authors note: Well I am impressed with the reviews considering there aren't all that many people reading. I am also impressed considering Fighting the Future really was one of my earliest work and not the best if I am being honest with myself. My best was really Death's Hand but I became totally blocked and deleted the story when I couldn't go any further.
So as promised here is another chapter and I give my many thanks to those of you who are actually reading this story
Getting up early Faith wonders if she even slept at all, it certainly doesn't feel like she did. Dragging herself from bed she stretches quickly getting out all the kinks. Grabbing her clothes for the day she makes her way into the bathroom, takes a quick shower, and changes. Brushing her teeth she stares in the mirror. Rinsing out her mouth she puts away her toothbrush and collects her books for the day. Today is her first day of History, English, and Chem. Lab. She figures it will be a quick day considering both classes will only go over the curriculum and lab will mostly be going over lab safety procedure.
Thankful that her first class isn't until nine Faith takes her time and goes to the cafeteria for breakfast. Showing her ID she enters the café and goes through the rows of food and picks out scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and a bowl of mixed fruit. Stopping last at the refreshment area she picks up a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice. Last she stops and picks up a banana to get her daily dose of potassium. Looking around the cafeteria she spots a dirty blonde woman with her head down reading a book. Something about that girl sparks a memory that is faded and just out of reach. Deciding to make a friend and at least work on her human relationships Faith makes her way towards the blonde.
"May I join you?" She asks hoping the girl will say yes, never good to start a day with rejection.
The blonde looks up startled. She stares at Faith for a moment eyes widening slightly. Looking around at all the empty tables she stares at Faith in puzzlement before nodding her head in assent. Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding Faith puts down her tray and pulls out her seat.
"My name is Faith by the way."
"Tara" The blonde stated simply and returned to reading her book.
Once again Faith felt a vague niggling in the back of her mind telling her she knew the girl in front of her. Yet it was obvious she didn't and that the girl in question clearly did not know her. Looking back at her food Faith wondered how to start a conversation. It wasn't hard at least it normally wasn't. She was good at flirting, she was great with sex appeal, but she sucked at making chit chat. It wasn't something she had ever really needed to do. During her supposed developmental years she wasn't learning how to socialize, instead she was learning how to be appealing, how to please. Working on human relationships, human connections were difficult. The reason she had become so close with Cordelia was because Cordy was the initiator. If it had been up to Faith she would still be the lone wolf howling pitifully at the moon. Currently she felt like she was all over again.
"So what made you decide to go to school during the summer?" She asked before taking a bite of her eggs. They had started to cool while she puzzled out a topic of conversation.
Tara looked up from her book in surprise and Faith wondered if she should just get up and leave. It was clear that the girl did not want to be bothered. She was debating whether or not to find another seat when Tara broke the uncomfortable silence. "I figured it would be wise to get a head start. I had enough credits to graduate early so I did. Staying home however wasn't much of an option so I decided to enroll for summer courses." The statement was made with hints of hesitation and the undertone told Faith that Tara's home life was anything but comfortable.
Nodding her head Faith wondered where to go in their conversation. There was no question asked back just a simple statement of fact. Again she felt like she had to make a move and again she was lost as to what that move would be. Deciding to follow Cordy's method of conversation she went for broke and blurted out: "Do you want me to leave?"
Again Tara looked at her in surprise and Faith had a feeling that by the end of breakfast the girl's eyebrows would be permanently raised. "I'm sorry, I'm just surprised is all."
"Yeah I've gotten that feeling off of you." Faith said with a smile hoping to break the tension that had slowly developed.
"I…I'm just not sure why you wanted to sit here." Tara said blushing lightly. "I don't mean to be rude I'm just confused is all."
"Well I know there are other tables to sit at but I figured since it's the beginning of the summer session that it would be nice to get to know someone new." It sounded lame even to her ears and Faith wished Cor was there to help smooth everything over.
"Oh…well alright I guess." Tara floundered for a bit and gave Faith a small smile. "So what are you studying?" She asked with another small smile.
"Chemical engineering though I think I might switch to Biochemical engineering." Faith replied thinking the topic was lame but happy that they were at least talking. "How about you?" She asked taking a closer look at the blonde. She wasn't beautiful in a classic sense, she wasn't the type of girl that would make guys fall at her feet and beg for a smile, yet she had a beauty of her own. It was in the small smiles that lit up a twinkle in her eye, the slight twitch of her cheek as if she found the whole situation funny. Her hair was a mix of highlights; it was long and hung below her shoulders. Faith noticed that Tara used it more as a shield against the world and found a sense of kinship. It was easy to spot the damaged people once you had been damaged. She was curious about Tara's body, she wondered if she was slender and willowy, or curvaceous and voluptuous. Personally Faith didn't think she had a type when it came to sexual attraction but she did have a keen sense of appreciation for the human form. She liked Tara, she didn't know why but the spark of curiosity had transformed into a spark of lust.
"Honestly not completely sure at the moment. I figured I might as well take the required core courses while I decide. I'm leaning in towards becoming a Doctor to be honest, I thought lawyer but I don't exactly have the killer shark instinct they tend to have." Tara paused trying to figure out what topic to move on to.
"Would you like to go out on a date with me?" Faith asked going for bust. Normally she would have avoided making an overt gesture. Normally she would have taken longer to feel a woman out to see if they were actually interested in women. She didn't feel it was necessary with Tara, something about Tara pinged her gaydar and she knew it wasn't a mistake. It might be a mistake in the sense that she could be shut down really quickly but she knew without a moment of doubt that Tara was driving on the same side of the road as she was. The hesitation Faith saw made her continue. "You don't have to say yes and I won't get offended."
"I don't really know you well enough to say yes or no." Tara finally answered.
"Well that's the point of a date anyways, or at least that is what I am told, so come out with me nothing fancy or formal and we can get to know each other. Heck we've already started paving the way. I'm not asking for your hand in marriage or for you to come to bed with me. I'm just asking you to dinner or dancing or something you like."
"Well when you put it that way it sure I would like to go out on a date with you. Is this the prelude to our date then?" She asked innocently a slight flush rising up her neck and over her cheeks.
Smiling Faith nodded, she thought that for once things were finally going easy for her. Remembering the realities of her life she frowned, the DADT was a large mare in her plans but she hoped with a bit of time she could bring it up with Tara. If they even went to the point of being in a relationship. Shaking off her own frustrations and uneasy Faith gave Tara a dimpled smile.
"So shall we continue with a mundane line of conversation or delve deeper?" Faith asked with a smile, she saw the blush crawl up Tara's neck again and hoped she wasn't crossing a line or embarrassing the girl. "If I am embarrassing you, you are more than free to smack me and tell me to stop." Faith added seeing the blush increase and cursing her big mouth.
"Nnno, I...I…I, sometimes I just blush." Tara said a stutter at the beginning catching Faith's ear. She knew instantly that she had indeed embarrassed the blonde.
"Well I guess I can go first." Faith started attempting to ease the blonde's nerves. "I was born in Weston, Massachusetts. I have a mom, dad, and three brothers; two of which are older than me. I moved out here last October and then moved to Cleveland last January. I go to the University of Cleveland full time but am taking summer courses here." She decided for a first encounter it would be a bit much to mention the Initiative or that she didn't move to Sunnydale by choice in the first place. "My birthday is in December and I'm turning eighteen this year. My favorite color is black, my favorite band is Linkin Park, and my best friend's name is Cordelia. Your turn" Faith said opening the discussion to go into Tara's life. "Oh and my last name is Lehane." She added quickly.
"Okay since it's my turn my name is Tara Maclay and I'm just shy of eighteen my birthday is in the middle of July. I have an older brother and my mother recently passed away." Faith caught the sudden sadness that filled the blonde's eyes and knew that the blonde had loved her mother deeply. She sympathized knowing the loss of a loved one quiet keenly. "I've always lived in California. I…I…I'm a a practicing Wwwicca. My favorite color is light blue, I don't have a favorite band, and and well I don't know what else to say really." Tara ended off not sure what else to say and unable to think of anything.
It was clear to Faith that Tara was still slightly nervous especially when she confessed to being a Wicca. At the back of her mind Faith wondered if she would be able to confess her own supernatural lifestyle. She knew she couldn't just blurt out 'oh yes and I'm a slayer' but the thought of slowly easing out a confession sounded rather nice. Cordelia was the only other person in her life who knew and in a way understood the burden and wonders of being a slayer. Since seeing Buffy's support network Faith had begun to desire the same thing. She wondered if that was the main factor in Buffy's continued success as a slayer. Most slayers' Faith had begun to suspect died early less because of a bad situation or because of the job but because they had finally grown tired of the constant isolation.
Faith watched Tara look at the clock on the far wall. She assumed it was time or close to the time for the little Wicca to go. "So let's say I'll pick you up on Saturday, we can do a picnic in the park, get to know each other better. Sound okay with you?" She asked hoping her idea wasn't the most terrible thing ever heard of. She had no idea where 'picnic' had come from but at least it was an idea.
"That sounds wonderful." Taking out a sheet of paper Tara wrote down her name, phone number, and dorm room. Folding up the sheet she handed it to Faith with a smile and telling her it was time for her to get to class.
Faith clutched the piece of paper in her hand and let out a big smile. She felt victorious. That feeling however was short and fleeting when she realized she didn't have a kitchen and couldn't exactly prepare a picnic. Frowning deeply she considered her options and there really was only one; takeout food. She would have preferred preparing something for Tara but it seemed that was out of the picture. Now all she had to do was find out what type of food Tara ate. During breakfast she hadn't been paying close attention to the blonde's tray so she had no idea if Tara was a vegan, vegetarian, or an omnivore. Reminding herself that she had four more days to figure out Tara's dietary needs and restrictions Faith got back to her breakfast. It was cool but she finished it off anyway. Finishing up her cup of coffee Faith let herself think of what else she could plan for her upcoming date. There was a sense of glee to the whole idea of going out on a date. It was her first. She had never had the opportunity to go out on a date. The men she flirted with made their intentions known and she hadn't bothered flirting with woman in Sunnydale. In hindsight she knew she could have gone on dates, she could have made an effort to be in a relationship but she knew that she hadn't been ready for that step.
It made her wonder how her life would have been if she hadn't been kidnapped. Would she have known from the get go that she was indeed a little more lesbian than straight? Would it have taken years and multiple boyfriends before she had figured it out? Would she even have figured it out? Maybe she would have believed that she was straight. She didn't know if it was Riyad or just her own inclination that had pushed her towards women. She found me attractive but she had never been sexually attracted to one. They were appealing like statues where appealing she liked looking at them well enough and she appreciated the beauty of the male anatomy she just didn't want to have sex with it.
Thinking of Tara she imagined the blonde. Tara dressed like she didn't want to be noticed. Faith supposed that was part of the appeal, why she found Tara interesting. The girls who had hinted at Faith in Cleveland were all obvious in their knowledge that they were beautiful. Faith knew that she was beautiful or that at least most men and women considered her to be beautiful. Tara on the other hand clearly had never seen her own beauty. A part of Faith wanted to be the one to show how beautiful she actually was. Tara's clothes left a lot to be imagined since they were full, bordering on baggy. Tara's clothes hide the body beneath it. It left Faith curious.
Getting up and getting rid of her tray Faith walked to the bathroom surprised she had spent so much time in the cafeteria. Using the toilet and washing her hands she took a moment to stare at herself in the mirror. Long wavy brown hair, lightly tanned skin, and deep chocolate eye's looked back at her. She knew she had sex appeal, which she could make flow out of her very pores, now she hoped to tone it down and keep Tara comfortable. Strange to think that from now own she would have to work on toning down the very things that had been beaten into her. Shaking her head in resignation Faith dried off her hands and made her way across campus to her first Class; English 102.
Walking in to class she wasn't surprised to see that it was small, only 13 students. She wondered if the English classes were normally this small or if it was because it was summer. Taking her seat she waited patiently for the professor to come in. She didn't bother making small talk with the other students that slowly filed into the class. The teacher entered five minutes later, shut the door and wrote her name on the board; Professor Decinso. Taking out her notebook Faith prepared to take a couple of mundane notes. The professor dropped a small stack of papers onto the first desk and told girl to pass them along. Grabbing the packet of papers Faith took a syllabus and curriculum before passing the ever decreasing pile on. Looking down at the paper she read through the syllabus and the policies of the school and the expectations of the professor. It was the same thing she had read more than once and she did more skimming than actual reading.
Listening as the Professor droned on about the future books they were to read and outline the curriculum Faith let herself slide in and out of attention. Finally the professor called it a day and Faith moved on to the history department and her World History class. The only difference between on class and another was the professor. Once again a curriculum and syllabus were passed out and once again the rules and policies were overviewed. Not even bothering to pay attention Faith made a note to start reading chapter 10 in her World History book since it seemed they would be jumping from chapter to chapter. She also made a note to start reading "The Yellow Wallpaper" since it was the first short story in her English class.
Finally leaving History she felt as if she had spent six hours in each classroom instead of the hour and a half it actually was. Three hours of her day had been wasted and she knew that she had a three hour lab to go. She knew it wouldn't be a three hour lab but it did not make her feel any better about wasting her time. Releasing a small groan Faith makes her way to the science department and into the lab. The door is closed and locked, looking at her watch she realizes she is early. Looking over she notices that a couple of other students are also patiently waiting for the door to open. Taking a place at a good distance from the others she takes a seat against the wall
"Hi my name is Fred and you are?" A young man asks to Faith's far right. Looking at him closely she mentally groan. He's cute which means he's probably going to try to work up the courage to ask her out. "Faith" She stated simply turning her attention back to the lab door praying fervently that it would open and the professor would usher them in. She was out of luck.
"So what made you take Chem.?" Fred continued seemingly oblivious.
"Part of my major, no choice really." She stated simply again hoping the conversation would come to a stop. She supposed one of the main reasons she refrained from having actual conversations with men was because she didn't want to be asked out.
"Let me guess you want to become a nurse?" Fred asked curious and hopeful all at once.
Shaking her head no Faith continued to stare at the door.
"Okay do you want to go into the medical field?" Fred asked probing for the general area of study.
"I'm studying to become a chemical engineer." Faith finally blurted out trying to stop the inane questioning before it got any further. Thankfully after she finished speaking the professor opened the door and she was happy to be ushered in. Putting her things away as the professor instructed Faith was happy to find a chair far away from Fred. Sitting down she accepted her packet of lab rules, syllabus, and curriculum and listened to the professor drone on and on about lab safety.
The second everything was signed and passed in Faith made a beeline for her stuff followed by rushing out the door. She had managed to avoid Fred. Breathing a sigh of relief she went straight to the lab. Her autopsy was in the forefront of her mind and she wanted to get back to it as soon as possible. There was nothing she could to about her upcoming date and classes were over and there was no patrol. It felt good to be alive she thought as she was scanned and entered the elevator.