Hum, sorry ? What else is to say ? I lost inspiration for the story since I'm all Legend of the Seeker for now. But I'll finish this one, there's only one chapter left to write ! So if there's anyone still reading (and I'm sure there is because you guys have been so great at reviewing and all) let me know :)
Satsu tries not to let her emotions show on her face when she joins her friends to the table and notices that Faith's hand disappears under it while Buffy's sitting right next to her. Almost on her, to be exact. She does her best to ignore what this hand might be doing to her former girlfriend. Instead, she greets them all with a smile. Xander goes back to his place next to Dawn.
"Hey Satsu, where are your bags ?" Kennedy asks.
"Giles dropped me here and Xander offered to put them all in his car. Then he'll drive me to the airport."
"Xander has drunk more than allowed."
"Thanks Buff, but I only took one fill and Satsu has to be at the airport in two hours. I think I'll be fine by then."
The conversation is oriented on Satsu, and what she'll do once she's settled in Japan, and she tries to answer the best that she can. The young Slayer is grateful to see that Faith and Buffy have straightened their positions and are no longer touching each other. She doesn't look at Buffy; it's too hard. She's noticed that the blonde is glowing, and she knows all too well why. Instead, she empties her glass and catches Willow's hand, dragging her on the dance-floor.
"C'mon, I want everybody up !"
They all comply happily, knowing that this is the last opportunity they'll have to dance all together. As if they knew, the rest of the crowd steps aside and sort of form a circle around the merry band. Satsu is the only one officially single and she gladly presses herself against every willing body on the dance floor. If this is her last night in town, she'll make it worth remembering. Even Buffy dances with her and for one last time she allows her hands to roam her perfect body, to grab her hips to pull her closer. Faith watches but doesn't intervene nor say a word and Satsu is grateful. After one dance, Buffy leans in and Satsu fears for a second that she's going to kiss her, but the Slayer whispers in her ear :
"Thank you for everything, Satsu. Thank you for being so great."
Satsu can't answer, because she's too surprised to even think about what she could say. So she simply nods, and just like that, Buffy lets go of her and turns toward Faith.
"So… Thanks for driving me to the airport Xander."
"No problem."
"Take care of you. And of everybody else."
"I will. Give me a call when you're settled, okay ?"
"Sure."
Xander hugs Satsu for a brief moment and then she disappears behind the doors of the gigantic airport of the town. The young man sighs and walks back to his car, hoping things would be better for everyone now.
The morning came too quickly for Faith and Buffy. Both asleep in the blonde's room, in each other's arms, they felt like everything was finally going to be okay. After saying their goodbyes to Satsu, they had all left the club. Willow and Kennedy had taken a cab with Dawn, whereas Buffy had climbed on Faith's motorcycle with the brunette. They hadn't meant to end up in the same bed, but with all the alcohol in their system and after their little encounter in the club's bathroom, it was the event that was most likely to happen.
Buffy sighed happily and stirred up a little, showing the first signs of consciousness. Immediately she snuggled closer to the warm body next to her and was welcomed by a kiss on the top of her head.
"Good morning."
"You sure it's still morning ?"
"Well, it's almost 11 a.m, but technically yes."
They stayed a moment longer in bed before agreeing to get up.
"I'm gonna take a shower."
"The bathroom's on the left."
"Thanks B."
"I'll be downstairs, do you want to eat something ?"
"I could eat a horse, but bacon and eggs will do."
Buffy smiled and swiftly placed a kiss on the brunette's lips before heading downstairs. Once alone, Faith looked around her. The room was a mess, clearly the result of the tornado they had created the previous night. Then she remembered Buffy's words about leaving town and she frowned. Everything was finally going in the right direction, so maybe it wasn't necessary for the blonde to go away. Immediately after, she shook the thought out of her head. If Buffy felt like she needed to be on her own for a while, it was because there was no other option. And she really wanted to make things work whatever the cost was.
"Faith spent the night with Buffy."
"Well duh."
Willow raised an eyebrow at her girlfriend.
"Did you know ?"
"Oh, c'mon Will ! Last night they totally did it in the club's bathroom."
"What ?"
"It was written all over their faces ! They've been missing for thirty minutes and they came back at the same time !"
"Buffy would've told me."
"When ? She was glued to Faith's side the entire night !"
The witch paused to consider Kennedy's words and after a moment her eyes went wide.
"Oh my… You're right ! Buffy was… She was glowing ! And Faith didn't come back here to sleep…"
"I'll talk to Faith, and you'll talk to Buffy, alright ? I want a max of details ! Oh, wait ! I've got a plan."
After receiving a text message from Kennedy asking her to be at the apartment as soon as possible with Buffy, Faith told the blonde they needed to hurry. She had no idea what could be so urgent, but Kennedy was her friend so she wasn't about to question it. Thirty minutes later, they were back on Faith's motorcycle on their way to see their friends.
They immediately noticed Xander's car in the driveway but didn't say anything. Buffy knocked on the door and they waited only a few seconds before Kennedy opened the door.
"Hey, thanks for coming."
"Sure, what's the matter ?"
"The matter ? Oh, no, there's no such thing."
The youngest Slayer locked the door behind them and her action confused both Buffy and Faith.
"Ken ?"
"We're all in the living-room, and we want you to tell us what exactly is going on between the two of you."
Faith took a menacing step toward her friend.
"A trap ? You set us a trap ? I thought you needed help with something !"
"Don't be so grumpy, or I'm gonna start thinking that Buffy left you unsatisfied last night."
"Buffy didn't let m… Mmmh !"
"Faith !"
Buffy had placed her hand on Faith's mouth to prevent her from walking right into Kennedy's little trap once again, but seeing the smirk on the young woman's lips, she realized she had been too late.
"Well well, guess who's going to love this ?"
Xander, Dawn, Willow and Kennedy were sitting across Buffy and Faith in the living-room. There was an uncomfortable silence at first, until Xander said :
"So, those who were expecting this to happen years sooner, raise your hand !"
And everybody did, except Buffy. When she realized that Faith also had her hand raised, she slapped her gently on the back of her head.
"Ouch ! I was only giving my opinion !"
"I don't like it. It makes me be the only one who didn't know what was going on between you and me !"
"Well, you kind of always knew, Buffy." Willow said sheepishly.
"You just weren't ready to admit that you were a big lesbian like Will and I." Kennedy added, smiling when she saw Buffy's frown at her.
"But, you're glowing, you're happy, so everything's perfect right ?" Xander said cheerfully.
"I guess I forgot to mention the part where I leave ?" Buffy asked hesitantly.
Suddenly the atmosphere was charged again.
"You what ?" Dawn shrieked, surprising everyone. Despite being an adult now she still had a way of screaming that was no different than the one she had when she was a kid.
"I'm taking a vacation from this place. I need a break and I thought now was the right time for this. Satsu being gone doesn't mean I can jump into another relationship even if I really want to be with Faith. I just can't, not right now. Not like this."
Her friends remained quiet for a minute, thinking about her words and the truth in them.
"I agree with you. You're right. You have to go." Willow said, nodding supportively.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, I'm surprised, but I understand Buffster."
"Thanks Xander. Dawn ?"
"Sure, if you need it. It's just very sudden. What does Faith think ?"
"I think Buffy is free to do whatever she wants."
"Guys, should I order Italian or Chinese ?" Kennedy interrupted, clearly disinterested in the conversation now that it was obvious that Buffy and Faith had done it. That was all she had wanted to know in the first place.
"I don't want you to leave."
"You know I have to, Faith."
"I know. Doesn't mean I want you to."
Buffy smiled when she saw the pout on the brunette's lips and she quickly kissed it away. After eating lunch with their friends, they had gone back to Buffy's apartment to pack a bag for the blonde. They were now at the airport, just the two of them.
"Where will you go ?"
"I don't know yet. I need some fresh air."
"Montana ?" Faith said in a teasing tone.
"Maybe." Buffy answered seriously.
"Just make sure you have a signal there, or wherever you go. I want to be able to call you at least once a day."
"I will. You should go now. I'll just buy a ticket for the next destination they have within the US."
"Alright. You sure you don't want me to stay ?"
"Hmm. If you stay I'll be too tempted to stay too. You have to go."
"Fine, I'll go."
But Faith didn't move an inch, and Buffy dropped her bag and put her arms around the brunette's neck.
"I am so happy right now."
"I'll be even happier when you'll be back."
Buffy slowly leaned in and brought her lips to Faith's. Immediately the other Slayer kissed her back eagerly. Once breathing became necessary they pulled apart.
"I love you." Faith mumbled against the blonde's lips.
"I love you too." She whispered back.
After one last kiss, Buffy picked up her bag and walked away without looking back and Faith did the same. She had too, for fear that if she looked one more time at Buffy she would not be able to let her go.
So, there ! Satsu's gone and she won't be coming back. Only one chapter left, so feedback is welcome !
OTH-FOQ