"Yeah, it's bigger but its decorated the same." I finish teasing my hair and look over at her. She finishes applying her lipstick and smacks her lips. "Ready?"
She looks in the mirror and slips on her shoes. "Yeah, lets go."
We walk out the door and Xander gets off the couch. "It's about time. The movie is almost over and I've been waiting since it started.
I look over at the TV, surprised when I see Thelma and Louise gripping hands, about to drive off the cliff. I look at him and he shrugs, "It's a good movie!"
Willow and I both laugh as we grab his arms and pull him out of the room. We take a cab and are soon at the club. This time we skip the line and walk up to the bouncer. He smiles at me, recognizing me from last night. He lets us in as some people in line start to boo. I feel like a star.
After checking our coats we stand inside the club. Willow and Xander are looking around, finding the place 'Neat' as Xander put it. I look around for Faith and find her on the dance floor. She's wearing low ridding, skin-tight leather pants. Red leather to be exact. She had on a black tank top which stopped an inch above her navel. Her body was moving to the quick tempo of the song. She turns around and links hands with the girl behind her, moving her hips sensually towards the girl, who in turn matches Faith's movements.
Xander and Willow walk up next to me and follow my eyes. "Wow, look at Dawnie go!"
That's when I realize that Faith is holding Dawn's hands. The two of them moving effortlessly to the music. Dawn's hand comes to rest on Faith's hip as move slower as the song gets darker.
"Yeah Will, she's definitely grown up," Xander responds. Both of them checking out my sister, not even trying to hide it.
"Grr! Guys, get a grip." I say, trying to tell myself I'm not jealous. Suddenly someone is blocking my view and I look up to see Zach standing there.
"Hey Guys. Hi Willow!" He says and I glare at Willow. So they know each other. Willow avoids looking at me as she says hi back. "The tables this way."
Now we're following him through the crowd to the couches Faith was sitting at last night. Dawn notices us sitting down and motions to Faith who looks our way. They stop dancing and jog over to us, both trying to catch their breath. Dawn plops on the couch next to Daniel, the guy she's dating. Faith sits on her other side, reaching for her bottle of beer on the coffee table.
Zach sits down in a chair off to the side. I'm surprised that Faith isn't sitting with him. He catches my eye and I try to think of something to say. "I thought you were in North Carolina?"
Ok, even I admit that came out a little angry. I was just curious though, really. It was all I could think of to ask.
"I was. I flew up for a meeting this afternoon and thought I'd come by to see how things were doing. Faith introduced me to Dawn and invited me to join you guys."
Seems like a reasonable enough answer. Dawn whispers into Daniel's ear and stands up. "I'm going to the ladies room, any takers?"
Willow stood up, "Me. If I don't go before I drink I'll break the seal too quick." She looks at me, "Buffy?" I figure it couldn't hurt and I join them.
We go inside and do our thing. As soon as the other girls in their leave Dawn spins and points at me. "What was that about?"
I look to Willow who shakes her head. "You did sound bitchy Buffy." Bitchy? Didn't see that one coming. Well, yeah I did. "I didn't mean to. She said he was out of town and now he's here, just wondered why."
"Well, he's Faith's friend. You behave or she'll get pissy. We're supposed to have fun tonight!" With that Dawn stalked out of the bathroom. Willow silently followed. I took a few extra minutes, splashing some cold water on my face.
I come out and see that Dawn and Faith are both back on the dance floor, putting on quite the show. I almost choke on my drink when Dawn slips her leg between Faith's and they start grinding. Daniel actually does choke on his, standing up and joining the girls on the dance floor. He steps up behind Dawn and suddenly my sister is the creamy filling of a cookie, smashed between the two of them.
This goes on as another song begins. Zach stands up and moves onto the floor, moving behind Faith. She breaks away from Dawn and starts dancing with Zach. I turn to start talking to Wills when I see her and Xander standing up, making their way to the dance floor. Now I'm sitting here, alone.
A more playful tune starts to play and the couple separate, dancing more in a group. I'm at the bar getting another drink when I feel her squeeze in next to me. The amount of people at the bar causing her to brush her body along my side as she fits in. "Why aren't ya dancing B?"
I watched as the bartender gave us matching shots and I raised my eyebrow at her. "Couldn't really fit in with the couple theme going on out there."
"We woulda split apart for you," she says as she licks her wrist and I follow suit. We both lift our glasses up and clink them together, doing the shot.
As I pulled the lemon from between my teeth I turned so we were facing each other. I didn't realize how close we were until I got bumped from behind and we were suddenly pressed against each other. Her eyes darkened and she looked down at me. "We should head back."
She licked her lips and then peeled away from me, heading back towards the table. We were just past the dance floor when both our arms were grabbed by Dawn. "Nuh uh! No sitting down. Make with the dancing."
She pulled us into the middle of the group and Faith just started dancing. I don't know how she did it. One minute she's herself and the next she's lost in the song. I look around and everyone else is just dancing so I slowly start to move. I close my eyes and focus just on the music and soon I'm dancing just like everyone else.
I didn't even realize the guys had gone to play pool until I felt a warm body dance up to me. I opened my eyes and saw Willow moving in front of me, her eyes closed. I smiled and we linked hands, dancing together like we used to. I felt Faith dancing behind me and I knew Dawn was probably with her. I didn't give it much thought when I felt a back press up against me.
Then I felt that tingle down my spine, only strong than I have felt it in a long time. As Faith leaned her weight into me I matched it, our bodies moving together. Willow took a step closer, our legs brushing as she continued dancing with me. I let one hand rest on her hip, the other running through my hair.
We continued on like this for a while. We were all just enjoying the moment, letting the music move us where it willed. Then I felt Faith move away, only to be replaced with the feel of her breasts pushing against my back. She wrapped her arm around my waist as she grinded up behind me. Dawn stepped up behind her and soon the four of us were a mess of tangled limbs as the music carried us away.
Faith's fingertips tickled my bare midriff and I my muscle quivered in response. I felt her head dip as she inhaled deeply, moaning my name oh so softly. It took me a second to realize what she said. I think she didn't even realize it. We both stiffened and like that it was gone. We all broke up and Faith was gone. I looked around, not seeing her anywhere.
I told Wills I'd be back and headed outside, looking up and down the street. I couldn't see her anywhere and it frustrated the hell out of me. That's when I noticed the bouncer smiling at me. He nodded towards a door down the street and I smiled my thanks.
I opened the door and was met with a stairwell. I could feel the beat of the club pulsing in the rail as I made my way up the stairs. There was only one door at the small landing atop of the stairs. I knocked softly but got no response. I tried the handle and it opened slowly.
Inside I saw Faith standing across the room, looking out a window. She didn't make a move as I entered and closed the door. I moved to cross the room and I saw her stiffen. Alright, space. I leaned against the door and watched her for a minute. Finally the silence got to me. "What was that?"
She took a minute responding, then I saw her lungs take in a deep breath. She turned and I saw the old Faith again. "What was what B? I just needed to get some air."
"That isn't what I meant and you know it." I cross my arms across my chest.
She sighs and moves to her fridge, pulling out a bottle of JD from the freezer and pouring herself a drink. She brings the bottle and another glass out and sets them on the coffee table. She walks back towards the window, taking a sip. "That was nothing, a quick trip down memory lane."
I move towards the couch and pour myself a drink, taking a sip. The cold liquor burning as it goes down. "That's all?"
She faces me, leaning her body against the cold window. "Yeah, that's all."
"Too bad," I mumble, sinking into her couch and draining my glass.
"Too bad…" she prompts as she reaches out and refills my glass.
"Too bad that's all it was." I let the silence fill in the rest. She steps away and sits down on a chair across from me.
"We're not going there B. It's over and done with." She refills her own glass and rests her feet on the table.
"Yeah, you've made that loud and clear."
She snorts and I have to force myself not to giggle. "You've got no reason to have that attitude B. You had your shot, you passed."
"You played dirty." I empty my glass, the liquor helping me get this off my chest. I lean forward to refill my glass.
"I told you what I needed. You couldn't deliver."
"What about what I needed?" I question. That seems to catch her off guard. She doesn't have a response.
She stares off into space for a while, then she quietly asks, "What did you need?"
"A little time to digest what you were asking. You gave me a few hours with no notice and then you were gone for good."
She's getting angry now. I expected that, she's always angry when she feels attacked. "That's how it had to be. I couldn't go on the way things were, it was killing me."
"And I was supposed to know that how? Did you ever think to ask before it got that bad?"
She goes to speak and stops herself. She sets her empty glass down and sits back. "Got me there. Would it have worked?"
"We'll never know, will we?" I want to tell her yes, but she's not the only one who is angry. We sit in silence for a few minutes until there is a knock at the door.
"Yeah?" Faith calls out in response.
"It's me." Is all Zach says.
I sigh and stand up, straightening out my top. "I gotta go anyway."
She stands up and opens the door, letting Zach step inside. He looks from me to Faith. "Thanks for stopping by B."
"Later." I say. Not my usual response but it seems to fit this time. I step outside her door and it closes quickly.
The rest of the trip goes pretty smoothly. We do the normal tourist thing, taking in the sights. No one mentions Faith. I think they know something went down and that I didn't feel like sharing.
On our last night there Dawn goes out with Daniel one last time. They've actually grown pretty serious and I guess they're gonna keep in touch. I'm happy for her. The rest of us call it a night pretty early. We're on a plane at 9am and we all have busy days planned. We can only avoid work for just so long.
I step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around myself and walk into my room. I slip into bed and flip on the TV. I figure I'll order a pay per view movie to pass the time until I fall asleep.
I settle back against the pillows as it begins. I'm just starting to get into it when the phone rings. "Hello?"
Silence. This seems a little familiar so I wait it out this time. "B?"
"I'm here." I'm surprised she's calling. We haven't spoken or crossed paths since that night.
"Whatcha doing?" I hear her moving about her apartment. Or at least that's where I assume she's calling from.
"Watching a movie?"
"Oh yeah, which one?" She sounds genuinely interested.
"Spiderman 2"
"Oh, that's a good one. Even though I think the first is better."
"Yeah, I'd have to agree with you."
"So, you've seen it before?"
"Yeah, took Dawn to see it in the theaters."
Silence. Neither of us seem to know where to go with the conversation. I sigh, about to ask her why she called when she speaks. "Want to come over?"
"Yes," I answer, probably too quickly.
"Alright, bye" And she hangs up.
I lay back and stare at the ceiling. So much for getting a good nights rest. I get up and dressed, wondering why Faith wants to see me. I leave a note in the living room, in case anyone wakes up.
I catch a cab and soon I'm standing in front of her door. I knock and she answers promptly, a little smile on her face. "Come in."
I smile back and slip past her before she closes the door. She leans back against it as I walk into her apartment. She's got the lights down pretty low, the only light on actually is a dull little lamp. She has some rock music playing, but its down low and the song is slow. I feel her eyes on me and I turn around. She's still leaning against the door, watching me.
She steps slowly from the door, walking towards me. "I've been thinking about what you said."
"What about it?" I ask, keeping my voice neutral. I don't want to fight with her unless she starts one.
"I shouldn't have waited so long to act on my feelings. I just didn't know what else to do."
I sigh and sit down on a chair, running my fingers through my hair. "You did just fine once you decided to do something."
"I didn't decide B. If it was up to me I never would have mentioned it in the first place." She walks over to her stereo and turns the music up a little. We must be listening to one of her mix cds because there are no commercials or dj's talking.
I'm silent for a minute. Trying to figure out how it wasn't her choice. "You mean someone else forced you to tell me?"
"No, nothing like that."
She walks across the room and waters a plant. I'm getting the feeling she's avoiding looking at me while we talk about this. "Then what? You aren't making sense Faith."
She looks out the window, staring up at the stars. "I told you B, it was killing me. Sure as any vamp could. I finally realized I couldn't just ignore it if I was around you."
"So why not just talk to me about it rationally? Why'd you turn it into some challenge that had to be decided in a few hours?"
She looks at me and our eyes meet for the first time. She holds my gaze for a moment then shakes her head sadly. "You're Buffy, the chosen gal, sugar and spice and everything nice. Straight as an arrow goodie two shoes. I didn't think you'd go for it." She turns and looks back out the window. "I was right too."
"Faith!" I say a little louder than I meant. It's just I already explained that too her. If she gave me more time it would have been handled differently.
"Come on B. You really think a few days to think about it would have made it easier?" She's obviously frustrated but is managing to keep her voice even. I'm surprised, usually she'd be yelling or ready to fight.
"Yes."
"I call bullshit."
"God you drive me crazy!" I stand up and pace around the room slowly, looking at pictures she's got on the wall, her stack of DVDs, anything to keep me occupied.
"The more you thought about it the more reasons you'd have not to give us a try."
"You didn't even give me a chance."
She's suddenly right behind me, looking over my shoulder as I flip through her cds. "Yes I did, you just said goodbye."
I don't know what else to say. We're obviously just going around in circles. Neither of us is going to let up, we're both too stubborn. Instead I try changing the subject. "You're still making cds I see."
"Yeah," she says, standing so close her breath blows my hair slightly.
"You're good at it," I close her cd book and turn so we're facing each other. "Why didn't I ever get one?"
She blinks slowly and turns her back to me, walking away. "Because I never gave it to you."
Color me surprised. "You mean you did make me one?"
"Of course B." She sways softly to the music as she talks to me. "Actually, I made yours before anyone elses. Dawn saw me making it and asked me to make her one. It snowballed from there."
I cross my arms over my chest, leaning my weight on one leg. "Why didn't you give it to me?"
She just shrugs in response. Does she honestly think I'll accept that as an answer? I walk over to her and touch her shoulder, turning her so she'll face me. I didn't realize how close that put us until I felt her arm reach around my waist and pull me against her. I look up at her face but she's looking down between us. Slowly she wraps her other arm around us and I reach up, wrapping mine around her. We hug for a moment and then she starts to sway again. Okay, we're dancing now. How exactly did this happen?
I hear her take a deep breath and feel her relax. Her arms loosen around me but hold me closer at the same time. Its an interesting feeling, being in her arms. I like it. I rest my head on her shoulder and we enjoy our dance. She brings her mouth close to my ear and finally answers my question. "I was scared B. I didn't think you'd give me a chance. That night, when I figured out you fooled around with Queen C I rethought the situation and decided to go for it. But I had to do it that way or I never would."
I pull away enough to look at her, brushing her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. I try to look into her eyes but she's staring at my lips, which I immediately lick. "I wish you hadn't been scared."
"Me too," she rests her forehead against mine and sighs softly.
I play with the soft hairs on the back of her neck as we move to the slow beat. "Are you still scared?"
She chews on her lip, "Getting a little bolder by the minute." She slips her fingertips under my shirt, lightly teasing the skin at the small of my back.
I grin, "So I feel."
"Like it?"
She's being bold, its only fair that I am too. "I'd like more…"
She raises her eyebrow at me and leans in closer, our lips touching softly. She parts hers, sucking lightly on my bottom lip. I had no idea her kiss would be so soft, I always imagined her kissing hard and passionate. I feel her tongue tease my lips and just as I open my lips to deepen the kiss my cell phone rings.
She breaks the kiss and lets me go. "Answer it, I'll get us a drink."
I nod and walk over towards the window, flipping the phone open as I look out.
"Buffy! There's a situation in London, they need us immediately."
I groan, "Willow, what's going on?"
"Kennedy's in the hospital. So are a couple of the other slayers," she answers.
That's when I notice how worried she's sounding. "Will she be okay?"
"The doctors said she will be, I just want to get back now. And they need you to help figure out what to do. Seems the vampires are organizing in a way they never have before."
I turn and look over at Faith, who is bringing out two drinks. "Alright, grab my bag and I'll meet you at the airport."
"Thanks Buffy!"
Willow hangs up first and I flip my phone closed, looking at Faith. "I have to go."
"Something wrong?" She looks worried.
"Um, Kennedy and a couple of the girls got attacked and are in the hospital. Willow's worried and wants to get there ASAP."
"Ken okay?" Faith sets the glasses down as I head towards the door.
"Yeah, doctors said she'll be fine. But the vamps are causing some trouble and they want me back now." I look at her and smile sadly. "I wish I could stay."
"Me too, but I understand." She takes my hand and kisses it softly. "Call me?"
"Well now that I have your number I will," I lean up on my toes and kiss her softly. "Goodnight Faith."
"Merry Christmas, B."
"It will be,' I wink at her before walking down the stairs and hailing a cab. Climbing in I look up and see her watching me from her window. I wave as the car drives off. I don't know how things are going to turn out but for now I'm just happy that we're talking again. Well, talking and kissing. Kissing is always nice.
We justlanded in Londonso I have to wrap this up now. Guess I get to find out what the vamps are up to this time. I'll keep you posted as usual.