Title: Half A Year In Hell

Author: Alan Hitchen

Email: darkmere2000@yahoo.co.uk

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: BtVS belongs to Joss Whedon and others

Pairing: Faith/Cordelia

Summary: Dark times are ahead for Cordy and Faith

Part 1 ~ AFTER YOU'VE GONE

How does a nightmare begin? For Cordelia Chase it began one night when Kate Lockley came to call unexpectedly.

"Hi, Kate! Did you want to see Faith? Cos she's out on patrol right now."

"Can I come in?" Kate said in an unnaturally calm tone of voice.

"Of course," said Cordelia, ushering Kate into the apartment. "Is it about Faith?"

"Yes, it's about Faith," Kate replied, barely able to keep eye contact with Cordelia.

"Well?"

"I don't know how to tell you, except to say - she's dead."

...

It was a lovely funeral. Everyone agreed on that. Faith didn't have much of an entrance to the world, but Cordelia made sure that everyone would notice her leaving of it.

One by one, the mourners presented themselves to Cordelia to offer condolences for her loss. To each she gave the performance of a lifetime. No one would have realised the depths of despair to which Cordelia had plunged as she assured everyone that she was quite all right.

Kate knew differently. Cordelia made all the right gestures, said all the right things, but Kate knew she was sleepwalking through the event. She could see it in her eyes. Next to Cordelia she had been the closest to Faith and she too felt the pangs of loss all too keenly.

After the funeral Cordelia shut herself away, Angel and the others shunned, her acting career forgotten, as she grieved for the one who had given her life meaning and joy.

...

"You can't stay here forever. Faith wouldn't want that," Kate said insistently.

"And how would you know what Faith would want?!"

Cordelia retorted angrily.

"Because she told me."

"What?"

"She knew her life as a Slayer would be short, so she asked me to look after you."

"She never said," Cordelia choked.

"She didn't want you worrying. She told me that after six months max, she wanted you to get back to work, to carry on without her, to meet new people, to start living again."

"I can't! Don't you understand? Before her I only existed. I only lived because she permitted it. Without her life has no meaning."

"I understand, I loved her too you know."

"You loved her?"

"Yes, I loved her. I never told her that. I didn't tell anyone. I was afraid of my feelings at first, and besides, as her parole officer I had a position to maintain. Then you told Faith how you felt about her and she was the happiest person alive." Kate grinned wryly at the memory of the excited Faith telling her the news. "I couldn't say anything then could I?"

"Was she happy?"

"You know she was. You gave her all she had ever wanted but never had. In return she wanted you to be as happy as she was. She knew it wouldn't last forever, so she asked me to make sure you didn't mourn for her too long. The six months are almost up. She wants you to let her go, make a new life for yourself, and above all to be happy again."

"You're asking the impossible," Cordelia replied flatly and turned her face away.

Part 2 ~ WHERE THERE'S LIFE

Six months ago.

Faith awoke with jackhammers sounding in her skull. She tried to hold her aching head in her hands, but found she was unable to move her arms far enough to do so. She cautiously half-opened her eyes only to find she was bound by hand and leg cuffs that were linked by a chain.

A cultured voice spoke to her. "Please don't struggle or cry out, or else I'll have to drug you again. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight. There's a good film on, it's my favourite."

Faith opened her eyes fully to discover she was on a commercial airliner. She was sitting next to a good looking, smartly dressed young man. She didn't recognise him, but she knew what he represented, the Watchers Council. She also guessed, correctly, that she was headed for England. Escape, for the moment at least, was impossible. So she decided to play along.

"You got a name?" she asked conversationally.

"Charles Calthrop," he answered, "and thank you for co-operating, Miss McKenzie."

"Call me Faith, I've never been a Miss."

"Very well. Faith, would you like a drink?"

"I could murder a Scotch and soda."

"I'm sure you could," he said as he summoned the stewardess, "but let's stick to the soda, shall we?"

"Anything you say, Charlie. So, you wanna tell me what's going on?"

"I'm sorry, Faith, I can't tell you anything, except, that ostensibly you are an escaped felon being returned to British jurisdiction."

"That explains the chains, huh! Good move."

At this point the stewardess arrived. She supplied Faith with a classic cola at her request.

"None of that diet crap for me!" Faith said with a snarl intended to discomfort the stewardess, but she just smiled sweetly and moved on unperturbed.

I must be losing my touch, Faith thought, as she slumped back into the seat and let Charles feed the cola to her.

Several hours later they touched down at Manchester International Airport.

"Manchester, I thought the headquarters were in London?"

"They are," said Charles, "but we're going to an outstation that we've nicknamed 'The Village'.

"Sounds nice."

"Not for you it isn't," Charles said under his breath.

Faith heard that, but didn't let on. Three men met them at the gate and escorted them to a waiting car. No one spoke as they sped along the M56, then branched off along minor roads into the Cheshire countryside.

Dusk was falling fast, and the car's headlights picked out the name 'Manley Old Hall' on the gatepost as they turned into the long driveway that led to the impressive Tudor mansion.

Charles took her into the house, sat her down in the drawing-room and removed her shackles. Seeing the look in her eyes he cautioned her.

"I wouldn't try to escape if I were you," he said before leaving her alone in the room. As soon as he had gone, and noting that he had locked the door, she checked out the window. It looked old fashioned, but was in fact a modern double glazed unit.

"It's bullet-proof, impossible to break," said a voice from behind her.

She turned to find a kindly faced, middle-aged man standing in the now open doorway.

"Derek Thompson, Regional Director in charge of Special Projects, I'm glad to meet you Faith."

"Oh yeah?!" Faith snorted. "You gonna tell me what I'm doing here now?"

"Of course. We have a little job for you to do. Do it well and we'll get along fine."

"And if I don't?"

"You'll never see Cordelia Chase again," he said matter-of-factly.

Part 3 ~ WELCOME TO THE COUNTRY CLUB

"You'll never see Cordelia Chase again."

Thompson's words struck Faith like a lightning bolt. She had pushed all thoughts of Cordelia to the back of her mind as she concentrated on ways to escape her predicament. Now she could think of nothing else but Cordelia. Not to see her, smell her, touch her, kiss her, caress her and make love to her. Such a prospect was unthinkable. She shook her head in a futile attempt to clear it of the fear that now gripped her with its icy talons.

"I've got friends ya know. They'll be looking for me," she blurted out defiantly.

"I don't think so," he countered smoothly. "You see, they think you're dead. We were fortunately able to procure a look-alike corpse to take your place. As far as your friends are concerned you gave your life to save a young woman from a particularly vicious demon." He chortled with an obscene heartiness. "Our Miss Smith was very convincing on that point. You should be proud, Faith. You died a heroine's death."

Faith looked at him uncomprehendingly. For her, life without Cordelia was a fate worse than death, and the thought of the agony that Cordelia must be going through chilled her blood. For a moment she did nothing. Then with a raucous scream of hate she launched herself at Thompson.

"You bastard!"

Without even blinking, he produced an Air Taser from his pocket and blasted her with 75,000 volts in mid-leap. She fell, a twitching heap, at his feet.

"That was foolish," he remarked. Then calling out over his shoulder, he said: "Charles, could you put Faith to bed, she's had rather a tiring day."

Next day, she awoke like a bear with a sore head, and a sore chest she noted. As she checked the Taser burns she wondered who had undressed her and put her into pyjamas. She got up, checked the door was locked, then went for a shower in her en-suite bathroom. The peach scented shower gel brought back memories of that week they had spent in a swanky hotel. "Our honeymoon" Cordelia had called it. The smile froze on her face. Cordelia. Her love, her pride, her rock, her joy, her salvation. Would she ever see her again? She turned the shower control to full and let the drenching jets wash away all doubt. She would see her again, and soon!

She emerged from the shower, dried herself off, then looked about for clothes. A small wardrobe contained a limited selection of items. She approved of the plain underwear; frilly things were not her. Then she chose black denim jeans; a white tee-shirt and a dark-grey blouson jacket; a pair of black socks and black Caterpillar boots completed the ensemble.

A gentle tap on the door and the turning of the key preceded the entry of Charles into the room.

"Ah, good, you're up. I hope you spent a pleasant night," he asked.

"I've had better," she remarked dryly.

"Yes, well, breakfast is being served. If you'd like to come down to the dining room when you're ready. Oh, and could you please wear this at all times."

He handed her an identity badge. It read: Faith McKenzie. BM 56035. Special Projects Division. Restricted Clearance. No Exit Without Authority.

"Nice photo," she observed. "Where'd ya get it?"

"Our surveillance unit took it." He smiled. "Henderson used to be a portrait photographer, a good one, as you can see."

Faith smiled back. She clipped the badge to the pocket of her jacket. "Okay, so I'm a member of your country club, what happens now?"

"Breakfast first, then Mr Thompson will tell you what you need to know."

"Don't ya know, Charlie?"

He avoided her gaze. "Yes, I do, but it's Mr Thompson's place to tell you, not mine."

She instinctively liked him. She hoped she could persuade him to help her to escape. She had never been one to use words where her fists would do, but she had seen how Cordelia had used her charm to get what she wanted. She hoped to do the same with Charles.

"Okay, Charlie," she said softly and linked arms with him, "let's go to breakfast."

Part 4 ~ LA FEMME FAITH.

After breakfast, Faith reported to Mr Thompson's office with Charles in close attendance. She guessed that was to prevent another assault, and as tempting as the prospect of beating Mr Thompson to within an inch of his life - and then carrying on for another yard - was, she decided to hold off, at least until she knew a little more about what was going on.

"Training, Faith. That's what you're here for. You're clearly a talented and resourceful Slayer, but you need to learn discipline and how to take direction, so you can make the most of your talents."

"JD boot camp you mean, been there, done that, got the tee-shirt!" she snapped back.

"I know, Faith, but you're no juvenile delinquent and this is no boot camp. I won't disguise the fact that this is going to be hard on you. Six months of hell in fact, but I assure you that without this training yo will not survive, and despite what you might think we do not regard our Slayers as being expendable items."

"Glad to hear it," she responded sarcastically. "So, what is this 'special project' I'm supposed to be training for?"

"I don't think it would help you to know that at this stage, but rest assured you will be told in good time."

Faith sensed Charles' discomfort with this evasion. What does he know and can I get it out of him? She wondered.

"Now, if that is all, I'll let Charles take you on a tour of our facilities. I'm sure you will find it interesting," he said, abruptly terminating the interview.

Faith opened her mouth to say something, thought better of it, shut her mouth and exited the room without another word. Once outside, Faith decide to try out her charm offensive on Charles.

"Hey, Charlie. How'd a nice guy like you get involved with this crowd?"

He smiled at the compliment. "Family tradition I suppose. You don't choose to join the Council, they choose you. The Calthrops have worked for the Council for generations."

"Do you have any kids?" she unexpectedly asked.

He was visibly taken aback by the question. "No. I'm not even married. Why do you ask?"

"It's okay, Charlie, I'm not proposing to ya, what I mean is, would you want your kids to join an organisation like this?"

He seemed torn by indecision and after a long pause he said, "I don't know."

Cutting off any further questions he proceeded with the tour of the house. Despite its ancient facade, inside the house facilities were bang up to date, not that Faith was much bothered with any of it.

As they did the rounds she thought over her options. To escape from the house she reckoned would not be too difficult, but then what? She'd be stuck in the middle of the countryside with no money, transport, or documentation with which to return to the USA. Just to phone Cordelia, to let her know that she was alive and to send the cavalry for her would not be an easy task. Would Charlie help her? It wouldn't hurt to ask.

"Out of the question!"

"Come on, Charlie. I just want to let Cordelia know I'm alive and well."

"I know, really I do, but it is essential that you remain incommunicado."

"Incommuni... what?"

"Look, Mr Thompson went to a great deal of trouble to arrange your 'death'. So I can't let you tell anyone you're alive can I?"

She sighed, she knew it wouldn't be that easy. "Okay, Charlie, you're the boss."

"It won't be forever." He gave her a reassuring smile. "When your training is over and you've been given a new identity. Then, perhaps, you might be allowed to contact Cordelia. As long as she's discreet it should be all right."

Discreet? Cordelia? Charlie hasn't done his homework she thought, recalling the 'Good Morning America' incident.

The idea of having a new identity briefly amused her, but then she realised, even if they turned her into Britney Spears and gave her the pick of teenage America to go to bed with, it would never compensate her for losing the love of her life.

A weekend of utter boredom followed. This consisted mainly of carefully supervised walks in the grounds and trying to find something worth watching on just five channels of British terrestial TV. At mealtimes she continued her attempt to build a rapport with Charles, with some success she thought.

On Monday, however, the training began in earnest, as she was subjected to a barrage of physical and psychological tests intended to establish a baseline from which her progress could be measured.

The days soon became weeks and the weeks became months as the training continued relentlessly thereafter.

By now she knew what they were doing to her. She had seen it on television. 'La Femme Nikita' - one of the few decent programmes she'd found on Channel 5 - depicted the attempted transformation of an ordinary woman into a conscienceless killer working for a secret goverment agency. But Nikita had surprised everyone by surviving her training with her moral integrity intact. She would kill, but only for a good reason.

Faith intended to do the same, but convince Thompson and the others that she was the obedient killing machine they wanted her to be. Then, when they least expected it, she would be off and running, straight back to Cordelia.

Part 5 ~ THE MISSION.

"You've done well, Faith. Dr Stone is very happy with your progress, both physical and mental," Mr Thompson enthused.

"I aim to please," Faith said with evident pride.

"And you've succeeded." He beamed at her. "Now it is time to tell you of the mission you've been training for. This will be the most difficult thing you have ever tackled, but I have faith in you, Faith."

"Whatever it is, I can do it."

"Excellent. The mission is simple, you are to kill someone, not a demon but a human being, not an evil person but a good one. Now I know that that given your past history you would be reluctant to do this, but that is what the training has been for. To enable you to carry out this task. I assure you that the elimination of this person is essential. For the greater good this woman must die."

"I understand. It will be done."

"Very good. Shortly you will be given your new identity. Then you will travel to America, and there you will find and kill Buffy Anne Summers."

"It will be my pleasure," Faith said with a wolfish smile.

That night, alone in her room, Faith thought over the situation. At last the nightmare was coming to an end. She would be sent to America, in the company of some minders she imagined. Once back on home soil she would ditch them, warn Buffy to watch her back, and go home to Cordelia. Too simple for words she thought. Perhaps too simple, was there something she was missing?

...

"So, Dr Stone, is the implant working satisfactorily?" asked Mr Thompson.

"Yes, it is now fully integrated with her nervous system, and she is still unaware of its existance, let alone its capabilities."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that Dr Walsh's pioneering work was not entirely lost when the Initiative was shut down. This is what we've wanted for years, a fully controllable Slayer that kills at the touch of a button. Faith may think she has fooled the psychometric tests, but we know differently, eh, Dr Stone?"

"Indeed. She no doubt plans to escape at the first opportunity to warn Buffy."

"Then we'll let her, and at the appropriate moment, the button will be pressed, and Buffy will die at Faith's hands."

Part 6 ~ HOMEWARD BOUND.

Six months after she had left it, Faith returned to Los Angeles. This time as Andrea Donovan, travelling in the company of Charles Calthrop on a matter of business.

The plan was to meet a member of the surveillance team, who would then take them to where Buffy was staying. She had recently arrived in the city for some, as yet unknown, reason. The murder would then be carried out using a knife covered with the fingerprints of a well-known local criminal, thus forestalling a prolonged investigation that might uncover the truth.

Despite her growing excitement, Faith maintained her impassive attitude as they left the airport by car.

"So, Vince, where is the target?" Charles asked the driver.

"She's visiting Cordelia Chase. It seems she's here to cheer her up or something."

"Don't you know exactly?"

"Does it matter? The target is in place, that's all you need to know isn't it?"

"I suppose so," Charles replied, then turning his attention to Faith he asked, "Are you all right, Andrea?"

Faith's emotions were churning at just the mention of Cordelia's name, but she forced herself to remain outwardly calm and collected as she spoke.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said, then amost inaudibly added, "five by five," as a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Faith couldn't believe her luck. She was being driven right to her own front door. All she needed to do was kick the ass of a couple of goons, warn Buffy, and that would be that. She was disappointed with Charles though. A family tradition was one thing, involvement in cold-blooded murder was another. She had thought him better than that, at first almost a friend, but as the 'Nikita' personality had developed, she had been forced to keep her distance as part of the pretence.

"Okay, we're here," said Vince. "There's Eddie," he added as the other member of the surveillance team approached the car to confirm that Buffy was still inside. 

Vince's voice broke Faith out of her reverie. Not long now and she'd be safe in Cordelia's arms where she had longed to be for months.

"Are you ready, Andrea?" Charles enquired.

"Yes, ready," she replied.

"Here's the knife," said Vince, as he handed the plastic wrapped item to her.

Charles got out of the car. She followed. He looked at her, then after an uneasy pause he said, "I'm sorry," and pressed the button on the remote control in his pocket. "You know what to do?" he asked her.

"I will kill Buffy Summers," she replied without emotion.

"And if anyone sees you do this?"

"I will kill them as well."

She turned, made her way to the apartment and rang the doorbell. From inside she could hear Buffy speaking, "I'll get it," she said.

Faith readied herself to strike the moment the door was opened. Within seconds her knife would be buried in her chest and Buffy Summers would be dead.

Part 7 ~ BACK FROM THE DEAD.

"FAITH!" Buffy shrieked in utter surprise, as Faith lunged at her with the knife. Buffy dodged sideways and pulled Faith inside, using her own momentum to unbalance her. As she fell forward Faith simply tuck-rolled across the floor, sprang to her feet, turned around, and lunged again at Buffy.

Cordelia could hardly take in what was happening. Faith, as smartly dressed as she had ever seen her, was alive, well, and slashing at Buffy with a large knife. Cordelia stood up, which was a mistake, as a combination of shock and the sudden rise caused her to fall back down onto the sofa in a dead faint.

Buffy gritted her teeth, dodged the blade, and gave Faith her best shots. Faith scarcely seemed to notice the blows as she pressed home her assault with deadly force. It was looking bad for Buffy as Faith began to draw blood. Then she heard two piercing yelps from outside. Suddenly Faith stopped dead and dropped the knife.

She looked at Buffy in astonishment. "What the hell happened?" she asked.

Buffy was unable to reply due to a lack of knowledge and a severe shortage of breath. She noted with envy that Faith had barely broken a sweat.

"I can answer that," said Charles as he entered the apartment. "You recall the Initiative, Dr Walsh, the inhibition chip? Well, our special projects boffins created a variant of the chip to control humans, not to stop them killing, but to enable them to do so. We knew you were pretending to succumb to the psychological conditioning, but that didn't matter because you were uknowingly implanted with a chip that enabled me to control you."

He produced the remote control from his pocket and handed it to her.

Faith examined it curiously, then looked up at him. "Why?" she asked.

"The Council feared losing control of the Slayers, you and Buffy had set a dangerous precedent by refusing to take our guidance, this would solve the problem."

"No, why?" Faith asked again.

"Why did I go along with the plan, or why did I stop going along with it?"

"Both."

"Family tradition answers the first question. My response to your question answers the second."

"What question?"

"Would I want my children to join the Council? I finally decided that the answer to that is no. It took me a long time to come to my senses. I'm truly sorry, Faith."

She smiled at him. "I'm not. I knew you were a good guy. You proved me right in the end and that's all that matters. So, what will you do now?"

"First, I'll send Vince and Eddie home."

"Will they go?"

"Unless they want another blast from a Taser they will. Then, I hear that New Zealand is nice this time of year, and I think an extended holiday might be a good idea right about now."

"Good luck, Charlie," she said, then while shaking his hand she impulsively kissed him on the cheek. "I'll miss ya."

"Thanks, I'll miss you too." He turned to Buffy. "I'm sorry about this, Miss Summers. I trust you aren't too badly hurt?"

"I'll live," she replied sourly, examining her cuts and bruises. "Care to tell me what's been going on?"

"Of course, but first, could could you help me get Vince and Eddie into the car?" He gestured towards Faith, who was now engaged in tending to Cordelia. Buffy took the hint and followed Charles outside.

Faith, after carefully checking her for injuries, gently shook Cordelia awake. As recognition dawned in her eyes Faith pressed a finger to her lips.

"Hush, no need to speak. I'll explain what happened later, but right now all I need is for you to hold me."

Cordelia sat up and reached out to touch Faith, still not sure if she were a ghost or not. "Is it really you?" she asked incredulously.

"It's me, babe." Faith grinned.

They embraced, and their tears of joy flowed like rain.

...

Faith closed her eyes to protect them from the lather and put her head under the shower nozzle to rinse it clean. For one dreadful moment she imagined she was back in 'The Village' again. A knock on the door brought her back to her senses.

"Room service for Miss McKenzie," said a familiar voice.

She shut off the water and opened the shower door to reveal Cordelia in a full French maid's outfit.

Faith was amazed. "What's this all about?"

"You said you wanted room service. So, here it is - ta da!" Cordelia curtsied and spun around to show the outfit off.

Faith giggled. "Do you have any idea just how ridiculous you look?"

"Oh," Cordelia pouted, "I hoped I'd look sexy."

Faith laughed. "Cordy, you'd look sexy in a sack. You've no need to dress up for me, I love you just as you are, but thanks anyway." Her eyes were now glistening with tears. "I missed you so much," she said in a voice crackling with emotion.

"Hey." Cordelia stepped into the shower to hold her. "I'm here now," she said, and then kissed her girlfriend passionately.

"You'll get wet," said Faith.

"I'm wet already," Cordelia replied with a wicked grin.

"Ah!" said Faith as the penny dropped and she shut the shower door. Cordelia set to work pleasuring her, and before she lost the power of rational thought, Faith asked her one last question. "Did you book for one week or two?"

The End.