‘I regret that Saskia is no longer here by my side, she was my most trusted employee. Keep your friends close but your enemies even closer, I’ll never forget those words from the master as he taught me. I took his life as a slayer should, but taking the business from him too I never felt so alone, I see Buffy and Alex together and I guess I’m jealous. Being around the slayer has awoken something inside I thought I had buried long ago.’

Buffy remembered one of the teaching sessions Giles had been giving her years ago. He mentioned a rogue slayer, the master had slaughtered her family, and taken the young slayer before the watchers could find her. He taught her as the watchers would have only he moulded her to work for him. Her visions helped the master over the years to take over Sunnydale and kill any slayers that tried to get near him. It was the result of one slayer being taken and tortured that Faith learned the truth of her family and how a true slayer fights against all evil. Faith had killed the slayer for her lies only to find out later from the master all the slayer had told her had been true. Apparently as the story goes the rogue slayer killed the master and died bringing down his legions of vampires.

Buffy heard someone out in the hall “Faith?” she called as she went to the door.

Faith’s secretary leapt back, surprised by the blonde “Who are you? What you doing in here?”

“I’m looking for Faith.”

“You shouldn’t be in here.”

“I’m Buffy, I need to find Faith. Do you know where she is?”

“You’re Buffy?” Gloria looked the slayer from head to toe “Humph.” She returned to her desk.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Buffy followed her to the reception area.

Gloria picked up the white envelope, opening it, she read the note and fell back into the chair as she looked at the cheque “Oh no.”

“What? What is it?”

“She’s gone.” Tears began to fill her eyes “She’s finally done it.” She handed the note to Buffy.

‘Gloria,

         You have been a loyal friend, I hope this helps you to take that trip around the world you’ve been planning. I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye in person but I have so much to put right. I hope you can think well of me.

               Faith’

“What’s that?” Buffy pointed to the other piece of paper in the envelope.

“A cheque. Severance pay I should think.”

“We need to talk, I have to find her.”

“You won’t find her, she isn’t coming back from where she’s going.”

Buffy rounded the desk “I read her diary. I need to find her, she’s a slayer and she needs my help.”

Gloria looked to the blonde now towering over her “After all she’s done you’d still help her?”

Buffy pondered, not sure of her answer “Yes.”

TBC…

Jx