The Path To Redemption
Chapter 17
Author: twin who likes to travel
Rating: PG-13
Summary: This is what happened after their talk up to the end of their first date.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Reviews: I would like them. Constructive criticism is ok.
Author's notes: Ltlconf, thanks again for yet another extensive review. I like showing how caring and considerate Faith can be when given a real chance. That even the "monster" they claimed her to be is capable of just as much or more than the hypocritical Scoobies can be. That almost anyone can change and grow, from the "crazy" Faith to the "uptight" Buffy. I didn't even really think about the unspoken implication that you talked about. As for the fatigue, it's because of how many stories I have written and feeling I'm not getting enough reviews for some of them considering the amount they were put on a couple lists. I know I shouldn't keep thinking about it, but I still do. I guess if I write another, it should be Buffy/Faith AKA Fuffy. I'm definitely not making any promises though. There are only a few chapters left after this one. So if there's anyone that would like to be thanked in the author's notes, either for the first time or again, your time is almost up. Since I don't know how soon movies are released in Europe after being released the United States, I'm going to assume that they were out around the same time.
Around half an hour later
The trio had eaten their cereal without another word. After Buffy was finished, she put her bowl and spoon in the dishwasher and confirmed that she was going to take her shower first. As soon as they heard the bathroom door close, Dawn and Faith put their stuff in the dishwasher as well and started a make out on the couch. After Buffy was done in the bathroom, Dawn unnecessarily raced into it and closed the door. When Buffy asked what was up with her sister, Faith told her that Dawn was probably getting a little excited or nervous about the date. While the slayers sat on the couch, Buffy was able to get Faith to admit she was feeling exactly the same way. As Faith focused on what was on the television, Buffy actually began to feel jealous,
The last time she came close to what she thought the other two were feeling right now was when she was with Riley. Her former enemy was changing so much, and it was her little sister that was playing a big part in it. Faith got off the couch and made her way to the bathroom as soon as she heard the door open. The sight of Dawn only in a towel almost made her mouth water. Dawn froze on the spot at the sight of the brunette quickly approaching. She gulped as Faith stopped about three inches in front of her. She held in her breath while Faith glanced down at the slightly exposed cleavage then back up to her face. She carefully pushed the younger girl up against the wall. She guessed that the blonde was watching but didn't care. She wanted to tease Dawn a little before their first date. The brunette then got as close as she could without touching her and kissed Dawn softly on the lips before she worked her right leg between both of Dawn's. The feeling of the leg pressed up along the front of the towel made Dawn gulp again.
"If your sister wasn't here right now, I might be tempted to pull your towel off so I could see the rest of that beautiful body of yours," Faith whispered into Dawn's left ear as she suddenly gripped Dawn's hips gently, making the teenager gasp this time.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't grope my sister in front of me," Buffy requested firmly.
"Then close your eyes or go back to your bedroom," Faith playfully ordered before stepping away from Dawn, kissing her just as softly on the right cheek, going into the bathroom, and closing the door quietly.
Faith had smirked at Dawn instantly touching where she had been kissed with her right hand while she closed the door. When Dawn looked straight ahead, she saw her sister smiling at her. Dawn ran to her bedroom after blushing at seeing that her sister was still watching her. The blonde then turned her eyes back to the television while giggling at how cute it had been to see her sister act that way. It was quickly followed by a second moment of jealousy and another giggle that she had gotten jealous of her sister. Then she thought that she really needed to find someone herself. It wouldn't matter whether it would be an actual relationship, a brief fling, or even a one night stand.
Meanwhile, what Faith had done to Dawn had gotten the slayer worked up more. She released the tension when she couldn't hold it in anymore and muffled the sounds she made by biting her left hand at the same time. After she was done, she went over the plans she had for the date. She could feel her heart beating faster as she actually got a little nervous that even with the planning, something could go wrong and the night could be ruined. The thought it could make Dawn never want to go out on another date with her worried her even more.
Around twenty minutes later
"Can I come in, Dawn?" Faith asked as she knocked on Dawn's bedroom door.
"Sure, give me a…"
"You're definitely a hottie," Faith claimed as she walked in and quickly closed the door, catching the teenager in her underwear while reaching for a robe.
"I didn't say come in. I was trying to tell you to give me a minute," Dawn growled as she spun around and held the robe to the front of her body
"I thought you'd be dressed by now. What were you doing for so….Oh, was Dawnie being a bad girl?"
"What…No…of course not," Dawn hissed at Faith's assumption and the smirk that came with it.
"I guess I'll get dressed in the bathroom."
Dawn watched as the brunette grabbed her clothes and headed back to the bathroom. Both girls joined Buffy in the family room about five minutes later.
"I've got some things I need to do before the date. I'll be back later."
"How much later?" the Summers girls challenged together.
"I'm not sure. It might be awhile."
"Ok, so when should I be ready and how dressed up?"
"Around six thirty and halfway between casual and formal should be good enough."
"I guess Dawnie and I could go shopping for a few hours. You know, do the sisterly bonding thing."
"Cool. Well, I'll catch you later then," Faith announced before kissing Dawn on the lips and leaving the apartment.
"So what do you want to do now?" Buffy inquired after the door closed.
"I need to figure what I'm going to wear," Dawn determined as she raced back to her bedroom.
Buffy chased after her and leaned against the wall as Dawn took almost every item out of her closet and a few things out of her dresser. Then it got more amusing to the blonde as she observed her sister strip down to her underwear to see what she looked like in clothes she had worn many times.
Another twenty minutes later, Dawn's bedroom
Buffy giggled as Dawn was still trying every combination to find the perfect outfit.
"Dawn, calm down. You have PLENTY of time. It's only 9:30 AM. You have NINE hours before you need to be ready. What's with the being all stressy?"
"In case you already forgot, this is my FIRST date. If you don't count what's his name."
"You mean RJ, who Xander, Willow, and I saw you grinding with that night at the Bronze?"
"Exactly. And it's also the first with a girl. I'm pretty sure Faith hasn't gone out on many real dates or any. I want it to be perfect for both of us."
"Nothing's perfect. Just try to relax."
"Can I see what I look like in some of yours? Maybe I'll find something in there I will like more or I can mix it with something of mine."
"I guess."
In a short time, Dawn had gone through all of Buffy's clothes. She had even mixed the two wardrobes together several times. She settled on a bright blue blouse, a black skirt that went to almost two inches above her knees, and not too tall heels.
"How do I look, Buffy?"
"You look…r-really b-beautiful, Dawnie," Buffy said through a choked up voice before shedding a tear.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Then why are you all weepy?"
"Because my little sister is growing up so fast."
"I'm not that little anymore. I'm taller than you," Dawn teased her.
"You know what I mean," Buffy declared before giggling along with her sister, "So shopping, yes or no?"
"Yes," Dawn agreed as she took off the clothes, set them aside for later, changed into something else to wear until the date, and put everything else back.
Buffy smiled as the younger girl did this. They left and went to where most of the stores were and spent the next few hours talking about anything that came into their minds.
Around 12:30 PM, Buffy and Dawn's apartment
Faith unlocked the front door with the keys Dawn had lent her. She pushed open the door a little and stuck her head inside to see a currently empty apartment while holding the flowers she had gotten for Dawn behind her back.
"Dawn, Buffy, are you here?" Faith called out loud enough for them to hear and waited for a minute to make sure.
When all she got was silence, she stepped inside and closed the door with her left hand. She brought the bouquet in her right hand closer to her face to smell them again. She held them as she removed her boots with her other hand. Even though she didn't know too much about flowers, she thought the ones she had at the moment were nice enough that her date would like them. It had been an ok day outside, sunny but not as warm as she hoped. So she thought the linen closet was a safe spot to hide them.
As she went over the plans she had confirmed for that night, she debated on what to wear. She knew jeans and a shirt wouldn't do, and she didn't wear dresses. Since she didn't own any really nice shirts, she hoped either one of the sisters would let her borrow one. She would wear that, leather pants, her usual boots, and a leather jacket. She was cleaning the boots as the other two arrived home.
"Hi, Faith," Dawn greeted her with an innocent smile as she and Buffy removed their shoes as well.
"How long have you been back?" Buffy prodded as they joined Faith on the couch
"Around twenty minutes," Faith answered from one end of the couch while finishing the second boot and set it down by the other beside the couch.
"So where did you go?" the teenager questioned casually to hide her curiosity, which the brunette sensed easily.
"Just confirming the plans for our date."
"Care to tell me about it?"
"Other than it's the clichéd dinner and a movie, not really. Don't give me that look. The Summers fake pout doesn't work on this girl."
"Fine. Will I like it?"
"That's up to you. So what's the movie choice for tonight, a chick flick or a thriller?"
"Chick flick?" Dawn nearly scoffed.
"You know, romantic comedies where a guy and a girl meet and quicker than normal fall in love. The same old plots with different titles," Faith chuckled.
The sisters tried to be offended at Faith mocking that type of movie, a type they liked sometimes, but couldn't hide the smiles.
"What are they both rated?"
"The chick flick is PG-13 and the thriller is R."
"What if they won't let me into the R one?"
"Then I'll flirt with the cashier."
"Even if they're a girl?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I don't want to have to worry about that or seeing you flirt while on a date with me; so I choose the chick flick."
"Whatever makes you happy, Could I borrow a nice shirt from either one of you? Mine are mostly tank tops or t-shirts. Never did the date thing except for a few times with Robin. My wardrobe is kind of limited."
"Told you so," Dawn replied to the blonde to her left.
"Told her what?"
"That you probably haven't gone on many if any real dates."
"Tonight is the first of mine with a girl."
"No pressure," Buffy joked.
"So can I borrow one?" Faith requested calmly.
"Sure," Buffy responded as she got off the couch and led the brunette to her room.
Less than a minute later, Buffy's bedroom
"So can you tell me about the date?"
"Not a chance."
"Why not?" the blonde complained lightly as she opened the closet door and sat down on her bed.
"Because you may be able to lie to our friends, but I can tell when you are. You'll probably tell your sister. Then it will be ruined before it even begins," Faith revealed as she suddenly removed her shirt.
She heard a soft gasp from the blonde as her back was to the other girl. After each choice, she would ask Buffy for a second opinion. The slayer would usually smile, but she let the brunette know when something didn't look great. Buffy remembered how frantic Dawn had gotten over an outfit, so she wanted to make sure the girls were evenly matched as far as how nicely they dressed. She noticed though when Faith glanced at a few dresses.
"You can try them on if you want to."
"Dresses aren't my style, B."
"Come on, I saw you staring at them and the only dress I've seen you in is the one at that high school homecoming dance years ago."
"I was only picturing what you looked like in them."
"Please," Buffy playfully pleaded, "You don't have to keep them on that long."
"Fine, but only for a few seconds."
"Good, I can close my eyes if…," the blonde tried to offer but was silenced by the sight of Faith quickly pulling down her jeans.
"It's ok, B. We've seen each other in underwear, remember?"
"Oh, right," Buffy relented and tried not to stare as Faith leaned over while taking her pants off the rest of the way.
Faith then twirled around to grab one of the dresses and held back a chuckle at hearing the blonde softly gulping at her wearing underwear more revealing than what Dawn was wearing earlier that day.
"You can ogle, B, I don't mind."
"I wasn't. You were just in my field of vision. I was trying to see which dress you were going to try on first."
"See, that's something our other friends would believe. That still sounds weird sometimes."
"What does?" Buffy muttered as Faith got into the first dress, which was a black, sleeveless one that stopped just above the knee and showed slight cleavage.
"Calling them OUR friends instead of YOUR friends. It's a nice change though."
"I think so too. Faith, you look amazing in it. You should totally wear it. It would definitely surprise Dawn."
"I already got a few of those planned. Damn, you didn't hear that, ok?"
"Hear what?" Buffy stated between smiles.
"Nothing…Nothing at all."
The next one was a red one that was also sleeveless, had smaller shoulder straps, was around an inch shorter, and showed more cleavage than the first one. They were both very flattering to Faith's body.
"You think your sister would like this one better?"
"Possibly," the blonde admitted and couldn't hold in a blush at how she had checked out the brunette from head to toe.
"Thanks, but maybe another time though," Faith mentioned as she just as comfortably took the dress off and hung it up.
"So which one is it going to be?"
"This one," Faith decided as she held up a black and red blouse that exposed a tasteful amount of cleavage.
"What about the rest?"
"Some nice, leather pants."
After enough time had passed, they began to get ready for their date. Most of it had been spent watching TV, but they were able to get in some make out time when Buffy got caught up in a call she had gotten from Willow. As soon as Buffy went into her room and closed the door, Faith and Dawn had begun to make out. Faith had been barely able to fight the urge to do more than kiss Dawn.
6:30 PM, the family room
The girls entered the living room at the same time. Buffy had let Faith change in her room. Both girls re-applied some make-up before entering the family room at the same time.
"You both look great," Buffy complimented.
"You're wrong, B. I look great, but Dawn looks amazing."
"Never pictured you as a sweet talker, Faith," Buffy giggled.
"Me either."
"Ditto," Dawn chimed in as she fought an oncoming blush, "Got any other surprises for me?"
"Maybe a few. Oh, both of you close your eyes for a minute."
"Why?" both sisters replied.
"It's one of the surprises," Faith confessed and walked to the closet when they did as asked. Faith held them in her right hand as she commanded, "Ok, open them."
Buffy and Dawn opened them at the same time to see a beautiful bouquet in Faith's hands.
"They're beautiful, Faith. This is so sweet. Thank you," Dawn told her before leaning to kiss Faith softly on the lips.
"Not as sweet and beautiful as you, D."
"Aw," both Summers blurted out before they could stop themselves.
"I swear if you tell anyone I said that. I'll disappear and make sure that even Red won't be able to find me with magic," Faith warned after stopping the blush that had started.
It was a very light shade of red that lasted for only two seconds. But it was long enough for the sisters to catch it.
"Wow, we got Faith to blush. Remember this day, Dawnie. Friday; January 30th, 2004; Faith Lehane officially blushed for the first time."
"Done," Dawn giggled and added when they got a frown from the brunette, "Oh, come on, Faithy. Seeing something like that from you is extremely rare. Almost like seeing a comet or Buffy being modest." Faithy? What in the hell made me say that. Ok, sure what she did was sweet, but Faithy, really?
"Hey," Buffy yelped suddenly, "Since when did this become making fun of Buffy?"
"I meant what I said, D, and you can add what just happened to that list."
"Alright. Buffy and I won't tell anyone unless you say so," Dawn conceded after a very convincing expression and continued when Buffy tried to object, "We won't. Right, Buffy?"
"Right," Buffy complied when she noticed the fear from Dawn that Faith would keep her word.
"We should get going, now," Faith instructed.
"Can I get one picture, please?" Buffy begged.
"No, this isn't a high school dance," Faith reminded the blonde.
"Yeah, Buffy," Dawn grumbled even though she hoped her sister could convince her date since she didn't want to be the one to do that.
"I promise you that you'll thank me later," Buffy voiced confidently.
"Fine," Dawn sighed, "Humor her, ok?"
"Fine," Faith echoed before pulling the teenager to her just like a prom picture.
Buffy happily took their picture before Faith focused on her, "So what have you got planned for tonight?"
"Will's coming over. We'll probably pig out on junk food, talk about boys, or in her case, girls. You know…girly stuff," Buffy divulged and laughed.
Faith smirked and cut in, "Then strip down to your underwear and have a good, old fashioned pillow or tickle fight?"
Buffy gasped before mumbling, "Perv."
"Can we go now?" Dawn groaned.
"Yes," Faith consented and led her to the door.
When Faith wasn't paying attention, Dawn peeked over her shoulder and silently voiced, "Thank you."
Buffy smiled at her sister and watched from the window as the other slayer flagged down a cab. However, she rolled her eyes when she saw Faith pat Dawn's butt as the teen got into the cab while glancing up at Buffy.
Later, a restaurant.
"Faith, what are we going to do if the people here only speak Italian?"
"You mean you haven't been to this restaurant before?"
"Buffy and I really don't really go out to eat. We either cook or have it delivered. This one doesn't do delivery, and my Italian isn't as good as it should be by now."
"We'll worry about that when we get in there."
Dawn quizzed the host as soon as they saw him, "Do you speak English?"
"Yes," he greeted with a smile and shared a smirk with Faith while Dawn was checking out the restaurant.
The younger girl repeated the same to their server and only got Italian. When Faith saw her start to get nervous, she spoke to the woman in perfect Italian.
"What kind of soda do you want, Dawn?"
"Sprite."
Faith smirked and informed the woman quickly before she handed them menus and dashed off.
"What about our order?"
"I told her we might need a minute or two."
"Ok," Dawn murmured before going through the menu with a smile.
The server returned with their sodas a few minutes later and smiled as Faith gave the woman their order.
"How did you learn to speak Italian so well?"
"One of the Italian slayers taught me, and I thanked her by having sex with her," Faith lied before she confided, "I'm kidding, but I know she wanted to."
"How do you know that?"
"Because she asked," Faith chuckled.
Shortly after their food arrived, a guy with a violin strolled over. Dawn gulped as Faith conversed again. He immediately began to play a song that got Dawn to feel butterflies in her stomach and a warm feeling through her entire body. Faith handed him some money after he finished. They shared a smile before he headed to a different part of the restaurant. As Dawn gazed at her in awe, Faith made her next move. She used a fork to grab a long noodle of her pasta off the plate before grabbing it with a few fingers.
"Faith, this is a restaurant; use a fork," Dawn demanded softly.
She was silenced by Faith asking her to put one end in her mouth and start eating slowly. As she did, Faith did the same with her end. Dawn instantly realized what Faith was doing and wanted to react like she and Buffy did when she got the compliment back at the apartment. When their lips gently touched, Faith pulled back and let Dawn finish the last of the noodle. The people around them laughed, cheered, and let out happy sighs at the couple's reenactment of the scene from The Lady and the Tramp.
"How long had you been planning that?" Dawn wondered as she wiped around her mouth with a napkin.
"When I made the reservation. Oh, and the server does speak English: I just wanted to impress you."
"Well, consider me impressed," Dawn commented before leaning over the table and kissing her on the lips.
They finished the meal and left the restaurant. Faith convinced her that they should walk. She had mentioned that it wasn't that far away, and it was a nice night. Dawn went along with it and sighed as the brunette held her hand the entire way. Faith continued making the other girl happy by buying tickets for the so called "chick flick". They headed to the snack counter, where they got a few more sodas and enough popcorn for them to share. Faith led her to their seats, insisted that Dawn sit first, and sat to her left.
As they viewed the movie, their fingers occasionally brushed against each other in the bag of popcorn. Dawn felt a shiver of excitement each time it happened. She would also glance at the slayer to see a smirk on her face. When the movie was over, they silently got up and left the theater. Faith distracted her by pointing to something off in the distance and flagged down a guy with a horse drawn carriage coming closer with her other hand. Dawn almost jumped as he stopped right in front of them.
"How about it, D? You up for a carriage ride instead of a cab?"
Dawn could only nod as Faith once again talked in Italian to the driver. Seconds later, they were off and ended up taking a carriage ride that lasted close to half an hour before heading back to the apartment building. During the ride, the couple had snuggled a little under the blanket that had been in the carriage. They had used half of it to cover Dawn's legs. Dawn had gasped when Faith's right hand had slid under the blanket and landed on her left knee. She began to smile as Faith didn't attempt to move it. After they stopped in front of the apartment building, Faith took her hand off Dawn's knee, handed the driver some money, stepped out first, and helped her date out of the carriage. Dawn gasped again as Faith grabbed her by the hips while the younger girl stood on the end of the carriage and set her down on her feet about two inches in front of her. Instantly after the driver left, Faith wrapped her arms around Dawn's waist and kissed her on the lips. Dawn reacted by wrapping her arms lightly around Faith's neck and intensifying the kiss.
"So, did you have a good time, Dawn?" Faith began after breaking the kiss.
"Best. Date. Ever," Dawn admitted before resting her head on Faith's left shoulder, "I don't want it to end yet."
"Neither do I, but it will have to soon. Is that offer to sleep in your bed again still on?"
"Of course," Dawn assured before accidentally letting out a yawn.
"We better get you to bed," Faith asserted before picking up the girl and attempted to carry her upstairs like Dawn was a princess.
"I think I can handle the walk upstairs," Dawn reminded her as she tried to get out of the hold Faith had on her.
"Just go along with it," Faith insisted lightly while successfully preventing her date from getting away from her.
"Fine," her date agreed and kissed Faith's left cheek before giggling and resting her head on Faith's left shoulder for the second time.