Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Title: Meeting the Crew
Author: jazzman31
Rating: M
Warning: This is a femme slash fic. If you do not like this type of fiction, then you shouldn't read it.
Chase Home 2 pm Saturday
"Well girls this is it," Mayor Chase said with a triumphant smile. "What do you think?"
"It's bigger than our other house!" Dawn, the youngest Chase sister said.
"Yeah, now I can actually sleep in the same house as the two of you and not even know that you're there," said Cordelia, the eldest of the chase sisters, casting glares at her younger siblings.
"What about you, Faith?" Mayor Chase asked.
"5 x 5," Faith, the middle Chase sister replied.
"Geez, Faith can't you say anything other than 5 x 5?" Cordelia asked, tossing a dirty look in her sister's direction.
"Yes, actually, I have quite an extensive vocabulary, but you wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?" Faith shot back.
"Girls, not now. First let's take the grand tour, and then retire to our rooms to unpack our things and meet up for dinner around six or seven, okay?"
"That sounds great Dad," Dawn said, always agreeing with her father.
"Super," Faith and Cordelia said simultaneously, rolling their eyes.
After the grand tour, they each dispersed to their rooms, and began unpacking. Faith who was the least high-maintenance of the three Chase sisters, finished unpacking her clothes and electronics within an hour. When she finished, she unpacked her guitars and set them up on their stands, and then when that task was completed she picked up her Fender acoustic classic, and strapped up with a pencil and notebook. She sat in the middle of her bed, and looked over the music she had written, and tried to think of lyrics that would go with the melody. She lost herself in the music and wasn't aware that someone was calling her name until a hand touched her shoulder. Without thinking or stopping to see who the intruder was, she reached out quick as lightening, grabbed the hand, and twisted it. When she looked up, she was staring into the eyes of her father.
"Sorry, Dad," she said with a shy smile.
"No worries, it's dinner time," he said gently. He looked in awe at the young girl who by rights was his child, but biologically was of no relation. He wished that he knew what was going on in that head of hers. He had married her mother before she was born; not realizing that the woman he was marrying was already with child. The day that Faith was born, he fell in love with her and raised her as his own. He'd had a child of his own as well, Cordelia, from his first marriage. His first wife, Rebecca, died giving birth to Cordelia, and it took him a while to get over it, but then he met Tracy, and fell in love again. If he had known the things that she was into, he would have never looked twice, except if it meant he wouldn't have his younger two children. He loved all of his children equally, but he favored Faith the most. He felt bad about leaving her with her mother after the divorce when she was seven. He had tried to take her with him, but because she was not his biologically and Tracy was proven to be a respectable parent in the eyes of the court, she stayed with her mother. He had only seen a small portion of what the child had gone through just a year and a half ago when he found her after her mother died. His heart broke for her when he found her lying on the floor half-naked and bruised with some man half on top of her. He had a hard time not killing the guy, if the police hadn't been present he would have.
"I love you Faith," the mayor said gently.
"I know," Faith said, and offered him a weak smile. She was still trying to get over the six years of damage her mother had done and allowed to be done to her. She wasn't quick to trust or let anyone in as a result of the abuse she'd endured, and she had yet to tell anyone the entire tale of her life after the Chases left her house. The Chase family ate in relative silence, with small talk about school on Monday.
Monday 7:30 a.m. October 10
"I still don't see why I have to go to school anyway," Faith grumbled. "I already graduated last year."
"Faith, we've been through this. The city of Sunnydale will not allow you to attend the university until you are at least sixteen, and are able to drive yourself," the mayor said.
"Chase, you're the frickin' mayor for cryin' out loud," Faith said.
"Faith, language, please, there are small ears present," Cordelia said from her position next to her father in the limousine they were riding in. Faith scowled at the motherly tone that Cordelia used on her. "Besides, if you hadn't burned the gym down, then you wouldn't still be in high school. By burning the gym down, you just proved that you weren't mature enough to be in the real world yet."
"Stuff it, Cordy," Faith growled as the limo pulled to a stop in front of the school.
"Faith, I have an image in this city, and I'm not saying that you'll ruin it, but please be on your best behavior, okay?" Chase said.
"Yeah, I gotcha," Faith said halfway out the door.
"Oh, here's some lunch money," Chase called, handing her a twenty dollar bill. Faith didn't bother with reminding him that she had packed her lunch, because eating cafeteria food was like a death sentence. She scurried out of the limo, and ran hoping no one saw her exiting the vehicle, she hated riding in that stupid thing, because people asked her stupid questions about how much money she had, and what it was like. She hated it with a passion.
"Cor, keep an eye on her okay," Chase said as Cordelia got out of the car.
"Dad, you do realize that she is fourteen, and doesn't need a baby-sitter?" Cordelia asked.
"Yes, but I also realize that this is hard for her, she doesn't make friends easily, and since her only friend is still in Boston, I think you should keep an eye on her and make sure no one gives her a hard time."
"Alright, Dad. I'll keep an eye on her, but if she gets into a fight, I'm not breaking it up."
"I don't expect you to," Chase said, hading her a twenty dollar bill.
"Bye, Dad," she said, and headed toward the building. She caught up with Faith in the office, where she was waiting for the principal. They both met with him at the same time since they were sisters. He told them that their past didn't matter, which was more directed toward Faith, and that they'd have a clean slate as long as they didn't screw it up. They were given their locker assignments, schedules and a planner along with an ID card, which they had to have on their person at all times. After they were equipped with the necessities, two blonde haired girls stood up and introduced themselves.
"I'm Buffy, and I am supposed to show Cordelia around," said the shorter blonde.
"I'm Harmony, and I am supposed to show Faith around," said the ditsy blonde with a giggle. Faith smirked, and extended her hand to both, and then walked out of the office without a word.
"That was my very moody sister, Faith. I'm Cordelia. She doesn't really care for mornings. Do either of you know who I should talk to about the cheerleading squad?"
"That would be me," said the shorter blonde.
"Really? Super. So, I know you guys already had tryouts, but I was captain at Hemry, and well, I was hoping for a spot on the team here," Cordelia explained.
"Okay," Buffy said. "We have practice today at 3:30, so you should stop by the small gym. I'll show you where it is. So what's your first class?"
"Chemistry with Swanson?" Cordelia said half-asking half-stating.
"Me too, what else do you have?"
"After that I have Trig with Butler, and then History with Taylor, followed by phys ed with Marino, and then I have a art with Hanson, and then I have a free period and last I have English with Manning."
"Wow, we have almost the exact same schedule. I have two free periods in a row, because of cheerleading. We have English together, but my first free period is in the library I'm a TA, and then the second where your free period is I have cheer," Buffy said as they walked to their first class.
"Should I go look for Faith?" Harmony asked.
"No, we have the same first period, so you can catch up with her after that," Cordelia answered.
"How will she find the class?" Harmony asked.
"Knowing Faith, she is probably already there" Cordelia answered, as they walked into the classroom. As predicted Faith was introducing herself to the class as they walked in.
"I'm Faith Spenc- er ... um- Chase, and I just moved here from L.A., and that's about all you need to know about me," Faith said, then moved to a corner of the room, as Cordelia took the floor.
"I'm Cordelia Chase, and as my very articulate sister said we just moved here from L.A. by way of Boston," Cordelia said, and noticed that every guy was checking her out.
"Well then, let's get started," Mrs. Swanson said. "Cordelia your lab partner will be Wesley Windham-Price. He will help you catch up, Wesley raise your hand." A cute guy raised his hand, and waved half-heartedly.
"Just great another rich idiot to tutor," Wesley muttered to himself.
"And Faith, you will be Willow's lab partner, she'll show you the ropes, and if you have any questions feel free to ask. Willow raise your hand dear," Mrs. Swanson said. A shy-looking redhead raised her hand, and Faith smiled, almost. Then she made her way to the back of the classroom, and sat next to the girl.
'I hope she's not as dumb as her sister sounded.' Willow thought.
"Hey, I'm Faith," Faith said sitting next to Willow.
"I-i'm Willow," Willow said extending her hand. She's gorgeous.
"Is it okay if I call you Red?" Faith asked, with her trademark smirk.
"Sure, if you want, I mean it's okay, usually my friends just call me Will, which I think is a boy's name, and sometimes I feel like a boy, but I guess you didn't want to know that, so um-"
"Relax, Red. I won't bite I swear. And don't worry I am not as dumb as my sister, although I do have a problem with attendance," Faith interrupted, smiling a genuine Faith smile, the first in a long time. 'I think I might like it here.' Faith thought as they settled in and listened to the lecture.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"So what class do you have next?" Willow asked as they gathered their things at the end of class.
"Calculus," Faith said looking at her schedule.
"Really, me too. There are only ten other people in that class, and Flutie was going to have it canceled, but Joy- er my mom came up here and raised hell, so he kept it, but next year I have to take math at the university."
"Do you ever breathe?" Faith asked with an amused smile.
"Sorry, I just get nervous around new people, especially those who actually talk to me," Willow said as Harmony approached.
"Beat it loser," Harmony said to Willow, even though Buffy was standing right there.
"Excuse me, what did you say?" Faith asked.
"I told the geek to get lost," Harmony said. "It's bad enough I have to escort the 'Queen of Grunge' there is no way I'll be caught dead with her in my presence." Faith looked down at her clothes. The mayor had taken her shopping for school clothes, because she needed something that didn't have leather in it. Faith was wearing a pair of black baggy cargo pants, a black tank top that showed off her tattoo, and a pair of black boots. She shook her head, and then looked Harmony directly in the eyes. Willow was half-way to the door by this time.
"Don't you ever talk to her like that again, because if you do, so help me, I will put my foot so far up your ass that you will be eating my shoe, capische?"
"Yes," Harmony said. Faith smiled at her.
"Now why don't you go make nice with my sister, she probably likes your type. I think Willow can guide me around the school a lot better than you," Faith said, and ran to catch up with Willow.
"Wow," Buffy said, "No one has ever stood up for her like that, except me, but that's only because she's my sister."
"Wait, she is your sister?" Cordelia asked.
"Is that a problem?"
"No, it's just that she's got red hair, and you have blonde, and never mind. My sister is a psycho, I just hope she doesn't corrupt your sister."
"She won't, Will's not as shy as she makes herself out to be."
In the hall.
"Wait up, Red," Faith called amidst the loud chattering of her peers.
"I can't believe you stood up for me," Willow said.
"I think you're pretty cool, and I don't like it when people are rude for no reason," Faith explained.
"So does this mean we're friends?"
"If that's what you want, but I have to warn you, I'm not exactly a people person," Faith said with a wicked grin.
"Sure," Willow said, returning the smile.
'This is turning out to be a great day,' Faith thought as they entered the classroom. After two more classes of introducing herself, it was finally lunch time. Willow lead Faith to the courtyard where she and her friends gathered. Faith and Willow were the first to arrive. Soon they were joined by the others.
"Hey Wills," Xander said, and then his eyes bugged out at the sight of the beautiful brunette. "My name is Alexander Harris," he said extending his hand to Faith. Faith looked at his hand, and then looked at Willow as if to say 'is this guy for real.' Willow just smiled, and then started laughing.
"What is so funny," Xander demanded.
"You are, relax. This is Faith, she's new here."
"Oh, so you're the chick who burned down her school?"
"Yep, that would be me, and if you're not careful it could be you," Faith said.
"Whoa, can we start over?" Xander asked.
"Yes let's. My name is Faith," Faith said extending her hand.
"I'm Xander," Xander said taking her hand. "Hey Jess-man," Xander called waving to the boy over Faith's head. After five minutes Faith had met everyone in their group. Oz the eerily quiet bassist; Veruca, Oz's girlfriend; Jesse lifelong friend of Willow; Xander another lifelong friend of Willow and quite the comedian in Faith's eyes; Wesley Widham-Price the stuffy English guy whom Willow befriended because he is in all of her classes; Spike, Willow's stepbrother; Angel, Spike's best friend. After they were all settled, a pair of blondes and a brunette walked over.
"What do you want, C?" Faith asked as her sister approached.
"Apparently in this school it is cool for the cheerleaders to hang with the losers," Cordelia said.
"Well, that just won't do will it?" Faith said standing. She looked at her sister, and then grinned lopsidedly.
"You are such an idiot, Faith," Cordelia said, with a chuckle.
"Yeah, but you still love me. Anyway, you were gonna sit with me regardless of my status, because I have your lunch," Faith said opening what everyone thought was a backpack, but was refrigerated and served as a lunch box. She tossed Cordelia her salad bowl, container of salad dressing, fork and 20 oz. bottle of Diet Coke. Then she began pulling her own lunch out. First came the Chicken salad sandwiches, they were three in number. Then she pulled out an entire can of Pringles, barbecue flavored. Next came a container of grapes mixed with cantaloupe, gotta keep regular. That was followed by a huge slice of New York style cheesecake. She then pulled out a fork and three 20 oz bottles two were water and the third Pepsi Twist. After she had finished unpacking her bag, she had nine pairs of eyes staring at her.
"What?" Faith asked.
"I think they're trying to figure out how you managed to get that much food in there, and where exactly you're going to put it," Cordelia said unimpressed, already knowing Faith's eating habits.
"Actually, I was going to ask if you would be so kind as to share," Xander said, earning a glare from Willow.
"I was thinking that I can't believe I finally met someone who eats more than Xander," Angel said.
"Well, that would be a no to you X-man, I don't do the sharing thing, maybe after I'm done, if there's any left," she said with a smirk, and bit into her first sandwich. "Aren't you gonna eat, Red?"
"Actually, no, I don't eat until next period, because my dad brings me food," Willow said.
"Ditto, to that," Buffy said.
"I brown bag it," Jesse said. "But my mom doesn't make nearly as good a lunch as yours."
"Who said my mom made my lunch?" Faith asked, sharply. Cordelia braced herself for what was to follow. One sure fire way to piss Faith off was to mention her mother.
"I just assumed that, um, your mom made your lunch, because I don't know, sorry," Jesse said.
"Here, X, have at it. C, bring me my bag after school, yeah?" Faith said as she left her lunch and bag on the picnic table. Xander jumped in and began eating before Faith could change her mind. Cordelia sighed deeply.
"What was that all about?" Buffy asked, watching Faith's rapidly retreating form.
"Her mother is dead," Cordelia said bluntly.
"Oh, man. I didn't know, I am so sorry. I didn't even think," Jesse said.
"Don't worry about it, she's just really touchy about it. Rule number one on dealing with Faith, never mention the 'm' word, and you'll get along just fine," Cordelia explained, gathering her things.
"You're leaving?" Wesley asked.
"Well, someone has to go after her, and since she'd probably eat you all alive, I am going," she said finally standing.
"Um, Cordelia, would it be okay if I went," asked Willow. Cordelia stared at the redhead for a moment, and then smiled. Buffy had filled Cordelia in on Willow's situation. Willow Diane Rosenberg was the daughter of Drs. Ira and Sheila Rosenberg. Neither were suited to be parents and decided that they didn't want Willow anymore, so she was adopted by her best friend's mother when she was seven, and has lived with them ever since.
"Sure, Willow, you go. I doubt she'd hit you, she likes you already, I can tell by the way she looks at you and talks to you, and by the way she stood up for you. Faith is usually all about Faith, and nothing ever gets in the way of that. She is probably headed for the library, when we came here on Friday after hours to get the tour she asked right away where it was, and I'm pretty sure that's where she'll be," Cordelia said. Willow smiled and hurried after her new friend. "That is so cute," Cordelia said after Willow was out of sight.
"What?" Buffy and Harmony asked simultaneously.
"They're smitten already," Cordelia, the queen of tact, said.
"What makes you say that?" Buffy asked.
"Didn't you see the way they were talking all close like, and Faith never stands up for anyone unless she likes them enough to care, and with Faith the caring thing has to be a lot, before she'll threaten people. And Willow was definitely concerned about Faith's well-being."
"That's just Willow," Xander said. "She cares about everyone and everything, she cries if someone mistreats a cat."
"You're right though," Buffy said. "Will doesn't usually get into the personal problems of strangers unless she has developed a liking for that person."
"I just hope she realizes what she just got herself into," Cordelia said.
Outside the library.
"Faith, wait up," Willow called. She had taken a shortcut, and had reached the library just as Faith reached the door.
"What's up, Red. Somebody else picking on you? Should I go kick their ass?" Faith said with a smirk.
"No, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, because Cordelia told us wh-"
"What did Cordelia say?" Faith demanded, clenching her fists, her eyes flashing wildly.
"She just said that your mom was dead, and it was best not to talk about it."
"Damn her. I don't want your fucking pity okay, Red. Just leave it alone. I'm 5 x 5, got it?"
"Yes, excuse me for caring."
"Look, Red, I'm sorry. If, we're gonna be friends the first thing you gotta know is never, ever, talk about my mother or even make mention that I ever had one. Second," she paused looking Willow in the eyes and gauging her reaction. "Lighten up. I won't kill you. Our cheerleading sisters, well, I won't make any promises." Willow smiled, and shook her head.
"So are you actually going in there?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"
"Because it's the library, and you don't look like the type to dwell among the books."
"Looks can be very deceiving, Red," Faith said opening the doors. She walked over to the circulation desk and rang the bell. "Hello, anybody - Giles!?!"