Chapter 6: Sex (Tension) On A Platter

October, Saturday 5:45pm, Summers-McDonald Residence

"Nuh unh! He did not say use the 'if I could rearrange the alphabet' line."

"I swear he did."

"Oh, come on. It was my first time clubbin' in the States and hangin' with American chaps."

Buffy, Faith and Spike had gathered for a spur-of-the-moment dinner. Faith sat on the counter next to the stove. Buffy stood at the stove, stirring the chicken alfredo. Spike was leaned over on the kitchen island, drinking a beer.

At this moment, his arm was outstretched, gesturing dismissively at Faith's complete and utter overexageration of their first meeting.

"Sure. Just blame the 'Yanks' for all your horrible misfortune." Buffy suggested.

"You know, I think I will."

"Anyway, we had an awkward sexual encounter-."

"Which we shall never speak of again," interrupted Spike.

"Right. And we've been pretty much inseperable since then."

"And this was before you met Kennedy, right?"

"Yeah. Way before."

"Alright, dinner's ready." Buffy said.

"I'll set the table. Chinaware and such, pet?"

"The plates are in the cupboard to your left and the silverware are in there." Buffy said, pointing as she spoke.

Spike got busy, getting the plates and utensils and headed to the dining room.

Buffy added a pinch of salt for taste and stirred once more. "Oh, Faith, could you hand me the serving bowl?"

"Yeah, sure." Faith hopped off of the counter. She grabbed the bowl. At the same time that she turned to give Buffy the bowl, Buffy turned to say something.

"Oh!" Buffy gasped. Before she dropped it, Faith placed the item on the counter next to Buffy.

The space between them was almost nonexistent. Brown eyes met green eyes. The brunette moved to fill the space between herself and the blonde. There was an audible intake of breath and Faith moved closer, closing the space altogether. One of Faith's hands found its way to Buffy's hip, brushing the exposed skin between her jeans and vintage rock band t-shirt. The other brushed under her Buffy's blonde locks, resting on the soft space between her ear and neck. Buffy placed her hand on Faith's wrist as Faith began leaning in.

"Ahem."

Buffy gasped, gently pushing Faith a little further away. She cleared her throat.

"The table's set." Spike interrupted.

"Uh... thanks, Spike."

Buffy turned around, busying herself with empyting the contents of the teflon skillet into the serving bowl. While she was turned around, Spike rose a scarred eyebrow at Faith and smirked.

With her thumb and pointer finger close together, Faith mouthed, "This. Close."

A key turned in the lock and Lindsey walked in, dropping his suit jacket and briefcase on the sofa.

"Buffy, it smells great in here." He walked into dining room.

"Hey, honey. You remember Faith and William."

"Yeah, of course. From 4C. How's it going?" He waved at Faith and shook Spike's hand, as he was closer.

"Pretty good."

"We're having chicken alfredo. Sound good?"

"Sounds great." He answered, kissing his future bride. Lindsey sat down at the head of the table, Buffy at the other end.

"So, let's grub."

Thirty minutes into their friendly meal, the chatter never ceased or got old or awkward. It seemed that while the two were on different career paths, Spike and Lindsey had much in common. Especially their extremely disturbing desire for the soap opera Passions.

"So, we should probably add your names on the guest list for the wedding." Lindsey said. "You are are definitely friends now."

"Why? Because Spike shares your passion for Passions?" Buffy joked.

"That's just a bonus. Spike and Faith, you two are super cool people. Really."

"When's the wedding?" Faith asked. Her feigned interested excitement went unnoticed by Lindsey but not by Spike or Buffy.

Spike cleared his throat.

"April thirteenth. So, you two have six months to prepare." Lindsey answered.

"Hmm. That's awesome. Could you?" Faith said, lifting her empty wine glass to Lindsey. He poured her a glass of wine; her first of the night. Buffy watched the interaction and inhaled deeply.

This was not good.

This is going just swimmingly, Buffy thought, sarcastically.

"Where are you guys going for your honeymoon?"

"We haven't decided yet."

"You guys should try Albania." Faith smirked, drinking from her wine glass. Buffy shot Faith a look that read 'play nice'.

"Why Albania?"

"It's beautiful, man. Besides, everyone could use a little bit of Albania in them."

Buffy choked on her wine. She pounded her fist against her chest as she tried to clear her airways by coughing.

"Buffy!" Spike and Lindsey jumped up at the same time.

Buffy held up a hand. "I'm okay. That's what I get for drinking more than my limit."

"You alright? Need some water?" Spike asked.

"No, I'm fine. So, new topic: who's washing the dishes?"

"We have a dishwasher."

"But it always leaves the dishes all... streaky." Buffy whined.

"Spike? You mind giving me a hand?" Lindsey asked.

"Not at all, mate."

"Hey, Miss Passive-Agressive Girl, you wanna tone it down a notch?" Buffy huffed.

She and Faith sat on the couch. The TV displayed a variety of irrelevant images, ignored by Faith and Buffy.

"What? It was only a joke, B." Her dimpled smile broke out and Buffy had to remember to breathe.

"You can't just flash a pretty smile and expect to be forgiven."

"Of course I can."

Buffy could see why Kennedy had put up with so much of Faith's bullshit. Faith held in her posession the sweetness of a child and the aggression of a sexual prowess. She made you want to forgive her for even the simplest thing: such as a joke. Buffy wanted to protect Faith and fight her in bed at the same time.

"I can keep a secret. Can you?" Faith asked, abruptly.

Buffy was unsure if there was a double meaning behind Faith's words. Sensing that she was confused, Faith inched her hand to where Buffy's. She gently caressed the back of Buffy's hand with her pointer finger.

"Faith... I-I can't." Faith retracted her hand and smiled again.

"Understood, B."

'...cling to that safe mister of yours as long as you can...'

Maybe Buffy wasn't going to drown after all. Maybe Faith's 'thrall' wasn't as good as Spike thought. Maybe, just maybe, Buffy was keeping her head above water.

Up Next: Halloween at Dawn's apartment. Plus, good advice from Willow.