The Hokey Pokey
by Kelly Smith
Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: Nothing and no-one belongs to me.
Notes: Set season three. But kinda different. Angel doesn't come back to spoil the fun. Everyone is really nice. All grown ups are just super understanding... and there's pretty much no angst. Frolicking Fuffy fun. That's all.
Dedication: For Elaine Martin. Cos some days suck and it all just comes down to what can make ya smile. Today sucks, and yes, she makes me smile.

+1=2=3+

PART 1.

The Bronze was rocking. People were packed in and the music was thumping, the air hanging heavy with the scent of energy, excitement and in some cases lust. The gang were there, it was Friday night, of course the gang was there. They had their usual comfy spot, hanging off and lounging on the sofa’s, high in spirits, finding the fun.

Faith was commandeering the group, telling tales not only of slaying, but also of her conquests… scanning the room for fresh meat, rating those she had already discarded. She wasn’t being mean, she was only being honest, and her friends were hanging off each of her words as if she was some great explorer telling them of countries far away and exotic, places they were yet to go to. She liked being the centre of attention. It was still all new to her, the hanging out with people, learning to trust people and sometimes she had to kick herself just to check she wasn’t dreaming. She wasn’t though. It was all true.

She shifted herself now. Attention had waned for a minute, everyone was focusing on Xander, listening to him tell the story of the time he almost managed to almost get Cordy to almost let him get inside her pants. She hadn’t though. Faith was sure of that… she could spot a virgin from a mile away… especially the young hormone enthused male of the species. And Xander was a virgin for sure. She’d bet her last dollar on it.

She surveyed the little gaggle of friends. Willow plonked to the left of Xander and Buffy perched to his right. Willow’s eyes shining with laughter as Xander assured her that he could indeed get a new girlfriend if he wanted one, he just wasn’t in the market for one yet. Wanted to stay single for a while, check out the scenery. Consider his options.

He fixed his usual longing gaze on Faith. Allowed his eyes to travel her curves, to linger on the flesh she had uncovered… to imagine just for a second, that he would one day be able to go there. He knew he wouldn’t… but still, didn’t hurt to look. He looked at Buffy often enough, and now looking at Faith was also part of his daily routine. Sometimes he looked at Buffy and Faith and imagined them together. And sometimes he got cramp in his wrist.

The atmosphere changed around them as the band made their way off of the stage. It had been a good set, nothing unusual, but good enough for the Bronze. Oz stopped at the bar and then made his way over to the sofas. To his girlfriend. He looked at Willow, took in the way she was glowing with mischief, her face so solemn as she nodded her head up and down at Xander’s words, but her eyes belying the truth. The amusement in them was plain for all to see. As he threw himself down on the vacant sofa, Willow played adoring girlfriend and made her way to his lap. It was kinda cute. Everyone looked away as their tongues were reacquainted though… it was a show they had seen enough times before to lose interest.

“So Oz, my guitar stroking friend, what’s the story from the stage..? Any hot chicks you’re looking to pass my way? Maybe some groupies looking for a little bit of action?”

They all rolled their eyes, desperation in a guy was never attractive.

“I think the groupies are only interested in the ‘actual’ band members.”

He saw the disappointment as it crossed Xander's face. Sought to soften his words.

“But I’ll keep my ear to the ground.”

Buffy chimed in.

“Maybe YOU could play an instrument?”

“Yeah B… but I think there’s only one kinda instrument that he knows how to play with, ain’t that right Xan?”

“You could always play it for me Faith, give it a retune…”

He fixed her again with his longing look, noticed the sexy smile play out across her lips, the wiggle of eyebrows she looked his way.

“In your dreams? Every night?”

“Not EVERY night…” he thought about that as he said it, felt himself colour. “…more of a err… weekend treat.”

“Guess your lucks in tonight then V boy, come dance with me, I’ll show ya some moves.”

They made their way to the dance floor, her immediately pressing up to him, letting him know everything he was missing, probably never gonna have. It was a fun show to watch, one that kept the others amused.

“Hey Buff, you think she’ll ever put him out of his misery?”

Buffy considered that one. She knew Faith pretty well now, kinda knew what she liked, what she went for in a guy… and she didn’t think bumbling virgin was gonna cut it. Also..? She didn’t really think she’d be happy if Xander and Faith did hook up. It just seemed a bit… wrong. Not for any reason, not because she liked to have Faith as HER friend, almost exclusively. No. It was just… wrong.

“I dunno Wills, I doubt it… but then it is Faith. Is there any guessing what she’s gonna do next?”

“Why try?”

“Huh?” they both looked to Oz. Hoped for elaboration.

“Well, the way I see it, Faith is an enigma… it’s half of her charm. Why try and ruin that. Just settle in for the ride.”

He lent back into the sofa, removed his eyes from the show and went on to contemplate other things. He liked Faith. Faith was cool. Didn’t see a need to analyse that. So he didn’t.

“But what do YOU think Buffy? Do you think Faith would sleep with Xander?”

Buffy let her eyes travel Faith’s flesh, let it linger on the places that Xander was trying to find purchase, felt herself giggle as Faith expertly handled him. Moving around him like a snake, coiling her body, but then sliding out of reach as soon as he went for something too intimate.

“Nah… she’s not got that look, ya know?”

“Look? She has a look?”

“Oh yeah. She has got one hell of a look! She just fixes you with it, lets her eyes kinda… I don’t know ‘penetrate’ you, and then the tongue, she does that thing where she moistens her lips, just a little teeny bit of saliva, sitting there, begging to be…”

Buffy caught herself just in time. Naughty Faith thoughts were PRIVATE Faith thoughts. No need to share with the gang, after all… not like it did any harm. A little girl on girl in the head, did not a bad girl make.

Willow had been carried away by Buffy’s words though, by the intensity of them, by the far away look in her eyes as she spoke them. And now she wanted to know.

“To be what..? WHAT!”

“Uh… wiped! Yeah. Begging to be wiped.”

Buffy looked down at her drink, couldn’t face Willow’s inquisitive stare, couldn’t miss Oz’s knowing grin. But Oz wouldn’t say anything, he NEVER said anything.

“She has a look… and her mouth needs wiping… so she won’t sleep with Xander cos she isn’t wiping her mouth… is that right?”

“Something like that Wills, something like that.” She didn’t raise HER look from her drink, wanted the subject closed.

Xander and Faith chose that time to give up the disco fever, to rejoin their friends, to seek out refreshment. This time though, Faith found herself sat next to Buffy. Found black leather touching soft pastels and felt the charge that it produced. Not static charge. Something more. Something that made her pull extra hard from her bottle, taking in more liquid to douse the flames of desire.

“So what did we miss? What hi-jinx ensued whilst I was giving Faith a few pointers on the dance floor?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing B?.. Too busy watching the show right?”

“You wish Faith, but believe it or not, I do have lots of things to occupy my mind other than you.”

“Like what?”

“Huh?”

“Well… like what B? You spend every night with me. See me most days. Ya probably even dream about me at night…”

“I do NOT!”

“Slayer dreams girlfriend, don’t get your panties in a wrangle…”

The gang looked on as the banter ensued. They were used to it. Mostly they enjoyed it. Sometimes it came to blows, and even then they sometimes enjoyed it. Especially Xander.

“Faith. You do not get my panties in a wrangle, my panties do not even know you exist!”

“Wanna change that?”

It was like watching tennis. Back and forth, back and forth. Only the approaching jock seeming to end something that could of kept going forever.

He cleared his throat loudly as if to get their attention. Xander cast him a withering glare, but it didn’t distract him, didn’t keep him from pursuing his goal.

“Uh… Faith..?”

She didn’t look up, was now trying to beat Buffy in a thumb wrestle. Who was patrolling which cemetery rested on this result.

The guy tried again. A little louder. A little more desperate.

“Faith?”

This time she looked up, still squashed Buffy’s thumb hard as she did. Multi tasking was her thing.

“What?”

“I err…”

“You err… what?”

She wasn’t making it easy for him. Didn’t need to. She knew what he wanted, what he wasn’t gonna get. She didn’t do return visits, didn’t need the drama… and the testosterone laden boy man in front of her wasn’t likely to change her mind.

“I uh… did you wanna dance?”

She released Buffy’s hand, though not before she gave it a quick squeeze. She wanted Buffy to know she wasn’t going anywhere, had no intention of running off and getting laid, leaving all the slaying to her. Yeah she had won the thumb war, but slaying with Buffy was cool, gave her a buzz. Kinda made her happy.

“I might go and dance in a little while. Why?”

“I just wondered if maybe you would want to dance with me?”

She looked him up and down, considered her options. Yeah he was buff, packed in all the right places… but still. No.

“Not really, but gee… thanks for the offer.”

She relaxed back into the sofa as the guy made his retreat, tail tucked firmly between his legs, his pride on the floor being trampled on by the crowd.

“Ya really know how to cut a guy down don’t ya?”

They had tried to ignore the interaction, but it was kinda hard when it happened right in front of them.

“Ah, he deserved it. He lasted less than ten minutes… and those ten minutes..? Lets just say he didn’t rock my world.”

“So what did he score?”

“I don’t keep score on EVERYONE Xan!”

They all looked at her, brows raised.

“So really… what did he score?”

She let out a laugh, glanced across at the guy, at the girl he was now working his charms on.

“I won’t embarrass him, but lets just say…” her gaze again went to the girl he was pawing. “…the chick he’s trying to cosy up to..? SHE scored MUCH higher!”

You could have heard a pin drop. All the mouths of her friends were now hanging open. They knew that Faith was a connoisseur of all things sexual, that no guy was safe around her tempting curves and full on personality… but girls? And since when? And why had no one mentioned it sooner?

Buffy was the one that finally put words to thoughts. Kind of.

“You… with her… and she… and you… huh?”

“Close your mouth B, you’re starting to drool.” She shot her slaying partner a look, a wink, a hint of what she wanted. “And yes. With her, and she, and me… uh huh.”

“Did you video it, take pictures… for posterity?”

“Not this time Xan, but next time for sure.”

The looks amused her. She hadn’t said it to shock… she just didn’t see the need to keep it a secret. So she fucked girls sometimes..? Hardly front page news.

Oz was the only one who didn’t look totally freaked, like nothing could really faze him. Ever.

“Can I recommend a digi cam? Less embarrassment at the developers.”

“Thanks Oz, good call. I’ll bear it in mind.”

Willow had now switched her open mouthed look of shock to Oz.

“Digi cam?”

“Makes sense.”

He lent forward and closed her mouth, she was too cute when flustered.

“Look guys, as much fun as this is… me and B, we gotta get a groove on.” She stood up, held her hand out to Buffy. “Whaddya say girlfriend, ready to motor?”

“Uh huh.”

She stood up to follow, but her knees felt kind of weak. SHE felt kind of weak, all over. Faith slept with girls? The Faith from her naughty thoughts slept with girls?

“Well come on then, I don’t think the dead are gonna wait for us to rise.”

Buffy shook her head clear, put on her slaying persona.

“I’m with ya Faith,” she looked back. “Guys, Will, I’ll see ya tomorrow, right?”

No one answered. They just nodded. Lots.

“Later.”

And with that they left. Off to do their duty in keeping the world safe.

Willow followed them with her eyes, all the way to the door, still lingering as if she could read what was going on. If anything was going on.

“I…” she turned her gaze back to Oz. “…I can’t believe that Faith is…”

“An enigma?”

She nodded her head sagely.

“Yeah. An enigma.”

*****

The slayers had settled on the idea of patrolling together. Yes it took twice as long, but it was Friday, there was no school tomorrow, and it was always nice to have the company. Plus… Buffy had something on her mind. Like a dog with a bone, something she couldn’t let go of, something she wanted to know. It was hard to work up the courage though, when she felt so strongly that she had a vested interest in all the answers.

“So what’s up with the silence tonight B? Normally I have my fingers in my ears about now, trying to drown out the sound of the crazy chat.”

“Hard to put your fingers in your ears with a stake in your hand.”

“Oh my god… she speaks!”

“Oh my god… you’re an idiot!”

“Lame comeback B, I’ve always been an idiot.”

“Ain’t that the truth.”

The beginnings of ‘conversation’ were broken into by the distant sound of screaming. The sound of panic.

“Did you hear that?”

“No B, I had my fingers in my ears.” She rolled her eyes at her partner. “Of course I heard it!”

They set off at a sprint, almost racing, one taking the lead and then the other pushing a little bit harder to overtake.

“Come on Faith… try and keep up…”

She shouted it over her shoulder, teasing. Playing.

“I like the view back here B… plus… saving my energy, gonna do ya on the home straight.”

As they closed in on the sounds of struggle, Faith did indeed take the lead, was the first to encounter the sight of a vampire getting ready to take an early supper. Went for him immediately, pulling him away from the girl, letting loose a torrid flow of punches as she beat him into submission. It was so much fun, she loved it. Loved the feeling of her body working to its limit. All her muscles straining as she brought out her best.

Buffy was just watching. Had assured herself that the girl was ok, looked on amused as she ran off at full pelt, not even stopping to say ‘thanks’. Like that was any surprise. They very rarely did. And now she was just watching. Watching Faith.

She always pushed it that little bit further. Didn’t just beat her opponent, but truly whipped their ass. Sometimes she felt like maybe Faith was showing off for her. But then Faith showed off for everybody. It was who she was.

The vamp was almost done. Much more and he would be begging for someone to stake him, Faith was toying with him, putting him down, letting him get back up, over and over.

“You gonna be done any time tonight Faith?”

“You got places to be?”

The vamp took the opportunity to try and rise again, to maybe sneak away. Not a chance. As soon as Buffy spied him upright, she released her stake, hitting him straight in the chest. Bullseye every time.

“That’s one more for me!”

Faith stood there open mouthed. Disbelief etched across the features of her face.

“I can’t believe you just did that.”

“It’s kinda what I do… I’m Buffy… the vampire slayer. Sound familiar?”

“But B… that was my kill. God, I pounded the crap out of him and you take the kill. Hurts me.”

“It only hurts you cos it puts me in the lead. I think that’s four to three for the night?”

She wanted to scream. Couldn’t believe it. Faith couldn’t give a shit who had won for the night, she only gave a shit that she had worked herself up and had no end. No result. No release. Made her antsy as hell.

“Fuck the numbers B, you stole my moment. Jeez, now I’m gonna be on edge all night, not able to sleep… might even have to go back and get the jock… ten shit minutes are better than no minutes.”

“You’re joking me?”

“Am I smiling?”

She wasn’t. Buffy could feel the vibes coming off her. Noticed the way she was fidgeting, rocking on the balls of her feet, eyes darting, looking for something, looking for anything. Finally they settled on her. Fixed on her. Penetrated her.

“Ya know B…” she stalked towards her, depositing the smallest amount of saliva across her lips, making them shine, glisten with promise. “…as it was you who’s made me all urgh with the tense, maybe it should be you who helps me unwind.” She raised her eyebrows, lent in close, could feel the way that Buffy’s breathing had stopped dead, could see the rapt attention in her eyes. “What do ya say? Me and you..?”

There was a question.

“I uh… me..? And you? Releasing tension?”

“Sounds good to me… you up for it?”

“Up for it?”

“You gonna answer every question with a question?”

“What?”

“Oh god… I’ve broke ya!”

She relaxed her body, lent back from Buffy. She didn’t wanna scare the girl, had big plans for the girl. Big BIG plans.

“Come on, I’ll walk ya home.”

Buffy did feel kind of broken. She would have to be dumb and stupid not to feel the sexual tension in the air, but she always felt it. Often went home from patrolling with Faith, and worked the hell out of her tension. On her own. In her bed. What Faith had just offered? That had been far too close to what she wanted to even let her form a proper sentence. And now the moment was gone. But Faith was gonna walk her home. Meant she still had the time to quiz her about the other. About the thing.

“You’re gonna walk me home? That’s kinda sweet Faith.”

“I am sweet.”

“Uh huh.”

“I am!”

“Yep.”

“You don’t think I am?”

“I think you’re lots of things.”

She left it there. Didn’t need to tell Faith what she thought she was. The other girl also left it, perhaps happy with the answer given, maybe aware of the deeper meaning.

As they made their way towards the Summers house, Buffy plucked up all of her courage to bring about the words which would form the question that she wanted to ask.

“So Faith?”

“Yes Buffy?”

“Buffy?”

“It’s ya name isn’t it?”

She grinned. Teasing Buffy was just too much fun.

“But you call me B. Never Buffy… and at first, yeah, it annoyed me… but I’m used to it now, it’s familiar. I like it.”

She smiled at Faith. She did like it. It was theirs.

“Women… so hard. Always changing their minds. Next week you’ll be shooting me glares for calling you B!”

“No I won’t! I never shoot you glares, not anymore… often.” She stopped her walking, they were almost there. Still had to ask the question. “You know what you said earlier Faith?”

“No. What did I say?”

“About the girl. With the jock, you said that she scored much higher than he did…”

“What about it? You got a problem with that?”

Faith didn’t think that Buffy had a problem with that. She was a pretty good reader of people… thought that if Buffy had a problem it was most likely a little bit of jealousy. She’d seen the looks, felt the gazes. The heat. She had plans for Buffy Summers.

“NO! Not a problem, not at all, not even close to a problem… I was just… I just wanted to…”

“To what B? Finish a sentence all in one go?”

“No.”

“No?”

“Yes.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

Teasing Buffy was fun. Trying to follow Buffy’s line of thinking was hard.

“I want to know.”

“Helps if ya maybe tell me what ya want to know…” she knew though. She WAS a good reader of people. “…cos I can’t tell ya, unless you tell me.”

“About the girl.”

“You want me to rate her for you..? Don’t tell me you’re thinking about going there B? Wow… sure shocked me.”

“Faith! Will you just shut up, for a minute.” This was it. She wanted to know. “I want to know… what it’s like. What sleeping with a girl is like.”

The hugest grin lit Faith’s face. She could happily talk about sex all night. And talking to Buffy about girl sex..? Oh yeah. Fun to be had.

“Why ya wanna know B?”

“Research.”

“You’re researching girl sex? For what? Snyder got you doing a project at school? Man… if I’d have known I would’ve let Giles enrol me!”

“No… I just, I’m curious ok?”

“Well, what do ya want to know?”

“Well… how do you… what do you…”

“Do?”

“Do.”

Her mind flashed her images of everything she had done. Everything she did. The touch of pussy, the taste of pussy. It all assaulted her memory. But she didn’t think Buffy was ready for that yet. She would edge her in slowly. Tease her up to the point of wanting. It was her plan.

“Hmmm… it’s kinda like that kids song B, ya know the one… ‘you put your left leg in’” she mimed the action, looked to Buffy in all seriousness.

“Sex with a girl is like the Hokey Cokey?” it wasn’t really the answer that she had expected. She wanted more… something to fuel the fantasy. Release the tension.

“Not quite B… but kind of. More of a ‘Hokey Pokey’ thing, but the directions are all there if ya just listen to the words.”

Now Buffy mimed the action of putting her leg in, looked at Faith quizzically.

“I don’t get it.”

She held up her hands, wiggled her fingers in front of Buffy’s eyes.

“You put your finger in. You pull your finger out. In out, in out, shake it all about, do the hokey pokey and ya turn around… and that is what it’s all about!”

Her face shone with amusement. Her eyes with mischief.

“Nice Faith… you write that all by yourself?”

Her words may have dismissed the little ditty, but her mind refused to. ‘Faith’s fingers in, Faith’s fingers out, in out, in out…’ that’s pretty much where her mind was resting. And the tension in HER body was building. Responding to her mind. Responding to Faith.

“Unfortunately B, I don’t own the market when it comes to loving the ladies… lots of people hum that tune, don’t you worry.”

“Right. I’ll listen out for it.”

“You do that.”

She turned her back on Faith. Made to walk away, to go home. To go to bed. She threw her last comment over her shoulder. Gave Faith something to think about.

“I WILL do that!”

It made Faith smile. Anticipation was great.

*****

It was hard to concentrate on anything, when your mind would only think about one thing. And Buffy certainly now had a one track mind. Faith. And her little ditty. Ever since that night, it was ALL she could think about. Had rushed home, foregone the usual low fat yoghurt, gone straight to her bed, thrown all her clothes off and practiced her own self satisfying version of the song. Of course in her head she wasn’t self satisfying. It was Faith satisfying… her satisfying Faith. It had been a long night.

She’d only seen Faith once more over the weekend. During the day, at the store. She’d been shopping with her mom, bumped into Faith… almost literally. Her mind on other things.

“Whoa there B, you got a problem with your eyes?”

“No Faith, she’s quite alright, perhaps a little absent in the mind, getting one word out of her today is hard… maybe she’s coming down with something…”

“Oh, hi Mrs S…” she smiled serenely at Buffy’s mom, it was always good to get the parents on side, and Joyce was always inviting her over, feeding her up. “…I know what you mean about Buffy… maybe she IS coming down with something…”

She turned her gaze back to the girl. “…is that it B? You ‘going down’?”

Buffy choked. Then she blushed and finally she had managed to mumble a word or two about maybe a cold. A little fever.

“You do look a bit flushed B, maybe you should get to bed. Bed always helps me when I’ve got a fever.”

“That’s a good idea Faith. Buffy when we get home I want you up to bed!”

Buffy rolled her eyes at her mom, shot a glare at Faith.

“It’s for the best B, don’t want you under the weather. I felt a little low the other day… who knows, maybe you caught the fever from me?”

She winked as she said it, let Buffy know exactly what she meant. Said goodbye to Joyce and went on her way. As she retreated though, as Buffy watched her back get further and further away, she could just make out the whistled tune that floated back down the aisle. The hokey cokey. She should’ve known.

And since then she hadn’t seen her once. Had cried off patrolling due to her ‘fever’. Had stayed in bed and tried to wrestle her thoughts away from Faith. But they wouldn’t be wrestled, were stuck fast. And now it was Monday. Back to school. Back to the world. Back to Faith.

She had tingled as she dressed for school, took extra care in picking an outfit. One of her little skirts, her long boots. If Faith wanted to play, then hell, she’d give her a fever.

She just hoped she could pull it off, hoped she could even look at Faith without all her new wants, new desires, being there for everyone to see. For Faith to see. Over the weekend she had kind of got used to the fact that everything she had been thinking about was now a distinct possibility. But she was still wary. Still unsure. She wasn’t like Faith… didn’t just do things because she wanted to. She had to think it out first, had to be sure that it wasn’t just something she wanted, but was maybe something she needed. She was almost there. And now it was Monday.

The library was empty when she arrived, just Giles bustling about, straightening a few books, getting ready for another week of school on the Hellmouth.

“Hey Giles.”

“Ah Buffy…” he peered at her as if checking she was fine. “…how’s the fever? Faith came around on Saturday, said she had seen you, that you looked a little… hot?”

“Hot… Faith said I looked ‘hot’?”

“Yes, rather strange term to describe a fever, but she elaborated, said you wouldn’t be patrolling. That your mom had you bed bound.”

“Yeah… I’m fine now though. Hundred percent rested and raring to go!”

Willow and Xander walked through the doors at that exact moment, saw the exuberant display that Buffy was performing for Giles.

“Hey Buffster… looks like our girls all mended.”

“Yay to no sickness!”

She looked at her friends, felt a pang of guilt for lying, saw Faith making her way into the library, forgot everything. Saw as her eyes lit when they rested upon her.

“B… you’re better! Fever all gone..? All taken care of?”

“Thanks Faith, the fever is fine. And yes, I’m all taken care of.”

Their eyes locked together, involved in their own silent conversation. About wanting, about needing. About desire.

“Hey slay girls..? Don’t be zoning on us, it’s only Monday morning!”

They whipped their eyes away from each other, fearing slightly the truth that was shown. Faith didn’t do needing. She did wanting, did taking. But not needing.

“Yeah Buffy, it’s Chem first period.”

“So I shouldn’t zone why?”

Willow looked at her distraught. Couldn’t understand the blatant disregard for all things academic.

“Buffy.”

“I’m joking Wills. I’m focused. Fully focused. Show me a periodic table… I’m Chem gal!”

As the bell went to signal the start of the torture, the three school friends went to make their way from the library, mumbling goodbyes to Giles, to Faith. Buffy had to look back though, yeah she was focused… on Faith!

“You gonna be here at lunch?”

“Don’t got no where else to be.”

“I’ll see ya then?”

“I expect so.”

She infuriated her sometimes. Could never just interact like a normal human being. She rolled her eyes at her, went to leave again.

“Hey B?”

Stopped again. Looked back again.

“Yeah?”

“You’re looking good, I like it.”

And she smiled. And she went to Chem.

Giles looked on amused. Cleaned his glasses. Made a brew. It looked to him like a couple of slayers he knew were maybe getting closer than friendship. It didn’t worry him. They would be a good match. Buffy could give Faith the stability and calming influence that she obviously needed, and Faith could give Buffy… well. What she needed.

He went to take her out a cup of tea. To talk about the patrolling at the weekend, to generally make conversation. He spent a lot of time with Faith, one on one. Enjoyed it. She had a sharp mind, sharper wit, and an unmatched zest for life. A delightful girl. When he got there though, he found her with her head in her arms, snoozing lightly, and the most perfect little smile playing out across her lips.

He chuckled quietly to himself. Oh yes. Definitely closer than friendship.

*****

She had been there at lunch. Sitting at the table, boots resting where the books should be, engaged in heavy conversation with Giles about the likelihood of Godzilla being based in fact. The keen mind, which she hid from most, was always apparent when she was engaging with her watcher, she found him cool for an old guy, like the father figure she’d never really had.

When the others had walked in she’d quickly brought the discussion to an end. She wasn’t knowledge girl to them, she was fun time Faith, had a rep to live up to.

“So how were classes guys? Learn anything?”

“Yeah… I’m never gonna make it to college!”

“Don’t sweat it Xan, me and you can hang out why these guys flog the books.”

He smiled like he liked that idea, one on one time with Faith was something he craved. Often.

“And how will he live? Eat? Drink?”

“Ah come on B, don’t rain on the parade… we’ll get by. We can always come to yours if we get too destitute, let Mrs S look after us…”

“Oh right, so your grand plan for life is to camp at mine and eat leftovers? Gotta say Xander, maybe you should go for some home tutoring, cos Faith’s plan..? Not too hot with the planning.”

She wasn’t meaning to be harsh, she just didn’t like the thought of Faith and Xander planning on all that alone time together. SHE was making plans for Faith. And they were a lot more substantial than the one that Faith was making for herself. At least a lot more fun.

“But in essence it was a good plan, right Buffy? Me and Faith camping at yours like a couple of vagrants… what more could you want?”

She just looked at him. Withered him with her eyes.

“So what did you and Giles get up to today? Lots of the ol’ booky goodness?”

“You joking Red? The only books I read are comics or porn. The odd TV guide…”

Willow and Giles shared a look, one which said they both knew the truth, that they saw behind the façade. They also let it go though, knew that Faith needed her image to make herself feel comfortable. Safe.

“Read any good ones lately?”

“Porn..? Not really, I just look at the pictures ya know?”

“I uh…” Xander coloured red, couldn’t help it. It was as if Faith always knew just how to get to him. “…I meant the comics.”

She’d winked at him, turned her attention to the quiet Buffy. Wanted to focus on her for a moment.

“You alright B? Seem a bit quiet… you sure you haven’t still got the ‘fever’?”

“Nope. No fever here, just brain dead from learning.”

Faith let her eyes do the talking. And the walking. From the very top of Buffy, to the very bottom of Buffy, and all the way up again. Slowly. Intensely.

“You sure about that B… you’re still looking pretty hot to me.”

Buffy could feel the heat rising, had felt it from the moment that Faith had fixed her with the look, ran her eyes all over her. It felt like she had been consumed, she almost wished she had.

“I uh… thanks?”

They shared the moment that Faith had wanted, before everyone else had broken back in. Stolen attention and shared laughs. They’d still had glances though, surreptitious meetings across the table top. And when the bell had rung to signal that the torture of lessons was back to claim them, Buffy had had to make herself rise from her chair, to break the contact. Had wandered away almost without a word to anyone.

“B?”

“Hmmm?”

“You sure you’re okay girl, definitely seem to be spacing more than normal…”

“No I’m good. Fine. Gooder than fine.”

“You wanna train after school..?”

She went to nod her head, to signal her absolute approval, but then she had remembered… her head frozen before it had even began.

“Damn! Can’t. I’ve got a stupid algebra test tomorrow, Wills is coming over to cram. But I’ll see ya for patrol… if you wanted to do it together..?”

“‘It’ B?… you planning on spicing up slaying? Gonna keep those boots on for the occasion?”

A secret smile was offered to Faith, she hadn’t meant to… had meant to do shock and outrage, all the things she normally did to Faith’s comments. But she hadn’t. She’d smiled. It had spurred Faith on, encouraged her.

“You want me to pick you up at your house? I’ll swing by about seven? That do ya?”

“You’re gonna pick me up Faith… like…” she wanted to say it. Really wanted to say it. She could feel her fear of the unknown rising up to choke her words though, would have to spit them out, and fast. “…like… likeadate?”

“A date B? You’d date me?”

Her tone had lost abrasive and coarse. Had found soft and vulnerable. It was something Buffy hadn’t heard before, not from her… it was nice, made her feel safer.

“What can I say? I have good taste.”

There was no answer to that. Just a look. A retreat. And then an afternoon to work out what the fuck she was gonna do come seven o clock tonight. She’d never considered that Buffy would want to date, had just hoped for a tumble… a build up of pressure that eventually had to burst. This was all new to her. A new plan to be made. A bigger plan.

*****

The date had never quite happened. She had arrived at Buffy’s, looking her best, dead on seven. Had smiled sweetly at Joyce, had made her way up to Buffy’s room… had seen her and Willow still embroiled in the finer intricacies of that which is algebra. Had known that it wasn’t gonna happen, not tonight.

Buffy had looked pissed and apologetic, had tried with her eyes to relay to Faith just how much she’d rather be slaying with her than doing math with Willow… but sometimes other things HAD to come first.

Faith had hung around for a while, tried to get the girls to lose focus on the books, but it just wasn’t happening. Every time she had managed to distract Buffy’s attention, Willow had clucked and moaned until again she buried her nose in the books. In the end she had split. Had told Buffy that she would patrol alone, do both their share. Wasn’t like they couldn’t do it another time. It was only slaying.

When Buffy had shown her to the door though, had called her back from the garden path, had seen her mom hovering so leaned up to whisper in her ear… that’s what Faith was thinking about. Her words.

“And no Faith… it wasn’t only slaying.”

They had her all kinds of worked up, all kinds of wanting. She so badly wanted to go out and get laid… so knew that she shouldn’t. It was tearing at her. Her mind was saying one thing, her body the other… she was sat outside the Bronze now, debating whether to go in, knew that if she did it would probably end up with a nameless face staring up at her from her bed. Didn’t want that. Wanted Buffy.

The doorman was throwing her curious glances. He knew her. Everyone knew her, but he’d never seen her so reluctant to come in.

“Hey lady, you coming in or what?”

She walked forwards. She walked backwards. Stopped and stared. Listened to the sound of the base as it thumped through the walls of the building. It was calling to her. Summoning her. Making her place one foot in front of the other, making her throw the doorman a cocky wink as she sauntered past. She’d just dance. There was no harm in dancing.

It was kinda quiet, the crowd thinned down from the weekend, maybe the studious types were all at home studying for their dumb algebra tests. She didn’t care. She was only here to dance.

And dance she did. Hard. Fast. And extreme. It was like she made love to the music, let it rip through her body and dictate her movements, caressing her limbs into a sensual display almost wasted on the Monday night Bronze. She would’ve danced all night if she could, loved it, loved the release… loved the feel of people trying to touch her, trying to hold on for the ride and being cast aside.

She’d smoozied in between a couple now. Was facing the girl, all hotness and curves, letting her hands wander her body, the guy pressed up behind her, holding on to the tightness of leather, sliding his touch across her ass. She was so hyped. Her skin tingling, energy coursing through her veins, everything was reaching a crescendo. The slaying combining with the dancing combining with the beer. She wanted to explode, implode. She wanted to fuck.

As the music span her around, tossed her from one partner to another, new hands, new hold, she felt it. The buzz, the warmth. The answering hum that her body always supplied to Buffy’s. It was all there, which meant that SHE was there. Somewhere.

She slid herself from the grips that looked to keep her and travelled her eyes across the crowd. Across the dance floor, around the pool table, flitting from face to face, trying to narrow down the feeling, find a direction. And then she was walking, gaze locked in, like a homing missile, heading for the bar, wait… no, detouring, heading for the bathroom. The girl just in front of her… so close to touch, so near. She wanted her. Was having her.

When Faith walked through the door, she found her there. Waiting. Expecting. Leaning back against the far wall, a hint of a naughty smile playing across her lips. For a moment Faith couldn’t speak, couldn’t even begin to find the words. The way she was feeling, the charge rushing through her body, it was all looking to Buffy, asking her for release. Begging her for release. When Faith finally opened her mouth the words which came out were laden down with desire. Hoarse and heavy.

“Hey B… wasn’t expecting to see you tonight. The algebra finished..? You all done.”

Buffy shook her head no, she hadn’t finished. Had lied to Willow, had said she wasn’t feeling too well again, didn’t want to fib, had to fib. From the moment she had said goodbye to Faith her body had been admonishing her, asking why she wasn’t going to join her partner in slaying, in adventure. In everything.

“I… I felt bad about leaving all the slaying to you… so I fibbed to Wills, told her I wasn’t feeling so good…” she flashed the naughty smile again, Faith was hooked. “…told mom I was resting, and here I am! Although I gotta say, knocking off early to go dancing..? Not in the slayer handbook!”

Faith had been encroaching on her space all the while she was speaking, moving ever closer, her eyes boring into her, holding her in place. Making her words come out breathy, her heart rushing to race.

“Not in the slayer handbook..?” As Faith reached her prize she placed her hands on the wall, either side of Buffy’s face, never breaking the contact with her eyes. “Tell me girlfriend… is this in the handbook?”

She hadn’t planned on kissing her, not here, not now, but she couldn’t help it. She took in the expression in Buffy’s eyes, the way her lips parted ever so slightly the closer she got. Knew that she wanted it. Was determined to give it to her.

She went softly at first, but it wasn’t enough, lust was ordering that she claim the girl, that she invade her mouth with her tongue, back her into the wall and press hard up against her, grind into her as flesh crushed flesh, trace a path to her neck and nip at the delicate skin she found there. It was all so heady and erotic, and she was losing it. Wanted Buffy. Wanted her now.

Buffy was wanting too. She could feel Faith’s thigh as it ground between her legs, causing the sweetest of friction, her panties to dampen in response. Could feel her teeth as they scraped across the skin of her neck, her tongue slipping out to caress each nip, driving her wild. It all felt so good, so sexual… it was calling to parts of her that she had never known existed.

She brought her hands up to run through Faith’s hair, to lift her lips again to hers, to duel with her tongue in a battle for possession. Faith’s hands were wandering to places they’d only ever dreamt of going, were teasing up the edges of Buffy’s shirt, jerking as they touched naked flesh, cruising across the tautness of stomach muscles until they reached the edges of fabric, a barrier.

So much she wanted to touch Buffy, to feel her skin against skin, to slide her hand under her bra and run her palm across her breasts. So perfectly sat there, just waiting for her touch. But not here. Not Buffy. It was more than that.

It took everything for her to pull herself away, almost gave it up as she heard Buffy’s whimper from the loss of contact, her exhaled moan as her mouth was released. And the way she looked..? Fuck it was hot. Her lips bruised and raised from the heavyness of the kissing, faintly red, begging for more.

She placed her forehead against the other girl's, closed her eyes, prayed that she could find composure, that she could keep it when she looked at her. Slowly opened them, took a deep breath, hoped her voice came out steadier than she felt.

“Fuck B… that was hot.”

Buffy’s head was spinning, lost in space. Found in Faith. She hadn’t come here looking for this, had just wanted to see her, maybe talk. But the way she was feeling now, the way her heart was pounding, threatening to break out of her chest…that told her that maybe she had come here needing this. That yes. She needed Faith. She spoke to agree, to affirm.

“MORE than hot.”

“Fucking hot.”

“Heaps better than algebra!”

They laughed at that, throaty, both still on the edge, threatening to touch each other again. To lose it in the bathroom of the Bronze.

“You wanna get out of here?”

She wanted to add an invitation to hers. Her body was screaming out an invitation to hers. But she didn’t wanna push. Didn’t wanna blow it.

“I guess so…”

Buffy wanted more. She was holding herself tense to stop from reaching out, her hands wanting to reach up and caress, to bring Faith close to her again, press into her again. But she also had to go home. Her mom would freak if she knew that she had lied. Had snuck out. Gone to the Bronze.

“Where do ya wanna go B?”

“Where do I ‘want’ to go..?” she showed her with a look, the hunger shining naked in her eyes. “…I ‘want’ to go with you…” she let disappointment tinge her features. “…where do I ‘have’ to go..? Home.”

“You sure?” she didn’t want her to be sure.

“I have to Faith. My mom will kill me if she catches me out. I‘ll be grounded for ever… possibly longer. She doesn‘t like fibs… darn pesky woman!”

Faith allowed a small laugh to escape her lips. It masked her frustration, she felt like she was gonna pop. Half of her just wanted to throw Buffy to the ground and fuck her senseless, show her everything and more about being with a girl. The other half wanted to fuck her harder… to lose herself in flesh, feel Buffy around her, feel her inside of her. To have her so close, matching her desire, it was crazy, insane…and that she had to let her walk away, to leave desire unfulfilled… beyond crazy and insane.

“You want me to walk you home again B?”

“I could get use to this ya know.”

“I told ya… I’m sweet.”

“Hmmm… not just looking for a goodnight kiss at the door..?”

“Are you gonna give me a goodnight kiss at the door?”

“Guess you have to wait and see.”

She let a teasing smile grace her features causing her nose to wrinkle just a little. Faith pulled her head back, ran eyes across Buffy, admired the look.

“Anyone ever told you how cute you are B?”

“No one that I cared to listen to.”

“Well I think you’re cute, fucking cute.”

“You’re kinda cute yourself Faith.”

Her eyebrows almost hit the ceiling, disbelief tainting her smile.

“I might be many things B, but I don’t think cute is any of them… maybe hot, definitely sexy… but cute? Never.”

“Whatever Faith…” she giggled to herself. “…you ready to walk me home now? Ya big ol’ ball of cutness!”

She feigned outrage. Mock indignation.

“I won’t walk ya B.”

“I won’t kiss ya F.”

She shook her head, laughed a little.

“Ok… ya got me…” she put her hand out, pulled Buffy towards her. “…lets go girlfriend.”

The walk home took ages. Everything looked kind of new, all the old sights becoming new sights. Silly conversations and silly games breaking into the silence which spoke their desire. They had gone through the park, ended up playing about on the swings, seeing who could go the highest, jump the furthest, chased each other around the obstacles, laughing, carefree.

It didn’t seem odd to be doing it in the middle of the night, they were used to the night time being their time. The lack of people making the most public of places become the most private of places.

As they reached the last leg of their journey, the path leading to the door of Buffy’s house, silence fell over them, the carefree disguise slipping away as their time came to an end. They both came to a stand still, Buffy twiddling with the edge of her top, Faith intent on kicking her boots into the sidewalk, dislodging a stone.

“I guess this is it then.”

“I better go in, I’m sure mom’s in bed by now… but it’s not worth risking the grounding…”

“It’s not?…” she let her hand join Buffy’s at the edge of her top, just slid the very tip of her fingers underneath the fabric, skimmed so slightly over burning flesh, felt it tighten in response. “…cos it feels kind of worth it.”

Buffy breathed in deep, urged herself to keep a lid on it. “God Faith…” could feel the girl's fingers brushing fire across her skin. “…you know what I mean.”

Their eyes met, their mouths met. The goodnight kiss.

It was suffocating them again, taking everything but the kiss away from them, no air, no need to breathe, just a need to keep kissing, to keep feeling the feelings, to want, to take, to have. Neither of them noticed the sound of the door opening, a new pair of eyes to bear witness to what was happening. A pair of eyes that didn’t look too happy. Pretty far from happy.

“Buffy.”

They didn’t hear, didn’t need to hear, were focused only in the other, on the head rush, the body rush.

“BUFFY!”

“Mom?”

They came apart suddenly, sound breaking through, making Buffy’s head spin to face her mom, her unimpressed look.

“I think you should be saying goodnight to Faith and getting inside, don’t you?”

“I… uh… right.”

She looked to Faith, raised her eyebrows in a ‘you might not ever see me breathing again’ kind of way, and whispered a goodbye.

Faith didn’t know what to do, whether she was supposed to say anything, to sink silently into the cracks in the sidewalk. In the end her mouth’s need to move won out.

“Bye Mrs S… I’ll uh, see you tomorrow in school B?”

Buffy went to speak, but her mom got there first.

“You might do Faith. Goodnight.”

Joyce pulled her daughter through the door and marched her to the kitchen. Switched on the kettle to brew up some of Giles’ soothing tea and turned her eyes onto Buffy. She had some questions, sure as hell wanted answers.

“I take it you’re feeling better then Buffy?”

“Better?”

“Oh sorry… I thought you told me you were having a lay down, couldn’t study with Willow anymore because you felt under the weather?”

“Oh… yeah. About that…” she cast her eyes down to the floor, couldn’t take her moms disapproving glare. “I… uh, I felt better… thought maybe I should help Faith with the slaying…”

“Do you slay demons with your tongue Buffy?…” she poured two cups of the camomile tea, placed them on the side and took a seat. “…because I’m sure Giles never mentioned that as part of your training routine.”

“Right… well, I didn’t… we weren’t…”

“You had finished slaying?”

“Yes! We finished slaying and Faith was just…”

“Checking for cavities?”

“No!… I mean… we weren’t, we didn’t plan on…”

“Kissing?”

Buffy finally raised her eyes to look at her mom, couldn’t believe the teasing glint in her eye, had thought she was going to be crucified.

“You’re not angry?”

“Buffy…” Joyce softened her tone, pushed a cup along the side towards her daughter. “…of course I’m angry. You lied to me. You lied to Willow.”

Buffy felt the guilt as it rested on her shoulders.

“I’m sorry.”

“People always are when they get caught.”

She sat herself at the counter next to her mom.

“I didn’t mean to lie… I just, I didn’t wanna hurt Willow’s feelings… I know I was wrong. I…” she didn’t know what to say. How could she explain to her mom the need to go to Faith. She barely understood it herself, didn’t think her mom would ever understand. “…I’m sorry.”

“You know you’re grounded right?”

She nodded her head. Grounding was better than crucifixion.

“Now about Faith…”

“Faith?”

“The girl you were kissing on the front doorstep Buffy… that was Faith yes?”

“Yeah… Faith.”

She was dreading this. Could feel her face flush under her mother's scrutiny.

“So how long have you and her been… err… what exactly ARE you doing? Are you dating her?”

“I…” She wasn’t sure. Hadn’t discussed it, been too busy kissing. “…we… I don’t know.”

“Well you looked quite friendly.”

She raised her eyes to meet her mom’s again. Didn’t find disgust there.

“Are you mad with me?”

“For kissing Faith?”

“Uh huh.”

Joyce found a smile which was only for Buffy. A mom’s smile.

“Of course I’m not mad… surprised..? A little. But not mad Buffy…” she reached forward to tuck a stray wisp of hair behind her daughter's ear. “…I wish you could speak to me, to tell me what was happening in your life, but I understand. I was a teenage daughter once too, you know…” she allowed a little smirk to settle on her mouth. “…and kissing girls? Lets just say that you’re not the first Summers woman to experiment with the fairer sex.”

“Mom! You don’t… please don’t tell me things that I’ll be scarred for life from hearing.” She was in shock, her mom was implying that she had kissed a girl. Maybe lots of girls. It was… ewww.

“Yet you insist on scarring me with shows on the sidewalk?”

She didn’t have an answer to that, sipped at her tea instead.

“So what’s going on then? Is it just…lust? Or do you have… feelings for her?”

“Mom, I really don’t wanna have the birds and bees and lust talk okay? Just… we haven’t, we aren’t… I only kissed her tonight.”

Joyce smiled in understanding. “So that’s why you HAD to sneak out.”

“No!… well, maybe. A little.”

She flushed with embarrassment, it felt so weird having this conversation with her mom. NEVER wanted to have it again.

“It’s ok Buffy… I’m not going to torture you anymore. Not tonight anyway. I have an early start, you have school…” she drained the last of the tea from her cup. “…lets get ourselves to bed…” she offered a stern gaze Buffy’s way. “…and this time lets try and stay there ok? We’ll finish this discussion tomorrow.”

“Ok mom. And I’m sorry… about the lying.”

“You have lots of time to repent whilst you’re grounded, I can use some help at the gallery.”

“Yay!”

“Sarcasm before bed will give you acid tummy.”

Buffy rose from her stool, gave her mom a hug.

“Night mom.”

“Goodnight Buffy.”

She made her way to the stairs, was already dismissing all her moms words in favour of her Faith thoughts. She had a whole lot of new ones to think over today. New feelings, new sensations. New everything. As she took her first step to climb to her room her mom called out again.

“What IS that tune you’re humming?”

“Tune..?”

“It sounds familiar… I’m sure I’ve heard it somewhere.”

Buffy smiled to herself as she realised what it was. Wasn’t surprised. Doing the hokey pokey with Faith was foremost in her mind.

“It’s nothing mom… goodnight.”

She washed, changed and got herself into bed, was just preparing to find some self fulfilment when she heard the tapping against her window. No one had visited her window since Angel the year before. It startled her for a minute until her mind realised who it was. Faith.

She was stood down below tossing up stones. One after the other in a constant stream. Buffy lifted the window, just avoided a pebble in the eye, quick reactions saving the day.

“Hey.”

“Hey B… ya made it then. No serious injuries?”

She did a little twirl in front of the window, affirmed for Faith she was all in one piece.

“Nope. Nothing suffered other than extreme embarrassment.”

“Your mom saw us then?”

“Oh yes… caught the full show. Wanted to talk to me about lust…”

Faith narrowed her eyes, ran her tongue out across her lips. “You feeling lusty B?… ya want me to come up?”

“Yes… but no. My mom would freak. I’m already grounded for lying… hate to think what she would do if I started smuggling sexy slayers into my bedroom.”

Faith’s eyes lit up at that. Buffy had called her sexy.

“I’ll see ya at school tomorrow yeah?”

“Sure thing B… you wanna get there early? Do some training?”

“I think mom’s going to work early, I’ll get her to drop me off. About seven?”

“It’s a date.”

She wiggled a little wave of goodbye to Buffy, turned on her heel to make the walk home. She couldn’t stop herself from looking back every now and again. Looking at Buffy who was looking at her. She was still crazy horny. Still craving a fuck. But it seemed like she had a reason to wait now. Something worth waiting for.

PART 2.

The early morning training session had been frustration at its best. Giles had also arrived early, had watched over the girls as they trained, had prevented them from any form of touching other than the fighting kind. He’d noticed the tension in the air, it was always there when the girls were together, especially when they were sparring or slaying… but this morning there was something more. A look, a touch… little things that added up to make him wonder what had changed. What had happened.

He’d had to call them even more times than normal on their lack of concentration. Both of them guilty of zoning out when they should have been focused on the fight. It slightly worried him as their watcher. But as their friend, it amused him. He had guessed that this was happening, was only slightly surprised that it was happening so soon. He had thought Buffy would be more restrained, would need more convincing by Faith to give free reign to her feelings. But obviously not. He was pleased. He would love to see Buffy find happiness again, had never been approving of her relationship with Angel.

He was at home now cooking dinner. He had a guest coming, one he often had over unbeknownst to the others. Faith. She wanted it kept secret, had a rep to protect! He understood, eating with a fuddy old Englishman was not the height of ‘cool’, so he let her keep her silence. She often came, a couple of times a week. He insisted. Knew that if she was left on her own in the motel she would never look after herself properly. She was after all, still just a girl.

If he had his way he would have her stay with him, but she would NEVER agree to that. Said she had looked after herself for years, didn’t need a babysitter now. He’d had to laugh at the look on her face when he had suggested it. She had gone white as a sheet, panic struck, had started backing away immediately. So she stayed at the motel, and he kept an eye on her. It worked.

The knocking on the door roused him from the cooking, brought his attention back to the here and now.

“Ah Faith… good evening, I take it you’re well?”

“Hey G man, five by five… what’s cooking? Smells wicked awesome!”

“That would be dinner, a nice English roast… beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and vegetables.”

“Mmmm, sounds cool… you got ketchup yeah?”

He shook his head and went to dish up the food. Of course he had ketchup. He lived in hope that one day Faith wouldn’t douse everything he made in it, but he knew he probably wouldn’t live to see that day.

They ate in almost silence, both of them enjoying their food, but once it was finished then they sat on the sofas enjoying a few moments of chat before she rushed away. It was something he insisted upon.

“So what do you have planned for this evening, Faith? Are you going to that infernal Bronze place again?”

“Nah, not tonight G… just gonna slay, work out some tension, swing by B’s… see if her mum still has her under house arrest.”

“Buffy is grounded? She never mentioned it at school.”

“Uh… yeah.”

She didn’t know if she was supposed to tell Giles about her and Buffy and the kissing. They hadn’t really spoken about telling people. She’d be happy to keep it quiet… liked her reputation as free and easy gal, wasn’t ready to give it up.

“So why is she grounded this time..?”

“I… well ya see, last night… uh… she was studying and I said I’d slay alone, then she snuck out cos she thought I might need help…”

“And she didn’t just tell her mom this, why?”

“Got me Giles… I guess that’s a question for Buffy, right?”

She hoped she had dodged it. Didn’t like being pinned down.

“I’ll be sure to ask her in the morning.”

“Look… I might split early…” she hated the heavy chat. If she could escape it would be for the best. “…gonna go shoot some pool, maybe look up the gang… but I’ll see ya tomorrow, yeah?”

“Now Faith, you know I insist on at least half an hour of grown up conversation before you run off… surely you can spare me that?”

She looked to the clock, a pained expression settling on her features. She really wanted to split, could talk to Giles forever about demons and shit… but if he wanted to talk about Buffy, she wasn’t so sure.

“Ok… half hour right?”

“Try and make it sound less like torture Faith.”

They relaxed and fell into conversation about all things other than Buffy, every time he mentioned her in any capacity Faith rushed to change the subject. Darted her eyes towards the door. Finally she felt like her time was up, like it was ok to make her retreat.

Giles saw her out to the door, ever the gentleman. Wanting to take the final opportunity to make a comment on what he knew Faith had spent all night avoiding.

“I’ll see ya at school tomorrow, thanks for the feeding…” she punched him affectionately on the arm. “…it was wicked good.”

“Not a problem Faith, always a pleasure to feed an appetite like yours.”

“What can I say, I’m a growing girl!”

“Indeed…” he decided to give voice to his thoughts. “…and Faith?”

“What is it G?”

“You and Buffy… I’m not blind or stupid, I know there’s something there, and I want you to know I approve. You have my blessing Faith.”

She was stunned. Hated it when people could read her, spent half her life constructing defences so as people couldn’t read her. Giles was a smart guy… but still.

“Me and Buffy..? I dunno what ya mean Giles. Gotta a little slayer vibe maybe, but ya know… it’s not like we’re dating.”

He looked at her curiously. Was sure that Buffy wouldn’t start something with Faith that was purely sexual. But then who was he to know?

“If that’s what you say Faith.”

“It is.”

“Ok then.”

Faith stumbled across a quick goodbye. Wanted out of there NOW. Her and Buffy had barely decided what was going on between them, had spent any spare minute they had managed to find kissing, she wasn’t ready to bare her soul to Giles.

He watched her as she walked away from his door. Shook his head. He KNEW she had feelings for Buffy, had watched them develop from afar. He just hoped that she wouldn’t feel the need to keep denying them.

*****

Three days had passed. Three fucking really long days in which Buffy had remained grounded. Yeah she’d seen her at school, but ya could hardly get ‘physical’ at school, training didn’t count cos Giles was always there… and the odd stolen kiss when no one was looking was not enough to satisfy Faith. She wanted Buffy. Needed Buffy. Was stood below Buffy’s window now ready to tempt her down.

She couldn’t believe that Joyce wasn’t letting her out to slay, saying that only an apocalypse would see Buffy leaving the house before her grounding was up. It was almost tempting to try and raise a couple of demons herself. That was how much she wanted to see the girl.

Faith gathered a few pebbles, ready to let loose on the window pane. She could see someone’s shadow moving around the room, imagined Buffy all locked up like some fairytale princess she was destined to rescue, and she let rip. One after the other, like a little pop gun. Ping ping ping. Fixed her most alluring look on her face and waited for Buffy to come to her.

Seeing Buffy’s mom’s face appear was more than a shock.

“Good evening Faith…” she shot her down a disapproving glare. “…is there any particular reason that you’re trying to shatter the windows on my house?”

“Uh… Mrs S, I erm…” she tried to think fast. Failed. “…I wasn’t…”

“You weren’t trying to vandalise?”

“NO!… I just wanted to check on B… Buffy. Is she ok?”

Joyce shook her head. Watching Faith squirm was fun. But she wasn’t evil, wouldn’t make the girl suffer.

“Of course she’s ok, she’s just taking a shower. Would you like to come in?”

“Come in..?”

“And see Buffy?”

“Right…” she wanted to run and hide. So didn’t want to go in and talk to Joyce, couldn’t even imagine how that would go. Buffy had told her that her mom wasn’t freaked… but still. “…I might just shoot off… get with the slaying.”

“Faith. There is plenty of time for slaying. Come in for a minute, take a drink with me, and maybe I’ll see about lifting Buffy’s restrictions…” she could see Faith’s panic, her desire to run, found it amusing and kind of endearing. “…I can’t have you breaking my windows to get to her now, can I?”

She really didn’t want to. REALLY. But lifting Buffy’s restrictions..? That sounded good, because lifting restrictions meant alone time, and alone time meant lots of good things.

“Ok. I’d love to come in.” She smiled her most angelic smile, didn’t use it often, only when required. Made her way to the front door and awaited entry.

It wasn’t as bad as she had thought it would be. Joyce had just given her a drink, sat her at the counter in the kitchen and asked her questions about life, about what she was getting up to… what she planned to do next year when the others went to college. Faith had ran the her and Xander camping at the Summers house past her, but Joyce hadn’t seemed too keen. Had spoken to her about enrolling in school, about apprenticeship schemes.

It was weird having a grown up show interest in her. She spent half her time trying to avoid grown ups. Hadn’t ever really liked them, the control they tried to exert, the rules they tried to install… but this was nice. Joyce wasn’t trying to railroad her, was just acting like she cared, like she gave a shit. It was cool.

She could sense Buffy as she came down the stairs, turned her head to look and then dropped her jaw as she saw her enter the room clad only in a towel, still dripping water from her hair, obviously unaware of the guest.

“Faith!” Buffy was shocked was an understatement. She looked down at her towel, up at Faith, down at her towel, up at her mom, down at her towel, and finally back to Faith again. “What are you doing here?”

“You could sound pleased to see me B…” she shot a look at Joyce, tried to stop her mouth, but never quite managed it, looked again at Buffy in the towel. “…cos I gotta say, it’s REALLY good to see you.”

Her eyebrows raised in the way that only she could manage, all sexual, all desiring.

“Faith just came by to see you Buffy, although we seem to need to teach her how to use a front door…” she gave Faith a quick glimpse of her firm look. “…throwing stones at your window was where I found her.”

“Oh. I… I’m sure she was going to use the front door, right Faith?”

Faith gave Buffy the look she deserved. “I don’t think your mom’s stupid B… if I was gonna use the front door, I would’ve just used it.”

“See Buffy? Faith knows I’m not stupid, now maybe you could learn from her.”

“I don’t think you’re stupid mom!”

“Yet you seem to think I have no clue about what goes on around here. Most peculiar.”

Buffy had no answer, didn’t know what answer was required so kept quiet. Her mom cleared the glasses from the side and turned her look to Buffy who was still standing in nothing but the towel.

“Don’t you think you should go and get some clothes on if you’re planning on going slaying with Faith?”

“Slaying? Me? With Faith?”

“You do want to go don’t you?”

“But… I thought… with the grounding?”

Joyce rolled her eyes, smiled at the younger girl sat at the counter.

“I’ve decided to lift your restrictions, a much better scenario than having broken windows, and also…” she looked now to both the girls, fixed them with ‘mom eyes’. “…I’m sure they’ll be no more lying, sneaking out of the house?”

“No! Definitely not, I’ll never sneak out, or lie or anything again…” she wanted to jump for joy, didn’t want to lose her towel. “…I’ll just go get dressed, one minute Faith ok?”

“You need a hand?”

“Faith!”

“Sorry Mrs S.” She smirked at the older lady, flashed angelic again. “Just trying to be helpful.”

“How about helping me with the dishes whilst Buffy gets herself dressed?”

Faith rose from her seat and recruited a dishtowel to help her with the drying. She’d rather be drying Buffy… or maybe wetting Buffy, but she could wait. There wasn’t anymore restrictions. Wouldn’t be long to wait.

*****

At first they had been almost shy with each other, not having had any alone time since the last time. Had gone about patrolling and slaying as if it was all they were there for, had not bantered, had not flirted. It was weird. It was freaking Faith out… banter and flirting was what she relied upon, wasn’t so good when it came to other things.

The slaying was slow as well, so far only one measly vamp coming out to play, which in the grand scheme of things was probably good, but to Faith it was bad. She needed the distraction, needed something to take the focus off of the fact that she felt nervous as hell. And why the fuck was she nervous..? She could do this shit, did it all the time.

Only she didn’t. She never gave a fuck… or she only ever gave a fuck, this was more. Was different. And she felt a little bit unsure as to how to proceed. Wanted to throw Buffy down and take, but wanted it to be perfect. Like in the books, the ones she read when the comics were boring.

She was twirling her stake in her hand, trying to ignore the sweaty palms, trying to think of something witty to say, anything to say. Wasn’t doing too well.

“So school then B… how’s that going? You do ok on the algebra thing?”

“School? YOU want to know about school?”

Buffy was finding it hard too. She had been counting down the hours in her head till she would have alone time with Faith, and now she had it she didn’t know what to do with it. Knew what she wanted… didn’t know how to ask.

“Well schools important right? Learning shit…with the books, and the algebra?”

“It’s important to Giles, to mom… less so to me.”

“Right. But it’s going good yeah?”

“You want my academic report?”

She was bemused. Surely Faith didn’t really care about her schooling. It seemed like she was as nervous as her… but Faith nervous? She would never have believed it.

“I’m just trying to show an interest B. I don’t want you to think I’m only interested in the…” she trailed off. Had never had a problem saying the word ‘sex’ before.

“In the..?”

“Vamp!”

“What?”

She didn’t have time to explain, pushed Buffy out of the way and swung a kick at the approaching blood sucker.

Buffy landed heavily on the ground, tasted the damp earth that the vampire smelt of. Didn’t care for it. She went to raise herself, pissed at Faith for pushing her, spotted the two new vampires bearing down on her and forgot all about pissed off.

“Faith! Behind you!”

But Faith had known they were there, her senses keened for knowing. She swung an uppercut at the one in front of her, using her momentum to swing her round and face the new two, both of them just as ugly as the first.

“Yay B!.. Looks like we got ourselves a party.”

Buffy rose to join her, to partake in the slaying side by side, falling into a familiar rhythm, both of them combining their strength and power to make quick work of the three vamps. It wasn’t hard but it still exerted them, made their breath come quicker, their hearts beat faster. Made them glow, made them hungry.

Faith staked the last one, Buffy had thrown him to her and she had plunged her stake hard and true through his chest, shouting her joy as he exploded into dust. And then she had turned. Could feel it rising in her, the absolute power, scorching its way through her body, looking for liberation… could see it mirrored in Buffy, in the rise and fall of her chest, the darkness coming over her eyes, her pupils wide and darting, finally fixing in on her. Calling her.

She didn’t need a second invitation, she went to her, crushed her mouth into Buffy’s, slid her tongue between her lips and kissed her with all the passion she was feeling. Tasted the urgency and desire and felt the need to taste more. Everything faded, everything but now.

She slid one hand behind Buffy’s head, pulling her closer, kissing her harder, her other hand she ran down the tight confines of denim, across her ass so tight and firm, hooking her leg and bringing it round her waist, trying to direct her against a tree, something to push against.

She pulled her mouth away, needed to speak words, to tell Buffy what she feeling.

“I fucking need you B… I so fucking need you…”

Buffy’s answer wasn’t spoken, she didn’t have the power to form words, didn’t want it. All she wanted was Faith. She pulled her mouth back to hers, almost savagely, everything in her wanted more, wanted it all. Needed what Faith needed.

Faith was pushing so hard into her, a leather clad thigh tight against her imprisoned pussy, rubbing against her, making her writhe, making her whimper into the kisses as she wrapped her leg tighter around her. As Faith’s hand worked its way between them, worked its way to the buttons which signalled restraint, she could feel herself letting go. Didn’t care that they were in the middle of Restfield cemetery pushed up against a tree. It didn’t matter, nothing mattered.

She threw her head back as she felt Faith’s hand enter her jeans, exhaled a breath she hadn’t known she was holding, she could feel her fingers as they rubbed against the front of her panties, pushing hard against her clit, her thigh still present and adding extra pressure. She moved herself against Faith, trying to find a rhythm amongst the madness, the friction from material driving her fast towards insanity. She wanted skin. She wanted Faith’s touch.

“Oh god…” she was pressing harder now, stroking her through the fabric, causing her to buck against her. “…touch me Faith, I need you to touch me.”

Faith slowed her hand, dragged her eyes to Buffy’s, to confirm, to see the truth behind the words. It was all there. She needed her.

Dipping her fingers underneath Buffy’s panties was like entering heaven. She could feel the soft hair, the neatness of trim, wished she could see, could feel it as it led her down to where she had to go. Her fingers parting her lips to be met with the wetness of Buffy’s desire. She played her way across her clit, stroking a rhythm designed to fulfil, let her fingers travel back towards the source of the juice, coaxing Buffy’s hole open to her, looking for entrance.

Buffy wrapped her leg even tighter still, pulled Faith even harder on to her, what she was feeling was beyond anything. She felt so hot, so god damned horny, ready to burst, she was arching herself forwards into Faith’s touch, urging her on with her body to continue, to go the last step. To take her.

“Oh fuck…” and then Faith’s finger was inside of her, pushing up into her, sliding back out, stretching her as she added another finger, her palm pushing hard against her clit. She was fucking her and it felt sublime. Her mouth was on hers again, kissing her, sucking at her tongue, her lips, everything hard and real. The tree behind her digging into her back, as Faith dug into her front. She could feel it rising, her body taking over as it met Faith thrust for thrust, clenching at her fingers as her climax hit.

She held on so tight as it overtook her, clinging onto Faith, letting her guide her through, bringing her down slowly, still kissing her, but softer, whispering words to make her safe.

“It’s alright B… I’ve got ya…”

Over and over. Believing them.

She could feel her forehead resting against her now. Her breath as it landed on her face, hot and heavy, coming in short gasps, but slowly calming. She opened her eyes. Met Faith’s.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself B.”

Faith softly drew her fingers back from Buffy, away from the warmth into the cold night air. Only it didn’t feel cold. Nothing felt cold.

“Are you ok?”

Buffy let out a little giggle, “Ok?… I don’t think ok is gonna cover it Faith… that was…” she tried to think of a word, wasn’t sure that there was a word. “…wow?”

Now it was Faith’s turn to laugh a bit. “So ya liked it then?”

“Are you serious?”

Her tone took on heavy, her eyes making a promise. “I’m serious about you B.”

“You are?”

“I am.”

They met in a kiss which wasn’t about desire, it was about something more. The hardness of just a minute a go replaced by the softness of feeling.

“I better get ya home B… I don’t wanna get ya home, I wanna take you with me, keep you with me… but I’m thinking your mom won’t be too happy if I don’t return ya.”

“Darn mothers…” she let her disappointment show on her face. The way she felt at the moment, she didn’t ever want to leave Faith’s side. “…but you’re right. After that just now, I don’t think I could take getting grounded again.”

“Don’t even joke B.”

They rearranged themselves in between more kisses. Began the slow walk back to Buffy’s. They still got there too quick, not ready to say goodbye.

“I don’t wanna go in.”

“So don’t… come back to mine, hell… stay at mine forever.”

“I think mom would hunt me down, you too… demons have nothing on my mom pissed!”

They smiled a sad smile at each other. It really was a torment to leave. Neither wanted to.

“I’ll see you in the morning yeah?”

“Of course. You can come by for breakfast if you want? Mom won’t mind, probably love to have someone else to cluck over.”

“Sounds cool.”

They kissed a last goodbye. Buffy walking away towards the house, her eyes never leaving Faith’s. She missed her touch already. Hated leaving it.

She got in and assured her mom of her safety, didn’t hang around to chat, needed to be alone, to think over everything, to replay everything. She headed straight to the window, knew that Faith would be waiting for a final glimpse. A wave goodbye till morning.

She was. And she gave it. Knew it was cheesy but blew a kiss too. Laughed as Faith caught it and planted it on her ass. She might have been offended if Faith’s ass wasn’t so hot, but it was, so she just laughed.

It hurt to see her walking away, but it was only a matter of hours till she saw her again. She climbed into bed to hunt down sleep, to make the hours pass by quicker. She wanted Faith. Realised with a smile that it wasn’t just want. It was need.

*****

She’d been sat outside since dawn. Hadn’t been able to sleep. Not one of her senses had allowed themselves to switch off, every time she closed her eyes she could see again the look on Buffy’s face when she was inside of her. Could feel on her hand the flow of Buffy’s wetness, could still feel where her leg had wrapped around her, pulled her in so tight and crushed her against her. Her mouth was full of the taste of kisses, her ears the sound of whimpered desire. No. She couldn’t sleep.

She’d gone out slaying again, had hunted down the final stragglers from the night time, the last of the darks monsters rushing home to miss the sunrise. She’d helped them on their way, busted them into dust. She didn’t feel tired, she felt hyped. Full of life.

And now she was sat outside Buffy’s, waiting for an appropriate time, the hour when it would finally be ok to knock on the door and see her again. Couldn’t wait. Last night to her was crazy. Fucking Buffy up against a tree in the middle of a cemetery straight after dusting some vamps. She’d thought about it often enough, had sure as hell been tempted often enough… but she hadn’t thought she would ever do it. And as their first time..? Never! In her head she had wanted romance, wanted the hearts and flowers that she knew Buffy was worth, but their bodies had demanded different, had taken what they needed.

It kinda made her smirk a little. To know that Buffy had wanted it, had needed it as much as she had, it drove her fucking wild with the horny. Made her desperate to touch her again, to feel her again. Made her past desperate to feel Buffy’s touch on her. Inside of her.

She waved at the paper guy as he threw the daily news up onto the porch, amused him with the way she expertly caught it, gave it a little twirl just cos she could, just to show off. She wasn’t big with reading the news, it was either just depressing, or bore no relation to the world she lived in, but now with nothing else to do but wait, she found herself flicking through. Learnt about the bake sale in aid of the elementary school, and possibly even more fascinating, she read about the ‘WOW… 50% off this weekend’ at the local sporting goods store. The fast paced lifestyle of Sunnydale was just too crazy mad!

Her perusal of local knowledge was interrupted by the opening of the door behind her, she jumped up, ran her hands through her hair, planted a smile upon her face and turned to greet whomever.

“Faith..?” it was Joyce, dressed in a not so fetching dressing gown, and looking like she had just rolled out of bed. “Please don’t tell me you snuck round early to steal my paper?”

She looked down at the paper in her grasp, flushed red, and handed it over.

“Uh… no Mrs S, I… Buffy said to come by for breakfast… that is cool, right?”

“You always take breakfast this early Faith?”

She wasn’t sure of the time, guessed it at somewhere round six-thirty.

“I don’t like to waste the day… early birds and worms and shit.”

“Right…” she shot Faith a slightly puzzled look. “…maybe you should explain that concept to Buffy, I have the devils time getting her up for school.”

They made their way inside of the house, Joyce leading the way to the kitchen and putting on the coffee.

“You want me to go wake her up?”

She raised her eyebrows at Faith, tilted her head to the side. “If you value your life you will wait for the coffee!”

“She really that bad?”

“You don’t want to find out.”

Faith sat in silence waiting for the coffee, contemplated all the ways she would like to wake up Buffy. She couldn’t wait to go up and see her, didn’t care if she was the grumpiest morning person ever, she still couldn’t wait.

She took the two cups that Joyce handed to her and made to go to the stairs, only stopping to hear the words spoken to her in a mother's tone.

“And Faith..? Lets be polite and leave the doors open okay? I may be a cool mom… but as we decided before, not stupid.”

She disguised her warning with a smile, a real smile. She liked Faith, saw the good in her, but that didn’t mean she was happy for god knows what to occur whilst she was downstairs eating breakfast.

Faith smiled in return. Possibly slightly a grimace. That little titbit of a command had just wiped out the first twenty ways she had been devising to wake up Buffy. Eating an early breakfast had been high on her list, but now it seemed she’d have to wait for the real meal. Hopefully pancakes… would soften the blow.

Buffy was lying on her back, brow furrowed, eyes twitching beneath the closed lids. To Faith she looked beautiful. Almost too good to touch, to disturb. Half of her would be happy to stay and watch all day, the other half wouldn’t be content until she had locked eyes with her, lips with her. Welcomed the morning.

She quietly placed the cups on the side, crept next to Buffy, slowly placed her hands either side of her body and lent in to kiss her awake. Before she knew it she was across the room, ass in the air, kissing the door to the closet.

“Holy fuck B!..” she upended herself, shook her head clear. “…your mom said you were antsy in the morning, but damn that was harsh.”

“Faith..?” Buffy had sat straight up in bed, hadn’t had time to clock who was leaning over her, just knew that someone was, had thrown them before she had realised, always the slayer, always prepared.

“Of course it’s me… who the fuck else you expecting?”

“Oh god… I’m sorry…” she peered at the girl now sat against the door to the closet. “…are you ok?”

“Five by five…” Faith winced as she rotated her shoulder, checked it hadn’t popped. “…Jeez girl, remind me to never surprise you in the morning again!” She picked herself up, dusted herself off and made her way back to the bed. She lifted the cup with the big smiley face plastered across it. “I brought you coffee as well B, ya mom said I was safe if I brought the coffee…” she looked back towards the open door, her eyes searching out a hint of Joyce, looking to scold her for the misinformation. “…guess she was wrong, right?”

“I didn’t… I thought…” Buffy turned her eyes to the clock by her bed, saw the time, widened the eyes. “…what time is it?”

Faith also looked to the clock. “Six forty seven…” she pretended at sheepish. “…err, rise and shine?”

“Rise and shine? It’s still practically night time Faith… did I miss an emergency..? You need me for world save-age?”

Faith replaced the cup, turned back towards her girl. “Maybe I just needed you for this.”

She leant forwards, moistened her lips and pressed them to Buffy’s. She didn’t get thrown this time but her head was still spinning. It was everything she remembered, the tingles shooting through her body in every direction. She teased Buffy’s mouth open, sweet little kisses which stoked desire but didn’t seek to quench it. As she pulled back and opened her eyes, she was met by the sparkling green she would have dreamt about, had she been able to find sleep.

“More please..?”

“You awake now then?”

“Could be dreaming Faith… help me to check?”

She captured her lips again, a little more aggression, a little more letting loose the feelings which were swirling through her body, had been since the graveyard. She wasn’t even aware as her hands travelled down to Buffy’s torso, slid beneath fabric to meet hot skin. Her body as it leant into the girl beneath her, lust demanding that she take it further, carry it on.

The sound of Joyce clearing her throat broke them apart. Made Faith turn her head to meet raised eyes.

“When I said leave the door open Faith, it wasn’t so I had front row seats to the show…” she pushed the door even further open, as far as it would go. “…it was an attempt to prevent the show.”

“Right… I, it wasn’t… I was just saying good morning.”

“Maybe you should practice saying that Faith. Because I’d much prefer the spoken version when you’re waking my daughter in future. Ok?”

Comments about her oral skills were flying through Faith’s head. Busting to be let out. But she didn’t. She bit her tongue, smiled and nodded. She didn’t wanna brag in front of Buffy, after all, she’d be showing her soon enough.

“I came up to see what the banging was, now I’m not so sure I want to know.”

“MOM!”

“Yes Buffy?”

“We weren’t, I mean…”

Faith observed Buffy’s struggle to find the right words, tried to help her out.

“Just a little rough and tumble Mrs S, the plan with the coffee didn’t work out so well…” she pointed to the closet, the indent from her impact. “…got my ass whupped!”

“Oh god… Buffy! Are you ok Faith?”

“She’s fine mom! It wasn’t THAT bad.”

Joyce looked back at the damage done, considered herself lucky that she hadn’t woken Buffy, and announced that breakfast would be very soon.

“Ok, I’ll just get dressed, be down in a minute.”

She went to leave, stopped, looked back at Faith. “I believe Buffy’s been dressing herself for years now Faith, come on… you can help me lay the table.”

With that the younger girl gave a wistful look back to Buffy, pulled herself from the bed and went with Joyce down the stairs. She hoped that there was lots of pancakes. She had one hell of an appetite to satisfy.

*****

Buffy was sat in her last class of the day. It was so boring. Or it might have been if she was even listening. Her head was elsewhere. With a girl. Faith hadn’t been in school today, said she had ‘stuff’ to do, and Buffy was going crazy from wondering, from wanting. Everything about the night before was consuming her mind, her body pulsing as she remembered the feel and touch of Faith fucking her, the moment she had slipped her finger inside of her, how hard she had pushed against her, her back still feeling the rough of the tree, her pussy still feeling the realness of Faith.

She wanted to tell everyone. Wanted to stand atop the roof of the school and scream it for the world to hear. Her and Faith. The chosen two. She didn’t though… hadn’t even whispered a word to Willow, wasn’t sure what to say, how to say. What Faith would say. Buffy wanted it to be legit, wanted to be safe in the knowledge that she was Faith’s girl, and Faith was hers. She felt it, was sure Faith felt the same, but until they had spoken she wouldn’t say a word. Would keep her peace.

“Do you think she’s ok?”

“Not sure… try again.”

She was aware suddenly of Xander waving his hand in front of her face, back and forth as if swatting at flies.

“Buffy! Buffy..?”

“Huh?”

“Someone’s got their mind on other things today!…” he looked back to Willow, she nodded her confirmation. “…we’ve been trying to rouse you for ages Buff, where was ya?”

She shook her head clear, brought her focus round to her friends. “Oh nowhere special… just patrol last night…”

“Oooo did ya wrestle some big vamps? Lots of excitement slayer style?”

She contemplated Willow’s words. Felt herself colouring slightly at the implication only she understood.

“Definitely exciting Wills…”

“Darn! Now I wish I had been there… if only we’d known your mom was gonna release you.”

“Yeah, me too Buff… I’m always up for slaying fun!”

She swallowed down her embarrassment. “Really guys… it was more of a … slayer… ‘thing’. Probably wouldn’t have been so exciting for you.”

Her friends looked to each other. Were used to Buffy sometimes being all super hero. It hurt when she cut them out though, they felt like they had earned more.

“Well I know we’re not all super human Buff…”

“Wait! I didn’t mean it like that. It was just… intense, ok?”

They rolled their eyes, nodded. “We set for the Bronze tonight? Friday fun! Woo hoo the weekend? Maybe you can tell us all about it then…” Xander looked to Buffy. “…ya know Faith will always tell us if you don’t… her story telling is so much better!”

“Thanks Xander! And I guess so. I need to see what Faith’s up to…”

“Why?”

“Huh?”

Willow peered at Buffy, a little crease to her brow, thinking.

“Well doesn’t Faith just show up?”

“Right… I think I arranged to slay with her though, but the Bronze… definitely!”

She lowered her eyes, hoped that Willow wasn’t figuring it out. Not yet.

“Well that’s agreed then.”

As they made their way out to the front of the school, Buffy was silently wishing that Faith would be there. That what ever she had to do in the day was done, and that they could spend a bit of time together, maybe train, maybe just… hang out. Cos she REALLY wanted to… ‘hang out’ with Faith.

She ran her eyes every which way, but it seemed as though the girl wasn’t there, like she was still busy with whatever it was she had to do. Disappointment etched itself across her features, something she couldn’t hide from her friends.

“Hey what’s with the blues Buffy..?” Xander had seen her searching looks, wasn’t sure what she was searching for. “Come on… we’re free!”

“Like that makes any difference to ‘doom and gloom’ girl!”

They turned to the voice, saw Cordelia dripping with disdain.

“Oh yay! It’s Cordy…” He tried to be enthused, tried to show her that he was over her. She didn’t seem to care. “…so what are YOU up to this weekend then? Taking Daddy’s credit card for a spin?”

She ran her eyes over him and gave him a look to show he was lacking. “Don’t pretend you know what a credit card is Xander…” She turned on her heel ready to seek out better company. “…and Buffy? Your girlfriend’s in the library.”

Buffy’s heart jumped and then her eyes widened. ‘Girlfriend?’ Why was Cordy calling them girlfriends?

“I uh… girlfriend?”

But Cordelia had already turned, already left.

“Such a charmer.”

“You what?”

“Cordy… always charming.” Xander watched her retreat, just a little bit of longing still apparent in his gaze. When his eyes returned to Buffy they had a twinkle of interest shining through. “So who’s your ‘girlfriend’ then Buffy..? You been keeping naughty secrets?”

“NO!… I don’t… Faith maybe?”

“Come on Buff, you haven’t gotta keep it a secret… if you and Faith were…” His eyes went wide as they considered everything that Buffy and Faith could do. “…ya know… if you were. You wouldn’t have to keep it a secret!”

“Of course they’re not!” Willow peered at Buffy now, perhaps trying to see, to know. “You’re not ARE you?”

“Oh god.”

She shook her head clear. Assured herself that fibbing wasn’t wrong, and plastered her most believable look to her face.

“Of course we’re not… we just… slaying! Cordy meant girlfriends in slaying… which we are, cos we’re both slayers… AND girls. That’s all… no naughty secrets.”

She started backing away, not even realising that she was creeping back towards the library.

“I’ll catch up with you guys later, yeah?”

“But Buffy, we were gonna get ice cream!”

“Right… and we will, I just need to check that uh, Giles will probably want to see me, and if Faith IS there, well then I can ask her to the Bronze later…”

She trailed off at Willow’s look of disappointment.

“…sorry Wills, why don’t you and Xander go on ahead and I’ll meet you in twenty?”

Willow didn’t answer, rolled her eyes instead, grabbed onto Xander’s arm and turned to walk away. She hated it when Buffy cut her out. They WERE best friends, but sometimes it seemed to her like that didn’t count for anything.

Buffy watched as they walked away. She felt bad, but more than that she wanted to see Faith. It had been ALL day. A really long day.

When she walked into the library Faith was there, dressed in her training gear, kicking the crap out of Giles dressed in a padded suit. She stopped and admired, let her eyes travel over every inch of exposed flesh, let her mouth imagine taking the journey, her hands itching at her side, dying to touch.

She let her bag fall from her shoulders, let her legs carry her the distance till she rested in Faith’s field of vision, smiled the hello she had been waiting to make all day.

“B… you made it!”

Faith gave one last kick to Giles, watched amused as the air rushed from his body and he doubled over as much as one could in a well padded suit.

“Sorry G… lucky shot.”

She turned away, began stalking her prey.

“You call him G?”

“Not in public she doesn’t!”

“Right… sorry ‘Giles’.”

As she reached Buffy she didn’t know what to do, knew what she wanted to do, her body was screaming at her to take her into her arms, to lavish kisses sweet all over her lips. But her brain was reminding her of Giles. She had spoken to him today, had come close to baring all of her feelings… but still, she didn‘t wanna make out in front of him. In the end she went for a touch, just a little one… a hand ran up an arm, naked fingers brushing naked flesh. Almost innocent.

“I told Cordy I was looking for ya, I guess she found you.”

“She said my ‘girlfriend’ was in the library…”

Faith’s face showed her shock.

“Girlfriend?”

“That’s what she said… nearly gave Xander a coronary.”

“I bet…” She wondered at Cordy’s words, at the unknown accuracy. “…so B..? Did ya wanna be my girlfriend?”

“I… uh…” Being so close to Faith was sending her mind into a spin. Of course she wanted to be her girlfriend, the thought had been hounding her since the night before. Her and Faith? She wanted it. “…yes?”

Faith let her head fall to the side, contemplating. “I’ve never had a girlfriend before B, not really had a boyfriend either… had lots of friends…” she saw Buffy’s look, back-pedalled. “…not LOTS of friends, a few friends, a couple of friends…”

“It’s ok Faith, I know about your ‘friends’.”

“Doesn’t freak ya?”

“You planning on keeping up those ‘friendships’?”

Her eyes travelled over Buffy again. Her body felt the pull. “Not fucking likely B… you’re all the friend I need.”

She raised her hand to caress Buffy’s face, to trace the outline of her lips, her mouth not far behind.

“Erm… girls..? Maybe one of you could give me a hand here?”

They broke apart stunned, both of them had momentarily forgotten about Giles in the room.

“Right… I’ll get that for you…”

Buffy rushed forwards, flustered fingers trying to undo the catches that would release Giles from his prison.

“…ya know, they really should make these easier to get out of, cos with the catches… well, it’s just kinda hard… and imagine if you were left on your own, trying to get out, no one to help you…”

She babbled away as she made short work of the suit, hoping that Giles hadn’t been party to what was just being said.

“…and you’d be tumbling around… and oh god. Imagine if you fell over, just a little Englishman flopping around on the floor…”

“Buffy. As much as you’re concern about my well being touches me, I’m quite sure that the fat suit isn’t going to be my down fall… possibly the inanity of American culture… but not the suit.”

He shook his head amused at the poor girl’s blabbering. Wanted to put her at ease, but was enjoying her panic.

“Right, cos really… just a suit, and since when have suits been anyone’s downfall? Never! Well except that one time with the Emperor’s new clothes… but that wasn’t true… right?”

“No Buffy, purely fiction…” He looked across at Faith, smiled at her amusement. They had spoken today, she had come to him looking for reassurance. All scared and unsure. He had done his best to give it. “…now tell me more about your girlfriend?”

“My what?”

“Girlfriend.”

Buffy looked across at Faith, she wasn’t sure if she was meant to be open about what was going on, whether they were doing secretive… what they were doing at all really.

“Oh… well, I haven’t really got a ‘girlfriend’ Giles, not like a erm…” she looked again to Faith, pleaded with her eyes for help.

“What she means Giles is that she’s just using me for sex! There was me thinking it was more…”

“Faith!”

“Yes baby?”

Giles looked on amused at the flustered Buffy, he truly did feel that her and Faith would make a wonderful couple. No one else could ever understand them like they could each other. Also it looked like it would be fun. He still remembered how to have fun sometimes… not often, but sometimes!

“Buffy..?” he called her attention back to himself. “I have to say I’m a little disappointed in you, now I know all about teenagers and hormones… but using Faith just to… erm…”

“Get off?”

“Yes Faith, ‘get off’, well that’s rather heartless don’t you think? Especially when she has been in here most of the afternoon telling me how strongly she feels towards you.”

Buffy stood in shock. That Giles would think she was using Faith for sex? That Faith was telling Giles how much she meant to her? That the whole world had gone just a little bit crazy?

“I didn’t… I haven’t…”

“There’s no excuse Buffy. I think you should apologise.”

“Huh?”

Faith was doing her best not to die laughing. Giles had Buffy well and truly hooked, and looked like he was gonna run with it for a while yet. She hadn’t missed the reference he had made to her own feelings and was hoping that maybe this would distract Buffy from it. She was crazy about the girl… of course she was. And she wanted to be with the girl, of course she did… but… well, she had a rep and stuff, wasn’t sure she wanted to go public just yet.

Giles continued to torment Buffy for a few minutes, until she was red in the face from protesting and Faith was red in the face from holding in her laughter.

“Buffy I said I believe you. You’re not using Faith to ‘get off’, that’s commendable… now maybe we should have the standard adult/teenager ‘getting off’ conversation..?”

“Oh god… first mom and now you?” She backed her way towards the door, at the last minute remembering to latch on to Faith. “I really don’t need the ‘sex’ talk, ok?”

The younger girl allowed herself to be forcibly pulled along, exchanging comical glances with her watcher, rolling her eyes at Buffy’s display of dominance.

“Catch ya later G… iles…” she shook her head exasperatedly, motioned back to Buffy who was still pulling on her arm. “…guess she’s horny right?”

She raised her brows, gave them a little wriggle and disappeared out of the door. Giles was just left standing there shaking his head. It didn’t even bare thinking about. He wouldn’t think about it! He removed his glasses and began to diligently clean them, he hated it when they got all steamed up.

*****

Willow was pissed. Faith was watching her, watching the way she was fidgeting her feet, little taps up and down, the disapproving glances she was throwing Buffy’s way, the injured slant to her shoulders. It was SO obvious. So Buffy hadn’t shown up for ‘ice cream’? So fucking what! They had other things to do, things more important than ice cream. And they were here now weren’t they? Wasn’t like they HAD to be… had just thought it was best. Or Buffy had thought that it was best, didn’t wanna let down Willow twice in one day.

Faith would have been more than happy to stay just exactly where they were. In bed with Buffy was her new favourite place. She was still pinching herself to check it was real, that things had moved so fast. In her head she had made big plans, lots of ways to torment Buffy into wanting her, but none of them had been needed. Buffy had already wanted her!

Glancing across at her again she wished she could be next to her, could be the one holding her attention, but she was paying penance to Willow, making up for being a ‘bad girl’. It was leaving Faith bored, at a loose end. The music was calling to her as always, urging her to rise to her feet, to stamp out a rhythm of authority on the packed dance floor. She had wanted to wait for Buffy to join her, but it looked like that wasn’t gonna happen anytime soon.

She picked herself up and located her persona for dancing. Hot as hell, sexy as fuck. She caught Buffy’s eye as she walked away, showed her with a look that she couldn’t just sit there and play good girlfriend and then made her way to the floor. People parted for her, they knew her… liked to give her the space that she needed to do what she did so well.

It was so easy to lose herself. So easy to let the music flood her senses, let each of the beats tickle her limbs into movement. It took just seconds for her to reach the zone, the place where everything was just right, where nothing existed past the bass line of a song. She surrendered to it, and everyone else surrendered to her. Men, woman, boys or girls. It didn’t matter, everyone fell under her spell.

She was whipping herself up into a frenzy now, so long she’d been dancing… round and around, fast and slow. Buffy hadn’t joined her, had stayed dutifully at Willow’s side… but after a while even that had stopped bothering her. She had three guys dancing with her now, surrounding her body with theirs, closing in on her from every angle… pushing closer, pushing harder, taking it in turns to lift her arms over her head, to slide fingers across flesh… she kept just out of reach, teasing them with what they wanted and weren’t gonna have. Drawing them in and then slipping away at the last minute. She could see the naked want in their eyes, didn’t care for it. She was Buffy’s girl now.

She looked across to the table again, looked to find the eyes of the girl she belonged to. And they were on her and they weren’t happy. They were narrow and sharp and burning deep into Faith's. She paused for a moment, knocked from her rhythm. Didn’t realise she had stopped sliding away. Didn’t realise that it was the opportunity that the guys were waiting for. DID feel as wet lips latched onto the back of her neck, as hands finally found an unencumbered path to her breasts. She reacted the only way she knew how.

She could feel his nose break as her skull came into contact with it. She hadn’t meant to… didn’t care though. Anything to stop the fucker from thinking he could touch her like that. His two friends weren’t so uncaring as they realised what had happened. One took her hair tight between his fingers as the other looked to return the favour of a broken nose.

Not a chance! She kicked out at the guy in front, hoped he’d never wanted to father kids, the one behind she dispatched with an elbow to the ribs, nothing too hard, nothing past two broken to say thanks for the hair tug. It was over in seconds, seconds too many.

The bouncer from the door who knew her so well was bearing down on her now, shaking his head, a slight smirk across his features.

“You know the score lady, any fighting… you’re out.”

“But dude, they started it! You expect me to let them assholes handle my goodies?”

She pushed her ‘goodies’ out now, fixed her damsel in distress ‘help me, I’m wounded’ look across her face. Unfortunately for her it wasn’t as convincing as her hot as fuck look.

“I told ya before, you can’t just beat people up! You got a problem, you come to me! Now come on… out!”

She deflated her chest, slumped her shoulders, snuck her eyes across to Buffy. She looked past pissed. Kinda hurt too. It all made Faith want to rush to her side, but she couldn’t. Was being hounded out of there now. She tried to convey to Buffy just what she was feeling with a look, but it went unread. Buffy choosing to turn her head away, to not pay heed to the things Faith wanted to tell her.

It annoyed Faith a little, it wasn’t like she MEANT to get into a fight, it just happened. No big. She decided to wait now, to hang outside the Bronze and wait for the ‘get a long’ gang to finish their evening. She knew it wouldn’t be too long, it was late already and they still had curfews.

The waiting was even less than she thought though, only a matter of minutes until Buffy was striding through the door, eyes darting around, searching for her girl. Maybe searching to kill someone from the look she was projecting.

“Hey B… over here.”

Buffy turned to look, caught her eye, produced a gaze of murderous proportions.

“Faith… what the hell was that all about?”

“What? The fight? Not my fault… those guys were getting frisky, I had to put a lid on it!”

“I’m not talking about the fight.”

“Huh?”

Faith was confused, the fight was all that Buffy had to be pissed at, anything else and she hadn’t a clue what the girl was referring to. Well maybe a little clue, but she was gonna play dumb.

“Don’t ‘huh’ me Faith. You know what I mean… those guys, and the dancing… and with everyone watching, and god… I thought, I guess I thought…” She raised her eyes to show to Faith, to let her know that her actions had hurt her. “…that you were… mine? That we were ‘together’..?”

“Jesus B, I was only dancing! So what? I’m not allowed to dance anymore?”

But she knew. Knew she had pushed it. Knew that if she had witnessed Buffy getting quite so amorous with a room full of horny guys she’d be kinda pissed too. But she wasn’t Buffy, and this was what she did, what she always did.

“That wasn’t dancing Faith! Well it was… but not nice dancing. Not the kind of dancing that fills me with smiles… and happys. In fact I’m unhappy…” she turned her gaze away from Faith now. She was so confused. Just earlier she had felt so crazy happy, and now she felt like Faith had taken that happiness and trampled all over it. Maybe danced on it. It hurt. “…I thought we were special, I guess that’s just my bad.”

“Buffy…” She didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t really given a thought to her dancing… she kind of knew that maybe she should tone it down… but this was her. Faith. She didn’t do things by halves. “…I was JUST dancing. It didn’t mean anything…”

“It meant something to me.”

She felt like an absolute shit. Hurting Buffy was never her intention, but this was all new to her… wasn’t like it came with a rule book… and she was ONLY dancing. Kind of. For her.

“I’m sorry, ok? Can we just forget it yeah? Get with the slaying?”

“No Faith, I can’t just forget it…” She turned her head to look back to the Bronze, back to where her friends were. “…how am I supposed to tell my friends that I’m with you? That I love you…” she stopped on her own words, looked at Faith confused. Faith was looking back at her with her own picture of astonishment. “…wait… I didn’t mean that.”

“I didn’t realise…”

“I SAID I didn’t mean it Faith, just forget it ok?…” she shook her head sadly, where the hell had THAT declaration come from? Yeah she felt it… wouldn’t have been able to let Faith touch her so intimately if she didn’t, but she wasn’t ready to say it… especially after Faith’s little show tonight. “…I’m gonna go back in, the guys said they’d patrol with me. I’ll see you tomorrow if you’re about.”

Faith watched as she turned to walk away, her mouth didn’t feel like working, like it couldn’t form the words to make Buffy stay, she would try though. Had to try.

“B wait…” she hesitated as Buffy turned her eyes to her again. “…look, whatever I did tonight to piss you off, I’m sorry. I didn’t… I wasn’t thinking. I just forgot… you were with Red and I was just dancing…”

“Just leave it Faith. I’m tired. Give me a call in the morning.”

She nodded at the bouncer as he let her back in. Not once did she look back to Faith, didn’t witness the sadness that had enveloped her, the dejection that wrapped itself round her body. All she knew about was her own sadness. Yes she had fallen for Faith. In a huge way… and watching her tonight, watching other people running their hands over what she loved..? It hurt like hell.

PART 3.

Faith entered the library gingerly on Monday morning. The weekend had been crap. Possibly the crappiest in a real long time. Friday night had been the biggest bust. The fight with Buffy and then an even bigger fight. She’d let her problems take over her mind and gotten jumped by four very large and very pissed vamps. She’d handled it, of course she had, but she’d also got beaten on whilst she did it. In the end she had spent most of her time in bed or at Giles’. She hadn’t rang Buffy. Didn’t know how to make it right. So didn’t even try.

She’d spoken to Giles, sought his understanding on the situation. He hadn’t been the most supportive though, seeming to believe that Buffy was right to have been hurt, that Faith couldn’t expect her to sit by and watch voyeur like as she got her kicks from flirting.

He’d lectured her on love and respect and what that meant. She’d nodded without understanding… love and respect were never things she had been taught. She knew her feelings for Buffy were strong, the strongest, but she wasn’t sure what to do with that. What it meant past the need to posses, to touch, to consume. She wanted to learn though, needed to learn, because if that’s what it took to keep Buffy, then she was willing to do anything.

Entering the library now and being met by stony faces was breaking her resolve though. She felt unsure and uncertain, desired only the wish to run.

“Oh look, it’s the one woman fighting machine! How goes it Faith… neutered any men lately?”

Faith ran her eyes over Xander, hostility creeping to the surface. “Shut up Xander, not in the mood.” She threw herself into the chair opposite Buffy, not risking taking a glance.

“Great! Two tetchy slayers… must be an epidemic.”

Xander studied the two sullen girls, it seemed neither of them were in the mood for fun, both of them fixed with expressions of thunder, eyes fixed firmly to the table top.

“And I’ll just be quiet then.”

“Very good Xander…” Giles took the moment to convene the meeting. He was aware of the tension between the slayers and the cause of it. It troubled him but wasn’t his number one concern. The vampires that Faith had fought the other night were not random vamps looking for dinner, they had been part of a larger order long thought extinct, apparently here looking for an amulet, something to restore their former leader to glory. “…thank you for all making the time to get here early.”

They all rolled their eyes at him, like they really had a choice!

“Now I don’t know if you’re all aware, but Faith had a rather nasty run in on Friday night with…”

“Three meat heads from hell?”

“Xander be quiet!”

Giles scolded the boy with both his voice and his eyes. He wouldn’t allow for petty interruptions.

“As I was saying… she had a run in with four vampires, and did very well to combat the threat on her own…” he let his eyes run over all of the Scoobies, letting them know he wasn’t best pleased that Faith was left to slay alone. “…I’ve spent the weekend researching the vampires, and my conclusions indicate that they are searching for an amulet, a way to raise their former leader to past glory.”

“So we find it first and end the threat. Right?”

“Well hopefully things will be that simple Buffy, yes.” He turned his focus back to Faith. “If you could enlighten everyone Faith as to the situation that occurred on Friday night?”

She still didn’t choose to raise her eyes, could imagine the glares that were being tossed her way, didn’t need to see them for real. “Was walking home, got jumped, got beat down, kicked ass, went home, passed out…” Her tone was flat, devoid of anything. “…that do ya Giles?”

“Are you ok?”

Her surprise at Buffy’s words forced her to raise her gaze. She hadn’t expected concern, especially not from her. “Five by five B…” She offered a lopsided grin, allowed a little of her pain to show in her eyes. “…took a hell of a hit to the head, probably needed it…” Now her expression changed to regret. Apology. “…what about you B? Are you ok?”

Buffy took a deep breath. Was she ok? She didn’t feel it. She hurt on the inside, had took a few hits of her own. Seeing Faith in pain though, it made things not matter so much. Yes she was pissed, yes Faith had some making up to do. But that didn’t change things, didn’t change how she felt, didn’t stop her heart from caring.

“I’m getting there…” She offered a small smile, an ‘everything’s gonna be ok’ smile. “…I was worried when ya didn’t call though, I thought you would?” It was said as a question. She had felt slightly wounded when Faith hadn’t been on the phone first thing Saturday to make amends.

“I… sorry. I really did pass out ya know? And then when I came round Saturday night I just felt like crap…” she snuck a thankful look Giles’ way. “…watcher man patched me up and ordered me back to bed…” her eyes now bore into Buffy’s, begging her almost to just believe her. “…I WAS thinking about you though. All the time.”

“For real?”

“For real.”

The library had fallen silent, everyone’s attention unwittingly drawn towards the two girls. It was impossible not to miss that something was occurring, that for them, everything except the other had ceased to exist. Xander was the one to break the peace and shatter the moment.

“I guess this explains the ‘girlfriends’ comment then, hey guys?”

“Xander! Buffy… what’s going on?”

Willow was confused. Yes she had accepted that Faith was an… enigma. But Buffy? When did she get quite so… enigmatic? She had wondered maybe. A little. But really? She glanced across to her boyfriend, hoped to share her confusion, but as was the way he seemed almost uninterested. Like he’d already known. She turned her focus back to her best friend, waited on her answer.

“Wills I…” I what? She was even less sure of what was going on with her and Faith than she had been the other day. Didn’t have a clue how to begin to phrase it all to her friend. “…I erm…me and Faith…”

“You? And Faith?”

“Right… well we…” she looked towards Faith now, hoped for inspiration, received only raised eyebrows and a shrug of the shoulders. “…I think that, well I guess that there’s something going on there…” she let out a little giggle that betrayed her nervousness. “…and I was going to tell you, but I didn’t know what to say… me and Faith haven’t really discussed it, and I didn’t wanna freak ya…” she softened her voice, appealed to Willow. “…you’re not freaked are you?”

“Not freaked..? Not freaked?”

“Not freaked.”

Buffy turned her eyes to the voice, smiled appreciation.

“Thank you Oz.”

“Hey! What about me Buff? Guys? Don’t I get to be freaked?”

Xander was trying hard to take it all in. Was taking it in and getting hard. It was probably the most exciting thing that had ever happened in his universe.

“Are you Xander? Freaked out?”

He tried his best at adopting Faith’s sexy grin, sexy eyebrows. “Certainly freaked out…” He blew sexy and flushed red. “…but only in the good way!”

“Thank you. I think.” She turned her attention back to Willow, wanted to be sure that her best friend was okay, that this wouldn’t change things. “Wills..?”

“Me..? Right. No… I mean, I guess it makes sense right? With the not wanting to come for ice cream, and all the Faith talk… and the slaying, I guess that gives you something in common? Not that it’s all you’ve got in common, you’re both girls! That’s something else… both girls together, doing the girl thing…”

“Breathe Wills.”

“Uh-huh… cos breathing’s good.”

She felt like she might hyperventilate… she wasn’t freaked. Really. Maybe freakily surprised… a lot. But not freaked. She regained some sort of composure and smiled goofily at her friend.

“I bet it beats the low fat yoghurt… yeah?”

Giles beat Buffy to speak next. There were things to discuss!

“If we could tear our attention away from Buffy’s late night eating habits I assume it would be safe to get back to the demon problem?”

“I dunno Giles, I kinda wanna hear about Buffy’s late night eating habits…”

“Well Xander, I’m sure she’ll be delighted to fill you in after the meeting.”

He cast a sympathetic gaze at his oldest slayer. He appreciated that it was hard for her sometimes to be a slayer, to have so much weight upon shoulders so young. But he was proud of her, she was a wonderful young woman, and the way she found the bravery to so openly admit to her feelings for Faith only increased his good opinion further. He hoped that her friends really would be as accepting as they seemed. Both of the girls deserved it. Deserved happiness.

He went over everything that he knew concerning the vampire cult. Directed his slayers to patrol an old family crypt that evening and hopefully retrieve the amulet. He wasn’t in the mood for anything apocalyptic at the moment, the children were nearing the end of the school year, graduation and the like, and he wished everything to go off without a hitch. He knew wishes weren’t always granted, but he had his fingers crossed for this one.

*****

Buffy was putting the finishing touches to her slaying outfit. It felt weird dressing up to kill the dead, but she had a reason to. Faith was going to be with her and she wanted to be sure to make an impression, to look good for her girl. And Faith WAS her girl. She felt sure of it. At school they had grabbed a little time together, not much, not enough, but a little. The little needed to put fears to rest, to assure that they both still felt the same, both still wanted the other, needed the other.

And now she was just waiting for Faith to come get her. For the doorbell to ring. It didn’t disappoint.

“BUFFY!”

Her mom’s holler carried her down the stairs and deposited her in front of Faith. All leather and danger and hotness and sex just emanating from her every pore.

“Hey B, you’re looking good… you got something special planned for tonight?” She accompanied her comments with the typical look, typical hunger.

“Faith… no, I just fancied dressing up, it’s my plan to distract the vampires…” she now took the time to run her eyes appreciatively over Faith’s form, relishing in the leather and danger and hotness and sex. “…although with the way you’re looking, I don’t think I needed to make the effort.”

The younger girl accepted the compliment well, did a little twirl to show off exactly how hot she was all over, raising her arms up and arching her back. She wanted to give a show, wanted to steal Buffy’s breath. It was certainly working.

“God… you are SO hot.”

“Buffy!”

“Mom… you’re still there, and you’re listening…” embarrassment tinged her face as she looked to her mom. She had been lost in Faith. It was a nice place to lose yourself. “…I’m just gonna go now, slaying.”

“Be careful girls, and don’t be late!”

“Mom!”

“Buffy it’s a school night, now I know that saving the world is important, but so are grades! I don’t think colleges will accept slayage as a reason to fall short on the grades… do you?”

Buffy slumped her shoulders in defeat. “No mom, believe me, I’m more than aware how much what I do doesn’t matter… I won’t be late. My school career is safe. We can all sleep easy.”

Her mom drew her in and kissed her forehead, offered a little smile. “It matters to me Buffy.”

She watched as they walked away down the street, admonished herself for worrying, but just couldn’t help it. She could see the closeness between them and was glad for it, what her daughter had to do, the things she had to face… she would be eternally grateful if she didn’t have to face it alone.

As for the two girls in question they were making plans to face the things they had to face. They knew which crypt they were heading towards and were both hoping that it would be an easy grab. Just an amulet without the company. No such luck.

They had realised that they were too late from the minute they had gotten there, seen the vampires leaving the crypt, seen them disappearing down a man hole. Into the sewers. It didn’t fill them with joy. But it also didn’t deter them.

“I guess it seems a shame to have dressed up now, hey B?”

“I did hope I’d be able to wear the outfit more than once… and these shoes? They get ruined I’m suing the council.”

They walked slowly to the sewer entrance, gave each other an encouraging smile.

“Ladies first?”

“I think you’re still a lady Faith, definitely the last time I checked… you want to go first? Fine by me.”

She stood back as Faith did indeed disappear down the hole, swallowed by the darkness. She didn’t waste time waiting to follow, she was there in an instant.

The Vampires were ready for them. They attacked as soon as the girls landed, slicing through the air with ritualistic swords, looking to remove limbs, to end lives. The girls were slayers though and fought back with incredible force, each blow landed on them was dished back with extra included, it was fun, it was what they were built for. They hollered a war cry with every beast dusted and soon it was only silence that engulfed them. The only two left standing.

“Holy fuck B, intense fighting…” she flexed her muscles as she stood upright, stretched out her back. “…I’m wicked hungry, you wanna get some ribs?”

“Hungry..? Uh-huh.” Buffy allowed her eyes to survey the other girl, to claim back what was hers. They hadn’t kissed since their fight, had only spoken words to repair damage, and now Buffy was aching for more. Needed a kiss, needed some release from the tension she was feeling inside. “Come here.”

She whispered the words, Faith heard them.

“What’s up B? You hungry for something else?” she stalked the girl, her hands reaching out as soon as she was close enough, enveloping her in an embrace, her lips seeking out Buffy’s to bring them together in a kiss.

Their lips met softly at first, Faith still caught in making an apology, making Buffy feel better, but soon enough they demanded more. Demanded that tongues enter the arena, that lips were crushed instead of caressed.

They broke apart both wearing the same self satisfied smile.

“Much better than ribs.”

“You think?”

“Definitely…” she picked up the amulet that had fallen to the floor, tucked it in the seat of her leather pants. “…you wanna get this to Giles, or you in the mood for dessert?”

Buffy considered the options, considered everything she had spent the weekend thinking about. She had made a couple of decisions, a few things that she thought Faith might not enjoy hearing, but that she had decided upon. Would insist upon.

“Look Faith… about dessert…”

“You want it, don’t ya?”

“No!… well yes, but no!…” she took a second to try and organise her words, it was as hard as trying to organise her thoughts. “…I just think that after the other night, I think it might be best to not go crazy with the dessert right now.”

“Not go crazy with the dessert..? Does that mean what I think it means?” She hoped it didn’t. “I think I might go crazy without dessert B.”

“No you won’t! Much. I just think it’s for the best… I need to know Faith that this is real for you… I can’t let myself fall for you and then have it trampled on, I just can’t…” she reached out and took Faith’s hand, shared her warmth. “…I’m kinda crazy about you ya know? Not just the dessert you… but all of you, I need to know that you’re crazy about me too, not just dessert me. Is that ok? Can you do that?”

She didn’t want to. Well she did… but NO dessert!?! She’d starve. But for Buffy..? She had decided she would do anything to keep her, and if no dessert was what it took… then yes. At least for now.

“I can do that.” She smiled her best smile, it was kind of like the angelic one she offered to parents, she wanted Buffy to believe her. And she did. She knew because of the smile she gave back, the way she reached up and placed the softest of sweetest kisses against her lips, took her hand in hers and made to leave the sewer.

She had to ask though, wouldn’t have been Faith if she didn’t ask.

“So this no dessert then… how long ya looking to do that for?”

“Faith!”

“What B? I’m just curious… for health reasons.”

“Until I’m sure.”

“Sure of what?” she thought she knew, just needed it confirmed, needed to know what her task was, what her plan should be.

“That I’m your girl Faith. Your only girl, or guy, or anything. That you can give up free and easy to be with me.” Buffy meant every word. She wasn’t prepared to sit back and admire the Faith show anymore, she wanted the Faith show to be just for her from now on.

“You are my girl B, I don’t need rationing to prove that, I know it now. I promise.”

“Prove it.”

She reached her lips up to kiss again. To silence any protest that Faith may have had. It would be hard to not just give into her, she wanted her, so badly. Wanted to feel her all over her. Wanted her body pressed up against her, pressed inside of her. But she wouldn’t give up. It was important to her that Faith understood that their relationship was about more, meant more. To her it meant everything.

*****

Romancing a girl was hard. Romancing a girl was fucking hard! Faith was beginning to understand why she hadn’t done it before. Buffy was turning out to be a hard nut to crack. She knew that she wanted her, it was always apparent… from the glances, to the full on looks of lust. It was all there. All the time. But she wouldn’t give in.

Their relationship had progressed from the full on fuck fest of the first few hours, to an almost chaste relationship that left much in the way of frustration. Yes they kissed. They kissed constantly, they could probably win awards for the length of time they spent with their lips locked together, but that was all. If Faith looked to carry it further, looked to seek release from the constant tension that had settled over her, then Buffy just offered her wide eyes of apology, spoke the words about needing to be sure. Faith wondered silently if it would be enough when she exploded through sheer desperation. It wouldn’t be long, SHE was sure of that.

She’d been on her best behaviour as well. Hadn’t so much as glanced in anyone else’s direction, hadn’t danced with anyone, was so focused on her goal that she had almost given up speaking to anyone else. It was a situation that hadn’t gone unnoticed amongst the group of friends. They kind of knew what was going on… knew that Buffy had issues with Faith’s flirting skills, knew that she was all ‘withholdy gal’ at the moment.

They were lounging on the sofa’s at school now discussing the present situation. Pestering Buffy for the latest updates, asking how long it would be until they saw Faith smiling again.

“But come on Buff… surely the best part about being with Faith, is the actual BEING with Faith!”

“That’s the point Xander, and if you took your brain out of your pants for more than a minute you might just get it…” She shook her head in exasperation at her friend. “…it’s not just about BEING with Faith like that… it’s about all of her, the way she makes me feel, the way that just standing next to her can get me so excited… make me feel so alive.” She stopped there, embarrassed to reveal her feelings so blatantly. But Faith did make her feel all of those things, all and more.

“I understand Buffy… I think waiting is nice, to be sure that ya both feel the same. Which I’m sure you do, but it’s still nice.”

“Thanks Will, it’s nice to have some support!”

Buffy was aware that her best friend and Oz were also waiting. Waiting for the right moment, for when they needed to be together. It gave her confidence that she was doing the right thing. All the time she had been spending with Faith without the sex..? It was perfect. Tense… yes, but also perfect.

She hadn’t missed the extra effort that Faith had been making, the attentiveness with which she looked to please her. It was always there. The way she always picked her up for slaying, came in and made nice with her mom. The way she would take her to see girly flicks at the cinema and didn’t complain at all. Admittedly she had fallen asleep a couple of times, but she was trying. It felt to Buffy that they were a real couple, they weren’t just fucking, they were falling in love. WERE in love.

She was also well aware that Faith was reaching breaking point. She had been moody for days, possibly bordering on weeks. When anyone asked what was wrong she just offered a clipped smile and said everything was ‘five by five’. It was kind of sweet in its own way. She hadn’t pressured Buffy though, and for that she was grateful… it helped her to feel sure, sure that it meant everything to Faith as it did to her.

“So are you waiting for a special occasion?”

“Xander… why ARE you so interested in my sex life?”

Faith arrived at that exact moment, fresh from her work out with Giles.

“Cos he hasn’t got one of his own?”

They looked up surprised at the newcomer, hadn’t been aware of her arrival, too lost in their own conversation. Xander flushed at the truth being spoken, looked to hit back with comments of his own.

“I didn’t think I was the only one Faith… tell me, how’s