The characters belong to Joss Whedon, all mistakes are mine

Written for keith5by5 for Halloween, who requested Xander giving Faith a birthday present.

"The 648 Scout"

"I don't see why Xander has to lie about it," Dawn grumbled. "It's her birthday, you're supposed to get presents on your birthday," she said as she pulled the curtain back, watching Xander and Faith walk to the garage.

"Yes, Dawn, normal people understand this," Buffy said from the sofa as she flipped through a fashion magazine. "Faith-people, however, have suspicions and create ulterior motives where none exist. Well, there was the brief Robin-dating period when she dropped her guard a little, but he made her all not-trusty again when he dumped her after last year's Apocalypse. So, don't let it slip how much money Xander spent on her present."

"Thanks for the reminder, Buffy, and for treating me like I'm five. I get Faith; but I don't get Xander. If anyone should have issues here, it's Xander. He's wooing someone who tried to kill him."

"Who hasn't tried to kill Xander at one point? I guess just Giles, and you – the Tazer doesn't count—Wait!" Buffy tossed the magazine and ran to the window. "Wooing? Xander isn't wooing Faith! Is he?"

Dawn moved to make room for her sister. "Sure he is, he just doesn't know it yet!"

"What does that mean? And anyway, it's 2005 – does anybody really 'woo' anyone anymore?"

Dawn smiled. "Xander does, and that's a good thing, 'cause Faith needs some wooing."

"I think Faith prefers to do the wooing," Buffy said under her breath.

Faith reluctantly followed Xander to the garage. "So, what is this about, Harris?" she spat out. She couldn't wait for Harris to go back to Kenya in November. Sure, all the junior Slayers loved having the guy around, and the dormitory never looked better. Not only did he repair the damage the horde of Qyesynx demons caused during the annual Apocalypse, but Xander also put up an addition. He even designed a master suite for Faith, complete with spa tub, the bastard. Yeah, all that's great; but he made Faith jumpy. Not in the 'I'm surrounded by a pack of vampires and I only got one stake' kinda way, but in the 'I've regressed to junior high and I'm crushing on a guy so I can barely say anything in his presence and I'm overcompensating by being mean to him' kind of way. So, as far as Faith was concerned, the sooner Xander put Cleveland in his rearview mirror, the better.

Xander stopped in front of the garage. "Faith, what's with the permanent scowl these days?" he asked. Faith started to answer, but became distracted when Xander bent down to open the garage door. "I mean, it's summer, so slow season on the Hellmouth."

Faith grinned, or perhaps leered, as she admired the man before her. He was tall, lean, tan, and still had his sense of humor – now matter how much shit the world threw at him. Xander's perpetual smile was at odds with the menacing look his eye patch gave him. 'Africa sure agrees with Xander,' she thought. 'And so do those faded jeans. Damn, I must have it bad if I think he makes a grease-stained t-shirt look good.'

"And," Xander continued, "It's your birthday, so that means ice cream, cake and presents!" Xander stood up again.

Faith quickly changed her expression, and crossed her arms. "Yeah, well, I'm one of not-enough teachers at a school for super-powered girls – last thing I need is for said girls to get a sugar rush."

"Still with the scowling? Well, if you don't want cake & ice cream, that's your loss. I hope this present will change your attitude," Xander said, waving his hand at the garage. Inside were several Vespa scooters, in an array of colors. In front there appeared to be another scooter, covered with a sheet.

"Oh, so it's finally my turn for a scooter? Thanks, but no thanks. I know the Council saves tons of money on gas by givin' us the Vespas, but I'd rather walk than be seen on one of those. 'Sides, I'm staff– I got a Council-issued Jeep to drive." Faith turned away.

"C'mon Faith, don't you think I know you better than that?" Xander asked, and for the first time he since he came to Cleveland in May, he was not smiling.

Faith took a deep breath. "OK, if it'll make you happy," Faith acquiesced.

Xander smiled that goofy smile of his. "I'm hoping it will make you happy, Faith," he said.

She reached the covered bike in three strides, grabbed the sheet, and pulled it off. Faith couldn't' believe what she saw. "It's-it's an Indian Scout!" Faith turned to Xander. "This is wicked pissah!" The scowl was finally gone, replaced by a brilliant smile. Xander knew better than to mention how cute her dimples looked.

"Yes! She's smiling for a change!" Xander said as he punched a fist in the air. "Actually, it's a 648 Scout racer– Indian only made fifty of them in 1948--"

"The last year they made the Scouts!" Faith finished. She knelt down to inspect the bike. "It's the same model Floyd Emde rode when he won the 1948 Daytona 200--my grandpop was at that race!" Faith exclaimed, never taking her eyes off of the classic motorcycle. "He told me that story so many times before he died, sometimes I think I was there, too," she added softly.

Xander's expression softened. "Yeah, I remember you telling me. That's why I got it for you."

Faith stood up and walked to Xander. "You remember that? From all those years ago?" They stood only inches from each other; Faith's expression was neutral.

Xander couldn't help himself. Before he realized what he was doing, he brushed a stray lock of Faith's hair behind he ear, and caressed her cheek. "Yeah, I remember," he whispered.

Faith reached up and covered Xander's hand with her own. "Thanks, Xander."

Xander smiled, and let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I'm glad you like the bike."

"Yeah, that too. But I meant thanks for remembering somethin' nice about me, from before. Ya know, not just the bad times."

Xander waggled his brows – only slightly hampered by his eye patch. "Oh, I've got lots of good memories of us in Sunnydale."

Faith ran to the motorcycle, hopped on the seat, and started the engine. "Too bad it's only a one seater – sure would like to have you ridin' in the bitch seat!" Faith teased as she pulled out of the driveway.