TITLE: Episode 8: Even the Best Laid Plans
SERIES: Faith, Rogue Slayer
AUTHOR: elizafan568
EMAIL: elizfaith568@yahoo.com
FEEDBACK: Yes, please.
ARCHIVE/DISTRIBUTION: This site. If you want to post
on your site, just ask.
SUMMARY: Faith makes a plan with Andrew's info; Zen
takes things to the next level.
SPOILERS: Buffy season 7 and Angel season 5
CONTENT/WARNINGS: Character Death, violence
RATING: R
DISCLAIMER: All character are property of Joss Whedon,
Mutant Enemy, etc. I do not own them. Written for fun
not profit.
NOTE: Set post-"Not Fade Away".
Episode 8: Even the Best Laid Plans…
Andrew was just finishing up explaining what he had found out when Faith and Connor entered the hotel. It was obvious that something serious had gone down between them, but no one was eager to ask exactly what. Lorne got the vibes, however, that whatever it was had lifted a burden off them both, and that the feelings between them that he had been picking up for weeks were now out in the open.
"What's going on, guys? What's with all the serious stares?" Faith asked, nervous that she was going to be put on the spot about what had gone down between herself and Connor.
"Well, princess, it seems like little Andrew here has gotten hold of some information that seems like it could really give us an edge." Lorne replied, hoping that what Andrew had told them was correct.
Faith walked over to the group with Connor in tow, seeming to let him get closer than she had anyone since they had come together. "Really!? Well, let's hear it, Andrew. What do ya got for me?" Faith asked as she took a seat on the couch with Connor sitting down next to her. They gave Andrew their full attention for the first time since he had arrived in LA.
"Okay, well, first off don't bother asking me how I found this out cause I can't tell you, it's part of the deal." That statement bothered Faith a little, but right now they would take what they could get. "To start, it seems Zen is a member of a really old race of demons called the Highlanders. He really ranks up there in their hierarchy." As Andrew spoke, he seemed to go into his own little world. This was something he knew he could do well, and he was going to show it.
"Go on." Faith urged, ready to get into the meat of it all.
"Well, it seems that there is a prophecy among the Highlander's that revolves around you, Faith. It refers to you as the second of the Second, meaning you are the second, second Slayer. Kendra being the first. According to the prophecy, your blood is the key to setting the Highlanders free." Andrew paused, reading the look on Faith's face that said she had something to ask.
"Set them free? But if Zen's already here, then aren't they already free?" Faith asked, not sure where this was going but not liking it in the least.
"You see, that's the really interesting thing about the Highlanders. Only one of their race can be out of their home dimension at one time, and only when they are contracted out by someone from outside their dimension. It seems Zen was contracted out a couple of years ago by Ethan Rayne. Apparently Ethan needed his help to break out of some secret government installation. Anyway, with your blood, Zen can remove that limitation on his race and free them all. If that happens, they'll overrun this and every other dimension. Nothing will be able to stop them." Andrew stopped again, the bomb he had just dropped sink in. "But, if all he needs is Faith's blood, why didn't he just take it when he had Connor and her beat in the alley?" Lorne asked, greatly concerned at this turn of events.
"Here's the hang up about that. Faith has to enter the ritual site willingly for her blood to become the key he needs. I don't know exactly where the ritual site is but I do know it's somewhere in Europe." Andrew stopped, waiting for some sort of recognition of his finally contributing, in a big way, to the group.
"So…that's his plan. That's why he's been calling me out. He wants me to be where he needs, when he needs. He'll keep killing people till I give him what he wants. And there's nothing I can do to stop him." Faith sank into her seat. An unbelievable burden overtaking her every thought. She knew she couldn't take Zen in a fight and she knew avoiding him would just make him kill more people. "Looks like I don't have a choice. I have to find him, and get him what he wants. But I'll be damned if I make it easy for him." Faith said, resolved in the fact that this was the end.
"Whoa, whoa princess. What good will that do? That'll just bring more of him here and get everyone killed." Lorne exclaimed, almost leaping from his seat.
"If I don't, he'll just keep killing innocent people and those lives will be on my head. I can't stand by and let that happen. Besides, maybe I'll get lucky and take him out before he can get my blood." Faith knew she hadn't a chance, but she needed them to believe that she thought she did. Her eyes met Connor's and she could tell he saw thorough it all.
Andrew decided he had kept them in suspense long enough. It was time for some good news. "Wait, wait guys…I never said that was all." Andrew had one of those infamous grins on his face.
"What!? What do you mean? That's all you told us before Faith got here." Gwen exclaimed, getting more than a little irritated by the little nerd.
"Well, I didn't see any point in telling you the good news until Faith got here. Gotta make things seem hopeless before we find out the villains Achilles Heal. Don't you guys watch movies?" Andrew asked, confused as to why they seemed upset at his withholding info until now.
"Andrew…please get to the point. What's the good news?" Faith asked, her voice getting a edge to it as she tried to keep her cool with the watcher wannabe.
"Ok…ok. It seems that if you kill the person that contracted a Highlander, the contract is broken and the Highlander is forced back to his dimension. Meaning, if we kill Ethan, we stop Zen." Andrew smiled, extremely pleased with himself.
Lorne looked at Andrew stupefied. "Great, there's just one problem with that plan, Andrew. Ethan's a human…and we don't kill humans, no matter how bad they are." He looked at Faith, seeing that see had registered everything and not liking the vibes he was getting.
"Alright, I'll do it. I've already got human blood on my hands…guess I'll just have to add some more." Faith said, in a tone that lacked any maliciousness, only a horrible truth that it was the only option, even though it meant more burden on her soul.
"Wait…princess…you can't. There's got to be another way. You don't have to go to that dark place again. No telling what it'll do to you." Lorne exclaimed, his heart sinking with the idea of losing Faith to the darkness once again.
"You can't, Faith. I won't let you. If it has to be done, I'll do it. I won't let you go through that again." Connor shouted as he stood up, confronting Faith face to face. "Please…Let me do this for you. Let me help you." Connor said as he stared into Faith's eyes, baring his full intent toward her.
Faith stared him down, a fire of utter authority and resolve burning in her eyes and voice. "No, Connor. This is all happening because of me. He's killing innocent people daily because he wants me. If he has his way, everyone will die. This is something I have to do. I have to stop him and if this is the only way, then I have to do it. I'm sorry Connor, but I can't let you. I can't let you carry the burden of murder like I do. If that's all I can ever do for you to show you how I….Then that's something."
Connor could see the emotion in Faith's eyes and knew there was no arguing with her. Her mind could not be changed.
"Okay, but I'm coming with you. I won't let you face this alone." Connor said, firm in his resolve as well.
Faith put her hand on Connor's cheek. "Thanks…I…I appreciate it. I think I'm going to need all of you for this one. If your all up for it." Faith looked over her new found group of friends, knowing that this may be the last time she ever saw any of them…at least, in this sort of setting. They all nodded their heads in agreement.
"Okay…now, this is what we're gonna do…"
*******************
"Okay, you got a deal. I'll get the guys together and meet you at the warehouse around midnight." said a mysterious figure as he got up from the table he sat at with Ethan Ranye. He rush out as Ethan called for the check to pay for both of their drinks.
After paying the waiter, Ethan headed out of the bar through the opposite door of his associate. As he entered the main street, an odd feeling overcame him. He felt like he was being watched…but chocked it up to paranoia Double-crossing Zen wasn't exactly the safest thing he had ever done, but if things went as he hoped, he'd soon be free of Zen and have his place and power all to himself to cause the kind of chaos he wanted.
Turning down an alley, Ethan was taken aback when he saw a figure standing in the shadows. It began walking toward him as he began to back away. Shock overtook him when he was able to make out who it was…Faith.
"Well, well, Ethan. Long time, never met. Seems like you've been planning a little something on the side. I wonder if Zen knows about this." Faith remarked as she took slow, deliberate steps toward him…a broad sword in her hand.
"What the…How do you know that? And why are you here?" Ethan stammered out, realizing that he'd been had.
"Ya, funny thing about demon contacts in LA. A lot of them know a friend of mine and it seems a lot of them owe him favors. So, you do the math." Faith said sarcastically but without any real emotion. She wanted this done as quick and painless as possible, although she knew the pain she'd feel from this would last forever.
Ethan turned to run but was met by Connor and Gwen. He turned back to look at Faith to see Lorne and Andrew step out from the shadows as well. "Remember Faith, we're all here with you. You don't have to disappear again." Lorne said with full confidence, needing her to know they were there.
Ethan could tell what was next and his brain worked for a way out. "Listen, Faith. You don't have to do this. I can help you. I know all about Zen. Please…don't kill me." he begged, clasping his hands together as Faith moved toward him, raising her sword. As she got within striking distance, a black portal appeared before her and a figure stepped out. It was Zen.
Faith quickly backed off, taking a defensive position. Connor and Gwen did the same as Andrew and Lorne backed off. "Well…It seems some things have been going on behind my back and if its one thing I don't like, its surprises." Zen said in a low tone that froze Ethan's blood. Zen drew his sword and faced Faith. "So…anyone here care to explain?"
Faith screamed in anger and charged at Zen, sword raised high. Zen parried her strikes, using only one hand to work his sword. "Come now, Faith. Surely your better with a sword than that." Zen remarked with an evil grin on his face. Again Faith charged, slashing high and stabbing low. Her rage fueling her with more strength and speed than Zen had anticipated, forcing him to fully commit to the fight.
Connor moved for Ethan as Zen and Faith's swords continued to clash. Zen sensed Connor's movement and parried a strike from Faith and kicked her in the gut, knocking her back. He opened a portal to block Connor's blow at Ethan and charged into him with his shoulder, knocking the wind out of him and sending him careening into the wall. Faith recovered and came at him from the back with her sword. Before the strike could land, Zen again pulled his disappearing act and dodged the blow, appearing behind Faith and elbowing her in the neck, sending her face first into the ground.
Zen moved to strike Faith but she quickly rolled out of the way and back to her feet. "You've gotten quicker…not that it'll matter." Zen remarked charging her with a series of attacks that Faith was barely able to block with her sword. Faith backed up as she continued to fend off the assault until she felt the wall behind her. Another swipe and Faith found herself pushed against the wall, barely holding back Zen's sword with her own as they danced just in front of her face.
"Go ahead and kill me, Zen." Faith spat out. "It'll just mean your plan has failed and if that's the case….I welcome death." Faith gritted her teeth, looking Zen dead in the eyes, using all her strength to hold him in place. There, for the first time, she saw Zen's resolve falter ever so slightly, the truth of her words hitting him with some affect.
Connor saw his opportunity at hand and seized it. "Gwen…do it now." He yelled as she removed her gloves and grabbed Zen from behind.
"Let's see how you deal with a few thousand volts of electricity dark eyes." Gwen said as electricity surged through her body into Zen's. His sword fell from his hands as he backed off from Faith and screamed in pain. "Arrrggghh!"
As Zen dropped to his knees in pain from Gwen's assault, Connor pulled a knife and rushed towards Ethan. "Sorry Faith, but I can't let you add to your personal hell. I have to do this…for you."
Zen gritted through the pain and saw Connor's movement. "Get…off…of…ME!!!" Zen yelled as he shook Gwen off, throwing her to the ground and again seeming to vanish. Before Connor reached Ethan, Zen was before him out of no where. "Not so fast, boy." Zen said in anger, composure gone as he gave Connor a backhand across the face, knocking him to the ground and dropping his knife.
Ethan cowered behind Zen as his sword disappeared from the ground and reappeared in his hands as he stood over Connor. "I say its about time to bring this party to an end, don't you agree…" Zen said as he raised his sword. Faith started toward him, but stopped when the reality of Zen's target hit him. Zen's sword twisted in his hand as he stabbed it backward, straight into Ethan's stomach. "…Ethan?"
Zen withdrew his sword as Ethan doubled over to his knees, clutching the mortal wound. "How…How…can you?" Ethan got out as blood poured from his mouth.
"That's the interesting things, my dear Ethan. You see, normally, if the one who took out the contract on a Highlander dies, the Highlander is forced back home." Zen continued as he turned around to face Ethan. "But, no Highlander has ever been contracted out this long before. It seems that if one of us remains in an alternate dimension for long enough, that dimension becomes their home. So you see, your death only makes me stay here, where I need to be. So your life…" Zen quickly spun around with his sword and brought it through Ethan's neck, decapitating him. "is forfeit." Zen finished as he once again vanished and appeared behind Andrew, grabbing him and putting his sword to his throat.
"Now that the trash is taken care of, down to business. You know you can't stop me, Faith, and if you don't come to the warehouse were you fought the Beast by midnight three days from now, this one dies. My massacres will continue and only escalate. His life and the lives of everyone in this city, will be on your head…Think about it." With that, Zen and Andrew disappeared into a portal.
Faith dropped to her knees, the feel of utter defeat overtaking her. "Over…its over. I've failed…everyone." she whispered out, filled with a sense of loss. Connor got up and rushed over to her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Why, Connor? Why were you going to do it? Kill and taint yourself forever? Why?" Faith asked, wanting to cry but unable to.
"Because, Faith…Because I… I love you." Connor said, not caring who knew his true feelings now. It didn't matter if she felt the same way or not. He'd love her regardless. But he still hoped, she did feel the same way.
"Connor…" she said as she moved away and looked into his eyes. He helped her to her feet, meeting her eyes. He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw the same thing in her eyes that he knew was in his. He just didn't know if she'd ever accept it or embrace it. He could wait, though, as long as it took.
"Well, this is great. The plan's gone to hell and now he's got Andrew. What do we do now?" Gwen remarked as she dusted herself off. The seriousness of the situation seemingly lost on her.
"There's nothing to do. Either way, Zen wins. I can't take him, I know that. I go there, everyone dies. I don't, he keeps killing people because of me. Anyway we turn, Zen wins." Faith said as she walked over to the group, leaning against Connor as the fight had taken a lot out of her. She knew what she really felt for him, but she just couldn't say it, couldn't go there, especially now.
Lorne walked over to the group, a look on his face that seemed to say the realization of their plight had hit him hard. "You okay, Lorne?" Connor asked.
"Yes, actually. I saw something…in the fight with Zen. Something that may change things…for the better." Lorne said, a slight look of confidence crossing his face.
"What is it, green boy? We could use some good news. Now more than ever." Faith asked, a small glimmer of hope filling her eyes.
"I know how Zen is doing his disappearing act. Its not super speed of teleportation. it's a simple spell that I think we can break, evening the field a little bit. If it works, we just might have a chance to finish this. But there's one problem." Lorne said.
"Of course, there's always a problem. What is it?" Gwen asked, still seemingly immune to the cloud of dread over the rest of the group. "We need a witch to do it. A really powerful one at that." Lorne said, giving Faith a knowing look.
"That's not much of a problem. I know just where we can find one." Faith said, thinking of Willow, not knowing that the witch already knew the horror that was Zen.
End of Episode.
