There isn't enough room here to convey all my apologies for the delay, so let's just settle for I'M SORRY and continue on with the story, 'kay?

Creed

Chapter 8

Buffy followed closely behind Faith as she weaved her way through the crowd. She grabbed onto Faith's top, not wanting to lose her in the sweaty mass of people. She hadn't hit the club scene in a long time, and the deafening music and the lack of fresh air made her head spin.

Faith felt a small smile tug at the corner of her lips when Buffy's fingers brushed against her back. She knew that Buffy was only holding her because she didn't want to lose Faith in the thick crowd but it still made her spine tingle. She moved her hand back and grabbed Buffy's hand, leading her forward as Faith pushed her way towards the bar. She raised her free hand to signal the bartender over, and after ordering two drinks she turned back to Buffy, dropping her hand when she saw her reddened cheeks.

For some reason that she couldn't comprehend, Faith was beginning to become rather nervous. It was an unfamiliar feeling to her; nerves tended to be non-existent with her. But tonight, her palms were sweating, and her black leather pants stuck uncomfortably to her legs. She found her gaze anxiously shooting from the blonde back to her drink. She didn't understand what was causing her to feel this way.

Over the deafening music, Faith asked Buffy if she wanted to dance. She must have misunderstood because she nodded then replied that she should go ahead, and that she would wait at the bar. Faith began to correct her, and shrugged before heading towards the dance floor. She didn't want to dance alone, but couldn't bring herself to ask Buffy.

She moved to the dance floor and gradually lost control of her body as the continuous beat surrounded her. She found dancing to be the next best therapy to slaying. It gave her a freedom that she couldn't find anywhere other than when she was slaying. She closed her eyes to the other dancers, and blocked out the shouts and other noises, leaving only her and the music. But as she became completely immersed in her unaccompanied dance, she felt a familiar tingle.

Immediately snapping back into focus, she searched for the vampire, finding that her senses were dulled by the sudden return of the people surrounding her. She probed the crowd, eventually settling her gaze on a tall brunette, his skin unnaturally pale. She swaggered over to him, swinging her curvaceous hips and biting her lip to redden it. He noticed her almost immediately and she raised her hand, enticing him with one beckoning finger. She sashayed out of the club and rested her back against the wall of the back alley. Only a second later he followed her outside, and she quickly dispatched him with one swift thrust of her stake.

She walked back inside, refreshed by the thrill of slaying. She found her eyes seeking Buffy almost immediately, and silently scolded herself. Why was that girl constantly on her mind? She tried to shake off the feeling of need, but she continued to search for the blonde nonetheless. When she finally found Buffy, she felt a surge of jealousy fill her. She wanted nothing more than to rush over and drag that guy away from Buffy, but she stilled her raging jealousy and watched with bated breath. She was hoping that Buffy was not interested in him, but she knew Buffy had a thing for straight-cut commando boys, and this guy was as close as you could get- Riley withstanding. Faith shook her head, firmly telling herself that Buffy could talk to whoever she wanted, commando guys included.

She headed back to the dance floor, purposefully keeping her eyes trained on the band on the stage.

Buffy slowly found her concentration wandering, as the guy sitting beside her- was it Nick? - droned on about his stellar career in the art world. Something about a gallery and selling hundreds of paintings...she couldn't bring herself to pay attention. She was searching for Faith, but couldn't find her on the dance floor. She was sure she had felt her there only a minute ago. She wondered why her link with the brunette was the only thing that still remained from her days as a Slayer. Having Faith around was a constant reminder of the old days before the Mayor, and it was oddly comforting.

The guy launched into a tale about how he graduated college with top scores and Buffy fought the sudden urge to laugh. She would have to tell Faith about this, as soon as the brunette Slayer rescued her from the dull thirty-something guy that may as well have been talking to himself. She turned her focus back onto the floor, searching for Faith. Why couldn't she find her?

Faith began to dance vigorously, swaying to match the fast beat of the music. She felt a large hand grab her behind and she felt a surge of anger swell inside her. How dare he think he can touch her like that? She swung around in a fit of heated rage and grabbed the offending hand, squeezing hand. The guy's smirk turned into a surprised then painful expression.

"Touch me or any other girl like that again and you won't have a hand at all," she hissed, and he nodded hastily. She released his hand and ignored his muttered 'bitch'. She turned around and found Buffy right behind her, looking at her in concern.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, fine," Faith replied in confusion. "Why?"

Buffy looked away uncomfortably.

"What? What is it?" Faith urged.

Buffy raised her head slowly, meeting Faiths eyes. "D-do you still feel the...um, bond thingy between us?"

"Bond thingy?" Faith repeated blankly.

"You know," she said. "You remember how we used to be able to feel when each other were around? I think it was something to do with the fact that we were both Slayers, like our power came from the same roots."

Faith nodded. "I remember. But what has this got to do with me being all right?"

"I felt it," Buffy whispered, too low for Faith to hear.

"What?" she said, raising her voice as a new song began.

"I felt it," Buffy repeated, watching Faith's brown eyes grow larger. "I felt your anger when that guy grabbed you."

"You what...?" Faith shook her head in amazement. How could Buffy still feel the Slayer link between them when she was no longer a Slayer?

"I knew you were angry, and I felt the satisfaction you had when you attacked that guy." She smiled wryly.

"Hey!" Faith snorted indignantly. "I did not attack him, I just threatened him."

"Oh. Well that's all right then." Buffy's smile widened. "Wanna dance?"

To Be Continued…

Hope you haven't all abandoned me, because I haven't abandoned this fic. Real life came knocking at my door for a two month holiday! Anyway, I'd be grateful if you reviewed and told me what you thought.