Faithfully Dangerous

Author: enigmaticblue

Rating: PG-15

Disclaimer: These aren’t my characters, as you all know. If they were, they’d all be living happily ever after by now.

Summary: Set during my story Latter Days. Faith is sent to L.A. to get information out of Angel and recruit Wesley—if she can. What she discovers is a scheme by persons unknown to take advantage of the imbalance, and an unlikely friendship.

A/N: Although this takes place during Latter Days, there isn’t a direct 1-1 relationship between the chapters. So, you could say that time is moving at a slightly different pace, although they will intersect.

Chapter 20

Faith ran the girls through their drills again and again, throwing sideways glances at Spike, who was giving Abby his undivided attention. With no real way to get her out of town before things started going south—as they were bound to do—she needed to know everything they could teach her in a short period of time.

“Good,” she heard him say. “Very good, pet. Take a break.”

The young teen began walking off the soreness, already knowing from experience that if she dropped, she’d just stiffen up. Faith called a break for the rest of the girls, too, and went to sit next to Spike against the wall.

“I hate this.” Spike’s muttered words were just loud enough for her to hear.

“What’s that?”

“Waiting.”

Faith sighed. “Angel’s working on his end.”

“Fuck Angel,” Spike said rudely. “Or maybe he should go fuck himself.”

“Spike.”

“What?” Spike’s expression was sour. “Don’t ask me to like that poof, Faith. He’s a bloody wanker, an’ if he hadn’t taken that job, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

Faith raised an eyebrow. “No, but maybe the Senior Partners would still be working on ending the world without warning.”

Spike snorted, but she could see that he was listening. “Angel’s doing the best he can. We knew that it might take him some time to get inside.”

“An’ how is he goin’ to do that?” Spike demanded in a low voice. “It’s not like you can get into a group like that with a secret password.”

“I think they’re going to ask him to kill Cordelia.”

“And you’re okay with that?” The words came out in what was nearly a yelp.

“I don’t think Cordy’s really alive, anyway.”

Spike shook his head. “You know, there was a time when that wouldn’t have made any kind of sense at all.”

“Yeah.”

“Buffy’s not coming.”

“Why not?” Faith glanced over at him. “You call, she comes, right? If you think we need her—”

“Doesn’t work like that this time.” Spike was quiet for a long moment. “If I gave you something, would you make sure she gets it?”

It was Faith’s turn to swear. “Spike—”

“I’d do the same for you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You an’ Wes?”

“It’s not like that.”

“It’s exactly like that.” Spike gave her a knowing look. “You’re talkin’ to Love’s Bitch. I know it when I see it.”

The words sent a flash of panic roaring through her veins, but she didn’t have time to respond because Wesley came charging down the stairs. “Angel sent word. We’re getting the names tonight. Lorne’s bringing the information.”

As the Slayers began trooping upstairs, all thoughts of training forgotten, Spike looked at her, his blue eyes serious. “Well?”

“Well what?”

“Will you?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Faith watched him climb the stairs and wondered what he knew that she didn’t.

~~~~~

Angel had been waiting for Lilah’s arrival, although it wouldn’t do to let her know that; if there was ever a time to try for the Oscar in the appearance of evil, it was now.

“Can we make it snappy, Lilah?” he asked, giving every indication of boredom. “I’ve got a meeting in five.”

“You’re going to want to reschedule it,” she informed him. “You have better things to do.”

Angel snorted. “Forget it. If someone wants to read me the riot act over how I’m doing my job, they can come themselves.”

“This isn’t about the riot act.” She sat, apparently deciding that Angel wasn’t going anywhere until he had some sort of explanation, which was true enough. “You’ve made it clear that you’re ready for the next level, but we need a show of faith.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And what would that be?”

“In order to get into the meeting, you’ll need to bring us Cordelia’s dead body.”

It was only because Angel had been expecting the request that he managed to keep the bored expression on his face. “Is that all?”

The shock that made Lilah’s eyes widen ever-so-slightly was satisfying, as was the fear he could see reflected there. She had seen him dark before, had seen what he was willing to do when he gave up on caring about the rest of the world.

But Lilah had only a passing acquaintance with Angelus—enough for a healthy dose of fear and the suspicion that the Black Thorn might have bitten off more than they could chew.

Which would be true—if he had truly lost his soul.

She recovered almost immediately and shrugged. “If that’s how you want to see it, yes. I’ll give you directions. You’ve got an hour; the invitation is only good for that long.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem.” Angel watched as she wrote down the instructions, hiding the pain he felt. He had less than an hour before the show began. It wasn’t enough time.

As soon as Lilah was gone, he headed up to his suite of rooms and found Cordelia already waiting for him. She saw the slip of paper in his hands, and her hazel eyes met his. She lifted one eyebrow in question, and he nodded.

Cordelia held out the shimmering box that they had been saving for just this occasion, and then dropped it to the floor. When it was safe, when they were protected from spying eyes and ears, she walked straight into his arms.

“We don’t have to do this,” Angel said, a little desperately. “We’ll find another way.”

“There isn’t one.” Her voice was steady. “This is the only way, Angel.”

He shook his head. “Cordy, I can’t lose you.”

“You aren’t losing me. We’re just saying goodbye for a little while.” She stroked his cheek, her expression wistful. “I’m sorry you have to do this.”

“You’re sorry? Cordy—”

She ran her hand down his chest. “We don’t have much time,” she said, cutting him off. “I left notes for everybody.” Checking herself, she amended, “Almost everybody. You’ll see that they get them?” He nodded, and she continued. “I love you.”

Angel closed his eyes. “I can’t do this.”

She pulled his head down, her lips caressing his. “That’s why you won’t have to. Just make it look good.”

Before he could ask what she was talking about, Angel heard her heart stutter and begin to slow. “No. Cordelia—”

She clung to him to keep herself upright. “Give them a show they won’t forget.”

“What did you do?”

Cordelia didn’t respond—she was fading too fast—but Angel thought he already knew. He did the only thing he could under the circumstances—he destroyed the device that had kept them safe from being overheard, and he gave them a show.

With one, swift motion, Cordelia’s neck was broken, and her dead body slumped to the floor.

He knew that Angelus would have tortured her, and maybe they would ask that question of him, but he’d simply say that he hadn’t had the time. Lifting her lifeless form into his arms, Angel walked out of his apartment.

He had a meeting to make.

~~~~~

Wesley paced the length of his office impatiently. The call he’d received had come from Angel, the prearranged signal given in mere seconds. “Yes,” he’d said, and because Lorne would be the last of them left at the law firm, he was the logical one to bring the news.

If he ever arrived.

“Wes? You’re making me dizzy.” Faith was lying on the couch, her eyes following his movements. “Lorne will be here when he’s here.”

He shook his head. “I can’t sit.”

“Then stand still,” she advised. “Or, better yet, grab one of those thick books you like so much, and read for a while.”

“I can’t!”

She sat up slowly. “You want to tell me what’s got you so worked up?”

He stopped. “It’s Cordelia.”

“Wes—”

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I thought if she came back, she’d talk sense into him. I thought—” Wesley wasn’t sure what he’d thought, but he certainly hadn’t contemplated the situation that now faced them.

“You thought you still had a chance to get Angel out of this. So did I. We all thought that, Wes.”

“I didn’t think that Cordelia would wake up just to die,” he said harshly.

Faith sighed. “I don’t think she was ever meant to be alive again.”

“So the Powers That Be brought her back to serve as a tool?”

“Are you really surprised by that?” Faith stood. “You think we’re more than that?”

“No, not to them.” It hurt to admit, but he knew that it was nothing but the truth. They were no more than tools to be used to serve the greater good, even if their deaths were required.

She walked over to him and grabbed the front of his jacket. “That’s why we have to be more to each other.”

Wesley wasn’t sure that he understood what she was trying to say. “Are we more?”

“We’re partners,” Faith assured him.

He felt a profound disappointment. “Of course.”

When he turned away, she seized his arm and pulled him back. “What did you want me to say?”

“Nothing. Of course we’re partners.”

“Shit.” Faith pulled him in and kissed him hard, teasing him with lips and teeth before pulling back. “I think you could say we’re more than partners, but you have to know that every guy I’ve been close to has turned out to be a total bastard.”

“I think you know me better than that,” Wesley said, feeling hurt.

“Yeah, but—”

“Old habits die hard?” He ran a hand down her face, caressing her cheek. “I get that.”

“Wes!” Leslie stuck her head in the office. “Lorne is here.”

Wesley knew from the expression on Lorne’s face that Angel had completed the first part of his assignment. “Cordelia?”

It was the first word out of his mouth, and Lorne gave a brief shake of his head. “That was the deal.”

Wesley cursed. He’d known it was coming; Cordelia had seen it herself. That didn’t make it any easier to hear. “Did Angel get the information?”

“He got it. I’ve got your assignments right here, although Angel said that you’d be the one to make them—other than the Archduke Sebassis. He wants to be the one to kill him.” Lorne shook his head. “We’ve got plenty of work to do.”

“I’ll call Gunn and Fred,” Faith announced.

“How many do we have between us?” Wesley asked.

“Other than the Archduke, there’s the Fell Brethren, Cyvus Vail, the Sahrvin, Senator Brucker, and Izzerial the Devil. Izzy likes to dine with four of the others on the list, so you can kill five birds with one stone.”

Wesley knew what the answer would be before he asked the question. “What are you going to do, Lorne?”

“I’m done here, Wes.” The green-skinned demon stood. “This isn’t what I signed up for. I’m not a hero, and I’m not an assassin. If you really needed me, I’d stay, but you’ve got the Slayers.”

Wesley found that he wasn’t surprised. “Where will you go?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but maybe I’ll see you again.”

It was a lie; Wesley knew that much. “And the organizing?”

“Angel’s taking care of it. There’s a meeting of the Black Thorn tomorrow; they want to see him, probably to convince him to kill you all. You’ll make the hit tomorrow night.”

Wesley nodded and put a hand on Lorne’s shoulder. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do this.”

“This part I’m happy to help with.” Lorne glanced at his watch. “I should go. Here’s the rest of the information you’ll need. Between Angel and I, I think we’ve covered the bases.” He handed Wesley a manila envelope and left, his head bowed. Somehow, Wesley knew that he wouldn’t see the demon again.

Maybe it was for the best. At least one of them would emerge from this battle unscathed.

~~~~~

Faith wished they had a better place to go for a council of war. The lobby felt too open, but there were too many people for the office, and the basement was even less comfortable. Phoebe was the one to solve that problem.

“There’s the conference room on the second floor,” she offered, as everyone looked around for somewhere to sit. “It’s pretty dusty, but it might be better.”

“What conference room?” Wesley asked with a frown.

Uta shrugged. “There’s a big room with a huge table and lots of old chairs on the second floor. We found it when we were exploring.”

“Let’s go, then.” Faith certainly didn’t care about a little dust. They had other things to worry about at the moment.

The room was just as Phoebe and Uta had described, and Faith insisted on giving Wes the end of the table while she sat on his right. Spike lounged in the chair across from her, and the rest found seats where they could.

Ellen glanced around before she sat down next to Dana and murmured a quiet word—and just like magic, the dust was gone, although the room was still far from clean. “I’m allergic,” she explained briefly in response to the stares.

Wesley cleared his throat. “This is the situation as it stands,” he began without preamble. “There will be six targets, with the hits to be carried out tomorrow night. Angel informed Lorne that he would be taking care of Archduke Sebassis.”

“And that leaves us with five,” Spike drawled. “We can do the math, Watcher.”

“We do not know what the response from the Senior Partners will be—assuming that we’re successful in taking out each member in the first place,” Wesley continued as though he hadn’t been interrupted.

Ellen cleared her throat. “Who are the targets? I’m assuming that you want to match up strengths with weaknesses in this.”

“The first is Cyvus Vail, the sorcerer. I’ll handle him.” Wesley sounded determined, and Faith felt a stirring of alarm.

“Not alone,” she objected. “I think that’s first. Nobody goes alone.”

“Faith is absolutely correct,” Ellen said. “Which is why Dana and I will go with you to handle Vail. Next?”

Wes looked a little frustrated, then continued. “Izzerial the Devil and four others from the group dine together each night. Connor, I’d like you to take two Slayers and deal with them.”

“I’ll go,” Phoebe offered. “I’m the best with the crossbow, and it sounds like we’ll want to pick a couple off before we go hand to hand.”

“I’m with Phoebe.” Uta raised her hand.

Wesley nodded. “Very good. Gunn, I thought you might want to take on Senator Brucker. She has her campaign headquarters here in town, although according to the information that Angel sent, she surrounds herself with vampires. I think you should take—”

“Me.” Fred sounded determined. “You’re going to run out of people if you keep goin’ like that,” she pointed out. “And I think I have an idea for how to get it done, since we can get them all in one place.”

Wesley raised an eyebrow. “Very well.”

“What about me and Spike?” Faith asked. “You haven’t left us much.”

“The Fell Brethren and the Sahrvin will give each of you plenty to chew on.” Wesley’s expression was sardonic. “Spike, the Fell Brethren have taken charge of an infant that they plan on sacrificing. I have information on where to find the child’s mother.”

Spike nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Faith, take Caridad and Leslie with you to deal with the Sahrvin.”

Faith shook her head. “What about Spike? Everybody else has a buddy.”

“I don’t need a buddy,” Spike growled.

“He will if he’s trying to fight and hold a baby at the same time.”

The quiet voice was Abby’s, and Faith heard Wesley sigh. “Absolutely not.” He sounded determined.

“She’d be safer with me than left here on her own.” Spike sounded reluctant, and Faith could tell that he didn’t like the idea any more than the rest of them. No one like the idea of a child assassin, but the vampire was right about one thing—she wouldn’t be safe at the hotel if something or someone decided to attack.

“Call for more reinforcements.” Ellen made the suggestion. “I highly doubt that the Senior Partners are going to sit idly by while we destroy their physical counterparts one by one.”

Faith saw the merit in that idea right away. “I’ll call Ken. She’s the closest, and best case scenario is that they’ve taken a little field trip across the country.”

Wesley nodded slowly. “Very well. If they cannot get here before it’s time, then Abby will go with Spike.” Faith saw the look Wesley gave the vampire, clearly impressing upon him the fact that all sorts of bad things would happen to him should she be hurt. “Until then, I have the information on your targets here. I suggest that you each look over what’s there and discuss a plan of attack with your team. We’ll meet again to coordinate as a group.”

Faith watched as Wesley distributed the papers Lorne had passed along, then immediately went to talk to Ellen. That left her with no other choice but to do exactly as he’d suggested.

“Let’s go,” she said, motioning for Leslie and Caridad to follow her. “We’ll take this somewhere a little more comfortable.”

She looked over her shoulder at Wesley one more time, and their eyes met. Faith saw the truth reflected in his expression: they weren’t all going to make it out alive.