Season 5 and up
Buffy/Cordelia
Summary: Buffy and Cordelia's relationship has its ups and downs, but what will happen when someone else's love triangle gets in the way of their happiness?
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Chapter 52: Doublemeat Palace
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Buffy's house
Xander was sitting on the couch with the rest of the gang watching a video that Faith had to watch for her new job. She just got a job at a fast food place called Doublemeat Palace. They all knew it wasn't much but since Buffy and Cordelia were moving into their own house they were going to need a steady income besides Anya's Magic Box money…that she wasn't really willing to give up anyways.
Just as the video was finishing up Faith walked into the living room with her uniform on. Everyone on the couch turned to look at her and she could tell that they all wanted to laugh so she just pointed at Xander. "Don't say it," she said.
Just as Xander was about to say something anyways the front door opened and in walked Cordelia and Buffy. "Oh my God," Buffy said when she saw Faith standing before her. "So this is why you wanted to leave L.A early." She said as a smirk formed on her face. "I like the hat," she said. Cordelia couldn't even say anything; Faith knew she was holding back her laughter.
"You know what I don't care what any of you think," Faith said as she looked at them. "Because I'm going to be making money, not a lot, but its money none the less." She explained as she walked over and grabbed her coat. "So when you guys need some money and you have to come ask me for it I'm going to say…I don't think so," she as she walked out the door slamming it behind her.
Buffy looked at the door and then back at everyone sitting on the couch. "So how was your guy's week?" she asked.
"Buffy?" Willow said as she stood up from where she was sitting next to Anya. "Can we talk?" she asked as she walked over to her.
"Yeah sure thing Will," Buffy said as she looked at Cordelia and then back and Willow. "Let's go upstairs," she said and they made their way up the stairs. Cordelia walked over to where the rest of them were sitting and sat next to Anya on the couch. She knew that Buffy and Willow needed to have a conversation alone; they didn't need her butting in where she wasn't wanted.
Buffy walked into the room that used to be hers and Cordelia, but now it belonged to Faith and Willow. Willow took a seat on the bed as Buffy sat on the comfy chair in the corner. "What's on your mind Will?" Buffy asked when she noticed her friends domineer.
"It's about Faith," Willow said as she looked at her best friend. "I know that I messed things up real bad with her, but all I want to do is make things better," she explained. "And I don't know how to do that."
"I don't know what to tell you Will. I don't think I should be the person you talk to about this," Buffy said as she got up and walked over to the bed. She sat down next to Willow and looked at her. "I mean my relationship with Faith wasn't based on truth and honesty," she explained. "We had a lot of jealousy in our relationship which ultimately led to our demises." She added.
"I know that," Willow said. "But over the years you were able to win back her trust and all I want to know is how." She said.
"But you do see that we're no in a relationship anymore right. The only way that we were able to overcome our differences was to just be friends," Buffy explained. "And I know that, that is not what you want for the two of you," she explained.
"I just want to know how!" Willow said growing frustrated. "I want her to know that I can be with her without having to use magic all the time to help her. That I can help her in other ways, ways that I know she needs me…" she paused. "I just want her trust back," she said.
"I know Will, I know. And trust me when I tell you that she isn't ready to give up on you either," she explained.
"Really?" Willow asked. "She said that to you," she asked.
"Well not in so many words," Buffy said with a smirk. "Things will turn around. I mean if Cordelia and I can work out our relationship problems that you and Faith can too," she said as she stood up. "I really should be going, I mean I have to move all my stuff into the new house," Buffy explained. Buffy walked out of the bedroom leaving Willow alone and wondering about the future of her relationship with Faith.
Doublemeat Palace
As soon as Faith walked into the fast food restaurant she was hit with the smell of sweet and hamburger. This was not a good combination by far. She walked further into the place and she could see people biting into the hamburgers and fries, and by the site alone made her never want to eat a hamburger and fries again.
Slowly but surely she made her way up to the front counter and told the person standing in front of her that her name is Faith Spencer and she is starting a job her today. He led her around the counter and into the back where he proceeds to bring her into the manager's office. He then told her that the manager would be back here in a few minutes.
Faith looked around the small office she was sitting in and she noticed the awards on the walls. She just wanted to burst out laughing because she didn't understand how someone could win an award for working at a fast food restaurant, after all you don't have to be a brain surgeon to work here.
But a job was a job and she knew that everyone at the Summers' house needed the money. Especially since Buffy and Cordelia are finally moving out, there really isn't going to be a source of income now…so someone needed to get a job.
Faith looked to her left as the office door opened and in walked a middle-aged male that was thinning on top. If Faith had to guess she would say he was in his thirties if not older. "Hello Faith," he said as he walked over and sat in front of her.
"Hey," Faith said unsure of what else to say. She eyed the guy carefully not sure what to think about him. She thought she got the evil vibe from him, but that's impossible because this guy worked at this place twenty four seven. She used to see him here when she would come by after patrol for a quick snack.
"So you want a job in fast food employment?" he asked and all Faith did was nod. "That's great…how fast can you start?" he asked and she grinned. So yeah it wasn't the best job in the world but it was still a source of income.
Summers-Chase residence
Thanks to Cordelia's parents the house they purchased was gigantic, which Buffy didn't think was possible. After all during senior year of High School Cordelia worked for her money because she said her dad made a mistake on his taxes…for eighteen years. But apparently he fixed everything and she got her money back. Buffy thinks she got it from one of her other relatives but she doesn't want to be known as a bagger so she is just going to let it go.
As Buffy was walking around the house she noticed that it was in fact big enough to hold everyone in her old house and some. The house was huge, and that's an understatement. There were like five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two kitchens; what they needed two kitchens for Buffy didn't know. Buffy wasn't stupid she knows why Cordelia bought the house and that reason is outside…the pool, which is where Cordelia currently was.
Buffy walked out onto the back porch just in time to see Cordelia go into the pool. "You know I was thinking," Buffy said when Cordelia came up for air.
"Which is always scary," Cordelia said with a smirk. "What?" she asked when she noticed that Buffy wasn't laughing at her joke.
"I think we should have a house warming party," Buffy said. "You know invite all our friends and break in the house." She explained.
"We already broke in the house," Cordelia said with a wink and Buffy just rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay if you want to have a house warming party you do that. You make the plans and tell me what food and stuff I need to buy," Cordelia said as she dove underwater again. Buffy smiled a smile of victory as she walked back into the house. It was going to take awhile for her to get used to a house this big but she knew she could do, after all she's Buffy Summers the Vampire Slayer.
Buffy's old house
Xander, Willow and Dawn were sitting on the couch looking at notice important when Faith walked in. She looked at everyone on the couch and frowned. "What's up with everyone today?" she asked as she stood in front of the in her Doublemeat Palace uniform.
"The house just isn't the same without Buffy and Cordelia," Willow said as she looked at Faith and that's when she noticed the smile on her girlfriends face. "Hey you got the job!" she said as she stood up and hugged her.
"Yes I did," Faith said. "I am officially employed." She added with a smile that none of them had ever seen her smile. "Okay and your right about the whole Buffy/Cordelia thing," she said. "This house isn't going to feel right without them because this is Buffy's house…we need to make it our own," she said with a smile as she looked at Willow.
"Does that mean what I think it mean?" Willow asked as she started to jump up and down.
"That's right baby…its time to redecorate," she said. Willow jumped into her arms and she smiled as she felt Faith's strong arms wrap around her body, a feeling that she has missed terribly.
Doublemeat Palace
It was Faith's first night working, and so far she didn't like it, but money was money. The place was dirty beyond the telling of it. None of the employee's wore gloves, they didn't wear hats so hair didn't get into the food; the place was all around nasty. Faith made her way up to the front counter but the manger stopped, she thinks his name is Jim but she isn't sure. She wasn't paying that much attention yesterday in their little meeting.
"You know you're not allowed up here until you have been here for at least a couple of weeks. New people don't know the system or the customers so they need to learn how to do the food," he said as he pointed back out into the kitchen.
"Sorry," Faith said as she turned and walked into the back. Today was her day on grill and that was something she really didn't look forward to. The guy on grill looked like he was fifty and she guessed that this was his lifetime career…and for some reason that made her feel really bad for the guy. At least she still had a future.
Lately she and Willow had been talking about her going back to school and at least getting her GHD, but she wasn't sure. The school thing was never really her scene and she didn't want to disappoint Willow if she didn't make it. Willow just always told her that there was no way she could disappoint her after all she saved the world on a nightly bases with Buffy.
"You must be Faith," the guy said as she walked over to him. "I'm John and I'm going to teach you everything you need to know about the grill." He said as he looked toward her. "You put twenty burger on at a time, you wait five minutes before you flip the once. Then you wait another five minutes to flip them again and then you put one piece of cheese on." Faith was nodding like she understood what was happening. "Then when the cheese is melted you put the burger on the bun and then you had it to Joey over there," he said. "He'll wrap it up and serve it," he explained. "Under no circumstances are you allowed to leave the grill," he said as he pointed to her. "And finally if you happen to have a fire you push this little red button and whit foam will cover the grill, so don't ever set anything on fire." He said again pointing at her.
I swear if he points at me with the spatula again I am going to knock him the fuck out. Faith thought as she nodded. "Okay fire equals bad," she said. Wow I have been hanging out with Buffy for too long, I am starting to sound like her. He handed her the spatula. "Thanks," she said with a fake smile. She placed twenty burgers on the grill and looked at the clock waiting for five minutes to go by. This job sucks.
Summers-Chase residence
Cordelia was sitting on the bed looking down at Buffy. Buffy was smiling up at her and that's when Cordelia's cell phone started ringing. She reached over Buffy and picked it up from where it was sitting on the bedside table.
"Hello?" Cordelia said into the phone not known the number on the caller ID. Buffy meanwhile sat up and started to pull Cordelia closer to her all the while kissing her neck. "Dad?" Cordelia said confused and that caused Buffy to stop. Cordelia's parents where the only ones that didn't know about their relationship, they told them that she had married some guy, they even picked out a name. They had Willow do up a whole bunch of stuff on her computer to make the guy actually exist. "You're coming here…when?" she asked as she looked at Buffy with a frown. "Tomorrow night," she said with a nod. "Sounds great see you then," she said as she closed her cell phone shut. She looked down and Buffy. "Looks like you get your house warming party earlier than expected," she said as she climbed off of Buffy and off of the bed.
"What are we going to do?" Buffy asked and Cordelia looked at her confused. "About the guy, in case you forgot your parents are the only ones who don't know about us," she said as she looked at her. "We bother agreed not to tell them thinking that they would never come back into your life anyways," Buffy said as she got up off the bed wrapping the sheet around her.
Cordelia put on one of Xander's old t-shirts that he had given them once, she never did understand why he gave them his shirts but she didn't care anymore. "We have to find me a guy…can you ask Faith if she knows anyone and I can ask Xander," she decided.
"Sure I guess, but I don't understand why you just don't tell him about us," she said.
"You think Ryan Chase is going to want to hear that his only daughter is gay?" Cordelia said. "Come on Buffy use your brain," Cordelia said as she walked out the room.
Buffy followed angrily behind her. "Oh yeah and my mom loved hearing that her only daughter was gay…I dashed her future for grandchildren," she said.
"Buffy I didn't mean it like that," she said.
"Yeah you did. Your family is my important than mine, meaning it shouldn't matter if a lower class citizen like me is gay. But if an upper class citizen like Cordelia Chase is gay than the world is going to end," she said. "I understand perfectly where I stand in your life now," Buffy said as she walked back into the room. Cordelia tried to follow her but she found out that the door was locked; she sunk down in front of the door.
Doublemeat Palace
Faith found it kind of funny that she couldn't work up front but she could stay on to close with one other person. Something about this place just didn't make since and she couldn't put her finger on it. And it was bothering her to no end.
"Hey Faith can you take out the garbage?" John asked as he looked at her. She concluded that he was a pretty cool guy. "Then we can get the hell out of here," he added.
"Sure thing," Faith said as she walked over to one of the three garbage cans and took out the bag. She grabbed the other two at the same time, being the slayer it was kind of easy. She walked outside and opened the garbage bin and dumped everything in there. One of the begs fell open and what Faith saw grossed her out more than she thought possible…it was a finger.
Faith picked it up with her sleeve and put it in her pocket. She was going to have to show this to Willow when she gets home…this is something out of the ordinary. She walked back in and went on the rest of the night as if nothing changed.
Scooby Gang house
As soon as Faith got home from work she walked right back Xander and Anya saying hi on her way up to hers and Willow's room. This was something they couldn't wait to do. Because she was in such a hurry Xander and Anya followed her upstairs. When she walked into the bedroom Willow was sitting on the bed and the sound of the door opening Willow looked in the direction.
"What's up?" Willow asked when she saw all three of them barge into the room. "Did someone die?" she asked and when no one said anything she looked at Faith. "Who died?" she asked suddenly worried.
"No one that we know, I think," Faith said as she walked over to the closet and grabbed something else to wear. Once she had what she planned on wearing she walked back over to the bed and placed the napkin that she put the finger in on the bed.
"Ah a present," Willow said as she reached for it.
"Not exactly," Faith said as she walked into the bathroom to change.
"Okay this is so gross," Willow yelled loud enough so Faith could hear it in the bathroom. "Where did you find this?" she asked curious now.
"In the garbage at work," Faith said as she walked out in her change of clothes. "The garbage that we put the bad ground up meat in," she said.
"This is from the meat that you use in the hamburger?" Willow asked suddenly grossed out. "That's disturbing," she said.
"Tell me about it," she said. "I have to work there," she added. She walked over and sat on the bed next to Willow. "You think you could run some tests on this and on the hamburger meat because something just doesn't add up for me," she said.
"Yeah sure thing," Willow said as she leaned over and kissed her. "You going to pick up Buffy before patrol?" she asked.
"Nah she told me to meet her at the cemetery," Faith said as she stood up grabbing her jacket off the comfy chair. "Something makes me think not everything is right in paradise," Faith said a smirk.
"When did you become so smart?" Willow asked sarcastically.
"About the time Buffy moved out," Faith said seriously. "Don't wait up," Faith said as she exited the room.
"Should I be grossed out since I just had a Doublemeat Palace burger?" Xander asked who was standing the doorway with Anya. "Because I am."
Cemetery
Faith walked into Shady Hill and she saw Buffy sitting on one of the many tombstones. Buffy was looking down at the ground as she held the stake in her hand waiting for any vamp that thought they could best her. Faith personally felt bad for any vamp that came up against her tonight. She walked toward Buffy and when Buffy looked up Faith caught a glimpse of a tear coming down her face.
Faith hung her head as she walked over to her sister slayer. "What's up B?" she asked and she hopped up onto the tombstone next to her.
"I don't want to talk about it," Buffy said as she jumped off the tombstone. "You guys mind if I crash at your house tonight?" she asked.
"Yeah sure, its still you place," Faith said. "You know your welcome anytime," she added. They walked along the cemetery in silence neither one of them wanting to say anything.
By the end of the night Buffy dusted six vamps and Faith only dusted one. It was clear to anyone that something happened between her and Cordelia but Buffy wasn't someone that would come out and say it. She needed time to think about it and to figure out who was wrong in the whole situation and then she'll talk about. Faith knew that when Buffy was ready she would come and talk about, either to her or Willow.
Scooby Gang house
Buffy walked into her old house, her house, because no matter what anyone told her this would always be her house. When she walked in she saw Willow, Xander, and Anya sitting around the kitchen table and Dawn was on her way from upstairs.
Buffy and Cordelia had offered Dawn to come move in with them but Dawn said that she could never leave this house. Buffy accepted this and that's why they decided not to sell the house, instead it was now Scooby Gang headquarters. Along with being Faith and Willow's house.
"Buffy?" Willow said as she walked over to her best friend. "What are you doing here?" she asked as she looked at Faith but Faith just shrugged her shoulders. "Buffy…what happened?" Willow asked. It was always different when Willow pushed Buffy to talk, since Willow was her best friend Buffy never got mad she just eventually spilled her guts.
"Can we go upstairs and talk about this?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah sure we can us your old your," Willow said as she looked at Faith and nodded. "Is that okay I know you have to get up for work tomorrow," Willow said.
"Yeah its fine I don't have to be to the bar until ten," Faith paused. "Why am I the only one that has a job?" she asked as she looked around. "Why couldn't someone else get the job at Doublemeat Palace?" she asked.
"Because everyone else has jobs too," Buffy said as she walked up stairs. "Xander is a carpenter, Anya works at the Magic shop, Willow and Dawn are full time students," Buffy explained. "Sorry Faith," she added as she disappeared behind the corner.
"No problem," Faith said as she eyed Willow. "You talk to her I think I'm going to pay a visit to one Cordelia Chase," Faith said as she walked out of the house.
Summers-Chase residence
Cordelia was sitting on her couch, she hadn't moved from the spot since Buffy left for patrol. They hadn't talked about what happened that afternoon and Cordelia knew that they needed to, but she also knew that Buffy wouldn't talk until she was ready. A knock came at the door and she got up to answer it. Seeing Faith at the door was a shock to say the least, she was kind of expecting Willow.
Cordelia moved out of the way without saying anything and Faith made sure to close the door behind her. Cordelia walked right back over to where she was sitting before Faith came in. She looked at Faith as she sat down on one of the overstuffed couches. "Go ahead lay it to me," Cordelia said.
"What happened?" Faith asked. To say that Cordelia was shocked by this would have been an understatement. "Buffy didn't tell us anything," she said.
"What do you mean she didn't tell you? I thought for sure she would go running to Willow for advice, because in this situation she just wouldn't understand," Cordelia said as she stood up. "And she doesn't want to understand because everything I say she turns around on me and uses it against me," Cordelia said.
"Okay so what happened?" Faith asked. "What exactly did you say that would make Buffy not want to come home tonight because she isn't? She's sleeping on our couch," Faith explained. "So explain."
Cordelia looked down about to spill her guts but then she looked back up at Faith. "No," she said.
"Cordelia come on, if we're going to make this better than we need to figure out what the problem is," Faith said. "I mean you do want to make things better don't you?" Faith asked.
Cordelia let a tear slip from her eyes. "Honestly, I don't know," she said as she looked down at the floor. "I mean if this is so right, me and Buffy, then why is it so hard. Why are we always fighting?" Cordelia said as she looked back up at Faith. "Maybe the marriage isn't going to work," she said as she stood up and walked upstairs. "I'm tired of giving so much effort to something that's shouldn't need any effort."
Faith sat there dumbstruck. Cordelia just told her that she didn't think hers and Buffy marriage was going to work out. If they couldn't make things work than what were the odds for her and Willow. After all Cordelia and Buffy were the light at the end of everyone's tunnel. Faith stood up and walked to the door. It has always been Cordelia and Buffy or Buffy and Cordelia…what's gonna happened when it's just Buffy or just Cordelia? Faith walked out of the house closing the door behind her.
Scooby Gang house
Willow came walking down the stairs just as Faith walked in the door. Faith looked up and Willow and smiled a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Willow stopped at the bottom step and watched as Faith walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her.
"What happened Faith? What did Cordelia tell you?" she asked as she tried to look into Faith's eyes. "Is it bad?"
"Yeah," Faith said turning her head so she was looking into the eyes of the one she loved.
"What is it?" Willow asked suddenly more concerned than she thought she needed to be.
"I think Cordelia's done," Faith said.
"Done what?" Willow asked confused.
"Done trying to make this marriage work," Faith said and they both stood there together in silence.
"On the plus side I found out about the finger and the hamburger meat," Willow said and Faith nudged her telling her to continue. "There the same."
"Meaning?"
"The human finger is part of the hamburger meat," she clarified.
Doublemeat Palace (next night)
Faith didn't have to work so her and Buffy decided to go to Doublemeat Palace after closing to see if they could find anymore clues that might close this place down. Faith didn't want to bring Buffy along but Willow convinced her to. Buffy had been down in the dumps all day, she even called into work saying she wasn't feeling to well and she didn't want to risk the chance that the kids could get sick.
Buffy hadn't moved from Willow and Faith's bed all day. She's been watching TV shows and movies such as The Notebook. Faith knew that if she didn't fix things between Buffy and Cordelia that the Hellmouth was going to open because technically Buffy is the one and only slayer…to the demons Faith doesn't exist. Which she really doesn't mind because it makes there facial experiences that much better when she kills them.
"Listen B we need to talk," Faith said as she stopped and looked back to her. "It's important," she said.
"Cordelia doesn't want to work out our problems. She just wants to give up on the whole marriage…like I meant nothing to her," Buffy said. "Yeah I overheard you and Willow last night," she added. "If she wants to end it then fine, we're done," she finished.
"Buffy you don't mean that," Faith said.
"I don't?" Buffy said looking at Faith. "Then tell me why I don't care if we get back together. Tell me why I would rather be with you than with her," Buffy said as she continued looking around the fast food place. "Faith face it I've done nothing but compare our relationship to the relationship that you and I had."
"Buffy that was a long time ago," Faith said.
"Yet in the end I still loved you…no matter how much you pushed me away," Buffy said. "I don't feel that with Cordelia…not since…"
"Not since you died?" Faith asked and Buffy nodded. "Oh it all makes since now."
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked.
"You're scared to let her in because you're scared that something is going to happen to you leaving her alone and sad," Faith said. "You don't want to hurt her like you did before," Faith added and Buffy just hung her head in shame. "Buffy you need to take a chance because Cordelia already took that chance and she isn't scared to take it again," Faith said. "You are," just as she said that something latched on to her shoulder and when she turned around she saw a little old lady. In fact it was the old lady that always came here. As the lady bit down on her Faith felt all her limps going limp and she soon couldn't move as she laid there on the floor.
Buffy came over and chopped the head of whatever was sticking out of the old ladies head. "What is that?" Buffy asked.
"An angry customer," Faith said and she slowly got her movement back.
"You okay?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah I'll be fine," she said.
"Good because I have a party to get to," Buffy said. "A house warming party you guys are welcome to come," Buffy said as she took off running.
Summers-Chase residence
Buffy knocked on the door of her house and when Cordelia answered the door her jaw nearly dropped and what she was wearing. Cordelia had a smile on her face that disappeared the moment she saw Buffy standing at the door.
"What are you doing here?" Cordelia asked. "I thought for sure Faith would have told you what I said…we're done," Cordelia said. "I'm serious Buffy I'm sick and tired to fighting with you," she added.
"So am I," Buffy said as she reached next to her and pulled someone so that he is standing in front of her. "I don't care if you never tell you dad that you're my wife, because I know that I will always love you whether or not we're together or not. And I know that you love me and I'm done pretending that I don't know that." She paused and smiled at the man standing next to her just as another man walked up behind her.
"Buffy what's going on?" she asked.
"We're roommates," she said. "This is your husband Joey," she said as she pushed him forward. "And this is my boyfriend Matt," Buffy said taking hold of his hand. "You didn't want to live in this big house yourself so I offered to move in with you…we're old buddies form High School," she finished.
"You don't have to do this," Cordelia said.
"Too late," Buffy said as she reached over and took off her wedding ring and band. Then she reached into her purse and grabbed and necklace and place the two bands on the necklace. "These are my dead grandmothers," Buffy said. Cordelia moved out of the way so that Buffy and Matt could walk through.
She closed the door and just as she was about to say something another knock came at the door and when Cordelia answered she saw her father standing before her. "Hey Dad," she said. "There is someone I would like you to met." She said. She moved out of the way so that he could come in and when she closed the door behind him she turned around and saw Buffy standing there with Matt and she suddenly didn't know why she was lying to her dad.
"So who's the lucky guy?" her dad asked.
"Dad I would like you to meet…" Cordelia looked at Buffy who nodded for her to continue. "My…" she walked toward Joey, whom was standing right next to Buffy and Matt. "My wife Buffy Summers," Cordelia said as she took Buffy hand. "Buffy I would like you to met my Father Ryan Chase."
AN: I hope you liked it!! I didn't really like this episode so i hope it turned out okay. R&R