Chapter 9

AN: Thanks for the reviews that all of you have given me. They're kinda like encouragement drug. Hehehe...anyway...back to the fic. Hope you like it!

Faith's POV

It's almost midnight when we got back to the motel. We didn't speak on the way. I guess both of us were thinking about something. I was thinking about what Red said in the bar.

'Do I really like her?'

I kept on thinking that as I lay down on the bed staring at the ceiling. Buffy was on her side facing the wall. I glanced at her and well...I kept on thinking that damn question. I never really "like" any person before...so in short...I'm kinda new to this kinda thing.

I only met her couple of weeks ago and now...I'm questioning myself whether or not I like her. I sighed and just close my eyes trying to sleep. I felt her move and was kinda surprised when she wrapped her arms on my stomach and snuggled at my neck. If I didn't know any better...I think she's smelling me.

I looked down at her face for awhile. I kept wondering and wondering what I'm feeling for her. A couple of months ago...if Red will say to me that I'm gonna find a girl and I would feel some kind of feeling for her...I'd probably laugh at her and say that she's nuts or something. But now that I'm in this situation...wrapped in the arms of a blonde girl whom I barely know...thinking of what I feel for her...I don't know what to do. I'm lost.

I wasn't used to feeling this shit. I wasn't used to feeling confused. I was a 'get some get gone' type of girl. Now that I think about it...that's not me anymore. My life really changed the moment I met Buffy.

I know this is kinda stupid to say...but the moment I saw her in the park that night...I kinda felt like...I know her from somewhere...from along time ago. She was just so...familiar. Maybe that's why I decided to take her with me...or maybe I just pity her or something...

"Faith..."

She said as she snuggled to me wrapping her arms on my waist tighter. I looked at her for awhile noticing that my hands were on my side...doing nothing. I turn to my side slowly facing her. Her head was still on my neck. I hesitated for awhile thinking if I should hold her too. After a little debate in my head...I slowly laid my hand on Buffy's waist pulling her closer to me. I felt her mumble something in my neck and snuggled again. I sighed feeling her breathe in my neck which was really bothering me...

'Geeez...I don't think I'll be sleeping for awhile...'

Buffy's POV

Faith seems angry as we waited for the waiter to get our lunch. I guess she's upset because I didn't tell her about Angel asking me to go out with him yesterday. I know I should have told her about it but...I guess it just slipped my mind.

I didn't know he would ask me out. First we were just talking then all of a sudden he's asking me out to go with him to the movies. I was never asked out before and well...I didn't want him to get all sad if I rejected him or anything...so I just told him yes.

And now that I told Faith about it which made her angry...I think I'm regretting what I told Angel. Maybe I shouldn't have said yes...

I looked up at her. She was frowning while looking at the window.

"Are you...angry at me?"

I saw her glance at me for a second then she turn her attention again to the window.

"No..."

"Then why are you frowning and staring there not saying anything?"

She sighed and turns to me with a tired look.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Anything...I just want to hear you talk..."

It's true...I just want her to talk. I don't want her to give me the famous 'silent treatment.' I couldn't bear to think of her not talking to me...so I just voiced out my feelings. But somehow...there's this one feeling that I couldn't seem to voice out. This one feeling that I'm scared of...that she might reject it...that one feeling that I realized that I was feeling for her...

She said something which I didn't hear because of what I'm thinking. I asked her what she said and she sighed.

"I said that he's pretty nice and handsome. I think you two might...hit it off."

Her voice was low when she said 'hit it off.' Was she sad or...was I just imagining it? I shook my thoughts away as the food that we ordered came. She was drinking her glass when I began to tell her my plan.

"Yeah...he seems nice...but...I want you to come with us."

I must've surprised her because she started coughing. She punched her chest lightly and took a deep breath. She frowned slightly as she looked at me.

"What do you mean go with you?"

I looked down at my lap and started playing with my hands as I try to think of something to say to her. There was only one explanation to what I told her.

'I want her to be by my side...always...'

But I'm too...shy to tell her that. I can't tell her that...so I just thought of something that might make her come with me...

"It's just that...I'm afraid of going out with...strangers. And well...I wouldn't be afraid if you were there with me..."

I thought she was going to buy that explanation but instead she looked at me, frowning slightly and said...

"You're afraid of strangers...? Wasn't 'I' a stranger when we first met? But you weren't afraid of me. You even gave me a hug."

Somehow...in a weird kind of way...she's right...and at the same time wrong. For her I was a stranger...but for me she wasn't. I've been guarding her my whole life. I know everything about her...she really wasn't a stranger to me.

I started to fidget as I thought of another answer for her.

"W-well...yeah...you were a stranger at that time. Maybe the reason why I wasn't afraid of you at that time was because...it feels like I know you. That deep inside that...bad ass attitude of yours...you're really nice...and kind."

I continue to look at my lap as I pray up above to let her believe me. I glanced up at her and found her looking outside the window with a confused look. I couldn't help but smile when I saw something that I haven't seen for awhile in her face. She was blushing...

I couldn't help giggle at her. Hearing me giggle made her turn to look at me with a raised eyebrow.

"What's so funny?"

"You. You look so cute blushing like that..."

She scowled at me saying "I'm not cute!" and turned to the window again pouting slightly. Faith...pouting...now that's cute. I stopped giggling and smiled at her.

"Okay...I'm sorry for calling you cute. I won't say that again..."

She turn to me and grinned.

"Yeah...you shouldn't. Me and cute? Don't mix."

I nodded but was entirely disagreeing with what she said. I just nodded so she wouldn't have that fuming look on her face.

"So...would you go with me? Tonight?"

I feel weird asking her that. It feels like I'm asking her out in a date. As I waited for her reply I couldn't help but feel my heart pounding fast. It really feels like I'm asking her out...and really hoping that she says yes. I watch her sigh saying....

"You're lucky that I have the day off today...so...okay...I'll go."

I was so happy that I stood up and walked to her and hugged her while she was sitting. I smiled brightly as I whispered to her a...

"Thank you..."

She pat my back...

"Uh yeah...y-you're welcome B...but could you please go to your side and eat already."

I didn't what she told me and sat back down my chair. I smiled at her as she was eating her fries with a slight blush on her face.

"Um Faith?"

She looked up at me waiting for me to continue.

"What does B mean?"

She didn't answer my question and just rolled her eyes continue eating her food. I still couldn't let her say it...but surely one of these days...I'll know what it means...

Faith's POV

'Shit...I should have said no...'

I sighed as I was sitting at the movies with Buffy beside me and Angel in the other side of Buffy. I know Angel was disappointed when he saw me with Buffy. Who wouldn't when the person whom you asked out tag another person on your date. Kinda sad if you ask me...

Anyway...we stood by the theatre for awhile thinking of what to watch as we look at the choices above.

'The Ring...Terminator 3...Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse...'

I wanted to watch Resident Evil knowing that it's pretty cool action movie. Buffy didn't think so saying it's far too scary to watch. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as she continue to look at the posters. I don't know why...but she chose 'The Ring.' I just looked at her like she's crazy or something. I mean I've read about that movie in the newspaper. It's about a weird tape that if you watch it you'll die in seven days. She smiled at Angel who bought the tickets.

We walked towards the cinema, found some seats and waited for the movie to start. Angel went outside saying about getting something to eat. I watch him walk away and as soon as he's gone I turned to Buffy who was smiling looking around her.

"Why did you pick this movie?"

She turned to me smiling.

"It sounds innocent enough. I mean...what could a ring do? Maybe it's about love and getting married that's why it's called the ring."

I wanted to laugh at her but I just smiled and trying hard not to laugh. I just looked ahead of me and well...tried to contain my laughter that I felt tears slightly falling from my eyes. I bit my lower lips hard...

She probably heard me muffling some sounds and looked at me with a confused look.

"What's so funny?"

I shook my head and well...it's a good timing when Angel came back and the movie started. That's when I was thinking that I shouldn't have come. At first Buffy was perfectly fine but then she started to realize that the movie that she had chosen was not about marriage...it's about a dead lady killing people.

Every time that there's a very scary scene...she'd grab my arm and well...hide at my shoulder. She was so scared that I felt my arm would bleed if she continue to squeeze it like this. She was almost on top of me whenever she's doing it. I also think that I might be deaf when I get out of hear. She's a screamer I tell you...I think it's not just my arm that's going to bleed...I think my ears would also.

She's squeezing my arm again and laid her head on my shoulder with her eyes closed. It's kinda cute...but it hurts a lot.

"B...your date isn't me. It's Angel. Go grab him instead of me. He might feel left out or something."

I whispered to her and she just nodded and quickly turned to Angel and grabbed his arm. I sighed and looked at together. Angel even wrapped his arms around her as she continue to bury her head on his shoulder. I don't know why but...I kinda felt pain in my chest seeing them together. I ignored the pain and looked ahead watching the movie.

I think it's only a minute of watching when Buffy grabbed my arm again and laid her head on my shoulder. I looked at Angel and saw him looking at us. I shrugged at him mouthing a 'sorry' and looked down at Buffy again. I placed my other hand on her hand that was in my arm. She noticed and grabbed my hand and interlaced it with mine. I sighed as I continue to hold her...

'Maybe this isn't a bad idea after all...'

Buffy's POV

That was the scariest movie I've ever seen. Especially when the girl came out of the well and of the TV. I don't think I can watch TV for awhile. I'm scared that some lady might also pop out of the TV.

I sighed as I walked beside Faith heading towards the motel...hand in hand. We said goodbye to Angel when the movie ended. He looked sad when we said that we're going home. I guess he felt left out...maybe I should make it up to him or something...

I felt squeeze my hand as we continue walking. She didn't release my hand even after the movie. She just kept on holding it reassuring me that it's gone now. I found her action to be...sweet. I can't help but smile as we continue to walk towards the motel holding Faith's hand.

"Look! It's the white lady!!"

She said and well...I screamed and jumped to her which was a big mistake because we ended up in the ground with me on top of Faith who was groaning underneath.

"Geeez B...I was just joking..."

I couldn't help but stare down at her...looking at her face. Our faces were close to each other that if I just moved my head downward I would be able to kiss her. She noticed our situation and looked at me also. We just laid there in the ground staring at each other. It's good that it's midnight or else someone might catch us here. The only thing that made me move away from her was when I heard her say...

"Can't breathe B..."

I instantly stood up and she sat up looking up at me. I looked down at her reading her eyes. I couldn't though. There's something in her eyes that I can't seem to read. Though I can see the confusion there.

"Well...well well...if it isn't the traitor. I never thought I'd see you again bitch."

Faith's POV

I tear down my eyes from Buffy and looked to see who the voice was from. I stood up and glared at the person, recognizing who he is.

"Mike...what the hell are you doing here?"

Mike...one of the bastards that I worked with when I was 12. He was the one who killed some mother of a five year old only to get some money. He's a sick bastard that even when I joined them...I didn't like him one bit. I walked and shielded Buffy from him. Knowing him...he might have other tricks up in his sleeve.

He grinned at me and shrugged.

"What? Can't a guy visit his friend anymore?"

"Friend huh? We were never friends Mike. You just thought we were..."

"Ouch...that's kinda hurtful..."

He snapped his hand and some guys appeared from the dark. Three guys...and Mike...makes for of em. I stood by Buffy which was clinging at my shirt at my back.

"I just want you to pay for leaving the gang. Even after we treated you like family..."

I snorted at him and kept my ground looking to who was going to attack first. Buffy let go of my shirt by the back whispering...

"Be careful..."

I just continue to look at them waiting for someone to attack. Soon all of them attacked. One guy by my right...the other on my left...and another one in front of me. I had skills in fighting. They taught me that...so beating this three is easy. I did beat them which left Mike who was obviously angry. He launched after me which I didn't expect giving him the opportunity to punch me on the face. I was still standing and felt blood on my lips. He grinned.

"I guess you're getting rusty Faithy...and to think you were one of the three kings of our gang."

I rolled my eyes as I heard that title again. I was one of the so called three kings...which I think made him pissed off. I guess he's jealous of the title. I was one of the three who was feared back then. What can I say...I have skills that could kill anyone. But I didn't. Killing doesn't solve anything...

I brushed some blood on my lips as he started attacking me again. I continue to dodge his attacks and was really getting tired. I wasn't used to fighting anymore. I haven't fought for awhile. The last real fight I had was with some guy a year ago. So I guess...I am getting rusty.

We continue to trade blows. Punch...kick. I was getting tired that I backed away from him. He somehow anticipated it and gave me one last punch in jaw which knocked me off of my feet. I looked up at him and he looked back grinning.

"Rusty...and pathetic...just like I imagined it..."

He continue to grin at me like he won or something. I don't know why...but he stopped grinning and looked kinda...afraid.

"I think you've done enough...don't you think so Mikey boy?"

I looked at the person beside Mike. It was Spike...one of the three kings of the gang. Still had a brushed up blonde hair...skinny...and wearing a black trench coat. Yup...It's Spike alright.

Mike looked at him obviously frightened. Who wouldn't when the leader of your gang is obviously not pleased.

"Spike...I was just...teaching Faith here some lesson. I wasn't...trying to kill her."

Spike continue to glare at him, gritting his teeth. He grabbed Mike's collar pulling him towards him slightly.

"I told you not to come near her..."

"I...I just...thought..."

Spike shoved him to the ground, looking down at him. I was so curious what was going to take place that I didn't realize that Buffy was crouching down at me helping me up. I held her for support and stood up looking at the arguing men. Spike noticed me and walked towards us smiling

Buffy's POV

Spike...he was the leader of the gang that Faith was with when she was 12 years old. Him and Faith and a woman named Cordelia were inseparable back then. They were called the three kings. Spike and Faith were feared for their skills in fighting...while the woman named Cordelia was feared for...um...I really have no idea what her skill is. But from what I saw back then...she was the one everyone really feared. Faith used to call her 'Dragon lady.'

I really find that funny...

Spike smiled as he saw Faith.

"Hey luscious! Long time! How ya been?"

I looked at Faith and saw her smiling.

"Willy boy...man, I missed you. I've been great. How bout you?"

"Been dead without you. Cordelia just keeps on yammering and yammering when you were gone. I think my ears even bleed when she screamed at me saying I should find you. Guess she misses you too."

Faith nodded and smirked at what she said. I guess just from looking at Faith...she misses them too. Faith's mood changed into panic and pushes Spike away as Mike attacks him from behind with a dagger. Mike missed Spike...but he did stabbed Faith...in the stomach. He quickly pulled the knife out grinning at Faith as she fell down on her knees...blood pouring out of her.

"Heh...at least I got the bitch. Next time...I'm gonna get the blonde."

He said as he ran away. I quickly went to Faith who had her hand on her stomach. I felt tears in my eyes as I saw the blood pouring out fearing Faith would die...

AN: That was also my impression when I heard about 'The Ring.' I was dragged down by my friend not knowing what I was getting myself into. I thought it was some kind of RING...you know...the jewelry thingy. I never thought it would be a ring from the phone. Kinda funny when you think about it.