Trials and Restorations
by faith_b
Rating: NC-17
Silently crying out, Delana allowed her head to fall forward, exhaling audibly as she felt another orgasm flow through her.
"Faith," she attempted to plead, her entire weight concentrated on her knees, which were crushed into the bed's mattress beneath her.
"What?" the slayer asked, steadying herself on her left hand, as she entered the blonde from behind. Increasingly turned on by her lover's pleas, Faith let her body rest on the waitress' back, her fingers lost inside the woman's body.
Unable to form words as the older woman, fingered her, Delana cried out that she could take no more.
Not satisfied, but kissing Delana's bare shoulder in response, Faith slowly removed her fingers from her lover's soaking entrance. She climbed off her, as an utterly exhausted Delana fell forward onto the bed. Laying beside the younger woman, Faith attempted to hold the blonde, pulling back when the woman grimaced.
"What's wrong?" Faith enquired.
Looking to her arm, Delana revealed a large bruise, causing Faith to both curse and ask,
"Did I do that?"
"It's ok," the waitress assured her lover. "It only hurts when you touch it. Or move it. Or when I breathe."
"I didn't know. I'm sorry."
"It's my fault," the blonde replied. "You asked me if I wanted it rough and I said yes." Drawing the brunette toward her in a way that would cause neither of them pain, she kissed and told her to, "Forget about it."
"There's some witch-hazel in the bathroom," Faith told her, moving to get up.
"I'll go," Delana decided, making her way out of her bed and walking to the room's ensuite bathroom. Watching after the New York native, the brunette's gaze was distracted by the opening of her bedroom door.
"Knock, knock," Kennedy called, entering and holding bags. Instantly looking away, she pleaded, "Please be covered." Obliging and draping the bed's sheet over herself, Faith prompted the younger woman to continue. "So anyway, I got you some new clothes, seeing as I miss all of mine."
Instantly blushing, the slayer replied, "You didn't have to do that. I mean, you could have told me you missed your clothes."
"Nonsense," Kennedy returned. "I just used that as an excuse. Truth is Willow won't let me go on sprees for myself. I *needed* to buy you new things." She placed the numerous bags onto the floor, noticing the sounds of running water coming from the bathroom. Lowering her voice Kennedy blurted out, "Oh my God, I didn't know she was still here."
"It's cool," Faith replied, putting the brunette at ease.
"So? How was it?"
"What?"
"You know. Willow and I couldn't get to sleep you guys were making so much noise."
"So then *it* was loud," Faith answered the question.
"Ha-ha," Kennedy retorted. "I bet it was so good, you just don't want to make me jealous."
"You got it in one, babe."
"What's her name?" Kennedy asked. "And don't tell me you don't know."
"Delana."
Pausing, Kennedy uttered, "Oh my God! Does she work at the espresso pump?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Oh my God," Kennedy repeated.
"Would you stop saying that and actually tell me why?" Faith asked.
"No, it's just that the clothes come with a fourteen day return policy."
"What?" Faith had to ask, acknowledging that Delana had re-entered the room, but wanting Kennedy to complete her explanation.
"Kennedy," Delana observed, interrupting. "What a surprise."
"Yeah," Kennedy replied, standing. "Faith just told me that you were the current woman in her life."
"That's great," the blonde replied. She looked to Faith telling her, "I have to go."
"Now? Where?" the slayer replied, her gaze darting from woman to woman, wanting them to explain themselves.
"I told Guy I'd meet him for breakfast," Delana answered, moving towards her lover's bed to give her a quick kiss.
"Guy would understand that you were with me," Faith replied, watching Kennedy slip out from her bedroom.
"I've blown him off twice already, Faith. He will not understand. Can I see you later?"
"Whatever," Faith replied, receiving the blonde's kiss as she hurried off. Following her to the door, she listened out, hoping to catch an exchange between her and Kennedy. When the hall remained silent for a few minutes, she concluded that both girls had left. Taking hold of the shopping bags strewn across her bedroom floor, the slayer excitedly searched through each in turn.
"Rob, why the fuck didn't you tell me?"
"What?" the store-manager asked the entering slayer whilst waving goodbye to a customer. "Have a nice day!" He called after the man, adding, "You slimy son of a bitch," under his breath.
"You're one to talk," Faith observed. "Did you not think you could have told me B was married?"
"It wasn't my place," Rob replied in earnest. "Besides, I didn't want you to start shooting the messenger."
"You still coulda had my back, man," the brunette told him. "I swear, I thought I was gonna have a heart attack when I found out."
"Well you seem to have seen the funny side now."
"Yeah, y'know me. I'm good and I'm seeing someone else and that's going real well."
"I'm glad," Robert decided. Realising that the brunette must have come looking for him for a reason he asked, "So, what can I do for you?"
"Nothing, man. I was just passing. Stressed out from a hard day's job-hunting."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Turns out nobody'll hire you when you have no resumes and can't come up with a reason you've been M.I.A for the past three years. Not to mention my lack of experience."
"Why don't you come back here?" the store-worker suggested. "Lord knows we could do with an extra pair of hands around."
"Are you outta your mind?"
"It's ok, Faith. I'd treat you really well; give you days off and stuff."
"No, it's not that," the brunette clarified. "Though, I'm pretty sure I'd rather eat my own liver than work for you. I'm just trippin' about working for Buffy. Do you know how wrong that would be on so many levels?"
"Oh crap," the blonde replied, quickly picking up the nearest phone and dialling frantically. Listening for a reply, he uttered, "Hello, boss… Yeah, the delivery actually came through to the States this morning but it needs approval before they'll send it here… No, I don't have the new passcodes for the system… I can't override it… Oh… How would I do that?" Rob asked, turning on the store's computer and looking nervously at its screen. Drawing a blank, he attempted to type in a command. Swearing he had to clarify to the person on the line, "No, I was talking to the computer."
"Man, you just type in," Faith interrupted, not finishing her sentence but instead walking behind the counter and using the computer's keyboard. "This and then… Score," the brunette stated, beaming as the computer gave a passcode prompt.
"Never mind," Robert told his superior on the phone. "It's been done… Faith…" He looked to the brunette who was typing away and completing the order for him, reminding Buffy, "You're the boss."
He dropped the phone, looking to the brunette. "Thanks. Sorry, but she told me this morning that if the delivery didn't go through today, it'd be my ass on the line."
"No problem," Faith replied. "But now you owe me."
"Just name it," Rob replied.
"You know anyone who's hiring?" the slayer asked, adding, "And if you say you, I'll flip."
"Actually, I might. Let me make a call."
"So you're not looking for a chef?" Robert asked the caller on the shop's phone line. "How about a waitress?... Or a manager… A painter, perhaps?"
Faith's expression changed to one of sheer boredom having been listening to the blonde make pointless call after call.
"How about someone to stand outside the restaurant with a bell?"
"Dude, screw it," the slayer finally and audibly decided. "I'll be better off finding my own job."
"I'll get back to you," Robert promised the caller, ending the call. "What d'you do that for?" the store-manager asked. "He was thinking about it. And the rate was good." Glancing at the door, he returned his gaze to the brunette, telling her, "Oh, I have another friend who's in the music business. I'll give her a call."
"You know what, man? I don't really think I'm a budding singer or whatever."
"You could make CDs," Rob suggested, thankful when his boss walked through the door. He rushed to the aid of a customer.
"Hi," Buffy greeted when Faith acknowledged her entrance.
"Hey," Faith replied, walking to her. Silent for a moment, the slayer remembered, "Hey, how's your side?"
"Better," Buffy told her. "Listen, thanks for what you did for me and for taking Joyce on her first day."
"Don't mention it," the younger slayer told her ex.
At a loss for a different way to phrase that which she wanted to say, Buffy confessed, "I'm really glad I ran into you actually. I wanted to show you something. Do you have a few minutes?"
"A good something or a bad something?"
Smiling at the fact that the slayer was responsive, she assured her, "You'll love it, trust me."
"I'm in," Faith stated.
"Great," Buffy replied her. Turning to her store's manager, she told him, "Rob, feel free to close up early." Leading Faith from the store.
"You never told me how your date went," Buffy realised aloud, turning her car into a less crowded street.
"My date?" Faith echoed, realising, "Oh. Yeah. It was great."
"Where d'you go?"
"Look-out point," Faith answered.
"So it was a second date."
"A first," Faith replied. "Though, why?"
"No reason," Buffy replied. "I just remember that look-out point was our second date."
Racking her memory, Faith recalled, "Look-out point was our third date."
"No." Buffy re-stated, "It was our second."
"Wow," Faith uttered. "Your memory must be shot, 'cause look-out was definitely our third date. Our second was the Pizza house and our first the movies."
"You counted that as a date?" Buffy asked in disbelief. "We went to a porn flick."
"I paid, you put out," Faith completed, grinning. "Hello, date."
Laughing, Buffy accepted, "Fine, it was a date. Even it wasn't really seeing as your main mission was to get me into bed."
"It was not," the brunette retorted. "I was so all about the going home that night and you were all, 'Faith we've got the place all to ourselves. Why don't you come in and screw me?'"
"I was not," Buffy argued, nearing their destination. "You were the one who was all, 'Buffy there's no-one in your house. Can I come in and have sex with you?'"
"Oh my God!" Faith uttered in disbelief. "You were begging me to come in. I only put out that night 'cause I felt sorry for you." Immediately feeling her last statement both inaccurate and inappropriate, the slayer tried to retract with an, "I'm sorry."
Not taking her eyes from the road, Buffy replied, "It's ok. You were joking."
"Yeah," Faith affirmed, emphatically. "That night meant loads to me." When Buffy made no reply, Faith emphasised, "It did, I swear."
Slowing her car to a stop, the older slayer announced, "We're here." Stepping out from the vehicle, Buffy moved over to the young brunette's side of the car, letting her do the same.
"Where are we?" Faith asked, looking around at the identical buildings surrounding them. "Some sorta lot?"
"Yes," Buffy confirmed, reaching into her pocket. "I wanted to give you this," she told the younger slayer, handing her a key. "I didn't want to mention it before because I had actually lost it. But Joyce helped me find it this morning."
"You couldn't have given me this at the store?" Faith asked, looking at the blonde with a playful smile.
"And miss the look on your face?" Buffy asked, leading her to a lot whose number matched that on the key.
Opening the door, Faith walked into the room, cluttered with things that at first glance seemed to be junk. "You shouldn't have," she called dryly, walking up to a large object covered by a sheet. Whipping off the cover, she gasped as she looked upon the black vehicle it had concealed. "Oh... You *really* shouldn't have! My jeep?" she asked to which Buffy gave a nod.
"The key's under the wheel. Though, I'm not sure it'll work."
"You kept it all this time?" the slayer asked her senior.
"I just couldn't sell it," Buffy admitted to which the brunette had to smile. She looked around, the other belongings catching her eye.
"This is all my stuff," Faith noticed, finding herself staring wide- eyed at her former belongings. "My leather jacket," she noticed, dusting it off and putting it on. "This is fucking awesome," she stated, moving to embrace her former girlfriend. "Thank you."
Excited, she ran back to the jeep, finding its key where she had been told it was and using it to let herself in. Putting the key into the ignition, she turned it, attempting to start the car to no avail. Popping the bonnet from inside and stepping back out, the brunette moved to the front of the car and lifted its hood. Looking to all the wires and gadgets, she began to fiddle around with them.
"Do you know what you're doing?" Buffy asked, observing the slayer's careful method of pulling, sniffing and hitting the parts of the jeep.
"Not really," Faith replied. "But I think this is the engine." She prodded at the car part, removing her and finding it covered in black liquid with a, "Gross."
Buffy observed with a smirk. "You're covered in it."
"Yeah," Faith replied, noticing that the liquid had managed to get itself on her new shirt. She removed her jacket and then the top, searching around for alternative clothing.
"Here," Buffy chose, opening a box and handing her ex something else to wear. "This was actually a given to me from a Theresa after you'd left."
"Thank you, Theresa," Faith replied, taking and putting it on. "Even though I have no idea who she was."
"That's funny. She came to your funeral."
"Still not ringing a bell," the younger slayer deflected, refusing to comment on the identity of the woman in question.
Looking to her watch, Buffy realised, "I'm going to have to go now; I said I'd see Giles. Do you want me to drop you off somewhere?"
Trying to start her jeep for a final time, Faith gave up, accepting, "Thanks. I guess I'll just have to get someone to fix it tomorrow and that's probably going to cost me shit-loads."
Leading the way out and to her car, Buffy offered, "If you like, I wouldn't mind paying."
Locking up, Faith followed her ex, dismissing the idea with a, "Nah. No way, you've done way more than enough just keeping it." She added a, "Thank you. So much."
With a warm smile, Buffy replied her, "I'm just glad it has you back."
"Of course I haven't slept," the retired librarian admitted, solemnly pacing the front room of his home. "How could I?"
"Giles, it's okay," Buffy replied her former watcher, attempting to calm him whilst locating and taking up a double-headed axe.
"No, it's not. I will find another way, Buffy. I have to."
"Of course you will," the petite blonde returned correcting herself with a, "We will. Until then, I'm just going to keep having to fight these things. Do you know where the last one was sighted?"
"Near the marina," Giles informed her. "I'd call Amanda but I doubt she'll be up to fighting it after the last time. I could give Faith a call, two slayers are better than one, you know, Buffy."
"And three slayers are better than two, etcetera. Giles, what's your point?"
Startled, the Brit went to explain, "My point-"
"I'm kidding, Giles. And no. No calling Faith. I don't want her to know about this, especially as we don't really know much ourselves." When the watcher made no move to agree, Buffy assured him, "I've killed one of these things before, I can do it again."
"But the last time you ended up being thrown into concrete and nearly killed."
"Then I'll stay away from the concrete," the slayer joked. "Maybe this time I'll land in something softer, like wood. Or better yet, I might get thrown into the sea. I haven't been swimming in a long time."
Looking blankly, the watcher felt and understood that Buffy was in no mood to be serious. "I can't stop you," he voiced. "It's taken me twelve years to realise that. But I will forever care for you, Buffy. Please, promise me that you will be safe."
"I don't really see the point. It's pretty much a win-win," Buffy told him, to which a near-dumfounded Giles could only choke out,
"What?"
"Nothing," Buffy replied, feeling her behaviour insensitive. "I'm just being moronic. Listen, I'm going to head out, find this thing and kill it. Please, keep working."
"Of course," Giles agreed. "I won't stop."
Smiling tenderly, Buffy picked up the axe, leaving the grey haired man staring after her.
Hearing sounds of an unexpected presence in her home, Buffy cradled the baby in her arms. Handing Rory over to Joyce, she instructed her daughter, "Look after your cousin. I'll be right back."
Leaving the youngster's room, Buffy shut the door behind her, listening out for the sounds she found now to be coming from her bedroom. Entering, she found her ability to inhale dramatically return, as she gazed at her husband.
"Just here to pick up a few things," Scott announced bustling around their bedroom, picking up any shirts he encountered in his way. Opening draws and wardrobes, he removed his things.
"I've missed you," Buffy called over the noise he was making.
Stopping, the brunette took a deep breath and picked up his suitcase. Dropping it on his bed, he loaded the clothes he had acquired into it.
"Scott, can't we talk about this?" Buffy tried again.
Looking with the sincerest expression he could muster, Scott agreed with an, "Okay."
Not expecting this response, Buffy stuttered, "Well.. Okay... I actually kind of hoped you would have something to say."
"Honestly, honey, I'm pretty much out of words. The fact that you didn't think to tell me that you are a lesbian before we got married, is pretty much a words-taker."
"Scott, I'm not a lesbian."
"Okay then, well that you used to be one."
Lost for words, Buffy could not reply.
Sighing, the older psychiatrist decided, "This is harder than I thought it'd be. I'll come back when you're not here."
Moving to leave, Scott stopped pleaded, "Scott, don't go. Look, what I did or was in my past, doesn't have to affect our relationship now."
"But it is. Buffy, are you aware that you are obsessed with your ex? You may think you're over her, but you are *really* not."
"Faith means a lot to me, yes. I mean we were good friends before we started dating but-"
Visibly disgusted, Scott told the slayer to, "Please stop. I don't really want to know. All I wanted you to tell me is that you don't still have feelings for her."
"Feelings?"
"Yeah. Honey, I want to come back to you and for us to put all this crap behind us. But I can't... I won't do that if you can't swear to me that this whole Faith thing is over."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I don't want her to be a part of our lives any more." As if gaining more confidence in his request, Scott walked over to stand in front of the blonde. "Honey, if you tell me that I never have to worry about seeing her around here, I'll come back right now and I promise, we won't ever talk about it again."
Looking around at the new-look of the Bronze, Faith chuckled at the sight of a red carpet rolled out for patrons. Strolling up to the bouncer at the door, the slayer gave him a once- over.
"It's a private party tonight," he announced, not intimidated by the brunette before him. "You on the list?"
"How much will it take for me to be on it?"
"Fifty," the bouncer spat.
"Dollars?!!"
"No, cents," the bouncer replied, grinning inwardly at his own sarcasm.
Pulling out a crisp dollar bill, Faith told the bouncer to, "Keep the change." Walking past him.
"Come back here!" The man called after the slayer. Looking to follow her, but not wanting to ignore his duties as more patrons arrived, he glanced from the woman back to the new arrivals. At a loss for what else to do, the bouncer angrily challenged the approaching guests.
"Hey!" Faith called over the club's music, strolling up to the bar. "Is Theresa here tonight?"
"Yeah, she's on in ten," the woman informed, serving a customer his drink. She returned her attention to the brunette.
"Cool," Faith uttered, seeming to glance around absent- mindedly. "I'll have a Martini. Dirty," she ordered.
Waiting for the bartender's distraction to become a certainty, Faith slipped into the door aside the bar and backstage. Constantly checking behind her for followers, she navigated her way to a room she'd known well in her past. Knocking on the door to it, she waited for it to be opened, smirking at the woman then stood in front of her.
"How've you been, T?" the slayer asked, letting herself inside and scrutinising both the blue decor of spacious room and the clutter on the makeup counter.
Looking confused, Theresa was forced to inquire, "I'm sorry, should I know who you are?"
"Apparently I owe you this shirt," Faith explained, picking up a discarded, large dildo with a smirk. Setting it down, she continued to explore.
Looking as if to remember but unable to, Theresa laughed, "Well, you're welcome," she decided.
"Oh, I'm not one to say thank you," Faith informed the woman, turning to face her. "But I can show you that I'm grateful."
Smiling, the exotic dancer admitted, "I wouldn't say no to that. But I'm on stage in a few minutes."
"Really?" Faith asked, wandering around the room, picking up and dropping articles. "You got your act ready?"
"Pretty much."
Taking seat, Faith prompted Theresa to, "Show me what you got."
Beaming, the slayer relaxed as Theresa agreed, moving to the corner of the room and switching on some music. Approving the song choice and nodding her head to the beat of the Hip Hop track, she watched as the artificial blonde performed for her.
Slowly and seductively removing each article of clothing she was wearing, Theresa danced to the music. Locking eyes with the slayer as she performed, the stripper taken by surprise as Faith leapt up, driving the woman back onto her dressing room counter.
Taking her by the hand, Faith pressed her lips onto the older woman's, driving her tongue inside.
Enjoying the forceful nature of her client, Theresa leant back, grabbing at the slayer's shirt.
Quick to relieve herself of her clothes, Faith obliged, allowing the top to fall onto the floor. She resumed kissing the taller female, allowing the stripper to wrap her long legs around her waist.
Breaking their oral contact, Theresa was just able pant, "What's your name?"
"Does it matter," Faith replied her, moving to resume their kiss as she tore the strap of the older woman's thong.
Gasping, Theresa asked, "So what am I supposed to moan?"
Positioning herself between the woman's legs, Faith answered, "God."
Floor sweeping her adversary, Buffy jumped to her feet when the demon hit the floor.
Picking up her axe, she was blindsided, when the demon sprung back into action, knocking her backwards. Beholding the human-sized, male demon, she braced herself for his attack.
Swinging the weapon, Buffy's eyes widened when she was disarmed. In a bid to prevent her own weapon being used to kill her, the slayer turned and ran, leading the demon to open space. Spotting a crate, the blonde picked it, throwing the wooden box at the beast.
In a full on assault after its injury, she administered a snap kick to the demon's chin, caught off-guard when the demon caught her leg by its ankle, twisting it.
Screaming in pain, Buffy fell to her knees. Just able to grab hold of her fallen weapon, she quickly positioned it between the demon's legs and in a swift lever action sliced the beast in two.
Falling to the ground, she clutched at her leg, wincing. Suddenly feeling the earth beneath her tremor, the slayer looked around for a place to take cover. Surrounded mostly by grounded boats and water, she spotted a control room inside which she wished to take refuge. Attempting to stand, she found she couldn't and instead relented to her body's overwhelming desire to faint from the pain.
"That is the second quake this week," Faith observed, muttering, "What the hell is going on?" Letting herself and her guest into her home, the slayer moved though the four-bedroomed house, yelling out for her housemates. Trying again, she hollered, "Is anybody here?"
"Faith in here," came the reply.
Following the voice to the reception room and with Theresa behind her, Faith illuminated the room, startled to behold a multitude of people, who in unison called out,
"SURPRISE!!!!"
Her horror apparent, Faith looked around at the room filled with guest. She read the banner hanging from the ceiling, reading aloud, 'Welcome Home'.
"It's your 'We're glad you're back' party," Kennedy chimed, approaching her.
"You guys shouldn't have," Faith could just about say as a seemingly disconcerted waitress advanced toward her.
Looking toward the source of the now blaring music, Faith returned her gaze to the younger woman. "Delana, Theresa. Theresa, Delana," she decided to say. Taking the latter by the hand she told her, "Let's go get a drink."
"Where've you been all evening?" Delana worriedly enquired after the brunette's whereabouts. "I was supposed to bring you here in time for the surprise but I couldn't get hold of you."
"I was at a club," Faith told her, taking a drink and handing it to the blonde.
"Is that where you met her?"
"Who?" Faith asked, knowing exactly whom the New Yorker was referencing.
"Theresa."
"No. Theresa and I go way back." Sighing and giving the waitress a quick peck, the brunette told her. "She's just an old friend, babe."
Unconvinced, Delana levelled, "A really pretty, old friend that you were bringing back to your house at night."
"Exactly," Faith replied, as if to mock the girl's jealously. "Babe, get a drink down you and let's go dance."
"I have to go to work now," Delana told her. "I just stopped by to say 'welcome home'."
Rolling her eyes, the slayer made no attempt to stop the blonde walking away. Wanting to make a getaway, Faith cursed as she was stopped by an abrupt question from Kennedy.
"Nothing," Faith replied, coming to her own defence. "She just went crazy 'cause I brought someone home with me."
"Really?" Kennedy asked, sympathy absent from her question.
"Yeah," Faith returned. "Have you seen her by the way?"
"Delana?"
"The blonde I came in with," the slayer corrected.
"Yeah, she left with Steve from the Magic Box. He looked really happy."
Shaking her head, Faith decided, "What a slut."
Clearing her throat to alert her girlfriend and the slayer, Willow signalled for them to join her in the corner of the room.
"Giles," Kennedy greeted as the brunettes joined the worried-looking twosome. Noticing his outfit with sarcasm in her voice, she complemented Giles on a, "Nice hat."
Removing the article from his head, Giles remained serious as he explained, "Something is terribly wrong; I can't get hold of Buffy."
"Why are we panicking?" Kennedy felt she had to ask.
"The earthquake. And the fact that the last time I spoke to her she was on her way home to pick up weapons." He looked to Faith explaining, "Buffy went after the demon, Nazhra."
Unable to understand her ex's recent and increasingly reckless behaviour, Faith asked, "Is she tripping? She almost got killed last time."
"I told her that but-"
Interrupting what she felt was to encroach on her time, Faith simply asked, "Where is she?"
"At the marina."
"I'm there," the slayer replied, going to rush off and with the retired librarian following close behind her.
"You're the guest of honour," Willow reminded the brunette. "I'll go with Giles."
"I don't even know half these people," Faith replied, looking around the room to and noticing that none of them even took heed. Lowering her voice, she added, "And no offence but if she's in trouble a slayer would be a much better option."
"But I'm a powerful Wicca," Willow argued.
"And apparently about five years old?" the slayer returned in reference to the pout the redhead was adopting.
"Faith is right," Giles added. "A slayer may be a better choice to fight this thing. We will call as soon as we know something."
"Okay," Willow conceded. "Good luck."
Turning from the ex-watcher and charging out Faith ordered, "Giles, let's motor."
"She was the kind of person who could walk into a room and light it up," Dawn confessed to the morose church congregation. "With her infectious smile and her good natured spirit. I loved her dearly and will miss her so much." Holding back her tears as she spoke, the brunette uttered, "Rest in peace."
Stepping down from the stage, the young woman made her way to the pew of the crowded church. Replaced at the podium by a priest, the man prompted the congregation to stand and join him in prayer as he laid his hands on the closed casket.
Stood in front of the fresh grave, listening to the silence that marked the absence of its visitors, Buffy stared ahead. In disbelief at the past week's events, she attempted to numb the pain by paying no attention to her surroundings. Closing her eyes, she found that notion that was interrupted when she was told,
"Hi, I'm looking for Buffy Summers."
Turning, Buffy faced the woman who was stood behind her holding flowers in one hand and an article of clothing in the other.
"Hi. My name is Theresa Foord. I am the woman-"
"The witness?" Buffy asked.
"Yes," Theresa clarified. "I just wanted to return this. I thought it would mean more to someone here than it does to me." Thinking over her words, she corrected herself whilst handing over the garment. "Not that it doesn't mean much to me, just that it would mean more to someone who knew Faith longer. I was told that you were the person to see."
Staring speechless at the shirt, Buffy felt her eyes begin to water. With a sudden rage, she administered a blow across the woman's face. Finding herself quickly restrained by her younger sister, Buffy screamed out,
"You whore!"
Clutching her face, the hurt blonde asked, "What the hell is wrong with you, lady?"
"What did you say to her?" Dawn asked, through clenched teeth as Buffy shrugged from her grasp and walked away in a bid to calm down.
Watching after the smaller, yet stronger woman, Theresa answered, "Nothing. I just introduced myself. She asked me if I was the witness and when I said yes, she snapped."
"Theresa Foord," Dawn recognised. "Do you blame her? You know you are the lowest of the low. How could you take the stand in front of all of those people and say the things you did?"
"I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but. If the fact that Faith and I were sleeping together bothers you, then I apologise that I came."
"Apology accepted," Dawn uttered, ordering, "Now go."
Handing over the bunch of flowers in her hand, Theresa obliged, leaving the brunette to stare after her.
Lost in memories of the past, Buffy found herself jolted back to reality as she heard her name called.
"Faith?" she called back.
Charging inside the cramped space and instantly looking toward the voice, Faith immediately ran to be by her fallen ex's side. "Buffy, what the-?" she started. Removing her jacket, she covered the blonde with it. "What's going on?"
"I got into a fight," Buffy offered as an explanation. "I think my foot is broken."
Looking toward the limb in question and attempting to tend to it, the taller woman found herself at a loss for what to do.
"We gotta get you to a hospital," she offered with an outstretched hand.
When the older slayer refused, Faith crouched to be at her eye-level. "B, what's going on? Why are you going on all these missions alone?"
When the older slayer remained silent, Faith noticed the tears in her eyes. Confused, the brunette moved to hold her former lover. Feeling useless, she felt that all she could do was hold the slayer and wait for her crying to subside.
"Yeah. No, we're still at the marina... She doesn't want one.... It's okay, I'll take her home... Yeah, hold on." Faith offered the phone to Buffy who shook her head. Sighing, the dark beauty put the receiver back to her ear. "She's not really feeling up to it, G-man. She'll call you in the morning... Okay. Later."
Switching off her cell phone, Faith resumed her position at the older slayer's feet, placing the injured foot atop her lap and examining it with soft touches.
"Thank you," Buffy muttered.
"How long've you been here?"
"I don't know."
"You gonna tell me what's up?" Faith asked. When Buffy did not go to answer the question, the brunette clarified, "That wasn't a question, that was an order, B."
"Does it matter?"
"Er, yeah, considering my new job seems to be saving your ass and patching you up. Why the death wish?"
The older slayer made no move to answer and merely shifted in her position, attempting to remove her leg from her ex's lap. Placing Buffy's leg gently down, Faith sat beside her former girlfriend in silence. When the blonde, lifted the jacket she was using as a cover and indicated she share, the younger slayer felt she had to accept. Placing her arm around the smaller woman's frame, she drew her in close.
Resting her head on the blonde's, Faith inaudibly sighed. "B, I gotta be honest with you, this is driving me crazy," the slayer admitted.
"What is?"
"Not knowing what's going on in your head. Wanting to help you, but feeling like I can't." She paused, continuing to say, "You know you can tell me anything."
"I want to," the older slayer confessed. "But I can't. I'm not your problem anymore."
Laughing at the statement, Faith corrected her with a, "You will always be my problem."
Making no move to reply the statement, the blonde seemed to stiffen against the body of her former lover.
"What?" the dark slayer wondered, to which Buffy replied,
"Why?" She sat up, answering the brunette's impending question with a, "Why can't you let me go?"
"Hold up," the brunette uttered, sitting up. "What?"
"You're making everything so hard for me and it's unbearable Faith."
Confused more at the older woman's behaviour than at her question, Faith asked her, "Again, huh?"
"I've sat here, for the past God knows how long, just looking back over my life and thinking about all the things I've been through and the one thing I don't get is you. After all the things I've done to you, all the things I've made you do-"
"Buffy, where the hell is all this coming from?"
"Faith, if I were to die tomorrow, would you miss me? Would you cry?"
"Okay, now we're randomly psychotic."
"Answer the question."
"Of course I would."
"But why? You'd finally be free."
"Of what?" Faith felt she had to know. "Of love?"
Stopping silent, Buffy looked into the younger woman's eyes and asked her, "You still love me?"
"How could I stop?" Faith answered in earnest. "You're still the girl I fell in love with aren't you? Okay, the more messed up and attached version, but you're still you." She laughed. "You know it's funny. I've tried so hard to stop loving you these past few weeks, but the more I try, the more I can't stop."
Looking away from the younger slayer's face, all Buffy could offer in explanation was, "Faith, the woman you love is not me. And what you're holding onto is an idea."
"What idea?"
"The idea that you and I can be together."
"We were once."
"Were we?"
"We weren't?"
"Faith, think back. Can you ever remember a time when we sat and talked to each other? Or when we went out to do something together that we both enjoyed; just the two of us? Or a night that didn't end with us fighting? All of our time together was spent either fighting or making up."
"That's utter bullshit," Faith replied, remembering. "It was great in the beginning. Everything was great until you went and fucked it up with Riley."
"Riley was a cry for help. Things between us were way beyond the danger area before I slept with him."
"That wasn't my fault. I wasn't there. I was too busy being a slave for the council, remember?"
"I do, but you have to also remember that I was young then. I didn't know what I was doing. All I knew was that I missed you so much and needed Riley to help me feel something... Anything."
"You're talking about being young? Buffy I was barely seventeen when they shipped me off to a country that I didn't know anyone in. Surrounded by people who didn't want to know and all that kept me going was you. I don't and I can't understand why you couldn't have felt the same way about me."
"Which is why everything turned out the way it did. Faith, you can never forgive me for what happened, can you? As far as you're concerned, I slept with Riley that night because I wanted to. God! Do you know how drunk I was that night? How upset I was that you weren't there with me; to hold me, to... love me. He did-"
Interrupting, Faith asked her ex to stop with an, "I get it. It's all my fault that I was overseas being tortured everyday, because I couldn't be with you to love you. Do you know how self-centred you sound?"
"Uh-huh, because you're not making this all about you? It could have easily been me that the council took away to experiment on, but it was the luck of the draw that it was you."
"'Cept the difference is, B; if they'd have taken you, you wouldn't have come back to find me knocked up."
"How many times can I say that I'm sorry?"
"'Til you mean it," Faith answered standing. She paced away from the blonde, unable to face her.
"I do. Baby, I am so unbelievably sorry that what happened did." She caught herself, turning away from the brunette. "Faith. I... Never mind."
"No, what?" Faith prompted.
"It's nothing."
"My God, for once can you not just say what's on your mind without holding back?"
"I was just going to say that... I wish things were different."
"How?"
"So many ways. I just wish everything was simple again. That I could go back ten years and start all over. I've wished that ever since the night you left."
Staring through the cabin window, Faith retorted, "Well, you can't. You can't take back all the pain and all the damage."
"I know."
Silently reflecting, Faith voiced her thoughts to the blonde slayer telling her, "I am curious, though. If things had have worked out and I'd have come back with J all safe and sound, what would have happened between us?"
In earnest, Buffy answered, "I don't know. I was thinking about that and remembering how I felt that day..."
"And?"
"I don't think I'd ever wanted to be with anyone more."
Turning to face the blonde, Faith remained speechless as she continued,
"And now… Now, I feel like I finally understand what you were talking about that night that you told me that your heart beat for me, because Faith before you came back into my life, I'd been dead for three years."
Moving to kneel beside Buffy, the brunette attempted to read her expression, asking her, "What are you saying?"
Choosing a non-verbal answer, Buffy took hold of her sultry ex-lover by her shirt, coaxing her forward and allowing their lips to meet. As her lips met the soft, full lips ones of the other slayer's she used her mouth to gently caress the taller woman's.
Whimpering into the kiss, Faith pulled back, looking into Buffy's eyes.
"We can't do this," the brunette told the psychiatrist, in an attempt to move away from her. "You're-" she tried, silenced by Buffy's move to pull her closer.
Drawing the younger slayer toward her, the slayer rose onto her knees ignoring the pain of moving her injured foot. Looking down on the brunette, she leant in capturing the younger woman's lips and tasting her.
Their lips breaking contact, Faith completed her unfinished sentence with, "Married." She smirked as she added, "And that's gotta be the world's liveliest wake."
"What?"
"I said 'pretty lively wake', Buffy," the younger slayer repeated sitting back, putting her hands behind her head and casually resting on them. She snickered. "How can you possibly say that you've been dead without me? You went and got this new life, a new hubby, a new car. Hell, you're a completely different person now."
"I had to be."
Shaking her head, the younger slayer disagreed. "No. You really didn't. You're confusing and you're cold and I'm not feeling you at all." Standing, Faith told her ex, "Call me crazy- and no pun intended here- but I like my girls straight and I can't take your head games. One minute I see you all over a guy and the minute he ditches you, you're all about the Gay Pride." Noting a glimpse of surprise on the Buffy's features, Faith realised, "Oh, you didn't know that I'd heard about you and lover- boy, did you? You're unbelievable." Holding out her hand, she offered it to older slayer. "Listen, if you wanna get outta here, then let's go, 'cause there is someone else I really need to be with."
Taking the offered hand, Buffy felt she could do nothing but get up and limp by her ex's side.
Walking boldly into the dimly lit diner, Faith held a flower she'd plucked from the roadside on the way there.
"Yo!" She called, standing in front of the diner's patrons and in front of one of their waitresses; she smiled as she got the attention she wanted. "How's it going?" she asked.
"Good," Delana replied loudly, intending to be heard over the café's ruckus. She blushed as her tone seemed inappropriate when the premises quietened. Beaming in spite of her extreme blushing, she asked the brunette before her, "You?"
"I'm cool," Faith returned. "I just wanted to come by and tell you- in front of all o' these peeps here- that I'm sorry. I was a real jack-ass, babe and I needed you to know that."
Nodding, Delana quickly made her way from behind the counter and stood face to face with the brunette. Taking the flower, she admired it. "It's beautiful… In fact, they have flowers growing just like it on the side of the road about ten minutes behind the café."
"I said I was sorry, not loaded," Faith explained. "'Sides, there are no stores open now anyhow."
"It's the thought that counts," the blonde replied with a giggle. Noticing the intrigued audience, Delana whispered, "Maybe we should talk out back."
Agreeing, Faith followed the younger woman's lead, winking to nearby patrons as the waitress' back turned.
"Thanks for coming, Will."
Entering the home of her closest friend from the darkness outside, Willow assured her, "Anytime."
About to continue her declaration of gratitude, Buffy stopped as Kennedy entered after the redhead. "Hello Buffy," the ex-elite greeted.
"Kennedy."
"We were out when you called," Willow felt she had to explain, as she stepped past the slayer.
Smiling, Buffy made no reply as on a crutch, she ushered Kennedy to tag along.
"How's the old ankle?" Willow asked as she took a seat.
"Better," Buffy replied also seating herself.
Following Buffy into the kitchen, Kennedy sat beside her girlfriend and watched the slayer prepare a meal she had claimed was for her daughter.
"Joyce isn't back yet and it all seemed a little quiet," Buffy explained.
"Where is she?" Willow enquired.
"She insisted on staying with Tyler Thompson. With everything that's been going on, I didn't have the heart to say no."
Nodding quietly, the redhead glanced around and caught the eye of her girlfriend. The two of them busy looking at each other, they missed the quickly wiped tear that slipped down the slayer's face.
Tearing her eyes from Kennedy with a grin plastered on her face, the Wicca asked her friend, "Does she get back tomorrow?" in a bid to make idle chit-chat.
"I hope so," Buffy offered in reply. Blindsiding the redhead, she asked her, "Will what's wrong with me?"
Her eyes widening in response to being caught off-guard by the question, Willow stuttered, "Wh- Nothing Buffy." She looked to Kennedy for assistance. Finding none in the brunette's equally shocked demeanour, she wondered, "Er… Where did that come from?"
"Faith-"
"Said that there was something wrong with you?" Kennedy interjected.
"No," the slayer answered. She continued, "Faith and I had a fight… Except it wasn't a fight… She…"
When Buffy ceased talking, the couple glanced at each other again. Turning to her high-school friend, Willow told her, "We're going to need a little elaboration here, Buff."
Sat in the dank back room of the café, Faith perched on a supply box, propped up against the room's wall. With Delana stood in front of and talking at her, she found herself bored with the blonde's chatter and wish to label their 'relationship'. The slayer sighed. Abruptly standing and putting her finger to the waitress' lips to shush her, Faith took hold of the blonde, kissing her urgently. With pent up desperation she admitted, "I don't know 'bout you, but I'm super horny."
Parting her lips to speak, Delana found this pretty much all the invitation Faith needed for the brunette to slip her tongue into her mouth.
Feeling the need to quite literally fuck and against a hard surface, Faith drove the two of them towards the nearest bare wall she within her gaze. Reaching beneath the blonde's skirt, she ceased kissing her only to whisper, "To be honest, D, this whole time I've just been thinkin' 'bout your tight pussy and the ways I can get into it." Rubbing the waitress, she momentarily stopped to wonder aloud, "Wow. S'all that wetness for me?"
"You're not the only one who's been thinking about a good fuck," Delana returned. She kissed the slayer before telling her, "I've *really* missed you."
Grinning as she licked her lips, Faith slowly stroked along the smaller woman's slit over the fabric of her underwear. The brunette looked into her lover's eyes, not entering her and instead just teasing with the tip of her finger.
Getting horny just watching the woman pant, Faith smirked and separated the New Yorker's shirt down its middle, before proceeding to make quick work of undoing her fancy brassiere.
Taking hold of and pinning Delana's hands above her head, she dipped her own head below the blonde's neckline. Faith looked up; a sly grin plastered on her face as she slowly licked up the waitress' left breast. Placing the flat her tongue on the nipple, she merely salivated on it initially before taking it full in her mouth; suckling.
"Oh... God.. Faith," the waitress offered in commendation at how turned on she was in a matter of seconds. "You're... Wow..."
A job at hand the sultry brunette paid no heed to the comment as she hiked up her lover's skirt. Needing only one hand, she used her right to pull down the lady's panties.
"I think her exact words were, 'One minute you're with a guy and the minute he ditches you, you're all about the Gay Pride'," Buffy explained.
"Oh."
Shaking her head, the slayer voiced, "She really doesn't think much of me."
"No," the wicca interjected. "I don't think she meant it. She's probably super sorry," Willow offered.
"You think so?" Buffy asked.
She looked to Kennedy, who sat silently as if holding her opinion. Feeling the task of cheering Buffy up to her alone, Willow replied, "Definitely. I bet you right now she's sitting in her room… alone… and-and crying into... a big tub of Cookie Dough Fudge ice cream."
Perking a little, Buffy stood and walked over to her freezer. Taking out some ice cream and going to gather some spoons, she handed the tool to the wicca and her girlfriend, before peeling the top of the tub.
"Faith's not the sit-around-alone type," the blonde slayer recalled aloud, miserably taking a large scoop of the ice cream and gulping it.
Resting semi-horizontally against the dank wall of the Cafe's back room, Faith held the blonde in her arms, close to her chest.
The effect of her hormone overload wearing off quickly and leaving her empty, Delana quietly enquired, "Faith, what does this mean for us?"
"Huh?"
"Where are we going in our relationship? Do we even have a relationship to you?"
"'Course," Faith replied, as if the reply were standard. She continued, "D, I like you and I think there could be s'thing between us here." With a smirk she added, "Besides, this *really* strong physical attraction."
Picking the flower Faith had given her from beside them and holding it beside her, Delana cracked a smile. "No more crap?"
"Scout's honour."
"That's a start," the waitress agreed. "But I have conditions, Faith."
"Shoot."
"No more secrets. You tell me *everything*."
Nodding, the brunette listened.
"No more late night trips when we're in bed together."
Narrowing her eyes, but fighting the urge to argue, the brunette wondered aloud, "Anything else?"
"And no more other girls."
"Oooh, Deal breaker!" Faith exclaimed. "You sure?"
Her expression changing, the waitress gave a questioning look.
"I'm kidding," Faith replied. "No more other girls."
"We're going steady," Delana beamed, lying back down against the slayer.
"And apparently also in fifth grade?" When the Long Island hottie looked up sternly at her, Faith retracted the statement, "I'm kidding," she offered.
Sighing, Delana beckoned, "Just kiss me before I change my mind and dump you."
Obliging, Faith leaned down to do so.
"And that was it," Buffy completed. "No more Buffy and Faith."
Speechless, Willow gawked at her friend.
"What?" Buffy quietly uttered.
As if at breaking point, Kennedy pointed out, "Er, am I missing something? Buffy, there's been no 'Buffy and Faith' for a long time now. Even before she left you guys weren't together."
"But it really only just hit home today. I mean, I threw myself at-" she stopped herself turning away from her fiends.
"Oh," was all the wicca gave in return.
"Yeah," Buffy returned. "I feel so stupid."
Wishing to continue her rant, Kennedy wondered, "Because she rejected you? Or because of the way you treated her?" Looking and finding the look she expected from both the Slayer and her partner.
"Kennedy-" Willow began, wishing to berate the young brunette.
"I'm sorry, Will, but someone has to lay it down for her since she obviously can't see it herself." She turned to the slayer continuing, "Buffy, the way you treated Faith... I wouldn't treat *my* girlfriend like that and do you know why? Because I actually love her."
"Kennedy that's enough," Willow finally let out.
Standing Buffy asked the brunette, "Don't you think I know that? That I get it?" When met with silence from her peers, the slayer turned her back. "I have to talk to her," Buffy voiced, walking out into her hallway.
"Faith's phone," Delana answered, quieting the Nine-Inch Nails tune blaring from her lover's cell.
"Uh... Is Faith there?"
"Yes," Delana answered cheerfully, locking eyes with the slayer. "But she's not taking any calls. Can I take a message?"
Buffy contemplated the question, deciding, "Uh... No."
"Alrighty," the waitress replied, to the dial tone.
"And that was?" Faith asked, having been denied her phone when she had wished to answer it.
"A woman," Delana replied, feigning a questioning look. "Is there something you'd like to say?"
Rubbing the blonde's arm, Faith reminded her girl, "Baby, I've only been back off the market for about a half hour. You gotta give the ladies time to adjust."
Laughing, Delana answered, "But adjust they shall."
"'Course," Faith agreed, kissing her.
"She's not taking any calls," Buffy explained to the wicca, returning to the kitchen and seating herself.
As if coached, Kennedy turned to the slayer, "Buffy, I'm sorry," she offered.
"It's okay," the slayer felt obliged to reply.
Melancholy they sat in silence. Their mood suddenly interrupted, only the witch perked as the phone rang. Looking to Buffy with raised eyebrows, all three of them were startled as the backdoor swung open and Joyce barged through.
"It's for me!" she called, as she bound into the hallway and grabbed the cordless. Racing upstairs, she locked herself in her room, before ending the incessant ringing. "You're on the mic," Joyce answered, smiling and bouncing onto her bed in a horizontal fashion.
"Hello, this is Lorraine from Sunnydale High. May I speak to Joyce Summers?"
"Cut the bullshit, Brig," the eleven-year-old berated.
"Language!" she was scolded. Proceeding to laugh the caller asked, "How're you doing, darling?"
"I'm great. But how are you all? You don't write, you don't call..."
"We get by and I'm talking to you now."
"I bet everything's different now. Oh- tell me agent Benn didn't grow his hair long."
"Finn," the general called the youth to order. She demanded information from the young girl, telling her, "I heard *you* almost didn't make it out - what happened?"
Joyce sighed. "Chasers were a little too convincing is all. We had to take a detour. We got there with only twenty minutes to spare. Good thing, the slayer's not the sharpest tool in the box; they told her check-out'd be twenty minutes and she bought it!"
Agreeing with the soldier's observation, the Brigadier enquired, "So how long are you going to continue this charade?"
"As long as it takes, General," Joyce answered, quickly adding. "If that's okay with you."
"We're fine with whatever decision you wish to take, Finn. But remember we have you on assignment next month."
"Yes, ma'am." Jovially, Joyce requested, "If this isn't a social call, can I get permission to end the conversation."
"Granted," the woman returned, a little taken aback by the soldier's newly acquired forwardness. "Take care of yourself, Finn. Next contact from us will be in exactly 96 hours."
"Affirmed." Cordially, Joyce gave a firm, "Ten four."
Giggling, the blonde dropped as her superior replied with a, "Ten four."
"Kennedy and I met each other at camp when I was eighteen," Delana explained, lying across her girlfriend's stomach; the two of them on the bed they had just shared together. "I came out at camp when I was eighteen... You see where I'm going with this?"
"Hell yeah," Faith screeched. "You and Ken got naughty at camp." She shook her head in disbelief. "Wow. Score one for the boarding school brat; she has great taste." Putting her arm around the blonde and resting it on her bare midsection, she inquired, "So, why'd she let you slip through her fingers?" She smirked, jumping in before Delana had a chance to answer the question. "Hold up, were there *fingers*?"
"No," Delana answered, laughing. "And I had a boyfriend. I wanted to sort that out before anything happened with Kennedy. I told her I would go home, talk to Alan and then call her... But then didn't."
"Harsh." The brunette tightened her hold on the waitress. "Though I guess it works out better for me. Who knows what coulda happened if you two had've hooked up."
"I wondered that. I kind of hoped that we would when we met up again. But she was seeing Willow."
"When d'ya meet up again?"
"When I came to Sunnydale."
"Why?"
The waitress looked up at the ceiling as she recalled, "I couldn't stand living at home any more. All the classic clichés applied; my parents were desperately unhappy together. They hardly spent time with each other or me." The pretty blonde remembered, "I think I used to see my mom twice a week for cash and my dad even less; the both of them were working so hard. I just wanted get away. Head West and make it big as an actress or a model."
Faith smiled at the comment, imagining the stunner strutting in stilettos on a runway. She listened as Delana continued, "But make it on my own. Without my parent's money… or support; just me. Guy told me that he'd heard of a place that was a stone throw from L.A., where the houses were real nice and rent was real low and Sunnydale here we came."
"You *chose* to come to Sunnydale??"
"Didn't you?"
"Nah," Faith remembered. "I came here looking for someone."
Sitting up to look into her lover's eyes, Delana asked, "Who?"
Unable to find a way to explain without revealing a little too much information, Faith assured her girlfriend, "To be continued, babe." She removed her arm from around the younger woman. "Speaking of Guy, I said I'd meet him in ten to give my car the once-over."
"I'll come with you and we can talk in the car?"
Getting up, Faith merely offered "Yeah" by way of response.
"Try now," Faith commanded, twisting a bolt.
Turning the key in the ignition, the mechanic listened to the sound coming from the engine.
"Wow," he exclaimed. "Isn't that just the sweetest sound?"
Beaming, Faith slammed down the bonnet of her jeep. "It's the sound of my mobility, baby." She dipped her hands into her pockets fishing for money. "How much do I owe you?"
"Call it sixty."
"Fifty and I'll buy you your first two drinks tonight," Faith offered.
"Deal," Guy agreed, taking the money he was handed.
"Is it safe to come in yet?" Delana asked from a distance.
Beckoning her girlfriend inside, the slayer asked, "Wanna go for a spin?"
"You got it to work?" the waitress wondered aloud. "Wow, I thought it'd take you at least another week."
"You know me I got-"
"Yes, you have 'mad skillz'," Delana recalled.
"Right," Faith agreed.
"And a tonne of oil all over your top and… what's with the cap?"
Explaining, Guy told his house-mate, "Faith didn't feel mechanic-y so she smeared oil all over herself and *my* cap. I woulda been pissed off if… you know… she wasn't smearing oil all over herself. There's something about a girl all covered in car oil." He licked his lips. "It's sexy."
Raising an eyebrow, the waitress looked from her girlfriend to Guy and back again.
Laughing, Faith told her lover, "He's kidding about me; the jeep's just real dirty." She turned to Guy adding, "And I don't even wanna know if that last part is true."
"*Anyway*," Delana continued, stressing the word. "I can't go for a spin; I have to work and then later and I'd like to cook for us tonight. How's my place at eight?"
Taken aback, Faith grinned. "Eight is cool," she decided.
"Then I will see you then." Glancing at her housemate, Delana pleaded for Faith to, "Watch yourself around him, will you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Guy asked looking up from changing the car's tire.
Choosing not to answer, the waitress merely laughed as she took leave.
Having circled Sunnydale in her newly washed, waxed and buffed Jeep, Faith pulled down a road adjacent to Rovello Drive. Turning into her old street, she gazed amazed at how the streets of Sunnydale were apparently unable to age.
Looking to her watch and finding it seven thirty, Faith decided that she had enough time to quickly drop by the Summers' household before her dinner plans. Parking her car in their driveway, she exited the vehicle, strode up to the house and knocked on the front door. Receiving no response, the slayer decided to respond to the commotion coming from the back of the house.
Having left her home to run to the cafe nearby for salt, Delana cursed as she saw the time. Expecting her girlfriend in twenty minutes, she picked up the pace to her home; stopping suddenly when she saw what she felt was a dangerous situation in progress. She glared at two men and a lady talking across the road finding herself unnerved by the scene. Noticing that one of the men remained a few paces behind the woman as the other walked slightly ahead, she thought that she could see the lady asking to be relieved of their inappropriate advances.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the situation, the waitress looked closer to see that one of them with his hand permanently in his pocket. Watching him pull out the item that she was unable to see clearly and hearing the woman call out, Delana felt it her personal obligation to offer some assistance. Hoping that her presence would be enough to help the woman in need, she approached brazenly with her cell phone in hand.
"Are these guys bothering you?" She called from what she deemed a safe distance. "Because I could call someone." She aimed the last part at the taller men.
"Yes. Thank you," the woman replied, breathlessly running to the blonde's side. Seeing the men jeer, but back away she felt her confidence increase.
"Come on," Delana beckoned, backstepping. "My house isn't too far." Relieved as the twosome walked away from her, Delana turned from the men the moment she felt them a reasonable distance away. A little shaken, both the waitress and the near-victim picked up the pace.
"Mom!" Joyce called, in the middle of a heated basketball game with Faith. "Come play."
Chuckling, Buffy declined, offering, "Some other time, honey."
As if to help her ex, Faith sunk a basket as she qualified, "Yeah, J -- you know your mom's all old now." She tossed the ball towards the child. "She can't move as fast as she used to."
Narrowing her eyes, Buffy called to her daughter, "Sweetie, pass mommy the ball."
"You've gone and done it now," Joyce told the brunette, who roared with laughter as Buffy received the basketball.
Arriving to the growing gathering from her short trip to the bathroom, Kennedy asked, "More players?"
"Cool," Joyce whooped. "Kennedy's back. Faith, you wanna take on mom and Kennedy?"
"Oooh that should be interesting," Kennedy decided aloud. "Come on Buffy, what do you say?"
Looking to the cocky smile on Faith's face, the slayer decided, "I'm in."
"Let's do it," Faith replied. Turning her cap to face backwards, she squared up to face her former girlfriend attempting to anticipate the move she was to take.
Bouncing the basketball, Buffy took a few paces forward finding Faith match each step she took with one of her own. Faking left, but going right, Buffy charged to Faith's left finding her efforts in vain.
Knocking the ball from the older slayer's hands, Faith chuckled as she stormed up to the net and dunked the ball in. "I believe, that's already two to zero," she stated, then looking for confirmation from her teammate.
"I believe it is," Joyce replied, cheerful whilst retrieving the ball and tossing it to Kennedy. "Faith, stay on mom!" the youngster ordered marking Kennedy.
Doing as she was instructed Faith bent and faced her opponent. Staring into her ex's hazel eyes and having Buffy do the same to her, a small smile appearing on both of their lips.
"This is it," Delana announced reaching her house. Looking at the frail young woman, she ushered her inside.
"Thank you so much for your kindness," the young woman assured the pleasant stranger. "But… I mean, those men are gone and my home isn't too far."
"I don't want to risk it," Delana told her. "Come inside, we'll get you cleaned up and I can call you a cab." She added, "On me."
"Thank you," was all the woman felt was appropriate to say. She followed the attractive blonde into her home.
"Grab a seat," Delana instructed, pointing towards the living room. Proceeding to her kitchen, she looked for the first aid kit, returning to tend to the young female. "Here," Delana offered, handing the woman a wet cloth and looking to her trousers; blood-stained at the knee caps.
"Thank you," the woman repeated, taking the cloth and pressing it to her temple.
Scanning the smaller woman's body, Delana found that she was seemingly bleeding from other parts of her body; her lip, her arm and her thigh. Wondering how she was still able to stand, the blonde was taken aback as the woman jumped on top of her. Kneeling on the waitress' back and pressing her hands beneath her own, the girl straddled the blonde from behind. Her face morphing and now brandishing her sharp fangs, the vampire could taste the fear of the woman squirming beneath her.
"Over here," Buffy called, her arms open.
Receiving the tossed ball, she looked to the high net and then to the brunette charging toward her. Jumping and taking aim, she lobbed the ball with hope to score as she felt herself tackled to the ground. Thankful that the arm Faith had around her had broken her fall, the blonde slayer found herself unharmed by the take-down.
Retaining her position on top of her former lover, Faith wondered aloud, "You okay?"
Resting on the arm beneath her, Buffy explained, "Your... arm broke my fall."
"That's good," the brunette replied, the two of them oblivious to Joyce's cries and Kennedy's whoops in the background.
"Twenty three to twenty! Twenty three to twenty!" Kennedy chanted. Approaching her teammate, the Latin-American congratulated, "Nice shot, Buffy."
Kennedy's utterance attracting the attention of both slayers, the two of them proceeded to stand.
"Thank you," Buffy replied to the compliment. Avoiding a glaring Faith's gaze, she proceeded to walk towards her home, stating to the others, "I'm starving. Who wants hot dogs?"
"Food!" Joyce called in appreciation, following her mom behind. Running back to take hold of a lagging Faith, the blonde clarified, "Earth to Faith; mom said Hot Dogs."
"I'll be right in kiddo," Faith decided, ushering the blonde ahead. "I need a minute by myself."
"Alright," Joyce told her, teasing, "Don't complain if there's none left when you get in."
Nodding, Faith merely stood and watched after her as the adolescent entered her home.
Struggling with all the power she could muster, Delana rolled her body over so that she lay face up. Catching a glimpse of the thing spanning her body, the waitress paled as she screamed. Receiving a slap for her troubles, Delana continued to scream, whilst struggling to dislodge her attacker. Hearing the door burst open, she looked up to see the two men from which she had 'saved' the young woman.
"Kill her already," one of them coaxed.
"Yeah, share," the other pleaded.
Taking her moment, Delana forced the woman atop her off her and onto the floor. Running from the door, she suddenly found herself face to face with her assailant who was able to move much faster than her legs would allow. Finding herself pounded to the floor, Delana cried out as she heard the loud crack of one of her bones giving way. Tears streaming down her eyes, she screamed as the vampire raised her, baring its teeth.
Dedications: To anyone and everyone who's reading this and to Eliza Lover for the kick up the behind to finish xo
"Fai... wah too yoo soo long?" Joyce asked, the remnants of her food still visible through her half-open mouth.
"Honey, don't talk with your mouth full," Buffy berated lightly. She looked to Faith who remained stood by the back door. "I saved you some hot dogs from the monster that is Joyce-"
"Heeey!" the eleven year old interrupted. "There were more and you held out on me?"
Stopping the fairer slayer who was about to answer, Faith chimed in with, "It's cool, let J have the rest; I gotta go." She bent to place a kiss on the forehead of the hungry blonde.
"Aw, no, Faith! You just got here," the youngster pleaded, taking the remaining food from her mother. "Stay some more."
"Kiddo I can't." Faith laughed. "I only wanted to stay a few minutes and I've stayed like an hour."
"Please? I haven't seen you forever," Joyce begged. "Are you saying you'd rather be somewhere else?" Glancing at her mother, she requested, "Ketchup?"
"No, kid. You know that. But I kinda said I would be meet someone-"
"Call and cancel?"
"Joyce," Buffy felt she should interrupt. "If Faith has to be somewhere, then she has to be somewhere."
"Yeah," Faith agreed. Looking to the sad face the youngster proceeded to pull, the brunette rolled her eyes. "Can I use the phone?" She asked, causing the blonde child to whoop. Pointing and shaking her head, Faith added, "You know you should put your powers to better use."
Nodding, the cadet added more onions to her food.
Bracing herself, Faith raised the receiver in the hallway of the Summers' home and dialed her girlfriend's number. Sighing of relief when the phone rung out and the machine picked up, she looked down at the phone. Twiddling the cord with her index finder, she began, "Baby it's me... Er.. I was jus' callin' to say... baby, something came up but I will super make it up to you, for sure. I'm talkin' dinner, candles, flowers, chocolate; the whole works-" she caught sight of Buffy, who stood smiling in the kitchen doorway. "So yeah, I'll see you later? Jus' call me when you get this."
"Oh, 'please-don't-put-me-in-the-doghouse' speech," Buffy recalled with a smile, when her ex hung up the phone. "What d'ya do?"
"Missed dinner."
"Oh."
"And she cooked."
"Ohhh," Buffy repeated, the second time for longer. She shook her head.
"I know," Faith agreed.
"That is sooo much more than a flowers and chocolate thing."
"I know," Faith repeated.
"Mom's making Popcorn!!" Joyce yelled, charging from the kitchen. She took Faith's hand. "Can you smell that delicious, deliciousness? That means it's movie time!"
Being dragged along by the five foot bundle of energy, Faith sat down on the couch and made herself comfortable, whilst Joyce searched through the movie channels.
"Yes!! The new Power Rangers movie." Joyce announced racing back and taking position next to the brunette slayer, who had a look of sheer horror on her face. She changed her expression when the youngster turned to her, smiling as widely as she could.
"Awesome." She stated, blankly. Though became ecstatic when Buffy emerged from the kitchen bearing both popcorn and beer.
"I thought you might need these," Buffy explained, handing the six-pack over to her ex. "And here's your popcorn, missy."
"Thank you." The brunette stated gratefully, as Joyce buzzed between the slayers, turning up the volume of the television and engrossing herself in the film.
Rolling her eyes, Buffy smiled towards the other adult.
"So, how's things with you?" Faith asked, extracting a bottle from the half-dozen.
"Great... Not looking forward to the Holidays though."
"Lots of crazies about?" the brunette joked.
"Hey!" Buffy whined. "I can't exactly call them that… But yep, they're out in full force. Factor in the store and it's going to be a nightmare… but the good kind where we make lots of money."
Nodding, Faith offered the other slayer a beer.
"Oh, no. Thanks." The blonde shook her head and reached for some popcorn, to the audible disapproval of her daughter.
"Don't be such a brat, J." Faith replied, popping the cap of the drink she'd previously offered.
Joyce looked up to her mother, mirroring the older Summers' trademark pout. "I'm sorry, mommy."
Laughing it off, Buffy accepted the apology, but decided to leave the snack lest it be the cause of more drama.
"It's the stardom; it`s gone to her head." Buffy offered by way of explanation. "Our little girl's going to be `Sleepy' in the school play."
Joyce's groan confirmed that she'd been listening and caused Faith to give her a soft nudge to the ribs. "Kid, that's awesome. Sleepy's the best of all the Dwarves."
"Really?" the blonde asked drawing her eyes from the film, peeking up at Faith.
"Sure."
"But I've only got two lines."
"Yeah? Then you've gotta make those two lines count, kiddo. When's the big day?"
"Friday. Will you come watch?"
"I'll be front row, center." The brunette promised, idly stroking her the youngster's blonde tresses.
"You think maybe we should carpool?" Buffy asked, her heart racing as she waited for the answer.
"Sure," Faith agreed. "I can head over here straight from work."
"Great." The blonde exhaled silently, as Faith reached for her second liquor-fix of the night. "Man, I love an ice cold Bud." The younger slayer, professed with a groan, downing her drink. "Sure you don't want one?" She asked, offering her half drunk bottle.
"With an endorsement like that…" Buffy relented, taking the offered beverage. She took a sip, before her face revealed her displeasure. "Ugh, how can you drink this stuff."
Grinning, the younger adult responded. "Years of practice, babe." She popped the cap of another.
Smiling, her attention turned to the sudden footsteps rushing downstars. "Guys, Faith!" Kennedy called, she looked to the couch, her alarm evident to everyone that wasn't watching the Power Rangers' latest escapade. Her gaze fixated on Joyce and then flicked back to Faith.
Catching the message, Buffy turned to her daughter. "Honey, would you mind grabbing me a diet coke from the fridge?"
"K," Joyce uttered, standing. "Hey, Kennedy," she greeted, rushing passed.
"With ice and lemon, sweetie." Buffy called after her daughter.
When the youngster was out of earshot, Faith asked, "What's up?"
"I just got off the phone with Willow. It's Delana; she's at Sunnydale General. Guy says he's been trying to get hold of you-"
Feeling herself sobering, Faith admitted, "I switched my cell off." In a daze, she pulled it from her pocket trying to reactivate it. "Is she-? Did he say what happened?"
"She was attacked. He said she lost a lot of blood. When they found her-"
"Where?" was the only reply, the brunette could think of, her head still a little hazy from the alcohol she'd ingested. Not waiting for a response, Faith continued. "I've gotta-" She cleared her throat. "I need to see her." She stood, and retrieved her jacket.
"I can take you," Buffy offered, locating her car keys. She turned to Kennedy asking, "Would you mind looking after Joyce `til we get back?"
"Sure." The youngest of the three slayers replied.
"Honey, Faith and I are going out for a little while," Buffy told her daughter, who emerged from the kitchen carrying the coke she'd been sent for. "We'll be back soon."
"Ok," Joyce replied, watching as her mothers left in a hurry.
Reaching their destination at the waiting room of the Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Faith was greeted by an exasperated Guy, who embraced her.
"I've been calling you all night."
"I'm sorry." Faith replied, hugging the taller man. "How is she?"
"Not good. They found her with puncture wounds in her neck." The slayers glanced at one another, as the man continued. "Doctors say she almost bled out," Guy replied. He tensed in the brunette's arms, before pulling back. "But what the fuck? I thought you were supposed to be with her tonight."
"I'm sorry. I was with J. I lost track of time." She followed the man's gaze, as he looked to the woman beside her. "This is Buffy," Faith explained. "Joyce's mom. She gave me a ride."
Seemingly a little calmer, Guy held out his hand and shook the stranger. He looked back to Faith. "I spoke to Dee's folks; they're catching a Red Eye out here tonight."
"Shit." Faith uttered. "She's gonna pull through this though, right?"
Guy couldn't answer the question. "I'm waiting to see her doctor. Been waitin' two hours now." He raised his voice at the last part and looked to the clerk at the desk, in disgust.
Incensed, Faith charged to the front desk. "Look, can we get some fuckin' information here?!" she bellowed, slamming her fist in front of the woman.
Her eyes as wide as the rest of the audience present, Buffy walked to stand beside the brunette, placing her arm on the back of her shoulder. "You need to hold it together." She looked to the unit clerk. "I'm sure the hospital is doing all they can for Delana."
"W-what's her last name?" the clerk stuttered.
"Reynolds," Faith uttered, calming from her ex's touch.
Relieved as that the angry lady seemed to be mellowing, the lady searched her computer. "An emergency transfusion has been arranged for Ms. Reynolds. Dr. Williamson is attending to her."
"See?" Buffy mouthed a `thanks' and turned back to Faith, who exhaled, before leaving her side taking a seat. The brunette slayer immediately bolted up to both Buffy & Guy's surprise.
"I can't stay here. I've gotta…" She pulled Buffy aside. "I've gotta go patrol. I wanna find the vamps that did this. I have to find the vamps that did this."
"Don't you think you should stay? I mean, your girlfriend needs you."
The younger slayer turned back to Guy, "Call me as soon as you hear anything." She uttered, leaving.
Following in tow, Buffy called out to her. "I'm coming with you." She announced to nobody in particular.
"Fine. You can drive."
Stood in a cold, dark Sunnydale cemetery, Buffy watched as Faith straddled and beat yet another vampire within an inch of its, well, unlife.
The slayer couldn't remember ever feeling sorry for a vampire before, but out of sheer sympathy, she lunged forward and held onto the brunette's descending fist with one hand and plunged a stake into the vampire's heart with her other. She could have sworn that the thing thanked her just before it turned to dust and settled on the ground beneath them.
Faith stood to full height, brushing the dust from her pants. She gave her partner a questioning look.
"He looked like he could use a hand," the older slayer explained.
"Huh?"
"You almost pummelled that thing into a coma."
"Hey, if doing violence to vampires upsets you, you're in the wrong line of work." Faith pocketed her stake and strode off deeper into the cemetery, her eyes wildly searching the perimeter for more fanged fiends.
Running after her ex, Buffy increased her speed to allow her to block the path of the advancing brunette. "Faith." She uttered wearily. "It's almost light. We need to get back."
"You can go. I need to teach these vamps some fuckin' respect; my family and girl are off limits!" Faith side-stepped the blonde and continued for the three steps that smaller slayer allowed her to take. She let out a frustrated groan at the Buffy-shaped obstacle that had appeared in her path.
"I'm not leaving you like this," the older slayer resolved. "We have to go."
"Fuck that. You're not the boss of me."
"I know... But I am your ride here, remember?"
The Missouri native gave her characteristic sneer-smile combo. "I can make my own way back without you, B. I'm a big girl now."
"Faith." She tried a different angle, "I don't think your girlfriend would want you going off-"
"What the fuck?" Faith asked, now a little confused, amused and pissed off. "You don't even know her."
Recoiling, Buffy replied, "I know... But-"
"So, you should really stop mouthing off about stuff you know nothing about." No sooner had the words left her mouth had Faith realised that she hadn't meant the delivery to be quite that insensitive. "Shit." The brunette uttered, exhaling audibly. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean that."
"I was only trying to help-" The slayer stood still, wearing the 'hurt-puppy' expression that always had her ex caving to her wishes, regardless of the circumstance.
"I know. I'm sorry." Faith relented with a sigh. She pocketed her stake and looked up at the sky, streaks of daylight breaking through. "We can go if you wanna."
"Hey." Kennedy stood from her seat on the couch as the slayers returned home. She rubbed her eyes, having been asleep. "How is she?" she asked looking from one slayer to the other.
"They got her a donor," Faith answered. "Doin' the op as we speak."
"Did you get to see her?"
"Didn't stick around to ask to." The brunette removed her jacket and hung it on the banister, throwing her explanation over her shoulder. "Fuckin' hate hospitals."
Removing her outer coat and hanging it beside the door, Buffy thanked the young woman for her impromptu house-sitting and asked, "Did Joyce get to sleep okay?"
"Yeah." Kennedy resumed her position on the Summers' couch, covering herself with the comforter. "I checked in on her a little while ago." She yawned, barely hearing Buffy's response of,
"Thanks. I think I'll just take a peep." The slayer moved to the staircase, glancing down at a pacing Faith below. "Are you going to be okay?" She asked, concerned.
"Yeah." Faith cracked her knuckles and moved towards the entrance to the basement. "Might go a few rounds with the bag if that's okay."
Buffy nodded, resuming her ascent. "'Night."
Letting herself into the darkened room, Faith's eyes quickly adjusted to the poor lighting and her body adjusted to the dank atmosphere. The adrenaline from her earlier fights still coursing through her veins, she squared up to the punchbag in the center of the room. Envisioning the leather object as the vampire she'd allowed to sample her lover, she delivered a blow to its middle that caused it to shake and swing towards her. Dodging the bag, she pushed against it and aimed a hook kick to where she envisioned the head to be. The pleasure she received from the force of the connection, spurned her on to continue her assault so ferociously that she lost track of her surroundings, completely immersed in the mock-fight.
Eliciting sounds that were somewhere between grunting and roaring, Faith remained unaware of the fact that she hadn't been alone for the past twenty minutes or so. That is until, a gasp brought her back to the present.
Buffy had watched the other slayer deliver blow after blow to the punchbag, the perspiration glistening on her forehead a testament to the hour that the other woman had spent releasing her rage. She slowly descended the stairs and moved further into the basement, her presence causing her ex to stop and glance towards her. She threw an idle, "Hey" into the general direction of the slayer and continued her fight.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Buffy interrupted.
The brunette slayer again paused for a beat.
"Not really," she replied, before increasing the intensity of her attacks on the inanimate object.
Noticing that the younger woman was exerting the force with her bare hands, Buffy located the box of handwraps she stored beside the cot and opened a set. She moved towards the brunette, who held the bag steady as she approached.
Panting from the exertion, Faith wiped her brow with the back of her arm and then held out her hands, allowing Buffy to administer the flesh-coloured wrap.
Tenderly lifting the brunette's right hand, she applied the loop of the material around the thumb before draping the cloth around Faith's wrist, thumb and knuckles. She repeated this with the slayer's left, running her thumb across the back of the brunette's hands and smoothing down the cloth, before releasing them just as gently as she'd picked them up.
"Thanks." Faith resumed the battering of the bag, delivering blow after blow, as Buffy retreated to the cot to watch the woman in action.
The pain that was coming from the younger slayer in waves, resonated within Buffy and for the first time in a long time, she wanted nothing more than to hold the other woman, comfort her and ease her hurt. She sighed and continued to observe helplessly.
"Oh! You are a Goddess," Delana proclaimed when Faith entered her hospital room with a McDonald's takeaway bag in tow.
The brunette chuckled and handed over the goods, perching on her girlfriend's bed. She watched as the New Yorker licked her lips and grabbed the double bacon McMuffin™, readying her taste buds for the delicious change from hospital cuisine. This made her next expression priceless to Faith, when Mrs. Reynolds appeared as if from thin air and whipped the sandwich from her daughter's hands.
"I do not think so," Ana scolded, placing the burger back in the bag and damn near growling at Faith whilst doing so.
The slayer held her hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry, Ma. She made me do it."
"Aw, what?!" Delana spluttered, turning to her girlfriend. "Whose side are you on?"
"I am going to find you something a little more wholesome, mija." Shaking her head, the matriarch deposited the brown bag in the trash on her way out.
Once the older Reynolds was out of earshot, Faith answered the question, "Yours `course, babe. Just that... your mom's real scary when she's pissed."
"Oh I'm much scarier when I am," Delana responded, wearing an expression that caused Faith to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing.
"I've no doubt, babe. But with you, I can do this." She leaned forward kissed the blonde's pout away.
"Hmmm." Delana smiled. "Good point."
"I thought so."
The blonde sighed. "I can't wait to get out of here," she stated. "I don't think I can stand another second of my mother fussing over me."
"I think it's sweet," Faith had to admit. She was impressed that the minute Ana had heard what had happened, she and her husband had been out on the next plane to California. She didn't think that the two of them had left D's side until Mr. Reynold's work couldn't do without him any longer.
Since then Ana had been guarding her only child, ensuring that she was receiving the best care available to her. Everyone at the hospital was terrified of the woman, and so complied to her every demand. Faith had been no exception, though the slayer was probably the person to whom Ana was most friendly, the two of them having bonded during Faith's daily visits. Sure there'd been a little bit of weirdness when they'd first met, Faith not knowing if the Upper East Side elite would be open to her as her daughter's partner. But all that had been straightened out when she had been the first person Delana had asked for when she came to. In fact, in the first few moments of her consciousness, the New Yorker hadn't been the least bit interested that her mother had flown interstate to see her, and instead wanted only to find out if Faith had known what had happened.
"I just hope that thing didn't leave a scar," Delana said, bringing her lover back from her reverie. She fingered the healing scar on her neck, realising, "I'm just glad I'm okay."
"Me too, babe. I owe the Sunnydale PD a lot, that's for damn sure." She added, inching out of the way, when Mrs. Reynolds returned to the room, carrying a tray bearing porridge and fruit.
"Mama," Delana whined, drawing out the word. "I hate porridge."
The older lady rolled her eyes and turned to her daughter's girlfriend. "Some things never change. When she was a little girl she always hated the foods that are good for her. Lucky I was so strict with her; she has grown so tall and pretty."
Faith had to agree; Delana was built like a supermodel.
"Totally, Ma. You done real good." She licked her lips, the gesture only noticed by the subject of the conversation, who shifted uncomfortably in her bed narrowing her eyes at her girlfriend.
Faith grinned and looked to the clock for the time. She stood.
"Babe, I have to go. I'll swing by tomorrow after work though." The slayer placed a quick kiss on the blonde's forehead, before gesturing to the food and adding with a wink, "Eat up." She then found herself dodging the flying magazine that was- she hoped- deliberately timed to narrowly miss her. Chuckling at the Spanish curses that followed from a pissed off Mrs. Reynolds, she left the hospital with an extra spring in her step.
"Yo!" Faith pushed open the unlocked front door of the Summers' home. Entering, she took the door off the latch and shut it. "Buffy!" She tried again.
"Up here!"
Faith ascended the stairs, shaking her head as she entered the homeowner's bedroom. "This aint the fifties, B."
"What?" Buffy asked turning from the position at her vanity and walking towards Faith, giving her a strictly platonic 'hello' kiss. Struggling to fasten her dress, the clasp of which was behind her, she turned and asked, "Could you?"
Moving to stand behind the older woman, Faith slid the zipper up a little slower than strictly necessary, before standing back to admire the view. "Nothin'" she decided. "And er, I thought this was just some kiddie play."
"It is," Buffy replied, puzzled. She smoothed the fabric of her strapless, midnight-blue frock, noting that it was having the desired effect on her company for the evening.
"It's just that dress..." Faith began. She shook her head and finished, "It's kinda a shame it's gonna be wasted on a buncha twelve year olds, me and some PTA-wannabes."
"Willow thought we could go out after; celebrate the performance. She and Kennedy are meeting us there."
"Ah," Faith uttered. She looked down at her black jeans and white tank. "Just wish I'da got the memo. I'm gonna look like I didn't try next to you."
"Relax," Buffy added, grinning whilst applying the finishing touches to her makeup. She grabbed her clutch, and gave a silent cue that she was done. "You could wear a garbage bag and make it look hot."
"True. Don't mean I plan on making that fashion statement though." She appreciated the compliment regardless, as she made her way out of the house onto the driveway, Buffy following closely behind. Instinctively opening her passenger-side door, Faith waited for the older slayer to get seated and comfortable, before proceeding around the front of her vehicle and taking her own seat behind the wheel, starting up and pulling out onto the street.
Fiddling with the sound system and alternating her gaze between the road and the track-display, the brunette decided on some 'Spectator Pump' before returning her attention to driving. Tapping along to the track, she asked, "How was Joyce this morning? She nervous?"
Leaning back in her seat, Buffy admired her perfectly manicured nails as she answered, "There was a little wiggage earlier. But I told her that everyone's going to be there cheering her on."
Faith laughed. "Hope that don't put too much pressure on her, though. First time she's done anything like this, y'know?"
"I... I figured," Buffy replied, now seemingly finding something in the horizon of her passenger-side window intensely fascinating.
"Anyways, I'm sure she'll be ok. I mean, you love public speaking and J gets more like you every day."
That caught the older slayer's attention. "You think so?"
"No doubt." Faith stole a glance in the blonde's direction, fighting hard to keep her eyes on the other slayer's face and not further south. "She's confident and strong… and she's gonna be a *hottie* for sure. Just hopefully when she's much, much older and I don't have to bust guys' heads for appreciatin' that, y'know?"
Buffy's chuckle detracted from the slight blush that she was sporting. "Yeah," she agreed.
Faith hit the zoom on the handycam she'd borrowed from Willow, as Joyce's only line was cued.
The blonde youngster, dressed in her kick-ass home-conjured drawf costume, stirred as Snow White shook her, waking her from slumber.
She looked up, "Did I fall asleep?" and delivered her line to perfection, looking up into the princess' eyes.
"For a little while," Came the damsel's scripted reply, as she stroked 'Sleepy's head. Faith resisted the urged to hoot and holler, instead settling for a thumbs up that was only seen by the slayer seated beside her.
Buffy's focus alternated between Faith and the production, which aside from her daughter's one line, had been quite frankly appalling. It had been one of those super lame attempts to take a classic story and 'modernise' it for a younger crowd. The slayer decided that the director had hit a new low when, in the next scene, the seven dwarves stormed the castle and mounted a martial arts laden offensive on the evil queen. As a collective rap from the dwarves, followed by the curtain call, signaled the end of the play, the slayer reluctantly clapped. Turning to Willow who was sat on her right, she was met with the same puzzled expression.
"Snow White... with a 21st Century twist, huh?" Kennedy leaned forward and observed aloud.
"I... uh... hmmm..." Buffy replied, near speechless.
"Hey, you read my mind," Willow laughed.
The slayer turned to her left hoping to acquire an opinion from Faith (and to ask whether they should consider private-schooling their daughter!), only to just catch the woman in question dashing backstage.
Rushing towards the cheering cast, Faith located and grabbed the attention of a happy Joyce.
"Kiddo, you were awesome," the brunette congratulated, leaning down to give the young girl a hug.
"Thanks," the youngster replied, taking off her drawf-hat. She looked behind to see her mother and friends approaching. "And thanks for the threads, Aunt Will."
"You're welcome."
Buffy crouched beside her little girl, hugging her also. "You were great, sweetie." She told her.
"Absolutely, Joyce." Kennedy echoed, leaving out from the sentiment that everything else about the production had bordered on horrific.
"I say we all go to the mall; Chick-a-fil-A ourselves up," Faith announced. "I'm starving."
"Me too!" Joyce added, her stomach growl perfectly punctuating the admission.
"Let's do it," Faith hollered. "Last one to the car's payin'"
Buffy could only laughed as the brunette and their daughter raced towards the parking lot.
"Ahhhh, liquory goodness." Willow beamed as Faith returned to the table with drinks.
"Hell yeah." The slayer handed each one out in turn. "Alrighty Red, your beer and single whisky chaser. Ken your screwdriver. B, this cosmo's got your name on it and for our superstar, your coke and pink lemonade mix." Faith set the drink down and then made a funny straw appear as though from thin air. "With a wicked straw to boot."
Beaming, Joyce thanked her and reached for the drink enjoying the tangy mixture despite the weird looks the drink was getting from the adults. 'What was so cool about alcohol anyway? Pink coke-alade was soo the way to go' she decided.
Buffy clanked her own glass with her fork, demanding attention with an, "I'd like to propose a toast. To the best, cutest, most adorable Sleepy I have ever seen." She turned to her little girl. "You were amazing today, baby. I am so proud of you."
"To Joyce!" Willow summarised, as everyone toasted the evening together.
Their meal had been delicious and the banter around the table had left everyone feeling cheerful and content. A comfortable silence was on the table as the waiting staff cleared it, save for Willow's half-eaten plate of olives. That was until Faith jumped to her feet.
"Kiddo, come get whooped on the pinball machines," she challenged.
"You're on," Joyce accepted with a laugh, racing after the slayer to the arcade area.
Convinced the two were out of earshot, both Kennedy and Willow turned to Buffy who was staring blissfully at her family. Noting the silence that had suddenly returned, Buffy looked between the wicca and the slayer asking a non-accusatory, "What?"
"OK, I for one haven't seen you smiling that big since... I don't know when." Kennedy turned to her partner, "Honey, when was the last time?"
"I'm not sure," Willow jovially admitted. "I'm pretty sure it starts with a 'ninteen-ninety..."
"I..." Buffy tried to mount a defence… But couldn't. Even she couldn't remember the last time she'd been in such high spirits. "OK I'm smilo-girl – so sue me."
A little merrier, the redhead took another sip of her beverage. "Nope! No sue-age here, Buff; I'm glad you're happy."
"Sue-age?" Kennedy had to ask her giggling girlfriend. She pointed to the glass in Willow's hand. "No way that's a single shot."
All three of them looked up as Faith returned to the table, elated that her beer was still cold. "I was replaced," she explained.
The three ladies looked to see Joyce engaged in a heated pinball game with a friend from school. Their attention drawn back to the table when Faith shuffled closer to Buffy, reaching over to pinch some olives from Willow's plate. She then sat back, grinning at her little distraction manoeuvre whilst enjoying the fruity-goodness.
"So, what are we talking about?" She swung her arm to rest on the furniture behind herself and the blonde beside her.
"Oh... Nothing major." Kennedy answered for the table. "How's Delana doing by the way?"
"Better. Oh and about D," the dark slayer turned to Willow. "I'm gonna be movin' out next week. D's being discharged soon and I wanna be there to take care of her."
Glancing briefly at Buffy and catching her deflated expression, Kennedy spoke up, "There... As in her place? You and Delana are moving in together?"
Pausing for a moment, Faith answered, "Nah.. Well, yeah but it's not like that. I mean, Guy lives there too..."
"Still, don't you think it's a little soon?"
Helping herself to more of Willow's olives, Faith mulled it over. "Guess it was gonna happen sooner or later." She shrugged, deciding, "Might as well be sooner, right? `Sides means you can get one of your guest rooms back."
Then the now uncomfortable silence was back; the merry atmosphere a distant memory. So awkward was the moment upon them, that Willow made a desperate attempt to liven things up with an overly chipper tone, "More alcohol anyone? I'm buying!"
Buffy was the first to respond, raising her empty glass, with an emphatic, "Yes. Please."
December 19th.
Joyce marked it in her diary and sighed. She was supposed to be back on assignment by now, but she had to admit that she was having way too much fun in Sunnydale.
It was awesome to be with her mom and to see Faith smiling and happy again. It was a sight that she hadn't seen much of back at the Barracks.
The barracks... Home. Where her other family and friends resided. See, here in Sunnydale, she was just a kid. Her mom's sweetheart, Faith's kiddo; surrounded by aunts and uncles that loved her...
But back home, she was cadet Finn... a soldier-in-training, with team mates and important, top-secret responsibilities.
Joyce cast her mind back to her last assignment and the request that she'd made on graduation. There had been candles, there had been cake... there had been ultimatums. She was now old enough to be emancipated of her guardian and she was happy enough with that. But her mirth was short-lived when she had asked what would happen to Faith now. The answer was simple; she would be tried for her 'crimes against the Initiative' and if found guilty, put to death.
Her crimes? A few cases of assault and the murder of Captain Riley Finn. Her dad. When Joyce had been told of the murder, she barely understood its severity. She knew that what Faith had done was wrong and that she needed to be punished. But she also knew the slayer a little more than everyone else and knew that she couldn't hurt somebody who didn't have it coming. Her comrades had speculated about it with her and she'd paid regular visits to the on-site shrink... But her questions had remained unanswered for the most part. In fact, the only person that could answer her questions was the only person that they'd not allow her to ask.
Joyce and Faith had been kept separate for the most time, when they'd first arrived at the military base somewhere in a remote South American location. So it was only months later that the cadet had had a chance to ask Faith about what had happened and ask her why the others were calling her a monster. The slayer hadn't replied at first. Joyce thought that even if she'd wanted to, she'd been too weak to do so.
Thus, much of their time together was spent in silence. Every day after classes- psychology, ops training, target practice classes- Joyce would sneak up to the containment room to sit with her, try to talk to her, guard her.
Eventually, the slayer began to open up to her. Each passing conversation brought some new information. She'd filled in a few gaps and told her a few things that the Initiative officers had neglected to mention. Things like the fact that they had organised Faith's kidnapping and poisoning before forcing her mother to sign her over to the military. Yeah, that had conveniently slipped their minds.
Faith had said that she was sorry, but explained that she wasn't going to 'let the assholes that had taken me, to lay a fucking hand on' Joyce. She told her 'kiddo' of the oath that she'd sworn to always love her, provide for her and protect her. Faith was like a father... Only better `cause she was a girl... and let's face it; girls rule.
Joyce knew all she needed then; she had all the assurance she needed. After all, Faith was the woman who had helped raise her, read to her when she was bored, sung- albeit horribly- with her in the car on their way to school. Held her at night when she couldn't sleep…
She'd tried to tell their captors all of this, but the attempt had fallen on deaf ears. There was no doubt in Joyce's mind as to the way the trial would go and there were a lot of people who were out for Faith and there at the barracks, there was no such thing as a 'fair' trial. Only one that had the Initiative's best interests at heart. No, she couldn't take any chances.
She remembered calling the attention of her superior to make her plea.
"Brig?" she'd said, at the doorway of her commanding officer.
"Cadet Finn," her senior replied, in the make-shift, small cubby that was her office whilst on operation on foreign soil.
"Lieutenant Hammond said you wanted to see me."
"Yes." The sturdy lady took a deep breath and stood. "Look, Finn, are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"And there's nothing that I can say to change your mind about this?"
The youngster shook her head. "No ma'am."
The officer let our a defeated sigh, as she stood. "Then you have my permission. You will of course remember the rules surrounding our covert military operations emphasis on the *covert*."
"Yes."
The Brigadier had then anticipated the question Joyce was to ask and continued, "No one will follow you; you have my word. But I want you to give me your word that you will return in time for your assignments in December."
"I promise."
"Ok. We'll try to make your 'escape' look as realistic as possible - within reason, of course." The woman then gave a throaty chuckle. "That said, the slayer's not exactly the sharpest tool in the box; she shouldn't take much convincing."
And that was that. The plan was set in motion and the charade of their getaway was scheduled to begin at 18:00 hours the following week. Joyce was briefed on the plan, on checkpoints and where they'd find the tools they'd need for their return to America... and finally the expiration date for her freedom.
She looked to the calendar again. If only she'd been briefed on how to make her extraction from her new life hurt less.
But it had to. She knew that if she didn't go back, they would just send a team for her; she'd been warned as much. No, she needed to go back of her own accord. That way, they might let her come back to Sunnydale during the holidays.
She could only hope.
Joyce looked to the classroom door at Sunnydale High, as it opened as the school bell rang through. She stood along with the rest of her classmates. She slung her backpack on and filed out into the playground, with one of her friends following closely beside her.
"Coming to my house? Jess and Tyler'll be there." Mikey asked her, as they exited the building. It was officially the last day of school and there was fun to be had... Just not at Mikey's house.
"Can't," the youngster replied, she'd already made plans. She caught sight of her guardian for the weekend, casually leaning against her jeep across the way. "Another day, though?"
"Sure thing. Ty's gonna be bummed though."
"Tell him I'll make it up to him later!" Joyce called, glancing briefly behind her, before running up to and received a hug from Faith.
"Alright, kiddo, our weekend officially starts now, you ready?" The slayer asked, looking at watch and missing the emphatic nod, the blonde gave in response. "We starting with Sea World or Six Flags?"
"Sea World." Joyce whooped and took her position on the passenger seat of the black auto and reached for her shades from the glove compartment.
"You got it." Faith strapped herself in and started the car and maneuvered the vehicle out of the space. She double-checked with her passenger, "You pack a bag?"
Joyce nodded again. "At home, by the door."
That earned her a thumbs up from the brunette beside her, who simultaneously gunned the engine.
Though Faith eyes were on the road ahead, Joyce could sense that the slayer had something on her mind, so was relieved when she shared, "You know your mom's hitting the big 3-0 next month? Celebration's gotta be epic."
"Like as big as my party was?"
"I say we try and amp it up a little, whaddya say?"
Holy wow. Considering the amount of effort her parents had put into her twelfth birthday, topping that was going to be insane.
She thought back to her birthday which had been awesome. Her mom had spent about two weeks before it, organizing it and all her new friends from school were talking about it like it was going to be the best event ever.
Faith was in charge of the music and food – naturally, as they were two of her favorite things. Her mom was in charge of... well, everything else. They'd worked well together as a team. Every other night before patrol, they'd sit with folders and charts, planning and co-ordinating. Joyce had wondered whether it was all totally necessary for a kid-party, but her mother had explained that there were going to be forty adolescents in one non-sound-proofed hall and so 'major destruction reduction techniques' were required to ensure that no one lost an eye.
But, the planning had worked. The party had gone off without a hitch and her popularity at school had almost tripled. It was beyond cool.
SO much cooler than her birthday the year before. She'd spent that one in Huxley with her family on her father's side. Until that Winter, she didn't know it was possible to have that much corn... Or that there was that much corn in the world… But every meal had a 'corn' pre or suffixed to it: corn balls, corn bread, corn cake, corn syrup, corn soup, popcorn… Or just the plain old cob-y kind. Man, Iowa had been dull. Even when there'd been a remote chance of fun with the mention of a football game at the 'local' highschool… The four hour drive there had been the nail in that coffin. Then came the icing on the cake… Her grandfather Lou was a farmer and so she'd got to experience the horror of milking a cow.
"See, you gotta squeeze her udders real nice and slow," the easily two hundred-two hundred fifty pound oldie bent low next to the cow, massaging its teat.
"Is it okay?" Joyce had asked in reference to the sounds emanating from the beast.
"Ohh yeah. That gruntin'?" Oh dear God he was bending lower - thank goodness for coveralls. "She loves that, don't ya, Gilly-Sue? Gonna give us a lot of milk today, aint ya, baby? Today's milk's gonna go down real smooth in Pop's cornbread."
If only he could have seen the scene himself through Joyce's eyes, he would have anticipated the fact that Joyce's corn-cereal breakfast was about to make an unwelcome return… All over the barn floor.
The youngster hoped that the cleaning bill for that would be the antidote to any future invites from the Finn-clan.
Oh she was most definitely a city girl. The bright lights, fast pace, the shopping sprees… Her finger was definitely and firmly on the city-pulse. That's why she loved it whenever her mom and her had 'girl-time' weekends down in LA.
Los Angeles was definitely the place to be and not *so* far away from Sunnydale. Joyce wished that she could move down to LA for good one day. Her aunt Cordelia had told her that it 'didn't look like she'd got the dwarf-gene from her mom' and so she could probably be a model if she got an agent. It was something that Joyce had never really considered, what with her wanting to be a Psychiatrist slash military-sponsored Astrophysicist one day… But she guessed she could fit it some modelling in around that; she'd make it work.
Faith's car pulled up outside a small house on a quiet street and upon looking out of the window, Joyce's face was a picture of the confusion that she was feeling.
"Thirty seconds, kiddo. Gotta change. Come on in, you can meet D."
D. The infamous Delana. Or the home-wrecking-bitca (HWB) as she was un-fondly referred to as - courtesy again of aunt Cordy. Faith seemed so smitten with her. Every other day it was 'gotta get D this' or 'have to make D that'. It was totally vomit-worthy.
Faith let them into her new home and the HWB was stood in her living room painting. She couldn't see the picture, but she was sure it was dumb. Who paints anyway? Hippie!
"How was work?" HWB asked.
"Like work." Faith laughed. The youngster beside her stood forward as she was introduced with a, "Babe, Joyce. Joyce, D."
HWB did that annoying crouch-to-eye-level thing that adults did when they were trying to be super-nice. "It's so nice to finally meet you," she said, sickly-sweetly. "Faith talks about you all the time."
"Hi," was all the blonde would get from Joyce.
The cadet heard Faith laugh and ask her to, "Give me a second to get changed would ya? But sit, chill."
"Ooh!" Miss I-so-get-my-hair-colour-from-a-bottle perked up. "Can I give Joyce some of your special Pecan Pie?"
The youngster caught the slayer's momentary hesitation followed by the narrowing of her eyes. "Alright... Just don't leave her alone with it, okay?" Faith then proceeded upstairs, ridding herself of her motor-oil stained tee.
The moment had made both girls laugh simultaneously and the youngster un-tense... A little.
"Come on," Delana took her by the hand. "You have to try this pie, Joyce. It's delicious."
Then a little more.
She led the youngster to the kitchen and pulled out a chair for her at the dining table.
Okay, so maybe the whole HWB title was a little harsh. Delana was nice enough... She just wasn't Joyce's mother.
See, her parents belonged together... Period.
Anything or anyone standing in the way of that needed to be annihilated... Period.
Only problem was, she was running out of time.
Author's Notes: It's been about two years since I last had to step into a garage- Ah, the joys of having an extended warranty- so, um, if any mechanics are reading? Sorry : P
"Ohhhh shit!" Faith slot a new spark plug into the engine of the Hyundai she was tending to, dropped her wrench and ran to her planner. Frantically turning the pages, she landed on today...
December 19th.
"Shit, shit, shit!" she repeated.
She had a Prius that she had to pop out a dent from by close of play and she hadn't even started. The slayer looked to the time. She had exactly half an hour to make it decent enough for a respray, before she had to pick Joyce up from school and start their quality time weekend.
Faith and her kiddo's QT weekend was scheduled to be every second Saturday of the month. It was just their time to hang and bond; no interruptions, just their time to go nuts and have a blast... `twas a total flip-side to the girlie weekends Buffy'd make Joyce have every alternate week. Whilst even Faith could admit that every girl needed a mani-pedi every once in a while, she *had to* draw the line at the spas and facials that'd follow when B had her way.
That said, she also had to admit that she'd make her peace with it considering the fact that Buffy was looking pretty damn fine these days. It was like the slayer was getting hotter by the day and if anything, the week they'd spent together a little while back was evidence that the older slayer's focus on her appearance, was money well spent.
Faith remembered the poolside barbecue that Kennedy and Willow had organised as part of her week-long leaving party. Monday to Saturday was to be spent aiding Faith's crossing over to the other side... Of Sunnydale that was... Y'know, the side where the residents didn't live 3 people to a 6-bed house. Where they couldn't open the window of small guest bed and bath and be greeted by the view of a large pool down below... Yes, the poor side of SunnyD.
Anyhow that day was a fine Saturday with Faith lounging on a lounger at the pools edge, with a Pina in one hand and her shades in the other. Across the way tending to the roasting meat was Willow and her deliciously tanned ex, sporting a white bikini and sarong set that was making her mouth water a little more so than the scent of the cooking Rib eye.
She tried to make her leering as discreet as possible, only stealing the occasional glance during the pauses Kennedy was taking during their rather one-sided conversation... That was until Buffy caught her eye from across the way. The slayer gave her a small smile, that had Faith grinning wildly and caused Kennedy to snap her fingers in front of her face.
"My bad, K." Faith replied, turning her attention fully to the other woman. "You were saying?"
Rolling her eyes, Kennedy continued, "So, I think it's a great idea. She should totally introduce Amy."
"Who's Amy?" Faith had asked, sipping her drink and allowing herself to be distracted by Buffy again. She was talking and laughing with Willow and it was making the brunette a little hot under the collar... Well, bikini top.
"Oh," Kennedy fanned her arms around to emphasize her description. "She's this super cute girl at Willow's coven. She's so sweet, you have no idea. I think she and Buffy will make the cutest couple."
OK that got Faith's attention loud and clear.
"She and who will make the cutest what?" She waited for Kennedy to fill in the blanks with an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah..." the younger woman scooted away a little. "Will and I are sorta... Kinda setting them up on a date? It's just that Buffy's been so lonely and... and please don't hit me."
"Why would I hit you?"
"You've got that look in your eyes."
Faith forced herself to exhale – why was breathing all of a sudden so damn difficult? I mean she'd been doing it just fine for twenty eight years. "Ken, it's totally cool if you wanna set B up. 'Bout time everyone moved on right?"
"Um, Faith..." She looked as though she felt she had to point out the fact that, "If you squeeze that arm rest any harder-"
The sound of cracked wood finished off that sentence and added a rosy hue to Faith's cheeks. "Shit," the brunette mumbled, clearing the splinters until a shadow cast upon her.
"Uh-oh." Buffy observed, she sat down and shared Faith's sun lounger, avoiding the fragments, "What did the chair do now?"
"Nothin'." The younger slayer turned to her host, as Willow took a seat beside Kennedy. "Real sorry `bout that, Red. I'll buy you a new one soon as I get paid."
Willow waved it away. "It's no big... I'm sure the chair deserved it."
Faith exchanged glances with Kennedy, who knew differently. She was glad when Ken spoke up. "I was just about to tell Faith about Amy."
"Oooh, yes." Willow popped her shades atop her head and with an animated smile asked Buffy, "What are you doing this Friday night?"
"Umm... Preparing for Monday morning's counseling sessions."
All three ladies gave her a look that said they didn't believe her for a second.
"Watching a reality TV show about a millionaire," Buffy admitted, her head hung in shame.
"OK, great! We have a surprise for you."
"A good surprise? Or a let's-ask-Buffy-to-meet-us-at-the-Bronze-for-drinks-then-forget-about-it-and-leave-her-waiting-for-two-hours kinda surprise?"
Faith chuckled into her drink, as the blonde narrowed her eyes and glared at the couple.
"Yeah, again really sorry about that." Kennedy apologised.
"It's a good surprise." Red answered. "Remember that girl I was telling you about, Amy? Well, it turns out she's recently single... and you're recently single... So, we thought you ladies might like to make with the meet-age. Say this Friday at eight thirty at Chez Nous?"
Buffy's eyes widened, as she realised, "You've already set this up, haven't you?"
"Kinda."
"No..." The slayer shook her head. "It's too soon."
"C'mon B," Faith chimed in. "Way Ken tells it, this chick sounds pretty decent. Worth at least checking out over a bite, right?" OK she had no idea why she was encouraging this. Half of her wanted to beat living shit out of Kennedy for having the stones to fix Buffy up with a chick... Whilst the other half couldn't understand why she was getting bent out of shape about the whole thing. After all, they'd moved on, right?
The loud tick-tock of the clock on the wall above her, brought Faith back to the present and she reached for a rubber mallet. Crouched down low by the Prius, she used the hammer to smooth out the crease in the metal. The panel would need to be re-sprayed metallic red to match the rest of the car, but she was sure that her shop would have it looking good as new in no time.
The slayer's new job at the auto shop meant a lot to her. Thanks to the steady income, she was finally able to get back to some sense of the normality she had before the last three years. She was making her own money, contributing to rent. She was even able to put some aside that would make up part of Joyce's college fund. It was very important to her that Joyce'd go to college, something that she wished her parents had made a priority for her. She also made sure she took every opportunity that she could to spend time with her kiddo, because as far as she was concerned, the girl was the most important person in her life.
It had bugged her girlfriend a little at first – they could be in the middle of a date or lounging around at home and Faith's cellphone would ring, and the slayer would take off. They'd fought about the fact that Faith hadn't even seen fit to introduce Delana to the reason why she was to be spending this particular Friday night alone.
"Babe, you want me to leave a twelve year old alone in a big house unattended?"
"No," Delana had replied, sitting up in her bead against her three fluffed up pillows. "I just don't see why she can't come over here instead."
"'Cause, J's having some girlfriends over and I can't exactly tell her to cancel. Plus you need your rest, babe." Faith started lacing up her boots, before giving her girlfriend a kiss. "Look, I'll be back before you know it. Guy says just holler if you need anything, ok?"
D nodded, as Faith took leave and headed over to Summers' household. She was due there at eight and look to her watch as she pulled into the driveway. Eight on the dot.
Another interruption, distracted the slayer from her reverie of times past. "What's up?" Don - her boss - had entered from behind her and looked over her shoulder for the source of the issue. "Heard you cursin' like a sailor."
"Nothin'" Faith had finally answered. She smoothed the side of the vehicle and stood back to admire it.
"Oh-kay. There's a woman outside. Says she won't let anyone else touch her bimmer," Don dipped his head under the hood of the vehicle occupying most of the space in the autoshop. He inspected the changed part and waited for the answer. "Great work on this."
"Yeah?" Was Faith's response to both statements. She pointed to the waiting room. Okay I'll take care of her, but after that I gotta go. I've got my kid this weekend and she finishes at 4." The slayer guessed that the grunt she received in reply was enough permission. She checked her handiwork again, before saying, "Send her in."
The slayer'd heard her boss ask that the lady come, "This way, ma'am." That was her cue to straighten up her coveralls and do a quick palm-wipe, as the customer walked into her office slash workshop. She was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face, as Buffy strode in.
Faith couldn't stop herself from eye-ing up the other slayer from her stilettos to the half-smirk she wore oh so hotly.
"Wow," she let slip. She cleared her throat and walked over to Buffy, kissing her 'hello'. She stood back and took another peep. Damn, the way Buffy was working that pencil skirt and white top had her head spinning. So much so that when the slayer had began explaining the reason for her visit, Faith hadn't heard a word she'd said.
"Earth to Faith...?" Buffy tried again, walking towards her now wearing the most adorable expression. "Are you okay?"
The younger slayer shook herself back to reality. "Five by, babe. Uh, so, what's up?"
"Um.. Tyre punctured... Needs changing?" Buffy explained for a second time.
"Oh? Yeah no problem." Faith reached for a jack and gestured for the other slayer to lead the way. As Buffy strode past her, the brunette caught the slayer's subtle scent of Chanel perfume and breathed it in with a sigh.
She grabbed a quick sip of some nearby water, set the bottle down and strode up to the silver soft-top, kneeling beside it and positioned the jack underneath. Using her strength to prop the car up on its front wheels, she reached for the wrench on her belt and worked the bolts on the wheel.
"You're sexy when you work," Buffy'd observed from behind her. It caused the tool in her hand to slip from it and clank against the ground.
She looked up at the other woman, before moving out from beneath the vehicle and standing to full height.
"I'm sorry." Buffy apologised, before biting her lower lip and and retrieving the tool, returning it to Faith.
The brunette glanced around quickly and stepped towards the other slayer. Keeping her voice low, she merely said, "Think I need to remind you the meanin' of the word discreet."
Despite them having had the conversation several times before, Faith found that she was having to give lessons in the art of being covert to Buffy, since the other night when she found that it was humanly impossible to resist her ex.
With Delana in recovery, she no longer had a way to release the frustration that was pent up inside her, the level of which was incidentally proportional to the time she spent alone with Buffy.
Yet, she seemed to want to find any excuse to continue to torment herself. It had come to Faith's attention that while she'd been away, Buffy had taken on the role of watcher to the two 'active' slayers; Kennedy and Amanda. She'd let the juniors do the slaying and had observed from a distance, helping them hone their skills. Since Faith had returned, however, she would not let the fairer slayer slack off. They'd take turns patrolling with the juniors and sometimes with one another. Therein lay the major problem.
See side-by-side sweaty action with her ex, but no release afterwards? It was driving Faith all kindsa crazy.
One night after a particularly busy Restfield sweep, both slayers had stood in the aftermath and after-dust of their fight. Hair tousled, skin gleaming, chests heaving; their bodies were humming... But for different reasons.
"Oh, wow..." The way that drawl had escaped Buffy's lips had turned Faith on. Her eyes raked over the woman's tight little body and she felt her heart rate quicken just a little. "I'm cancelling my gym membership and doing *this* more often." Buffy continued.
Faith stepped back and tried to get her own body back under control. It wasn't so long ago that she'd take advantage of the other slayer's post-slay adrenaline rush; throw her up against the closest hard object and fuck her senseless. Buffy's voice when she was taking her... her scent... The way she tasted... Faith could remember it all and it was as though every moment they spent together was a test of her willpower.
It all had to come to a head a few nights later, when Faith was sat in the living room of the Summers' house, idly watching television and waiting for Buffy to return from her date. Joyce and her friends had been keeping her company for the most part of the evening, but the youngsters had konked out after their twenty-fourth round of blackjack and Faith had helped them to bed & sleeping bags in Joyce's room. She'd then made her way back downstairs and turned on the television. They were showing late night reruns of Robot Chicken, but even that barrel of laughs couldn't hold her attention tonight.
She was too busy thinking about Buffy being on a date with another woman. She'd mentioned that Amy was taking her to some lame-ass show at the local Art Gallery... Ok so maybe Faith'd added the 'lame-ass' part... She figured Buffy'd probably enjoy it and a part of her hated that. Was it wrong to wish that the two of them would have a horrible time together?
Faith sat back and tried to make sense of her feelings. On the one hand she so desperately wanted to move on. Buffy'd hurt her in ways that she'd never even knew that she could be hurt and it was going to take time to heal. On the other hand, she knew that the older slayer would always have a piece of her heart that no one else would ever come close to and that confused the hell out of her.
She took a deep breath and stood, as she heard a set of keys in the front door lock.
"How was it?" Faith emerged from the darkness within the living room.
"Faith...? You startled me." Buffy swung her scarf from around her neck. "It was nice," she answered. She'd reached for the light switch, but Faith took hold the outstretched hand and used it to pull Buffy towards her. She just caught the wide-eyed expression on Buffy's face, before her eyes closed and her arm pinned Buffy's behind her, just above the smaller slayer's ass. She leaned down and kissed her.
She felt Buffy moan against her and stepped forward, pushing the slayer into the door behind her, not breaking their contact for a moment. Her mouth opened and her tongue sought Buffy's, as she tasted the wine the slayer'd drank earlier that evening. She sucked on her, lightly biting the muscle and drawing a soft whimper from the blonde, whose other hand had made it beneath Faith's shirt.
The contact of their skin, brought Faith out of the lust-trance that she was in and she stepped back out of the other slayer's grasp. "I'm sorry," she told a clearly confused Buffy.
Faith reached for her jacket beside the door and when Buffy stepped aside, near broke into a sprint out of the door.
OK that was so not good. She had a girlfriend; of whom she was very fond. Delana was a sweet and caring girl. And not to mention the fact that she was hot as fuck. The slayer felt she'd be a fool to lose her over what may or may not just be a relapse thing with her ex. She felt stupid for letting things go as far as she had with Buffy, not to mention crazy-guilty.
That guilt had forced Faith continously remind herself that she had a girlfriend and find every reason she could to slip Delana into conversation – something that backfired when one evening at the dinner table, Joyce observed,
"How come we've never met Delana?"
That question had earned Faith silent, questioning looks from those present at the dinner table. Willow had then reached for more yams, whilst Kennedy and Buffy had taken simultaneous sips of their glasses of water.
Chewing down her vegetables, Faith eventually answered, "I didn't know you'd wanna, kiddo".
"I've got to agree with Joyce, Faith." Great, now Willow was adding her two cents into the mix. "It sounds like Delana is really important to you. It'd be nice if she was part of the gang."
The slayer had noticed that Buffy had been mostly silent throughout the exchange, but turned to Joyce regardless. "Yeah, kiddo. I'll set it up for sure. `Bout time D got to meet the fam', right?"
"Right." Joyce had exclaimed rather chirpily. The slayer wondered how she'd managed to pelt into that one. She had not wanted a situation where Joyce would get attached to her girlfriend unless she thought the relationship would stick and right now, things were complicated.
The rest of their dinner was consumed amiably enough. Willow and Kennedy had said their goodbyes and left satiated and happy. Joyce had taken her taken off upstairs to take a call from one of her friends and the remaining slayers had begun the cleanup of the mess left in their wake. A dish in each hand, Faith approached Buffy at the sink in the kitchen and placed the dinner ware in the soapy water.
"I'm sorry about the D-heavy convo earlier," she admitted, wrapping her arms around the blonde in front of her. "Just thought it'd seem kinda weird if I didn't mention her, y'know?"
She felt Buffy lean back against her and relax into the embrace.
"You realise this means you are now going to have to introduce the two of them."
Closing her eyes and leaning her head on the older slayer's shoulder, Faith sighed, "Me and my big fuckin' mouth."
"Yeah." Buffy had turned around in her arms then. "Or…" The taller slayer had felt Buffy's arms circle her shoulders and her hands rubbing the tense muscle there. "We could just tell her about this?" She kissed her then. "About us."
Oh God, were they an 'us'?
Faith sighed and "We don't even know what this is yet, B. You really wanna have *that* conversation with everybody before we've had that conversation with each other?"
"So, let's have that conversation."
"Not here... Not now."
"Then when?"
Faith leaned her forehead against that of the woman in front of her and looked into those gorgeous green eyes of hers. "Soon," she promised. "Til then, let's just keep this" she pointed between them and finished off, "Discreet." She placed another small kiss on the slayer's lips and stepped back. "Thanks for dinner."
...to be continued...