TITLE: Episode 9-Calm Before the Storm
SERIES: Faith, Rogue Slayer
AUTHOR: elizafan568
EMAIL: elizfaith568@yahoo.com
FEEDBACK: Yes, please.
ARCHIVE/DISTRIBUTION: This site. If you want to post
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SUMMARY: Faith and Connor find each other at last.
SPOILERS: Buffy season 7 and Angel season 5
CONTENT/WARNINGS:
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 9: Calm Before the Storm
Faith sat alone in her room at the Hyperion, the recent events going through her head. As she looked out her window, the one thing that was standing out in her mind the most was the one thing she just could not quite grasp…Connor.
*Why? Why would he do that? Why was Connor willing to take on the burden of murder and maybe damning himself forever for me? Doesn't he know I'm like Typhoid Mary? Anyone I get close to, gets hurt or worse. I just don't understand how can someone be willing to go so far and do so much for me?*
Faith began pacing around the room, her mind racing trying to figure out just what this all could mean. *It just doesn't work for me love. It never has. I can't say I love Connor because I really don't know what love is or what it entails. He's definitely different than any other guy I've known and he really does seem to care about me for no other reason than he loves me. How he can do that, I just don't understand. I do have strong feelings for him, there is no denying that, no matter how much I want too. Can I really chance everything we have now in giving Connor and myself a chance for something more? Is it even really possible for me to feel real love much less admit it? Maybe Connor is the one. Maybe not. I don't know. The only thing I do know is that something is telling me to open the door, and give this a chance more of a chance than I have anything else. I don't really think I deserve a chance at happiness, but Connor does, and if he thinks it's with me and thinks that I can feel it as well then I have to try. I have to. Connor's proved at least that much to me.*
Set in her path, Faith headed out of her room to go downstairs. She just hoped that she was making the right choice. She was going against everything she was used to doing. Her instincts screamed at her that it was a bad idea for her to give a guy an honest chance and give herself a chance at something real. This was the first time Faith was going to ignore those instincts. She only hoped it wasn't a decision she would regret.
********************
Lorne hung up the phone from talking with Buffy and Willow and turned to the group. Gwen was seated on the couch while Connor stood in the middle of the lobby. Lorne noticed Faith coming down the stairs and smiled at her. Knowing that she was going through a lot at the moment. Not just this deal with Zen, but some personal issues with Connor as well.
Connor turned as Faith reached the bottom of the stairs. "Faith, are you okay?" He asked with concern written all over his face and in his eyes. Faith sensed the truthfulness of Connor's feelings coming off him in waves and she felt better about her decision. She didn't see him letting her down anytime soon.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Just thinking about Zen and Andrew and…everything." Faith replied in a low tone as she took a seat on the love seat opposite Gwen. Connor walked over and plopped down next to her. Faith flinched at first at the closeness, but quickly relaxed. It was a full time mental job to force herself into doing and feeling things she never would have before, but she believed the chance was worth it. "So, Lorne, what did Red say?"
Lorne took a deep breathe, the whole situation having them all a bit restless. "Well, I told her what I could about Zen and his plans and abilities. She knows all about the spell he's been using and already knows how to counter it."
"Yeah, about that. You said it was some sort of damping spell or something that Zen's using. It's not super speed or teleportation." Gwen commented, wanting to know the whole deal.
"Exactly. You see, only those really in tune with the mystic side of things, like myself, can pick up on it. What the spell does is it dampens all the senses of those around him, making it impossible for anyone around him to detect his movements until after they've been done. See, your aim's been dead on every time…for were he 'was' standing. He's just dodging your attacks like anyone would in a fight. It's just that your senses can't pick it up until after the fact, making it seem like he's teleporting. It's a mere illusion." Lorne breathed deep, hoping they were following his explanation. They seemed to be.
"And Red knows all about it and how to break it?" Faith asked, finally seeing some glimmer of hope.
Lorne's expression became slightly grim as he continued. "It seems Willow has had the displeasure of encountering Zen…at a grave cost."
Faith stood up, not liking where this was going. "What do you mean?"
Lorne looked at Faith grimly. "When I described what Zen looked like, Willow instantly knew who I was talking about. She and Kennedy encountered him in some tomb in Europe. A fight broke out and…Kennedy was killed."
Faith's heart sank. She and Kennedy had not been that close but she was a nice girl, and could have been an awesome Slayer. Now she was dead at the hands of Zen, the demon whose soul purpose for being here was herself. Faith could only imagine what Willow was going through.
"Since then, she's been studying up on the types of magic that could accomplish the things he was doing so she could get revenge when they next met. She has everything she needs to break the spell and fully intends to help us…but she wants to be the one to kill Zen." Lorne said, expression unchanged.
"No. Its too dangerous. This is all happening because of me and I have to be the one to put a stop to it." Faith exclaimed, now more than ever wanting to kill Zen, and make him pay for all that he has done.
"I told her that's between you and her. She has a few last minute things to do to prepare. She said she's catching a flight late tonight and will be here by morning. You two can talk about it then. For now I suggest we all get some rest. The next few days are going to be hell…maybe literally." Lorne finished as he grabbed his coat and hat and headed for the door.
"Where you going?" Faith asked, worried that he might be leaving for good.
"Just out. Need to get some air and clear my head. Don't worry, I'll be back. I'm not gonna abandon anyone…not again." With that, Lorne was gone.
"Well, it's times like this, I find it's best to go out, dance a lot, and maybe get drunk. What do you guys say?" Gwen asked as she got up to head out as well. "Normally I'd be with you on that Gwen, but not today. Think I might just stay here. Maybe come up with a plan or something." Faith said in a very somber tone as she got up and headed up the stairs. Connor watched her as she left and then turned back to Gwen.
"You go out and have some fun, Gwen. I think I'll stay here too. Keep Faith company. I'm worried about her. I don't want to leave her alone. Not now and not ever if I can help it." Connor said with a conviction that surprised even Gwen.
"Man, you got it bad, don't you boy? Can't say I blame you. And don't worry, I get the feeling she feels the same way about you as you do about her, she's just afraid…a lot." Gwen said with a smirk. It was obvious to anyone that was around the two of them long enough. They seemed to be the only ones having trouble with it.
"What!? What do you mean by that?" Connor exclaimed, caught off guard by Gwen's remark.
"Oh nothing, don't worry about it. You two have fun, and I'll see you guys in the morning." Gwen was out the door before Connor could prod further. He looked back up the stairs where Faith had disappeared. He knew that if ever there was a time to find out if they had a chance, it was now. He just hoped Faith was willing to try, at least one more time, to fully open up and trust someone. He sure as hell was.
*********************
Andrew sat with his hands bound behind his back as he watched Zen sit in front of a small fire, seeming to be meditating.. They were in a huge underground cavern that had opened up from the sewers, a huge altar of stone took up most of the room. It was a round platform with designs of demons and languages Andrew did not recognize. Zen had been sitting atop it, motionless for hours.
"Um, excuse me, Mr. Zen, but do you think you could loosen these chains a bit? They're really chaffing my wrists." Andrew whined for the hundredth time. The nerds incessant whining was driving Zen's vampire minions nuts.
"If you don't shut it soon twerp, I'm gonna suck you dry." One of the vamps snarled.
"Okay, okay, sorry….Anyone wanna play "Who can beat who"?" Andrew asked, bored out of his mind and seemingly oblivious to the severity of his current situation.
"That's it, your dead ki…" The vamp said as he moved on Andrew but found himself dusted by a stake thrown by Zen.
"Just gag the human. No need to jump the gun, and if anyone else feels like getting stirred up, I have plenty more where that came from." Zen remarked, not even turning to acknowledge their presence.
"Yes, my lord." The remaining vampires exclaimed in unison. As told one of them gagged Andrew, who still continued to whine through the gag but everyone ignored him.
Zen had everything ready for the ritual. Now all he needed was for Faith to come to him, and all would be done. The end was finally at hand, and Zen couldn't be happier.
*******************
Faith again sat alone in her room when she heard a knock at her door. "Faith. It's Connor. Can I come in?" she heard from the other side.
"Sure thing." she replied as he entered the room. He walked over the bed where she sat placed himself right next to her. Faith immediately got off the bed, not wanting to be that close to Connor in such an intimate place.
"Faith, please, don't keep doing this. Let me in." Connor said, ready to give it his all and figure this out once and for all.
"Connor. I told you, it doesn't work for me or with me. It'll only hurt us both in the end. That's just the way it is so why not save us the trouble and not go there, not now." Faith said, her resolve to try and open up to the idea wavering once confronted with the fact.
"No, I don't believe that Faith, and deep down I don't think you do either. I don't care about your past. The evil things you did or the bad relationships you've had. None of that matters to me. it's the here and now that counts. If you're only willing to try to open up and give me and yourself a chance. That's all I want." Connor said, his voice heavy and low with emotion.
Faith turned away from Connor, beside herself. Wanting to feel love and give love so badly but afraid that it would fall apart like it always did. She couldn't go there again. She just couldn't. She could never forgive herself if she caused Connor that kind of pain.
Connor stood up from the bed and approached Faith from behind. As she sensed his approached, she moved away yet again, her fear and instinct overtaking her logic. Connor wasn't about to give up, not yet. He moved again and placed his hands on Faith's shoulders. She jerked but didn't move away.
"Faith, please. I believe it can work. I'm here for you, no matter what. I'll do anything I can for you now and always. I'm here till the end, no matter what." Connor said as he felt tears well up in his own eyes.
Faith, too, felt tears stream down her face in spite of herself. "Connor, I can't. I don't wanna hurt you like that. Not ever. It's happened too many times with me. I just can't risk putting you through that. I care too much about you to do that.' Faith cried, not moving as Connor slowly closed the distance between their bodies until his chest was against Faith's back.
"Faith, I love you. I've never been more sure of anything in my entire than I am of that. If you can just find it in yourself to trust me, tobelieve in me, then I think we can work. Trust this Faith: I will never leave you, no matter what. Just open yourself to me Faith…Please." Connor whispered into Faith's ear as he wrapped his arms around her.
Faith didn't know why, but the feeling of Connor around her felt…different. It felt good, right. She felt her fear and hesitation start to melt away in spite of everything in her being wanting to pull away. But she couldn't…she didn't want to. This felt perfect. It was just want she wanted, deep down. Just what she really needed. Yet still, she couldn't bring herself to vocalize her true feelings. She simply turned around and looked into Connor's eyes. She saw only the utmost honesty and good intent in his eyes. This was it, it had to be it. Connor was the one, and she could no longer deny it. She just hoped she wouldn't regret it.
"Connor…" Faith whispered as she bent forward and kissed him…slowly at first. Connor pulled back and looked into Faith's eyes. He could see that something had changed…something had clicked. For the first time. She was there with him…completely. The walls were gone and it was just them. "You sure?" he whispered. Faith simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Connor captured Faith's lips with his in a heated, passionate kiss as he held her tightly in his arms.
Faith felt herself melt into his arms and all her reservations begin to fade away. This was their time and their place. If she was ever going to find love…real love, this was it. She wanted to know that feeling more than anything. She wasn't going to pass up her one chance. Not hers and not Connor's. There was no more denying the feeling between the both of them. It was then Faith, for the first time in her life, felt hope in love.
Connor fell back onto the bed with Faith on top, never breaking the kiss. Faith pulled back and again looked into his eyes. "I love you, Faith…Always." he said, speaking from his soul to hers. What followed was a baring of souls and a true expression of love. The first that either of them had ever really known.
**********************
Faith laid in bed, naked under the sheets, with Connor asleep in her arms. She never though this would happen…not to her. Mostly she never thought she would ever give it a chance to happen. But Connor, just like his father, knew the right words to say and knew how to get her to open up completely.
What she had just experienced was more than just physical intimacy or lust, the things that she used to think were all there was to sex. It was a real expression of love. It was something she thought couldn't be real, at least not for her. Now she knew otherwise, cause that had to be what she had felt. For the first time in her life, Faith felt complete and whole. She looked down at Connor's sleeping face on her chest and lightly caressed it. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. And this night had been the best night of her life. "Thank you, Connor. I…I love you too." she whispered, knowing he could not hear. Faith smiled and drifted off to sleep, Connor in her arms. Now the her personal battle was done, for now at least, the battle for the lives of millions was about to be upon them. With Connor by her side, however, Faith felt like, at last, they had a chance.
***********************
Gwen and Lorne found themselves arrive back at hotel at around the same time, not too long after dawn. "Out all night huh, Lorne? Find yourself a little lady and have a bit of fun." Gwen teased him as the entered the lobby.
"Oh ya, you know me, I'm quite the ladies man. Women love the green." he replied sarcastically as he took off his hat and coat and hung them on the rack. He was getting a completely different vibe from the hotel than he had when they left. He felt a air of trust, hope, and love if he wasn't mistaken. Upon seeing Faith and Connor coming down the stairs together, Faith wearing a pair of white boxers and the shirt Connor had worn the night before, he knew exactly why the vibe was different. The thought that they had both finally come to terms with their feelings for each brought a smile to his face, in spite of the current situation.
"Well, well. Looks like somebody had a good time last night, huh?" Gwen remarked sarcastically at Faith and Connor as they sat down on the couch. Connor wrapped his arms around Faith and gave her a kiss on the cheek as she leaned her head back against his chest, acknowledging that they were a couple. "Oh, what's wrong Gwen? A bit jealous are we." Faith said, finally getting back at Gwen for once.
"Whatever." Gwen said, realizing she wasn't going to win this one. Faith and Connor were on cloud nine and there wasn't anything she could do to change that, not that she really wanted to. She just liked messing with Faith.
"Well, you guys seem pretty relaxed when you've got a friend kidnaped and an apocalypse just around the corner." A voice said from the door of the hotel. Everyone's heads snapped to find Willow standing there, a big duffle bag in hand and an extremely somber and far off look on her face.
"Willow, you're here?" Faith said, caught off guard.
"Yes I am. Now lets get to work. I'm going to make that bastard pay for what he'd done. No matter what it takes."
End of Episode.
