Story: To Hell and Back (chapter 10)

Authors: Heartofstone

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Chapter 10

Buffy woke surrounded by concerned faces. Willow was trying to hold her, calm her somehow. As consciousness returned to her Buffy stopped shaking but couldn’t hide her tear stained face. Soothing words and gestures were made, but she couldn’t respond. Seeing her had brought it all back, but she didn’t want to go back. She wanted to bring her here, bring her to the now.

 

Her shaky voice broke the silence in the room. “Giles, what do you know about shape shifters or hell demons or anything like that. I saw something and I need to find out what it is.” Giles could only nod and walk towards his personal library. The others followed leaving Willow to help her dress.

 

As the two friends entered the room several heads popped up from dusty tomes each plastered with weak semi comforting smiles. Buffy was always a little wigged when she had seriously bad dreams, but this was getting sensitive.

 

“Buffy, do we have anything to go on here, maybe to narrow down the search?” Giles had a fatherly hand on her arm.

 

“It was Faith,” all the heads popped up again eaves dropping or deliberately listening. “She came to me. She held me and told me she loved me. But then she changed, she turned into something huge, definitely demonesque. She told me that if I ever saw it, I had to run cos’ someone was gonna die. Not quite angels and harps where she is, but I will find her.”

 

Heads quickly snapped back to their respective books as she finished her sentence. “I think Buffy we have been looking in the wrong section. It would appear that you didn’t see a hell demon, quite the opposite really.”

 

Dawn piped up surprising the silent company. “So she’s still a player for  all that’s good and, and definitely not Hell mouthish then?”

 

Giles face contorted as he searched for the right words to say. “That’s not the good face Giles, please give me some good news.” Buffy pleaded with him as he continued.

 

“If my theory is correct she isn’t evil, but not particularly good either. Biblical scriptures tell of an angel of death, sent to reap the souls of the living prior to death. However the angel themselves just takes the souls for judgement, the souls are taken by a ‘ladon’ Hear me out. A Ladon is a beast neither evil or devine. It is a beast that purely does it’s duty, the beast takes many forms but it’s only purpose is to reap the souls of those predestined to; well die.” He took off his glasses while letting out a long sigh.

 

Dawn wasn’t quite taking it all in, “But we can still get her back right? Like we did with Buffy?” Buffy stared at the ground briefly reliving the pain and confusion after she had returned. She didn’t want to put her through that, but she needed her back.

 

 Willow slowly shut the book she had been looking through. “I’m sorry Dawnie but it doesn’t look like we can.” Dawn’s eyes filled with tears demanding to know why. “She isn’t Faith anymore- just a shell, this beast isn’t her. What she is, I believe is her punishment.” Willow paused giving enough time for Dawn to leap in,

 

“But she never did anything wrong! She saved the world, she never hurt anyone! Why the hell is she being punished?” Buffy took the hysterical girl into her arms. “She never hurt anyone Buffy, what could she have done?” she was crying into Buffy’s shoulder. Xander went to explain but a forceful hand of Giles’ sat him down again. She never needed to know- Dawn idolised Faith, telling her of Faith’s flaws would kill her.

 

“I don’t know what we are going to do Dawn, but we’ll find something, or die trying.” Dawn’s teary eyes looked at Buffy and the others for reassurance. All nodded, they had been looking for a way to reverse this since the night that Faith was attacked- why change the habit of a lifetime.

 

That night Buffy’s dreams were devoid of anything but one lone flickering candle, there were four numbers left.

 

***

 

Faith had continued to try and please her new mistress- she needed to be with Buffy again, and if this was how she did it then she knew what she had to do. She was beginning to feel like her old self BB (before Buffy). She had shut down her senses- walked through the part every day just to satisfy the growing appetite of her captor. She had to do some unspeakable things just for her to explain about the numbers in Buffy’s dreams…

 

Faith backed up off the cold body of her jailor and washed herself up; the woman just lay there panting for breath. “Well?”

 

“Well what my little monster.” Faith cringed- she wasn’t a monster but she soon would be if she had to keep this up.

 

“You’ve had your fun now spill it!” Faith was yelling her voice full of fiery passion she had to know what was coming, maybe she could stop it.

 

“Lots of people have dreams like that, what makes you think that this slayer is any different?” She tried to dismiss the conversation.

 

Faith flipped, her face was inches from the other woman, Faith’s voice dripped with venom and breath like ice, “I have to know what is happening. Tell me or...”

 

The semi naked woman forced Faith away from her, “Or what Faith, what can you possibly do to intimidate me?” Faith leapt at her with the full force of claws and teeth. 

 

The jailor clicked her fingers and returned to her clothed state summoning her weapon to hand. “Don’t even think about it.” Faith growled and slunk away.

 

***

 

With Dawn ushered away from the group work continued,

 

“I’m sorry Buffy, there really isn’t much we can do- even if we could bring Faith back there is always a chance that there will be the bestial side of her. Oz was one thing but I don’t think I have the facilities to contain a reaper demon.”

 

Buffy hung her head. “I know” she whispered.

 

With Dawn ushered away the group returned to their work.

"I'm sorry Buffy, there isn't really much we can do. Even if we can bring Faith back, there will always be a chance that there will still be a beast within her. Oz was one thing but I don't think that I have the facilities to contain a reaper demon."

Buffy hung her head, "I know," she whispered, " I just wish, I've got to try, I just feel so responsible."

"Buffy no. Nobody could have done anything." Willow half hugged the morose slayer.

"That's just it Will. I should have done something, I should have stopped it. I should have saved her. I'm the slayer, meant to protect and all that other junk. I was supposed to stop it, I was supposed to be there for her. It's my fault."

Buffy had never let it go, catching the vampire that killed Faith wasn't enough. It hadn't got rid of her guilt, just her agression. She fell into a chair and began flicking through a giant tome.

***

The time had come for the evening's patrol, although everyone had protested against her going, Buffy comprimised and had allowed Dawn to tag along.

"Just don't get in my way OK? I don't wanna hurt you with my mad skills,"

"Don't worry Dawn I won't impede on your mad kung fu skillage."

"And don't you forget it." Buffy rolled her eyes. Something about tonight didn't feel right, she could feel eyes on her; it made her feel uneasy that something was following her. Looking into the bushes she could have sworn something moved.

"You know the routine right Dawnie?" Dawn huffed pre tantrum, "I knock them down and you..."

"Stake them. I know, I know. I just feel so redundant. My part is like mega boring." Dawn swung her arms about.

"Well look sharp kiddo vamps dead ahead." Buffy grinned,

"Do you have to make that joke everytime?" the sisters quickly dispatched the group.

"See, boring. That was too easy, no witty banter or dramatic displays," Buffy cut her off,

"I know." Dawn's eyes shot open,

"You're actually agreeing with me?" Her face full of suprise and pride.

"Now I didn't say that. It was just too easy that's all. Like they were running from something." Buffy scanned the shadows, a grunt came from one of the bushes.

Grabbing a rock she forcefully flung it into the bush; the rock thudded against something hard. Parting the small branches there was nothing there but a dented boulder.

"Great I'm on patrol with a paranoid slayer. Geez this is gonna take all night isn't it? Just let me know when to duck OK?"

Buffy span around and looked above Dawn with her jaw agape, "Dawn, DUCK!!" Dawn turned to see the giant demon looming over the pair of them.

The huge mass of scale and muscle roared and growled with deafening effect. With a single swing of it's huge arm it sent Dawn flying into a tree. Her body hit across the trunk with a loud crack, she fell to the floor limp. The monster followed her body intent on finishing the job. Buffy leapt at it laying slash after slash with her silver coated sword. But the mighty beast just tossed her aside like a rag doll. Screaming out she violently smashed her head against a rock.

Her vision blurred but in her fading sight she saw her, the long raven hair, and those same eyes.

"Faith?" She felt a cold hand on her face,

"Shh, I'm so sorry. Don't hate me." She felt a breif tender kiss on her forehead.

"No..don't go..." With that Buffy drifted into the dark.

 

Earlier that day Faith had been sleeping off the previous night's job- a pile up on the free way meant her work was cut out for her.

 

"Good morning princess." Faith rolled over pretending not to hear her. "Still asleep huh?" She snuggled down further into her bed. "She won't want to hear about some incredibly interesting news," no movement, "about her freedom?" Like a bullet Faith shot out of bed.

 

"I'm up, I'm up!" The woman smiled,

 

"So I see." Faith dusted herself off and walked over to the scary woman.

 

"Sorry, you wanted to tell me something?" Hope shone in her eyes and filled her voice.

 

"Hmm, yes I was talking with some people upstairs. It appears your contract is nearly up." Faith's head shot up-

"But what does that mean? They were never really specific." Her captor slumped dissappointedly into a chair. She was pouting like a child that hadn't got her way.

"It means," she sighed "It means that after just one more reap, you're free. Well from me anyway." She crossed her arms across her chest to emphasise her distain for the idea. Faith was practically doing summer saults at the thought of freedom.

"Seriously, just one more? Then I'm free, you know, to go back?" Her dimpled grin shone and her heart jumped.

I can find her again, I can go back. The woman just sat there in silence. "Well come on then- whats the last one? When is it?"

With a pout that could almost rival Buffy's she simply replied "It's not untill tonight, you should prepare. You have a hard decision ahead of you." With that she just left the room.

"Way to go, just dampen my high why don't you. Uptight bitch." Faith spent the rest of the day honing her skills, this was the last one and it would be the best, clean and precise. Then never again.

***

As the night drew in Faith was ready. It felt like her old patrols- it felt good. The monster in her craved the hunt and she knew it. She figured that this new side of her was a consequence of her misguided past. Her "want, take, have" and her craving for the kill manifested, plaguing her humanity. Securing her sword her orders were due to be delivered.

Sauntering into the room her captor and tormentor was smiling. The wicked grin didn't deter her- this was the last one, she could go home.

"Here you are my pet." Faith winced at the implications in her voice. "All dressed and ready I see, perfection. You were my best by far, trained and mastered till perfection. I will miss you Faith; well parts of you." she winked and Faith faught the urge to vomit.

"Enough of the pleasantries OK? Just give me the damn paper."

"Patience is a virtue Faith," She held out the paper as Faith took it. "You know you take the fun out of everything."

Faith glanced at the paper,

Sunnydale Town
St Helens Church
ONE SOUL

It meant one thing, Buffy.

"Shit," Faith fell to her knees her hand clasped around her mouth to stifle a scream. The evil woman saw her fall,

"May the Gods be with you Faith," For the first time she looked at her differently-with sympathy. She knew what was coming. She knew what choice lay ahead, but not the answer.

Faith felt familiar ground beneath her feet, the place even smelt the same. Hearing voices she quickly changed and stalked the bushes. She was trying to console herself, "Maybe it won't be her, demons kill people all the time or a vamp eats some preppy fool. Yeah that's it, B's gonna be fine." Laying low in the bush the voices got closer. She recognised them instantly and her heart sank, Buffy and Dawn, alone.

Before she could collect her thoughts a large rock hit her head, *AH SHIT B! Still got some arm huh,* she heard her coming over, *Better get out of here,* Faith ran ahead of the two. Laying down another familiar smell hit her, *Vamps, in an ambush? Since when did they get organised? I'm not seeing one of them beaten by cowardly dead men.*

Faith changed back to her normal self and walked right behind the ambush. "Hey guys, remember me?" All the vampires spun and hissed or growled at her, "The other slayer! Get her!" Faith just grinned- before all of them she retorted to her deamon form. All of their faces turned to fear, if they were alive they would have deficated. Faith growled low bearing all of her teeth to the small group. They all turned on their heels and ran.

*That'll teach you- now you're easy prey. Ha! At least this is good for something. Now to wait. Man what the hell am I gonna do?* She sat and waited, Buffy and Dawn appeared in the clearing unharmed. Faith sighed in relief but she couldn't relax, she still didn't know what to do. The world needed the slayers, but it wouldn't be fair to Dawn, who had just begun to really live in some form of peace. The argument raged in her mind.

That's when she saw it, the huge demon came crashing through the woods at the sisters. Faith rose to her feet there really wasn't anything she could do but watch on. The demons arm smashed Dawn into the tree; Faith lept down-no one could see her as she ran through the fighting. She checked Dawn over, a few broken bones and internal bleeding. She wouldn't have to die if she got to a hospital quickly. Dawn was unconscious; she couldn't see anything- Faith had made her choice.

 

Faith stood over Dawn and watched Buffy fight; suddenly the demon threw her into one of the protruding rocks. She hit her head and fell. Faith felt it- this was it this was her last one. The hit to the rock was enough, she fought off the demon.

“Get back you bastard, that is enough! No more!” Her attacks were futile and the demon roared. “That’s it,” Faith morphed once more and fought with bloodlust fuelled vigour. As the demon fell Faith ran to Buffy’s side.

“Shh, I’m so sorry, don’t hate me.” She placed a soft kiss onto the fallen girl’s forehead. She opened a patch on her chest, a brilliant white light filtered from Buffy’s body and into the open cavity. Tears streamed down her face as she rose to her feet.

“You can’t have me yet, I’m not done! I have to finish this.” She shouted to the sky, the wind relented but the heavens poured down. “Not like you want to help me out or anything.” Faith carefully scooped up the teenager and began her final task.

The rain beat down as Faith carried Dawn. Her bloodied head appeared worse as the rain diluted her blood. She moved a little in her arms, “Shh, it’s ok Sparky, it’s ok. It’s all gonna be ok, trust me.” Real tears fell from the expired woman.

“Faith,” Dawn whispered

*holy shit, she knows it’s me!*

“Faith, don’t leave me, never leave me…” Her head fell down again.

“Never, I promise. I will always be looking out for you no matter where I am. I’ll do anything to make sure you’re ok.”

Faith walked through the automatic doors and screamed for a doctor. Several nurses and orderlies ran to her with a trolly and IV fluids. They took her in a blur, as the dust settled a nurse tried to stop Faith from leaving.

“Please, miss we need to take her details and contact her family. Could you sit with me a moment?” Faith sat with the nurse,

She felt like she couldn’t move but her voice held steady. “Her name is Dawn Summers, 17. Her closest family will be with a Mr Rupert Giles. There, I have to go now, really I do.”

The nurse stood, “I understand, but before you go. We have just received a Jane Doe this evening, unfortunately DOA. Do you have any idea who this woman is?” The nurse took a picture from a clipboard and showed it to Faith. “We’ve been asking everyone just in case so we can find her family.”

Tears fell down her face, she couldn’t fight them anymore. “That, that is Buffy Summers, 25. Also acquainted with Mr Giles. Her next of kin would be Dawn Summers.”

The nurses face fell, “I hoped it wasn’t, I did recognise her but I couldn’t be sure. Thank you for your help miss.”

Faith was already walking away, “Hang on miss, don’t I know you? You look just like a patient we had about 7 months ago. But it’s impossible it couldn’t be.”

“I believe you are mistaken. Good night.”

The nurse sat in front of the database and ran a search, “It can’t be, it’s impossible,” On the screen was the name, address and picture of the woman who just walked out of the hospital doors. Under her picture it was written “Deceased” The nurse shook her head and blamed the long shifts for messing with her mind.

Outside Faith knelt in the rain crying painful tears and screaming. That was the last reap, but the pain and the torment would punish her forever.

***

Faith stood again in front of the council of Gia. “Here, this is my final reap. Delivered personally is the soul of one Buffy Summers.”

The two gods both bowed their heads. “She too was a great crusader. She will be rewarded for her sacrifices. As will you.” Faith raised her head. She felt a warm hand take hers, beside her stood the smaller blonde slayer. Buffy smiled at her, Faith weakly returned it.

“Both of you have sacrificed so much for your kind. I want both of you to remain on Earth, as a guardian of souls. Go, watch over your friends and family. Make sure Faith that they do not endure what you have.” Faith nodded her head, neither girl could hide their smiles. They spent their lives fighting and now they were watchers.

The room span and evaporated, the guardians found themselves in a hospital room. Faith and Buffy stood back looking on at the remaining scoobies. There were smiles for their gains and tears for their losses. But little did they know that their fallen heroes were not that far away…

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