Title: Lost and Found
Author: Lowdeen
Disclaimer: The characters and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox, and Mutant Enemy. The story contains love between two women, so if such things offend you, are illegal where you live or whatever, please don't read it and upset yourself. It'll make life easier on all of us.
Spoilers:Up to and including the fourth season episode, "Something Blue"
Author's Notes: This is the sequel to my fic, "Heart". If you don't read that first, you probably won't understand this. Most of the story occurs in an alternate universe kinda way. The split between canon and wishful thinking occurs around the episode, "Dopplegangland".
Rating: PG-13

She was lost in the music. The pounding bass vibrations pulsed through her body and her mind as it drove her limbs to match its beat. She was one person amongst a mass of writhing, grinding humanity moving to a rhythm that had a distinctly primal undertone. It was one of those clubs that had no name, whose only distinguishing features were the constant stream of ragtag teens that went in and out of its doors and the beefy, black bouncer standing at its entrance. The anonymity afforded by this place allowed her to forget about the past, present, and future; allowed her to forget herself.

A particularly bold young man moved to dance with her and even if he wasn't much of a hottie, at least he had shown some balls. She accepted his invitation as she slid her body over his, her hips grinding into him at a staccato beat. A couple of drinks later, she led him outside into the alley next to the club. He backed her up against a wall, his hands roaming over her body as his lips did the same.

Unfortunately, instead of the lucky night he had envisioned at the start, he suddenly found himself bent over by a knee driven hard into his groin. Before he could fall down onto his knees, two abnormally strong hands grabbed hold of him by the front of his shirt, refusing to let him off just yet. Two more punishing blows were delivered to the same body area before those hands released their grip, allowing him to slip bonelessly to the ground and into a fetal position.

That's when the kicks started raining down---kicks delivered with steel-toed boots. He felt his ribs crack from one hit, his breath stolen by another, and multiple bruises already forming on his arms which were futilely trying to cover his head. Throughout the attack, he could hear his tormentor ranting and shouting. "You stupid piece of shit," "I hate you," and "You're nothing to me" were just some of the tidbits he caught in spite of the agonizing pain lancing throughout his body. He wasn't sure if the comments were directed at him or not but, at that particular moment, he didn't much care.

A vicious kick to the head mercifully knocked him out cold. When his attacker noticed that he was no longer responding to the assault, she bent down on one knee. Grabbing him by the front of his shirt again, she hauled him up enough to see his lolling face. Needless to say, it was a bloody mess---the lips were split open, a river of blood ran from the mouth and nose, the right eye was already swollen shut, and his hair was matted and stained red. Inspecting her handiwork like it was the most interesting thing in the world. a disgusted expression suddenly danced across her face. Dropping him back on the ground, she rooted through his pants and wallet, pocketing anything that looked even remotely valuable. Once that was done, she walked casually back to the club, running a slightly trembling hand through her long, brown hair---she needed a drink.

Buffy sat cross legged on the floor with her head on one hand and the phone to her ear. A single low-wattage bulb barely lit up its shabby surroundings which was just as well since the room was one small step away from being condemned as a safety hazard. Where there weren't gaping holes, the plaster on the walls was cracked and peeling. The carpet, or what was left of it, was so worn out in certain areas that the wood underneath was showing through. And it was for the best that no one discussed the stains that appeared where stains just did not belong. All in all, the room was as close to hell as you could get without actually booking a guided tour there.

Its occupant was totally oblivious, however, to these defects since she was rarely here anyway. When she did happen to be there, it was solely for the purpose of falling into shorter and shorter periods of exhausted sleep. Even her much touted slayer powers wouldn't be able to sustain her much longer if she maintained the frenetic pace she had kept since arriving in this city. This was exactly the point Willow was trying to push through to her on the phone, with very little success so far.

"Will, can you just tell me what you found out...please?" Buffy's patience and sanity were running low on the meter as it were without the constant nagging by her best friend, well intentioned as it was. She made a silent vow to make it up to Wills as soon as this was all over. But, right now, what she needed was information.

There was a brief silence before Willow answered. "I did what you asked me to. I went through the police reports for the past two weeks but, since this _is_ LA we're talking about, even in this short time frame, there have been a lot of robberies and assaults committed. But there's been three cases in particular that are vicious even by big city standards. Two of the victims were so severely beaten that they've gotten serious concussions and only remember their attacker as being a woman. The third victim is still in critical condition at the hospital where he was admitted two days ago. The beatings took place around the same general vicinity and always near an underground club." Willow paused for a second to catch her breath. "Buffy, how do you know she's...I mean--"

"I know, Will. I don't know how I know but I'm positive. She's here and I'm going to find her."

"If it is her...if she did do...these things..."

The blonde slayer was at a loss for words, she honestly didn't know what she'd do if her fears did come true. She absently fingered the pendant she now wore around her neck. It was all her fault. She had to make things right again---the problem was she had absolutely no idea how to even begin repairing the damage. The only thing she knew for sure was that she wouldn't give up trying.

"Buffy," Willow said, calling her attention back to earth, "Are you sure you're all right down there...all alone. We...meaning me and Xander, could be there whenever you want."

"Thanks Will but I need to do this alone. And anyway, if you guys come here, there'll be nobody to hold down the fort. No, you stay right where you are. Trust me, you've been a great help to me already."

"They don't call us the Slayerettes for nothing," the redhead joked. She was still very worried about her best friend and if it weren't for her responsibilities in Sunnydale, she'd be by her side right now. But there was no need to burden Buffy any further so Willow put on a brave and cheerful front. After going over the exact locations of the attacks and exchanging some more encouraging words, she hung up.

The young wiccan stared at the phone for several minutes more before heaving a sigh. It was just so not fair. Why did bad things always seem to happen to the most amazing people? That was what Buffy was---she was amazing. Aside from the fact that she was the slayer and she had saved humanity on countless occasions from the monsters that go bump in the night, she was also a warm, caring, funny, self-sacrificing, and altogether great person. So why did the worst things always seem to happen to her?

It had been nearly two weeks since the all out brawl between Faith and Angel. In the intervening period, the mayor's Ascension plan was thwarted, graduation had commenced in record time, Snyder's body was found in a cave by a group of adventurous spelunkers, and Faith had left town without so much as a word to anyone. All part of the fun and games when you're the slayer or one of her friends. It was really a shame what happened with Faith. Even though Willow hadn't known her for very long, she was definitely beginning to like the dark haired slayer---she could tell it was a reciprocal feeling too. But...getting shot...and not just by anyone...getting shot by the person you're in love with---she could understand why Faith thought she had to leave. If it had been her and Oz, she didn't even want to think about the repercussions. It'd be too painful even to imagine.

She knew it must feel even worse for Buffy though. The older slayer had always felt responsible for Faith and the guilt alone must be eating her alive inside. Judging by the erratic nature of their conversations in the past few days, she doubted the slayer was even getting any rest. If things continued in this vein, she'd hike to LA if need be, responsibilities be damned.

It was another fucking club. It was another fucking night. The only thing different about it was that she wasn't on the dance floor. Funny thing about doing something over and over---it gets kickass boring after awhile, no matter how much you might love it. Faith was going through one of these moods as she leaned listlessly against a wall, watching everybody else go through the motions. Watched 'em drink, watched 'em sweat, watched 'em dance, watched 'em go through their little lives without any idea of the monsters that walked among them. And there were...monsters that is, everywhere. That guy, over by the bar hitting on the goth queen, definite vamp. Didn't even need her slayer powers to figure that one out. The dude just had a look about him, like he was hankering for something more than sex---like that could ever happen with an honest to God hormone driven male. She watched in disinterest as the bloodsucker led the wannabe witch to the back of the club. If she were still in that superhero frame of mind, she'd probably have staked the son of a bitch by now...maybe. As it was, she couldn't care less...nope, not in the least. I mean, why would she? It was no longer her problem. If he wanted to suck her dry, that was fine by her.

So it came as a total surprise to her when she felt her legs moving in the general direction of the back. She didn't have time to question her actions further, however, as she spotted the happy little couple. He had his date pressed up against a wall, a hand over her mouth, and fangs to her neck. What the hell...since she was here anyway---she grabbed the wooden stake from the inside pocket of her jacket (never leave home without one) and drove it into the vamp's back. Quick as you please, he was a pile of dust and she was a lump on the floor.

Faith checked around to see if anyone had noticed but of course, no one had even missed a beat. Dropping down on her knees, she felt for a pulse only to find that it was weak and thready. Heaving an annoyed sigh, she scooped the girl up into a modified fireman's carry and exited the club as muss-free and fuss-free as possible. Gently placing her cargo on the sidewalk outside, she went and made a quick phone call. The ambulance arrived a short time afterwards, tipped off by an anonymous caller about someone needing a blood transfusion.

Faith watched it all go down across the street but her attention really wasn't focused on the drama unfolding before her. It was focused on someone off to the side. Someone with blonde hair, someone with a slender build, someone who just so happened to be a slayer. She could feel her hands curling up into fists, her breathing coming in harsh and shallow, and the blood thundering in her ears. The rage...her rage just became so overwhelming, it blinded her to everything else. She started to run. She didn't know in what direction. All she knew was that if she hadn't bailed when she did, there were going to be way more people headed into that ambulance tonight.

Buffy was doing what she had done for the past couple of weeks: looking for Faith. It seemed like she had been to every sleazy nightclub and bar in LA and yet, still no sign of her lover. Ever since that night, it was like she was wandering around in the dark with a blindfold over her eyes. There had been no other choice. At least that's what everybody kept telling her. Faith and Angel were too far away for either Xander or Willow to have stopped them in time to save Angel's life. Buffy herself was still so zapped by the spell that she could barely walk without assistance. The blonde slayer did the only thing she could think of at the time. She had grabbed Xander's crossbow and shot at the person she loved more than any other in the world. The shot was only meant to slow down the other slayer long enough for the Scoobies to intervene. Unfortunately, Buffy's aim was as shaky as the rest of her body and the crossbow bolt did more damage than anyone had anticipated or wanted. Now she had to make things right again---if she ever found Faith that was.

The younger girl had taken off from the hospital hours after being admitted and Buffy had been trying to track her down ever since. Which brought her back here, outside a club in the same area as the attacks Willow had told her about. She hoped with all her heart that Faith wasn't the one responsible for the assaults but, even if she were, they'd be able to work it out, they had to...She stopped short as she noticed the ambulance arriving a few feet ahead of her. Two paramedics rushed out and immediately went over to the woman propped up outside the club. As she walked closer, Buffy overheard one of the EMTs talking about blood loss as the cause of her distress. Blood loss equated to vampires, vampires equated to slaying and slaying equated to a slayer.

But before she could search out the offending vamp, a moving blur at the corner of her vision caught her attention. Across the street, someone was running in the direction the ambulance had come from. It wasn't just anyone either, it was someone with long brown hair flowing in the wind behind her. Buffy didn't even consider passing up the opportunity on the off chance that it might be the person she was seeking. She took off after the lithe figure, trying desperately to keep up with the rapidly retreating woman, eventually losing track of the streets and turns that flew past in her chase. If this person didn't at least have some sort of supernatural power, the slayer would be very surprised indeed since, even she was having a tough time keeping up. When they finally did stop, it took both of them a while to collect their breaths. The brunette eventually straightened up and turned around to face her pursuer.

"Faith," Buffy whispered on a stolen breath. She moved as if to envelop the other girl in a hug. What she was met with instead was a hard punch to the face that took her completely off her feet. Faith moved forward with a fist in the air only to stop short within an inch of Buffy's prone body. Her whole arm trembled as her face revealed the extent of the turmoil she was feeling inside. With a strangled, almost animalistic yell, she punched the brick wall to her left. Even with her whole weight thrown behind it, the wall did not come tumbling down. However, her arm was another matter altogether. A sickening crack followed the sound of soft flesh against immovable mortar, signaled, at the very least, a broken bone. Faith immediately let loose a string of curses as she cradled her injured arm to her body.

She managed to grind out a "Don't fucking follow me" before jogging away from the only person who seemed to be able to bring her to the highest highs as well as the lowest lows...and this was definitely one of those lows. Every step she took, every time her feet connected with the pavement, a jarring pain rattled through the length of her arm which in turn caused the throbbing behind her eyes to intensify. She leaned her back against a lamp post after she was finally forced to stop a few minutes later. Examining her right arm gingerly, she looked over the results of her impulsive action. Her knuckles and fingers were bleeding, red, and swollen to almost twice their normal size. She knew her arm was broken just by the feel of it but since the bones weren't sticking out, there wasn't much she needed to do about it. She'd be fine in a couple of days but during that time, it was going to be a real bitch to do even the simplest tasks.

Glancing back in the direction she had just come from, she didn't know if she should be happy or angry that no one was following. Damnit! Why did she even care? After all, this was the same person who had betrayed her, took a shot at her twice if you counted the other time which never really happened but, somehow, it still counted. Trying to dislodge these unpleasant thoughts from her mind, she pushed off of the lamp post and took her first _real_ look around. Where the fuck was she?

Buffy was stunned. She should have probably expected the harsh reception but, somehow, a punch to the face was never a factor in any of the numerous scenarios she had pictured for her reunion with Faith. She winced in sympathy when the other girl rammed her fist into the wall. Clearly, this was not one of the best times for a heart to heart talk as Faith ran away yet again. Disregarding Faith's warning/request, Buffy followed her, albeit a ways back. She watched as the younger girl paused after a while to look over her arm. Even from this distance, it wasn't a pretty picture. Buffy had to force herself to stay put and not go rushing to her lover's assistance which was made even tougher by the forlorn expression Faith tossed back in her direction. For a second, she thought she had been spotted but the other girl merely looked around in confusion soon after. For the first time, Buffy noticed she...they were lost.

It took her a while to figure out exactly where she was and a hell of a lot longer to get back to her apartment. When she finally did get back, Faith was so out of it that the shoes were barely off her feet before she was laid out flat on the bed. Unfortunately, this happened to be one of those times when, no matter how dead tired your body happened to be, your mind races on at a completely different wavelength. Somewhere out there, under the same pre-dawn light, was the other half of the Chosen Two. Until she had actually seen her with her very own eyes, Faith had somehow convinced herself that Buffy was still in Sunnydale---so much for shattered delusions. Instead of living happily ever after with Angel, aka Mr. Doom & Gloom, Buffy was here...looking for her? Maybe she wanted to finish off what she started that night...but even as the thought floated through her mind, Faith knew that that wasn't the reason. Buffy could've easily finished her off if that was her intention. After all, a one-armed slayer was no match for a fully functional one. There was no point worrying about it now though. Knowing Buffy like she did, it was only a matter of time before the blonde would pop up again. As a matter of fact, she might be out there right now, staring up at her window. Faith laughed bitterly at the almost hopeful turn her thoughts had taken. Her mom _was_ right...she never could learn her lessons.

Faith was partially correct. Buffy _was_ outside her building but she wasn't looking up at her window, primarily because she had no idea which one her lover was behind and secondly because her attention was drawn away to a woman walking down the street towards her location. Rundown and crime-ridden were the more polite adjectives used to describe this part of the city. A platoon of NAVY seals armed to the teeth with the most advanced weaponry would hesitate to put foot here. So, a lone woman walking down the street with no apparent protection, as her tight leather ensemble so clearly revealed, tended to raise a few eyebrows along the way. Buffy had barely managed to avoid a few nasty skirmishes herself that night but the woman coming towards her walked with an easy confidence that showed absolutely no fear.

In fact, she exuded a predatory menace that kept everybody around her at bay. She had long, brown hair and large, hazel eyes that took in her environment at a glance. A corner of her full lips was pulled up slightly in a small smirk as if the whole world amused her in some way that only she and God were privy to. The rising sun highlighted her slender figure as it painted her in rose and gold hues. As the mysterious woman approached, Buffy became ever more captivated until they were standing nearly toe to toe. The woman was a few inches taller than the slayer so Buffy had to look up to meet her eyes. Tilting her head slightly to the side, the brunette studied the girl in front of her with a bland expression that didn't quite hide her intense interest. As she continued her visual inspection of the petite blonde, her smirk grew into a full fledged grin that held the promise of infinite possibilities should that road be taken. Moving even closer until their bodies were a whisper apart, the woman gently lifted a stray strand of hair from Buffy's face and neatly tucked it behind her ears.

"Do...Do I know you?" Buffy stammered out.

"Do you want to?" Asked the woman, still holding the slayer's gaze as the soft pad of her thumb grazed the blonde's lips. "Have you ever seen someone, a perfect stranger perhaps, walking past or across a crowded room or...standing in the middle of the street, and just known you've been given a glimpse of your future? Well, I have. Hello Future, my name is Dany."

If Buffy understood any of the words coming out of the brunette's mouth, she gave no such indication as she continued staring in a hypnotic trance.

"This is the part of the conversation where you tell me your name and say that you feel the same way I do," Dany prompted with a raised eyebrow.

"Uhm...Buffy," she answered, crinkling her forehead. In an attempt to clear her head, she took a step back, not knowing why she felt Dany's loss so intensely already. It wasn't as if they were friends, they didn't even know each other's names until a few minutes ago but...it sure didn't feel that way.

"Buffy." The name rolled off of Dany's tongue like a sensual caress as she closed the distance the slayer had just created.

She couldn't stand it anymore. She had tried to quiet her mind but when did that ever work? Popping up from the bed, Faith walked over to the window and took a peak through the Venetian blinds. Seeing Buffy standing in the middle of the street greatly relieved her anxiety, yet at the same time, her own reaction annoyed her to no end. Logically, she knew their relationship could never work so it had been her intention when she left Sunnydale to sever all ties and never see Buffy again. Unfortunately, her heart must have been absent during the rationalization period because it started aching the minute she left town and the only time she had felt better was when she had her lover in sight. It was just one real fucked up mess.

But she couldn't deny the happy feelings running rampant through her at the moment---that is until some chick decided to invade her girl's personal space. Why didn't Buffy move...did they know each other? Faith scowled when the other girl touched her lover's face and her hands fisted up before she remembered that one of them was still recovering from earlier. Biting down hard, she was able to suppress the yell forming in her throat but _nothing_could stop the stab of jealousy from ramming into her heart. As she continued to watch the stranger put the moves on Buffy, she could feel herself slowly losing control. Who does this bitch think she is? Buffy was hers and there was no way she was going to stand there while a total stranger cuddled up to her girl---under her window too! Faith ran out the door of her apartment and down the stairs, past the crackheads and assorted other garbage littering her way until she busted out of the broken door to her building. And what did she see? Nothing, absolutely nothing. They were gone.

Buffy passed the rest of her day in a blurry haze. She knew that Dany and her had gone to a diner for some breakfast but she had no idea what she ate or the name of the diner she ate at. She knew she had asked her companion some questions concerning her background but she couldn't remember the answers or even if any answers had been given. Aside from these lapses in her memory though, by the end of the day, there was one thing she knew for sure: she was having fun. For what seemed to be the first time in a long time, she was enjoying herself and it was all because of Dany. Before she knew it, the day had turned into late afternoon and they were standing in front of her building.

"This is where you're staying?" Dany asked incredulously. It was a dump. That was the only word to describe it. She shuddered to think of Buffy actually staying in a place like this.

"It's only temporary," the slayer answered rather sheepishly. "Just until..."

"What?" She was confused by the stricken expression that suddenly appeared on her companion's face. "Buffy, what is it?"

What is it? What is it?!! She had completely forgotten about why she was here in the first place and what she had been doing for the past two weeks. That's what it was. Instead of Faith standing in front of her, it was Dany. Before she could berate herself any further, Buffy found her face captured between two gentle hands. Likewise, her eyes were held by the warm, hazel pair that had been mesmerizing her all day.

"I know you have some things you need to take care of," Dany said carefully. "So I'll leave you to do them. I'll see you later."

"When...where?"

The brunette bent and placed a feather-light kiss across Buffy's lips. "Soon," she whispered before straightening. And just like that, she walked away. The blonde slayer was left with a sense of loss that manifested itself as a dull ache. Her lips still tingled from the earlier contact and she debated with herself if she should have followed the other woman. But as soon as the thought entered her mind, it was soundly rejected by the larger part of her that wanted nothing more than to go back to Faith's building.

It took her a little over an hour to get back but when she found herself standing in the same spot as earlier that day, she was still confronted with the same problem. Which apartment did Faith live in? Spotting someone exiting the building, she decided to try her luck. After all, Faith was a pretty hard girl to miss. As she approached the slumped over figure, the unmistakable stench of stale booze assaulted her nostrils.

"Hey...Hey" She repeated trying to get the man's attention. When he finally turned a pair of bloodshot, red eyes on her, she continued, "Have you seen a girl with long, brown hair, slightly taller than me, going into this building?" She waited for an answer that eventually came in the form of a slow nod. "Great, do you know what apartment she's staying at?"

"Don't...don't wanna mess wit her," he slurred shaking his head emphatically to highlight his point.

"I know, I know." Buffy assured him. "But I need to find her so tell me where she is, okay?"

He continued shaking his head as he looked back to the ground. Taking a bill out of her pocket, Buffy waved it in front of him until she had his undivided attention yet again. "Tell me and you get to keep this." He licked his lips before looking around nervously as if Faith were going to pop out at any second to beat the living crap out of him for telling. The lure of money finally overwhelmed his fear. Wiping a hand across his face, he murmured "Third floor, end of the hall. You...you ain't gonna say I toldja right?"

"No" Buffy answered, handing over the five dollar bill. She watched as he stuffed it hastily into his pocket and shuffled off down the street. Shaking her head, she pushed open the broken door to the building and cautiously entered the dark interior.

She glanced down at the broken body laid out in front of her. Even in the relative darkness, she could distinguish the darker splotches spreading over the ground as it seeped out from its previous mortal container. Pocketing the credit cards, rings, and money, she casually tossed the wallet back to its owner...not like he'd be needing it anymore.

"Kind of a waste, isn't it?

A jolt of adrenaline ran through her system at the unexpected question. Whipping her head around, she eyed the witness to her actions. "How did you find me?" She asked, trying to preserve what little calm she had left.

"A blind man could follow the trail of bodies you've left in your wake my dear. If you really wanted to disappear, you should've quit your little hobby."

"But it's so much fun," she protested with hooded eyes. She was busily trying to figure out how best to escape from the situation without winding up in a full body cast. Staring into the reptilian green eyes of the man that gave her life, she bit back a growl. He was dressed as fashionably as always, in a sharply tailored suit that accentuated his muscular physique and slim waist. His wavy hair was the color of midnight and a lock of it was rakishly hung over his forehead. To anyone else, he could've been Prince Charming but she knew better. He was the devil...at least one of them. All he needed was a pair of horns, a tail and a pitchfork to make the illusion complete.

Flashing a smile that revealed brilliantly white teeth, he chuckled. "That's why I love you so much Danenerys. The utter lack of compassion, the cold and calculating creature wrapped up in such a beautiful shell, the insolence...Yes, you do me proud."

Such a blunt assessment of her inborn nature made her want to cringe but she woudn't give him the satisfaction of seeing it. They continued staring at each other trying to figure out the best way to break the other. After a minute, a large, smarmy smile grew on his face which would've made even a used car salesman run away screaming. "You've met someone." He stated smugly.

This time, Dany couldn't hold back the wince that clearly showed on her face.

"The prophesy will be fulfilled whether you want it to or not." His expression hardened exponentially as he glowered down on his wayward progeny. His eyes glowed with a supernatural light as he pronounced, "It cannot be denied and it cannot be stopped. That is the way it will be. The more you fight against it, the more you will hurt." As he said that, Dany went flying into the wall behind her. Her body hit with a sickening thud each time it bounced off the concrete and it bounced often. By the time, he let her slide down the few feet to the ground, she was looking no better than the guy lying next to her. Squinting up, she could almost make out the shadowy outline of a huge, horned beast.

"Do as you were born to do," he said harshly before walking away.

Faith was getting wasted. You would think that getting drunk without any money would be hard but all you had to do was find a schmuck that was stupid enough to buy you drink after drink. And all she had to do was cozy up to the guy from time to time. Damn what a loser. But at least he was a loser with cash. She had gone past trying to analyze her feelings concerning Buffy. All that mattered, all it boiled down to was that it hurt. It really crushed a part of her to see someone else touching her lover the way she used to. And it really pissed her off to see them cuddling right under her nose. Taking a healthy swig of the drink in front of her, she closed her eyes as the familar burn eased down her throat. If she drank enough of this poison, would she become poison? Faith shook her head to clear it of the strange turn it had suddenly taken. She was about to polish off the last of the liquid in the shot glass but a hand placed at the small of her back stopped her mid-sip. If it was loser boy again, she was gonna shove his hand so far up his ass...

When she turned around, she barely had time to register the person standing in front of her before she was enveloped in a hug. It felt so good to be held...it felt like she was finally home---the fairy tale kind, not the real life one. She breathed in Buffy's unique lavendar scent as she nuzzled the crook of her neck. If she weren't so drunk, she'd have probably dredged up one reason or another to run again. Luckily for both of them that she WAS just a few shots away from being pickled. She whimpered when Buffy pulled away but the other girl only did that so she could lean in to give Faith a kiss that left both of them breathless and wanting more. Their tongues dueled for space inside Faith's mouth as they refamilarized themselves with each other. Hands roamed freely over supple bodies and fingertips teased sensitive flesh. At one point, loser boy had tried to interrupt them but a well-aimed kick to the gut had dissuaded his efforts. The two slayers finally separated long enough to regain their breath.

Buffy was the first to dive back in, planting small kisses on Faith's jawline and neck while her arms drew her lover in tightly. The brunette melted at the lavish attention as her own hands continued to play under Buffy's shirt. As much as she wanted to take her right then and there, Buffy decided it wouldn't be the best idea to do it in front of a clubful of strangers much as her libido said to screw that. So she grabbed Faith's hands from under her shirt and led the protesting girl outside where they nearly stumbled in their haste. Faith grabbed the other slayer around the waist as soon as they cleared the smokey interior. She playfully nipped Buffy's ear and laughed when she heard the small yelp from the other girl's mouth. Spinning around in the loose embrace, Buffy asked with a smile, "You think that was funny slayer?" When Faith answered with an exaggerated nod, Buffy caught her face between her hands and then roughly kissed her lover with an aggressiveness born of relief and missed time. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring but for the two slayers, tonight would be theirs and theirs alone.

Faith woke with what could only be described as the hangover from hell. Her head felt like it was going to split wide open while her mouth felt like a desert. And she didn't know why but it was like a heavy weight had been placed on her chest. Carefully cracking open an eye, she immediately squinted at the faint light streaming through the blinds. It took a few minutes for her to adjust to the point where she could take a look around. The first thing she noticed was the blonde hair strewn below her chin and settling over her chest. Guess that explained the extra weight on her body. Fragments of memories eventually invaded her pain-riddled brain as the events of last night played out like stop motion photography in front of her eyes.

Now that she wasn't drunk anymore, she should probably summon up some of that rage that was as familar to her as breathing. After all, getting away from Buffy was the whole point of her being in LA in the first place. And why did she need to get away...oh yeah, because of that whole arrow through the chest that nearly hit her heart thing. There was only one problem with that old familar routine, however. Buffy looked so...cute. With a slightly parted mouth that let out a soft mumble from time to time, a small, fine-boned hand that gripped her lover around the waist even in sleep, and even the fact that she was essentially using Faith as a big pillow---these small habits only served to crumble the dark slayer's earlier resolve. But emotional issues notwithstanding, she was still feeling the aftereffects of a long night of drinking. Right now, what she needed most was a bottle of aspirin. Trying to disengage from the tangle of limbs and sheets, she inadvertently woke up the blonde whose first reaction, even before she was fully awake, was to rewrap her arms around the warm body lying next to her.

"B, I've got a splitting headache. I'm just going to get some aspirin."

"No" came the muffled response from Faith's chest.

"I promise I'm not going anywhere...Buffy?"

Green eyes looked up into brown. "Promise?" Faith couldn't help but brush a few stray strands of golden hair away from the pleading gaze. Could she really promise something she'd probably have to break in the very near future? "Yeah, of course" she said with her patented easy smile.

Dany woke up with a pounding jackhammer tearing her brain apart. The bright flourescent lights seared her retinas when she tried to open her eyes. The last thing she remembered was her introduction with Mr. Wall...over and over again. Man, what a bitch. Why couldn't he just stick his stupid, fucking prophesy up his ass? Rubbing a hand over her eyes, she took her first real look at her surroundings. Taking in the small curtained off area and the gurney she laid on, she took a wild stab at it and guessed hospital. Even though she didn't feel very much like moving, she slowly got to her feet and took a peek out the curtain. Wouldn't you know it---cops. While they were preoccupied with talking to the nurse, Dany sneaked out the other side of the curtain and headed for the stairwell.

When she left the hospital, the sun was just starting to break the horizon. Wiping a hand across a sweat covered forehead, Dany labored for every breath she took. He really did a number on her this time and even though she hadn't seen herself in the mirror yet, she knew she looked as bad as she felt. Walking into the parking lot, she looked for an easy mark so she wouldn't have to drag her butt home. Spotting a midde-aged bald man climbing out of a Benz at her left, she shouted to get his attention. When she got close enough, she clocked him in the face, grabbed his keys, and got into his car, all without breaking stride. Driving out of the lot, she burst out laughing when she saw the guy struggling to his feet in the rearview mirror. She was almost, almost tempted to drive back and smack him around some more but decided against it at the last second. She had to fix herself up first and then there was someone she needed to see.

The same man who had been the cause for Dany's brief hospital stay sat in a fashionable outdoor cafe browsing through the sports section of the Times while taking occasional sips of his Turkish coffee.

"Rhygil."

He looked up when his name was spoken and gave a small nod to the woman who seated herself across from him. "Anne, it's a pleasure to see you again."

She was dressed in a dark blue skirt and suit that fitted her like it were a second skin. Charcoal black hair flowed down her back matching the exact color of her eyes which had never been accused of ever sparkling.

"We both know how you feel about me and pleasure is definitely not one of those feelings so why don't we just cut the bull. I have to be out of here in fifteen minutes."

"As you wish," he acquiesed with narrowed eyes.

"I assume you've found the girl," she resumed after brushing off the waiter.

"It wasn't very hard. She's not one to break far from her nature and that nature demands a certain amount of...violence in regular quantities."

"And..."

"And nothing. The prophesy is coming to bear, humanity will soon cower in fear, yada, yada, yada...Stop me if you've heard this before."

"You're getting sarcastic in your old age. So tell me, are you so sure on the issue that you would have me inform Him? You know how He gets if His employees disappoint ."

"What makes you even _think_ that He'll be disappointed?" Rhygil asked in an irritated tone. "Daenerys is the One. The signs all point to it. When she turns the Other, we will have all power over this dominion."

"For once, I do hope you're right. Now if you'll excuse me, I have another appointment." Anne got up and left as abruptly as she had arrived, leaving a quietly seething Rhygil to his own devices. As soon as she got into her car, she immediately made a call on the cell.

"Hello, it's Anne...Yes, I just spoke to him. He says our goal is on target...Yes Sir, I understand. The preparations will be in order by the end of the day."

Faith laid with her head resting on Buffy's chest and an arm loosely holding her waist. The blonde slayer was idly playing with a lock of brown hair while running her other hand over Faith's back. They would have been the picture of contentment if it weren't for all the issues and unanswered questions swirling around in their heads. Neither of them wanted to be the first to bring up the bad stuff but it had to be addressed sooner or later so Faith bit the bullet and asked the question that had been bugging her for awhile now. "So why did you shoot me?" She instantly felt Buffy's hands stop their motion which almost made her wish she had just kept her mouth shut. However, the question was already out and she wanted an answer. "And don't give me a speech that you've been practising for the last week. I want you to tell me exactly what you were thinking when you fired that arrow." She pulled herself up so that she was looking down into Buffy's eyes.

"I...I just wanted you guys to stop. You were about to kill him Faith---"

"He woulda done the same to me if he had half the chance."

"If he had that chance, I would have aimed for him. I didn't want to see either one of you hurt. And it killed me to hurt you...especially you."

Faith rolled over onto her back after staring speechlessly at the other slayer. Well that didn't make her feel much better but she had asked for the truth. "I don't know what you expect me to do. I can't just forget it happened...I can't, okay?"

"I know honey," Buffy assured her lover as she placed a small kiss on one shoulder. "But no more running. Remember, you promised me. We can work it out Faith...we _will_ work it out."

"Who was that woman I saw you with yesterday?" Faith asked, changing subjects abruptly. She didn't want to talk about her promise anymore having never been good at fulfilling obligations anyway.

"Yesterday?" Buffy hedged nervously.

"Yeah, B. I saw you two right outside my window. Don't tell me she's just a friend 'cause I saw the way she touched you."

"Faith, I didn't even _know_ her until yesterday. She just came up to me..."

"And you just left with her?!"

"Why do you do this?" Buffy asked angrily as she sat up. "You always have to find something to argue about. Why can't you just take my word for it?"

"Why do _I_ do it?" Faith repeated incredulously as she got up off the bed. "I wouldn't have to bring this shit up if you didn't always screw me over like I was some cheap ass ho. What's the deal this time, huh? You gonna break my heart again. It's gonna get old fast if you go with the same routine each time B."

"I'm sick of this!" The older slayer got off the bed and started collecting her clothes from various parts of the room. "I'm sick of feeling guilty all the time. I'm sick of your accusations. I'm sick of the fact that you never trust me enough to believe me when I say I'm so in love with you that I would give up one of the most important people in my life just to be with you." Buffy stood in front of Faith, oblivious to the tears running down her face. *God, Giles. What have I done?* I can apologize for how things turned out but I'm not about to apologize for what I had to do...I don't know what else you want from me Faith. Tell me what you want!"

"I want you out of my life! That's what I want...Can you do that for me B? Can you get the fuck out of here and never come back 'cause I'm tired of hearing you bitch and moan all the time."

Buffy didn't answer as she walked out the door without a backward glance.

Where was the love? So she didn't pay her rent for a couple of weeks. Did that skanky ho of a landlord have to throw all her stuff out into the street? She swore, if she ever saw him, he'd be a dead man...a fucking dead man. Kicking over the floor lamp, she walked aimlessly down the street. At least she hadn't kept anything important in the apartment but it still sucked Where was she gonna go anyway? She felt like shit, she probably looked like shit and she had no idea where to go. The Benz she had "borrowed" was ditched a couple of blocks away so she decided to go in that direction. After a couple of minutes, she had to lean up against a wall to catch a second wind. And that's when she saw her.

"Buffy...Hey Buffy!" The blonde looked up with a startled expression and, upon spotting Dany, hurried over.

"Dany? Are you all right? What happened?"

"I could ask you the same thing," she said cupping Buffy's tear-stained face with one hand.

"It's...nothing" came the unconvincing reply as she wiped the rest of the tears away. "C'mon, let me help you. You can barely stand up."

Dany accepted the offered assistance gratefully, deciding not to pressure the other girl about her disheveled state. It was wonderful to be in the blonde's presence again. To tell the truth, she had missed her like crazy ever since yesterday which was pretty darn unusual since she had always figured herself to be somewhat of a loner. Buffy helped Dany to her own apartment once she found out that the brunette had been evicted. Helping her onto the unmade bed, Buffy continued apologising for the mess the room was in. Dany pulled the slayer down next to her, effectively quieting her for a moment.

"Forget the room. I've been in far worse places. Believe me, this is heaven...especially since you're here," Dany added staring earnestly into her companion's eyes. "I don't know if you've noticed...it'd be kinda hard not to, but I like you. I _really_ like you." She took hold of one of Buffy's hands and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles. Slowly leaning in, Dany gave her every chance to back away but the blonde remained rooted to the spot. The kiss continued on in a leisurely fashion as they became familar with each other. Eventually forced to come up for air, they separated reluctantly.

Buffy didn't know why she was kissing a woman she had just met yesterday---the subject of which had caused her falling out with Faith earlier. But when it came to Dany, everything seemed so natural, so right. It almost felt like they were made for each other...they fit so perfectly. It was nothing like her relationship with Faith. There was no tension, no overly complicated history, no reason why they shouldn't continue what they were doing. That is, no reason except for the fact that it all felt so wrong. She briefly wondered how a kiss could feel right and wrong at the same time. Pushing off the bed, she turned away from the brunette.

"Buffy?"

"I can't do it---I'm sorry."

Dany got up painfully and walked up behind the slayer. "Buffy, we don't have to do anything you don't want to. I'm sorry--"

"No," Buffy interrupted whirling around. "No, don't be sorry. I want to, I do, but there's someone else."

"Someone...else?" The thought of Buffy being involved with someone else had never entered her mind. They belonged together. She had realized this fact since the first time they had met. So why would anything as insignificant as the blonde's availability in the dating arena trouble her? They _would_ be together regardless of who tried to stand in their way.

"It's kind of complicated. Faith---that's her---we had a huge argument today, right before I saw you actually. I don't know what's going to happen with us but...it's just too soon for me. I really like you Dany. I've never felt this way with anybody before but I can't. Not yet."

"Don't worry about it Buffy. I'm not going anywhere unless you kick my ass out of here. I'd wait forever for you. You're worth it."

The slayer smiled as she sat Dany back down on the bed. Rummaging for some bandages and clean towels, she proceeded to patch the other woman up.

Faith sat motionlessly on the bed. She didn't know how long she had remained in this position---probably since Buffy left, or more accurately, stormed out. She should feel sad, angry, depressed even at how the blonde had just walked out of her life yet again, only a few hours after burrowing her way back in. She should feel something right? But it was as if some sort of barrier had been erected around her nerve endings and all the emotions and sensations were being filtered through a maximum security checkpoint manned by an anal retentive guards. Nothing was getting through. She flopped back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. This was kinda like how she felt in that weirdo dream she had right before Buffy came and hauled her butt out of there. She still didn't know if that had been real or not. The other slayer hadn't said anything about it so Faith hadn't brought it up either. A knock at the door disturbed her idle musings, rousing her back to reality again. Jumping up to answer the door, she nearly flung it off its hinges in her enthusiasm.

"B, I'm sorry. I didn't..." The apology was out of her mouth before her brain processed what she was saying or who was standing outside her room.

"Who the fuck are you?"

The man in the expensive looking threads smiled at the unusual greeting. "People call me Rhygil."

"Well, I'll call you dead if you're here to try to sell me some crap."

"Not exactly. I'm here about your girlfriend---the other slayer."

After receiving no reply or visible response from Faith, Rhygil continued on unfazed, "I'm sure you're aware of the fact that she's been consorting with someone else...maybe I'm talking to the wrong person. Can you direct me to someone who might actually care if Buffy is in danger?"

He quickly found himself grabbed by the throat, dragged into the room, and pinned against the now closed door as soon as the mocking question left his lips.

"I'm not in the mood for any guessing games," Faith sneered as she leaned close to his ear." Tell me what you have to say or I start beating the shit out of you. Which will it be?"

"My sources were way off when they said you had few social graces---You obviously have none to speak of. You know--"

He was cut off by a hand that clamped down tightly on his throat. "Are you deaf as well as ugly? Let's do this once more. Try to be smarter this time."

This was an outrage. To be bullied around by a girl, even if she was the key to his plan, just didn't sit well in his view. But there would be plenty of time to punish her for her transgressions later. For now, he'd just have to play along with this little game---make her think she had the upper hand even though she was being played like a finely tuned instrument.

"You're right, of course, I apologize for my behavior. Your friend is in serious trouble. The woman she's been seeing is no ordinary mortal. She is a half-breed, part demon, part human. She plans to use Buffy to open a gateway to hell."

"And how do you know this?"

"There are many ways in which to learn useful information. All one has to do is keep ones ears open."

Faith didn't like his cryptic answer but her thoughts were jumping around too much to confront him about it. She knew that woman was bad news from the first time she saw her and the fact that she was pawing Buffy at the time had nothing to do with that assessment---not much anyway. But now, she had proof. Granted, it came in the form of a sleazy looking dirtbag, but it was something. Buffy would have to listen to her now. The only problem was, Faith didn't have the slightest clue where the blonde was staying. She returned her attention to the man in front of her.

"Do you know where they are?"

Rhygil reached into his inside pocket and took out a piece of paper with an address on it.

"You're coming with me," she said already reaching for the doorknob.

"I'm afraid that's not possible. If Dany sees me, my cover will be blown and my status as an informant will be in jeopardy. Isn't it to your advantage to have a live informant, rather than a dead one?"

Not really feeling up to dragging this piece of shit across town and have him whining in her ear the entire way, Faith reached past him and opened the door.

"My number's on the paper if you need to reach me," Rhygil yelled to the departing slayer. An almost exuberant grin bubbled up to his face at the prospect of what was going to happen next. Too bad he was going to have to miss it but there were more important wheels to bring into motion.

Continued here.