"Send Faith back,” Buffy finally said

“Send Faith back,” Buffy finally said.

Identical shocked faces turned to her.

“Look, Slayer, that’s not an option,” Whistler said, in what he hoped was a firm voice.

“It’s the only option,” Buffy responded.

A smile, that never quite reached her eyes, crawled across her lips. “You can’t send me back to when I cast the spell because I’ll just cast it again. You can’t send me back to the parallel whatever I created because I won’t wake up. Ever.”

“B, go back. Do the hero thing and save the world. Leave me here. I’ve had a good go. ‘Sides, I’m not so good with the whole alone thing. Spike…Dawn, they’d never understand you not goin’ back to them,” Faith told Buffy.

“I’m not going back without you,” Buffy said with finality.

Faith’s eyes flashed as she crowded Buffy’s personal space. “You expect me to just pick up and leave you here? Go back to the little Scooby gang and pretend I’m not only alive because you’re dead? I ain’t going back to deal with that kinda guilt.”

A wide grin spread across Buffy’s face. She had the answer she needed. As Faith caught on, a smirk crossed her face. They both turned to Whistler who stumbled back a few steps.

“Here’s how this plays out,” Faith began.

“You’re going to send us BOTH back,” Buffy continued.

Scared as he was, Whistler couldn’t help but admire the pair. The girls unintentionally moved to cover the other in case of attack. Together, they formed and impenetrable wall. Whistler silently pleaded with the PTB’s to just let the girls have it their way, let them win this particular round.

A loud popping noise and a bright flash of orange light forced the girls to cover their eyes. When they looked back, Whistler had disappeared.

* * * * *

Anya smiled brightly as she walked through the doors of Sunnydale Memorial Hospital. She could almost taste her powers again. Surely the Mayor would now be forced to restore her to her former glory. The plan truly was brilliant; no one but her would have thought to use the claim against the Slayers. She easily learned from the nurse’s station where Buffy and Faith had been taken. After all, she resembled a concerned fellow student. Both she and the Mayor knew the moment the spell had taken affect because his office had received a phone call from the conscientious Mr. Snyder asking for permission to expel both Miss Summers and Miss Faith for starting such a gruesome fight. If the pair lived through the experience, the Mayor had assured Mr. Snyder that the girl’s actions would be dealt with post haste.

As she turned the corner, she saw the entire group gathered outside the room. They all looked completely miserable; Anya smiled a bit at that. She spent too much staring at their pathetic faces because Spike noticed her. Since she was human, her reflexes meant nothing to a vampire. Before she could even scream, he had her by the throat and up against the wall; fangs showing, snarls escaping his clenched teeth she knew he’d kill her.

“Tell me what mojo you worked on my girls and I’ll simply snap your neck,” Spike growled.

Anya rolled her eyes, “Honestly, that’s not a very compelling reason to tell you anything. Either way I’m dead. If my option is death, I’m not going to tell you anything.”

“No, pet,” Spike began in a low, dangerous tone, “There’s death, and then there’s death. Angelus taught me a thing or two about the second type. Nasty bit of fun that is.”

Anya let out an impatient sigh. “Even if I wanted to help you, which I don’t, I can’t undo the spell. I looked long and hard for a spell that no one would be able to reverse. Even the little red-headed witch of yours.”

“For your sake, I hope you’re wrong,” Spike said evenly as he pulled the former demon with him.

“Spike, I wondered where you – ” Giles broke off mid-sentence when he noticed Anya in tow.

“Looky what Spike found. She was checkin’ in, makin’ sure her little spell worked all proper like,” he informed the Watcher.

“Did she have any useful information for you?” Giles asked eagerly.

“Said the spell was irreversible,” Spike answered, “Don’t know that I believe her.”

Giles removed his glasses and polished them for what must have been the millionth time that evening. Few spells were irreversible, but the few that were held more power than he cared to acknowledge. If in fact Anya had managed to perform one, there was nothing he or any of them could do to help the girls. In favor of self preservation, he decided to hold that little tidbit to himself.

“The Mayor just wanted the Slayers out of the way for his Ascension. If they had just minded their own business, I’d not be stuck here as a high school girl for the rest of my short, mortal life,” Anya complained.

“If you don’t shut you’re gob, you’re mortal life’s goin’ ta get shorter,” Spike snapped at the annoying ex-demon.

* * * * *

“Uh, does that mean no, or yes?” Faith asked Buffy.

“I doubt it means sunshine and flowers,” Buffy answered distractedly.

Both girls looked around the vast emptiness around them. Where before, while Whistler had been with them, their surroundings had been familiar, the scene before them now was simply nothing – absolute nothing. They moved closer to each other, neither verbalizing the utter terror the felt at their new surroundings. Demons, vampires, Snyder, these things they could handle, they could fight, but the nothingness…that wasn’t fightable.

“Have you both seriously considered the ramifications of your decision?” a voice asked from the nothingness.

Faith looked unimpressed, while Buffy looked suspicious.

“Look, whoever you are, I’m so not going to have a conversation with a non-existent whatever. So, if you wanna chat, be with the physical body having,” Buffy demanded.

“Uh, B, I wouldn’t upset the non-corporeal,” Faith advised with a conspiratorial wink.

“What’s it going to do, Faith? It doesn’t exist,” Buffy replied.

“It might blow some wicked wind at us or something equally unpleasant,” Faith answered.

“Of course,” Buffy began with a smile, “I forgot about the terrifying breeze. And of all the times to be without a nice coat.”

Faith snickered.

“Enough,” a man bellowed.

“Where in the holy fuck did you come from?” Faith practically screamed.

“I materialized as the two of you seemed unwilling to cooperate until I did so,” the man continued in a scarily Giles-like patronizing tone.

“Still not all excited about the cooperation thing,” Buffy reminded him.

“An agreement may still be reached, Slayer,” the man continued.

“Unless the agreement is with the sending me and Faith back with a big ‘sorry’ from the PTB’s, we’ve got nothing left to discuss,” Buffy said.

“Clearly you do not grasp the severity of the situation you have caused,” the man said in a parental tone.

“And you haven’t been listening. B doesn’t care what happens to the world if she doesn’t get her way. And she’s the good slayer,” Faith snapped.

The man rubbed his forehead tiredly. While he never condoned the methods employed by the council, he began to understand why they went to the lengths they did to control the young girls. “Unfortunately for the both of you, the PTB’s are prepared for a state of existence without either of you.”

“You’re serious,” Buffy whispered.

Faith looked at Buffy curiously. She couldn’t honestly think the white hats were all with the no Slayer on the Hellmouth, that just wasn’t…white hat-like.

The man nodded solemnly. The decision had not been made lightly, but the balance must be restored. The girls needed to learn that they did not control as much as they liked to believe they did.

“Well, that’s just too bad,” Buffy said, “Those can’t be the only options. You said you were interested in making a deal…so, let’s make a deal.”

“Very well. I have been given permission to offer you the following deal. But, understand that you’re only options are to accept my deal or remain here leaving the world without a Chosen One,” the man said. When he saw both girls nod their understanding, he continued.

“I will send Buffy back, alone. If she can successfully defeat the Mayor and prevent his ascension, then Faith will be returned to you. If you succeed,” the man said to Buffy, “The PTB’s will remain out of your affairs for the remainder of your lives.”

With smoldering contempt, Buffy looked at the man. She desired nothing more than to discover what a stake through the heart would do to a PTB, as Faith had pointed out, you’d be surprised what that will do. What she couldn’t understand was why everyone wanted her to do things alone, what was so super special about being alone? No one wanted her to have the support she needed, they simply wanted her to slay things, and save the world one heartbreak at a time. Fine. She’d slay, she’d do the good Slayer thing and she’d get Faith back. Then she’d get even.

Turning to Faith, Buffy silently assessed Faith’s reaction to the choice presented to them.

“Go on, B. Kick demon ass,” Faith said as nonchalantly as possible.

After nodding to Faith, Buffy turned to the man. “If so much as one bruise remains on Faith when I get her back, I’ll personally destroy you all.”

“Then you agree to our terms,” the man made it a statement.

Buffy nodded.

* * * * *

“Sheisawake!” Willow excitedly exclaimed to the others.

Giles and Spike turned their attention to the redhead. Anya rolled her eyes.

“What’s that, Red?” Spike asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Buffy, she’s awake!” Willow managed to annunciate this time.

Both men dashed into Buffy’s hospital room, dragging a reluctant Anya behind them.

Spike’s voice caught in his throat. He’d never been as happy as he was at this moment. Sure she looked a bit worse for the wear, but she and Faith had been trying to kill each other. When she looked up at him, Spike wanted to weep for her. He knew Faith hadn’t come back.

“They kept her,” Buffy said so quietly he barely caught it, “and I let them.”

With that admission, Buffy succumbed to her despair. Gut wrenching sobs tore from he mouth as she cried out against the cruel hand fate had dealt her. She wept for what she’d never have, for what she stood to lose.

“Buffy,” Giles began.

“Not now, Watcher,” Spike growled.

Anya let out a deep sigh. She was just bored. Couldn’t they either kill her or let her go. She was sure the Mayor wouldn’t elevate her to her former status now.

Buffy’s eyes snapped to Anya when she heard the former demon sigh. With a growl, she launched herself at the girl. Giles and Spike both moved to stop her. Neither had a chance. She turned to them and sent chills down each man’s spine with the look in her eyes.

“She’s the reason Faith’s not here,” Buffy screamed, “Nothing is going to stop me from getting her back.”

With ease and a bored look on her face, Buffy threw Anya into the wall. Before Anya could regain her feet, Buffy threw her into the opposite wall.

Spike looked at the Watcher, “Go tell Joyce and the Bit that Buffy’s alright.”

Giles hesitated, looking at his Slayer toss the human girl around like a pillow made him uncomfortable. “Spike, she cannot be allowed to kill a human.”

“’snot always that black and white, Watcher. Slayer’ll have to decide for herself this time,” Spike said.

“I – this…it isn’t right,” Giles sputtered.

“No, Watcher, none of this is right,” Spike agreed.

“Tell me the Mayor’s plan and beat the Anya will stop,” Buffy said before she flipped Anya onto the floor.

“Best get goin’, Watcher,” Spike advised, “It’s about to get ugly.”

Knowing he could do nothing to prevent Buffy from killing Anya, Giles nodded mutely to Spike before hastily retreating from the room. He held onto the hope that he’d trained his Slayer well enough to draw the line at killing mortals, no matter how much they deserved a horrible, gruesome death.

Now that he was away from the hospital, other things began to register in his brain. Buffy had mentioned that they, whoever they were, kept Faith. Buffy’s tone indicated she felt responsible. When Buffy had appeased her anger, he’d ask her what that cryptic message meant. Maybe he could find who held Faith and help get her back. It was the very least he could do for his charge.

The door opened before he had the opportunity to knock. An extremely disheveled looking Joyce stood in the doorway. Giles knowing he looked no better smiled knowingly and walked into the house.

“Tea?” Joyce offered.

“Yes, than you,” Giles gladly accepted.

“Where’s Buffy?” Dawn demanded from the stairs.

“Buffy is safe. She’s with Spike at the hospital,” Giles answered.

“And Faith?” Joyce asked as she came into the living room.

She handed a piping hot cup of tea to Giles. He used this as an excuse to prolong answering the question. He sipped at the tea eyeing the women carefully.

“Faith is still in the same condition. Buffy is currently trying to…convince Anya to answer her questions,” Giles answered carefully.

“Will Faith be ok?” Dawn asked in a small voice.

Giles looked helplessly up at Joyce. Unfortunately, the woman offered no assistance. She obviously had the same interest in the answer as Dawn. After allowing himself to indulge in a deep sigh, he looked back at Dawn. “Your sister will do everything in her power to ensure Faith comes safely back to all of us.”

Dawn nodded her head mutely. She knew that it must be bad since Giles was all with the extra assurance. What did it mean that Buffy came back, but Faith didn’t?

Joyce looked at Dawn. The recent events had taken a toll on all of them. She wanted nothing more than to give this Mayor a piece of her mind. It was entirely unacceptable for him to continue to throw her family into such turmoil. Between the two Slayers she had plenty to worry about, not to mention Willow whose use of witchcraft landed her in as much trouble as Buffy and Faith.

“You should head to bed, Dawn,” Joyce said, “I’ll have Buffy and Spike come see you when they get home.”

Wanting to protest, but knowing better, Dawn trudged up the stairs.

Once Joyce heard Dawn’s bedroom door shut she turned on Giles. “Tell me everything.”

* * * * *

Even though she was trapped by the PTB’s, they did allow her to watch everything going on back in Sunnydale. Faith smiled and cheered Buffy on as she watched the girl throw Anya around like a doll. Served the little demon right, too.

“I taught her that move,” Faith said with a smile.

“You appear extremely calm considering the situation,” the man mused out loud.

“B will get me outta here,” Faith said simply.

“You have an uncanny amount of trust in her abilities,” the man remarked.

“Not sure what uncanny means, but you obviously don’t know B. She’s all about getting what she wants,” Faith said.

“I doubt she’ll be able to defeat the Mayor,” the man announced.

“Like I said, you don’t know B.”

“Perhaps not. I do however, know how the Mayor was meant to be defeated. Unfortunately, Buffy no matter how stellar her abilities, will not be able to duplicate those events.” The man spoke as if he were carrying on a conversation about the weather and not the fate of the world.

Faith looked up at the man with interest for the first time ever. “Ok, I’m game. What do you know?”

The man smiled wide as he turned to Faith. “You.”

With a shake of her head, Faith began to pace. How could she possibly be the key to destroying Sir Wants to Be a Demon? Unless…

He watched as she began to put the pieces together. “Yes, Faith. In the other reality, the true reality, you played Anya’s role. Better, I’ll grant you, but Buffy won in the end.”

“The fight we had in the gym, that was how it went down in the other Sunnydale,” Faith stated, “B killed me to save the world.”

The man laughed, “No child. She killed you to save Angel. Saving the world was a lucky coincidence. The dagger she used to stab you and leave you in a coma happened to be the Mayor’s weak point. He grew attached to you. Buffy used his attachment to you to lure him into the library where they blew up the entire high school.”

Eyes wide as sauces, Faith stared at the man. It couldn’t be possible. There had to be another way. Buffy was uber-Slayer. “She’ll figure something out.”

“Face it, Faith. Without you, the Mayor is invincible.”