Part 24<\/b><\/p>\n
Wesley studied the stack of papers, absently noting the way Buffy hovered over the injured vampire. \u201cThis is quite fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy looked at her official watcher with annoyance and disgust. \u201cIn case you haven\u2019t noticed Angel has been shot with an arrow. If Faith was a better shot, he\u2019d be dust right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you quite sure it was Faith?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m positive, Giles. She is so going to pay for this. She has a serious ass kicking coming her way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the pain he was in, Angel wanted to relieve the tension in the room. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what was worse about my night, an arrow through the chest or being a passenger while Buffy was driving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou drove?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was I supposed to do, Giles? Angel was hurt and I still had to get all those papers here for you to look at. Angel had Cordelia\u2019s father\u2019s car.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s not like I hit anything. I think I did a really good job.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just have to remember that you\u2019re supposed to stop at a stop sign.\u201d Angel gritted his teeth when Buffy\u2019s strong hands ripped the arrow free. \u201cYou didn\u2019t even pause.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in a hurry.\u201d Buffy finally glanced around the room now that she knew Angel would be fine. A part of her had been afraid the wood shaft might graze his heart as she removed the arrow. \u201cWhere is everyone? It\u2019s a little early to call it a night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles and Wesley exchanged nervous glances.<\/p>\n
Angel noticed. \u201cWhere\u2019s Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe took a few books home with her as did Xander. Willow and Oz decided to use her computer at home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy went home?\u201d He glanced at his wound. \u201cI guess its better she didn\u2019t see me with an arrow through my chest, but I expected her to wait for me here.\u201d He couldn\u2019t keep the whine from his voice. Giles\u2019s guilty expression went unnoticed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ll go home.\u201d A small smile graced his lips before he remembered Buffy was in the room. He reluctantly banished the image of a beautiful brunette bathing him from his mind. He didn\u2019t want to rub his happiness in his former love\u2019s face. \u201cI should probably clean out this wound.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can do that. You don\u2019t have to leave yet.\u201d Buffy refused to think about his use of the word \u2018home\u2019 in relation to Cordelia\u2019s house.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s okay.\u201d Angel tried to rise but a wave of nausea struck. He braced his hand on the table. \u201cI\u2026\u201d His knees started to buckle. \u201cWhat\u2026\u201d Before he could fall back into his chair, he fell forward, crumpling to the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Buffy gently rolled him onto his back. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPoison,\u201d came out in a whisper before he lost consciousness.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh god, Giles. Do something.\u201d Tears gathered in her eyes. \u201cI can\u2019t lose him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles crouched beside the unconscious vampire. \u201cWe\u2019ll figure this out.\u201d He glanced over his shoulder at Wesley who was now studying the blood-covered arrow. \u201cWhat are you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll need to run a few tests. I\u2019ll contact the Watchers\u2019 Council. I am quite confident they will be able to identify the poison Faith used.\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded his agreement. \u201cWe should move him. We can\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll take him to the mansion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I think he would prefer we take him to Cordelia\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n
His apologetic tone didn\u2019t pacify Buffy. \u201cI WILL take him to the mansion. It\u2019s closer and it IS his home. Angel said he wanted to go home so that\u2019s where we\u2019ll take him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles chose not to argue. \u201cVery well. I\u2019ll call Cordelia. She can meet us there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat can she do?\u201d Angry eyes peered over at Wesley. \u201cDon\u2019t you have some tests to run right now? Call Willow. She can help.\u201d She glanced back at Giles. \u201cWillow will actually be useful to Angel right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy wrapped an unresponsive arm around her shoulders and stood, slightly staggering under the weight of Angel\u2019s bulky form. \u201cAre you coming, Giles?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he said with a resigned sigh. \u201cWesley, please call Cordelia and tell her to meet us at the mansion. Don\u2019t mention the poison over the phone. I don\u2019t want her getting into a car accident. I\u2019ll explain the situation when she arrives. Willow can perform the appropriate tests. I suggest you continue scanning the Professor\u2019s papers until she has finished.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley chose not to balk at being ordered about. \u201cI will take care of it. I suggest you hurry. It seems Miss Summers is leaving you behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles rushed after Buffy who\u2019d already left the library.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia raced through the mansion. \u201cAngel! Angel!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, calm down.\u201d Giles tried to keep his voice soothing, aware of frantic hazel eyes searching the dark corners of the mansion as if Angel might appear from the shadows at any moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is he? Why the hell did you bring him here? Why didn\u2019t you bring him to my house? Wesley said Faith shot him with an arrow. Why did you need to drive him here for that? He\u2019s been through worse. What aren\u2019t you telling me? What the hell is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTake a breath and I\u2019ll explain. I didn\u2019t want Wesley to explain over the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her legs suddenly gave way and she collapsed on the couch. \u201cHe\u2019s not\u2026\u201d She couldn\u2019t finish her question. A sob choked in her throat.<\/p>\n
Giles crouched in front of her and clasped her hands. They felt like ice. His large warm hands began rubbing them. \u201cAngel was shot in the chest with an arrow. It narrowly missed his heart. Buffy believes Faith was responsible and I am inclined to agree with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
She forced words out of her clogged throat. \u201cSo he\u2019s okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems the arrow was poisoned. I just spoke to Wesley. Willow has already arrived and is running tests. The Council has almost every poison known to man or demon on file.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlmost?\u201d She shook off her fear. Angel needed her to be strong. \u201cWhere is he? I need to be with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in his bedroom. I feel I must warn you. He\u2019s lost consciousness and he\u2019s paler than normal.\u201d He added in a quieter tone, \u201cBuffy is with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy does that not surprise me? I\u2019ll bet bringing him here was her idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mansion is closer to the school, which is where he was when we became aware of the poison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. It\u2019s closer by like what? A mile? We both know why she brought him here.\u201d She glanced around the room. \u201cI\u2019ve only been here once. Where is Angel\u2019s bedroom?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy dabbed Angel\u2019s face with a cool damp cloth. His skin felt hot beneath her fingertips. He hadn\u2019t regained consciousness and only moans escaped his lips. \u201cYou can\u2019t leave me, Angel. You have to wake up. Talk to me, please!\u201d A gasp made her head turn. She watched all the color drain from Cordelia\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Cordelia rushed across the room, ignoring the blonde sitting beside her boyfriend\u2019s inert form. She sat on the edge of the bed and cradled his pale hauntingly beautiful face. \u201cHe\u2019s burning up.\u201d She grabbed the damp cloth from Buffy\u2019s hand and took over bathing his face with cool water. \u201cHas he woken up at all?\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles noticed Buffy\u2019s face turn red in anger at being practically shoved aside. He took a step forward hoping no violence would ensue but preparing to interfere should anything happen. \u201cNo he hasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I\u2019m here.\u201d Her free hand cupped his cheek. \u201cOpen your eyes for me, baby. Let me see those beautiful brown eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not\u2014\u201d Buffy froze at the sound of Angel\u2019s hoarse voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here.\u201d She smiled and brushed a tear off her cheek.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou forgot to duck, dumbass.\u201d A half-chuckle half-sob bubbled up her throat. \u201cI think you\u2019re still a little rusty with the whole fighting thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
He managed to place his hand on top of her hand covering his cheek. \u201cI think I did an okay job. I\u2019m not dust.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t joke about that! Not ever!\u201d Tears streamed down her face as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.<\/p>\n
Angel soothingly stroked her back. \u201cShh. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d It finally occurred to him where he was. \u201cHow did I get here? The last thing I remember I was at the library. I was about to go home. What am I doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI brought you home.\u201d Buffy motioned around the room. \u201cWe didn\u2019t want you to be trapped in the library once the sun came up. Willow and Wesley are working on identifying the poison Faith used. We\u2019re going to find a cure and then we\u2019re going to stop the Mayor. Together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPoison?\u201d As if in response to his question, a flash of white hot pain seared his chest. His hands, holding Cordelia close, nearly crushed her as his muscles seized in response to the pain.<\/p>\n
Cordelia struggled to breathe until his grip began to relax. She remained silent despite her bruised ribs. Her attention was focused on Angel\u2019s pain. \u201cGiles, we have to do something. Call Wesley. Maybe he\u2019s found something.\u201d Her heart ached watching her lover succumb to unconsciousness. \u201cI can\u2019t lose him, Giles. I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy backed off the bed. The walls were closing in on her. Angel barely even looked at her. He only had eyes for Cordelia. Cordelia was the one he held. Cordelia was the one he comforted. Cordelia was the one he woke up for. Buffy rushed out of the room, following Giles.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Willow stared at the results of her tests.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you were done?\u201d<\/p>\n
She glanced up at Xander. \u201cI am. There\u2019s just something familiar about this formula.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou study poison a lot, do you? Should I be worried?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her lips twitched to form a weak smile. \u201cI work with a lot of herbs and such for my spells. I borrowed a few books from Giles about poison. I didn\u2019t want to poison myself.\u201d She shrugged her shoulders at Xander\u2019s blank stare.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome spells require you drink stuff that doesn\u2019t smell or look very good.\u201d She returned her attention to the papers in front of her. \u201cI\u2019ve seen this before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oz walked up behind and squeezed her shoulders. \u201cWesley is on the phone with the Council. I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll know what this is and how to cure it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we don\u2019t know how long Angel has and Wesley has been gone for awhile. If I could remember where I saw this, we could cure Angel sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, Will. Why don\u2019t Xander and I go get all the books on poisons you read? Write down a list. We\u2019ll get them while you keep using that beautiful brain to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Oz.\u201d She quickly completed the list and handed it to him. \u201cI\u2019m almost positive it\u2019s was in one of these.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK. We\u2019ll be right back.\u201d Oz and Xander left the chemistry lab and headed for the library.<\/p>\n
Xander waited until they were out of earshot. \u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m spending my night trying to cure the vampire that stole my girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d rather let him die?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I\u2019m mainly all talk. I don\u2019t really want him dead. Besides I don\u2019t think Buffy or Cordy could handle that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re an okay guy, Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s face lit up with a smile. \u201cWelcome back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long have I been out?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her lower lip trembled. \u201cAwhile. How are you feeling? Are you.. are you still in pain?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked up into Cordelia\u2019s anguished eyes. \u201cCordy, if I don\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe never finished our talk this morning,\u201d she rushed. \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about our future a lot. My parents are coming home in few days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I don\u2019t think Daddy will let you live in the house with me.\u201d Tears slid down her cheeks unheeded. \u201cI\u2019ve given this a lot of thought and I don\u2019t want to be without you. Your home is my home.\u201d Her throat tightened preventing her from continuing. Weak arms enveloped her, holding her to his unusually warm chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, if I don\u2019t make it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
She struggled out of his arms. \u201cNo! Don\u2019t say that! I won\u2019t listen. You promised me I wasn\u2019t going to lose you, not to Faith and not to the Mayor. I intend to hold you to that. You are going to get better. That\u2019s not up for debate. We\u2019re talking about where we\u2019re going to live after my parents come home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, baby.\u201d He urged her back into his arms. \u201cYou could live here with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI considered that and I\u2019m willing to do that.\u201d She lifted her head to meet his eyes. \u201cWhat if we start over somewhere new instead?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t like the mansion?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean somewhere other than Sunnydale. What if we moved to Los Angeles? We could start a new life together without anyone expecting us to apologize for loving one another. I\u2019m sure there are plenty of baddies for you to save the world from and I can work towards my inevitable stardom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy stardom, I\u2019ll be a rich and famous actress, and you\u2019ll be the handsome mysterious hero. You\u2019ve already got the one-name thing working for you. Things will be tight at first. I don\u2019t know what your bank account is like but mine will be pretty empty once my father cuts me off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be with you, Angel. The money isn\u2019t important. I can survive, especially if I have you.\u201d Her voice grew thick, \u201cI need you.\u201d She burrowed deeper into his arms. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur apartment would have to have sewer access so I could move around during the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia wiped her tears away. \u201cI have some artwork my grandfather left me that I can sell. We\u2019ll need to buy a car. Mine is in my father\u2019s name.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t need to sell anything. I have a car. It\u2019s a classic.\u201d He thought a moment. \u201cI can drive you anywhere you want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that your subtle way of saying you won\u2019t let me drive your car?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a classic car.\u201d He tensed as pain radiated through his body.<\/p>\n
Cordelia held Angel\u2019s rigid form tighter wishing she could take his pain away. \u201cOK. I won\u2019t drive your car, but I think it\u2019s unfair to go to this extreme to win an argument.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laughter rumbled through Angel\u2019s chest despite the pain.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Wesley was grateful that only Buffy and Giles were present when he arrived at the mansion. He couldn\u2019t bear to face Cordelia. She was the one person who befriended him; she didn\u2019t dismiss immediately for not being Rupert Giles.<\/p>\n
Not that disappointing his slayer wasn\u2019t tearing him up inside. Despite his father\u2019s assurance of failure, he truly aspired to become a respected and useful watcher. He just hadn\u2019t been prepared for two unorthodox slayers with a propensity to not take orders. \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s resting. Cordelia is sitting with him.\u201d Giles cautiously glanced at Buffy. She had fled Angel\u2019s bedside. Watching her former love\u2019s response to another woman had been too much. She had obviously wanted to be there in his time of need but she hadn\u2019t been the one wanted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you find out? Was the Council able to help?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council\u2019s orders are that we return our attention to the Mayor\u2019s ascension.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI found it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander and Oz rushed to Willow\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s called\u2026 oh. It\u2019s called the \u2018killer of the dead\u2019.\u201d Sad eyes looked up from the aged pages.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. \u2018Killer of the dead\u2019 wouldn\u2019t happen to mean something other than, you know killer of the dead, would it?\u201d Xander knew the answer by Willow\u2019s pain-stricken expression. \u201cWell there\u2019s got to be a cure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oz\u2019s eyebrow shot up but his stoic nature quickly returned. \u201cI guess we have more research to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked away her tears. Angel\u2019s strength had left him again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s sleeping. Giles, I think\u2026\u201d A lump formed in her throat making it difficult to speak. \u201cI think he\u2019s getting worse. We were talking about\u2026 about our future. I think I may have pushed him too hard because he passed out again. He\u2019s hurting. He\u2019s in so much pain. I don\u2019t know what to do. Have you\u2026 is there any word yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley just left.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Why didn\u2019t you get me? What did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, it seems the Council is unwilling to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d The room spun. \u201cI don\u2019t understand. Wesley wouldn\u2019t\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley tried to convince them to help,\u201d at least he hoped the pounce tried. \u201cThey are unwilling to help a vampire that was once\u2026 Their priority is human life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFuck that! It was a human that did this!\u201d She gestured wildly at her unconscious vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m well aware of that, as is Wesley, but the Council, they\u2019re cold-hearted bastards. They only see a vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia struggled to breathe. A whorl of thoughts raced through her mind. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t make sense. They have to realize Angel would be an asset in stopping the Mayor and they have to know that if Angel were to\u2026 Buffy wouldn\u2019t exactly be in top form. Maybe Buffy should call them. She\u2019s the slayer. They have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy has quit the Council. She\u2019ll no longer be following any of their orders.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? This doesn\u2019t\u2026 I don\u2019t understand. That idiot who fired you had to know Buffy would react badly. Why would they hold out on us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure. The others are still working on finding a cure. Buffy has gone to help them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s shivering drew Cordelia\u2019s attention. She shifted on the bed to pull the covers over him. \u201cI have to do something, Giles. I can\u2019t just sit here and watch him\u2026\u201d She couldn\u2019t say the words.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to\u2026 Giles, I know this is a lot to ask. I mean Angelus tortured you less than a hundred feet from this room, but will you take care of Angel for me. I need to do something or I\u2019m going to go crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t deny her tortured eyes, but he couldn\u2019t help remarking, \u201cThe changes I\u2019ve come to see in you never cease to amaze me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles couldn\u2019t admit that Buffy had made the same request only moments ago but without considering how difficult it was for him to be in the mansion again. He\u2019d reasoned she was too distraught but so was Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate your concern but I\u2019ll be fine. I believe the others are still in the chemistry lab researching.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Giles.\u201d Cordelia brushed a kiss across Angel\u2019s trembling lips. \u201cI\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d She glanced in Giles\u2019s direction. \u201cIf he wakes up while I\u2019m gone, remind him I\u2019m holding him to his promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Willow nervously glanced up from her computer screen. One moment Oz had been reading a passage from one of Giles\u2019s ancient texts and the next she, Willow Rosenberg, was willingly becoming an accessory to murder. She tried not to think about it. She tried to pretend that this was just like the million other times she\u2019d hacked for information that Buffy needed.<\/p>\n
Only this time WAS different. This time she was searching for an address for a human. A human Buffy intended to kill and feed to her ex-boyfriend.<\/p>\n
Oz could see the tension radiating off his girlfriend. He slipped his arms around her waist. \u201cDo you want me to do the search for you?\u201d<\/p>\n
She leaned back into his comforting embrace. \u201cI don\u2019t want Angel to die.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.<\/p>\n
Willow watched Buffy gather weapons while Xander hovered anxiously over her, talking quietly. \u201cI still think we should call Giles and Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know but you heard what Buffy said. Giles will try to stop her. He won\u2019t be able to stand back and let her do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know but Cordy has a right to know what we found out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI doubt Buffy will see it that way.\u201d Oz buried his nose in Willow\u2019s hair. \u201cI think Cordelia would want us to do whatever we had to do to save Angel, but I\u2019ll go call her if you want me to.\u201d<\/p>\n
She took a deep breath. \u201cNo. Giles is with her and Buffy\u2019s right about his reaction. Cordy would do anything for Angel.\u201d Willow began pecking away at the keyboard again. \u201cI found her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oz kissed her cheek. \u201cI knew you would.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter Faith is dead, we\u2019re going to have deal with the roles we all played.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you find anything, Will?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d she handed her friend the printout. Wishing Buffy good luck somehow didn\u2019t seem appropriate. \u201cBe careful.\u201d Willow silently watched her best friend, her confidante, her hero leave to go kill a troubled, psychotic, extremely dangerous, teenage human girl.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy knew Angel didn\u2019t have much time but she still did a sweep of the area surrounding the building Faith lived in. It would be hard enough beating a fellow slayer. She had to be sure the Mayor didn\u2019t have any lackeys in the vicinity.<\/p>\n
She also needed to be sure there wasn\u2019t anyone who would see her leave with the body. Once she finished her sweep, she quietly entered the building.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia pushed the library doors open and headed straight for the cage.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have time for you, Xander.\u201d She began rummaging through Giles\u2019s weapons supply.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Xander tried to see what Cordelia was loading into the bag she had draped over her shoulder. \u201cWe figured out what Faith poisoned Angel with.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe \u2018killer of the dead\u2019 I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat don\u2019t you get about \u2018I don\u2019t have time for you, Xander\u2019? I\u2019m in a hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you might like to know what the cure is but I guess I was wrong. Don\u2019t worry though. Buffy has already gone to get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Cordelia spun around, her eyes flashing. \u201cBuffy went after Faith?\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander nodded mutely.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat stupid bitch! Doesn\u2019t she ever stop to think?\u201d Cordelia brushed past Xander and approached Willow, who seemed to be burrowing into Oz\u2019s arms. \u201cWhere did you send her?\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow lifted her head. \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy? Where did you send her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, you can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up, Xander! Willow, please help me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow nodded slowly and printed out the same information she\u2019d given Buffy. She\u2019d no sooner handed the distraught brunette the paper then Cordelia raced out of the library like she were being chased by demons.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we please call Giles NOW?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy refused to think of Faith as human. She was the monster that tried to kill the man Buffy loved. Buffy was just seeing justice served. Faith had created the situation. Faith had made her own death necessary. Buffy was doing what had to be done. She was NOT a killer.<\/p>\n
Every punch thrown, every kick rendered were done with full force. Buffy wasn\u2019t holding back anymore. She might think about the parallel if she weren\u2019t in a fight to the death. After all, she\u2019d held back in all her fights with Angelus until she had no choice but to kill him, just as she\u2019d held back in her fights with Faith until now when she had to kill her too.<\/p>\n
The main difference would be that Angel hadn\u2019t stayed dead but Faith would.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you really think you can kill me, B? I don\u2019t think you have it in you to become a killer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou threw your life away the moment you poisoned Angel.\u201d Buffy fist connected sending Faith through the air only to slam into the wall.<\/p>\n
Faith wiped the blood dripping down her chin away with the back of her hand. \u201cHe\u2019s a vampire, B and I slay vampires. Why are you so upset anyway? I saw how cozy your boy, Angel was with the cheerleader. You should be thanking me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith was a little surprised by the array of emotion that passed through Buffy\u2019s features before the blonde slayer charged her like a wild animal.<\/p>\n
Buffy threw every kick, every punch, every combination that Giles had ever taught her. She wanted this done and done quickly.<\/p>\n
Faith managed to deflect Buffy last kick and begin an attack of her own. There was no way she was going to be fed to a vampire. She wasn\u2019t going out like that. She was better than that. She was better than Buffy.<\/p>\n
A vicious kick to Buffy\u2019s throat sent the blonde flying and crashing through Faith\u2019s glass coffee table. \u201cWas it good for you, Buff?\u201d She leaped over the couch intending to land on Buffy but Buffy flipped up onto her feet.<\/p>\n
Buffy caught Faith mid-air with a roundhouse kick to the stomach. \u201cWell THAT felt good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith scrambled to her feet before Buffy could attack again. \u201cLet\u2019s quit playin\u2019 games.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t agree more.\u201d Buffy pulled a dagger out of her waistband.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s nice,\u201d her hand reached under a cushion on her couch, \u201cbut mine\u2019s bigger.\u201d She pulled out the knife the Mayor had given her. She twisted it, allowing the pristine blade to catch the light. \u201cYou ready to play with the big kids, B?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGod you both have too much testosterone for your own good.\u201d Before either could register her words or her presence, Cordelia pulled the trigger.<\/p>\n
Faith looked down in shock before crumpling to the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrab her and let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Buffy\u2019s gaze kept darting between the fallen slayer and Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI shot her with the tranq gun Giles keeps in the library for Oz.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cQuestions later. Angel is running out of time. Now grab her and let\u2019s go. My car is downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy complied. She was still too stunned to think straight, although she thought to grab Faith\u2019s knife as well. It really was bigger.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cGood lord! You killed her. Willow called me but I didn\u2019t believe you\u2019d actually take a human life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not dead, Giles.\u201d Buffy dumped the still unconscious slayer on the couch. \u201cCordelia showed up and shot her with a tranquillizer dart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know and so far she isn\u2019t answering my questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t want to go through it twice.\u201d Cordelia glanced around the room. \u201cWhere\u2019s Wesley?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI fired him. Now I want some answers before I get really pissed off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you going to kill me too, Buffy? Have you decided killing humans isn\u2019t really a big deal anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no choice. Angel needs to drain the blood of a slayer. Faith poisoned him. It\u2019s only right that Faith cures him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what about Angel? Do you really think he\u2019d be okay with being responsible for another human death?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith is a killer!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah and I\u2019m sure the former \u2018Scourge of Europe\u2019 would have no problems with that distinction.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy crossed her arms defensively. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t be responsible for her death if she were already dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow there\u2019s brilliant logic! Did you come up with that by yourself, Buffy? You don\u2019t think Angel would have a problem with his former girlfriend turning herself into a killer for his sake?\u201d She rolled her eyes. \u201cHave you even met Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel is DYING! Do you even care?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I do,\u201d her calm tone was betrayed by a slight tremble in her voice. \u201cBut I love Angel enough to think before I act.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles put a restraining arm on Buffy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWhat exactly is your plan, Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d show you but Wesley still isn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here.\u201d Wesley hurried into the room. He set his bags down on the couch Faith was sprawled on. \u201cI\u2019ll get started right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Wes. I knew I could count on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell is going on? What the hell is he doing here? I want answers and I want them NOW!\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles squeezed Buffy\u2019s shoulder, trying to calm the agitated girl. \u201cI repeat, what exactly is your plan, Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording to the Council, Angel doesn\u2019t actually have to drain a slayer. He only needs 6 pints of slayer\u2019s blood to cure him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly? The average human body contains 10 to 12 pints of blood. Even with a slayer\u2019s healing abilities, that could kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what?\u201d Buffy\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cWait a minute. What do you mean \u2018according to the Council\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean according to what the Council told me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would they help you when they refused to help me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m starting to believe you really are a natural blonde.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s hands clenched into fists but she remained silent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council knew the only cure was the blood of a slayer. Now let\u2019s think about this real hard. Why would they not want to tell you? Could it be because they thought you might go out and kill Faith and feed her to Angel? I mean they already had one homicidal slayer. What\u2019s another one in the grand scheme of things?<\/p>\n
Or maybe they thought you\u2019d force Angel to feed from you and quite possibly die in the process leaving the hellmouth vulnerable to the Mayor and Faith? What WERE they thinking?\u201d Cordelia ignored Buffy and glanced at Wesley.<\/p>\n
Giles kept a wary eye on Buffy. \u201cNone of this changes the fact that Faith could still very well die. 6 pints is a lot of blood to lose.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh! As a non-blonde I realize that.\u201d Cordelia nodded to Wesley. \u201cRoll up your sleeve, Buffy. You\u2019re donor number two. The Council assured me it would only be a matter of hours for a slayer to recover from a blood loss of three pints.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy collapsed next to Faith. She felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. No one had to die.<\/p>\n
Wesley worked quickly, grateful his training had prepared him to perform this task, although not with this particular situation in mind. After Buffy\u2019s blood began to flow through the tube, he returned to Faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose I can understand why the Council was less than cooperative given what the cure entailed, but I still don\u2019t understand why they were willing to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey weren\u2019t at first, but I was very persuasive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m done with Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Wes.\u201d Cordelia braced herself for Giles\u2019s reaction. \u201cI cut a deal with one of the uppity ups.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI beg your pardon. A member of the Council accepted a bribe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot exactly.\u201d Cordelia nodded to Wesley\u2019s questioning look.<\/p>\n
\u201cGentlemen!\u201d<\/p>\n
Three men Giles recognized immediately walked into the mansion at Wesley\u2019s shout.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat have you done, Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI agreed to an exchange. They gave me the information I needed and I gave them Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
The three men only acknowledged Wesley with a nod before binding Faith\u2019s hands and feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do realize these\u2026 men may very well kill her, don\u2019t you? The last time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council says they intend to rehabilitate her. Look Giles. Faith poisoned Angel. She wanted him to suffer a slow and painful death. You have no idea what she had planned to do to me when Willow and I were captured. I\u2019m giving her a fighting chance to start over.<\/p>\n
Daddy has a holding company that operates out of LA. They have a cargo ship bound for South America leaving tonight. I arranged their passage. No one will be questioning them. The Council assures me they\u2019ll have bribed the right people by the time the ship docks. From there, the Council will have them flown to England.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s plenty of time for Faith to break free.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cThey\u2019ll keep her drugged until she\u2019s recovered from the blood loss and then they\u2019ll give her that same drug\u2026 Buffy got for her 18th birthday. She\u2019ll be alive and hopefully she\u2019ll get the serious mental help she so desperately needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched Faith being carried out. \u201cMy compassion for her ends with the part where she gets to live.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia moved to stand in front of Giles. \u201cSomething had to be done about Faith. She teamed up with the Mayor. She killed that professor. It wasn\u2019t an accident. We all know the police would never be able to handle her. We couldn\u2019t just kill her, despite Buffy\u2019s moment of insanity. Maybe my plan isn\u2019t perfect. I don\u2019t know if the Council can be trusted, but we have limited options right now. It could be a lot worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles slowly nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m done with Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s feeding time.\u201d Cordelia managed a small smile. Angel was going to be fine.<\/p>\n