PART 9

Buffy could not see anything, she was in this dark place for too long now.

No light... No sounds but growls coming from everywhere... Growls that scared her... All this place screamed violence, hatred and cruelty. This was a wild place... a weird place and she knew too well she was in her head. And she screamed... or she tried to but no sound came out of her mouth. No sounds... just growls... and it scared her.

She had tried to find an exit but did not succeed in it. In every direction there were walls, weird walls... kinda living walls... no lights... just darkness... her darkness... and it scared her even more.

She felt nothing for the moment but a few hours back she felt it... waves of feelings coming to her like a blowing wind... cruelty, joy when the beast who had taken control of her slayed, hatred for the forces of evil... but also for her friends it considered as weaknesses... and was planning to terminate... and that was the thing that scared her the most... trapped in her own mind, she knew that one day, the beast would send her the feelings it would felt when he would kill one of her friend... and she'd be powerless...

Darkness and growls... She had to focus on these elements, otherwise she would lose her mind... and she did... and she cried...

Handcuffed Faith sang... and sang... Always the same refrain. And nobody moved. Especially her double who seemed catatonic, eyes lost somewhere. Nobody knew what was happening at that moment and nobody dared to intervene. Handcuffed Faith never stopped looking at her copy, but remained calm, it was impossible to guess what she was thinking about.

"Andy and Fairy... on their way to a party... found thousands of candy... a comic and a Barbie..."

"Andy and Fairy... on their way to a party... found thousands of candy... a comic and a Barbie..."

"Andy and Fairy... on their way to a party... found thousands of candy... a comic and a Barbie..."

And for almost two minutes, nothing happened. No sounds but Faith's voice... Xander listened to the song, knowing full well that something was happening between the doubles, but he did not want to interrupt it... It could be dangerous...

Anya wanted to stop this stupid song but knew too well that the others would not be pleased. She usually did not care about their meanings but something told her it was not the right time.

Tara and Dawn were also petrified, captivated by the scene. Eona and Willow did not know what to do either.

So, Spike spoke:

"Could someone cut the juke box and put some decent song? Heavy metal would be great..."

The charm was broken, Handcuffed Faith was silent now, her copy stood up, shaking a bit... She grabbed her double by the collar and left, telling everyone:

"Eona will explain our plan to all of you... I'll be in another room. I have family talks to do."

The remaining people did not like the tone of the last words, did not like it at all.

Asking everyone's attention, Eona took a sheet of paper where a sketch had been made: a man's face.

"This is Il Maestro... I made it yesterday... so be indulgent... I am not a professional... He is tall, has white hairs, shoulder long and is albinos... The last time we saw him, he was wearing a purple sweet, black pants and a white trench coat... OK, now that the presentations have been done, here is our plan... Spike..."

"I know, I know... You need a bait..."

Eona remained speechless.

"There is always a bait when it involved Sunnydale. I don't remember how many times I used this trick, how many times the Scoobies used it... Bloody Hell... Even Harmony knows how to use it... Anyway, as we don't have time to think of another plan... I'll play the bait for the slayer."

PART 10

Handcuffed Faith hit the wall loudly. Free Faith did not care, she came closer to her copy, ready for a second launch.

"Didn't know you liked it that way, Sis. Didn't know I liked it that way. So bondage makes you wet?"

And while Free Faith was in front of her, she quickly stood up, bit her double earlobe and whispered:

"Wanna play?"

She punched Handcuffed Faith in the jaw. She could feel blood dropping from the bite. Her double was now laying on the floor, looking at her. Her mouth moved, she tried to say something.

"Don't even dare singing it. It's mine! HE is mine."

"It isn't that easy, Siiiiisssss. What's yours is mine too. We are all the same, (licking her lips) same body, same desires, same mind"

"Don't, you know it won't work with me and we are not the same anymore."

The last few words were said with a very harsh tone but it did not affect her double who began shouting.

"Oh, you are damn right. I am not the crawling worm I have just seen. What happened to the proud slayer you used to be? Died in jail while you were screwing your bitches? Oh, no, let me guess, you were the bitch, wasn't you? Oh I have hurt you. Sorry, girlfriend."

"You are disgusting." came the answer, sharp like a blade.

"And you are pathetic. Do you think she will ever forgive you, love you? Come on, even if you became what she want you to be, a faithful puppy dog like Willow, she would never accept your love, you don't deserve her."

"Because you think that making her like you is the best way to have her? If I am pathetic, you are fucking stupid."

"I... I..."

"I am you, remember? I know what your silly plan is, changing her into the wild animal she is now and then join her when she will feel lonely. She will kill you before you even start opening your fucking mouth."

"..."

"And think about it, listen to big SIS, if your 'magnificent' plan worked, you would be her bitch, for once, you would be the one victim of the 'Get done, Get gone' trip because she wouldn't be B anymore. She wouldn't be the woman we fell in love with, the one we see every time we close our eyes, the one we can smell the perfume every morning after waking up because it's printed inside our heads."

"I... I... I don't know... I... I..."

"Faith..."

Handcuffed Faith turned her head, looking in her double's eyes. For the first time since they met, she had called her by her name. She never thought it would ever happen. She did not even know if she could do it and her double's voice was not harsh as it was a couple of seconds before.

"Faith, I know the feeling but I don't have the time to discuss about it with you. All I want to know is if you agree to let us help B? For her sake, Faith, do you agree?"

She sighed but finally gave her answer:

"Yes, I want. I want her back. But don't take it wrong, I don't need your pity nor your friendship, nor you sisterhood. I am a loner, I always will be."

"As you want, sis."

She took something in the pocket of her leather pant, it was the key of the handcuffs. She grabbed her double hands and freed her. Ex-handcuffed Faith asked then:

"You trust me?"

"Do you?"

"Nope?"

"I don't either but I have a job for you."

"I thought we were clear, I won't prevent anything you are planning to do but if you are counting on me to give you a hand, forget it, girlfriend."

"l'll like it."

"Really?"

"I want you to find Il Motherfucker and dust him."

"Slow and painful?"

"No, slooooooowwwwwww and very painful."

"Count me in."

The ex-handcuffed Faith looked her double turning around. Something hit her then.

"F- sis!"

"Yes?"

"You don't want to stake him by yourself?"

She remained silent a moment, trying to find the right words to say it:

"I'd like to but..."

"You are not sure you'll make it?"

She just nodded, knowing too well there was nothing to add. She turned again. And stopped when she heard the other Faith call her.

"Sis!"

"Yes?"

She saw her double's fist but could not dodge it, the punch hit her in the cheek and she fell backward. She looked at her opponent who was smiling:

"Just a little payback. I think now we're even."

And she left the room. The remaining Faith stood up, smiling. Oh, yes, she liked that girl.

PART 11

Growls and darkness...

Growls and darkness...

Growls and darkness...

She had to find something to focus her mind on. She needed it. She had it wrong. The growls and darkness would not help her to escape the beast's feelings. It made it worse, increased her fear, increased her wish to retreat even further inside her mind but neither could she allow herself to embrace those feelings. She could not let the beast take complete control over her. She was desperate. She had thought that she knew what despair was, she had been taken away from Heaven but she was wrong. Now, she knew.

She felt a move, a new feeling wave. The rest was over soon, the beast would go slay again and Buffy wished it would only be demons.

They were all back just in time, the sun was almost down, the night would begin soon. After Eona had finished her explanations, they all left but Faith and Spike. Every Scooby had gone, looking for the tools they would need tonight. Faith had not tried to speak to the vampire. He had been hurt and needed some rest. His help would be pivotal so she had slept too and had just woken up ready for the big night.

Spotting Willow, alone, she came to her and began to talk:

"Found everything?"

"Yes!"

The reply was short. Hell, what happened to babbling Willow?

"Still mad at me because of this morning?"

"You shouldn't have done it. God knows what she is doing now, she can wait outside watching us, waiting for the right time."

"No, she doesn't."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I can feel it. Don't ask me why, I just feel it, see, she IS me, Will. I can pretty much guess what she is thinking now, she wants him and will hunt that bastard, beat him to death, believe me, she won't interfere."

"You should have asked us first, that's how a team work."

"I'm not used to it, don't even know how to work with myself so don't expect miracles."

"Yes, miracles don't usually happen twice a day."

Faith was a bit confused after the last reply. Slowly, Willow turned her head and took her hands in hers.

"I've been thinking a lot since this morning. You know as I may not do magic anymore, I think a lot, not that I usually don't think but here..."

"Straight to the point, Will. We don't have the whole night."

"OK, OK, even if it first cost me to notice it, you have changed, Faith in a good way. I had doubts because I didn't know why you were looking for redemption, you seemed so strong, so happy with your psycho slayer abilities. You lied to yourself, didn't you?"

"A long while ago, I decided not to let feelings guide my life. It was shitty enough without it. Buffy proved me wrong. I didn't see it come when Soulboy came back from hell, I felt betrayed and then I realized I was addicted. She was my fucking dose: a smile from her and my day was made."

"I know the feeling."

And Willow looked at the ground for a second.

"The night I killed Finch and the previous one, the connection between us was so strong I thought I had a chance. And then..."

"It happened..."

"And I had no control anymore."

"But now, you have."

"I have a goal. No plans for the future just a purpose..."

The silence that followed was not awkward. Both girls needed it. Through looks, they exchanged a lot more than any complete sentences could have succeeded in. Finally, Faith stood up.

"I have to go and check with the others."

She left but Willow said one last thing to her, three words, the same words she had said that she would never tell the slayer the same morning:

"I forgive you."

Faith did not stop. There was no need. Besides, if she had turned, Willow would have seen some tears in her eyes.

Xander had just finished connecting some cables when Faith came to him.

"Done?"

"Almost."

"Demon Girl is not here?"

"She helps Tara and Eona. She had some magical experience, you know?"

"I am sorry."

"What for?"

"You know what I am talking about? Think you might want to hear it, I mean it."

"I know you do and you know it will take time for us to feel safe with you around."

Faith just nodded but remained there, looking at Xander as if she wanted to add something.

"Something to say?"

"Er... Xander..."

"Faith unable to say something because she is ashamed. Never thought I would see it."

"Xander, shut your mouth and listen, this is serious."

Xander looked at Faith. She was biting her lower lip and was obviously nervous.

"Are you ready to do it?"

"Do what?"

"Will you blow this damn building (she made a gesture to the roof) away if Eona gives you the signal?"

"I won't have to do it. Be positive, Faith."

"NO, I have to know Xander. Will you do it?"

She had her hands on his shoulders now and looked right in his eyes, pleading for an answer but receiving none.

"Xander, if Eona ever gives you the signal, that will mean we failed, that will mean Eona and Willow have reached their safety place, that will mean the beast has taken total control of Buffy and that will mean I would be fucking dead. Now, Xander, will you do it?"

Xander sighed and said:

"Yes."

"Good."

They both noticed then that everyone was watching them. Faith shrugged and asked:

"Everything is ready?"

They all nodded.

"So, let's the fun begin."

Before leaving, she grabbed Eona's arm and whispered to her:

"He won't do it. Can't blame him, so take care of it."

And Eona agreed.

PART 12

Buffy had usually no mercy, no pity for demons... They were evil creatures and earned the torments of Hell... But she had had pity on those her beast had just killed...a Atually, the first word that came to her mind to describe it was massacre. They had been sadistically slaughtered and the growls that resonated around her had become ecstatic, waves of joy assaulted her. And she had nothing to distract her from the disgusting feelings she had, disgust for herself... for her deeds... even if she knew she was not totally herself, she felt responsible for the atrocities her beast committed. She had nothing to focus on but

Growls and darkness... her two companions
Growls and darkness... her jailers
Growls and darkness... her present universe

Why could not she escape this place? It was her mind... her own mind that had trapped her. How could she behave like that? Like an animal... no, even worse... animals she liked...

And then, a flash... Faith?

Faith who had seen her world collapse, who trusted nobody enough to speak about her issues, who had given total control to her darker parts because she could not face reality, Faith who had taken more and more joy in killing people, Faith who had sunk into insanity. It was true that Faith had not gone as far as Buffy had but still there were similarities between their situations.

Buffy had seen her world collapse. She was in Heaven, came back to Earth that she compared to a living hell. Buffy had not listened to her friends, facing her issues alone... And presently, Buffy who had abandoned herself to the beast's control, Buffy who felt herself on the verge of insanity... and she understood...

She understood that her destiny was linked with Faith's... Even if their backgrounds, their pasts, their behaviours, their ways of living were different; they completed each other, they needed each other to face the rocky path called LIFE... Separate, they would make the same mistakes. Together, they would be strong enough to face it. But was not too late?... As Faith had totally given herself to her "beast", was it worth fighting for their friendship?... Was it really friendship?... Should not she give up and let her beast in control?

Buffy heard now new growls, she began to recognize them. These growls indicated that a vampire had been spotted. Suddenly, the growls changed... a new wave of joy hit her. She figured it out... She knew the prey...

Spike ran as fast as he could. Why had he agreed to be the bait? Why was he risking his life? Unlife to save a slayer? Of course he knew the answer... He loved her... even if she was a bitch, even if she would never love him the way he wanted to, he had to do it. Because without passion, you would be hollow... the only statement he had ever agreed with Angelus. And, in this spirit, Spike entered the factory.

Dawn watched Spike and Buffy enter the building. She was nervous. What if Faith failed? Was she right when she agreed to let Evil Faith unleash Buffy's beast? Was there other options? She regretted her sister even if she was a pain in the ass sometimes, regretted having been such a moron lately... She had just wanted to draw Buffy's attention on her and now she could lose her again.

She heard a noise right behind her, at first, she believed it was Tara who had to join her so, she turned her head, managing to smile a little and saw... Faith?

"Hey, Miss Muffet... Mind if I sit?"

Evil Faith... It was Evil Faith, she only called her Miss Muffet... What was she doing here?... Faith, the good one, told them not to worry about her, told them they would not see her.

"Don't be afraid, Miss Muffet... Big sis told you I would never hurt you... and she was right... So relax. You know breathe could be an excellent option now."

Dawn sighed before saying:

"What do you want? Don't you think you have made enough damages?"

"Ouch, that hurts! Summers trademark? Must be genetic... I just wanted to know if everything was going well with the plan... Oh, by the way... What is the plan?"

"Do you really think I will explain it to you?"

"Oh, come on, Miss Muffet..."

"Stop calling me Miss Muffet... I am not 12 anymore."

"Yep, definitely genetic... OK, OK, M... Dawn... So, wanna share?"

"No!"

"I won't ask it twice..."

The last statement scared Dawn a bit and Faith noticed it.

"I promised not to hurt you and I will keep my word..."

Then, whispering to Dawn's ear, she added:

"But I didn't say I won't hurt your friends..." Faith sat down, looked at Dawn's horrified face and asked:

"So, wanna share?"

The growls had changed suddenly, joy and excitement were gone, replaced by frustration. The beast could not find Spike in the factory, the smell of burned rooms and objects prevented it to track him. Spike was probably away and safe.

Buffy had been a bit relieved to see Spike alive and she noticed that even if his "death" had hurt her, she had never had a thought for him since she was trapped in her mind... No, getting out of here and Faith had been her two only thoughts since then... She had always known that her attraction to Spike was not love. She cared about him but did not love him. She felt lonely, betrayed by her friends. He was there for her when she needed him. She knew it for the beginning but had never succeeded in accepting it until this moment. As if the possibility of being trapped here for her whole life had cleared her mind.

Then, a new wave reached her... a new opponent... THE opponent... Buffy did not know what to think. Faith had just entered the show...

"It's been a while, B."

As answer, she just heard growls.

"And they say my vocabulary was limited."

Buffy continued to growl but, carefully, she made a move towards the rogue slayer.

"Oh, wanna fight, girlfriend... Think you can take me?"

Buffy jumped, trying to punch Faith in the ribs. Faith easily dodged and pushed Buffy in the back of her neck, throwing her on a wall.

"That was slow and predictable... bitch... What's the matter, B? Afraid of Big Sis?"

Buffy tried again to hurt Faith with a kick but Faith grabbed her foot before pulling it up. Buffy hit the ground with a loud noise followed by a very angry growl. Teasingly, Faith walked on Buffy'ass before saying:

"You know, I thought we could have some fun together. I am disappointed. Damn, B, what's up with you? Had a wild day? Was it good? Or too quick?"

Another punch from Buffy, this time Faith did not try to dodge or parry. She was hit on the jaw but stayed calm.

"You think that hurt? Come on, girlfriend, is that all? Let me show you. THAT!..."

Her fist on Buffy's forehead, pushing her backward.

"HURTS..."

Following her previous attack, Faith sent Buffy to a pile of cases thanks to a powerful kick. While Buffy stood up, Faith crossed her arms on her chest and said:

"Want some spinash, B? You will need it, you fight like a granny and what's with the smell? You are stinking like a hundred fitchets."

Faith quickly grabbed Buffy by the arm and threw her once more to the other corner of the room. Quietly, she walked to Buffy asking with a very soft voice:

"Wanna rest, Barbie?"

Sitting on the platform, just above the slayers, Willow and Eona watched the scene with interest. Willow was amazed by the apparent superiority of Faith.

"She seems so mighty. I've never never seen Buffy so outclassed before."

"It's normal, the beast spent a lot of its energy to keep control of Buffy's mind. She can easily beat a vampire but it's not that easy with a slayer."

Showing a bottle, Willow asked:

"Should we drop it on them the next time they'd be just below us?"

"No, we have to wait a little, you see, if Faith succeeds in increasing the best anger, it will loose its control on Buffy. At this time, we will have to act."

"So, when Buffy will manage to counter-attack and dodge like Faith, we'll move."

Eona made a face:

"No. Willow, what do you know about human strength?"

"What do you mean?"

"You probably know the theory that pretends that a human being only uses 30% of his real strength?"

"Yes."

"It is not a theory, it is true, I have some books that prove it. According to some Asian theologists, the access to this strength is limited because of the human mind. In a few words, they believe that because humans think something is too heavy for them, they can't use their extra-strength to lift it up. Am I clear?"

"Yes, I think."

"It's not the same with animals, they aren't bothered by logics, they just move on and act. What I am saying, Willow, is this: as Buffy's beast controls her body, it isn't influenced by her mind. It has thus complete access to its strength."

Willow's face changed, concern had replaced hope:

"So, if Faith makes it angry, it will release its grip on Buffy but also heavily increased its strength. And if Faith goes too far..."

"She will die."

PART 13

Buffy was dubitative. What was Faith doing? She helped the beast to take control of her and presently, she fought against her. It... That was nonsense. She could have challenged her without the whole beast thing. And what about Spike? Faith and he were accomplices, there was no doubt about it. But what were their goals? Was everything part of a bigger scheme? And what about Faith? Something was strange with her, she was not the same... She noticed it from the beginning of the fight. She moved differently, fought differently. She was focused on the fight. Three years ago and even yesterday, Buffy would have described Faith's fighting style in a single sentence: hit first quickly and enjoy it... This time, it was different, Faith was patient, quick to react and seemed to analyze every move the beast made. As if 24 hours time had changed the rogue slayer.

But she was still Faith, it was her way to speak, her way to irritate her... And the beast seemed to share this irritation, the growls were louder now and it began to scare Buffy. She was used to it now but she had never heard these ones. There was fury in them. The beast did not like to be outclassed. Waves of anger and revenge hit her almost every second and she even expected the darkness to become more sombre. She was wrong and for the first time, Buffy thought she had a good chance to escape this nightmare. She had seen a light... Oh, it was just a spark but it came back repeatedly, never in the same place. But it came back... after 24 hours in complete darkness, this spark was brighter than the sun...

Spike walked away from the factory. He did not want to but had promised to Faith to take care of Lil' Bit and he intended to keep his word. Besides, Faith seemed to keep control of the fight. He was approaching Dawn's hiding place when he heard sobs. Worried, he ran to the trees and saw Dawn crying while Tara tried to comfort her.

"Bloody Hell, what happened?"

Between two sobs, Dawn managed to say:

"Faith... Evil..."

Looking around, Spike asked:

"Where is she?"

Tara continued:

"She's gone, she wanted to know everything about the plan... She terrorized Dawn. What do you think she's planning to do?"

"I don't know but I don't trust the psycho bitch... If she has something in her mind then it will certainly be something bad..."

Buffy's elbow hit Faith's throat, this hit cut her breath but, instead of backing off, she gave a kick to Buffy's ankles sending her on the ground once more. This simple move gave her time to recover her breath.

Buffy was up too and jumped into Faith without thinking of a break. Faith dodged but was aware that the fight was changing hands. She had not the lead anymore, she was more and more on defence mode and would be outclassed very soon. But it was not the time... yet... She slowly moved to a burned sofa and sat on it watching amused the look of confusion that crossed Buffy's face.

"Hey B, glad to see you're focussing on business now. Fair enough for me."

The beast charged but was welcomed by a hit of Faith's bludgeon that was hidden behind the sofa. Buffy landed a few meters away but stood up directly, ready for the next round.

"Should have known, B... I don't play fair."

And she hit and hit and hit... Every time she reached Buffy, her heart was breaking but it was the right thing to do. "You only hurt those you love"... It was so right and she was a pro.

And, suddenly, Buffy moved faster, dodged more easily, grabbed the bludgeon and broke it on her right knee and then, with a growl of victory, she attacked Faith who could not dodge nor parry anymore.

Willow and Eona watched the fight, horrified. They did not know what to do to help Faith. Buffy was far better than the rogue slayer. Faith had tried to lead her right below them without success, the beast was too quick and strong, during the last two minutes, Faith only gained five feet. They were now twenty feet away, too far for the two witches. And Buffy was beating the hell out of Faith.

There was no spark anymore. It had become bigger. It was a window. Buffy did not know how she figured it out but it was a window. It was an exit. The only problem now was to guess where the window would appear the next time. It was never on the same place but she would guess and she would be free.

Faith had gone too far and she knew it but she was not going to give up even if every bone of her body was broken, she would lead Buffy just below Willow and Eona but how? That was the question. She tried to push her but she was too quick. She tried to retreat there but each time Buffy bared her the way. Now, the beast played with her, tossing her like a puppet, hitting her like a punching ball but it always gave her a break. It was its sadistic pleasure to make it last. During one of this break, Faith focused her attention to Buffy's face. A face that only reflected bestiality and then, a foot hit the face. Someone had just jumped from the roof and the same someone had kicked Buffy's jaw. And she knew this someone.

"Hey, sis! You like my Bat Entrance?"

"What are you doing here? You were supposed to kill Il Mother-"

Her double interrupted her:

"Wasn't there! Got bored! Thought there would be more fun, here! Need a hand?"

"You bet! Look out!"

The beast was up against and charged but, together, the two Faith managed to push the beast to the witches, slowly, step by step. Then, both Faith noticed the table they had used for the briefing the same morning. Exchanging a glance they knew that they had thought about the same thing. So, when they were close enough, they grabbed the table and hit Buffy with it.

Buffy received the table in her thorax and bowed. The rogue slayers took advantage of it and pulled Buffy up, then ran and succeeded in reaching Willow and Eona. The witches dropped the liquid on Buffy and the beast screamed.

The window was there in front of her. She did not disappear. Buffy jumped through the window. She did not care if it was another trap, she did not want to spend another single minute in this hell and she wanted to know why the hell there were two Faiths.

She was in a kind of corridor. Behind her, she could see the dark room where she had been trapped. In front of her, there was a bright light, the exit. Buffy ran to it but was grabbed by black tentacles coming from her prison, tentacles of darkness. The beast did not want to lose control, the beast did not want to be trapped again. And the tentacles pulled, and Buffy did the same, fighting but neither darkness, nor Buffy gained or lost a centimetre...

The beast had stopped screaming and remained still. Willow and Eona had not moved, they were still on the platform. The two Faith circled around Buffy, expecting a move and she did move.

With a growl, the beast hit one of the Faith, the Faith with a broken nose. Turning around, it tried to hit the other one but was surprised to feel two strong arms lifting it up, its own arms were paralyzed because of the grip. Its feet did not touch the ground anymore. The beast was trapped in Faith's grip and it could not use its strength to escape, not in such a position.

Faith was shaking. Even if the beast was not able to free itself, it was bloody powerful. She focused on her grip and said to her companions:

"Get out of here!"

The witches did not move, neither did her double.

"Get the hell out of here! I'll hold."

Willow refused to move and said:

"But Buffy?"

"I'll try once more Will. She needs time but get out now, it is too dangerous. Tell Xand-Man that if we're not back in 5 minutes, he'll have to blow this fucking ruin away."

Seeing that Willow was ready to add something, she said:

"Don't argue. If she's not back in 5 minutes, she'll be lost. Please Will, do it."

Willow sighed and they left.

Faith looked at Buffy now and received a header from the beast. It tried to make her lose her balance.

"Wanna play naughty, B? OK then. Not the way I wanted to do it but here is the hickey."

And she bit Buffy's shoulder.

Three minutes later, Faith was exhausted physically and mentally. She had not succeeded in. The beast was still in control and she felt her forces leave her. She was close to faint. So, she lifted her head up and whispered before fainting:

"I am sorry, B., love you..."

"Sorry, B, love you."

Faith's voice echoed in the corridor. Faith's voice echoed in Buffy's head. Faith loved her. There was still hope. She did not know if she loved Faith the way she seemed to love her but she did not care. She needed her, that was for sure and there was a chance for both of them. The tentacles were not an obstacle anymore. Buffy was capable of breaking them as easily as if they were biscuits, and she ran, ran to the light, ran to freedom, ran to her friend, to her sister, to her Faith.

Xander prevented Eona to move. He just wanted one more minute. He did not want to press the button, he did not want to kill Buffy, nor did he want to kill Faith. Eona was in front of him, talking to him. Spike, Dawn, Willow and Tara were watching, unable to move. Faith's double was gone now, nobody knew where.

"Eona, just one more minute, please."

"Sorry, Xander, she is too dangerous now. We have to do it and you know that. Let me do it, give me the remote control."

Xander started to cry, wanted to say something more but he knew that she was right. So he gave her the remote control and saw her press the button. And then...

Nothing. No explosion, no big noise, nothing...

Eona cursed and said:

"Xander, what's up? You forgot a connection?"

"No, everything was ready. I am sure of it."

Then, what happened... The voice was just a whisper but everyone heard it:

"I cut the wire."

Dawn had just spoken. Eona was furious.

"You what? Did you know what you've done? Did you know what kind of creature will prawl in the night because of you?"

"MY SISTER. She is my sister and even if she is a pain in the ass most of the time, I love her. Could you understand that Miss I'm-a-cold-blood-cop-who-doesn't-care-about-others'-feelings? I lost her once, I don't want to lose her again."

And before Eona could add something she said:

"No matter the cost."

And then, Xander saw them. Buffy walked towards them. Faith was in her arms, unconscious. She finally reached them. They were speechless and had tears in their eyes. Then, Buffy just said:

"Let's go home."

And they were all happy to oblige.

Il Maestro had failed for the first time of his unlife. His plan failed, it did not upset him. Failure had always been an option. Fortunatelly for him, he always had a plan B. Fortunately for him, he had another week left to accomplish his contract. With a brief sigh, he entered his hotel room and stayed amazed.

A man was sitting on his sofa, playing with a little girl. Both of them smiled at him when they saw him. The man stood up and gave him his hand to shake. Still confused, Il Maestro took it. Then, a third person entered the room with pizza plates in her hands. A gorgeous woman, probably from the Middle East because of her skin. She was wearing sunglasses, another strange thing. Then the man spoke:

"Sorry, it has been a long journey and we need to eat. It doesn't bother you, Dmitri? May I call you Dmitri?"

Il Maestro nodded. He had understood.

"You work for them, don't you?"

"No."

That was not the answer he expected. Neither was he expecting the following statement.

"They work for me."

FIN DE LA PREMIERE PARTIE

A SUIVRE dans Fairy, Lullaby and Switch