Disclaimer: Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Inc. : Owners Me : Borrower
Author's note: ummm… no real notes. Just more of the story. Enjoy. Thanks for reading.
Summer of faith
Chapter 5
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Faith watched as the sun came up over the horizon. She was looking out the small window of Buffy's apartment, trying to digest all she had learned about the blonde slayer last evening. Some parts of it were still so fantastic in her mind, that it defied belief. But she could tell from how Buffy had reacted to things, that it was true.
She still had a hold on the smaller slayer's hand. She hadn't slept a wink last night, afraid to let go. Her mind was a whirl of emotions and thoughts. She only knew, when she looked down at the sleeping slayer, her heart felt more peaceful, more alive. She knew she had it, bad. The little blonde had wormed her way into Faith's heart, and had taken residence.
And she still had Kakistos to worry about. Faith knew that monster would show up sometime. That she would have to face him, again. And she was really scared. That cloven hoofed vampire had nearly killed her last time they met; what would happen this time? She knew she needed help. But she didn't want to involve Buffy. She…couldn't bear to think if Buffy were hurt… or worse.
Buffy began to stir in the bed. Slowly, she opened one bloodshot eye, staring at the light that was sending shooting pains through her head. She groaned, and looked around. Her other eye flew open when she saw Faith sitting by her bed, holding her hand. What … ? She thought. What is Faith doing here? And why is she holding my hand?( why am I liking it so much?). God, she looks awful.
Faith looked down on the now wakened Buffy, and smiled
Faith: Morning sleepy
Buffy: M-morning , Faith. Have you been here all night?
Faith smiles, then replies: Yeah
Buffy reaches up, and gently brushes Faith's cheek: You look awful
Faith chuckles, partly to cover the little shiver she got from Buffy's touch
Faith: Well, you sit up all night after drinking, and see how perky you look
But, hmmmm…right now you look scrumptious, B.FAITH!!!!!!! Get a grip
Buffy: What…happened last night? I mean, I remember us talking…and then things go a bit...hazy
Faith grins. Oh, revenge is going to be sooo sweet.
Faith( all innocent): Gee, B. Don't you remember? I mean, you got blotto, so I had to carry you out of the club.
Buffy(cheeks getting pink): Carry me?
Faith: But you were so polite, waving Bye , Bye to everyone as we left
Buffy's cheek get a deeper shade of pink
Faith: And then you thought my ass was sooo cute
Buffy: Huh?
Faith: Well, baby, you did paddle it and call it cute. Didn't you mean it?
Buffy is changing from pink to red, and thinking she wants to find somewhere nice to hide
Faith(pouting): But maybe not really, cause right after you puked
Buffy(small voice): in the street?(Faith nods)
Faith: But that is ok. I picked you up, and you got all cuddly and laid your head on my chest. Then, when we got home we played slip and slide while I tried to hold you up and open the door( Buffy is finding something really fascinating on the sheet).
Faith: Then I carried you to the bed, and you got all playful
Buffy(whisper): Playful
Faith: Well, you did kinda stroke me, and then kissed my neck(Buffy makes a small noise) and then thought my breasts were nice
By this time, Buffy was just staring down. Faith looked at her, and felt sorry for the poor girl . She had tortured her enough.
Faith: Don't sweat it, B. No big. I knew you were drunk( almost to herself) or you wouldn't do that kinda stuff
Buffy: Yeah…Drunk.(relief)
Faith looks at Buffy…and sighs inwardly. She gets up. She is tired, getting cranky, and torturing Buffy hadn't been as fun as she thought it would be. All in all, it had been a less than stellar night, and she just wanted to go home and cry…HUH?
Faith: B, I better motor. I have been up all night, and I feel kinda crappy. See ya later.
Buffy: Faith, I gotta get up anyway. Why don't ya just stay over, and sleep here? Seems silly to walk all the way back to your motel room to catch some z's.
The bed really looked nice… and close
Faith: You sure?
Buffy: Yeah. When you get some z's, you can use the shower. I am sure you can find something in my closet that'll fit you so you can change. And there's some food in the fridge. Me? I am off to the showers
Buffy headed towards the bathroom, and Faith collapsed into Buffy's bed. She inhaled deeply, and took in Buffy's scent. I could so get used to this, she thought, as she drifted off…
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So, over the next few Weeks, the two slayers fell into a routine. Faith would show up at Buffy's work, or they would meet somewhere, and they would go patrolling for awhile. Then, after, they would go to a club(but not the Hungry Heart… Buffy felt a bit weird about going back there) and have a drink(Buffy sticking with soft drinks… no repeats of that night for her). Then they would separate. Buffy to her apartment, and to sleep; Faith to her motel room, to stare at the ceiling and think about Buffy. It got to be… comfortable. Faith was relishing the time they spent together. It meant she got to see Buffy often, without Buffy getting freaked. She started to look forward to the evenings, when she could be with Buffy.
Buffy also enjoyed the time they spent together. The younger slayer made her laugh. She was fun to be with. But …something in how the dark haired slayer killed vamps also made her a bit uncomfortable. It wasn't the killing, of course. It was what she would do to them before killing them. She would really seem to get off on torturing them some before staking them. Beating up on them, or stretching out the kill, all to make them pay…pay for something. It was a bit unnerving to watch. Faith seem to relish making them suffer, and it kinda sent a shiver down Buffy's spine at times. She was all for the kill, but it was kill and go on, not stretch it out. Oh well, she thought. I guess it is just differences in approach, she thought. But it still kinda gave her the wiggins.
And then came the night they had the fight. It was really over nothing, but it came close to breaking them up.
Buffy had had a sleepless night. She had nightmares about Angel turning into Angelus, and torturing her friends. And how all her friends had hated her for it. Then, at work, Mr. Ponce had been in a Royal Rage, giving all the staff hell, and finding fault with everything Buffy did that day. She couldn't catch a break on anything. By the time evening, came, her nerves were shot, and she was on a short, short fuse.
Faith rounded the corner, and knew immediately that something was wrong. B was still in her uniform. She was standing rigid, her fists clenched, staring at the ground.
Faith: B? Are you alright? You look kinda…off
Buffy: No, I'm really * not * alright. Look, do you mind if we skip it tonight?
Faith: Ummm…sure, we don't have to patrol. We could just go get a drink….
Buffy: No, I mean the whole thing. I'm not feeling so good, it has been a sucky day, and I really just want to be alone tonight.
Faith(feeling her heart fall): Uh… sure, ok. I guess. You sure? I mean, sometimes helps to talk….
Buffy: No, I just really don't feel like company. I don't feel like the whole thing tonight.
Faith: B? What is it? What's eating you? I can help…
Buffy: No, Faith, you can't help. You can't understand. So, how about just letting me go now?
Faith: B? ( she reaches out to the other slayer, but Buffy just kinda slaps her hand away)
Buffy: Faith? Don't you get it? I DON'T WANT COMPANY TONIGHT. I don't feel like patrolling, I don't feel like watching you play with your kills, and I certainly don't FEEL LIKE HANGING OUT IN SOME DAMN BAR WITH YOU TONIGHT. GET IT?
Faith feels like she has been punched in the stomach. She quickly recovers.
Faith(voice chilly): Got it B. Loud and clear.
Buffy:(a bit remorseful) Look, Faith, I didn't mean…
Faith: Oh, don't worry, B. I got your meaning. Real clear. No big. Hey, I got an idea. Why don't we just stop doing this?
Buffy: Faith….
Faith: No, B. Why torture yourself with my company. Hey, you aren't all that fun to be with anyway. Lots of time you are just all depressed and go on and on about your miserable life and your friends and all. Hell, B. Think you are the only one with problems? That has a crappy life?
Buffy: Faith, I am ….
Faith: Don't EVEN say you are sorry. You aren't sorry. You don't want to be with me. You'd leave me in a second if your thought your friends would take you back. I am just something you hang with cause you aint got no one else.
Buffy: Faith, that isn't true….
Faith: Sure it's true. You don't like hanging with me, you don't like how I slay. Hey, I am a slayer. I am supposed to hate vamps and demons. Sure I give them a hard time. But hey, maybe you don't like it because I'll hurt a potential boyfriend
Buffy looks like she has been slapped
Faith: Oh yeah, give me the 'injured' look. Right. Ya know what B? Screw you. Just screw you B
Faith runs off
Buffy runs after her, but loses her in the alleyways.
Buffy: Damn…shit.
Buffy walks home, feeling 10 times worse than before
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Faith runs…and runs… tears streaming down her face. Her heart is breaking, and she just doesn't care about anything
" Fuck you, B. Fuck you… you bitch. I don't need you. I don't need anyone. Faith is 5 by 5 all by herself. Always has been. What do you know anyway, B? You love DEAD THINGS. What would you know about anyone with a heartbeat, or a heart, that loves you? Stupid, stupid bitch. I hope you rot. I hope your Boyfriend catches up with you and eats you, you crappy …." And she stops…and starts beating on a wall. "I hate you, Buffy, I hate you hate you hate you" she pounds and kicks the wall, trying to make it hurt like she is hurting.
" Hey look, guys….Dinner's here" Three vamps surround Faith
Faith stiffens, and turns. When the vamps see her face, they back off a bit. It is a mask of pure hate. She sees a nearby board, cracks it in half.
" Hey fellas" Her voice like a knife. " You don't know how much I need you right now. Lets Party"
Faith is like a madwoman. She attacks the vamps with uncontrolled fury. They don't even know what hit them. She soon has all three on the ground, unconscious. But that isn't enough for her. She is kicking them, and beating them with a board. She turns them into bloody pulps…they can hardly be recognized as at one time having human form. Finally, her rage exhausted, she stakes them , turning them into dust.
Faith stands, breathing hard. " Sorry, B, just wiped out 3 more of your lovers"
Faith collects herself, and brushes off. " Well, work over. Time for Faith to have some fun"
Faith walks out of the alley, looking for the closest club.
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Buffy tries the number again. It rings 30 times, no answer. The desk clerk is clearly getting tired of her calling. It must be 20 times now.
Buffy is kicking herself, over and over. How could she be so stupid? How could she treat Faith like that? All Faith was trying to do was help, and she turned on her like a dog. God, you're such a bitch, Buff. No wonder no one wants to be your friend. You treat them like dirt, and expect them to just roll over and take it.
She tries the number again
Buffy: Room eight, please
Desk clerk: Look, she isn't there. We have tried I don't know how many times. She probably is out. Do you want to leave her a message?
Buffy: Yes, please. Please tell her Buffy called. Tell her I am sorry, so sorry, and tell her I want to talk to her.
Desk clerk: Yeah, yeah . Got it ( click)
Buffy goes back to her room. Damn, what is wrong with me? Why can't I do anything right? Damn. Buffy paces nervously, trying to think.
Screw this, feeling sorry for myself isn't helping. I gotta fix this. I gotta.
Where would she go? Buffy paces. Probably a club or something.
Buffy comes to a decision. She grabs a coat, and head for the door. She is gonna search every club in the area 'til she finds Faith.
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Perfect, thinks Faith, as she enters the club. It is dark, it is small, the music is loud, and I don't know anyone.
All Faith wants is to get drunk, get dancing, and get laid.
"Show that bitch I don't need her whiny crap. Faith can party so much better without her hangin' around"
Faith goes to the bar, and orders a beer with a chaser. She downs the shot, and quaffs the beer. She orders another shot, and looks around .
God, this place is a dump. No wonder I haven't been here before. Well, Old Faithy can liven up any joint.
She downs the shot, and orders another shot. She finished the beer, and indicates another. She starts to feel the effects of the alcohol.
"Hmmm…that's better". She shakes off some of the tension she has built up, and heads for the dance floor. She starts to dance, and soon she has a crowd around her. She is shakin' it up good, workin the crowd. She can feel the hormones of the males around her going through the roof. She shakes and shimmies, givin em a real good show. She sees one not too bad looking specimen, and wriggles over to him. She grabs his lapels and says " C'mon baby, you're with me". She pulls him onto the dance floor, and starts to dance with him. More like, she is all over him, heating him up like a bull. She rubs herself on him, knowing what she is doing to him. Finally, she is in front of him, rubbing against him, her butt bumping against his crotch. She can feel his interest. " So easy" she thinks " Too easy". She pulls his head down to her , and says " Take me home baby, unwrap me . Faith wants to give you a present" . She smirks at him, and he is all to eager to oblige.
Faith heads back for the bar. She orders another shot, downs it, and finishes her beer.
Hmm… Party Time, babe
5 by 5..always 5 by 5
She heads out the door with her 'date'
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This must be the tenth club that Buffy has been to , and still no Faith
She is going broke paying the covers, but she has to find her. She has to . She darts in the club, and look around.
She sees a dark haired girl wearing leather pants and a tight top in the corner, chatting up some guy. She runs over
Buffy: Faith? FAITH?
The woman turns around. It isn't Faith
Buffy: Sorry…sorry…thought you were my friend
She backs off, and looks around some more. No luck. No Faith.
She leaves the club, and leans against a wall. She pounds her fists on the wall in frustration
Stupid, so stupid Buffy. You'll never find her this way.
Why did I get on her tonight? Would it have killed me to go for a drink? No. Instead, I am running all over the place looking for her.
Not finding her. Damn.
Shoulders slumped, she starts walking. She finds herself vaguely going in the direction of Faith's motel. Maybe she is there. Just not answering cause she know I am calling. Maybe I can get her to let me in, and we can talk.
Buffy straightens up, and quickly heads to Faith's motel. She looks around, and finds room 8
She knocks on the door. No answer. She knocks louder. Still no answer.
Buffy: Faith(knock) are you in there? Faith? C'mon Faith, let me in.
Still no answer. She starts to pound on the door " Faith! FAITH!!"
She starts yelling in frustration. " FAITH DAMMIT LET ME IN WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS" She is pounding and pounding.
" HEY!!!"
Buffy turns, confronted by the motel desk clerk
Buffy: What?
Clerk: What are you doing? you're waking up the guests.
Buffy: I am trying to get my friend to open up
Clerk: Are you that girl that has been calling here all night. Look, I told you. She is not here. She hasn't been here all night. She is probably out on a date. Pounding and waking up the entire place isn't gonna make her here. Now , get out of here and go home, or I am calling the cops.
The desk clerk leaves, but watches her to be sure she gets gone.
Buffy, tired, discouraged, and aching inside, gives up. She trudges home.
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Faith lays staring at the ceiling.
Nothing. Zero. Zip.
She felt nothing tonight. It was just…awful.
They came here, got naked, and did the wild thing. And nothing
She feels worse than earlier. Now she feels not only hurt, but dirty and cheap. Like a hooker. Like...like… she cheated on Buffy.
Oh god, what HAVE you done to me, Buffy Summers? Now I can't even enjoy sex without thinking of you. I can't even enjoy sex, period.
She feels cold. Alone. She sighs, and gets up. The jerk doesn't even know she is gone; he is snoring away . She looks around, and finds her clothes. She dresses quickly, and gets out of there.
As she is walking home, feeling like road kill, she thinks about Buffy. And only two thoughts come to mind
I hate you , Buffy Summers
I love you, Buffy Summers
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They play this game for a week
Buffy calls. Faith doesn't take her calls
Buffy comes by, and knocks. Faith ignores the knocking
Buffy pleads through the door. Faith doesn't answer.
Buffy goes home, and cries
Faith sits in her motel room, and cries.
It starts again the next day.
After a week, Buffy is tired. She won't lose her friend. Her best friend. Her only friend
Buffy: Faith( knocking) I know you are in there. The guy at the desk said you were. Let me in.
No answer
Buffy: Faith, I am not leaving
No answer
Buffy: I don't care. You have to come out sometime. Either talk to me, or I am just sitting here. Waiting. Until you come out, or they arrest me as a nuisance. Is that what you want? Me in Jail? Ok, done
No answer
Buffy: Not kidding , Faith.
Faith(from inside): Go away, B. We have nothing to talk about
Buffy: Please, Faith. Let me in. Please.
No answer
Buffy: Ok, fine, I am sitting here then.
Buffy sits down, leaning against the door
Faith hears Buffy slumping against the door. Shit. The girl doesn't know the meaning of " go away". She sighs, and opens the door…and Buffy nearly falls over .
Faith: OK, come in. Just so I don't get kicked out of here.
Buffy comes in, and sits in the only chair in the room. Faith is sitting on the bed.
Faith: Ok, Buffy…what?
Buffy(looking down at the carpet): I am sorry Faith, really sorry for what I said. Please, please forgive me.
Faith(chilly voice): That doesn't cut it , Buffy. What you said really, really hurt.
Buffy: Faith, I can't tell you how sorry I am . I was all upset, and I just didn't think.
Faith is having a hard time. She is gripping her hands, to keep herself from running over and taking Buffy in her arms. But, she can't do that, cause then she'll lose. And this is one fight she can't lose
Faith: Buffy, that doesn't help. You can't expect to say something like you did, and then I just fall back in your life when you say "sorry". Sorry isn't always enough. It isn't that easy. You earn friendship, you earn trust, you earn respect. When you throw it away, you have to earn it again.
I said some hateful things to you too, and I am sorry for that. But all I was trying to do was help you, Buffy. And you bit my head off. You made it clear that being with me was a drag. So, I lashed back. I can't take back what I said, but I hope you will forgive me.
Buffy is staring at the floor, chastened. She says softly "It's ok, Faith. You had every right to say those things. It hurt, but I had it coming"
Buffy, damn it, how can you be so sweet and insensitive at the same time?
Faith: Buffy, don't be so forgiving
Faith goes to Buffy, and lifts her chin: Look, silly one. You hurt me, and I hurt you back . We both said terrible things. Lets try not to do this again? Ok? We do so much better together than apart, don't ya think?
Buffy throws her arms around Faith, and hugs her tightly. Faith is in heaven , but is not going to let her off the hook that easily
Faith(whispering into Buffy's ear) : If you ever do something like that again to me, don't come knocking around my door, Understand?
Buffy(whispering back) : Yes. I promise.
TBC
Ok, extra long this time. But I just couldn't leave em mad at each other. =)