Title: Family: Wedding in LA

Author: victoriamartynne

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Spoilers: None, I think!

Summary: Sequel to Family: Back to Sunnydale, Family: Forward to LA, Family: Return to Sunnydale and Family: On to LA. As Cordelia and Angel's wedding approaches, old friends reunite.

Buffy and the rest of the Scoobies arrived in LA as planned two weeks later.

Buffy, as expected was reserved and met her with slight hostility but after being around her for a couple of hours she could sense her docility. Willow seemed ready to call a truce as was Xander. Anya was more reserved, due to the history between her and Xander, despite having granted Faith a couple of wishes over the years. Giles seemed ready to forgive and forget and Dawn, having never met her, found that she liked her spunk and brutal honesty.

Wes, however, turned the surprising hero, urging her to join them in going out for a meal and dancing at a bar down the street.

She smiled gratefully and thanked him, going upstairs to her room to change.

"So, how was prison?" Anya asked Faith after they'd eaten.

"Anya!" Cordelia scolded.

"What?" She asked, nonplussed. "I'm curious, having never been inside myself."

Faith looked her square in the eye. "Prison sucked. You either beat someone down or got beat down yourself. I chose the easy route."

"You beat someone down." Xander said without thinking.

"Wrong Xand, I got beat down." She replied. "How the hell did you think I got out if I'd have been fighting?"

He looked down.

"I'm going to go guys, excuse me." Faith said and left.

Cordelia got up and followed her.

"Wait!"

Faith spun around. "What for? To be criticised? Or ridiculed? Or looked at like I'm scum?"

Cordelia opened her mouth to continue but Faith hadn't done.

"I know I shouldn't expect to be welcomed with open arms. I know that isn't going to happen. Hell, if I were you I'd have kicked me out on my ass the moment I stepped through the door. But hey, I am trying! I am working my guts out to try and make it up to you people but I'm never going to be able to do that am I?"

Cordelia realised with some shock that Faith was crying. "Doesn't the fact that you're here in my home account for something? Doesn't the fact that I trust you near my children show you anything? Not all of us are ready to condemn you Faith. I know that you're trying to right your wrongs. Maybe it won't take as long with them as it did with us, but hey, I'm a pushover."

Faith smiled. "Girl, if you're a pushover."

"What?" Cordelia taunted. "You're a walkover?"

Faith pointed at her. "Hey, I could still beat you in a fight girl, I wouldn't press me."

"Prove it then." Cordelia challenged. "You and me, tomorrow morning, a scheduled fight. How about it tough girl?"

Faith grinned and wiped the tears off her face. "You're on."

Cordelia smiled and held out her hand. "Come on, come back with me."

She shook her head. "No, I'll see you when you get home."

Cordelia smiled. "Okay, but make sure you do."

Faith nodded and then hugged Cordelia cautiously. "Thanks Cor."

"Anytime." Faith began to walk away.

Cordelia sat back down at the table.

"Where is she?" Angel asked her quietly.

"She went back home."

"Is she okay?"

She nodded. "We're going to train tomorrow morning. A bit of fighting might cheer her up."

"Be careful." He warned. "You can't get married with a black eye."

"Hey." She jabbed him in her arm with her finger. "If I end up with a black eye it's because you didn't train me to defend good enough."

He smiled. "I guess that's true."

Cordelia checked on Faith as soon as they got home but she was asleep in her room.

She shut the door to her and Angel's room and leaned against the door.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" She asked him as he put Connor in his crib.

He looked up. "I don't know. Wes mentioned something about a demon in the sewers so I'll probably take Spike and go hunting.

"The man of the house, or hotel, is going hunting leaving his little lady to fend for herself, what should I do?" She taunted and came to wrap her arms around his back.

He laughed. "What should you do? I thought you were fighting with Faith?"

He turned around and picked her up, letting her wrap her legs around his waist.

He swung her around, both of them laughing and she rested her cheek against his.

"The wedding's only nine days away now." She whispered in his ear, her breath making him shiver.

"And you haven't got a dress yet." He pointed out.

She took her head away from his. "Don't spoil my perfect moment."

He smiled and put her cheek back next to his with his left hand. "Okay, I apologise."

She smiled and kissed him gently on the sensitive point on his neck. "I will have the perfect dress; I just haven't found it yet. I'm going shopping the day after tomorrow and I'm not coming home until I've found it. I can't believe I haven't got it yet. Me, queen of shopping."

He stepped towards the dresser and pressed play on the CD player. Oleta Adams 'Get Here' started to play quietly. He began to dance slowly with her in his arms.

"I thought you didn't dance." She asked, pressing herself closer to him.

"No one can see me here, including you." He pointed out. "Besides, it feels like a good time to dance."

She laughed softly. "I guess it is."

"Every moment's perfect when I'm with you." He murmured. "It doesn't matter what we're doing, I always feel safe by your side."

"I always feel safe in your arms." She replied softly. "You have that effect on me. Even when you were evil, I still felt safe with you."

"There's something wrong with that."

"I know, but I told you, I get used to feeling creeped out and comforted at the same time. It's a hormone deficiency you bring out in me." She joked.

He let his hand drift up her back to her hair and he stroked it, feeling its softness. "I can bring something else out in you if you feel like getting in bed."

"I'm kind of tired."

He stopped his attempt at dancing and lowered her to the floor. "You're kidding me? I'm dying here."

The bulge in his pants certainly showed that.

She smirked mischievously. "Of course I am."

He grabbed her and they fell onto the bed, her giggles echoing through the hotel.

In her room, Faith smiled.