CHOSEN 3 ENG

PART 9

Nara was not paying attention to the last preparations for the ritual. She was looking the sun rising through the window, her mind far away from the museum. Something was bothering her and Leo did not have to be a seer to notice it. He slowly approached his wife, put his hands on her shoulders and asked her:

"What’s wrong, darling?"

"They’re here, I can feel them."

"Who? The Slayers? How could they be here? The cyclone prevents anyone to come into Sunnydale."

"They have found a way. I can feel them, Ibis. We share a bond and I’m much used to it than they are. They’re really close now. They will come and fight."

"And lose. They don’t know what we are planning to do, they are alone, we have their friends, we know they’re here thanks to you, we have all the aces in our game, Nara."

"Apparently yes but we have never faced two Slayers at the same time before and those two are different from the other Slayers and you know it."

"Don’t get me wrong, Nara, I don’t underestimate them. I know what they are capable of and if you say they have succeeded in coming back to Sunnydale, I believe you. I’ll tell Trenchman to handle it... with your help, of course."

Nara smiled at her husband. Yes, her successors were very strong but she had much more experience than the two of them and so was Trenchman.

Faith hated the City Hall of Sunnydale. It reminded her a time she wanted to forget, to hide in the most unreachable part of her mind. It reminded her the time when she worked for the Mayor. On their way to the museum, they had changed their mind and had decided to postpone their entry in the heart of the enemy forces. Buffy had been right to say that they did not know the place enough while Nefer-tem and his minions had had plenty of time to prepare their defence. As electricity had been cut because of the cyclone, they could not have access to the web files of the town, the only place to find a plan of the museum and its basement was the City Hall. So, they were in the place that had been deserted by the scared employees, reading books and checking numerous plans.

Buffy closed the book she had just read, no trace of any plan in this one. She took another book when she noticed that Faith seemed suddenly a little bit absent-minded. Her girlfriend was sitting in a chair but did not seem to be reading her book.

"You should go and speak to her."

Buffy jumped, surprised. She had not noticed that Andrea had come so close to her.

"Andrea?"

"It’s hard for her to be here. It’s hard for me, so should be for her too."

Buffy looked at Faith, unsure of how she should speak to the woman she loved.

"Never spoke about it yet, am I wrong?"

"Yes, we spoke about it. About how confused she was at that time, about how blind I was to refuse to admit my feelings for her, about how we screwed everything up the last time."

"That’s not what I meant. Have you spoken about him?"

"No! I mean, I know she went to him because she felt rejected by us and I know that he never judged her."

"Yes, actually, he cared about us. He was evil but with Faith, it was as if he let her human side take control of him, it was as if... it’s hard to explain but for the first time, we felt a kind of fatherly love..."

"I’m going to speak to her. You’re right."

Buffy stood up and made a first step in Faith’s direction. Then she stopped, turned her head towards Andrea and said:

"Thanks."

Andrea smiled and just nodded.

Faith was still lost in her thoughts when she felt someone coming to her, giving her soft kisses on her neck and she could not prevent herself from smiling.

"Hey, B. What’s up, found something?"

"Nah... nothing. So I said, why not take a break and go taste my girlfriend."

"Do I taste good?"

Buffy put her forefinger on her girlfriend nose and said:

"You know you do! In fact, you’re my favorite flavor."

"That’s good, because you’re mine too. May I?"

Buffy presented her neck to her girlfriend who quickly covered it with her mouth, reciprocating Buffy’s kisses on it.

When Faith finally broke the kisses, they stared in each other's eyes for a long time.

"Fairy?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to speak of him?"

Buffy sensed Faith’s hesitation, her insecurities were still there but she quickly felt relieved when she saw the resolute look that appeared in the beautiful chocolate eyes of the woman she loved.

"He was good to me, B. I know he was evil, he was a killer, he became a demon, he made us fight each other but... I can’t hate the guy, quite the opposite, in fact. I remember how he could make me laugh just by being him, how he made me feel comfortable and loved. He used me but he loved me, B. It’s kinda sick to say it, but he had been like a father to me."

Buffy had put her head on Faith's right shoulder while she was listening to her.

"It’s not sick, Faith, just human. I personally didn’t have good feelings for the guy but I understand you. If only..."

"If only what, B?"

"If only I hadn’t been so focused on my problems, if only I had assumed my feelings for you then..."

"Hadn’t we agreed to let the past in the past?"

"Yes, we had. It’s just..."

"Buffy... I... er... The boss is my past, you are my future. You told me that, remember. I think about him, sometimes, but after the good memories, come the bad ones, it reminds me how unbalanced I was at that time. On the opposite, every time I see you, I think about you, there are only good memories, there is hope, you’re the first person on earth that has ever given me hope, B."

"And I’d do everything to keep that feeling in you, Fairy. I promise."

They stayed a few minutes in each other’s arms enjoying the moment before Dawn came to say:

"We’ve found it."

Laura was alone in the bathroom. She was in the hot water of the king sized tub of the room. She wondered why a museum had such a tub. Maybe she would ask it to the director who had been locked in the basement before the beginning of the ritual.

She let her mind go, enjoying the feeling of being in a tempered bath. She remembered the last hours, long hours when she had thought about the ritual, about her role in it, her role in the Maat. Her father had to be rehearsing his incantations for tonight, his night. His dream should be fulfilled this night, thanks to him, thanks to her mother, thanks to her.

She let her body sink in the bath, just letting her head appear and thought once more time of Maat and its importance.

The plan was in front of them. There was indeed a passage between Sunnydale’s tunnels and the museum. The Slayers could thus penetrate the museum through this way.

"Fairy, you and I will go to the central room, the pyramidal one."

"Why are you so sure they are there?" asked Andrea.

"Remember Cordy’s vision. There was a pyramid in it. This room is pyramidal and it is the only 'pyramid' in Sunnydale. My guess: they are there."

"And who said that blonde chicks weren’t smart?"

"A jealous, honey."

"Geez, guys, could you quit flirting for a minute." added Dawn then turning her head towards Andrea, she said: "You’re my witness. If they say anything about it when I am with a boyfriend..."

"I’ll back you up, D. I’ll back you up."

"Kids, attention please."

Buffy had said the last sentence with a smile. She appreciated this kind of ambience, it was like family. Teasing each other, smiling because of it, etc... and she knew that everyone in this room felt the same. The coming hours would be pivotal. All of them would be in front of danger, even Dawn that she refused to let alone in such a situation.

"OK, let’s go back to the plan. As I said, Faith and I would go straight away to the central room. You guys, you’ll find our friends and lead them out of the museum. Questions?"

No question came. Buffy had expected something from Andrea. Being Faith’s alter ego, she should not have been pleased by her assignation. She had not said a thing though and part of Buffy was glad she did not. The girl was on the good way... and she was not surprised to care about her anymore. She was definitely part of the family.

PART 10

The two demons that guarded the basement were glad to see the relief coming. Spending three hours in the basement just to check if anyone was trying to break in the museum through whatever hidden entry was definitely not enjoyable. So, when they had heard the steps in the stairs and had seen that it was indeed the relief, they were too happy to let other demons replace them. They exchanged banalities, made their report before leaving the room.

The two new sentinels made a quick patrol in the basement before coming back to the stairs to smoke cigarettes.

"Do you think it will be long?"

"No, Trenchman said that everything would be done an hour after sunset. The night will come soon, so I’d say that in one hour and a half, we won’t have to worry anymore."

"And we will rule the world."

The second demon did not continue the conversation. He had just heard a noise coming from the right side of the nearest room. Asking his colleague to follow him with a sign, he grabbed his rifle and carefully entered the room. Several boxes were gathered in the place, probably waiting for some specialists to check their contents. The two demons were approaching the right side, they had let as much space as possible between the two of them, in order to prevent any attack coming from this side. They were very close to the pile of boxes now, in a few seconds, they would see if there was anyone hidden behind it.

At that moment, they heard a mewing coming from the pile. The demon, standing on the left looked at his pal and asked:

"A cat?"

"Or a trick. Let’s check it."

They both made another step before seeing a form emerge from the pile, a black cat that quickly ran under an old table.

The demons relaxed a bit. A cat, they had been scared by a cat. How ridiculous was it. The right demon smiled then went to the cat’s direction.

"What are you doing?"

"I like cats. I have plenty of them home. I like their independence, the way they always find a way to have what they want. As we are stuck here for a while, why can’t we use a little company?"

The other demon looked at his colleague amused then:

"Her name is Kitty Fantastico!"

The demons were completely surprised by the newcomer, a little brunette who could not be over 16. They had both their rifles pointed to her. The demon that was looking after the cat said then:

"I recognise you! You’re the blonde Slayer’s sister."

Dawn smiled before replying:

"Yes, I am. Would you like to meet her? Must be your lucky day, she’s just behind you with her girlfriend."

The demons quickly turned around but were not fast enough to avoid the swords that cut their heads off.

Buffy smiled to her sister.

"Well, that went well."

Then she turned her head towards Faith who was helping Andrea to climb out of the trap door that was hidden by the pile of boxes the demons were so interested in. When they had noticed that the demons had heard something, Buffy’s first reaction had been to jump on them. But Dawn had had a better idea and, even if she had been scared as hell for her sister’s life, she had not prevented her from distracting the guards. Andrea was up now and Buffy decided to tease her girlfriend.

"See, honey. You can also use a sword without throwing it."

Faith smiled back:

"Never said I couldn’t, B. It’s just less fun."

"Can I do something to increase your fun rate?"

"I have a couple of ideas in mind, B but unfortunately, we’re not in the good place to do it."

"Too bad."

Dawn was witnessing the exchange between the Slayers and sighed. Falling in love really made people senile. She looked at Andrea who was too glad to interrupt the lovers.

"OK, what do we do now?"

Buffy quickly asked Dawn.

"Are you sure about the cat?"

"Positive! She’s worse than a dog. She is literally in love with Tara and is kinda lost without her. If we let her go, she’ll find her."

"OK, Andrea?"

"Understood! D and I will follow the cat and you’ll look after the bad guys."

As soon as she finished her sentence, Andrea grabbed Dawn by the arm and the two girls were moving away when they heard Buffy’s voice calling them.

"Hey, girls! Be careful."

Then the older Slayer locked her eyes in Andrea’s, smiled and added: "Both of you."

Andrea just nodded before leading Dawn away. Buffy looked at them a few more seconds, thinking. She had let Andrea in and showed it. Part of her was still worried about the girl sanity but she wanted to do it, partly for Faith but she had discovered a few hours ago that she actually cared about the girl too. How could not she? In a way, she was also Faith, the wild Faith and even if she would never trust or love her the way she trusted and loved Faith, she knew that she really wanted Andrea in her family.

She then looked at Faith and smiled to her. No word was necessary, her girlfriend had understood. She gave a quick kiss to the brunette, took her hand in hers and made the first step on the stairs. Time for romance and thoughts was over, the battle had just begun and their timing seemed very short.

Nefer-tem looked one last time at the room. Everything was ready for the ritual. The sarcophaguses were at the right place, the beacon had just been taken out of the box, Laura would soon be here to take her place and the Slayers would not be able to do anything with Nara and Trenchman to stop them. No one would stop him now, no one would prevent tonight's events. Tonight, the face of humanity would change, tonight, everything would change.

He looked at the Egyptian outfits he was wearing and smiled. He had not put them for ages. It was his favourite ones though, it reminded him the good old days, when everything was clear, simple, when the gods were present in the hearts of every individuals. The nostalgia was quickly replaced by melancholy when he thought at the present time, a time without faith, without self-respect. The present time was ruled by egocentrism, power and money, humanity had lost its way, humans were too weak to change anything and the Maat could not be restored because of them. The more he thought about it, the more he was certain to be right, humanity deserved what would happen.

The arrival of some of the Scourge demons connected Nefer-tem back to reality. They were carrying the main tool for the ritual, a blonde vampire named Spike who was attached on a table.

"Hello, Mr Spike. Welcome to my private room."

"Sorry not to shake you hand but I'm a bit stuck right now. Otherwise, I would have been happy to shake it and keep it once I would have torn it off."

"I'm sure you would. Anyway I'm glad you could join us and I'm sure you will play your role perfectly."

"My role, what role?"

"You'll see it soon enough, my dear. You'll see it soon enough. Then, with a cruel smile, Nefer-tem added: "Actually, you'll feel it soon enough, boy."

Nefer-tem made a step back and waved his hand. Obeying this silent order, the demons put a scotch on Spike's mouth, preventing him to speak then they brought the vampire away and without detaching him, literally glued the table on the beacon.

The immortal did not even look at it, he was lost in his thoughts again and noticed that sunset would come soon. In less than a couple of hours, everything would be as it had to.

Kitty Fantastico, following her instinct and her sense of smell, was leading Dawn and Andrea to the upper levels of the museum. They were on their way to the second floor when Andrea noticed the strange look Dawn was giving her.

"What’s wrong, D? Why are you looking at me like this?"

"I wondered... never mind, it’s not really the time."

"Come on, spit!"

"It’s just... well, you’re exactly like Faith and..."

"You wanna know if I’m cool about them screwing?"

"Well, I wouldn’t have said it like this but... yeah."

Andrea did not answer directly, she was still following the cat that had stopped right in front of a door. She was pacing in front of it. The Scoobies had to be at this level.

"I’m not!"

Dawn was a bit surprised by Andrea’s reply. She was not expecting an answer anymore but she had just received it. She looked at the older brunette who had a melancholic look in her eyes.

"It’s hard, D. knowing that she is with... me, the me I could have become if the Mayor had chosen me to stay... and seeing them together, the glares they exchange, the loving gestures they have for each other... it’s fucking unbearable for me. Hell, since they came to pick me up to come back in Sunnyhell, I have wanted to beat the hell out of them at least a million times."

"But... you didn’t."

"I’m tired of being bad, D. It’s a dead end. I wanna live D, not survive. I love Buffy and I love Sis. I’m glad they are together, happy but... it’s tearing me apart too."

"And what are you gonna do?"

"Leave. As soon as this fucking battle is finished, I’ll go back to Frisco."

"Will you come back?"

"You’d miss me?"

"I think so."

Andrea smiled to the young girl, then she said:

"I’ll stay in touch, don’t worry. I can’t see them together 24 hours a day but I can’t live without them too... Yeah, I know, I’m not the stable one."

"No, I think I understand. One last thing... what about Andy?"

"He hasn’t be back since the last time. Kelanu said that as long as I can keep the control of my feelings, he won’t come back. Strangely, I went to dreamland lately, I was scared like hell but he hasn’t showed up... think it’s a good sign."

"I’m sure it is."

"So, Miss future shrink, are we done?"

"Yep, patient. We can go."

Andrea opened the door, let the cat enter first then followed her, protecting Dawn with her body just in case.

Buffy and Faith were walking carefully in the ground level of the museum. They had not met any patrol and it was becoming scary. They were approaching the pyramidal room, they were sure it was the place that Cordelia described in her vision but they had seen no guard to prevent them to reach it until now.

They had crossed various rooms during their progression, each one gathering paintings, sculptures and other pieces of art. They were currently crossing one of these rooms, a room that was dedicated to the first forms of art. Faith found these pieces of wood and stone awful but had had a quick glance at the weapons they used at that time. She did not stay long though as Buffy had continued walking towards the next corridor. Her girlfriend was right, it was not the time for a sightseeing tour. So she joined Buffy and took her hand. It was a simple gesture but Faith had never hold somebody’s hand just for the pleasure to hold it and she would never be tired of holding the other Slayer’s hand in fact, she would hold it every time she would have the occasion to do so. She sensed Buffy squeeze her hand, looked at her eyes, at her smiling lips and feel her own mouth forming a wide smile. That was love, a wonderful feeling she had rejected for so long, a deep and amazing feeling Buffy had awaken in her.

They arrived at the entry of the room, in full Slayer mode. It was not the time for feelings anymore. They had just sensed someone in that corridor. It was a strange feeling, it was as if they could feel a part of themselves on the other side of the wall. After a last confident look at each other, they made the first steps in the corridor to see a woman, wearing black leather outfits and sunglasses. The Slayers were now in front of Nara, a thousands years old Slayer who was waiting for them, waiting to fight them and eventually kill them. And that woman was smiling at them.

"I was wondering when you’d come. I’m glad you’re here."

"So, what do you think, B. she’s rather well preserved for an antique."

"I’m not that impressed, Fairy. Today, with plastic surgery and stuff like that, you can do miracles."

"So, Mummy Slayer. What’s your secret?"

"What can I say... See, sex, sun and magic. That’s the key."

"Hey, Fairy. I like that program. Mind if we borrow it?"

"Not at all. You won’t live enough to use it."

"Geez, why do villains always have to spoil the fun? We had an interesting and pleasant conversation and she’s back with the killing."

"I think we should teach her how to be gentle, B."

"I agree, darling."

PART 11

Buffy and Faith were facing Nara now. Each Slayer had taken a fighting position, ready to fight, dodge or avoid any attack coming from each side. The eldest Slayer did not seem to move, she obviously did not want to begin the fight. The younger Slayers knew both what it meant.

"She’s gaining time, B."

"I know! Her husband must be doing something really important now, something bad."

"So, time is an issue I guess."

"Yep, which means..."

"...that one of us has to go, B. I figured it out."

"Wanna play with Grandma, Fairy?"

Faith looked at her girlfriend, a little surprised by the proposal. She had been ready to argue with Buffy about who would fight Nara, and now Buffy had just agreed to let her fight their enemy alone. Buffy’s next sentence made her realise the reason why the blonde Slayer had proposed that to her.

"The last time, you were the one who left. Now, it’s my turn."

Faith looked at her girlfriend, at her beautiful face, tensed because of the upcoming battle, looked at the corner of her mouth, curled in a smile, she smiled because she knew that Faith was watching her and Faith was aware of it. It was Buffy’s way to show her that she trusted her completely now, that, according to her, there were no more doubts, issues or bad feelings to prevent her from giving her entire trust to Faith. It was so different from the last time, when Buffy had forced Faith to run away, when Faith had been afraid to lose the one who meant so much to her. For the first time since the beginning of their new relationship, a week ago, Faith could not see any clouds that could spoil their love. Together, the Slayers had vanquished the brunette’s past, together, they had built an extraordinary relationship, they relied on each other in a way Faith would not have thought possible two weeks before. The fear to lose Buffy was still there, would never disappear but instead of paralysing the dark Slayer, it gave her a new strength, a will to enjoy love, to enjoy Buffy’s love with all her soul, with all her body. For the first time since her childhood, Faith realised how good life could be.

"I’d be happy to kick her ass for you, B."

"Don’t be too long, the second I live this room, I’ll miss you."

It was the instant Nara chose to interrupt them.

"That’s really romantic you know. So I’ll face Faith. That’s cool with me."

"You won’t stop me for leaving?"

"No, because your friends are too important for you. See, I’m not dumb. I might be a terrific Slayer, I won’t be able to fight the two of you. So I asked Trenchman to kill your friends in (she looked at her watch) fifteen minutes now. So, you see 'B' you have the choice. You go find my husband and your friends will die... or you go save your friends and won’t be able to stop my dear Nef. Knowing you, I already know your decision."

Then Faith whispered to the blonde Slayer:

"She doesn’t know about Andrea."

"I noticed. Let’s take advantage of it then. See you soon."

"Take care, B."

After a last look to her girlfriend, Buffy ran towards the exit, passed Nara who tried nothing to stop her and left the room.

"So, Grandma. How is your rheumatism? Should I kick you softly?"

"I’ll give you rheumatism, kid and you’ll beg me to stop."

Buffy ran in the corridor, worried, worried for Faith who, she knew, was facing a heck of a fighter. But, it was not the first time she let Faith fight alone, and it was not the last either. The fear would always be there but she trusted Faith, trusted her skills. She was one of the most dangerous opponents someone could face and Grandma would bite the dust. She shut the voices of doubts down, focused on her mission and ran to the pyramidal room, the place where she would finally face the source of all their recent troubles.

Andrea and Dawn were progressing carefully in the second floor. Still following Miss Kitty Fantastico, they were ready to strike if anyone appeared. At one point, Dawn noticed something and whispered in Andrea’s ear.

"Have you noticed that the lights are on? There is no electricity in the town but the lights are working here."

"I didn’t pay attention but you’re right. Must be an autonomous electric generator. Guess the bad guys like to be comfy."

They stopped suddenly. They had just heard a conversation on the left of the corridor they were about to cross. Carefully, they approached the corner of their corridor to listen to the conversation.

"Can I kill them, Master?"

"Not now, corporal. I agreed with Nara not to kill them before the deadline. How many times should I explain to you that it is supposed to be a trap for at least one of the Slayers, not necessary a massacre."

"But..."

"Trust me soldier. In less than an hour, our time will come and you won’t question my tactics anymore."

"Yes, Master."

"So we wait and if a Slayer has not come in the next ten minutes, I’ll let you have fun with our guests."

"Too bad I’m here then."

To Dawn’s surprise, Andrea stepped out of their corridor after having said the previous words. How could she be so imprudent? They should have prepared a plan and now, what was she about to do? Dawn could imagine many other unwise things Andrea could do but she was not prepared for the one the brunette Slayer had chosen.

"They seem surprised to see us, D. Come on, move your ass, you have to see their faces, it’s too funny even if they are horrible."

Dawn was too amazed to discuss Andrea’s proposition. She stepped out the corridor too and faced the two demons. A soldier and the one she had seen lead the attack of the basement, the leader of the Scourge, the immortal demon named Trenchman who had begun to recover from its amazement.

"I... I didn’t expect you to show up like this."

Well, you know, 'Hitler', I’m kinda in a hurry. I have my Sis and B downstairs, having fun while me and D are here in rescue mission. I didn’t say it wasn’t important but... well... it’s so damn less fun. So, I decided to make it quick here, free my buds and go downstairs help my family. I have a question though. Before we begin the violent part of our talk, you’re like Leo and Nara, right? You’re immortal but can be killed by a violent death?"

"Right but you won’t beat me. Besides, I’m not alone."

"I noticed. So, D, wait a minute here. It will only take thirty seconds."

"Do you really believe you will beat us in thirty seconds?" asked a very doubtful Trenchman.

"Yeah. With the good material."

Trenchman was intrigued by the confidence of the brunette. He had supposed she would be worried about her friends, tensed because of the upcoming fight. None of that, she moved as if she was sure that she would beat them easily. Trenchman made a gesture towards his corporal. In perfect synchronisation, the two soldiers moved carefully towards the brunette who put her hand on her back. She had something hidden in her Lara Croft’s short. Ready for everything, Trenchman could not prevent himself from relaxing when he saw the water pistol Andrea pointed on them now. Smiling, he said:

"You want to drown us, Slayer?"

Holding the water pistol in her right hand, Andrea smiled. Her left hand, hiding a lighter, was now just in front of the cannon.

"No, it’s barbecue day, bastards."

Trenchman immediately understood that there was not any water in the pistol but it was too late. He saw with horror Faith’s lighter ignite the fuel contained in the toy, saw the flames rushing to him and his soldier, then felt the pain, the atrocious pain of his skin burning, melting because of the fire that was consuming him. He did not even see the corporal running away to the stairs, his body in flames. The pain was so intense that the relief was high when he felt Andrea’s sword penetrate its body. At that moment, the death he had been afraid of all his life was not its enemy anymore and he welcomed it while his still burning body touched the floor.

Dawn did not feel well after seeing it and Andrea seemed also a little pale afterwards. She had had to drop the gun that was also melting because of the heat. So, when the anti-fire system dropped water on them from the ceiling, they enjoyed the feeling instead of cursing it. Andrea approached Dawn, put her arm around her shoulders and led her to the door the two demons had guarded.

"I prefer vampires, you know D. Once killed, they’re dust. That’s more hygienic."

Dawn gave Andrea a little smile. She had the same aptitude than Faith, she could lighten up the atmosphere thanks to a joke.

"Come on, D. Time to free the Scoobies."

The ritual had just begun and Nefer-tem exulted. After so many years of patience, victory was near. He had to stay focused though. The incense had not impregnated the whole room yet. Having nothing else to do but rechecking that everything was as it was supposed to be, he let his eyes wander the room. The sarcophaguses and Laura formed the circle. The beacon, the terrible weapon of the Scourge that could burn every human being that felt its light was in its place, the vampire glued on it, his bodyguards were outside the circle and the doors were... no, they were not closed anymore. Someone had just opened them. The blonde Slayer, Buffy, had just entered the room.

"Hey guys. Is it a private party or can I join in?"

Nara easily avoided Faith’s punch as she had avoided all her punches and kicks before. She liked to play with her opponents. It was like a game of cats and mice. She was the cat, Faith was the mouse. She wondered if she had to kill the dark Slayer or if she would just continue to play with her, waiting for the big moment. Thinking about the younger Slayer, she could guess that the brunette would not like what was coming. She’d rather be dead in fact. She would play with her for a minute or two then, she would end the fight.

Nara was not the only one to think about cats and mice. But if it was an enjoyable thought for Nara, it was not that funny for Faith. She did not like being played with, did not like feeling that powerless. Nara had avoided or dodged each kick and it was very frustrating. They were still in the corridor, between the room Buffy and Faith had crossed a few minutes before and a small room, probably a guardian office. Faith made a step back, breaking contact with her mighty opponent, trying to find a failure in Nara’s fighting style but could not find any. Then, coming from the stairs that were behind Faith, a scream made them jump.

A demon in flames came from the stairs, rushed between the two Slayers before entering the room then he fell on the floor, starting the anti-fire system. Soon, the two brunettes were entirely wet because of it.

" Well, looks like someone is cleaning this fucking place with a flame-thrower."

Seeing the concerned look in Nara’s eyes, Faith continued.

"Oh, I think we forget to tell you that my Sis is here too. It’s probably her work. She’s real good you know."

Realisation came suddenly in Nara’s mind.

"But... if she’s upstairs then..."

"Yep, good guess. B must be 'discussing' with Leo now, but don’t worry, she is a good and faithful girl, my girl in fact. So, she won’t try anything dirty with him."

"You... tricked us, bitch."

"Hey, we’ve never said we’d come alone. You were the ones who guessed that there would only be B and me, Grandma."

Furious, Nara ran to Faith and sent her right through the guardian’s office door in throwing her away by hitting her with the palm of her right hand. The door did not resist and Faith landed on the guardian desk then fell on the floor.

"I’m gonna kill you fast and then I’ll find your girlfriend and I’ll kill her too, slowly just for my pleasure."

Faith could hear Nara's steps approaching the office. Fortunately, the water coming from the ceiling helped her regaining her senses. She began to stand up and then see something, something that had fallen from the desk with her... and an idea began to sink in Faith’s head.

PART 12

Willow felt her eyelids becoming heavy. She was not ready to spend so much time awake, she was still weak after her encounter with Narahi’ti but she did not want to sleep, did not want to let the Scoobies dealing alone with whatever catastrophe Nefer-tem was about to release on earth. She could feel their despair, their shame of not being able to stop the Scourge and its associates. For the first time since she had discovered the existence of the shadow world, ruled by the darkness, she felt useless. This time was the one, this time, they could not do anything to prevent the apocalypse.

She sighed loudly then watched the other Scoobies. Xander and Anya were in each other’s arms, wishing to spend the night together, ready to face their fate, whatever it was. She had seen the former demon cry a few minutes before. It had been weird, she had never seen Anya this weak. She was usually very good at hiding her true feelings.

And there was Tara, the woman she loved. Together, they could invoke magical powers that could have helped them in their fight but she was too weak to perform any kind of spell. Once again, the feeling of being useless crossed her mind. She squeezed Tara’s hand (the other witch had refused to let it go since the beginning of their imprisonment), looking for a reassuring look from her lover and Tara did not disappoint her.

Suddenly the Scoobies jumped. A scream had just resounded in the corridor. A horrible scream, betraying horrible pain and suffering. Could it be Spike? Had the ritual just begun? Was it the end? Then they all could hear steps coming in their direction. Someone was behind the door that was now broken open by a powerful kick. The Scoobies held their breath, who had just broken the door open? Then there were two brunettes coming trough the opening, two brunettes they knew very well.

"Dawn!"

"Faith!"

Hope had just came back in their hearts. The Slayers were there. How? They did not care, they were there, it was what mattered.

Xander rushed towards the girl but was stopped by Andrea who raised her right hand.

"Sorry Xand-man, you know me, I’m not the hugging kind of girl."

Then she looked at Dawn and said to her:

"D, lead them to the basement and leave the place by the same way we used to enter it. OK?"

"OK, take care."

"Don’t worry, my only fear is that I would probably be too late for the finish."

Willow looked at the two brunettes splitting up. Then she saw Dawn coming to her.

"How are you doing? Can you walk?"

"Yes, Dawnie, I can walk. Anything is better than this place. Was it... Faith bis?"

"Yeah. She has changed her name, she is Andrea now."

"Does it mean that Buffy and Faith..."

"They are on their way to kick some Big Bad ass. Lots of things happened but I won’t tell anything now. Not the time. Besides, I think there are some... subjects that they would prefer to tell you by themselves."

Dawn stood up and said:

"OK guys. We’ll hug later. Time to move. Xander, help Willow then follow me."

Faith was still lying on the floor of the guardian office while Nara was entering the same room, the room wherein she had just thrown her opponent. In a few seconds, she would see the younger Slayer. She had to think and quickly. The plan she had just thought about depended on so many things, so many problems could ruin it but somehow, Faith was sure of its success. As numerous mighty foes, Nara was suffering from her ego and that would be the key of her plan. She looked one last time at the pocket radio that was on her left, grabbed it quickly and put it on her jacket. Then she stood up just in time to receive Nara’s next kick that sent her through the window.

She was back in the corridor now. Once again, the water that was still running from the anti-fire system was a blessing and permitted to Faith not to spend too much time to recover from the previous hit. She was on her back and could see the room she had crossed with Buffy, its white ceiling dominated by a huge Victorian lustre that seemed so displaced in the prehistoric context of the room. But it was not the time to think about decoration. Nara was near, she could hear her steps. Faith waited until the last second, avoided Nara’s foot that was coming to crush her face on the floor, stood up quickly and with a flip flap that would have made Lara Croft jealous, she entered the prehistoric room.

The water reached her ankles but Faith did not care. In a fighting position, she was waiting for Nara who was slowly walking to her.

"So, Grandma. How does it feel to be on the dark side?"

"Dark side?"

"Yeah, after so many years fighting for the good of Humanity, how did you become a big bad whore?"

"Won’t work with me, Faith. Your insults don’t even touch me. I chose my fight now. I died, remember? So, now, it’s your turn to be limited by Slayer rules. And for your information, Nef is not evil."

"No, of course not, and Santa Claus is his best bud."

"You can’t understand Faith. You’re too young. Pity that I have to kill you. You and Buffy had great potential."

Faith had taken the radio in her hand but was still keeping it in her jacket. Noticing the gesture, Nara, believing that Faith was ready to grab her sword, said:

"Oh oh, I see you’re going to put your weapon in the game. I was wondering when you would do it."

"I won’t grab my sword, Grandma because I know that’s what prevents you from using the 'Sight of Râ'. See, if I take it and you manage to take it away from me, I’m dead."

"Good guess. But I don’t think you’d avoid death in fighting me with your bare hands."

"That’s not my intention."

And in saying it, Faith threw the radio on the water, hoping that the batteries were still full, then, before the radio hit the water, she jumped on the wood plinth of some kind of statue watching as the electricity began to send waves of energy in the liquid. Then she looked back at where Nara was standing before but saw nothing.

"Up there, moron."

Faith raised her head and saw that Nara had also jumped and had grabbed the voluminous lustre. She was hanging there with a cruel smile.

"Did you really think I was so stupid? Did you really think I was going to grill like a toast? I saw you hide the radio and with the water everywhere, it wasn’t difficult to guess what you had in your mind. It was so obvious. You forgot the first lesson a Slayer has to learn, never underestima..."

Nara interrupted her speech. She had expected a surprised look in Faith’s eyes or some kind of behaviour that would have betrayed fear or amazement but, instead, she could see the brunette smiled at her. And she was sure this smile had been there even before she saw her raise her head to look at her. Then she saw the sword in Faith’s hand, saw the same sword flying in the air to cut the cable that was maintaining the lustre and she understood.

She felt the lustre fall from the ceiling and did nothing. There was nothing she could do. She had lost. Faith had not been the one who had underestimated her opponent, she was too. Faith had always known the radio trick would not have worked so she had just waited, waited for Nara to be just below the lustre to throw it, knowing that she would have jumped and grabbed the lustre.

She felt the floor under her feet but was not able to move because the weight of the lustre was pinning her down, all she could do is admire Faith’s plan. When she was on the lustre, she was an easy target. She could not jump because of the electric waves that were still zigzagging on the water, and she had nothing to throw because she was so sure of her power, Faith had a sword and she had used it cleverly.

If the first rule of slaying was not to underestimate an enemy, the second was to never forget the first rule and she had just done it and she was paying the price. She felt fear come to her when she saw the cable touch the water, creating more and mightier waves of energy in the liquid.

Faith was watching as Nara’s body was beginning to convulse because of the energy. The fight was over and she had won. She looked at the older Slayer and said:

"I like my toast well done, bitch."

Now she had to wait. Once the waves would end, she would leave the room and find Buffy. God, she hoped that Buffy was OK.

Buffy, her sword in her right hand, watched as the three demons were converging to her place. The demons were very different from the Scourge’s ones. The first one was so close from the traditional image people have from demons that it provoked a cliché feeling that would have made her laugh in other circumstances. The only thing missing was the tail. The second demon was black and had its body entirely covered by spikes. The last one was some kind of aerial demon, covered with feathers but Buffy doubted it could fly with those tiny wings. Each demon had a weapon, the regular had a sword, the spiked one had an axe and the aerial one was proudly presenting a sabre.

The demons had just run towards her but they had not crossed the circle formed by the sarcophaguses. The spiked one was coming on her left, the other two on her right but they suddenly stopped after an order from Nefer-tem.

"I wasn’t expecting you, Buffy. But, welcome to the party as you call it."

Still watching the demons, Buffy approached the sarcophaguses but could not enter in it because of some kind of energy field that protected the entire circle.

"You can’t enter the circle, Buffy. The power of the forty-two judges of Maat is too powerful for you. See, I’m connected with their spiritual essences, it is as if they were all here, merging their forces with me."

"And what are you gonna do with it, Leo? I don’t think Maat would appreciate an apocalypse."

"I see that Whistler taught you well but you’re wrong. I’m not looking for an apocalypse. I’m curing the world."

"Curing the world. Didn’t know you were a doctor or an ecologist."

"Your banters don’t affect me, Buffy. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the lamentable state of the world we live in? See, Buffy, for ages I have been the keeper of balance, the faithful servant of Maat and I have witnessed its degeneration. Humanity has lost itself in the hands of evil. Corruption, selfishness, violence are the characteristics of modern society. The Equilibrium can’t be restored, evil will eventually win and even you, Slayers, won’t be able to do anything against it."

"So, destroying it is the solution? Well, our asylums are full of your kind, Leo. Yes, this world is not perfect but we have to deal with it."

"Not perfect? That’s an understatement. Don’t you get it? It is doomed if we don’t intervene. Believe me, I know very well what balance is. Even Trenchman, leader of the Scourge noticed it. He told me once that it wasn’t fun to do evil anymore because it was damn too easy. The Old Game is over, Buffy and the Good Side will lose unless..."

"Unless?"

Nefer-tem smiled then continued:

"Since the last century, I’ve planned to save the Equilibrium and in a few minutes, I will succeed in it. With the power of the forty-two judges of Maat, amplified by the Hellmonth, I will touch every being on this earth with this beacon (he showed the machine Spike was attached on). And I will reshape the world."

"Reshape the world? You’re more insane than I thought."

"Have you ever seen ants, Buffy? That’s the perfect society. Every ant works for its anthill’s service. What I will do thanks to this beacon is imposed an ant society to humans, demons, vampires, all intelligent species on earth about their neighbors because they will live for it. This Hell will become a Paradise."

"And what about personal feelings, freedom, and other characteristics that makes humans well, humans? What you are describing to me seems like a society wherein no one would be allowed to think by himself. In your perfect society, citizens would just be robots, programmed to repeat the same gestures from their birth to their death. Sorry, Nefool-tem, I’d rather live in my Hell than in your Eden."

"As you wish, guards, kill her."

The three demons assaulted Buffy while Nefer-tem was beginning his ritual. Following each word that came out of his mouth, the light of the beacon seemed to become brighter. Buffy had not much time to stop it but the demons were pretty good fighter and she could not enter the circle because of the protective field.

The regular demon made a step to attack her right side while the spiked one did the same thing to her left, fortunately, this move prevented the last demon to do anything for a few seconds, seconds Buffy took advantage of by kicking the spiked one that lost his balance and fell on the last one. She avoided the regular attack and beheaded him quickly before turning towards the two remaining demons that were standing up with difficulty. Buffy ran as quickly as she could and finished them off before they could do anything. Then she saw it, the light of the beacon. The ritual was almost finished, Nefer-tem pronounced the last words and yelled a scream of joy and victory mixed with the scream of horror that left Spike’s mouth.

PART 13

Buffy hit the invisible wall again and again with all her strength but nothing seemed to be able to penetrate it. This protection field seemed unbreakable. Sweat was running on her worried face. She could see the overjoyed face of Leo, could see the light of the beacon becoming brighter and brighter, could see the horrified look that crossed Spike’s face and she could do nothing. The circle formed by the sarcophaguses and the young woman Buffy presumed to be Leo’s daughter was too strong. The only thing that crossed her mind was gaining time, hoping for an opportunity or a sudden idea. It killed her inside to feel that powerless but she would find a way, she had to.

"Leo! Why Spike? Why did you need him?"

"You try to gain time, Buffy. It’s too late, the ritual is finished. The mystical energy of the Hellmouth passes through our circle and is filling the beacon in. In a few minutes, the light will become too bright to look at and Spike will be changed to dust. See, he is both human and demonic, vampires are the prefect mix of the two 'species' I want to touch with the beacon. If vampires didn’t exist, I should have taken a human and then a demon to succeed in my project. As doing this ritual twice a day would have asked too much energy, I would have had to wait a day and who knows what could have happened during that day. Maat wouldn’t have been respected and I should have had to cancel my plan. Fortunately, vampires exist and the one you care about has to feel the first effects of the beacon. Do you hear me, Spike? Don’t hold your screams, boy. I like this sound."

"Well, actually, it seems that you forgot to pay the electricity bill, Old Boy. The light is gone and I feel very well, thanks for asking."

This reply let Nefer-tem completely amazed. The joking tone Spike had just used convinced him that something was wrong before he even turned his head towards the blonde vampire. His eyes confirmed what his mind had told him. No light was coming out of the beacon anymore. The machine seemed empty, broken or something else but Nefer-tem knew better. It was not a standard machine but a mystical and magical one. It could not be a technical problem. Something had broken the circle’s power and according to Nefer-tem, it was not possible. The circle was built on the mystical energies that were the last remains of the deceased Judges of Maat. They were dead, they could not stop it so... and then, realisation hit him, horrible, almost impossible to bear for the mighty being but it was the only explanation. He turned her head towards the left part of the circle and, his voice full of grief, he said:

"Laura?"

His daughter did not reply but she did not have to. Just by looking at Laura, at her head that looked everywhere but at him, all in her moves, position showed Nefer-tem that he had been right. His daughter, his own flesh had just betrayed him. Tears running on his cheeks, he asked then:

"But why?"

And this time, Laura replied.

Buffy slowly approached Leo’s position. Laura’s decision to break the circle had made the beacon unusable but had also erased the protection field. Buffy was now in the circle, walking between the sarcophaguses. She walked carefully towards Leo, glancing around to be sure no other demon would show up and it was at this time that she saw her. Andrea had just entered the room and was approaching the beacon. Buffy felt relieved to see her. Yes, she definitely cared about her but Andrea’s presence proved also that her friends where out of danger now, Leo had no more hostages in his grip. Andrea made a quick gesture to tell her that she intended to free Spike. Buffy just nodded and continued to walk towards Leo.

Andrea was very close to the beacon now but was not very focused on it. She mainly paid attention to the conversation that was occurring between Leo and Laura. The girl seemed fragile and weak in front of her father but, damn, she had guts to defy him. It is not an easy thing to go against the intentions of a father. She finally arrived at the beacon, saw hope in Spike’s eyes and began to try to unlock his cuffs while still watching the family interaction.

"Why Laura?"

"Be... because it’s wrong, Dad. The Slayer is right...I ... I just can’t... let you do that."

"Laura... Laura (Leo sighed then continued) you missed the point."

"Stop speaking to me as you would to a little girl, Dad. I’m not... anymore... thanks to you."

Laura’s tone was bitter and tainted with mixed emotions, mostly guilt and anger but her voice carried also a high resolution.

"I... I don’t.

"Do you think I like to stand against you? Do you think I like to disappoint you? It hurts, it’s horrible (tears were now falling from her eyes) I wish you’d never taken my youth away because it would have been much easier, I would have followed my dear Dad’s advice but now that you... did... this to me, I can’t agree with this... it’s just wrong."

"Laura, honey, I know you’re a bit lost because of this grown up ritual but, trust me, I’m right. Maat needs..."

"MAAT (anger was the major feeling in Laura now, she needed to say it to her father, to show him how wrong he was and his apparent stubbornness was increasing her anger). Don’t you think I’ve had enough time to think about it? Since yesterday, Maat has been the only thing I could think about. You taught me what Maat is and, taking your lessons into account, I can only say that you’re wrong."

"How dare you to contradict my views, I’m your father, I deserve your respect, I’m your elder, I know everything about Maat and I know what is needed to preserve it."

Nefer-tem was furious now. How could she stand against him and pretend to know Maat better than he did? He was the chosen one, the Judges of Maat had chosen him because he was the one that comprehended it the most.

"No, you’re blinded by your holy quest to see how wrong you are. Transforming humans and demon into robots or ants as you said would only change the problem. Instead of having an external misbalance between good and evil, you’d have an internal one. I agree with you that evil has the leadership of this world and that if nothing is done, evil beings would finally rule this world but intelligent beings need to have their free will, that’s also part of the Equilibrium. So, your precious ritual wouldn’t change anything, you’re just changing the issue."

"Shut the fuck up, Laura. You’re just a kid, a novice, you don’t know a darn thing about Maat, I’m the expert and I’m your father, you must obey me. So, now, you’ll be a good girl and help daddy end the ritual, OK?"

"No, I won’t!"

"THEN I DISAVOW YOU, YOU ARE NOT MY DAUGHTER ANYMORE. YOU’RE JUST A BITCH WHO THINKS SHE IS SMARTER THAN SHE REALLY IS. YOU ARE JUST AN IDIOT THAT HAS FORGOTTEN WHERE SHE CAME FROM, WHAT HER FAMILY DID FOR HER. YOU’RE NOT MY DAUGHTER ANYMORE!"

Every word coming out her father’s mouth hit Laura, wounded her inside but she had to hold her position, she knew she was right. Her father had always taught her that power meant responsibility. She had the power to change the world but she was not going to, her responsibility was to preserve it, not ruin it.

"This ritual doesn’t need me as the master of ceremony anymore. I’m gonna end it at my real place, as Judge of Maat. Move, Laura, you’re not at your place anymore."

"I stay, D... Dad."

"Then, you’ll die."

And saying it, Nefer-tem took a knife in his belt and threw it at his daughter.

Buffy was six feet behind Nefer-tem now. She had stopped and let Leo and Laura speak. There was no present danger, the beacon being inactive and thus she let the two of them speak their heart, they needed to. Now, it was different. She had never thought the guy would hurt his daughter but he was crazy enough to do so.

Then Buffy saw a shadow jump, then grab Laura, pushing her to the floor while the knife continued its way to enter a wall far from Leo’s daughter. Andrea, still holding Laura in her arms gave a cruel smirk to Buffy who understood it directly. The girl was safe, it was her time to act and Andrea had just given her support.

Buffy had seen the brunette trying to free Spike but, apparently, the cuffs seemed sealed magically. She remembered the look of frustration that had crossed Andrea’s face when she had shaken her head to the older Slayer to show her that she could not do it. Then Faith’s sister had given up the vampire to come closer to Leo, in case something wrong happened and it did. Buffy saw Leo look after something in his belt, probably another knife and she yelled his name.

"LEO!"

Nefer-tem felt Buffy approaching. He quickly turned around to face her. She was walking to him, her face showing no trace of anything but resolution and it scared him. He was walking back in the direction of the place Laura had stayed for the ritual but knew he could not reach it on time if Buffy kept going like this. He invoked the spirits of the wind, the same spirits that had helped him to create the cyclone that was raging outside and launched waves of winds on Buffy who kept walking. The winds only slowed her down and it was not enough to accomplish the last part of the ritual. Nefer-tem had to break her confidence to be able to reach his place. Gathering all his own confidence, he began his speech.

"No, Buffy. You won’t kill me, I know it. Whistler explained to you the curse, didn’t he? You have no idea what would come upon you if you kill me with the sword you have in your hand."

Buffy continued to walk, not paying any attention to the guy’s babble.

"You won’t be the only one to suffer..."

She was only two feet away from him and he had not reached the place yet.

"...your friends, Faith, your sister, all of them would suffer from it."

Buffy was in front of him now, holding the sword firmly. She saw he was only one foot away from the place Laura had held before, looked into his eyes and said:

"Do you really think they’d like your future?"

Nefer-tem had failed, he knew it now... but he had to try. He made the last step, and reached the place, forcing Buffy to act quickly. The blonde Slayer raised her sword and hit. The sword penetrated the flesh right in Nefer-tem’s heart and met something in the middle. Nefer-tem was dead, Buffy could not hear her heartbeat anymore but the thing she had hit inside the old mummy’s body intrigued her. Buffy looked at the back of the body and found another sword. The two swords met right in the middle of the body, proof that the other sword had entered it at the exact same time than hers. Knowing full well who could have thrown it, she looked right in front of her to see Faith, her Faith, still in the position she had taken to throw her sword, a knee on the ground. The brunette stood up and walked to a smiling Buffy, relieved to see her girlfriend alive.

"Missed you, Fairy."

"Missed you too, B."

"Why did you..."

"I didn’t want you to have all the fun, B. Love is sharing, remember? If you have to be cursed, I’ll be too. Now, where is my welcome kiss?"

Buffy put her arms around her girlfriend’s waist and pulled her in a long and passionate kiss. They had just won another fight, prevented another apocalypse and put all their joy, their love in that kiss. Then:

"Sorry to bother you but..."

The couple broke the kiss to see Andrea standing in front of them. The other brunette tried to hide her anger but Faith cold see it.

"What’s wrong sis?"

"Yeah, sil, what’s wrong?"

"Sil?"

"Yes, Sister-In-Law, don’t like it?"

Anger left Andrea’s mind. Buffy had just given her a nickname, something you only give to the persons you care about and it made her happy, this was the sign she needed, the sign that proved that Buffy had accepted her in her family. She gave them a short smile then, pointing to the body, she said:

"What do we do with her?

Buffy and Faith looked at Leo’s body and saw Laura, kneeling near her father, shocked. The Slayers did not know what to do. They owed Laura a lot but did not know what to tell her because she sacrificed a lot too to their cause.

Andrea said then:

"Go ahead. I’ll take care of her. She had to help me free Spike too."

"You’re sure, sis?"

"Go ahead, the Scoobies must be waiting for you."

The Slayer couple nodded before walking towards the exit, still holding hands.

"Guys!"

They both turned to see Andrea who said:

"Don’t forget to tell them about you... or I will. Then Andrea gave them a wink before joining Laura.

Willow and the other Scoobies were waiting outside the museum. She had no doubt that the Slayers had succeeded in their mission. There was no apocalypse in the horizon and the cyclone had disappeared a few minutes before. So they were all happily waiting for the heroes of the day.

Suddenly, they appeared in the entry, they slowly descended the stairs, smiling to their friends. At first, Willow had not noticed they were holding hands, she did when they reached the street and were forced to let the other go for a huge hugging time. When they arrived in front of Willow, still too weak to move alone, they had joined their hands again in a gesture that seemed so natural to Willow that she did not have any doubts concerning the new turn they relationship had taken.

"Well, girls, I think you have some things to tell us." said the red head showing their hands with her finger.

The Slayers just smiled, raised their hands so the whole gang could see them, then they kissed softly, showing love was always better and more enjoyable than explaining it.

The citizens of Sunnydale were overjoyed. Their town had just been spared by a cyclone and parties were beginning everywhere. Journalists and curious were coming in the town already. The following days would be good for tourism... as for vampires. Buffy and Faith would have lots to do the next days and they knew it. But for now, they wanted to party too so, once back in the Summers house, the party had begun.

At first, Faith had been part of it but, after a while, she seemed absent-minded as if her mind was somewhere else and Buffy knew where it was. She sat next to her, put her arm on her shoulders and said:

"Still no news?"

"No, and I don’t think she’ll come, B."

"I don’t either. I know we hurt her every time she sees us together. She needs time to deal with it."

"Figured it out, hey?"

"She is you, Fairy. How couldn’t I figure it out that she has the same feeling as yours about me? She is you and you have me, must be pretty hard for her."

"I wish I could help."

"I know... she is a tough girl, Fairy. She’ll deal with it."

The phone rang and Dawn quickly took it, listened to the person on the line then asked Faith to come.

"It’s Andrea!"

Faith took the phone and began the conversation:

"Yeah?"

"Hey, Sis. Just wanted to say goodbye to you, D and B. I know I’m a fucking coward not to show up like this but... it’s just... it’s too hard... I love you guys but... it’s too early... fuck, I couldn’t even say something clear to explain it."

"I understand, sis and Buffy too. We love you, never forget that."

"I won’t... you know where to join me. Take care of you."

"Yes, you too. Bye, Sis."

"Bye."

Faith hung off the phone, joined Buffy on the sofa and let her girlfriend caress her hair.

"She's gone?"

"Yes. She said to say hi to you and that she loves us all but it’s too early for her."

"She phoned, that’s a big step forward, don’t you think? She doesn’t leave without a word."

Faith just nodded then turned her head to Buffy’s and said:

"Wanna dance, B? A long and sensuous slow with you..."

She approached her mouth to Buffy’s ear and whispered:

"You know, with our hands wandering on the other’s body, with dirty kisses and all..."

Buffy did not say a word, she just stood up, took her girlfriend‘s hand and led her to the middle of the room transformed in a dance floor.

Andrea was walking in a street of Sunnydale. In a few minutes, she would be at the bus station and would wait for the next bus to Frisco. She was lost in her thoughts, the bad ones, the ones that always ended with a knife or a stake in Buffy's or Faith’s hearts. Then she heard something behind her. She quickly turned towards her follower, ready to fight but quickly recognised the girl in front of her. It was Laura.

"Geez, L. Why the fuck are you following me?"

"I... I just wanted to thank you to help me bury my parents, to save my life and all the stuff."

Andrea sighed. The girl had not said a word since her father’s death, had not said a word while they had freed Spike who quickly returned to his crypt. She had had pity for the girl and helped her to bury her parents, that was the reason why she was so late tonight.

"You’re welcome, L."

Andrea saw the little woman that was only a girl two nights before leave the place, her face was a mess, tears had fallen during a long time and guilt had to be present too, she was responsible for her father’s death and she knew it.

"L. Wait."

"What?"

"Grieving and crying alone is not a solution. Trust me, I know it. So, as I’m not that happy either and would be glad to forget all this crap for a while... I have a plan. We find a nice place to dance and have fun or just trying to. We find a couple of young studs to end the night and..." Seeing Laura’s shocked face, Faith stopped, put her arm around her shoulder and added:

"OK, OK, no studs for tonight, just dancing and having fun."

"But... I don’t know... I’ve never..."

"That’s another good reason to do it. A new experience, you’ll see that sometimes, losing a little balance is a good thing."

Andrea led the young woman in the streets of Sunnydale.

"But... I mean... It’s not really the time, I..."

"L. You want to spend the night grieving and crying or you want to try to forget all the shits that happened today?"

"I... I..."

"Trust me, you’ll like it. Do you like beer?"

"I... I don’t know, I’ve never tasted it."

"OK, another thing you’ll have to try. Trust me, girlfriend, you won’t forget that night."

And the two girls disappeared into the night.