Faith dressed in a pair of tight black leather pants that rode low on her hips, boots and a Black Sabbath long-sleeved t-shirt that sat just above her hips with a matching studded leather belt and her black leather jacket. She put her hair up in a high ponytail and did her face up in dark colors...deciding she was going to wear her armor for this...whatever this was tonight with Bruce.
She drove her car to Bruce's penthouse, and the guard at the garage appeared to be expecting her, as he let her in with a wave of his hand, her watch showing the time of 6:56pm. She'd just make it in time...which was fine...best to not seem too eager.
Parking her car next to Bruce's Range Rover, Faith pressed the key code that Bruce had texted her earlier and let herself into the elevator, which took her directly to Bruce's penthouse. When the door opened, Bruce was sitting on a stool with a glass of something...the newspaper spread out before him. Probably the business section by the looks of it. When she stepped foot into the penthouse, his hazel eyes rose and locked with hers momentarily before his eyes raked over her appearance, a slight lifted smirk appearing on his lips, although the look in his eyes was predatory and heated.
"Plans?" Bruce said evenly.
"Buffy is in town, back at Wolfram and Hart...we are going out patrolling together later."
Bruce nodded, moving off the stool and stalking towards her, like a predator sizing up its prey. "Your idea?"
Faith shook her head. "Her's."
"I see." Said Bruce, as he stopped right in front of her. "Am I going to have the honor of meeting Miss Summers?"
"I guess that would depend on if you plan on stalking us in your Bat suit tonight."
Bruce chuckled. "I am seriously considering it." Bruce gently took Faith's hand and led her over to the couch, gesturing for her to sit and then took the spot next to her. "I'm sorry about this morning Faith. You caught me off guard and I wasn't prepared to answer questions about Rachel."
Faith nodded in understanding. "I get it."
"I don't think you do though. It's not that I don't want to talk about her...it's that it hurts too much to talk about her."
"Because you feel guilty she died, right?"
Bruce swallowed and nodded and Faith's eyes narrowed a bit. "I may not be very smart, but I'm not an idiot either. Did you really think Angel didn't have you investigated before I took the job with you. Rachel Dawes, best friend and daughter of the former housekeeper of Wayne Manor. You two grew up together...did everything together. Until she asked you to support the decision for...what was his name...Chill...who'd killed your parents, to turn states evidence. You disappeared after that for seven years...only to reappear years later and take up the mantle of Batman. Let me guess...Rachel knew about your nocturnal activities, but she wasn't quite sure how to be a supportive girlfriend...so what...did you make a promise to each other that once Gotham no longer needed Batman, you'd be together? Except then, there was Harvey Dent..." Bruce's eyes widened at Faith's accurate information and extrapolation and felt his ire rise in response.
"You seem to have it all figured out." Bruce bit out harshly.
"Not at all. You see, I get it. I understand that your heart is broken because you've lost the love of your life and I'm a quasi-adequate fill in...but I'm just not quite her...I'm never going to be Rachel and I'm done being someone's second choice...just okay, but not quite good enough."
Faith got up to leave and Bruce grabbed her arm in anger. "Is that what you think? Do you really think so little of me, of yourself?"
Faith shook her head in exasperation and laughed out harshly. "You didn't see yourself this morning...the minute her name came up, you completely shut down and forgot I existed. I was an afterthought, so don't patronize me, Wayne..."
Bruce grabbed Faith and lifted her up into his arms bringing her face to his, and she could see the repressed rage behind his hazel eyes. "Don't do this Faith. Don't push me away because you're scared. I'm scared too...yes, I loved Rachel...she was my first love, my best friend...but you're right, she couldn't handle my darkness, my desire to make Gotham safer by being the Batman. She shrank away from it because she couldn't stand by me...she wasn't strong enough to stand with me. Do you remember what I said to Wood...do you?"
Faith swallowed and nodded. "That he wasn't man enough to stand next to me."
Bruce nodded. "And Rachel wasn't woman enough to stand next to me."
Hazel eyes locked with brown ones, and Faith felt her resolve crumbling before she tilted her head down and sighed into Bruce's shoulders. "I'm terrified." Faith whispered in agony.
Bruce nodded, moving his head to the side and kissing Faith's neck. "I know baby, but you don't need to be scared of me...please stop trying to push me away."
Faith looked up into Bruce's face. "Why are you doing this?"
Bruce smiled gently. "Because I'm falling in love with you."
Faith's breath hitched in surprise. In all the years she and Robin had been together, he'd never once told her he loved her. Her mouth opened and closed several times, but the words wouldn't come. Bruce seemed confused momentarily until his eyes widened in understanding.
"Hasn't anyone ever?"
Faith shook her head emphatically.
Bruce leant forward and kissed Faith softly, feeling her body relaxing in his embrace. When her mouth opened, Bruce wasted no time plundering it with his tongue...relishing in her breathy moans.
After a few moments, both came up for air. "I'm sorry." Faith said softly.
Bruce smiled. "Me too."
"What now?" Faith wondered softly.
Bruce led her upstairs to the bedroom. "Now, we have great make up sex and then you go do your patrolling with Miss Summers and I will follow you both to make sure you get home in one piece. Then, you're going to move your things into Wayne Manor and here, if you like. We are going to be a proper couple and there won't be anymore of this nonsense Faith. I'm not letting you go and I will follow you to the ends of the earth if need be...but you're not getting rid of me."
"Bossy much?"
"I am the owner and CEO of Wayne Enterprises...but that notwithstanding, how do you feel about role play?"
Faith's eyes widened in understanding. "Well, I've done the sexy cheerleader and there might've been a bull whip involved."
Bruce's grin turned feral as he smiled wickedly once they'd reached the bedroom. "Well, that's interesting, but not exactly what I had in mind."
Faith looked up into Bruce's face and rolled her eyes before she smirked. "Control freak much?"
"Oh baby...you have no idea."
"Bring it on Wayne..." Faith grinned while Bruce just chuckled, before he showed her exactly what he had in mind.
After Faith finally left Bruce's Penthouse and headed back to Wolfram and Hart it was just a bit after ten pm. Bruce had kept her busy for the last three hours and the man's stamina not to mention imagination was staggering. Faith was actually sore in places she'd never been before and lost count how many times Bruce had made her orgasm...somewhere after the sixth one, Faith had just rolled her head back and let Bruce take complete control...which he'd done with relish.
It made Faith wonder why she'd never allowed any man to be the dominant force in the relationship, much less the bedroom. But it was both scary and liberating...and hot as fuck. Shaking her head clear, Faith walked into her apartment to see the Scoobies sitting around eating pizza and Chinese.
"Hey guys." Faith said with a small grin on her face. "Any pizza left?"
"Yeah, there's a few slices of pepperoni and sausage on the table." Xander replied, flipping the remote trying to find something to watch. Willow was on her laptop, looking over some schematics and Buffy wasn't anywhere to be found.
"Where's B?" Faith peeked her head into the dojo area, but Buffy wasn't there either.
"She and Spike went off to 'talk' which is code for shag..." Kennedy quipped while Dawn just gave her a disgusted look.
"Oh, well I'm going to get a few things for patrolling, if she comes in let her know I'm in my room."
Willow nodded. "Everything go okay with Bruce Wayne?"
Faith sighed, but smiled. "Yeah...he's stubborn...and determined..."
"And sexy as hell." Kennedy smirked, while Willow just nodded.
"I didn't think you swung that way, Kennedy?" Faith taunted good-naturedly.
"Don't." Kennedy said as she took a bite of her Chinese noodles. "But a thing of beauty..."
"Is a joy forever." Willow finished and both women giggled, while Faith just rolled her eyes.
"Well, I won't argue with you there...He is pretty hot."
"At least tell me if the sex is good...it would be such a waste if a man as sexy as him wasn't a stud in bed." Kennedy smiled wickedly, while Willow just nodded and grinned. Even Dawn was nodding along, her cheeks blushing a bit, but her eyes were alight with curiosity.
Faith shook her head at her friend's, but the smile on her face couldn't be masked. "The man is beyond a stud...and that's all your getting out of me."
"Ooh...sounds promising." Kennedy giggled.
Faith shrugged, thinking about the words Bruce had said when he'd told her that he was falling in love with her. Faith's face must've shown some of her emotional turmoil, because Dawn came over and placed a hand on her arm.
"You okay?"
Faith nodded. "Bruce told me tonight he is falling in love with me."
The entire room went silent, and four sets of eyes stared at Faith in shock. Xander coughed for a moment and then sat forward, his face taking on a serious expression. "That's pretty major, Faith. How do you feel about him?"
Faith sighed softly, and went to grab a piece of pizza. If she was going to have this conversation, she wasn't going to do it on an empty stomach. Besides, after the 'shag fest' as Spike would've called it...she was ravenous.
"I've never had someone tell me that before and it was a shock. I couldn't get any words out...but I care for Bruce...and I can see myself falling in love with him. I keep wondering what it is he sees in me, but I'm trying to not overthink it and just see where it goes. I've never felt this way before and it scares me...but it also excites me too. He pretty much overwhelms me...but in a good way."
"Damn," said Willow, "the sex must be out of this world...you're turning into a sap."
Faith grinned at her friend. "Fuck you Red...you're one to talk."
Willow shrugged. "I know what I like...and if I wasn't gay, I'd totally do Bruce Wayne."
Faith did laugh at this, as did everyone in the room. "Good to know."
At that moment Buffy and Spike came into the apartment from the elevator looking like they'd just spent the last three hours shagging each other stupid.
"Nice reunion?" Faith mocked.
"Shut it Slayer." Spike bit back, but he was smiling when he said it, while Buffy just rolled her eyes.
"Come on Faith, let's go hunting."
"I'm coming too!" Kennedy piped up.
Faith looked over at Buffy who just shrugged. "Fine Kennedy...just try not to leap before you look."
"That was only once and you're never going to let me live it down."
"Probably not." Buffy taunted. "Is there a place to go after where we can hang out and dance? I haven't had a proper night out in a while."
Faith chuckled and nodded. "There's a dance club downtown called the "Dungeon"...I've been there once or twice."
Buffy nodded. "Well, let's get this done and then go have some fun!"
"Fine...let me just grab a few things. I have some weapons in my stash if you want to grab anything, feel free."
Kennedy bounded into the weapons room and 'ooohed' and 'aahed' over everything before she took a stake, a crossbow and a katana for herself. Buffy just pulled out Mr. Pointy and smirked. Faith slid her stake in her boot like always, grabbed her two katanas and her silver knife and headed for her private elevator. Buffy and Kennedy followed her in and together the three Slayers made their way to the basement and through the sewers, flowing Faith's lead.
"So where exactly is this Arkham?" Buffy asked.
"It's in the area of Gotham called the Narrows. We can't get to it directly from the sewers here...we have to re-access them once we cross the bridge and then we can make our way to the abandoned warehouse from there."
Buffy nodded. It didn't take the trio long to get to their destination...about an hour and Faith looked at her watch, seeing it was almost midnight. The three cautiously moved into the warehouse, trying to see if there was a passageway near the Arkham side of the building.
"So, did you and Bruce make up?" Buffy asked.
"Are we really going to discuss my love life on patrol? How's Spike? Did you rock his world?"
Buffy scoffed. "Nice change of subject Faith. As a matter of fact, yes...I had sex with Spike...I missed the insufferable jerk."
Faith smirked. "I'm sure he will stop being all Angel now that he's finally gotten some...he's turned into Mr. Broody since the last time I saw him."
"That's Angel's playground, and from what I understand he's with Cordelia now."
Faith shook her head as they moved into another area of the warehouse. "Didn't see that one coming...like ever."
Buffy grinned. "Yeah...me neither, but as long as he's happy."
"Just not too happy, eh?"
Buffy glared at Faith, while her sister Slayer just grinned. "Do you have to be such a bitch?"
"Awwww...too soon?"
"That's not funny Faith."
"Oh come on B...that was hysterical."
"Oh...like the time you stole my body and pretended to be me?"
In a flash, while the two Slayers were arguing several Turok-Han came out of nowhere and attacked. Faith moved quickly and swung her katana in an arc, taking off the head of the first one as Kennedy staked another and Buffy a third. Buffy and Faith were back to back as they moved with seem-less grace around each other and then Buffy extended her hand and the Slayer Scythe appeared, slashing through the Turok-Han like butter.
"You think I enjoyed being you? Wasn't that when you were dating Captain Corn-fed Iowa?" Faith snarled, as she took off another Turok-Han's head.
"I think it was the highlight of your life! And his name was Riley!" Buffy screeched as she slashed and kicked another vamp into the wall.
"Oh yes...I've always wanted to pretend to be you...stuck up, full of myself and in general a Miss goody, goody..."
"You say it like it's a bad thing Faith." Buffy threw the Scythe at Faith, who'd caught in mid air and slashed down another three vamps in a flash.
"Oh wait...you did gut me like a fish...so...not Miss goody goody after all..."
"You're always going to hold that against me? You were acting all evil Faith...what should I have done?"
"I don't know B...not stabbed me and left me for dead...in a coma for a year?" Faith slashed and dodged as she killed two more vamps.
"Do you two always have to bicker like two sisters when you fight together? It's really distracting." Kennedy groused, staking another vamp.
"You're just jealous because we haven't tried to kill you yet...give it time kid..." Faith mocked, while Buffy just rolled her eyes.
"You did almost kill me several times...both of you with your piss poor planning and delusions of grandeur." Kennedy mocked.
"Hey!" Both Faith and Buffy screeched as they dusted the remaining Turok-Han. "What an ungrateful little brat." Faith smirked at Buffy. "We share our considerable powers and she gives us grief. If it wasn't for Willow kid, I'd just as soon leave you here to fend for yourself."
"You wouldn't do that Faith...because you're the good Slayer now." Buffy grinned evilly.
"Fuck you B...and the broom you rode in on...no wait...you ride Spike now."
"Do you really want to go there?"
"Are you two always like this?" A gruff voice sounded from above, as Buffy and Kennedy gawked at the new arrival that was hiding in the shadows.
"Shit..." Kennedy said as Batman moved down onto the pavement, having watched the entire fight...and listening to the bantering. He had to admit, it was most impressive. The fighting, not the arguing...although it was enlightening and quite humorous.
"Damn..." Buffy grinned, taking stock of the masked vigilante. "Freud would have a field day with this guy. Halloween is over, you know."
"Shut up B! As if you don't have a type...hmmmm? Shall we take stock of Buffy's fuck buddies over the years...Angel, Spike...the Immortal? Do we see a pattern?"
"I did date Riley."
"Oh, you mean Mr. Super Solider who'd just happened to work for a covert government military agency? Yeah, we're not grading on a curve here and you're giving Batman criticism over his choice of attire? Pot and Kettle much?"
"Do you always have to be such a bitch?"
"Please...I'm a hot chick with superpowers."
"As if you're the only one..." Buffy grinned.
Faith chuckled. "Takes the edge off."
"And no one can appreciate what we have to go through."
Both women laughed while Kennedy just rolled her eyes. "You two, are the worst."
"So ungrateful." Faith mocked.
Bruce just chuckled. "Nice weapon." He nodded towards the Scythe that Faith was holding. Faith tossed it back to Buffy and in a flash, it disappeared...causing Bruce's eyes to widen in shock. "How?"
"Magic." Buffy grinned. "Come on, we need to see where these vamps were coming from. You gonna join us Mr. Batman?"
"I think it might be a good idea." Batman growled in his deep voice. "You must be Miss Summers?" Buffy nodded and then Batman turned to the younger Slayer.
"Kennedy...just Kennedy."
Batman nodded again and followed the three Slayers down through a small passageway until they reached a metal door that appeared to be slightly ajar. Buffy opened it and moved into the room beyond, while Kennedy followed her. Batman held Faith back and gave her an amused look.
"Should I be concerned about that?" He gestured towards the room.
"B?" Bruce nodded and Faith just smiled. "Nah...we're mostly all bark and no bite these days."
Bruce chuckled deeply. "That wasn't my experience earlier."
Faith blushed, but her smile widened. "I'm pretty sure my body hasn't had such a good workout ever. I may even be a bit sore in places I didn't know I could be."
"Is that a problem?" Batman growled lowly, causing Faith's body to shiver again.
"Nope." Faith winked and moved into the room, hearing Bruce's deep growl behind her.
"When we get home later..."
"B and I are going out clubbing...Slayer tradition after a good fight. You're welcome to join us." Faith looked over her shoulder and grinned.
"Dressed like that?" Bruce moved into Faith's space and gripped her hips from behind, pulling her flush with him.
"I do like leather, so probably. I guess you'll just have to tag along and make sure I behave myself."
"Fuck." Bruce growled so lowly Faith almost missed it.
"Isn't that the idea?" Faith sing-songed as she swayed her hips seductively, moving into the secondary room, with Bruce following close behind.
When she entered the space fully, she looked around and scowled. Buffy and Kennedy were searching the perimeter of the room, but it seemed that there wasn't an access point from this part of the building into the sewers.
"Now what?" Faith growled.
Buffy shrugged. "We come back in the morning and search the area when it's light outside. We know the Turok-Han can't come out in the sunlight and hopefully there will be enough light to give us some protection."
Faith nodded and moved back out the way they'd come in, before she cocked her head and looked around in earnest. Buffy, seeing the look on Faith's face came over and bumped Faith's shoulder with hers. "What is it?"
Faith's eyes met Buffy's. "It's a diversion...like before. The First wants us to think this is where we need to be...but it's not."
Buffy's eyes widened in understanding. "So where do you think?"
Faith moved outside the factory and looked towards Arkham, which was just to the west. Jumping up on the scaffolding and moving from ledge to ledge like a panther until she'd reached the highest point...Faith surveyed the area and grinned. Jumping down a distance of about six stories and landing on her feet, Faith gestured to a smaller abandoned building on the northern side of Arkham. "It's there."
Buffy tilted her head in consideration. "Why there?"
Faith grinned. "Empty lot with a lot of overgrowth..."
Buffy's eyes widened. "It's all dead, isn't it?"
Faith nodded. "It's there...that's where we need to go."
"Not tonight." Batman growled. "Better to check it in the morning."
Buffy sighed and then nodded in agreement. "The Bat is right...so fun now?"
Faith chuckled. "Sure. Let's head back to my apartment and see if Xander and Willow want to join us...I'm assuming you want to tag along Kennedy?"
The younger Slayer shrugged, but nodded. "Sure...someone has to look out for you both. Heaven knows what kind of trouble you'll get into without supervision."
"See what I mean?" Faith groused. "No respect for her elders."
Buffy just laughed while Bruce smiled softly before he reached for Faith's arm and pulled her into his embrace. "Where are you headed?"
"Dungeon." Faith smirked, watching Bruce's mouth purse together in obvious displeasure.
"Don't worry Batman, I'll make sure Faith gets back in relatively one piece." Buffy grinned and made her way to the bridge.
Faith turned around and winked at Bruce before she followed her sister Slayer and headed back to the sewers that lead to Wolfram and Hart. It was time to let loose and blow off some steam...sister Slayer style.