True Love: The Key
y Slayer125
Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
Author's Notes: Let's shake this whole key thing up, shall we...

Buffy laid her head down on Faith's chest and listened as Willow spoke about her recent findings.

"We believe that there has been a lot of magical things happen here lately and it seems to be caused by an unknown source of energy. Tara, who is a friend, wicca, friend."

Buffy grinned as she started to babble. Gotta love it.

"Willow, spit it out."

"Yeah Red, you called at a bad time." Faith loved gettin to Red. They had gotten so much closer.

"Oh well, uhm, were you, uh.... sheesh, sorry?"

"Don't worry Wills, Faith is just teasing. Now what about this energy. Are we facing demons or mojo?"

"Well we're not really sure. Giles is helping us research this and Xander is still not being very helpful cause, well, you know why."

Buffy sighed. She had hoped Xander would accept Faith but it just was not working out that way.

"I talked to Angel and he said he may be able to help. He asked if you could go see him this weekend?"

Buffy looked up at Faith who wiggled her eyebrows and stuck her tongue out. Buffy started laughing.

"Wills, can we meet up for a scooby meeting tomorrow morning?"

"Oh, yeah, we can, yep...Go Scoobs!!! Nighty Night Buffy and don't let the bed bugs bite."

Buffy could not resist "They don't bite only Faith does."

Buffy laughed as Willow started stuttering and quickly excused herself.

Buffy looked at Faith and said, "I think she has been around Giles too much here lately. We are starting to get a whole Giles Junior thing going on. I will be really worried if she starts drinking tea.

Faith looked at the clock and groaned. "Can I skip the whole Dr Dread thing. I have already had one work over?"

Buffy looked at her and asked "are you sure you are okay?"

"Hey B, don't worry I am 5 by 5. I am not the one who got gutted by a tree. Speaking of which, how are you doing?" Buffy noticed how Faith's eyes darkened as she looked at the bandage. She tried to take her mind off of it.

"I am fine." She said as she placed kisses all along Faith's neck. "You still have to go to the doctor but how about I loosen you up first."

"Ahh, B, it hurts when you do the stretches with that slayer strength and all."

"Baby," Buffy whispered in Faith's ears "I love you" she said as she ran her tongue along Faith's jaw. "But, sometimes you" her tongue trailed down to her nipple "can be so" she nipped at it lightly with her teeth "dense." Buffy continued to move her tongue downwards until she was right over Faith's clit. She stuck her tongue out and lightly caressed it with her tongue.

"Fuck B." Faith had the sheets gripped tightly in her grasp.

"Exactly F." Buffy said as she grabbed Faith's clit in her teeth and plunged 2 fingers in. She continued to tease her clit and working her right up to a release and then backing down. They continued this game and the phone started to ring.

"DON'T ev…ungh..thin" Faith gasped as Buffy continued working on her clit. "DO..tou..th..fuck..phon…Argghh.B..pleas..mon..baby.."

Buffy was plunging her fingers in and out, torturing Faith with her tongue and fingers. Faith was whimpering with need. Her body was covered in sweat. The phone stopped ringing just as Faith was brought to her abrupt release right as Joyce walked in the room. "Oh God BBBBBBB." She screamed.

Joyce had turned red and said "Umm girls, sorry to interrupt. Buffy Phone.. I think I will uhm. Here. Oh and by the way I guess that is one way for good physical therapy Faith considering you missed your appointment."

With that Joyce handed Buffy the phone and said "Dawn will be home in a little bit. I have to go to the Museum. You girls have" Joyce cleared her throat and said "fun. Love you guys and BYE.."

With that Joyce hurried out the door. Buffy who was still out of breath lifted the phone up to her ear. Faith was still breathing hard under her. "Shit" Buffy mumbled.

She looked up at Faith who still was laying there flushed with her arm covering her eyes.

"Hello" Buffy said.

"Buffy" Buffy instantly recognized Angel's voice. "What's wrong, Angel? Are you okay?" Had Buffy been paying attention she would have noticed that Faith had stiffened at his name. But Buffy knew Angel only tended to call when there was trouble.

"Did you talk to Willow?" Angel asked. He felt better just hearing Buffy's voice.

"Yeah, Have you found out something else?"

Angel just cleared his throat and asked "Buffy, I know it is asking a lot but is there anyway you can come to LA?"

Buffy glanced at Faith but her eyes were covered, her breathing had become soft. Buffy assumed that she had fallen asleep. Had Faith had her eyes open she would have seen the open look of love Buffy gave her.

"Is it serious?" Buffy asked.

"I can explain it when you get here. You need to let Willow watch Dawn if you don't bring her."

"Why can't Mom watch her?"

"It's complicated Buffy. Just listen to me. Explain to Faith and your Mom that you have to leave town temporarily."

"Hold on." Buffy was nervous now. She got up and wrapped the blanket around her. She walked into the bathroom and shut the door. "Why does someone have to protect Dawn."

"We believe the magic is focused on someone in your house. We believe it may be Faith and I don't want Dawn hurt."

"Angel, I don't believe this shit. Faith is not evil and I do not agree with you but I will be there tomorrow. I will leave Dawn with Faith and Mom. I was going to bring Faith with me but I am not going to be there that long."

"I understand." Angel said. "I will see you tomorrow, Buffy, I hope I am wrong."

Buffy hung up the phone and leaned her head against the wall. After a few minutes she hung up the phone and walked back in the bedroom. Faith had put a shirt on and rolled over so her back was to Buffy. She climbed onto the bed behind her and threw her arm over her girlfriend's waist.

"Baby," Buffy said. "I have to go away for a few days and I will be back as soon as I can."

Faith rolled over and looked at her. "Yeah, It's cool have fun. Don't do anything I would do." Faith prayed "Please don't."

Faith then reached over the side of the bed and pulled on her pants.

"I am going to see if I can get squeezed in on the whole therapy thing."

"Do you want me to go with you? I can pack later tonight."

Faith's heart raced at the thought of spending time with Buffy. She started to tell her no but she changed her mind. "If you push too hard Faithy girl, she won't come back."

Dawn came in right as they were leaving. Buffy grabbed her and said "come on squirt." Dawn instantly got excited. Buffy never let her go with them anywhere.

When they got to the hospital they did have one therapist available. Faith looked him up and down. "Not bad doc. Ain't you a little young though."

"Oh not at all. You must be Faith. My name is Ben."

*****

Buffy watched amazed as Ben worked on Faith's muscles. Faith seemed more relaxed than she ever had. She had on shorts and a tank top. He worked on her back muscles and her legs. Buffy noticed he kept glancing up and watching her and Dawn. She did not feel comfortable with him but knew he was good with Faith. She decided that she would take Dawn and they could go get an ice cream and she could spend time with her before she had to leave. She was still nervous about the whole thing with the magic and all. But Willow would help with that.

Ben had pulled Faith up into a sitting position and was fixing to put her in the chair.

"Faith, Dawnie and I are going to run some errands. We will be back in a little bit."

Buffy gave Faith a quick peck on her lips and went to leave.

"Hey B, I love ya, and you too squirt."

"I love you too Faith." Dawn replied.

Buffy just grinned at the two of them. It was amazing how things had become with Faith around. Her sister was less annoying and Faith cooked while her Mom was working. This was something to come home for every night.

She wanted to stay here. She did not want to go to LA. Her world consisted of this.

Buffy and Dawn left promising to return by 4. Faith went through the regular excersises and was awed by the strength she seemed to have. Ever since the massage she felt different. Ben had her stand up with poles to lean on. She was surprised that her legs supported her weight. He put his hands on her legs and again Faith felt that surge. It kinda scared her but was exhilarating at the same time. She put one leg forward and then the next. Step by step she felt the power flow through her.

Dawn and Buffy had gone and got ice cream and then Dawn talked Buffy into letting her get her ear pierced again. She had been trying to do that forever. She was excited so she ran ahead of Buffy to tell Faith.

Buffy laughed at Dawn as she ran to tell Faith about her earring. Her heart stopped as Dawn opened the door and screamed. She felt like she was moving in slow motion as she approached the door. She saw Dawn back up with her hands covering her mouth. The next thing she knew Buffy saw Faith standing in front of her. There was no support, no wheelchair, Just Faith standing before her. The most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

Buffy ran towards her with her tears running down her face. She had doubted this would ever happen again. Faith was standing and holding her.

"Oh my god Faith how???"

Faith pulled her towards the car and Buffy pulled back wanting to watch Faith walk. She wanted to admire this miracle. Buffy was so excited and wanted to know what had happened and Dawn was ecstatic. Faith looked at Buffy across the car and said "I will tell you everything but for right now let's just go to the house."

When they walked in the door Joyce was in the kitchen. Faith looked at Buffy and winked.

"Hey girls, are you hungry?"

Faith walked up behind her and put her hands over Joyce's eyes.

"Buffy, what are you?"

Joyce turned around and dropped the spoon in her hands.

"Oh Faith!!"

There were tears running down her face. She was so happy for this girl who had nothing but hard times. It was at that moment she truly believed in Miracles.

Faith grinned at her and hugged her. It felt good to be moving around again. She spent nearly the whole session jumping up and down, doing flips, practicing kicks, and basically enjoying life. She did have a lot to tell Buffy and Joyce. "I will explain it to you after Dawn goes to bed. Speaking of which, where is that girl?" Faith ran up the stairs actually enjoying the pain in her legs and back. That meant she could feel and that was good.

Buffy laughed as she heard Dawn yell "Faith I am on the phone, put me down. Faith… MOOOOMMMM!" Next thing Buffy knew Faith was carrying Dawn down the stairs. She started to protest and then something occurred to her. What Angel had said about the magic and Faith. That would explain how she could walk. The question now was how did Buffy handle it. So many questions ran through her mind? Was Faith lying to her? Did she want to hurt her and Dawn? If the situation came to it again could she hurt Faith?

"Dawnie, why don't you come over here by me?" Buffy asked.

"What for?" she asked.

"Just come over here." Buffy snapped sharply.

Dawn walked over to her and Faith and Joyce just stared at Buffy like she had lost her mind.

"Mom, I have to pack. I am going to LA for a few days. Some stuff has come up and I have to go see Angel." She looked at Dawn and said "can you help me pack my things?" she saw Dawn about to protest and said "please?"

Dawn just shook her head and said fine.

Buffy went upstairs leaving Faith looking upset. Buffy stayed upstairs with Dawn for about an hour and a half. She had all of her things packed but she wanted to talk to Faith. Dawn went to her room after giving Buffy a kiss on her cheek.

She walked in the kitchen and saw Joyce sitting at the table with a few tears running down her face. Buffy was at her side in an instant.

"What's wrong, Mom? Where is Faith? What did she do?"

Joyce jumped up and looked down at Buffy and she knew that she was in trouble.

"She has not done a thing wrong and you should be ashamed of the way you treated her a while a go."

Buffy said "Mom, you don't understand. Angel and Willow believe there is magic stuff in the house. Only one who it could be is Faith. Don't get me wrong I love her but if she is a threat to my Family, something will have to be done." Buffy looked away "no matter how much it hurts" she whispered.

Joyce looked at her and said "You need to go find her. She is not going to hurt anyone. She will most likely die to protect us. She explained some things I am having trouble understanding. According to her Dawn is a key to open a hell dimension on Earth. There were some monks who created her." Joyce sat down crying. "She is not my baby girl, I never gave birth to her. Ben is the other half of the evil hell god. He is supplying Faith with mystical energies, so that she will be prepared to battle Glory.

"Buffy, she has been told they will probably both die and she has accepted that. She told me to protect us with her life would be reward for the love we have shown her."

Buffy sank to her knees as it all sank in and she had trouble understanding it all.

"Dawnie, but all the memories. I remember hating her when she was born. I remember her falling off her bike and hugging me while she was crying."

Joyce hugged Buffy back. "She does not know. We need to keep it that way. She is your sister and she is my daughter."

"Faith" Buffy whispered.

"She will confront Glory soon. Ben will try to control her but it won't last forever. She has sacrificed her life for us Buffy."

"Oh my god." Buffy cried as her mother hugged her to her waist.

"I know Baby. I love her like a daughter. She has brought you happiness that I have never seen. It hurt her very bad the way you acted. Go make it up to her, baby."

Buffy left and went to the cemeteries and saw no sign of Faith. She walked through the town and still could not find her. She felt her heart pounding in fear. What if it already happened? "Oh god no!" She ran as fast as she could screaming Faith's name. The tears flowed down her face. "It's not enough time." She could not do it. Without Faith she could not exist. She could not continue to breathe knowing Faith never would. She had just found her and was not ready to give up. She ran past the people that stared at her. She had to find her.

She ran to the docks and saw Faith sitting on the edge with her knees pulled up to her chest. She ran to her and pulled her to her and kissing her and putting her heart and soul in the kiss. If there had ever been one kiss to make the world stop spinning this was it. The world disappeared and after a few minutes Faith pulled away and said "Wow…. B? Did ya miss me much?" The joke was too much for Buffy. Knowing that she might not hear those jokes. Might not see that dimpled grin.

"Oh god. Faith please don't baby.. I can't. Give up the magic.. You can't." Buffy was sobbing. With each breath Buffy tried to take between sobs Faith felt her resolve grow stronger. There was nothing she would not do. Ben said if she did not agree to this Dawn would die. Faith loved Dawnie but she knew Buffy would die to save her. The world needed her too much. Her mother needed her. She did not doubt Buffy would miss her, but she would be so much better off. Things probably would not work in the end Faith told herself.

"Faith, please baby. I'll do anything. I'm sorry. I won't doubt you. Please. I can't." Buffy collapsed to the ground sobbing.

Faith picked her up and pulled her on her lap. "Shhh. B." She was rocking Buffy back and forth like a baby.

"Baby, come on. You are gonna be sick." She whispered.

"I don't care." Buffy sobbed. "If you die so will I."

Faith pulled Buffy's face up to hers sharply.

"Don't you dare Buffy. You have so many people. You have a whole world of people for you. You have so many things to do. You were happy before you met me and you will be when I am gone. Just remember the good times and move on. Don't forget me but don't give up on life. You're too good for that. If the only gift I can give you life, then there is nothing I won't do." Faith had tears in her eyes. "Give this world something. Give them your life, your help, and live for me…"

"Mmmm" Buffy could not say anything because she was crying so hard.

"Nooooo. Faith."

Buffy pulled Faith's mouth to hers trying to dissuade Faith anyway she knew how. She kissed Faith longingly and passionately. Putting every emotion she had ever felt in her life in that kiss. Faith groaned and turned Buffy around so she had her legs wrapped around Faith. Both girls were crying as they kissed. Buffy's hand slipped inside Faith's shirt and Faith moved her hand inside Buffy's pants. Buffy jerked at the contact and continued to cry as Faith caressed her. This was too much knowing this might be it. She may never have a moment like this. She may never hold her love. Buffy leaned back and looked at Faith. She memorized every line, every curve. Her eyes that were so brown and they showed so much love. Buffy had loved her from the first moment and regretted not acting on it at first. They had lost so much time.

She could not help the sobs as Faith plunged her fingers in her. For each thrust brought more tears. The world shattered as Faith brought Buffy to climax. Buffy felt the love in Faith's touch for a moment she hated Faith for doing this. That lasted for a brief second. As Buffy's body shuddered she hated her body for having pleasure while her heart had literally broke. Buffy felt the pain there. Faith kept plunging in Buffy making her climax again and again. Both girls were crying and Buffy collapsed on Faith. For the first time their lovemaking had brought Buffy nothing but pain. Faith held her as she cried. Hating the pain she had caused Buffy but knowing it was worth it for her to live. Buffy had fallen asleep with Faith's hand still buried in her. Tears still falling down her face in sleep. Sleep bringing no solace to the broken hearted girl. Faith pulled her fingers out of Buffy and zipped her pants back up.

She picked the girl up and made her way home. She only hoped when she left this world no matter where her final destination, she always had memories of the love of her life, the owner of her heart and soul. She was not aware of the eyes of the blond woman watching from the shadows.

...continued in The End...