Title: Three Nights In

Author: Pulpgeek

E-mail: pulpgeek@hotmail.com

Rating: Say PG-14 same as the show

Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and some suits. If they belonged to me someone might actually get a happy ending once and a while.

Category: F/X.

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-Two-

Faith hated having anyone take care of her. Being out of control was not something she could deal with well. Or deal with at all for that matter. Being carried through a graveyard like some helpless idiot especially annoyed the hell out her. Xander on the other hand found it highly amusing.

"Ok, this is far enough. Put me down."

"So you can collapse again? Nope."

"I'm fine. Come on, you've seen me walk away from much worse than this."

"True if by walk you mean spending a week in the hospital."

"That was a sword in the gut, this is some stupid vampire getting lucky with a knife."

"Right, that is why you almost passed out from blood loss. Stop trying to be tough Faith."

"I don't need to try Xan, besides the cut's already healing. Now Put-Me-Down."

"Not until I get you back to your apartment."

"You do realize I could just snap your neck right here don't you?"
"Yes but then who would you mooch food off of?"

Maybe that did it. For whatever reason Faith didn't say another word until they were almost home. Carrying Faith was an odd experience, she remained still despite the still leaking wound in her side. Relaxing in his arms would be admitting weakness, not Faith's style.

"Think it will leave a scar?"

"Not with the way you heal. Getting vain on me Faith?"

"Only thing I've got going for me is this bod Xander, don't want to lose it."

"Don't talk like tha"
"Calm down boy, just a joke alright? I'm a bit nervous about getting another scar. That last one ruined what could have been a brilliant career in stripping."

"Hey, anytime you want a strange guy to stuff dollar bills down your underwear just let me know."

"Careful, I may take you up on that if my VISA bill gets any higher."

They made it back to the apartment complex without further incident. Xander had originally talked Faith into getting a room close to his with the argument that this place was close to all of Sunndydale's supernatural hotspots. At the time he just wanted to keep an eye on her. These days living close to each other just made it more convenient for the times one of them needed a friend. Or when Faith wanted to raid his fridge, did that girl ever do her own shopping?

In a rare feat of athleticism Xander managed to get the door open while still carrying Faith. Any jokes about carrying her over the threshold would have gotten him killed so Xander repressed the urge. Instead he deposited her on the bed and went to raid her quite substantial first-aid kit. No Slayer's place would be complete without one.

Faith had discarded her blood stained t-shirt by the time he got back and was probing the wound. This was a bad time to notice how well she filled out a sports-bra but that was just one of the drawbacks of being a guy. Hormones have no sense of appropriate timing.

"Eyes in Xander. Pass me a washcloth will you, got to get this blood off before it dries."

Xander did as instructed then sat down on the bed and began sizing up the bandages.

"Doesn't look that deep for all the bleeding."

"I've had a lot worse, must have just grazed an artery. Suck down some fluids and a good nights rest, I'll be five by five. Well, maybe four by four."

Her friend just nodded and continued wrapping bandages around her sides. Patching up a wounded Slayer was part of the routine. Weird what you could get used to living in this town.

"Decent patch job Xan. Now get me something to drink will you, I'm about to faint from dehydration."

"Big tough Slayer can't even make it to the kitchen?"

"I'm a delicate wounded flower, didn't you know that? Now serve me already."

"Fine, fine. I'll be back in minute."

"Where you going, my crap not good enough?"

"The only thing in your fridge is orange juice that went bad a week ago. Lucky for you little girl that I went shopping yesterday."

"So I'm not domestic. That is no reason to abandon me."

"I'll be back in five minutes. Lie back and get some rest in the meantime."

"Sure, throw me on the bed, get my top off then leave. You are such a tease Xander."

"I'll have you begging for it soon enough Faith. All part of the plan."

"Out. Don't come back without some juice and a better line."

His own apartment was only four doors down but Xander took his time. Maybe it was one close call too many but Faith was getting to him more than usual tonight. It wasn't like he hadn't figured out what a beauty he was hanging out with, that much he'd noticed right away, but normally Xander kept non-friend type thoughts well buried. Safer that way.

Xander grabbed one of the three un-opened cartons of cranberry-orange juice from his fridge. Since Faith would inevitably steel two of them it paid to overstock on necessities. When they first met the only perishables she kept on hand were alcohol and chocolate bars. With her being on the wagon it was down to only candy. If he didn't live near by the girl would probably have died of malnutrition by now no matter what she claimed about Slayer metabolisms.

The TV was on when Xander got back, music videos starting a parade of interchangeable blonde pop-stars. He tossed her the juice and Faith downed it all in two long swigs.

"Much better. You have proved your worth for now."

"Gee, thanks. Always glad to be your personal supermarket."

Faith tossed the box aside and tapped the bed near her foot.

"Sit."

Xander sat. Faith killed the music with a flick of the remote.

"Making eyes at me again this evening." Not a question.

"Guilty. You know how bloodstains turn me on."

"The looking I don't mind but looking leads to other stuff."

"Not always."

"It at least leads to wanting other stuff, that can be enough."

"Somehow I never saw you as someone who would protest being admired."

"I don't but you're thinking about more than my breasts."

"Right, I'm also loving those legs."

"Why do you think we've never had sex Xander?"

Now that was out of left field. Girl does like to shock.

"I always figured you were somehow immune to my wily charms."

"I've spread my legs for guys a lot less charming then you."

"Well you did try the first few times I pulled you out of a bar."

"I was so drunk back then I would have nailed a vampire. I'm talking post bar-tramp days."

"Can we not talk about this?"

"We've been putting this off for awhile already. You've spent more than a year hanging with a recovering slut Xander, don't try and tell me it hasn't bothered you that I never gave you a tumble."

"We already had the slut' discussion Faith, you know I don't care"

"Maybe I do though. Look Xander I like you, you like me. If we were normal people we'd be knocking boots by now. But we're not and I think you deserve to hear why before you waste any more time on me. Now shut up and let me talk."

Faith moved a little closer, resting her head against his back.

"You know the whole it's not you, it's me' thing? Well I think in this case the problem is you. I like you Xan, I seriously do. You are probably the best friend I've had in what passes for a life. Honestly I'd like to go a few rounds with you, being with someone I like would be a nice change. See, the problem is I've gotten to know you. Under those hormones you're a hopeless romantic. We get naked and I can tell you won't be able to keep it casual."

"That so bad?"

"No, but I can't give those feeling back. Friendship and fun are one thing but I'm just not wired for the rest of it. Wish I was but I'm just not that kind of girl. Sorry Xander."

"At least you were nicer about it then Buffy."

"What about B?"

"Nothing, high school stuff. Don't worry about it Faith, my insane Slayer stalking days are behind me. Just having you as a friend is cool."

"But you'd rather be having me in other ways right?"

"Well, yes. Still a guy here you know."

"Good. Was afraid I was losing it for a second there."

"Never. You're still the second hottest girl in Sunnydale."

"Second? There better be a good punch line here."

"This witch Willow has been hanging around with is such a doll. Just so darn cute."

"Waiting for that punch line Xander."

"Puchline? I just think shy girls are sexy."

"Enough already, I'm properly humbled. Leave a girl a little dignity will you?"

"Sorry. Still my girl?"

"Always."

"So is it ok if I tell people you're my girlfriend to boost my lady-killer image?"

"Luckily for you I am going to pretend I didn't hear that."

That sounded like a good place to stop. Xander started to rise but Faith wrapped her hands around his waste and sat him back down. Maybe not such a good stopping point.

"You've given me a lot Xander and I haven't given much back, probably because I don't have much to give. I can't give you my body but I want you to have part of me. A part that no one else has. So listen and don't say anything or I might not get through this. The name on the birth certificate is Amy Corbett. I was born to some no-good white trash down in Texas and the only good thing about life there was Faith, my big sister. She took care of me, kept those drunken filth away. Faith was my hero, everything a big sister should be. He beat her to death when I was ten, the night I ran away. I was scared a lot back then, scared of just about everything. Somewhere along the line I started calling myself Faith, it was a strong name and I needed the strength. Now days I even call myself Faith in my dreams."

"Amy. Nice name."

"ShhNo. Don't call me that. Maybe someday when I don't need to be tough any more. Then you can call me Amy. For now I'm just Faith, ok?"

"Whatever you say."

Xander turned in her grasp so he could hug her back. They stayed that way for a long while. Faith's eyes were moist but she didn't cry. Amy might cry but Faith never did.