A/N: I know, I know, it's been like eight months. I'm horrible. However, I decided my New Year's Resolution is to finish up a bunch of my unfinished fic, so I'll be working on this for awhile. This story is meant to be LONG though. Like, obnoxiously long. I'm only at the first arc out of three (plus some other sub arcs). So I can't guarantee I won't run off again, but I will always come back to it. I don't like to leave things unfinished.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
The Witch

Being at the Bronze was weird without Trish there.

There's a small memorial over by the bar for both Trish and the bouncer, Jimmy, who died that night. Faith couldn't look at it very long without getting upset that she couldn't save either of them. She knows she's not the Slayer and that she didn't have all kinds of superpowers, but she still feels like she should have been able to do something; like maybe if she trained more or did something differently that it wouldn't have happened.

Buffy notices the look on Faith's face when she sees the memorial, instantly knowing that she's blaming herself. She nudges her gently with her arm to get her attention, and once she has it she tells her softly, "It wasn't your fault, you know."

Yeah, wasn't her fault. Right. Still fucking felt like it.

But like Faith does with everything else when confronted by emotion, she dismisses it with a "whatever" and walks away. Part of her appreciates what Buffy is trying to do, but she doesn't want to hear it just then. She'd rather wallow in her hole of pity and self-loathing right now, thanks. Logic has no place when guilt is involved; Faith's head can only handle so much at one time.

It also was weird being at the Bronze and not being able to drink. Faith never realized how much she took being served underage for granted, until it was gone. It wasn't just her though. The club had always been very loose when it came to checking identification, but ever since the incident with the Harvest, the rules started becoming strictly enforced. The owner hired more security (of course, because it'd be pretty fucking stupid not to after a mass slaughter like that) and was finally trying to clean up this shitty little hole of a club to make it more respectable. Faith didn't understand why he thought that would make a difference, but she wasn't about to ask either.

No point in talking to someone that was clearly delusional; waste of time.

Rumors circulated about that night; most people jumped onto the story about a cult gang of bikers doing some kind of ritual sacrifice and it just kind of took off from there. Faith didn't understand how people could be so fucking stupid about shit when it was clear as day in front of their faces. But then again, that's denial for you. Faith was intimately familiar with the term herself, though for very different reasons.

Speaking of the reason she's so intimately familiar with the term: Buffy walks over from where she was talking to Willow and Kennedy a moment previously, coming over to join Faith on the couches. They had steered clear of each other for about an hour after Buffy tried to comfort her at the memorial site, realizing then wouldn't be the best of times to attempt this whole buddy/buddy thing they needed to do. When Faith gets emotional, she gets volatile (which was probably a ridiculous understatement, but whatever. A bitch has to get out her feelings somehow).

But Faith realized brooding like an antisocial jackass isn't going to change a damn thing, so she tried to make herself have some fun. She danced a little and joked around with Xander, and now she was back to chilling by herself in the corner. She just… needed a minute alone. She was feeling kinda bad again about having fun when people were dead; seemed a little asshole-ish to her. But again, not like she can change the circumstances. Besides, she wasn't the only one trying to forget all the bad shit and attempting to get back to some semblance of normalcy.

Damn, she wishes she could just get drunk. It'd make things a whole lot simpler.

As Buffy plops down next to her – apparently deciding that enough time has passed so they should be social again – she takes a sip of her soda. The straw makes an obnoxious slurping noise that Faith can still hear over the music. She raises an eyebrow as she looks over at the blonde.

"Thirsty?" she asks, sounding a little amused as she states the obvious. Buffy just sighs.

"You know – and I know I'm going to sound like such a bad person for saying this because of, well, the circumstances – but I really miss alcohol."

"You and me both, babe," Faith responds, leaning back against the couch and stretching her legs out. She was overcompensating by trying to act normal around Buffy when all she feels is weird, so it probably looked a little forced. Buffy doesn't seem to notice though. "Guess we're gonna have to be like… fuckin' proper delinquent kids now; sneakin' the shit in, or drinkin' it behind the building before we come in." She smirks at her, hoping she's pulling off the casual friend thing better than she thinks she is.

Christ, when did she start over thinking everything? This bitch: not fucking her. Get it together Faith. Who gives a crap that she rejected you when you accepted her date proposal? Plenty more fish to eat, or however that saying goes.

Besides, the drama between them was really freaking irritating. And with a Big Bad on the horizon, it also kinda paled in comparison. So Faith tries to make with the nicey-nice. Which, let's face it, is probably the smartest thing she's done all week, so kudos to her, damnit.

"To sneak it in we'd actually have to have someone able to buy it for us," Buffy says, looking at her pointedly. "And last I checked, none of us have magically acquired a fake ID." She pauses, then, "Unless I'm behind on the news, in which case I'll be annoyed that I wasn't included."

Buffy trying to buy liquor with a fake ID; the image was almost laughable.

"Ye of little faith," Faith puns, smirking. "My Mum keeps liquor in the motel all the time. Granted we can't take a ton, but at least it's something. Guess for next time though, since today seems to be the sober, boring day at the ranch." She waves her hands a little for a mock, party-like effect. "Woo," she says lifelessly.

Buffy smiles a little at her display before she shrugs. "You know, I never was much of a drinker until I found out I was the Slayer." She takes another sip of her soda before looking completely unsatisfied with it and sets it down. Apparently a Shirley Temple isn't gonna get her rocks off tonight. "I guess I never saw much of a point before. It seemed… sleazy; meant for the smelly and unemployed."

"Yeah well, I figure impending doom and certain death would change a person's perspective."

"Immensely," Buffy agrees with a tiny sigh. "Sometimes it's nice to not have to…" she pauses, searching for the word.

"Think?" Faith offers as she turns to face her on the couch, resting her elbow on the back of it and her head on her hand. She watches Buffy stare at her hands in her lap and shrug a little.

When she turns her head to look at Faith she has this little half frown as she admits, "Care." Her eyes find the couch again and she picks at some invisible lint as she asks, "Does that make me a horrible person? I know I'm duty and destiny girl and the whole world rests on my shoulders but sometimes I just… I need a break." Her eyes meet Faith's once again. "I want to say 'forget being Chosen' and just live like a normal teenager. I want to get drunk and do stupid things; I want to fall in love and get my heart broken. I want to get caught up in the drama of who's dating who and not the drama of what demon is coming to kill us this week. If not forever, then just for a night."

"That doesn't make ya a horrible person, B; it makes you human," Faith tells her. Buffy still looks guilty though so Faith covers her hand with hers, holding it for a moment. Buffy purses her lips and looks up at her, and Faith tries like hell to keep this platonic even though Buffy's hand in hers makes her nerves tingle all the way up to her arm. But she smiles at her as she gets up, guiding Buffy to stand with her. "Come on, I'm sure our new little Potential has some liquor – she seems the type. We'll get ya trashed and you can fuck off destiny for a night. Can't guarantee you love, heartbreak, and drama, but I sure as fuck can help ya get drunk and do something stupid."

Buffy rolls her eyes at her, but smiles regardless; glad for her help in trying to cheer her up. She allows Faith to steer her towards Kennedy, Willow, and another blonde girl they're talking to. Buffy had started being somewhat more civil to Kennedy, at least after the drama in the bathroom. Then again, Faith hasn't been blatantly hitting on her in front of Buffy either.

"Sup guys; who's the chick?" Faith asks as she takes notice that they're not alone. The blonde ducks her head down and blushes, apparently not used to receiving much attention.

"This is my ex Tara," Kennedy introduces with a grin. "Tara; Faith and Buffy." Faith's eyebrows shoot up. Kennedy… with this girl? She didn't know Kennedy all that well, but from first impressions it seems like she's all brass balls and Tara? She looked like the shyest person on the planet, which was a little hard to do when standing next to Willow.

Tara mumbles something inaudible behind her hair which Faith assumes is a 'hi.'

Faith never understood the concept of being friends with your exes. It just seemed like a whole lotta unnecessary drama. Besides, once you figure out a person isn't gonna make it through the long haul with you, why would you assume they could do so as your friend? Fucking stupid, if you asked her.

"You guys dated?" Buffy asks, curiously. She too seemed to take notice of the completely radical difference between the two girls. It's just a jacked concept to grasp.

"Yeah, when we were in sixth grade. Tara here was my first girlfriend," Kennedy responds, nudging Tara with her shoulder affectionately. Tara merely blushes in response. "We got bunked together in the dorms and, ya know, all girls school…" she trails off, smirking. Faith cocks an eyebrow and smirks back in response.

She would've killed to go to an all-girls school for that very reason. But those were usually private and it's not like her Mum was swimming in the dough or anything.

"You at SunnyD now too?" Faith asks Tara, since it was her school that burnt down as well. Tara nodded.

"Y-Yes…"

Ah, well at least Faith could hear that response. Tara didn't make much eye contact with anyone and when she did, it was very briefly before ducking her head back down and hiding behind her hair. It was kinda endearing, in a way. Not that Faith's interested because… just no, but it was kinda sweet all the same. She was like practically attached to Kennedy as if she wouldn't know what to do if she was left alone with a bunch of people she didn't know. Kinda like a puppy only, you know, less furry.

"Tara's into magick too!" Willow announces proudly, grinning from ear to ear. Faith gives her a 'way to go' look and holds up her hand for a high five. Willow smacks it with excited enthusiasm.

"That's awesome, Red. Now ya can actually have someone who knows what the fuck you're always on about," Faith replies, smirking.

"Yeah, after Willow told me that she was into all the voodoo, I know I had to introduce her to Tara," Kennedy tells her, smiling. Then she addresses Faith, "Cause I'm with you; I don't know my head from my ass when it comes to that stuff. Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to all the sage."

Faith snorts.

Buffy shoulder bumps her and when Faith looks at her questioningly, the blonde shoots her a pointed look. Did she forget something? She hasn't been flirting in front of her or anything; she's been a good girl; you know, trying not to cause unneeded drama and more bruises to her pretty face. Then again she's not drunk and horny so—oh! The liquor. Fucking duh.

Faith's gonna start blaming her lack of short term memory on all the blows Buffy has dealt to her head soon, even if she probably deserved at least half of them.

"Hey Ken," Faith starts, nodding her head a little as she steps away. "Side bar."

"I'll be right back," Kennedy tells Tara before she slips away. She follows Faith only a short ways before she asks, "What's up?"

"You got any liquor?" Faith asks, leaning against the bar and drumming her fingers on the edge. "B's getting' a little antsy; Slayer needs a break, y'know. Figured outta any of us, you'd be the best bet. All my shit's at the house."

"Sorry, I stopped keeping the stuff in my car after I got pulled over and sent to jail for… a variety of reasons. All the liquor I have access to now is at my parent's house; they have like a whole fucking cellar of the shit yet barely touch it. I'm starting to think they just like collecting it or something. I don't know," Kennedy replies, shrugging and rolling her eyes a little. "My parents are weird."

"You drive?" Faith asks, eyebrows raised. "You're fifteen."

"Hence part of the reason I got sent to jail," Kennedy smirks. "Driving without a license, no insurance, expired tags, open liquor containers… yeah, it wasn't a fun night for anyone involved." She shrugs though noncommittally. "But my parents hired this ridiculously expensive lawyer who got me off with just some community service."

"Wicked," Faith responds, impressed. If she had parents like that, fuck knows she wouldn't have so many charges on her juvenile record. Then again, if she was living "lifestyles of the rich and famous" she probably wouldn't be such a delinquent either. But whatever. Point was, Kennedy didn't have any liquor so she needed to inform B.

"B!" she hollers to her. Buffy looks up, raising her eyebrows expectantly. But after Faith shakes her head, she deflates a little. She gives her a kind of 'thanks for trying' look before she turns and started talking to Willow and Tara. Faith watches them for a moment before she mentions to Kennedy, "So… you and T then? How'd that happen?"

Kennedy shrugs, "She was sweet. Like, really fucking sweet. I don't know; I love her to death, I do. She's one of my best friends now. But we both realized that we weren't as attracted to each other in that way than we originally thought. We work way better as friends."

"Just seems kinda… like a weird match," Faith notes, glancing at her. Kennedy smirks.

"Why? Because we're so different? I don't know, I guess sometimes you need someone to balance you out. I mean, look at you and Buffy."

Faith raises an eyebrow a little defensively. "What do you mean 'look at me and B?'"

"You mean you guys aren't together?" Kennedy asks, surprised. Faith gives her a look like she must be smoking crack and Kennedy explains, "I just thought with the way she got pissy at you and me when we were talking earlier that she was just being territorial. I mean, I can't blame her. I'd be territorial over you were my girl." Kennedy gives her a flirty look.

"Yeah, but that's the problem. B wanted something, you know, like monogamous and serious. I didn't. I don't do that," Faith tells her. She might as well warn her ahead of time, just in case. She didn't need another dramatic storyline added to her life. "I just fuck and leave; that's it."

"Sound fulfilling," Kennedy responds, though she holds a hint of sarcasm behind her words.

Faith shrugs. "Always worked for me. I see no reason to change it." Her eyes scan the crowd for a moment before she furrows her eyebrows and asks, "Where's Xander?" She hasn't seen him in awhile.

"Last I saw him he said he had to go to the bathroom. That was like, a half an hour ago though," Kennedy replies, shrugging. She too starts looking through the crowd.

"Fuck," Faith swears before she starts heading towards Buffy. "If he managed to get himself eaten, I'll fuckin' kill him." After the last time they were at the Bronze, someone disappearing for a long period of time was a definite cause for alarm. Faith tries to make sure she doesn't get too panicky though; she'll be no use to anyone if she ends up having a fucking panic attack in the corner.

"B," Faith says, putting her hand on Buffy's shoulder to turn her around. "Where the fuck is Xander?"

Buffy looks confused. "I don't know, last I saw him he was with you." Then realization sets in of what could have possibly happened and she swears, "Shit. We need to split up and find him." She nods at Faith and Kennedy as she checks, "Stakes?"

"Got 'em," Faith answers as Kennedy nods. "Split up and meet here in ten?" she asks.

"Good plan. But please, if you get into something you know you can't handle, find me instead of going all suicidal," Buffy pleads, knowing how Faith can get. But fuck, if vamps have her friend, there ain't no way she's gonna waste time trying to find Buffy. She nods, agreeing, even though she doesn't plan to if the situation arises.

Willow looks alarmed. "D-Do you really think he could be…?" she trails off, looking sick. Faith puts her arm around her friend for a second, trying be some source of comfort, no matter how small.

"It's probably nothing," she assures her. "He probably just found some tail to drool over." She wishes her words were more convincing, but she's worried herself.

Willow doesn't look like that made any difference at all.

"Alright, let's motor," Faith says, wishing her heart wasn't feeling like it was gonna beat out of her chest. But just then she hears Xander ask:

"Where are we going?"

Everyone turns to look at Xander behind them in a mixture of relief and anger. Faith shoves him hard. "Don't fuckin' do that!" Christ, she was too young to have a heart attack.

"Ow! Do what? I just got here!" Xander protests, rubbing his chest like Faith mortally wounded him.

"Do what? Fuckin' be MIA, that's what! We thought some vamp was snackin' off you. Where were you?" Faith demands.

Xander looks completely awkward as he stutters, "Just… y-you know, bathroom and stuff. I wasn't feeling good." He shifts his eyes to the left, looking uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Liar. He was hiding something, but then again he has been acting like a spaz lately. Faith makes a mental note to investigate that later.

"Oh, we're so glad you're okay!" Willow exclaims, practically jumping on Xander to envelop him in a hug. Xander's eyes go wide and he awkwardly pats her on the back, still not understanding the big deal.

"I'm okay, Wills. It was just a stomach virus; I'm not Mr. Dead Man or anything. See? Still alive and kicking."

Faith flicks his forehead with her fingers, which makes him flinch. "Asshole," she says flatly. She seriously didn't need that kind of stress today. If she starts going gray, she's gonna punch him in the dick.

After that, the rest of the night was relatively uneventful. Which really, after that little scare, she was thankful for. The group left the Bronze around eleven, needing to get back home for school in the morning. As they said their goodbyes, Faith leaned against the brick wall, figuring she'd say bye last since Buffy was gonna walk her home anyway. Kennedy came up to her, leaning against the wall to her left as she watches Willow and Tara talk excitedly and Buffy scold Xander for running off without saying anything.

"So," Kennedy starts, still looking at their friends. "You up for keeping the party going a little longer?"

Faith glances at her out of the corner of her eye and smirks. "Have anything specific in mind?" She doesn't know why she bothered to ask; she already had a pretty good idea what Kennedy meant.

"Coming back to yours?"

Faith looks amused as she states, "Forward, aren't ya?" Kennedy shrugs, looking a little pleased with her directness. She turns to face her as her eyes swoop down Faith's body, before they went back up to train on her face.

"I try not to cut corners," she replies simply.

"Yeah well, I'm tryin' to not start any drama," Faith replies, sounding disappointed. She would love to; fuck would she love to. A good lay would get her mind off of other shit. But if Faith ditches Buffy to go screw Kennedy? Shit would rain down.

"Buffy?" Kennedy inquires.

"Would kill me," Faith finishes.

"Why? You're not hers."

Faith glances at her, staying silent for a moment as she weighs the pros and cons of the situation. "B's walkin' me home. So if ya really wanna get tied up in this shit, meet me at mine in an hour."

Kennedy smirks, enjoying her win. "Don't worry, I won't tell her."

"Better not. Bitch can kill both of us without exerting much effort," Faith responds, but meets Kennedy's smirk with one of her own. "But like you said, I'm not hers. So what she doesn't know won't hurt her, the way I figure it."

"Give me your address then," Kennedy requests. "I'll be there in an hour." She pulls a pen out from her back pocket and hands it to her. Faith writes her address on Kennedy's hand.

"Don't be late," she tells her, giving her a suggestive look. God, yeah, she really did need this. It's been far too long since she's felt someone's sweaty, naked body against her. Kennedy laughs.

"Trust me, I don't plan on it."

As Kennedy walks away, Faith watches her go. She knows this is probably a bad idea, but a girl's gotta get off, doesn't she? Besides, as long as Buffy doesn't get wind of her extracurricular activities, there shouldn't be any harm. Like Buffy said, she just doesn't want to see her all over Kennedy. Which is perfectly doable, since she's got her motel room for that.

This better not backfire. Because if Faith can't get her rocks off anymore, she's about to become one insufferable cunt.

TBC…