"Huh?"

"Wow, ever the literal genius, huh, Faith?" Xander replied with a smirk.

"Bite me, Xander. I haven't had my coffee yet."

"You know," Xander said, smirking at her, "I would bite you, but one of us might like it too much. Now get your fat, lazy ass out of bed. We got a whole day ahead of us."

"My ass ain't fat, Xander," Faith replied. She wondered where she put that clip for her gun.

"Hey, I saw how you've struggled to get into your pants lately—ACK!"

Whatever else he had to say was cut off by a pillow being thrown at him via 'Air Slayer'. His male instincts soon kicked in and Xander hightailed it out of Faith's room while laughing his ass off.

Faith, now on her knees and with a pillow in her hand, wondered why she took up Xander's offer.

She yawned before putting the empty gun away and stretching. Faith took a quick look in her full-length mirror, checking her backside. She didn't find anything wrong as far as she could see. With a shrug and a mental note to get Xander back, she stepped out of her room.

In the kitchen, Xander was brewing coffee, clad in a pair of pajama pants with broken hearts on them and a tank top that had, 'What, me worry?' on it. He was yawning and running his hand through his messy hair. It wasn't exactly what she pictured a demon hunter to be like.

'Wish I had a camera,' she thought to himself.

He handed her her usual mug of coffee and sat in front of her with a smile sipping his own.

"Stud, I don't feel like going anywhere. Birthdays and me just don't mix."

"Sorry, Faith," Xander said as she finished off his coffee, "as of today, by order of yours truly, that all changes. Now, get your fat, lazy ass in the shower. We're heading over to Jack's for some breakfast."

"Fine, fine, but let's get something VERY clear. One, I'm going under protest, and two, I DO NOT HAVE A FAT ASS!"

As Faith stormed off to the shower, Xander rubbed his ear. One thing could be said about the raven haired Slayer, she had a healthy set of lungs. Though, as she walked off to get her towel, Xander noticed she didn't have a fat ass. In fact, it was a nicely shaped one.

'Hmm, nice,' he thought to himself. 'Ack! Bad, Xander, bad. You can't look at her ass, no matter how nice it looks.'

He was left in a slight daze as he heard the shower and went into his own room to get his towel. Xander didn't know how long he stood there before he came out again. He couldn't hear the shower anymore and saw that Faith's door was closed.

His hand slowly reached for the door handle…

As Faith shut off the water, she wondered how, yet again, Xander had managed to talk her into it.

She stayed there for a few moments trying to sort things out. Faith liked to think of herself as a tough chick, one who wouldn't do what others told her to do unless she wanted to do it. Yet, things were different now. With Xander, he didn't tell her what to do, he asked. He allowed her to make up her own mind. Also it was hard for her to say no to those eyes of his.

Now, here she was, getting showered for her birthday.

The term 'birthday' sent a slight pang to her gut. Growing up the way she had, Faith never had a good one. It was either being ignored or being slapped around by her mother or the boyfriend of the day. It hadn't been until her Watcher, Linda, that she had one really great birthday.

Linda was less of a Watcher and more of a best friend/mother figure. She was there for both the good times and bad. It hadn't really been her birthday but both ladies decided to treat it like it was. Surprisingly enough, Linda had shown her wild side that day. She, along with Faith, had gotten matching tattoos as a way to remember the night.

A few weeks after that, Kakistos showed up, and everything went downhill from there.

Faith let a lone tear fall down her face. Yet another reason she hated the term 'birthday'.

With a reluctant sigh, Faith reached over and grabbed her towel.

Suddenly, the door opened and both sets of eyes locked into each other's in shock and surprise.

Neither of them moved from their spot.

"AHHH!!"

The door quickly slammed shut, leaving Faith totally confused about what just happened. Xander had just seen her naked and screamed. She didn't know if she should be pissed because of the scream or of being seen naked. Not that she minded.

Faith opened the door, the towel wrapped around her, and saw Xander sitting. His eyes were still rounded with surprise and he wore a strange expression on his face. It was almost as if he'd seen the devil himself (which wasn't all that far fetched).

"Um, hey, Stud," Faith said first. "Are you ok?"

"Ididn'tseeanythingIswearpleasedon'thitme!!!"

Not exactly what she usually heard when someone saw her naked.

"Stud, really it's ok. It was an accident."

Despite that, Xander was still freaking out a little.

Xander was still freaking out.

This was a touchy situation. The Dante part of him wanted to whistle and howl like a mad man. The original Xander part of him wanted to do the same while blushing like a mad man, which he was doing now.

"Faith," Xander said calming down more, "I swear it was an accident. I didn't even know you were still in there."

"Ahh, forget it, Stud. But if you ever do anything like that again, I just MIGHT hit you. Get it?"

"Got it."

"Good."

Faith smiled as she winked at him and left for her room. As Xander got up, he just knew that Faith was going to turn this around to her advantage. As he stripped down in the bathroom and was about to turn on the shower, the door burst open.

Xander knew he had supernatural speed, strength, healing, and reflexes. Yet, none of that could save him from a smiling Faith. Like before, Xander blinked a few times as Faith looked him over. The smirk on her face just screamed 'got ya'.

"Hmm, not bad, Stud," Faith complimented as she licked her lips.

"Umm, Faith," Xander started, forgetting he was naked, "what are you doing?"

"Well, Stud, you got to see mine, only fair I get to see yours."

Again, with a wink, she left a confused and flustered Xander.

Minutes later, a much calmer Xander came back out. Calmer thanks to a very cold shower. He noticed Faith was still getting ready. Quickly jumping into his room, he made a quick call on his cell phone to make sure everything was set.

With her trademark smirk on her face, Faith finished getting ready for the day.

Today she went with a pair of blue jean hip huggers and a red long-sleeved belly shirt that said 'Little Devil' in black script, the 'L' ending like a devil's tail. To finish off the outfit she had a pair of black 'ass kicker' boots. All in all, she looked very much the part of a hottie, especially with her hair hanging loose.

Faith grabbed her favorite leather jacket and stepped outside of her room to see a now fully clothed Xander waiting for her.

The brown haired man had on a black long-sleeved shirt that had a silver cross emblazoned on it from the neck down to the hem. He also wore a pair of dark blue jeans, the leg hems slightly ripped, and a pair of black boots. His hair was slicked back lightly with a few bangs hanging down.

"Aww, man," Faith said in a teasing tone. "Here I was hoping you'd be in your birthday suit again."

"If anything, Faith, it should be you in your birthday suit. It is your birthday after all."

"Look, Stud, I appreciate you doing this, I really do, but me and birthdays just don't mix," Faith said, uncharacteristically sheepish.

Smiling, Xander looked at her and placed his hand on her shoulder. Using his other hand, he cupped Faith's chin and lifted her head up.

"Faith, trust me. I know, but things change. That's the one thing that always stays the same. Now, let's get going. I'm hungry and I'm not letting you near the kitchen again."

"Hey, that's not fair," Faith countered. "I never said I was a good cook."

"Well, another thing I can blame on you Slayers, the ability to burn water."

Faith stuck her tongue out at him, sending them both in a fit of chuckles. They made their way downstairs to the Mustang still laughing. Faith sobered when she noticed something to the far right of the 'garage area', next to a pile of junk and spare parts.

"Hey, Stud," Faith said getting his attention, "what's that?" She nodded her head over to where a mud brown tarp that was covering something up.

"Oh, that? Well, you'll see when we get back."

The innocent tone didn't sit well with Faith. She gave the tarp covered object one last curious look before she looked back at Xander.

"So, Stud," Faith smiled, "since it's my birthday and all, can I drive?"

"No."

"Aww, come on, pretty please?"

"Hmm, let me think about that…no."

"Killjoy."

"Hey, you can call me anything you want but I'm not letting you behind the wheel of my ride," Xander said with a mysterious smile.

Faith really wanted to find out why he was smiling.

When they got to 'Jack's Place' Faith was suddenly attacked.

Attacked by Cathy and Jack as they, and a few other of the regulars, started to sing happy birthday to her slightly off key. Faith didn't know whether to laugh or run away. The large breakfast waiting for her managed to crack her armor a little.

At their usual table (Faith and Xander's) was a plate with a large stack of apple pancakes in the shape of a heart with a single candle in the middle.

A small tear made its way down the Slayer's cheek as Cathy hugged her from behind and rubbed her shoulder. Xander and Jack stood in front of her, grinning like a pair of idiots. As she blew out the candle, Faith found herself being…happy. For the first time in a long time, she was actually happy.

They all watched as Faith inhaled her birthday breakfast with speed only a Slayer possessed. And, in typical Xander sense, Xander pulled out a camera and started to take pictures, especially when Faith looked up from her plate, with most of the apples and syrup on her lips and chin.

As they laughed, Xander's eyes met Faith's. They were wide, happy, and a little watery, and not from just laughing. She was starting to open up more and more to the world around her. Faith was having her moment of true happiness, with more to come.

After breakfast, Faith was taken to the one place she swore she would never go.

A place every typical Californian girl hung around and maybe even worshipped.

The Mall.

"You have got to be shitting me, Stud. Me? At the mall?"

"Faith, I shit you not," Xander replied as he pushed the raven haired Slayer deeper into the shopping complex.

"But…but…it's the MALL! I don't do malls."

"Well, today you do. Besides, I have something no woman can resist!"

"Would it be your charm? No, wait, it's your wit? Oh, I got it, your collection of Babylon 5 dishes!"

"Ok, first of all, bite me. Second, those are collectors' items," Xander replied to a grinning Faith. "No, I mean this!"

Xander reached into his jeans and pulled out a brand new credit card. He could see Faith's eyes double in size as she tried not to look interested. It was a proven fact that all women, no matter if they are supernatural or not, loved to shop.

"Come on, Faith," Xander teased as he waved the card in front of her. "You know you want to. Look at it, all shiny and just BEGGING to be used, for ANYTHING you want."

The phrase 'faster then a speeding bullet' couldn't do justice to Faith when she grabbed both the card and Xander, and started to drag HIM deeper and deeper into the mall.

Anything that Faith saw that she wanted, she brought. And anything that she brought Xander had to carry.

It didn't matter that he was supernaturally strong or not, no man can carry so many bags. By the time two hours had passed Xander had, at the very least, ten bags with more to come.

"Now, you sit there, Stud, and tell me what you think," Faith said, flashing her ever present smirk. They had reached one of the Mall's more 'unique' stores. In fact, the store was called 'Unique'.

The store was a mix of modern and alternative clothing for the more individual people of Sunnydale. For some odd reason they were having a sale on swim suits. And for the same odd reason, Xander could just tell this was going to be…a little crazy.

Faith gave him one last look just as she closed the door to her changing room. The next few minutes were both heaven and hell for Xander.

Every time Faith came out, the bikinis got shorter, tighter, and a lot more daring. Especially with her dancing too. The first one was a hot, red single piece that had a daring V plunge, showing off Faith's chest. After that, came a black two piece thong that made Xander want to get on his knees, cry, and thank God he was born a man.

As husbands and boyfriends walked by, each gave Xander a look. He couldn't tell if they were looks of jealously or envy. What topped the proverbial cake was when Faith came out in a blue latex number that left VERY little to the imagination.

But as bad as those were, the one that really broke him was the one Faith finally bought.

That one, for God (or gods) knows why, was cut to resemble the classic 'school girl' uniform. The top was white with black dots as buttons. It was cut in the open to show off her generous chest. The bottom consisted of a VERY small 'skirt' made of leather over bikini cut bottoms.

((A/N: Think of the Movie 'The New Guy' where Eliza gave that little dance in all the different bikinis. Lucky bastard…))

Xander wanted to grab a cartoon mallet and slam it over and over again after howling.

"Aaaaw, did I break poor little Xander?" Faith smirked as they sat at the food court. Sitting before her was a wide eyed, blushing Xander.

"I'm sorry, the brain you are trying to contact cannot be reached at this moment. Please call back and try again," Xander said with a dreamy expression.

"Hmm, guess I did."

"So stud," Faith said as she climbed into the Mustang, "where to next?"

"Well, right now we're heading back home to drop off your stuff and then to show you your other gift."

Faith was just about to ask about the other gift when they pulled into their HQ/home. It was funny, her thinking of this place as her home. She liked that.

As Xander shut the car off, he looked over at Faith with the same smile as before. "Alright, you stay right here and I'll be right back."

In the blink of an eye, Xander grabbed her bags and ran upstairs, leaving a confused Faith behind. While he was gone though, Faith slowly made her way over to the mud brown tarp.

Just as she was about to reach it…

"Hey, no touching that, young lady," Xander said as he suddenly appeared right next to her. "Well, not until I get a chance to see your face."

Faith looked back at Xander puzzled just as he grabbed the tarp and pulled it off, revealing a beautiful custom motorcycle. And not just any custom motorcycle, a Harley-Davidson soft tail. The bike was a deep red with black flames painted on the gas tank, chromed, and you could clearly see it was a little chopped as well, giving it a truly customized look. It was the kind of ride Faith has always wanted, something that could be both a cruiser and a mean street bike at the same time.

"Tada, and here you are, Faith, a one of a kind ride just for you." Xander smiled at her.

Faith had yet to move from her spot or say anything.

"Um, Faith? Anyone home?"

Again nothing.

"Come on, Fait. You're starting to scare me here," Xander said as he poked Faith in her side.

Suddenly, it happened. Faith, the stone cold foxy raven haired Slayer, let out the world's loudest, girlish squeal. It wasn't something Xander had expected but it was better then having Faith just stand there with her mouth open.

As Xander used his pinky to clear his ears, he saw Faith running around the bike, looking at it from every angle she could. She looked like a kid in a candy store as she drooled over the black and chrome bike.

"I take it you like it?"

"Like it?" Faith repeated with wide eyes. "I love it. How did you know?"

"Well, the thing is, I just guessed."

Seeing Faith's confused look he went on.

"Ya see, when I finished putting this bad boy together," Xander said pointing to the Mustang, "I wanted to see if I could do the same to a bike. See, Dante was more of a biker while yours truly is more of a car guy. Never did get use to using it, but it's fast."

Faith turned back to look at the bike and ran a slender finger along the smooth frame. She then noticed something along the gas cap and down its sides. It looked like a tribal heart design, the sides taking up most of the tank.

"So, Stud," Faith said as she got on the bike, "ready for me to steer you around those curves?"

Xander smiled, seeing Faith straddling the bike, making it look so natural. "Sure, why not? It's just not a good day without you trying to kill me."

Chuckling at the look he was getting, Xander grabbed a pair of bike helmets and passed one to Faith. It was a little weird for him as he sat behind Faith and put his arms on her hips. He had to admit, Faith's hair smelled really nice.

"Ya know, Stud," Faith teased just before she pushed the flip up helmet down, "they call the back seat of a bike the 'bitch seat'."

"So what? This makes me your bitch?"

"You said it, I didn't."

With a wild laugh, Faith kicked the motorcycle's engine to life. The powerful supercharged motor roared to life between Faith's legs. She was a little surprised but quickly got used to it.

The gates of the warehouse opened, thanks to a small switch on the handle bars, and out roared Faith, slowly easing the two wheeled monster out into the street.

"Ok, Faith," Xander pleaded as he licked his lips, "go easy on her. This is her maiden voyage, so please, PLEASE, take it easy."

"Aaaw, poor Xander scared?" Faith asked as she revved motorcycle engine and quickly got a nod. "Good!"

Suddenly, Faith let the clutch go and off roared the motorcycle, leaving skid marks all over the road.

Time: a few minutes later

Place: Outside the Bronze

As Faith killed the engine to her custom ride, she couldn't help but grin at the feeling of Xander's hands on her hips. It felt right to her.

"Oh my God," Xander said as he took his helmet off, "we got here alive."

"Hey! It wasn't that bad!"

"Well, it wasn't that good either. So there."

The only response Faith had to that was sticking her tongue out at Xander.

"Mature, Faith, really mature. Come on, girl, time for your OTHER present," he said with an evil smile. It wasn't really evil, just sinister.

Reluctantly, Faith followed Xander into the only night club in Sunnydale. On the ride here, which was short considering Faith was driving, Xander kept talking about her OTHER present. Yet, no matter how much she poked and prodded, Xander hadn't said one word about it.

They reached an empty table a few feet from the main stage and sat down, quickly making their order for drinks and some food.

What they didn't see was that five sets of eyes had spotted them.

They could clearly see them from their booth at the other side of the club.

The Bronze wasn't all the large, considering the kind of night clubs in California. Also, it was hard to miss two people who they barely saw anymore. Though, Buffy refused to admit that she had any fault in the separation.

Beside her sat her on again, off again boyfriend Angel. Next to him were Willow and her werewolf boyfriend, Oz. Since getting the night off from the band Oz had spent the whole day with his red headed, witch girlfriend. With the demonic underground quiet tonight (thanks to Xander and Faith, though Buffy once again refused to believe that), they had decided to take the night off and enjoy a night out. Everything was going alright until Buffy spotted Xander and Faith walking in...and laughing.

Part of her, a part she would never admit to, was a little jealous at how quickly her former friend and her sister Slayer had gotten so close. Since their little blow up a while back and her rescue, she had rarely seen them. The few times she had, the pair was always together talking intently about something. From what little she did hear, not that she was eavesdropping, they were talking about Slaying or something else, something or things that only friends talked about.

"What's he doing here what that slut?" Willow's voice queried, bringing Buffy out of her thoughts. Angel and Oz quickly looked up and saw who she was talking about.

To their surprise, Xander and Faith were sitting relatively close to one another at the table. Something was going on.

Cordelia Chase prided herself on being the Queen of Sunnydale High School. Since dumping Xander, she had once again gotten her crown back but it was lonely at the top.

She knew that Oz had forgiven Willow for her part in the cheating. Part of her wanted to forgive Xander, seeing as how she did sort of cheat on him too during the summer. But, she didn't want to be hurt again. She had her sheep again, though somehow it just wasn't the same anymore.

As Cordelia looked around the night club she spotted none other then Alexander Harris himself. She had heard what had happened the very same night that she'd called him 'the Zeppo', how he had destroyed a giant demon and its followers with weird powers and weapons. From what she had heard, Xander was pretty much unstoppable.

Now, there he was with Faith of all people. And from the looks of things, they were pretty close.

Something was going on.

"You know," Faith said as she took a sip of her coke, "they're all watching us."

Chuckling, Xander looked up from his burger and replied, "Yeah, well, let them watch. And now, let them watch as I go to the little boys' room. Excuse me."

With that, Xander got up and quickly made his way to where the bathroom was, which was near the stage.

So far things were going alright, though that feeling was still there, the feeling that something was going on.

"Well, look who's here. Where's the loser?"

The snobby voice behind Faith was totally unmistakable. It belonged to none other then Cordelia, aka the Queen of Sunnydale.

Not that Faith really cared.

"Aaaaw, what's wrong, Queen C? Going stag tonight?" Faith asked with a small smirk of her own.

"Whatever," was the response she got as Cordy tossed her hair. "It's not like I care who the loser goes out with."

Faith got a slightly evil glint in her eyes. "Ya know something, Queen C, I been wondering. If you and Xander had such a tight relationship, then why didn't he tell you anything?"

That one question got Cordelia's attention.

"Maybe 'cause he knew that you didn't totally trust him?"

"It doesn't matter," Cordelia said in an icy tone. "Even with his powers, he's still a loser and a geek."

"Ya know, Xander is right. You really can't see him."

With a look that could kill, Cordelia turned and walked back to wherever she had come from.

With a look of victory, Faith turned back to her food. Today was so far a good day.

The lights unexpectedly dimming save for the light on the stage, startled her. The stage curtains started to part to reveal none other than The Dingo's themselves, The Dingo's plus Xander.

From his seat next to Willow, Oz noticed his band was not only on stage, but also ready to play. Also his spot, he could see that the lead guitarist position had been taken over by Xander of all people. In fact, Xander looked very comfortable with candy apple red guitar he was holding.

Xander smiled as he reached up and lightly tapped his microphone.

"Xander?" Buffy whispered to herself but was still heard by everyone at her table.

A slack-jawed Faith stared up at the smiling Xander.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Bronze. Tonight is a very special night for a lucky someone out there, so this is dedicated to her. Happy Birthday."

Xander smiled as he nodded to The Dingo's. He started off with his guitar, playing a familiar rift as the drums joined his guitar and the rest of the band. With a wink to a flushed Faith, Xander started to sing.

She was a fast machine
She kept her motor clean
She was the best damn woman I had ever seen
She had the sightless eyes
Telling me no lies
Knockin' me out with those American thighs
Taking more than her share
Had me fighting for air
She told me to come but I was already there

The look of pure and utter jealousy was on the pretty face of one Cordelia Chase as Xander sang the song to Faith.

'Cause the walls start shaking
The earth was quaking
My mind was aching
And we were making it and you…

If today could get any weirder for Faith...it just had. There was Xander, singing to her and singing one of her favorite songs.

Shook me all night long

Yeah you

Shook me all night long

A wide eyed blonde Slayer couldn't keep her eyes off of Xander as he sang and played like a pro.

Working double time
On the seduction line
She was one of a kind, she's just mine all mine
She wanted no applause
Just another course
Made a meal out of me and came back for more
Had to cool me down
To take another round
Now I'm back in the ring to take another swing
'Cause the walls were shaking
The earth was quaking
My mind was aching
And we were making it and you…

Willow was mirroring her blonde friend next to her. She'd never seen Xander play any instrument, let alone sing.

Shook me all night long

Yeah you

Shook me all night long

Knockin' me out and you

Shook me all night long

Had me shakin' and you

Shook me all night long

Yeah, you shook me

Yeah, you took me

Xander's guitar solo got nearly the entire place cheering as everyone in the crowd sang along and clapped to the song. Not to mention he was doing a good impression of Gene Simmons, the man from KISS, with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

Even Oz looked a little jealous at how incredible Xander was playing.

With a smile Xander looked right at Faith and kept on singing.

You really took me and you

Shook me all night long

Oh, you

Shook me all night long

Yeah, yeah you

Shook me all night long

You really took me and you

Shook me all night long

Yeah shook me all night long!

The song ended and the entire audience went wild, clapping and giving wolf calls as Xander waved at them.

He unslung the guitar and put it away, nodding to the band as a show of thanks. Xander hopped off stage and made his way to the table that he was sharing with Faith. Said Slayer was looking at him with her mouth hanging open.

"How? What? When?"

"You know," Xander said as he put a fry into his mouth, "I think there's a question in there somewhere."

Finally getting out of her daze, Faith started talking. "How the hell did you pull this one off?"

"Well, you see, when I found out today was your birthday I thought something big was called for. And well, you know me, I like doing things big...and that came out so wrong."

"Ok, that explains some things. What I want to know is how you knew that was my favorite song?"

"Ahh," Xander said as he took a sip of his coke, "that's an easy one. I heard you singing it while you were in the shower awhile back. Though, I thought it was a screaming chicken being killed by a roaring Wookie."

"Smart ass," Faith said with a slap upside his head.

From the other side of the club Buffy, Willow, Oz, and Angel watched the two laughing and talking.

They all had shocked faces, though in Oz's case he only had a raised eyebrow which was the equal to him having a heart attack.

"Um, Angel?" Buffy said, still shocked.

"Yeah?"

"How come you never sing for me?"

Xander paid for the food and drinks and, along with Faith, left to the light clapping of the Bronze patrons.

Faith and Xander got on the bike and headed back home, Faith oddly quiet. As they got in the warehouse, the first thing Faith did, as soon as she got her helmet off, was grab Xander and give him the deepest, hottest kiss he had ever had (though it was just as hot and deep for her).

"That's for the song and the day out, Stud," Faith said as she broke the kiss.

She turned and left the stunned and dreamy eyed demon hunter trying to work his mouth.

"…Wow..."

It felt like hours (it was really only a few minutes) until Xander got his body to work. He made his way upstairs to see a sight he thought he'd never see. Faith had somehow fallen asleep on the sofa waiting for Xander.

Xander had a small smile on his face as he went over to the Slayer. Today had taken out a lot on the raven haired hottie. Seeing as how she had gotten everything she had ever wanted, Xander could understand, clothes, a cool ride, a song sung to her, and most of all she had people who truly cared for her.

Xander was just about to pick her up to take her to her bedroom when she grabbed onto him and pulled him down next to her. His face went red as she nuzzled closer to him, putting her head on his shoulder, dangerously close to his neck.

Xander Sparda, unstoppable demon hunter, was now a human pillow to one of the most beautiful women on the planet.

He looked down at her and smiled as he draped an arm around her and pulled her closer. She had a cute little grin on her face as she slept, making her look like nothing but an innocent young woman.

That thought was tossed out the window and run over by a monster truck when Faith placed her hand on his inner thigh.

This...was going to be a long night.

To be continued

((A/N: Faith's new bike http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/5251/wpe472ba9.jpg ))