DISCLAIMER: No infringement of copyright is intended. You know the drill, anyone appearing on or mentioned on BtVS are ME's. New characters introduced here are mine.
EXTRA WARNINGS and or SPOILERS: Language, drug use, general wackiness.
Doppelgängland War
by Eris © 2004 — All rights reserved.
Chapter Four: Confidences
Late that night at one of their favorite secluded spots within the complex Faith and her favorite clique enjoyed some down time and some dish.
“He went and confined her to her room?” Lance repeated making sure he heard correctly from his place lying on the mats.
“Yup.” Faith confirmed.
“That’s it? That’s all?” Gavin asked skeptically opening the vent to the athletic storage closet to release some of the haze.
“Yup.” She repeated taking a deep toke from the small butt holding it in, then slowly letting it out, “You know the old man and Tara got that special relationship goin’--”
“Yeah, gay my ass.” Chip gestured lewdly spurring on childish giggles.
She passed off the clip and punched him. “Shut up moron.” Then continued her thought. “So he ain’t gonna punish her, not like if it were one of us.”
“You mean you, Faith.” Oz corrected twirling a basketball on his fingertip. “We’re good boys.” He then grinned smugly. “We don’t go fucking up on purpose just to see the man pop a vein.”
“Fucking around maybe.” Gavin added leaning over to paw at Faith playfully. Joke was on him when she sat up and hit him right were it counted. He gasped and rolled over into the fetal position clutching his jock making little gurgling noises.
The clip was passed back to Faith. “Whatever the Princess wants the Princess is gonna get.” She exhaled.
“And she wants?” Larry asked through drug laden eyelids from his position lying on his stomach atop the Ping-Pong table.
“Fuck Larry, you blind as well as slow? You better than anyone should know.” She sneered then leaned over and howled. “Arooooo.”
“Oh.” He replied unfazed. Moments later it finally sank in and his eyes went extra wide as he wobbled taking the clip. “Ohhhh, no way.”
“Hahahahaa. So way you spasmo.”
“But that chick’s pure demon. A blood drinking, vampire-loving demon.” Lance offered up next to her with a slight cough scratching his stomach.
Faith leaned over on him and ran her hand up under his shirt. “On the inside. She’s still easy on the eyes all humany outside. Plus, it turns out she ain’t that tough, she’s got some soapnet sob story past that’s larger than my juvie record.”
“Awww.” He exclaimed fuzzily wrapping an amorous arm around her.
“I still say she’s Oz’s bitch.” Larry spat pounding a fist on the table and handing off the clip. “Dogs is dogs.”
“Oh thanks, Lar man, you’re quite the wit halved.” Oz complimented tossing the basketball at his head.
“Yeah, who sez Oz even wants her.” Chip finally voiced from beside the crates of practice weapons.
“Hey, dude, sitting right here. I don’t even know her.” He defended.
“What’s to know,” Lance argued, “she’s hot, you both got moon madness, get hairy scary, and have enough stamina to do the freaky deaky doggie styley for three days straight. Just like with Ver-u-ca.” Then pulled Faith fully on top of him gyrating and bouncing her for visual emphasis.
“Oh, that’s artful, Dr. Ruth.” Oz shook his head trying to stave off the beginnings of a blush. “It’s all sex with you people isn’t it?”
“Hell yeah.” They all responded with a nod.
“When we’re fucked up, yup.” Faith beamed.
“Sex and smoke.” Lance proclaimed.
“And beer.” Larry bellowed.
“...And beer,” was echoed.
“And slaying.” Faith added. “Sex, smokes, slaying and beer. Here’s to the good life.” And took another hit.
“Beer doesn’t start with an S, it needs to start with an S, then we can make that our motto.” Chip announced sounding like Rain Man.
“Uh-oh, pass it his way he’s coming down hard.” Faith quipped handing the clip to Lance for a pass.
“So Oz, do you think she’s attractive?” Chip asked still all serious-like taking the clip.
“Hell, even I think she’s attractive.” Faith interrupted between kissage and straddling Lance.
“Yeah, Faith’d do her.” Larry yelled out overly loudly and excited.
“Faith does everyone.” Gavin commented snarkily then added, “OW!” as she walloped him once more.
Turning to Oz she winked. “In a heartbeat.” Then returned her attention back to Lance.
“Agreed, she’s a hottie, but I need to get to know someone first.”
“Aw, the last romantic on the planet.” Lance teased.
“Like you knew me?” Faith tossed out.
“If I recall I didn’t make a move. In fact, I wasn’t given much of a choice in the matter.” He asserted.
“You weren’t exactly complaining either.” Faith declared and they shared a smile.
“Hey, hey, hey, tell me again where’s Veruca?” Larry asked for the most part out of it.
“Shut up, man. The bitch is nowhere,” Faith answered irritated. “Her choice.”
Oz pursed his lips at the thought of her. Veruca was one with her primalness, accepting of the beast. No apologies, no regrets, no good-byes, just the now. With her it was strictly animal, nothing more nothing less. He knew only what she fed him, which was barely enough for a church mouse, and every time she left she was gone longer and longer.
His cloudy brain cleared some. “Seriously though, I need to know what goes on in someone’s head.” He had been keeping tabs on the girl since she got there. Secretly he hoped part of what Lance had jokingly mentioned might come true, that he’d finally have someone who could relate to the beast, someone to share the burden of the wolf within. “I think she’s got a lot going on in there she’s not showing us yet. So who knows.”
“Gods, you’re killing us with this relationship shit. Sheesh, he ain’t getting laid any time soon.” Gavin zinged.
“We’ll see.” He smirked taking the clip.
“We’ll see, shit,” Faith shot out. “You missed your chance. QueenT’s been getting to know her for some time now.”
“What?” They responded surprised by the revelation.
“Oh yeah, set up shop and getting quite cozy — Miss Greased Lightning strikes. I bet she’s gotten her to show her everything via her witchy charms.” She looked around at their disbelieving faces, “What, you can’t all think this was Blondie’s first offense? Shit, she’s ten times sneakier than most of your stupid asses, not to mention all magicky an shit.”
“Man, it sucks to be you Oz.” Larry moaned shaking his head and dropping it to the table as he passed out.
Oz quirked an interested eyebrow. “And how do you know all this Faith?”
* * * * * * * * * *
“Enter.” Tara heard Giles bark from inside his office after Brent knocked. She couldn’t believe he had sent the boys out armed to get her today. She truly hoped this was all part of his big example making-type plan.
Brent opened the door and gestured for Tara to enter.
“Sit down.” He ordered her then directed a hardy, “Wait outside,” to Brent and Kent.
‘Is that necessary?’ She thought but dared not voice as she was yet unsure of his mood. He was back to stuffy-mode keeping his emotions tightly buttoned up like his shirt collar and hidden from her.
He returned to his desk and paperwork ignoring her, leaving her to sit in the chair. This made her uncomfortable. ‘Yet another tactic,’ she thought but definitely an effective one as she began to fidget.
When Giles was done with his writing he closed the cap to his pen and closed his book, then rose and took a familiar spot leaning on the edge of his desk across from her folding his arms to stare at her sternly.
Her eyes anxiously darted about his person and the room as she waited for him to speak. Finally he shifted, drew a breath and began, “What am I to do with you?”
She adroitly chose to remain silent this time.
“I know you think what you did was not serious. But it was.” His voice was tight and controlled.
She lowered her gaze focusing on his shoes.
“And I know you feel I am the villain here for taking the action that I did and that what I did was criminal. But it wasn’t.”
Her large blue eyes shot up to connect with his.
“My priority, first and foremost, is the safety of this complex. Any infractions of security are not taken lightly. I know you have heard me spout these words time and time again but now, hopefully, you shall take them seriously.”
She lowered her eyes again and fidgeted with her bracelets.
“And I hope you realize now, the hard way, your actions have repercussions.”
She was trying hard not to cry but a single tear made its way down her cheek.
Suddenly he leaned in placing a gentle hand on her knee. “Tara, I’m sorry,” he sighed.
She looked to him again brow furrowed with question.
“But my apology is not an admission of guilt. I just want you to know, I’m not like your father, I take no pleasure from what I did.” He lowered his gaze to the floor this time, “I want her to be part of the team. I want to trust her emphatically. I thought we were on our way there and then this...” His voice trailed off and he stood then paced away.
“I’m sorry.” She sniffed.
“I know.” His voice remained steady. “And I know you thought you were helping, being kind, it’s your nature.” He returned to his desk and sat in his chair. “Did you ever stop to think she could have hurt you?” His tone changed emotion creeping in.
She had thought about that at first, but now, how could she tell him of their time, her docile nature, her aura, hell every fiber of her being screamed Rue wasn’t a threat to her or anyone else. “No.” She answered quietly and apologized again, “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “Don’t you see, you need to stop being sorry and start thinking, start being better. I expect better of you.”
“Why?”
* * * * * *
“Wha-what?” He sputtered.
“W-why do you expect so much from me?” She whined. “I’m a-always s-s-screwing things up—”
“Please,” he rubbed at his throbbing temple, “please spare me the inferiority neurosis rambling.”
“No,” she jumped to her knees in the chair determinedly, “why me and not the others? I’m not even one of your precious slayers.” Then lowered her timber when she saw his face begin to flush. “S-so why?”
“Why?” He wasn’t in the mood for this and began to gesticulate, “Why do I expect things from you?! Why do I count on you? Why do I?!”
“Yes?” She cringed almost afraid to hear his reply.
He shot up crossing the distance between them in a flash, grabbed her tightly by the upper arms and pulled her in shaking her gently yet firmly. “Because you have the potential. You believe in what we are doing here, and one day when I’m dead in the ground, or my bloody head is up on a pike gallantly sported by the newest big bad, you will lead this place, keep it going, train the next generations to ensure the demons don’t burst free and trample this world asunder.”
Her bottom lip began to quiver at his words as they shared a glance.
He released her, took a step back and rested his hands on his hips, “Oh don’t go getting spongy on me.”
“I’m so—” She was about to apologize once more but thought better of it, “—I mean you can’t just drop that on someone and not expect them to not get a little emotional.”
He folded his arms and stared at the ceiling. “I didn’t drop it. You pushed me.”
She wiped at her eyes with her sweater sleeve and sat back in the chair. “How can you have so much faith in me? I’m only one person.”
“How can I not?” he leaned on the desk in front of her and pushed up his glasses before beginning to gesticulate again. “Look at my alternatives. Should I pass the torch to Faith? Where would the complex be in a year? Every night I pray she’ll make it back alive because she hasn’t got the common sense God gave half a house brick. Even after dying once, she still believes herself immortal, taking unnecessary risks with everyone’s lives, not only her own. Or Amanda? One day Amanda maybe, but if she keeps going out with Faith her future is grim,” he shifted his weight, “hell, her future it’s beyond grim already because she IS a slayer. You, my dear,” he tapped the desk for emphasis, “you have the mind and fortitude to lead this group already, and if you’d just learn to believe in yourself and stop the self doubty nancying, your leadership abilities might just kick in and surprise you.”
“Wow.” She exhaled.
“Yes, wow.” He echoed monotonal.
“I never—”
“I know...have to draw you a bloody map.”
She snorted, the final ice breaker for both of them. “That must have been a heavy burden.”
“It IS heavy.”
“I guess I have to change my plans now and not go to Antarctica to be a professional penguin sitter.”
He did a double take, crinkled his nose at her and sniffed, “Penguins, indeed.” Drained of his fury he retreated to his desk chair, flopped down, leaned back and stretched his stressed cramped vertebrae taking a few cleansing breaths. They sat in silence until he decided to tackle the last aspect of their situation. “So you’re saying she talks to you?” He asked sounding more like his usual staunch Gilsean self.
Tara’s heart suddenly jumped into her throat. They were going to do this now. “Y-yes.”
Tossing his feet up on the desk he crossed his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. “When?”
She debated telling him but knew she wouldn’t be able to sustain any lie she might come up with. “All the time.”
“Oh, all the time,” he mocked and she could see the mixture of disappointed irritation plastered across his face.
So she began to backpedal. “I mean...I mean I’ve been talking to her since she got here but she kinda just only ever stared into space. It’s only been recently... s-since you made you’re breakthrough she’s even answered.”
That long. He hadn’t realized their guest was such a good actress. Now who was the stupid one? He ran his hand down his face and pinched the bridge of his nose sitting upright again looking accusatory now. “When do you talk to her?”
Tara was trepidacious and shrugged. “At night mostly. When it’s quiet, mostly. When no one’s around...I guess when it’s s-s-safe. Or s-s-she feels safe.”
‘Obviously,’ he thought. But why Tara? Why was she talking to her, confiding in her and not him? His methods must be faulty, or he was going about it all wrong. He’d have to mull it over and continued. “And what does she say to you?”
Tara struggled, “S-s-she said, book.”
“Book?” He repeated.
“Yes, the first time, when I said she looked bored and did she want anything. She said b-book.”
He raised his brow becoming irritated with the situation, “That’s it? That’s the extent of it?”
“Well, she wanted to go home but I told her the mansion was gone and she couldn’t...” the look on Giles’ face made her very uncomfortable now and she eased off knowing full well she would have to reveal their secretive meetings, “...she used to say yes and no when I asked her stuff.”
Eghads, it was like pulling teeth. His eyes were closed, his brow furrowed and he played with his lip, “Please elaborate, stuff.”
She was becoming agitated. “U-u-uh, I don’t know, just s-s-stuff.”
“Tara,” his voice rose with urgency, “it’s very important I know what you speak about. Don’t you understand the ramifications? Every yes and no can be unraveling what’s already been done here.”
She leaned over onto the desk supporting her head with her hands. “But I thought it was of the good she was talking. T-that if she felt comfortable enough to--”
“Well, yes,” he interrupted. She was right he supposed. “But there’s so much more at stake here. Rue is not normal, she’s been reprogrammed, conditioned to bow to authority, seen who knows what, lived through God knows what. The person you see now is not the person she was or will again become. Reading a reference book hardly makes me the psychoanalyst. I’m walking a tight rope with her mind and if you go undermining or contradicting what’s being done today, who knows what it could do later on when we need to count on her.”
“Oh.” She frowned. Awkward silence crept into the room and she fidgeted with her necklace now then furrowed her brow inquisitively breaking it, “Well, when can we talk to her then?”
He stopped and blinked his lip fluttering a moment thrown by her question. “I-I’m not quite sure.”
“So how can she get socialized and become a person if no one talks to her?”
“*I* talk to her.” He sniffed slightly offended.
“No, you talk *at* her.” She gestured. “Grill and drill her endlessly. Order her about, march her up and down then put her away when you’re done.” She reached out her hand and gently placed it over his. “When does she come out of the cage and become a real girl again?”
He stared at her for a long moment then replied flippantly, “There may not be a real girl left inside there.”
She squeezed his hand with conviction and smiled. “There is.”
His gaze danced about the room stopping to focus on her bright blue eyes. Returning the smile he took her hand in his stroking it then abruptly clutched it, expression bluntly changing to one of seriousness. He watched the confusion cloud her face at his tight grip and asked. “And you would know this because?”
Her face fell and she expelled a disgruntled breath at him.
* * * * * * * * * *
Giles was relentless and after a few hours she spilled all, laying bare her deeds, her secretive learnings, and assumptions. To say Giles was wigged was an understatement. He had no words for a long time leaving her to sit once more and fend off all the demon punishments her mind could concoct. They were ultimately worse than what he had in store for her. More grounding and the addition of menial chores, more for show than for anything else. She would obey but was averse to being barred from seeing Rue. Her argument, the same one Giles had employed, Rue trusted her, and now she would backslide in her advancement. He knew she was right but it had to be done, so he let those days ride watching carefully as Rue resumed her near coma-like state going through the daily motions and even refusing to eat.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Pots, she got fucking pots—” Chip whined as he handed a big bag of stakes to Faith in the van.
“Told ya.” She smirked cutting him off and stashing it.
“Don’t forget laundry detail, washing the trucks, and cleaning out the bay, and—” Gavin added but was also cut off by Faith.
“Hello, we take turns doing all that shit anyway, so where’s the *big* punishment?” She emphasized with air quote marks.
Larry hoisted the pike cannon up for her to grab. “Sheesh, next out let me bring home a Grap’Lor demon, I want it to guard my stash. See what good ‘ol Giles does then.”
“Take three shits and pass out is my guess.” Faith quipped.
They giggled at the unbelievability of the sitch as they finished final preparations for the teams to go out.
* * * * * * * * * *
Rue gloomily lay on her cot. After all the commotion, she was now left relatively alone seemingly forgotten and she was bored. All of a sudden, something moved out of the corner of her eye. She glanced about yet saw nothing other than the usual bland walls and empty hall. She blinked, rubbed at her eyes and sighed. Then she heard a chuckle that made her sit bolt upright. The hair on the back of her neck and arms stood at attention. Without a sound, she rose and moved around the cell trying to ascertain who it was but she caught sight of no one. She then focused on the second tier window but too felt and heard nothing. Long moments passed before she annoyedly returned to the cot. What the heck was going on? Who was playing games with her now?
* * * * * * * * * *
On the next few outs, the teams were finding more and more evidence that someone seemed to be doing their job for them.
Bits of information filtered in through various sources, all seemingly corroborating rumors of a definite demon power struggle and a mad grabber, hungry for control. Sharpe.
The prisoners they took revealed little, only that Sharpe was the chief contender and HE wasn’t the type of demon to take no for an answer.
* * * * * * * * * *
Tara whiled away her days as best she could throwing herself into the tedious tasks she was given trying her best to put on a smile when inside she was a complete jumble of raw emotions.
“Hey Clem,” she called entering the kitchen for her lunch shift.
“Hey Tara,” he smiled putting on his chef’s hat which accentuated the wrinkles on his brow and the floppiness of his ears, and always succeeded in making her giggle. Today though, she only smiled, and a weak one at that. Clem noticed and frowned. “Aw, now come on, working with me can’t be all that bad.”
“N-no, no it’s not that. I like working with you.” She flashed him a sincere smile now.
“Oh, okay, coz I know doing this is not as flashy as the team work you do. The rushing out into the night, adrenaline racing through your veins, never knowing what you’ll encounter,” he waved his hands around making his cellulite riddled arms flap comically in the breeze. “Am I gonna take a bite outta this vamp or be bitten? Heart stopping stuff that.”
“Yeah, b-but this work is much more important.” She affirmed.
“Darn tootin’.” He looked at her and laid a fleshy hand on her shoulder, “So, what’s eating you?” Smirking at his little joke, “You get it?” he asked, “Eating you? This being the kitchen and lunch duty and all?”
She nodded her acknowledgment of his cleverness then burst into tears.
“Oh hey, oh no, don’t do that. It can’t be that bad.” He hugged her close handing her a dish towel to dry her eyes with, “Come on let’s go over here.” Then steered her to an area in the back near the coolers, “Now, park it on the pudding snacks and tell Uncle Clem all about it.”
Tara sniffed and wiped her face, “I’ve messed up everything...”
* * * * * * * * * *
Giles was at an impasse, so far all his efforts were making little to no headway. Rue had, as expected, shut down. He was getting nowhere with her other than the simplest of tasks. And though she bowed to his authority reluctantly, she revealed nothing, remaining tightly wound and closed like a clam in its shell.
He’d studied all the reference books but found nothing to help him past this stage and he grew worried he was losing control of the situation. He’d hoped they were past the threats, and the master and commander authority game, but that was the only thing that made a dent as her trust of him seemed broken.
Whatever spark Tara could invoke in her he hadn’t the power or perception to ignite it, to connect with her, to bring her back round, and he was close to defeat, unable to deduce the missing piece of the Rue puzzle. He had exhausted every idea he could think of and was simply baffled. Then something struck him, maybe he was going about it all wrong. Maybe he was over simplifying. Maybe it was simply simple.
He decided to test his theory, after all, he was going to have all the time in the world if it didn’t pan out. So, this day he had Rue brought up to a small classroom on the second floor. “Sit down.” He instructed. Rue complied.
He also had Tara called from her duties to bring him some materials.
After a time there was a knock at the door. “Enter.” He called. Then watched closely as Tara pushed the door open.
“Giles...”
At the sound of her voice, Rue’s head shot up and she looked her direction.
“...I’ve finished the books--Oh,” she exclaimed upon seeing Rue as the only pupil. “I-I... Kent said...” she stammered suddenly feeling awkward, knowing she was supposed to be steering clear of the girl. “Here,” she said and reached out to hand him his books and hurry to leave.
Rue carefully watched Tara then spied Mister Giles looking at her sternly and she lowered her gaze back to the desk but it was too late, she had betrayed herself.
“Stay,” he ordered nonchalantly. “I need your assessment of these students.” He held out a list of names to her.
She looked to him unsure, then to Rue, then returned and took the sheet staring at it. “I-I’ve only worked with three here,” she noted nervously, “and t-two are doing well with studies. Dina is struggling with her s-sciences though, and G-Gavin,” she rolled her eyes and sighed, “Gavin n-needs some serious one on one time in the training room w-working on his blocking and ducking, n-not puppy dogging Faith.”
“I see.” he replied. Coolly handing her another sheet he motioned for her to give it to Rue. She glanced at it. It was a test. She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Comprehension.” He explained handing her a corresponding booklet. “Instruct her.”
A thousand questions raced through her head at his actions. “Um... Giles, what’s with the book learning all of a sudden?”
He looked to her, put his hands on his hips and rocked on his heels, “I seem to remember not too long ago someone publicly criticizing my methods and inhumane treatment of our guest here.”
Ashamed she hung her head, her hair hiding her face as she blushed.
“We’re moving forward,” he continued. “And to do so, I need to assess her scholastically as well as physically. I’ve already gathered she’s very clever.” He folded his arms accusingly and made sure Rue could hear him too, “Especially at keeping secrets. Now I need to know exactly what I am dealing with.”
Tara just stared at him silently.
“I want you to impress upon her the importance of cooperating, if she wants out, wants to be an equal and not a prisoner. You know our policy on prisoners.”
“Yes, sir.” she replied and moved over to Rue, who straightened at her presence, but stopped short of the desk at the sight.
“Is there a problem?” Giles asked.
“Chains, Giles?”
He adjusted his glasses looking their way, “Yes, they would appear to be.”
“But in the classroom?”
“We *are* equal opportunity.”
“Can we take them off?”
“In a word, no.”
She eyed him disappointingly.
He glared back, “Any other questions?”
She averted her eyes, “No, sir.”
“Good. Now, back to it,” he said, then added almost as an after thought, “we’ll see about that issue again...in the near future, depending on our cooperative efforts.”
Tara lowered her head smiling coyly at him. He just motioned with his hand for her to continue.
* * * * * * * * * *
Time seemed to fly by now as Tara instructed Rue, yet all too soon class was over and Tara had to return to her everyday chores. Giles closed the door behind the girl then moved to circle Rue’s desk like a shark, “You liked seeing Tara today didn’t you, Rue?”
Rue felt the uncomfortable rise in the room and kept her eyes glued to the desk.
“Answer me.” He ordered.
“Yes.” She mumbled.
“Yes, sir.” He barked making her jump.
“Yes, sir.” She repeated automatically.
“Good.” he continued, “I know that you like her. She’s a very sweet and loving girl. Radiating goodness and light. And someone like that you don’t wish to see in pain do you?” But it was a rhetorical question. “No, you don’t. So, here’s what’s going to happen. *You* are going to obey me. Every time you disobey me, I’m going not going to punish you, as it’s obvious by your actions you don’t care what happens to yourself. So, what will I do? I’m going to punish *her*.” Giles crossed his arms and stared awaiting a reaction.
Rue’s head jerked up and the color drained from her face as she met his eye.
“I see that got you thinking. Good. As long as we’re clear in our positions.” He put a fist to the desk and leaned in, “You listen to Tara. Tara listens to me, which means *you* listen to me too.” He stood tall, flipped through the paperwork in front of her, picked up her pencil and held it out to her, “Now, I expect you to complete the work in front of you to the best of your ability. As with all future assigned projects. Do we understand one another?”
She broke their gaze but a moment to take the writing utensil and obediently answered, “Yes, sir.”
* * * * * * * * * *
To be continued in Chapter Five
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