Days Of Wine & Roses: Playing Games
by Fairfax
Kennedy was in the gym. Her first thought had been to go to one of the many training rooms and pound the hell out of a punch bag, yet as soon as she’d left the class her temper had vanished, so instead she decided to go and shoot some hoops. She’d always been terrible at basketball, chasing after two older brothers who would beat her effortlessly and tease her relentlessly. At school she’d been one of the last to be picked for teams, then one day everything changed. Shot after shot went in, it didn’t seem to matter how far she stood back or from what crazy angle she threw, nothing could stop her.

For Kennedy, her suddenly acquired sporting genius was the first sign that something within her was different. It was the beginning of a journey that led from home to Sunnydale and the insanity of the fight against The First, and now to London and the sheer boredom of being confined and instructed. It wasn’t fair, the other potentials who’d survived in California had graduated and gone on to join Slayer teams across the world, while she was stuck here, held back and rejected.

One time when they had all been cooped up together in Revello Drive, Dawn Summers had got talking about how the whole Watcher/Slayer deal worked, telling them a few stories of what she’d seen or most likely eavesdropped or invented - that girl had serious issues. There was one story that Kennedy hoped was true, and if she had to stand in his office listening to a lecture about duty, sacrifice and responsibility one more time, then Buffy would no longer be the only Slayer to have punched the old man’s lights out.

‘Hey.’

Kennedy spun around, she’d been so lost in thought that Faith had crept right up on her. At least none of the Watchers had been around to see that lack of attention.

‘Faith, hey.’

She wasn’t sure what to say. Faith had seemed pretty cool in Sunnydale, they all had. Then everything went to hell. Almost as soon as they’d driven away from the crater, it was all about business. Rebuilding The Council, setting up in Cleveland, moving on, making plans or in her case obeying orders. She only agreed to come to London to get away from Willow, it had been fun at first but she was after too much too quickly. Kennedy wanted to have a good time, Willow wanted commitment.

‘So how’s it going in Slayer school?’

Faith picked up the ball and they began to throw it back and forth.

‘It sucks.’

Kennedy threw the ball with more force, emphasizing her feelings.

‘Maybe you should go with the flow a bit more.’

Faith returned the ball with equal strength.

‘Maybe I don’t need any advice.’

Slam - the ball was a blur.

‘You got to listen to someone, someday.’

Faith stepped back to absorb the impact of her catch.

‘From you that means so much.’

Kennedy drew back her arm and flung the ball as hard as she could.

‘Might want to watch what you say.’

Wham - that one obviously stung as Kennedy fumbled a little then readjusted her grip.

‘I’ve had enough of lectures.’

Faith kept hold of the ball, breaking the rhythm they’d established.

‘Yeah,’ she said calmly. ‘Me too.’

*********************

Giles sat alone in the empty dining hall. Two hours ago it had been full with Watchers and Slayers winding down from another long day. They all lined up for their food, then ate together, sharing tables and talking casually. It was a world away from the formal halls, based closely on the dining rituals of the Oxbridge colleges they’d all attended, that had made dinner under the old council regime such a convoluted, impractical process.

Caught up in meetings and then traffic, Giles had yet again missed the chance to mix informally with his colleagues and charges. He’d also missed the food and definitely didn’t want the junk he got out of the vending machine, then hadn’t even bothered to unwrap. He ought to go home, eat something healthy and relax, however there was still a lot to be done.

Everyone looked to him to be the final voice of authority, the casting vote, the one who signed on the dotted line. It amazed him that no one ever realized that he was just guessing. When it came to running a complex global organisation he had no experience to fall back on, there had been five people in his department at the British Museum, now he was responsible for hundreds. No wonder Quentin had resorted to being such a lazy, contemptible bastard, it would be a lot easier.

‘Ooh snacks.’

Faith wandered in and at a gesture from Giles helped herself. She settled into a chair and began attacking the food. Pausing when she felt Giles’ staring at her.

‘Are you going to yell at me?’

‘I doubt that would do any good,’ said Giles levelly as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. ‘A-and to be quite honest, I really don’t have the energy.’

Faith shrugged.

‘I didn’t hurt her.’

‘I rather think that you did.’

‘You know what I mean, I could’ve done some real damage, but I didn’t,’ Faith countered defensively.

‘Kennedy can certainly be annoying. Despite her claims that you attacked her for no reason, I have no doubt that she provided strong provocation, even so…’

He trailed off, not sure what to say next.

‘Even so I shouldn’t have kicked the crap out of her?’ Offered Faith.

‘Yes.’

‘No. You’re wrong. A beating is exactly what she needs, that or some hot action in the sack.’

Faith writhed her body sensuously at the thought. Giles looked suitably appalled.

‘Fightin’ and lovin‘, that’s what us Slayers do best.’

She took another bite of chocolate then carried on with her mouth slightly full, words a little muffled.

‘What’s going to happen to her? If she gets kicked out, do you like magically erase her memory or something?’

‘I could follow the same course of action that my predecessors would have and kill her,’ said Giles dispassionately.

‘Are you fucking nuts?’ Faith’s voice rose in horror.

‘It used to happen. Potentials, Watchers who failed their exams, anyone who was perceived to be a a liability. They were all…eliminated.’

Giles regarded Faith, slightly surprised at how easily she’d been shocked by the idea. Looked at unemotionally it did make sense, secrecy had to be maintained or there would be chaos which would put everyone at risk. Very occasionally murder could be necessary. He’d learned that lesson a long time ago.

‘Oh Faith, do calm down. No one is going harm Kennedy. I assure you.’

She looked at him doubtfully.

‘The old system was barbaric. Unfortunately it was also highly effective and at the moment an alternative does not present itself.’

‘One had better ‘present itself’,’ said Faith angrily. ‘If I hear that anything happened to her…’

‘You don’t have to threaten me.’

‘Maybe I do. You’re the one talking about offing someone rather than giving them a chance.’

‘I’ve given her every chance!’ Giles shouted. ‘Why won’t you listen?’

He took a deep breath then continued quietly.

‘I’ve given Kennedy every chance and will continue to do so. If if ultimately she is dismissed, then a way of ensuring her silence that threatens neither her safety nor that of this organisation will be sought.’

‘I get it. You had me scared at the start.’

‘Sorry. I-I should have explained more clearly.’

‘Damn right,’ said Faith.

Smiling, to let Giles know that she was okay, she held out the last piece of chocolate which he took; recognising a peace offering when he saw one.

‘So how’s B?’

Giles was thrown by the sudden change in conversation.

‘Fine, why do you ask?’

‘Because you look stressed out and unhappy.’

He went to interrupt, Faith raised a hand in a ‘stop’ gesture.

‘Proved by the whole random talk about murdering Kennedy thing. You’re not firing on all cylinders there, are you?’

Faith sounded so confident in her assessment, Giles couldn’t be bothered to argue. Instead he asked:

‘What does this have to do with Buffy?’

‘Mentioning B is the quickest way to get you to smile,’ she said smugly.
‘Always has been.’

‘Am I that predictable?’

‘Only over her. You guys should meet up. Go to Rome, take it easy.’

Giles thought about the trip to Bond Street he’d taken earlier that day, and the slim jewellery case which was currently locked in the top drawer of his desk.

‘Actually, Faith. I’ve been thinking the same thing myself.’

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