A/N: The song that plays in this chapter is called "Hands Tied" by Toni Braxton. I recommend YouTube-ing the song while reading for a greater feel. (: This love scene is sort of a 'fade-to-black'. Not my favorite but it had to be written quickly to set up for Part II. If I feel up to it, I'll go back and edit it later. (: Enjoy.

Chapter 12: Hands Tied

For the next two months, Buffy and Faith's friendship was at a stand-still. Faith didn't know where she fit into Buffy's life and she didn't want to push it. Against Buffy's character and better judgment, she could not stay away. A stolen moment here, a kiss there; it was impossible to stop now. Buffy couldn't risk anything more happening. She was still going to marry Lindsey; there was just a voice in her head, telling her that she could have the best of both worlds.

Friday, April 12, 11:57pm

The antics that Cordelia had concocted for Buffy's bachelorette party had gone according to plan. Between six p.m. and eleven-thirty, Buffy, Willow, Tara, Cordelia, Fred and Dawn embarked on a bachelorette scavenger hunt, traveling around the city, fulfilling the list of wacky things. Each girl had a list of outrageous fifty tasks, all different from the other's, that they had to accomplish before the night was over.

From number one: take over karaoke night at the Bronze and sing a slutty song publicly (Buffy opted for "Touch Myself" by The Divinyls) to number fifty: have five guys write their philosophy of marriage on a napkin, the night was full of laughter. Cordelia and Fred made sure to videotape every insane public stunt and Buffy opening her gifts, for future memories. It had been a long time since Buffy had let loose and acted completely silly.

After Dawn had insisted that Buffy get an uninterrupted, full night's sleep, the group of women reluctantly let the bride out of the limo to go to sleep. With Lindsey at Gunn's house for the night, Buffy put all of her bachelorette merchandise into the small chest in her walk-in closet before undressing for a shower.

Thirty minutes later, Buffy emerged from the shower, wrapping herself in a black satin robe. She sat down on her bed, flicking on the TV. A good Lifetime movie was exactly what she needed to fall asleep. A loud thump sounded above her. Then another. The fifth time was the charm. Buffy got off of her bed in a huff and headed upstairs to apartment 4C.

Slow, rhythmic music played loudly. Buffy knocked as loud as she could without disturbing any other tenants. Finally, Buffy tried the doorknob. It twisted fully and Buffy pushed gently to open it a crack. She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, locking it, before walking into a small, darkened hallway, the music even louder. A light was on, no doubt leading to the living room. As Buffy walked deeper into Faith's apartment, she noticed that there dozens of white candles, burning all over the apartment.

The walls had been painted a dark red with a prominent white trim. Paintings from various artists graced the walls, a theme of sunsets and beautiful park scenery reocurring. Buffy walked into the spacious living room. There were cloth tarps on the floor, spattered with dried paint. A surprisingly paint-free sofa and love seat set filled a corner of the large room. Against another wall was a canvas that filled the entire wall, floor to ceiling. And then there was Faith. Assaulting the canvas by throwing small cans of paint against it, splattering it with a dozen different colors. Potentially, it was a masterpiece in the making.

Buffy watched her for a few moments, seeing Faith in a new light. She never thought she'd live to see the day that she got a sneak peek of anything that her brunette counterpart was working on.

Walking to her, Buffy put her hand on Faith's forearm. Competely taken off-guard, Faith turned around swiftly, her hand grabbing Buffy's neck forcefully. Those self-defense classes had payed off, not to mention it was good to know that her catlike reflexes were still intact. She was breathing furiously. A few chunks of dark hair were in her face, being blown to and fro from her heavy breaths. With her hand still around Buffy's neck, Faith used her free hand to push her own hair out of her face.

Slowly, almost cautiously, Buffy removed Faith's hand from around her neck. Her eyes were telling Faith that it was okay. It was just her. As the music stopped, there was a brief pause between the two. Unspoken words reverberating loudly before the a new song started to play on the state-of-the-art stereo system:

You're askin' me if I

Know what real love feels like

If I ever let anyone inside

You can't be serious, serious

'Cause I was the one givin' all I had

Kept my promises all intact

Better or worse, I honored that

I could show you all about love

Buffy untied the satin sash of her robe. It fell open, exposing not everything, but just enough. She let it slip from her shoulders onto the floor. She stood before Faith as naked as the day she was born.

Baby, I could love you, love you, love you

With my hands tied

I could please you, please you, please you

With my hands tied

Everything you need is right here

It's just staring you in your face

Stop askin' me if I'm ready

'Cause this is just what I'll say

With desire twinkling in her eyes, Buffy seductively stated, "Paint me."

With that, Faith reached down, picking up a small tin can of paint. She dipped her hand in it and then smeared the purple substance across Buffy's breasts. The coolness caused Buffy's nipples to perk immediately. Finally reaching over, she pulled Faith's shirt up, and unclasped her bra. Faith unbottoned her own cargo pants and pushed them down, kicking them to the side.

Don't ever question my love

I love hard despite the

Heartbreaks I made light of

You say, I've been the wrong, been the wrong one

I was the one tryin' to patch it up

Now I watch them say I had enough

All I just keep thinkin' of

Is I could show you all about love

Buffy didn't know when the two had reached the tarp but she enjoyed the warm feel of Faith's body atop of her. She could feel wet paint, fresh from Faith's war with the canvas, coating her back. Faith's two gold chains dangled closely to Buffy's lips, surpassing them when Faith leaned down to kiss her. It was passionate and erotic, yet sweet and endearing.

Baby I could love you, love you, love you

With my hands tied

I could please you, please you, please you

With my hands tied

Everything you need is right here

It's just staring you in your face

Stop askin' me if I'm ready

'Cause this is just what I'll say

'Cause I could love you, love you, love you

With my hands tied, with my hands tied

With my hands tied

Faith kissed and licked her way down Buffy's body, her thick, dark hair following suit. Buffy's skin smelled like freshly picked lavender and chamomile. When she reached her destination, Faith gently spread Buffy's legs apart and massaged the blonde's love with the heel of her hand. Though she was enjoying the sensation, Buffy couldn't help but clench up, nearly shutting her legs completely. Faith kissed her knees as she used her free hand to push them apart once again and leaned down to give an introductory lick up the center of Buffy's pussy, reveling in her sweet taste. Faith flicked her tongue over Buffy's clit, before taking the small bundle of nerves between her lips and sucking. Buffy squirmed, trying to get away from the overwhelming sensation.

"Ssss! Oh god!" Buffy moaned. One of her hands found their way to Faith's head and twisted itself in her dark tresses, pushing Faith's head deeper. Faith wrapped her arms under Buffy's thighs, holding her firmly while she lapped up Buffy's juices, earning her more cream in the process. Sucking and gently biting on her lover's clit, Faith slipped a finger into her opening.

"Unh!"

Then another.

"Ffffuck! Please... don't... stop!"

Now I don't need my hands

To feel the things I feel inside

'Cause I know what's inside

My heart is right

They don't have to hold you like that

They don't have to touch you like that

'Cause you know the truth is that

I could love you with one hand tied behind my back

Faith tasted Buffy. Licked Buffy. Slid her tongue in, out and all over Buffy, all the while pumping her fingers in and out. Never missing a beat. Until the only thing Buffy could do was squeeze her pussy muscles around Faith's fingers and be overcome by the waves and waves of pleasure.

"Unnhhh! Huuuh! Oh god!" Buffy's body shook as she rode her orgasm to its conclusion.

"Call me Faith." Faith told her, grinning cockily.

Baby I could love you, love you, love you

With my hands tied

I could please you, please you, please you

With my hands tied

Everything you need is right here

It's just staring you in your face

Stop askin' me if I'm ready

'Cause this is just what I'll say

'Cause I could love you, love you, love you

With my hands tied, with my hands tied

With my hands tied

The two had rolled around the floor, becoming smeared and coated in various colored paints as they fought for dominance. It was clear that Faith like to be in control, but so did Buffy. And as another song began, Buffy was pulling off Faith's underwear as she kissed down the brunette's body.

Tonight was something different for Buffy. Tonight, she would let herself drown.

5:00am, 4C

Buffy stretched, her body loving how the tension that slowly left her body. She moaned lightly at the sensation before kissing the smooth, tan shoulder that lie on the floor next to her. She put her face into the dark tresses that fanned out and breathed in. Buffy didn't want to leave Faith lying there but she had to shower and get ready for her wedding day.

She stood up, wrapped the black, satin robe back around her. Tiptoeing to Faith's sketch desk, she grabbed a pencil and a sheet of paper, scribbling a small, sweet note. Before she left, Buffy placed the paper next to Faith's painted silhouette.

Up Next: The honeymoon phase.