Quite A Ride

"Calm down, it's going to be alright." Angel's soothing voice was floating through the telephone wires and being absorbed by a highly nervous and emotionally-broken down slayer. She knew it wasn't going to be alright, but his reassurance managed to steady her breathing a bit. It was a wonder he had even been able to understand anything she said, what with her jumbled and haphazard telling of the story. In fact, she doubted he was able to catch it all, and realization that she might have to re-explain the sordid affair made her head start to spin again.

"Faith?" Angel said softly, and repeated her name with more emphasis when he didn't get an answer. "Are you listening to me?" It occurred to her that for the past few minutes she had not, causing her to apologize and promise her complete attention to what he was saying.

"What happened tonight, it wasn't your fault." He sensed her about to object, and hurried on. "They may have been members of the council, but they killed three people. Right before your eyes. With no hesitation. What you did, it was self preservation. Survival of the fittest. Human nature. He was about to kill you, Faith. You did what you had to do." Was it just her, or did he sound like he actually meant that?

Despite the vampire's reassurance, guilt was still consuming her mind. "I...I know, but Angel, you didn't see him laying there. His neck..." She shuttered at the memory of the Englishman's unnatural position. "And it wasn't about self-preservation. That wasn't what I was thinking about. I was just...so angry, Angel. What he said about Buffy..." She sat and listened to Angel's lack of breathing on the other end. "Hello?"

"Still here." He confirmed. "Just thinking about Buffy. Faith, they would have called me if something had happened to her." Despite his words, he sounded somewhat unsure. "I'll call Giles tonight. Where are you, now?" He said, changing the subject.

"Uh," she looked around. "Some gas station on Faustus Street. Yogi's Lube, it's called." She added, as her eyes fell upon the establishment's sign.

"I'll be right there."

"Wait. Angel...what am I gonna do? I can't go back to prison, they'll try again. Not to mention that, I..." Faith tried to think of a way to explain. "It's like, ya know how in the movies, the prisoners always go out and pick up garbage or dig trenches in those orange jumper suits?"

"Faith, I don't watch many movies." The two-hundred year old vampire replied, apologetically.

"Okay, whatever. In the movies, they do. Ya know, they're paying their debt to society for what they've done. But...Angel, there were no orange jumpers. I just sat there." The slayer paused, waiting for a response, but only heard silence. Apparently, he wasn't understanding the analogy or where she was going with it. "What I'm trying to say is, how am I supposed to feel like I'm doing the right thing, when people are dying because I'm not there to save them?"

"You have to be able to save yourself first, Faith." He replied ominously.

"But the only way I can save myself, is to save others." They sighed simultaneously.

"I wasn't going to suggest you turn yourself back in. The truth of the matter is, without your confession, they have nothing on you except suspicion, which isn't enough. And you're right, it's not safe there. I'll talk to a few people, retract your confession. They'll have to grant you release. But first, I'm coming to get you." Coming to get her. It suddenly occurred to her, that that really wasn't something she wanted.

"No." Faith said, her voice sounding more confident than she felt. The single syllable caught the vampire off-guard. "I need to do this on my own. And, I know that you don't understand, and most likely you don't trust me. Or maybe you do understand, and you don't think I can do it. But I swear Angel, I want to make things right. I need to. But I can't do it with you." All this was said in a single breath, and she braced herself for his reaction.

He was silent for awhile, making her wonder if he had left to get her during her speech. "Where would you go?" His voice remained neutral and unjudgemental, refusing to reveal how he felt about her decision.

Good question, she thought. One thing was for certain: she wasn't ready for Sunnydale. The council member had informed her that things were getting out of hand but, if it was true, and Buffy was dead, she knew for certain that the Scooby Gang would not be wanting her around. They would be grieving, and she would be a reminder of the one of the two slayers who didn't deserve to die. She just needed some time to regain confidence in her slaying abilities and brace herself for their hostility. So, I'm still hiding. Some habits are hard to break. At least she wasn't denying it. Where to go, where to go... She thought, as her eyes searched her surroundings.

"I don't..." The statement was forgotten when a small advertisement poster for the Seattle Space Needle caught her attention. While it wasn't the Hellmouth, Faith endeavored to think that it probably had it's share of demons. "Seattle." She stated.

"Seattle?" Angel asked slowly. There was a long pause, which Faith assumed he was using to contemplate the idea. "It's not nearly as big a center for demon activity as Sunnydale," he hinted, "but it's one of the largest vampire haunts next to it. Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah, it's what I need to do, Angel. I swear I won't disappoint you." She hoped. She knew he trusted her, or he wouldn't even think of letting her venture out on her own, and she desperately didn't want to give him cause to break that trust.

"Okay, then that's what you're gonna do. But let's get a few things straight. From this point on, think of me as your parole officer." He sensed a rash comment coming on from the other line so hurridly rushed on. "I mean it, Faith. You call me every day and check in, at least at first. You forget to, and I'll come looking for you to drag your ass back to LA where I can keep an eye on you. I'm your friend, and I have faith in you, which is why I know I'll never have to come looking. If you give me cause, though, I can be your enemy. I know, being the responsible girl you are, that you will call me. Understood?"

Faith sighed. As if she had any choice in the matter. "Of course. I'll need you for support anyway. I mean...Angel, if you ever repeat this, I'll come looking for
you, but I'm kinda scared."

"Kinda?" There was amusement in his voice.

"Alright, completely and utterly petrified." A muffled chuckle could be heard on the other end. "Are you laughing at me?!" she cried out, exasperated.

"Ah, no. It's just, it is a bit ironic. And I know how you're feeling. You're reminding me of when I first began my road to redemption. I promise you Faith, you're gonna do fine. And I'm honored you would trust me with the knowledge that you're scared. I know that's hard for you." Was it her imagination, or did he sound proud of her? "How are you getting to Seattle?"

"I was thinking of hot-wiring one of Yogi's cars." She answered in a dead-pan voice.

"Cute." He said in a serious tone, but she knew he was smiling. "How are you really getting there?"

For a moment she thought about it, not really sure. "I'll hitch hike." His diapproval could be sensed, so she reassured him. "Don't worry, I'll be safe. If any of them try anything, I'll just hurt them enough to surprise them, and get ouf of the car."

"Yeah, it's not your safety I'm worried about, and your summary of what you'll do only worries me more. Just let me drive you there."

"No, if the Council comes after me again I don't want to put you in danger. I'll be fine, and I swear I won't hurt them too much. Just enough to get free."

"And you'll call?"

"Everyday." They talked for a few more minutes until Yogi came up, yelling at her for running up the phone pill, and asking repeatedly "This isn't an out of state call, is it?" To stop is pestering, Faith said her goodbyes to Angel, promising once again to call, before hanging up the phone.



The car screeched to a halt a few yards behind her. It was a cherry red, shiny BMW, and Faith was looking forward to being inside it, zooming along the highway. She had been walking for nearly twenty minutes, far longer than she had expected. It’s not that she was self-absorbed, she simply knew that men, and some girls, found her nearly irresistable, and that due to her appearance she wouldn’t be walking long. As she slowly sauntered up to the vehicle, the passenger door opened, and out emerged a young woman in her early twenties, clad in some rather form-fitting black pants and a grey collared shirt with black pinstripes. Her hair was jet black, very short and disgruntled, and below the mass of black was a porcelain white face with piercingly blue eyes. At the woman’s appearance, Faith considered passing up the ride. Something about her was intimidating, but when the woman spoke it was in a suprisingly friendly voice.

“Hey there!” The woman smiled, a very contagious smile, because Faith could feel one spreading across her face as well. “Where you headed?”

“Seattle.”

“I think we can swing past there for you. We’re going in the same direction.” She stepped to the side, allowing Faith access to the passenger seat. “I’ll let you sit up front, even.”

“Oh, no, that’s alright. I’ll just sit in the…” But the woman was already opening the back-side door and sliding in. “Thanks.” Faith said, as she chuckled slightly, and got in.

In the driver’s seat she saw a man, a few years older than the girl, but just as intimidating. As though to purposefully contrast the woman, his hair was dyed a platinum blonde, and was just as short and ruffled. His eyes couldn’t be seen behind the pair of silver sunglasses he wore, but she suspected they were just as piercing.

“Hey.” He smiled at her sweetly, which only made her more uneasy, as he started the car, and began to drive.

“Seattle, is it? Wanting to see the Space Needle?” She nodded, returning the smile forcefully. “Yeah, I’ve seen it a couple of times. Pretty amazing view.” A short silence followed. I’m Puck, by the way.”

“Fuck?” Faith’s smile came far more easily this time. “Did your parents not like you, or something?”

The girl in the back giggled, “No, no, Puck, with a P.”

Faith still didn’t get it. “Oh. So, the question still remains I guess. Did your parents not like you?” The man looked over at her and smiled that same all-too-sweet smile.

“You’re not a big reader are you?” He waited for her to nod before going on. “Puck is a character from a Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare.”

The woman leaned forward between the seats to elaborate for him. “He was a sprite, or a faerie.”

“You mean he was...” Faith interjected.

“No, he wasn’t. A sprite is like…a magical being. Robin Goodfellow, as he also was called, was extremely mischevious. Liked to cause trouble and all, just to watch how it all turned out. And I guess I never really told you my name. I’m Cora Menti.”

Faith shifted in her seat to look at Cora, “Nice to meet you. I’m Faith."



After the introductions had been made, the three continued on in a conversational chatter, discussing a variety of deep topics. For instance, how it was possible that Jerry Springer could remain so unfucked-up while surrounded by guests who undoubtedly would remain so, regardless of the amount of “Final Thoughts” he gave them. It went on for hours, making the sojourn fly by, and before they knew it, they were close to approaching the city limits of Seattle.

“Road sign says 5 more miles.” Puck supplied, filling one of the few silences experienced. “So Faith, what are your plans?” She turned to face him. The sun had gone down around a half hour ago and she just now noticed that he’d removed his stylin’ Mossimo sunglasses. She opened her mouth to answer only to find herself oddly entranced by his eyes. Pools of light green gazed at her, lulling her into a deep trance. She could feel herself flush, as a wave of dizziness washed over her. The trance was only broken when Cora popped up between the seats, putting herself between the two front passengers.

“You alright, there?” Faith blinked. Then she blinked again, regaining her bearings.

“Yeah..” she looked away, trying to mask her confusion at what had just occurred. Had she just been stunned and engrossed by the man’s striking feature, or was it something more? She wasn’t sure, but definitely decided she wasn’t going to chance looking over at him again. Due to her rough and controlling nature, she didn’t like the idea of being vulnerable, which is exactly how she felt when she looked at him. Cora leaned back into her seat, and the first uncomfortable silence of the ride ensued.

And that’s when they hit something. A large figure ran out of nowhere, colliding with the car’s front and thrown into the windshield. The unexpected collision caused Puck to swerve the car in surprise and slam on the brakes. Faith was jolted forward, only kept in her seat by her wise decision to wear a seatbelt. Cora was not so wise, and if it had not been for Faith’s slayer intuition and quick reflexes, would have gone flying forward through the glass.

All three were breathing heavily. “Everyone alright?” Puck asked, unbuckling and turning in his seat to assess the damages. His response was the busting of the window on the driver side as a hand broke through, grabbing the stunned platinum blonde tightly by the neck and pulling him out of the car. Faith caught a glimpse of the familiar disfiguration of the face. Vampires.

Still holding up Cora with one hand, Faith hastily unbuckled, as she looked forward and took notice of what it was they had hit. Another vampire, surly looking, had rolled off the hood and was coming towards the passenger side. She pushed open the car door, slamming into the vampire and forcing him to the ground from the impact. She rushed out, lowering a foot on the vampire’s chest as he attempted to rise. Very methodically and gracefully, she pulled out the stake that had been hiding in her jacket and brought it down point first to the demon’s chest. Seconds later all that remained was a cloud of dust.

Quickly she ran over to Puck, who was having his neck forcefully tilted to one side and near seconds from being bitten. She performed the same operation, successfully producing more dust. It suddenly occurred to her how lucky she was that she didn’t have allergies.

She surveyed the damage done to the man, noticing a few scrapes and bruises from the tussle, but nothing life-threatening. She reached out her hand to help him up, and he took it, looking quite dazed and confused.

Once on his feet, he looked quizzically over at her, “And what was that?” Forgetting the resolution she had made to herself, she looked over, once again locking her brown eyes with his mysterious green depths.

Next thing she knew, Cora was at her side, shaking her roughly out of her catatonic state was more.

Now she wanted answers. As Puck wisely put his sunglasses on again, Faith subtely asked, "What the hell is wrong with your eyes, man?" Okay, so she earned no points for tact. They both looked at her with shocked expressions. "Seriously, what's going on? I'd like an answer as to why I go all rigid and hypnotic whenever we make eye contact."

"Alright, I'll give you answers.." He was cut off by whispered protests from Cora, before silently reprimanding her and continuing. "If you give me answers. I've been watching you this whole time, Faith. And I've gotta admit, you strike me as different. And everything that just happened only helps reinforce that belief. So, what were those things?"

"I asked first." Faith stated stubbornly.

"Actually, I believe I did, right after you pulled me off the ground and prior to the eye contact." She thought back, remembering that he was right.

"Vampires." She said simply. "Now it's your turn."

"But we have more questions th.." Cora began excitedly before being cut off by the slayer.

"And maybe I'll answer them if I feel comfortable with your answer." Faith stated, making it perfectly clear that she wasn't backing down.

"We're meta-human." He answered, as though that explained everything. Faith gave him a look, indicating that she expected him to elaborate on that statement. "It means that we're human, but possess certain powers. As you may have gathered, mine is hypnosis through eye contact. With it I'm able to get others to divulge information or do my bidding. Not that I do that." He cleared his throat and she couldn't help but smirk, knowing that he most likely did. Must be good for his sex life, she though. "And in most cases I can control when I use it, but certain individuals, like you, are more susceptable and it just sort of happens."

Faith looked over to Cora, wondering what her power was. As if to answer, Cora held up her hand and produced a ball of blue flames hovering above her palm. Much of the flaming orb was the same striking blue as her eyes. Just as quickly as she summoned it, she closed her hand and it dissolved. Faith was impressed, and it showed. Both stood smiling at her.

"Now, what are you?" Cora asked cautiously.

"I'm the Slayer." Faith flinched. The use of the word "the" implied she was the only one, and she was quickly reminded of her deceased counterpart. The light to her dark. She felt her eyes begin to water up and she scrunched her face up a little, determined to hold back the tears. Now was not the time to break down. They were giving her the same look she had given Puck, telling her to explain in more detail.

"I stake vampires and kill demons. It's my calling, you could say. 'To every generation there is a chosen..one.' So, meta-human. Are you bad?" She arched an eyebrow, trying to read their expressions and fearing that if their faces betrayed them, or they answered yes, she might have to have a throw-down with them. Which was really too bad, considering she liked them.

"No." Puck answered honestly. "At least not all of us. We're much like humans. Some of us are good, others do damage. We're firmly planted in the 'Good' category."