The sky is clear and it is a perfect night. Looking at the girl next to me I wonder why my heart went in the wrong direction. It is just another reminder that the fates are a little bit crueler than I told Angel last night. If the fates had any kindness in them they would have made Cordelia my soul mate instead of my best friend. I mean she is gorgeous, she sees me, she understands me, and she loves me. Yet she doesn't love me in that way and sadly I don't love her that way either. I mean sometimes we border the line between friends and lovers but we have never crossed it.
The limo parks in front of the high school and I get out first. Holding the door open I offer my arm to help her get out. I am the perfect gentleman tonight and thus the perfect date. I want this to be a night she will always remember. Smiling at I loop her arm with mine and walk her to the gymnasium. I find Sunnydale High to be rather cheap all things considered. I remember when Ronan went to his prom it was at the Seaport Hotel in Boston.
Walking in, I look at the cheap decorations, the fake plants/trees, the disco ball, and the band on the stage. Overall it's cheap but it works. No one pays us any attention the majority already dancing. I take a close look at Cor and smile. She's in a sparkling full length dress with her hair up leaving tendrils to frame her face. She looks beautiful. Taking her hand I lead her out onto the dance floor. I know it must look weird but no one comments on us. Instead we receive a few appreciative glances from the guys and a few curious ones from the girls.
The song is slow and we are dancing nice and close. She smells of lavender and roses and moonlight. It transports us to a moonlit garden. We are so close, so into each other that the rest of the world disappears.
"Faith what are you doing here?" Willow asks disrupting our dance. "I barely recognized you." She tells me while taking a closer look at my outfit. I'm wearing a white tuxedo fashioned for a woman. The pants flair out at the cuff and hang low on my hips accentuating them. I am wearing a blood red vest the hugs my breasts giving a deep view of my cleavage but covering my nipples perfects. The Jacket is a tight fit accentuating my back, arms and drawing attention to my chest. Overall I look hot.
Turning my attention to Willow I look her up and down and see that the girl really needs a lesson in fashion. The dress looks decent though hiding her chest with that shawl ruins the effect of the dress. Her hair was either done by a blind woman or herself, not sure which. Oz looks nice with a tux that is obviously rented.
"Why wouldn't I be here Red?" I ask as if it doesn't piss me off that she is bothering me.
"Well you disappeared after the whole thing with the sisterhood and we haven't heard from you since. Why would we expect you to be here of all places? It's not like you go to school here or to school at all for that matter. I mean this isn't your kind of place. Aren't you more like bar type or club type of girl?" She tells and asks me in a bit of babble fashion.
"You are all so blind to everything and everyone. You all focus on yourselves and wait for the world to understand you, never taking the time to understand the world. You specifically think you are so smart when you can't even see what's in front of you. One day you'll figure it out. One day you'll break and this time I'll be there to watch it. You see me and you think you know me. Let me let you in on a little secret little witch; you don't know one fucking thing about me. Don't fucking assume shit you don't know." I tell her while leaning in to her personal space. I am so sick and fucking tired of these people.
The look of surprise on her face is priceless. Turning back to Cor I lead her to the punch table. I need a drink I am so angry. Sadly the only thing they are offering is punch. A little alcohol wouldn't hurt at a prom you know? Passing Cor a drink I wait for the anger to abate. The tingling at the back of my neck puts me further on edge instead. She is here, just perfect. I watch her enter and my heart stops for a minute. She looks like an angel. Her hair is half up and half down. The dress she is wearing is full length with a bow of sorts at the back. It's sleeveless and strapless. My heart starts again when she recognizes Willow and rushes to her. I can't hear what they are saying and I try not to care. Turning away from her I lead Cor around the room and further away from Buffy and friends.
"Nice job back there." Cor says next to me.
"Well I had to get us away from Buffy's eyes. Not that she would have noticed us." Buffy doesn't feel our connection like I do.
"I meant on refraining from killing Willow. I saw the look in your eye before you focused on her. I thought for a minute that you actually planned on strangling her." She tells me with a small smile.
"Well it's a public place, though even that was nothing but a small deterrent for a minute there. She does have a large set for that comment though or a serious lack of brains. I can't wait till she finally takes her own plunge. Really that entire group is so self absorbed. The sad part is that they don't change." I release a pent up sigh. Seeing the danger is over and a new song has started I lead Cor back onto the dance floor. The music is a little fast but it still allows me to get nice and close. I love touching Cor and she lets me. I do lust after her a bit and I wish that lust would transform into that type of love but I know it won't. I wonder if I can't love her the way I want will I ever love any other girl the way I want to.
"Ladies and Gentlemen it's time to announce this year's class awards." A guy I don't recognize announces on stage. Pulling away from Cor we both face the stage. Soon announcement after announcement comes up and student after student goes up to the stage to collect their reward. Finally the last award comes up and it's the class clown. Another boy, smaller in height goes up to the mike and makes a small little speech about the town and the girl who has made it a better place. The crowd parts as he calls her name and there is my angel walking up to receive her award: Class Protector. I am proud.
Wrapping my arm around Cor I hold her tight and wish for just a minute that I was holding Buffy. Shaking that thought away I give Cor a thousand watt smile and encourage her to go take pictures with me. Standing in a comfortable pose I hold her to me and we both smile for the camera. To say the least we are a hot couple. Porn movies would sell nonstop if we were in it. More than one guy drools as he looks at us.
Getting back to the dance floor I feel yet another tingle and know that Angel has arrived. Who would have thought he would show up after our talk last night? I watch as he leads her out onto the dance floor. As she rests her head onto his chest my heart clenches in misery. I had hoped never to see them together. Never to see the love she has for him. I hate them both at this very moment. My blood feels like it is on fire. I wish I had staked him either the last time or last night. I can't believe I walked that blood sucking corpse home this morning because he was too drunk to walk straight. I really can't believe it I am a true and utter fool. Lovely opportunity after lovely opportunity to stake this guy comes along and what do I do? I let him walk then I walk him home. It gets worse each time around.
The song ends and I walk Cor to the tables. We've been standing for more than an hour and from the size of her heels and mine I know her feet are hurting already. Taking a seat after her I try to relax; an impossible task. I am hyper aware of Buffy and now because of some twist of fate aware of Angel.
"Ms. Chase would you like to dance?" A British voice asks next me and slightly behind. Turning around I see Wesley. My breath nearly catches and I wait for him to recognize me. It never comes. Cordelia looks to me asking if I would mind. I nod my head for her to go. I watch as he takes her onto the dance floor. Who would have thought he would have the balls to ask her to dance. Leaning back in my chair I stare at the wall and wonder what to do next.
"Can I have this dance?" Turning around I see Angel. The little shit has bigger balls than I thought. Smiling at the irony that has to be in here somewhere I give him my hand and let him help me up.
"I thought for a moment you were going to say no." He tells me as he leads me onto the dance floor.
"I thought you would be too busy staring at Buffy to notice my existence."
"Who would ever fail to notice your existence Faith, especially in that outfit?" He asks me while giving me an appreciative look over.
"Don't think so buddy. You are not my type and I certainly am not interested in whatever you have to offer. Sadly you come with the wrong parts for my taste."I tell him with a small secret smile of my own. "Do you even know how to dance anymore?" I ask him in a teasing voice. Where did that come from?
"Do I know how to dance? I am old enough to be your great grandfather. My generation was taught how to dance when we were still in the schoolroom. I've danced with debutantes and princesses. I know the waltz, the quadrille, a ton of country dances. Overall I would make a killing being a professional dance instructor." He tells me with a smile while giving me a small twirl. I can't believe I almost feel comfortable with him. Something is wrong in this picture cause we are no longer in Kansas ladies and gentlemen.
Crossing the dance floor I ignore the world and try to enjoy the moment. It's been a while since I was able to really relax and for some reason here in this moment I am just that. Everything has changed yet nothing has. I've changed the future already. I've created relationships that didn't exist before or took much longer to develop. I'm working to create a relationship with Angel even though I am against it; it is developing none the less. I'm still having a hard time dealing with the Scooby's. I'm not ready for that type of forgiveness. True half the things I am angry about haven't even happened yet but tell that to my emotions. Tell my heart to stop being so angry for years of being ignored, betrayed, or forgotten. Tell it to forget the looks, the snide comments, or the blatant hatred in their eyes. Here and now they just ignore me, use me but it's not all I've seen or felt. It's a mixture of past, future, and present constantly clashing in my head.
"Hey Bella" I hear next to me as a hand slides my arm and pulls me away from Angel. Opening my eyes I am surprised to see a tall, black haired guy. I've never seen him before but the use of the name Bella tells me where he has seen me. He pulls me into a tight embrace and I am too shocked to even react. No moron has even been so bold. "You looked hot when you were doing your little number. In that outfit you look twice as fucking hot. I would love to see you take it off how about a private show?" He asks me while running his hands down my back over my ass and his eyes down my front suggestively. This kid has some nerve.
"How long did it take you to come up with that line?" I ask him while gently pulling away. I thought I would be embarrassed if this ever happened, frankly I just find it amusing. The look on his face says it all. "Honey let's just say you're not my type and leave it at that." I tell him and move back to the gawking Angel.
"What was that all about?" Angel asks with a confused look on his face. "Bella?" Shaking my head I refuse to answer and merely walk back to my table. What a night so far it could get worse though and I see worse is coming my way.
"Faith" Buffy states simply, Giles standing beside her with the rest of the Scoobs behind her. Like I said worse it gets.
"Yes Buffy?" I ask with as much innocence as possible.
"Why are you here?" She asks and I can feel the venom slowly leaking in to her voice.
"You know why I am here." I state keeping things simple though my succinct answers only seem to be pissing her off.
"Where were you when I needed you earlier today? If you're so good about knowing what's going on in the town, why aren't you ever here when I need you?" She asks me getting angrier by the minute.
"When haven't I been here when you needed me? The sisterhood came and I came to help. Now the mayor is getting ready to ascend and here I am. What else do you want from me Buffy? I drop everything that is going on in my life to be here for your apocalypses. I never ask for your help with anything. Yet I am always here when you really need help. You told me you had this town, that you could face everything here just fine. Well what more do you want from me?" My voice is rising with every word. I am well and truly angry. I have taken her shit in two separate lifetimes and quite frankly I am tired of it.
Shock is written on all of their faces. I don't think they honestly expected me to get pissed off. People bow down to the great and powerful Ms. Summers not get pissed off and rant. Well welcome to Rantville.
"I am sick, sick, sick, sick of your bullshit. I am tired, so fucking tired of your drama. I came to help because I know you need it. I came to help save the world not to appease you or your little fucking lap dogs. The world does not revolve around you Buffy, it never has and it never will. You may be the slayer for this town but that means very little to anyone outside of your own little fantasy world. The council, your watcher, your mom, and this whole town might be wrapped around your little finger but I am not. Don't take my help for granted because there is no force of nature or otherwise that can force me to be here, to help you through your harder battles." I tell her and make sure her friends get the message. I am not her lap dog, not now, not ever. Turning around I start to look for Cor and am surprised by her and Wesley standing next to me.
"So you are the other slayer? Faith is it? I have been curious as to your where about. Mr. Giles has been very vague. I have suspected for some time that you had gone rogue." He tells me while looking me up and down in blatant disapproval. God he is still such a fucking prude.
"Wesley is it?" I ask as if I don't already know. "I've been away from Sunnydale for more than five months. It's clear that Mr. Giles doesn't keep an eye on my where about. You've been here for several months and have failed to try to find me or report me to the council. That makes two things abundantly clear. You are incompetent and you are afraid that the council will blame you for not keeping an eye on me. So let me give you some very good advice. Don't tell the council anything. What they don't know won't hurt them and it won't hurt you. However, if I ever hear even a whisper that you have said anything foul to the council about me especially about being a rogue I will be happy to teach you a personal lesson you will never forget." I tell him while running my hand slowly down his chest. The movement could be taken in multiple ways.
"Cor let's get out of here this place is getting a bit crowded. I know of a party in L.A that you would love." I take her arm in mine and lead her out to the stunned looks of the Scoobs and co.
Cor and I left the Prom and went to the one place I know she would never be caught in, a place I didn't think I would return to; the Spearmint Rhino. The limo pulls up front and I can tell by her expression that she is not happy with me.
"Chill out Cor I know it's not your kind of place but haven't you ever been just a little bit curious?" I ask her giving her a tiny smirk.
"I can barely tolerate the fact that you worked here now you're taking me here? You must be on something Lehane." She tells me with a slight smirk. I know she is annoyed but I know she is actually curious. Cordelia Chase may be hot, sexy, and worldly but she is still a prude.
"The Bella of the ball has come back to us." I hear Tony say at the front door. Tony is built like every football player wishes he was built. His biceps are larger than my thighs, he has an eight pack, screw six, and he is black like coffee. If you met him on a dark street you might think to turn around and back away slowly. Yet he is the biggest teddy bear I have ever met. He actually cares about the girls and keeps the guys from getting too fresh.
"Tony you still here?" I ask while giving him a hug. He envelopes me and it's like being swallowed by a six foot two chocolate bar.
"Of course, waiting for the day you would grace us with your presence." He tells me with a smile. His white teeth a sharp contrast to his dark skin.
"Of course, well here I am gracing away." I tell him with a smile in return.
"You here for the show tonight or you giving us a show?" He asks and I just give him my little secret smile as an answer. Chuckling heartily he opens the door and waves us in. Waving back at him I tell him I'll see him later over my shoulder. I can feel Cordelia's tension next to me; she is both excited and nervous.
Some of the girls immediately recognize me and stop to say hi or give a hug. Undoubtedly they are both happy and sad that I am gone. Taking a seat near the stage I wave Tammy over and order a Sex on the beach. I want a drink but I don't want to get drunk. Drinking for the sake of drinking loses its appeal when it's hard to get drunk. Now I drink for the enjoyment of the flavor of the alcohol. Cor orders a Rum and Coke, a waste of a perfectly good shot of rum.
The music is half decent and the girls are giving it all they are worth as usual. Sarah is up on the main stage and as usual she looks hot. I let my eyes wander around the club and see that it's relatively packed tonight. The men are all drinking steadily and staring with longing at all the beautiful women. Never saw the joy of going to a strip club. Who wants to stare at a woman for hours and never be able to touch her, to taste her, to have her at the end of the night? No I would much rather shell out for a date and have a chance at getting lucky then shelling out to a stripper and knowing I probably don't have a snowball's chance in hell.
Looking over at Cor I can tell her eyes are riveted to Sarah and her routine. No doubt this is the first time Cor has seen a live mostly naked woman dancing around. Smiling at her shocked curiosity I watch the club enjoying the atmosphere for a change. I always hated working here but at the same time I felt in tune with the place. Showing the world a piece of myself that I hide from everyone I loved. Showing what they taught me, what they forced on to me. I was trained for this world, trained for more than this, trained to be a courtesan of the flesh. Strange that now I wish to share this piece of myself with Cor.
"Ladies and gentlemen tonight we have a very special surprise for all of you. Our favorite girl, our prodigal daughter has returned to us. Tonight she is a spectator, here to enjoy the tantalizing sights and scents of flesh. Can we convince her to give us a show? It has been so long since we have seen the bell of our ball. Ladies and gentlemen let us encourage Bella to return to our stage!" I hear Derek announce as a spotlight highlights me for the crowd. A loud cheering goes up and I swear if I could I would easily and happily castrate Derek. He loves to make money and I most certainly made him a lot of it.
Standing up I leave Cor with a pat on the back for encouragement and walk to the DJ booth. Picking up a clip on mike I request a song and make my way to the stage. The lights go out and I know the entire club is focused on me. There is a bit of power in all of this that is almost as exhilarating as slaying. A guitar cuts into the silence playing a slow melody. The spotlight shines on me. I begin a slow erotic dance.
"Give me one reason to stay here- and I'll turn right back around." I sing running my hands down my body slowly unbuttoning my jacket. "Give me one reason to stay here-and I'll turn right back around." I turn my back to the crowd and slide my jacket off my shoulders but not off completely. Turning back around I focus on Cor singing to her. "Said I don't want to leave you lonely you got to make me change my mind." I sing while pointing to her and taking of my jacket tossing it to her.
"Baby I got your number and I know that you got mine." Gyrating my hips I slide my hands down my body. "But you know that I called you, I called you too many times." Returning focus to my vest I slowly unbutton it. "You can call me baby, you call me anytime, but you got to call me." My vest is undone and my lacey blood red bra is slightly visible.
"Give me one reason to stay here- and I'll turn right back around." I sign slowly walking up to a guy sitting practically on the stage. He slides a twenty into my bra. Smiling at him I give him a gently slap and turn around. "Give me one reason to stay here-and I'll turn right back around." I walk to another customer giving him a closer look at my chest and abdomen. He slides another twenty into my bra making sure to give my nipple tweak for satisfaction. Grabbing his head I almost kiss him before tossing him away. "Said I don't want to leave you lonely you got to make me change my mind."
"I don't want no one to squeeze me-they might take away my life." I squeeze my breasts lightly. "I don't want no one to squeeze me-they might take away my life." I slide my hands around my waist hugging myself. "I just want someone to hold me and rock me through the night." I glide over to the pole and grind my hips against it.
"This youthful heart can love you yes and give you what you need." I take off my vest and toss it to Cor again. "I said this youthful heart can love you yes and give you what you need." I slide up to a customer letting him ogle me a bit. I feel him slide money into my bra. Running my hand over his body I stand up and touch my hips. "But I'm too old to go chasing you around wasting my precious time." I unbutton my pants and slowly slide them down over my hips.
"Give me one reason to stay here- and I'll turn right back around." I slide the pants the rest of the way down and off. "Give me one reason to stay here- and I'll turn right back around." I slide up to a man on my hands and knees. "Said I don't want to leave you lonely you got to make me change my mind."
"Baby just give me one reason-give me just one reason why." I crawl around the stage touching one guy after another. "Baby just give me one reason-give me just one reason why I should stay." Crawling towards Cor, I go onto my knees almost pleading with her. "Said I told you that I loved you, and there ain't no more to say." I sing before grabbing Cor and kissing her fiercely. The crowd erupts in cheers and catcalls. If you're going to go, you go out with a bang. Pulling away I smile at Cor's dazed face, until she slaps me. Giving her another smile making sure my dimple shows I get a nod which means I know she has already forgiven me.
