What Might Have Been
by Samantha
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Joss owns them, lyrics belong to saliva "bleed for me".
::all I ever wanted Was to be what you needed Cause something so strong It could never be wrong::
Buffy staked the vampire, coughing as she inhaled half its dust. She lay for a second, breathing heavily on the pavement of the alley. Finally she pushed herself up slowly, mumbling to herself.
"Must've swallowed at least ten vamps by now. Ow," she winced, checking her arm and finding a long slash there. It stretched from her elbow to her wrist, and was still dribbling blood. "Great."
She pulled off her sweater, and wrapped her arm in it, twisting it tightly to try to stop the bleeding completly. She knew that even as a slayer, stitches might not be a bad idea. But oh well, she wasn't going to.
She moved slowly out of the alley, each step causing a shot of pain through her body. Her arm throbbed painfully, and she stopped at the edge of the alley, leaning against the wall for a minute.
"Shit," she bit her lip, trying to focus on that small pain, instead of the gigantic one in her arm. In a few seconds the pain in her arm subsided to a dull moan, and she started off home again.
She had been halfway home from the fight in the park when she had spotted the vamp in the alley. He didn't look like anything special, but had given her a real fight, the worst she'd had since she was back in LA.
She walked wearilly up the stairs to the tiny, shitty studio apartment she was sharing with Willow. She unlocked the three locks, then knocked sharply three times to get Will to undo the chain. She heard the chain slid back and Willow opened the door with a grin.
"Buffy, how was the date?" Willow asked excitedly, then noticed her arm. "Oh, Buffy, did she hurt you?"
"What," Buffy frowned. "No, a vamp." She pushed past Willow, getting only far enough into the room to drop onto the couch. "Why would you think Faith did this?"
"She's a celebrity," Willow shrugged, kneeling to unwrap Buffy's arm. "They do weird things sometimes. Buffy, this is bad." Buffy looked at her arm, surprised to feel woozy at the sight of bone peaking through the wound. The blood was dry and crusted around the wound now, but you could still seem warm, moist flesh inside. This was untill you met the bone at least. "What kind of vamp did you say this was?" Willow asked raising an eyebrow.
"The kind with a big knife," Buffy answered through clenched teeth. The cool air was making the wound sing with pain again.
"Don't move," Willow commanded.
"Not a problem," Buffy assured her. She sat patiently as Willow rumaged through a box in the kitchen, coming back with four small jars in her arms, along with a wrap of some sort. She watched as Willow grabbed a small wooden bowl and began to mix some of the contents of each jar together.
"What is that stuff?" Buffy asked, wrinkling her nose at the smell.
"If I told you, you wouldn't let me put it on your arm," Willow answered. She dipped her fingers into the foul smelling mixture.
She took Buffy's arm, extending it slowly, seeing Buffy wince anyway. She gently began to smooth the cool wet ointment into and around the wound. At first Buffy felt more sick from the smell, and the pain of slathering on the gunk, but as soon as the whole wound was covered her arm became blessedly numb.
"Akia, naibum, fatou, maroiusi," Willow repeated these words quietly as she wrapped the wound in what seemed to be thin, thin cotton. As Buffy watched it seemed to secure itself to her arm with no help needed. "Your arm will be sore for a couple days, but you won't need stitches."
"What would I do without you Will?" Buffy asked, smiling.
"Invest in a real insurance plan?" Willow asked with a grin. "Now, for my payment. How was the date?"
"Good, untill I saw a vamp taking off after a girl, then I had to split. He met up with a bunch of pals."
"And they did this to you?" Willow motioned to Buffy's arm.
"No, this was one vamp' havin himself a wino meal out back."
"Was she okay with you leaving? I mean, was the date over?"
"We were going to her house," Buffy moaned, laying down on the couch. "I just ran away pretty much, I couldn't think of a good reason."
"Oh, Buffy," Willow patted her back sympathetically. "She'll understand."
"Yeah that I'm a wack job. It's okay, I knew it couldn't last forever, I mean come on, me dating a celebrity? I don't exactly have a high profile friendly job," Buffy sighed. "How was your day?"
"Good, did some research for Angel, he still wants to set us up in a new place. He keeps telling me to get you to change your mind."
"No. Those stocks are going to come through. And otherwise we still have enough money left from Sunnydale to keep us in this place for a while." Buffy answered quickly. "I don't want to take his charity. I don't care what he says, that law office is not on the up and up."
"Buffy it's really not that bad. Angel's been running it for over two years. You've really got to meet Fred, she's got this great science lab."
"Will, I'm sorry, I'm really not in the mood. I just have a bad feeling about that place."
"Okay," Willow nodded.
"I'm gonna go to bed," Buffy stood up, slipping out of her pant, and into shorts. She breifly considered brushing her teeth, then decided not to.
She crawled into the bed, knowing she was going to be asleep in minutes. She clicked off the bedside lamp, but with Willow still reading there was still enough light to see the picture on the night stand. It was always the last thing she saw. The picture was a couple years old, her, Willow, Giles, Xander, Tara, Dawn, and her mother. The only ones left now were her and Willow.
She shut her eyes, trying not to focus on all the people destiny had seen fit to take from her. The collapse of Sunnydale had been the worst, taking Dawn, and Xander as it fell, leaving them with a lump of money from the town in payment for keeping their mouths shut to the news.
They had no reason to talk anyway, and loosing Giles and Joyce to the First earlier in the year just hurt more. Together her and Willow decided to move on. The few remaining slayers had asked them to start a new base of operation, but they had declined. Somehow those girls had found Angel and that responsibility fell to him.
"You asleep?" Willow asked quietly.
"No, it was wishful thinking," Buffy answered, sitting up. "Are we doing the right thing giving Angel an army of slayers at his command?"
"Yes. I have no doubt. They're the reason a lot of his people are still alive. The shell of Illyria that they safely removed before it could be opened? Odds are Fred would be dead if they hadn't forseen the danger. If only they could have done something to save Wesley."
"He went into that fight against all their warnings you said," Buffy frowned.
"He did," Willow nodded.
"Then that was his decision," Buffy said bitterly. "Have they taken down Spike yet?"
"No," Willow answered quietly.
"No? We practically handed him to them, and they let him slip away. Do they have any idea where he is now?"
"Last time he was spotted was in Rome, he's apparently working with someone, or something, not too sure on that. Anyway, known as The Immortal."
"He's been on a rampage ever since he got the chip out of his head, people dead left and right, we catch him, give him to them and they loose him," Buffy shook her head. "It just pisses me off."
"You think it doesn't piss me off? One of those people he killed was my girlfriend," Willow spoke with quiet bitterness.
"Nothing's been right since high school," Buffy muttered. She lay back down, done talking.
I leaned against my car looking up at the building, three stories, pretty run down. I glanced down at the piece of paper in my hand, rereading the address.
"Nice digs, Buff," I spoke to myself. I pushed away from the car heading for the door, odds are it would be locked, but a place like this, maybe not. I grabbed the handle, it turned easily. She lived on the third floor.
No elevator. I started up the stairs, ten am and I am in some rundown aparment building looking for a girl who ran out on me. Some jackass I am.
I make it to the landing, glancing around for aparment 314. I spot it and go to the door. Taking a deep breath, and wondering for the umpteenth time what the hell I was doing. I knock on the door.
"Just a second," answers a sleepy voice. I hear three locks click, and then the door opens, the chain still across. I see Buffy peering out, her eyes go wide. "Faith?" she slams the door shut, I hear the chain slide again and she opens the door, staring at me.
"Hey," I grin. "You were supposed to come over."
"I had to go," she answers, still looking confused.
"I remember."
"How did you find out where I live?" She asks, eyebrows furrowing.
"I'm famous, people bend to my will," I answer with a grin. I glance down over Buffy, I can't help it, her hairs bed swept, and she's adorable in a tank top and shorts.
"That's not like a real power you have or anything is it?" She frowns when I laugh at her joke.
"No," I assure her.
"Good," she smiles, "um, come in." She opens the door wider, letting me into the room. Together we glance around the room. "Wow, I live in a shithole," she apologizes.
"Don't talk about it that way," I turn in surprise to see a cute redhead with shoulder length hair sitting up in the bed. "Hi, I'm Willow," she introduces herself. "And I will be in the shower." We watch as she quickly grabs some clothes and dissapears into the bathroom. I raise an eyebrow to Buffy.
"It's so far from what you're thinking," she says before I can say anything.
"She's not a lesbian?" I ask.
"Well, actually she is, but we are not now, nor have we ever been involved."
"But you share a bed?"
"Do you see room for a second one?" Glancing around the room I see this is perfectly valid.
"As long as I'm not interrupting anything," I shrug.
"You are so not," she smiles, tugging me to her. She kisses me and I return the kiss eagerly, and begin pulling her backwards. We fall laughing to the bed, her on top of me.
"How you doing?" I ask, smiling up at her.
"Very good with you here," she kisses me again, her whole body squirming against me in a way that quickly begins to make me squirm. After a couple minutes I push her up.
"We gotta stop," I tell her, trying to catch my breath. "Cause a few more minutes and I won't be able to." She laughs and slides to my side, snuggling up against me.
"Okay I'll be good," she kisses my jaw gently.
"Who are they?" I point to a picture on her bedside table.
"Friends," she answers, her body tensing next to mine.
"Here?" I ask.
"Gone," she answers, her voice cold, she gets out of the bed. "Want me to make you breakfast?"
"No," I answer, a little perplexed by her behavior, but not wanting to push it. "I actually have to get to set. I just wanted to ask you to be my date tonight for the premeire of "Midnight Prayers"?"
"A movie premeire?" She turns, eyes shining.
"Well, it's not for an A list movie or anything," I shrug. "Krista and Seth are both going, a guest star from a few weeks ago is in it, and made sure we were all invited. Big party afterwards, the whole deal."
"Sounds awesome," she grins.
"Good. Then I'll pick you up at four?" I stand up, moving for the door.
"Perfect," she follows me to the door, opening for me.
"See ya," I kiss her cheek. She grabs my arm as I turn to go.
"Thank you," she holds my eyes for a few seconds, then squeezes my arm. "It means a lot to me that you came."
"No problem," I frown, noticing her arm is wrapped. I take it gently. "What happened?"
"Oh, it's nothing," she pulls her arm back embarassed. "Just a little run in with a broken branch."
"Uh huh," I nod, not sure if I believe that.
"See you tonight," she kisses me and shuts the door in my face.
"What am I getting into?" I ask myself quietly, starting back down the stairs.
Disclaimer: Joss owns them, celebs own themselves, lyrics are to rock superstar from Cypress Hill.
::Make money, chill with the honeys Sign autographs, or whatever the people Want from me::
I sat in the limo nervously waiting for Buffy, as I watched the unexpected rain pouring down. Mindlessly I fidgeted with the small box in my hand. Half of me was thinking maybe I should put it away, not give it to her. I sighed, at least from the way the driver was squirming, and had locked the doors as soon as we parked, I was sure someone was as nervous as me.
There was a knock on the rain soaked window that made both the limo driver and me jump. I looked up to see Buffy smiling, holding a jacket over her head. I quickly opened the door, letting her slide in next to me. I take a second to look her over, she's wearing form fitting black pants, and a hot black high necked halter top with ring of crystals around the neck.
Damn.
"Hey," she leans and kisses me quickly. I pull her jacket from her, dropping it on the limo floor.
"Hey," I smiled, taking her hand as the driver pulled away from the curb. "Some weather huh?"
"Yeah, isn't this southern California? Not really supposed to rain, earthquakes sure, torrential downpours, nope."
"Yeah," I laugh. "When I started looking for a house everyone told me to get one in the hills. I was like fuck no, I want me one on solid ground."
"Good plan," Buffy nods. "So limo? Wasn't really expecting that."
"They're practically mandatory at premeires. Kinda dumb if you ask me, I'd rather drive. Although, the way you're looking it might have been hard to concentrate." She smiles, squeezing my hand.
"Very distracting yourself."
I smile, not thinking I look near as hot as her. The designer for the show helped me pick out the outfit. Pink skirt, knee length, black shirt, off the shoulder sleeves. I added my own tiny cross necklace, a present from my mother for my birthday last year. I feel like I might be invisible next to her though, and it takes a lot to make me feel that way.
I take a deep breath and pull the box out of my pocket.
"I know this might be foreward, but I got you something." I hand her the box, biting my lip as she opens the box excitedly.
"Ohh," her eyes go wide was she lifts the bracelet. It's a thin silver cuff, with a dragonfly in the center, set with diamonds and emeralds. "I can't let you give me this, it must have cost a fortune."
"It did," I don't lie, and she looks up at me, smirking. Maybe she's amused by my honesty, I don't know. "It was only a small one though, not to brag, but it's less than one paycheck for me."
"You get paid every week, or every two?" she asks, looking out of the corner of her eye.
"Every week," I smile.
"Well, in that case. Help me put it on?" I grin, fastening the bracelet around her wrist.
"Looks good," I take her hand in mine again, playing with the bracelet.
"Thank you. So much. I don't know what I did to deserve someone like you." She looked down for a minute, playing with my fingers before begining to speak again. "Things, things have been bad for a long time, never goin' right. I've lost a lot lately, and you're the first really good thing to happen in so long."
"Wow," I breath out slowly. "That's a lot to live up to."
"Well so far you are doing an excellent job," there was no hint of joking in her voice.
"End of the line ladies. Enjoy the movie!"
Buffy's POV
The door to the limo door is opened wide and sound fills it instantly. Fans screaming, music playing, reporters shouting questions, it's unreal, the bright lights don't help any. Faith lets herself be helped out, before reaching back to take my hand with hers.
I step out of the car into the spotlight, and have never felt so uncomfortable in my life, but at least the rain has stopped. Immediately pictures are being taken of us as Faith twists her hand with mine. She smiles over at me quickly, and I know a dozen cameras have caught it. She leans close to whisper in my ear, even more flashes go off.
"Just smile, stay with me," she squeezes my hand again and we start away from the car. She waves to the reporters, smiling for their cameras, completely in her element. Me, I'm just trying to keep smiling.
Someone waves us forward, but Faith ignored them, turning across the street instead. Fans line three blocks, pressed behind a barricade that looks dangerously close to bursting. She tugs me towards the street, security guards immediately flank us, police holding up hands to stop traffic.
"Come on," she grins and we cross. I've seen a lot of scarey things, but never anything as frightening as those fans. She's signing autographs as quickly as possible, completly unfazed by the people grabbing her, pulling her into hugs, and snapping pictures in her face.
"I made this for you," a teenage girl, hands her a pretty braclet.
"Aww, thank you," Faith slips it on and give the girl a hug.
"I loved last weeks episode!" Someone shouts.
"Thanks," she calls back, not looking up from autographs.
"Is anyone else going to be here tonight?" Someone else asks.
"Krista and Seth should be here," Faith answers, smiling for a pictures.
"Krista's hot. Are you two ever gonna hook up on the show?" I smirk when some guy asks this, Faith is signing his autograph.
"She is pretty hot. I'll have to talk to the writers." She winks at the guy, and the whole group around him whoops. I feel a tug on my arm, and turn to see a little girl, no more than eight, dark brown hair, being lovingly supported in her mother's arms. I feel a quick pang of sadness in my chest.
"Can you ask her to take a picture with me?" She asks, eyes wide.
"Sure," I smile, and reach for Faith. She turns, her eyes questioning.
"This little girl wants a picture," I explain, and the girl waves shyly.
"Sure," Faith grins widely, and reaches out, I think surprising everyone by taking the girl in her arms, holding her tightly. "What's your name?"
"Alissa," the girl answers shying.
"Smile honey," her mom commands. Both Faith and the girl grin wildly, Faith hugging her close. The mom snaps the picture.
"Thank you so much," the mom says, sounding truly grateful as she takes her daughter back.
"Oh, it's no problem," Faith smiles. "Nice meeting you Alissa."
"Nice meeting you too," Alissa is smiling like she just won the lottery. I wave to her as we start down the line again. Only a few more autographs and the guards force her to stop.
"Sorry," she calls, tossing some lucky fan her sharpie as a consolation prize. We're quickly back in front of the reporters smiling, and posing for pictures, Faith holding me close.
"How's the season going so far?"
"Is it hard to be the lead?"
"Any plans for hiatus yet?"
"Smile please, over here."
"Is this the girl from the bar?"
"Is she your girlfriend?"
She looks at me quickly, in response to that last question. Our hands are linked and I'm surprised she needs any more permission than that. I give her a short nod.
"Yes, she is," she answers, which leads to a frenzy of questions.
"How long?"
"What's her name?"
"Where did you meet?"
"Are you engaged?" I frown, thinking that last one seemed out of the left field.
Finally we make it into the theater, the noise a little less deafening as we step into Mann's Chinese Theater. Some of the crowd turns, looking to see who's arrived, but they immediately go back to their conversations.
"Want a drink?" Faith asks.
"Sure," I nod. I follow as she walks us to the bar, picking up two flutes of champagne. She hands one to me and raises hers in a toast.
"To front page gossip in the morning."
"Cheers," I smile, sipping at the liquid, bubbles tickling my nose, I rub it quickly.
"You like?" She asks.
"Yes," I nod, taking another sip, this one I start choking on as I spot someone across the room.
"What?" Faith asks, trying to look in the direction I am. "Jessica Alba? You want to meet her?"
"No," I catch my breath, then reconsider as the person I was really looking at spots me. "Actually sure," I take her hand, pulling her towards Jessica, which isn't quite in the opposite direction.
"Jessica," Faith smiles.
"Faith? Oh my god, where have you been," Jessica pulls her in a tight hug. "Actually nevermind, I know how time consuming a series is."
"Right?" Faith laughs. I glance behind us, knowing we are being watched. "This is Buffy."
"Nice to meet you," Jessica smiles, shaking my hand.
"Same," I smile back, amazed to not feel more nervous. The two of them make a couple more minutes of small talk before Jessica is pulled away by her boyfriend. Then the moment I was dreading happens.
"Buffy," I felt him before he spoke, I turn, facing Angel.
"Angel," I nod. We look each other over for a moment, Faith just standing by and taking us in.
"How have you been?" He asks. "I mean, I've talked to Willow, she says."
"I'm fine."
"That's what she says," he nods.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, the full randomness of the situation finally kicking in.
"Clients, we represent the director and producer, they were nice enough to invite me and the group."
"Hi I'm Faith," Faith interrupts, sticking out a hand. "And you are? A lawyer?"
"Well, I run a law firm," Angel shrugs.
"Angel, look who's here," Fred, Angel's eager right hand woman I had met when we first got to LA came eagerly up, young girl in tow.
"Oh Buffy, this is one of our clients."
"Amanda Bynes? You represent Amanda Bynes?"
"Entertainment, you know, contract negotiations."
"Right, nice seeing you Ang, we gotta go." I grab Faith's hand, pulling her away.
We make our way into the theater, waving to Krista as we pass. I feel kinda bad cause I think Faith wants to talk to them. We keep going though, sinking into seats further down.
"And Angel is?" Faith dives right into it.
"Ex, very ex." I answer.
"And a lawyer?"
"Sort of," I nod.
"He's older?"
"A little, which by the way is the first thing everyone has to point out."
"Sorry. Bad breakup?"
"We went through hell." I didn't add litterally, even though I was thinking it. "It's just not a happy story."
"That's cool," she shrugs. "Do you still feel like going to the party later?" I take a minute, surprised that she isn't pushing the issue.
"Uh, actually, not really," I admit. "I'm sorry, seeing him just threw me. It's been a while."
"I'd rather not go anyway," she smiled. "We could just go back to my place." She looked hopeful, like she thought maybe I would turn her down. That was a dumb idea.
"Sounds good," I smiled, tugging on her hand, pulling her into a kiss just as the lights went down.
Disclaimer: Joss owns them, lyrics belong to 112 peaches and cream.
::Let me show you that I'm feelin you Wanna freak, wanna ride you Wanna taste, wanna put my lips all over you Can't get enough of you Always taken with you::
Faith's POV
The gate was stuck when we pulled up. I had been meaning to get it fixed, it swelled when it rained. Being as how it hadn't rained in months, it slipped my mind. Luckily the rain hadn't made a reappearence yet, so thanking the driver, I let us in through the door next to the gate.
I took her hand as we started up the driveway, neither of us saying much. Not much light was making its way to the driveway, the trees above had been growing over for years, each spring they seemed to block the light a little more.
"Uh, you smell that?" Buffy wrinkled her perfect little nose.
"Yeah," I grinned.
"Skunk. It's possibly one of the worst smells, and trust me, I've smelt some bad ones."
"For some reason, I almost like it," I admit, fully prepared for the raised eyebrow she give me. "It reminds me of when I was younger. In like eighth grade, me and my friends Stella, and Beth, and Beths older brother, and little sister used to all hang out. There wasn't much to do in our town, so we spent a lot of nights just walking aimlessly around town."
"And skunks remind you of this? Maybe your friends should have tried a bath."
"Ha," I gave her a little push. "There were lots of skunks in town, so we would always smell them, even saw them a couple of times. There's nothing funnier than a group of people surprised by a skunk. Maybe it's the rain still hanging in the air too, I don't know I never really noticed how much the smell takes me back, until just now."
"You still friends with them?"
"Yeah, we talk mostly on the phone and internet now. Stella may be moving out in a couple years. Graphic design."
"It's really cool you keep in touch with them, so many people loose touch." Buffy sounded wistful. I was really starting to wonder what this girl's history was. We made it to the house and I glanced over to see Buffy looking up at the house in awe. I grinned, surprised to see anyone impressed with my place.
"Ya wanna take a picture, B?" I asked, and again that weird twinge when I called her that. Like deja vu, but stronger.
"No," she punched me lightly in the arm, at least I could see she hadn't put much effort in it. Hurt like hell though. "It's just, wow. I thought you said you didn't have a mansion."
"Buffy, it's only five bedroom." She gave me a look, then we both looked up at the house. I could only imagine what she was seeing. It was that white stucco stuff that most of the houses in this city seem to be, three floors, that was why I liked it. The windows and trim were a rich dark red, as was the door. It had three bay windows, and an upstairs balcony on the third floor.
"That's four more bedrooms than the aparment I share. And lord knows how many rooms."
"I know, I wasn't looking for a place this big, but I loved the third floor. And the pool and hot tub out back are amazing. Come on," I took her hand and pulled her through the side gate, into the back yard.
"Oh," she smiled at the set up I had left. I had strung white and blue fairy lights up around the pool, and had left a vase of lilies on the table, along with two wine glasses, forks and napkins. In the subtle lighting the pool and hot tub looked fantastic.
"Wait here a second," I tell her as we reach the table. I run into the pool house, opening the small fridge in there. I pull out a bottle of white wine, and carefully grab and balance two plates, each with a slice of cheesecake on it.
"Cheesecake?" Her eyes light up. "How did you know I love cheesecake?"
"I didn't," I shrugged. But I had, it isn't even one of my favorite desserts, but I hadn't given it more than a moment of thought when picking it out. I set the plates down carefully, then noticed the napkins were pretty much soaked to uselessness. "Are the chairs wet?"
"Um," Buffy tilted one out to check. "Sorta, I think the table protected them a bit."
"Okay, one more second." I went quickly back into the poolhouse, coming out with new napkins, and two towels.
"Madam," I pulled out her chair, laying a towel across it. Once she sat, I lay the napkin on her lap. I did the same for myself, and popped open the wine. "White okay?"
"Love it," she smiled, reaching out her glass. She looked breathtaking in the twinkling fairy lights, eyes lit up with her smile. I filled first her glass then my own.
"To good things," I raised my glass.
"May they keep coming," she toasted, bringing our glasses together. She took a bite of her cheesecake and her smile widened. "Oh, my god. This is the best cheeesecake ever."
"Could be that we didn't actually have dinner," I pointed out, taking a bite. "Oh, this is good." I took another.
"See, I know the difference between what is good, and what tastes good from starvation."
"My mistake."
"Every year my mother," she paused for a minute, her words catching, like she hadn't meant to let them slip out. "She would get me cheesecake for my half birthday."
"That's cute," I smiled, but she seemed far off.
"She always thought it was more special to have it then, instead of my real birthday. It was always great cause we would usually go out to get it, always just me and her. Dawn would stay with dad, then after he was gone, a sitter."
"Dawn's your sister?"
"Was. Last year, well almost a year ago, there was an accident."
"And your mom?" I frowned.
"Earlier in the year, she passed on," her voice was even more emotional, and she had slowed to only poking at her cake. "She told me to take care of Dawn."
"Hey, accidents happen."
"I was supposed to stop them," she said quietly, taking a small bite of her cheesecake. She sighed, "what's your family drama?"
"Me?" I shrugged. "My parents are divorced, my mom still lives back in Boston, never remarried. She adopted a little girl from Thailand about five years ago, named her Kia. She's the cutest little girl, she'll be six in June. Um my dad moved to Arizona and remarried, I have two step brothers, ten and fourteen, Issac, and Joey. And my real brother Kaden lives out here in LA, he's three years older, works for a architect, doing freelance commisioned stuff."
"And that's the happy family, huh?" Buffy asked, smiling, and taking renewed interest in her food.
"In a nutshell," I nod. "Pretty dull really."
"Dull is good, trust me."
"I know. I am so lucky to have the family I do. Might not have made it through highschool without them."
"I wouldn't have made it through highschool without a few people," she grinned.
"So you grew up here, huh?"
"I transfered in my sophmore year. Just moved back last June." She explained.
"And it took me this long to run into you? Poor planning on my part."
"Well, you didn't know what you were missing." I laugh, and she looks at my quizically. "What?"
"You just have," I pointed to her, there was a piece of cheesecake in the corner of her mouth. "Cake, right here." I wipe it off with a finger and hold it out for inspection. I reach to wipe it on her napkin, but she grabs my hand in hers, stopping me.
"You can't waste that." She lifts my hand slowly to her mouth. First flicking her tongue, the tip, just tasting a little of my skin, and a little of the cake. That one little connection made my eyes flutter. The longer lick along my finger, getting most of the cheesecake, that one made me shut my eyes, a light moan escaping into the night.
Eyes shut I was totally unprepared for her to take my whole finger in her mouth. My eyes shot open, locking with hers, as she dragged my finger out of her mouth, teeth fighting to hold onto it. She let go of my hand, and I was surprised I had the self control to not just let it drop.
"I'm full, can I see the house," she asked lowly. All I can do is nod.
Disclaimer: Joss owns them, lyrics belong to 50 cent, from "candy shop".
::I touch the right spot at the right time Lights on or lights off she like it from behind So seductive, you should see the way she wind Her hips in slow-mo on the floor when we grind::
Buffy POV
I bite my lip as she looks at me for a second before nodding. She stands up before I do, and offers her hand. I take it, standing up, she doesn't back up and I am standing with my whole body less than a centimeter away from hers. I run a hand through her hair, she's staring deep into me, I know she's thinking about pulling me to her, but I step back.
"You have to be the leader here," I whisper, twisting my hand into hers. I back up a couple steps encouraging her to fall out of her trance.
"Yeah," she gives me a little half smile, and pulls in front of me. I follow her quickly up the stone walk to the sliding glass door in the back of the house. I follow her inside, immediately more in awe of the place. We step into the living room, my heals sink into the plush carpeting.
"Wow," I smile. The rug is a light beige, the mucho comfy looking couches are white, the kind of white that would never stay white in my place. She also has an awesome coffee table with slate stone set down the middle. I step away from Faith, taking in the paintings.
"Chinese huh?" I ask, all of the paintings have a distinct oriental look to them.
"Yeah, we lived there for a couple years when I was a kid. I've always loved the culture." She shrugged.
"That is amazing," I smile. "So, where's my tour?"
"Oh, yeah, come on," she takes my hand and leads me through the downstairs.
"That was the living room, here's the kitchen," I glance around, taking in the marble counter tops, white cupboards, tile floor. She doesn't slow down though, and I am forced to follow her out.
"There's a bathroom, office is in there," I get brief glimpses of these, bathroom done in blue and white, office in deep rich reds and wood. Then we're in the front entry way, hard wood floor, white walls, more chinese paintings, scrolls, a wall cabinet filled with all sorts of figurines. I step close to the cabinet, most of them are jade dragons, but there are also chinese dolls, dogs, cats, horses, and one coiled painted metal cobra.
"Faith, these are all beautiful," I whisper, putting a hand against the glass separating me from the figures. "You like dragons I see."
"My mom got me all those things while we were in China. There's more in the study, and some in the bedrooms. And yeah I love dragons, always wished it was my chinese astrology symbol."
"What are you?" I asked curiously.
"A dog," she winces.
"Well that means you're loyal and compassionate," I point out.
"You actually know about chinese astrology?" She looked more than a little surprised.
"I am a font of randomness," I quip.
"Random is good," she nods. "So did you want to see the rest of the house?"
"Yes," I grin, following her as she heads up the stairs. We stop on the second floor. We glance into the four bedrooms, each is decorated very differently. One in all neon colors, modern patterns, one with extra chinese flair, one in all blues and greens, looking undersea-ish. The last is my favorite it almost looks medival, there's no rugs, only the same dark hardwood floors as the entryway. The walls are painted a maroon color, the bedspread a dark blue, above the bed is a reprint of an old "Phantom of the Opera" poster, probably from one of the first movies made.
"Like it?" Faith asks, as I linger in the doorway.
"Yeah, it's beautiful."
"It's the room my mom always stays in. Her favorite colors, she loves any incarnation of that movie."
"Did she see the new one?" I asked.
"Yeah, loved it." She took my hand pulling me towards the last set of stairs, we practically ran up them. The top floor had been opened up to be all one room. To the left of the stairs was a living room, blue couch and love seat, glass coffee table, and huge widescreen tv hanging on the wall. Bookshelves, filled to capasity lined two walls.
To right was what I assumed to be her bedroom. There was a queen size bed, unmade, purple sheets with a purple and red patterned bedspread. The turqouis painted walls should have clashed horribly, but somehow they seemed to go okay. Right above the bed hung an ornate silver cross, and a shelf hung on either side of the bed, containing what I figured were the favorite of her figurines. Across from the bed was a smaller flatscreen on the wall.
"You have to see the best part," she commanded pulled me past the bed and out onto the balcony, right to the edge.
"Oh wow," I breathed out taking in the view. Her house actually was slightly more on the hill than most, but nowhere near high enough to be destroyed in a mudslide.
It was actually at the perfect height, just right to give a beautiful view of both the mountain to the left and the city to the right. And right now the city lights were beautiful.
Faith's POV
I slid behind her as she took in the view, wrapping my arms around her waist. She leaned back into me, letting out a sigh. I wrapped my arms tighter, nuzzling my face into her hair.
"This is so beautiful," she spoke quietly, almost revrently.
"This is the view that made me buy the place," I told her. She spun in my arms, and I let them rest on the railing, moving up close so her back was against the railing.
Again she's running a hand through my hair, again I get the same far off, content feeling I did by the pool. From the look on her face I know she feels it too. She wraps her arms around my waist, leaning her head on my shoulder, I wrap my arms around her, staring off into the night.
"Nothing has ever felt this right," she says quietly.
"I know," I answer, in a voice so low I'm surprised she hears. I continue louder. "It scares me. No one else has ever made me feel this way."
"Me either," she pulls back and I see her wipe her eyes.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask, bending to catch her eye.
"Nothing," she shakes her head. "I've just been so lost, for so long, and now..." She trails off, but I know the end of the sentance.
"Now, you're home."
"Yeah," she nods. For a second we just look at each other, then she reaches up, tentatively at first, kissing me slowly. My hands had fallen away from her, but now they find their way back, pulling her tight against me.
That seems to be all she needs, her kisses become more frantic, she presses herself hard against me, and a little moan escapes from my mouth, into hers. She pulls back, sucking in a deep breath, like she's trying to suck me in.
I take her hands, backing up towards the open door. She follows more than willingly, not bothering to shut the door behind her. That's fine with me, the ideas running through my head have me thinking the fresh air will be good.
I sit on the bed, pulling her to me, I lift just the bottom of her shirt kissing a line across her soft skin. She tangles a hand in my hair, pulling me closer, using both hands I push her shirt higher, resting my hands on her breasts. I don't move my hands, forcing her to push herself against my hands.
As she struggles to get friction from my hands, I pull them away, wrapping them around her back. I loft my head to kiss her, and pull her to my lap as I do. She lifts her knees onto the bed, straddling me. I break the kiss long enough to pull her shirt over her head.
She looks down at her, so vunerable naked from the waist up now, hair already messy. Her eyes are greener than ever, electrified, lips swollen from my kisses. With that thought I capture them again, hands cupping her breasts, squeezing, and rubbing, palms against her nipples.
She pulls back, hands pushing me downward. I comply, kissing my way to her breasts, then taking each nipple into my mouth in turn. I feel her fumbling with my shirt, and reach down to help her, pulling away from her only long enough to pull the shirt over my head.
Before I can resume, she pushes me back on the bed, one hand working its way up my skirt. The other is working on the back clasp of my bra under me, while her mouths sucks greedily at my nipple through the thin fabric of my bra. She snaps the clasp, and I wiggle out of the bra, breathing in sharply when her warm mouth touches my aching nipple. This happens at the same time she slips one teasing finger inside me before pulling her mouth away.
"B," I breath out, I get a flash of me back handing her across the face. It freaks me out, but also doubles my arousal. I slide a hand up her back, resting it on the back of her neck and pulling her roughly to me.
She kisses me as harshly as I pulled on her, slipping at least one more finger in me. I raise a leg between her legs and she presses down against me. I work my hands to her pants, unbuttoning them, and pushing them down, she kicks them the rest of the way off.
I roll us over, loving the feeling of being on top of her. I grab both her hands, holding them on the bed above her head as I kiss down her, she squirms underneath me, trying to connect our bodies, but I'm holding myself away.
I let her hands go as I work my way down her, pulling her panties off as I go. The excitement of getting past her white lace underwear, quickening my pace. I bring my mouth to her most private area, and she arches herself to me. It's quick, she comes almost immediately, but doesn't take a second before she switches our position.
I find myself on my back, her diving into me at a rate that makes me think I was going slow. Again she slips two fingers inside me, curving them inside as her mouth closes on me. My breath starts coming in raggid bursts, I wrap my hands in her hair, loving how she feels moving against me. I come faster than I ever have.
She collapses against me, our sweat soaked bodies melting together. I feel like if I could open my eyes there would be steam rising from my body. Her legs twist with mine, and I run a hand through her hair as she lays on my chest.
"Come on," I whisper, together we wiggle up to the pillows. I fumble blindly for the sheet, pulling it over us.
"The light," she mutters.
"Yeah," I answer, and reach for my all purpose remote, she cracks an eye open seeing me click off the lights with a touch of a button.
"Oh you are too cool." She mutters.
Disclaimer: Joss owns them, lyrics belong to The Verve "bittersweet symphony".
::Cause it's a bittersweet, Symphony, this life::
Buffy's POV
It's early, just getting light out, I've been up for over an hour, been itching to slay something. Faith is still fast asleep. Somehow I know this is weird, I know she should have been the first to wake up, that she actually sleeps even less than me.
I know that. Just like I know if she woke up first she would have snuck downstairs, and made bacon and eggs. She would have served it to me in bed, with a Lily from the bunch on the table by the pool.
I rolled over, facing her as she slept, dark wavy hair falling slightly over her face, but I can still see her closed eyes and full lips. Right now all I wanted to do was kiss those lips, pull the bottom lip in between my teeth, biting it not too gently.
In the back of my mind though, back there where you don't have control of what's going on, in that spot I was thinking about stabbing her. Not doing it now, it had just been a quick flash in my head the night before. Right when I slid my finger inside her.
Right then I knew, just knew how it would feel to have the hilt of a knife in my hand, as the blade slide into her. It disgusted me, and I started to pull away from her. But she grabbed the back of my neck with such force. And it felt so good, I couldn't stop.
Sighing, I shut my eyes, hoping to find sleep again. Hoping to push all the weird thoughts from my head.
When I opened my eyes again, Faith was coming through the door, tray in hand. I sat up smiling as she set bacon, eggs, and a flower in front of me on a silver tray.
"Morning," she smiled, pushing a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. She fiddled with the sheets, looking amazingly shy and nervous. "You weren't up, and I figured you'd be hungry."
"Thank you," I smiled at her, meaning it. "It looks amazing. And thank you for last night."
"The premeire? That's no big deal, we can go to one once a week if you want, I mean if I can get off work, and if you can get off work," she trails off as I smile at her. "And I'm rambling so now I am gonna shut up."
"It's nice to see people who aren't me rambling. And I meant the more intimate parts of last night."
"Oh," she grinned, looking up. "Well I figured you liked that," she wiggled an eyebrow and I smacked her arm.
"Are all you actresses this cocky?"
"No, actually for the most part we are highly insecure. I am a contradiction."
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," I kiss her quickly before digging into the food. "You're not eating?"
"Nah, my stomach feels a little off," she admits, rubbing the offending unit through her tank top. Which makes me realize I am still buck naked. I smile to myself surprised at how comfortable I am with her.
"Um, could you grab me a shirt of something?" I ask.
"Oh, yeah sure," she grins, and turns to the closet, opening it up to revel more clothes than I ever had, even at my height of fashion conciousness. She digs through for a minute before tossing me a pair of sweats and a tank top, both tatooed with 'Juicy Couture'.
"Thanks," I smile, the sweats are baby blue and the shirt is white.
"No problem. Listen I have a revised script to go over before shooting today, so I am gonna go work on that while you eat and shower, alright?"
"Yeah," I nod, feeling a little lost, left to do my own thing in her room.
"When you're done I'll give you a ride home on my way to set, okay?" She asks, leaning forward and kissing my forehead, before turning to leave.
"Okay," I grin, feeling sure again, seeing that she's just busy, not ditching me. After last night though, those thoughts...
Faith POV
I shut the door behind us, pulling it tight and locking it. I check my watch, should be just enough time to get B home and get to set. I don't even pay attention to the feeling when I think of her as B, they're becoming natural.
"All set, B?" I ask, she grins.
"I kinda like when you call me that."
"Oh you kinda like?" I tease, snaking an arm around her waist. "Anything else you kinda like?"
"Yeah, I kinda like you," she answers, getting into my car when I open the door.
"I guess I kinda like you too," she opens her mouth, pretending to be shocked. I close it with one finger, kissing her pretty little lips and shutting the door. As soon as I open my door she starts in.
"Oh, you kinda like me? What's that about, kinda? What do you kinda like about me?" She's grinning, so I know she still playing. I shut her up by kissing her hardly. I lean far over onto her seat, my mouth crushing hers, but she wraps an arm around me, pulling me tighter. I squeez a hand in between us, under my tank top she's wearing, finding her breasts still bare underneath.
I squeeze it hard, pulling the nipple between my thumb and pointer, getting a sharp little gasp from her. I lower my mouth, shoving the shirt far enough down to allow access. I suck deep on her nipple for seconds, her hands clasp on the back of my head. I shake myself out of her grasp, and start the car. I glance over at her, sitting there dazed.
"I kinda like your tits," I grin, putting the car in drive to head down to the street.
"You, are," she's still taking little breaths in between her words. "A, complete, ass."
"Dirty mouth," I chide, I kinda like that too. I receive a very hard punch for this, now that she's caught her breath. We're both laughing though, and it feel good. I was a little worried this morning. The thought of hitting her still fresh in my mind.
"Is that your phone?" She asks, cocking her head slightly. I turn down the stereo, listening.
"I don't hear anything," I answer.
"The buzzing," she grabs my purse, digging through till she pulls out my still vibrating phone. I grab it quickly, seeing it's Kaden.
"How did you hear that?" I asked, flipping open the phone to answer. "K dawg, what's going on?"
"Faith," that one word and my face falls. Everything in his tone tells me it's bad news. I glance right and pull off to the shoulder of the road. B looks at me questioning.
"What's wrong Kaden?"
"It's mom," she chokes out, and my world starts to spin. "There was an accident, drunk truck driver, he caught the end of her car switching lanes, spun it over the divide, into, into the oncoming, cars." The sentence was broken, and sounded to my ears like it was coming over the earliest telegraph, but I understood. "She's gone."
"Dead," the word was cold in my mouth and tasted bad. I opened dropped the phone, opening the door and dry heaving, finally producing a thin line of stomach bile. I could hear B on the phone.
"Yeah.....I'll tell her.....yeah.......of course.....I'll make sure......yeah....okay...bye. Faith? Faith, are you okay?" She pulled me back into the car.
"Yeah," I nodded, ignoring the absolute absurdity of the question. "Can you drive?"
"Yeah," she got out of the car, walking around, as I slid into the passenger seat. She pulled back out into traffic.
"You can stay at my house for a while if you want." She offered, but I shook my head.
"No, I've gotta get to set."
"I'll drive you," I only nod. She takes my hand, and squeezes it.
"Fuck," I mutter. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, shit, fuck." With each word I punch the dash.
"Feel better?" She asks.
"A little," I nod. "I just talked to her yesterday."
"I found my mother, when she died," she says quietly, I look up at her sharply. "I got home from class, and she was just on the couch. At first I, I just thought she was asleep. But then her eyes were open." Her voice is lined with pain that hasn't given up its hold on her yet. "They told me she had been dead a while, that nothing could have saved her, even if I had been there."
"Fuck, B."
"I pulled my sister, and my best friend's body out of a collapsed building. There were no rescue crews, no anything. Just me and Willow, but we found them, and we buried them. And it was the hardest thing I've ever done. But it's gotten better Faith," she takes my hand again. I look at her in awe, unsure how anything could ever be better again after all that.
Disclaimer: Joss owns them Linkin Park own lyrics to "with you".
::I woke up in a dream today Remembering I'm pretending to be Where I'm not anymore A little taste of hypocrisy::
Buffy's POV
"I dropped Faith off at the gate, not allowed to go in with her. She told me where to park the car, and said she would be back soon. She's devestated by her mother's death, I can tell, and I very much feel her pain."
"Oh, Buffy. Is she shooting right now?" Willow asked.
"She said she had one scene," I answered, shaking my head. "I don't know how she can do it."
"She's not dealing yet. Just getting through, it hasn't hit her yet I bet. Just be there for her."
"I know, I just feel so bad. I know exactly what she is going through, and I still don't know what to say to her."
"Like I said, just be there for her," Willow repeated. My phone beeped, cutting off whatever she said next, I frowned and glanced at my phone, thinking maybe it was Faith. I frowned more when I saw who it was.
"Will, I gotta go. Angel's on the other line."
"Angel, our Angel?"
"No, one of the other three I know that you don't," I answered sarcastically. "Be right back," I clicked over. "Hello?"
"Buffy, we need you." He sounded out of breath.
"Angel, what's wrong?" I asked, sitting up straighter.
"It's Spike, we got a tip, it didn't seem very probably, we sent Fred and a team over to check on it. The distress call came in about an hour later. By the time I got there they were all dead. All but Fred."
"But how? The chip...."
"It's not working, he went to some shaman, in Africa or somewhere. Buffy, he killed Fred in front of me, I barely got away."
"But Spike, he's...."
"Stronger than I have ever seen him," Angel interrupted. "And he is out for your blood, Buffy."
"Fuck," I muttered, rubbing my head.
"Can you come over here? Meet me at my office?"
"Yeah," I sighed. "I need to do something and then I'll be there."
"Hurry," he hung up. I hung up my phone and it immediately rang back. Willow.
"Hey, sorry," I answered.
"No problem. What did he say." I took a deep breath before answering her.
"Spike's back."
"Did they contain him? I should get to the lab."
"He got rid of the chip, Will. And there's something else."
"What?" She asked, her voice heavy like she didn't really want to know the answer.
"He killed Fred." I said it matter a factly, no energy to soften the blow.
"Oh god," she cried, he voice thickening. "I gotta get over there."
"I'm heading over as soon as Faith comes back. She'll drop me off and we can go over. Okay?"
"Yeah," she answered quietly.
"I'll see you soon," I clicked off the phone as I saw Faith making her way back across the lot. She climbed into the car, slammed the door, and sat, staring straight ahead.
"You okay?" I asked.
"They're writing me off the show," she answered flatly.
"What?" I asked, shocked. "You're one of the main characters."
"The studio got a new programming head, Gail somebody or another, she said the show's too expensive and to cut back. They figured my character would be the easiest to write off."
"Fuck," I muttered again. "No, screw this. Something is going on Faith."
"Yeah, god is smiting me," she laughed bitterly.
"No, it's something bigger than that. In the past hour you've lost your mother, and you're job. You remember that girl Fred?"
"Yeah," she nodded.
"She's dead."
"What?" Faith turned to me, looking shocked. "How?"
"A long story you won't understand. I need you to come with me to Angel's office. I'll explain on the way."
"Explain what?" She still looked confused. Outside, rain was starting to fall again.
"Everything," I answered, putting the car in reverse.
Faith's POV
Either this girl is completely wacked out on crack, or the most honest individual I have ever met. I honestly am not sure which. I am also currently considering myself to be in the 'on crack' category, since I am going along with it.
"So you hunt vampires?" I ask, maybe for the third time, but the first time with Red in the car. I glance back at her, and she nods. I'm driving now so I quickly turn back to the road.
"Yes, I am a vampire slayer," she is starting to sound bored with repeating it. "I slay the vampires, demons, and the forces of blah, blah, blah."
"And Red's a witch, and there is an evil vampire after you, and your ex boyfriend. Who is also a vampire, and a lawyer."
"We'll, he runs a law office," Buffy nods.
"And you think there is some sort of spell on us, making all these horrible things happen?"
"Well what's your theory?" Buffy asked.
"Life throws shit at you?" I ask, she glares over at me.
"Pull in here," I turn into the underground parking structure, following its winding drive down into the depths of the building until it opens into a parking lot. I park the car, turning it off and glancing at B, she's tilting her head, looking back at me. In that instant I think of how vulnerable she is, how easy it would be to hit her right now, crack her head against the window.
"Faith?" She puts her hand on mine, jerking me from my thoughts.
"Yeah, let's go." I hop out of the car stretching. Willow leads us to the elevators, entering a security code before we ride up. The doors open into a swank office.
"Angel," Willow calls.
"Swank digs," I nod approvingly.
"Thanks," Angel answers, shutting the office door as he enters the room. He certainly looks pretty banged up, one eye shows a fading bruise, while a cut is starting to heal on his forehead. As he crosses a room I see he's limping slightly.
"Angel, god," Buffy rushes to his side, helping him into a chair.
"You brought starlet Barbie with you?" He asked, looking up at me.
"Hey, Barbie was blonde jackass," I snap, plopping on the couch.
"This involves her," Buffy rolls her eyes. "Something is going on, and it involves her too. At least by association, I think there's some sort of spell on me, maybe her too."
"Well, we can do a scan on you both. If there was a spell, there will still be a trace glow."
"And that means?" I ask.
"It means you go with Willow to the lab, while the big guns figure out how we're going to stop a crazed killer," Angel answered.
"Okay, that's it, I'm leaving." I stand and Buffy rushes to me.
"Faith," she places a hand on my arm, and I stop. "I know how crazy we all sound, but even if we are, what harm can getting tested do?"
"Um, lots it's my body they would be testing."
"It's a mystical test. Non invansive," Willow rushed to explain. "Come on Faith." She led me out of the room and up into the labs. "Alissa," Willow called, a smart looking tall blonde hurried over to us.
"Yes?" She asked.
"I need a full trace scan of Faith," she motioned to me. "We're looking mostly for some sort of negative force spell, something with the power to make things around her act negatively."
"Possibly a wrecking spell?" Alissa asked, looking at me like I might have the clap.
"No we're looking for something a little more local, only hitting those closer to her."
"Alright. If you'd follow me please," she waved me foreward, I gave one last look at Willow, then followed Alissa.
"We're just going to run a few standard tests, should take about fifteen minutes. We just need you, please sit down, to stay still for us." I sat when asked, amd she busied herself around me, attaching electrodes to either side of my forehead, my wrists, and my ankles.
"You're not going to electrocute me are you?" I asked, again feeling a little crazy.
"It's just a mild shock," she answered, I pushed myself out of the chair, ready to bounce outa there. She put a hand on my shoulder, pushing me back into the chair. "That's a joke, Faith."
"Oh," I answered, laughing a little nervously. "That wasn't really funny."
"Sorry," she apologized with a laugh of her own. "You won't feel anything, it's a small spell channeled through the wires into you, the results will print out and we'll be able to see if there are any spells on you. Actually we'll be able to tell if there is anything off in you. Even if you were pregnant."
"Doubt that," I grin.
"Ready?" I nod and she flips the switch, I shut my eyes, expecting to feel something, surprsied when I feel nothing.
Disclaimer: Joss owns his peeps, lyrics belong to "my
december" by Linkin Park.
Notes: An extra chapter for the faithful...it's coming
to a close, let's see what blows up. Also these lyrics
and the last scene are the reason I started this damn
story, its all been working to this.
::And I'd give it all away Just to have somewhere To go to Give it all away To have someone To come home to::
Buffy's POV
Faith looks tired, and bored when I step into the lab. I'm halfway to her before she notices me. As she lifts her head I catch a glimpse of her, laid out in a hospital bed, tubes connected to her arms..
I blink and she's smiling up at me. She takes my hand and pulls it to her lips, kissing my palm gently. I sink into the chair next to her.
"Hey," I smile, "what's the diagnosis?"
"No word yet, the doctors are keeping mum. They wanted to wait for you and the big man to get here." She frowns looking the way I came. "Where is sir mcbeefalot?" I smirk at her.
"Angel, is going to be right," I hear the elevator ding. "Here." I glance over and see Angel striding toward us, his leg already healed.
"What have we figured out?" He asked before he had reached us. "Alissa!"
"Right here," she came running. "And here are the results." He snatched them from her.
"Jiya? She's a good guy though. Works for the powers."
"The spell was meant to be good. It must have been the exact wish, or the circumstance. The only way to know for sure is to call on Jiya." Alissa explained.
"So, what's going on?" Faith asked, looking at me for an explanation.
"That was all jibberish to me," I shrugged, looking to Angel or Willow for a more in depth explanation.
"Jiya, she grants one wish to people the powers that be deem worthy. Usually they earn it after being put through unearned trials." Willow explained.
"I was never granted a wish," Faith stands, giving us all the 'you're crazy' look.
"Your memory would be totally reformated," Alissa answered without looking up from her clipboard, where she was now scribbling wildly. "I can summon Jiya to the green room if you want, sir."
"Yeah, get Faith in there," he waved Alissa away. "Buffy, we need to plan."
"I want to stay with Faith until she goes in," I told him. He gave me a look, holding my eyes for a beat before nodding.
"Right, Willow come with me. Buffy you'll join us?"
"As soon as she goes in," I nod.
"Alright."
Faith and I watched as Angel and Willow walked away. She kept looking their way after the door was closed behind them, I reached out, taking her hand and she looked down at me.
"Am I crazy?" She asked.
"No," I assured her. "Something happened, and bad things are going to keep happening until we figure this out." I stand, wrapping my arms around her. She's tense for a moment, then wraps her arms around me, leaning her head on mine. I never realized how much taller than me she is.
"I am so scared, B," she sounds scared. "This is not my life. My life is friends and family, and working. It's not this craziness."
"Yeah, that's my life?" I laugh a little, pulling back to look her in the eyes. "If I didn't know the spell had been put on you I would assume this was all my fault." Now she laughs a little, and I push hair out of her face. She kisses me gently.
"I love you," she whispers, moving her lips to my cheek. "I don't know why, but I do. I feel like I've loved you forever."
"I know," I answer her, moving my hand to the back of her head, keeping her against me. "I love you too. And when all this is over we'll be happy, I swear." She nods against me, and I feel her tears on my cheek.
"Hey," I push her back so I can see, she wipes her eyes, sucking in a deep breath. "It's alright."
"Be careful, if you go after him, please be careful."
"Oh, we're going after Spike," I nod, "you can bank that."
"You say he's crazy."
"Yeah, but I'm stronger and smarter than him. And I have you to come back to. Just figure this out with Jiya."
"I will," she smiles. "Be sure to come back."
"I promise," I kiss her now, holding her close enough to feel her temperature rise when I run my hands down her back.
"Faith," Alissa interrupts us, and Faith pulls back, licking her lips. She moves her hand to my cheek, running a thumb over my lips as she pulls away. She nods, and I nod. We walk away from each other, I don't look back, and I know she doesn't either.
Faith's POV
I step into the green room, door sliding immediately shut behind me, locking into place so that when I turn around I can't see where the door was. I look around the room, somewhat surprised to see it's white. Although why I find that contradiction surprising I don't know. Suddenly all the lights go off, and the room is filled with a light breeze.
I can't explain it, but it smells green, like fresh cut grass. There's also a sort of salty smell. I'm immediately taken back to summer trips to my grandparents at the ocean. Suddenly I'm tired, worse than ever before. I lay down on a floor, not as hard as I would have expected, and close my eyes.
When I open them soft sunlight is falling on me, a sort of late summer sun, not intense, but strong in its own way. I sit up, finding myself in a field, wind blowing over me. I can hear the surf crashing, and when I stand, I see it past the ledge below me.
"Faith," I turn to see a beautiful woman behind me, all billowing dress, and grace. Her skin seems a little green, blonde hair and pink streaks. She is fucking gorgeous.
"Jiya?" I make it a question, but I know the answer. She seems to glide forward, placing a hand on my cheek.
"It wasn't supposed to be this way. You weren't supposed to be hurt, you weren't supposed to meet her."
"Buffy?" Again I know the answer.
"She was something you were supposed to leave behind, meeting her has thrown off everything. You can stay with her, but it comes at a cost."
"So I can't be with her?" I frown, "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"That's true, and it's also not."
"Well, what was it like before?" I asked.
"I can't tell you that."
"Why not?" I asked again, getting more agitated.
"Because now you have a decision to make. To continue on this way, having this life with Buffy, which will be idealic, I promise. But it will come at the expense of every other part of your life. You can choose to walk away from her right now, and go back to your normal life. Or you can choose to go back."
"Back? Back to what apparently was so bad I gave it up without a second thought?" I realized right then that all my doubts were gone.
"It's your choice, when you've made it, I will come" she whispered, backing away, and disappearing into the haze that was forming.
Slowly, everything faded to white, and I stood alone in the green room once again. The door slid open and I walked back into the lab.
"Well?" Alissa asked eagerly.
"Where's Buffy?"
"Left over an hour ago, why?"
"Over an hour? How long was I in there?"
"Four hours and," Alissa checked her notes, always thorough. "And eighteen minutes."
"I gotta go home," I started out of the lab.
"Wait, Faith, we need to know what she told you, so we know what to do" Alissa tried to step in front of me, I pushed past her.
"No you don't. It's my decision," I left the lab, taking the stairs two at a time, until I reached the level marked parking.
I don't remember much of the drive home, if there was traffic I didn't notice. I glanced at the clock when I stepped into the house, and it dimly registered it was after nine.
I fixed a sandwich and ate it mechanically. No I'm not sure what was on it. I lost an hour in the kitchen, when I looked at the clock on the microwave it was after ten.
How long had Buffy been gone? Three hours maybe? I found myself wondering if she was even alive anymore as I climbed the stairs to my room. I walked quickly to the balcony, climbing up onto the only ledge big enough to sit on. For a couple minutes I stare over the city clearing all the confused thoughts from my head.
Give up Buffy, the idea of it felt strange, even though I had only known her a short while. She felt like the missing piece in my puzzle, the one thing my life had been lacking. And now I had to choose. Loose her forever, or loose everything in my life for her. Walk away from her here, or go back to my old life, whatever that was.
Disclaimer: Joss owns them, lyrics from Jimmy eat world, "pain".
::I never thought I'd Walk away from you I did But it's a false sense Of accomplishment Every time I trip::
Buffy's POV
I duck down behind the dumpster with Angel, reminded of night after night spent like this. Now that's a romantic history if you ever heard one, huh? Still his smell somehow takes me back.
I shake my head, Faith. Faith is the one I am romantic with now. Yup, just Faith, no reminicing.
"Team blue, do you copy?" Angel repeated urgently, snapping me back to the present. Nothing but static on the otherside of the walkie talkie. Angel shook his head. "They're gone."
"Oh yeah, this is high jinx," I said under my breath. He gave me a grimace that I could almost mistake for a smile.
"What's the plan? We going home, rounding up back up?" He asked.
"Maybe something a little bigger than a ten unit?" I asked.
"Maybe," and now it was a grin. "Or maybe we could just go in, guns blazzing western style."
"And get ourselves killed in the process?"
"I like the little lady's plan," we spun as one, both staring up at Spike at the corner of the dumpster. We stood quickly, facing him. "Course I could always count on Buffy for the really good stuff. The best bits of action," he winked.
"Ewe," really I could think of no more complete response than that.
"Oh, come on, Love, where's my hug?" He opened his arms wide, and Angel swung at him. Quicker almost then I could follow Spike caught his arm, twisting, and shoving the arm up. Angel only let a little hiss of pain out as his fingertips brushed the nape of his neck.
"Duck!" I called, Angel tipped his head forward, I kicked high, clearing his head and catching the side of Spike's head. He went down, clutching the side of his head, Angel spinning out of his grasp, shaking his arm to work the pain out.
I followed up my kick with two quick punches, knocking his head first one direction, then the other. He whipped his foot around, knocking me on my ass, I barely rolled away in time to avoid his crushing blow to my face. I heard a solid connection, and knew Angel had landed a hit. But before I could push myself to my feet, Angel landed face to the pavement next to me.
"Angel," I cried, jumping to my feet, and dodging two quick punches. I caught the second, but Spike spun, pulling himself from my grasp. "Angel," I called again, but no response.
"Your boy's out cold. What are you going to do slayer?" Spike laughed obnoxiously, kicking out, I tried to dodge, but it caught just the side of me. I slammed into the wall, biting my lip, I tasted the copper of blood, and also felt its warmness running from some new cut on my forehead.
I was stunned for only a second, but that was all the time he needed. Spike grabbed me, pressing my arms to my sides, he forced my head into the wall. Once, and I struggled, trying to kick back at him. Twice, and I went limp. Three times, and the world went black.
When I came to I found myself wrapped in chains, tied to a steel support beam. My hands were twisted up behind the pole, pulled as far around as they could go, and secured there. My shoulders were stretched to their limit, and throbbed painfully, my head was humming a similar tune.
"Ah, you're awake then," Spike stepped out of the shadows, into the glow from the streetlight. "Like the new digs?"
"Classy," I looked around, we were in some warehouse, probably the one we had been sitting outside of.
"Yeah, well, I'm just passing through really, it doesn't have to be much," he shrugged.
"Where's Angel?" I asked.
"Oh, him?" Spike strolled forward, something he pulled from behind his back glinted in the light. "Well he's right here," he tipped a glass jar over my head, dust settling over me, I coughed, accidently inhaling some.
"Liar," I screamed, fighting against the chains, which only bit in deeper.
"Take a deep breath," he spoke lowly, leaning in close. "Taste him."
I only glared, using all my will to hold back tears. I couldn't actually taste him, but I knew it wasn't a lie. Angel was dead.
"Now, you and I are going to have some fun." He let the jar drop, it shattered, and he bent grabbing the largest piece. "I want you to notice how small the cuts are, how many I can make without you passing out."
I tried to squirm away, but there was really no where to go as he sliced me again and again. He worked my face first, every once in a while leaning forward to lick along the freshest of the cuts. It all stung like hell, each cut begining to feel like it was on fire, but I stayed silent.
"Where's the cheerful banter?" Spike leaned back, looking me over, he ran a thumb across my cheek, smearing blood and dirt into the cuts.
"I don't start the banter till it gets painful," I answer, shaking my head to get the hair off my face.
"Must be getting painful then, since that sounded a lot like banter," he smiled, punching me across the face. My head lulled for a minute from the force of the punch. I wasn't sure for a second if I would be able to lift it again.
"Now, don't go passing out on me, love. Where's that slayer constitution?" He lifted my head, my eyes drifted into focus. "That's better then. I think we'll start with the fingers."
This time I couldn't help but scream.
Faith's POV
I opened the minifridge in my room, taking out a bottle of vodka, and pouring myself a shot. I downed it, started to put away the vodka, then decided to pour another. I walked back onto the balcony climbing back on the ledge with every intention to sip at the liqour. I downed the second shot.
"Jiya! I've made my decision," I called into the empty night, feeling more than a little dumb yelling into the night. Especially when there was no response. "Abra cadabra? Is there a magic lamp I am supposed to rub or something? A wardrobe to walk through to get to you?" Still no answer. I sat quietly for a minute, staring down at my empty glass, wishing I had the will to fill it again. "I just want to get this over with," I could feel tears warming my eyes now, I dropped my head into my hands. "Please just let me get this over with."
"What's your decision then?"
Buffy's POV
When I came to I was in worse pain than I have ever been in my life. I was now only chained to the pole around my waist, sitting on the stone floor, hands in my lap. When I looked at them I felt conciousness roll under me again, all but my ring fingers were gone. Spike's voice brought me back from the verge of blacking out.
"Didn't know which one Angel put the ring on, thought it might be important to you.
"Ass," I weezed.
"Aww, with the compliments now are we? I'm going to blush." My head rolled in lew of a response, and I fought to bring it up again.
"What's next then, boss," I forced a grin, and again he punched me. I spit, seeing blood spray out, I smiled at him again, knowing it was a bloody smile, this time he smiled back.
"Well, next I was actually thinking a little acid burns. I know it's a little new age, but still fun." He leaned down, picking up one of those science beakers with the small neck. He pulled the cork, and I swear I saw something smoke out of it. "On second thought, it would probably hurt a bit on those open wounds," he pointed to my fingers, well now my hands. "I'll just fix those up quick. He walked around behind me, I didn't have the energy to twist to see what he was doing.
"No," I cried when he stepped back into view, hot iron in hand. I tried to squirm around the pole, but he grabbed my hand tightly, then got an even firmer grip on my arm, pulling it to him.
"It'll only hurt for, well, a while hopefully." He brought the iron to my hand, searing my middle and pointer finger, then the thumb, and pinkey. I screamed, good god I screamed bloody murder, then I passed out for a few seconds as he did the other hand.
The feeling of my arm on fire woke me. I looked at my arm, expecting to see flames, all I saw was water. But it wasn't water, it was the acid, and as I watched it ate its way through a few layers of skin. After everything so far I was suprisingly numb to this. It dawned on me that my body was probably starting to go into shock. Especially when he poured more on the other arm. The pain wasn't more than an itch.
"No screaming?" I could hear the dissapointment in his voice. "Time to move on then. I nodded in agreement, not sure why, mostly I was beyond reason I thought. I noticed with some sick amusement white bone showing through on my arm.
"You think so too? Well then I'm thinking our games are almost over. I have to say I expected you to last longer." I nodded again. I had expected to last longer too. He said something else, but I had blacked out again.
Faith's POV
I spun around to face her, standing in the middle of the balcony. She smiled.
"Sorry to startle you. But you called. What's your decision?"
I glared at her, I hated her, everything about her. "You're supposed to be all powerful aren't you? You can change my whole life in an instant, and you don't know what my decision is? Can't read minds?"
"I never said I was all powerful. The power I have is little compared to others. I only change one simple thing, one tiny aspect of a person's life, everything else is just a result of that change. Sometimes the results are little, and sometimes they are huge. It all depends on the choice."
"I want everything to go back to normal," I tell her, eyes closed, teeth clamped.
"You want your movies, family, and fame?" she asked, already stepping towards me when I opened my eyes. She paused, hand inches away from my forehead as she waited for my response.
'Yes!' I thought, 'that is exactly what I want.'
"I want to go back, to whatever was normal before my wish, before the fame, before the money." She hesitated for only a moment before her fingers gently touched my forehead.
"As you wish," the world spun before me, slowly fading to black.
Buffy's POV
The world swam back into focus once again, the ground far below me. I glanced right, then left, railroad spikes had been driven through my wrists and were holding me to the wall. I tried to move my legs, thinking maybe I could pull myself free, at least dying of blood loss would be better than whatever Spike had planned.
My feet wouldn't move.
I looked down to see one long spike driven through my feet, fresh blood trickling down the wall.
"Awake again, finally," Spike spoke from below, tilting my head left I could just see him. He backed up, coming more clearly into view.
"What are you doing?" I meant to say it loudly, to scream and curse, and show him I was still fighting. It barely came out a whisper.
"I'm going to show you how fun this little device of yours can be," he lifted my crossbow from his side. He must have found it by the dumpster. "I'm telling you, it's a whole new toy when you're on the receiving end."
He lifted it, taking his time to aim just right. It registered he was aiming for my heart. I'm sure he saw some sort of poetic justice in that. Then world began to spin again, and as it faded to black I thanked god for small favors. The bolt from the cross bow would still kill me, but I wouldn't feel it.
Disclaimer: Joss owns them, lyrics belong to frou frou
"let go".
Notes: Thanks for reading guys, hopefully you are
happy with the ending. The whole story was just to
sorta play with how a life can change if just one
thing is different.....
::So let go, let go Jump in, oh well What are you waiting for It's alright Cause there's beauty in the breakdown::
Faith's POV
"Everything will be alright," the voice resonated through my head, soft and sweet, leaving me feeling calm. Buffy and I will work it out. I frown, wondering where that bust of optimisim came from.
"I realize this is gonna sound funny coming from someone that just spent a lot of time kicking your face... but you can trust me," Buffy's voice sounded almost pleading, I smirked up at her. Yeah right, us together, why was I thinking that?
"Is that right?" I asked, tossing my magazine aside. I hadn't really been reading it anyway, and I was sure whatever she had to say was going to be much more interesting.
"I know I kept secrets, but I didn't have a choice. I'm on your side." Again she was pleading. Her on my side? If that was the case how come my face was practically smashed in with prints of her small fists. While she didn't have a mark on her.
"I'm on my side," I nod to drive the point home. "And that's enough."
"Not always," Buffy shakes her head. I want to believe her, I can feel myself giving in. She's perfect to me, I so want to believe in her.
"Is that it?" I ask, making my voice cold, distancing myself from the feelings she is causing. She deflates after that, all fight for my affection gone from her.
"Yeah, I guess." She's looking at me, like she's waiting for me to warm to her, change my mind. Not gonna happen.
"Alright. Well, then, I'll see you," I turn away from her, staring at the tv, just praying she takes the hint. If I look at her one more time I'll break.
Out of the corner of my eye I see her turn, heading for the door. The voice runs through my head again. "Everything will be alright. She loves you."
"Uh, Buffy?" I turn back to her.
"Yeah?" She spins back to me quickly, eyes hopeful.
I take a second to consider. I want to tell her we're going to be okay, that everything we are going through is going to be worth it. That everything's going to be okay. But as soon as the thought's there it washes away, I'm not even sure where it came from. I shake my head.
"Nothing."
Buffy lowers her eyes, looking disappointed. Slowly she turns back to the door. I half consider calling to her again, but decide against it. She opens the door and leaves, letting it close quietly behind her.
I look around my room, so empty. Devoid of anything that would really make it mine, I inhale and exhale deeply. She's standing outside, maybe thinking about coming back in, maybe hoping I'll go after her. I should. But what would I say? A voice in my head says we're gonna be okay? Right.
I turn back to the TV, she's leaving now. As she fades from my senses, so does the idea that we will ever be okay.
...to be continued...