*****
Xander stumbled out of his room, bleary eyed as he made his way down to the kitchen. He pulled down some Cap'n Crunch and grabbed some milk form the fridge, smiling in anticipation of his morning sugar rush. He still couldn't eat a lot of sweets, but he'd laid down the law with his stomach. He'd eat his morning cereal the way HE wanted, and be damned to what his stomach was trying to demand. Later in the day he'd give in and eat the bland crap he had gotten used too.
He had just sat down when a familiar engine roar caused him to jump up. Jarod's still upstairs... isn't he?
He got to the window in time to see the mustang roar down the road, cap down, with two girls in the front seat. Xander blinked back the bleary image in his eyes, a disbelieving look crossing his face. That was Faith driving... but... no... no... it couldn't be. I must be half asleep. There is no way that was Willow in the passenger seat.
*****
Faith glanced over at the passenger seat, grinning as she saw the first real smile break through Willow's grim exterior. "The wind in your hair is something ain't it, Red?"
Willow shook her head as she chuckled, "Yeah. Yeah, Faith, it is."
Faith turned her attention back to the road, putting the accelerator down and letting out a little yell as the powerful engine let loose a bit more and the car jumped ahead.
Willow was forced back into her seat, her eyes opened wide as she looked out of the car at the highway railing that raced past. "Faith!" She squealed.
"Relax, Red!" Faith yelled above the engine, "Just going to let this puppy unwind a little."
Willow swallowed as she started wondering what she had been thinking to get in a car with Faith behind the wheel.
Faith, for her part, was grinning wildly as she shook her head to let the wind pull all of her long black hair back into the slipstream. She glanced over at the stricken witch beside her, "C'mon, Red. Relax, enjoy yourself. We're gonna paint L.A. RED!"
Willow just turned her eyes back to the road, swallowing deeply as Faith passed another car.
*****
Rodeo Drive, LA
"Faith!" Willow said in shock, "I really don't think that black leather is what I need right now."
Faith grinned as she hauled the witch into the store, "Not everything is about you, Red."
Willow moaned, but allowed herself to be dragged into the store.
"Waddya think?" Faith held up a form fitting semi-top that looked like it *might* cover most of her chest, but would definitely leave less to the imagination then Willow would tend to prefer.
"I think that I've seen the vampire version of me wear things that were less slutty."
Faith raised an eyebrow, "I'll take that as a thumbs up.... I think. Vampire version of you?"
Willow cringed, "Alternate dimension thing... I got to see what I'd be like if I were turned... I'd be a B&D dominatrix wannabe with your taste in clothes."
Faith looked her over for a moment. "Hmmmm... nice image. Let's try that out."
Willow yelped as Faith dragged her toward a changing room. "No. No! Faith! No way! Let go of my arm!"
Reluctantly Faith let go, but she never lost her grin. "You know, Red. You really need to let it all go some times. C'mon, take a walk on the wild side. Betcha Tara would love ya in a little number like this..."
Willow looked over at the leather top, actually considering for a moment before she shook her head clear. "No! I'm... not ready for that... and I don't think that Tara is either."
Faith shrugged, "Suit yerself, Red. Hang here for a sec... I wanna see how this looks on a real body."
Willow shook her head and slumped against the wall as she watched Faith vanish into the changing room. She flushed a little as people passed by, often staring at her as they did. "Faith? Could you hurry up...?"
At that moment Faith reappeared.
"... Wow." Willow let out before she could think.
Faith was wearing her own leather pants and boots, but from the waist up she was substantially different. Instead of a black sweater and leather jacket she was wearing the leather top she had grabbed from the rack. It left her mid-drift uncovered to just below her breasts, her toned abdominal muscles standing out clearly even in her relaxed state. The leather garment flattened her breasts out, and covered her shoulders from neck to upper arm, hugging the curves of her body like a second skin. The collar was tight, almost like a choker as it wrapped around her throat.
Faith grinned at Willow's reaction. "Coming from you, I'll take that as one helluva compliment, Red."
Willow shook her head and blushed.
"C'mon, Girl." Faith nudged her, "You can't tell me that you wouldn't love to see Tara in this? Or have her see you?"
Willow didn't answer, just turned a couple shades darker in color.
Faith chuckled, tossed her coat over her shoulder, and ambled to the counter. She slapped the plastic down and grinned at the bulging eyes of the shop clerk. "I'll take it."
*****
The two girls were sauntering down the street a few minutes later. Or Faith was sauntering. Willow was sort of walking alongside Faith while trying to keep from seeming to be walking alongside Faith.
She should have saved her energy. No one, male or female, noticed the nervous redhead walking alongside the brunette bombshell who was cutting a wide swath through the crowded sidewalk.
Faith was grinned, throughly enjoying the attention she was getting from the men and even occasional women that passed them. "Geez, Red. Get in the spirit. I tell you I have a card with unlimited credit and you haven't bought a thing yet!
"But... Well... its Xander's money..."
Faith laughed, "C'mon, Girl. You really think he's gonna mind? Hell, if you want I'll call him up and ask him for ya?"
"I... umm... you'd do that?"
Faith shook her head and fished out a cell phone. "Damn Girl. You are way tense."
Willow watched as she dialed a number into the phone.
"Hey, X. Yeah... No, you weren't seeing things, she's here with me. She was feeling down... yeah, deep in the dumps. Look, you mind if I use your card? Do a little shopping? Hey, you know how that cheers up us helpless females..." Faith grinned, "Sure... here she is."
Willow accepted the phone, "X... Xander?"
Willow started when she heard his voice, she hadn't really expected Faith to call.
"Yeah, I'm ok..." She answered his question, "I know... I know, I'm not really sure how it happened either... you sure? Ok... I will... I promise."
Willow handed the phone back to Faith, smiling at nothing.
Faith grinned back as she put the phone to her ear. "Thanks, Lover. Catch ya later."
Faith ended the call before Xander could respond and looked at Willow. "So?"
"He said to have some fun." Willow smiled slightly.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Faith grinned and grabbed Willow's arm, "Let's go!"
Willow yelped in surprise as the Slayer hauled her along the sidewalk toward another store.
*****
Xander shook his head as he hung up the phone. Willow and Faith... shopping!? Something is just wrong with that image.
*****
The two girls were moving down the sidewalk, bags weighing down each arm, and grinning like the proverbial cat that ate the canary.
"Damn! That was fun."
Willow couldn't help but grin, "Did you really have to tease those poor salesmen?"
"Hey!" Faith said, laughing. "That's half the fun of shopping."
Willow chuckled under her breath as they made their way back to the parking garage where they had left the Mustang. "I think you gave the older guy a coronary."
"Nah..." Faith drawled, "He was drooling over you."
"Me!?"
"Yeah, those old guys love the school girl look."
Willow looked down at her clothes, "Hey!"
She was about to retort when a scream from ahead of them drew her attention. Ahead of them a woman was struggling with a thief, trying to keep her grip on her purse as the young man pulled at the purse until the strap snapped.
"Hey!" Willow yelled as the man started to race away from his victim, purse in hand.
"Red?" Faith said, her voice quiet.
"What!?"
"Remember what I said about when not to use magic?"
"Yeah?"
"Not one of those times!" Faith took off at a dead run, her bags dropping to the ground around Willow.
Willow's eyes widened, suddenly realized that for the first time in a long time Magic hadn't been her first thought. She watched as the man raced away, her eyes locking onto a small planter that had been set alongside the sidewalk. Her eyes narrowed and her hand stretched out, and the planter began to shake in its place.
As the purse snatcher ran past the planter it jumped out of its concrete emplacement and leapt into the path of the running thief. His feet entangled into the planter and he stumbled, sprawling to the sidewalk. Before he could get back to his feet Faith was on top of him.
As the brunette Slayer hefted the man one handed until his feet were clear of the ground the victim caught up with them. Faith grinned at her and handed her the small purse with her free hand. "This belongs to you I think?"
"Ummm... Yeah..." the woman looked at the man as he dangled above the ground, held up by the slender arm of the young girl in front of her. "Uh... Thanks."
"No prob." Faith smiled, "You want to press charges?"
"Oh... I... ummm..."
Faith grinned and turned her attention back to the man, "You learn a lesson today, little man?"
"Urp... Yeah, lesson... right." the man choked out.
Faith lifted him a little higher, her grin disappearing. "I think you'd better have. Cause I'm not going to be this gentle if I see you again."
"Urk!" the man choked again as her grip tightened.
"So what do you think?" Faith asked the woman, "He learn his lesson?"
The woman stared at her. "I... I guess so."
"Your lucky day, little man." Faith sneered.
She then tossed him back several feet where he sprawled on his ass. "Get lost, punk. Or I'll make you wish she had wanted to press charges."
The man scrambled to his feet and ran like the devil himself was after him. Faith smiled and tipped her head to the woman, "See ya, have a nice day."
"Uhhh... Nice day... yeah... thanks?"
Faith grinned and jugged back to where Willow was waiting. After she had picked up her bags they continued on.
"So, Red," Faith smirked, "How'd that feel?"
"Huh?"
"Using your magic to help? Tripping that slimeball up so you could help his victim get her stuff back?"
Willow shrugged, "Felt good."
"Yeah." Faith smiled, "Felt really good."
The two girls continued on to the parking garage in silence.
*****
New Years Eve,'99
"What a way to spend new years." Buffy griped as the five girls trudged through the park.
Faith smirked, "Could be worse... we could have drawn the guy's job."
"Yeah." Willow snickered, "I'll never forget the look on Xander's face when Jarod volunteered them for sewer duty."
"I... I think it was nice of them..." Tara offered.
Faith nodded, "It was... on Jarod's part at least."
Miss Parker laughed, "Not likely. I told him exactly what wouldn't be happening for a few weeks if he didn't 'volunteer'."
"Ha!" Faith laughed, "Like you could hold out for more then a couple days. I've heard you two at night, and Jarod had the entire place soundproofed."
Parker shrugged, a smirk on her face. "What Jarod doesn't know won't hurt me. As for the sound... you aren't exactly Miss Dainty yourself."
Faith smirked right back, no sign of apology on her face.
"Eww." Buffy complained about the conversation. "And can I add, 'Too much information.'?"
"Get over yourself, B." Faith snapped a little, "Its not like you never talk about the Ken Doll."
"I wish you wouldn't call him that." Buffy said, a little annoyed.
"Why? Too close to the truth?"
"How would you like it if I started calling Xander that?"
"Trust me on this, B." Faith smirked, "Xander is VERY anatomically correct. Oh wait...you don't need to take my word for it do ya?"
Willow snorted as she took a sip of coffee, coughing and gagging as the liquid entered parts of her body that were definitely not meant for hot caffeinated beverages. Tara immediately turned to her, patting her on the back as she tried to get her breath back.
Buffy's face flushed hot, and she was glad for the darkness that enrobed them. "Shut up."
"Point, Set, and Match to the Slayer in Black." Miss Parker grinned nastily as she laughed internally at the conversation.
"Can we get back to the slaying?" Buffy asked, "I'd like to get to Lowell house before midnight... uh... for the party."
"Oh, your calling it a 'party' now are you?" Faith laughed.
"Oh shut up Faith."
Faith snickered and turned to Willow, "hey Red, we still on for next week?"
Under the sudden stares of Buffy and Tara, Willow turned a little red. "Sure, Faith."
"Cool." Faith grinned, "And bring the Tiger this time."
"T... tiger?" Tara ventured quietly.
"I think... she was talking about you." Willow winced.
In the darkness Tara's jaw dropped and her face turned several degrees of red.
*****
Xander stumbled out of his room, bleary eyed as he made his way down to the kitchen. He pulled down some Cap'n Crunch and grabbed some milk form the fridge, smiling in anticipation of his morning sugar rush. He still couldn't eat a lot of sweets, but he'd laid down the law with his stomach. He'd eat his morning cereal the way HE wanted, and be damned to what his stomach was trying to demand. Later in the day he'd give in and eat the bland crap he had gotten used too.
He had just sat down when a familiar engine roar caused him to jump up. Jarod's still upstairs... isn't he?
He got to the window in time to see the mustang roar down the road, cap down, with two girls in the front seat. Xander blinked back the bleary image in his eyes, a disbelieving look crossing his face. That was Faith driving... but... no... no... it couldn't be. I must be half asleep. There is no way that was Willow in the passenger seat.
*****
Faith glanced over at the passenger seat, grinning as she saw the first real smile break through Willow's grim exterior. "The wind in your hair is something ain't it, Red?"
Willow shook her head as she chuckled, "Yeah. Yeah, Faith, it is."
Faith turned her attention back to the road, putting the accelerator down and letting out a little yell as the powerful engine let loose a bit more and the car jumped ahead.
Willow was forced back into her seat, her eyes opened wide as she looked out of the car at the highway railing that raced past. "Faith!" She squealed.
"Relax, Red!" Faith yelled above the engine, "Just going to let this puppy unwind a little."
Willow swallowed as she started wondering what she had been thinking to get in a car with Faith behind the wheel.
Faith, for her part, was grinning wildly as she shook her head to let the wind pull all of her long black hair back into the slipstream. She glanced over at the stricken witch beside her, "C'mon, Red. Relax, enjoy yourself. We're gonna paint L.A. RED!"
Willow just turned her eyes back to the road, swallowing deeply as Faith passed another car.
*****
Rodeo Drive, LA
"Faith!" Willow said in shock, "I really don't think that black leather is what I need right now."
Faith grinned as she hauled the witch into the store, "Not everything is about you, Red."
Willow moaned, but allowed herself to be dragged into the store.
"Waddya think?" Faith held up a form fitting semi-top that looked like it *might* cover most of her chest, but would definitely leave less to the imagination then Willow would tend to prefer.
"I think that I've seen the vampire version of me wear things that were less slutty."
Faith raised an eyebrow, "I'll take that as a thumbs up.... I think. Vampire version of you?"
Willow cringed, "Alternate dimension thing... I got to see what I'd be like if I were turned... I'd be a B&D dominatrix wannabe with your taste in clothes."
Faith looked her over for a moment. "Hmmmm... nice image. Let's try that out."
Willow yelped as Faith dragged her toward a changing room. "No. No! Faith! No way! Let go of my arm!"
Reluctantly Faith let go, but she never lost her grin. "You know, Red. You really need to let it all go some times. C'mon, take a walk on the wild side. Betcha Tara would love ya in a little number like this..."
Willow looked over at the leather top, actually considering for a moment before she shook her head clear. "No! I'm... not ready for that... and I don't think that Tara is either."
Faith shrugged, "Suit yerself, Red. Hang here for a sec... I wanna see how this looks on a real body."
Willow shook her head and slumped against the wall as she watched Faith vanish into the changing room. She flushed a little as people passed by, often staring at her as they did. "Faith? Could you hurry up...?"
At that moment Faith reappeared.
"... Wow." Willow let out before she could think.
Faith was wearing her own leather pants and boots, but from the waist up she was substantially different. Instead of a black sweater and leather jacket she was wearing the leather top she had grabbed from the rack. It left her mid-drift uncovered to just below her breasts, her toned abdominal muscles standing out clearly even in her relaxed state. The leather garment flattened her breasts out, and covered her shoulders from neck to upper arm, hugging the curves of her body like a second skin. The collar was tight, almost like a choker as it wrapped around her throat.
Faith grinned at Willow's reaction. "Coming from you, I'll take that as one helluva compliment, Red."
Willow shook her head and blushed.
"C'mon, Girl." Faith nudged her, "You can't tell me that you wouldn't love to see Tara in this? Or have her see you?"
Willow didn't answer, just turned a couple shades darker in color.
Faith chuckled, tossed her coat over her shoulder, and ambled to the counter. She slapped the plastic down and grinned at the bulging eyes of the shop clerk. "I'll take it."
*****
The two girls were sauntering down the street a few minutes later. Or Faith was sauntering. Willow was sort of walking alongside Faith while trying to keep from seeming to be walking alongside Faith.
She should have saved her energy. No one, male or female, noticed the nervous redhead walking alongside the brunette bombshell who was cutting a wide swath through the crowded sidewalk.
Faith was grinned, throughly enjoying the attention she was getting from the men and even occasional women that passed them. "Geez, Red. Get in the spirit. I tell you I have a card with unlimited credit and you haven't bought a thing yet!
"But... Well... its Xander's money..."
Faith laughed, "C'mon, Girl. You really think he's gonna mind? Hell, if you want I'll call him up and ask him for ya?"
"I... umm... you'd do that?"
Faith shook her head and fished out a cell phone. "Damn Girl. You are way tense."
Willow watched as she dialed a number into the phone.
"Hey, X. Yeah... No, you weren't seeing things, she's here with me. She was feeling down... yeah, deep in the dumps. Look, you mind if I use your card? Do a little shopping? Hey, you know how that cheers up us helpless females..." Faith grinned, "Sure... here she is."
Willow accepted the phone, "X... Xander?"
Willow started when she heard his voice, she hadn't really expected Faith to call.
"Yeah, I'm ok..." She answered his question, "I know... I know, I'm not really sure how it happened either... you sure? Ok... I will... I promise."
Willow handed the phone back to Faith, smiling at nothing.
Faith grinned back as she put the phone to her ear. "Thanks, Lover. Catch ya later."
Faith ended the call before Xander could respond and looked at Willow. "So?"
"He said to have some fun." Willow smiled slightly.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Faith grinned and grabbed Willow's arm, "Let's go!"
Willow yelped in surprise as the Slayer hauled her along the sidewalk toward another store.
*****
Xander shook his head as he hung up the phone. Willow and Faith... shopping!? Something is just wrong with that image.
*****
The two girls were moving down the sidewalk, bags weighing down each arm, and grinning like the proverbial cat that ate the canary.
"Damn! That was fun."
Willow couldn't help but grin, "Did you really have to tease those poor salesmen?"
"Hey!" Faith said, laughing. "That's half the fun of shopping."
Willow chuckled under her breath as they made their way back to the parking garage where they had left the Mustang. "I think you gave the older guy a coronary."
"Nah..." Faith drawled, "He was drooling over you."
"Me!?"
"Yeah, those old guys love the school girl look."
Willow looked down at her clothes, "Hey!"
She was about to retort when a scream from ahead of them drew her attention. Ahead of them a woman was struggling with a thief, trying to keep her grip on her purse as the young man pulled at the purse until the strap snapped.
"Hey!" Willow yelled as the man started to race away from his victim, purse in hand.
"Red?" Faith said, her voice quiet.
"What!?"
"Remember what I said about when not to use magic?"
"Yeah?"
"Not one of those times!" Faith took off at a dead run, her bags dropping to the ground around Willow.
Willow's eyes widened, suddenly realized that for the first time in a long time Magic hadn't been her first thought. She watched as the man raced away, her eyes locking onto a small planter that had been set alongside the sidewalk. Her eyes narrowed and her hand stretched out, and the planter began to shake in its place.
As the purse snatcher ran past the planter it jumped out of its concrete emplacement and leapt into the path of the running thief. His feet entangled into the planter and he stumbled, sprawling to the sidewalk. Before he could get back to his feet Faith was on top of him.
As the brunette Slayer hefted the man one handed until his feet were clear of the ground the victim caught up with them. Faith grinned at her and handed her the small purse with her free hand. "This belongs to you I think?"
"Ummm... Yeah..." the woman looked at the man as he dangled above the ground, held up by the slender arm of the young girl in front of her. "Uh... Thanks."
"No prob." Faith smiled, "You want to press charges?"
"Oh... I... ummm..."
Faith grinned and turned her attention back to the man, "You learn a lesson today, little man?"
"Urp... Yeah, lesson... right." the man choked out.
Faith lifted him a little higher, her grin disappearing. "I think you'd better have. Cause I'm not going to be this gentle if I see you again."
"Urk!" the man choked again as her grip tightened.
"So what do you think?" Faith asked the woman, "He learn his lesson?"
The woman stared at her. "I... I guess so."
"Your lucky day, little man." Faith sneered.
She then tossed him back several feet where he sprawled on his ass. "Get lost, punk. Or I'll make you wish she had wanted to press charges."
The man scrambled to his feet and ran like the devil himself was after him. Faith smiled and tipped her head to the woman, "See ya, have a nice day."
"Uhhh... Nice day... yeah... thanks?"
Faith grinned and jugged back to where Willow was waiting. After she had picked up her bags they continued on.
"So, Red," Faith smirked, "How'd that feel?"
"Huh?"
"Using your magic to help? Tripping that slimeball up so you could help his victim get her stuff back?"
Willow shrugged, "Felt good."
"Yeah." Faith smiled, "Felt really good."
The two girls continued on to the parking garage in silence.
*****
New Years Eve,'99
"What a way to spend new years." Buffy griped as the five girls trudged through the park.
Faith smirked, "Could be worse... we could have drawn the guy's job."
"Yeah." Willow snickered, "I'll never forget the look on Xander's face when Jarod volunteered them for sewer duty."
"I... I think it was nice of them..." Tara offered.
Faith nodded, "It was... on Jarod's part at least."
Miss Parker laughed, "Not likely. I told him exactly what wouldn't be happening for a few weeks if he didn't 'volunteer'."
"Ha!" Faith laughed, "Like you could hold out for more then a couple days. I've heard you two at night, and Jarod had the entire place soundproofed."
Parker shrugged, a smirk on her face. "What Jarod doesn't know won't hurt me. As for the sound... you aren't exactly Miss Dainty yourself."
Faith smirked right back, no sign of apology on her face.
"Eww." Buffy complained about the conversation. "And can I add, 'Too much information.'?"
"Get over yourself, B." Faith snapped a little, "Its not like you never talk about the Ken Doll."
"I wish you wouldn't call him that." Buffy said, a little annoyed.
"Why? Too close to the truth?"
"How would you like it if I started calling Xander that?"
"Trust me on this, B." Faith smirked, "Xander is VERY anatomically correct. Oh wait...you don't need to take my word for it do ya?"
Willow snorted as she took a sip of coffee, coughing and gagging as the liquid entered parts of her body that were definitely not meant for hot caffeinated beverages. Tara immediately turned to her, patting her on the back as she tried to get her breath back.
Buffy's face flushed hot, and she was glad for the darkness that enrobed them. "Shut up."
"Point, Set, and Match to the Slayer in Black." Miss Parker grinned nastily as she laughed internally at the conversation.
"Can we get back to the slaying?" Buffy asked, "I'd like to get to Lowell house before midnight... uh... for the party."
"Oh, your calling it a 'party' now are you?" Faith laughed.
"Oh shut up Faith."
Faith snickered and turned to Willow, "hey Red, we still on for next week?"
Under the sudden stares of Buffy and Tara, Willow turned a little red. "Sure, Faith."
"Cool." Faith grinned, "And bring the Tiger this time."
"T... tiger?" Tara ventured quietly.
"I think... she was talking about you." Willow winced.
In the darkness Tara's jaw dropped and her face turned several degrees of red.
*****
