After All, Chapter 5
Disclaimer: In the beginning there was Chaos. Then Joss Whedon said " Let there be a Vampire Slayer" and it was so. And he saw it was good. But she needed friends, and family, and enemies, and malls, and espressos, so he created them. And So it was that " Buffy, the Vampire Slayer " Buffyverse was born. And he owns it all…
Author's Note: So, Faith has made an appearance, and The S.S Billow seems to be floundering. I guess it doesn't help when one of the Captains is in her cups. What mischief…ah, what mischief can we get up to?
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After All
Chapter 5
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Willow stood at the doorway, looking at Faith. She had lost her power of speech, temporarily.
Oh, my goddess, what is SHE doing here…now? I haven't seen her since… Well, since L.A. and the night Buffy and I had our big fight…and she saw the whole thing. She was there, even though Kenny was no where to be found. And she started out trying to comfort me, settle me down...and…
"Heya, Red. Think I can come in? I mean, I can come in…not a vampire, don't NEED an invitation to enter…but thought maybe I should ask before I just barged in?" Faith asks. She is looking at Willow, seeing her confusion. Ah, still got it, Faithy dear. She grins.
" Huh? Oh…yeah…sure, Faith. Come on in" Willow waves her in, putting on a polite smile. She's not sure what to do, so falls back on the Miss Manners approach. Don't leave guests standing on the porch. Or in the hallway…whatever.
"Thanks, Red. Appreciate it. " Faith walks in the doorway, carrying her usual traveling gear. A duffle bag slung over one shoulder, and a smaller grip carrying the 'tools' of her trade. Hey, a girl needs her weapons, ya know? She drops the bags by the front door, and turns to Willow and Buffy.
" So…how you kids doin'?" She asks. She is still surprised to see Buffy here. Frankly, she never expected to see Buffy and Willow in the same state again, much less the same room. That was on helluva fight they had in L.A. Bad feelings on both sides. Surprised it even happened. Those two had always seemed close as butter on toast. Hell, after what Red said, didn't think B would ever want to see her again. Well…made it up, I guess. Faith takes a closer look at Buffy, and notices she looks a wee bit unsteady on her feet. Has B been drinking? Ms. Perfect…plastered. She chuckles to herself. That's a good one. Who woulda thought Ms. Cheerleader knew the open end of a bottle, huh? What next? Red comin out in a Dominatrix costume…hmmm..not a bad image, I gotta admit.
"So, Faith. Homeless? What? I thought you and Robin were living in New York together" Buffy pipes up. The effects of the alcohol she consumed seems to have mostly passed off…shock of seeing Faith at the front door. Not something she was expecting…nor necessarily wanting. She saw the looks that passed between Faith and Willow in those seconds. Not always blind, our little blonde slayer…even when she's drunk. So, what's that about, anyway? Oh, man. I can already feel the hangover comin'. This is so not gonna be fun. Whew.
"Well, Robin and me… we kinda split up. No, we definitely split up. We didn't see eye to eye on…lots of things. Most things, I guess. So, we kinda agreed maybe time we found our own way. So, I kinda was cast adrift…and here I am, at loose ends." Faith says. She's still kinda feeling her way around here, trying to figure out what's going on between B and Red. IF anything is going on between B and Red, that is. I mean… drinking is one thing…but Ms. Girl Scout doesn't exactly impress me as being a switch hitter. So, probably none of that stuff… but I know B. She's real protective of her friends. And … she may not like why I'm here.
" I'm sorry to hear that, Faith" Willow says, her concern obvious." It must've been hard" She puts a sympathetic hand on Faith's shoulder.
"Yeah, kinda" Faith says. Actually, it went harder than she thought it would. Robin had not taken it well. I guess he thought there was still somethin' there. But we just …didn't click. We weren't right together. But he didn't see that. Some yelling, some hurt feelings, some blame to be had on each side. Sigh. I wish it hadn't been so… hostile. But, I guess that's what happens. I thought he felt the same way I had…so wrong, there, Faith! He still wanted to make a go of it, but I knew it just woulda gotten worse and worse. Then we woulda ended up hating each other, rather than just being all sad and stuff. Better to make a clean break now and heal. Ya know Faith, sometimes you can be such a heartless…biotch. Faith stands there, feeling stupid, and small… and alone.
Buffy is still suspicious of Faith being there, but even she can see Faith is hurting. Her heart, always for the underdog, goes out to her. She walks over, and puts an arm around Faith's shoulder. She smiles at Faith, and gives her a small hug.
"Hey, it's gonna be ok, Faith. Honest. I know. Take it from the queen of screwed up relationships" That brings a chuckle to all of them. Buffy's track record is…deplorable, to say the least.
"Hey, look guys. I really don't mean to horn in here or nothin'. Just right now, I'm kinda …well… don't have lots of money. I mean I can get a place for awhile, but don't think long enough for me to get a job. If I can just hang her for awhile, 'til I find something… then I'll get outta your hair…" Faith says.
" Don't be silly, Faith. Of course you're welcome. Right Buffy?" Willow says
"Yeah" Buffy replies. She feels for Faith, but her radar is still running high. She likes Faith and all, but trust is not exactly at 100% yet.
Faith looks at the two, and senses something's going on here. Something no one's talking about. She thinks to herself that maybe B is thinkin' of ditching the Girl Scout uniform. Hmmmm. Probably still having some problem with the buttons. Things just got a whole lotta more complicated.
"Thanks guys. I can bunk on the couch … or on the floor is good, too" Faith says.
Willow hesitates. She would offer to share with Faith. But …things could happen. Things that would screw up other things she reaally wants. And there is still L.A. Oh, goddess… but Buffy pipes up before she has to say anything.
"Don't be stupid, Faith. You can bunk with me tonight. We'll figure something more permanent tomorrow" Buffy says. She is playing the old axiom. Keep your friends close, and your competition … closer. Competition? Is that what's goin' on? She still knows something's up between Faith and Will. She just hasn't put her finger on it yet. Not as if Willow even knows what I'm feelin'…never got to that little talk...cripes…this just gets better, and better. Sigh.
Willow feels a whole lotta relief…and maybe a little…jealousy? Oh, Puhlease!
" Thanks, B. That'd be cool" Faith says. Not exactly the bunk I was looking to share…but…I guess it's better than the floor.
Buffy walks over to where Faith dropped her stuff. She bends over to pick up duffle bag, and kinda loses her balance. The Adrenaline running through her body has worn off, and the alcohol is still hitting her. She falls down on her butt…hard.
"Damn" Buffy mutters.
"Buffy? Are you ok?" Willow is really concerned. She knows Buffy was pretty drunk earlier.
"B? Need some help?" Faith offers. She is laughing a little inside… but in sympathy. She knows how it is to get falling down drunk….oh, oh.
"Ummm…guys? The rooms not supposed to be spinning, is it?" Buffy asks. She is looking a little green.
" Oh, crap!" Faith says. Without waiting, she slings the other slayer over her shoulder, and says" Where the toilet? Quick Red" Willow points, and Faith runs Buffy into the bathroom. Just in time, by the sounds of it. Willow follows behind, and sees Faith holding Buffy's head over the toilet. She doesn't look at all well.
Willow goes back out into the living room, and decides to move Faith's stuff into Buffy's room. She tries to pick up the duffle, but it's really heavy. 'Damned slayer strength' she grunts, as she starts to drag it through the living room. 'what's she carrying in here? Bricks?' She finally manages to get it in the room, and out of the way. She goes back for the other bag. This one she can lift, though it's still heavy. ' Goddess, how do they do it, anyway?' Willow thinks. She dumps the other bag with the first.
She walks back in the living room, and can still hear Buffy being sick. She looks in, but there is really nothing she can do. She goes back and sits in the kitchen, thinking.
Well…this is going well. Buffy gets drunk, Faith shows up at the door, and I'm sitting her like a lump while Buffy pukes. Yup, as nights go, this is gotta be right up there…
Thinking of bad nights brought back L.A. again, and she also started remembering what happened after. Of course, Kenny was nowhere to be found(Damn, couldn't I get a clue then?). But Faith was there. And Faith was sympathetic. She held me while she cried, and soothed me. And said it would be ok, that Buffy and I'd make it up. And then, I just needed some comfort… or something…cause I found myself kissing her. And after a bit, she was kissing back. And it just went…from there.
We wound up in Faith's room, and god, that girl is ….hot. I mean, she was knows her stuff. She knew when to be gentle, when to be rough. Her hands, her fingers…oh, goddess… and her lips…so soft. And she has this intensity about her… like Buffy. she feels like she runs a little hotter than normal. She definitely made me hotter than normal. Goddess, that was sweet…but also, that is so over. It was a one night thing. NO REPEATS!!!! We both knew that…didn't we? So, why is she here now? Why now? When things might finally start happening for me and Buffy? Goddess. Buffy can never EVER learn about this!! No way. Damn. Damn. Damn!
At that moment, Faith brings a very ill looking Buffy through. Willow looks at her, and her heart breaks. Poor baby!! Willow gets up and goes over to the slayers.
"Will, I'm…so sorry" Buffy croaks out, her throat sore from vomiting." So sorry" her face is all frowny and miserable looking.
"It's ok, Buffy" Willow says, stroking her cheek. She kisses her on the forehead, and feels how feverish she feels" You get some rest, baby"
" I think I better get B into bed. She's pretty wiped out, Red. I'll be back in a few" She leads the wobbly slayer away towards her room. Buffy mutters as they go out " Buffy + Wine= bad, bad" " Buffy feels bad, so bad" and other less coherent things.
Faith leads Buffy into her room, and guides her around where Willow put her bags. She gets the slayer into the bed, and tucks her in. She touches Buffy's cheek, and smiles at her " You better get some sleep. You're gonna be sooo sore in the morning"
Buffy looks up at Faith from out of the bed. Her eyes are a bit unfocused. She reaches out, and grabs Faith's wrist. 'damn, even drunk this girl's grip is strong!' Faith thinks. She smiles at Faith, the smile a bit lopsided." Thanks, Faith. Thanks" She says…then quick as that she passes out, her hand dropping to the bed. Faith looks at her, and shakes her head.
Poor idiot. I know this one. She's got it bad, and can't deal. Wonder if Will has a clue? Somehow, knowing this group, I would think so. Just, they don't know the other one knows. Oh, crap, what have I stepped into now? Maybe I should just go?
Hell, no! That red headed witch did somethin to me. I don't know what, but I can't get that night in L.A. outta my head. I wish I could. She made me feel stuff I hadn't felt …for a long time…ever? I'm just gonna walk away from that? Don't think so! Maybe she thought it was a one- nighter…but I know I want more. Sigh. But I suspect someone's gonna get a broken heart here…and why do I think that person's name is Faith? Ya know, sometimes, god, I think you got a wicked mean sense of humor. And I don't always like it.
So, B. you better be careful girl. Someone else has just joined the race, and if you stumble…well, I aint lookin' back.
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Faith finds Willow in the kitchen, looking pensive. She sits down next to her.
"She ok?" Willow asks. She is clearly upset.
" Yeah. She's gonna feel like an elephant crawled up into her head and died in the morning, but she'll be ok. No permanent damage." Faith replies. She pauses, then asks " You ok?"
Willow looks at the table, but doesn't reply. Faith sits there, watching Willow. Finally, Willow says, very quietly "Yeah"
Faith thinks a little while, then decides. This is going nowhere, fast. So, time to throw everyone out of the frying pan.
"Ok, Red, we gotta talk." Faith says, clearly tired of the silence.
"About what?" Willow asks, but she's sure she knows.
"That night in L.A. Red" Faith says. She's not one to beat around the bush, not this girl.
" There's nothing to talk about Faith. That was one night" Willow says, but she won't look Faith right in the eyes.
"Really? How come then, Red, I can't get you outta my head? Why IS that? That night was more than a 'one nighter' no matter what you say" Faith says, clearly annoyed. " And, if you want to be honest, Red, I think YOU know it was more than a one nighter" Faith looks at Willow, who looks down at her hands. Faith takes Willow's hands in hers, and says, gently" Look at me, Red."
It takes awhile, but Willow finally looks up at Faith. Her eyes are clearly teary, and she is upset. No question about that.
" You felt it too, didn't you Red?" Faith asks. Willow nods
" It wasn't just me then?" Faith asks. Willow shakes her head. She felt it. Hard. And she knows, in her heart, that it was part of the reason she left Kenny. But it never is as easy as that, is it?
"Of course, it's not all that easy, is it Red?" Faith says, mirroring her thoughts. "There's more, isn't there?" Willow looks down at the table. She doesn't want to speak about it. She doesn't want to, but has to.
" B-B-Buffy" She manages to get out.
Faith sighs. Man, she stepped in it. " I knew B was in this, somehow. Damn." She sits quietly for awhile, then asks:
" How long, Red?"
"How long what?" Willow asks, not sure what Faith's getting at.
" How long've you had feelings like this for B?" Faith spells it out. Want a diagram too, Red?
" S-s-seven " Willow says.
" Days? Weeks? Months?" Faith asks. God, clarity isn't your thing huh Red?
"Years" Willow says. Faith almost loses it.
"Years? Seven YEARS? And you've…never said anything about this?" Faith is floored.
"No…ummm…didn't think it was returned." Willow says. Faith looks at her. God, these people are hopeless!
" Ummm… Ok Red. I'll make it clear for ya. If you don't already see it. Buffy is nuts about you. Totally. She's got it bad. Why do you think she got so blotto? Hell, I shouldn't even be saying this. I probably cutting my own throat here. But if nothin' else, I don't want anyone thinkin' I cheated. She loves you, even if SHE can't deal with it."
Willow is looking at her with a " Huh?" look.
Faith sighs. Boy, I gotta do all the heavy lifting here.
"Look, Red. Here it is, plain and simple. You got two women who really got it bad for you. You seem to have feelings for both of us. Deal is… it's one on one only. I don't share well, I suspect B doesn't either. So, you gotta do some really deep thinking here, Red. Figure out what you want, and WHO you want. And, don't take forever, ok? I'd like you to choose me before I get my social security checks. Got it? I'm going to bed. I'm tired, and getting more so by the second. Make a choice, Red."
Faith gets up, and starts towards Buffy's room. She stops, and turns.
" One more thing, Red, to keep in mind. I already know what I want. I told ya. On the other hand, Buffy is still in the air"
With that, she goes through the door leading to Buffy's room, and closes it behind her.
Willow sits with her head in her hands. She is totally wiped out. This is just too much, too damned much
"This totally bites" she mutters.
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TBC
