Disclaimer : Everyone knows who own Buffy and co ! Obviously, it's not me!
The story is the ninth episode in a series called 'Rocky path' and begins around one year after 'Chosen'
( I strongly recommand to read the 8 first episodes to understand that one)
You can check the series out on my website
Please let me know what you think.
The sun had still not risen, but there were signs on the horizon that it would soon. The stars and the moon had disappeared and the blackness of the night sky was slowly being replaced by the wan light of the upcoming day.
Despite the early hour, a car was being driven down a little road winding its way between hills.
As usual, Faith was driving. The Slayer appeared to be focused on the road. Maybe she was daydreaming. It was hard to tell with her eyes glued to the asphalt in front of her. She occasionally blinked or sighed or put her elbow on the door of the car, but was mainly perfectly still.
Beside her, Tara was sleeping. The blonde witch had her right arm folded against the door and her head resting on it. Sometimes, she shivered in her sleep but it was far from the horrid nights she spent a few months ago when Faith and her had started to roam the roads together.
Faith wanted to open her window to get some fresh air but she stopped her gesture and glanced at Tara. It was chilly outside and the witch was rather sensitive to the cold. But the blonde was tightly wrapped in a thick blanket and Faith really wanted to open this window. She enjoyed the cool air of the morning. So, she turned the handle and opened the window slightly.
She deeply breathed in the fresh breeze caressing her face as the first glints of sunlight were now appearing in the distance. The road curved and a light smile crept its way to Faith's lips at the view now in front of her.
The Pacific Ocean was in sight and was lit by the yellow-orangey rays of the sun rising behind the hills.
"Look at this, Blondie," Faith breathed without turning to the blonde. "Neat, isn't it?"
Tara quivered at the sound of Faith's voice and grunted but she didn't wake. Faith smiled, amused. She opened her mouth to add something else but finally decided against it. Instead, the Slayer slowed down and parked the car at the roadside. She turned her head to her right and looked at the ocean past Tara.
"Look, Blondie," she repeated louder.
Tara shivered again and blinked several times before her eyes finally flickered open.
"Wh-what?" She asked, turning to Faith.
Faith grinned, widely amused by the witch's sleepy look.
"C'mon," she answered.
She opened her door and got out of the car. She walked to the right side of the vehicle and leaned against the rear door with her arms crossed over her chest to watch the beautiful bright colors of the dawn adorning the ocean. Beside her, Tara soon opened her door and got out in turn.
"Goddess, it's cold," she said.
"You should take the blanket with you," suggested Faith.
Tara did as she was told and wrapped herself in the blanket again before getting out of the car once more and closing the door. She leaned against the door near the Slayer and mimicked her stance. A few minutes passed by in complete silence before Tara finally spoke up.
"Where are we?" She asked.
"Between Seattle and Portland." Faith replied. "Closer to Seattle."
Tara looked satisfied with this answer and she fell silent again. Several more quiet minutes elapsed before Tara resumed.
"It's beautiful," she said simply.
Faith turned to her. The witch was smiling slightly and she looked peaceful as she observed the ocean in front of her.
"Was worth the early getting up, wasn't it?" The brunette asked and grinned.
Tara nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, it was." She answered quietly. "It really was," she added after a pause.
"I grew up in Boston," explained Faith in a low voice after a time. "When I was a kid, I could see the Atlantic Ocean by the window of my room. I used to watch the sunrise all the time."
"You had to get up early quite often," Tara commented.
Faith shrugged casually.
"I didn't sleep much then either," she explained.
Silence fell again between them. They just remained there, gazing at the changing lights and colorations in the sky, reflecting over the water's still surface. Tara glanced at the Slayer from time to time when the brunette had her eyes seemingly glued to the horizon.
When the sun was finally risen and began to warm them up a little, Faith decided it was time to set off again.
"We going?" She asked, turning to the blonde.
Tara nodded and gave her a hint of a smile. Faith straightened up from the car door and was about to go back to the driver's side when Tara called her.
"Faith…" the witch whispered quietly.
The brunette turned around to face the blonde again.
"Uh?" She said.
"You have good moments." Tara told her. "You can be really nice."
Faith looked at her dumbfounded for a moment and Tara probably felt stupid or embarrassed because she looked down under Faith's scrutiny.
"Yeah, I guess," the Slayer eventually replied in an unsure voice.
"We really should go," she added in a firmer tone. "You're gonna catch a cold."
Tara nodded silently. Satisfied, Faith did the same and both girls reclaimed their places in the car.