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The storeroom was cold and dim, the ancient stone walls doing little to keep out the chill. Faith leaned casually against the heavy wooden door, her arms crossed, her smirk firmly in place.
"This is what we get for letting B choose castles as Slayer HQ," Faith said, her voice dripping with amusement. "Should have gone with a condo. At least they come with working doors."
Kennedy groaned, pacing angrily. "What if nobody's looking down here?! I mean, how are we supposed to survive?" Her voice cracked at the last word and her pacing became more frantic.
Faith shrugged. "I mean, no one's probably looking down here. I guess we'll just have to wait for the search party. Hope they bring snacks."
Kennedy spun on her heel and glared. "We could die down here, Faith!" she muttered. "This is beyond ridiculous. We're in the middle of a Slayer headquarters in Scotland, and somehow we're locked in a basement storeroom? Who designed this place anyway?”
Tara, sitting calmly on an upturned crate, brushed the dust from her hands and smiled softly. "I mean, this used to be a castle. Maybe we should give the 1500s architects a break."
Faith, leaning against the door with her arms crossed, grinned. "And we didn't get locked in here. You pulled the wrong lever, genius."
Kennedy spun on her heel and glared. "I was trying to help! If you hadn't dared me-"
"Ladies, please," Tara interrupted, her voice soft but firm. "Fighting won't get us out of here."
Kennedy stopped pacing and ran a hand through her hair. "This isn't funny, Tara. What if no one finds us? What if we're stuck here for days? I had a cookie in my jacket earlier, but I left it upstairs! Why didn't I bring it?"
Faith snorted. "You really think a cookie is going to save us?"
Kennedy shot her a glare. "Excuse me for being practical! I don't see you coming up with any ideas, Faith!"
"Yeah, well, if it comes down to it," Faith said with a wicked grin, "I wouldn't mind if you guys ate me. Just, you know, make it quick. I don't do slow and painful.”
Tara, who had been quietly inspecting the room for a possible way out, turned to give Faith a slightly horrified look. "Faith, no. We're not even close to..." She cut herself off with a weary sigh. "We're not talking about cannibalism, again."
Kennedy's jaw dropped. "Again? This has come up before?"
Tara nodded with an exasperated sigh. "Once in Cleveland. And another time in an elevator in L.A. I told her no both times, and I'm telling her no now, again."
"What?" Faith asked, spreading her arms out innocently. "It's called survival instinct, Blondie. I have to have a plan."
Kennedy threw up her hands. "Oh my God! You think this is all a joke? This isn't funny!"
Faith tilted her head, her grin widening. "I don't know. It's a little funny."
"It's not funny!" Kennedy snapped, jabbing a finger at Faith. "We're literally trapped underground! If Buffy finds out about this, she'll-"
"She'll what?" Faith interrupted, her smirk softening into something mischievous. "Yell at me? Scold me for being irresponsible? Nah, she's more likely to give me a hug and tell me everything's going to be okay."
Kennedy blinked, then frowned suspiciously. "What makes you so sure?"
Faith just shrugged, her grin returning. "Call it Slayer intuition.”
Tara, watching the exchange, shook her head with a slight smile. "Faith," she said gently, "maybe you could try being a little less... antagonistic? Just for a little while?"
Faith's grin didn't falter. "Where's the fun in that?"
Kennedy groaned again, this time sinking onto an overturned crate. "This is a nightmare. I'm stuck in here with her while Buffy's probably out there planning our funerals."
Faith chuckled and pushed off the wall to walk around the room. "Relax, Junior. B's probably tearing this place apart looking for us. The girl has a sixth sense when it comes to me."
Kennedy whispered to herself, her face in her hands. "I'm definitely going to die here..."
Faith leaned closer, her grin becoming downright evil. "Oh, don't cry, Junior. I'll tell B you were brave. She'll probably even give a eulogy at your funeral. Maybe."
Kennedy shot up and glared at her. "You're the worst! How does Buffy put up with you?"
Faith's smirk softened just a fraction, her gaze flickering towards the door. "I guess she just gets me."
Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Please. Like she has time to put up with your nonsense."
Tara, who had been quietly observing the exchange, tilted her head and smiled faintly. "I think Faith's right. Buffy probably does get her.”
Faith's head snapped in Tara's direction, her expression suddenly wary, her cheeks slightly red. "What does that mean?"
Tara just shrugged, her smile never faltering. "Nothing. Just an observation."
Kennedy moaned again, louder this time. "Great. Now even Tara's on her side."
Faith snorted. "Don't take it personally, Junior. Blondie has good taste."
Tara sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Can we please focus on getting out of here? We're not going to eat anyone, and I don't think Buffy's going to miraculously appear."
Faith chuckled and pushed away from the wall. "Oh, you'd be surprised."
Almost on cue, hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway outside, followed by a familiar voice.
"Faith? Kennedy? Tara?"
Buffy's voice was tinged with concern, and Faith's grin softened into something almost fond.
"Told you," she murmured, stepping back as the door creaked open to reveal a very frazzled looking Buffy and a slightly out of breath Willow.
"Faith!" Buffy exclaimed, her relief palpable as her eyes landed on her. "What happened to you? We've been looking all over for you!"
Faith leaned casually against the door, her grin returning in full force. "Relax, B. Just a little team-building exercise. Kennedy's ready to make me her survival guide."
Kennedy groaned and threw her hands in the air. "No, I'm not! You were willing to let us eat you!”
Buffy blinked, her eyes narrowing in confusion. "Wait, what?"
Willow frowned. "Yeah, what?"
Tara quickly stepped forward and held up her hands to calm them both. "It's... not as bad as it sounds. We're all fine, really."
Buffy's eyes lingered on Faith, her expression softening. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Faith nodded, her grin fading into something softer. "Yes, B. I'm fine. Thanks for coming to the rescue."
Buffy's lips curved into a small smile. "Always."
As the group made their way back upstairs, Kennedy led the way with Willow, muttering under her breath about never going near storage again.
Tara stayed behind, her eyes darting between Buffy and Faith as they walked side by side, their hands brushing against each other now and then.
Faith caught her eye and raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind, Blondie?"
Tara smiled, her tone light but teasing. "Slayer intuition, huh?"
Faith froze for half a second, her expression unreadable, before shrugging it off with a grin. "What can I say? B and I are just so in sync."
"Don't worry," Tara added, her tone soft and teasing. "Your secret's safe with me."
Faith hesitated, then smiled. "I knew I liked you for a reason, blondie."
Buffy glanced over her shoulder. "You guys coming?"
"Right behind you, B." Faith said quickly, falling into step beside her.
Tara's smile turned knowing as she watched them walk away, their shoulders brushing in a way that seemed far too natural to be accidental.
As the group stepped into the warmth of the main hall, Tara felt Willow's hand slip into hers, and she smiled, leaning into her partner's side.
"What's got you so cheerful?" Willow asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Oh, nothing," Tara replied, her tone light and full of quiet amusement. "Just... enjoying the little things.”