Kate decided to take off just before nine, armed with a few ideas they had come up with and two beers in her. When she reached her car, she saw a dark figure sitting on the hood.
"Hey lover." Faith leaned back against the windshield her arms crossed.
Kate smiled with joy, hoping� "Hey yourself."
"You and him seemed pretty cosy in there."
"We're working on a case."
"At a bar?" Faith had seen them poring over papers.
"Sometimes it's better away from the office." Kate put down the papers she was carrying and unlocked the door. "Can I give you a ride somewhere?"
Faith hopped down and picked up the papers to hand to Kate. "You, um, you still have that invitation?"
"Always." Kate took the papers out of Faith's hand and put them in the door pocket. "Hop in."
Once they were settled Kate turned to her. "Glad you came back." Faith nodded and sat there drumming her fingers on her leg as they made their way through the streets of LA.
"Tough case?" She asked finally taking in Kate's haggard appearance.
"High-profile and international. Two of the worst things to have a case be."
"So it's made the news?" Kate nodded. "You get yourself on TV?"
"No, I'm not the highest rank on the case. Case like this and the police like to show power and strength. My lieutenant is handling all media."
"You ever been on the news?"
"Yes, a number of times." She looked over and smiled. "It's not a glamorous thing, Faith. Not when you're accounting a murder or requesting the public find someone on the loose."
"Actually I was thinking how good you would look."
"You think?" Kate laughed, happy that her Faith was back.
"Do you know you beautiful you are, Kate. Just looking at you no one would think you were a cop. Too damn sexy." Faith reached over and gave her ear a lick.
"Faith, what do you have against cops?" Kate knew this was a risky time to be asking.
"They tend to stick their noses in where they don't belong. Not a good thing for a vampire slayer."
"You've gotten caught?" Kate hoped not.
"No, close to it. Somehow I think the 'I was killing a demon' excuse wouldn't go down well." Faith wondered how much of the truth she should tell Kate. "I don't have a record, but I do have official warnings."
"For what?"
"Hugging a preacher naked."
"What!" Kate turned to Faith astounded.
"Chill. I had just saved him and his flock from three vamps."
"In the nude?"
"It was a very hot night and didn't have time to put anything on, what with lives to save and all."
"What other warnings do you have?" Kate asked with a chuckle in her voice.
"Assault with water." Kate gave her a look. "Hey I thought the old lady was a vamp."
"Old lady?" Kate laughed shaking her head.
"Well, some vamp might have a weird sense of humour in turning her." Faith shrugged. "And I also probably have whatever you do when you need to question someone over a couple of incidents."
"Incidents?"
"Break and enter, assault and a couple of other things." Faith couldn't believe she was being honest.
"Do you want me to make them go away?" Kate couldn't believe she was suggesting this, but Faith didn't need issues with the police if she was to continue slaying.
"No, I'm five by five." Faith shook her head quickly.
"You sure?"
"Wouldn't want you to get in trouble." Faith appealed to the cop in Kate, probably for the first time since she met her.
"Okay." Kate left it alone. They reached the apartment and Faith collapsed on the sofa. "When was the last time you got some sleep?"
"Night before last." Faith burrowed into the cushions, grateful for their softness.
"Let's get you to bed then." Kate pulled on Faith, encouraging her to get up.
"I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"You've been drinking, I'm too tired." Faith yanked her arm back making Kate let go.
"I didn't mean sex, Faith." Kate was glad the girl had the sense to know when enough was enough. "You need a good night's sleep�in bed. I want you to sleep in my bed with me."
"You mean just hugging and all."
"Yes." Kate sat down on the edge of the sofa near Faith's torso. "I've missed you."
"I've only been gone one night."
"Doesn't matter. I too need a good night's sleep." Kate smiled down at her.
"More nightmares?" Faith looked up into the blue eyes seeing pain behind the smile.
"So how about it? I know it most likely isn't your style, but I could really use your company."
"I'll try anything once." Faith smiled wearily and proceeded to get up and collapse on Kate's bed. She felt her shoes being pulled off, then her pants and jacket.
"Why are you stopping?" Faith rolled on her side watching Kate undress herself.
"You can do the rest." Kate moved out of the room and into the bathroom, trying to douse her arousal.
"Chicken," Faith called and took the rest of her clothes off. Kate moved back in with her PJ's on. "Aren't you gonna get naked with me?" Faith asked as she patted the covers.
"Can you handle all that?" Kate slowly unbuttoned her top knowing Faith was watching her every movement.
"I'll handle you alright. Your breasts, your nipples, your tongue, your clit�" Faith trailed off as Kate bared her chest. She whistled wondering how she ever left this. She must have been insane. Kate took off her pants quickly and got into bed, pulling the covers up over them. As their bodies slid together both women moaned and snuggled closer. After they had settled down, Kate drew Faith in for a gentle kiss.
"Don't do that to me again."
"You know I can't promise you that." Faith closed her eyes feeling Kate's skin on hers.
"I mean it, Faith. Now is not a good time to jerk me around, not that there ever is a good time. I can't do this if I keep wondering when you are going to run again."
"You're asking too much." Faith moved away a little.
"I'm not asking you declare your eternal love here, all I'm asking is for a promise you won't up and leave again with only a two line note. I was worried about where you were, what you were doing and how you were feeling," Kate admonished. "It's called courtesy. Not to mention the fact that I care about you."
"Fine," Faith sighed wearily. "I'll talk to you next time."
"Not good enough," Kate blew out a long breath. "And saying next time isn't reassuring me here."
Faith propped herself up, looking down. "I came back, didn't I?"
"For how long?" Faith turned away. "Until you get bored. Find someone else that you want to fuck."
"It's not like that," Faith insisted turning back.
"Then what is it like? Make me understand."
"I didn't FUCK you just because I wanted to. I did it because�hell we both know why we did it."
"Fill me in again?" Kate reached out for Faith's hand that was resting against her hip. When contact was made Kate managed to keep it there.
"Because we�needed�each other."
"And that's bad?" Kate felt her heart beat faster.
"No, yes, I don't know." Faith sunk back to the bed.
"Because I'm more than casual sex?"
"You care about me," Faith said taking her hand away from Kate's.
"Yes, I do. You remember when we talked about making love. You said you never had. But have you ever had sex with someone you cared for deeply, not necessarily loved?"
"Yes," Faith said anguished.
"And they cared for you as well?" Kate hoped whoever it was, that Faith had a good experience, but she doubted it.
"Yes," Faith answered in the same tone.
"Does that frighten you?" Kate moved closer so she could feel Faith's breath on her cheek. Faith nodded, too choked up to speak. "Did they hurt you?"
"No, never." Faith shook her head for emphasis.
"But it hasn't ended well?"
Faith looked at Kate, realising that the cop had no idea what Faith was going on about. "Kate, I'm talking about you, you dope. Jeez."
"Oh." Kate could have smacked herself for her ignorance.
"What did you think I was going on about?" Faith allowed herself a small smile.
"I only wanted to know why something more than sex bothered you so much."
"I think we both know the answer to that, Kate. You struggle with the same thing." When Kate gave her a doubtful look, Faith continued, "Don't deny it. We're both very closed when it comes to feelings." Kate gave her a puzzled look. "I know, I know, I don't normally go for the shrink talk, but it's true. I don't want to get hurt, you don't want too either. It's drawn us together."
"You're very perceptive, Faith," Kate sounded impressed.
"Yeah, have to be to survive. Reading people gets easy if there's no other way."
"So�" Kate didn't know what to say next.
"So," Faith closed her eyes. "Sleep." Faith rolled over bringing Kate's hand to rest against her stomach.
"Are you staying?" Kate placed a series of kisses along Faith shoulders.
"Yes." It was good enough for both of them.
The next day Kate got a call and rushed to work following a lead given by an anonymous witness. Faith found herself drifting in and out of sleep for much of the morning, catching up on lost rest. Which was ironic, she thought to herself, I've been resting for eight months and I still need more. Kate took her back unquestionably and here she was lying where Kate's naked body had been only a few hours ago. They cared for each other and Faith found herself wanting what Kate was offering her. As long as it didn't get too serious or Kate didn't find out her other crimes included murder, she'd stick around.
Bored, she looked around noticing the book she'd bought Kate on the bedside table. She thought back to the dreams she'd had just before she woke from her coma. Not remembering them in their entirety, she remembered B vividly. With HER knife. In HER stomach. Bleeding. She gulped loudly trying to keep control. She didn't want to think about Buffy, the Scoobies or the boss. The vengeance she went after had never come. B was back in her body and she was here with warrants out for her arrest. It was a miracle that the Sunnydale police hadn't widened their search for her.
Maybe she did get a little revenge, she smiled sadistically. Would B stay with that college beefstick after she found out that the guy had gotten a little roll with yours truly? She chuckled out loud at the look B would have on her face when she found out the marine wasn't so clean after all. Even though the beefstick went to church and not just to get supplies for demon fighting either. How could B even be sleeping with someone like that? And where was Angel? Did he die of the poison? She didn't think so or B would have mentioned that. He must have somehow survived. Yet, she didn't see him around Sunnydale on her quick sweep of the gang's old haunts. Maybe he had left town, but that didn't make sense at all. Riley, though, was so obviously rebound guy. Faith decided not to think about that anymore.
She turned over and faced the wall. She didn't know what she was doing. She was still angry with everyone in Sunnydale for the way they treated her before she turned to the boss, but deep inside she knew that she had taken the wrong side. Not because they had lost, but the things she did while under the mayor were wrong. Kate had showed her that she didn't have to belong to the Black Hats to be wanted and appreciated. Here was someone who had no responsibility to go out and fight demons, but she did. Not because it was her duty, not because she had special powers, but because she knew it was the right thing to do. Kate was everything Faith needed and she knew it. The cop was determined, loyal, straight up and most of all capable of caring about Faith. Kate didn't know the Faith who had been in Boston or Sunnydale, she knew the Faith that had fought by her side slaying demons, rescuing that little girl and who had helped her through the death of her father. Faith liked that Kate saw her like that. Faith, herself, also liked the person that she was in LA. She could now look herself in the mirror and not have the urge to beat herself. Maybe she didn't know what she was doing, but she had Kate to help her.
She was staying.
*******************
A week passed where they hardly saw each other. Kate was tied up in the murder case and spending long hours working. Faith spent more and more time out each night, trying to beat her kill count. She was surprised at how many demons lived in LA. But she could see the attraction. No slayer, well up until now, people whose disappearance would never be questioned and close enough to the Hellmouth if anything went down there. Well, she said out loud walking down a sewer after a good slay, party time is over, LA is my town now.
"We'll see about that," a thick voice said from one of the intersecting tunnels.
"Think you can take me?" Faith readied herself for battle.
The demon laughed as four others stepped from the shadows. "I don't know how I can lose."
Faith smirked, "I'm about to show you." She looked at the five demons and for the first time in a while she wished she thought about these things before she rushed in. Thank goodness it was still light out. She backed into another intersection hoping she could take them only on or two at a time.
She took two out easily but they must have been the weakest of the five. The next two got in a few good punches to her stomach and chest as she fought for an opening. It wasn't coming and she was getting frustrated.
"Finish her," she heard the leader tell his minions. She saw another punch coming her way and weakly tried to deflect it. It connected with her head and she rocked back, her legs giving way. No way she was going to die like this. She wasn't going to leave Kate alone to fight demons like these. She was a Slayer damn it. Playing dead she heard the two demons back off.
"Good job, I'll reward you well," the leader's voice was coming closer. Gripping her knife, she waited until she could sense the demon next to her. She swung, taking an educated guess as to where his head was. Bullseye. Rolling back and onto her feet, she swung again at the faltering demon connecting again to his face. Clutching his eyes, the demon left himself open for the kill blow and Faith never hesitated in inflicting it.
"That's for nearly killing me you son of a bitch." She turned and watched the other two demons flee. She wiped her lip, looking down to the blood that had rubbed off on her hand. She hoped she could get home before Kate did.
She wasn't so lucky. Lights were on when she got to the door. She stood outside debating the situation when she heard a door close down the hall. Not having much choice, she quietly let herself in wanting to make it to the bathroom before Kate could see her. Once again she was out of luck.
"What happened to you?" Kate rushed over to her and felt around checking for wounds.
"Three down, two still on the loose." Faith walked into the bathroom with Kate following her. "I'm five by five. Just a couple of minor cuts." Faith tried to close the door but Kate's foot stuck in the way.
"Your lip is bleeding, you have cuts on your arms and your pants have blood on them from god knows where."
"And I don't need a lecture. I've done this many times before. I know how to take care of myself." Faith took bandages from the cabinet. "Slayers heal quickly. My body will be five by five." Hell, she thought to herself, if I can survive in a coma for eight months after thinking I was never going to make it, I sure can get through a little damage from some fight. "What are you doing home this early anyway?"
Kate didn't answer watching Faith tend to her injuries. When she was satisfied the slayer wasn't seriously hurt, she crossed her arms and leaned in the doorway. "Caught the guy. Turns out he was hiding downtown in some sleazy motel. Prostitute saw his gun and a photo of the victim and called the police. Prints matched. There is no way this guy is walking."
"Ah the downfall of all men." Faith turned and smiled, "I'm proud of you." They both grinned thinking back to when Kate used those same words. "So do you get a promotion or something?"
"No, I like my Detective status just fine. Probably get a commendation or something."
"Or something? That's a big deal right?" Faith rinsed off the rest of the blood on her arms and then checked her pants. Demon blood. She stood looking at her beautiful detective.
"It's not the first."
"Still," Faith came and wrapped her arms around Kate's waist, "it's a cause for celebration. You caught the bad guy, diverted an international crisis and have the public's adoration for doing it all." She pulled her close and gave her a kiss, enjoying the little pain her throbbing lip felt.
"A quiet night at home is all I ask. I've hardly seen you all week." Kate took Faith's hand and led them to the sofa.
"You've seen a lot of me every night," Faith smirked.
"Haven't touched it much though." Kate felt herself being lifted onto Faith's lap.
"You can touch all you like." Faith took Kate's hands and guided them over her own body starting with her thighs and working their way up. When they reached Faith's breasts, she let Kate take over and returned the favour on Kate's body.
"Aren't you hungry?" Kate tilted her head back offering her neck for Faith.
"For you. Food comes later." Faith murmured against Kate's throat. She tugged Kate's shirt out of her pants and pulled it over her head still buttoned. "Naked. Bed. Now." They did just that.
**************************************
"Where have you been?" Faith turned around, watching her lover close the door.
"Working." Kate looked down at the answering machine. No messages.
"You promised you would be home on time." Faith stood up then sat on the sofa arm.
"I'm sorry, Faith," Kate sighed. A week after she solved the murder case there was still paperwork to be processed. "We can still catch a movie." She looked at her watch. An hour and a quarter too late.
"Forget it," Faith said disappointed. It had been Kate's idea to go out and she was all for a Friday on the town until now.
"No, we'll go." Kate walked into the bedroom.
"Kate," Faith sighed following her, "I said forget it."
"I said we're going," Kate changed tops and started brushing her hair.
"What, you going to drag me?" Faith ran her eyes over the body before her.
Kate turned to her. "You wanted to do this."
"Well yeah, four weeks in LA and I haven't sampled the human nightlife much."
"Then what's the problem?"
Faith shrugged, "You not making an effort."
Kate gave her a disbelieving smile and shook her head. "Run that by me again. I thought I heard you accusing me of something that I haven't done."
"Fine, whatever." Faith stomped back into the living room. Kate came back in and picked up the phone. "What are you doing?"
"Cancelling reservations." Kate held the receiver in her hand.
"Reservations. For where?" Faith became intrigued. The evening planned was supposed to be movie and then slaying.
"A nice Italian place I thought you might like." She waited to see what Faith would do.
"Really?" Faith beamed.
"The reservation is for eight, we have time to make it if you like." Faith nodded still smiling. Kate replaced the receiver and went back to getting ready.
"So is this like a date?" Faith checked out Kate's form. Her mind was already thinking how she was going to undress it.
"If you want," Kate said seemly nonchalant as she inspected herself in the mirror. Faith didn't answer but stood shifting her weight on her feet while she waited for Kate to finish.
"Kicking place," Faith whistled lowly as they waited to be seated. Before Kate could respond, the waiter directed them to a table for two along one of the walls of the medium sized restaurant. When the ordering was out of the way Kate placed her elbows on the table and folded her hands together.
"Come here often?" Faith said enjoying the cheerful mood of Kate after their earlier mini argument.
"I've come a few times."
"With dates?" It slipped out of Faith's mouth.
"A couple." Kate set her lips in a firm line. "Jealous?" She asked covering her irritation at being reminded of past failures.
"No." Kate raised her eyebrows at Faith's words. "They're not here now are they?" Faith smiled widely enjoying the face Kate wanted to care. "I am."
"Yes, you are." Kate gave her another smile.
"And so are you. But are you here with a date?" Faith cocked her head slightly.
"Faith," Kate leaned in, "are you asking me about how I feel about our relationship?" There was no answer. "We've been sleeping together for three weeks. We've supported each other through several issues we have in our lives. We both care about each other. I would say that this qualifies as a date with someone I care for and have a sexual relationship with."
"We're dating?" Faith didn't sound too sure.
"What do you think we're doing?" Kate didn't know if she wanted an answer.
"Fucking," Faith said immediately. Kate bit down on her lower lip and drew back. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
"That's okay," Kate shook her head and resisted the urge to cross her arms.
"No, it isn't." Faith noticed the waiter coming with their food and waited while they were served. She watched Kate start in immediately quickly chewing down her dish. "It isn't okay," she implored as she picked up her fork and started playing with it. "I�I don't know if I can do relationship."
"But you told me you have in the past." Kate stopped eating.
"That was before�."
"Before?"
"Just before. Anyways, I'm not looking for a serious relationship."
Kate laughed a little. "Who said anything about serious? Faith, I'm as reluctant as you to commit to something long term. When I said dating, I meant it in the fun sense. We do things together, but it's not like I'm wanting to settle down with you."
"Fun." Faith echoed. "I like fun."
"I know." Kate gave her a sexy smile. "Yes we do fuck," she used the crude term for Faith's benefit, "but I feel there is more to it than that. Don't you?"
"Sure." Faith felt more relaxed. "So is this an open relationship?"
"No." Kate said firmly.
"Cool," Faith nodded, "I can live with that."
"You better," Kate said making sure the warning was clear.
"Chill, Kate. I can do the strictly one on one deal." Faith smirked, "Although it can more fun with others." Kate let out an exaggerated groan, but she was smiling so Faith took that as a good sign. The straight-laced cop wasn't so straight and she was glad. "So what made you want to take me out to dinner?"
"Like you said, you haven't been out much. I take it you are a party kinda girl and since I also take it you probably do things illegally I thought this might be a compromise."
"Me and illicit? No way." Faith started eating again.
"When was the last time you bet on a illegal boxing match down at that gym of yours?"
"About a week ago," Faith answered sheepishly, though she wasn't about to tell Kate she had competed in a couple of matches.
"My point exactly." Satisfied she had caught Faith out she went back to her food.
"Good compromise. Never been to one of these fancy places."
"Never?" Kate sometimes wanted to make good on her wish to go back in time and change whatever went wrong in Faith's past.
"Best restaurant before this was one of those upscale McDonalds." Kate looked at her for a moment wishing that she was being lied to, but she knew she wasn't. Sure, a having gone to a good restaurant wasn't a high priority in life, but tasting good food was a nice part of it.
"I'll have to treat you more often."
"You do that, Detective." Faith felt so secure with Kate. She looked at her cutting up her chicken, wondering how the hell she landed this woman as a friend, let alone a lover.
"What are you looking at?" Faith looked up to see curious eyes on her.
"Thinking how lucky I am. I am sitting across from a beautiful woman who is being nice to me for some strange reason. She's good in bed and has this knack of knowing how to handle me in all my irritating glory. I'm starting to think she's a goddess."
Kate stared, stunned. "I'm not that perfect," she finally scoffed.
"You are to me. Yes," Faith nodded, "there are small imperfections here and there, but overall Kate Lockley is one wicked babe." Faith watched a small blush spread over her lover's face and chuckled. "I made a cop blush and I didn't even use the word sex."
"I didn't know you were a poet, Faith." Kate took a drink of wine, trying to calm herself down. Never had anyone given her such a compliment and been so oblivious to the fact that it was exactly what she wanted to hear.
"You bring out the best in me," Faith said as she realised that it was so true. B, she thought, brought out the worst in her. She mentally blocked that unbidden thought.
"Flatterer," Kate sidestepped from the emotion she was feeling.
"You like it," Faith teased. "You want more?"
"Go on," Kate reached for her napkin and wiped her mouth after finishing her last bite.
"Okay, you have a great body, your eyes are so deep that I never get tired of looking," Faith grinned wickedly and lowered her voice, "and you taste so fucking good I could drink from you all night and still want more." That one had Kate squirm. "Feeling hot there?" Faith said innocently.
"You got me that way, you gonna do something about it?"
"Duty calls first. Slay then sex." Faith relished the look of disappointment on Kate's face. "But before that I have my name on a dessert." She called over the waiter for the menu and to take the order while she heard Kate try to hold back a groan.
"God," Faith moaned as she finished the rich dessert, "that is almost as good as sex. Or better yet the two could be combined." She leered at Kate who stared back trying not to give Faith the satisfaction of bringing out a reaction. She had watched the girl draw out every last spoonful, teasing her to the point where she thought about taking Faith into the restroom and having her way with her.
"You ready to leave?"
"Finally." Kate called for the bill as Faith started making her way out into the LA air.
*****
Part 7:
They swept a couple of areas that Faith had said were demon friendly in the last week. A row of condemned housing stood out against the night. Perfect demon haven.
"You packing?" Faith asked as they pulled up a couple of hundred yards away.
"Yes." Kate drew a bag of goodies onto her lap and pulled a few out.
"Let's go then," Faith eagerly stepped out into the darkness, the adrenaline already pumping through her system. God, she liked this feeling. She was going to win tonight, she knew it. Kate caught up with her and they headed towards an abandoned low rent apartment building.
"Be careful, this building was condemned for a reason," Kate whispered and touched Faith lightly on the shoulder. Faith nodded only half listening to her. Her mind was already on the battle ahead. Vamps, she thought, it had their touch to it. A couple of dead bodies littered the tiny lobby, but she ignored them. There was nothing she could do for them now. The elevator doors were open and she peered in the shaft. The car was high, at least three floors up. She started for the stairs and indicated for Kate to follow. They kept to the wall as they ascended to the third floor. Opening the door, Faith couldn't see any activity on the floor.
"Don't step foot into this floor. Floorboards have rotted away." Faith observed and shut the door again. "My bet is the fourth is where they've set up." Kate nodded and they continued their ascent to the next floor. The door was missing. Faith could hear laughter coming from one of the apartments "Bingo."
Time for action, she thought. Before she could get to the first door, there were already three vampires advancing on her. As she started fighting, letting her instincts take over, she could hear another fight about twenty feet away. It wasn't Kate, because she could feel her lover tackle one of the vamps they were already involved with. There wasn't time to analyse it, for once she had dusted one of the vamps and engaged the other, more of them poured out of various apartments. Oh shit.
Promising herself once again that she would do this for Kate, she gave in to her instinct and skills, methodically dispensing one after the other, not quite believing she was actually doing it. Kate kept spraying holy water on them from behind her, keeping them from getting any advantage on her. These vamps were like lemmings willing following each other one by one to their end. After about dusting eight by her count, she could still hear the other battle raging in one of the apartments.
Faith turned to see what was going on when a teenage vamp came out.
"Hey there," the girl shouted. Faith took one look at her and thought, too easy. She had obviously been turned for a few fun and games with the other vamps. Dressed like a street prostitute, with hair and make-up to boot it was almost laughable.
"Sick bastards," Kate murmured behind her taking in the young vampire. Faith agreed but there was nothing to do but dust her. No matter who she looked like, this was a vampire who needed to feed. She made it short and sweet. When she looked up, she saw the apartment door at the end of the corridor fly off its hinges and land hard against the wall.
"What the fuck is going on up there!" Faith hissed making her way down there. Kate followed closely behind. A bewildered vamp came stumbling out and she dusted him. When the dust fell away she was confronted by another vampire.
"Angel."
"Faith," Angel's game face slid back to his human one. "When did you wake up?"
"How did you survive the poison?" Faith asked. "Don't tell me Buffy let you feed from her?" Kate stared stunned at this change in circumstances. First of all the shock of seeing Angel, the first time since he dispatched the drug demon in the auto repair shop and second of all that Faith knew him. And Buffy, Wesley had mentioned that strange name. Faith was still going on, "She did, didn't she? Of course that's what those marks were on her neck, why didn't I think of that."
Angel noticed the person beside Faith for the first time, "Kate."
"Angel," Kate crossed her arms. "You two know each other?"
"Old friends," Faith said looking for a way out of this dangerous situation. The game was up, she thought, though it was fun while it lasted.
"I wouldn't say that would you, Faith? Considering last time I saw you, you tried to kill me."
"I thought that was her job," Kate could see Faith's eyes darting towards the floor exit.
"I see you two know each other as well," Angel stared down at his nemesis.
"She's staying with me," Kate answered though the question was not meant for her. "Who's Buffy?" Angel and Faith both looked away. "She is a slayer, right?"
"Yes. How is Buffy, Faith?" Angel asked sarcastically.
"Hopefully devastated after I screwed her NEW boytoy." Angel gave her dirty, but puzzled look. "You didn't know? Shame. But I can tell you he ain't as good a kisser as you."
"What the hell!" Kate stepped between the two enemies.
"Relax, Kate, I didn't sleep with him," Faith jabbed Angel in the chest after pushing Kate out the way. "Dead doesn't do it for me the way it did for Buffy."
"A vampire slayer slept with a vampire?" Kate couldn't get her mind around any of this.
"Not only that, they had this corny love thing going on," Faith smirked delighting in Angel's barely concealed fury. "But apparently that's over, she's got a new squeeze that she can boink without him losing his soul. He's human too."
"You slept with this guy?" Kate didn't like the sound of this at all. Slayers shouldn't be with vampires and she didn't want to think about Faith with other lovers.
"For paybacks. She tried to kill me."
"You neglect to mention that it was your own fault," Angel taunted.
"Now wait a minute. I don't care what went on, killing another human is never justified whatever the excuse." Kate looked between the two.
"Tell that to Faith." Angel saw both women wince. "She hasn't told you has she?"
"I'm outta here." Faith turned to Kate. "Goodbye."
"You're not going anywhere." Kate grabbed hold of her arm.
"Don't make me fight you." Faith looked down at the arm and back up to those eyes she earlier couldn't get enough of. Not anymore, for she knew they would never show desire or care again.
"Then don't leave," Kate said firmly. They locked eyes and battled for their own way. "Don't go," Kate said more gently.
"You're not gonna want me around. I'll save you the trouble right now." Faith tried to hide her sadness, but Kate sensed it.
"Why don't we talk about this and then see what happens." Kate didn't want to believe Faith had killed.
"Because there's no excuses for what I've done." Faith looked to Angel. "Don't know what you're doing here, but it's nice to know Angelus hasn't come out to play."
"Faith." Angel looked at the agony on Faith's face. "Kate's right. Let's sit down and talk." Kate surprised turned her eyes to the vampire.
"Screw that." Faith looked at the two adults, gauging how she could out run them both. "That's equivalent to letting you chain me up again."
"I'm not letting you go," Kate said, "not now. Let's get out of this dump and get you home. We can sort this out tomorrow." Faith gave her an anguished look, not wanting to leave Kate yet knowing that if she stayed a jail cell would be her new home. "If you have broken the law, Faith, it is my duty to arrest you. However this," Kate pointed to Angel, "is still roaming free and even though I don't agree with it, I can see the benefits of it. I can also see the benefits of you still being free."
"Kate," Faith pleaded, "you can't deny your duty. That means so much to you." Angel turned, stunned that Faith knew Kate so well.
"Come home." To add to Kate's plea a noise downstairs shattered the still building. "Before this place falls apart," she continued and started walking for the exit. Angel made sure Faith was following her as he brought up the rear. As they came outside and navigated their way to the street, Faith still looked for an escape route.
"Not so fast," Angel grabbed hold of her and guided them down to where Kate had unlocked her car. "In," he ordered as Kate opened the passenger door.
"Does B know where you are, Soul Boy?" Faith switched his attention from putting her in the car.
"That's none of your business." Angel closed the door trapping Faith in the front seat.
"She didn't seem to be missing you. Fawning all over Mr I Love You. I hate that guy more than I ever did you."
"I'll call you tomorrow, when I've had a talk with Faith," Kate said standing close to the vampire and ignoring Faith's taunts.
"Kate," Angel said gently, "it's good to see you."
"Can't say the same," she said over her shoulder as she walked to the driver's side. "I don't know your history with Faith, but let me handle this."
Angel nodded. "There's a change in her, that can only be a good thing." Kate got in and looked over at a sulking slayer. She waved to Angel and drove off down the street. They said nothing as they drove to the apartment.
"Alright, truth time," Kate closed and locked the door watching Faith lay down on the sofa.
"I thought you said tomorrow." Faith closed her eyes and listened to Kate's movements.
"I was talking about Angel." Kate came and sat down on the edge of the cushion. Faith opened her eyes, gazing at her.
"I thought it was dinner, slay and sex. Now we've done two of the three." Faith tried to wrap her arms around Kate. There was a struggle before she brought Kate down to her chest. "One last time."
"No," Kate said adamantly sitting up. "I'm not that easy to get rid of."
"What you going to do, I've killed. Doesn't matter. I'm a slayer. B shoulda finished the job when she had the chance."
"Don't say that." Kate took Faith's hand. A murderer's hand. "When?"
"Did I do it?" Kate nodded. "Nine months ago." Faith took her hand away.
"So what happened in the eight months before I met you."
"I was in a coma." She closed her eyes, not bearing to see what Kate was feeling.
"All that time?" Kate moved her hand to a leather-clad thigh. Faith nodded. "This Buffy, another slayer, tried to kill you?" Faith nodded again. "Why?"
"Because I poisoned Angel and the only cure was the blood of a slayer."
"That's still no defence." Kate squeezed the thigh, her emotions conflicted. She knew Faith was in trouble but she never imagined it would be for murder.
"No, I never thought B would even have the courage to do it."
"So she tries to kill you, but you survive, then you wake, sleep with her boyfriend. What happens next?" Faith didn't answer. "Kill those vampires in the church? Run from the scene in case you were spotted?" Kate internally smacked herself. She had given a wanted felon safe harbour. Faith nodded slightly. "Angel said you had changed, is that true?" She saw the shoulders shrug. "The person I've lived with for four weeks, I certainly don't see her as a ruthless killer." Kate hoped she was right. Nearly eight years on the force and she was questioning her judgement.
Faith sat up and brought her knees to her chest. "I've killed two humans." Kate curled herself up, leaning on the back of the sofa. "First one, well that was an accident, thought he was a vamp. It was partly B's fault too." Faith couldn't look at the cop. "The second was a professor."
"Why?"
"Boss's orders." Faith shrugged as though it spoke for itself.
"Your boss?"
"A demon who I was working for."
"But why follow his orders?" Faith closed her eyes, ashamed. "What made you work for a demon?" The disgust couldn't be kept out of Kate's voice.
Faith stood up and walked into the bedroom. Kate left her for about ten minutes while she tried to make sense of what was going on. She didn't want to lose Faith, but she couldn't ignore her crimes. She opened the bedroom door quietly. At the sight of Faith curled up staring blankly out the window, she ran and knelt by the bed.
"Piss off," Faith mumbled her eyes not moving.
"Oh god," Kate exclaimed as she wiped drying tears away. Faith's face reminded her of the first day they met. "I don't know what happened in Sunnydale, Faith. But I know you are not that same person."
"You don't know jack. You're a cop, Kate, you're supposed to be handcuffing me and reading me Miranda." Faith held out her hands together.
"I'm not going to do anything until I get the full story." Kate put her hands over Faith's slowly rubbing them.
"You sure you don't want cuff me anyway?" Faith made way for Kate as she climbed on the bed beside her.
"I trust you." Kate leaned against the wall and pulled Faith into her lap.
"Angel said that to me once and I tried to turn him back to Angelus." Faith nevertheless crawled further into Kate's embrace. She would enjoy it while she could.
"How did you do that?" Kate started stroking the dark hair.
"Some magic shit. I think you're missing the point here, Kate." Faith moved her hand and clung onto the warm waist.
"So are you going to tell me all that's happened?"
"I don't think you want to know."
"How am I supposed help you if I don't know what's going on?" Faith allowed herself a few moments to relax in the arms of Kate since she knew it was never going to happen again.
"Okay, but keep those cuffs handy."
While they stayed in that position, which was fine by Faith because Kate couldn't see her face, she launched into an account of her life since being called as a slayer. She started her tale in Boston, how she trained with her first watcher and kicked ass all over her hometown. She briefly talked about the circumstances that brought her to Sunnydale and how she handled her first few days in the new town. Then Faith rambled on about how she started fitting in until Angel came back from hell.
"Angel went to hell?" Kate asked unbelieving.
"Yeah, B put him there." Faith coughed a little, her voice getting husky from the emotion.
"How?" Kate moved to get off the bed, but Faith clutched her tightly.
"When B and he slept together he lost his soul, turning him into Angelus. He was going to suck the world into hell and the only way to stop it was to send him there." Faith couldn't help but smile at the dismayed look on Kate.
"I'm going to make a hot chocolate, do want one?" Kate finally extracted herself from the tight embrace, trying to straighten things out in her mind. Faith nodded going back into a fetal position. When she felt the bed move again she returned to her position around Kate. The drinks were put on the bedside table and she felt strong arms once more around her. Faith started with the night they found Angel was back and how that played out. When Faith told of how the slayers fought each other she felt Kate's arms tighten around her. She told of the few months of relative calm while they slew together but kept their distance.
"So you had few friends?" Kate took a drink of her hot chocolate.
"I had people I sometimes would hang out with, sometimes screw, but B had Angel and her own friends that were so not my style."
"It's hard." Kate spoke for both of them. Faith nodded and returned to when things started going wrong. She laid out the group dynamics and how she upset them when she slept with Xander. Then with an indifferent voice she recounted how in a few crazy nights she went from breaking into a sporting goods store, to accidentally killing the deputy mayor, trying to kill Xander and being kidnapped by both Angel and her other watcher called Wesley.
"Wesley?" Kate asked.
"What, you know him?" Faith's head lifted and they locked eyes for the first time since Faith started her story.
"Yes, he works for Angel."
"Son of a bitch! A Watcher working for a vamp." Faith laughed. "Council musta fired the bastard after what happened."
"He was the one that gave me that information." Kate watched closely for a reaction.
"Figures, he was always more into research than fighting." Faith laid her head back down again. In the same monotonous voice, she started telling how after that she was ready to skip town until B tracked her down. After dusting Trick, she went to the Mayor of Sunnydale and he became her boss. At first, Faith recounted, it was because he gave her attention. Then somewhere along the way he became like a father to her. She was treated better than she ever had in her life.
"Except he asked you to do things like change Angel and kill people." Kate had a good idea what had happened. She had seen similar things, well discounting the demon aspect.
"Yeah. But I was too far gone to really care."
"So you tried to take Angel down, but it back fired for you. What happened to the mayor?" Kate retook Faith's hand. Faith drank her chocolate, preparing herself for the narrative ahead. When she had finished, she told of the mayor's ascension and how B must have thwarted it once she was in a coma.
"When I woke, it was eight months later. Graduation had happened. The school was gone and so was the boss. B was with a new boyfriend. I had no idea where Angel had gone until tonight. I knew he wasn't dead or B would been wicked mad. Jeez, the boss was right. The world went and changed on me. Even B's friends have new relationships."
"So, you said you went after her boyfriend for retribution. What made you change and start killing vampires instead of working for them?"
"I got a taste of what it was like to be her. Some girl thanked me for saving her ass from a vamp. I actually saved her life."
"That was a good start. But why?" Kate felt hopeful.
"Because it was what B would have done," Faith shrugged.
"It was the right thing to do," Kate said echoing the words Faith had spoken four weeks ago.
"Yeah. So instead of skipping town I went and helped at the church. B wasn't in Sunnydale at the time and so it was up to me, a vampire slayer, to slay some vamp ass." Kate nodded. "Then I met you and it seemed so natural to continue to do it. How could I not be affected by your own grief? You know how you said you wanted to go back in time?" Kate mumbled an agreement. "Well that's what I wanted to do too. Slay those vamps that got your father. Since I couldn't do that at least I could stop it happening again."
"Oh Faith," Kate pulled her up and gently kissed her forehead. She didn't know she was crying until Faith started as well. Resting her chin on Kate's shoulder, Faith let the pent up emotions flow from her. Grieving for those she had lost along the way, her lost months of being a good slayer, Kate's father and finally Kate herself. Someone else she was going to lose. She didn't want to let go when she heard Kate stop and blow her nose. A tissue was handed to her but she didn't release her grip on the cop. To relinquish it now would be forever.
"So when are you going to arrest me?"
"I need to talk to Angel." Kate started rubbing Faith's back.
"Why? What's he got to do with anything?"
"I don't know how he is going to react with the news you are here in LA. He might turn you in."
"I thought that was your job." Faith didn't know why she was insisting she be arrested. Must be that fatalistic streak in her.
"I haven't decided yet." Kate pulled Faith back to face her. "You said that you told Buffy that you can't save the world in jail. I'm going to have to think about it."
"I could run."
"You had your chances and you haven't. I'm sure if you really wanted to you would do it right now. I'm no match for you."
"Sorry I ruined our date." Faith buried her head on Kate's chest.
"You didn't ruin it. I just had a lot more than I bargained for." Kate looked at the time, two in the morning. "Let's get some sleep." Faith nodded and they settled down together.
"Why are you holding me?" Faith asked minutes after the light was turned off.
"Because I want to."
"But�" Kate made sushing noise making Faith go silent. She felt her back being rubbed and moved into the comfort, wondering if she was already dreaming.
*****