Adjustment - Part II
Summary: the gang settles into the motel
"Are you sure you're alright?" Willow asked in the cute concerned voice that always held a place in his heart.
"I'm better than alright," Xander assured her, "I'm gonna have a cool bruise in the morning - I'm great!" He added in a little skip for good measure and gently bumped her with his elbow. They had arrived at a motel just off of the exit where they could get a quick stay for minimal cash since the council was going to be sending Giles his money once he was set up at the new address. Although Xander assured everyone he was just fine and they didn't have to stop, Buffy made the call that they all take a rest for a night and actually get a full night's sleep. The group mingled back together as they joined in the parking lot Xander being sure to hang towards the back of the crowd, seeing that Faith and Buffy were both leading the way.
"Make sure to ask how much each of the rooms will be before booking them, the council has yet to reach me with the wire, so liquid funds are of the nil presently," Giles said trying to circle around the simple issue.
"Okay," Buffy said understandingly.
"I'm used to being broke, G, this shouldn't be a problem," Faith assured him leaving him a bit confused as to what exactly she was getting at. The group held back in the lobby area, which was really just a few old couches and some foldable chairs, while Buffy and Faith went to the desk to book a few rooms.
"Well hello, ladies," the clerk greeted running his eyes up and down the two girls who had just walked in together. He glanced at the clock noting it was close to twelve o'clock and a grin spread across his face. "I take it you two just want a room for a night?"
"Yeah," Faith answered playing him like a piano with a matching grin creeping across her face as she played with the ends of Buffy's blond hair. Buffy felt herself blush slightly - Faith could always make her feel that way. "And I have a few friends that might want to meet up with us later, but a few of them…" she was cut off by the clerk suddenly,
"…a few, you say?"
"Yeah," Faith said her grinning getting more mischievous, "but see, let me let you in on some juicy details," she added drawing him in completely. She even leaned forward on the desk for good measure as if she were whispering him a real secret. "A few of the girls, well actually just two - well, maybe you could say three, they don't really get along right now, lots of a drama… but I don't want to bore you," she said making her voice linger in his desperate ears.
"Bored? Me? No… I'm definitely not bored," he answered quickly and almost stumbling over his words.
"Well, you see - one of the girls wasn't, shall we say satisfying the other, and the third girl was, so the first two kind of had a nasty break up…"
Buffy couldn't help but break out in a full grin as she watched Faith having a blast just making up this random story about absolutely nothing!
"…and they don't really get along, but then the one who, you know, wasn't really getting the job done - she ended up getting with another girl, a personal friend of mine," Faith said tossing him a wink, "and everything just fell together, if you know what I mean… let's just say, she wasn't having trouble satisfying her!" Faith was having fun with this now and she playfully nudged the clerks shoulder. He smiled widely hoping the story wasn't over yet, "but here's the thing, we definitely wanted them all to show because all of them have their… strong areas… and I wouldn't want to miss out on any of it - so, I know this is really short notice, but do you think you would be able to do me a favor and get us three rooms… close together, you know. And hey, you do me a favor, who knows, maybe I'll do you one too…"
Well the dumbfounded look of glee painted all over this guys face was enough to tell Faith she had done a good job and they sure as hell were going to get those rooms - and probably whatever she wanted from the clerk for that matter.
"Just come with me for a second," the clerk said heading towards the office. Faith followed actually seeing how adorable it was that this guy was having the thrill of his life right now. Buffy tensed up as Faith began to walk away with this stranger but Faith held her arm for a second before walking past her and said,
"I'll be right back," which for some reason, one she could not yet identify, it made her feel better. How did she do that? How was she able to, with only a few words completely warp and change all of those instinctual emotions that she felt? "You know, I don't really need a warm-up for the party…" Faith said entering the office with the clerk. He smiled almost childishly as he opened the cabinet with a key attached to a chain on his belt. He pulled out three sets of keys with room numbers in numerical order. As he handed Faith the keys she ran her hand across his collar, straightening it for him and adjusting his tie. "Thanks, baby," she said slipping the keys out of his hands. She leaned towards him slightly and asked in the most innocent voice she could muster, "what's the charge?" She bit her lip gently waiting for his response.
"It's already been paid in full," he assured her with a grin.
"Thanks," she said adjusting his tie one more time before turning and leaving the office. She walked back over to Buffy with a serious type of face, proud she had gotten the job done so easily.
"Did you get the rooms?"
"Yup," she answered waving the keys on her finger. They walked back towards the 'lobby' and she tossed them to Giles. "Here, G-man."
"Who do I pay?" Giles asked catching them with only a slight fumble.
"It's all taken care of," Faith said nonchalantly. Giles couldn't help but smile,
"She always was the persuasive one…" Buffy added playfully bumping into her. Wood was slightly taken aback at how easily Faith had been able to get three rooms and he had to maintain his look of surprise in order to hold down the pride he felt shooting up through his body. He glanced over to Xander to see what his reaction was, and yet again Xander surprised him. He hadn't really spent much time with him but he had thought he had somewhat of a feel for his personality, but Xander seemed to be way off. He was looking at Faith with a look almost of disgust but also as though he wasn't in the least bit surprised. He was even looking at Buffy in a disappointed glare that she was actually standing with Faith. Pushing back his feelings of surprise and even joy, Wood felt challenged and as though he needed to defend what was his and not let anyone think it was anything less that what he knew it was… but then he remembered humbling himself at once - she wasn't his.
"You guys should go up without us," Faith said noticing the clerk leaning across his desk as far as he could to try and get a second look at her and Buffy. Giles hesitated momentarily for the first time actually wondering what exactly Faith had said to the clerk, but he nodded and took the others towards the room.
"How do you want to split up the rooms?" Robin asked just before they moved away a spark of hope jumping into the back of his brain.
"You guys can share a room," Buffy began, "and Dawny, Willow, and Kennedy can have the other… me and Faith can share a room."
"Okay," he answered with a submissive sort of smile. He hadn't really spoken with Buffy much since their relationship had changed drastically from French restaurants to him having an aggressive role in Faith being named leader.
They all walked to their rooms - they were all together, two directly next to each other, and Faith and Buffy's directly around the corner. They all parted with an understood fact that they were all going to check in on each other before they actually went to bed.
---
"So you never really told me, B, what's the real deal between you and Robin Hood?" Faith said throwing her a smile as she brushed her teeth.
"I don't know, Faith - maybe I'll tell you if you tell me first."
"Oh, no fair, I asked you first," she protested. "And besides, you already know what happened between us - want, take, have… I had."
"Nothing happened between us."
"Bullshit," Faith said throwing her toothbrush back into her bag.
"We went out to diner… that's really it."
"Does he pay?" Faith said half joking, half not. Buffy smiled and gave a nod.
"It was a nice place too."
"Cool. So he's got money?"
"I don't know… he's a… well was, a principal and he's all mysterious so I really don't know for sure…" she was cut off of her thought process as Faith began changing. "Where are you going?" she asked noticing Faith changing her shirt from her comfortable tank top into a tight red top that had a plunging neck line.
"I'm just getting all dressed up for you, B," she said jokingly as she pulled on a pair of black leather pants. Buffy laughed and she added, "I'm just going to go out and grab some drinks. Wanna come with?"
"I think I'll pass…" Buffy admitted, "I'm really tired."
"Alright, I'll try not to wake you up when I get back…"
"Be careful," Buffy said with her big sister side leaping out of her throat.
"You know me," Faith said with a quick raise of her eyebrows as she backed out of the door.
"Yeah, that's what worries me," Buffy added as the click of the door echoed through the musty room.
---
Buffy changed from her black sweat pants into a pair of grey ones and a white tank top after she showered. The trip had been hot and the sun beating down on them all day had made her sweaty. She settled into her bed with a book she found on the small coffee stand that held the lamp next to it. She opened it and began reading it. It was just some cheap novel about some romance that you pick up in the grocery store for two dollars. She grazed the pages with her eyes for a few minutes only making it through about four before her eyes began to wonder around the room.
It was a cheap motel that they were staying in and definitely the type that people only rented for a quick night. She looked around and couldn't help but feel like she was in a different version of Faith's old motel room. It really was nothing like it except for the atmosphere but it was just somewhat similar. She took a deep breath wondering how long she would have been able to live in this small, cramped room with peeling wallpaper and windows with about an inch of sludge between them and any view of the outside. A knock echoed through the room and sent Buffy into a small jump of surprise.
"Buffy…" Dawn called quietly.
"Come on in, Dawny."
"Sorry… I couldn't sleep," she claimed with a yawn. Buffy glanced at the clock which now was reading quarter to one.
"It's okay," she coaxed as Dawn came over and sat on her bed.
"Where's Faith?"
"She went out," Buffy stated.
"You let her?!" Dawn asked almost angrily.
"I really have very little control over what Faith does, Dawn. And besides, I have you to boss around - why should I bother with Faith? She might beat me up," Buffy added with a grin. Dawn grinned back at her older sister happily. They were all going to be together, and they would be able to be more normal, but still be able to hold onto what they loved most - fighting evil. Dawn snuggled in closely with her sister after she turned the television on. They watched contently but the door was heard knocking again within about ten minutes.
---
The boys all entered their room giving each other quick glances within any meeting eye contact. Giles wasn't exactly sure what was going on but because the other two were avoiding eye contact he decided it best - and most manly - to do the same. Wood tossed his duffle bag onto one of the beds in the corner and Xander did the same with the furthest bed from his. Giles, left with the middle, walked over and sat on his bed hearing the squeaking of the spring underneath him. He groaned slightly knowing his back would be soar in the morning. He placed his bag next to the bed and began to unpack his nightwear. Wood gathered his clothes together for a shower but as he rose and walked towards the bathroom Xander had already walked in and was closing the door. He hoped he wasn't going to shower, but his hopes were dampened as he heard the water begin to beat the tile floor.
Wood tossed himself back on his bed also hearing the protest of the springs to his weight. He grinned to himself then glanced over at Giles who was already looking over his way.
"Are you alright from the little accident?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered. The two of them still held a small bond from their past alliance against Spike. Despite the negative outcome and the failure on both of their parts they did still share a bond. Neither of them liked to think about it too long though because their bond together could easily be linked to just a small bond against Buffy and they didn't like to view things that way - but it did seem to be their connection. "All of us in the backseat were fine - Xander and Faith got the brunt of it."
"Yes, Xander did seem to have some scrapes from it." Wood nodded in agreement.
"Both of them were pretty shook up," Wood added wanting to make a statement he knew Giles would certainly catch on.
"Yes, it seemed the two of them were having an argument when we arrived at the scene," Giles said confirming his understanding.
"Yeah…" Wood said listening for the running water in the shower to be sure he couldn't be overheard by Xander. "What happened between those two?" he asked curiously. Giles let out a long sigh followed by a sort of devilish grin but couldn't continue hearing the water cease in the bathroom. A silence overcame the room and Xander immerged a few moments later. Wood grabbed his things and headed for the bathroom again.
"How you holding up, Giles?" Xander asked sorting his clothes out in his bag. Giles nodded contentment as he fiddled with the electrical water kettle that the room had provided. Once he had seen that Giles was alright he stated, "I'm going to go see how Willow is."
"Alright," Giles stated almost consentingly as Xander exited.
---
Xander walked into Willow's room with Kennedy holding the door open for him.
"Hey, Xander," Willow greeted in her happy, but exhausted tone of voice.
"Hey Will, hey Kennedy," Xander greeted in return. "How are you guys doing on this long journey?"
"Okay," Willow answered.
"Bored!" Kennedy blurted. She had to even smile at herself. "I'm sorry, but I'm absolutely dying of boredom… I don't know how Faith and Buffy handle it - I'm jumping out of my skin here. I feel like I need to go out and do something… it's a weird feeling."
"Faith probably out walking around already," Xander stated forgetting himself for a minute. "So… how was the ride in the Giles-mobile?" he asked trying to add some much needed levity to the crowd.
---
Robin exited the bathroom with the towel draped around his shoulders exposing his naked torso with sharply cut muscle lines all across his stomach and his nice, dark blue jeans secured around his hips with a black leather belt. He rubbed the towel against his ear as he walked over to his bed.
"Where did he go?"
"To check on the girls," Giles stated. He immediately saw him tense and he added, "Willow, Kennedy, and Dawn." Robin nodded and tried to continue as if he had never doubted or really didn't care even though both him and Giles knew how obvious it had been.
"So what's up with Faith and Xander's past together?" he asked jumping right back to where they had left off.
"Well there's much to tell… what did you want to know?"
"It's just that there's some obvious tension between them… I can't really get a feel for it and I might be able to if I actually had a clue what was going on…"
"Fair enough," Giles answered. "When Faith first came to Sunnydale about four years ago she was immediately everybody's best friend. She was very personable and she loved to hang out and tell stories. Everybody loved her because her stories were great, she loved to laugh, and really, she was a welcomed breather from Buffy who at that time was going through a lot and really wasn't anywhere as lighthearted as she could have been. Xander loved her stories, as I've heard, since most of them were slightly provocative, although not consciously so. Anyway, he was young and she was new, daring, and well… she's quite the eye-candy," Giles added letting Ripper add his two cents in. "So as you can imagine Xander was pretty taken by her right from the start."
Wood nodded and added, "yeah, I know the feeling." Giles couldn't help but add a lighthearted chuckle into the mix before continuing.
"So as I later found out the two of them ended up spending a night together. I also heard later from Buffy that it was Xander's first time and that Faith also had a tendency to just play with the people she slept with."
"You're quite the gossip queen, aren't you?" Wood added with a grin.
"You hear a lot when you spend all of your time with a sixteen year old X-cheerleader," Giles laughed.
"So is that it, Faith got with him and they didn't part on good terms?"
"No, that's not it at all… actually, from what Buffy tells me, Xander still had quite the fancy for her, she said something about a twitch thing he did with his eye whenever she would say, 'Faith', that poor boy."
"Yeah, I kinda get a twitch too… can't say it's in my eye though," Wood said suggestively. Giles smiled in understanding as Robin pulled a black, ribbed tank on.
"Well, with Faith having a lot of trouble with the whole slip of the stake thing, he decided to go to her place and talk to her, and just make sure she was holding out okay. When he went she let him in and well, Xander hasn't really told us any of the details but Angel came in on Faith on top of him, in quite the suggestive manner, but strangling him. From then on they haven't really been on good terms."
"So what did Angel do when he came in?"
"He hit her with a baseball bat, chained her up and chained her to a wall in his dwelling," Giles said matter of factly. "It really was a turning point for everything - that was the night the council found Faith at Angel's and really the beginning of when we lost her… she was just so angry."
"So they do have quite the past together," he noted.
"Yes, they certainly do…" Giles answered as Robin swung a leather jacket on over the black tank he had on. He adjusted himself quickly as he slid his black boots on. "Where are you going?"
"I was just going to go see how Faith was holding up…"
"Now that I've given you all my gossip, I get to ask, what is going on between you two?"
"Not nearly as much as I'd like," he answered smiling, "I wish she'd be willing to at least consider the idea of… well, I don't even know."
"Do you care for her? I mean, genuinely care about her?"
"I really do… she worries me, she makes me happy with just a smile, she makes me feel like a man but in the same instant she can crush that feeling, she just… I don't know, you probably think I'm just trying to get in her pants but…"
"Just keep in mind, I don't think you are, but Faith's got a lifetime of being taught to always just think men are trying to get into her pants…"
"I know, and that's almost part of the attraction," he admitted. "It's her intense insecurity that so compelling and drawing. I don't know…"
"Well, just be careful…"
"You think she might try and choke me?" he asked with a laugh.
"It wouldn't completely surprise me…" Giles answered jokingly.
---
"Lemme get a Corona," Faith answered to the bartender. She hadn't walked very far from the Motel before she saw a small bar hidden away in the shadows on the street corner. She was sitting down on a stool up against the bar with a mix of exhaustion and boredom strewn across her features. The place was pretty dead with a low buzz of conversation of all of the regulars and the music playing from some radio off in the distant corner that was open for anyone to change it, which happened ever few minutes.
---
"Come in," Buffy answered to the knock at the door. Robin walked in, dressed quite nicely they both noted, and nodded in greeting.
"Hey, girls. Dawn, how are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. I have a little headache but no big."
"I have some aspirin in the truck if you want me to go get it…"
"No, that's okay. I'm really okay."
"Alright," he agreed with his principal voice peeking out. "What about you, Buffy, how are you holding up?"
"I'm okay," she answered honestly.
"You've got to promise me some serious talk time once we're all settled in at the new place," he stated seriously. She smiled and gave him an understanding nod, "Where's Faith?" he asked glancing around and seeing that the bathroom didn't have any occupants.
"She went out."
"Did she say where?" he asked with a hint of concern in his tone.
"Drinking," Buffy answered almost ashamed now that she had let her go.
"Okay… I'm going to go try and find her," he answered, "you know, keep an eye on her." Buffy laughed and added,
"Yeah, I'm sure you'll be keeping an eye on her…" Not knowing how to quite respond to that he gave her a mock grin and left the room.
---
"So this is quite the party town," Faith said sarcastically to the bartender as he handed her the beer.
"Yeah, quite the party atmosphere…" he agreed. There were only about a dozen other people in the place and about three of those people probably worked there and everyone was sitting mumbling over their drinks to one another. "So I've never seen you around here…"
"Yeah, I've never been."
"Oh, we get a lot of people just passing through - it's a pretty busy highway for traveling right up off the road there."
"Yeah, that's where I stopped off from."
"Where you headed?"
"I didn't actually ask," she said with a grin. He smiled and got himself a beer to join her with.
"So you're not traveling alone?" he asked trying to get as much information as he could without actually asking what he wanted to know.
"Yeah, definitely a first… I'm with a few friends." He nodded and offered her a cigarette. She accepted and they both lit up their cigarettes. "So what's a guy like you doing in a dead town like this? You seem like more of the city type to me," she said with a wink. He laughed,
"I actually grew up in New York and moved to Boston to go to school."
"No shit! I grew up in Boston…"
"Wow, it's a small world."
"Wicked small - so how'd you get from Boston to working in the middle of no where?"
"Not really sure," he admitted. "I went to school to be a movie director, but I guess you could say I got mixed up with the wrong crowd while I was there and I ended up having my options handed to me, you know, get out of town tomorrow, or never leave alive…"
"Yeah, the usual ultimatum," she laughed.
"Yeah… so what's your story?"
"Oh, you don't want to know my story… I don't think I've got enough years left in my life to have time to tell it from start to finish."
"You seem like a cool girl," he finally stated. "What's your name?" She smiled and it was returned.
"Faith." She noticed after a moment his smile quickly faded and he grabbed a towel and began wiping off the bar top. Faith quickly glanced behind her to see the reason and she saw Wood walking directly towards her with his usual confident aura, handsome face as well as well presented, and mysterious façade.
"Hey," he said to her glancing up at the bartender. "Hey," he repeated with that false smile of his really giving off quite a strong warning. "Can I bother you for a beer?"
"Not a problem," he answered, "same as your girl?" he asked questioning both the make of the beer he wanted as well as whether or not he and Faith were together.
"Sure," he answered glancing at Faith's Corona. "You makin' friends?" he asked pulling up the stool next to her.
"Always," she answered. "What the hell are you doing here anyway?"
"It's nice to see you too," he answered. He was still proud of himself for actually finding her in this town that he had never been to before. The streets weren't well lit and he had absolutely no idea in which direction she would have headed. It had only taken him about half an hour since, as he learned from his walk, the real town was only about a mile strip along the highway. She glared at him with eyes that could kill and he added sarcastically, "I came to baby-sit you, you know, keep an eye." The glare became more intense and she defended,
"I don't need a fucking…" he cut her off and added,
"Faith, I'm kidding." He just smiled at her, which took quite a bit of confidence on his part because the looks he was receiving would have normally sent anyone running. Finally she caved, unable to continue her glares at his shining smile - it was almost worse than being laughed at, he just smiled at her like she could do no wrong.
"You're not funny," she added defiantly as she broke her frown and was forced to almost smile back at him. His damn attitude was so contagious!
"I'm funnier than you," he answered still maintaining an agreeing tone.
"Keep tellin' yourself that," she added sarcastically.
"Alright fine, will give Faith the funny award, as long as we both agree that I'm prettier than you," he answered finally able to add levity to the scene.
"You are so not prettier than me," she defended.
"Oh, come on, look at this face!"
"Don't make me," she mocked shielding her eyes playfully. He moved to punch her arm playfully in response to her making him the butt of the joke but stopped his fist quickly as he noticed the forming bruise on her arm.
"Is that from today?" he asked, concern overwhelming his tone.
"It's just a bruise," she answered definitely not comfortable with someone concerned or worried about her especially not that blatently.
"It's quite the bruise," he noted.
"I've had worse."
"I'm sure you have."
"See, like these are pretty nice," she said turning and tugging her shirt over so he could see by her collarbones.
"Shit, where are those from?"
"When B went down in the hellmouth I stopped to help her and like four vamps tackled me to the ground. They had me down for a while, I was just trying to keep those sons of bitches from biting me… they got in a few good punches - but I got in a few good splinters."
"God those have to hurt," he said still amazed that she was so nonchalant about it all. He had had some pretty bad hits, but none of the ones like those did he just keep going with. He moved his hand up and touched it softly.
"Yeah, I don't really like having my ass kicked," she admitted.
"I know the feeling," he agreed.
---
"We're popular tonight," Buffy said to Dawn as Xander knocked on their door. "Come in," she called. He came in and looked a little surprised to see Dawn there.
"Did Dawn and Faith pull a switch?" he asked lightheartedly.
"No, Faith went out and Dawn missed me," she answered proudly.
"You missed *her*?" Xander asked sarcastically. Dawn giggled and he sat on the edge of the bed. "Where'd she go?" he asked seriously.
"I don't really know… she went to go get some drinks."
"Woody went with her?" Buffy smiled at Xander's nickname and nodded. "That guy is sick - he follows her around everywhere."
"You know, I think he's developing an eye twitch too," Buffy added sarcastically. Xander was shocked that she had taken a punch at his ego like that and he could do nothing else but slightly cower at the end of the bed.
"I was a horny teenager!" Xander spat, "he's a grown guy - hell he's a principal! He was supposed to get over following the badass girl around when he graduated high-school! He runs one and he's still doing it."
"Like you?" Buffy asked making it clear that she had sensed the tension between him and Faith.
"I never followed her around like that! And I especially don't now," he defended.
"You want to though," Buffy stated but almost questioned too.
"No way," he defended a little too quickly.
"Whatever," she answered with a giggle. Dawn got up off of the bed,
"I'm going to go to bed," she stated exiting the room.
"I just lost the woman I loved, Buffy. Do I need to remind anyone else of that - Anya is dead. What gives you the right to accuse me of being hot for Faith?" he stated now close to yelling.
"Xander, I'm not accusing… if I were it would mean you were doing something wrong. There's nothing wrong with liking someone else, Xander. Especially someone who you have a connection with like Faith."
"There is no connection between us!" Xander answered angrily. "There never was and there never will. There's only one thing that girl is interested in, and the only connection she has with people is skin," he added remembering her words echoing in his ears that night.
"Calm down," Buffy ordered.
"Oh, so now that she's good again you're just going to jump to her defense like you always used to again?"
"Stop it! If you think you have a past with Faith then you better just think of what it was like for me."
"Oh, of course it had to be worse for you, no one could have a worse experience than Buffy!" he said condescendingly. "Everything's harder for you." He wasn't sure what had changed between them that he was venting like this on her and on everyone, but he didn't care. He needed to say it so he did.
"Xander," she continued calmly, "Faith was like a sister to me, and we went through a lot together. We had a connection, and it wasn't skin. If you think your woes rank up there with having to stab someone who you love and care about, and who you know could've done things different if only you maybe had been there more, then go right ahead, but don't talk to me like it's fact. I'm almost as much to blame for the things Faith did as she is…"
"Fine," Xander stated submissively.
"I'm sorry about everything that happened Xander, I really am, but we all have things we're taking away from this - we all have to deal."
"Yeah, that's what I'll do, I'll just deal, Buffy." He answered sardonically walking out of the room.
---
"Hey, Faith," the bartender said finally returning to them. "It's almost four and I've gotta start closing up."
"Alright," she smiled. She gave him a devilish grin and then reached into Robin's back pocket and pulled out a twenty. She tossed it onto the bar and he smiled and took it up. Robin was stuck staring at Faith in disbelief before he could protest otherwise. "Thanks."
"My pleasure," he answered with a kind smile tracing across his face. "It was nice to meet you."
"Yeah," she answered.
"Have a good trip," he added.
"Thanks."
"So are you always on a first name basis with the bartender?" Wood asked as they walked out of the bar together.
"Only when they're cute," she responded knowing it would bother him. "Do you think I should go ask for his number? He would so give it to me…" she added playfully.
"I didn't think you were going to ask for his number… I just thought you two would 'hang out' together tonight." He added using the finger quotes for good measure.
"Shut up," she said punching his arm.
"What?" he asked innocently. "From what I've heard…"
"If I've learned anything about life, it's never to listen to what people tell you about a person. You've gotta just figure people out on your own."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're really fucking hard to figure out?" he asked her as they stopped on the corner for her to light a cigarette. She looked like she was really thinking about his question and she exhaled slowly,
"You know, I don't think anyone's ever tried before…"
"Let me tell you, I'm trying, but I don't think I'm doing very well."
"Yeah, you're pretty fucking bad at it," she answered sarcastically tilting her head in front of his and smiling mischievously at him. Her lips were inches away from his and she really needed him to just touch her already.
"Yeah, I know," he admitted stepping away from her knowing full well how much she wanted him to just kiss her. "I'm just about ready to stop trying," he warned beginning to walk again.
"I never knew you were a quitter," she answered following him back to the motel.
"I never was… you can change a man, Faith," he stated matter of factly.
"I've been told that," she answered exhaling the smoke again.
"Yeah, I'm sure there's not much you haven't been told," he answered.
"You have no idea," she answered with a sigh. She looked up at the moon overhead as they entered the motel parking lot. She grabbed his wrist and pulled it so she could see what time it was on his watch. "It's four thirty - I've got a motel room, I've been to a bar, and I'm still not gonna get any tonight," she whined putting on a childish frown. He had to laugh at the mix of two worlds - she was both whining like a little four year old child and complaining about her lack of sex for the night. The way she could mix things like that could make him laugh to no end. They both walked towards their parked cars in the lot rather than the rooms; neither of them were quite ready to go to sleep yet.
"Would this make it any better?" he asked as he leaned towards her and finally met her lips with his. He kissed her softly never parting his lips except to gently pull hers in between his. He pulled away from her and looked into her eyes.
"No," she whined moving in for another. This time she grabbed his jacket and pulled him into her firmly pressing him against her as she kissed him more passionately than the first time. This kiss she was in charge of whereas the first was all him. She held him close with one hand on his jacket and the other she wrapped around his neck running her tongue through his mouth lustfully. He dropped his arms around her hips as he pushed her up against the side of their truck.
"How about now?" he asked finally pulling away from the kiss. She dropped her hand down from his jacket and down to his belt. She unbuckled it and then rested her hand on the button of his jeans. She bit her lip gently and undid the button,
"Maybe now," she suggested in a honey coated tone glancing up at his eyes almost daringly. She could see the hesitation in his features and she gently reached for his hand and pushed it underneath her shirt by her stomach and guided it behind her back so he was holding her firmly. "Come on," she coaxed gently kissing his lower lip.
"Hey gu-" Kennedy cut herself off as she realized what she had walked in on. Robin quickly jerked away from Faith and she remained leaning against the truck just the same.
"Hey, Kennedy," she said in a pissed off tone. Kennedy looked at her apologetically seeing just how angry she really was even though she was trying to control herself. Xander and Dawn came around the corner and they too approached the group. "What the fuck is this!?" Faith asked angrily.
"Sorry, did we interrupt something?" Xander asked obnoxiously. "Real classy, Faith."
"Dawn needed some aspirin," Kennedy tried to explain seeing the situation escalating immediately. She could understand Faith being so pissed off because, although she didn't express this energy inside of her the way Faith did, she could actually understand now why she was always so restless.
Faith looked over at Robin to see what he was planning on doing about all of this but he was just standing there, appearing somewhat embarrassed and mortified. She groaned in disgust lighting a cigarette.
"Whatever," she finally said walking away from all of them and towards her and Buffy's room. Kennedy stood there watching her go wanting to be able to say something that would just make things a little bit better, but she couldn't think of anything that could possible make it any less worse. Dawn crawled into the truck rummaging for her bag with the aspirin in it. Wood had begun to compose himself but the Xander shot him right back down.
"So, trying to get in a nice, romantic quicky in the parking lot?" he asked sarcastically.
"No…" he defended fruitlessly.
"Oh, well then you forgot to do up your pants before you left," Xander pointed out. He quickly re-buttoned his jeans and did up his belt. "Wow, you really care about her, don't you?" Xander added with his words dripping with sarcasm. With his closing statement still ringing in Wood's ears he turned back towards the rooms grimacing with disgust.
"Found it!" Dawn declared jumping out of the truck finally. Wood walked her back to her room before returning to his own, unable to get Xander's words to stop ringing in his ears. Kennedy walked towards the rooms last wanting to give herself some time to think. She couldn't get rid of that feeling of restlessness within her, and she could see how it could drive someone crazy, especially someone like Faith who was pretty restless anyway. She walked past Buffy and Faith's room before going back to her own.
---
Faith stormed into the room slamming the door behind her. Buffy jumped up from her sleep and asked quickly,
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she answered. Buffy could tell by her tight tone and her quick pace that she was far from fine.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" she spat in response pulling her duffle bag off the ground and onto the bed. She rummaged through it and pulled out a change of clothes. She finally stopped going through the bag and threw it down onto the floor. She made herself sit calmly on the bed holding her head in her hands for a moment to calm herself. Buffy watched her catch her breath and force herself to calm down - a skill she noted Faith had probably just recently acquired. She also made a mental note that she too used to control her temper by just sinking it all in and making it disappear. It never disappeared; it just built up and made her explode. She definitely didn't want to see Faith explode, she was bad enough, but she knew for a fact Faith would be a hell of a lot worse than she could ever be.
"Faith?" Buffy asked cautiously seeing Faith still hadn't moved.
"Yeah, B?" she asked still holding her head down in between her hands.
"You should try and get some sleep… we have a long day tomorrow."
"I don't sleep well when I'm like this," she answered finally raising her head up and looking at Buffy.
"You should at least try," she added.
"Night," Faith said as she walked into the bathroom with her clothes.
Summary: the gang settles into the motel
"Are you sure you're alright?" Willow asked in the cute concerned voice that always held a place in his heart.
"I'm better than alright," Xander assured her, "I'm gonna have a cool bruise in the morning - I'm great!" He added in a little skip for good measure and gently bumped her with his elbow. They had arrived at a motel just off of the exit where they could get a quick stay for minimal cash since the council was going to be sending Giles his money once he was set up at the new address. Although Xander assured everyone he was just fine and they didn't have to stop, Buffy made the call that they all take a rest for a night and actually get a full night's sleep. The group mingled back together as they joined in the parking lot Xander being sure to hang towards the back of the crowd, seeing that Faith and Buffy were both leading the way.
"Make sure to ask how much each of the rooms will be before booking them, the council has yet to reach me with the wire, so liquid funds are of the nil presently," Giles said trying to circle around the simple issue.
"Okay," Buffy said understandingly.
"I'm used to being broke, G, this shouldn't be a problem," Faith assured him leaving him a bit confused as to what exactly she was getting at. The group held back in the lobby area, which was really just a few old couches and some foldable chairs, while Buffy and Faith went to the desk to book a few rooms.
"Well hello, ladies," the clerk greeted running his eyes up and down the two girls who had just walked in together. He glanced at the clock noting it was close to twelve o'clock and a grin spread across his face. "I take it you two just want a room for a night?"
"Yeah," Faith answered playing him like a piano with a matching grin creeping across her face as she played with the ends of Buffy's blond hair. Buffy felt herself blush slightly - Faith could always make her feel that way. "And I have a few friends that might want to meet up with us later, but a few of them…" she was cut off by the clerk suddenly,
"…a few, you say?"
"Yeah," Faith said her grinning getting more mischievous, "but see, let me let you in on some juicy details," she added drawing him in completely. She even leaned forward on the desk for good measure as if she were whispering him a real secret. "A few of the girls, well actually just two - well, maybe you could say three, they don't really get along right now, lots of a drama… but I don't want to bore you," she said making her voice linger in his desperate ears.
"Bored? Me? No… I'm definitely not bored," he answered quickly and almost stumbling over his words.
"Well, you see - one of the girls wasn't, shall we say satisfying the other, and the third girl was, so the first two kind of had a nasty break up…"
Buffy couldn't help but break out in a full grin as she watched Faith having a blast just making up this random story about absolutely nothing!
"…and they don't really get along, but then the one who, you know, wasn't really getting the job done - she ended up getting with another girl, a personal friend of mine," Faith said tossing him a wink, "and everything just fell together, if you know what I mean… let's just say, she wasn't having trouble satisfying her!" Faith was having fun with this now and she playfully nudged the clerks shoulder. He smiled widely hoping the story wasn't over yet, "but here's the thing, we definitely wanted them all to show because all of them have their… strong areas… and I wouldn't want to miss out on any of it - so, I know this is really short notice, but do you think you would be able to do me a favor and get us three rooms… close together, you know. And hey, you do me a favor, who knows, maybe I'll do you one too…"
Well the dumbfounded look of glee painted all over this guys face was enough to tell Faith she had done a good job and they sure as hell were going to get those rooms - and probably whatever she wanted from the clerk for that matter.
"Just come with me for a second," the clerk said heading towards the office. Faith followed actually seeing how adorable it was that this guy was having the thrill of his life right now. Buffy tensed up as Faith began to walk away with this stranger but Faith held her arm for a second before walking past her and said,
"I'll be right back," which for some reason, one she could not yet identify, it made her feel better. How did she do that? How was she able to, with only a few words completely warp and change all of those instinctual emotions that she felt? "You know, I don't really need a warm-up for the party…" Faith said entering the office with the clerk. He smiled almost childishly as he opened the cabinet with a key attached to a chain on his belt. He pulled out three sets of keys with room numbers in numerical order. As he handed Faith the keys she ran her hand across his collar, straightening it for him and adjusting his tie. "Thanks, baby," she said slipping the keys out of his hands. She leaned towards him slightly and asked in the most innocent voice she could muster, "what's the charge?" She bit her lip gently waiting for his response.
"It's already been paid in full," he assured her with a grin.
"Thanks," she said adjusting his tie one more time before turning and leaving the office. She walked back over to Buffy with a serious type of face, proud she had gotten the job done so easily.
"Did you get the rooms?"
"Yup," she answered waving the keys on her finger. They walked back towards the 'lobby' and she tossed them to Giles. "Here, G-man."
"Who do I pay?" Giles asked catching them with only a slight fumble.
"It's all taken care of," Faith said nonchalantly. Giles couldn't help but smile,
"She always was the persuasive one…" Buffy added playfully bumping into her. Wood was slightly taken aback at how easily Faith had been able to get three rooms and he had to maintain his look of surprise in order to hold down the pride he felt shooting up through his body. He glanced over to Xander to see what his reaction was, and yet again Xander surprised him. He hadn't really spent much time with him but he had thought he had somewhat of a feel for his personality, but Xander seemed to be way off. He was looking at Faith with a look almost of disgust but also as though he wasn't in the least bit surprised. He was even looking at Buffy in a disappointed glare that she was actually standing with Faith. Pushing back his feelings of surprise and even joy, Wood felt challenged and as though he needed to defend what was his and not let anyone think it was anything less that what he knew it was… but then he remembered humbling himself at once - she wasn't his.
"You guys should go up without us," Faith said noticing the clerk leaning across his desk as far as he could to try and get a second look at her and Buffy. Giles hesitated momentarily for the first time actually wondering what exactly Faith had said to the clerk, but he nodded and took the others towards the room.
"How do you want to split up the rooms?" Robin asked just before they moved away a spark of hope jumping into the back of his brain.
"You guys can share a room," Buffy began, "and Dawny, Willow, and Kennedy can have the other… me and Faith can share a room."
"Okay," he answered with a submissive sort of smile. He hadn't really spoken with Buffy much since their relationship had changed drastically from French restaurants to him having an aggressive role in Faith being named leader.
They all walked to their rooms - they were all together, two directly next to each other, and Faith and Buffy's directly around the corner. They all parted with an understood fact that they were all going to check in on each other before they actually went to bed.
---
"So you never really told me, B, what's the real deal between you and Robin Hood?" Faith said throwing her a smile as she brushed her teeth.
"I don't know, Faith - maybe I'll tell you if you tell me first."
"Oh, no fair, I asked you first," she protested. "And besides, you already know what happened between us - want, take, have… I had."
"Nothing happened between us."
"Bullshit," Faith said throwing her toothbrush back into her bag.
"We went out to diner… that's really it."
"Does he pay?" Faith said half joking, half not. Buffy smiled and gave a nod.
"It was a nice place too."
"Cool. So he's got money?"
"I don't know… he's a… well was, a principal and he's all mysterious so I really don't know for sure…" she was cut off of her thought process as Faith began changing. "Where are you going?" she asked noticing Faith changing her shirt from her comfortable tank top into a tight red top that had a plunging neck line.
"I'm just getting all dressed up for you, B," she said jokingly as she pulled on a pair of black leather pants. Buffy laughed and she added, "I'm just going to go out and grab some drinks. Wanna come with?"
"I think I'll pass…" Buffy admitted, "I'm really tired."
"Alright, I'll try not to wake you up when I get back…"
"Be careful," Buffy said with her big sister side leaping out of her throat.
"You know me," Faith said with a quick raise of her eyebrows as she backed out of the door.
"Yeah, that's what worries me," Buffy added as the click of the door echoed through the musty room.
---
Buffy changed from her black sweat pants into a pair of grey ones and a white tank top after she showered. The trip had been hot and the sun beating down on them all day had made her sweaty. She settled into her bed with a book she found on the small coffee stand that held the lamp next to it. She opened it and began reading it. It was just some cheap novel about some romance that you pick up in the grocery store for two dollars. She grazed the pages with her eyes for a few minutes only making it through about four before her eyes began to wonder around the room.
It was a cheap motel that they were staying in and definitely the type that people only rented for a quick night. She looked around and couldn't help but feel like she was in a different version of Faith's old motel room. It really was nothing like it except for the atmosphere but it was just somewhat similar. She took a deep breath wondering how long she would have been able to live in this small, cramped room with peeling wallpaper and windows with about an inch of sludge between them and any view of the outside. A knock echoed through the room and sent Buffy into a small jump of surprise.
"Buffy…" Dawn called quietly.
"Come on in, Dawny."
"Sorry… I couldn't sleep," she claimed with a yawn. Buffy glanced at the clock which now was reading quarter to one.
"It's okay," she coaxed as Dawn came over and sat on her bed.
"Where's Faith?"
"She went out," Buffy stated.
"You let her?!" Dawn asked almost angrily.
"I really have very little control over what Faith does, Dawn. And besides, I have you to boss around - why should I bother with Faith? She might beat me up," Buffy added with a grin. Dawn grinned back at her older sister happily. They were all going to be together, and they would be able to be more normal, but still be able to hold onto what they loved most - fighting evil. Dawn snuggled in closely with her sister after she turned the television on. They watched contently but the door was heard knocking again within about ten minutes.
---
The boys all entered their room giving each other quick glances within any meeting eye contact. Giles wasn't exactly sure what was going on but because the other two were avoiding eye contact he decided it best - and most manly - to do the same. Wood tossed his duffle bag onto one of the beds in the corner and Xander did the same with the furthest bed from his. Giles, left with the middle, walked over and sat on his bed hearing the squeaking of the spring underneath him. He groaned slightly knowing his back would be soar in the morning. He placed his bag next to the bed and began to unpack his nightwear. Wood gathered his clothes together for a shower but as he rose and walked towards the bathroom Xander had already walked in and was closing the door. He hoped he wasn't going to shower, but his hopes were dampened as he heard the water begin to beat the tile floor.
Wood tossed himself back on his bed also hearing the protest of the springs to his weight. He grinned to himself then glanced over at Giles who was already looking over his way.
"Are you alright from the little accident?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered. The two of them still held a small bond from their past alliance against Spike. Despite the negative outcome and the failure on both of their parts they did still share a bond. Neither of them liked to think about it too long though because their bond together could easily be linked to just a small bond against Buffy and they didn't like to view things that way - but it did seem to be their connection. "All of us in the backseat were fine - Xander and Faith got the brunt of it."
"Yes, Xander did seem to have some scrapes from it." Wood nodded in agreement.
"Both of them were pretty shook up," Wood added wanting to make a statement he knew Giles would certainly catch on.
"Yes, it seemed the two of them were having an argument when we arrived at the scene," Giles said confirming his understanding.
"Yeah…" Wood said listening for the running water in the shower to be sure he couldn't be overheard by Xander. "What happened between those two?" he asked curiously. Giles let out a long sigh followed by a sort of devilish grin but couldn't continue hearing the water cease in the bathroom. A silence overcame the room and Xander immerged a few moments later. Wood grabbed his things and headed for the bathroom again.
"How you holding up, Giles?" Xander asked sorting his clothes out in his bag. Giles nodded contentment as he fiddled with the electrical water kettle that the room had provided. Once he had seen that Giles was alright he stated, "I'm going to go see how Willow is."
"Alright," Giles stated almost consentingly as Xander exited.
---
Xander walked into Willow's room with Kennedy holding the door open for him.
"Hey, Xander," Willow greeted in her happy, but exhausted tone of voice.
"Hey Will, hey Kennedy," Xander greeted in return. "How are you guys doing on this long journey?"
"Okay," Willow answered.
"Bored!" Kennedy blurted. She had to even smile at herself. "I'm sorry, but I'm absolutely dying of boredom… I don't know how Faith and Buffy handle it - I'm jumping out of my skin here. I feel like I need to go out and do something… it's a weird feeling."
"Faith probably out walking around already," Xander stated forgetting himself for a minute. "So… how was the ride in the Giles-mobile?" he asked trying to add some much needed levity to the crowd.
---
Robin exited the bathroom with the towel draped around his shoulders exposing his naked torso with sharply cut muscle lines all across his stomach and his nice, dark blue jeans secured around his hips with a black leather belt. He rubbed the towel against his ear as he walked over to his bed.
"Where did he go?"
"To check on the girls," Giles stated. He immediately saw him tense and he added, "Willow, Kennedy, and Dawn." Robin nodded and tried to continue as if he had never doubted or really didn't care even though both him and Giles knew how obvious it had been.
"So what's up with Faith and Xander's past together?" he asked jumping right back to where they had left off.
"Well there's much to tell… what did you want to know?"
"It's just that there's some obvious tension between them… I can't really get a feel for it and I might be able to if I actually had a clue what was going on…"
"Fair enough," Giles answered. "When Faith first came to Sunnydale about four years ago she was immediately everybody's best friend. She was very personable and she loved to hang out and tell stories. Everybody loved her because her stories were great, she loved to laugh, and really, she was a welcomed breather from Buffy who at that time was going through a lot and really wasn't anywhere as lighthearted as she could have been. Xander loved her stories, as I've heard, since most of them were slightly provocative, although not consciously so. Anyway, he was young and she was new, daring, and well… she's quite the eye-candy," Giles added letting Ripper add his two cents in. "So as you can imagine Xander was pretty taken by her right from the start."
Wood nodded and added, "yeah, I know the feeling." Giles couldn't help but add a lighthearted chuckle into the mix before continuing.
"So as I later found out the two of them ended up spending a night together. I also heard later from Buffy that it was Xander's first time and that Faith also had a tendency to just play with the people she slept with."
"You're quite the gossip queen, aren't you?" Wood added with a grin.
"You hear a lot when you spend all of your time with a sixteen year old X-cheerleader," Giles laughed.
"So is that it, Faith got with him and they didn't part on good terms?"
"No, that's not it at all… actually, from what Buffy tells me, Xander still had quite the fancy for her, she said something about a twitch thing he did with his eye whenever she would say, 'Faith', that poor boy."
"Yeah, I kinda get a twitch too… can't say it's in my eye though," Wood said suggestively. Giles smiled in understanding as Robin pulled a black, ribbed tank on.
"Well, with Faith having a lot of trouble with the whole slip of the stake thing, he decided to go to her place and talk to her, and just make sure she was holding out okay. When he went she let him in and well, Xander hasn't really told us any of the details but Angel came in on Faith on top of him, in quite the suggestive manner, but strangling him. From then on they haven't really been on good terms."
"So what did Angel do when he came in?"
"He hit her with a baseball bat, chained her up and chained her to a wall in his dwelling," Giles said matter of factly. "It really was a turning point for everything - that was the night the council found Faith at Angel's and really the beginning of when we lost her… she was just so angry."
"So they do have quite the past together," he noted.
"Yes, they certainly do…" Giles answered as Robin swung a leather jacket on over the black tank he had on. He adjusted himself quickly as he slid his black boots on. "Where are you going?"
"I was just going to go see how Faith was holding up…"
"Now that I've given you all my gossip, I get to ask, what is going on between you two?"
"Not nearly as much as I'd like," he answered smiling, "I wish she'd be willing to at least consider the idea of… well, I don't even know."
"Do you care for her? I mean, genuinely care about her?"
"I really do… she worries me, she makes me happy with just a smile, she makes me feel like a man but in the same instant she can crush that feeling, she just… I don't know, you probably think I'm just trying to get in her pants but…"
"Just keep in mind, I don't think you are, but Faith's got a lifetime of being taught to always just think men are trying to get into her pants…"
"I know, and that's almost part of the attraction," he admitted. "It's her intense insecurity that so compelling and drawing. I don't know…"
"Well, just be careful…"
"You think she might try and choke me?" he asked with a laugh.
"It wouldn't completely surprise me…" Giles answered jokingly.
---
"Lemme get a Corona," Faith answered to the bartender. She hadn't walked very far from the Motel before she saw a small bar hidden away in the shadows on the street corner. She was sitting down on a stool up against the bar with a mix of exhaustion and boredom strewn across her features. The place was pretty dead with a low buzz of conversation of all of the regulars and the music playing from some radio off in the distant corner that was open for anyone to change it, which happened ever few minutes.
---
"Come in," Buffy answered to the knock at the door. Robin walked in, dressed quite nicely they both noted, and nodded in greeting.
"Hey, girls. Dawn, how are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. I have a little headache but no big."
"I have some aspirin in the truck if you want me to go get it…"
"No, that's okay. I'm really okay."
"Alright," he agreed with his principal voice peeking out. "What about you, Buffy, how are you holding up?"
"I'm okay," she answered honestly.
"You've got to promise me some serious talk time once we're all settled in at the new place," he stated seriously. She smiled and gave him an understanding nod, "Where's Faith?" he asked glancing around and seeing that the bathroom didn't have any occupants.
"She went out."
"Did she say where?" he asked with a hint of concern in his tone.
"Drinking," Buffy answered almost ashamed now that she had let her go.
"Okay… I'm going to go try and find her," he answered, "you know, keep an eye on her." Buffy laughed and added,
"Yeah, I'm sure you'll be keeping an eye on her…" Not knowing how to quite respond to that he gave her a mock grin and left the room.
---
"So this is quite the party town," Faith said sarcastically to the bartender as he handed her the beer.
"Yeah, quite the party atmosphere…" he agreed. There were only about a dozen other people in the place and about three of those people probably worked there and everyone was sitting mumbling over their drinks to one another. "So I've never seen you around here…"
"Yeah, I've never been."
"Oh, we get a lot of people just passing through - it's a pretty busy highway for traveling right up off the road there."
"Yeah, that's where I stopped off from."
"Where you headed?"
"I didn't actually ask," she said with a grin. He smiled and got himself a beer to join her with.
"So you're not traveling alone?" he asked trying to get as much information as he could without actually asking what he wanted to know.
"Yeah, definitely a first… I'm with a few friends." He nodded and offered her a cigarette. She accepted and they both lit up their cigarettes. "So what's a guy like you doing in a dead town like this? You seem like more of the city type to me," she said with a wink. He laughed,
"I actually grew up in New York and moved to Boston to go to school."
"No shit! I grew up in Boston…"
"Wow, it's a small world."
"Wicked small - so how'd you get from Boston to working in the middle of no where?"
"Not really sure," he admitted. "I went to school to be a movie director, but I guess you could say I got mixed up with the wrong crowd while I was there and I ended up having my options handed to me, you know, get out of town tomorrow, or never leave alive…"
"Yeah, the usual ultimatum," she laughed.
"Yeah… so what's your story?"
"Oh, you don't want to know my story… I don't think I've got enough years left in my life to have time to tell it from start to finish."
"You seem like a cool girl," he finally stated. "What's your name?" She smiled and it was returned.
"Faith." She noticed after a moment his smile quickly faded and he grabbed a towel and began wiping off the bar top. Faith quickly glanced behind her to see the reason and she saw Wood walking directly towards her with his usual confident aura, handsome face as well as well presented, and mysterious façade.
"Hey," he said to her glancing up at the bartender. "Hey," he repeated with that false smile of his really giving off quite a strong warning. "Can I bother you for a beer?"
"Not a problem," he answered, "same as your girl?" he asked questioning both the make of the beer he wanted as well as whether or not he and Faith were together.
"Sure," he answered glancing at Faith's Corona. "You makin' friends?" he asked pulling up the stool next to her.
"Always," she answered. "What the hell are you doing here anyway?"
"It's nice to see you too," he answered. He was still proud of himself for actually finding her in this town that he had never been to before. The streets weren't well lit and he had absolutely no idea in which direction she would have headed. It had only taken him about half an hour since, as he learned from his walk, the real town was only about a mile strip along the highway. She glared at him with eyes that could kill and he added sarcastically, "I came to baby-sit you, you know, keep an eye." The glare became more intense and she defended,
"I don't need a fucking…" he cut her off and added,
"Faith, I'm kidding." He just smiled at her, which took quite a bit of confidence on his part because the looks he was receiving would have normally sent anyone running. Finally she caved, unable to continue her glares at his shining smile - it was almost worse than being laughed at, he just smiled at her like she could do no wrong.
"You're not funny," she added defiantly as she broke her frown and was forced to almost smile back at him. His damn attitude was so contagious!
"I'm funnier than you," he answered still maintaining an agreeing tone.
"Keep tellin' yourself that," she added sarcastically.
"Alright fine, will give Faith the funny award, as long as we both agree that I'm prettier than you," he answered finally able to add levity to the scene.
"You are so not prettier than me," she defended.
"Oh, come on, look at this face!"
"Don't make me," she mocked shielding her eyes playfully. He moved to punch her arm playfully in response to her making him the butt of the joke but stopped his fist quickly as he noticed the forming bruise on her arm.
"Is that from today?" he asked, concern overwhelming his tone.
"It's just a bruise," she answered definitely not comfortable with someone concerned or worried about her especially not that blatently.
"It's quite the bruise," he noted.
"I've had worse."
"I'm sure you have."
"See, like these are pretty nice," she said turning and tugging her shirt over so he could see by her collarbones.
"Shit, where are those from?"
"When B went down in the hellmouth I stopped to help her and like four vamps tackled me to the ground. They had me down for a while, I was just trying to keep those sons of bitches from biting me… they got in a few good punches - but I got in a few good splinters."
"God those have to hurt," he said still amazed that she was so nonchalant about it all. He had had some pretty bad hits, but none of the ones like those did he just keep going with. He moved his hand up and touched it softly.
"Yeah, I don't really like having my ass kicked," she admitted.
"I know the feeling," he agreed.
---
"We're popular tonight," Buffy said to Dawn as Xander knocked on their door. "Come in," she called. He came in and looked a little surprised to see Dawn there.
"Did Dawn and Faith pull a switch?" he asked lightheartedly.
"No, Faith went out and Dawn missed me," she answered proudly.
"You missed *her*?" Xander asked sarcastically. Dawn giggled and he sat on the edge of the bed. "Where'd she go?" he asked seriously.
"I don't really know… she went to go get some drinks."
"Woody went with her?" Buffy smiled at Xander's nickname and nodded. "That guy is sick - he follows her around everywhere."
"You know, I think he's developing an eye twitch too," Buffy added sarcastically. Xander was shocked that she had taken a punch at his ego like that and he could do nothing else but slightly cower at the end of the bed.
"I was a horny teenager!" Xander spat, "he's a grown guy - hell he's a principal! He was supposed to get over following the badass girl around when he graduated high-school! He runs one and he's still doing it."
"Like you?" Buffy asked making it clear that she had sensed the tension between him and Faith.
"I never followed her around like that! And I especially don't now," he defended.
"You want to though," Buffy stated but almost questioned too.
"No way," he defended a little too quickly.
"Whatever," she answered with a giggle. Dawn got up off of the bed,
"I'm going to go to bed," she stated exiting the room.
"I just lost the woman I loved, Buffy. Do I need to remind anyone else of that - Anya is dead. What gives you the right to accuse me of being hot for Faith?" he stated now close to yelling.
"Xander, I'm not accusing… if I were it would mean you were doing something wrong. There's nothing wrong with liking someone else, Xander. Especially someone who you have a connection with like Faith."
"There is no connection between us!" Xander answered angrily. "There never was and there never will. There's only one thing that girl is interested in, and the only connection she has with people is skin," he added remembering her words echoing in his ears that night.
"Calm down," Buffy ordered.
"Oh, so now that she's good again you're just going to jump to her defense like you always used to again?"
"Stop it! If you think you have a past with Faith then you better just think of what it was like for me."
"Oh, of course it had to be worse for you, no one could have a worse experience than Buffy!" he said condescendingly. "Everything's harder for you." He wasn't sure what had changed between them that he was venting like this on her and on everyone, but he didn't care. He needed to say it so he did.
"Xander," she continued calmly, "Faith was like a sister to me, and we went through a lot together. We had a connection, and it wasn't skin. If you think your woes rank up there with having to stab someone who you love and care about, and who you know could've done things different if only you maybe had been there more, then go right ahead, but don't talk to me like it's fact. I'm almost as much to blame for the things Faith did as she is…"
"Fine," Xander stated submissively.
"I'm sorry about everything that happened Xander, I really am, but we all have things we're taking away from this - we all have to deal."
"Yeah, that's what I'll do, I'll just deal, Buffy." He answered sardonically walking out of the room.
---
"Hey, Faith," the bartender said finally returning to them. "It's almost four and I've gotta start closing up."
"Alright," she smiled. She gave him a devilish grin and then reached into Robin's back pocket and pulled out a twenty. She tossed it onto the bar and he smiled and took it up. Robin was stuck staring at Faith in disbelief before he could protest otherwise. "Thanks."
"My pleasure," he answered with a kind smile tracing across his face. "It was nice to meet you."
"Yeah," she answered.
"Have a good trip," he added.
"Thanks."
"So are you always on a first name basis with the bartender?" Wood asked as they walked out of the bar together.
"Only when they're cute," she responded knowing it would bother him. "Do you think I should go ask for his number? He would so give it to me…" she added playfully.
"I didn't think you were going to ask for his number… I just thought you two would 'hang out' together tonight." He added using the finger quotes for good measure.
"Shut up," she said punching his arm.
"What?" he asked innocently. "From what I've heard…"
"If I've learned anything about life, it's never to listen to what people tell you about a person. You've gotta just figure people out on your own."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're really fucking hard to figure out?" he asked her as they stopped on the corner for her to light a cigarette. She looked like she was really thinking about his question and she exhaled slowly,
"You know, I don't think anyone's ever tried before…"
"Let me tell you, I'm trying, but I don't think I'm doing very well."
"Yeah, you're pretty fucking bad at it," she answered sarcastically tilting her head in front of his and smiling mischievously at him. Her lips were inches away from his and she really needed him to just touch her already.
"Yeah, I know," he admitted stepping away from her knowing full well how much she wanted him to just kiss her. "I'm just about ready to stop trying," he warned beginning to walk again.
"I never knew you were a quitter," she answered following him back to the motel.
"I never was… you can change a man, Faith," he stated matter of factly.
"I've been told that," she answered exhaling the smoke again.
"Yeah, I'm sure there's not much you haven't been told," he answered.
"You have no idea," she answered with a sigh. She looked up at the moon overhead as they entered the motel parking lot. She grabbed his wrist and pulled it so she could see what time it was on his watch. "It's four thirty - I've got a motel room, I've been to a bar, and I'm still not gonna get any tonight," she whined putting on a childish frown. He had to laugh at the mix of two worlds - she was both whining like a little four year old child and complaining about her lack of sex for the night. The way she could mix things like that could make him laugh to no end. They both walked towards their parked cars in the lot rather than the rooms; neither of them were quite ready to go to sleep yet.
"Would this make it any better?" he asked as he leaned towards her and finally met her lips with his. He kissed her softly never parting his lips except to gently pull hers in between his. He pulled away from her and looked into her eyes.
"No," she whined moving in for another. This time she grabbed his jacket and pulled him into her firmly pressing him against her as she kissed him more passionately than the first time. This kiss she was in charge of whereas the first was all him. She held him close with one hand on his jacket and the other she wrapped around his neck running her tongue through his mouth lustfully. He dropped his arms around her hips as he pushed her up against the side of their truck.
"How about now?" he asked finally pulling away from the kiss. She dropped her hand down from his jacket and down to his belt. She unbuckled it and then rested her hand on the button of his jeans. She bit her lip gently and undid the button,
"Maybe now," she suggested in a honey coated tone glancing up at his eyes almost daringly. She could see the hesitation in his features and she gently reached for his hand and pushed it underneath her shirt by her stomach and guided it behind her back so he was holding her firmly. "Come on," she coaxed gently kissing his lower lip.
"Hey gu-" Kennedy cut herself off as she realized what she had walked in on. Robin quickly jerked away from Faith and she remained leaning against the truck just the same.
"Hey, Kennedy," she said in a pissed off tone. Kennedy looked at her apologetically seeing just how angry she really was even though she was trying to control herself. Xander and Dawn came around the corner and they too approached the group. "What the fuck is this!?" Faith asked angrily.
"Sorry, did we interrupt something?" Xander asked obnoxiously. "Real classy, Faith."
"Dawn needed some aspirin," Kennedy tried to explain seeing the situation escalating immediately. She could understand Faith being so pissed off because, although she didn't express this energy inside of her the way Faith did, she could actually understand now why she was always so restless.
Faith looked over at Robin to see what he was planning on doing about all of this but he was just standing there, appearing somewhat embarrassed and mortified. She groaned in disgust lighting a cigarette.
"Whatever," she finally said walking away from all of them and towards her and Buffy's room. Kennedy stood there watching her go wanting to be able to say something that would just make things a little bit better, but she couldn't think of anything that could possible make it any less worse. Dawn crawled into the truck rummaging for her bag with the aspirin in it. Wood had begun to compose himself but the Xander shot him right back down.
"So, trying to get in a nice, romantic quicky in the parking lot?" he asked sarcastically.
"No…" he defended fruitlessly.
"Oh, well then you forgot to do up your pants before you left," Xander pointed out. He quickly re-buttoned his jeans and did up his belt. "Wow, you really care about her, don't you?" Xander added with his words dripping with sarcasm. With his closing statement still ringing in Wood's ears he turned back towards the rooms grimacing with disgust.
"Found it!" Dawn declared jumping out of the truck finally. Wood walked her back to her room before returning to his own, unable to get Xander's words to stop ringing in his ears. Kennedy walked towards the rooms last wanting to give herself some time to think. She couldn't get rid of that feeling of restlessness within her, and she could see how it could drive someone crazy, especially someone like Faith who was pretty restless anyway. She walked past Buffy and Faith's room before going back to her own.
---
Faith stormed into the room slamming the door behind her. Buffy jumped up from her sleep and asked quickly,
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she answered. Buffy could tell by her tight tone and her quick pace that she was far from fine.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" she spat in response pulling her duffle bag off the ground and onto the bed. She rummaged through it and pulled out a change of clothes. She finally stopped going through the bag and threw it down onto the floor. She made herself sit calmly on the bed holding her head in her hands for a moment to calm herself. Buffy watched her catch her breath and force herself to calm down - a skill she noted Faith had probably just recently acquired. She also made a mental note that she too used to control her temper by just sinking it all in and making it disappear. It never disappeared; it just built up and made her explode. She definitely didn't want to see Faith explode, she was bad enough, but she knew for a fact Faith would be a hell of a lot worse than she could ever be.
"Faith?" Buffy asked cautiously seeing Faith still hadn't moved.
"Yeah, B?" she asked still holding her head down in between her hands.
"You should try and get some sleep… we have a long day tomorrow."
"I don't sleep well when I'm like this," she answered finally raising her head up and looking at Buffy.
"You should at least try," she added.
"Night," Faith said as she walked into the bathroom with her clothes.