Blushing, Buffy trotted after Faith. "Sorry, I…ah…" She trailed off. How could she explain that she'd been enjoying the view without sounding like a complete pervert?
"You were staring at my ass, B," Faith finished for her. "I got that part." A hint of dimples appeared. "You do that when we're alone and not trying to get your mom and Red out of town, I ain't going to be complaining."
"That's good to know." Buffy bounced ahead, leading the way into Giles' cluttered office. The small camp bed was shoved against the wall, blankets and sheets a tangled mess. Squeezing in between the cot and a filing cabinet, Buffy hefted one end. "You got the other?"
Faith rolled her eyes as she picked up the other end. "No, B. I'm just going to stand her and watch you do all the work yourself."
Maneuvering in the tiny office was difficult at best. Buffy waited until they had moved the bed through the maze of books and furniture before responding. "You know, I think I liked you better when all you did was smirk and grunt."
"Uuhhn," Faith replied, smirk firmly in place.
Buffy shoved the bed slightly, giggling when Faith's grunt went from sexual to pained as the cot slammed into her stomach. "Oops. It slipped." She blithely ignored Faith's glare as they set their burden next to Willow's bedding.
"This wasn't quite how I planned to show up for graduation," Willow lamented. She regarded Buffy steadily. "You know, I had this mental image of actually walking down the aisle in my cap and gown."
Knowing Willow's dedication to all things academic, Buffy remained silent. There was nothing left to say.
"Look at it this way, Red," Faith commented when she realized Buffy wasn't going to respond, "everyone will remember you being hauled in by your devoted slaves." She grinned and winked. "Both your boys. Oz on one end and Xander on the other."
The grin grew at Willow's blush.
"See? Tomorrow won't be such a bust." Looking over at Buffy, Faith tilted her head at Willow. "Blankets and all, B?" She was a little unclear on how they were supposed to get Willow from the floor to the cot.
Buffy nodded. "I think so."
"OK, then. Time to put Operation Red into motion." Faith stepped close to Willow's head and bent, gripping a handful of blanket in each fist. "Ready when you are, B."
She watched Buffy repeat her actions near Willow's feet.
"Faith?" Willow's soft voice caught her attention and she looked down. "Thanks. For everything." Big green eyes peered up at her.
Nodding jerkily, Faith acknowledged the words. "You're welcome, Red." Blinking rapidly to clear her blurry eyes, she vowed, "We ain't going to let anything happen to you."
Willow's gaze never left her.
Flinching from that trusting stare, Faith joked, "Just hold on in case we accidentally drop you."
"If you two are done gossiping, we need to get moving," Buffy broke in. She looked a little teary-eyed, too, and her cheeks were flushed.
"We're ready, Buff," Willow assured her. Her eyes closed, and Faith saw her jaw clench. Sweat beaded her face as they gently lifted and carried her to the cot.
Faith lightly touched Willow's unwounded shoulder once they had her settled. "Hang in there, Red. We'll have you out in the van with your boy in no time." Her eyes sought Buffy's over the length of the cot. Just that short trip had more blood staining Willow's bandages.
Lips pressed grimly together, Buffy nodded shortly. She'd noticed it, too.
On an unspoken count, they picked up the bed and began their journey. Faith stretched her Slayer senses out again, testing the hallways and the parking lot. A feather-light touch on her mind let her know Buffy was on alert as well.
No demons or vampires lurked in the halls. In minutes, they wended their way between the empty tables in the large cafeteria. Giles met them as they pushed through the doorway into the kitchen itself. "Oz and Joyce are in the van. We just have to get Willow settled in the back."
"Lead the way," Faith ordered. She could feel the exhaustion dragging at her. They needed a breather soon.
He spun and trotted between gleaming appliances.
Nearly groaning in relief, Faith saw a glimpse of fading sunlight. Oz had the van backed so far up the ramp he was almost parked inside the building. There wasn't enough room in the van to repeat their blanket trick. "One more move, Red. I'll try not to knock you around too much."
Rubbing sweating hands on her thighs, Faith sucked in a calming breath. She bent and slid her arms under Willow's shoulders and knees. As gently as she could, Faith stood cradling Willow against her chest. "Get the blankets into the back, B."
Buffy ripped the blankets off the cot. Seconds later, she had Willow's nest rebuilt.
Although Willow weighed next to nothing, Faith's muscles trembled with strain as she fought to keep from jostling the other girl as she lowered her onto the blankets. Teeth clenched, she noted the silent tears streaking Willow's pale face. Slipping her arms from under Willow, she stepped back and closed the doors with a soft thump before banging her palm against the van a couple of times.
The engine revved as the vehicle pulled away and accelerated out of the lot.
Buffy stared after the departing van. It was the right decision. Willow was hurt, too hurt to help this time. The knowledge that they'd all made good choices didn't help with the deep and biting inner cold. Buffy was alone now. She'd never faced a big challenge without her supporters close by.
"You gonna stand there all night, B?" Buffy jerked at Faith's warm whisper. A muscled body pressed into her back, and two arms wrapped around her stomach. "We need to crash if we're going to do a little kidnapping in the morning. Come on. Let's go back to the library and try to get some sleep."
The embrace helped, a little. Buffy wasn't ready to abandon her post just yet, though. "They'll be OK, right?" she asked tremulously. Now that her mom and her two friends were gone, Buffy realized she couldn't protect them. If they'd stayed here…
Lips caressed her neck. "They'll be fine, baby. Mrs. S and the gang are a lot safer out of town." Faith left one arm around Buffy, moving so they stood hip to hip. "Let's go," she repeated.
Reluctantly, Buffy let herself be drawn from the loading dock. Leaning into Faith, she plodded back through the kitchen. "I'm glad you're here," she admitted softly."
"The Chosen Two, B. We belong together." Faith's words were quiet but confident. They wrapped around the lingering ball of ice in Buffy's chest. When Faith touched her through the bond, too, the added flush of heat melted the fear.
Taking a deep breath, Buffy turned her head and kissed Faith's shoulder. "Thanks for the help. I was kinda freaking about Will not being here."
"Really?" Faith teased. "I'm a little slow. I must have missed it."
Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Careful…" she warned.
A pair of dimples popped up when Faith grinned and took a step away. "Or what, B? You'll make me wear some of your clothes to this thing tomorrow?" She was running even before she finished speaking.
Giving chase, Buffy dodged the tables and chairs Faith tossed into her path.
They skidded up to the library doors only steps apart, panting and laughing. "If we get a chance to go home in the morning, I am so getting you into my pink miniskirt." Buffy grabbed Faith and kissed her. "You'll look hot. It has a matching top with big flowers on it."
"Promises, promises." Faith pulled them through the doors. "I'm thinking if we make it home, we won't be thinking about putting clothes on. You, me, an empty house…"
"A bed," Buffy finished. Yawning, she scanned the cluttered library. "I was tired before the game of tag. Now, not even the thought of Naked Faith can keep me awake." They'd sent all the blankets and pillows with Willow. The thinly carpeted floor beckoned. "That spot right there looks good." Buffy pointed to a corner created by the juncture of two massive bookshelves.
Faith nodded. "You get a head start. I'm going to grab some weapons in case the Mayor decides he needs a midnight snack."
It was a good plan. Buffy flushed, feeling embarrassed not to have thought of that. "I'll wait on the laying down, too." She looked more closely at the library. "I didn't see Giles in the cafeteria. Did he come back here?"
"Yeah. He left while you were doing your Abandoned Buffy routine," Faith called out as she opened the book cage.
Ignoring the taunt, Buffy made her way to Giles office door. She could see him slumped over his desk, head resting on folded arms. "Giles?" Buffy asked, knocking lightly on the doorframe.
His head shot up, hair rumpled and glasses dangling precariously on the end of his nose.
"Sorry." She grimaced and looked away. "Um…Faith mentioned the Mayor coming here once he knows about everyone leaving. We're gearing up. You have the spell handy?" Their weapons wouldn't have any effect on the Mayor without it.
"Yes. It's right here," Giles shoved several books and piles of papers aside before holding up a small and battered volume.
Smiling grimly, Buffy murmured, "Let's hope we don't need it. You look too tired to read it, and I'm not sure how ready Faith and I are for another battle. We'll be out in the stacks trying to sleep." Meeting his eyes, she went on, "If he's as powerful as Faith says, we'll feel him before her gets here."
"We could sleep in shifts, perhaps," Giles offered.
"No way." Buffy straightened. "You haven't slept in almost two day. Faith and I are only a little better off. We'll trust the Slayer senses, and we'll all get some rest." Not waiting for a protest, she spun and strode back toward Faith.
A gleaming row of knives and a pair of loaded and cocked crossbows sat on the floor surrounding the area Buffy had chosen as their 'bed.'
"Those aren't as soft as a pillow," she pointed out to Faith, who sat with her back against one of the shelving units. Stepping over the weapons, Buffy dropped to the floor and wiggled until she sprawled nearly on top of Faith. "This will work, though." Her head nestled just under Faith's chin.
Faith's arms wrapped around her. "Feels pretty good from here, too, B."