disclaimer: Not mine. These characters belong to JK Rowling and Joss Whedon.
AN: Some Faith/Percy for dropversedevo_t. As for the title, it's a tarot card reference.

*~*~*

The first time he had laid eyes on her was when she was flying over his head to attack Delores Umbridge.

He'd only heard later what Umbridge had said. That woman just had no tact at times. Sure, everyone was entitled to their feelings, but you didn't refer to a vampire slayer as a subhuman when the woman was within leaping distance of you. Slayers were dangerous. SHE was dangerous. He'd known that instantly. Especially when stunning spells had about as much effect on her as they did on Hagrid. The truly frightening part of that being she was only somewhere between five feet and six feet tall. Not a big woman. Spry though. Definitely spry.

That was likely why she'd been assigned as his bodyguard by the Minister when Ministry officials started turning up dead or just not turning up at all in abundance. At first she had tried talking to him, but her speech patterns were so primitive at times, and so, well, annoyingly American. When he refused to engage in conversation, she'd just taken to just watching him. Rather like a hawk. He wasn't put off by it. He was used to being observed. He ignored her utterly. Pretended she was not even there.

But she always was.

She took this job of protecting him very seriously. So seriously that she'd nearly taken the arm off of one of his brothers when they'd tried to accost him in Diagon Alley one afternoon. He'd had to shout in her face to let George up before she broke his arm. His brothers annoyed him. Specifically those two, and he still wanted little to do with his family these days, but he didn't want his... shadow hurting people.

His shadow... who currently was not here, but the office was buzzing with bodies. He had to be safe in this sort of crowd. Lots of Aurors about just now. Still, she was usually around. So where was she now? In the last three months, he'd gotten used to her presence. Percy was starting to get a bit unnerved by her lack of being there just now. She'd rarely left him for more than ten minutes since getting assigned to him. She even had her own space to sleep in his flat. She ate when he did. She slept when he did. She showered, well, not with him, but right after. So where in the bloody blazes was she now?

There was a bit of a commotion. A loud bit of a commotion.

Percy walked out of his office just in time to see a body come flying in. People started shouting. Faith came barreling in next. They were fighting, she and this person... and the other person was a vampire. Percy jumped in a bit of shock then had his wand out instantly. Some was shouting that there were vampires in the Ministry. Good heavens. Someone had set vampires loose in here? How?

Suddenly he was grabbed from behind. Percy shouted as he felt a sharp pain in this neck. He had not even known anyone was behind him.

"PERCY!"

He felt a whoosh of air. He was falling, but before he could hit the ground or anything really, Percy felt arms around him. They seemed to be lowering him rather gently to the floor. Fingertips touched his face. It seemed his glasses had been removed. Or knocked off.

"My glasses..."

"Don't worry. I got them. Stay with me, Perce." Perce. Yes. She called him Perce. "I'll get you help. Stay with me, man."

He nodded. His neck was hurting, and he was feeling a bit chilled. He shivered.

"Percy?"

"Where were you?"

"I'm right here."

"No before. You've barely let me go to the loo alone in the last three months, and tonight..."

"I met your pops. He'd seen me following you around and stuff, so he asked how you were. We were talkin'. He's a nice guy, your dad. Funny. Polite. Shook my hand like I was normal or something. You might want to talk to him again sometime in your life."

"You spoke to my father?"

"He spoke to me, yo. I ain't rude like some fuckers who don't talk when folks talk to them."

"Right." He snapped. He didn't know why it made him uncomfortable that she'd spoken to his father.

He felt very sleepy.

"Percy!" She shook him hard.

It made his neck hurt. "Bloody hell! What?"

"Stay with me until the healers get here, ah-ight?"

"Whatever for? I'm fine."

He felt fingertips on his cheek. "Oh course you are, but I feel like talkin', you know? Humor me for once."

"If I must."

"So, you know, I know two of your brothers and now your pops, so what's the rest like?"

"The rest?"

"Well, I was talking to that Tonks chick about you and she said you had like a sister and five other brothers and a mom and-"

"Tonks!"

"Yeah. Pink hair. Banging a werewolf. Excellent taste in music."

"Wh-what?"

"Excellent taste in music."

"Before that."

"Banging a werewolf."

"That's utterly ridiculous. Why, the only werewolf she knows is-"

"That Remus Lupin guy. Can't say I blame her. He has that sexy older guy thing going for him. Just like Giles. I'd do him."

"I just... how can she... I don't... he's dangerous."

"So am I."

"That's different. He-"

"Has stilled killed less people than I have."

"I-"

"I know you did the research thing as soon as they dumped me on you, Head Boy. Don't even bother with a denial. It's why you don't wanna talk to me. You know what I've done."

"Now see here-"

"It's cool. There's lots of folks who aren't keen on my former rogue slayer status. I can dig it. I just thought you were smart, you know. I thought you of all people would understand about not looking at just the surface, but I guess someone like me shouldn't expect anything like that ever, huh?"

"Faith..." He whispered her name for the first time ever.

"Hey, it's cool, you know. You don't gotta like me as much as I like you." He heard a loud sniff, then she started shouting. "Over here! Here! He's lost a lot of blood! I've kept pressure on it! Hurry!"

Then Percy fell asleep.

*~*~*

He woke up and blinked. Everything looked blurry. Percy began patting around for his glasses. Someone was sleeping next to him with their arm around his middle. It felt strange. He'd never slept in the same bed with someone. Not as an adult. And this someone was female because those were definitely breasts he'd just patted down in his search for his glasses. A pat-down of the table beside the bed produced results. Percy put his glasses on. He was finally able to see what was obviously a private room at St. Mungo's. The female curled rather protectively into his side was Faith. Her cheek was resting on his chest. She was sort of using his shoulder for her pillow. One of her arms was wrapped around his middle. He was suddenly struck with the fact that this was the safest he had felt in years.

Percy was confused. How serious did she take her job? This was a bit far. Not that he didn't sort of... like it. For as strong and as tough as she was, her body felt soft and warm. It was comforting. There had been little touching since he left his family's home. It was nice. He rested his head on top of hers for a moment and just basked in the feeling of touching another human again. Yes, he felt safe. He could stay right like this for a long while.

The door creaked open and Percy stiffened. He relaxed when he heard soft voices speaking because he recognized them, but stiffened again when it dawned on him that it was his parents. He did not want them to see him like this, but there was little he could do for it. Percy shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep. Perhaps if they thought himself and Faith just resting they would go away. He felt actual dread about having a scene with them here, now. He knew his mother would likely say something about his being in bed with a woman who was not his wife. She was like that, his mother. Yes, he was a grown man, but she was still his mother. Percy did not feel like attempting to explain. He couldn't even explain it to himself as of yet.

Percy went very still. He made sure his breathing was even. It was difficult not to open his eyes when he heard his mother's gasp.

"Good heavens, Arthur who's that."

"Faith." His father said in very fond tones. Good grief, what HAD they spoken about? From the way his father had said her name, you'd think she was Ginny's twin or something.

"She's the one protecting him then?" His mother sniffed. "My poor boy. Well, she's done a poor job so far, hasn't she?"

Percy nearly bolted up to shout about that. Faith did a fine job of watching him, thank you.

"Now Molly, she's the reason he's still alive. Kingsley said she knew exactly what to do. Tonks said she even takes up for him when someone says something not so nice."

"But Arthur-"

"I spoke to her. You should hear the way she talks about him."

Percy perked up then. He was so startled by that statement that he nearly opened his eyes again. Yes, go on, he wanted to say.

"I think she honestly likes him."

"But what they say about her... she's dangerous. I read in the Daily Prophet that she attacked Delores Umbridge... not that I really blame her. I'd like to give Umbridge a few light slams myself. But this Faith girl is just so dangerous, Arthur."

"Yes, to anyone who tries to get at the people she cares about apparently. I think Percy could use some fierce loyalty like that."

"Not that I put that much stock into the Prophet after the way they did Harry, but Mad-Eye said it was all too true. She jumped that Umbridge woman."

"Do you know why she attacked Umbridge? Everyone think it's because she insulted Faith herself. She told me when we spoke. Not a false bone within her. I asked, and she told me straight. Faith doesn't care what anyone says about her. Umbridge said something unkind about her friend the blonde slayer, er, Buffy, I think they called her. Faith said she couldn't let that 'frog woman' think she could get away with talking about her B that way. She's an interesting girl, Molly. Give her a chance. I like her already. The sheer fact that she can say yes Percy is a bit of a... oh what did she call him... oh yes, a bit of a Princess Margaret Prissy Pants, but she likes him all the same. He reminds her of someone she lost, she said, someone she should have treated better. And she told me she'd be damned before she lost another person, so yes, I like her. Yes, she's a bit dangerous when provoked, but then again, who isn't? We all risk much for the ones we truly care for, I think."

It was quiet for a long while.

"Perhaps we should just let them sleep then. I mean, I can see that he's all right, yes, he's all right." His mother said. "I just wanted to make sure he was safe and well."

It sounded like they were going.

Percy's eyes flew open. "Mum?"

His parents spun back around.

"Oh Percy..." His mother's eyes were shining with tears.

He looked down at sleeping Faith. "I... er... I can explain about-"

"You don't have to explain." She smiled sadly as she adjusted the blanket on his legs in a absent manner which suggested it was habit, and she wasn't even aware she was doing it. "We'll just let you rest."

Faith's arm tightened almost painfully around him.

"Would you... come... back tomorrow?" The words almost wouldn't come out.

His mother looked like Christmas had come early. "If you'd like."

He nodded. "We... we could talk."

His mother burst into tears. Percy looked horrified.

She wiped at her face furiously. "Of course. Of course. Yes, I'll be 'round tomorrow morning. We can talk then."

His father actually smiled at him before leading his mother out. Percy sagged back against the bed. He did not realize how tense he had been.

"You're very lucky to have parents like them."

Percy looked down. Her eyes were still closed. "You're awake."

"Have been since you felt on my boobs."

"Sorry about that."

"Why? Didn't they feel ok? I think I have nice tits. You mashed on better then?"

He could feel his face flaming. "I... er... that is-"

"Relax. That was a joke. It's ok. You don't like me that way. I get it."

"It's not... I mean... Well, I've never thought about it." Merlin, that made him sound like some sort of asexual freak.

She looked at him. "Really? Are you gay? Cos I never seen you lookin' at dudes. Then again, I never seen you lookin' at girls either."

Percy sighed. "I am not gay."

"Well, there's a start. So you DO like girls?"

"Yes." He snapped.

"And you just don't think of me as a girl."

"Well..."

"Oh my God! How can you not think of me as a girl? My body's slammin'. I know it is. I've been told, yo. I get hit on every day here."

"Faith-"

The next thing he knew her tongue was in his mouth. He was so very being kissed with a fair deal of passion. Passion can be a funny thing. Especially when it correctly thaws someone who's supposed to be made of ice.

Somehow, and Percy wasn't really sure how because he had gotten caught up in the maelstrom that was Faith, but somehow they ended up making out rather heavily on his hospital bed. There was no doubt within him that this was, in fact, a girl. His shadow, his Faith.

There was plenty of blushing when the mediwitch had come by on her rounds sometime later to check on him.

*~*~*

It was funny how many people took to smiling at you when it became common knowledge that you were doing naked and naughty things with the very hot woman who trailed after you everywhere and was known as your bodyguard. Percy wished everyone didn't know his business because it was HIS business and Faith's, no one else's, but at the same time, there was no mistaking her sometimes. Faith had no subtlety when it came to him and her and how she felt about him. Not that he would change her. It's just that sometimes she became all lust-filled for him at the most inappropriate times.

Like now, for instance.

He was still trying to get used to spontaneity. It was difficult for someone like Percy. Thank goodness the office was mostly deserted because she had pushed him down on his own desk and was nibbling at the scar on his neck that he would have for the rest of his life. He liked it though, the scar, not the nibbling. Well, he liked the nibbling too. But he liked the scar because it reminded him not to be an ass. It reminded him not to take things for granted. It reminded him not to be too proud to ask for forgiveness. His parents might get aggravated with his views and his way of doing things, but they always loved him.

Just as Faith cared for him despite his penchant for being a Princess Margaret Prissy Pants. She had said to him that if he could look to who she really was, she could look to who he really was. She said loads of clever things. Like that for people like them asking to be forgiven was a difficult thing. She had said if she could ask the people who she considered her friends and family to forgive her very grave sins, he could certainly ask his parents to forgive him for being a jerk, for being wrong about some things. She said he was lucky to have them, and he should not spend another second wasting their love. Because he wouldn't always have them here.

Faith was violently beautiful that way.

She loved and hated with such passion. That was why they dealt so well with one another. She was why his mother brought fudge and sweaters again, and once Molly Weasley had gotten talking to Faith, she had actually liked her. It was obvious. Faith had taken some getting used to, but when it became obvious how much she cared for Percy, his mother had warmed to her. In turn, it had warmed her even more to Percy again. Even Ginny had visited once before he'd been released from St. Mungo's. Her approval of Faith was very apparent. Ginny had even been so bold as to invite them both to dinner at the Burrow.

He was working on having a family again.

Well, not currently. Currently he was working on keeping some kind of clothing on his body, but Faith seemed determined to have at it on his desk, the minx. It was strange how little he'd thought of sex until she'd kissed him. Now it seemed he spent a great portion of his day imagining her naked, him naked with her, just naked stuff in general. He loved naked now.

He just didn't think NOW now was very appropriate to have naked sweaty fun, as she called it.

Though his resistance was wearing thin with the way she kept rubbing up against him. She was correct. Her body was rather lovely. It affected his quite nicely. It was affecting now.

"Faith..."

"Yeah, baby? Tell me what you like."

"We shouldn't-"

"Shush, none a'that, Princess. I've got the mad urges for your bod right now. Give it up."

"Not on my desk..."

"On your desk."

"Faith..."

"I think everyone should have sex on their desk at least once." She punctuated that by sticking her hand in his trousers.

Percy let out a loud groan. Then he undid most of the buttons on her shirt while nibbling on the shell of her ear. His hand had just closed over one of the lacy cups of her bra when he heard voices.

"Fred, I think we're interrupting something."

"I think you're right, George. It looks like the early stages of sex, but this is Percy's office..."

Percy craned his head around. He wasn't imagining things. His brothers were here. Why? And why in the name of Merlin did they have to be here NOW? Percy growled in frustration and sat up. Faith had somehow opened his shirt and was licking his nipple. He hissed and pulled her head back by a handful of her hair.

"Ooooo, baby wants to play rough. I can go with that. Will there be spankings later?"

One of his brothers sputtered in disbelief.

"Faith, we have company."

She looked at Fred and George. "Hey, twin Weasley dudes. S'up?"

They were staring at her open shirt and black lacy bra. Percy scowled and flicked his wand at her shirt. It buttoned up. He was very protective of her as well now.

"Oh! Thanks. Sorta forgot about that." With that she cupped one of his cheeks and pressed a lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Percy sighed.... because he wanted do keep on going. How exactly had he become this sexual creature? He'd never been before. Then again, perhaps before Faith he had never been properly motivated. Not even Penelope Clearwater, who he had been very fond of, could tempt him into more than kissing, and certainly never anywhere as public as the desk in his office.

"Hold that thought." She purred.

While Percy situated his clothing back to an appropriate manner and willed himself not to do something highly inappropriate in his pants, Faith went to speak to Fred and George. He didn't like that idea.

"So what's the what here?"

"What?"

"Huh?"

Both guys seemed a bit... shocked still.

"Didn't know your brother had it in him, huh?"

"Didn't want to know."

Faith laughed. "Hey, man, sorry about the arm that time, but I thought you were trying to hurt my boy."

"Well... I was." George said.

Faith chuckled. "Honesty. I like it."

"So are you... the prat's girlfriend then?"

"Oh we don't call him the prat." Faith said in deadly tones.

Fred and George stiffened.

"He's Princess Margaret Prissy Pants."

Fred and George were perfectly still for another moment before they burst into great guffaws of laughter.

"Thank you, Faith." Percy snapped.

"Oh hey, babe, I get to poke fun. I get to poke anything I like, and so do you, but if they take the ribbing to far... if anyone does... I can always start breaking kneecaps. Or fingers. I think fingers. What do you think, Perce? Kinda difficult to swish and flick a wand with broken fingers, ay?"

Fred and George abruptly stopped laughing.

"Is she joking?" One of them asked.

Percy grinned. "She likes to hit. Also rather fond of breaking things and just destruction in general. It's a slayer thing." It was strange to have the upper hand with his brothers for once.

"So Ginny invited you guys to dinner at the Burrow. Mum wanted us to pop by to make sure you knew to be there by seven."

"Why in person? You could have just sent an owl."

"That would have been money, Brother. Besides, Mum said this would be more personal."

"Thanks." Percy said with a grin. He had not been called brother by one of the twins in a long while.

Fred and George left then, both eyeing Faith warily. When the twins were gone, she turned around to face Percy and kicked his door closed rather violently. It pushed through and seemed to lodge in the frame.

"Ooops." She said in a far from sorry tone. "We're trapped now. Whatever shall we do?"

"I can think of a few things."

"How long have we got until supper?"

"A few hours, I think."

"Rock." She gave him a sexy grin. "Think everyone will know we've spent that afternoon fucking like rabbits when we show up tonight?"

"I don't think I care about that right now."

"I'm having an effect on you."

"You've no idea."

"Care to give me an idea, Stuffy?"

"Oh, I'm going to give you more than that." He said in a very husky and un-Percy-like tone.

"Been thinking about those spankings I mentioned earlier, huh?"

"Among other things." He whispered before he kissed her.

It was a fair trade, he was thinking... while he could still think. He made her seem more approachable, less dangerous. She made him seem human again.

*~*~*

end