A Picture Perfect Wedding
by Phable
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy or Faith but the rest are all
mine….no that was rude, you can use them.
Author's Notes: This is in response to Liv's Craaazy Wedding Challenge:
"Faith and Buffy have been best friends ever since they were kids. They were close but never *too* close. See, Buffy's got a thing for Faith, but she doesn't know it. She's getting these funky feelings for Faith and she doesn't know what they are. She thinks, it's just a best friend crush or she just admires her and all. Anyway, after Faith experiences a really hard break up, they comfort each other saying that they'll always be there for each other. Faith jokes around saying that if there comes a time when they're not married by the time they're 28, they should just dyke out and marry each other. Buffy say yeah playing along with the joke when deep down inside she really loves Faith and she *does* want to marry her. She know this, but she doesn't know what to say cause she's still trying to comprehend the fact that she's in love with her best friend. They're about 18 when this little pact is made. Ten years fly by and they've lost contact till Buffy comes home to her apartment hearing a message on her answering machine from her best friend...FAITH!!!!! Faith says that it's very important and she needs to speak to her right away. Old sparks fly as Buffy remembers the 'pact'. She's 28 and still single and she still thinks Faith's single so of course she's thinking that the girl wants to marry her. She finally meets up with Faith to have her heart broken when she hears that Faith IS getting married, but not to her. Faith called cuz she wants Buffy to be the Maid of Honor. If you've seen my best friends wedding I'm sure you all know where the story goes from there. ie, Buffy tries to break off the wedding! So here are the rules people: This is gonna be a comedy fic folks! None of that Dark Angsty shit is allowed. Save that for the other challenges I might come up with. ;p -They are not Slayers! I'm thinking that it would be way too hard to write this and have the whole slayer package in the background cuz then you'd have to do a whole bunch of explaining and shit like that. So yeah, they're normal people and the whole demon world thing doesn't exist. -Faith is marrying a MAN! I know, I know but I figured the whole Buffy falling for Faith and trying to seduce her deal would be totally hilarious if she was trying to compete with a guy. Besides, how funny would the cat fight be? OH and the guy is not an Asshole! He's the perfect husband. It would makes things a lot more complicated wouldn't it? *grin* I'm evil. I know. -They DON'T get together in the end. I'm sorry guys, but I'm feeling really bitchy and happy endings aren't what I'm looking for. But really, if you think you can get them together without fucking up the story then go ahead and be my guest. Tear Faith away from her stud and show everyone that Buff cracks the whip! But like I said, Big Points will go to those fics that don't have them get together. -Hmmm...you CAN switch this whole thing around and make Buffy the one getting married but I'm kinda sick of the whole Faith doing the mooning thing and getting her heart broken. It's about time Buffy gets the broken heart. -This whole girl on girl thing is new to BOTH the girls. All these feelings, experiences is new territory for both of them. -Faith and Buffy are the only characters from the Buffy cast. Everyone else has to be original characters. Unless it's a MUST I don't wanna see any one else. I mean, you can mention them here and there but I don't want them to have a big part in this fic. This fic should be about Buffy and Faith only. I don't want another story going on at the same time. (All though, the thought of Xander playing Rupert Everett's sp?) gay role does sound appealing.) Must have: -Buffy tries to seduce Faith with a dance. -The two of them kiss only ONCE. It can be anywhere in the fic. Choose wisely. *grin* -Buffy and the stud have a cat fight. A really pathetic one though cause remember guys, she's NOT the slayer. -Buffy and Faith are in a sex shop and they are suddenly interested in some specific toys. NO, they don't use them, they just goof around with them in the store making them get kicked out. Just not with each other. -A plastic barbie ring being used as an engagement ring. -Someone regretting getting a tatoo. -Buffy meets the 'stud's' parents and they love her to peices. -Faith's LAST NAME IS NOT SPENCER!!!!!! I wanna see what else you talented people can come up with. -Discussion about oral sex. Optional: -The girls fight over who's hotter, SMG or Eliza Dushku. -Buffy plays a little peeping tom. -Magic 8 ball. -Fortune teller. -Internet chatroom conversation. -Hand painted portrait. -Food fight?"Feedback: Well now that you mention it….
"Please be the key, please be the key." Buffy fumbled with the door lock, her vision blocked by the two grocery bags in her arms. When the door opened, she heaved a sigh of relief. "Yes!" She grinned proudly and strutted into her apartment. "Didn't even break a swea….Oomph." The blonde stumbled forward tripping over her feline friend and sending the groceries halfway across the room. "Bella!" She scooped up the cat that was now besides her sniffing the half empty, brown paper bags. "You little shit. That was because you haven't eaten isn't it? Well guess what, now you have to wait longer. I'm gonna shower." She gradually got up and began to walk towards the bathroom. "No that's just mean. Hold on." Buffy looked around the room until her eyes settled on a turned over can of 9-Lives. "You're lucky I'm a sucker for whiskers, Bella."
After putting Bella's dish down on the floor Buffy leaned up against the counter and watched her cat hungrily devour the little morsels. After a while, a little red blinking light in the corner of her eye distracted her. She pressed play on her answering machine and began to fill a kettle of water.
"Buffy it's me Phil. Listen, about the other night…." She hit the forward button.
"Sorry about that, I must have gotten cut off. So like I was saying. I know what it looked like…." Forward.
"Hey Buffy, haven't seen you since your party. Where you been hiding out? You know you're only 28, over the hill comes at 40. Give me a call, girl."
"Hey Buffy. Uh, I hope I've got the right number here. Heh, I know I do. Did you know you're the only Buffy Summers in the Seattle area?" Buffy put the flame on low and turned towards her machine. She recognized the voice but just couldn't pinpoint it.
"So how've you been? Long time no talk huh? This is Faith by the way, and if you didn't know that then I'm hurt and you're a bitch." Faith? Buffy's heart dropped.
"I guess I'll just get to the point. No actually I can't. This is something I kinda wanted to ask you, not your machine. It's really important. I don't know, okay I'll leave it at that. Don't want to start balling to a machine. Can you just call me? Here's my number, 773-555-1230. I'll be waiting… and Buffy, I'm really glad I found you. I missed you. All right, bye."
Buffy could feel the tears starting to form around her eyes. She was flooded with emotions and flashbacks of the past. For 18 years her and Faith were inseparable. And now, 10 years later, they were almost like complete strangers. Why would she call me? Now, out of the blue? Then it hit her. The previous message. The one from her friend. Buffy was 28. She darted out of the kitchen and into her bedroom. Quickly, she shuffled through her nightstand drawers until she found a small wooden box. She paused for a moment and slowly opened it. With two trembling fingers, she carefully moved around the old jewelry and folded papers until she came upon a black velvet sack.
**Flashback**
Buffy handed Faith a double Decker cone of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, while carefully lapping up her own.
"Thank you."
"For what? The ice cream? No problem."
"No B, you know what I mean. For being there, for listening, for just letting me cry on your shoulder. It meant a lot, really. The ice cream only tops it off." She said half smiling and taking a lick.
"Well you're welcome, and the ice cream was for me too. You're not the only one that just finished crying her eyes out. You know you're like contagious when you do that?"
"That, or you care too much."
"I could never care too much, Faith."
"See that's the shit I'm talking about. Why can't you be a guy?"
"What?" Buffy asked shocked and disturbed.
"No, no, I don't mean it like that. It's just why can't I meet a guy like you. I wish I could have a relationship like the one you and I have you know?"
"I think."
"Yeah you're like perfect, you're funny and sweet and pretty and…."
"What are you getting at?" Faith looked behind Buffy and smiled. The blonde turned around while being pushed out of the way from her friend.
"Here." Faith crotched down and popped a quarter into a small machine. When the little plastic bubble rolled out she scooped it up and stood up to face her friend. "I'll tell you what." She popped open the bubble and fished out a small plastic ring. "How about if neither of us is married by the time we're 28, we tie the knot?"
"You serious?"
"Very."
"Okay."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"Awesome." Faith took her friends hand and placed the ring on her pinky finger. "This means we're officially engaged. But we have to wait 10 years to have the wedding." Buffy stared at her friend until they both broke out into smiles.
"Buffy."
"Yeah?"
"You're dripping." The blonde looked down and saw a puddle of vanilla ice cream forming around her feet.
**End Flashback**
Buffy carefully opened up the velvet sack and pulled out a pink plastic ring. She smiled and let herself fall back on the bed. "I haven't forgotten either, Faith." Just as Buffy had gotten herself situated into her happy place the loud whistle of the teakettle made her jump. "Shit, hot water."
It was a little after eight when Buffy gathered up enough courage to call Faith back. It's late; I'll just wait till tomorrow she thought. No, shut up, you're doing it now. She grabbed her cordless and made her way over to the couch. After wrapping herself up in a down blanket and making herself very comfy on the couch she began to punch in the numbers.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is Faith there?"
"This is."
"Umm, hi."
"Buffy?"
"Yeah. Hey."
"Buffy! Oh my god! It's really you!" The blonde's hands were sweating profusely and she knew it wasn't because of the blanket she had on her. She used all her strength to keep her hands from shaking but it was useless. She felt like a little highschool girl again. "So what's going on?"
"You tell me, I'm just returning your very urgent phone call."
"Oh right." Buffy could simply feel Faith looking away embarrassed. "It's, uh, it's so good to talk to you again."
"I know, Faith, you too. So what's this you wanted to ask that my machine wasn't good enough to relay back to me?"
"That can wait. I want to hear about you. Buffy oh my god, what have you been up to these past… what's it been? Like 10 years?"
"Just about."
"Yeah so tell me."
"Well there's not much to tell. Working 9 to 5. Got an apartment downtown, great view… no Faith! Wait! I'm sorry but you call me out of the blue after 10 years to ask me something and now you don't want to ask me?"
"I never said I didn't want to ask you anymore. It's just hearing your voice again, for the first time in 10 years. It's a little much. I guess I wanted to recover from shock before I go and shock you."
"I knew you until you were 18. There's little you can say now that will shock me."
"I'm getting married."
"What?"
"Ahhh! I know, I can't believe it either. Shit, Buffy, I'm getting married!"
"I don't, I don't understand…." For that one moment, Buffy's world was turned upside down. She could literally feel every heartbeat in her chest. Feeling it press up against her rib cage.
Thump thump.
Thump thump.
Her ears were ringing and her eyes were burning.
"You still there, Buffy?"
"Yeah I just. Wow, okay, shocked." Faith laughed into the phone.
"Buffy, I want to know…. I'm asking if you'll be my maid of honor. Nothing would make me happier than to have you by my side when I get married."
"So what did you say?"
"I told her I'd try and make it."
"You what? Why?"
"Angie, I can't just take off work with such short notice."
"You haven't had a vacation in years. I think they'll give you a few weeks." Buffy rolled her eyes at her friend and continued her work out on the stair master.
"Wait you're not jealous are you? You bitch, you're jealous." Buffy suddenly got very defensive.
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous? That's the most.. That's the most. That's ridiculous. I'm straight."
"Whoa, whoa, wait up! Who said anything about you being jealous of the guy? I was talking about Faith meeting Mr. Perfect and your luck with guys like Phil. Buffy dear. Is there something you're not telling me?" She asked raising her eyebrows. Buffy looked at her friend and turned off the machine. Grabbing her towel she hopped off and began to walk away. Angie knew she was on to something so she jumped off her machine as well and followed the pissed off blonde.
"Go away."
"I can't you're my ride."
"Angie really. Just drop it. I'm not going to Chicago and that's final."
"But why?" Buffy threw her towel into her locker and sat on the bench.
"Buffy, why are you so scared to go?"
"Because if I go, I know I'm going to do anything and everything in my power to break up that marriage." Angie's grin spread from ear to ear and she pounced on her friend until they were both lying on the bench.
"I knew it! You're so gay!" Buffy looked over her friend's shoulder at two women passing by. They seemed to be very intrigued by the conversation.
"A little privacy here." Angie got up off her friend and pulled her up.
"You're going."
"What? Didn't you hear what I just said?"
"Yes, and that's why I'm making you go."
"You're making me?"
"Yes. Come on Buffy, the girl asked you to marry her. Who does that?"
"We were 18."
"My point exactly."
"Angie I can't go."
"You can and you will. Buffy you're in love with this girl. When I first met you, she's all you would talk about. Mind you, that's stopped, thank god. But after hearing you today. It's pretty obvious nothing's changed. You're like a kid when it comes to Faith. Oh Faith is so funny, Faith is so great, Faith is soo dreamy."
"Shut up. Who's the kid now?"
"Buffy, you're going to go to Chicago, break up that marriage and get your girl. You found her first."
"That's right I did." She said standing up more sure of herself. "I found her first and I'm not going to give her up that easily."
"That's what I like to hear."
"If that guy thinks he can just pop into her life and take her away, he's in for a rude awakening."
"Whatcha gonna do Buffy?" Angie said encouraging her.
"I'm going to Chicago, Ang. To get my girl."
"I'll go with the silver eclipse."
"Okay, just sign here and I'll get the rest of the paper work for you."
"More paper work?" Buffy asked. The woman simply smiled.
"Thank you, I'll be right back with your receipt." Buffy looked around the airport baggage claim at the people passing by. She had done it. She was actually in Chicago. But there was no time to enjoy the windy city. She was on a mission. A mission of love. I'm so damn corny Buffy thought to herself. "Here you go Ms. Summers, just give this ticket to the person behind the counter and they'll give you the keys and show you to your rental."
"Great, thanks a lot." She took her receipt and began to walk away.
"Hope you enjoy Chicago."
"Oh, I will."
Buffy tapped on the steering wheel while singing along to some random song. Just a few hours ago she was up in the sky cursing herself for getting on that plane. But now it was as if she was actually happy about being in Chicago. Sure the thought of seeing Faith again brought squirrellys to her stomach but they were the good kinds. The kinds that make you glad you're human. But Faith was getting married, which normally was a good thing in a person's life. She should be feeling happy for her. Suddenly Buffy began to feel guilty again. Was she really here to stop her friends wedding? To breakup Faith and her fiancé?
"You found her first."
Angie's words floated around in her head and all feelings of guilt disappeared.
"Damn I love that woman." She said thinking of her partner in crime. Only one thing was left to do. Devise a plan and no matter what, stick to it. About 5 miles from the airport she pulled the car over and walked towards a payphone. She pulled out the phone book and began to go through the names. "Knowing where I'm going would probably help…"
Buffy drove along Lake Shore Drive admiring the view of the beach. Her only thoughts' being those of how beautiful the city was. "As soon as Mr. Wrong is out of the picture, maybe I should get a place down here." When she saw the Lake View Apartments sign she slowed the car down to find a place to park. "Parking is definitely a problem though." After maneuvering herself into a tight spot she got out of the car and made her way towards the complex. "I'm not nervous, I'm not nervous… I'm gonna throw up." Buffy covered her mouth with her hand and took a deep breath. "No I can't, vomit breath not exactly the first impression I want to make."
By the time she reached the elevators all thoughts of hurling had pretty much died down. "Okay, 14th floor. I can do this." She punched in the numbers and waited.
1st floor.
2nd floor.
3rd floor.
"What if she's not home? She doesn't know I'm coming."
6th floor.
7th floor.
8th floor.
"I should have called first. I think I'll just go back outside and call. Yeah I'm sure I wouldn't be able to get a signal in here.
13th floor.
14th floor. {{Ding}}
"Shit." The elevator doors opened and Buffy hesitantly stepped out. She looked to her left and saw the numbers 1401 on the front of a door. "Of course." She thought bitterly. "The first one. Now I can't even walked through the halls nervously and pretend like I'm going back." She walked up to the white wooden door and knocked. Her heart began to race as she heard the door being unlocked.
"Who's there?"
"Guilty Pleasures, someone here order an escort?"
"What?" Faith opened the door fully to find her long time blonde friend standing before her.
"Did you know there are 3 Faith Carver's in the Chicago area?" Buffy said with a smirk.
"Buffy…." Faith said slightly disoriented.
"The one and only."
"Buffy!" She reached forward and pulled her friend into the apartment all the while nearly suffocating her. "I didn't think you were coming."
"Yeah well I got the time off from work." She mumbled into Faith's brown locks. She smelled wonderful. Better than she remembered. Better than she had hoped for. Faith broke free and stood before her friend. She seemed to be just staring at her and smiling. God please don't just stand there and smile at me Buffy thought.
"You look great, Buffy."
"Thanks, you too." In fact you look just as gorgeous as I remember. "Wow, 28 and here we are."
"Yeah."
"You okay?" Faith continued to smile and nodded her head.
"I'm better than okay, Buffy you've just made me the happiest bride." A brief look of jealousy flashed over Buffy's face but was quickly covered up with a fake smile.
"Miss my girl's wedding? Never."
"You hungry? Tired? Want something to drink? Ha, look at me, I don't know what to do. This is so… Buffy it's been 10 years!" Buffy let out a small laugh.
"Yes, I know this. But umm, I'll take you up on that water offer."
"Right! Come on. We'll chat in the kitchen."
"You've got a really great place."
"Think so? Not too cold? People tell me I should make it more homey looking."
"Nah, it's fine. And look you've got frames right there." Buffy walked up to wide screen television to see the pictures Faith had on display. She had to do a double take when she spotted herself in one of them.
"What's this?"
"You." Faith said walking towards her.
"I know that. I mean where did you get it?"
"Wal-Mart, they develop film now."
"Faith, be serious. This is from my dance recital. You didn't go remember? We hated each other that week."
"Yeah I know. But secretly I didn't really hate you. Well I did but I also knew how much that night meant to you and I wanted to be there." Buffy watched her friend take the frame from her hands and admire it. "You were really great that night, you know?"
"Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Your head was big enough."
"No why didn't you ever tell me you went?"
"Cuz we hated each other that week and afterwards it just never crossed my mind to tell you."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For going." Faith smiled at her and put the frame back on the TV.
"You're welcome, now let's get you that water." Buffy took one last look at the picture then followed Faith into the kitchen.
"You're kidding? So you caught him in bed with another girl?"
"No I caught him in bed with his girlfriend. Apparently I was the other girl."
"Ouch, I'm really sorry Buffy."
"Eh, we weren't very serious. I'm already over it."
"Well that's good. Wait, I just realized something. How did you find me? You said there's 3 Faith Carvers? What did you do, go to each one of our apartments?"
"Well, if you must know my entire thought process…"
"Just curious."
"Well when we were little I remember you saying that when you grew up you wanted to buy a house that had a view of the ocean. Well there's no ocean in the Midwest but I figured Lake Michigan, big body of water, same thing. The fact you live on "Lake Shore Drive" was a plus too. You're not a hard girl to find, Faith."
"Or maybe you're a stalker in the making."
"Maybe."
"You really remembered that from way back?"
"I haven't forgotten anything you said to me back then." Buffy weakly smirked at her and was met with sincere smile.
"So besides Phil the jerk, the dating scenes' been all right?" Faith asked changing the subject.
"Well not as good as yours it appears, but yeah, I've been doing okay." Faith looked at her engagement and half smiled.
"You really love him don't you?"
"Yeah, he's just this amazing man. We connect on so many levels, I've never had that with anyone, well besides you but it's like there's never a quiet moment between us unless we want there to be. He's just perfect to the extent where it's not creepy or irritating."
"That's the best kind."
"Sure is." Buffy subtly looked at her watch.
"Got somewhere to be?" Faith asked jokingly.
"No, I'm just a little tired. Jet lagged or something. I should really get going."
"You mean you're not staying here?"
"That's really generous Faith but I'm already booked at a hotel."
"Well unbook it. Buffy I've got an extra room, there's no reason you should have to pay to stay at a hotel. I invited you here, you're my guest."
"No really Faith, my friends supposed to be heading down here too. We're going to split the cost of a room together."
"I see. Your friend?"
"Yeah, my best friend, well besides you but you know what I mean."
"Yes." She said smiling. "Then I guess it would be best if you got a room then."
"Yeah, but thank you, really. Maybe I'll just sleep over one day and we could braid each others hair or something."
"Ha ha, that would be great."
"Yep. Soo walk me out?"
"Oh right." Buffy followed Faith out of the kitchen until they reached the door. "If your room sucks or the cleaning people start stealing your shit, my apartment's always open. To you and your friend."
"Thank you sweetie." She pulled Faith in for a hug.
"I'm glad you came, Buffy. It wouldn't have been the same without you."
"You're welcome again. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Definitely. I can't wait until you meet Cole. Buffy, you're going to love him."
"I'm sure I will. Goodnight Faith."
"Night."
Buffy waited until she was outside the apartment building to take out her cell phone. She punched in a few numbers and waited. Someone picked up then she heard fumbling around and muffled hello. "Hey Ang. Sorry were you busy?"
"I wasn't in the middle of sex if that's what you're asking."
"Right, so back to me. I kind of have a little favor to ask you."
"What?" Angie asked with dread in her voice.
"Well first, how do you feel about flying?"
Buffy awoke to the sound of several kids shouting and running down the hall. Have your fun now you little demons, because when Angie gets here… Her malicious thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Hey, girl, it's me."
"Angie? What are you calling from the plane?"
"Yes, Buffy. I missed your voice that much. You're worth 20 bucks a minute and more."
"And I thought I was grouchy in the morning."
"Look I'm just calling to tell you I won't be able to fly in until tomorrow or maybe later."
"What why?" Buffy began to get frantic.
"Because contrary to popular belief, or as I like to say, Buffy, I have a life too and it's not that easy to just spontaneously get up and fly out of town. Besides, I haven't found anybody to watch your stupid ass cat yet. I swear, sometimes I think she purposely falls asleep right in front of the door and then I get home and…"
"Angie, shut up for a minute. You can't not fly in today."
"I can't and I won't."
"Ang! I'm meeting Cole today. I can't do that alone. I need you here." Buffy heard a loud sigh on the other end.
"Buffy I'm really sorry but I can't leave."
"Fine."
"You mad?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry. Look, I'm not mad at you, this whole situation is just stressing me out."
"I know but you're Buffy remember? You're gonna land on top. But no matter what happens, keep your head up and never lose your cool. I'll be there before you know it."
"Thanks Ang."
"I'll call you when I know what's up okay?"
"Okay."
"Be good, well… be Buffy. You're the shit." Buffy smiled and hung up the phone. That's it, she thought to herself. No fighting, no bitching. Just show Faith what she could be missing out on if she marries that guy. I'll be me, I'm the shit. Smiling, she shook her head and got out of bed. I really need to start associating with people my own age.
Faith had offered to pick Buffy up since she didn't know the city yet. So there she stood, outside the Best Western waiting for her. She wasn't clear on how this was all going to go down. What if Cole was already in the car? Ugh, she thought. It's too damn early to start faking liking that guy. Needless to say, she was more than ecstatic when she saw Faith pull up by herself. She walked closer to her car poked her head in the window. "I don't do girls, It's gonna cost you extra." Faith laughed and unlocked her door.
"What is it with you and the hooker theme? So that's what you do in Seattle huh…?"
"Eh, little of this, little of that."
"Uh huh."
"So where's Cole?" Like she really cared.
"Oh he couldn't get off so he's just going to meet us for dinner."
Couldn't get off huh? Figures. Buffy let her mind drift out of the gutter to finish listening to what Faith was saying.
"…but we can do all that later. I really just want to spend some time with you first."
"Great, so what do you have in mind?" Both women looked at each other and nodded.
"Shopping!"
Four hours, and several hundred dollars later, the two girls were loading their bags into Faith's car. "VISA is everywhere I want it to be and more."
"Here, here." Faith said agreeing. "So did you get everything you needed?"
"Just about." Buffy responded distracted. Faith turned around to see what she was grinning at but before she knew it she was being dragged into a little store.
"Wha, what are you doing?"
"I'm not doing anything, you're the one standing in the middle of the hot oils section."
"I'm what?" Faith looked around and realized Buffy had dragged her into a sex shop. "I am so out of here." Buffy grabbed Faith's arm before she had the chance to escape.
"No you're not, come on let's look around."
"But.."
"But? Oh you want asses? I think that's the next aisle down."
"Funny."
"Oh come on, Faith. Like you've never been in one of these before."
"I haven't."
"Riiight. Faith, queen of all things sexual, has never been to a Cupids Corner."
"Nope."
"You're a liar."
"I know. But seriously, I'm almost a married woman, I can't be in here."
"Faith, it's a porn shop, not a whore house. Besides, maybe you'll find something for Cole. You know, help him get off." Faith rolled her eyes and began to eye down the lotions.
"Motion lotion? What's that about?"
"You know, moootion." Buffy slightly grinded herself against Faith's hip while stressing out the o's in motion.
"Yes, yes. I didn't need a demonstration." She said slightly blushing and laughing.
"Freebie. Hey look at this!" Buffy rushed towards a large black object. "It's double sided!" She picked up the double-sided strap-on and turned around quickly to show Faith.
"Shit, Buffy. Watch where you swing your toys."
"Sorry."
"What is that?"
"Fun for you and me." Buffy whispered to herself smiling. Luckily Faith had been distracted by something else.
"Woah!"
"What is it?" She asked following her.
"Leather! Lots of it."
"A whole section, now aren't you glad you came in here?" Faith began to rummage through the shop's collection.
"Pants, skirts, shirts…. Great.. mother of green earth… what the hell is that thing?" Both women looked up to see what looked like a giant leather saddle with reigns coming down from it.
"I have no idea."
"Bring it down, I wanna see what it does." Buffy cautiously looked around before carefully climbing up a shelf to retrieve the saddle.
"I think you have to wear it." Buffy suggested.
"I'm not wearing it. You wear it."
"Me? You're the one that wanted it."
"Come on. You're so good with demonstrations." She said grinning.
Buffy paused for a moment to weigh her options. Okay, I put on the saddle and look like a fool. Ooor, I put on the saddle and convince Faith to hop in. Faith on my back…
"Okay I'll wear it."
"You're the best."
"Now how do I get it on?"
"I think this has to go over this and… yeah, clip that on." Both girls fumbled around with the straps and metal bars before finally adjusting it to fit on Buffy's back. Faith stood directly in front of her to get a good look. "You look so hot."
"Really?" Responded a shocked Buffy. Faith nodded her head and let out a loud laugh.
"No, you look like a fool. Take that shit off."
"Not until you let me take you for a ride." She said in low sultry voice, slowly she inched closer towards her.
"You're crazy if you think I'm getting on that thing." Faith said backing away.
"Come on, I work out. I won't drop you." What came next was a playful game of cat and mouse.
"Get away." Faith shouted from behind the display of handcuffs.
"Real quick. 5 minutes."
"No!" Faith darted out from behind the display giggling and made her way towards the inflatable dolls. "Here, put one of these in there." She tossed several women at her and Buffy blocked every one. However, she was left momentarily distracted and Faith took that as her opportunity to run and hide behind the array of whips.
"Faith quit running, this thing weighs like.." Buffy came face to face with what looked like a very large and even more irritated man in his 40's. "You're probably wondering what we're doing." He simply stood there, hovering over her. If looks could kill, Buffy should have written her will this morning. Luckily Faith chose that moment to make her appearance.
"Hey big guy. Just testing the equipment out for ya. Everything seems to be in order." She replied looking around the shop.
"Out."
"You know that's exactly what I was thinking." Buffy stammered already taking the harness off.
"Right, so we'll just get going." Faith said helping her friend out of it.
"Come on, honey. We've got that thing, to be at. Where we have to be, right now."
"I'm right behind you." Both women sprinted out of the shop and didn't dare look back. When they got outside they looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"I feel like I'm 17 again!" Faith said between giggles.
"We just so almost got out asses arrested."
"But it was completely worth it. Just to see the look on your face when you turned around and Mr. Big was standing there. I thought I was gonna wet myself!"
"Oh nice, Faith."
"Come on, let's get out of here. I'm starved and we've got a dinner date."
"Right, I almost forgot."
"I'm telling you, this place has the best lasagna ever."
"Everything smells wonderful, I can't wait."
"Cole and I actually met not too far from here."
"Oh. Nice."
"Yeah, so are you enjoying Chicago so far?" Faith reached across the table and brushed Buffy's hand with her own.
"You bet, I've got the best tour guide in the Windy City."
"Well the tourist I've been assigned to is such a babe." Buffy quietly coughed, nearly choking on her wine. She made a mental note not to drink while Faith was talking, ever.
"You'll never believe who I saw the other day." This is it Buffy thought. It's now or never.
"Who's that?" Faith put her glass down and gave Buffy her complete attention.
"Gwen, from high school." Faith frowned and looked away.
"What I thought you two were pretty close for a while?"
"We were before I started dating her brother and he ripped my heart in two."
"Oh, that's right. I'm sorry. Faith I completely forgot." Tee Hee.
"No it's okay. I'm over it. And I have you thank for that, Buffy Summers."
"Me?" Yes of course me.
"Yeah. Buffy you never left my side that week. I mean I was a mess, crying and well, I guess I never really thanked you for that."
"Yes you did."
"I did?"
"Yeah. Remember? I took you out for ice cream." Faith was quiet for a moment then looked up and smiled at her friend.
"Yeah I guess I did, didn't I?"
"Well it's been a while, people forget things."
"Speaking of which, do you think Cole forgot about dinner?"
"Umm, not sure. Hey I'm going to use the rest room. I'll be right back."
"Okay."
Ahhhhh! Buffy thought as she walked towards the bathrooms. Soo close. Okay but don't give up. At least you're on the same wavelength now. And what was with that silent pause? Subtlety, not your strong suit, Faith. I know you remember, you just need some encouragement don't you? She walked into the bathroom and splashed some water on her face to cool down. I swear if she mentions Cole again before he gets here I'm going to knock myself unconscious. It's bad enough I'm going to have to look at him for the rest of the night but does she have to keep bringing him up every half an hour?
After further ramblings in the bathroom, Buffy headed back to the table only to stop dead in her tracks when she saw a tall well dressed man hugging Faith. To make matters worse, he took a seat next to her and held her hand above the dinner table. "Cole." Buffy spat out with complete disgust. Faith looked up and when she spotted Buffy she pointed to Cole and waved her over. Yeah yeah, I see him. Buffy thought bitterly. She put on her prize winning smile and walked towards hell.
"Cole this is Buffy." Cole stood up to shake Buffy's hand. "Buffy, meet Cole, my fiancé." Faith couldn't help but smile.
"Buffy, hello. It's so great to finally meet you. Faith just goes on and on about you."
"No I don't." He looked at her.
"Okay maybe I do." She said grinning at Buffy.
"Hey Cole, nice to meet you as well."
"I'm really glad you came." He said taking a seat. "I was beginning to think we'd have to cancel the wedding. The wedding's off if Buffy's not my bridesmaid." He stated in a mock girl voice.
"I did not say that!" Faith lightly swapped him on the arm.
"No?"
"No."
"Oh `cause I could have sworn…" He trailed off taking a bite out of a breadstick and smiled at her. Meanwhile, Buffy sat across from them watching the display and thinking. Someone shoot me. Please, just take me now. Shoot me, stab me, hang me. Whatever it takes.
"Hey you, wake up." Buffy looked up and saw Faith's gorgeous brown eyes staring back at her. She's so beautiful, she thought. Okay be nice, Buffy.
"Sorry, zoned out there didn't I?"
"I'd say." Shut up Cole. "So ladies, you ready to order?"
"You know that stuff will kill you." Cole said pointing to Buffy's chocolate mousse.
"Yeah well you only live once, right?"
"That's what I tell him. Sorry Buffy, Cole's a real health nut."
"Is that right? Yet you smoke?" Cole quickly looked at Faith.
"What? No." Buffy noticed this so she continued to press the issue.
"Sure you do. I can smell your suit from here. I used to have a roommate that smoked." She said looking at Faith. "I know when someone's trying to cover up a nasty little habit."
"Cole you told me you quit." Score one for Buffy.
"I did. Well I tried to. I mean, I quit but I just had one today." Faith looked away disappointed. That a girl, look away, he lied to you. Now break up with him. "Faith, really. I only had one, I was nervous about tonight, that's all. I know how much Buffy means to you. I don't know. I was just nervous." Oh please Buffy thought.
"Only one?" Asked Faith. Is she going to let this slide?
"Yes, I swear. The first and last." She's going to let this slide.
"Okay. I just don't like you hiding things from me." She let it slide.
"I know, I'm sorry. Never again." Un-freakin believable. Could this night get any worse?
"Oh, Cole I just remembered. I was supposed to stop by your moms tomorrow right?" Uh oh.
"Yeah, she wants to give you something blue I think. Or was it borrowed?"
"Buffy you should come with." Yep there it is.
"Oh, yeah that would be great." Mental note number two, stop thinking.
"I sure hope you're not going to drink this now. It's not even noon yet for cryin out loud." Buffy shrugged while the old man behind the counter pulled down a bottle of Jack Daniels.
"No, later. Well, now and later."
"Hmm."
"Meeting the in-laws."
"Ahh." The old man shook his head in understanding.
"Yep. Worse thing is, they're not even mine. Keep the change." She tossed a 20 on the counter and walked out of the liquor store already pulling the bottle out of its bag.
A slight buzz and hour later, Buffy headed back to the hotel. Wouldn't want the in-laws thinking I'm a drunk.
"Hey Mac, any messages?"
"Yes Miss Summers. A Miss Carver called right after you stepped out. Ahh yes, here it is. Says she will pick you up at one."
"Wonderful. Okay thanks, Mac." Buffy checked her watch and frowned when she saw that it was a quarter till.
"Hey, and I thought I was early. You been waiting long?" Buffy spun around and saw a much too happy Faith walking towards her.
"Uh no, just got down here myself."
"Great, well you ready to go?"
"Sure am, can you give me a minute though? Need to finish checking my messages."
"Course." Buffy slowly backed away. When Faith appeared to be distracted by the salt-water fish tank adorning the lobby she quickly turned around and tossed her bottle to the check-in man.
"Keep on eye on this for me, I'll be back for it later."
"Wow, they live here?" Buffy stuck her head out the window like a child in awe in order to get a better view of the mansion up ahead.
"Girl, wait until you see the inside. Makes the drive completely worth it."
Sure enough, Faith was right, the walk up the path to the house alone was breath taking. It was lined with colorful plants and trees and tall statues. The stepping-stones they were walking on had lights installed within each one.
"These must look amazing at night."
"They do." Buffy half smiled and continued walking, taking in everything around her. A part of her wished this were all hers. And that it was Buffy's mom they were going to visit. We could live here she thought. Just mom, my Faith and me. Mom could have the guest house. Woah, they've got a guest house?
"Come on Buffy, we can look at all their toys later." She reached back and grabbed Buffy's hand to lead her to the door.
"Faith, dear you made it. Come in please." Cole's mother led them both into the house and motioned for them to have a seat in the other room. "Please excuse the mess ladies, half the help called in sick today. I think they were all up late celebrating. Parties and drinking…. One of them has a birthday coming up. I know this; they tried to pull one past me last year. Moving dates around, secret birthdays…" The woman trailed off and got a far off look in her eyes while Buffy looked on with a puzzled expression.
"Sorry, she gets like this sometimes." Faith whispered.
"Hey, your family, not mine."
"Well, in any case how are you Faith, dear?"
"I'm good thank you Mrs. VanBuren. Oh, this is my friend Buffy. She's going to be my Maid of Honor."
"Buffy. Hello. Maid of Honor? How exciting. Have you been fitted yet?"
"Excuse me?"
"Your dress, young lady."
"Um no Mrs. VanBuren, I only arrived here a few days ago."
"Well then, we'll have to do that tomorrow won't we?"
"Yes, I guess we will."
"So what is it you do Buffy?"
"I'm in advertising."
"Really, oh that's what I did for the first part of my life! It's exciting isn't it? So creative."
"Yeah, I love what I do."
"So did I. Then I met Charles and it pretty much all went downhill from there."
"I see."
"But enough about me. Buffy, are you married?"
"Uh…"
"So Mrs. VanBuren, I'm so anxious to see why you called me here." Faith said rescuing Buffy from the 21 questions nazi.
"Of course, Faith dear follow me." All three women made their way into the den.
"Rodek. Get these ladies a drink won't you?"
"Of course, ma'am."
"Buffy, where are you staying?"
"At the Hyatt."
"Oh no dear, you're not staying with Faith?"
"No, I actually…"
"Pish tosh, I insist that you stay here with us then. We have more than enough room."
"That's so very generous of you Mrs. VanBuren but I have a friend flying in and I wouldn't want to impose."
"Yeah, her 'friend' is coming in. Gonna bunk with the 'friend'." Buffy widened her eyes in mock disbelief and elbowed Faith. "So Cole said you wanted to see me."
"Yes, there's something I wanted to give you."
"Aww honey, you're not gonna give her your mothers old broach are you?" A tall, older looking man came barging into the room with a half empty glass in one hand and cigarette in the other. "Because I have to tell you… I sold it. To buy all this." He waved his hands around and then bent over laughing.
"Charles VanBuren everyone, Chicago's richest drunk."
"I drink to forget." He said pouring himself another drink. "You would too if…."
"Charles, you say another word and you sleep in the guest house tonight."
"Really you'd let me?"
"Won't you just leave?"
"Me leave? But I want to be where the ladies are." He put out his cigarette in his old glass and faced the three women. "Well helleeew." He said directly to Buffy. Just then Rodek the butler came back with two waters and quickly ushered Mr. VanBuren out of the room.
Interesting Buffy thought.
"Now, Faith. Where were we?"
"Uh, you had something for me?"
"Oh yes. It belonged to…"
"Mom!" A loud pissed off voice came from the other room.
"Cecilia must be home." Mrs. VanBuren took a deep breath and swallowed hard.
"Mom, you said you'd keep dad out of my room!"
"Random drug check." Shouted her father from somewhere in the house.
"I don't do drugs!" The youngest VanBuren finally made her appearance and stepped into the room. She was dressed in dark gray cargo pants, black combat boots and sporting a tight black T that said "Rub This."
And the plot thickens, Buffy thought.
"Oh Faith hey, what's up? Damn, sorry about all the shouting." Faith laughed softly.
"I know how it is, Ceci. No worries."
"So what's goin on?"
"I'm here to get something from your mom." Faith looked in Mrs. VanBuren's direction.
"Cecilia, be a dear and get my light blue jewelry box from my room."
"Jewelry box? You bet."
"On second thought, I'll just go retrieve it myself, thank you Cecilia." Just as she left the room Cecilia took a seat right across from Faith.
"So girl, what's up with your bachelorette party?"
"My bachelorette party?"
"Yeah, you are having one right? You have to have one. You're marrying my prick brother, you need one last night of excitement, to let loose, to get wild…." Buffy liked this girl already.
"I just didn't plan one I guess."
"Not to worry, I'll plan one for you." Faith nervously laughed.
"Uh that's okay."
"Oh come on Faith, it'll be fun." Buffy finally chimed in.
"See your friend thinks so. Hi, I'm Cecilia by the way."
"Buffy, nice to meet you." Both girls devilishly smiled at each other knowing they were allies for the time being.
"Look my friend is bartender at this really hype club. She'd hook us up with drinks all night long." Faith looked to her left for support but instead found a very eager Buffy waiting for Faith's response.
"Ugh, fine. But no freaky firemen strippers." Ceci smirked and nodded her head in agreement.
"I can guarantee no male strippers."
"So where is this club?"
"It's called Kitty's and it's downtown." At the mention of the club name Buffy smiled knowingly and put her head down to hide her amusement from Faith. Ceci noted this and continued talking. "Yeah, I hang out there all time. Kind of a regular."
"The people there are cool?"
"Very, you won't see guys fighting there." Buffy began shaking her shoulders trying not to laugh out loud. "It's gonna be great, Faithy. Like a girls night out. You know, just the girls." At last Buffy let out a loud laugh then quickly stopped when Faith looked at her questioningly.
"Sorry, it just sounds so fun." But before Faith could interrogate her any further, Cecilia's mom fluttered back into the room.
"Faith dear, I just had a splendid idea. How about you and your girlfriend join us for dinner?"
"Oh that sounds great but…."
"We'd love to Mrs. VanBuren." Buffy stood up and joined the woman. "Right Faith?"
"Right."
"Thank you so much for the broach Mrs. VanBuren. You'll see it on the day of the wedding."
"Yes. You're welcome. Well it was a pleasure meeting you, Buffy."
"Likewise, so I will see you tomorrow at the fitting?"
"Yes. And remember what I told you about your career and what to watch out for."
"Good advice, thank you."
"You're welcome. Goodnight ladies."
"Night."
"I can't believe you made us stay."
"Oh come on, Faith, it wasn't that bad."
"Are you kidding me? I thought I was going to die when Mr. VanBuren made his toast at dinner."
"What are you talking about? Life's a bitch and then you die is a well known quote."
"God these people are going to be my family."
"Oh come on. Cecilia and Mrs. VanBuren were pretty cool."
"Shit I think Mrs. V likes you better than me."
"Shut up, no she doesn't Faith. I think she just attempted to live vicariously through me within a few hours time. Besides, I think it's her husband that really really likes me anyway."
"And Ceci."
"What?"
"Yeah that reminds me. What was up with you two at dinner? Just kept looking across the table at each other giggling like teenagers."
"She is a teenager."
"Yeah but you're not."
"Aww Faith are you jealous I had more fun with Ceci today?"
"What? No, not jealous, just felt like you were laughing at me or something."
"Well we weren't you big baby. Oh wow, you weren't kidding look at these lights, they're gorgeous." Both girls quietly watched their feet while walking down the path back to the car.
"It's okay if you had a good time with Ceci tonight. I'm not mad."
"Okay.. well that's good."
"She'll be at the party so you'll see her again you know?"
"Right, and so will you."
"I know but if you're happy…"
"I'm happy."
"Yeah I'm just sayin… "
"Faith what are you saying?" Faith finally looked up and into her friend's eyes.
"Nothing, it's stupid. I made a mistake, I'm sorry."
"A mistake?"
"Yeah, forget it. Damn it's getting late, I should get you back to your room."
Chicken, Buffy thought.
Walking into the hotel lobby she noticed Mac on the telephone and waving her down.
"Here it's for you. Angela." Buffy tore the phone away from his grip and nearly hoped over the counter.
"Ang!?"
"Hey baby girl."
"Angie it is so good to hear your voice."
"How good?"
"Very good."
"Well you could have heard it sooner. Why do you turn your cell off all the time?"
"Sorry, was at the in-laws house."
"Ouch, how'd that go?"
"Not too bad actually. I think the whole family wants me."
"Well who wouldn't."
"I can think of one person."
"Give it time, girl."
"Yeah yeah."
"So who's that receptionist guy I was talking to? He sounded cute. He available?"
"You like girls."
"Just weighing my options, love. Speaking of love, you're gonna love me when I tell you when I'm flying in."
"When when?"
"Tomorrow morning. But hey my phone card is about to run out. That receptionist can talk like a girl. He has all the info just get it from him. And Buffy, be there on time, I hate waiting at baggage claim alone."
"I will, I promise."
"Okay, have a goodnight sweets."
"Here ya go." Buffy handed the phone back to Mac. "I believe you have something of mine."
"Of course." Mac looked around and pulled out a brown paper bag and slid it over to Buffy.
"Thanks Mac, I owe ya."
"Oh! I think I see her!" Buffy exclaimed nearly jumping up and down.
"Where?"
"The tall brunette over there, see her?"
"Oh yeah, she looks lost."
"That's cause she probably is."
"Well aren't you going to flag her down?"
"Nah, she needs to think I didn't show up."
"So you're just gonna let her stand there?"
"For a while."
"You're a bitch you know that?"
"Ha ha I know. Uh oh."
"What?"
"Busted."
"Buffy Summers is that you?" Angie shouted from across the long hallway. Buffy pretended to hide her face and looked away. Meanwhile Angie was already running down the crowded baggage claim area only to stop once she had hopped onto Buffy's back. "Hey bebe."
"Do I know you?"
"No, I just like to get piggy back rides from random strangers."
"I see, I see." Angie finally hopped off her friends back to hug her properly. "How was your flight?"
"Good, I got the window seat, sat next to a cowboy. He didn't talk much. I didn't talk much. It worked out fine."
"I see that."
"So where's this Faith I keep hearing about?"
"Right behind you." Faith finally stepped forward after momentarily having removed herself from the two girls.
"Hey Faith, nice to meet you."
"Hey. Yeah you too."
"So enough with the pleasantries. Let's get your luggage, Ang."
Buffy locked arms with her friend and led her towards the rotating belt. Faith took a breath and followed suit.
"…..and after that we can go back to the hotel and change for Faith's bachelorette party."
"Wow, first day and my schedule's already booked. So where's this party going to be at, Faith?" Faith turned around from the front seat to face her.
"This club my soon to be sister-in-law goes to. Kitty or Kitties, I don't remember."
"Kitty huh? Meeeeow." Buffy glanced at her friend in the review mirror and smirked. "So Buffy. If only you need to be fitted, how come Faith and I have to be here? Can't you just drop us off at the museum or something?"
"First of all, museum? Funny. And second, Faith's doing a final test run on her gown. So you're stuck."
"Take a left at the next light, Buffy. It's right on the corner." Faith motioned towards the building.
"Eh all right. As long as I get to see you naked." Said a very serious voice from the back seat. At that moment Buffy slammed on the brakes while her front seat passenger went through a serious coughing fit.
"Bet that museum's sounding pretty good now isn't it Buffy?"
"So that's the stud's mom huh?"
"Yeah, she's a little much but she's nice."
"Yeah she's cool." Angie sat down in a chair and began to flip through magazines while the seamstress continued measuring Buffy. "What's up with your girl? You described her as a 28 year old version of yours truly. She looks tame to me."
"Well she's kinda changed."
"Marriage will do that to ya."
"She's not married yet, Ang. Anyway, she's normally not so quiet. I don't know what's up with her today."
"Well I could tell you, dummy. You've hardly said a word to her."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means she feels left out. While I do enjoy your undivided attention 24/7, you should probably be working on your game plan. Or at least be speaking to the girl." Buffy stood for a moment, thinking.
"You're right. I should go talk to her."
"What now?"
"No not now." The seamstress momentarily took the pins out of her mouth to protest the idea. "And stop moving."
"Yes now." Buffy hopped off the stand and adjusted her hair. "I'll be right back, really." Both women rolled their eyes and watched the blonde rush out of the room.
Buffy slowly walked towards the sound of Cole's mother's voice.
"Faith, dear. Is everything all right? You seem…distracted."
"Yeah, just kinda tired."
"Are you sure? I haven't seen you look this upset since; well I don't believe I've ever seen you upset. What's bothering you?"
"It's nothing really." Buffy softly knocked on the half open door.
"Hey you decent?"
"Yeah, Buffy come on in." No one could have prepared her for what she saw next. There was Faith, standing in front of a tall mirror all dressed in white. The suns ray softly peering through the window lighting her face. The gown was beautiful, she was beautiful. Yet it was the most awful thing she had ever seen.
"Wow, you look….really great."
"Yeah? Not too much white?" Faith smirked.
"No, you're perfect."
"And you're half dressed." Buffy looked down and saw that she was only wearing her bra and a long piece of satin material covering her bottom half.
"Oh right. I'm gonna go now."
"You do that."
Buffy walked back to her room and hopped back onto the stand. Angie looked up from her magazine and spoke. "Hey you okay?"
"Fine."
"You sure?"
"Raise your arms." Said the other woman.
"Yeah I'm sure." The seamstress placed more pins on the material.
"Keep your arms up." Angie shook her head and continued reading her magazine.
"Angie."
"Yeah?"
"Bathroom." Buffy hopped off the stand once more and left the room.
"We'll be right back, really." Angie said apologetically to the woman. She merely shook her head and took off her glasses.
"Okay, Buff. What's up?"
"I think it clicked."
"What clicked?"
"Faith's getting married." She sat down on a couch and looked up at her friend.
"Buffy can I just be the first to say duh?"
"No you don't understand. When I walked into that room just now.. seeing her standing there, in her wedding dress.. I could really lose her, Ang." Angie moved to sit next to her.
"Look I couldn't say anything before `cause Betsy Ross was in the room but Faith's being all quiet around me could be much better described as pissed off."
"Pissed off?"
"Jealous baby."
"Faith's not jealous of you."
"I know that, she's jealous of us. We have what you and her used to have 10 years ago. And I think it pissed her off to see that. Now to what extent I don't know. Maybe she's jealous on a whole `nother level. Like get in your pants level, but that remains to be seen."
Buffy smiled and stood up.
"You're right."
"I know this."
"I just have to stay positive."
"Right, positive and sexy. But not desperate."
"Willing?"
"Very willing."
"I can do willing."
"Good now lets get you back to Betsy. I'm a little concerned her irritation with us is going to turn ugly. Pin's n needles ugly."
"Hey Buffy, you almost done in there?" Faith said knocking on the dressing room door.
"Not even close." Shouted the seamstress. Faith walked in and saw Buffy standing on a small stool with Angie right below her holding a magazine up for her.
"I'm going to leave with Cole's mom. Apparently I have lots more to do."
"Oh, yeah that's fine."
"And you know how to get to the club right?"
"I'll find it."
"Okay." She paused for a moment. "Then I'll see you tonight?"
"You will."
"Great. Well until tonight then." Faith turned and began to walk away.
"Watch this." Whispered Angie.
"Nice meeting you, Faith." She shouted from behind Buffy.
"You too." Faith replied without turning around.
"Don't worry about a thing, I'll make sure Buffy gets there sooner or later."
Buffy turned around and slapped Angie on the arm.
"What? It was nice meeting her."
"She really had no idea this was a gay club?"
"I don't think so. I mean she knew Cecilia swings that way. Even I caught that, but I don't think she put two and two together."
"Well if she didn't know before, she knows now. Just look at this place. Did you see that flyer outside? They have a Xena role playing night every Thursday." Buffy paid little attention to her friend. She was more interested in finding Faith. "Hey I think I see her. Damn is *that* Cecilia?"
"Ang, she's 19."
"She's legal ain't she?"
"I can't believe you just said that."
"I'm just playin. Besides, that's not that young. You're the one that's 28 not me." And with that she began to dance her way towards them.
"Young bitch."
"Buffy, hey you're here!" Faith ran towards her friend and pulled her into a hug. "Here drink this." She shoved a drink into the blonde's hand and went to the bar to get another.
"Looks like someone started the party without us." Buffy rolled her eyes at Angie and went to follow Faith.
"Hey sexy. Can I buy you drink?" Faith spun around and grinned at her friend.
"Drinks are free till midnight. My wedding present from Club Kitty." She slowly stumbled forward and whispered into her ear. "Buffy this is a gay club. Ain't that wild?"
"Very. Now come on. Put that drink down and come dance with me."
After the one song Buffy stopped dancing.
"I left Angie by herself. I should go check on her."
"She's a big girl."
"Faith."
"I'm teasin. Okay let's go." Both girls walked back to the bar hand in hand.
"Hey Angie." Shouted Faith already walking up to her.
"Faith, hi."
"You know, there's someone I think you should meet."
"What?"
"Ceci, come here." Cecilia danced towards the girls with drink in hand and stopped in front of Faith to dance slightly on her.
"Sup Faith, you decide to marry me instead of my brother?"
"Close. No, here I want you to meet Angie. Angie, Cec, Cec Angie. You two should go talk or something. I think you'll hit it off."
Both girls looked at each other confused. "C'mon, B. You and me got some more dancing to do."
"Right behind ya."
Several songs and even more drinks later the four girls and their friends had all seated themselves in a large booth.
"The name of the game is tramp, you in or what?"
"Ha ha ha." Angie burst out laughing at Cecilia's complete lack of sense.
"I'm sorry, I'm so drunk I think I'm sober. What I meant was let's play a game."
"If it's anything like the last one I'm out." Declared Buffy.
"That goes for me too." Added in Faith.
"Oh come on you pussy's." Said one of the other girls.
"Stop it." Laughed Buffy.
"Yeah enough with the pussy's. For the past hour I've heard nothing but that. So how do you go down? What's the best way? Pierced or no? As educational as the conversation's been up until now. I'm going have to say me and Buffy can't really relate nor contribute."
"Fine, we'll play a stripping game."
"No." Laughed Faith.
"Aww come on." All the girls protested. Buffy put her arm around Faith and laughed.
"Secrets, confessions, questions and dare. That's the game." She stated. "Cecilia you start. Pick someone and give her the four options."
"Okay, Faith…"
"Do not dare me to kiss you."
"Fine, Angie. Who was your first celebrity crush?"
"That's so gay, ask her a good question!" The other girls shouted.
"I can't think on the spot!"
"You know who's hot?" Angie answered anyway. "That Sarah chick. You know the one from the Maybeline commercials."
"Yeeeah." Everyone agreed.
"I once caught Buffy staring at an issue of Maxim magazine. Eliza Dushku was on the cover."
"Angie!"
"What? Oh you didn't want me to tell anyone?"
"No, it's not true, dumbass."
"Eliza? B, I'm surprised. I figure you more into red heads."
"Funny. But no, I prefer the brown locks."
"So you admit it?" A girl asked.
"Admit what? No! I was just telling Faith…"
"Hey, did you all see her in that cheerleading movie? Now that was hot." As the girls debated further on the hottest stars in Hollywood, Angie had ordered a pair of tequila shots.
"Moving on now ladies. It's my turn." The girls all quieted down to listen to Angie's question. "It's a dare and it's for Faith."
"Oooohhh!"
"Yeah!"
"All right!"
"Fine, what's the dare?"
"Take a body shot off Buffy." All the girls laughed and began cheering wildly. "You said you two straight-asses couldn't relate, well here's your chance." Buffy removed her arm from around Faith's shoulder and sat awkwardly.
"All right." Stated Faith. "I can do that. Buffy give me your arm."
"Aww boooo!"
"That's weak." Shouted the other girls. By this time, half the club had surrounded the table to see what all the noise was about.
"No cheater. Arms and hands are off limits." Argued Angie. Faith looked around at all the expectant faces. Normally she wasn't one to back down on a dare but this was Buffy. It would be weird.
"Gimme the damn salt." All the girls began to cheer again. This time shouting Faith's name in unison.
"Faith! Faith! Faith!"
"What say we shut these lesbos up huh?" Faith whispered into Buffy's ear. Buffy grinned and tilted her head up so Faith had access to her neck."
"Wheew! Goin for the neck! You learn quick Faithy!" Faith delicately poured a small amount of salt right above Buffy's collarbone. Although Buffy knew what was happening, she felt nothing. Nothing until she saw Faith lower her head down and bring her lips to her neck. She felt two soft lips then a warm tongue sweep across her collarbone lapping up the salt in one swift motion. Oh my gawd! Buffy thought. She resisted the urge to grab the girl's head and hold it there. It was heaven. And although there were over 20 strangers standing around watching, she wouldn't have changed a thing about that moment. In fact it was kinda cute. People cheering them on like that. She heard Faith slam her empty shot glass on the table and the women went wild once again. Suddenly she felt someone elbow her.
"Girl, put your head down. It's over." Angie winked at her and Buffy finally brought her head down to face the crowd. She almost felt like bowing or reciting a speech.
"You did great, B." Faith said whispering into her ear again.
"Not so bad yourself, F."
"Ceci, we're going to go dance, you in?" The other girls seated at the table began to stand up.
"You bet. Angie, shall we?"
"I'm there." She took one last sip and slid her glass in front of Buffy. "You two behave now." Buffy starred down at the glass and slid it in front of Faith.
"I'm full." Faith stared down at the glass and slid it towards the end of the table.
"Me three."
About an hour later both girls were beginning to sober up and had gone back to the way they remember being. Making sarcastic comments to each other and ragging on people or things they saw. Just shootin the shit and having a great time. They were seated on opposite ends of the booth but had their legs extended and resting on each other.
"You still drunk?" Buffy asked.
"I don't know."
"Me either." Faith laughed and reclined back into the booth, she put her hands behind her head and stared intently at Buffy. The blonde blushed a little and looked down.
"What?"
"Nothing, can't a girl stare for no good reason?"
"No."
"Okay I'll stop." Faith sat forward and put her arms down on the table. She brought her head down and rested it on her arms. After a moment she looked up at Buffy and smiled.
"You're doing it again."
"I know, I can't help it. I'm glad you're here. It's like old times." Buffy made a face and looked away.
"What was that?" Said Faith lifting her head up.
"What was what?"
"That look."
"There was no look."
"There was a look. What's up?"
"Can I be totally honest with you? Who am I kidding, I've been drinking. I can only be honest." Faith laughed.
"Spill it, Bill."
"When you first called me you know what I thought?" Faith looked down.
"What?"
"It's so stupid." Buffy swiped away the little pieces of napkin she had been tearing apart. "Remember back when we were 18? It was at Pete's Ice Cream Parlor. You had just broken up with…"
"I remember."
"Yeah, anyway. We were talking about how guys are scum and.."
"I said I remember."
"Oh. Oh! You do? Oh, umm.. Stupid huh?"
"Yeah. And no, it's not stupid."
"Yeah right. I mean what did I expect. That you'd still be single at 28?"
"Wait what?"
"You two still sitting there? My legs are falling asleep just looking at you." Angie grabbed their hands and brought them on the dance floor. "Go, stretch your legs." Faith stumbled onto the dance floor. Not only because her legs were weak but because she was still thinking about what Buffy had said at the table.
"Come on silly, unless you want me to dance around you?" When Buffy received no response she began to do so. She started behind the girl, dancing only inches behind her. Slowly she moved closer, placing her hands on Faith's hips moving her along with her. Faith mechanically moved along with the music so Buffy, frustrated, moved in front of her with her back facing her. She inched herself closer, backing herself into Faith all the while bringing Faith's hands to rest on her own hips. She moved up and she moved down all along Faith's body. When she realized that the women around them were paying more attention to her than Faith was she turned around and looped her arms around Faith's neck.
"You awake in there?" Faith snapped out of it and looked down seriously at Buffy. She swallowed hard and took a shaky breath. "Faith, sweetheart you're trembling. What's wrong?" She pulled her friend closer into her so their bodies were connected. "What are you so afraid of?" She whispered to her. Just then the music stopped and the lights began to dimly turn on.
"Time to go ladies, closing time." Shouted the DJ.
"I need to get Cecilia home." Buffy let go of her friend and stared at her sadly. Faith moved forward to hug her again.
"And for the record, I'm not afraid of anything." She whispered back. They finally broke apart again when Cecilia and Angie appeared.
"Let us know when the pow-wows over. We'll be outside." Faith and Buffy watched the girls leave.
"Guess we should go too."
"Yeah." Hesitantly both women walked outside together. The air was damp, it had just rained. Things seemed to be moving slower and Buffy didn't know if it was because of what she had to drink or what Faith had just said to her. What had she said to her?
"Ready Freddy?" Angie put her arm around Buffy and began to lead her to their car.
"See you tomorrow Angie." Shouted Cecilia.
"Yep, laters."
"Tomorrow? What you have a date?" Buffy asked waking up.
"We all do. Cole's mom is having this big dinner bash at some restaurant. Faith didn't tell you?"
"Guess it slipped her mind."
"Yeah well everyone's going to be there. Most importantly Mr. Perfect himself. I'm looking forward to that."
At least one of us is.
Dedication: To jayel1. If it weren't for your damn viruses, what the hell else would this list talk about? Thank you!
Buffy mischievously tapped Faith's leg with her own under the table. It was returned with a playful smack on her shin, which caused her to gasp slightly in pain.
"Sorry." Faith mouthed while trying to suppress a smirk. Buffy was on her way to enacting revenge when Angie, who had been sitting next to her, tugged on her arm pulling her attention away from Faith.
"What are you doing? Oh god, are you playing footsie with her?"
"Possibly." She responded as she looked back towards Faith, who was anxiously awaiting Buffy's next move. "Her fiancé's sitting right next to her, what are you thinking?"
What am I thinking? Now that's a question. Buffy pondered the conundrum for a moment. Lets see, well, a few days ago I hopped on a plane to stop my best friend's wedding. Since then I've managed to get her into a porn shop, dance suggestively with her, had her lick my neck and now I'm playing footsie with the girl, right next to her damn fiancé! So what am I thinking? I'm thinking I can't believe I'm so fucking cool.
"Well?" Angie looked to her friend for an answer.
"I'm thinking I should get an award." Angie shook her head and continued fiddling with the snails on her dinner plate. "Will you all excuse me?" Buffy smiled at Faith while she stood up to excuse herself to the bathroom.
After a few minutes of grinning and staring at herself in the mirror, she stepped out of the bathroom and straight into another body.
"Cole, hey. Sorry."
"No problem."
They both stood there for a moment, waiting for the other to say something.
"Well, I guess I'll be seeing you." Buffy rolled her eyes as she stepped past him.
"She's happy you know?"
She stopped mid-stride and turned to face him. "What?"
"That's why you're here isn't it? To make sure she's making a wise choice. I mean that's what friends do right? Look out for each other."
"Yeah that's right."
"Yeah well, I thought I'd just save you the trouble."
"Save me the trouble of what?"
"Trying to find my flaws. Why she shouldn't marry me. It's useless."
"Is that right?" Buffy began to grow more and more irritated by the second.
"Yeah. There's really no need. A good friend, a true friend, can recognize when the other is happy."
"Yeah? She didn't seem too happy when she thought I couldn't make it to the wedding. In fact as I recall, she was just about ready to stop it."
"That's ridiculous, she was just talking. She would never stop this wedding because of you."
"Don't press your luck." And with that, Buffy began to walk away.
"After the wedding. You'll never see her again."
She quickly spun around. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"You are to have no contact with her what so ever."
Buffy smiled and began to walk towards him, as she got nearer her smile began to fade into a menacing mask of rage. "Just who the fuck do you think you are? You think because you say jump, I'll jump? That shit may work with everyone else you've managed to manipulate but not with me."
Cole staggered backward, in all his life no one had ever spoken to him like that before. He realized he rather enjoyed it. "Listen, Buffy. Buffy… what the hell kind of name is that anyway?"
"Oh right, because half a toothpaste brand is so much better?"
"If you want a war, little girl. I can give you a war."
"What is your problem?"
Cole looked away for a moment and met her face with a fuming glare. "I saw you two at the table tonight. I don't know what I saw but I didn't like it."
Buffy smiled and crossed her arms. "Getting a little nervous, Colegate?"
"Nervous?" He laughed. "You honestly think I feel threatened by you?"
"Of course you do. Why else would you want me out of her life."
"You're below us. I don't want anyone like that in our lives."
"Don't you ever speak to me like that, do you understand?" Buffy realized at this point they had begun shouting and Faith was already by their side.
"What's going on?" Faith held Buffy's arm. She had never seen her so furious before. "Cole, what happened?"
Buffy shook her friend off and stormed towards the exit of the restaurant.
"Nothing." He replied. "Just had a difference of opinion I guess."
"Difference of opinion? Why was she shouting at you?" Faith looked accusingly at her fiancé.
"Really, Faith I don't know. We just started talking and it led to arguing and then she started to blow up. I mean you saw her yourself. She just lost it."
"Buffy doesn't just lose it, Cole."
Cole saw the look of concern on Faith's face and moved in to hug her. "I'm really sorry, Faith. Look this doesn't change things. She's still going to be by your side for the wedding. Don't let our little fight get in the way of that. We just won't be having dinners together anymore." He finished with a smile looking down at her. Faith stayed in his embrace a little while longer then backed away.
"Yes we will."
"What?"
"Tomorrow you're cooking us dinner. You can come over and cook that killer lasagna and we'll invite Buffy, as an apology."
"You think that would help?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Sounds good then."
"Yeah I thought so." Faith began to walk back towards the table, as Cole finally made his way into the men's bathroom cursing only loud enough for himself to hear.
Dedication: The Virus girl because she stopped and I kinda miss her, and Alex- for telling me to finish this damn thing already. Yeah I'm workin' on it. Oh and to the little crew of readers still enjoying this, thanks much, guys.
"Sweetheart that smells great." Faith walked into her kitchen and began to rummage around for a book of matches.
"What is it with girls and candles?"
"What was that honey?" She had already left the room and was continuing her search in the bathroom.
"Nothing." Just then they both heard a soft knock on the door.
"That's her." Faith lit her vanilla scented candles and made her way to the door before stopping just short of opening it. "Cole, promise me you'll try." She gave her fiancé a pleading look and he felt almost compelled to tell her what he really thought of Buffy. Almost.
"I have nothing against her, Faith, really. She just doesn't like me for some reason." Faith nodded sadly and looked away before she unlocked the door.
"Buffy, hi." She moved in to hug her friend. "I'm really glad you came, for a second I didn't think you would, I mean the way you sounded on the phone."
Buffy ran her hands through her blonde hair, "I'm only doing this for you, Faith. You know that don't you?"
"Buffy don't say that. I want you two to like each other, not just tolerate being in the same room together."
"I can honestly say there's not much chance of that happening."
"Buffy…" Faith continued.
"Hey you two plan on eating in the hall?" Cole playfully shouted from the kitchen.
"Come on." Faith motioned into the apartment. "We have a nice dinner planned. At least try to enjoy it."
Buffy stood for a moment, lost in thought. Then she took a step towards Faith and hugged her again. "I would never do anything to hurt you and I won't ruin this for you." They broke apart and Faith finally smiled for the first time that day. "Now where is that little shit, I need to make nice."
"Buffy!" Faith said in a loud whisper.
"What? I can call him a shit and like him at the same time. It's out of love, love for shit."
Faith let out a small laugh and draped her arm around her friend while leading her to the kitchen. "God, I love that mouth of yours." Buffy pierced her lips together and held her tongue as she let her friend lead her into the next room. Too easy she thought.
"So my mother tells me you're in advertising, Buffy."
"That's right."
"How do you like it?"
"It's good."
"Yeah I used to dabble around in advertising back in……."
Blah blah blah. Buffy zoned out for the zillionth time that night while Cole continued to babble on about some other conquest or mission he had accomplished. Who knew listening was so hard. Even Faith looked bored during this rant. She watched as Faith covered her mouth so only Buffy could see and matched word for word certain phrases or things he said. Surely he's yammered on about advertising before. Buffy laughed to herself while she watched Faith mimic her own boy toy. She'd roll her eyes every so often usually when he said, "can you believe that?" Of course they'd play along and look shocked and shake their head in disapproval. That response seemed to satisfy him and encouraged him to continue talking to himself while the girls giggled at each other or played footsie under the table. Ha! Buffy thought, we're foot flirting right in front of you again. Now what!
"Cole, sweetie." Faith interrupted. "Can you get us some more wine?"
Cole looked at all their glasses and saw they were running on empty. "Oh, right. Of course. We'll finish this in a minute, Buffy." Cole stood up and headed towards the kitchen.
"Thank god, I thought he'd never leave." Buffy said shifting back in her chair. "Now what say we cut out and get our asses to a high-quality club?"
"Buffy." Faith said smiling disapprovingly.
"What? Ah, you're right. He'd probably follow us anyway and try to tell me more lame ass stories. But it would be kind of fun saying 'huh' over and over again as he tried to talk over the music." Buffy got a far off look in eyes and smiled as she pictured the situation.
"Three re-fills, at your service ladies." Cole clumsily poured wine into each of their glasses, spilling a little at each one. "Do the openings look smaller to you? I think they're smaller."
"No, I don't think glasses experience shrinkage when wet, Cole." Buffy replied before she took another sip.
Faith laughed into her napkin and suggested they take their drinks to the living room.
"Another drink ladies?" Cole said slightly slurred.
"Gee Cole." Buffy said pointing at the near empty bottle. "Drink much?"
"Not really, I'm a light weight."
"Yeah it shows."
Faith smiled at what appeared to be her two best friends getting along. Well at least talking to each other for that matter. "I'm going to start cleaning up. You two be good." Faith stood up and walked to the table to start clearing the dishes.
"I'll help you." Buffy said following her.
"I'll stay here and watch the couch." Cole said lying down and putting his feet up.
Meanwhile, the girls were already entering the kitchen with an armful of dishes. "Do you want me to rinse while you load the dishwasher?" Asked Buffy placing them into the sink.
"What dishwasher?"
"Faith! Are you insane? Where do you find the time to do dishes?"
Faith smiled as she began to pour water and dish soap into the sink. "Not every one lives life in the fast lane, Buffy. You have to take a breather here and there."
"And washing dishes is your stress reliever?"
"Aww you bet. Just look at these bubbles. How can something so sudsy be stressful?"
Buffy looked down at the bubbles forming in the sink. "Maybe you're right." And she scooped a handful of white suds and flung them at Faith. "Hey yeah, I feel the stress lifting already."
Faith wiped her cheek and flicked the bubbles back at Buffy. "Funny, but that's not washing dishes. Now roll up your sleeves and start scrubbing."
"Aww you're no fun. You're supposed to be the playful one."
"Hey I'm still playful."
"Bullshit. Prove it."
"What? Oh so if I grab this here pile of bubbles," Faith scooped up a pile of bubbles. "And smear them over your face," she then smeared them over Buffy's face. "You'd consider me playful?"
Buffy laughed out loud as she blew out a breath causing the bubbles on her lips to float around over the sink. "No, you'd have to do much more than that. Like this here pile over here." Buffy scooped up two handfuls of bubbles and blew them at Faith getting them all over her face and hair.
"Hmm." Faith said laughing. "That seemed kinda lame to me. But this is all coming from an un-playful person so I can't talk, right?"
"You think you can top two handfuls of bubbles?"
Faith reached over the sink and pulled out the little rubber hose attached to it. "No, I can't top that. We should just stop now. Here, let me help you wash that soap off." Buffy widened her eyes and looked at Faith with an expression of horror and uncertainty. Just as she was about to protest Faith pulled the trigger and a fountain of water hit Buffy square in the forehead.
"You bitch, gimmie that!" The women fought over the sinks' hose while trying to squirt the other as much as possible. Then, due to the fact that she was standing on soap and a newly created river of tap water, Faith fell backwards onto the kitchen floor.
"Oww, oww." Faith said between hysterics. "Shit my head."
"Aww. Faithy hurt herself?" Faith glared at Buffy and kicked her legs out from under her causing her to fall forward on top of the brunette.
"Ahh, my ribs." Faith said laughing again.
"Yeah that'll teach you to go knocking people down." Both girls laughed and panted a little more as their expressions turned to that of content as Buffy lay on top of Faith, propped up on her wrists. Their stomachs slightly touched each time they took another gasp for air, then slowly their breathing began to return back to normal and Buffy found that Faith hadn't tried to push her off yet.
And then it happened, as much as she tried to not let it happened, it happened. She looked down at her best friend and there she was, hair up in a mess, little white suds on the tip of her nose and chin, the most beautiful sight she had ever seen, she fell in love with her all over again. Fuck it, Buffy said to herself. She leaned down and softly placed her lips over Faith's. And holy shit was it amazing. The best part was, it was two way. She's kissing back, Buffy thought. She's kissing back! Buffy pressed her luck and decided to deepen the kiss. Her tongues in my mouth! Faith's tongue is touching my tongue! Oh man, I gotta call Angie! Shit wait, kissing Faith now. Buffy broke the kiss to allow them both a breath of air and as she did so, she looked at Faith and saw that she had the most painful expression on her face. She looked as though she was nearly in tears.
"I.. I can't do this."
There it is, Buffy thought somberly.
"Buffy, I'm engaged. Cole's in the next room. If he were to… god what am I saying? No. That's not why I can't do this. I'm with Cole, and Buffy, you're just my.. and I'm you're, I mean, we're only…"
"You told me two nights ago you weren't afraid of anything."
"Geesus, Buffy. That's not what this is about. I love Cole, not you."
Buffy felt her heart literally break into millions of tiny pieces. Each one stabbed at her and mocked her for ever letting herself have feelings. "Oh god, Buffy, no, I didn't mean that. I love you."
"No don't." Buffy slowly stood up and tried to walk but felt her legs give way and she fell back down on the kitchen floor again. Faith crawled over to her and took her hands.
"Buffy please look at me." Buffy looked up at her friend but the pain was too much and she had to look away. "Please don't cry. I don't ever want to be the one to make you cry. Buffy please, you mean so much to me, I didn't mean what I said, it's just.." Faith was at a lost for words but finally she looked at friend and spoke quietly. "10 years ago I put in a quarter into a machine and I made a promise to a girl I really care about. Believe it or not, I had every intention of keeping that promise." Buffy looked up and stared at her friend in disbelief. She couldn't believe this new revelation. "At the time I didn't know what that promise meant, I just knew I wanted someone like you to be with me for the rest of my life. And so I spent the next 10 years searching, looking for someone like you. But you know what, Buffy? I never found that someone. And when I saw you standing at my door a few days ago, to be in my wedding, I realized the reason I never found that someone was because it was only you I wanted."
"Faith, I don't understand. Why, I mean, what are you saying?" Faith gradually let go of the blonde's hands.
"I'm not saying anything." Buffy now looked at her confused. "Buffy you needed to know how I felt, I owed you at least that much. But I'm getting married in a few days, this hasn't changed."
"What? Faith how can you say that? How can you just take what you just said to me and throw it all out?"
"I'm not throwing it out."
"Right, you're just burying it deep down inside of you."
"Buffy that's not fair."
"Just answer me one thing. Do you love Cole, I mean do you really love him? Do you really want to be with him or does he just fit in your life at the moment?"
"He's.."
"He's what? He's what you need?"
"Buffy, please."
"No, Faith. Don't you see, can't you see deep enough inside me to know that my heart is breaking?"
"So is mine."
"Then why is this so hard?"
"Because, damnit! We can't be together."
"Why the hell not?"
"Faaaaith." Cole's plea for assistance rang throughout the apartment.
"Oh you've got to be kidding me." Buffy tilted her head back and let it hit the cupboard behind her. Faith took a deep breath and stood up to see what he needed. A minute later she emerged back from the living room.
"Buffy I need to take him home. He can't drive." Buffy wiped the few remaining tears from her face and nodded.
"I'll leave now." She stepped past Faith then spun around and with trembling hands, held her face inches from her own. "Know this, I love you, Faith. More than I've ever loved anyone in my life. I won't push, you don't deserve that. I just want you to be happy, really, that's all I care about now. Just know that I can show you so much, make you feel things you've never felt before, take you around the world and back." She kissed the brunette's cheek and walked out of the kitchen to leave. Faith held her hand up to the spot where Buffy had just kissed her and let a single tear fall down.
Author's Notes: My Word program broke down and I got depressed for a while
because of it. Hence, the lack of writing. But I fixed it and all
is well.
Dedication: To Pebblin, for showing me WordPad exists and teaching
me not to be afraid... I still don't trust it by the way. And also
any and everyone who's been keeping up with this story and not
forgetting. Have I told you lately, that I love you?
Angie shifted around on the bed and tightened her hold on Buffy before reaching over to retrieve another tissue off the nightstand. For the past hour and a half Buffy had replayed the nights events to her. Starting from the flirting under the table at Faith's house, to the playful soap suds fight and then ending with the heartfelt confessions, by both of them. But the way Buffy described it, Faith telling her how she felt, wasn't exactly a good thing. "Look on the bright side, Buffy. At least you and Cole are friends again." Buffy wiped her nose and buried her head further into Angie's chest. "Okay bad joke." Angie stroked her hair a few times and began rubbing her back. No way was she good at this. "You hungry?" Buffy shook her head no. "Thirsty?" Another no. "Well shit Buffy, I like cuddling in bed as much as the next sensitive woman but you're gettin' snot all over me!"
Buffy finally smiled up at her through big puffy, red eyes. "You know you suck at the comfort routine."
"I know this. I'm all about the avoidance tactics."
"I noticed." Buffy said pulling out of Angie's arms.
"Hey, you going to be okay?"
"I'll be fine." She slowly rolled onto her side and switched off the lights.
Angie lay in the darkness next to her friend for a moment before curling up behind her. "Buffy?"
"Yeah?"
"You can use me as a Kleenex whenever you want."
"Thanks." She replied smiling and nestling her head comfortably into her pillow.
Buffy awoke abruptly to a soft knock on the door. "Clean it later, we're sleeping." She shouted out before closing her eyes once more. A few seconds later she heard the knocking again. "I said," Buffy stood up and walked towards the door to open it. "we are.. Faith?"
Faith looked at Buffy nervously. "Did I wake you?"
"Uh, no. I mean, I thought it was.."
"I know, I heard you." Faith shifted from foot to foot and took more than a little interest in the door hinges. She ran her fingers over the wood and brought her hand back down to her side. "Listen, I.. I don't know why I'm here, exactly. I just.." Faith noticed movement in the room and looked behind Buffy and spotted Angie stretching on one bed, while the other was still made. "That was quick." She spat out before walking away.
Buffy turned around and saw that Angie was just starting to wake up. She then looked over to her own unmade bed, one that clearly wasn't slept in. "Damnit!" She said shaking her head as she took off to catch Faith.
Angie, sat on the bed wiping the gunk out of her eyes. "What the hell did I do?"
"Faith wait!" Buffy said running down the corridor.
Faith turned around and glared down at the blonde. "For what? An explanation? You to tell me it didn't mean anything?"
"It's not what you think."
"Oh, so you didn't fuck Angie last night?"
"You've been fucking Cole for years." Buffy shot back.
"That's not fair."
"I'll tell you what isn't fair." Buffy pointed her finger at Faith causing her to take a step back. "Pouring your heart out and confessing to a woman you've loved for years, then having her say she feels the same but that 'sorry, things can't work out'."
"So that gives you the right to-"
"I wasn't finished!" Buffy took another step forward forcing Faith against the wall. "To top it all off, you spend the whole night crying in your best friend's arms over this girl, only to wake up and have her call what you did, dirty." Faith looked down unable to say anything. "Don't try and think of something to say, I'll save you the trouble." The furious blonde put her face just inches from the brunettes. "You don't have to worry about me anymore, Faith. I'm leaving." Buffy let the anger subside and she took several steps back. "I'm really sorry about your wedding but I'm sure you'll find a replacement."
"Buffy.." Faith started.
"No. That's all I have to say on this matter." Buffy gave an unconvincing smile that faded into disappointment. "I don't know what I saw in you to begin with."
Angie had joined them in the hall at this point and pointed for Buffy to go back to their room. When the blonde was out of earshot, she turned to face Faith.
"You screwed up big time, girl. You have no idea what you just let go."
Faith looked past her in the direction Buffy had gone. "I'll just talk to her."
"No you don't get it." Angie said moving between the brunette and Buffy's room. You already lost her. You're an idiot. And to tell you the truth.." Angie said crossing her arms. "I don't think I want Buffy dating someone so stupid."
"Angie, I really do care about her."
"I know." She said uncrossing her arms and taking a less defensive stance. "Damn I was so ready to kick your ass too."
"Well thanks for holding back."
Both women stood there, not really sure of what to say next. It wasn't the awkwardness that prevented them from speaking, but the lack of trust between them.
"You really hurt her, you know? You mean everything to her."
"I know." Faith said frustrated. "She means a lot to me too."
"Then what the hell is the problem? Go live happily ever after with her."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"It's complicated."
"I'm complicated."
"You wouldn't understand."
"What's there to understand? You spend 10 years trying to find a Buffy clone and end up marrying a guy that, between you and me, looks nothing like her."
"Are you always this cynical?"
"More or less."
Faith rubbed her chin and smiled at Angie. "You know, you really are me 10 years ago."
"You were that cool, huh?"
"Cooler."
"Right." Angie watched Faith slouch down against the wall with half a smile on her face and eyes fixated on the wall in front of her.
"Me and her. We were real good back then. I mean you know someone your whole life, and they become like a part of you." Faith ran her fingers through the maroon colored carpet. "When she went away that fall, to go to school.. I don't know, I didn't think I was going to make it without her. Looking back now, I don't think I wanted to." Angie noticed the far away look Faith had gotten in her eyes and move to sit against the wall with her. "She had these big big plans to go to college and make commercials or some shit. And me? Where could I go? I couldn't afford college, I couldn't even afford to get out of that damn town." Faith took a deep breath and released it slowly. "She offered to stay you know?"
"What do you mean?"
"She told me nothing is more important than family, than me. She was willing to give up her dream so we could stay together. Can you believe that?"
"Coming from Buff, I believe it."
"I think that's the day I really fell in love with her. But I couldn't let her stay. I wouldn't." Faith paused momentarily before continuing. "I don't think I ever stopped loving her, Angie. I mean hell, I asked the girl to marry me."
"Yeah that was pretty gay of you."
Faith laughed out loud and wiped at her eyes. "I should get going, then." She slowly stood up and gave her hand to Angie. "Thanks ya know? For listening."
"You're all right, Faith."
"Thank you, you're all right too. When you're not saying something sarcastic or running your mouth, that is."
"Hey, your mouth 10 years ago."
Both girls smiled at each other before turning around and heading in different directions.
"I'll call her." Faith shouted back.
"I hope so." Replied Angie without turning around.
"I booked us a flight for tomorrow morning."
"What are you talking about? I'm not leaving." Angie said walking back into the hotel room.
"Angie!" Buffy shouted. "You're not going with me?"
"I got a wedding to go to in 2 days, sorry."
"This isn't funny." Buffy continued to shout at her while following her around the room. "Angie?"
"I already said I'd go, so sorry. It's outta my hands."
"Angie!"
"What?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because they already saved me a spot. With my name on it probably."
"Ahh! You're really starting to piss me off you know?"
"I am? That's awful."
"Why aren't you coming with me?" Buffy said almost pouting.
"Because if I let you go, it would be wrong."
"Oh so now you're taking her side? She's right and I'm wrong?"
"That doesn't even make sense."
"Fine, you know what? I'm a big girl. I can fly back myself, you stay here and go to your stupid wedding!"
"Oh real mature, Buffy."
"I'm not staying."
"Okay."
"Really, Ang. I mean it. I'm going home."
"I said okay." Buffy watched her friend pull some clothes out of a bag and head towards the bathroom. "I'm gonna shower, get us some breakfast huh?"
Buffy stared at the bathroom door for a good two minutes before getting on the phone and ordering some food.
Faith sat at her kitchen table fidgeting with a napkin while Cecilia looked on waiting for her to continue.
"So yeah, that's why I need you to be my maid of honor."
"What do you mean that's why? You haven't told me anything."
"Sure I have, Buffy needs to leave town. There's no one else to fill her shoes."
"Why is she leaving, Faith?" Cecilia asked pointedly.
Faith looked up then back down again quickly. She opened her mouth then shut it again just as quick. "Something came up."
Cecilia rolled her eyes and stood up to move into the chair right next to Faith. "Look." She said making sure Faith was listening. "I love my brother, he's my brother. But I know something's up with you and Buffy." Faith sighed heavily and let her continue. "Cole, he's, I don't know, he's.. We've never really been close. It's always been about work and money with him. Family has just never been a priority. If you two ever had kids.." Cecilia paused a moment before continuing. "Now I'm not saying he's not the right guy for you, or that you should call off the wedding or rethink shit, I just..I mean Buffy, she's, and you're, and when you two are together. Faith, what I'm saying is you don't have to marry my brother to have a little sis. You're stuck with me for as long as you want to be."
Faith stared at her, trying to find the words. "Thank you." It was short and appropriate.
"Good, now that that's settled. Let's see, who can we call?"
"I know what you're thinking and no."
"Have you learned nothing from our little talk, Faith?"
"I screwed up, all right. I drove her away and now she won't even talk to me."
"She's leaving because you turned her down isn't she?"
"Yeah! And I've been calling her since this afternoon and either she won't answer or Angie tells me she doesn't want to talk."
"Well can you blame her?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Why are you calling her, Faith? To tell her you changed your mind and you want to be with her? Or to try and convince her to stay for the wedding?" Faith looked away knowing the answer. "Exactly, that's the last thing I'd want to hear if I were her."
"Well what the hell should I do then?"
"Change your mind."
Faith rolled her eyes. "I'm not changing my mind."
"Fine, do what you want. I give up." Cecilia stood up to leave. "You got two days, Faith. After that, your future is pretty much set in stone." Cecilia left the kitchen and Faith heard the door close a few moments later. She continued to sit at her table, playing with the engagement ring on her finger.
The next morning, Angie sat at the airport with Buffy. "You sure you want to do this?"
"Very." Replied Buffy reading a magazine.
"Can you at least try to look indecisive?"
"Nope." She said turning the page.
"You're going to regret this, you know?"
"Probably."
"So that's all I'm going to get from you until your plane takes off? One word answers?"
"Most likely. There, that was two."
"Ahh! I don't know what Faith sees in you. Soul mates my ass."
"Soul mates? Did she say that?" Buffy asked finally looking away from her magazine.
"Not in those words no." Angie said still irritated with the blonde.
"Flight 351 departing for Seattle is now boarding."
Angie stood up and helped Buffy with her carry-on bag. "That's you, come on."
Buffy shook out of her daze and stood up to follow her friend. "Right."
Together they walked through the terminal and stopped just short of the boarding gate. "Last chance, baby. You sure you want to get on that plane?"
"She made her choice, now let her live with it."
Angie sighed and hugged her friend goodbye. "Call me when you land all right?"
"I will."
Buffy picked up her bag and handed her ticket to the stewardess. She waved one last time to Angie and could make out her mouthing the word 'stupid.'
Faith scrambled to turn the water off and jumped out of the shower running towards the ringing telephone.
"Hello? Hello, I'm here."
"Faith, hey baby. You sound out of breath."
"Cole. Hi, yeah I was in the shower." Faith cradled the phone in her ear while she used both hands to adjust the towel around her body.
"Ahh, makes sense. You could have let the machine pick up you know, that's what they're there for."
Faith heard him laugh a little to himself. The truth was, she knew Buffy wouldn't leave a message and she was hoping it was her calling. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind for next time."
"So are you nervous, excited, all of the above? Tomorrow's the big day."
"Yeah all of those things."
"Faith what's wrong? Is it that Buffy thing? Like I told you last night, what kind of a friend skips town days before their friends wedding? Work emergency or not, she had an obligation to be here for you. You don't need people like that in your life, Faith. People who won't be there for you in the end."
"Yeah I know."
"I mean it, you're better off without her. We both are."
"Listen, I'm dripping on the carpet here, I need to finish drying off. I'll call you later, yeah?"
"Sure, I'll be at my office. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
"Bye." Cole hung up the phone more than pleased with himself. "Checkmate, Buffy."
Buffy pulled down the window shade and returned to her laptop. Something about being thousands of miles in the sky and seeing lightening made her a little uneasy. She looked around the plane, it was pretty empty except for a man in a business suit here and there.
"Hi."
Buffy looked up from the screen and into the brown eyes of small girl. "Well hello."
"Are you playing games?"
Buffy swiveled the computer so the girl could see the screen. "Nope, just typing. Boring work stuff."
The little girl scrunched her nose at the mess of letters and numbers on the screen.
"Laura Faith Stone, you come up here right now!"
Buffy's ears perked up at the little girl's middle name.
"That's my mom, I gotta go."
"Okay." Buffy smiled. "I'll see you later."
The little girl made her way to the front of the plane while Buffy heard the quiet scolding of her mother.
"Hello flight 351, this is your captain speaking, we're going to be making an emergency stop in Lincoln, Nebraska in a few minutes, due to the hailstorm we can't seem to get around."
"Of course." Buffy muttered to herself as the little 'fasten your seat belts' sign flickered on.
Dedication: To Elizalover, because I was worried.
"What the hell are you doing in Nebraska?" Angie shouted through the receiver.
Buffy jumped back a little and removed her cell phone from her ear as Angie continued to rant and rave about how she could be in Chicago with her. As much as the little blonde tried to avoid calling her friend, after a few hours the boredom was just too much to take. After all, one can only play Snake on their cell phone a certain number of times before wanting to shut if off and throw it against the wall.
"It's not like I had a say in the matter, Ang. Although now that you mention it, I suppose I could have told the captain to grow a pair and just gun it."
"So when can you leave again?"
"Not sure, it's pretty crowded here. Looks like they delayed a lot of other flights."
"Sucks. Well I'll let you go."
"What? No, Angie I'm bored. Don't hang up."
"I got things to do."
"Liar! You're doing this on purpose."
"Possibly."
"Fine, I hope the rain never stops and I have to live here in Nebraska and then you'll never see me again."
"Can I have your car?"
"Goodbye, Angie."
"Goodbye, Buff."
Buffy put her cell phone back in her pocket and saw a sign at a shop a few feet away for ice cream. "That's exactly what I need right now."
The line was a little longer than she would have liked but that gave her plenty of time to pick a flavor. Her eyes scanned the glass case in front of her until she was distracted by a young couple leaning against the counter. They were whispering in each others ear and laughing at each others jokes. The girl peered down at her boyfriend's shoe and giggled. He met her gaze and also laughed when he saw the insane amount of ice cream that had found its way there. Buffy looked away trying hard not to remember that day.
"Can I help you?" The boy behind the counter said to her.
"No." She responded sadly. "Thanks, I changed my mind." Buffy left the little shop feeling slightly sick to her stomach and began walking to no place in particular.
"Miss?" Buffy turned around to face the gentleman that had called her name. "Have you found Jesus in your life?" Buffy stared at him blankly. "The lord says to have faith in yourself and mankind."
"Faith?" Buffy said. She covered her ears and began to walk away quickly. "Ahh! I'm not hearing this!"
"Have faith, child!" He shouted after her. Buffy rushed through the airport determined to get away from him.
After ducking behind garbage cans and playing airport commando Buffy finally found an empty waiting area away from all the people and took a seat in front of a large window to watch the rain fall.
"Hi."
She turned her head to the side to meet the quiet little voice beckoning her. "Not you again." She whispered to herself, remembering the little girl from the plane.
Laura Faith climbed up into the seat next to her, oblivious to Buffy's protests. "My mom let me come over here. See she's over there, see? She just told me not to bother you too much."
"Good advice." She responded while continuing to stare out the window.
The little girl laughed, confused. "Yeah." Laura Faith swung her legs back and forth. "Do you hate your work?"
"No. It's actually pretty easy what I do."
"Then why do you look so sad?"
Buffy looked over to the little girl who simply peered up at her with those big powerful brown eyes. She seemed to hang on every word Buffy said and right now she appeared genuinely concerned. Buffy felt horrible for ever having tried to push this child away. "I miss my friend."
"Oooh." The little girl responded. She got a pensive look on her face and Buffy took that to mean friends were a serious issue to her. "Are you going to visit her now?"
"No, I was just leaving."
"Why don't you go back?"
"We kind of had a fight."
"Did she pinch you?"
Buffy smiled a little. "No, we just said some things we didn't mean."
"Did you say you were sorry?"
"Not yet, no."
"You should."
Buffy turned away from Laura Faith and watched the beads of water roll down the window.
"One time," the child began. "Me and my friend, we got in a fight and I hated her the whole recess time. And then I told her she couldn't come to my birthday party anymore."
"Is that right?"
"Yeah, but then at lunch time I sat by her because I didn't want to sit alone. She's really funny. I think it's okay to go back friends with someone if you really like them because it's better than being all alone."
Buffy smiled and put her arm around the young girl. "How'd you get to be so smart, Laura Faith?"
The little girl shrugged and shifted her little body to face Buffy. "If you're sad you should go be friends with your friend again."
"Easier said than done, kid."
Laura Faith hopped off the seat and dug around in her pocket until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out two pennies and held her hand out to Buffy. "Here, I found these by the bathroom, maybe you can call your friend with them."
Buffy stared down at the little girl's outstretched hand and swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She stood up and closed the girl's hand. "You keep them, okay? I think I have another plan."
The young girl tilted her head and smiled. "I'm going to go sit by my mom now." She gave a quick little wave and skipped over to where her mother was sitting.
All right, Buffy said to herself while she gathered up her things. Now how the hell do I get to Chicago from here?
"All booked? What do you mean you're all booked?"
"Ma'am, I'm sorry. They're not letting most flights leave until after 8 o'clock tonight. And we don't have any available seats to Chicago until 10am tomorrow."
"But the wedding's at 11!"
"There's nothing I can do ma'am."
Buffy walked away from the ticket counter and kicked herself mentally for ever having left Chicago in the first place.
"Got a wedding to get to I hear."
Buffy looked up and saw a man standing a few feet away from her. "Well I did, but it looks like I'm screwed now."
"Chicago ain't that far from Des Moines I reckon." He scratched the top of his head and thought about it for a moment. "A five hour drive I'd say." He rubbed the back of his neck and snapped out of his thoughts. "I can git ya there."
"Thank you." She replied. "But I'll never get there in time if I drive."
"Me and my partner, we got ourselves a plane."
"You do?"
"Yep, but we can only take you as far as Des Moines, Iowa. Got deliveries to make there."
"Yes, yes! That would be wonderful!" Buffy ran up and hugged the man before her. "Thank you so much."
"There there now, lil miss." The man said rather uncomfortably. "Airport won't let us take off neither so we got to wait here till we can."
"I waited 10 years, what's a few more hours?"
The airport finally let pilots start to take off again and Buffy found herself almost prancing to the little jet plane parked just past the main strip of the runway. All I have to do, she thought, is rent a car once I get to Iowa. I'll have plenty of time to get to Faith. She continued this train of thought as the two men who had offered her a ride helped her board their plane.
"Only enough room up here for two, so you, lil miss, are gonna have to sit back with the cargo." Buffy nodded and reached for the doorknob leading to the cargo area.
"I don't care where I sit, as long as you get me to Iowa."
Both men laughed and motioned for her to leave the cockpit.
"What are you guys shipping anyway?"
"Enjoy the ride." One said as he closed the door behind her. Buffy didn't have to turn around to find out what their precious cargo was. The moment the door closed she smelled it. Fish, and lots of it. The things we do for love she thought to herself before finding a crate to sit on for the remainder of the flight.
Angie laid back on her bed in the motel room with a remote in one hand and the phone in the other.
"She's not coming back, is she?" Cecilia asked over the receiver. Angie flicked the T.V off and rolled onto her stomach. "I don't think so, no."
"But the wedding's tomorrow morning!"
"Ceci, I tried. Believe me I tried to stop her. But shit that girl is relentless."
"You want stubborn? Try talking to Faith. I once spent a whole week trying to convince her that dolphins have sex for pleasure."
"Dolphins have sex for pleasure?"
"Yeah, I saw it on the Discovery Channel."
"Hmm, kinky."
"Yeah."
Angie rolled onto her back and played with the telephone cord. "Yeah."
"So you got that whole big room to yourself now, huh?"
"Yep, just me and my lonesome."
"Unless someone were to go over and keep you company."
"Well, I suppose if someone were to stop by, I wouldn't be so lonely, no." Angie grinned then switched the phone to her other ear. "Wait, how old are you again?"
Somewhere over Iowa - 11:30pm
Buffy sat nestled between two large crates. She found out after take off that sitting on objects was not the best way to go. The plane took another steep nosedive and everything slid forward. "What the hell are they doing up there? Dodging clouds?"
She adjusted herself once again and sat back waiting for the next jolt. Instead the door to the cockpit opened and one of the men peered in and smiled at her. "We'll be landing in a few, so you best be hanging on to your britches." He slapped his knee and let out a chuckle which was followed by a hoot from the pilot. "Dog gone, it smells back here. Girl whatchu been doin' huh?"
"I know it smells!" Buffy screamed out. "I've been trying to tell you a crate opened up for over an hour now. But every time I got up to pound on the door the plane would jerk!"
"Well we is flying woman!"
"Yes, thank you, I realize that. Just tell me when we land, okay?"
20 minutes later they were in Des Moines and the plane was safely on the ground. The pilot opened the door for Buffy to step through and was taken aback.
"Wheeww wee, girl. You stink!"
Buffy took a deep breath and adjusted her coat. "Yes, open crates and bumpy landings don't really mix, I've come to find."
"Well come on down lil lady." The man that had offered her the ride was already outside and offering her a hand. "Sorry about the smell. But it washes out, after a few days."
Buffy closed her eyes and smiled. "I know. It's okay. Thank you so much again for the ride."
She was sure to thank both men and then took off to find the nearest car rental place. All right Buffy, she looked at her watch and saw that it read midnight. You've got 11 hours to get to Chicago and stop a wedding. Buffy found a door that would lead her to the car rental area of the airport and quickly jogged through it. When she arrived she was delighted to see so many different choices. All of which however, were closed for the night. "Shit!" She stopped the first worker she saw and asked for help.
"Not sure if anything's open this late, even out of the airport." The man leaned on his broom and thought for a minute. "You could get a taxi, or maybe try the bus depot. I'm sure the Greyhounds are still running."
"Yes!" Buffy said as though she had thought of it. "I'll take the bus to Chicago. I can be there in 6 hours. That would give me plenty of time."
"Glad I could help." The man watched the little blonde scurry away and began sniffing at his clothes. "Why do I smell like fish?"
Buffy ran through the airport frantically looking for an exit. When she found the right door she stepped outside and hailed the first taxi she saw.
"Where to, miss?"
"The bus depot, and quick!"
Des Moines, Iowa - Bus Depot - 1:00am
A half hour later, Buffy paid the driver and ran up the stairs that led to the depot. She approached the ticket counter and flagged a woman down. "I need to get to Chicago!" She panted out trying to catch her breath.
"Well, we have a bus leaving for Davenport in 20 minutes."
"I don't want to go to Davenport. I want to go to Chicago."
The woman sighed and rolled her eyes at the blonde. "Davenport is on the way to Chicago ma'am."
"On the way, yes. I can deal with on the way. One ticket to Davenport then."
"That'll be 50 dollars even."
Buffy dug in her purse and pulled out her wallet. "I don't have enough cash, you take Visa right?"
The woman simply nodded her head. Buffy looked through her wallet but found no signs of her Visa card. She placed the wallet on the counter and searched through the rest of her purse. When she came up with nothing she dumped all the contents out onto the counter to make sure she didn't miss it.
"Ma'am please, what are you doing?"
"It's in here, I know I put it in my check book."
"Well where's your checkbook?"
Buffy stopped rummaging through her things and dropped her arms to her side with a look of horror on her face. "In my other purse..."
"Okay, well where's that? At home?"
"Nope, in my suitcase... on a plane to Seattle."
Buffy gathered up her things and shoved them back in her purse before backing away from the counter.
That's it then, she thought. There's nothing else I can do. Buffy checked her watch, it was 1am. She reluctantly walked outside and sat on the cement steps to wait for a cab to drive past. I was so sure, she thought. This close! After a few minutes of regrets and what could have been's, a cab pulled up right in front of her. "Where can I take you tonight?" He shouted out the window.
Buffy opened the door and scooted inside. "Anywhere, I don't care. The nearest hotel I guess." She closed her eyes and tilted her head back against the seat. A few minutes later a song came on the radio. It was "Faith," by George Michael. "Enough with the damn signs already!" Buffy shouted. "I tried and I failed."
"I'm sorry?"
"Ugh, no. I'm not talking to you."
"Oookay?"
Buffy closed her eyes again and thought about the events of the day. I've already done so much she thought. I know it can't all be for nothing. There has to be a reason for everything. I have to have seen that couple at the ice cream shop for a reason, that religious guy came up to me for a reason, hell I even met that little girl for a reason. I can't turn back now. The logical part of her brain was screaming at her to just find a hotel and call Angie in the morning to wire her some money to get home. But her heart knew better. She'd regret this for the rest of her life if she didn't keep going.
"All right, here ya go. Not the classiest hotel in town, but it's the closest." The man turned around when he noticed the blonde didn't open the door to get out.
Buffy opened her wallet and counted whatever remaining cash she had left. "How far east will you take me for 34 dollars?"
"Pretty far, that include tip?"
"You decided your own tip, just take me as far towards Chicago as you can."
"You got it."
The cab pulled out of the Hideaway parking lot and headed towards the freeway. Buffy leaned her head against the window and let out a little smile before closing her eyes again.
Author's Notes: I just want to give a special thanks to Piper for posting this whole thing on her very cool, very renowned site. And of course to the readers, for putting up with the wait and B/F angst.
Somewhere outside Iowa City, Iowa - 2:00am
The cab driver pulled into a gas station and proceeded to wake the woman in his back seat. "End of the line, blondie."
"What? Hmm?" Buffy sat up and rubbed at her eyes. "What time is it?"
"A little after 2."
"Right. I have to get going." She slowly climbed out of the back seat of the cab and got out to stretch. "Here you are, thank you." She gave the driver the rest of whatever money she had left and began to walk away.
"How you getting to Chicago with no money?" He shouted after her.
"The only way I can, I'm going to hitch a ride."
"You might wanna spray on some cologne or something." He said to her after she was clearly out of hearing range. "You really smell like fish."
Buffy walked down the side of the highway, every so often peering behind her. Not much traffic in Iowa I guess. She continued walking down the shoulder of the road, thinking to herself. So what's the worse that could happen right now? I get picked up by a murderer? Nah, too horror movieish. A pervert? Maybe. But I can defend myself. Yeah that's right, just try and cop a feel on these babies. While Buffy was imagining the exact moves she'd use on a would-be molester, a small truck pulled up behind her. Not until he honked did she finally turn around. She shielded her eyes from the bright beams of light radiating from the front and moved aside so it could pass her.
"You lost?"
The man looked nice enough. Kind of old too, he couldn't put up much of a fight she thought. "No, just looking for a ride."
"Where you headed?"
"Chicago."
The man took off his hat and scratched his head. "Not going as far as Chicago but I can take you to Illinois."
"You can? Yes! Oh god, yes. That would be great!" Buffy didn't wait for his invitation, she just opened the door and hopped in. The smile on the man's face faded when she sat down and began to fasten her seatbelt. She felt his eyes on her and looked at him questioningly. "What?"
"Did you fall in a lake or something?"
Buffy sighed. "No, a crate of dead fish fell on me."
"I see." The old man took off his hat and combed back the remaining hair he had left. He turned towards the back of the truck then forward again.
"Do you want me to sit in the back?" Buffy asked in a flat tone.
"If you don't mind. I just have asthma is all. The lungs you know?"
"Yeah yeah." Buffy grabbed her laptop and purse and opened the door to hop down. She shut the door behind her and stepped back up again. "You don't have fish back there do you?"
The man laughed and put his hat back on. "Do I look like I own a boat?"
Buffy smiled and walked to the back of the truck, there were little holes on the sides of it but she didn't notice. She slowly opened the back door and stepped up. That's when she heard it, the flapping of wings, the clucking, the cooing. "Chickens!" Buffy shouted.
Chicago, Illinois - Some fancy salon - 8:00am
"Really Mrs. Van Buren is all this necessary? No one is going to be looking at my feet."
"Now now, I asked for the whole package, dear. That includes manicure and pedicure."
"I thought we're just coming to get my hair done." Faith said flinching for the tenth time as a woman roughly pushed back her cuticles.
"Sweetie. You can't go to the salon for simply one thing. That would be like going to Gucci and leaving with only a purse. Absolutely absurd!" Mrs. Van Buren laughed along with the other women working on Faith's hands, hair and feet. "Kids these days." Faith flinched again as a woman began filing her big toe.
"Mom will you tell them not to touch my hair!" Cecilia came running over to her mother from the other side of the salon.
"Fausto." She said to the hairstylist. Strap her down if you need to. I want that preposterous color out and see if you can get it to bounce."
"Bounce? My hair doesn't bounce!"
"Oh it will, honey." The man grabbed her and dragged her back over to his workstation.
Faith looked at the clock on the wall. It was 8am and she still hadn't heard from Buffy. Probably sleeping soundly in her bed. All comfy and cozy at home. Faith shook the thoughts out of her head just in time to hear her soon to be mother-in-law crack another shallow joke.
Rochelle, Illinois - A truck rest stop - 8:30am. About an hour and a half from Chicago
Buffy awoke to the sound of a rooster crowing. Rooster? Buffy thought. She woke up with a jerk and shook the feathers off her coat. Oh right, I hitched a ride with Old McDonald. The light was coming in through the holes and Buffy checked her watch to make sure she was still on schedule. 8:30, I think that's good, depending on where I am. Wait, we're not moving, why aren't we moving? Buffy crawled out of the truck and ran up towards the driver's side. She knocked on the window a few times until the old man opened his eyes and rolled it down for her. "We're not moving. Why aren't we moving?" She asked him.
"Lady, I've been driving all night. A man needs his sleep."
"Okay move over, I'll drive."
The man shook his head and pulled his hat down in front of his eyes. "Just sit tight, we'll get going again soon." Buffy threw her hands up in the air to protest but the man was already sound asleep again. She looked around the rest stop at all the other cars and trucks parked there and noticed something about their license plates. They all said Illinois. I'm here! She thought. She silently thanked the old man and walked up the road to find the nearest gas station.
Chicago, Illinois - Same salon - 9:00am
"I look like I should be in a Gap ad." Cecila said looking at herself in the mirror with a scowl.
"At least you can still see your face. With as much makeup as they put on me, Cole will think he's marrying a different woman."
Ceci looked at Faith through the mirror then turned around to face her. "So you're really going through with this huh?"
"I love your brother."
"I know, I just think your heart belongs to someone else." She placed her hand on Faith's arm before she walked away and left her to stare at herself in the mirror alone.
Rochelle, Illinois - 9:15am
Buffy sat at the counter inside the Stop N Shop drinking a cup of coffee she managed to buy with change she gathered up from the bottom of her purse and the side of the road. Okay so I won't be eating fish or chicken for about the next two years.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"How about 10 dollars she said not looking up."
"How about a slice of pie instead? Waitress can I get a slice of that apple pie for my friend here."
Buffy finally looked up into the eyes of a very attractive man. Very attractive. He was dressed in black leather pants with a jacket to match. He looked as though he hadn't shaved in days and his face had this wind burned look to it that made him appear older than he was.
"What's you name?" He said taking a seat next to her.
"Buffy."
"Buffy huh? Well interesting name for an interesting woman."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The man simply smiled at her and let his sparkling eyes do the talking. "You're covered in feathers and you smell like dead fish. There's got a be an interesting story behind that... unless of course that's the look you're going for, in which case I'll just take my pie here and move on."
Buffy smiled at him and it was returned with a dashing grin of his own.
"My name's Trevor."
"Nice to meet you Trevor."
"So Buffy, what brings you to Rochelle? I know it's not the coffee. Although Stella here does make a mean cup of Joe."
"I'm on my way to Chicago to break up a wedding."
"Me too! Well the Chicago part, I live there. Wait, break up a wedding?"
"Yep, doesn't sound so crazy coming from a woman covered in feathers though does it?"
The man laughed. "Ordinarily I'd be taken aback I guess." Buffy took one last sip of coffee and stood up to leave. "Hey wait, this is the part where I ask you if you need a ride?"
"I can't pay you, I don't have any money." Buffy walked out of the Cafe and the man ran up in front of her to stop her. "I don't care, I'll do it for free."
"Nothing is free." She moved to get past him.
"All right then, how about this? I get you to Chicago and if w