A/N: For anyone who may actually be waiting for me to finish I must say I'm sorry. I had this story finished but wasn't happy with then ending. I began to rewrite the last couple chapters when I unexpectedly lost internet access for a while. Anyway, thanks for the feedback. Hope you enjoy!
Faith
I knew I was in for it. To her credit, it was smart to remove us from the others. This was a fight everyone didn't need to hear. I wasn't going to pull any punches and I'd hate for something I say to piss off my friends. That's what they were now and I liked it. I get what I was missing before. Buffy stalks around the side of my building and into the alley. She stops and turns, facing me. I walk up and stop ten feet in front of her. We stand there silently for a minute before she finally speaks. "You have no right to be questioning my actions regarding Dawn. She's my responsibility."
"She's your sister B," I reply. "She's not just a responsibility."
"Right, she's my sister!" Her hands are on her hips now as she tries to stare me down. I almost laugh.
Almost. "But is she your friend?"
She blanches some and doesn't respond. She almost seems to be looking through me. "Cause you see, she's my friend. I know of her friends. I know what's bothering her. I know how school is going. I mean, did you even see her geography project?"
Buffy blinks and looks at me confused, "Geography project?"
"Yeah," I growl out. I knew Buffy hadn't known about it. "She'd been working on it the last month. She studied those plates and earthquake things. She made a map and globe of how she predicts the earth will look in a hundred years. She got an A."
"I knew she got an A the other day but..." Buffy sighed. Her posture relaxing a little. "How do you know all that? How'd you get so close to her? To everyone!"
"You know how Willow came to live with me. Xander just came with the package, and with him Anya. It wasn't some big scheme or anything," I pause. "Dawn, I bumped into her at the park one afternoon. She seemed down and I asked if she wanted to help with the team." I stopped, pissed at my slip. Now Dawn probably wouldn't be able to finish the season.
Buffy looked up at me, "Go on. I know she's helping you coach. I saw you guys this evening."
"Oh," Alright then. I know what she wanted to talk about earlier... "It was supposed to be a one time thing. But she took to the kids you know? She had a good time and asked if she could do it again. Soon she was always there. The school's putting it on her record or something as an activity. Good for college I guess."
Buffy smiled a little. "She's thinking of college?"
I relax a little, running my fingers through my hair. "Yeah, but you should probably be talking to her about that instead of me. Just a thought."
"Why do you have to be such a bitch?"
I try to hold back my laugh so it comes out more like a snort... meaning is still the same. "You're one to talk B."
She rolls her eyes at me and her hands are back on her hips. "Don't even try to pretend that you aren't getting some sick satisfaction out of this. I'll admit, befriending the Scoobies was never your style but since you failed last time you had to get new tricks."
I glare at her, resting my weight back on one leg. "What the hell are you talkin' 'bout?"
She paces around a little, counting on her fingers. "First, you tried to drag me down to your level. Second, you tried to take over my life by taking my body." She stops two feet in front of me, looking me in the eye. "Now you're just toying with them to take my place."
"It ain't like that B, I told you."
"Oh you told me. And I know from experience that I can trust everything that comes out of your mouth."
"Dammit B." I step up and get in her face. "This isn't about us. For a minute I thought you got it, but some things will never change."
"What do you mean by that?" She questions defiantly.
"You're still just a little selfish, whiny bitch."
Even though I was ready for it she still managed to connect with a backhand to my face. I rubbed my chin, spit out some blood and looked at her.
She smirked at me. "What? No witty retort? Not gonna fight me back Faithy?"
I shook my head at her, "I got no reason to fight you B. I'm past our old bullshit."
"Well, isn't that special." She threw another punch which I easily blocked. Then came the kick to my stomach which caused me to lose my breath. She brings her leg back up and knocks me on my ass.
I jump up and eye her. She certainly isn't holding back and I'm in no mood to get my ass kicked. "Always with the fists. Can't you just do things normally?"
"Um... wrong." She circles around me slowly, I turn keeping my eyes on her. "You're the one with the violent past."
"Keyword there is past B. I'm a good girl now, can't ya tell?" As she advances I sidestep, tripping her. She rolls with the fall and springs back on her feet.
"Nothing about you is good." She comes at me again and we start trading blows. It's just like old times, we almost use the same routines we picked up while training. Only difference is we're not holding back. Well, I tried to but if I'm walking away bruised and bloody so is she dammit.
She grabs my collar, pushing me up against the brick wall. I smirk at her and lick my lips. "Ooo... I saw this. You gonna kiss me now?"
Her eyes grow wide and she lets go, taking a couple steps back from me. "What?"
"That's what happened last time right." I step away from the wall, brushing off my clothes. "You grabbed him, threw him against a wall and jumped him." She's doing that deer in the headlight look she does so well. I step towards her and she just lets me back her against the wall. I try to catch her eye but she's stuck on a point past me. I snake my body up into her space. "A couple years ago I'd have fucked you six ways from Sunday by now. But look at you B, you're just a shell of what you used to be. Not even tempting. But what I've got upstairs..."
I turn and walk away and the tears start to fall down her cheeks. I'm not really sure why I went that far. She's just so damn irritating. I head back upstairs to the party, which has ended. Everyone's gone except for Xander, Anya and Dawn. I plop down on the couch, "Where's Jade?"
"Putting Seth to bed. They're leaving at 5:00am remember?" Willow answers.
"Yeah, that's right." I rub my eyes and a headache makes itself known. Jade and Seth were moving to San Fransisco. She got offered a job up there and her mom lives there so she's got a place to crash. Dawn walks over with a warm rag and I clean off my lip. "Thanks."
"No problem. Xander's gonna take me home." Dawn gives me a quick hug and Xander, Anya and Willow say goodbye.
Once everyone has left Willow sits across from me. "What happened?"
"We talked, we yelled, we fought." I sigh, tossing the rag on the coffee table. Jade pokes her head out from the hall to say goodnight before she goes to sleep. After her door closes I look at Willow. "I said some things I probably shouldn't have."
"That's to be expected, you two have quite a history." She watches me as I nod in response. I lay my head back and close my eyes. We sit there in silence for a few moments before I hear her leave the room. She comes back and hands me a couple aspirin and a glass of water.
I swallow the pills and drink half the water. "Thanks Dr. Willow." She sits down next to me and smiles. I close my eyes and lay my head back again, feeling the cushions move as she does the same. "Sooo, have you talked to Tara?"
She answers, "I ran into her a couple days ago. I was on my way to Psych. We talked for a few minutes but I didn't want to be late, had a test."
I shift, bringing one leg up under the other and face her, my head still resting on the back of the couch. "Gonna call her?"
"I don't think so ." She pauses, looking like she's thinking. Which is her normal look, seeing as she's always thinking. "I probably shouldn't be in a relationship yet. Those 12 steppers always have to wait like a year or two ya know! And with the magics, its way worse than those. Well, not way worse, those can kill you too... But the magics are dangerous in a scary kind of way. And right now we just need to be friends... But I do want to call...I think."
"You think?" I say.
"Yeah, well. I just don't know. I still love her, but she hasn't been in my life much at all lately. And a lot has happened. I just don't know if we'd work anymore. Besides... I think I should just relax and have fun for a while. Not put too many pressures on myself," she pauses. "Make sense?"
"No pressure? Makes perfect sense to me." I say, finding this little rant of hers cute.
"Great! From now on I'm of-the-moment-Red." She grins when she uses my nickname for her.
"And what are you going to do this moment?" I question her.
She thinks about it, "I'm not sure. What are you going to do?"
"I'm off to bed." I grin at her shocked look as I stand up. "Sorry Red, but I'm exhausted. I haven't fought a slayer in a while, and she was out for blood."
"That's alright. You get some sleep." She says as she stands up, picking up the empty drink cups as I walk down the hall. I shake my head as I go into my room. She can never leave a mess until the next day.
Dawn showed up at our next practice and last game. We won the championship and I'm planning a trip to San Fran to give Seth his trophy. Everyone was there except for a certain blonde. From what I've heard, Buffy's even more withdrawn than before. Guess our little talk didn't help like I thought it would. At least Dawn wasn't letting it upset her too much. She was keeping her grades up and hanging out a lot with Willow and me. She's even spent the night a few times.
She came over looking to crash one Saturday night when Willow and I had planned to go to the bronze. Dawn's eyes lit up when she found out where we were going and she begged us to let her come. I shrugged my shoulders and said it was up to Red. She thought about it, and was about to say no when Dawn pulled out the puppy-dog eyes. Willow quickly agreed and Dawn rushed to get ready.
Xander and Anya were already there, working on wedding plans. I got me and Red a couple of drinks while Dawn went over to say hi. She quickly walked back over to Willow as I came up with the drinks.
"They're fighting over chips," she said as she took a sip of her soda.
"What a way to spend a Saturday night." I said, taking a long sip of my beer.
"Dawn, you know that guy? He's looked over at you like five times already." Willow questioned the youngest Summers.
Dawn casually turned and looked over at him. He smiled and waved and she waved back, looking to Willow. "That's Simon. He's in my creative writing class."
"Well, he's coming over now." I say, grinning when I see her blush and she runs her fingers through her hair.
"Dawn?" Simon asks when he steps up to the three of us.
"Oh, hey Simon," Dawn replies.
"Wanna dance?" He motions to the dance floor.
She sets her cup down on a table and turns and looks at us, smiling big. She turns back to him and says, "Sure."
Willow and I start laughing as soon as they are out of earshot. The two of them quickly find the beat and start talking while they're dancing. I finish my beer and look at Willow. "Wanna do a shot? My treat."
"I really shouldn't... I've got a paper to work on tomorrow." She stops when she catches my look.
"C'mon Red. What happened to living in the moment?" I give her a pleading look as I slow step it towards the bar.
She sighs and starts walking with me. "Just one."
"Sure thing Willow." I laugh as we make our way to the bar.
One turns into three. We follow them with a beer and soon we're on the dance floor too. Dawn's still busy with Simon. The two of them alternating from dancing to sitting at a table talking. Xander and Anya left about ten minutes ago. They looked a little better than they had earlier but I think they've got the pre-wedding jitters.
Soon I had lost myself in the music. Red wasn't that bad of a dancer once you got a little juice in her. She's laughing and having fun, much more relaxed than I've ever seen her. That is until Buffy calls. She excuses herself to take the call outside and I keep on dancing.
She comes back in and motions for me and Dawn to come over. "I've got to go to Buffy's. Riley's back and something nasty is brewing."
Dawn goes and says goodbye to Simon. She kisses his cheek and comes back glowing. I shake my head as we make our way outside. Willow stop at the corner. "Faith, maybe you should just wait for me at home."
"Red, I know B won't want me there. I don't plan on sticking around, I just don't want you two walking around after dark."
"I can..."
"...take care of yourself. I know Willow. For my peace of mind, k?" I ask.
She nods and we head quickly towards Buffy's house. It's a good thing I did stick around because about half way there a couple vamps attacked. I quickly dusted them and the rest of the way was uneventful.
Buffy opens the door as Dawn makes her way up the stairs. She looks at Dawn, then turns and takes in Red and I. "Where were you guys?"
Willow walked up towards the house. "At the bronze. We got here as fast as we could but Faith..."
"...Faith, why are you here? I didn't call you." She says, interrupting Willow.
"I was out with the girls. Didn't want any nasties getting their hands on them on their way over."
"Thanks." She says, "Buh bye now."
Willow turns on the steps and looks at me. "Sorry Faith. I'll see you at home."
"If you need help..." I let the rest go unsaid as she nods. She turns and goes past Buffy, into the house. I smirk at her and turn, walking home.
I spent the rest of the night nursing a bottle of Jack and playing my PS2. Willow filled me in when she got home. Guess Spike was behind the whole thing. That threw a wrench in the blonde slayer's budding relationship. Ever since Riley came back she's been avoiding Spike at all costs. Which means she's at home more and Dawn's not hanging out with us all the time. I'm not sure if I like that or not. I kinda miss the kid.
The following weekend was Xander and Anya's wedding. Talk about a room full of people you don't want to be stuck in. Anya's friends are all demons. Xander's family are all idiots. Mix in everyones personal drama and I knew this would be a night to remember.
I was shocked when Anya asked me. So was Xander, if the look on his face was any indication. So I go over early with Willow. She, along with Buffy and Tara, are in the wedding and have to perform their 'duties'. I just kind of hang out on my own, sometimes talking with Dawn when she's not focusing only on Simon.
It's absolutely pouring outside. I don't know if that's such a good thing, but everyone else is ignoring it. I keep waiting for it to let up so I can have a smoke. Just as I see a break in the clouds Willow comes over to me.
She looks at me, smirking. "You've been summoned."
"Hmm?" I mutter.
"Anya," Willow says. "She wants to see you."
"Alright," I say, pushing off the wall. I follow Willow through a door and down a short hall. We enter a room and I see Tara helping Anya into her dress. Willow goes over and starts helping Tara. I stand in front of Anya as she rehearses her vows. They are words that would be odd coming from most people, but from Anya they were sweet.
The girls finally finish and she turns around, looking at herself in the mirror. Suddenly she wants to see Xander. It's cute to watch, really. I've been silent during all of this but when Tara and Willow tell her she can't see him because it's tradition I feel compelled to give my opinion. "Bullshit!"
They all turn and look at me. "What?" Anya questions.
"That's bullshit." I say, looking at Willow and Tara. Then I turn to Anya, "If you want to see him, I'll go get him. You were a vengence demon for how many years? How many wishes did you grant to girls who followed that tradition? It doesn't mean anything. Just follow your heart."
Anya thinks for a moment. Both Tara and Willow are watching us with amused expressions. I just know I'll hear it later, what was I thinking saying follow your heart in front of them! I see Anya's head nod and she looks at me. "Go get him please."
I smirk, looking at Willow and Tara before leaving to find Xander. I run into some old guy as he's leaving a room. Something in his hands goes flying and I hear it crash against the wall. Xander's standing in the room looking shocked. I look from the broken glass to the old man, picking him up off the floor and holding him against the wall. "Talk fast."
"This doesn't concern you." The old man said.
"I don't care," I look back and Xander and he's stepping closer towards the door. "Xander, what's going on?"
"He...he showed me." Xander answers. I realize I was distracted a moment too late as the old guy manages to punch me. Dazed, I lose my grip and he takes off down the hall. I grab Xander and lead him back to Anya's room. I quickly tell her what I saw, grab Tara and Willow, and go off after the old man. We each take an exit and work our way in. Tara gets Buffy to look around outside, in case he tried to leave.
We finally corner the old man at the back of the room. Buffy and I each take a side, trying to get information out of him. Anya soon storms into the room and comes right at him.
"You! Why did you show those things to Xander? What'd he do to you?" She screams at him.
"You haven't changed a bit Anya." He says, looking at her with loathing.
"Who are you? Do I know you?" She asks, puzzled by the way he was acting. Buffy and I look at each other, we seem to agree to hold back as long as he talks with Anya. Funny how we're working together so easily.
"You don't recognize me? I'm not the man I used to be, I know." He says, before turning to walk away.
Anya steps after him, grabbing his arm. "Tell me why you showed those things to Xander!"
"Because of you," he growls.
"I didn't do anything!" she pleads.
"Oh you didn't? What about this?" And with that he morphs into a very tall demon. Buffy and I spring into action. This goes unnoticed for the most part, for some reason the rest of the crowd was busy fighting as well.
He ducks under one of Buffy's blows and grabs Anya. He looks from Buffy to me, "Stay back or I'll kill her!"
"Anya!" Xander calls, coming in a side door. This distracts the demon and Buffy kicks him. I pull Anya free from his grasp, pushing her towards Xander and tag team the demon with Buffy. A few punches and kicks later and he's knocked out. Xander comes over with a column and pounds the demons head a couple times. "He's dead."
The crowd gathered cheers and I realize they'd been watching us fight. I wonder how much Xander's going to have to explain to his half. Don't envy him. Suddenly Xander's dad starts shouting and the fight breaks out again. Dawn and Simon walk over and join the group and we all sort of shrink back along the wall.
Xander suddenly steps forward, turning to stand in front of Anya. "Wanna go to Vegas?"
Anya looks up at him, "What?"
"Look around," he motions with his hands. "This place is trashed. Everyone's fighting. But we've got a stretched limo outside that'll fit all of us. Vegas is only a few hours away. We could be married by sundown," he glances at his watch. "Or under the stars, if we don't get moving."
Anya looked up at him, seeing something in his face she liked because she quickly nodded her head, kissing him slowly.
"Vegas?" Dawn squeaked, hugging Simon who looked as shocked as the rest of us. Poor guy has no idea what he's getting into.