Disclaimer: All hail Joss Whedon.
Ch. 6: Leaving On A Jet Plane
Faith:
I sat on the ground at the foot of the filthy dumpster with one leg hugged against my chest by both my arms. My forehead resting on my knee as tears silently escape their confines. They trickled down my checks to the corners of my mouth that formed into a sardonic smile. Why was I smiling? I was mocking myself for being such a dumbass. Even though I knew B wasn't gay, that she would never accept a relationship with me, that she would reject me; I still had hoped she cared. Now I sit in a dark alley, next to a smelly dump, broken and alone. This is where hope gets you. I knew this would happen, I knew but I still believed. I have no one to blame but myself.
It hurts so much more than I ever felt before. More than when she stabbed me, more than when I killed Finch, even more than when my mother left me. The sky above me is getting lighter, must've stayed here longer than I thought. I need to go and get packed but I stay just a while longer before I have to put on my mask. After so many years I like to think that I've become an expert at hiding my feelings, but no matter what I do or say I can still feel the pain.
I pick myself up from the ground and stretch my sore muscles. While I'm walking to the hotel I wipe away any traces of my tears and pray to all higher beings that I don't see B, or anyone for that matter. I make it to my room at the end of the hall without incident, everyone must be crashed out since its only around 5 am. I find a suitcase in the closet and get my stuff packed, all I own in this world fits into one suitcase. Hey, that's better than what I had before.
I take a last look around the room, the unmade bed, empty closet, white bathroom, then I leave. When I get downstairs G-man is already there sitting on one of the couches waiting for me. He sees me so he puts down his coffee and gets up.
"Good morning Faith, did you sleep well?"
"Like a baby." More like a crack baby, I smile and put my suitcase down.
"Good, I hope last night you and Buffy reconciled your differences."
"We sure did, everything's five by five." Like hell it is.
"Alright then, I see you have your things ready. Here's your ticket and some necessities. You shouldn't have any problems, your records are clean and everything has been taken care of. I have also taken the liberty of setting up a bank account in your name so you'll have enough money to get settled in."
G handed me what I needed and I almost started crying right then and there because someone actually cared about me to do all this. "Thanks G." I said then hugged him. He was very surprised but hugged me back, then we pulled away after a while.
"Y-you know Faith, you don't have to go. Though at times it can get tense, your presence here is greatly appreciated. A-and the girls look up to you, Dawn looks up to you, I'm sure they'll be saddened to he..."
"Look G-man," I interrupted him, "It's real cool of you to do all this for me in short notice and without a solid reason out of me, but you should save the speech for another time. I've made up my mind about this already. I can't stay here, I feel caged again. I just got out of prison and want to enjoy my freedom. Maybe when I've had enough partying I'll come for a visit, but right now I need to leave before I go crazy, again."
He gave me one of those stern, thinking looks you see parents give their kids when they ask permission to go out. It would've been comical if the situation wasn't so serious. "Alright then, if you say. Just remember that we're here for you when you need help and that you're welcome back anytime."
I gave him a real smile for his concern, he was unexpectedly making this harder than it should be. "I'll remember, and don't worry so much G, it makes that young, handsome face of your's look old." I joked with him to lighten the mood and picked up my things.
I silently walked to the doors of the Hyperion to get into the cab that was waiting outside. Before I went out I turned around for one last time. "Hey G-man, tell them goodbye for me." He nodded and I let the door close behind me.
Buffy:
Her eyes are dark with lust and stare straight through my soul. Suddenly she pounces on me, pushing me roughly back against a wall. I gasp to catch my breathe but her mouth instantly devours mine and her tongue invades me. I can taste the nicotine on her lips but it is mixed with another taste that I can only describe as Faith. With her warm, soft lips on mine I try to figure out this unknown flavor that confuses me so much. Its like something I've been looking for so long and have only now found it. It is getting extremely hot, like my body is on fire, but it isn't hot enough so I press myself hard into Faith and wrap my arms tight around her waist. The kiss has become like a battle, or a war, either way I refuse to surrender.
Suddenly her mouth is no longer on mine and we're both panting for air. Her arms are around my neck and now her right hand slowly snakes over my shoulder, and up my neck to cup my cheek. I look up into her eyes once again and lose my breathe. There is so much emotion showing that its almost too much to comprehend, almost. But now I understand them, can't believe that I didn't recognize it before. Those soulful brown eyes have a softness to them that I have only seen directed towards me. She is offering everything she has to me, all her pain, trust, happiness, and all her love.
"I love you." She whispered so low that I barely heard it, but I don't need to because I already know its true.
"I love you, too." I answer back, finally able to admit it and accept it. Everything is so clear now, like shades were pulled back from a window so I could see the sun. My epiphany filled me with so much emotion but I felt so light and weightless holding Faith in my arms. I leaned up to close the short distance between our lips and closed my eyes. Then I felt her pull back suddenly out of our embrace. I opened my eyes in alarm and looked around but she was gone. I was alone in the darkness and began falling.
A/N:
Dun dun dun... I love cliff hangers!
