Chapter Eleven: Love Began Here

 

Her gaze tracked over to Satsu once more and Faith felt her control over her emotions slip a little. Her voice reflected her anger and disgust, “She’s been fuckin’ ‘round on B for three months and waited ‘til last week to tell her and now she wants to act like she’s the one who got shafted.”

 

“What?” Willow whispered, her eyes flicking from the older Slayer to Satsu and back.

 

“B’s stayin’ at Dawn’s right now and this mornin’, short-shit came over to give her the divorce papers,” She continued, ignoring the redhead’s question.

 

“Why is she staying—” The Wiccan began, only to be cut off.

 

“Forget it, Red. You wanna know more?” Faith shrugged at her expectant look. “Take it up with B. My ass is gonna be in enough trouble as it is.”

 

“All right,” Willow said reluctantly.

 

“Can I get outta here, now?”

 

“Sure, if you’ll tell Buffy to call me,” She said slowly.

 

“Whatever,” Faith mumbled as she stepped around her.

 

“Are you heading back to my place?” Dawn’s voice came from behind her.

 

She turned to find the younger brunette standing next to Kennedy on the stairs. She contemplated the question for a second. Do I go back there, knowin’ B’s gonna be pissed when I tell her what happened? She sighed.

 

Fuck. I just had to promise I’d be back as soon as I got done, didn’t I? If I don’t go back now, she’s probably gonna get all upset.

 

“Yeah,” She muttered and then rolled her eyes at the smirks she received from both the former Key and Kennedy.

 

“I’ll probably be here a while,” Dawn snickered and turned to go back upstairs.

 

“Bitch,” Faith grumbled playfully.

 

“Uh-huh, that’s me,” She replied cheekily.

 

***

 

Buffy sat on the last step on the staircase with her forehead in one hand and the phone in the other. Her elbow was propped on a bent blue jean clad knee and the phone was dangling over her left knee, her wrist resting on her kneecap. She swallowed hard and sniffled. Damn it.

 

The day had been difficult enough as it was, but what she’d just learned had made it worse. Dawn had called to let her know that there had been a fight between Satsu and Faith and that Faith had spilled some of her situation to Willow in front of a few others. She hadn’t expected to be able to keep it quiet for much longer, but it was her business to tell and she hadn’t wanted everyone to know. Now it was just another part of the rumor mill.

 

The front door opened, letting in the afternoon sunlight around a very familiar figure. Faith closed the door and then paused, her gaze falling on Buffy. She noticed the phone and reluctantly brought her eyes up to Buffy’s, her stomach dropping. It didn’t take a genius to guess what had caused the anger and frustration being directed at her.

 

“Um, hey,” She faltered, uncertain of what she should do.

 

“Faith,” Buffy said tensely.

 

“Red wants ya to call her.”

 

“So I heard,” Buffy said dryly as she stood.

 

“Listen, B,” She said slowly. “I know I shouldn’t have said anything, but I didn’t have a choice, aight? I mean, no way was Red lettin’ me outta there without findin’ out what was up after what Satsu said.”

 

“You could’ve told her to t—talk to me,” She said, her voice cracking. “It wasn’t your place to say anything, Faith! And now, thanks to you, the people I have to work with every day know exactly what happened.”

 

Faith snorted scornfully. “Oh, would ya rather I let ‘em think you’re the one who fucked up your marriage?”

 

Buffy closed the distance between them and grabbed a fistful of Faith’s shirt. She jerked her closer, bringing their faces just inches apart. She took a deep breath and resisted the urge to close her eyes as the familiar warm, spicy scent filled her. She swallowed hard and forced her thoughts back on track, angry with herself for the distraction.

 

“They wouldn’t have known anything if you hadn’t picked a fight with Satsu.”

 

“She started it!” She objected, her voice rising. “She came in the door and got all up in my face, spoutin’ some bullshit about everyone bein’ able to smell you on me. Then she started the same old song and dance about us fuckin’.”

 

“And that gave you the right to hit her?” Buffy asked sharply.

 

Faith jerked away from Buffy and crossed her arms over her chest. She gave Buffy an incredulous look and shook her head.

 

“Don’t tell me you’re gonna try to take up for that bitch! Damn it, B! I wouldn’t have had to say anything about it to Red if short-shit hadn’t opened her fuckin’ mouth.”

 

Buffy took a deep steadying breath and rubbed a hand over her eyes. Then she dropped her hand and sighed.

 

“All right, I get that an explanation couldn’t be avoided. And I’m not trying to defend Satsu, but I want to know why you hit her.”

 

Faith clenched her jaw and swallowed hard, her eyes darting away from the hazel ones studying her. The explanations, ‘because she had it coming’, and ‘because she just didn’t like the bitch’ were good enough for her, but she knew Buffy well enough to know that she wouldn’t be satisfied with either one. Fuck. She sighed in exasperation.

 

“I snapped. The fuckin’ bitch was runnin’ her mouth and callin’ you a whore, and I just couldn’t take it, aight?” She snarled. “Is that a good enough reason for ya, princess?”

 

Without waiting for an answer, she turned and left. She slammed the door shut and paused on the front porch, contemplating her destination. I need to go somewhere quiet and clear my head ‘fore I do somethin’ stupider. She growled audibly and set off at a fast pace in a familiar direction.

 

***

 

She was taking up for me. Buffy almost giggled. It should have made her mad, and she had been at first, but her anger had dissolved into a giddiness that made it impossible to think clearly.

 

She wasn’t certain which was funnier, Faith’s actions or the expression on her face when she was admitting to it. It had seemed as if it hurt just for Faith to say the words. Buffy bit her bottom lip. Actually, it was cute more than anything else.

 

Oh my God. She closed her eyes briefly and then turned her gaze up to the ceiling. What am I thinking? I’m nowhere near ready for those thoughts.

 

She shook her head and went to the den to return the phone to the base. Then she sat down on the couch and looked around the room. Her gaze fell on a line of picture frames on a shelf above the TV on the entertainment center. Drawn to the display, she stood and walked over to get a closer look.

 

The pictures were various combinations of the Scooby gang, plus a few of the other Slayers and some of Dawn’s college buddies. One photo had the original Sunnydale group, including Cordelia and Oz, another had Dawn, Buffy and Joyce, and the rest were more recent ones. She smiled sadly and paused to gently trace her finger over the image of her mother with her arms around them. It was one of the few pictures they had left of Joyce since Sunnydale had been destroyed.

 

Mom would be completely amazed at the turn our lives have taken, She thought, not for the first time. She chuckled. She’d be proud, though.

 

Another photo caught her attention and she smirked. It was probably the only one of her, Dawn, Giles and Faith that existed. They were at a table in some restaurant she couldn’t even remember the name of, her and Dawn on one side and Giles and Faith on the other. She recalled that Giles had forced Faith to switch seats when Faith had decided to move from verbally harassing Buffy to throwing food at her.

 

It hadn’t stopped them from glaring at each other and exchanging insults, though. The photo had been taken just shortly after they’d started talking again, but it was before their silent decision to be friends had been made. Willow had said the photo was proof of something after she’d taken it, but she’d refused to explain what she meant. But now, looking at it, Buffy knew exactly what her best friend had meant.

 

The expressions on their faces were telling. Faith’s eyes were dark, containing a faintly amused glint and a sexy little grin displayed her dimples. Something about the look just screamed “I know you want me” to Buffy. Her own half-smile and narrowed eyes caused her to blush as she realized just how transparent she had been.

 

She rubbed her cheek, the heat radiating from her skin causing her to chuckle. It’s not like I didn’t all ready know I think she’s hot. I’ve even admitted it, indirectly, to her. But I think there’s more to it than that.

 

But right now, She mused with sigh. Right now, I need a friend more than anything else. If I still feel the same when things settle down, maybe I can explore a little and see what comes of it then.

 

***

 

Faith leaned back against the boulder and picked up a handful of sand, letting the fine grains trickle between her fingers. She sighed and dropped the rest of the sand as she let her gaze lift to the ocean just a few feet away. The only sound to be heard was the surf and the voices coming from further down the beach. The natural rock alcove she was in not only kept her from view, but filtered out some of the Saturday afternoon crowd’s noise as well.

 

This little section of the beach had been her safe haven since she’d discovered it several years back. She came here alone and never brought anyone with her since she wanted to keep it to herself. She’d discovered by accident that it had a soothing affect on her. The peacefulness seemed to be just what she needed to think, too.

 

She hadn’t come here to think this time, though. No, she’d needed to get out of there and calm down before she blurted out something that didn’t need verbalized. It didn’t take much contemplation to discover the reason for her reaction to Satsu. She’d been down that road before and she knew the signs.

 

She was in love. She was mature enough to admit it, and accept it. She was also smart enough to realize there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn’t run from it, but she couldn’t try to act on it either.

 

Yeah, we’d be wicked hot and bring a whole new meanin’ to the phrase “makin’ sweet music together”. A leer crossed her face briefly and then she shook her head. But B’s hurtin’ ‘cause of that fuckin’ bitch and she needs me to be there for her as a friend. I’ll just let things happen as they come along, no need to rush.

 

 

Chapter Twelve: To Have and to Hold

 

A few minutes had passed with her sitting in silence, just listening to sound of the surf and reveling in the warmth of the contentment curling in her chest. The decision to just be Buffy’s friend was curiously satisfying. It took off a lot of pressure.

 

Besides, She mused, smirking. This way we won’t end up killin’ each other if we do get into a relationship. We’ll get everything settled and talked out ‘fore things get to that point. It’ll give me time to deal with the way I’m feelin’, too.

 

It’s not that I don’t like the thought of bein’ in love. I’m just freaked at startin’ anything with her ‘cause she has more power to hurt me than anyone else. I know that from past experiences. The bond between us is both a blessin’ and a curse sometimes.

 

She sighed, her expression shifting to one of annoyance. Enough of this shit, all ready. There’ll be enough time for this later. I need to relax before I go back there.

 

B’s probably gonna smack me for walkin’ off like that, too, Faith winced. At least she didn’t seem nearly as pissed by the time I left. Her eyebrows twitched slightly as she considered it. Come to think of it, she would’ve come after me if she was all that angry.

 

She shook her head and popped the knuckles of her left hand. Then she started to pop the other set and winced, finally taking notice of the abraded skin on her knuckles. She grimaced and flexed her hand. Fuck, forgot just how hard that bitch’s jaw is.

 

Faith gently probed the tender skin, a soft hiss escaping as the pain increased. It was all ready starting to heal, but that didn’t stop it from being painful. She was just relieved that it wasn’t broken. She sighed and scraped a bit of dried blood off her hand with her nail.

 

If she was honest with herself, Buffy wasn’t the only one upset by her fight with Satsu. She’d gotten better at controlling her anger in the past few years, but there were still moments when it was all too easy to slip back into the familiar patterns. Unfortunately, there were two people who had the ability to cause those incidents frequently; Satsu being the main one and Buffy being next in line.

 

She smirked. Who would’ve thought B would ever be second to anyone in the category of ‘who pisses Faith off the most’? I used to live to piss her off, too. There’s just somethin’ so fuckin’ thrillin’ ‘bout seein’ little Miss Tightly Wound lettin’ loose.

 

Her amusement faded. It wasn’t so funny after that last time though. That was the first and only time I ever believed I could actually have killed her. Yeah, we used to be on opposite sides, but I didn’t ever put any real effort into killin’ her–I couldn’t.

 

When I was workin’ for the Mayor, the thought of bein’ completely alone in this world scared me too much to follow through. I couldn’t let anyone else know, so I put on a show. I let ‘em think I could’ve done it. But I couldn’t kill her even when my life depended on it in the end.

 

That last time we fought, though, I was so fucked up. I don’t know who I was more pissed at; B, ‘cause of what she’d said, or Genevieve for makin’ more problems for us. Comin’ that close to killin’ B was the last straw. I think I was more tore up about what I’d done to her than the fact that I’d had to kill again when it was all over with.

 

Faith’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, the memory of that night making her chest tighten with grief. Her fists clenched tightly in the sand and she shuddered. The phantom memory of Buffy’s struggles beneath her in the water made her feel sick.

 

Shaking her head roughly to clear away the memories, she stood abruptly. A brief glance around made her aware of just how late it was and she smirked. The sun had started to set, bringing nightfall with it. That meant she could patrol the cemetery a block away from the beach and probably catch a few vampires.

 

She chuckled. A good Slay is just what I fuckin’ need right now. She set off at a jog, turning the corner of the alcove and startling a few beach goers as she passed.

 

***

 

Faith had seen plenty in her time as a Slayer. Slimy demons with control issues, vampires who were fashion disasters, horned demons with a thing for cows... But a vamp holdin’ a picnic basket? What the fuck?

 

She paused behind a tree, pressin’ up close to it as she peered into the open door of the crypt. He was waiting for the last rays of the sun to disappear. He seemed pretty anxious, too. She arched an eyebrow.

 

She’d all ready busted in on a few others, gleefully adding their dust and blood to the clutter on the floor of another mausoleum. Her heart was pounding from the adrenaline and her body throbbing with it. Her instincts were screaming for the satisfaction of a good hunt. She wouldn’t be able to get that until nighttime.

 

For now, she’d just have to pacify her inner Slayer with this Goth-wannabe. She smirked and made her move, deciding it was way past time to end him. She moved with full Slayer speed, slamming into him and causing him to drop the basket as he grunted in surprise. He stumbled backwards, her weight bringing him down to the cement floor.

 

For a moment, there was no movement. Then he shook off his surprise, automatically trying to power out of the hold she had on him. They grappled, his hands grasping at her randomly as he attempted to roll them over. She ended his struggle with a right-cross and then a sound caught her attention briefly, making her look up.

 

He tried to use her distraction to his advantage and without missing a beat she grabbed his arm and twisted until she heard the bone in his forearm give with a sick snap. She concentrated and over his agonized moaning, she heard it again. It was a low, plaintive mewling, one she recognized from the alleys back in Boston. She snapped her head around and glared down at him.

 

“You sick son-of-a-bitch! You got kittens in here?”

 

He chuckled nervously. “Well, isn’t it better if I drain kittens than humans, Slayer?”

 

“Nah, it’d be better if you were gone,” She answered, pulling her stake and dusting him before he could react.

 

She stood, wiping her blue jeans off as she glanced around. Her eyes found the basket in the open doorway and she winced. The cloth had fallen away, and four small, furry forms were now sprawled over the littered entryway. She approached warily and crouched down, her forehead wrinkling as she realized that none of them were moving.

 

“Shit,” She muttered, feeling her chest tighten in reaction.

 

She hadn’t ever cared much for animals, but seeing these creatures like this definitely had an effect on her. It was one she found that she didn’t much care for. They were just defenseless babies, She thought with a sharp, ragged intake of air.

 

She swallowed hard and started to stand, only to freeze when something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She glanced at the kitten farthest from her and a shaky, relieved laugh escaped. Grayish blue eyes were peering forlornly at her from a dark gray and cream colored face, the small form moving toward her tentatively.

 

That’s gotta be the one I heard. She paused. Wait a sec... Faith turned her attention from the kitten for a brief moment, gently pressing her fingers to each of the others.

 

Faith was disappointed to find that none of the others were breathing. The kitten reached her and weakly nudged her hand with another sad cry. She looked down at it and her eyebrows furrowed. It bumped its’ dark nose against her again and she sighed.

 

“What do you want, huh? I ain’t got anything for ya.”

 

It meowed again and she sighed in annoyance as she gently wrapped her hands around the trembling, furry body. She lifted it and cupped it in one hand, steadying it with the other as she brought it up close to her face. It tried to lick her nose and she glared.

 

“Hey, what do ya take me for, huh? I ain’t havin’ none of that.”

 

Tiny paws scrabbled over her skin as the kitten squirmed, trying to get to her. She frowned and held it further away from her.

 

“How do you know I ain’t gonna just finish what he started, huh?”

 

It meowed again and nuzzled her fingers, sharp, tiny claws flexing against the base of her hand. She shook her head and shrugged as she stood. The kitten protested loudly and she brought it close to her chest. It snuggled against her breasts and Faith smirked wryly.

 

“Don’t get comfy there. Only one pussy I want that close to the twins and you ain’t it, aight? Soon as I figure out what to do with you, you’re gone, buddy.”

 

She could’ve sworn it sighed in contentment as it closed its’ eyes, as if ignoring her. She just shook her head and started towards the gates, grumbling under her breath.

 

“Stupid cat, gotta ruin’ my night. Ain’t no way I can Slay with you here; should’ve just left ya there. You better hope B doesn’t come lookin’ for me ‘cause she’ll never let me hear the end of this if she sees ya.”

 

She paused underneath the arch of the cemetery gates, a wide grin slowly forming. Her eyes glinted with amusement and she glanced down at the kitten. The grayish blue eyes blinked open, sensing the pause in her rhythmic stride. It looked up and meowed.

 

“Oh that’s just fuckin’ perfect,” She snickered. “B’s gonna love ya, buddy.”

 

***

 

Faith paused inside the darkened kitchen, looking down at the box in her hands. She was suddenly unsure of the reception of her gift. She could hear the faint scrabbling of the kitten’s claws against cardboard and see the moving form through the air-holes she’d poked in the box. She sighed and set the box gently on the counter.

 

She set a plastic grocery bag on the counter next to it and bit her bottom lip. What if she doesn’t like cats? I mean, it ain’t like we’ve ever talked about pets.

 

She heard movement from upstairs and felt the familiar tingles growing stronger. Faith shook her head and pulled an envelope from the bag. She set it on top of the brown box and turned to leave. I’ll find out soon enough.

 

It’s not like I can just take this stuff back tonight since the store was closing when I got there, anyway. She smirked slightly at the memory.

 

She’d arrived at the store just before closing. She’d had no trouble at all in convincing the pet-store clerk to keep the store open just a little longer for her. She’d been a little lost when she’d seen all the different choices but flirting with the clerk some more had solved that. He’d been all too willing to help her choose the best supplies to care for a kitten.

 

He’d even helped her figure out that it was a female and that she was around two months old. Men, She snickered. They’re way too easy.

 

Approaching footsteps caught her attention and her eyes widened. She slipped out the backdoor and moved around towards the front of the house. She didn’t want to be around when Buffy first saw the kitten. That way if Buffy was pissed, she’d have time to calm down first—and also, if she got sappy, Faith wouldn’t get caught up in it.

 

Wonder if I can pass the kitten off as symbolic? She snickered. I’ll just tell her I always wanted to give her some pussy when she asks about it.

 

She flinched and shook her head. That was too crude even for her liking. She wouldn’t have hesitated to say it in their younger years, but even she had her limits now.

 

 

Chapter Thirteen: Girl Talk

 

Buffy had waited for a couple of hours for Faith to return, but the day’s exhaustion had eventually gotten the best of her. Then she’d awakened just a couple of minutes ago, feeling Faith’s presence. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she paused and rolled her eyes as the tingles faded.

 

“Chicken,” She muttered and shook her head as she made her way towards the kitchen.

 

It was apparent that she’d taken too long getting dressed, giving Faith ample time to escape. Guess I’ll just have to wait a little longer to finish our conversation. She sighed and flipped the light on, pausing as a sound reached her ears. Her eyes immediately found the source of the noise and she raised her eyebrows.

 

“Where did that—” She broke off as a scrabbling sound reached her ears and then a soft thud was heard just as the box moved slightly down the counter.

 

She approached slowly, her sensitive ears picking up a soft, rhythmic breathing. Her gaze took in the plastic bag and then she noticed the air-holes on top of the box. She picked up the envelope, immediately recognizing the bold, slightly messy handwriting that formed her name in red ink. A curious half-grin creased her lips as she used the nail of her left index finger to open it.

 

She slipped the folded sheet of notebook paper from inside and unfolded it. She read it, pausing halfway through as she closed her eyes and laughed. Then she re-read it a few more times, scarcely believing it was from Faith. The wording, however, convinced her that it was.

 

Hey, B –

 

The other night at the bar you came up with substitutes for sex and convo. But you never said anything about the problem of something to hold. I think this’ll fit the bill. But if she ain’t enough, I could probably be bribed to hug you.

 

F

 

“I’m sure you could,” Buffy muttered wryly.

 

She snickered as she set aside the paper and then she pulled the lid off the box, her eyes immediately finding the small kitten inside. Her mouth dropped open and she gasped, “Oh my God, it’s so cute!”

 

The kitten sat in the middle of the box, looking around curiously. Buffy picked her up and held her close to her chest, gently brushing her fingers over the thick, soft fur. A rough tongue licked her fingers and she giggled. Then she rolled her eyes and glanced at the envelope.

 

“I can’t believe she did this.” Her eyes returned to the kitten. “Can you?”

 

Buffy bit her bottom lip and studied her. She’d never had a pet, though she’d wanted to get one at one point in her childhood. Her father Hank hadn’t wanted an animal in the house and by the time it was up to her mother, she’d gotten past that. Now the question was if she wanted the responsibility.

 

The kitten propped her chin on Buffy’s breast and looked up at her, their eyes meeting for the first time. Buffy felt her heart clench at the soulful expression and smiled ruefully. I’m so going to kick Faith’s ass later.

 

She lifted the kitten and placed a gentle kiss on her head. “Welcome to the family. Now what on earth am I going to name you?”

 

Not having any idea, Buffy shrugged in answer to her own question. She gently settled the kitten back into the box. Hearing a protesting meow, she arched an eyebrow at her.

 

“You’ll get over it.” She glanced at the bag. “Now let’s see what that so-called badass bought for you.”

 

She opened the bag and looked inside. Finding the expected litter pan, a small bag of litter, a small bag of kitten food, and a couple of cans of soft food, she nodded. Looks about right, She mused as she removed the items. A soft jingling reached her ears and she smirked, immediately finding a bag of brightly colored plastic balls in the litter pan.

 

What’s gotten into her? I know she’s changed, I’ve seen it happening over the years. I mean, I’ve seen her show a lot of maturity and empathy when dealing with her charges and some of our friends. But I just never expected to be treated to it myself.

 

I think it’s more likely that I never thought she’d want to show me the softer side of her. She shook her head at herself and retrieved the kitten before it could fall out of the box. Grabbing the supplies, she turned to leave the room. I think it’s about time I stop underestimating that woman before it gets me into trouble.

 

***

 

Buffy was sitting on the living room floor with the kitten, still attempting to figure out a name for her when Dawn returned home. She entered the house, a familiar figure following behind. Buffy sighed and closed her eyes briefly, offering a plea for strength to whoever was listening.

 

“Hey, Buff,” Willow said awkwardly.

 

“Hey,” She muttered as she started to stand.

 

“Oh, don’t get up,” She said hurriedly and at Buffy’s startled expression, she added, “You look comfortable where you’re at.”

 

“Where’d the little ball of fluff come from?” Dawn asked, crouching down to hold out a hand to the kitten.

 

“Believe it or not, Faith left it here. She bought some basics for her, too.”

 

Willow gave her an odd look and then shook her head. She took a seat on the other side of Buffy and cleared her throat awkwardly. She’d been considering how to bring the subject up ever since she’d decided to come over, but she hadn’t had any luck. With a mental shrug, she chose the nonchalant approach.

 

“So, anything you want to talk about?”

 

Hazel eyes lifted from the kitten rubbing against Dawn’s hand to meet Willow’s green ones. She searched her longtime friend’s features to judge how determined she was, finding the familiar resolve face firmly intact much to her chagrin. She sighed and her expression darkened.

 

“I’m going to have to talk about it, aren’t I?”

 

“Well, uh, no, you don’t have to. It’s not like I can physically force you to,” Willow babbled. “But I am your friend and that’s what friends are supposed to be for.”

 

“Where’s Ken?” Buffy asked, stalling for a little time to decide what to say.

 

Blinking in confusion, Willow answered slowly, “She’s on patrol with her team. She’s going to drop Renee off at Xander’s before she comes to pick me up.”

 

“Oh,” She muttered. “Good, that’s good.”

 

“I get that you don’t want to think about it, but you all ready are, so what would it hurt to just go ahead and tell her?” Dawn asked, exasperated.

 

Buffy closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath as she tried to center herself. Then she brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. Leaning her cheek against her knee, she started speaking.

 

“So I came home from patrol last Sunday and Satsu’s sitting at the table. I didn’t think anything about it as I went about my normal post-slay routine. I was fixing myself something to eat when she told me with no warning whatsoever.”

 

“I’ve been cheating on you.”

 

The butter knife hit the floor with a clatter, splattering mustard all over the white ceramic tiles. Her heart was shattering even as she turned to look at her lover. Satsu wouldn’t even look at her, keeping her dark gaze on the tabletop. Buffy’s eyes traced the familiar features, the guilt and self-hatred in her expression finally registering.

 

“What did you say?” She asked incredulously, the words so soft she could barely hear them over the thunderous sound of her heartbeat.

 

The dark head lowered even further. “I met her a little over three months ago when I went on that mission in LA.” She finally lifted her tortured gaze to meet her partner’s. “I swear to God, I never meant to hurt you, Buffy.”

 

Her nostrils flared as she sucked in a harsh breath at the jolt of pain that shot through her chest. Her throat tightened and she clenched her teeth as she fought back the tears burning her eyes. Then she turned her back on Satsu, unable to look at her any longer if she wanted to maintain her composure.

 

It took a long moment for her to finally speak. When she did, they were the most painful two words she’d ever had to utter.

 

“Get out.”

 

She heard the chair scrape across the tiles. Then she felt the other Slayer approaching her and she let out pained half-sob, half-growl.

 

“I said, get out!”

 

“It was a mistake, Buffy,” She whispered hoarsely, reaching out to grasp Buffy’s shoulder.

 

Before her hand could make contact, Buffy spun to face her. The expression on her face spoke volumes to the other woman. She was sneering at her with the same amount of disgust and vitriol she’d give a vampire just before she’d stake it.

 

“Touch me and so help me God, I won’t be responsible for what I’ll do to you,” She hissed.

 

They just gazed at each other for a long moment before Satsu nodded reluctantly and left. The sound of the front door shutting signaled the onslaught of her tears.

 

Buffy hesitated. She wasn’t about to tell them how she’d lain on the kitchen floor crying until she vomited. There was only so much degradation one person could handle in a single week. She opened her tearful eyes to be greeted by Willow’s sorrowful expression.

 

“I couldn’t handle staying at the house, so I went to a hotel later that night. Then when I tried to sleep I couldn’t get my mind off of it, so I went out to a bar.” She winced in memory of that first night.

 

It was one thing to get so drunk you got sick when there was someone to take care of you. But it was a completely different matter when you got sick and woke up all alone in an alley. She shrugged off the thoughts in discomfort. After that, she’d taken precautions so that it didn’t happen like that again.

 

“After a couple of nights of that I ended up calling Dawn. Faith pretty much told you the rest.”

 

Willow looked down as the kitten stumbled towards her. She reached a hand out and gently rubbed her fingers over the kitten’s head. Lifting an eyebrow, she glanced up at Buffy. Noticing Buffy wiping away a few stray tears, she decided a change of subject was in order.

 

“Yeah, Faith’s just full of info, isn’t she?” Willow asked, her eyes glinting in amusement.

 

 

Chapter Fourteen: Hugs ‘N’ Kitties

 

“Oh God,” Buffy groaned. “Don’t tease me, Will. I don’t think I’m up for it.”

 

The redhead looked at her contemplatively for a moment and then smiled. “All right, I’ll go easy on you for now.”

 

“That’s as good a promise as I’m going to get, isn’t it?” She muttered.

 

“Afraid so,” Dawn giggled.

 

“It’s Faith we’re talking about,” Willow answered easily. “You’ve only yourself to blame for any future comments, teasing, and “I told you so” attitudes.”

 

“There’s nothing going on between us other than friendship,” Buffy whined.

 

“Uh-huh,” Her friend mumbled in disbelief. “That’s why Ken said she could smell you all over Faith and why Satsu flipped.”

 

Buffy’s shoulders slumped and she gave Willow a pained look. “I’ve been upset off and on today and Faith was there for me; she was just being a friend, that’s all there was to it. She didn’t do anything you wouldn’t have if you had been here.”

 

“What sent Satsu off on a tangent, then?” She asked gently.

 

Buffy ran her fingers through her hair and rolled her eyes. “I’d just woken up a few minutes before she arrived. I’d barely had time to brush my teeth and I don’t think Faith had been awake much longer than I had. Faith was in her PJs when she opened the door and I was still wearing last night’s clothes when I came downstairs.”

 

Willow winced. She could just imagine what Faith’s PJ’s were. Blinking to clear her mind of that interesting imagery, she shook her head. She questioned hesitantly, “Do I even want to know what the two of you were wearing?”

 

“She had on boi shorts and a T-shirt and I was wearing a leather mini and a tank top,” She answered sheepishly.

 

“Ohh, not good, Buffy,” Dawn hissed.

 

She turned her head and shot her sister a look that said, ‘no, you think?’

 

“Enough with the evil looks, B,” Faith’s husky voice interrupted.

 

She jerked her head up and looked over the back of the couch, startled to find Faith leaning over it. She sat frozen for a moment and then scrambled to her feet. Before Faith could react, she came around the couch and pulled her into a tight hug. Then she pulled back slightly and looked up at her.

 

“Where’d you find my new friend?”

 

What the fuck? Faith blinked dazedly, stunned by the sudden body contact. A soft snort jerked her out her stupor and she glared at Dawn briefly before she returned her attention to the woman still wrapped around her. She frowned as she tried to remember what she’d been asked and then her expression cleared.

 

“Uh, found her in a vamp’s crypt after I dusted him.”

 

She pulled away from Buffy and leaned over the couch to gently take the kitten from Dawn. Then she straightened and brought her close to her chest. A soft purr vibrated in the kitten’s chest as Faith’s fingers stroked over the gray and crème colored fur. Carefully keeping her gaze off Buffy, she shrugged indifferently.

 

“The vamp killed her brothers and sisters. I didn’t think it was a good idea to just leave her for another one of those bastards to get and I didn’t know what else to do with her, so I brought her here.”

 

Buffy watched her in confusion. The nervous note in her voice was easily discernible, along with the flush of embarrassment flooding her face. She’s trying to downplay her gift, She realized suddenly. She briefly contemplated calling Faith on it, but the rapt audience of two made her realize it would be better to wait until later.

 

She always closes herself off whenever she gets uncomfortable around me. If I comment on how sweet she’s being in front of them, it’ll just destroy the progress we’ve made. She gave Faith a reassuring smile as she reached out to stroke the kitten.

 

“Well, thanks anyway. She’s great.”

 

“You named her yet?” Faith asked curiously, relaxing as relief rushed through her.

 

“No,” She answered with a slight pout. “I can’t really think of anything good.”

 

A look of what she could only describe as childish glee appeared on Faith’s face. Oh my God, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look that... innocent before. She waited, unconsciously holding her breath, to see what Faith was about to say.

 

Faith lowered her gaze and asked quietly, “What about the name “Cookie”?”

 

Buffy glared at Willow and Dawn, warning them not to make a sound. She could tell by the amusement on their faces that they were just dying to laugh as they quickly covered their mouths. She returned her gaze to Faith, trying not to giggle herself.

 

“May I ask why?” She choked out.

 

“I always thought it was kinda cute for a pet’s name and she’s almost the same color as those Cookies and Cream bars that they sold in Sunnydale too,” She mumbled, blushing hotly.

 

Fuck, I should’ve stayed gone longer. Faith sighed in annoyance as a few snickers greeted her hearing.

 

“Forget it,” She snapped as she set the kitten on the floor.

 

If I don’t get outta here, someone’s gonna get hurt. Without glancing at the other three women, Faith stomped towards the kitchen.

 

“Shit,” Buffy muttered as she hurried after her.

 

She caught up to her just before she could open the back door. She gently grabbed Faith’s elbow and tugged her back around. Eyebrows furrowed, she studied the other woman’s stormy expression. She mentally scrambled for a way to diffuse the situation.

 

“Hey, I’m sorry. The way you were acting was just so cute,” Buffy said contritely.

 

“Whatever,” Faith grumbled. “Lemme go, B. I don’t wanna fight.”

 

“Then don’t,” Buffy replied simply. “No one was ridiculing you in there. You’re the only one who thinks you have to maintain this outer badass persona. You said earlier that you wouldn’t think any less of me if I cry, well we won’t think less of you if you show a little emotion every once in a while.”

 

“I’m not being a bad—” She cut herself off as she realized that she’d been doing exactly that. Her shoulders slumped and she grimaced.

 

“I thought I was past that,” She muttered despondently.

 

“Faith,” Buffy said softly. “I don’t think any Slayer can ever actually get past that. We just have to try to correct it when we realize we’re closing ourselves off.”

 

Buffy heard the front door open and then the faint sound of Kennedy’s voice reached her. She tuned out the conversation going on between her and Willow and kept her attention on Faith. She sighed at the conflicted expression, wishing she could do something to help Faith. The look gradually faded and then Faith looked up at her with a sheepish smile.

 

“So you like the kitten, huh?”

 

“Yeah,” Buffy chuckled, nodding in acceptance of the apology lurking in those words. “She’s adorable, and I really like the name Cookie for her. Thanks for the idea.”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” Faith muttered, rubbing at the back of her neck in discomfort.

 

“Don’t worry, I won’t hug you again if that’s what you’re afraid of,” Buffy chuckled.

 

“Fuck you,” Faith replied, the grin twitching the corners of her lips giving away her amusement. “I think you just wanted to cop a feel.”

 

She rolled her eyes. “Oh yes, ‘cause a hug is just a great vehicle for groping.”

 

“Fuck yeah, it is. Your tight little bod was all pressed into mine,” Faith rejoined, finally smirking. “And I could’ve sworn I felt a hand grab my ass.”

 

“Now that’s just wishful thinking on your part, Faith,” She chuckled dryly.

 

During their conversation, the two women had unconsciously moved closer. Unaware of what she was doing, Buffy lifted a hand and placed it on Faith’s belly. Her fingers absently traced the lines of muscle beneath the cotton tank top as she gazed up at Faith. A coy smile played over her lips in answer to the knowing look she was given.

 

A throat cleared, interrupting the silent exchange. They turned their heads in unison to look at the redhead standing in the doorway. Her eyes widened at the intensity in their gazes and she stepped back instinctively in response. Then she shook her head and quirked an eyebrow at them.

 

“Sorry if I’m interrupting anything. I could leave if you’d rather have some privacy.”

 

Nothing other than friendship, my ass, She mused. They might not be ready to act on it yet, but there was something there. A blind man could see the connection between them, and it wasn’t just the Slayer bond. If it was a Slayer bond, then Willow figured other Slayers would behave the same way.

 

Buffy glanced down, blinking as she finally registered where her hand was. Sighing in exasperation, she jerked her hand back and crossed her arms over her chest. Then she rolled her eyes at Willow.

 

“There’s nothing for you to interrupt,” She grumbled. “Now what do you want?”

 

The redhead narrowed her eyes at her for a moment and then snickered. “Dawn wants to have a Ben & Jerry’s night. We were wondering if you and Faith were interested in joining us.”

 

“What the fuck’s a Ben & Jerry’s night?” Faith asked curiously, ignoring the woebegone look her blonde counterpart was giving Willow.

 

Sensing pending victory, Willow happily explained, “It’s just a girl’s night. The point of it’s to try to cheer up someone who’s just gone through a breakup. We’ll get to talk about our own breakups, and relationship disasters, pig out on ice cream, and the best part is it’s a free-for-all on who can make the most inventive insults for Satsu.”

 

Buffy glanced at Faith warily. Seeing the mildly interested look, she sighed and rolled her eyes. She was dreading it, but she couldn’t turn it down if Faith was interested. Faith probably hadn’t had the chance to do things like that often, if ever.

 

“We can if you want, Faith,” She said softly.

 

Faith tilted her head a little, considering her and the idea. She wasn’t usually one for the whole girly slumber party type stuff, but it seemed like something that might be good for Buffy. The slightly fearful look on Buffy’s face decided it for her. She smirked and returned her gaze to Willow.

 

“Sounds fun, you can count me in, Red.”

 

Buffy’s shoulders slumped and she looked at Willow. She hadn’t given in with any of her other breakups, and she didn’t quite understand why she was doing it now. Seeing the expectant look, she nodded reluctantly.

 

“Fine, I’ll let you torture me this once.”

 

Willow smirked. She wondered if her friend even realized she hadn’t once considered letting Faith join them alone. Then she decided it was doubtful. Looking at Faith, Willow realized Faith was probably suffering from the same bout of denseness.

 

Goddess save us from lovesick Slayers, She snickered internally.

 

 

Chapter Fifteen: Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About

 

“Hey, is Ken back from the store yet?” Faith called out as she came down the stairs.

 

“I’m here,” She heard Kennedy reply from the kitchen.

 

She entered the room to find the other women fixing their ice cream. She took in their appearances and shook her head. Buffy was in Faith’s boxers and tank top, Willow wore an oversized Orange and white football jersey, Kennedy wore a pair of blue PJ bottoms and a white T-shirt, and Dawn wore black boxers and a dark red tank top.

 

“Whoa, nobody said nothin’ about this bein’ a slumber party,” She snorted. “And how the fuck did all of ya have time to get changed? I wasn’t in the shower that long.”

 

“Ken decided to add some alcohol into the mix,” Buffy explained, gesturing with her head at the wine coolers sitting on the counter. “We figured it’d be safer for them to stay, so while we went to change Will did her mojo and voila, PJs for her and Ken.”

 

“And where is everyone plannin’ to sleep?” She drawled.

 

Buffy bit her bottom lip and then released it. “I figured on crashing with you in the den so Will and Ken could have the guestroom.”

 

Faith scratched absently at her eyebrow and licked her lips. “Aight, gotta be the oddest way of gettin’ into my bed anyone’s ever come up with, but whatever floats ya boat.”

 

Buffy yelped, “Faith! That’s not... I mean, I wasn’t—”

 

Amused, she drawled, “Chill out, B. I was just fuckin’ with ya.”

 

Buffy scrubbed roughly at her flushed face and muttered under her breath, “Not that I would mind.”

 

Dark brown eyes jerked up to look at her, startled. Then Faith chuckled softly and bumped hips with Buffy as she sidled up to the counter where the ice cream was. She noticed that there were two bowls in front of Buffy and couldn’t help herself.

 

“Got a bitch of a cravin’ to satisfy, B?”

 

Huh? Buffy blinked in confusion, and then following Faith’s line of sight, her expression turned sheepish. Oh, yeah. She dug out another large scoop of ice cream and dumped it in one of the bowls before handing it to Faith.

 

“This one’s for you. It’s that Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Dawn said you like.”

 

“Hell yeah,” She replied as she immediately spooned up a bite. “This is my favorite.”

 

“Of course it is,” Buffy replied dryly as she picked up her own bowl and headed to the living room.

 

“Hey, what’s not to like?” Faith asked, grabbing two wine coolers and following after her. “It’s got both vanilla and chocolate ice cream, throw in the fact that it has brownies and cookie dough in it too, and you’ve got the perfect ice cream.”

 

Buffy sat down on the couch, leaving just a little space between her and the arm of the couch. She glanced over her shoulder at the approaching woman and nodded.

 

“And more sugar than any one person needs.”

 

Faith set her bowl and the wine coolers on the end table and reached for the button of her pants. “And your point is?”

 

“You’re hyperactive enough without it,” Buffy said absently, her forehead wrinkling in confusion as she watched Faith undo her pants. “What are you doing, Faith?”

 

Lowering the zipper of her jeans, Faith glanced up with a smirk. “You guys are in your PJs, or in your case, mine, so I’m gonna strip down and get comfy too.”

 

“Oh God,” She groaned, slapping a hand over her eyes as Faith pushed the tight jeans down her hips. She tried not to think about the smooth skin being uncovered.

 

“Holy fuck, what are you doing?” Dawn choked out, chuckling as she entered the room.

 

“Torturin’ your sister,” She replied, slipping the pants off.

 

Buffy groaned and removed her hands from her eyes, struggling not to stare at the bare legs inches from her. “Did you have to do that down here?”

 

“Yeah,” She answered simply as she retrieved her bowl.

 

She chuckled as Buffy rolled her eyes and grumbled as she scooted down to make room for her on the end of the couch. She sat down and squirmed until she was comfortably leaning against the arm of the couch. She couldn’t help but smirk as the position pressed Buffy tightly against her side. Their eyes locked and Faith lifted an eyebrow as she scooped up a spoonful of ice cream, this time holding it out to Buffy.

 

Hazel eyes dropped to look at the offering, considering it seriously. Then she sighed and shook her head as she gave in. She took the spoon into her mouth and licked the ice cream off it, moaning as the rich taste flooded her senses. She winked at Faith and chewed quickly so she could swallow the treat.

 

“Okay, so it is really good.”

 

She scooped up some of her own and looked questioningly at Faith. When Faith shook her head adamantly, Buffy shrugged and took the bite. Oh well, more FroYo Cherry Garcia for me.

 

Willow and Kennedy entered shortly after and glimpsing their closeness and Faith’s state of dress, they shared an amused look and decided to sit in the recliners instead of on the couch. Dawn sprawled out on the floor, leaning back against the opposite end of the couch. It was quiet for a little while and then Faith looked up from her bowl.

 

“Ain’t we supposed to be like bashin’ Satsu and all our exes or whatever?”

 

Willow swallowed her ice cream. “Well, we all know about my one big breakup.”

 

“Ya mean with dog-boy?” Faith quipped.

 

“Yes,” She said dryly, having long since resigned herself to Faith’s nicknames.

 

Kennedy took a long pull from her wine cooler and then set it aside as she pushed her chair into a reclining position. She crossed her legs at the ankles and stretched briefly.

 

“I never had any really serious relationships until Will, so I wasn’t heartbroken or devastated when the others ended. It was sort of just like, okay, whatever.”

 

Faith handed Buffy one of the wine coolers she’d brought in and then took the other for herself. After she opened it and took a sip, she looked up to find everyone looking at her. She widened her eyes slightly and shrugged defensively.

 

“What?”

 

Buffy pressed closer against her side, gently placing a hand on her thigh. The silky feel of Faith’s warm skin threw her off and then she let out a shuddering breath as she shook her head to clear the haze of lust that was fogging her mind.

 

“I don’t know about them, but I’m a little curious about the one breakup we’ve seen. I mean, we’ve all heard about Ronnie, Steve, and Kenny, but...” She trailed off.

 

“You wanna know about Wood,” Faith sighed and smiled weakly as she looked at the others, who nodded in confirmation.

 

“You don’t have to if it’s too painful,” Willow added. “This is supposed to cheer Buffy up, and I doubt you crying or something will do that.”

 

“Any more at least,” Faith quipped.

 

Buffy smacked Faith in the belly. “I never would’ve been happy seeing you cry. Even when I was busy committing Hari-kari.”

 

Faith rolled her eyes. “I’ve realized that by now, B. I was fuckin’ with ya.”

 

“Oh,” She chuckled sheepishly. “Sorry.”

 

Faith gently bumped her shoulder in acknowledgement. She looked around the room at their friends and sighed. For once she actually felt like it might be safe to open up. She was comfortable, happy, and... She glanced down at where Buffy’s body was touching hers. And warm.

 

Very warm, She mused, shifting slightly. She draped a leg over Buffy’s thighs and, ignoring the wide-eyed look she received in response, ate the last bite of her ice cream. She set the bowl aside and leaned her head back against the couch as she swallowed.

 

“I’m sure you’ve realized by now that Wood was my longest relationship ever,” She starts quietly. “He was also my most serious one.”

 

She smiled sadly. “He showed me that not all men are dogs and treated me with more respect than I’d ever been given in my life. And I loved him for it.”

 

Buffy gently squeezed her leg and watched her expression as she spoke. She was fascinated by the difference between her earlier countenance and this one. She’d gone from running to keep from showing others that she was an actual human being, to opening up and talking honestly about matters of the heart. She was starting to realize that the contradictions were part of what attracted her to Faith.

 

“But, in the end, I just couldn’t change enough to be able to fully accept him in my life,” She said, wiping away a tear that had escaped her eye. “I enjoy my job, my life, and I while I wanted to have the things he was offerin’, I didn’t want to give anything up.”

 

“What do you mean?” Willow asked softly.

 

Faith shrugged. “He wanted to settle down and have a family somewhere away from Slayin’ and the Council. We argued about it a few times, and in the end he decided he wanted to find someone who could be what he needed.”

 

“And that led to the destruction of my kitchen, how?” Dawn asked with levity.

 

Faith narrowed her eyes, trying not to smirk. “You’ve just been waitin’ to ask that, haven’t ya?”

 

“Well, yeah,” She answered, shrugging as if it were obvious.

 

“I kinda flipped like a ghetto bitch.”

 

“Well that’s obvious,” Kennedy interrupted with a soft laugh. “But I think she meant that she wanted to know why you flipped.”

 

“He told me that I’d never be able to maintain a relationship if I couldn’t... get past bein’ a Slayer,” She answered, her voice wavering. “It just hit me wrong.”

 

Buffy frowned and set her bowl and the wine cooler on the coffee table. Ignoring their audience, she shifted to face Faith and wrapped an arm around Faith’s waist. When Faith looked at her questioningly, she gave her an understanding grin.

 

“I don’t think there is a right way for something like that to hit someone, Faith. I mean, some might say trashing the kitchen was overreacting, but they wouldn’t be a Slayer. He basically said you’d never find love if you didn’t change who you are.”

 

Faith nodded, smirking slightly. She cautiously curled her arm around Buffy’s shoulders and idly glanced around at their friends. Seeing that they maintained indulgent, amused expressions, she relaxed and held Buffy tighter. It was out of character for her, she realized, but she was starting to believe it wouldn’t hurt to let that go occasionally.

 

She took a deep breath, feeling the solid warmth of the other woman’s body all along her side. ‘Specially if lettin’ go means I get to touch her like this. She bit her bottom lip and glanced down. It ain’t gonna be as easy as I thought, tryin’ to just be a friend.

 

“So,” Willow said loudly, trying not to smirk as she watched her friends jump. “Anyone else wishing I’d have let Faith smack Satsu around a little longer today?”

 

Faith stayed silently, happily turning her gaze to the kitten meowing for her attention on the floor. She’d gotten into enough trouble with that issue as it was and she wasn’t about to remind Buffy that she was supposed to be upset with her. She released her grip on Buffy briefly as she leaned over to retrieve Cookie, and then she returned to her position. She settled the kitten on her lap, idly tracing her fingers over the soft fur.

 

“It’s okay, Faith. I know I was upset earlier, but I get why you did it,” Buffy murmured, just loud enough for Faith to hear her.

 

She jerked her gaze up from her lap to look at Buffy, and then she nodded in acknowledgement. She turned her attention back to their friends.

 

“I wish she would have broken the bitch’s nose again or gave her a fat lip,” Dawn grumbled. “I never did like her and this only made it worse.”

 

“You know, I never did get why you and Faith hated her so much,” Buffy added, looking at them with narrowed eyes.

 

“We never got why you liked her so much, so we’re even,” Faith snickered.

 

“Smartass,” Buffy muttered. “You probably started it, too.”

 

“No, I really didn’t,” She laughed.

 

“She’s telling the truth, Buff,” Willow added through her laughter.

 

“Yeah, it started when Faith came into the gym and asked me where you were,” Dawn added. “I think she said, ‘Where’s little miss tight ass?’, and then Satsu turned from whatever she was doing and asked what she wanted with you in a snotty tone.”

 

Buffy winced at the thought. She of all people knew just how Faith responded to someone taking an attitude with her. She looked at Faith apologetically.

 

“Was that before or after the Scythe went missing?”

 

“It was right after we got it back when I was tryin’ to find ya to tell ya me and G-man was headin’ back to the states,” She muttered.

 

“Anyway,” Dawn continued. “You can guess how Faith reacted, and it just snowballed from there. It became a contest to see who could be the bitchiest Slayer, I guess.”

 

“And I’m sure Faith came out the bitchiest of us all,” Kennedy quipped.

 

“Of course,” Faith snickered. “B may be the queen Slayer, but I’m the queen bitch.”

 

“We’re well aware of that,” Dawn said dryly. “As for me, she just got on my nerves because...” She paused, confused. “I don’t think I ever did figure it out, actually.”

 

“It was ‘cause she used that attitude of hers on everyone but the second B entered the room, she was all sweetness and light,” Faith muttered.

 

“Why couldn’t you guys have told me this before I fell in love?” Buffy grumbled. “You could’ve saved me some problems, you know.”

 

“We tried,” Dawn objected. “You just refused to listen. Then when I noticed that you were happy and she treated you well, I just kept my comments to myself.”

 

“Kept ‘em to your self, my ass,” Faith grumbled. “I never heard the end of it.”

 

Buffy shook from trying to hold in her laughter and then finally just gave in. I guess this isn’t so bad after all, She mused, laying her cheek in the crook of Faith’s shoulder. The arm around her shoulders tightened and a warm ball of happiness formed in her belly as her gaze fell on the kitten in Faith’s lap.

 

 

Chapter Sixteen: Good-bye My Lover

 

Buffy finished mixing the creamer and sugar into her coffee and blew on it to cool it a little. She inhaled the steam rising from the cup, smiling as the scent of coffee and hazelnut reached her. She took a sip and sighed as she settled down at the breakfast bar. It was seven o’clock, so she knew she had a little time before Faith would be up.

 

In the two weeks that had passed, Buffy and Faith had gradually grown closer. With Faith on vacation and Giles giving Buffy time off to get her affairs in order, they had a lot of free time on their hands. They’d spent a lot of it just getting to know each other, something they’d never really tried when they were teenagers. They were both determined not to make the same mistakes twice.

 

Of course, with their growing emotional bond came the increasing need for physical contact. Any time they were in close proximity, their bodies unconsciously reached out for the other, whether it was a hand resting somewhere, a head pillowed on something, or their arms going around each other. It served for embarrassing moments when they realized just what they’d been doing. They both received a lot of teasing from their friends any time they happened to get either Buffy or Faith alone.

 

On the downside, or on the upside depending on how you looked at it, Buffy had received notification that the divorce proceedings had begun. She didn’t know whether to cry or be relieved that Satsu had filed all ready. On one hand, it meant the end of their marriage, and on the other, it meant it would all be over soon. At least she’d had time to get back to a steadier emotional state before she’d gotten the letter.

 

It had hurt, but reading it hadn’t left her in tears like it would have a week ago. She was grateful for that and not just because she hated hurting. There were things that needed to be done and she couldn’t do them if she were crying like a baby. Now that the proceedings had started, she needed to get the house ready to be sold.

 

She took another sip from her coffee and then set the mug on the island. She gazed into the dark red porcelain mug at the steaming light brown liquid inside. She needed to go by the house to see what needed to be gotten rid of, what needed to be packed, and maybe even get a little of it done. She just didn’t want to do it alone and she’d been hesitating for the last three days to ask Faith.

 

Buffy felt a little strange asking her to help pack up the life she’d lived with someone else. It just seemed inappropriate somehow. She could, she knew, get any one of her friends to do it. But her heart was set on having Faith there to help her get through something that was bound to be painful.

 

“Yo, B! What’s with ya?” Faith laughed, snapping her fingers in front of Buffy’s face.

 

She’d entered the kitchen to find her staring into her coffee mug like she was searching for the answers to life’s greatest mysteries. As amusing as it was, Faith wanted to find out why Buffy was up this early and she was impatient. Not getting any response, she swooped down to pick up Cookie and then set her on Buffy’s shoulder. The reaction wasn’t long in coming.

 

Cookie flexed her paws, digging her nails into the firm surface she was sprawled on. Buffy snapped back from her thoughts and bit her lip, whimpering slightly as the nails pierced her skin. She gently grabbed the kitten and, pausing to loosen the claws from her t-shirt, she then sat Cookie on her lap. Hazel eyes lifted to glare at Faith.

 

“That was so not funny. You could’ve caused me to hurt her, Faith!”

 

Faith’s smile faded and she lowered her eyes. “Sorry, B. I was tryin’ to get your attention and I didn’t really think before I did that.”

 

“It’s okay, just don’t do it again,” She said softly and then turned her attention to the kitten. “How can you stand her, huh? She’s such a brat.”

 

Faith snickered. Though she’d given her to Buffy, Cookie had attached herself to Faith instead. She figured they’d confused her by sharing a bed her first night there and at first had thought Cookie would eventually start sleeping in Buffy’s room, but it hadn’t happened yet and they’d resigned themselves to it. Now every morning she woke to find Cookie wrapped around a body part or sprawled on top of her.

 

“So what’s the what?” Faith asked, crossing the room to fix a cup of coffee.

 

“Um, well, there’s something I wanted to ask you,” Buffy muttered, keeping her gaze on the purring kitten.

 

Setting the coffee pot back on the maker, she turned slightly at the odd tone in her voice. She studied Buffy briefly, seeing the uneasiness in her posture. Turning back to the counter, she continued fixing her coffee.

 

“What can I do for ya, B?”

 

Buffy took a long drink from her coffee, stalling. Then Faith turned to face her again and she sighed as she realized she wasn’t going to get away with it. She set the mug back on the breakfast bar and returned to stroking Cookie’s back.

 

“I was going to head out to the house today,” She said quietly.

 

Faith’s eyebrows furrowed in concern. “Why?”

 

Buffy hadn’t returned to the house in the time she’d been at Dawn’s. She’d had Faith take a couple trips over there to pick up any clothing she’d needed. Buffy sighed and looked up at her.

 

“I’ve decided to sell, and I need to start packing up so I can get the house cleared out before I put it on the market.” She shrugged and lowered her gaze again. “I was wondering if you’d come with.”

 

“I’m so there,” Faith answered quickly. “No way am I lettin’ ya go through that shit alone, B. Want me to call the gang and see if they’ll come too?”

 

A slight smile creased her lips and she shook her head. “No, I just want it to be us. I’m probably not going to be fit for company today.”

 

“Aight, that’s cool. Want me to fix breakfast before we go?” Faith asked, easily accepting her decision.

 

Buffy bit her lip, considering the question. She’d fallen in love with Faith’s cooking. It was definitely another one of those “mad skills” Faith liked to brag about. She sighed and her shoulders slumped.

 

“I just kind of want to get this over with,” She murmured dejectedly.

 

“Aight, we’ll grab somethin’ from the Waffle House on the way there,” Faith replied. “Then you can make it up to me by lettin’ me fix lunch.”

 

Buffy’s eyes twinkled in response. She wasn’t the only one with an affinity for home cooked meals. She’d learned that Faith preferred them since most of her life she’d had to settle for restaurants or microwave dinners when she could even afford to get food. Faith had also explained that when she was on missions she usually ended up with the options of junk food or greasy diners, which the very thought made Buffy’s stomach turn in sympathy.

 

“I suppose I could be bribed to eat your cooking if there’s no other option,” She sighed aggrievedly, trying not to giggle in response to the good-humored glare she received.

 

***

 

Buffy reached over and before Faith could react, she nabbed the last bite of Faith’s waffles. She chewed her ill-gotten food happily, ignoring the indignant protest she received. Then she glanced around the kitchen and sighed.

 

“Guess it’s time to get to work, huh?” Faith questioned quietly.

 

“Yeah, why don’t you get the boxes from the car while I clean up this mess?” She asked, gesturing at the Styrofoam trays their breakfast had come in.

 

She waited until Faith left the room to get the boxes they’d gotten on the way there and then looked around. Her gaze fell on the table and she frowned at the recent memories. Then she shook her head and gathered their trash. The sooner they got this over and done with, the sooner she could say good-bye to this part of her life.

 

***

 

“Yo, B,” Faith shouted from the master bathroom.

 

“What?” She asked, crossing the bedroom to poke her head inside.

 

“What are we supposed to do ‘bout the furniture?” Faith asked, jerking her thumb over her shoulder at the tall, light colored oak cabinet by the garden tub.

 

Buffy sighed and tucked her hands in her back pockets, leaning her shoulder against the doorjamb. She regarded the piece of furniture seriously and then shrugged.

 

“Just leave it. I’m going to try to sell the house as furnished.”

 

Faith’s eyebrows furrowed and she asked, “Couldn’t ya use this stuff somewhere else?”

 

“Satsu and I picked most of this out together,” Buffy explained quietly.

 

“Ah, I get ya,” Faith said, nodding slightly. “Don’t want the reminders, right?”

 

“Right,” She answered dryly. “There are enough of those without keeping any of this.”

 

Faith absently fidgeted with her belt buckle as she glanced around. Then she nudged the box by her foot and looked up at her.

 

“I think I got everything in here packed away. Wanna check to make sure?”

 

Buffy glanced at the two medium sized boxes and then shook her head. “No, that seems about right for this room. We’ll do a quick run-through when we’re finished to make sure we have everything before we leave.”

 

“Aight,” Faith muttered as she stepped around the boxes towards the doorway.

 

She paused as she looked around the bedroom, noticing that nothing had been touched in this room yet. She turned a questioning gaze on Buffy and sighed when she noticed the swollen, reddened eyes. She held out a hand for Buffy’s and then tugged her close, linking their fingers. She cupped the back of Buffy’s neck and kneaded it gently.

 

“Wanna tell me about it while I help ya pack up this room?”

 

Buffy closed her eyes briefly and sighed. Then she reopened her eyes and looked up at Faith.

 

“I can’t ask you to do that. It wouldn’t be right.”

 

Faith smiled knowingly and shook her head. “I’m your friend, B. That’s what I’m here for.”

 

She released Buffy’s hand and moved to the bed, grabbing a few flattened boxes. She assembled them and then searched out the packaging tape, quickly fixing them so they could hold stuff. She set a box on the bed and opened the nightstand drawers. Then she began emptying them and setting the items out on the mattress so Buffy could sort through them before they packed the boxes.

 

“Better start talkin’, B.”

 

Buffy reached out and grabbed a picture frame, turning it over in her hand. She studied the image, a melancholy smile creasing her lips. It was taken shortly after they’d first started dating. Buffy was leaning against a tree with her arms wrapped around Satsu’s waist and her chin propped on her shoulder, and both were smiling with genuine happiness at the camera.

 

“You know, after the first time I slept with her I freaked out,” She murmured quietly, gaining a snort in response. She smiled wryly. “Yeah, I guess it isn’t really a surprise.”

 

Faith carefully kept her gaze on what she was doing. Buffy needed to get this out and she didn’t want anything to distract her in case it made her close off. She’d tried to get Buffy to do this a few times, but Buffy had shut her down each time. She was glad they’d gotten somewhere finally, even if it did mean having to hear about Satsu.

 

“She was so understanding about it, too,” Buffy mused. “I guess that’s part of why I didn’t listen to what everyone said about her. She never once showed that side to me until now.”

 

She sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Then when we went on that mission in Florida, we finally got together after two years of dancing around the subject. By the time I realized I was in love, I was so gone there wasn’t any doubt in my mind about us ‘cause she was so patient and gentle.”

 

Tears blurred her gaze and she set the picture aside, wrapping her arms around her waist. She squeezed her eyes shut and choked out, “God, it hurts so fucking much. I thought it was getting easier, but it hasn’t.”

 

Faith sat down next to her and pulled her into her arms. Buffy buried her face in Faith’s chest and Faith gently rocked her, leaning her chin on Buffy’s head. The deceptively strong body shook from the sobs and Faith tightened her hold.

 

“Sayin’ good-bye’s never easy,” She murmured and closed her eyes as tears filled them, her heart breaking when the sobs grew louder.

 

 

Chapter Seventeen: Retail Therapy--Slayer Style

 

Faith tried not to snicker as she watched Buffy’s face light up. It was amazing what just being in a mall could do to change Buffy’s mood. It had always been a source of amusement for Faith. She crossed her arms over her chest and followed her into the store she’d made a beeline for.

 

She silently watched Buffy go from rack to rack. She didn’t quite get what was so fun about shopping for clothes. Now, shopping for weapons? That she could totally get behind and even happily participate. The only reason she’d even suggested this was to cheer Buffy up.

 

Earlier they’d finally finished packing her belongings after two days of sorting through it and talking about some of the memories the items held. She’d learned more about Buffy’s relationship with Satsu than she’d ever had a desire to. Of course, she wouldn’t change it since gradually it had changed to where Buffy actually smiled and laughed during the stories instead of bursting into tears. That alone had made it worth it.

 

Buffy glanced up from the lacey blue shirt she was looking at to see the slightly bored expression her companion was sporting. She smirked and put the shirt back on the rack. Then she turned to face Faith fully and put her hands on her hips.

 

“Are you going to just stand there or help me find something to go slaying in tonight?”

 

Now that had her interest. She hadn’t gone slaying since before she’d gone on that last mission, and it had been even longer since Buffy had been her Slaying partner. Faith put her hands in her pockets and shrugged.

 

“Sure, I’ll help. Gotta tell me what you’re lookin’ for first.”

 

“Something sexy but serviceable,” Buffy answered, all ready turning her gaze back to the shirts on the rack.

 

Faith paused and looked at her. She scratched absently at her ear and narrowed her eyes. She just knew she’d regret asking, but she couldn’t hold it in.

 

“Why not just wear one of the hundreds of outfits now crowding the guestroom closet?”

 

“Do you seriously need me to answer that?”

 

“Well, yeah,” Faith drawled. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”

 

“None of them appealed to me,” She shrugged, lifting a top to inspect it.

 

Faith blew out a breath and muttered, “I’m startin’ to understand why ya got so many clothes that I nearly broke my back carryin’ the boxes into the house.”

 

“You’re exaggerating,” Buffy said dryly.

 

“No I’m not,” Faith snickered, curiously tilting her head to look at the shirt Buffy held.

 

Buffy held it up in front of her for Faith to see. “What do you think?”

 

Faith blinked, her mind going straight in the gutter. The hunter green top was short, stopping somewhere around the belly button. It had a low riding neckline and was strapless. She cleared her throat and shook her head, forcing her gaze back to Buffy’s.

 

“B, you’re askin’ for trouble if ya wear that out on patrol.”

 

Chuckling quietly at the dazed expression still clouding Faith’s face, she asked, “How so?”

 

Faith narrowed her eyes and pointed at Buffy’s chest. “One wrong move and the girls are gonna be poppin’ right the fuck out.”

 

Buffy turned the shirt around and tilted her head, considering it. Then she blinked and put it back on the rack, snickering.

 

“You may have a point.”

 

“‘Course I do.”

 

Buffy jerked her head towards the next rack as she said, “Let’s keep looking. Then we can go check out that hunting goods store we passed.”

 

“Fuck yeah,” Faith said excitedly. “That’s more like it.”

 

***

 

“Check this one out, B,” Faith muttered, leaning closer to the display case.

 

Buffy set aside the jacket she was looking at and crossed the store to where Faith stood. She wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulders and propped the other on the display case as she leaned over it. She tilted her head and studied the bone-handled bowie knife curiously before bringing her gaze back up to meet Faith’s at close range.

 

“Cool ain’t it?” Faith mumbled, distracted by their close proximity.

 

“Uh-huh,” She answered, her eyes dropping to Faith’s full lips.

 

Faith’s tongue darted out to lick the cleft in her bottom lip. Unconsciously leaning closer, she darted her own gaze from Buffy’s mouth back to her eyes. A cough pulled them back to reality and they slowly pulled apart. Things like that had happened often enough lately that they’d gotten to where they didn’t jerk away any more.

 

“Can I help you ladies?” A deep voice asked.

 

Faith looked away from Buffy and glanced at the aging shopkeeper. She nodded and gestured at the knife they’d been looking at before.

 

“Yeah, I’d like a closer look at that knife.”

 

“All right,” He said, flicking his gaze over her hands that were resting on the glass top with a smirk. “Guess I don’t have to ask if you know how to handle one.”

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Buffy asked, frowning.

 

Faith shook her head and rubbed her thumb over the calluses on her hand. She turned one hand over and held it up for Buffy to see. Slight calluses could be seen on the base of her palm, along the side of her thumb, and in other key areas as well.

 

“He wasn’t bein’ an asshole, B. He’s probably worked in stores like this long enough to realize what these come from.”

 

“Oh,” She muttered, slightly embarrassed at her own defensiveness.

 

The shopkeeper unlocked the display case and brought out the bowie knife. He set the box on top of the case and watched as Faith lifted the knife out of the velvet lining. She wrapped her hand around the chilled, rough bone handle and brought it close for inspection. Then she lifted her gaze to meet his inquiringly.

 

“What type of bone was the handle carved from?”

 

He smirked. “You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

 

“Try us,” Buffy countered. “I bet we’ll surprise you.”

 

His gaze took in the expert way Faith spun the knife in her hand and the comfort at which she held it with. Then he nodded, conceding her point.

 

“My son used to work for the military,” He said quietly, leaning closer so that no one else could overhear. “Since he was discharged, he’s gone out every night around midnight. Every once in a while he’ll bring back strange looking stuff.”

 

Faith stiffened and asked warily, “Stuff like what?”

 

He shrugged. “Just odds and ends like the pile of wide, curved bones he brought back a couple of months ago. He occasionally comes in looking kind of banged up too.”

 

“The military unit he worked for wasn’t called the Initiative was it?” Buffy asked in a cold tone.

 

“I couldn’t tell you,” The man answered apologetically. “He said it was classified when I asked, so I dropped it.”

 

Faith nodded, settling the knife back into the box. She wrapped her arm around Buffy’s back and gently massaged the tensed muscles as she turned them back towards the rest of the stores. She led them away from the counter.

 

“We’re gonna finish lookin’ ‘round, but I want three of those knives.”

 

“All right, I’ll pull a few out of the storeroom,” The man called, watching them as they walked off.

 

Buffy stopped them when they were out of earshot and looked at Faith questioningly. “Why did you ask for so many?”

 

Faith smirked and explained, “One for me, one for you, and one for Red’s geeks.”

 

“Who said I wanted one?” Buffy asked teasingly as she inspected a crossbow hanging from a hook on the wall.

 

“I know that glint in your eyes well enough by now, B.”

 

“True,” Buffy muttered, scrunching her forehead up in concentration as she tried to make sense of the letters on the crossbow.

 

“Don’t bother, B,” Faith said, chuckling. “It ain’t in English.”

 

“How do you know?” Buffy asked, pouting as she moved to the next item that had caught her attention.

 

She shrugged. “Most of the stuff in this store ain’t from here. I think a lot of it’s German and Russian. A few of the companies might be Mexican, too.”

 

“I didn’t realize you’d been in here before,” Buffy murmured, slipping her hand into Faith’s back pocket absently.

 

“I haven’t. I just noticed it,” Faith rasped, darting a questioning glance at Buffy.

 

She doesn’t even realize she did that, Faith mused and shook her head at the distracted look on Buffy’s face. I ain’t gonna be the one to tell her. If she wants to play with my ass, then she can go right ahead.

 

“Remind me to call my real-estate agent tomorrow,” Buffy muttered, flexing her hands.

 

A low groan caught her attention and she blushed, closing her eyes as she realized what had caused Faith to make that sound. She tried to figure out a way to move her hand without calling attention to it, but she couldn’t quite concentrate. The feel of the firm muscles clenched beneath her hand had her mind sliding into X-rated imagery.

 

“What did I say that made ya think about your agent?” Faith asked, trying to help Buffy get back on track.

 

“She’s from Mexico,” Buffy answered gratefully as her thoughts regained a little clarity.

 

“Gonna have her start lookin’ for buyers for the house?” Faith asked, gently reaching back to remove Buffy’s hand from her pocket.

 

It wasn’t that she didn’t want it there. It was just distracting and a little too arousing when they were supposed to be doing the friendship thing. She entwined their fingers and gently bumped hips with Buffy.

 

“That and I want to ask her to start looking into apartments for me,” Buffy answered, pausing to run her free hand over a velvety soft deerskin rug. “I can’t stay at Dawn’s forever. We’d end up killing each other.”

 

“Sure you could,” Faith muttered, feeling her chest tighten in disappointment.

 

She internally rolled her eyes at herself. She’d known it would happen eventually. She’d just really enjoyed the past couple of weeks. The time they’d spent together had been priceless and she’d love to have more.

 

“It’ll probably take her a good while to find a place,” Buffy said, smiling at the thought.

 

“Soundin’ a little too happy about that, B,” Faith teased.

 

Buffy paused to look over at Faith with a sarcastic expression plastered on her face. She wasn’t even going to dignify that with a response. They both knew the reason for it, even if they weren’t saying it aloud. She shook her head at the wink Faith gave her.

 

 

Chapter Eighteen: Welcome Back

 

“Come on, let’s motorvate, B,” Faith grumbled over the chime of the door ajar alarm. “The guys should all ready be here.”

 

“Just let me finish checking my make-up,” Buffy muttered, looking in the visor mirror of Faith’s rental car.

 

Faith dropped her head back against the headrest and sighed. She rolled her head to the side and absently studied Buffy in the dim overhead light. It was amazing the difference a month had made. She’d made major progress in regaining her confidence and strength. Faith was proud to have been part of the solution to Buffy’s problems for once.

 

Over the course of the past month, she’d been at Buffy’s side almost constantly. They’d gone Slaying together, went to movies, stayed in to watch TV, and even gone shopping a few more times. It had been an interesting experience. She smirked.

 

Been frustratin’ as Hell, too, Faith mused. She enjoyed their closeness, reveled in it even, but she was a hot blooded Slayer. There was only so much contact she could take before her body demanded more. The only consolation she had was that she wasn’t the only one suffering.

 

She glanced at the club they were parked in front of and shook her head. She didn’t know what they were thinking when they’d agreed to come here. They’d both stayed well away from this type of atmosphere since the night they’d gotten drunk. It hadn’t been a conscious decision; it was just how it had gone.

 

It was one of our better decisions, ‘cause God knows the last thing we need is our judgment impaired, Faith thought with a soft snort. We do just fine on our own.

 

“You ready to go?” Buffy asked, flipping the visor up and reaching for the door handle.

 

“‘Bout fuckin’ time,” Faith muttered, pushing her door open the rest of the way.

 

“Oh bite me,” Buffy replied, smirking slightly as she moved around to Faith’s side.

 

“Don’t tempt me,” She replied, crossing the parking lot to the front door of the club.

 

She bypassed the line, ignoring the shouts of protest from the people waiting to get in. Willow had made reservations to get them in as VIP, so there was no way she was waiting in line. The rest of those people could kiss her ass if they had a problem with it. She pulled the pass from her pocket as she noticed the massive doorman stiffening at their approach.

 

“You have to go to the end of the line, ladies.”

 

“We got passes that say differently,” Faith rasped, holding up the silver plastic card.

 

“Let me see some ID and both of your Club Avalon VIP Visas, please,” He replied, holding out a hand for the items.

 

Faith turned and took the cards Buffy was holding out and then handed them to the doorman along with her own. She crossed her arms over her chest and watched as he swiped first the VIP cards and then their IDs. Seconds later the pager on his belt beeped and he nodded, returning the items to them.

 

“Sorry about that, ladies. We have to be careful,” He said apologetically as he punched in a code on the system by the door.

 

The doors slid open and Faith turned to flip off the people waiting in line as she walked backwards into the club. She laughed as the doors closed behind them on the loudly voiced complaints from the crowd. She winked at Buffy and handed her back her cards. She ignored the rolled eyes she received and slid her own cards into her back pocket.

 

“Come on, let’s find the gang before you get us into trouble,” Buffy muttered, slipping the cards into her pocket.

 

“Red said this place was split into two sections, the coffee shop and the club, right?”

 

“Yeah, but did she say which part they’d be waiting in?”

 

“Excuse me, ladies? May I help you?”

 

They both turned at the sound of the voice and found a raised dais just a few feet to their right. A woman in a black and white tux stood behind a podium, a polite smile creasing her lightly glossed pink lips. They shared a look and stepped closer.

 

“Yeah, we’re meetin’ some friends here. Can ya tell us where they are or somethin’?”

 

“What were your passes registered under?” She asked, glancing down at the silver PalmPilot Handheld in her hand.

 

“Re—Willow Rosenberg,” Faith replied, stumbling over the redhead’s name.

 

She spun the stylus in her fingers and then touched it to the screen several times. Then she glanced up and gave them a slight smirk.

 

“They’re waiting for you inside the club. Ms. Rosenberg left instructions for you.”

 

Buffy gave her a wary look. “I’m not so sure I want to know, but go ahead and tell us. Be warned, I may end up killing my best friend depending on what she said.”

 

“She simply said for the two of you to stay away from the bar since they weren’t in the mood to see lust-bunnies tonight,” She relayed the message, trying not to laugh.

 

“Which way do we go to get in?” Faith asked, gently rubbing the mortified blonde’s back between her shoulder blades.

 

“Those doors right there,” The woman replied, leaning over the podium to point to the back of the coffee shop where another set of steel double doors waited.

 

“Thanks,” Buffy muttered gently shoving Faith ahead of her.

 

She followed behind her, trying to get the heat in her face to recede. She couldn’t be too upset with her friend, since she was very aware that it was a genuine concern. Her gaze dropped to the leather-clad ass and hips swaying in front of her. Then she sucked in a breath and forced her attention to move ahead to where the doors were.

 

The two Slayers were only a couple inches from the doors when they slid open. Loud, sensuous rock music greeted them and they entered the multi-colored strobe-lit club. The doors slid shut behind them and Buffy hooked a finger through Faith’s belt loop. Faith reached back and grabbed Buffy’s free hand as they dodged a few of the more enthusiastic dancers.

 

Faith briefly closed her eyes and concentrated. Then she smirked as she reopened them and followed the Slayer bond to where Kennedy was. They were led to the back of the club where a seating area had been set up. Several overstuffed sofas lined the back wall, with a few recliners set up in a half-circle in front of each and coffee tables in the middle of each half-circle.

 

Kennedy was sitting on one end of the sofa at the left end of the room with the rest of their group spread out in their area. Dawn was seated in one of the three chairs, while Willow sat next to Kennedy with Xander on the other side holding hands with Renee. Kennedy glanced up as she felt their approach and gave them a nod.

 

“They’re here,” Kennedy said, bringing them to the attention of the rest of the group.

 

“Hey, guys,” Willow called out as they reached them.

 

“Hey,” Faith muttered, lowering herself into one of the recliners.

 

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Buffy asked, tugging on her belt loop.

 

Faith sighed and paused with her hands on the chair arms. “Sittin’ down, what does it look like? You had me runnin’ around the mall all fuckin’ day, B.”

 

“You poor baby,” Buffy murmured. “Want me to kiss it and make it better?”

 

Faith narrowed her eyes and straightened, leaning her face closer to Buffy’s. “Nah, but there is somethin’ ya can kiss,” She said sweetly, smiling so her dimples showed.

 

“Maybe later,” Buffy laughed. “But first, you’re getting me a drink and then dancing with me.”

 

Their friends watched in amusement as Faith just shook her head and stomped off, muttering under her breath. Then they looked back at Buffy to see her take the seat Faith had been about to settle in. In unison, they rolled their eyes and reached for their drinks on the coffee table. It was going to be yet another interesting night.

 

“So how do you feel about going back to work Monday?” Xander asked, his voice breaking up the silence that had settled on the group.

 

Buffy smiled slightly. As much as she’d enjoyed the last few weeks, and she had, all good things must come to an end. The vacation time Giles had given her was officially over. That was the reason for their outing tonight actually—the gang had wanted to give her a night out in honor of her return to work.

 

“I’m caught between looking forward to it and dreading it, honestly,” She replied with a wry smile. “Once I got everything settled all there was left to do was bum around, and I never thought I’d say it, but that gets old after a while.”

 

“I totally get that,” Renee said, leaning into Xander’s side. “That’s how I felt before I learned about the whole Slayer gig. I was bumming around after college and it was starting to get really boring.”

 

Buffy nodded and her expression fell slightly. “But I have to admit I’m going to miss having so much time with Faith. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her better.”

 

“Aw, gee, B. I’ve enjoyed it too,” Faith said with a sarcastic edge as she leaned over the back of the chair to hand Buffy her drink.

 

Buffy looked up at her and Faith winked. Then Faith took a sip of her own drink and paused to lean her chin on Buffy’s head.

 

“Wanna tell me why you stole my seat?”

 

Buffy shook her head and sipped from her drink, blinking in surprise as the taste hit her tongue. She pulled away from Faith and looked up at her.

 

“This is plain Coke. Why?”

 

“‘Cause the last thing we need is alcohol.”

 

“True,” Buffy muttered, ignoring the smirk Kennedy was giving them.

 

“Glad we’re agreed,” She murmured, wrapping an arm across Buffy’s upper chest.

 

“Drink up so we can hit the dance floor.”

 

***

 

Half an hour later, Buffy was regretting her decision. There was only so much she could take. She didn’t even know how Faith was managing to contain herself with the way their hands kept straying. Then again, it seemed to her that Faith wasn’t really trying to.

 

Faith’s hips writhed against her ass and the arm around her waist kept Buffy in place as her other hand strayed to caress anything within her reach. She had little choice but to stay and dance, which was the only reason her arm was reaching back to wrap around Faith’s neck. Or at least that was what she was telling herself.

 

The leg between hers that was rhythmically grinding against her center pressed harder with each beat of the drums in the song playing. Their breathing was as out of control as their heartbeats were. The heat they were generating in each other was solely to blame for the sweat drenching both women, even with the crowd surrounding them.

 

Their hearts weren’t the only things pounding. Buffy whimpered softly as the seam of her tight jeans rubbed against her aching clit. Faith’s thigh pushed harder against her and she gasped, feeling her pussy convulse. Her nails dug into Faith’s nape reflexively, drawing a hiss of pleasure from Faith.

 

Their friends had been watching the show with a mixture of alarm and amusement. They’d seen it plenty of times, but this time it seemed a little too... serious. The energy coming off them had Kennedy and Renee’s Slayer senses going crazy. It wasn’t until they noticed things heading into dangerous territory that Willow decided to intervene.

 

Faith’s hand cupped her through her jeans and Buffy’s mouth fell open. Her hips jerked reflexively against the strong, confident touch. Her mind was telling her to put a stop to this but her body refused to listen. Just as her body was starting to win out, the two women were gently guided apart by an unseen force.

 

Faith blinked the haze of lust away and felt her stomach drop as reality set in. Oh fuck. She chanced a glance at Buffy and released a groan. That was too fuckin’ close.

 

“What the fuck, Red?” She ran a hand through her hair as she tried to steady her breathing.

 

“Hands were in naughty places,” Willow muttered, grabbing Buffy’s arm and pulling her in the opposite direction of where Faith stood.

 

“W—where are we going?” Buffy stammered in confusion, trying to comprehend what was happening since her brain hadn’t quite caught up.

 

“I’m putting you in timeout until you calm down. Don’t even think about following us, Faith,” She called back, chuckling as she heard both Slayers muttering indistinctly.

 

She kept tugging the reluctant blonde until they reached the bathroom. She pushed the door open and Buffy followed her inside. She checked to make sure it was empty and then turned to face her friend. Noticing Buffy’s flushed features and dilated pupils, she smirked and retrieved a handful of paper towels from the dispenser.

 

She quickly wet them at the sink and then approached her friend, holding the paper towels out to her. Not getting a reaction, Willow rolled her eyes and moved Buffy’s hair away from her neck so she could place the wet paper against her neck. Buffy flinched at first and then let out a shuddering breath, groaning in relief at the chill.

 

“What’s the problem, Buff?” Willow asked, concerned. “You two have always been intense, but this was a little much for even the two of you.”

 

Buffy took over holding the paper towels against her skin and moved to lean against the row of sinks. She blew out a harsh breath and gave the redhead a sardonic look.

 

“The problem?” She asked hoarsely, her eyebrows lifting expressively. “The problem is that we’ve found a new way to torture each other.”

 

 

Chapter Nineteen: Back to the Grind

 

Buffy rolled her chair back from her desk with a groan. She’d entered her office earlier to find a full inbox on her desk and an even worse off one in her e-mail. It had taken her the entire morning to sift through most of it. She turned her chair to face the window to her right, gazing out at the expanse of trees in the backyard.

 

The day had gone better than she’d expected so far. There hadn’t been any messages from Satsu, nor had there been any awkward silences whenever she’d entered a room. That was of the good. It meant that maybe—just maybe, their problems had all ready made the circuit and were now old news.

 

She could hope, at least. She turned her head to look at the white phone sitting by her monitor, contemplating calling Faith and inviting her to lunch. Then it rang and she jumped, blinking in surprise. She laughed and shook her head as she turned to answer.

 

“Buffy Summers, how can I help you?”

 

“I need to see you in my office, please,” Giles replied abruptly.

 

“I’ll be right there.”

 

She pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it. I can’t believe he just hung up on me. Who pissed in his tea?

 

She winced and shook her head as she replaced the phone on the base. I’ve been spending entirely too much time with Faith.

 

Buffy stood and left her office. Then she walked down the hallway to the office at the end which displayed, “Rupert Giles, Head of the Watcher’s Council”, in gold letters on the glazed window. She opened the door and peered inside, entering at Giles’ gesture. She crossed the room to settle in one of the comfortable leather guest chairs.

 

“What’s the what?” She asked, tilting her head curiously.

 

Giles smiled and leaned back in his chair, folding his hands on top of the desk. “I simply wished to inquire as to how you are and find out if your return has gone smoothly.”

 

“It’s been a little tense, but other than that everyone’s minded their own,” Buffy replied, leaning her elbow on the chair arm.

 

Giles leaned forward unconsciously and caught her gaze, giving her a concerned look. “And how are you?”

 

She smiled slightly and murmured, “Better than I’d expected, truthfully. Faith really came through for me and helped me deal a lot better than I would have without her.”

 

Giles settled back in his seat once more, smirking faintly. “That doesn’t surprise me. I’ll take this time to say something I should have long ago. I – told – you – so.”

 

Buffy stuck her tongue out in reply and then chuckled along with Giles. She sighed and nodded. “I owe you a lot for not letting me mess up again back then.”

 

They shared a knowing look. When Giles and Faith had first returned to work alongside Buffy to retrieve the Scythe, he’d had to run interference more than once. They hadn’t had time to deal with the aftermath of the mess with the rogue slayer, Genevieve since they’d continued to avoid each other. Buffy was determined to force a confrontation, while Faith had simply wanted to get the job done and get away from Buffy.

 

Then one day she’d managed to catch Faith alone and they’d argued bitterly. Giles had arrived just as Faith stormed from the room. He’d been absolutely livid and went off on Buffy, explaining exactly what had happened before and after her appearance during Faith’s mission in vivid detail. Then he’d told her exactly what kind of effect it had had on Faith and he’d given her a clear warning to stay away from Faith if she insisted on continuing with their past behavior.

 

It had been a sobering experience for Buffy to have him so angry at her. Then once she’d calmed down later on, his words had actually sunk in and she’d finally felt the weight of it. Learning the effect her words and actions had had on Faith and the situation had flooded her with shame and guilt. That had been the turning point for her and the cornerstone of her decision to try to change the way she reacted to Faith.

 

A knock on the door interrupted Giles’ reply and he called out, “Come in.”

 

Buffy lowered her head slightly, smiling broadly as the tingles told her who it was. Faith had still been asleep in the den when she’d left for work that morning. She turned to look over her shoulder as the door swung open and then Faith sauntered in.

 

“Mornin’, G-man, B,” Faith rasped, approaching them.

 

“It’s closer to afternoon, Faith,” Giles said, arching his eyebrows slightly.

 

“We’ve had this discussion before, ain’t we?” Faith asked, moving to sit on the arm of Buffy’s chair.

 

“Yes,” He muttered and then added, “You do realize there is another chair, don’t you?”

 

“Yeah,” Faith replied, shrugging.

 

“Are you here simply to drive me insane?” Giles asked when she didn’t move.

 

“Nah,” Faith replied with a smirk. “I figured that was what B was for.”

 

Buffy rolled her eyes and leaned her elbow on Faith’s thigh. She head-butted Faith’s arm and then it settled over her shoulders. Then she glanced up at Faith and narrowed her eyes.

 

“Why are you here?” She asked. “I was planning to call you when I got back to my office to invite you to lunch.”

 

Faith tugged at a strand of blonde hair that had fallen loose from the bun Buffy had her hair in. She glanced briefly at Giles and smirked at the obvious attempt he was making to ignore their actions as he cleaned his glasses. Then she glanced back at Buffy.

 

“Y’know, great minds and all that,” She replied, wiggling her eyebrows.

 

Giles put his glasses back on and sighed, “As scintillating as your conversation is, ladies, I do have work to do unlike some people.”

 

Faith ignored the pointed glance she was given and tilted her head, looking at Buffy curiously. “Ya ever get the feelin’ he’s tryin’ to get rid of us?”

 

“Constantly,” Buffy replied, snickering.

 

“Let’s go see if Red and Ken can stomach our company,” Faith said, standing and holding out a hand to Buffy.

 

“It’s you they can’t stand,” Buffy grumbled as she grabbed the offered hand and let her friend tug her up from her seat.

 

“Un-uh,” Faith replied as she led them from the office. “You’re the one who ran ‘em off Friday night.”

 

“Nope,” Buffy muttered. “That was you and your roaming hands, miss grabs-a-lot.”

 

“I wasn’t alone—”

 

The door closed on Faith’s words and Giles laughed. “Dear lord, I think I preferred it when those two didn’t get along,” He muttered, smiling despite his words.

 

***

 

As they entered the dining room, both Slayers were still laughing from the teasing they’d subjected each other to. Their arms were loosely wrapped about each other’s waist and their comfort with each other was obvious. Buffy laid her cheek on Faith’s shoulder as Faith glanced around, looking for their original quarry. Their visits to Willow and Kennedy’s offices had come up empty so they’d hoped to find them here.

 

Faith found the two women almost immediately. Her gaze locked with Willow’s and she gave her a nod as she tugged Buffy toward their table. They released each other’s waist and entwined their fingers together so they could navigate between the small tables that dotted the room. She slowed as they approached their friends, taking in the files and paperwork strewn over part of the table.

 

“Hey, what’s the what?” Buffy asked as she took the seat opposite Willow.

 

Faith turned her chair backwards and straddled it, crossing her arms and leaning them on the back. She tilted her head and studied the sheepish look Willow was giving her. Then she sighed and shook her head.

 

“I got the feelin’ I ain’t gonna like it, whatever it is.”

 

“Well, neither of you probably will,” Willow muttered, glancing back down at the page she held.

 

“Just tell us and get it over with, please,” Buffy said, her tone on the verge of becoming a whine.

 

In answer, Willow replaced the paper she held in one of the files and slid it across the table to Faith. Faith simply glared at her in annoyance and Willow gestured at it with her head.

 

“Look at it and you’ll see.”

 

Faith flipped the file open and scanned the first page, her lip curling into a sneer. It was apparent that work was about to intrude into her vacation once again. There was a photo from the Slayer’s ID and she studied it briefly. The girl seemed familiar, but considering just how many Slayers she’d met with multi-colored hair and far too many piercings, she wasn’t surprised.

 

“Can’t one of the other caseworkers handle her?”

 

“No, this one needs someone we know can get the job done. She’s one of the more volatile cases we’ve been dealing with lately and she’s only getting worse.”

 

Faith nodded in resignation. That meant they’d tried everything and this was their last chance. She glanced at Willow.

 

“Am I going in as a caseworker, a team leader, or a grunt?”

 

Willow sighed in relief and replied, “Shawna doesn’t respond well to authority. Giles suggested sending you in as a teammate, since those are the only ones she’ll really interact with.”

 

“Aight, so grunt it is,” She muttered, running her fingers through her hair.

 

She hated the cases that required that. One of the things she truly disliked about it was that it meant lying to the Slayer-in-Training. It also meant risking damage to her progress if someone blew her cover. She glanced at Buffy and met disappointed hazel eyes.

 

“Sorry, B. Looks like I’m gonna have to give lunch a miss.”

 

Buffy reached over and clasped Faith’s thigh under the table. She gently rubbed the firm surface with her thumb and shrugged. She was disappointed, but she understood that they both had responsibilities.

 

“It’s okay. Will I see you before you leave?”

 

“Dunno yet,” Faith replied as she got up. “Gotta go get briefed by G-man first.”

 

Buffy stood and pushed the chair out of the way so she could hug Faith. She wrapped her arms tightly around Faith’s waist and was immediately surrounded by strong arms that encircled her shoulders. She rubbed her cheek gently against Faith’s bare shoulder, and couldn’t help but smile at the contact.

 

“Try not to be gone too long,” She whispered in Faith’s ear.

 

“I ain’t makin’ any promises, but I’ll see what I can do,” Faith mumbled, and then she kissed Buffy’s temple as she reluctantly pulled away.

 

“Bye, Faith,” Willow said when the Slayer turned to retrieve the file from the table.

 

“Later,” She replied as she turned to jog from the dining room.

 

Buffy watched until she was gone and didn’t move until she felt someone approaching her from behind. She turned and bit back several cusswords as she came face to face with Satsu. She met the obviously upset Slayer’s gaze steadily as she crossed her arms over her chest. This is not going to be good, She mused.

 

 

Chapter Twenty: Separation Anxiety

 

“Satsu,” Buffy greeted tensely. “How are you?”

 

She was making a token attempt at keeping things civil. The last thing she wanted was to cause more problems for them. She studied Satsu’s features for a moment, slightly concerned at the amount of strain visible lining her face. Then Buffy inwardly rolled her eyes, irritated.

 

She’s someone else’s problem now. I have enough issues of my own without worrying about her. Buffy gave Satsu an impatient look.

 

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Satsu growled, stepping closer to Buffy.

 

Buffy was peripherally aware of Kennedy and Willow’s movement as they got up from the table and came to stand behind her. She ignored them for the moment and gave Satsu a confused look. The aggression coming from Satsu didn’t worry Buffy in the least. She’d dealt with Slayers far worse than Satsu could even dream of being.

 

Trying not to smirk at the thought of Faith, Buffy asked slowly, “At which time? ‘Cause just now I was wondering what Faith’s going to bring back for me from her trip.”

 

Satsu’s eyes narrowed as she swallowed hard. She opened her mouth to speak and then clamped her jaws shut. Then she exhaled sharply and shook her head incredulously.

 

“Cut the crap, Buffy,” Satsu finally managed to growl. “Did you request a transfer for me from Giles?”

 

“What?” Buffy asked, her eyes widening. “No!”

 

***

 

“I cannot believe the nerve of that woman!”

 

The exasperated exclamation was the first thing she said as she entered the den. Faith simply raised an eyebrow in response and settled more comfortably on the couch. She watched Buffy pace the floor in front of the entertainment center for a few seconds and then sighed silently.

 

“B, get over here and sit down so ya can tell me who pissed ya off this time.”

 

Buffy growled in frustration as she turned to face Faith. She put her hands on her hips and stomped her foot.

 

“I don’t want to sit down! I want to smack the Hell out of Satsu,” She whined.

 

Fuck, I’m gonna miss her. Faith tilted her head slightly in concession and scratched absently at her eyebrow. “I totally get it, ‘cause I get that urge often, but what I don’t get is why now.”

 

“She fucking accused me of requesting a transfer for her,” Buffy muttered, crossing the room to flop down on the opposite end of the couch.

 

She blinked and asked, “Ya didn’t, right?”

 

“No! That’s why it has me so pissed off,” Buffy explained, exasperated. “I don’t think she believed me when I told her, but I’m not so sure I care. I’m starting to think it’s actually a good idea, to tell you the truth. Not because of me, but because of her!”

 

“Can’t blame ya there,” Faith said, chuckling softly. “God was I ever grateful when Wood requested a transfer to NY.”

 

“That’s not it. I don’t want her gone just ‘cause our relationship’s over with,” Buffy said sadly. “If it weren’t for her behavior, I’d probably be able to deal with her on a professional level. But she can’t accept the truth about anything I say and I doubt she ever will.”

 

Faith gave her a knowing look. “B, you’ve forgiven your exes for a lot of shit, but I doubt even you can forgive the fact that she cheated.”

 

Buffy winced and shrugged sheepishly. “Okay, so I probably would’ve been a complete bitch to her whenever I had to face her alone, but still.”

 

Faith chewed the inside of her cheek as she considered her. Buffy was stressed, that was for certain. There was also a hint of dejection there too and that needed to be taken care of before it got out of hand. Faith smirked and stood, holding out a hand to Buffy.

 

“C’mon, let’s get ya into a hot bubble bath while I’m cookin’ dinner. Then ya can come down here and I’ll tell ya all about the briefin’ G-man gave me.”

 

Buffy looked up, considering her. Then she put her hand in Faith’s and allowed her to tug her up. A gentle hand nudged her toward the door and she moved slowly.

 

“Get a move on, B. And I better not see ya before I get dinner done.”

 

She looked over her shoulder at Faith and gave a half-smile. “Thanks for this, Faith.”

 

Faith shrugged. “I ain’t done anything yet, but maybe I’ll give ya a massage later so you’ll have a reason to thank me.”

 

“Okay,” Buffy agreed easily before she left the room.

 

***

 

“Okay, so are you going to tell me about your mission?”

 

Faith looked up from her plate and quickly finished chewing. She swallowed and then chased it down with Pepsi. Then she set her glass back by her plate and shrugged.

 

“First, tell me what you’re gonna do about short-shit’s transfer and then I’ll help ya get your mind off her.”

 

Buffy rolled her eyes and muttered, “Nothing. Obviously Giles thought it was necessary and I’m not going to argue with him about that. I’ll bitch him out for getting into my business, again, but I’m not going to try to change his mind.”

 

“Aight, that’s completely understandable,” Faith replied, nodding.

 

“Why didn’t he mention any of this when we were in his office?” Buffy asked, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.

 

She smirked. “I can only guess that he didn’t wanna hear ya bitchin’ about him meddlin’, and he wanted someone else to be blamed for interruptin’ my vacation.”

 

“So what did he tell you about it?” Buffy asked, absently twirling her fork around in the spaghetti on her plate.

 

“You remember that kid, Shawna Nocona?” She mumbled around a mouthful of garlic bread.

 

Buffy’s eyebrows furrowed. The name was familiar, but she just couldn’t recall why. She shrugged in answer.

 

“Not really. Is she a Slayer?”

 

Faith nodded. “Yeah, she is. I think it was like four, maybe five years ago when Red and her geeks located her. A couple caseworkers went out to explain her status to her parents, and they ended up refusin’ to let us anywhere near the kid.”

 

Buffy’s eyes widened as the memory cleared up. She leaned forward and said, “Yeah, I remember that now. Like three months later they were out late and were attacked by vamps. It was just by luck that one of the older Slayers happened to be in the area and she got there just in time to save the kid, but her parents were all ready dead.”

 

They shared a sad smile and then Faith continued with her explanation. “Yeah, that was her. Well, she refused to come to the academy, but agreed to be placed with a watcher. We put her with an older one who could train her the way we were trained.”

 

“Okay,” Buffy said slowly. “So what’s the problem?”

 

Faith winced. “She’s actin’ out, gettin’ into all kinds of trouble, y’know? Sorta like I was when we first met, but she’s more of a delinquent than nuts.”

 

Buffy rolled her eyes. “You weren’t nuts, you were just out of control.”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” Faith drawled. “However ya wanna put it, it doesn’t change the fact that this thirteen year old kid is headin’ for disaster. They’ve tried everything, but she won’t cooperate, and she barely socializes. She responds better to her teammates than she does watchers and caseworkers, but even that’s dicey.”

 

“They want you to go in as a teammate, right?” She asked, recalling the information Willow had given at lunch.

 

“Yeah, ‘cause it’ll put me in a position to get close to the kid and figure out what makes her tick,” Faith replied, her shoulders slumping slightly.

 

“What’s wrong?” Buffy asked, looking at her in concern.

 

Anguished dark brown eyes lifted to study her. Then Faith exhaled sharply and shook her head.

 

“I hate havin’ to deceive these kids. In the world most of ‘em come from, secrets and lies are usually part of their biggest problem.” She shrugged. “I guess I just feel like such a fuckin’ bastard ‘cause I’m doin’ almost the same thing the people who fucked ‘em over did.”

 

“No you’re not,” Buffy objected, realizing what it was Faith was getting at. “You’re lying to actually get somewhere you’ll be able to help them from. Those other people were doing it for their own sick, twisted gain or protection.”

 

“Hmm,” Faith murmured noncommittally and then she sighed. “Anyway, Giles has a flight set up for me at nine AM.”

 

Buffy studied Faith for a moment, considering whether she should argue the point further. Then she decided she’d wait until the mission was over. It would be easier to convince Faith she wasn’t a bad guy when the kid was safe. Or at least Buffy hoped it would be.

 

“Have you packed yet?”

 

“Yeah, I did that as soon as I got back.”

 

Buffy stood and started clearing the breakfast bar of their dirty dishes. She gave Faith a brief smile as Faith joined her and they quickly had the breakfast bar cleared. As they were washing the dishes, Buffy kept glancing at Faith. Then she sighed.

 

“How long do you think you’ll be gone?”

 

“It could be anywhere from three months to a year,” Faith muttered, wincing slightly.

 

Buffy’s heart clenched painfully in response and she bit her bottom lip. Tears welled up in her eyes and she swallowed hard, fighting to maintain her composure. She set the plate she was cleaning back into the sink and retrieved a hand towel to dry her hands. Then she leaned against the counter and finally forced her gaze back to Faith’s.

 

“That long, huh?”

 

Faith gave her an understanding smile and reached out to pull Buffy into her arms. Buffy immediately burrowed into her embrace and Faith nuzzled her ear. Buffy shivered and Faith tightened her hold, rubbing her hands over the tense back.

 

“C’mon, let’s go upstairs and I’ll give ya that massage I promised.”

 

Buffy pulled back slightly and shook her head, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” She mumbled, letting out a shuddering breath.

 

Trying not to whine, Faith asked, “Why not?”

 

“We both know what’s going to happen if we go up there right now. I’m not strong enough to pull away and neither are you.”

 

Faith gave her a half-grin in acknowledgement. Neither of them was ready for a repeat of what had happened at the club. With the neediness we’re both feelin’, it wouldn’t take too much for it to spiral out of our control again.

 

She brushed a tear from Buffy’s cheek and sighed. Fuck, it’s too soon to be leavin’ her like this. She’s still dependin’ on me so fuckin’ much every day.

 

 

Continued