Challenge: Love Games

Title: Complicated Love

Author: chosen2_4u

Rating: R

Author's Notes: Basically AU after season 7. Set about 2 years after the fall of Sunnydale.

Buffy's POV

Ever since the collapse of Sunnydale about 2 years ago everyone had gone their separate ways. Willow and Kennedy left to a country I can't remember the name of. Giles went back to England. Xander left to travel the world. Dawn, Faith and I headed to Cleveland.

Faith and I's relationship has finally started to come together. After the fight with The First, Faith was by my side and at first I thought it was weird, but now I understand why she did it. She just wanted my friendship and to be honest I wanted that from her too.

For the first time I finally opened my eyes to see Faith for who she really is instead of condemning her for what she has done. She's not just another Slayer or an ex-con. She's beautiful, funny, intelligent and my best friend. I also love her. Yep, who would have thought that straight as a ruler Buffy Summers was in love with Faith Lehane, a girl. Nobody really knows except for my sister, Dawn.

The real kicker is that Faith and I are in a relationship, just not with each other. A year ago I met a guy. His name is Clay Valentine. Funny last name isn't it? That's what Faith thought and said after she stopped laughing. The thing about Clay is that he moves too fast. We've only dated a year which is a first for me because the only other longest relationship I had was with Angel. The thing is that Clay is now talking marriage. That's never going to happen.

The relationship that Faith has totally through everyone away, her boyfriend of 6 months is Nathan Davis. I don't like him. It may have to be because he's with Faith. I don't know.

Normal POV

It's a week before Christmas and ever since the fall of Sunnydale, Giles gathers everyone together until after the New Year. Everyone gathers in Cleveland where Buffy, Dawn and Faith live and where Giles' second home is.

Everyone had arrived early morning yesterday.

Buffy is sitting on the couch in the living room of the 6 bedroom, 3 story house that Giles owns. Buffy is reading and stealing glances at Faith who is sitting on the other side of the room with her boyfriend Nathan.

'Why do I let her get to me? I'm the one who should be sitting next to her.'

Buffy looks up from her book that she is pretending to read and glances over at Faith. Faith catches her eye and winks. Buffy blushes and looks back down at her book.

Faith's POV

She is so cute when she blushes. I've always had to say something inappropriate or give her way sexy wink in order to see her blush. It's the cutest thing in this world. Right now my boyfriend…I never thought I would say that…anyway Nathan has his arm around me and for some reason I feel disgusted by it. The one person who I want an arm around me or vice versa is Buffy…weird isn't it?

If I were to look back on my life to pin point the exact time that I felt something for Buffy Summers would have to be the first time I met her in the alleyway fighting off a vamp. She was standing there with her blonde hair and sexy bod. Man I wanted to jump her right there, but for once I controlled my hornies.

I do not fall in love. That is my rule. Faith Lehane does not fall in love, but I did and there is nothing I can do about that. Buffy Summers has my heart, but I won't have hers. It doesn't mean I won't flirt though.

Normal POV

"Faith, earth to Faith," Nathan says as he shakes her shoulder to get her attention.

"I'm sorry, what?" Faith asks as she looks away from Buffy's direction.

"I said I was going to go find Clay."

Faith smiles at him and nods. Nathan kisses Faith on the lips. Faith's eyes move toward the direction of Buffy. It appeared that Buffy was gripping her book harder. Nathan pulls away and leaves the room. Faith looks at Buffy and raises an eyebrow. 'Is she jealous? Who am I kidding, she's not jealous.' Faith frowns at the thought.

Faith gets up from her side of the room and sits down next to Buffy who had just closed her book.

"So, B, are you happy that everyone is here?"

Buffy smiles and nods her head.

"I am, but I realize that everyone's changed over the past 2 years. It seems weird because I can remember everyone back in high school."

"B, the times change and so do people."

"I know that Fai, you're living proof of that."

Faith looks at Buffy before answering hesitantly.

"Is that a good thing?"

Buffy smiles genuinely.

"It's definitely a good thing."

Even after everything that Faith has gone through, from time to time her insecurities would show up, but every time Buffy would make sure that Faith didn't need to dwell on them.

"I saw you and you're boy toy. How's everything going?"

Faith raises her eyebrow and smirks at Buffy.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because I want to know if he's treating my friend right."

"Do I sense a hint of jealousy B?"

Buffy looks at Faith red in the face.

"No! I'm n-not jealous, nope no green eyed monster here."

Faith laughs.

"That's good, I wouldn't wanna slay ya."

"Well you don't have to worry."

Faith nods her head and smiles.

"You know what I think we should do B?"

"What is that?"

"I think we need to go get drunk."

Buffy smiles and nods her head.

"I could use a drink, that's for sure."