Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it belongs to that genius guy Joss Whedon and those crazy folks over at Mutant Enemy, etc etc.

Author Note: And here ya go, chapter three in all its splendour…. or not. Either way, tell me what ya think. Don't think I have anything else to say, except thanks a bunch for all the nice reviews.

With a Smile on her Face

Chapter Three

In the end, Faith decided not to take Buffy up on her post Slaying hang out offer. Buffy asked her why she hadn't shown up, and Faith had made up some lame ass lie about being too caught up in Slaying. In truth, she didn't think Buffy was serious about her offer, and even if she was, Faith wasn't going to take the chance of being burned. She had had to grow up with it her entire life and certainly wasn't going to willingly set herself up for pain. Unfortunately, pain came in many forms, and Faith didn't realise that isolating herself out of fear would only lead her down a dark path full of pain, betrayal and lies.

Lucky for her, that night she had helped Buffy had given the older Slayer a determination to become Faiths friend no matter what. Buffy knew Faith liked to keep her distance with people, but she was not going to stop until Faith opened up to her. Even if it took her months, hell, even years, she'd make Faith understand.

Currently, the two Chosen Ones (That term really doesn't make much sense now huh?) where stuck in a battle of great importance. It was Buffys first foray back into Slaying at full strength, and she was resolute in proving herself.

Buffy took down the oncoming vampire, using his own momentum against him, before flipping back up to her feet. She pulled her stake from her belt and plunged it down into the vamps heart. He exploded into dust. One down. Buffy turned to face the other four vampires that had taken to surrounding Faith.

Buffy watched as Faith used one of the vamps as a shield, having no choice with the superior numbers. One of the vampires dived at her, roaring like a rabid dog, and she threw the vamp shield right into his face. They both stumbled to the floor. Faith spun on her heel and kicked out, catching another vampire in the chest and sending him stumbling. The last vampire took advantage, grabbing Faith from behind. The female vamp dived for Faiths throat. Buffy didn't waste any more time and jumped into the fray, quickly staking the attacking vamp. She crumbled to dust around Faith.

Faith turned, about to give her a smile (Buffy saw her mouth doing that quirky little tilt which always preceded a Faith smile), but she stopped before it could fully form and pushed Buffy aside, kicking at one of the remaining vamps.

Buffy didn't see what happened next, as she turned to find herself facing the last two bloodsuckers. Buffy quirked an eyebrow and pouted.

"Only two?" she mocked. "How disappointing. I was looking for a challenge."

"I'll give you a challenge!" one of the vamps growled.

He leaped at her, his hands striking like claws. She ducked to avoid them and tripped him, sending him sprawling. The other vamp suddenly loomed over her and she rolled backwards, wrapping her legs around the surprised vampires head, before flipping him head over heels. She followed through to her feet and stomped on his throat, making him gag.

"Die Slayer!" the first vampire was back again, diving clumsily at her. She sidestepped him, and when he turned to face her, quickly dusted him with a stake to the heart.

She turned to find the other vampire crawling away from her. He was carrying an archaic looking sword at his waist, the hilt sticking up enticingly at her, as if begging her to use it. Who was she to refuse? She stomped on the cowardly creature and pulled the sword free, before twirling it around and cutting off his head. He too crumbled to dust.

"Way too easy." Buffy said, although she smiled. She looked up to find Faith watching her with something resembling admiration and…she couldn't quite place it, and it was gone before she could examine the girl more, replaced by her usual guarded smirk.

"You really wailed on those guys huh B." It wasn't a question. "I gotta say - it was good to see."

"Just doing my job." Buffy replied, examining the vampire's sword. She tossed it aside casually. She had better.

"Thought I gotta admit," Faith continued. "I'm kinda bummed I didn't get more action, did you have to hog all the vamps?

"What can I say?" Buffy grinned.

"You don't need to say anything." Faith interrupted. "I knew you missed having a good rough and tumble. Admit it, as long as you're on top, you love it!"

"Maybe." Buffy hid her embarrassment at Faiths innuendo well, but Faith still saw it.

"Man I'm wired." Faith stretched seductively, thrusting her ample chest up high. "How about some bump and grind, you up for it B?"

"Actually, that sounds good." Buffy did a little victory dance in her head. Spending time with Faith equalled more time to wear down Faiths defences. She held out her arm to the younger Slayer. "Shall we?"

"You bet." Faith, instead of hooking arms with Buffy, wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "Let's party."

The two Slayers walked on, heading for the Bronze. As they where about to leave the current cemetery, Buffy spoke:

"Hey Faith?"

"Yeah?"

"I have a training session with Giles after school tomorrow," Buffy said. "You wanna drop by and join us?"

"I don't know B." Faith hemmed. "I like training alone."

"Oh come on." Buffy weaselled.

Faith didn't reply, so Buffy went on.

"Look," Buffy had an idea. "Things are still kinda weird between me and Giles. Please?"

"Why don't you ask your friends?"

"I am." Buffy nudged Faith playfully.

Faith stopped walking and looked at her, frowning a little. Buffy smiled reassuringly.

"Come on Faith. I'm not asking Willow or Xander, I'm asking you. It'll be fun."

Faith gave her a blank look. Buffy smiled a little.

"Okay," Another idea popped into her head. "You come by after school and we can spar."

"You want to get down and dirty with me B?" Faith grinned wickedly.

Buffy blushed, but didn't look away. "I'm so going to kick your ass." She challenged.

"Oh you're on Blondie!" Faith accepted.

(----)

So the next day came and Faith found herself standing in the doorway of Sunnydale High Schools Library, watching as Buffy kicked the crap out of a padded up Giles. She couldn't help but admire Buffys technique - it was almost flawless. Giles didn't stand a chance. Buffy drove him all over the Library, and Faith was pretty sure that even covered from head to foot in thick red padding, Giles would still be a walking bruise tomorrow. Deciding to give the poor British guy a break, she cleared her throat, after all, she was here to spar with Buffy, and thus give Giles a break.

Buffy turned to face her, grinning widely. "Faith! I wasn't sure you'd show up. It was getting late."

"I did say I'd show," she spread her arms. "So here I am."

"Yes." Giles huffed. "Quite nice timing, if I do say so myself. Buffy, you can spar with Faith now, correct?"

"Sure."

"Very good." Giles bent over as much as he could in the thick padding. "I'm just going to pass out now." And he waddled off into his office.

Faith chuckled to herself at Giles, then turned to face an eager looking Buffy. "Looking forward to getting whooped B?"

"Me getting whooped?" Buffy stuck her tongue out. "I think not."

Faith assumed her fighting stance. "Then bring it on B."

Buffy copied her. "You're so going down F."

When Giles finally re-entered the room, padding free, it was to find Buffy and Faith covered in sweat, both leaning on the large table dominating most of the room. They were both panting like dogs trapped out in a harsh sunlight, trying to draw in much needed air.

"Good workout?" Giles enquired.

Both Slayers glared at him half-heartedly. Giles smiled to himself.

"If you're done sparring," he continued. "I have some information I'd like to go over with you both."

Buffy sighed and Faith fell back to lie on the table, her legs hanging, flapping a hand at him. In other words, get on with it.

"Very well." Giles took a breath. "Before I was…fired…from the council, I received some information about a Demon nest on the outskirts of Sunnydale."

"What kind of Demons?" Buffy asked, opening a bottle of water and taking a sip.

"Unknown," Giles answered. "But most likely Vampires. Shouldn't be too much trouble."

"That it?" Faith sat up. "'Cos if a vamp nest is all we got, we might as well take care of it now. What do you say B? Wanna kick some vamp ass?"

Buffy opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped short when Giles said: "As much as I admire your enthusiasm Faith, I think it would be prudent for us to do some recon before diving into the nest. After all, it could be more than vampires. Best to be prepared."

"Fine." Faith sighed, biting back an angry retort.

"Then how about this," Buffy began, glancing at an obviously annoyed Faith. "We go check it out. If it's vamps we dust em', if not, no foul right? We come back here and get suited up or whatever - take them down."

"I'm up for that plan." Faith agreed. She sounded mollified.

Giles took of his glasses and started cleaning them with a sigh. "Very well."

Buffy beamed. "Then lets kick some demon butt."

"Amen." Faith hopped off the table and joined Buffy as she started towards the door.

"Buffy." Giles interrupted them. "Do be careful."

"Always am."

Giles gave her a half smile as she backed out of the door. Faith had already left.

(----)

Piccolo999