The Strigoi Slayer

It had taken longer than Faith liked for her wounds to heal, apparently she was more damaged than both she and Dimitri originally thought. It had taken a full two weeks before she was back to a hundred percent, and an extra three days before Dimitri believed her.

He was still skeptical as he eyed her critically and she smirked, “You wanna check for yourself, cop a feel Rasputin?”

“I already checked she’s completely healed up,” Rose confirmed.

Dimitri rolled his eyes, he should be used to her innuendos and her flirtatious nature, and he could have brushed it off if it was just with him. She also flirted heavily with Rose, and Rose didn’t seem to be bothered by it. In fact he wanted to question the nature of their relationship from the first time Rose had met Faith but it wasn’t his business.

“Well come on ya Commie bastard, put your money where your mouth is,” Faith taunted him.

Rose saw his eyes darken, realizing Faith might have crossed a line. Rose flicked a gaze to Faith wondering if she realized it, but there was another look in her eyes, a dark look. She knew what she was doing, Rose also had to wonder what benefit could come out of purposely pissing him off before sparring.

Rose was surprised by Dimitri’s reaction, a straight closed fist directly to her mouth, it seemed to have caught Faith off guard too. Her lip split and she stumbled back, the shock shifting to a devilish grin, “Atta Boy, hit me like you mean it,” she purred dropping into a fighting stance.

“Watch it, Vera ,” Dimitri warned darkly.

Rose’s eyes bounced between Faith and Dimitri now, finding this to be different than when She and Dimitri sparred. It was a test, they were testing each other. There was an air Faith developed that Rose couldn’t describe, but she’d seen it before, so had Lissa, Lissa said it was a bit predatory. Rose wondered if Dimitri picked up on it, she fought like a Strigoi. This could end badly if Faith pushed him too far, Dimitri had killed plenty of Strigoi...Faith had killed even more.

Their blows were harsh, not pulled as much as they should be, Dimitri was focused and serious that seriousness reached to Faith well. She was much less mouthy, but she did get in a verbal barb here and there. Faith’s back hit the ground first but she was up not a second after. She clicked her tongue chastisingly, “Tsk tsk, I’m always on top,” Her foot connected with the center of his chest, and she pounced on him drawing back the practice stake but he caught her wrist from the ground and twisted it roughly. Despite her strength she was still light, and on top of that didn’t want her wrist broken, while she didn’t release the stake she twisted with it as he rose from the ground.

Faith felt the point of her own stake at her spine as he slammed her into an institue wall, the opposite forearm pressed against the back of her neck pinning in place, “Only when you’re dealing with someone that had less skill, Faith, you’re too cocky, it’ll get you killed.”

Faith knew he wasn’t going to stab her so, with her free hand that was braced against the wall she pushed off the wall, he tried to push her back with his forearm, but with no success as she reached back grabbed the arm pressed to her neck and slammed him into the wall. He’d released her wrist immediately, if he hadn’t, it would have been broken.

“Um, you guys might wanna call it quits before one of you guys gets seriously hurt,” Rose said after a moment then blinked finding it weird to even say that very responsible sounding sentence.

Dimitri seemed surprised, as well when Rose spoke. Rose frowned and nodded, “I know, let’s pretend it wasn’t me being the adult,” Rose sighed, “Never mention it in fact.”

Faith now chuckled softly, but released Dimitri spitting out some blood with a grin, “Yes mother,”

“No really, ya know what, hit each other more, I take it back,” Rose shook her head.

“Rose is right, that got out of hand,” Dimitri admitted.

Faith quirked a smile, “Out of whose hands exactly? I knew what I was doing, just tryin’ to see what kinda stuff you’re made out of, Can’t do that if you’re actin’ all stoic and calm.”

Faith was bouncing on the balls of her feet completely energized from the fight, Dimitri only narrowed his eyes a little. He’d have to remember to watch himself around her. He was so used to someone like Rose, who had very similar traits he assumed he’d be able to handle Faith in a similar manner but Faith had more life experience. Rose was nearly an open book, Faith only appeared to be, there were layers to her, and she could get under his skin and push his buttons. It wouldn’t be as easy now that he was prepared. It wasn’t the simple ‘Commie Bastard’ comment, it was her stance, her posture, the look in her eyes, for all intents and purposes she looked to him like she was trying to kill him. He had no doubt now, she did it on purpose.

“Wanna go around Rosita?” Faith prodded.

“Sure,” Rose perked up.

“No,” Dimitri said immediately.

“Aww come on Comrade,” Rose prodded.

“Not until she learns better self control, I am not explaining to Kirova any broken bones you might get on accident because she’s reckless,” Dimitri said tersely.

“Whoa reckless? I know what the fuck I’m doing, Belikov, not my fault you can’t handle it, Got a bit of a temper hidden under all that stoic BS,” Faith replied narrowing her eyes.

“Or perhaps you’re particularly infuriating,” he replied, “There’s nothing wrong with being angry, you use that anger, don’t let it get the better of you, don’t use it to fight the entire world, don’t use it to fight yourself, you need to learn self control, or someone is going to get hurt... again .”

Faith blinked and stared at him hard for a second. There were a few ways she could take that, he could have been talking about the guardian she dropped on accident, or the injuries to herself, or perhaps he’d read her file, that would explain why he didn’t want her sparring with Rose. It dawned on her that perhaps he meant all of it. Her fist shot out before she realized her arm had moved, but it seemed he’d expected this and he caught her wrist and used the momentum to flip her onto her back. He knew it would happen and it punctuated the meaning behind the statement.

Faith was back on her feet, her jaw tight. She wanted to take another swing at him but at the risk of proving him right she stalked off for the showers.

“I know you had a point to make, Comrade but did you have to do it like that?” Rose asked him quietly.

“Yes,” he said simply, watching her leave.

What truly pissed off Faith the most was that he was right. She was dangerous, yet and still she persisted. A danger that has been allowed to live all this time. A murderer. Reckless. Worthless. Garbage. Her fist connected with the nearest solid object, the titled wall of the shower. She didn’t stop titles shattered under her fists, her knuckles were scraped up and bloody, as hot water washed over her. She needed air.

She pulled on her clothes and slipped out, not the front Rose would no doubt be after her soon, Faith slipped out a small window high up barely big enough to squeeze her body through.

Rose let out a heavy sigh finding only a hole in the wall with broken tiles, the shower was still running. She ran a hand through her hair, and walked back out of the locker room, “She’s gone Dimitri,” Rose pursed her lips, “I don’t know how, I would have seen her come out but...she’s gone, also so is a small chunk of the wall.”

Faith was all for daytime drinking, she’d obtained a credit card, and found herself a shitty hole in the wall bar. It hadn’t taken her long before she’d first started to feel tipsy. The bartender was side eyeing her at the rate she was drinking, even though he seemed to be surprised she was upright on the stool still. Even as she ordered more.

If Faith cracked at something as small as that, she needed to leave. She shouldn’t be around them. It was something she was tossing around in her mind for a while. She wasn't sure how long or how many drinks ago she'd gotten there, when a prickling hit the back of her neck. A chill down her spine, as someone settled in the bar stool next to her. Her head snapped immediately in their direction, and she was surprised to find Angel sitting next to her.

“What are you doing here?” She demanded taking another gulp from her drink.

“Looking for you, Rumor had it the Council got a hold of you, but when Buffy got in contact with them, they didn’t have you, I did a little digging…” Angel said slowly.

“Wrong Council,” she snorted finishing off her drink and motioning for another.

“So you know,” Angel nodded, “About the Moroi and the Dhampires?”

“Yeah it’s amazing, y’all kept it a secret this long,” Faith snorted.

“Strigoi don’t want the Slayers to join with Moroi and Dhampires, they don’t want Moroi and Dhampires to start caring about humans again,” Angel told her.

“Oh don’t worry, there’s no danger of that,” she chuckled bitterly wrapping her hand around the drink that was put down next to her.

“Don’t come back,” Angel told the bartender, looking him in the eye, the bartender nodded numbly and shuffled off.

“Really Angel? You had to use your Vamp Mojo on him?” Faith huffed.

“You’re drunk enough,” Angel commented, then shifted his body to face her.

Angel was in short probably one of the prettiest Strigoi around, that was what he was known for, how he got his name. The one with the Angelic face. Angelus. Faith imagined he was pretty when he was still a human, “Wait...Angel….were you a human? Or…?”

“I was a Dhampire, born in a commune, my Father was a Moroi, my mother also a Dhampire,” he answered.

“Oh...huh...so...What about Darla?” Faith asked.

“Dhampire, Spike was a Moroi and so was Drusilla,” Angel answered before she questioned on at a time.

“Oh, right,I guess now that I think about it I can see it,” she nodded sipping at her drink, “That’s crazy, so um...do they know about you. The Guardian Council I mean?”

“No,” Angel said simply, “Faith, Why did the Guardians council take you?”

“They found out about Slayers, and want me to help them, somethin’ about them helping me,” Faith shrugged, “Probably just want a pet Slayer, I’ll probably just end up stabbing someone, So why are you here Angel? Buffy tell you I was a bad girl?”

“I was worried,” Angel tilted his head to the side.

“Right, everyone is so fuckin' concerned about crazy as fuck Faith,” Faith snorted and slid off her bar stool, “Ya see I think your little blonde Barbie called and you went running, come to drag me back, make sure I pay?” her words were slurred slightly as she drained her glass once more.

Angel let out a dry bit of laughter, “Is that what you want Faith?”

“Well come on Angel kick my ass, I deserve it,” Faith shoved him.

Angel stumbled back a little, his eyes darting around as the other patrons now started to stare, “Okay let’s go,” Angel told her in an attempt to compel her but Slayers were highly resistant. Even as adept at it as Angel had become, Faith at first started to comply but blinked rapidly.

“Cut that shit out, you wanna fight straight up fight me, fuckin’ bastard,” Faith growled.

“Fine, outside Faith,” Angel told her.

Faith stalked out front, noting the sun had started to sink below the horizon. She’d been there longer than she thought, she didn’t know how she didn’t realize it, Angel wouldn’t have been there if it hadn’t.

“Come on Angel, fight me,” she growled pivoting and punching him in the face, Angel’s head snapped to the side but he shook his head.

“No, Faith,” Angel said quietly.

“Come on, kick my ass,” she shoved him again, “I’m the bad Slayer right? Fuckin’ fight me you pussy.”

“No, I won’t,” he stood steadfast.

The more he refused the more instant she became, her voice cracking, and her hits weaker but faster more frenzied. Her rage dissolved into tears before her wrapped his arms around her. She struggled with him a moment before she melted into him, her head slumping weakly against his chest. He shushed her much like one would a child and held her.

“Faith!” A female voice pierced the air, but Faith didn’t seem to respond as he held her.

A young Dhampire…this was going to look bad.

“Rose wait…” Came a Russian accented voice, “You…” he stared as recognition hit him, Angel’s reputation proceeded him...or Angelus’s anyway, “Rose go back to the car now.”

“But Dimitri…”

“Now, Rose!” Dimitri raised his voice in a firm growl that caught Rose off guard, she took a few steps back before complying.

“Guardian, No matter what this looks like, it’s not what you think,” Angel nudged Faith a little, who clung to him seemingly oblivious to her surroundings.

“Let. Her. Go.” Dimitri bit off.

"Okay," Angel held up his hands but Faith didn’t let go of him, so he gently shook her, “Faith, I could use a little help here.”

Faith blinked suddenly aware of her surroundings, startled as she’d been so wrapped up in her own emotional melt down she hadn’t even seen Dimitri. She ran her hands through her hair and wiped away the tears from her eyes before turning to fully face him, “What are you doing here?” her eyes slowly fell onto the silver stake in his hand.

“Looking for you, Faith, What’s going on?” he stared at her intently.

Faith blinked then looked back at Angel, “Oh shit, um, yeah, no it’s cool Angel is actually one of the White hats, he put the wrong chick in his mouth once.”

“Faith! You really don’t have to explain it like I caught something, it’s not Gonorrhea, jeez,” Angel huffed.

“You kinda did catch something though,” Faith shrugged.

“ Vera, ” Dimitri said sharply, then tried to coax her to his side, “Why don’t you come over here and explain it?”

“What did you just call me..?” Faith started, as if he'd insulted her.

 Angel cut her off, “Look, Guardian, why don’t we have a conversation over a drink...I doubt they have any good Vodka here, or...good anything...really...it’s a complicated story, but I promise you I’m on your side.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“Because I could have forced you to drop that stake, and forced you to come inside with me, but I’d rather you did it on your own,” Angel said calmly keeping his hands visible.

“Rasputin, he’s cool, I promise, he can’t even do any Jedi mind tricks on me,” Faith shrugged.

“Slayers are immune?” Dimitri asked her.

“Resistant, some of us are more stubborn than others though,” Faith shrugged.

“So...immune,” Dimitri quirked the barest hint of a smile.

“Pretty much,” Angel confirmed.

“I am not drinking any Vodka that comes from there,” Dimitri said carefully, his eyes flicked to Faith once more before saying, “But why don’t you come over to the car and we can talk about it,” his eyes flicked to Faith again, as if trying to make sure this was the right decision.

Rose was pacing around the car when then came back and her eyes widened stopping dead, “Uh...guys...he is a Strigoi, Right? What’s….guys…?”

“Apparently he’s got an interesting story about an STD,” Dimitri said flatly.

“Oh come on,” Angel huffed, “I didn’t catch an STD, we’re immune to that, I caught a soul.”

“Okay...you have my attention,” Dimitri crossed his arms, he still kept the stake in his hands.

“Strigoi, are dead, they’re soulless shells of the person they used to be, in essence, just demons inhabiting the body, they have the memories and personality of the person they were but darker, evil, no conscience, no remorse, it’s an easy way to live,” Angel told him polite keeping to the opposite side of the car, as to not make him more nervous, “Well one day, I killed a Romani girl, a favorite of her clan, and they cursed me, with a soul, all those horrible things I had done and suddenly, I could feel everything, all the guilt…”

“I read about what you’ve done in Europe, I bet that’s not even the half of it, now you feel remorse?” Dimitri tilted his head to the side.

“Yikes that’s gotta suck,” Rose’s eyes widened, then frowned, “No pun intended.”

Angel snorted and quirked a half smile, “Yeah, you could say that.”

“So now you? Do what exactly?” Dimitri asked.

“I fight, demons, other Strigoi, I do what I’m needed,” Angel shrugged.

“So like...what do you eat?” Rose asked.

“Animal blood mostly, I get it from butchers, sometimes human, but never FROM humans, I know Moroi have feeders, but that would be too much, I wouldn’t stop,” Angel shook his head, reminded of how he’d nearly killed Buffy when Faith poisoned him.

Dimitri was quiet as he tried to digest this, and Angel let him. Rose tilted her head to the side, “I think they shop at the same place.”

Faith chuckled softly, then Rose's face turned serious, before she reached out and smoothed Faith’s hair down, “Are you okay?”

“Drunk,” Faith nodded.

Dimitri flicked his gaze to Faith then to Angel once more and nodded. It was a leap of...well faith but that was all Dimitri could do, is trust Faith, by trusting him. He held out his hand, “Dimitri Belikov.”

“It’s just Angel now,” he said shaking his hand firmly.

“Thank you for keeping her safe,” Dimitri told him.

Angel gestured with his head for Dimitri to walk with him, Dimitri obliged, “No I should be thanking you, The human council wants to lock her up, but...Faith is just misguided….she needs help, if you guys can give that to her, I’ll leave you to it, she’s been through a lot, probably more than I know, it’s not going to be easy.”

“I can tell, she’s seen too much for her age,” Dimitri agreed.

“She puts on a good show but she’s more fragile than she lets on,” Angel nodded, “Not to say you should baby her but tread carefully, learn when to push her and when to let up,” he reached in his pocket and pulled out a business card.

Dimitri plucked it from his hand, “You’re a PI?” then furrowed his eyebrow, “Is that a lobster?”

“What...no...that’s supposed to be an Angel….I didn’t design them okay?” Angel huffed indignantly, “Just, give me a call if you guys need anything, I’m based in LA, but I’ll be here if you need me.”

Dimitri nodded, “Okay.”

“Just give me a second to talk to Faith, then I’ll be out of your way,” Angel told him.

Dimitri wandered back to the car to find Faith with her head flopped on Rose’s shoulder, “Hey...he wants to talk to you,”

“Of course he does,” Faith sighed heavily and fished in her pocket pulling out a cigarette before going in the direction he’d come from.

“That’s...odd...a good Strigoi,” Dimitri shook his head slightly, “I...I’m not sure if I’m going to mention it to anyone yet Rose.”

“Check, my lips are sealed,” Rose reached out and snatched the business card from between his fingers, “He’s a PI? Cool...why is their a crab on there?”

“Apparently it’s supposed to be an Angel,” Dimitri shrugged.

“Ooohh I see it now,” Rose nodded.