A/N – So I'm a huge Buffy the vampire fan and especially a Faith fan, this is my first attempt at fuffy fic so all feedback and reviews are much appreciated. I don't own anything just having fun.
Moments after the fall of Sunnydale
As the group stood and let the huge hole in the ground sink in, questions began to raise both internally and externally for the individuals.
"What are we gonna do now?" Dawn piped up
"Yea you're not the only chosen one anymore B" Faith added, "With the hellmouth destroyed what are you gonna do?"
"There's another one in Cleveland" Giles interjected "Sorry…but its true" was his reply when all faces turned to meet him with a WTF look
"Can I push him in?" Faith asked
"You got my vote" Willow chuckled
"I just want to sleep for like a week yo" Faith added
Buffy stood and smiled at the typical responses of her team members. They had done it; they had beaten back the first evil. Buffy's soul was screaming inside of the pleasure of victory but it also was folded over in knots as she thought about the death of Spike, Anya and the other girls, most of which were only faces to her. Sure she wished she could have gotten to know them but it wasn't in the cards and of course they were not really sure about her so what was the point. However being responsible for leading people into their final moments has a way of sobering the moment and her smile quickly faded.
She wanted to throw something or hit something or honestly just get really drunk until the fun side took over the pain side. She didn't really care what they did now as long as she could just forget. She closed her eyes briefly as the sun set and said a silent prayer to the powers that be that she would find a way to start over and stop the nightmares she was sure to have. At that moment Buffy jerked as she felt a hand rest on her shoulder, she turned to meet the eyes of Faith…who could feel the turmoil within Buffy. "You ok B?" she asked in a whisper only loud enough for the slayer to pick up on "I can feel your wiggins" she added.
"Faith…I….I just can't….." and with that a single tear escaped her eye and fell down her cheek. She quickly turned back towards the crater hoping no one saw the emotional break and wiped her face with her sleeve. As her lifted her arm she felt the burn of her stab wound and winced with pain only to feel Faith again place her hand upon her.
"We need to go now…no more glory basking" Faith said as she positioned herself to assist Buffy back to the bus. Buffy began to protest but the dark haired slayer shushed her counterpart and carried her back to the bus. Robin had been moved by Xander to a front seat and one of the potentials was helping to apply pressure to his wound. Faith glanced at Robin as she assisted Buffy to the back of the bus knowing it may be the last time she saw life in his eyes, she wasn't a doctor but a slayer knew a mortal wound when she saw one, plus it looked a lot like the one she had caused years ago to Alan Finch…she shuddered but continued on, right now she wanted to make sure Buffy was ok more than Robin, she didn't know why but she couldn't leave the blondes side.
Giles took over the driver's seat position and started the engine as Faith and Buffy made their way through the bus. They approached the back of the bus where Faith gently lay Buffy down into the seat before grabbing a first aid kit and attending to the older slayer. She reached for Buffy's shirt and lifted it up to see the deep cut towards Buffy's side, luckily it had stopped bleeding but even with the slayer healing she knew it could probably use some stitches and at least a shot of some kind of antibiotic, infection, good drugs thing. Buffy continued to be silent looking out the window as they drove not even turning to look at Faith or her wound.
Faith sat by Buffy's side the entire 3 hour ride towards LA, the bus sped on as they tried to find a hospital in the desolate stretch of road they were on. She watched Buffy and could feel her counterpart struggling with the guilt and joy inside that she herself also was feeling. Unlike Buffy her guilt though centered more around herself than those lost. She wasn't sure if she actually belonged here, in this world without evil. For so long it gave her a purpose and then of course was responsible for her downfall but in the end she was standing next to the one person who she trusted would always know what to do….and now she hadn't said anything in the last 3 hours. Faith was finally on the "right side" of things but no one was congratulating her or even guiding her on how to celebrate this new feeling. Why wasn't Buffy talking or even telling her to get away…I mean other than their conversation about the Scythe this was the longest Buffy and Faith had spent together in five years without one of them hitting the other. Faith was perplexed enough that her brow furrowed and she shift anxiously in her seat. As much as she felt Buffy's anxiety, Buffy must have felt Faith's too because a hand suddenly rested on her knee. "I don't know why….but I feel better with you closer…" she smiled slightly at a stunned Faith Wait did that just happen Faith asked herself as Buffy pated her knee and returned her gaze back towards the setting sun. "Not a chance B, I think you might be stuck with me now, convict in hiding ya know…." Faith chuckled as she squeezed the hand on top of her leg now.
Finally shortly after the sun went down the found a small down just north of the city with a hospital visible from the roadway. Giles pulled the bus into the ER parking lot trying and stopped. He jumped out of the bus quickly alerting the medical staff they were in need of assistance…a lot of assistance. Those who weren't hurt helped the injured off the bus and onto gurneys or into wheel chairs. Robin was the most crucial of any of the injured so he was rushed off quickly by several doctors. True to her word Faith never left Buffy as they brought her back to triage to examine the wound. Dawn of course would be able to go with her sister so Faith hugged the smaller Summers saying "I'm a sister too…what you can't see the resemblance?" the doctors annoyed but overwhelmed didn't put up much of a protest.
A few staples and drugs later Buffy was fine and released, Robin was still in surgery and a few other potentials were scattered around the hospital. Andrew and Xander had gone ahead to pick up room keys at a local hotel that Angel had reserved for them shortly after Willow had called upon their arrival to the hospital. It was decided that those who could return for rest would while Giles and Willow would stay at the hospital to update on Robin and the few remaining girls.
The hotel was a quiet one off the road, one story which made it easier for the injured to roll from the bus to the bed so to speak. Faith assisted Buffy into her room as the older slayer's arm hung around Faith's shoulders they eased their way from the bus into the room. It was small but it would serve its purpose, just a TV, full size bed and a small bathroom. She placed the blonde on the bed and helped her to find a comfortable position. There were no words spoken but they seem to be having a conversation comfortably at least in Faith's eyes. Once she was situated she smiled at Buffy, "Ok I think you're set…sleep well little lady" ok seriously what was that 'little lady' who says that…wait why do I care what I say to her…it's just Buffy…I'm gonna go now. Faith stepped back towards the door but hesitated when the blonde called back to her.
"Faith, um…you can stay I mean can you stay in here…with me?" Buffy asked
"Are you sure B, I'm sure I can switch out with X-man or even Willow at the hospital. I'm not usually a first choice candidate for company…." Faith questioned her.
Buffy sighed never breaking eye contact with the brunette. "I know…but…honestly right now I don't want anyone to tell me how great this day is or how proud they are of me…I need someone to just be with me…no questions asked or tales told, can you do that just sit with me and help me pretend that people didn't just d-die and the world we know didn't just come crashing down into a huge hole. No more tears or moping I'm done with that…hell I told someone I loved them today and they told me I didn't pretty sure not much crappier than that. I wanna for lack of a better phrase "find the fun". Come on you're supposed to be the one with the no regrets mentality right…teach me how to do that…how to just be here with a…a… a friend."
Faith's mouth curved into a small smile and she just nodded at the blonde. She stepped forward and sat on the bed Indian style facing Buffy. "Buffy you are ok, we are all ok…thanks to you and course me…but I get it. You want to just start over right? Just begin again and you are not sure where to start….I'm no expert but I will try to steer you around the curves…at least tonight. And thanks…for calling me your friend…that means…well hell it means a lot"
"Faith I'm just tired…of dancing around our connection…even at our worst I still always hoped we could kiss and make up so to speak. We are the chosen two, the first two slayers to ever be here at the same time with the same goals…well except when you went crazy but whatever, I think we can have a good relationship….I mean friendship…I mean we have made mistakes…some bigger than others but we are both to blame for what happened all those years ago and even though I meant what I said then and I'm sure you did too…I'm done with it all. I am sick of labels and judging if this whole fucking things has taught me anything it's that well life is too damn short….or it my case broken up by a couple gory deaths…" they both laughed "You and me are gonna start over somewhere and we are going to be friends….I've decided that's how its gonna be…so start with the friendness Faith…start it up"
"One condition" Faith smirked "I know you and I have never been on the same page but a battle like that has my H&H post battle feelings in overdrive so no killing me if I accidently spoon you in my sleep" she laughed hoping Buffy would respond in a way other than silence. It had its desired affect….
Buffy actually smiled "Faith, you and the H&H feelings…like I expected anything different. However, actually food does sound amazing let's order pizza." Buffy reached towards the nightstand for a phone and yellow pages tossing the phone towards the young slayer. "Plus a battle like that, you'll be surprised to know my H&H is in high gear too…so no promises from my side of the bed either" she winked at Faith and began browsing the phone book.
Faith felt her jaw drop a little bit at the last comment Buffy made…seriously did she just flirt with me? I mean usually I'm the one with the sexual comments at the inappropriate times, B is stealing my gig…and I kinda like it…oh shit…she thought as she forced her jaw up and began to dial the number of the pizza place Buffy was reading to her. "Ok guy said 45 minutes…what should we do until then?"
Buffy chuckled as she placed the phone book back in the drawer, "Well you could use a shower…if we are going to be honest" she smirked towards Faith.
"Is that so?"
"Yea you're coming in on the side of stank"
"And here I thought you just wanted me out of my clothes"
"I…I…no I mean I thought you would like to get so fresh and so clean clean" Buffy stuttered as she did a little dance with her hands towards the end of her statement
"come on B, I'm kidding…one thing though you got next cause I may be stank but you have blood and guts all over ya….not attractive one bit"
Buffy scoffed "Whatever post battle I am at my hottest ever" Buffy yelled playfully as Faith retreated into the bathroom before a pillow hit her in the face. Faith showered for only about 20 minutes realizing that if she took all the hot water she probably wouldn't hear the end of it. She wrapped herself in a towel and exited the bathroom to find Buffy flipping aimlessly through the channels "Slight problem B…did we like pack a overnight bag before the apocalypse, cause otherwise I got nothing but dirty jeans, dirty shirt and dirty jacket…and of course not so fresh bra also…"
"Shit, I never thought of that…." Buffy paused, "…wait what about underwear?"
"Ha-ha one thing you should remember about me Buffy is big battle…"
"…calls for commando….yea I remember Faith" she laughed
"Seriously though I can only do so much with this towel B…find us some clothes gimpy"
"First of all don't call me Gimpy…second…flesh wound here you find us some clothes…"
"What you want me to do run to Walmart in a towel?"
"Well the excitement factor would be there…."
"B…focus"
"Ok fine go knock on the girl's doors I'm sure someone packed clothes…Dawn probably brought her whole damn closet"
Faith then did something she wasn't sure would make her regret later or not. Buffy had mentioned their connection, but Faith always thought Buffy felt it was more of just a we have the same calling thing. Faith had secretly crushed a bit on Buffy a bit, she was a bi-curious individual always stating she "fell in love with the person not their parts" but now she wanted to see if maybe just maybe Buffy could be crushing a bit too so she decided to take a chance. She adjusted the towel so that it was now only covering her from the waist down leaving her chest exposed to Buffy. It was done clearly not to upset Buffy but for faith to find a suitable covering to walk the halls of the hotel, however she couldn't help but glance to see if Buffy squirmed…but she didn't, but there was some blushing. Faith grabbed the sheet from underneath Buffy and wrapped it toga style around her and proceeded out the door leaving a blushing Buffy in her wake… "Stop looking at my ass B" is all Buffy heard as the door closed.
Knock knock
Dawn opened her hotel room door to see a very Greek goddess like woman at her door and scoffed when she focused on Faith's face. "So you in search of some virgins or something cause I think we have some around here….or maybe some dates…yeah dates are yummy"
"Hey brat, jeez focus…god just like your sister. Listen B and I are in need of some non demon blood or dirty battle torn threads, got something we can borrow?"
Confused at Buffy's request of a once mortal enemy Dawn asked "Why are you doing Buffy's dirty work…get it laundry…dirty work…going for Sainthood Faith?"
Faith ignored the comment and proceeded into Dawn's room rummaging around in a suitcase that in all reality probably did contain most of Dawn's closet…funny thing about B is she does know her peeps. "Your sister is in a strange place right now Dawn, don't worry I won't cramp her style…Ill just help until she doesn't need it anymore…new thing I'm trying"
"You would know about strange places wouldn't you…plus she won't let you hang around that much longer" the young girls words were laced with insults and it wasn't going unnoticed.
"Listen I didn't come to pick a fight with you I just need some clothes ok"
"Whatever…there is some sweats and stuff at the bottom…get whatever you need…wait you're not staying in my sister's room are you?
"Why does it matter to you, you have the girls to keep you company"
"My sister does not share a bed with convicted killers…well killers maybe…but well you…you know what I mean"
"Dawn…shut it ok…" this time Faith whipped around with clothes in her hand to face the young girl and began to raise her voice. "Buffy is the only reason I'm still here you realize that right…yeah you do cause it's the reason you are too so leave me out of your little mind game…I don't have time for that shit…I'm helping B end of story maybe if you got your head out of your ass you would see that maybe the reason I'm helping her is cause no one else would…and also because she can't get it from you anyway…."
"Fu…"
"Careful Dawn mother is always watching" and with that she brushed past her into the hallway and back to Buffy's room shaking her head at the outbreak she had just had. She entered the room to hear the shower running and the small clock radio was on loud enough that she was sure Buffy could hear it…she laughed and changed into the sweats provided by the brat and then walked over to the bathroom door. She heard the water shut off as she was about to knock however it flew open as Buffy was on the other side preparing to come out…however she was…well she was naked
"Shit Faith…what…what are you doing"
"Sorry sorry I was just gonna make sure you were ok…here here" she grabbed a towel from behind her on the rack and practically threw it at the blonde. "..why didn't you have a towel when you went in"
"Jeez sorry you know gash in my side and splitting head ache must have affected my rational thinking…"
Faith was laughing at this point in the situation…."Thank god no one else was here to see that….would have scared them for life I think…not that I will be able to shake the heebie jeebies out of my head now blondie"
"Whatever…what did you want?"
"Huh…"
"Why were you knocking….did you need something or were you just planning to join me in the shower?" Buffy smirking at the younger slayer
Faith was dumbstruck for a moment but regained her composure. "Wow you weren't kidding about the H&H huh, you really are wound tight…whatever…anyways I saw a small store on my walk to Dawn's room which by the way thanks for I gotta an ear full about the strangeness of the you and me in same room situation…
"Wait Dawn yelled at you?" Buffy interrupted "About what?"
"Come on B you know people don't choose me for companion just like I said, I think she has questions about my intentions for locking myself in a room with you….afraid I'll go all killer an ya…again.." Faith looked down at the floor.
"I'm gonna kick her ass….who does.." Buffy was heading towards the door but Faith grabbed her arm making Buffy realize she was still only in a towel.
"Buffy its fine, I put her in her place…with words not fists…proud aren't ya… seriously though the store I was thinking I'm gonna go grab some drinks and snacks to go with our pizza banquet, any requests"
Buffy's face calmed as she relaxed her body and smiled at Faith, "Something alcoholic"
"Is that a beverage request or a companion request?"
"Shut up…seriously I think we both need a drink don't you. Something fruity though, me and beer not so much with the good…you know what I like right?"
"You read my mind B…um yea ok I will be back in a bit get dressed before the delivery guy gets here though ok cause again with the scarring…."
"Hey Faith…" she turned back at her name just as Buffy dropped her towel again… "Paybacks a bitch huh?" she was laughing as Faith stood jaw open oogling before tripping over her feet towards the door "I can read your mind about other things too…" she yelled out.
Faith was in a state of shock as she walked into the small convenience store at the events that had just unfolded…what the hell just happened. Buffy was outwardly not even a tiny bit discreetly flirting with Faith and she had called her a friend and she had said relationship…she actually intended on doing other things with Faith than just kicking her ass and taking her name…this was like some alternate reality universe or something she was sure of it.
Faith purchased some mixers and the hard stuff as well and returned to the room to see a finally clothed Buffy sitting on the bed opening the 10 pizza boxes all around her. "Come sit, you just missed the pizza guy if he was hot enough I was gonna ask him to stay and calm our other 'H' down but alas the stars were not aligned…looks like we are on our own"
Faith chocked on the pizza she had just grabbed from the box … "What….sorry hot…ok wait Buffy what is with you I mean this is like looking in a mirror and seeing myself with the comments and the drinking and…and the flashing, did beating the first make you slutty or what…and when did you start swearing so much?"
"I swear sometimes…you just bring it out in me… wait did you just call me a slut?"
Faith was mixing drinks now, "well if the shoe fits?" it was more of a question to see how far she could push the other girl without catching a fist to the face like earlier in the week.
"Faith I told you no more labels, no more judging, no more serious straight laced have to lead the charge Buffy…I just want to do the things any normal girl my age would do…pizza and drinking with a friend joking about sex and whatever…it what we would do right…if we weren't superheroes? Remember connection, no denying our healthy bond?"
"True that B, I guess it's time to just be regular middle of the road drunk obnoxious chicks right?"
"Exactly"
"Ok well let's get started…to us…may there always be…oh fuck it whatever to us let's get tipsy"
Two hours, eight pizzas and three bottles of tequila later and both girls were feeling a bit drunk but nothing their slayer strength couldn't handle. They had now switched the radio to the local hip hop station and Faith was regaling Buffy with her amazing rapping abilities. Both women were laughing at the ridiculousness of the entire situation but at the same time enjoying each other's company.
Interrupting the cocoon of fun a knock rang over the small stereo, "Buffy its Giles…open the door"
"Shit…" said Buffy rolling onto her knees from the floor where she had previously been holding her busted gut… "Faith you got us in trouble…with your singing"
"Me you're the one laughing louder than a hell god"
"Whatever…I'm going to get the door…pour me another drink" she whispered the last part to Faith trying to keep her composure as she approached the door.
"Buffy…"
"Giles…"
"Oh… hi Faith"
"Hey G man"
"Ok know that we have established everyone in the room" Buffy chortled "What can we do for you?"
"Well I was checking to see if you were alright…but by the looks of it I can see you are doing just fine and entertaining company too…"
"Yup me and F are buddy buddy and drinky drinky tonight…care to join us as we relive the day that was?"
"Um no actually I think sleep is a good thing for me…but just wanted to let you know…you know what never mind…you guys be safe these matters don't need to be addressed until tomorrow"
"Hey Giles did you find Buffy's room?" Willow's voice cut in as she rounded the corner into the open door
"Buffy…Faith…hey….wait are you guys drinking?"
"Hey Wills, yea me and Faith needed a little pick me up or bring me down I guess…well we needed to switch directions…join us won't you?"
"Buffy you don't drink and why are you guys wearing Dawn's clothes?"
"Ahh…we kinda skipped the talk about packing for hellmouth destruction…plus it's better than the towel she had on earlier" Faith chimed in
"What…never mind are you sure this is a good idea…I mean loss of blood today and well…"
"Shhhhh…." Buffy placed a finger on Willow's lips "Don't tell Faith I don't drink she will think I'm a lightweight cause I'm not…I mean I'm not fat….am I?"
"No Buff you aren't" Willow replied giggling at the drunk girls switch of topics
"Ok thanks…listen Wills, I'm Faith's friend now we talked about it…we are gonna be good friends who drink and do stuff that normal people do…not super hot slayers do…although we probably will still do that too in addition to the normal stuff…man we are gonna be busy huh F?"
"Correct B"
"Anyways we want you to join us…unless you need to get to a certain little hottie…huh huh?? I will tell you a secret slayers are really horny after a battle…I mean really Wills you could probably have your wa.."
"Ok thanks about enough of that" Faith had wrapped a hand around Buffy's mouth and handed her another drink as she turned to Willow…but then quickly back to Buffy "Lick my hand and I will kick your cute little ass" she whispered into the blonde's ear. "Willow don't worry I got B and Giles no worries on the 'matters' we will be ripping and raring to go tomorrow but for tonight seriously I got her" nodding towards the blonde.
Willow laughed…"well I kinda like the new Faith not sure about the new Buffy but we will see how she deals with the hangover…come on Giles lets go"
Willow hugged Buffy and whispered "thanks for the secret I plan to use it" as she pulled away from her best friend. They both laughed as Giles rolled his eyes and started out the door, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do" Buffy teased as they left.
"Oh I have an idea…" Buffy blurted out as the door close flipping towards Faith with an arched eyebrow.
"Let's do body shots!"
Faith simply shook her head and grabbed the bottle of tequila as Buffy leapt onto the bed; she was just hoping she could control the other H as Buffy licked her hand. Faith found some salt packets from the pizza guy's condiment bag and grabbing a slice of lime they had cut up earlier.
"Well a correct body shot is not done on your wrist B…not one of my liking anyway"
"What do you mean?"
"Ok come here" Faith pulled Buffy off the bed so they were standing facing each other. Faith licked her fingers and pressed them to Buffy's neck right around her pulse point; she then sprinkled some salt on the moist spot and grabbed her drink and lime also. "Ready for this?"
"Ummm…sure" Buffy couldn't help but notice the tiny butterflies that had just appeared in her stomach, "No biting though"
Faith chuckled as she placed the lime between Buffy's teeth, "No promises…keep that steady" she instructed as she leaned in close to Buffy's now tilted neck. Quickly she ran her tongue over Buffy's skin and then proceeded to lick the salt, throw the shot back and then meet the lime with her lips as she pulled it from Buffy's mouth. Smiling with the lime rind still her mouth Faith winked at the obviously somewhat turned on Buffy…
"Wow that was way better than the wrist…let me try" Buffy was as giddy as a school girl as she performed the same ritual on Faith. She placed the lime in between Faith's teeth and then using the same techniques her counterpart had just used only she took her time to lick the salt thoroughly before she threw her drink back with ease. "I love this way" she breathed out after she was done with the lime….
"Haha, me too…who knew you were such a quick learner too"
"Ok one more for me…." Buffy demanded
"Figures you would not take turns"
"Whatever you pour I will sprinkle"
Buffy repeated her steps on Faith's neck as Faith handed her the shot. She licked the salt, drank her drank and just as she was about to grab the lime with her teeth…she stopped suddenly taking in the dark haired girl before her….
"What's wrong Buffy?" Faith questioned
"Nothing it's just….I just…I don't want the lime…"
"What?"
"I want this…" she ripped the lime out with her hand before grabbing the back of Faith's head and pulling her into a passionate kiss. The kiss could have lasted hours but probably only lasted seconds as a confused Faith moaned out at Buffy's actions before pulling back.
"Shit…B…what what was that?" she gasped out
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I don't know….shit Faith I'm sorry I didn't mean to…where the hell did that come from…I mean one minute I was thinking how great the tequila tasted but then the next all I really wanted to know is what you tasted like…wow I am…shit so sorry…"
"Buffy…." Faith's stern voice interrupted her rambling "It's ok…I…fuck it" before she could even begin to muster something to say she simply pulled the blonde into another kiss. The kiss ignited quickly as the two women secretly gave into something they had long been repressing….the kiss only ended when they both were having oxygen issues.
Buffy pulled back from Faith, "I've wanted to do that…."
",,, since that night we first met in the alley?" Faith finished Buffy's confession.
Buffy simply laughed as she dipped her head once more to meet Faith's lips.
TBC – What do you think?