Part Two

"So can you stay?"

Faith grew uncomfortable, recalling her mother's words about times being hard and how most folks didn't even have enough to eat. Her and Harry were supposed to politely refuse any offers, even if it was something as simple as a stick of chewing gum. This was their big brother, Angel's rule, but their mother backed him on it.

Sighing, she rose to her feet. "Not allowed. But thanks anyway."

"Nonsense. Certainly, your parents wouldn't mind if you stayed for dinner. They're invited too." Hank spoke up, taking control, "Harry, you run on home and fetch the rest of your family. Tell them that Mr. and Mrs. Summers would like to make their acquaintance."

The boy hesitated before meekly replying. "Sir, our dad's dead and our mother-"

"Can't," Faith finished, adding, "She's sick. Has been for a while. Anyhow, we're not supposed to take no charity, so we got to go."

The pity in both Buffy's and Mr. Summers' eyes embarrassed her. Impatiently, she yanked her brother's sleeve. "Com' on, Har."

Reluctantly, the boy turned to follow.

Hank glanced at his daughter, noticing her tears. "Children wait." Stooping down, he smiled sadly at the pair. "I'm sorry about your father."

"It's alright. He was a hero in the great war." Harry said, puffing up with pride.

"I'm sure he was, son," Mr. Summers agreed, clasping the boy's shoulder. "And I bet you're a lot like him."

Harry virtually glowed. "I aim to be."

"Awww, applesauce." Faith shoved her brother. "You're too lazy."

Hank grinned at the good-natured ribbing, stealing a peek at his entranced daughter. These children were apparently fascinating to her. Once again he congratulated himself on his daring decision.

Moving his family across the country and taking them from all that they knew--wealth, comfort, and social status, wasn't solely for his benefit. Not only did Hank want the opportunity to focus on his research, but he also wanted a more "normal" life for his daughter, one that involved interaction with someone other than servants or spoiled peers.

"Listen to me. The dinner invitation wasn't charity, only simple hospitality. We'd like to meet all of our new neighbors," Hank explained.

Buffy brightened, stepping forward to take each of their hands. "Please."

Swallowing hard, Faith tried not to think about the soft palm pressed to hers or the pleading look in Buffy's big green eyes. "I-I don't know. Um Harry, whaddya think?" She turned toward her brother, but he didn't answer, too stunned by Buffy touching him to speak.

Hank chuckled at Harry's lovesick expression. "Alright now. That's enough." He steered the boy from his daughter. "Go on. Go tell your mother where you two will be."

"Yeah and shake a leg," Faith called after him.

"Let's go inside. I'll show you my room."

The younger girl allowed herself to be led inside still puzzling over the handholding. By her estimation they were too old to be doing that, but she didn't pull away. There was something strangely pleasurable about the contact.

"Do you like?" Buffy suddenly released her hand and twirled around the bedroom they had entered. "My room."

Faith stared at the blond, slowly smiling. "Yeah, it's aces."

There were a few boxes, a bed, and a suitcase.

"Oh, it's not much yet, but we can fix it up." Buffy cheerfully dragged her bag toward the bed. Faith watched her for a moment before going to the window and gazing out.

"Who are all those people with you?"

"Other scientists mostly and workmen," the fair-haired girl explained popping open the suitcase. "My daddy's going to build a laboratory here. That's where he'll work, and I will too when I'm old enough."

"Labor-a-what?"

"Laboratory," Buffy chuckled, stepping behind Faith and putting her arms around her waist. "You've heard of that, right?" She rested her chin on the other girl's shoulder and closed her eyes while breathing in deeply. Faith even smelled good.

Faith froze. Had it been anyone else hugging her like that and she would have flattened them. "Uh-yeah. Maybe."

Buffy's nose tickled her neck, sniffing her.

"What--what are you doin'?" the brunette stammered, resting her forehead against the windowsill.

The petting left them both winded as Buffy awkwardly stepped back. "Harry's here."

"Huh." Dazed, Faith glanced out. Sure enough, her brother was running over the hill.

.............

She never told Harry about that or any of the other stuff. Even without knowing specifically, Faith had figured it was wrong.

In fact, whenever she touched Buffy, the blond practically panted. At the beginning, it struck her as funny, but then Faith's twelfth and thirteenth birthday passed and now another loomed on the horizon. Suddenly, it wasn't a joke anymore. Instead, all Faith could hope for was that Harry would scram for a bit.

"Hey, watch it," Harry growled as his sister pushed past him and took the seat next to Buffy. "That's my seat!"

"Oh Harry, shhh. The picture's going to start." Buffy held her finger to her lips as the theatre lights dimmed.

Frowning, the cuckolded young man climbed over the seats to tap the patron sitting on the other side of Buffy. "Beat it, buster."

"But I was here first," the boy complained. Harry began cracking his knuckles as if preparing to punch him.

"Unfair," the boy mumbled.

"Yeah, tell it to the judge." Harry laughed, heckling the smaller kid.

"That wasn't very nice," Buffy whispered as Harry settled next to her.

"Neither was Faith taking my seat, but you didn't say nuthin about that, did you?"

Buffy faced the screen without responding.

Before the movie began a newsreel played.

"Damn Nazis!" A kid yelled out, causing a brief commotion.

Faith leaned close. Her lips grazed Buffy's ear as she softly asked, "Want candy?"

Shivering, Buffy closed her eyes and shook her head.

"You sure?"

Harry slid his arm around the back of Buffy's seat and moved closer. "Buffy, do you want popcorn?"

"Yes."

With one word, she gotten rid of Harry and kept Faith near. As soon as the teenager left, she turned to shush Faith, but the brunette misread it.

Eagerly, Faith pressed her lips to Buffy's. The kiss was cut short by the hissing from children behind them. "Yuck! Two girls are kissing!"

Hopping to her feet, Buffy raced out with Faith close behind.

"B! Buffy, wait!"

They were almost a block away before the shorter girl slowed.

"It was an accident," Faith explained, gulping in air and bending slightly. She had no idea Buffy could run so fast. "Sorry."

Buffy's sea green eyes were wet with tears, as she peered back at Faith. "Sorry?" Incredulously, she exclaimed, "You ruin my life by kissing me in public and that's all you have to say!" She poked Faith in the shoulder. "I should tell Harry."

Faith's eyes narrowed. "You gonna snitch?"

Buffy walked off.

"No way!" The sultry young brunette hurried after her. "I ain't gonna be the patsy."

The older girl ignored her.

"Hold up! You wanted that kiss...And that's not all you want."

Buffy slapped her.

Chuckling, Faith grabbed the older girl and dragged her into the alley. "You wanna try that again, shortstuff?"

Afraid, Buffy backed away.

"Shucks." Faith whistled and shook her head, "Nutty broads."

"Ew, you're insufferable!" Buffy pushed her, catching Faith by surprise. They tumbled to the ground. Buffy however, had the benefit of Faith's body to break her landing.

Panicked, the blond hovered over her friend, "Faith? Faithy? Are you okay?"

"Better than that," Faith quipped, rolling to pin Buffy beneath her. "But I'll let you decide."

Fixated on Faith's lips, Buffy stared while they slowly descended to hers.

This second kiss was soft and gentle, unrushed. Gradually she processed the sweet flavor, only murmuring slightly when Faith's tongue slipped inside her mouth.

............

"Make a wish and blow out the candles, dear," Mrs. Summers instructed, giving the youngster a pat on her behind.

Joyce could hardly believe little Faithy was already fourteen. Glancing at Harry, she smiled. The boy only had eyes for Buffy. Joyce wondered how long before her daughter noticed that.

Faith's gaze locked onto Buffy. Giving her a naughty grin, she leaned over to blow out all the candles.

"Wow, sis." Harry teased, "I guess you'll get your wish."

"Yep," the brunette replied, her eyes never leaving Buffy.

Blushing hotly, Buffy followed their mothers into the kitchen.

Angel roughly pulled his little sister outside. "What gives?"

Faith shrugged innocently.

"Oh no, you don't. Not with me. I'm not dizzy over some dame, like you and Harry. I can see what's right in front of me. And so will others if you're not careful."

"I don't know what you're yappin' about, but stop being such a crumb and get lost," Faith snapped, trying to move past him.

"Alright, that's it!"

Tugging the brunette from the porch, he tossed her unceremoniously onto the grass, just to remind her that he could.

"Are you ready to listen?"

Red-faced, Faith nodded.

"Here's the deal. I'm onto you and so is Hank. I can tell. Now unless you want anyone else to know, you'll start acting discreet. Understand?"

"Uh, yeah." Confused, Faith brushed herself off. "That's it?"

"That's it." Angel repeated, going back inside.

"Faithy, pssst. Faith."

Faith glanced around, looking for Buffy. "B, where are you at?"

"Up here, dollface," Buffy snickered, imitating Faith.

"Ooh, I'm gonna get you!" Faith warned, lifting her gaze. She winked at the blond, then rushed in.

Angel wasn't the only one who witnessed Faith going up the stairs.

Joyce furrowed her brow, intent on following but Hank called for her.

Kicking shut the bedroom door, Faith jumped onto the giggling beauty. "You were snooping."

"Yessss."

"So you're lookin' for trouble, is that it?"

Buffy's smile widened as Faith nuzzled and kissed her neck. "Uh-huh."

..........

To Be Continued (if you want)