Delauro - Thanks for the feedback - hopefully you'll get a kick out of this chapter!
Chapter 30
Slowly coming back to consciousness a couple hours later, Buffy looks at the clock. 'It's only 7 am, why am I awake?' She thinks before snuggling back down to go back to sleep. Hearing the knock on her door, she groans. 'That explains why I woke up.' Easing off Kelly, to her mumbled displeasure, Buffy makes sure she's covered with the sheet before grabbing up the robe and answering the door as she's tying the sash.
"Giles, what do you want?" Buffy hisses quietly, rubbing her eyes.
"You're still in bed?" Giles questions.
"Well, yeah. We didn't get to sleep till a couple hours ago, Giles! Give me a break. Plus I promised Kelly she would get a minimum of three hours sleep tonight or this morning, whatever! Now, please go away." Buffy turns to go back in the bedroom, but Giles stops her with a hand on her arm.
"I am sorry, Buffy. But can I ask a favor? Would you be so kind as to get that book from the coven, so that I can read it?" Giles asks apologetically.
Rolling her eyes and grumbling about researching on Christmas morning being a load of shit, she turns away, leaving the door open to go to their toy box, opening it to find the package she had thrown in there yesterday morning.
Kelly wakes up to the noise and calls out in a hoarse voice, just awake enough to realize Buffy's not in bed. "Buffy. Get your ass back in bed, we can play all you want tonight. You promised me at least three hours sleep!"
Giles closes his eyes and whispers. "Dear Lord."
Making Kelly wake up a little more and shift in the bed to look towards the door where Giles is standing. Not paying attention to the fact the sheet has pooled down around her lap she waves at Giles "Morning, Mr. G."
Giles' eyes, of their on volition, turn towards Kelly and he literally squeaks and turns around yelling over his shoulder "Never mind! I'll get it later." As he literally runs down the stairs.
Buffy's standing at the end of the bed with the package in her hand looking from her lover to the now empty doorway. "Serves tweed boy right." Buffy mumbles under her breath, setting the box back down before walking to the door and shutting it looking at a still half asleep Kelly wiping her eyes. Untying her robe and letting it drop to the floor, Buffy crawls back into bed, pushing Kelly onto her back before snuggling back on top of her lover.
Humming in pleasure at her baby back on her. Kelly falls back asleep within seconds. Buffy giggles slightly before closing her eyes and following Kelly back into slumber land.
AAAAAAAAAAA
Dawn and Sam both snap awake at hearing Giles yell. "What the hell was that?" Dawn asks, running her hand down her face before looking over at a giggling Sam Finn. "And why are you giggling?"
"Well, that was a deep voice, and since Giles is the only male in this house, I would assume it was him. And if I would hazard a guess, he might have got an eyeful of one sort or another this morning." Sam laughs slightly.
Dawn shakes her head in confusion, then realizing what Sam's saying she starts grinning. "Do you think?"
Nodding her head, Sam grins hugely.
Hopping out of the bed, Dawn grabs her robe to cover her tank top and shorts that she wore to bed. "I have got to see his face. It'll tell us for sure."
"Wait for me!" Sam grumbles grabbing a pair of jeans to pull over her panties and a t-shirt, quickly following the young woman downstairs.
Both of them come to a screeching halt in the kitchen doorway, seeing an extremely red faced Giles mumbling to himself as he quickly fixes himself a cup of tea, while rubbing his face repeatedly.
Looking at each other they smile knowingly. Dawn walks in stating. "Good morning Giles, how are you doing?"
Jumping, Giles quickly turns around looking at first Dawn's grinning face to Sam's smirk. Rolling his eyes he just sits down hard on one of the stools at the island. Laying his head down on his arms he shakes his head. "I am too old for this." He grumbles quietly.
They both start to laugh looking at the watcher. "Yep, definitely got an eyeful of some sort this morning. I'm laying odds it was Kelly." Sam states with a huge grin. "Even on a good day, Kelly is not modest in the least."
"Don't I know it!" Giles growls under his breath, lifting his head up. "Last night she was going to…" Trailing off realizing what he is about to say, he blushes again and shakes his head. "The pheromones in this house have addled my brain!" He gets up to make his tea after hearing the kettle kick off.
Dawn smirks "I'm sure that's not all!"
Just waving his hand at the teenager, he sits down to sip his tea. Deciding it was easier to just act like nothing happened.
Sam looks at Giles and shrugs her shoulders. Turning to look at Dawn she states "Looks like the funs over. I guess I'll take a quick shower and get cleaned up. Oooh, I think I'll make coffee first, that way it'll brew while I'm showering." Sam quickly finds the grinder and coffee grounds that Kelly bought and starts a fresh pot of strong coffee, knowing the smell would probably work its way upstairs and wake the woman up.
AAAAAAAAAA
Smelling coffee, Kelly slowly regains consciousness. Inhaling deeply and smiling, she wakes up more before starting to frown slightly. "Buffy, honey? Wake up." Kelly asks hoarsely.
"What? We can sleep for a little longer it's only 8:00." Buffy mumbles looking at the clock before snuggling back down.
"Well, I smell coffee and I'm awake now. But, is it my imagination or was Giles in here this morning?" Kelly questions.
Starting to giggle Buffy nods her head, before kissing Kelly's neck. "Yes, you flashed him and he ran away screaming." Buffy starts to laugh.
"I flashed him? On purpose?" Kelly frowns trying to remember.
"Actually, in your defense, you were still mostly asleep and just leaned over the bed and said hi to him with the sheet around your waist. So, he got a good look at…these!" Buffy slides off to cup Kelly's breasts in her hands, before squeezing them lightly.
"And they scared him so bad he ran away screaming? Good for my confidence." Kelly grumbles then stops and thinks. "Why was he in here?"
Laughing slightly harder, Buffy leans down and brushes her lips over Kelly's before standing up to get dressed, explaining exactly what happened this morning, almost word for word.
"He needs to get a life." Kelly snorts out in laughter. Quickly dressing in a tank top and jeans, Kelly grabs the package, quickly opening it and pulling the book out. "We really do need to find a woman for him." Grinning slightly she asks Buffy. "Does he have anything against werewolves? We could try and hook him up with Lana, that should loosen him up some!"
Buffy literally falls over onto the floor laughing at that idea. "Could you imagine?"
Kelly smiles down at her lover. "Come on, babe. Let's go see what color your watcher is now." Kelly reaches down and helps Buffy to her feet, pulling her in for a quick kiss.
"I'm more curious if he'll be able to meet your eyes." Buffy smirks slightly. "Hell, he may not be able to meet either one of our eyes."
"We could tell him it could have been worse. Tell him if he had come out into the hallway at 4 this morning he would have really gotten an eyeful." Kelly winks at Buffy.
Heading downstairs, they find Giles sitting in the kitchen on a stool, reading the paper. Looking to Buffy, Kelly winks.
"Hey Mr. G. See anything good?" Kelly grins as he looks up quickly with wide eyes and a face turning red. Waving to the paper Kelly tilts her head. "Do you see anything good in there?" Hearing Buffy quietly snort behind her Kelly turns to her lover. "What's the matter babe?"
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all!" Buffy bites her lip to keep from grinning and looks at Giles who is, of course, wiping his glasses.
"Here, I think you were looking for this?" Kelly grins, handing him the book before going to grab a cup of coffee. Hearing him sputter behind her, she starts laughing. "You know, Mr. G. Since I was still pretty much asleep this morning, I missed the look on your face. But Buffy said something about your running away screaming. I didn't think I looked that bad!" Kelly grins, handing a coffee cup to Buffy.
"Dear Lord!" Giles groans and bangs his head lightly against the table. "You two are going to be the death of me. I believe I may need to see a doctor to make sure that my poor old heart can handle this!"
"Giles, no harm no foul. You really shouldn't let something like that bother you." Kelly shrugs looking at Buffy, who's grinning from ear to ear. "Plus it was entertaining to Buffy, obviously."
Giles quickly looks up at a grinning Buffy and shakes his head before starting to smirk. "Well, I would say she has something to grin about, if I say so myself."
Buffy's eyes widen as she looks at Giles. Kelly laughs and lightly grasps his shoulder "Now, there you go. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"
Dawn and Sam who had come back down were standing their watching before Dawn pipes up. "This is all fine and dandy, but Sam and I want to know exactly what happened this morning!"
Giles blushes lightly before looking up at Kelly with a slight smirk. Waving towards her breasts, he states. "I got a free show."
Sam giggles and Dawn looks around the room and frowns. "You mean to tell me that everyones seen her breasts but me? Somehow I'm feeling left out." Dawn pouts.
"Okay." Kelly starts to pull up her tank top, until Buffy yells. "What? You don't want her to feel left out on Christmas morning, do you?" Kelly questions innocently.
Shaking her head, Buffy looks at Kelly then everyone else. "There is just something so wrong about this. I mean shouldn't I get mad that my watcher got a good eyeful of my lover's breasts? And you, Miss Flash everyone, can you try to keep your clothes on? Seeing accidentally is one thing, but flashing people? PLEASE!"
Sighing dramatically, Dawn looks at Buffy. "That really isn't fair, Buff. I mean everyone else has seen them, but me. What would it hurt? Besides, look… Hey, what's that on your chest?" Dawn asks moving closer. "Cool, she has a tattoo."
Sam sees what Dawn's talking about and grins. "That's new! What'd you get?"
Both of the women walk over to look at the tattoo and they both start laughing and turn to look at Buffy. "Got her marked as yours, huh?" Sam asks.
Giles can't stand it and turns around to look and he smirks up at Kelly. "When is Buffy going to get one to match, stating she's yours?"
"Next week." Buffy growls out before Kelly can say anything. "While I'm getting it done, she's going to get her belly button pierced."
Raising her eyebrow Kelly smirks at Buffy. "I am, am I?"
"Yes. We discussed it last night, and that's what I decided. After that we're going shopping at the mall for some tops and maybe some leather pants to go with them." Buffy licks her lips, imagining Kelly with a tight top, pierced belly button showing and tight soft leather pants wrapped around her legs. "Oh, yeah."
"Thank God!" Giles states shaking his head as the phone rings, quickly walking over to the wall and picking it up.
Sam shakes her head and gets herself a cup of coffee, while Dawn turns to look at her sister. "Buffy, you look like you're ready to pounce on poor Kelly."
Kelly chuckles. "That's her pounce look, alright! Okay guys, give me a few minutes so I can get the green bean casserole going. If someone would like to take the pies out to the vehicle, I would appreciate it. I've got boxes on the back porch, cut cardboard out to set between each pie to support them so they don't crush each other. I still have a few more presents to take. Plus the rolls and casserole."
"Yes, we'll be there by 11:00. See you then, my dear." Giles hangs up.
Buffy shakes her head "I'll cut the cardboard up." Before heading outside.
"Where are the presents that need to be taken out to the vehicle?" Dawn asks.
"They're in my closet in the bags. I think there's roughly five or six bags." Kelly grins in thanks at Dawn.
Heading up the stairs Dawn and Sam bring the presents down.
Quickly fixing the green bean casserole and getting it in the oven, Kelly steps out onto the back porch to find Buffy. Seeing her talking to another woman, she hangs back, deciding to continue with the cardboard that Buffy had barely gotten started on.
AAAAAAAAAAA
"Faith, the prodigal child has returned!" Buffy grins widely, quickly putting the cardboard down and hopping off the porch to give Faith a hug.
"Hey, B! Wha's up?" Faith asks in her gravelly voice, smiling slightly.
"Merry Christmas girlfriend! Where have you been? We haven't heard from you in like four months! What have you been up to?" Buffy asks, sincerely happy to see her sister slayer.
"You know me, B. Can't sit still. Been to New York, Cincinnati, New Orleans, bunch of other two-bit towns. You know how it is." Faith shrugs. "Was in the area and thought maybe you wouldn't mind my crashin' here for a while."
"Faith you're always welcome here. Are you okay?" Buffy asks worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm okay B. Just tired, haven't gotten much sleep in the last few days." Faith smiles a little more, glad to be welcomed.
"Well, we're heading over to Willow and Tara's for Christmas dinner. So you might not get to sleep any time soon. And you are going with us. Even if we have to grill out hamburgers to make sure everyone has enough to eat, you hear?" Buffy states in a no nonsense tone.
"Thanks B. Yo, who's that?" Faith asks with a serious note of interest in her voice, eyeing the built woman up and down. "She's fine!"
Buffy rolls her eyes. Figures! "Faith, that's mine, so keep your hands off, okay?" Buffy smiles slightly.
Turning shocked eyes to Buffy, Faith goes "Huh? Since when did you start swinging that way B?" Turning back and looking the woman up an down again she grins, showing her dimples to the fullest. "That would probably be worth switching teams, huh?"
Buffy growls under her breath. "You have no idea, Faith. But seriously, I love her. She's become everything to me." Buffy smiles looking at her lover.
Hearing Buffy say that, Faith let's a real smile cross her face. "About damn time, girlfriend. About damn time." Quickly hugging Buffy.
Seeing Faith is seriously happy for her, Buffy smiles in response. "Come on, let me introduce you two. If I thought you were bad on your own, Kelly's going to make you a thousand times worse. Damn, what am I getting myself into?" Buffy mumbles, confusing Faith, making her wonder what she's talking about.
Kelly hears them approaching and quickly stands up, wiping her hands on her jeans. Smiling as Buffy comes up beside her wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Kelly, I'd like you to meet the original devil child, Faith. Faith, this is my…" Turning to look at Kelly she frowns "we are so much more than girlfriends, I don't like 'partner', I think it would be weird going around introducing you as my lover, so what should I say?"
Laughing and biting her lip, Kelly leans down kissing her quickly. "So I guess fuck buddy wouldn't work either, huh? OW!" Kelly rubs her butt where Buffy pinched it. "Guess not. Hi, Faith, nice to meet you." Reaching out and shaking her hand, Kelly grins as Faith puts a little slayer strength into the grip, meeting her pressure for pressure.
"Damn, B! Who is this woman?" Faith finally states looking down at their hands that have both turned white from the pressure. Faith wouldn't admit it, but her hand was actually starting to hurt and she was putting everything into the grip.
Releasing her hand Kelly turns and smiles at Buffy. "I'm going to go get the pies out to the vehicle, you want to explain?" Buffy shrugs.
"She's my heart, my life. Literally we are a part of each other now. We were meant to be together. I think that about covers it." Buffy states quickly smiling at Faith briefly before looking at Kelly.
"Well, that's it in a nutshell." Kelly grins. "Faith come on in. We'll be leaving in roughly an hour, so if you want to change or anything, go ahead."
"Thanks, stretch." Faith grins. "I'll go take a quick shower and change." Hopping off the porch to grab her duffel bag and heading into the house and up the stairs to get cleaned up.
"So that's Faith the other slayer, huh?" Kelly asks Buffy while stacking up the pies.
"Yeah. She's had a rough life. She doesn't like to stay in any place for long." Buffy sadly shakes her head. "Actually I don't think she knows how to act around us, most of the time."
"No one will have anything for her for Christmas, since she just showed up, will they?" Kelly whispers quietly.
"No. Damn! Everyone is going to be opening up gifts and she won't have anything. Fuck!" Buffy grumbles.
"Buffy, I bought you a few things that are probably out in the hummer right now." Looking her in the eye Kelly asks her silently if she can. "It's some weapons that I had shipped here that were part of my collection. Can I?"
"That and leather are the two main things, she likes. Besides sex, and you definitely are not going to do that for her, okay?" Buffy grins, letting her know that it was okay to give Faith the gifts.
"Can you go and get a few tags for me to change them out? Also, find Dawn and send her in here. I have something I was going to give Dawn, but if she can wait, I'll give it to Faith instead, and replace it." Kelly frowns slightly.
"What are you talking about?" Buffy asks.
"Sort of a gift card so she can buy anything she wants with it. If all Faith has is what's in the duffel bag, she can probably use it." Kelly smiles slightly.
"Okay. I'll get the tags and send Dawn in." Buffy reaches up and kisses Kelly lightly.
"Hey, I heard you wanted to talk to me?" Dawn bops into the kitchen grabbing an apple out of the bowl to munch on it while watching Kelly curiously.
"Yeah, I've got a big favor to ask you." Kelly looks seriously at Dawn.
Straightening up Dawn gets serious. "Sure, what you need?"
"I don't know if you know yet, but Faith showed up a few minutes ago." At Dawns shake of the head Kelly grins slightly. "Well, we don't have anything for her for Christmas, and…well, I got you a Visa Gift card for Christmas along with a couple other things. Would you mind terribly if I give this card to Faith and I'll get you another one?"
Dawn smiles. "You're too nice! That would be fine, Kelly. I can't believe my sister lucked out with you. You know, it's very well known that I'm the better sister!"
"Hey! Stop trying to steal my girlfriend!" Buffy growls walking into the kitchen, handing the tags to Kelly. "Here, babe."
"Thank you. Let me take these pies out and find the gifts to switch out the tags with, okay?" Kelly kisses Buffy lightly on the nose before grabbing up three of the pies, and heading towards the front door.
Buffy looks at the remaining pies and grabs them up to help. "Thanks Dawn. You didn't have to do that, you know."
"It's Christmas, Buffy. And, actually Kelly didn't have to do it either. She really is a good person." Dawn smiles slightly. "She's like Tara in that sense. Both of them would do anything humanly possibly to make everyone happy."
"That is very true. Let me get these pies out there and see if she needs any other help. Love you brat." Buffy states kissing her on the cheek.
"Love you too, Buff." Dawn smiles before heading upstairs to see Faith.
AAAAAAAAA
Smiling as Buffy sets the pies down beside the packages, Kelly runs her hand down her back and lightly pats her on the butt. "You look absolutely edible in that dress, you know? It hugs you in all the right places."
"Do you need any help?" Buffy questions watching her lover dig through the bags.
"I found all but one of them." Kelly grumbles looking through the bags. "Ah Ha!" She pulls out a small box that was roughly four inches squared. Gently easing the tag off and replacing it with another one, Kelly quickly writes Faith in the To section and Buffy in the From section.
"There, that's the last one here." Pulling her cell phone out, she quickly calls Tara. "Hey sis… Almost ready to leave, but I got a favor to ask…Thanks, anyway it looks like there's going to be another mouth to feed…Faith…Yes she showed up this morning….If we don't have enough food, I'll run over here and get some leftovers and heat them up, don't worry!…I'm sure….Anyway, there's a card on your mantle to Dawn…Do you have another envelope you can put it in and put Faith's name on the outside?…I would appreciate it…Love you!" Hanging up Kelly smiles. "I think that's pretty much it."
"No, that's not it." Buffy states huskily, feeling the love for this wonderful person easing up inside her. "I think someone deserves a huge kiss." Wrapping her arms around Kelly's neck and standing on her tiptoes, Buffy pulls Kelly the rest of the way down for a heart stopping, passionate kiss, quickly invading Kelly's mouth with her tongue, tangling them together groaning into the kiss as Kelly pulls her tight against her body.
Running her hands down Buffy's back, Kelly runs them down to cup her ass. Hands hesitating they run back up and down again. Groaning loudly, Kelly pulls away. "That just is not fair!"
Grinning wickedly, Buffy looks at her lover. "What's wrong baby? Do you think my not wearing underwear is going to bother you today, or something?" Giggling, Buffy quickly turns and heads back into the house, leaving a tall brunette contemplating retaliation behind her.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"Is that everything?" Kelly asks looking in the rearview mirror, making contact with one then another person. "Now children, you know the rules. Did everyone go to the bathroom? We won't be stopping on the way, no matter how much you beg. And I don't want to hear 'are we there yet?' coming out of anyone's mouth, understood?" Getting snorts of laughter interspersed with 'yeah rights' and one bitch from her lover, Kelly nods her head. "Don't think I didn't hear that comment, young woman. Just think about what I know and if you don't want everyone else to know you better apologize."
Buffy's eyes widen from the back seat, where her and Faith are sitting, to let Giles sit up front. "I'm sorry honey. You know I love you."
"Yo! Stretch. What'cha got on B? I ain't never heard her apologize like that before!" Faith smirks, catching Kelly's eyes in the rearview mirror. Finally getting what Buffy had been grumbling about earlier. Kelly is definitely joker.
Pulling out of the driveway and heading toward the witches house, Kelly smiles. "Sorry Faith. She apologized. I can't tell, now." Glancing up she winks at Faith.
Rolling her eyes Faith turns and looks at a slightly blushing Buffy. "So, B. I guess you found the fun, huh?" Faith gives a slight thrust of her hips.
Buffy starts grinning madly, surprising Faith. Usually she gets a 'how rude' or a 'grow up' from Buffy.
Leaning into Faith glancing up to see that Kelly is watching where she's driving and not paying any attention to them. "Hours and hours and hours of fun, Faith. She literally makes me explode all over the place! The things that woman does! Wow! I didn't know some of those things were possible."
Faith chokes slightly and just stares at Buffy open mouthed, not believing what she's just heard. Swallowing repeatedly, Faith opens and closes her mouth, not knowing what to say.
Trying not to laugh at Faith, Buffy decides to push it a little further. "And my God! The things she lets me do to her. Not let's me do, gets off on, wants me to do over and over again. Slayer strength? I have never been happier for it in my life." Buffy starts laughing seeing Faith's dilated eyes and smelling the arousal coming from the dark slayer.
Pulling back Faith figures Buffy is fucking with her. "Funny B! Glad to see you finally got a sense of humor."
Raising her eyebrow Buffy looks at Faith and states very seriously. "I was actually serious, Faith."
Hey, what are you two talking about back there? I can't hear you, and Faith looks like she's about ready to get off or something. Kelly thinks at her.
Looking up and catching her lover's eyes in the rearview mirror, Buffy blushes. Sorry, I couldn't resist. I'll tell you later, since we're here, okay? You aren't mad at me, are you?
Like I would get mad at you. You forgive me for all the shit I pull. Grinning Kelly pulls in and parks. Turning to unbuckle she sees Giles watching her with narrowed eyes. "What did I do now?" She asks exasperatedly.
"You were talking, weren't you?" Giles states accusingly.
"Yes. Do I have to ask your permission for that? Because if I do, I'm really going to flash you just to get you all flustered!" Kelly growls at him jokingly.
Giles leans in till they are nose to nose, and growls right back. "And I might like it!" Before pulling away and getting out of the suddenly quiet vehicle.
"Yes!" Kelly yells, grinning madly. "I have corrupted the tweed dude!" Hopping out of the Hummer and dancing around.
Everyone else that was sitting there in stunned silence watches Kelly and they all start busting up laughing.
Faith looks at Buffy. "You actually are in love with her? B, I hate to tell you this, but I think she's worse than me!"
Buffy grins "In some ways, I would have to agree with that point, Faith. Come on, let's get this stuff inside."
Climbing out of the vehicle, everyone grabs some stuff and head up to the house, where Tara is standing with her hands on her hips, having heard Kelly's yell, and silently watching the dancing extravaganza.
"You better not have upset Mr. Giles, Kelly." Tara states, smiling her lopsided smile.
Giles walks up the steps first, carrying a couple bags of Christmas presents. "Merry Christmas, my dear. And I would really, really like to know how you two can be related." Sighing dramatically he smirks at the blonde. Leaning down to give her a kiss on the cheek before whispering. "She is a card, isn't she?"
Grinning in appreciation at the watcher, Tara nods her head. "It has been extremely interesting since she came here. Go ahead and take the presents in by the tree, to the left. By the way, it's good to see you."
"Same here, my dear." Giles smiles, nodding his head to the gentle, Wicca before heading in the house.
As everyone traipses inside wishing Merry Christmas' and hugs if possible.
As everyone gathers in the living room, filling up all the available seats, Kelly quickly sits on the floor, with her back against the wall, stretching her legs out to watch and enjoy, not really expecting anything. Happy to be there with family. Smiling as Buffy walks over and eases down onto her lap, leaning back against her chest, crossing her legs over Kelly's.
Wrapping her arms around her lover's waist and hooking her chin over her shoulder, Kelly whispers. "Family is the best present ever." Before kissing her cheek lightly and turning back to watch as Willow quickly starts grabbing gifts, spreading them out amongst everyone.
"By the way, I bought you some more stuff, but it's at the house hiding up in the attic. I didn't want to have to track them back and forth. Hope you don't mind." Kelly quietly whispers, lightly stroking Buffy's stomach through her dress.
"Of course not. I love you." Buffy states, turning her head, kissing Kelly lightly on the lips, before being interrupted by a present being plopped in her lap by Tara.
"Come on you two, enough with the making out, open some gifts!" Tara smirks.
"Sorry, can't help it, your sister is hot." Buffy smirks right back.
"Hmm, this one is to me." Buffy grins, quickly tearing into the wrapping, making Kelly chuckle. "Oh, my." She whispers, pulling out a choker necklace that matches her ring. Turning to look at Kelly with questioning eyes.
"I love you." She whispers kissing her deeply, before pulling away. "Would you?" She asks handing the necklace to Kelly while pulling her hair out of the way.
Quickly placing the necklace around Buffy's throat and latching it, Kelly leans in kissing the back of Buffy's neck. "I love you too, babe."
Tara looks in surprise at the necklace, then sees the ring Buffy's wearing that matches it. Quickly kneeling down beside the two women. "Oh, my Goddess." She whispers looking at Buffy. "That is absolutely gorgeous." Looking back at Kelly. "Am I to assume that you two aren't just screwing each others brains out and are actually planning on being together?"
Buffy smiles and nods her head. "She's my heart, Tara." Unknowingly mimicking the words Kelly had written in her note to Willow and Tara.
Gathering them both into a hug Tara whispers. "I am so happy for both of you." Pulling back with tears in her eyes, she smiles. Then her eyes narrow slightly, zeroing in on Kelly. "And you, did you do something you need to tell me about?"
Eyes opening wide, Kelly coughs slightly. "Exactly what are you talking about, Sis?" She asks wondering which thing she was going to get in trouble for first.
"Well, it happens that my darling redhead signed into the on-line banking and it seems we have QUITE a bit more money in there than we should. Would you happen to know where it came from?" Looking at Kelly with her eyebrow raised, Tara keeps a serious look on her face.
"Me." Squeaks out Kelly. Smiling apologetically. "Merry Christmas?"
"We are going to talk." Tara shakes her finger at her.
Buffy giggles. "Tara, you can talk all you want, but it isn't going to do any good. She did the same thing to me. She told me I could spend it all on shoes, if I wanted too!"
Tara's eyes open wide "Two million on shoes?" At Buffy's nod Tara looks to Kelly again. "Exactly how much money do you have?"
"Enough to where I have probably already made back the four million I gave you two." Kelly mumbles quietly. "Come on, yell at me later, if you want. But it's Christmas, get with opening the presents."
As everyone starts tearing in their presents, Faith is standing and leaning against the wall, watching everyone and smiling slightly. Figuring she wasn't getting anything, especially since she just showed up this morning. When Tara hands her a small package to her from Buffy she looks up in surprise, catching Buffy's eye. Raising an eyebrow in question, Buffy tilts her head back towards Kelly. Nodding her head, she quickly opens it and gasps in shock. Inside were authentic silver throwing stars. It looked like a dozen of them, beautifully hand crafted, real authentic ones, not the crap ones most stores try to pawn off. Swallowing hard, she looks back up, catching Buffy's eye, since Kelly seemed more interested in burying her face in Buffy's hair. Mouthing a thank you, Buffy winks, turning her eyes to Tara who is walking towards her with another package.
Feeling her knees start to wobble, Faith accepts the gift and slowly eases to sit on the floor, before she falls down. Pulling off the bow and opening the long narrow box, Faith feels a tear start to ease down her cheek. Running a shaking hand around the handle of the sword with an ivory dragon head on the end, she gently lifts it out of the box, sliding the sword gently out, seeing the engravings on the blade, she quickly slides it back in, placing it back in the box before quickly wiping the tears that had started to fall.
Standing up she quickly walks over to kneel beside Buffy and Kelly. "I--I can't accept this." She hoarsely states, another tear escaping. "It's too much." Looking from Buffy to Kelly and holding Kelly's eyes. "You can't give me this. This sword is probably worth a million dollars. I'm not worth it." Faith states in a sad voice, looking down at the floor.
Babe, can I talk to Faith outside? Kelly asks.
Please. You out of everyone might be able to get through to her. I love you. Buffy replies.
Kissing Buffy on the shoulder, she gently slides out from under her and stands up. Looking down at Faith, she holds her hand out.
Looking from Buffy to Kelly's hand, she looks back. Buffy nods her head. "Go ahead Faith."
Buffy turns back to watch the rest of the Christmas shenanigans going on.
Reaching up, taking Kelly's hand Faith follows her outside.
AAAAAAAAAAA
"So, what'd ya have to say, stretch?" Faith grunts out, sticking her hands in her pants looking out at the yard.
"I thought you might want to talk, Faith." Kelly states leaning against the side of the house.
"Ain't got nothing to talk about. I just don't need no sword, is all." Faith tries to backtrack a bit.
"Faith. Don't try to bullshit me. It won't work. Why don't you think you're not worth it?" Kelly states turning a hard stare on Faith.
'Whoa, Stretch has bad ass side.' Faith realizes, blinking in surprise.
"How about this? I'll tell you a story about a woman I know that didn't believe she was worth anything, either." Kelly states crouching down, plucking a piece of grass from the yard, shredding it into long thin strips while giving Faith her life story, every gritty detail, everything that had happened. Told her stuff she didn't tell Buffy or Tara. She didn't tell her about the stuff that had happened recently, knowing that would be a dead give-a-way. She just held back that it was about her, knowing Faith could and probably would figure it out if she wanted to. Finally winding down, she stands up and turns to look at Faith.
Faith quietly listens to the whole story. Hearing the truth in Kelly's voice. Hearing the pain in the even tones that gave away the fact that it was closer to home that Kelly was telling her. Realizing as the story continued, that it actually was Kelly's life story. Looking down at the ground not saying anything for the longest time, Faith finally looks up and meets Kelly's eyes. "I think you had as fucked up a life as I had growing up." She finally states.
"I won't ask you to spill your life story, Faith. But, if you need someone to talk to, I would consider it an honor if you chose me." Setting her hand on her shoulder, Kelly whispers. "And I would really, really appreciate it if you would actually BELIEVE that you are worth it. Take the gifts, Faith. I want you to have them. More yet, Buffy wants you to have them." Turning to head back in, Kelly's stopped by a hand on her arm.
Faith finally gets out a choked. "Thank you." Before releasing Kelly's arm and turning to look out into the back yard. Thinking about her shitty family life and Kelly's. No, it wasn't exactly the same, but they both were pretty fucked up. They could understand each other more than anyone else in the house could. Faith realizes she could actually have a close friend in Kelly, if she took up her offer. Closing her eyes Faith felt the ice enclosing her heart crack a little more, from the initial crack of seeing the Katana in the box.
Kelly realizes it isn't going to be easy getting Faith to open up, but knowing if she can get through that hard shell, there would be a loving kind woman under it. Someone that would make a good friend, and maybe a wonderful wife/lover for someone. Shaking her head she walks back into the living room, smiling slightly at the group of people that were becoming her family. Looking over to Buffy, seeing Buffy watching her with a worried expression, she quickly crosses the floor to sit back down behind her lover, sitting her legs on either side of Buffy's and wrapping her arms around her and hugging her tight. "I love you." She whispers quietly, kissing her neck. And closing her eyes, thanking God for allowing her to love and be loved.
"I love you, too babe." Buffy whispers leaning into the caress. Knowing instinctively that Kelly wasn't ready to talk about what had went on. "Here, this is from Willow and Tara." Buffy picks up a package.
"Open it for me?" Kelly pleads quietly, not ready to relax her grip on her lover. Watching Buffy quickly unwrap her present she feels eyes on her and glances up seeing Tara watching her closely. Smiling slightly at her sister Kelly turns back to the package. As Buffy pulls away the tissue paper Kelly quickly releases the death grip she has on Buffy and reaches for the picture. Feeling tears starting to build up, Kelly swallows hard trying to keep them at bay, but they don't obey and started running down her face quickly. Taking a deep breath, Kelly traces the picture of her mother standing with Tara, both their arms wrapped around each other, smiling for the camera. Realizing that this picture had to be taken right before their mother died, obviously on a better day. Quickly handing the picture to Buffy, Kelly stands up and crosses to where Tara is standing, grabbing her up in a gentle hug, crying silently.
"The one picture I took, was the one of all three of us together. It got taken away, and I'm assuming destroyed, when I was captured out on an ops mission when I was 20. You couldn't have given me a better gift. Thank you." Kelly whispers hoarsely, before pulling back and wiping her face quickly.
Buffy watches Kelly with a concerned look on her face.
Faith had come in a few minutes before, watching the pain and the love cross the tall woman's face before she grasped Tara in the hug. 'Yeah a lot of pain still with her, also.' Faith thinks to herself, deciding she would try to talk to this woman.
Kelly smiles ateary eyedsmile at Tara. "I love you, sis."
Tara had felt tears working their way down her face at Kelly's reaction and now she smiles sadly, reaching up to brush Kelly's cheek. "I didn't mean to make you sad." She softly states.
Shaking her head negatively Kelly takes a deep breath, smiling a bigger smile. "I just wish there was something I could have done, Tara. For both of you. No matter what, I'll always feel sad for that."
Everyone had stopped and were watching the two women, worried briefly. But now they all looked back over their gifts, smiling, talking about what they had received. Thanking everyone else.
"I better start getting the food set out on the table." Tara states grinning. Willow hops up to help.
"Do you need any help?" Kelly asks wiping the last traces of tears from her face, smiling at her sister.
"Nope, I think Willow and I can get it. Get too many people in the kitchen at the same time and it takes twice as long, since you're stepping over each other." Tara smiles and heads to the kitchen.
Quickly going to take up her spot behind Buffy, Kelly hugs her hard. Looking and smiling at the picture. "Hey, you didn't open any of your gifts from me." Kelly whispers in her ear.
"I wanted to wait until you got back in here." Buffy whispers back. Buffy looks up seeing Faith slowly approaching them. Faith
Turning, Kelly watches Faith approach and sit down beside them, reaching for the two boxes, pulling them into her lap. "Thank you." She whispers looking at Kelly then Buffy.
"You're welcome." Buffy quietly states smiling slightly. "Here, this is for you, also." Buffy hands her the card.
Opening the envelope, Faith pulls out the Visa. Giving them a questioning look, she flips it over seeing that it states it's a debit card and as soon as the money was used up, to dispose of it properly. Looking back inside the envelope, she pulls out a little card that states the enclosed credit card has a $5,000 balance and was good wherever a Visa is accepted.
You were going to give my sister a credit card worth $5,000? Buffy incredulously sends in Kelly's mind.
Be nice or I'll make it for a lot more! Kelly sends back smiling slightly.
"If I try to give this back, you're gonna get pissed, ain't cha?" Faith asks before looking up catching Kelly's eye.
Surprisingly it's Buffy that answers. "Yeah, Faith. She'll get pissed. And if she gets pissed, I get pissed. It's a big pissing match and nobody's happy. So just say thanks, give us hugs and kisses and go spend the fucking money on leather and food or whatever!"
Faith starts grinning and then laughs loudly looking at Buffy. "B, She's damn good for your ass. Plus you just gave me permission to give her a hug and kiss! HOOEEE!" Faith quickly pounces on Buffy and Kelly both, hugging them at the same time before placing a quick hard kiss on Buffy's mouth and another one on Kelly's mouth before pulling away, grinning madly.
Shaking her head, it takes a moment to come out of the shock that she was just kissed by Faith. And so was Kelly! Frowning she gives Faith the evil eye, before smirking at the slayer. "That's the only freebie you get. I catch you kissing her without my permission, I'll kick your ass!"
Raising an eyebrow Kelly turns her head to look at Buffy. "So, all she needs is your permission? It isn't a definite no, she just gets your permission and she can kiss me anytime she wants? I mean, I don't get a say in the matter at all?" Taking a breathe to continue the complaining, Buffy quickly swoops in, invading her mouth quickly before she gets to say anything else.
Kissing Kelly long and hard, Buffy finally pulls back looking at her and smiles. "I love you."
"Love you too, babe." Kelly grins and winks at her lover. "Get opening your gifts."
Buffy grins and starts tearing into her presents, opening her eyes wide at the leather jacket and pants that she pulls out of the boxes. Opening one of them, she quickly closes it back. "Kelly!" She hisses.
"What?" Kelly asks. Looking into the box Kelly has the good grace to look slightly embarrassed. "Sorry, I must have gotten that mixed up with another box. That should have been an at-home one."
Faith starts laughing. "Come on, show and tell B. What's in it?" Kelly raises an eyebrow at Buffy and Buffy just rolls her eyes before opening another box. Laughing, Kelly hands the box to Faith.
Faith opens the box and gives a low wolf whistle. "B. These are some sexy undies she got ya! I mean, hell. I'd love to have these. These are top drawer." Faith starts pulling out the g-string panties, holding them up, looking at them front and back. "Damn this box must hold twenty pairs. Pink, red, purple, ooh B - these purple ones are real purty!" Faith grins at Buffy.
Buffy growls low in her throat. "Faith, stop playing in my underwear."
Kelly sputters out a laugh at Buffy's phrasing, and buries her face in her back, shaking hard.
Faith's eyes open wide, "Well, damn B. All you had to do was ask." Faith quickly puts the underwear back in the box and closes it up. "I guess I'm not allowed to play in B's underwear. Stretch, if she ever gives you that order, feel free to look me up." Faith smirks at Buffy.
Buffy frowns, then thinks about the actual words she said and blushes darkly. "I didn't mean it like that! Jeez. You both need help."
"But honey, you were the one to say it!" Kelly finally gets out between her laughing fits.
"Guys, dinner's ready." Willow comes in and tells everyone.