"You can have all the cotton candy you want. She said I have bad hair, do I have bad hair?" Everyone except Cordelia looked elsewhere, Wesley found the top of the ferris wheel of particular interest while Fred stared down at her fish. This left Faith to stare at her boots with disinterest and Gunn looking first to the right, not finding anything there, he looked over to the concession stand.
"What did you say?" Cordelia asked, her face paling.
"Come along Faith, I shall buy you some more cotton candy." Wesley smiled to the girl, offering an arm out to her. She gladly accepted, a girl's gotta eat. Gunn and Fred stared just a moment longer, staring at each other like a deer caught in headlights. Cordy told them what the psychic had said while Angel was in with her.
"Yeah, she said I have bad hair and I'm tall. Tall could be a compliment, right?" His brows raised slightly, questioningly.
Gunn needed to only say Fred's name and they were racing over to where Faith and Wesley now stood. Wesley watched as Faith licked out at piece after piece of cotton candy, his body beginning to ache with a ravenous lust.
"Wesley, you look hungry." Fred smiled. Gunn chuckled loudly.
"I am." He tore his eyes from Faith to see the mocking smirk of Gunn. "Not a word."
"Hey dog, it's all good."
----- ----- -----
Drusilla slipped her fingertips through Rose's hair, her once playful smile turning more.. deadly. The psychic was terrified to even move as she looked over the ridges on Drusilla's face.
"Miss Edith says you're going to tell my Angel the truth. That's naughty, very very naughty." Finished explaining, she leaned down and bit into Rose's flesh. Draining her blood, her life force from her.
----- ----- -----
"Faith, I know you don't have much as far as clothing goes. You want to go out shopping tomorrow? We'll get Cordy to come along and make a day of it." Fred asked as she looked over Faith's outfit and Wesley's jacket among other things.
"I.. okay." She hadn't really planned on accepting the offer, but Fred was being nice to her and she did hold a soft spot for her. That and she did need clothes. She had only few outfits with her and was not so sure she wanted to launch back into wearing full on leather. She smiled gladly, "I definitely need some new boots."
Wesley's eyes shifted down to her boots, why hadn't he noticed that? Maybe because they looked fine, a few scoffs on to top more than likely due to a bit of arse kicking.. he should have gotten her a new pair of boots instead of the arm blades. Although.. she was quite excited with the arm blades.
Faith could feel a certain someone's blue orbs shift up over her body. Trying not to feel self conscious about herself, she ran her fingertips through her hair.. obviously forgetting the pink cotton candy left on her fingers. "Ugh.. "
"I can't believe his soul in anchored." Wesley said, finally looking over to Gunn.
As Wesley and Gunn engaged in conversation, Fred helped Faith pick cotton candy out of her hair, both the girls giggling as they pulled it loose along with a few strands of hair.
----- ----- -----
Cordelia smiled gently, Angel had his soul back.. which meant he could enjoy extra curricular activities without going all crazy on her. Her fingertips danced their way up his arm and shoulder to his neck, she hesitated for a moment.. which gave Angel the incentive to lean down, capturing her lips with his own. Her arms slipped around his neck, holding him against her body. Angel's hand slid down to the small of her back, he pulled back slightly to look at her. She whimpered softly as his lips left hers. Well, maybe it was going to be a good night after all.. he's in control of his soul and Cordelia is in his arms, whimpering to be kissed. He was counting his lucky stars.
"Mine." He whispered to her, effectively sending shivers up and down her spine.
Gunn made his way over before any more smooching commenced. "We're gonna head back... "
----- ----- -----
As they walked back to the hotel, there was a quiet calm among the group.. all except for Fred who was excitedly discussing her plans for Bob with Gunn. She planned the most elaborate paradise for such a tiny fish. But Bob was certainly a welcomed guest in the hotel, they'd never had a pet before.
Faith and Wesley walked closely together, their shoulders once again rubbing against each other as they took each step. Faith tried her hardest to keep her eyes on the ground as she reached her hand over, hooking her pinky finger around Wesley's. He gladly welcomed it, holding on with his own pinky as a smile tugged the corners of his lips upward. Good Faith and Evil Faith were now standing on the same shoulder, twirling each other about.. those damn vixens!
Angel and Cordelia were last to step into the hotel.
Fred nearly launched herself up the stairs in search of a habitat for Bob. Gunn followed up, lugging the giant stuffed rabbit which felt like it was becoming heavier as the minutes wore on.
"I'll go check on the baby." Angel said, dragging Cordelia with him as he was not ready to let go of her hand yet.
"Caveman much?" Cordelia started to protest, but followed him up to the second floor just the same. As they stepped into the room, Lorne stood up smiling.
"How was the fair kiddies?"
"Interesting..."
----- ----- -----
Faith shrugged out of Wesley's jacket, handing it to him. Her voice soft, "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Did you enjoy yourself this evening?"
"Are you kidding? Shit yeah."
He flinched at her use of profane language, he supposed he never really would accept it. She could express herself without sounding like a criminal.. like what she really is. He sighed as his thoughts lead back to the fact that she was a criminal.
By this time, Faith had began pacing back and forth like a caged animal. The Faith twins were wreaking havoc on her mind and .. everyone else had gone upstairs, leaving the two of them alone. She stopped, what did she have to be nervous about? Chastising herself, she took a seat on the third step from the bottom on the staircase. Her eyes lifting to meet with Wesley's..
"Did you?"
"Indeed. Tonight is the first night we've been able to get away for the evening and enjoy ourselves. It doesn't happen too often."
"Hey Wes, can I ask you a couple questions without you giving me that annoyed stuffy watcher look?"
"I suppose.. "
"Do you like working with Angel better than the Watcher's Council?"
"I've asked myself that very same questions more than once and with the Council I didn't have a family. I mean I had my family, but not one such as this. We're close knit."
"Good answer, moving along. Do you think I'm ready?"
"Ready for.. ?"
"Slaying, living on the outside, everything."
"I'm quite sure you'll adjust fine to living on the outside world again. You did mention you stayed in shape while in prison, so that can't hurt your chances for continuing slaying. I would rather you consider working with our team instead of slaying solo."
She nodded her head softly, slaying solo - isn't that how it always was? Watchers, well did just that - watch. Whenever Wesley came along, he was more of a nuisance than help. She had to save his hide on more than one occasion.
"Would you train with me?" She asked, suddenly feeling very unsure of herself as she watched his face, surprise showing through. He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "I mean, I can always ask Angel and all.. "
"No, you don't have to do that. I'd be more than happy to train with you."
The thought of Angel's body brushing up against Faith's body suddenly made him ill, they were better matched at sparring then she and himself. Cordelia wouldn't be too happy with the situation either.
She smiled quickly before asking her last question. "Cool. And for my last question - how are you people able to pay your bills? I mean, do you have other jobs?"
Wesley chuckled, "No. We're on a payroll, just another reason you should consider joining us. I assume Angel has invited you to stay in the hotel as long as you like, correct?"
"Yep."
"Well, with no rent to pay.. you would have money to buy whatever your heart desires."
"Boots. Need new boots."
"Is that all?"
"Nope." Smirking, she stood up. "What about you?"
"What about me?" He asked, walking over to her.. she couldn't be heading to bed already. He had to stall her.
"What is it that you desire? Isn't there some kind of ancient book you want or something equally boring?"
His eyes shifted over the curves of her body slowly.. first down, then back up. When their eyes met, that oh so dangerous smile rode her lips. He removed his glasses, "Yes.. there is something I desire." He grinned, his features devilishly handsome as he did so. "A new coffee maker."
She let go of the breath she was holding, 'Damn him! I can play this game just as well as he can..' She sat back down on the step, her eyes shifting up over his form. Good Faith popped up on her left shoulder, "When did Wesley get all muscle man?" Evil Faith laughing as she climbed out of Good Faith's shadow. "He's so not muscle man."
"Is too, well he's fit."
Faith blinked, hoping that would send away the Bopsy twins. She would test the waters a bit, sliding her tongue out over her lips. The velvety pink leaving a glistening trail across her lips that Wesley would like to taste very much. Instead he leaned down, running his fingertip under the satin black bra strap that hung out past her tank top.
"So.. just a coffee maker?" She was determined to hear her name.
"Among other things."
"Like?"
"Like.. is there a reason you want to know so badly?"
"Well duh!"
He chuckled, his fingertips slipping to her knees. Suddenly, her skin was tingling beneath his touch. With his hands, he parted her knees. Kneeling on the stairs between her legs, he took his chance. His fingers slipping up to her face and pulling her closer. He leaned forward, rubbing his nose gently against her. He was teasing her, he knew what she wanted just as well as she did. Her mind racing, she tried to move past his teasing and kiss him.. but he moved back, he was determined to be in charge. In all honesty, this only further excited her. She's never been in a situation where she was the less dominant, the submissive.
Just as Faith's fingers tangled in Wesley's shirt to tug him closer, Lorne made it loud and clear he would be going down the stairs. He could feel vibes radiating off them all the way upstairs. "I'll grab the baby a bottle."
Wesley's eyes shifted from Faith's face up to Lorne, who was now standing behind Faith. She looked up and smiled. "Hi."
"Hi Sugar Baby."
Wesley released her face immediately and stood up, nodding to Lorne.
Faith smiled sheepishly, she remained on the stairs. Siding one leg over the other, she looked down to the lobby floor.
"So, how was the carnival?"
"Good." Wesley replied, a bit short.
"Real nice." Faith answered, watching Wesley as he headed towards his office.
"Carnivals are just too scary for me pudding. Those carnies.. they give me the heebie jeebies." Lorne shook himself, he walked down the rest of the stairs and turned around to face her. "I traded in baby bottles for martinis.. " He sighed sadly, Caritas needed to make a comeback (for the third time). He walked over to the kitchen, steeling himself for the chore of making a bottle.
Faith quickly stood up, making her way to Wesley's office. Her lips fevered from thoughts of what almost happened. He was wearing his jacket and held a motorcycle helmet in one hand.
"You're leaving?"
"Well, I do have to be heading home." He could see the disappointment in her eyes, which made him feel good. She didn't want him to go. He smirked, "Tomorrow's another day Faith." He walked over to her, kissing her forehead gently before walking past her. "Good night."
"Yeah.. good night." She said lamely. 'Bastard!'
TBC - Does Bob have super powers? (Think about it, he's survived the walk home.)
Will there be a Caritas 3?
Stay tuned..