Disclaimers: Everything belongs to Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon. I'm just having fun with the characters
Reviews: Welcomed and appreciated. If you like, I'd love to know. If you have any suggestions, I'm open
Warning: Shamelessly fluffiness…still
Once it was determined that Angel really was Angel, Buffy spent three glorious days in L.A. getting reacquainted with him and his body. When they weren't in bed, they were playing with Conner. Buffy felt herself falling as much in love with her lover's son as she was already with Angel. So when the time came for Buffy to say good-bye, both she and Angel knew how difficult it would be and the slayer knew her lover would try to dissuade her and she wasn't at all sure she could deny him.
"I gotta get back to Dawn, she needs me. The Hellmouth needs a slayer. I don't know what else…" Angel silenced her with a kiss.
"We'll work it out. I think we can find a slayer to hang in Sunnydale so you and Dawnie can come up here." He her at arms length.
"Angel, there's only one other slayer and she's in jail. I'm not about to kill her so a new slayer can be called."
"That is not what I would ever suggest Buffy. But both you and I know Faith could get out of jail anytime she wanted." He shrugged.
"So, you want a murderous rogue slayer to escape prison to go and take my place on the Hellmouth?" Buffy was incredulous.
"Look, she's paying for what she did, but I honestly think she could do her penance by doing what she was meant to do. Protect the innocent." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I know how repentant she is Buffy, I know she wants to do the right thing. Let her."
Buffy worried at her lower lip, causing a small smile from Angel, who was used to her habit.
"I just feel like I would be doing the most selfish thing ever. Leaving Sunnydale because I want to live with my lover in L.A. Just reconciling myself to Faith to make my life convenient…"
"Baby, it's what she wants, no it's what she needs to do." Angel spoke softly.
"You sure know a lot about what she wants, why is that?" Her eyes narrowed.
"Because I've gone to see her a few times." He shrugged. "I know what it's like to need forgiveness and not have anyone around who can give it."
Buffy breathed deeply and leaned against Angel.
"Okay, I need to talk to Dawn, this affects her, I could never change her life like this unless she agrees. But first I need to see Faith."
Cordelia narrowed her eyes at Buffy as she came into the kitchen, carrying Connor as if he were her own. The brunette couldn't help it, she hated all the changes that had happened since Tara and Spike, and now Buffy, had entered her world. The one place she thought she'd always be queen of was now occupied by at least two women Angel put before her.
"Well, don't you look the picture of domestic bliss?" Cordelia snarked.
Buffy sighed, she had seen this coming. Well, she thought, best to get it over now. Before she and Dawn possible moved in.
"What Cordelia? You knew this was a possibility, like forever. I mean, really, Angel and I have always, will always, love each other." The slayer sounded impatient.
"Hey, he was fine without you. Do you think he was just pining? Playing at celibacy until he could find a way to be with you? Open your eyes, he's fucked plenty and…"
Buffy laughed. "Really Cordy, do you think I don't know? I wasn't exactly a nun. But none of them meant anything, not really. Did Angel ever lose his soul with any of them? I mean besides some bitch slipping him drugs, did he ever become so blissed out he let Angelus out?" The slayer handed Cordelia the baby so she could warm his bottle.
"Well little miss confidence, did Mr. Angst tell you how he fucked Tara? Tara and Spike? At the same time?" She had one brow raised, a look of victory on her face.
Buffy turned back to her old high-school nemesis and sighed. "As a matter of fact, yes he did. Before we tested his soul. He wanted me to know everything Cordelia. I know he completed the ritual of binding his grand-childe. And I also know it was a one time thing."
"And you're alright with that? Jeez Buffy, can you say 'no self-respect'?"
"Jeez Cordelia, can you say 'stay the fuck out of my life'? I'm going to spend the rest of my life with a master vampire, they tend to do things a little different than most men. If I can deal with it why can't you?" Buffy took Connor back and sat down to feed him.
It had been difficult when Angel had confessed to her what took place when a new childe was added to the fold. But he assured her that it would never happen again and that if the two of them had been together at the time, he was sure he wouldn't have been able to complete the ritual.
She looked up at Cordelia and took a deep breath.
"Cordelia, Angel loves you. You've been a big part of his life for the past 3 years, you still are and he wants you to stay a part of his family. Please Cordy, so do I." The slayer was practically begging, but she wanted complete happiness for Angel, and Cordelia was a part of that.
Cordelia gave a small growl. "Gods Buffy, you just always come out ahead don't you! I mean, I'm a seer for god's sake. Shit, I even had to become part demon for the cause and I get killer headaches saving those stupid innocents! When do I get something for it all?"
Buffy's eyes widened as she listened to Cordelia rant. Before she could respond to her tirade, the ex-cheerleader dissolved into heart-wrenching tears. Buffy set Connor in his carrier and went the other girl.
"Cordy?" Buffy wasn't sure what to say.
"He never loved me did he? At least, not the way I wanted him to. It was always you, even when he fucked Darla, it was because of you." Buffy could hear the sadness in her voice.
"I don't know what to say Cordelia. Angel and me…" Buffy shrugged and went to hold her.
Cordelia took a deep breath and pulled away from Buffy. "Okay, I'm not gonna just walk away. This is my life too. And I guess that means I have to accept the whole Angel-Buffy soul-mate thing. But you have to let me be who I am, what I am."
"I do Cordelia, I do." Buffy gave a sigh of relief as Cordelia left the kitchen with a small nod to her.
The slayer picked Connor back up and resumed his feeding. She kissed him softly and smile.
"Okay, so one woman down, just one more to go and maybe, just maybe your daddy and I can relax."
"Whoa, B, I know that look." Faith smiled at the premier slayer. "So, you finally got that damn soul bound to Angel so the two of you could…" She arched her brows a couple of times.
"Faith, you really know how to make a visitor comfortable, don't you?" Buffy blushed at the fact that Faith could read her so easily.
"Hey, calm down. I remember what a good fuck was like. Go Buffy! Just vicarious thrills is all." She pushed back on her chair, balancing on the back legs.
"So, how are you?" Buffy's voice was suddenly quiet.
Faith shrugged. "Well, it is jail, not a whole lot of fun to be had. A few run ins with chicks that were paid to off me. At first I thought it was some big evil, ya know? But the last bitch who ended up in the hospital, she told me it was some Brits, they were called 'lookers' or something." Faith raised a brow. "Sound familiar?"
"The Watcher's Council's trying to have you killed?" Buffy was incredulous.
"You are still so sweet and naive. Really B, what did you think? They were gonna wait until I died of old age before they let another slayer be called? They're whole purpose kinda dried up with me. I mean, I know they still have you, well kinda, I mean you are watcherless, but get real. It's a business to them, their business, and I sorta fucked up the works." Faith gave a small shrug.
"It's not right." Buffy's face took on a determined look. "I want you to get out of here Faith. Like I totally know you owe me nothing, but I want to be with Angel. I want, no, I need to leave Sunnydale. Please Faith, take my place on the Hellmouth." She pleaded.
Faith laughed. "I owe you nothing? B, really, I killed a man, I stole your body, I fucked your boyfriend. How you figure I owe you nothing." She stood and grabbed the back of her chair. "You gotta a car close by?"
Buffy nodded.
"Okay, so stand back." Faith smiled a huge smile. "This is gonna smart." She slammed the chair against the glass window with all her might, shattering the bullet proof panel. Several guards came running, but Buffy and Faith took care of them in quick order before jumping out the nearest window.
"Okay, so how exciting does that sound?" Fred was spooning several plates with pasta that Angel had whipped up while she listened to exploits of the two slayers. "So Faith, what now?"
The dark haired slayer shrugged. "I head on over to the Hellmouth and take over." She turned to Buffy. "Think Xander'll lend a hand." She slightly smirked as Buffy rolled her eyes.
Faith looked over at Tara and Spike and shook her head. "So Tara, how you like driving a stick now?"
Tara looked up, a confused look on her face. Spike rolled his eyes.
"Faith, love, she's me mate. She'll be driving me for centuries." Spike put his arm around Tara, who would've blushed if she could as the slayer's meaning became clear.
"Honestly Faith, can you be anymore crude?" Buffy shove a bowl of salad the dark haired girl.
Faith shrugged. "I'm me B, and that includes rude and crude. But I'll do the job and I'll fight the fight. You've given me a second chance," she cast a look at Angel, "both of you have and I won't blow it this time." She shoveled a forkful of pasta into her mouth. "I promise." She mumbled without looking up.