Play House
by Shell
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Joss owns characters.
Comments: I thought of this idea when I was at work today. It's
pretty much based on the work environment I work in, which is very
casual and laidback. I thought it would be fun to do a story with the
Buffy characters like this. It'll be an AU no slayers, Vamps, Demons
etc. If I get positive feedback on it then I'll pursue writing it.
Feedback: Please.
"Are they having interviews today?" Faith asked Willow.
"Yea I think they need to hire another person." Willow said as she finished stocking the cups.
"I wonder if it'll be a guy or a girl."
"I dunno probably a girl because everyone else that works here is a girl." Willow said finishing her task and going to sit down in their area. When they got over to their chairs and sat down a short blonde girl came to the counter.
"Never fails does it?" Faith asked.
"Nope your turn." Willow said staying seated. Faith got up and walked to the counter.
"Can I help you?" She asked putting on her fake smile.
"I'm here for an interview." The girl said.
"OK well wait right here and I'll go tell them you're here." Faith said as she walked toward the back and then turned the corner. Faith knocked on the office door.
"Come in." Joyce said.
"There's a girl here that says she has an interview." Faith said poking her head in the door.
"OK we'll be right up." Joyce said motioning towards her and Jenny. Faith walked back up to the front to tell the girl.
"They'll be right with you." She said. Joyce and Jenny came around the corner about that time. Faith went back to talk to Willow.
"Hi you must be Buffy." Joyce said shaking hands with her. "I'm Joyce and this is Jenny." Buffy said hi and they walked back to the back office.
"She's kinda short." Willow said as her and Faith were alone.
"Yea" Faith said. "But she's kinda cute."
"She's not your type." Willow said looking at Faith with a smile.
"Yea she looks kinda snobbish doesn't she. If she gets the job I guess we'll have to loosen her up a little."
"You got that right." Willow said before standing to go wait on the person at the counter since it was her turn. Faith sat in thought and hoped that they did decide to hire this girl.
About twenty minutes later Joyce and Jenny came out of the office with Buffy.
"This is Faith." Joyce said introducing them.
"Hey" Faith said turning around from making her pizza to look at her.
"Hi I'm Buffy." She said shaking her hand.
"This is Willow." Jenny said as Willow walked back to the kitchen with an order in her hand.
"Hey" she said before giving the order to Faith. Joyce and Jenny showed Buffy around and then took her up to the front desk so she could she how they do the schedule and take reservations and everything.
"You can come in tomorrow and learn how to do everything. Faith and Cordy will be working they've been here for awhile so they can teach you everything you need to know." Jenny said adding Buffy's name to the schedule under Faith's.
"So I guess they did hire her." Faith said as she finished the orders and came back up to sit with Willow.
"Yea and you get to train her tomorrow."
"Oh what fun!" Faith said with fake glee.
"So what are we doing tonight?"
"I dunno maybe we can call up Xander and Angel and go to a movie or something." Faith said.
"That sounds good." Willow said getting up to help the customer at the desk. Faith walked up to the front and immediately had to go over to the ticket counter and help all the kids with their tickets.
"Only 15 more minutes and we're outta here." Faith said ready to get out of there.
"You know Tara always late."
"True make that 25 minutes left." Willow laughed knowing that that would be if they were lucky.
"Girls." Joyce said walking up. "What do you think about Buffy?"
"She seems nice." Faith said.
"What about you Will?"
"I guess she seems ok."
"I think she'll work out good." She said before going to get her a drink. "Well girls I'm going to go get some of this paper work done." She said before walking back to the office.
"Hey Cordy what’s up?" Faith asked as she walked in the door.
"Nothing much just hoping for a slow day."
"I hear you there." Faith said before walking back to clock in. When she came back up to the front Cordy was sitting in their normal spot. "Hey ain't the new girl supposed to be coming in today?" Faith asked before sitting down.
"What new girl?"
"The one they hired yesterday."
"I wasn’t told anything about it."
"Well look on the schedule then but I think they said something about her coming in for training today." Faith said as Cordy looked at the schedule.
"There's someone named Buffy on here." Cordy said.
"That’s her."
"What’s she look like?"
"Well she kinda looks like that Sarah Michelle Gellar girl but shorter and her hair is shorter." Faith said.
"So we got ourselves a celebrity look alike do we?" Cordy said. "Damn."
"What?" Faith asked confused.
"A suburban just pulled up and it’s probably filled with screaming kids." Cordy said as Faith got up and looked out the window.
"Well there goes our slow day there’s another car." Faith said pointing to the black camero that pulled up and parked next to her bright yellow mustang.
"Well I guess it’s time to put on our smiles." Cordy said as she got up and walked to the counter. Faith followed her to get the ticket.
"I guess I’ll cook today." Faith said as she heard the chime go off and looked over at the door to see Buffy walk in she smiled to herself. *Damn she looks good.* Buffy was wearing tight blue jeans with a blue T-shirt. "That’s her." She said nudging Cordy.
"She does look like Sarah." Cordy said before handing Faith the ticket.
"Hi I’m Buffy I was just hired yesterday I’m supposed to be training today."
"Well follow me and we’ll get you clocked in and started." Faith said walking to the back with Buffy in tow. Faith showed Buffy where to clock in and went back into the kitchen and started cooking. When she came from the back Faith called her over and started showing her how to operate the grill and french fryer.
"Faith right?" Buffy asked while she watched Faith cook.
"Yea one and only." Faith said looking up from what she was doing.
"So how long you worked here?"
"A year and a couple months."
"Do you like it?"
"Yea it’s not your normal job. There’s a relaxed atmosphere and everyone gets along together."
"Cool" Buffy said handing Faith a plate.
"So you just looking for a summer job or what?"
"Well not exactly."
"Not exactly what’s that mean?"
"Well I have to work to pay for my car."
"Oh that your camero out there?" Faith asked before walking over and putting the plate on the table to be took out.
"Yea."
"Nice car."
"Thank you."
"Automatic or standard?"
"Standard."
"Cool mine too."
"Which one's yours?"
"See that yellow mustang over there?"
"Yea."
"That’s my baby."
"Nice convertible."
"Yep only the best." Faith said smiling and looking at the two cars side by side.
"So you into cars?" Buffy asked trying to get a conversation started.
"Ohh yea." Faith said looking at her. "They're amazing pieces of equipment."
"Yea and nice to look at." Buffy said having no idea about cars except how to operate one and that took a while.
"You have no idea do you?"
"Nope." Buffy said with a slight laugh.
"It’s ok. I’m kinda the tomboy around here I love cars, sports, and all kind of other things these girls round here have no clue bout." Faith said. "Maybe I should leave you alone and let you talk to one of them about girlie stuff."
"Hey I’m offended by that why do you assume I like girlie stuff?"
"Well did I assume right."
"Well yea but that’s not the point." Buffy said pouting.
"Then what’s the point?" Faith asked walking back to the back to start on the dishes because it was getting close to closing time.
"Well I like talking to you." Buffy said following Faith to the back.
"Oh really and why’s that?" Faith asked silently cheering.
"I dunno you’re just more laid back and are fun to be around."
"And you’ve come to this conclusion on your first day?" Faith asked picking the dishes up and putting them in the sink.
"Yea I think I should become a psychiatrist or something." Faith laughed at her as Buffy wrinkled her nose and crossed her arms. "What’s so funny?"
"Nothing." Faith said putting soap in her water.
"Can I help you out?" Buffy asked wanting to be closer to her for some reason.
"Sure you rinse and I’ll wash and load." Faith said moving over to let Buffy stand in front of her sink.
"So do you have a boyfriend?" Buffy asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Nope single as they come." Faith said loading the dishwasher. "You?"
"Yea his name’s Riley." Buffy said handing Faith the plates. Their hands brushing for a minute both girls froze and looked at each other.
"Hey girls. How’s your first day been Buffy?" Joyce asked when she came into the room.
"Fine Faith showed me all kinds of things." Buffy said after she finally gave the plate to Faith and moving her hand away.
"Good well me and Jenny are going to make the schedule up so see you in a few." Joyce said before her and Jenny walked into the office and shut the door. Faith and Buffy finished the rest of the dishes then went back up front to finish cleaning.
"Hey guys." Angel said walking in with Xander.
"Hey Xander." Cordy said.
"Hey where’s Faith?" he asked.
"In the back hold on and I’ll get her for you." Cordy said before walking to the back.
"Faith." She called. "Angel and Xander are here."
"Ok I’m coming." Faith said grabbing Buffy’s hand. "Come on you can meet the guys." Faith took Buffy to the front and introduced everyone. After checking the schedule everyone left and went their separate ways.
Willow walked into the building and was greeted by Faith and Cordy. They exchanged Hi’s before going to clock in. Willow walked back up front to talk to Faith while Cordy prepared the lunch for the day.
"Hey girl."
"Hey." Faith said in a distant voice.
"What’s up with you?" Willow asked sensing it.
"Nothing."
"Sure, anyway what you doing tonight?"
"Well I kinda invited Buffy to come out with us so please say you’ll go." Faith practically begged.
"Who’s us?"
"Me, you, Xander, Angel, and Cordy." Faith answered before walking over to sit down.
"Sure sounds fun."
"Really."
"Yea I think we should get to know her better if she’s going to be working here." Willow said before joining Faith.
"Girls you could get off your butts and help me here." Cordy yelled from the kitchen before a loud crash. Willow and Faith ran to the kitchen to see Cordy sitting on the ground with pizza pans lying all around her.
"Cor did you have a little run in with the big bad pizza pan?" Faith teased before going to help her.
"You just wait till I get up from here." She yelled before getting up and chasing her around the kitchen before going into the dining area.
"Catch me if you…" Faith said before running smack into a table and falling backwards.
"What was that Faithy." Cordy teased as Willow came over to the two girls.
"Would you two stop it we’re about to open."
"Oh you’re no fun." Cordy said before leaving to finish her earlier task. Faith got up off the floor and went to do her job as Cordy put it. They had a relatively slow day with plenty of horsing-around.
Comments: This really happened to me and the people I work with and thought it was hilarious.
"Finally." Cordy said as she sat in the chair behind the desk in their spot. Faith sat beside her and Buffy and Angel sat opposite them.
"Ya’ll got kinda busy there didn’t you?" Angel asked.
"If that’s what you call it." Faith said.
"So is it usually like this?" Buffy asked hoping not.
"Pretty much." Faith answered.
"There’s a huge spongebob walking towards us." Cordy said out of the blue.
"What are…." Faith began before looking out the window and seeing this huge spongebob walking across the road.
"OHMYGOD lock the register he’s going to rob us." Cordy started to panic.
"Calm down Cordy he’s not going to rob us and besides Angel’s here." Faith answered walking to the front. Buffy, Angel, and Cordy followed.
"Happy Birthday!!!" Spongebob said walking up to this little girl. She just looked at him like he was crazy.
"It’s not her birthday." A woman that was with her answered.
"Can we help you there spongebob?" Cordy asked finally calming down.
"Sure!" He answered waddling over to where everyone was standing. "There’s supposed to be a birthday party here today!" He answered overly happy. Cordy walked over to the calendar and looked.
"It got canceled Thursday." She said trying to keep a straight face. Buffy and Faith were cracking up. Angel was struggling, but just smiling.
"Oh. They didn’t inform spongebob."
"Well I’m sorry for you there spongebob." Cordy answered.
"Well I guess things like that just happen." Faith said finally talking.
"Not to spongebob."
"Guess they do." Angel said under his breath.
"Well I guess I’ll be going then." He said walking out the door. Everyone burst into laughter.
"I think I’m going to like this job." Buffy said after they finally calmed down.
Buffy pulled into the driveway to meet up with the gang. When she got there she found Willow and Faith already there. She pulled up beside Faith’s car and got out to go over to where they were.
"Hey guys" Buffy said walking up and standing beside Faith.
"Hey" Faith and Willow answered.
"So what are we doing tonight?" Buffy asked having no idea what she’d gotten herself into.
"I’d like to know too." Willow answered before she saw Xander and Angel driving up.
"You’ll find out when we get there." Faith answered giving Angel a look to keep quiet. At that moment Cordy decided to drive up.
"The gangs all here." Willow said.
"Will you and B can ride with me and Cordy can ride with Xander and Angel." Faith said before walking over to get into her car. Buffy followed her with a silly grin on her face She called me B I get a nickname. Every one got into their designated cars and pulled off to set off on a night of fun.
Faith pulled into the parking lot as Buffy read the sign ‘Paintball and Go Carts‘.
"Faith is there something you’d like to tell me?" Will asked after reading the sign.
"No." Faith answered after thinking a moment. Everyone got out of the car and went into the building.
"How may I help you?" The guy behind the counter asked.
"Yea we’d like to play paintball," Faith said.
"We’d what?!?!" Cordy yelled.
"Oh come on Cordy!" Angel pleaded.
"It’ll be fun," Xander added.
"I don’t think so!" Will added.
"Fine we will play without you! Do you want to play or are you gonna chicken out to?" Faith said turning to Buffy.
"Sounds like fun." Buffy replied not knowing what she was getting herself into.
"All right we have four," Faith told the guy.
"OK how old is everyone?" He asked.
"I’m 17, he’s 18 and he’s 20" Faith said pointing to Xander and Angel. "And she’s…." Faith trailed off having no idea.
"18" Buffy replied helping her out. Faith smiled at her.
"All right somebody will have to sign for you." He told Faith.
"I will," Buffy said.
"OK follow me," he said before leading them to the back to get ready.
"Is there something going on between them two?" Cordy asked Willow as they walked behind everyone.
"Not as far as I know, but it sure looks like it."
"You got that right. I think our little Faithy has a crush." Cordy said giggling and going back to watch everyone get ready.
"How do ya’ll want to pair up?" The guy asked them.
"Guys against girls!" Xander said.
"Fine by me!" Buffy said.
"You guys are about to get your asses kicked." Faith added before they put on their suits.
"Bring it on baby!" Angel shot back.
"Oh it will be brought!" Faith replied jumping up and walking over to the counter and whispering something into the boy’s ear.
"If ya’ll will watch this I will get your guns ready." He said starting the tape and walking back into the room. Everyone watched the tape and when it was over grabbed their guns and went out into the staging area.
"OK a few games we can play here." He said before explaining to them the different games.
"I nominate to just shoot each other up!" Faith said with a smirk on her face.
"Sounds good to me!" Angel said.
"Ok then ya’ll go up under here and I’ll come explain things to you individually." He said before holding the net up for them. Everyone went to their starting points and awaited instructions.
"Hey you sure bout this?" Faith leaned over and asked Buffy.
"Yea Bring it." She said wanting to look tough for Faith.
"OK guess what?"
"What?" Buffy asked.
"I got homedude to turn mine up over 400 fps so they're gonna feel it." Faith said as Buffy started laughing.
"Ok take your barrel plugs out and turn off your safety’s." The boy yelled. "Blue ready?"
"Hell Yea!!" Faith yelled.
"Red ready?"
"Oh yea" Xander yelled.
"Go." He yelled. Faith took off running across the field followed by paintballs flying after her.
Faith then took off running up the side of the arena yelling "Yippee Ki Yay Mother…" She trailed off when she got hit right between the eyes. "You little shit!" she yelled. Buffy started shooting at someone in red couldn’t tell who before working up the courage to move. She took off running and got popped 3 or 4 times she fell to the ground screaming. Faith was too busy taking out Angel to notice her. Buffy was pissed and got up and went after the first red thing she saw which just happened to be Xander. She shot him in his head arm back and shoulder.
"I’ll teach you to shot me Damn It!!" She screamed running right up on them. Faith saw her advancing and went to help her. When they got finished they had the guys on the ground yelling.
"I told you we were gonna kick your ass!" Faith said when they were walking well the guys kinda dragging out of the arena.
"You just got lucky," Angel said.
"No we just got skills!" Buffy said joining the banter.
"You got that right babe!" Faith said opening the door for Buffy and putting their stuff on the counter. Faith was untouched while Buffy had bruises on her arms and one on her back. The guys looked like walking bruises.
"How bout go carts?" Faith asked ready for more.
"I think we’ll pass." The guys said together.
"How bout you?" She asked Buffy.
"I’m up for it." She answered as they walked up to get their tickets.
"Yep she’s got it bad," Willow said watching the retreating girls as they talked and joked.
Buffy and Faith got their tickets before going out to the track. Willow, Cordy, Xander, and Angel came out to watch them. They sat on the bench that was by the track. Faith jumped into a bright yellow car while Buffy grabbed the black one.
"Ready to eat my dust?" Faith asked putting on her seatbelt.
"Depends you ready to get your ass kicked?" Buffy replied starting her engine.
"Bring it on baby!"
"It’s about to be brought." Buffy said before gassing it and taking off. Faith had a late start but was gaining on Buffy.
"Where you at Faithy?" Buffy yelled behind her.
"I’m on my way babe." She yelled back using a trick or two she caught her. They were side by side when they got to the biggest curve on the track. Buffy stayed in the middle so she’d have room to turn, but Faith took the inside to get ahead. When they hit the sharpest part of the curve Faith turned too quick and spun out. Buffy kept on going and past the finish line before going back to check on her.
"What happened Faithy have a little accident?" Buffy teased.
"You just got lucky." Faith said while getting out of her car. All the guys ran over about that time.
"I think you just got a lesson in humility!" Cordy said. "Well done Buffy." She said patting her on the back.
"Traitors." Faith said angrily.
"Cheer up Faith it was only a race." Xander said still with a slight limp.
"Whatever let’s get out of here." Faith said driving the cart back over to the line.
"Did I do something wrong?" Buffy asked the other guys.
"No she’ll get over it she just never lost before." Willow said.
"Oh..well I guess I better go park." Buffy said before driving off.
"Let’s go get something to eat." Angel said when they were walking out of the building.
"Sounds good to me." Buffy replied. They all walked out and went to get something to eat teasing Faith about getting beat.
"Cordy you get to go be mean." Faith said as she looked at Cordy.
"I know damn kids." Cordy said before going to get them off the carousel. She came back over and sat down. About the time she hit the chair the chimes went off. "What does this look like grand central station?" Cordy whined getting up to see who it was. "Hey girl" Cordy said when she saw it was just Buffy.
"Hey thought I’d come bother ya’ll for awhile and see if the schedule’s up." She said coming back to their normal spot. "Hey Faith." She said to Faith who was sitting there in deep thought. "Earth to Faith." She said snapping her fingers in front of her face.
"Huh..oh hey B" Faith said when she came back to earth.
"Damn" Cordy said getting up to go cash in the kid’s tickets.
"So what’s up?" Buffy asked.
"Same ole same ole" Faith said looking at Buffy who had now come over and was standing beside her.
"I had fun last night." Buffy said trying to get Faith to start talking more.
"I did to…That’s gross." Faith said looking out the window.
"What?" Buffy said. Faith pointed out the window to a boy that had picked up a cup and was looking at it. Faith got up and walked to the counter.
"He just threw that cup against the wall." Buffy said coming up to the counter. Cordy heard her and told Faith to go tell him to pick it up.
"Pick it up." Faith yelled when she came out the door. They just looked at her like she was crazy. "Pick up the cup now."
"I didn’t do it." The little boy said.
"I know you did we watch from the window. Now pick it up." Faith said as Cordy came out the door to join them.
"What time is it?"
"I don’t care what time it is get over here and clean it up. WE will not tolerate you vandalizing our property." Cordy said coming down the ramp and over to the kids. The boy got off his bike and picked up the cup before going in to get something to clean the wall with. Cordy stayed out and made him clean every spot of it up. Everyone burst into laughter after it was over and done with.
"Wanna go see a movie after you get off?" Buffy asked Faith a little while after the incident with the bratty kids.
"Sure sounds like fun." She answered finishing up the cleaning. "It shouldn’t be long. I have some more clothes in the car."
"Why do you have clothes in your car?"
"You never know when you’ll need them working here." Faith said laughing.
"That’s true." They continued to talk and horse around until it was closing time. They left and headed to the movies.
...continued in part 11...