The Springs Gourmet, Colorado Springs, 1930 hours.
"I'm telling you ladies" said Willow as she, Colonel Carter, Faith and Cassie entered the restaurant, "We look like a million bucks."
"Oh yeah" said Faith smiling at Colonel Carter as the four women were led to their seats in the classy looking restaurant.
"Where did you find this place, Willow?" asked the Colonel as she looked at the red head.
"This was the place Red brought me to for our first official date" said Faith with a grin as they got to their table.
"Oh" said Colonel Carter as she smiled at Willow, "not bad Willow, you've got great taste."
"Thanks, ma'am" said Willow grinning.
"Good evening ladies" said the waiter as he stopped by the table, "may I take your orders?"
"How about your best bottle of Champagne?" said Willow as she looked at the waiter and then at Cassie, "and two ginger beers?".
"Fine with me" said Cassie as she looked at the waiter and pointed to herself and Willow, "could we have the ginger beers in a Champagne flute please?"
"Of course" said the waiter.
"Thanks" said Cassie as she pointed at Colonel Carter, "its her bachelorette party."
"Cass" said the Colonel as she looked at the younger red head.
"I'll get you ladies the best bottle we have" said the Waiter smiling as he walked off.
"Oh" said the Colonel as her cell phone beeped in her handbag, which she took out and smiled.
"Ma'am?" asked Willow as the Colonel smiled at her phone.
"Pete must have sent a message huh?" asked Faith as Willow and Cassie glanced at each other.
"Yea" said Colonel Carter, "just wanted me to enjoy myself tonight."
"You'd better enjoy yourself, Sam" said Faith, "then what's the point of all of this?"
"I still say strip club after this" mumbled Cassie.
"No" said all the three women as she looked at Cassie.
"How about a club?" asked Willow.
"No… No.. No…" said the Colonel, "how about we just go back home after this and relax, and have the girls night we were supposed to have?"
"Oh no" said Faith as she shook her head, "No.. No.. No.. No.."
"Faith has a point, Colonel" said Willow, "I haven't seen you enjoy yourself once, ever since I joined the SGC."
"But…" said the Colonel as Willow interrupted her.
"And trying to figure out how efficiently power the base shields doesn't count as fun, ma'am" whispered Willow.
"Fine" said the Colonel as she gave a dramatic huff.
"Club after this?" said Cassie.
"Sure" said Willow, "why not?"
"This night is going to be so much fun" said Faith as she rubbed her hands together excitedly, just as their food was served.
Just then there was another beep, this time from Willow's phone.
"Sorry" said Willow as she took out her phone and read the text message before she put it back.
"Everything alright, Willow?" asked Cassie as she noticed Willow's worried look.
"Yeah" said Willow as she got up, "I'll be right back ma'am… Faith."
"Alright" said the Colonel.
"Come back quick, Red" said Faith as she missed the look of concern on Willow's face.
Willow had gone outside the restaurant and redialled the number she received the message from. The phone rang a few times before someone from the other line picked it up.
"Daniel?" asked Willow.
"Hi Willow!" shouted an obviously drunk Daniel who was on the other line at the General's house.
"What's going on? Said Willow as she remembered the message she received from the archaeologist, "what do you mean by 'is Faith alright'? Shouldn't she be?"
"Daniel!" said the gruff voice of General O'Neill who appeared behind Daniel as he was talking to Willow, "I told you that whatever it is, Faith will let us know in due time. Don't push it by bothering the girls during their girl's night."
"Daniel" said Willow after hearing what the General had said, "What's going on?"
"Nothing Willow" said Daniel nervously, "I'm sorry."
"Daniel?" said Willow as she gave Daniel her 'you better tell me the truth or else voice'.
"Umm…. Nothing, Willow" said Daniel, "really, I must have sent you that message by mistake."
"You were sending someone else a message about Faith asking if she was alright?" asked Willow confused.
"No" said Daniel, "what I meant was….."
"Red" said the General as he took the phone away from Daniel, "listen, I'm really sorry Daniel called you during your Girls Night, he had a couple of beers and decided to text you on a whim."
"Sir" said Willow as she nervously ran her hand through her hair, "What's going on with Faith? Is it something I or her need to worry about?"
"Red" said the General as he sighed, "Please don't think about it now, just enjoy yourselves alright?"
"But Sir" said Willow as she whispered into her phone while making sure that there was no one around her, "she's the one I'm crazy in love with, so please, I need to know if there's something I should be worried about."
The line went quiet after what Willow had told the General and she thought that maybe he had hung up on her.
"Red" said the General finally, "Daniel just thought that she was acting a bit off."
"It was like she was trying to say good-bye!" said a drunken Daniel who was lying on the General's couch while General O'Neill and Teal'c stared at the archaeologist.
"No more drinks for you Danny!" said the General, "and you'd better apologize to Red tomorrow."
"Sir?" said Willow as she looked shocked at Faith who was having drinks and laughing with Colonel Carter, "she was saying goodbye?"
"I don't know what happened, Red" said the General as he looked at a snoring Daniel, "and neither does Daniel, it was just a feeling he had."
"But Sir" said Willow as her lips started to tremble.
"Red" said the General, "you two are good together, I don't think she's going to leave you. I don't know what Daniel felt but it's not that."
"I want you to continue enjoying your Girls Night" said the General, "that's an order."
"Alright Sir" said a very shocked Willow as she stared at Faith.
"She wants to say goodbye?" thought Willow to herself as she wiped a tear from her face just as Cassie walked out the entrance. She knew that this was Colonel Carter's night and that she didn't want to ruin it by confront Faith about whatever it was that was going on with her. Willow knew she'd have to wait until they went home.
"Willow" said Cassie as she walked to her.
"Hey Cass" said Willow as she looked up and faced Cassie.
"So?" said Cassie as she failed to notice Willow's eyes watering, "what are we going to do about Sam and the potato face?"
"Nothing" said Willow as she looked at the Colonel and Faith laughing in the restaurant.
"Willow" said Cassie, "you and I both know that he's not good enough for her."
"I know" said Willow as she just rubbed her hands on her eyes, just to get the water out, "I told her everything about Pete, but she made her choice."
"You told me that you could read someone's mind and emotions" said Cassie, "so what do you get from Sam?"
"She's nervous, guilty, and sad" said Willow as she looked at the Colonel.
"Exactly" said Cassie, "can't you just, you know, change her mind or something?"
"Cassie" said Willow as she looked at the red head in front of her and then at Faith, "it doesn't work like that, I can't change someone's mind just because I don't like the decisions they've made. That would be unethical."
"But she'll be happy" said Cassie.
"Cassie" said Willow as she held on to the younger red heads arms, "the Colonel made the decision to marry the potato face, it's up to her if she wants to break it off. All we could do is support her all the way."
"What about Uncle Jack?" said Cassie sadly.
"I hope that the situation was different as well, Cass" said Willow, "but.. you know….. the regs won't allow it."
"But you know her feelings….." said Cassie before Willow stopped her and looked around her surroundings.
"Yes" whispered Willow, "I know what her feelings for the General are. She even has the same feelings now, but like I said it is ultimately her decision. We need to be supportive. Please, Cass?"
"Alright" said Cassie, "I'll be supportive, but I don't have to like it."
"That's my girl" said Willow as she put an arm around her shoulders and guided her back into the restaurant.
"Hey Red" said Faith as she noticed the look of concern that Willow had given her.
Faith: "You alright Red?"
Willow: "Yeah."
"Colonel" said Willow, "I've got to go to the ladies room, something must have caught in my eye. Made me rub it and now my eye liner's been messed up."
"Sure" said the Colonel, "don't take too long though."
"I'll be quick ma'am" said Willow as she headed towards the ladies room.
"Sam, Cassie" said Faith as she looked at Willow walking away, "I'll be right back."
"Sure" said Colonel Carter and Cassie as Faith got up and walked towards the ladies room and entered it after Willow had gotten in.
"Red?" said Faith as she saw Willow standing at one of the mirrors. She walked towards Willow and slowly touched her arm. "Red? What's going on?"
"Nothing" said Willow as she opened her bag and took out some eye liner and make-up.
"Don't" said Faith as she slowly took the bag away from Willow and placed it on another sink, "please tell me what's wrong? I'm not a telepath or an empath, but I know you well enough to know that there's something wrong."
"Please, Faith" said Willow quietly as she telekinetically grabbed her bag and pulled it back to her, "it's Colonel Carter's special night, can we do this when we get home?"
"Red" said Faith softly as she pushed Willow into one of the stalls and locked the door, "you know I love you right?"
"Please don't leave me" whispered Willow as she held Faith's hands before pulling her in for a hug, and then whispering into her ear, "I love you so much, please don't leave me."
"Red" said Faith confused, "why would you say that?"
"I got a message that something was wrong with you and it seemed like you were saying goodbye" said Willow as she hugged Faith tightly.
"Damn it, Riley" said Faith.
"Riley?" said Willow as she looked at Faith in surprise, "what's Riley got to do with anything?"
"You said you got a message right?" said Faith.
"Yea" said Willow as she looked on confused, "but it was from Daniel, he asked me if everything was alright with you. Then when I called him, he said that you acted as if you were saying goodbye."
"Oh" said Faith as she stood back.
"Faith?" said Willow.
"Red" replied Faith as she took one step towards Willow and put her hands around her hips, "I'm not leaving you, but I do need to talk to you about something when we get home."
"But" said Willow just as Faith gave her a deep kiss.
"I'll tell you when we get home, Red," said Faith as she slipped her hand to Willow's lower back, "Daniel just misunderstood, I wasn't going to leave you, or the SGC."
"Alright" said Willow, "when we get home then."
"Yes" said Faith as she slipped down one of the straps that held Willow's dress on her shoulders and started to kiss her neck and then her bare shoulders.
"Faith" said Willow with her eyes closed, "Colonel Carter and Cassie are waiting for us."
"Spoil-sport" said Faith as she bit Willow's shoulder before putting the strap back up.
"I love you" said Willow as she hugged Faith tightly.
"Ditto, Red" said Faith as she returned the hug, "but when we get home, I'll explain everything to you."
"Alright" said Willow as the both of them left the stall.
"I'll see you outside" said Faith as she opened the door and exited the ladies room, walking to their table.
"Everything alright?" asked the Colonel with a smirk.
"Yep" said Faith smiling as she sat down next to Colonel Carter, "Red's just redoing her make-up, she'll be out soon."
"Alright" said Cassie, "how about we discuss our next plan of attack?"
"Sure" smiled Colonel Carter, "I leave it up to you ladies, surprise me."
"You're gonna regret that" said a smirking Faith.
Willow's Apartment, 0200 hours
"Alright" said Faith and Willow who were walking up to the apartment as they carried Colonel Carter between then, "now we know that Sam can't hold her alcohol."
"Yep" smiled Cassie who was walking just behind them while holding the Colonel's handbag.
"Cassie?" said Faith as the younger red head ran in front of the three women and opened the door.
"Alright Colonel" said Willow as she led the Colonel into the apartment with her arms on her shoulders, "lets get you to bed for some sleep."
"Nope" said the Colonel, "no sleep… wanna watch movie…"
"Ah no" said Faith, "you're out."
"No" said the Colonel as she suddenly put her head on Faith's shoulders and fell asleep.
"Yeah" said Faith grinning, "she really can't hold her alcohol."
"Let's put her in Dawn's room" said Willow as the both of them carried the Colonel to Dawn's room and laid her down on the bed.
"Good night, Colonel" said Willow as she put a blanket over her slightly drunk superior officer.
"Alright Cass" said Willow, "you should get some sleep too, you've been dancing like a mad woman tonight."
"Yeah" said Cassie as she started to yawn, "I guess you're right."
"Just take my room" said Willlow.
"Alright" said Cassie as she picked up an overnight bag that she had packed earlier in the day before she was picked up by Willow and Colonel Carter.
"Good night" said Faith as she hugged the younger red head.
"Night" replied Cassie as she went into Willow's room and closed the door.
"Faith?" said Willow.
"I guess it's time I explained some things" said Faith as she grabbed Willow's hand and went out to the balcony and sat down on the swinging bench that the both of them had put up after the whole Tegalus incident.
"What's going on?" asked Willow as she sat down next to Faith.
"I wasn't exactly truthful with you and the others when you brought me to the SGC the first time" said Faith.
"Oh?" said Willow as she looked at Faith.
"Do you remember what I said I did to Riley when I was in Buffy's body?" asked Faith as she looked down.
"Yea" replied Willow.
"I was in a real bad place" said Faith, "I just woke up from my coma, Angel was gone, B had someone else; I hated that."
"You told us" said Willow softly, "you wanted to hurt Buffy, ruin her reputation."
"I had sex with him" said Faith as she looked up at Willow.
"I know" said Willow softly, "you already told us about it."
"I did?" said Faith.
"Uh huh" said a smiling Willow, "you told us that you had slept with him to ruin Buffy's reputation."
"Oh" said Faith as she brought her hands to her face.
"Whats this about?" said Willow, "I know there are some things you haven't told me, or the team, and I can understand why. But how come you were so off with Daniel?"
"It was nothing" said Faith, "after talking with Riley, I guess I must have just forgotten about that whole part where I told you guys about him."
"Faith?" said Willow, "Daniel thought that you were saying goodbye."
"I'm not, Red" said Faith, "I'm not."
"Faith" said Willow as she put her hand on Faith's thigh, "you know you can tell me anything right?"
"Can you keep a secret?" asked Faith as she looked at Willow.
"You know what we do for a living right?" smiled Willow, "our lives are a secret."
"You're right" smiled Faith as she put her hand on to of the one that Willow rested on her thigh, "but promise me you won't tell Big-G? I should be the one to tell him."
"Alright" said Willow.
"I told you I met Riley before we left right?" asked Faith.
"Yea" replied Willow.
"Of course he wasn't happy to see me" said Faith.
"I guess" said Willow put her head on Faiths shoulder.
"We talked for a while" said Faith, "well I wouldn't say talked."
"What do you mean?" asked Willow as she looked back up ath Faith.
"He told me resign or else he would tell you and SG1 about what I did to him" said Faith.
"He did what?!" shouted Willow as she got up and was ready to head back into the apartment.
"Wait, Red" said Faith as she held on to Willow's arm and stopped her in her tracks.
"Faith" said Willow, "he had no right to say that."
"I know" said Faith, "when he asked if I had told you about what happened between us, my mind just blanked. I couldn't even remember that I had already told you what happened between us."
"He had no right to threaten you" said Willow as she walked back out to the balcony with Faith.
"Guys?" said Cassie who had heard Willow's shout and had came out of Willow's room, "everything alright?"
"Hey Cass" said Faith, "yeah, everything's alright. You should get some sleep. We'll see you in the morning."
"Alright" said Cassie, "good night, again."
"See ya" said both Willow and Faith together.
"Please don't tell anyone about Riley telling me to resign?" said Faith as she turned to face Willow. .
"But... " said Willow as Faith brought a finger to Willow's lips.
"Please" said Faith, "you promised me."
"Faith" said Willow, "this is serious."
"I know" said Faith, "I told him that if he ever told you or SG1, I'd release his big secrets."
"So you blackmailed him back?" said Willow.
"Kinda" replied Faith, "B gave me some files on what he did when he was part of a military program based in Sunnydale. For safe keeping of course. But I wasn't going to blackmail him, not this time."
"You were going to give the General the information anyway?" said Willow.
"Yes" said Faith, "it's in a safe deposit box in Sunnydale under an alias."
"Oh" said Willow.
"Red" said Faith as she held onto Willow's hands, "You know I did a lot of bad stuff and I promise you that I'll tell you about it one day, but not now. I trust you with my life, but I need to tell you in my own time."
"Alright" said Willow as she caressed Faith's cheek.
"You wanna take a secret trip with me to Sunnydale to get the file?" asked Faith.
"Sure" said Willow, "secret?"
"Yeah" said Faith, "we don't tell Dawn or B that we're going, just in and out."
"How about you ask the General what he knows about it?" said Willow, "he's got the highest clearance known to man, and if he doesn't have it he can always get clearance from the President."
"I'll talk to him about it on Monday" said Faith.
"I'll cancel the Sunday dinner plans I have with Riley and his wife" said Willow.
"No" said Faith, "his issues are with me, you don't need to change your plans for me."
"You silly girl" said Willow as she kissed Faith, "him threatening you means that the threatened me and SG1."
"You can't tell them" said Faith.
"Alright" said Willow, "you told me you'll tell the General so that's fine."
"I mean, don't tell Riley I told you anything" said Faith, "you should go out for dinner with them, I mean you haven't seen Riley in some time, and I don't think you've met his wife before. B told me she's a good person."
"Faith" said Willow.
"Go for dinner" said Faith.
""Tell the General on Monday, Faith" said Willow, "You can trust him."
"I know" said Faith as she stepped closer to Willow and slid down both the straps that held up her dress on the shoulders, once they had walked back into the apartment, locked the door and turned off the lights.
"Is everyone asleep?" as Faith as she stood up and took Willow's hand in hers.
"Yea" said Willow quietly.
"Well" said Faith grinning as she took off Willow's dress, while the red head was doing the same thing to Faith as they walked into the brunette's room, "try not to scream."
"No promises" said Willow while she moaned into Faith's ear as she telekinetically closed Faith's bedroom door.
Riley and Sam's quarters, SGC, 0200 hours.
"Whoa" said Riley as he finished reading another mission report.
"Whoa, is right" said Sam, "I'm reading some of these again and again just so that I can believe it."
"So she really never left in a bus to Colorado" said Riley surprised, "it was all magic."
"Yea" said Sam, "you should read this one about the incident where she appeared on the Prometheus when Colonel Carter was lost."
"What?" said Riley as he put down the report he was reading and sat next to his wife.
"That's interesting" said Riley as he read the report, "if the initiative had any idea about what Willow could do, wow; it would have helped us a lot."
"I'm glad you guys didn't find out about her then" said Sam.
"Sam, you know how much power it takes to astrally project from a planet to another area of space blind?" said Riley.
"Doesn't matter" said Sam, "the Initiative would have cut her up and used her, who knows, they could have done their own version of the Bride of Frankenstein and made Willow into Adam's mate or something."
"You're right" said Riley as he instantly regretted what he had said before.
"This is a new life for us, Riley" said Sam.
"I met Faith yesterday before she left for home" said Riley.
"Oh" said Sam as she looked at her husband.
"I might have said some stuff while angry at her" said Riley.
"Oh no" said Sam, "what did you do?"
"I was angry" said Riley, "I told her she doesn't deserve to be at the SGC or on SG1. I told her to resign or I would tell the General and Willow that she had sex with me while in Buffy's body."
"Oh no!" said Sam as she stood up and stared at Riley, "how could you?"
"I was mad, Sam" said Riley, "she used someone I cared out and used me to get to her, I couldn't handle it. Then when I saw her, I just lost it."
"Riley" said Sam.
"She said she has files that Buffy gave her for safekeeping about what the Initiative did, and that if I said anything to the General or Willow, she would give the file to General O'Neill" said Riley.
"I swear the both of you are like little kids" said Sam as she shook her head.
"I'll apologize to Faith on Monday and I'll talk to the General about the Initiatve files" said Riley as Sam sat on his lap.
"You should" said Sam.
"I still can't believe this is the same Willow" said Riley as he looked through the file on the Prometheus incident.
"Things changed, Riley" said Sam, "we should accept them."
"You're right" said Riley as he closed the folder and turned off the lights before pulling Sam onto the bed with him.
Willow's Apartment, 1600 hours, the next day.
"Uncle Jack!" shouted Cassie as she ran to hug the General who had just walked into Willow's apartment, with Daniel and Teal'c close behind them.
"Hi Sir" said Colonel Carter and Willow as they got off the couch after Faith had opened the door to let them in.
"Hey Big-G" said Faith smiling at the older man who handed her two cases of beer and an apple pie..
"Ladies" said the General as he sat on the couch next to Colonel Carter and Cassie, "how was girls night?"
"It was great" said Faith, "one of the best ever since I started hanging with you guys."
"I bet" said General O'Neill as he glanced at Willow, "Red?"
"It was great, Sir" said Willow with a grin as she looked at Faith, "actually it was super."
"Great" said the Genera as he leaned back as put his arms around Cassie.
"Sir" said Colonel Carter as she turned to face the General, "may I talk to you?"
"Sure Carter" said the General as he turned around to face her.
"Outside in the balcony, Sir?" said the Colonel as she stood up.
"Alright" said the General as he followed the Colonel out to Willow balcony.
"Hey Red" said Faith as she nodded toward the Colonel and the General as they were standing outside nervously.
"I know" said Willow.
"Faith, Willow" said Daniel as he walked sheepishly alongside Teal'c.
"Hey Daniel" said Willow.
"I'd like to apologize for last night" said Daniel, "I could say that I was just drunk, but that would not be an excuse to do what I did."
"Its alright Daniel" said Faith, "it was just a little misunderstanding."
"Are you sure?" said Daniel.
"Yep" replied Willow, "although you are banned from drinking beer whenever we have team nights at my place."
"Willow" said Daniel.
"Daniel" replied Willow to the amusement of Faith and Teal'c.
"Faith Lehane" said Teal'c, "are you well?"
"Yea, Big Guy" said Fiath with a smile, "how about you? Watched Star Wars yesterday night?"
"Indeed" said Teal'c.
"So what do you have for us today?" asked Faith.
"The new Star Trek movie" said Teal'c.
"Really?" said Faith excitedly, "I was actually looking forward to watching that."
"Ladies and gentlemen" said Willow as she put her arm around Faith's shoulders, "my girlfriend the geek."
"Hey" said Faith who turned around and smiled at Willow.
"Ow" said Willow as she suddenly grabbed her chest, "what the hell? Ow!"
"Willow?" said Daniel as he quickly rushed to the red head, "are you having a heart attack?"
"Willow Rosenberg?" said Teal'c with concern etched onto his face.
"Red?" said Faith as she noticed tears coming from her eyes.
"Daniel" said Willow, "It's not a heart attack."
"Then what?" said Faith before she noticed that Willow was looking right behind her.
Faith turned around and watched Colonel Carter as she was talking to the General, she was holding his hands before he suddenly hugged her tightly.
Faith: "Red, did she just….?"
Willow: "Tell the General about her upcoming marriage? Yes."
Faith: "Then the pain?"
Willow: "The General looks happy for her Faith. In fact, he looks ecstatic for her, doesn't he?"
Faith: "Yea"
Willow: "I'm an empath too, remember."
Faith: "Oh no."
Willow: "Yea. The pain is from him. His feelings of heartbreak and devastation is so strong that I can feel it affecting me physically."
Faith: "Will you be alright?"
Willow: "Yea, just need a few minutes."
"Willow" said Daniel, "are you sure you're alright?"
"Yea" said Willow as she slowly stood up straight, "I'm alright, just had a really bad thought about something."
"Oh" replied Daniel just as the Colonel and the General walked back into the apartment.
Willow saw the Colonel smile and walk towards Teal'c and Daniel before she asked the both of them to accompany her to the balcony.
"Sir?" said Willow as she stood beside him as Faith sat watching some TV with Cassie, "are you going to be alright?"
"Yes" said the General as he grabbed a beer and opened it.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry" said Willow as she looked at the General.
"For what?" asked the General as he, himself, looked at Willow, "Oh."
"She told us yesterday night" said Willow softly, "didn't think it was my place to let you what was going on."
"You did the right thing" said the General.
"Still" said Willow.
"No" replied the General, "you did the right thing."
"It you need to talk, Sir" said Willow.
"I know, Red" said the General.
"Fishing next weekend, Sir?" asked Willow, "I know we start a four day mission on Tuesday, so Faith, Cassie and I could accompany you after that."
"Alright then" said the General before he looked at Cassie, "Cassie, move over."
Willow watched on as the General flopped down onto the couch and sat between Cassie and Faith, while Colonel Carter was receiving hugs from both Teal'c and Daniel.
"I hope you're doing the right thing ma'am" thought Willow to herself as her chest continued to hurt; just as she got feelings of sadness and hurt from Teal'c and Daniel, even though they seemed to be overjoyed at Colonel Carter's announcement.
TBC.