saw the fire in Cordy?s eyes and raised both hands in surrender, ?Okay,
okay. I?m just askin?.?



Wesley stepped near Angel, ?So who would have the power to pull something
like this off Angel? I don?t believe even Wolfram & Hart has enough power to
be able to do something on this scale.?



Angel was quiet as three pairs of eyes watched him for several minutes
before he finally replied. His voice was quiet, almost hushed as he spoke;
?About a 150 years ago I first heard some rumours about a group of demons
that were supposedly able to manipulate or control nations from the shadows.
Whenever this group was mentioned it was always in quiet whispers, when they
were talked about at all. But one thing was certain?you never wanted to have
them notice you, it was healthier that way. Even the Master feared them, he
let ship their name once. They were called the Black Hand.?



?The Black Hand?? Gunn asked, ?What, they couldn?t come up with something
original for a name? Instead of something from a bad Chinese Kung-Fu movie,?
Gunn joked.



Angel pinned Gunn with a scowl, ?Not funny Gunn. We?re talking about Beth?s
life.?



Gunn saw the angry looks from Angel and Cordelia, ?Sorry, just tryin? to
lighten things up Cordy.?



?Do you know anything else about them Angel?? Wesley asked, trying to break
the tension between in the room.



?No,? Angel replied.



?Oh wait!!? Cordelia called out. ?There?s something else you guys need to
know.?



Wesley turned to look at Cordelia, ?What is it??



Cordelia moved over by Angel, ?When I went down to see Willow, she told me
something had happened at Beth?s grave, they had run into several demons by
Beth?s grave.? Cordelia tapped her fingers on the bar as she tried recalling
the details. ?That?s it! Tara said that they were Rylarn demons, but that
they were supposed to all be dead though.?



?Was there anything else Cordy?? Angel asked.



?No, just some symbols they drew by the grave, but they couldn?t figure them
out.?



?All right then. Angel go and see if any of your demon contacts can get you
any more information then.? Wesley turned to Gunn, ?Gunn, talk to your crew
and see if anything new has been happening. See if there has been any influx
of demons or vampires more than usual.?



?Cordy, come with me. We?re going back to the hotel to get some things I?ll
need to research those symbols and this group.? Wesley turned back around
and grabbed his coat off the bar, ?Any questions?? No? Okay then, we?ve got
a lot to do and very little time to do it so let?s get busy.?



================


Northern France

East of Moselle River



Beth watched Faith move around the camp from her spot in the trees. <Faith,
what aren?t you telling me about when you got me out?> Beth stayed where she
was for several more minutes watching Faith before she got up and headed
towards her.



?Faith!? Beth called out as she walked over towards Faith.



Faith looked up from what she was doing as she heard her name and saw Beth
walking towards her. ?B, what?s up? Find anything??



?No, it?s clear. But we need to talk, actually I need some answers about the
prison.? Beth stated simply as she stopped in front of Faith and folded her
arms.



Faith saw the serious look on Beth?s face, <Damn! I really hoped she wouldn?
t ask me about what happened. And now I gotta give her answers she may not
like.> Sighing Faith sat down on the ground, ?Okay B, shoot. What did you
want to know??



Beth sat down in front of Faith cross-legged. Beth could literally ?feel?
the waves of anxiety coming off of Faith. ?I want to know about when you got
me out of that hell hole. When I was down there I remember talking to
several others from my platoon, did you see any of them??



?I only found one other Marine down there B.?



Beth leaned forward towards Faith, ?Was his name Taylor??



Faith closed her eyes before she answered, ?Yes,? Faith answered very
softly, ?it was.?



Beth?s excitement was dimmed as she ?felt? Faith?s regret. Frowning Beth
looked closely at Faith, ?Faith, what happened to Taylor? Did he make it
out?? Beth asked anxiously.



?I don?t know??



?What do you mean you don?t know!! How can you not know Faith!?!?



?I told you, I don?t know!!? Faith yelled back at Beth.



Beth took several deep breaths to slow down and rein her temper back and
under control. ?I?m sorry. I shouldn?t have snapped at you like that. But I
need you to tell me what happened when you were in the prison, I have to
know??



?Getting in was no problem, intel had the place pretty well pegged for what
to expect. And the little ?diversion? up above kept them off balance. After
I got to the lowest level I headed towards the cell block where I was told I
?d find Ramirez and found another Marine instead??



Beth sat there as she listened to Faith, ?Wait a minute Faith, you came
after Ramirez, not the rest of us?!? How did you know he was there to begin
with?? Beth asked with a frown.



<Uh oh!> Faith thought quickly. ?B, I didn?t even know you were alive.
Control said that that was where their agent was and I was sent to get his
agent out, that?s it.?



?Our agent?? Beth asked. ?Who do you work for Faith? What?s going on here?
Ram?s a Marine, not some spook.?



?I?m a spook B, I work for the NSA. And I told you, I was sent to the prison
to get Ramirez out. Ramirez or whatever his name really is, works for the
NSA. No-one knew about Taylor, you or anyone else there.?



Suddenly there was a dangerous glint in Beth?s eyes. ?So you would have left
us to rot in there Faith??



Faith leaned forward, ?Don?t you get it B?!? You ?are? dead!!! That?s what
everyone thinks right now, your Mom, Dawn, Giles, Willow, Tara?everyone
?knows? that you?re dead B. They all went to your funeral and cried at your
grave!! So no-one was looking for you and no-one was expecting to find you
there, especially me!?



Beth moved back away from Faith, ?D-dead?? she asked. ?They think I?m dead?
Even Mom and Dawn??



Faith scooted forward and moved close to Beth, ?Yeah B. They all think you?
re gone.?



Beth forced the knowledge of how her mom and Dawn must be hurting down, ?You
said you found another Marine, but not Ram. Who did you find??



?Like I said, I found another Marine in one of the last cells, he said his
name was Taylor. If it wasn?t for him, we wouldn?t have gotten out of
there.? Faith said simply.



?Taylor was alive?? Did he make it out?? Beth asked concerned.



Faith put her hands on Beth?s shoulders, she saw the concern in Beth?s face
over this other Marine and her heart sank. ?He got hit pretty bad B, he
stayed behind to keep the guards busy while I got you out.? Faith said
sadly.



<No, not Taylor!> Beth looked in Faith?s eyes, ?Are you sure he?s dead? What
if??



Faith put her hands on Beth?s shoulders, ?Beth no. He didn?t make it out.
The only way he could get out was back the way I came, and he couldn?t walk
B.? Inside Faith hurt as she realized that Taylor wasn?t just another
Marine, but someone special to Beth.



?Why?d you leave him Faith?? That wasn?t part of your mission, saving POW?
s?? Beth asked bitterly.



?That?s not it at all B. He knew he wasn?t gonna be able to make it out and
the guards would?ve heard the gunfire??



?You still??



Faith cut Beth off before she could continue, ?Damn it B!!? Faith yelled.
?He knew he was dying and he wasn?t getting out. He stayed behind so you
could get out!! The last thing he asked me was to get you out of there,
getting you out was important to him. Damn your stubborn hide!!?



Tears coursed down Beth?s face as she realized Taylor was gone, she?d never
see him again.



?B, don?t do something stupid. You getting out of there alive was what he
wanted, don?t throw away the chance he gave you.?



Beth wiped her face and fought to stop the tears. She had clung to the
possibility that somehow Taylor had made it out, but that last shred of hope
was shattered now and the tears didn?t want to stop.



Faith pulled Beth into her arms, ?I?m sorry B,? she whispered. Faith held
Beth closely as Beth cried for the friend she lost and would never see
again.



TBC in Part 15B