Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Title: Promises, Promises
Author: jazzman31
Rating: M
Warning: This is a femme slash fic. If you do not like this type of fiction, then you shouldn't read it.
Author's note: I am not good at filler. I have like specific events I want to happen, but the in between stuff is tricky. So I am going to fast-forward about a year. They are Juniors in High School now, and things aren't going well. I hope you enjoy. I will try to update soon, but it might be hard considering the new job and finals around the corner. Thanks for your support. If you have ideas about filler drop me a line and let me know.
Now on with the show.
Willow ran from the house, and got into her mom's car, that she had 'borrowed' and drove to Faith's house. She frantically rang the doorbell, and heaved a sigh of relief when she came face to face with Faith, rather than a servant.
"What's the what, Red?" Faith asked staring at the frantic redhead.
"We can't talk here, let's go to your room," Willow said grabbing Faith's hand practically dragging her up the stairs. Once inside the room, Willow slammed the door behind them, and began pacing and wringing her hands.
"Calm down, Red" Faith said grabbing Willow's shoulders. "Tell me what's going on."
"Well, do you remember how I promised you that I'd wait a month before moving on?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Well, I kissed her," Willow said.
"Kissed who?"
"Tara."
"Oh," Faith said not sure how she should react. Not sure if she should be angry or happy for Willow. Before she could even begin to react Willow began talking.
"I didn't mean to. I mean it's only been a week, and you'd think that my libido would have slowed down a little bit since the last time you and I had sex was... well... a week and half ago, but she was just sitting there looking to cute studying and I couldn't help myself, I kissed her, a-and then she kissed me back and it was soooo good, not like you good, because everything you do feels good, but it was like fireworks and butterflies good, a-and I shouldn't be telling you this, but I am an-"
"Red, stop," Faith said, putting her hand to Willow's mouth to cease the babbling, and winced internally as her mind wandered to a time when she would have silenced her with a kiss. "Look, it's okay. You don't have to wait a month. I knew that you wouldn't, that's why I broke up with you, so that you wouldn't feel bad for cheating on me when you finally kissed her. Red, I love you, and nothing can or will change that. I'm glad you've found someone who means as much to you as you mean to me."
"Why are you so sweet?"
"I dunno, I think I've been hanging around you too much."
"Whatever," Willow said seeing through the lie. "I just feel bad, because I promised you a month, and my stupid hormones made me jump the gun."
"So what happened after you kissed her?"
"I ran out of the house, after I realized what I had done. Of course, I was repeating 'Oh, god, oh god,' over and over again."
"Red, that's just great. Now she's gonna think that it was her, and not you freaking because you broke a silly promise. You have to call her."
"Could you? I mean I'm scared of what she'll say. She'll probably never want to see me again."
"I doubt that. You had her at hello."
"You think so?"
"Red, hello, I wrote the book on loving you, I think I would recognize someone else who has fallen for you."
"Faith, why are you so good to me?"
"Because you're Willow, and that's good enough for me. Besides I might need your shoulder and ear one day, and I want it to be there. I'll call her, and if she calls you then you're in the clear, and if I call you, then you're screwed."
"Gee thanks for putting it so bluntly."
"Anytime, what else is a Chase for?"
"You're right. Oh, shit. I gotta get home before Mom gets back."
"Why?"
"She kinda doesn't know that I borrowed her car, and well, I kinda don't have a license either, and yeah."
"Well, get your butt outta here then," Faith said pushing her toward the door.
"Thanks Faith, for everything," Willow said pulling Faith to her for a hug. Just as they hugged the door opened and Xander stuck his head in the door.
"Am I interrupting something?" Xander asked. The two girls slowly pulled apart, and Willow smiled at Xander and exchanged greetings with him as she hurried past him out of the door. "What was that all about? I thought you two were no more."
"We aren't, she kissed Tara and ran out on her, and needed to tell me that she broke her promise and ask if I would call Tara for her."
"Well aren't you just the best ex?"
"Yeah, the best," Faith said softly.
"Hey, you okay?"
"5 x 5," Faith said grabbing her cell phone. "If you wanna go wait downstairs I'll be there in a second I just need to make a phone call."
"Yeah, sure. Maria told me to tell you that dinner was served."
"Great, I'll be there," Faith said as her phone rang. "Talk to me," she answered.
"F-faith. This is T-tara,"
"Hey Blondie, hows it goin?"
"I was wondering if Willow was there," Tara said, without stuttering.
"Actually she just left. She told me what happened, and I guess you're wondering why she ran out on you?"
"Yeah."
"Well, she promised me a week ago that she would wait a month before she asked you out."
"Wait a month after what?"
"After we broke up. She didn't tell you?"
"N-no, she d-didn't mention it," Tara said, slightly confused. Faith's brow furrowed, and she tried to figure out why Willow didn't want to tell anyone that they had broken up. The only person who knew that they had broken up was Xander because he had been there for the aftermath.
"Well, she freaked out because she felt like she had betrayed me, so she came over to apologize. To make the long story short; she likes you, and wants to be with you, but is too shy to ask you out. I know that you like her too, and believe me you have my blessing to pursue her if you wish. I just want her to be happy. If you hurt her I will skin you alive and feed you to alligators."
"O-okay. Do you know where she went?"
"Home," Faith said.
"Thanks, Faith."
"Anytime, Blondie, anytime. I'll see you at the Halloween party tomorrow right?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
"Bye, Faith."
"Bye, Tara," Faith said and closed her cell phone, and tossed it on her bed, just as it started ringing again. She sighed deeply, and saw that the caller was Chase.
"Hey Dad," Faith said.
"Hey, Pumpkin, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. When are you coming home?"
"Actually, I was calling to ask you when you were coming downstairs to join us for dinner."
"You're here already? Why didn't Xander tell me?" Faith asked bounding down the stairs.
"I asked him not to."
"Well, that isn't nice," Faith said as she walked into the dining room. She walked around the table trying to conceal her excitement. "I missed you," she said hugging him.
"I missed you, too."
"Excuse me while I vomit," Cordelia said, and Faith discreetly flipped her off. They all ate dinner in relative silence, except for the questions to Chase about parent-teacher conferences and his trip to DC.
Casa de Giles
Willow closed the front door seconds before her mom turned onto their street, and closed her bedroom door milliseconds before her mom walked into the house. Joyce and Giles had been at parent-teacher conferences. They had split up the kids' schedules, and the classes that they had together they went to together. Joyce walked upstairs to Willow's room, where she could hear the music blaring, and knocked as loud as she could. The volume was lowered considerably, but the door didn't open, so she knocked again.
"Come in," Willow said, and Joyce opened the door.
"Hey, how did studying go?"
"Okay," Willow said, not really paying attention to Joyce. "How were conferences?"
"Great. Why didn't you tell me that you and Faith were lab partners again?" At the beginning of the year Mrs. Swanson had decided that Willow and Faith should work on their projects alone because during class all they did was stare at each other.
"I don't know, I didn't think it was important," Willow said with a smile.
"Hey, is everything okay between you two?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I don't know, maybe because last week you two were inseparable, and this week I haven't seen her at all."
"Oh, that. Well, um, you see, we broke up," Willow mumbled.
"You broke up? When?"
"Um, about a week ago," Willow said burying her head back into her book.
"Why? Who broke up with whom?" Joyce asked. Willow, realizing that she wasn't going to get to read her book closed it, and looked at her mom.
"Would it be okay if I didn't talk about it?" Willow asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I just thought that maybe you would want to, but that's fine," Joyce said standing.
"No, it's not like that, it's just I've had a really long day, and I... never mind sit down, I'll talk," Willow said, and waited for Joyce to get comfortable to continue. "Well, do you remember last Thursday when Buffy and I went over to Chase Manor after school?"
"Vaguely, why?"
"Well, Faith and I were sitting on her bed talking, not doing anything, just talking, and we decided that we were better off being just friends."
"Why do I get the feeling that there is so much more to this story?"
"You're good. Anyway, okay, so we weren't just talking. We were making out, with some potential gropage, but nothing too heavy, because it was a weekday, and we had school the next morning, and she hates being tired at school unless she has a really good reason, and apparently having sex with me isn't a good reason, okay forget I just said that, anyway. So we were making out, and she stops all of a sudden, and looks me in the eyes, and I thought that we were going to break the rule of no more than making out during the week, but then she asks me if I like Tara. And I was like of course I like Tara she's nice and smart and funny, but then she was like no do you 'like' like Tara, and I didn't say anything, so she sat up on the bed, and turned her back to me. I tried to get her to talk to me, but she got off the bed and went to the window. I apologized, but she said I didn't need to be sorry for liking someone else. I told her not to worry, because I was with her, and not Tara and I would stay that way as long as it worked, and she said that it wasn't working, and told me that Tara was better for me and to ask her out. And I asked about her, and she said to forget her, and I was like, Faith I love you, and you were my first, um kiss, and well I don't know if I could let another, um, kiss me like that. She was like I could if I tried, and she convinced me that Tara and I belonged together, and well, she was right."
"So you and Tara are together, now?"
"Not exactly."
"Then how do you know that you belong together?"
"Well, okay, I promised Faith that I would wait a month before asking Tara out, just out of respect for her. But today I kissed Tara, and it was wow, but then I freaked and went to Faith's and she told me that I should call her and tell what was going on, but I was too afraid so I asked her if she would do it, and she said yes, because she would want me to do the same if she were me."
"Willow, I am surprised at you."
"What? She said it was okay."
"What about Faith? How do you think she feels about being the go-between for you and Tara?"
"Um, I didn't really think about it. I'm just so used to going to her whenever I have a problem, and need my best friend."
"You couldn't have talked to Buffy or Xander about it?"
"Uh, newsflash Mom, Buffy and I aren't that close anymore, because now she has Cordelia, and Xander is a guy."
"Well, what about that Fred girl in your computer class?"
"She and I aren't really friends she just worked with me on a computer project for college, and that is the extent of that. Anya, isn't the best with handling advice, Harmony isn't a friend of mine. Lilah is definitely not advice material, so that only leaves Faith. You forget that we were best friends before we were lov- um girlfriends."
"Why do you do that?"
"What?"
"Change what you were going to say when it relates to sex."
"Because I am only 15 years old, and I've had sex with someone, lots of times, and um I know that you don't like to hear about these things from us, so I spare you from hearing about them."
"If only you had been so kind when you were doing it."
"You could hear us?" Willow asked her face turning bright red.
"I'm just teasing, honey, lighten up. I'm not clueless y'know. I know that you and Faith were a lot closer than I would have liked, but I can't do anything to change that, and neither can you, I just thought that you would be more comfortable talking to me about it."
"Oh, well, okay."
"Well, I guess that's all isn't it?"
"Pretty much. Now I'm just waiting for a phone call," Willow said as the phone began ringing.
"You want me to answer it?"
"Please."
"Hello," Joyce said into the receiver.
"H-hello, Mrs. Giles?"
"Yes, what can I do for you?"
"Um, I was w-wondering if W-willow was t-there."
"She's right here, hang on," Joyce said handing the phone to Willow.
"Who is it?" Willow asked, her hand covering the mouthpiece.
"Answer it and see," Joyce said leaving the room.
Chase Manor
"Faith, why didn't you tell me that Mrs. Swanson allowed you and Willow to be lab partners again?"
"Um, well, I didn't think it was important," Faith said.
"How long ago did she do that?" Xander asked, and Faith shot daggers his direction with her eyes.
"Just last week," Faith said.
"Oh, do you know why? I mean because I was under the impression that you both thought it would be best if you weren't lab partners," Chase said.
"Well, actually we have the choice of being lab partners or not, because we got another student who is in AP, and she was a part of our group, but then Spike decided to go AP as well, because he felt that physics was too easy, and Mrs. Swanson said that Will and I could be partners and the other two could partner up. So Will and I decided to try being lab partners again, but we told Mrs. Swanson that if it didn't work out we wanted to partner up with someone else. I'm thinking of changing partners on Monday. Spike and I work well together, and we spend most of our time together with the band anyway, so I figure he may as well be my lab partner."
"Okay, now that we've heard the BS, give us the real reason that you and Willow don't want to be lab partners," Cordelia said.
"I didn't say that we didn't want to be lab partners, I just said that it would be nice to have a different lab partner for a change," Faith said, forcing her voice to stay even.
"I thought that you wanted to be lab partners with Willow." Dawn said. "I mean because that way it's easier for you two to make out and have sex."
"Dawn!" Chase said.
"Hey, I'm in high school, I know what sex is Dad, and I know that Willow and Faith do it every Friday and Saturday night, except last Friday, because Willow went to visit her grandmother in San Francisco."
"How do you know all of this?" Cordelia asked.
"I read Faith's journal, duh," Dawn said.
"Well, obviously you didn't do that great of job, because then you would've known that the reason I don't want to be Willow's lab partner is because we broke up, and she likes Tara now," Faith said, and then ran from the room.
"Did you know that?" Dawn asked, her question directed to everyone at the table. Chase and Cordelia shook their heads, but Xander just continued eating.
"You knew?" Cordelia asked, looking directly at Xander.
"Well, I uh happened to be here the night that they broke up, and being Faith's only other friend who isn't related to her in some way she told me, because her best friend was the one who she had just broken up with."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Chase asked. "I mean we would have at least known not to push her on the subject of her lab partner."
"Well, considering that Faith asked me not to, and I value our friendship, I also value my life, and she threatened to kill me if I told anyone what we talked about that night or anything that happened."
"Well, okay, now she's homicidal," Cordelia said. "That's just great. I'm going to bed."
"May I be excused?" Dawn asked.
"Sure," Chase said. "Would you like to go, too," Chase asked Xander.
"Actually, no, I was planning to go visit with Faith after dinner, but since she's pissed off I decided it is better to stay here, considering my bedroom isn't finished, and I've been crashing on her floor."
"Xander, you don't have to lie to me. I know that you sleep in the bed with her. Relax, I won't hurt you. I know how you feel about her, and how she feels about you. We talked. I knew that she had broken up with Willow and that you were the only other person who knew. She likes you, and you know that, but she needs to heal first, she hasn't been dealt the prettiest or best hand, and it takes her a while to get over things. Remember that you're dealing with Faith, and even though she says she's okay, she isn't. You should go talk to her, she'll talk to you and listen because whether she realizes it or not she loves with you, and has for quite sometime. Take care of her Xander. She needs you more than either of you realize."
"I'll try, sir. May I be excused now?"
"Of course, but remember one thing. The first night I find you two naked in bed, the fun is over, and you will sleep elsewhere. Got it?"
"Yes, sir," Xander said, and then scurried out of the dining room.
Casa de Giles
"Hello," Willow said into the phone.
"W-willow?" Tara asked.
"Tara, hey, um, how are you?"
"I'm fine. H-how are you?"
"I'm good, well, in fact. So um, did you talk to Faith?"
"Yeah, she told me everything. W-why d-didn't you tell me b-before? I-I was w-worried that I h-had come b-between you and Faith."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put either of you through that. I was just sort of confused, because for nearly a year I've been with Faith, and never thought twice about anyone else, and then I met you, and all I can think about is you. Tara will you go out with me?"
"Y-yes, Willow. I've wanted to for so long, but you were with Faith. She gave us her blessing, and threatened to skin me alive if I hurt you. I take it she did a pretty good job of taking care of you, huh?"
"Yeah, the best," Willow said softly looking at a photograph of herself and Faith. They had taken them at a photo booth in the mall, and the first one they were kissing, and the second one, Faith had kissed down her neck, in the third Faith's face was between her breasts, and in the last they were grinning into the camera. That had been a fun day. On Faith's 15 birthday, they had gone to the mall to hang out and shop before going to the movies at two and then back to Chase Manor, and were making out when everyone yelled surprise. Willow smiled at the memory, and was shaken out of her daze by Tara.
"Willow, are you okay?" Tara asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, sorry, I just zoned out for a bit. So you're coming to the Halloween party tomorrow right?"
"Yes, Faith assured me that she still wants me to come."
"Well, you can dress up as Glenda the good witch, and I'll be Gabrielle still. Faith and I were going to go as Xena and Gabrielle, but I don't think she wants to anymore. I still wanna be Gabrielle, because I get a stick."
"Yeah, that will be cool, you'll look cute. I was thinking of going as Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde."
"Yeah, but you absolutely have to wear pink."
"Don't worry I will," Tara said, her stutter completely gone now that she was comfortable. There was knock on Willow's bedroom door, and the door opened before she said anything.
"Hey, Wills, Mom said its dinnertime," Buffy said.
"Thanks, Buff," Willow said, and waited for Buffy to leave so that she could finish her conversation. "Um, Buff, you can go now," Willow said after Buffy made no effort to exit the room.
"You're just talking to Faith, it's not like I haven't heard everything you're going to say anyway," Buffy said.
"Actually, I'm not talking to Faith, Buff, so please leave," Willow said firmly with resolve face in full effect.
"Then who are you talking to?" Buffy asked ignoring resolve face.
"None of your business."
"Fine," Buffy said walking toward the door. "I'll just tell Faith that you're cheating on her."
"Okay, go tell her, I don't care," Willow said with a wave of her hand.
"Fine," Buffy said and stormed out of the room.
"Well, she is certainly becoming a pain in the ass," Willow muttered to herself.
"Who?" Tara asked.
"Huh? Oh, Buffy. Every since she and Angel broke up, she has just been a pain. Faith thinks she's just sexually frustrated, and I am beginning to think so as well. Anyway, Tara I have to go. It's dinnertime, and that is a big deal around here."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Willow."
"Bye Tara," Willow said, and then tossed the phone on the bed after clicking it off. She bounded down the stairs, and sat down just as her mom began serving the food.
"'Bout bloody time," Spike said. "I'm starved, and I still have to get to Chase Manor before Faith decides she doesn't feel like practicing. Whatever you did to her you need to make up quickly, because I can't take much more of her soddin' mopin'."
"What do you mean?" Willow asked.
"All she wants to sing is those bleedin sad songs about lost love and the lot. I can't take much more of it. I want to hear her sing something else for a change."
"Oh, well, I guess I'll talk to her, and see what's wrong," Willow said.
"You mean you don't know what's wrong with her? Geez, Red what kind of girlfriend are you? I think she just needs to get laid, you are giving her what she needs aren't you?"
"Actually, I'm not," Willow said.
"You're not her girlfriend, or giving her what she needs?" Buffy asked.
"Both, or neither," Willow said.
"What happened? I was under the impression that you two were doing fine. Just today you were joking and kidding like usual," Giles said.
"Well, we broke up, and I'd really rather not get into the reasons why at this particular moment. How were conferences?"
"Well, William is a candidate for valedictorian," Giles said. "Buffy needs to work harder in all of her classes, and you're doing well. There was one complaint from Mrs. Swanson, she asks that you and Faith not talk so much."
"Okay, we'll work on it," Willow said.
"Okay, and that concludes the parent-teacher conferences recap. So, Will, why did you and Faith break up?" Buffy said.
"May I be excused?" Willow asked.
"Would you rather eat in your room?" Joyce asked.
"No, I'm suddenly not hungry," Willow said standing. She walked upstairs and shut the door softly, but turned her music up until it was blasting, and cried herself to sleep.
"Well, that was rude, don't you think?" Spike asked looking at Buffy. "You are truly acting like the bitch everyone says you are. I think I'll grab a bite on the way to the manor," Spike finished as he stood.
"Be home early," Giles called after him.
"Yeah," Spike called, and then slammed the door behind him.
"Buffy, what has gotten into you lately?"
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked innocently.
"Your behavior, at school, and just now with Willow. You're acting like a spoiled brat," Joyce said.
"I don't know, Mom. I just can't keep these things from coming out of my mouth. I mean every since Angel dumped me after we had sex, I have just been bitchy. I'm not sure why. I'm gonna go apologize to Willow," Buffy said standing.
"That's not such a good idea," Joyce said. "She hasn't had the best day."
"Did they break up today?" Buffy asked, a far off look in her eyes.
"No, last week, but she just needs some alone time. You should talk to her tomorrow, you guys have all day before the Halloween party at the manor. You may be excused if you like."
"Thanks, Mom," Buffy said, and went to her room, and cried herself to sleep as well.
Chase Manor
Xander knocked on the door softly, and waited for any indication that his presence was acknowledged. He heard the lock turn, but the door never opened, so he opened it for himself, and saw Faith standing at the window. He joined her, and stared out into the darkness.
"When does it stop hurting?" Faith asked softly.
"I don't know, Faith. I honestly don't know. I've never had a girlfriend that I really cared about," Xander answered honestly.
"Well, I've never had anyone that I really cared about other than Chase, Queen C, and Daybreak. I'm not used to this caring about anyone else thing."
"What about your mom?"
"What about her?" Faith asked coldly.
"You stood up for her when you could. I mean, you were nearly killed when you stood up for her. I've seen the scars, Faith, you can't lie to me and tell me that you didn't care for her. I know that you hate to admit it, but you cared, just like I cared and still care what my parents think of me and how they are. Faith, you can't let this one incident ruin it for the rest of us. We were just getting to the point where you were able to tell us how you feel, and now you're shutting down on us. Well, Faith, I won't let you do that. I love you way too much to let you," Xander said taking Faith's hands in his.
"Xander?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up, and kiss me," Faith said softly.
"Okay," Xander said, and obliged her. The kiss was soft, tentative, and closed mouthed. It lasted about three seconds, but it felt like a lifetime. They pulled apart and looked at each other.
"What does this mean?" Faith asked softly, her body flush against Xander's.
"Whatever you want it to," he answered just as softly gazing deeply into her eyes.
"I love you, X, but it's too soon. I don't want you to be 'rebound guy.' I want it to last. I'm not sure what I want. I need time," Faith said hoping he'd understand, even though it was a lie. She had no intention of ever being with anyone other than Willow, but he didn't have to know that.
"I'll wait as long as it takes," Xander said, and would have kissed her again, if someone hadn't knocked on the door. They sprang apart as if they had been electrocuted, their moment broken by the sudden noise. Faith walked to the door, and yanked it open. Spike was standing there with Fred and Gunn behind him.
"Hey, Pet, you up for a practice?" Spike asked staring at her.
"Yeah, let me grab my picks, and I'll meet you in the sound room," Faith said. She left the door open, and crossed the room to her dresser, and dug around for the new picks she'd just bought. Xander watched her, and then grabbed her up for a hug and small kiss before she left the room. "You wanna watch?" Faith tossed over her shoulder on her way out the door.
"Of course," Xander said following her.