A/N – Thank you guys for all the reviews, I'm glad you are liking the music selections too. I would love to say that I am a amazingly talented musician but really I am just lyric obsessed so that's where all the music comes in, now you know a little more about me! Ok I am finally finishing up the Thanksgiving trip now I promise! I wanted to update before I leave for a California trip so this may be a little shorter…for me that is (right AR -Erithius- ). Hope you enjoy please R&R!
Chapter 9 – Family Dis-Functions Part 3
It was like they never stopped training or fighting, the two women were on their 22nd and 23rd vampires of the evening enjoying every moment of their patrol. They moved with precision and struck with accuracy as if they hadn't skipped a beat in years. The seasoned professionals could sense each other's moves as they easily commanded each fight.
"B catch" Faith yelled across the cemetery holding a vampire against the mausoleum with one hand as she tossed a stake to Buffy about 15 feet from her.
"Thanks babe!" Buffy said while catching it with ease, "See ya" she taunted her foe as she quickly maneuvered the stake before jamming it into her prey's chest causing that familiar cloud of dust. Faith smiling at her girl in action turned to her own vampire now and snapped his neck easily before wiping her hands to rid them of dust. Turning to Buffy they raised hands to give each other a quick high five. "God we are good, huh?" Faith asked. The two were making their way through the cemetery now walking casually as they spoke.
"The best in fact" Buffy said as she swung her arm around Faith's waist as Faith kissed her temple. "God…I hate to sound like a psycho but I really miss this…the action, the kill, it's like I have been sleeping too long ya know, now I am finally awake"
"Have to say I agree B…guess it's still in us after all" Faith nodded in agreement
"So then the decision we made about this place and living here…we still are ok with it right?"
"I am if you are"
"Well I am"
"Great…then its settled, wait till everyone else finds out…can't wait for that reaction"
"Hmmm…yea…really don't want to think about that right now" she frowned slightly "anyways what should we do next? More vamps, more demons, or maybe a little H and H break?" Buffy smirked nudging Faith with her elbow
"Well actually I was thinking…" Faith started to say but was suddenly cut off by a punch to the face that caught her off guard sending her to the ground, "What the fuck?" she yelled in frustration returning to her feet to see the guilty vampire.
"Slayers" a demonic voice hissed from in front of them, "I've always wanted to taste one…" she said as she approached.
"God when will you all get new lines…" Buffy rolled her eyes sending a kick to the vampire's chest sending the new vamp flying back into a gravestone, "taste this…hussy" Buffy said as she once again used a stake to end the vampires' undead life.
"Hussy?" Faith asked quizzically
"What…she was dressed for a club…hussy like…"
"I think my grandma used to use that word" Faith shook her head and laughed.
"Shut it" Buffy responded as she rushed Faith pushing her down to the ground once again before straddling her on the grass, "Or I will make you pay" she joked placing her hands on Faith's cheeks before placing a fiery kiss to the women beneath her.
"Oh I like this kind of punishment…" Faith said as she responded to the kiss with another one of equal passion. "But…we have somewhere to be" she added pushing the blonde from on top of her.
"Aw, I was just getting started…" Buffy pouted as Faith laughed hopping to her feet and extending a hand to the blonde
"I know B I know…but don't worry I don't plan on waiting that long" she winked
"Ok ok, where are you taking me?"
"Well now that we have built up the Hand H I got reservations at a hotel in town…"
Buffy's eyebrows arched in suspicion towards Faith, "Hotel huh? Want to be alone with me tonight…no slayer campus…planning on being naughty?"
"If you must know yes I do" Faith responded straight faced causing Buffy to laugh, "But first I thought I would do something nice…like take you out for a nice meal at the hotel restaurant it got good reviews…"
"Oh yea from who?"
"Ummm…Giles?"
"Ha ha good enough for me…ok first we eat and then…" Buffy's mouth curved into a devilish grin
"Then dessert of course" Faith replied as she took Buffy into her arms and pulled her close for another passionate kiss before grabbing her hand and leading her off the hallowed ground to the main street, they found a cab and proceeded downtown to the Crown Plaza in downtown Cleveland.
Buffy suggested they clean up a bit before dinner being that the restaurant was opened 24 hours anyway and they were slightly dingy from their cemetery antics. Faith agreeing completely lead Buffy to the room. Faith had sent Andrew hours earlier to check in for them and set the room up specifically to Faith's request complete with their bags and Faith's gift. Entering the room Buffy was almost knocked over by its beauty. Vases of lilies were everywhere, seriously there were over 65 arrangements, and multi colored rose petals adorned the bed and bathroom areas. Buffy smiled as she walked from each point in the room only to be met with more floral gratification. Faith was happy as well but just to see the beautiful girl take in her surroundings, there weren't many things she found more pleasure in than being with Buffy.
Faith approached the blonde and wrapped her arms around her waist leaning into her back as Buffy was looking out the window at the city below. "This is amazing" Buffy gushed as she leaned back into Faith before turning in the girls arms and meeting her lips.
Faith showered rather quickly anxious to proceed to the more formal side of the evening and then pushed Buffy into the shower. She did so reluctantly as Faith had a sudden urge to skip dinner and just devour her lover in the shower. Instead found herself pulling a bag from the closet as the blonde cleaned up. Smiling at the contents of the mystery package she hung it up in front of the bathroom door so Buffy would see it as she exited before leaning into the bathroom herself, "Hey B, I'm gonna run down to the lobby real quick to make a reservation but I left you a present out here, be right back" She figured it would take Buffy at least another 20 minutes to get ready.
Buffy yelled out in agreement as she rinsed her hair before she shut off the water and exited the shower. Wrapping herself in a white robe and tossing her hair in a towel as well she opened the door relinquishing all the steam focusing now on her surprise. A beautiful white and silver dress hung on the doorframe with a red rose tucked neatly at the top with a note that said simply "wear me". Buffy didn't even stop to think about it and quickly put on the beautiful article of clothing admiring herself and Faith's incredible knack for her fashion taste in the mirror.
Faith was wearing a black pant suit that hugged her in all the right places with a red low cut tank top underneath and stiletto heels, she had formed an appreciation for heels since dating Buffy…and actually they didn't even hurt her feet. Several hotel guests both male and female turned to take her in as she walked down the hall. Faith knew their wouldn't be much of a wait in the restaurant since it was close to 11 but one could never be too sure, so she descended in the elevator and approached the restaurant off the lobby. As Faith set up the reservations with the host at the restaurant she turned to return to the suite when she heard a familiar laugh come from the bar area of the restaurant. Chocking on the familiarity of the laugh Faith locked her eyes on none other but…Kennedy…with someone, a very beautiful blonde someone, who was most definitely not Willow. Faith felt a lump in her throat form as she watched the younger girl lean into the beautiful blonde accompaniment as they laughed about something she had just said.
The one thing Willow was wrong about was Faith's level head in this situation, because at that moment she wanted to do nothing more than pull a B and punch the shit out of her. "I can't believe this…" Faith whispered to herself, "…Red was right". She stood frozen as she watched the pair before the blonde leaned in and kissed Kennedy on the lips in a way more than casual friends way. Faith couldn't hold silent anymore and made the decision for a confrontation as she walked with haste into the bar.
"Kennedy there you are honey, I have been looking everywhere for you" Faith put on her fakest smile and speech possible as she came around a now flabbergasted Kennedy. Faith reached around Kennedy's shoulders to rest her hand around the other women fighting every urge to knock her off the chair and kick her while she was down. Turning to the other woman Faith extended her hand, "Hi I'm Faith… Kennedy's wife nice to meet you…uh…sorry I didn't catch your name"
Faith could feel Kennedy's whole body tense at the use of the word wife, the reaction she had intended. She looked back to see Kennedy's eyes burning with anger and anxiety before turning back to the stuttering blonde.
"Uhhh, I'm Alice…sorry nice to meet you as well." She tried to look at Kennedy for an answer but Faith shifted to meet her eyes again, "Kennedy I think I should be going" she grabbed her purse quickly before jumping off the bar stool and exiting the bar.
Kennedy couldn't even speak as she was shocked that she had not only been caught but by Faith of all people, someone who she thought was an ally. Faith grabbed Kennedy by the arm and practically drug her out of the bar exiting through the back into a dark alley.
"Are you out of your fucking mind" Faith yelled at Kennedy as she pushed her into the brick wall, "You're cheating on Red, fucking cheating Ken, what the fuck?"
"Faith…I'm sorry…I don't…I mean I didn't…I'm not"
"Kennedy you have all of three minutes to get out a god damn complete sentence out before I start wailing on that bratty boarding school face of yours" Faith threatened
"Faith I'm not cheating on Willow…"
"LIAR! You and that chick were just gonna go upstairs and talk about the existence of heaven and hell huh? Kennedy I swear to god if you play me like a fool I will kick your ass…" Faith wasn't backing down an inch as she yelled in Kennedy's face approximately two inches from the younger girl's body. "Stupid bitch do you even know what Willow is worth, do you Kennedy, she is probably sitting at home wondering what she is doing wrong while you're out here fucking people Kennedy, what the fuck is wrong with you?
"Alright!!!!" Kennedy yelled as tears formed in her eyes and Faith finally backed away, "I…I don't know" she collapsed into the wall sliding down to a seating position holding her knees to her chest, "Faith…I don't know what the hell I am doing here…I swear to you I haven't…I mean yes I have been lying but I haven't slept with anyone else …yet… other than a few random kisses that's it Faith I swear…I don't know what's wrong with me…I don't deserve her, go ahead just fucking hit me already I deserve it…" she was sobbing now "I just…Willow and I are so fucking boring now there is no passion no spark…I just wanted to see what it was like ya know, to be with someone else…" she admitted closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the cold bricks.
Faith huffed in frustration. "Kennedy get up" she didn't budge "I said get up" she yanked Kennedy from the ground pushing her against the wall, "That is bullshit…do you hear me…BULLSHIT….stop feeling sorry for yourself" She let go of Kennedy with fire in her eyes never unlocking them from the younger girl, "Whatever you are thinking right now get over it…you're being a fucking idiot and treating the one person who loves you unconditionally like a piece of garbage. Maybe no one else has told you this but let me, Willow is a fucking incredible person with more forgiveness in her heart than should be possible and you're throwing it away cause you're bored? Do you realize how stupid that sounds?"
"Fuck you Faith, you have been with Buffy for what 4 months and that makes you an expert? How many times have you fucked someone out of boredom or cheated on someone for that matter?" Kennedy spat back
Faith unable to fight her emotions reached out slapping Kennedy across the face, "Don't ever pretend you know me …" she threatened again, "You don't know me but I know people like you…spoiled brat thinking everything should just come to you and entertain you and when you're bored you can throw it away for something new" Kennedy looked down at her feet as Faith hit a nerve, "You can't do that with people you asshole, sooner or later she will wise up to this shit and she will leave you"
"As soon as you run and tell Buffy right, you two will go straight back to Willow and tell her how horrible I am" Kennedy yelled out as tears ran from her eyes again.
Faith sighed, "I'm not gonna tell anyone" she mumbled
"What?"
"I said I'm not gonna tell anyone especially not B or Red…" Faith said seeing Kennedy's face relax a little, "You're gonna tell them"
"The fuck I am"
"Kennedy you are gonna pick your sorry ass up, run home and tell Willow the truth even if the truth hurts you and her, you are gonna do it anyway"
"Yea right, what are you gonna do Faith make me?" Kennedy spat out
"Damn right" Faith said angrily, "If you don't tell them I will and then I won't even flinch when they kick you're sorry ass to the curb after a Buffy beat down"
"Faith…I can't…I just can't tell her"
"Do you love her?" Faith asked
"Of course I do, what kind of question is that? I love Willow I just don't know if I am in love with her anymore" Kennedy admitted softly
"Then you need to tell her, maybe she feels the same or even if she doesn't you have to tell her. Things don't always last forever but not be mistaken Kennedy if you take that final step and start cheating on her you can never go back, is that what you really want? You can't lead her on…it isn't right"
"When did you start caring about what was right?"
"When I stopped being an asshole, like you are being right now and admitted to myself what I really wanted"
"Which was?" Kennedy scoffed
"A future…a future with Buffy, nothing else matters to me now can't you see that? All I will ever need is standing upstairs getting ready for an incredible evening with me and that's all I need to know. That woman up there, she fucking loves me and I love her more than the air in my lungs, I look at her and I see a future. If you opened up your eyes you could see the same thing…go home Kennedy" Faith said as she turned around and headed back to the hotel door leaving Kennedy standing dumbstruck in the dimly lit alley. She started to say something but Faith had already reached the door and retreated inside. She stood for another moment letting the tears continue to fall before turning to find her a car and return home…to Willow.
Faith returned to find Buffy in the bathroom putting on her makeup as her hair had been dried and straightened already. "Well I was right, the dress looks great…as does all of you" Faith said as she leaned in the doorway. Buffy turned taking in the beautiful brunette, "it does thank you it fits great…you look amazing…you are amazing" she said as she approached Faith and kissed her neck before nuzzling into it.
Buffy could feel the anxiety in Faith's body and stood back slightly perplexed, "Are you ok Faith, you feel tense"
"Everything is five by five…ready for dinner?" Faith said trying to hide the adrenaline still pumping through her body as she pulled Buffy back into her.
"Ready for dessert" Buffy breathed out into her lover's neck with a smile"
"In due time B" Faith laughed as she rolled out of Buffy's grip taking her hand and leading her downstairs. The meal was incredible as to be expected and both women ate themselves silly before finally settling an incredibly large bill and leaving the restaurant. They hadn't been in the elevator more than 3 seconds when Buffy suddenly pushed Faith against the small box's wall and began to kiss her as her hands gripped her tightly around the waist.
"B…B wait…" Faith laughed, "Baby we have plenty of time….no rush"
"Baby I have been waiting all night for you" Buffy moaned
"And I plan to keep you up all night B, no worries…besides I have one more surprise"
The elevator bell rang as the doors opened to the hallway and both women proceeded to exit and head back to their room. Buffy walked in kicking off her shoes and sighing, "Damn those things hurt" she threw herself down on the bed looking at Faith, "when did you start becoming all girly wearing uncomfy shoes like me?"
"Actually I love these shoes B, they hold a lot of comfort" she smiled innocently before laying down on the bed next to Buffy, "Ready for your surprise?" she asked
"You know I am" Buffy said as she turned to face Faith who now reached into the drawer of the night stand pulling out a long black velvet box.
Buffy's hand trembled as Faith handed it to her, "Faith what did you do?"
"Open it"
Buffy did as instructed before a gasp and tears overtook her. Reaching inside to touch a beautiful platinum gold cross necklace encrusted with sparkling diamonds. It was small but large, dainty yet powerful, bold yet soft spoken everything Buffy was. Faith smiled as Buffy met her eyes tears streaming down her face, "flip it over" she instructed to which Buffy did. Engraved on the back was a simple word "Forever" with a tiny B and F etched beneath it.
"Faith, this is absolutely beautiful…I love it thank you, thank you so much" Buffy said as she continued to finger the jewelry with tears of joy in her eyes.
Faith embraced Buffy, "I mean it ya know, I will be yours forever B, and even longer than that if heaven exists" she joked as tears formed in her eyes as well now. "I love you"
"I love you too Faith, more than anything"
"Forever?"
"Forever."
The two women fell into the bed still embraced before Buffy reached down and closed the velvet box setting it on the night stand, "I love you" she whispered again as she fell into the bed once more with Faith. They lay there for a couple minutes before Buffy grinned devilishly at Faith who responded with a "what"
"It's time for dessert" Buffy commanded sensually
Faith just laughed but didn't hesitate to take Buffy in her arms as the two women made love over and over again throughout the night.
The next morning
Faith awoke as the sun came in the window around eleven with a tightly clinging Buffy around her midsection. Deciding to wake her lover up despite her desire to stay in this position for the next eight days she turned to face the blonde and began to place feather kisses on her jaw line.
"Mmmmm" Buffy moaned as she stirred, her eyes fluttered opened and she smiled, "Hi"
"Hey baby, time to get up"
"Oh do we have to?" she whined
"Sadly yes, I told Giles we would be back around 1 for a meeting, the meeting that is"
"Great you wake me up after a night of mind blowing sex to tell me about a meeting that I have been dreading for like a month" Buffy continued to pout
"Hey put that lip away" Faith laughed, "It's gonna be fine, plus if it goes bad we are totally faster than them and we can run…"
"Good point…ok let's go" Buffy sprang out of bed as Faith did the same meeting in the shower succumbing to that second H…just once more.
Buffy was putting on her jeans and a bra while Faith was finishing packing the bags. Looking into the mirror Buffy reached for the black box on and pulled out the necklace smiling as she looked over it again.
"Here let me" Faith whispered from behind her brining her arms around Buffy and taking the necklace from her as she placed it around the blonde's neck. "Hmmm…perfect" she said pleased with the reflection.
"It is Faith" Buffy said
"I was talking about you" Faith smiled before leaning down to kiss her shoulder
"I love you"
"I love you too"
An hour later
"Girls, welcome back" Giles spoke seeing Buffy and Faith enter the main room
"Hi Giles…everyone here" Buffy asked
"Umm just about…Xander and Dawn are waiting in my office and Willow should be here shortly"
Faith followed Giles into his sat down on the love seat in the corner of the room as Buffy followed her and sat down as well. Willow then entered looking somewhat dejected which made Faith shift uncomfortably in her chair she looked out the door to see Kennedy eyeing her from outside the door as Willow shut it without looking back.
"Sorry guys…didn't mean to be late for the big announcement" she joked but Faith could tell Kennedy had done exactly what she had told her to.
"No big Wills, and this is not a big announcement…I mean it is but Faith and I…well we wanted…we wanted to tell you about some of the decisions we have made about our lives and Cleveland"
"Oh well please Buffster continue" Xander said as Willow sat down next to him on the opposite couch. "Tell us all about your plans" he added
Giles sat anxiously behind his desk as he awaited the news from his former slayers hoping they would be following him back to Cleveland
"Well it's been a very long road for both Faith and I …" Buffy started, "and we have really found a nice grove…I guess grove is the word you would use…I mean we love each other and we have this great life…and we want to keep that grove or whatever…you know what I mean…" but Buffy's ramblings caused the group to looked dazed hinting that no one was really understanding her.
Faith put her hand on Buffy's thigh causing the blonde to stop her sentence…if you could call it that… "What B is trying to say is we are very happy with where we are and we also are very happy to be back here fighting the fight with all of you…"
"But…there's always a but" Dawn chirped up.
"But…" Faith said, "We can't move back until we…" the anticipation of the crowd caused the wicked side of Faith to draw her sentence out a bit longer. She looked down at the floor for dramatic effect trying to stifle a smile. Buffy feeling Faith's teasing pinched the brunette's arm now in effort to push Faith into revealing the truth… "until we sell the house in Boston" Faith finished, smirking evilly at Buffy who just laughed.
"What?!?" Dawn scoffed
"Really….Faith…. Buffy you're sure?" Willow asked with a huge grin on her face
"This is….well this…this is wonderful news" Giles smiled wide as he attempted to speak
"Wait I'm lost…does this mean…?" Xander stuttered
"Yup X-man" Faith got up hoisting Buffy up as well by the arm, "The chosen two are coming back"
TBC
Ok I won't be updated for a few days, hope this tides you over!
