Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Three days passed, the only ones to see Faith's painful condition being Tara, Willow, and Buffy. Tuck and Jo getting quick glances when they where fetching meals. For three days Buffy stayed with Faith, hoping that she would get better soon. For three days Faith screamed and whimpered and growled and whined. For three days the ship practically floated with no command; and the crew was getting restless to see their captain. By the fourth day Faith was well enough to dress in her clothes and make threats to the crew. By the fifth the sweating and jitters had stopped and her appetite had returned, as well as her sharp minded-awareness. Now, in the morning of the sixth day Buffy helped Faith slide into her heavy coat and gave her, her boots.

"I suppose," Faith said, still coarse voice nothing more than a whisper, "that a mention of gratitude and debt are in order." Her socked foot slid easily into her boot. Buffy giggled and nudged her lightly as she watched her tighten the laces.

"Or you could just say 'Thank you, Buffy', and we'll never mention it again for your reputation." Buffy teased quietly.

"Thank you, Buffy." Faith said with a light chuckle, sliding her other boot on. The door opened and Tara entered with a bright multi-colored dress, and a shining smile on her lips. "Tara. Morning." Tara went over to the two, squeezing Buffy's shoulder and bending to kiss her sister's cheek, creatively letting the cuffs of her dress be used as a barrier between the two's flesh.

"Morning Fai. Morning Buffy. Will you be joining Willow and I for breakfast? Or is it still to tedious for my dear sister?" Tara asked Buffy, winking just a little when Buffy bit her lip to stifle her laugh when Faith gave a low growl.

"I'm fine!" Faith said when Buffy opened her mouth to actually reply. She stood a bit quickly, causing a wave of dizziness to wash through her. Buffy was at her side, holding her hand gently the moment Faith raised her arms to steady herself. "Thank you, Buffy." Faith said again, somewhat teasingly as she squeezed the slightly smaller hand in her own.

"See, that's not hard." Buffy teased back, feeling a burst of tingles run through her belly when she felt Faith squeeze her hand. "Are you sure your ready?"

"Very. Come on, Willow will be wondering what happened to us." Faith said as she waved Tara ahead of her, resting her hand lightly on the small of Buffy's back. "Buffy, you won't mind helping me with something, later, will you?"

"No, of course not. Whatever you need, I'm your girl." Buffy felt her eyes widen. She turned quickly, eyes looking up into black ones' when she did. "Well, I mean, your girl for help and stuff. Not like, well I mean maybe like, but only if you like and wow I babble a lot too much. You should really stop me when I do that." She said, blushing tainting her cheeks as she looked away from a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know." Faith breathed as she stepped ever closer to the blushing blonde. "I find it quite, endearing." Buffy felt her ears burn as she looked up. Faith gave her a small smile and whispered in her ear. Tara smiled at the two of them, feeling her light-heart pulse as she felt the two's emotions. Willow lightly took her arm as she too smiled at the scene before her. She knew little of Buffy, and what she did know seemed very odd and different from the world they where used to, but she knew she liked the zesty blonde and hoped her good fortunate. And Faith, honestly the darkness that encompassed her scared her witless but she knew that Faith's happiness would bring Tara better health and that Faith, even with all her dark ways', deserved to be happy too—and Buffy seemed like the person to do it.

"Breakfast is ready, Jo told me. We can eat when your all ready." Willow said loudly, hoping to keep Buffy and Faiths' attention. Faith looked at her, and Willow felt her heart almost stop. There was no anger, no residual warmth from when she'd been gazing at Buffy, there was nothing. And that scared her more than if she'd been angry.

"Thank you, Willow. Come, we should eat." Faith said and ushered them to the captain's dining quarters'. Tuck and Jo where waiting outside the doors, and both seemed beyond pleased when they saw a relatively healthy looking Faith walking towards them.

"Captain! It's so good to see you well again!" Tuck said excitedly, his voice jumping an octave.

"Aye Captain, everyone was starting to get bothersome!" Jo added, eyes staring up at the dark captain like she held the answers to the world.

"Thank you, Tuck, Jo. I'm sure you took care of what you could."

"Aye Captain!" Jo practically squealed.

"Yes Captain!" Tuck chimed at the same time.

The foursome ate together in relative tranquility, broken only by the sounds outside the room. When breakfast ended Willow and Tara wandered off, Tara with a last promise to check on Faith later so Buffy could briefly go do something else—sense she seemed to have every intention of staying at Faith's side throughout the whole day. And she did too, through Faith's growls and warnings', through her breaking a fools' nose, through her choking a vampire who had gotten just a bit too restless during her illness, and through the almost-fights with her crew to keep her position. Finally near the end of the day Faith slumped into a chair in her room. Buffy was at her side, checking to make sure she wasn't relapsing.

"You know," Buffy said quietly as she pressed a damp clothe to Faith's slightly heated forehead, "you never did show me what you needed my help with." Faith looked out the window and shook her head lightly.

"Not yet." Buffy gave her a confused look. "Not yet." Faith simply repeated. Moments later Tara entered, relieving Buffy from her self-appointed duties for a while. When Buffy exited the room Faith turned her attention to Tara, who sat on the bed not far from her. "What do you think of her? Buffy."

"I like her, she's nice and sweet." Tara smiled. "Why?"

"I like her as well. Very, very much."

"Do you like her, like I like Willow?"

"Perhaps." Faith turned an amused expression to Tara. "You are aware that your departure from my room and Buffy's new arrival in it, has not gone undetected."

"I would hope not. I just thought—"

"Undeniably it's surprising." Faith cut off, resting her chin on her knuckles. "However, what's more surprising is that I will not reprimand you for it. I've grown quiet fond of her, and I hope she stays around to visit for a while." Tara giggled and lightly ran a finger through her sister's hair.

"Thank you." Buffy entered on Tara's last word, her expression naturally confused.

"Wow, did I miss something?" She asked as she noticed the brief seriousness before it quickly faded.

"Nothing. Come, it's time I showed you what I wanted." Faith said as she stood and opened the door, letting both Tara and Buffy out before herself. "Tara I will see you tomorrow. Buffy if you would please, follow me." Tara gave Buffy a quick hug when she shot her a confused look.

"Sure. Night Tara."

"Sweet dreaming Buffy, Faith." Tara said quietly as she entered the room she shared with Willow.

Faith lead Buffy to the bow and pointed up. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Buffy moved closer just a little bit, blushing slightly as she brushed against Faith. The sky above was nothing more than a washboard of dark night and stars, the moon gone for the night. "I really needed no help, I just wanted to show you the sky's paintings. Unfortunately this night the moon is gone, but you will see it another night, I'm sure."

"Thank you for showing me this, Faith."

"Your welcome. There was one more thing, actually." Buffy turned to her and smiled.

"What can I help you with?" Faith didn't answer; instead she just stared down at Buffy for a moment. "Faith?" Buffy asked quietly. Before she could react Faith leaned down, lightly pressing her lips against Buffy's. Buffy gasped against Faith's full lips, eyes wide. She pulled back to give Faith a confused look. "Faith?" She repeated.

"I just, wanted to know how soft your lips where." Faith whispered, head turning away from Buffy's intense eyes. "If they where as soft as the rest of you or not." Buffy didn't say anything for a moment, finally though she smiled and reached up—turning Faith's attention back to her.

"You just really surprised me." Buffy explained as she pulled Faith's lips to her own. They connected lightly, causing Buffy to give a rather loud moan and Faith to reach her hands up to Buffy's waist.

Note: Thank you Kenyon87 for giving me such great reviews, thought I'd wet your appetite for a little Faith/Buffy-ness here.