At a Sunnydale cemetery. Faith and Buffy both fell backwards onto the mound of a fresh grave, as they fought a pair of leather-uniformed vampires. But this doesn't stop Faith from wanting to continue her conversation with Buffy. "So, what, you're telling me never?!" Faith grunted in disbelief to Buffy as she struggled with a vampire.
"Faith! Really, now is not the time!" Buffy said gritting her teeth as she tried push off her attacker.
"I'm curious! Never ever?!" Faith pressed despite fighting for her life. The two Slayers both kicked up with their legs and send the vampires rolling over and off of them, and then do back rolls up to a standing position. "Come on, really. All this time, and not even once?" She blocked a high punch from her assailant, grabbed onto his shoulder and flipped him forward. He landed hard on his back.
"How many times do I have to say it?" protest Buffy. She ducked a swing from a vampire. "I have never..." She did a backhand punch at her attacker. "...done THAT..." The vampire staggered backward into a lamppost from the force of her punch. Buffy moved forward completing a full spin kick toward him. "...with Xander!" She jammed her stake home, and the demon burst into ashes. Buffy look over at Faith, still fighting. "He has only just become with my boyfriend!" She was becoming increasingly annoyed at Faith probing her about her relationship with Xander particularly when it seemed to involve sleazy remarks and accompanying hand gestures. Could she just say 'eww'? Because really, the whole 'nympho' routine was starting to rub her the wrong way. It was one thing for Faith to see herself in purely sexual terms, but it made Buffy uncomfortable having someone take the same view of her and the people in her life.
But this was part of her life at the moment. Patrolling with the slayer sister. After besting the Sisterhood of the Jhe in their attempts of reopening the hellmouth a state of tranquillity had set upon Sunnydale in recent weeks, ever since old enemies and new alike had cease their attendance of the said Hellmouth. Still, Buffy went on her patrols as she had always done in the times of Spike and Angelus. Except…nowadays, she found herself in the company of her slayer sister Faith. The unpredictable, head strong girl who was quickly becoming increasingly reckless and out of control. She sometimes preferred to patrol on her own as it would give her time for reflection and to think. The other night when she had managed to get some alone time with her thoughts was no exception as while she trudged over stone slabs where ancient rites once occurred, her thoughts drifted to Angel, who by now was somewhere in the hold of the so adequately named City of Angels. The bloom of their relationship faded not long after they were able to release him from the bindings of hell. Perhaps that was why it was so easy for him to leave and for her to let go. He had left some time ago, and although there were promises to return, she knew it wouldn't be soon, and if he did come, it would be likely in times of danger and fear, and not the times of love it had been in the past.
Still, she knew it was for the best and she had even demanded he leave in a way. The hurt from Willow's love spell had caused a gulf to appear between them and she simply couldn't go back to the way it was. But on a night like this where she was currently with Faith facing off against some leather uniformed vampires who were wielding swords, she did miss Angel's company. Once again Faith had lead them into some kind of trap and was seemingly intent on pushing to see how many risks, they could take on one night. Even as they fought the vampires Faith was grinning like she was enjoying herself. To Buffy was merely trying to survive the night but it seemed Faith believe that the two of them were both in primal fight mode, taking out vampires the way they were born to. It was a little frightening. Though she'd gone on patrol with Faith before, this night was the first time that she felt like the other slayer was out of control.
She knew Faith had her own way of doing things like when it came to fighting Faith employed a more brawler-type fighting style than Buffy, who was more prone to Asian martial arts. Faith tended to be more aggressive and reckless, using her Slayer brute strength rather than speed or agility as Buffy did. But the girl was becoming increasingly unpredictable and irresponsible even more so than Xander at times. Thinking about her boyfriend she smiled a little. They had been dating for a few weeks now taking it a little slow after they did the 'wacky' as he would put it. Casual dating, simply enjoying each other's company and almost struggling to get past friend's mode. Another night doing the 'wacky' in the crypt after a rough patrol seemed to have cured them of that and they were in much better shape.
Maybe she would get his view on Faith as well as Giles.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
So here it was, a late Sunday evening, and Cordelia Chase was sitting on a rickety chair in a dirty garage listening to the Dingoes stumble through their songs… and she was having a great time. Sure, it was dirty, the songs that were playing weren't the best and she could have done without Devon's wannabe Mick Jagger routine, but she was enjoying herself. She wasn't some obsessive groupie planning to send every minute of every day at the sidelines, she wasn't dotting girlfriend or some trophy to be displayed for all to see but she was here because Oz asked her if she wanted to come in a very casual way. Watching the band was fun and low key – as well as off-key – and it was as different from spending time with Xander as she could possibly imagine. Maybe more. She wasn't used to a guy who had friends, who had interests outside of fighting evil – unless reading comic books and goofing off counted… did it count? – whom you could just be with in a really casual way. Now she thought maybe there were options on the non-platonic menu and, whatever ended up happening between her and the werewolf currently tuning his guitar, she felt grateful to have learned that.
Oz looked at her and smiled. She smiled back. It was another much-better-than-expected evening. It reminded her that he was sharing something with her. Something he enjoyed and something that was a big part of him. She recalled their first night were she had been on guard duty watching him as a werewolf. In all the time she was dating Xander, and he was with Willow, she had never done it. That was somebody else's job and another's responsibility. But now she was with Oz, and she decided that she should take on some of that responsibility as they were in a relationship.
"So, is like a sneezing? Like you sneeze one too many times and then like poof you are a werewolf?" Cordelia had asked him as she sat at the table in the library. "Or is it like when you have something really spicy, and you are like 'Oh my god water! Water! Or is it like_"
"Cordelia is none of those things," Oz cut her off. "It's not something I can easily describe or want to." Cordelia bit her lip at that decided to be silent.
Nice one Cordy she thought to herself. She tended to babble when she was nervous. The first night she was watching him, and she was already making it awkward. Way to go self. Find a cute boy, who is going through something you would never want to experience and make is massively awkward. She just wasn't too sure how she was meant to be acting. Soon Oz would be turning into a werewolf. The cage door closed. He was still clothed, peering at her between the bars, a hand around them. The most relaxed prisoner ever, except for the tight grip of his fingers, and the intent look he was giving her. "I do promise not to peek," Cordelia spoke up from her seat. He was now changing out of his clothes and placing them to one corner. He clearly didn't want to rip his clothes off which was completely understandable. Cordelia had ruined too many outfits due to hanging around Buffy and helping slaying not to sympathise.
"I didn't figure you for a peeker," Oz joked earning a glare from her. "You sure you're okay with this? I won't exactly be good company."
"Trust me, I've gone on dates with worse," Cordelia replied. "Oh, and don't worry you are way, way better than worse. I may be little miss foot-in-mouth today, but I like being around you and honestly, sitting around while you do your thing will be only relaxing part of tonight. You're the one having to put up with bad company."
"Disagree," Oz said, smiling. Cordelia grinned back. Situation salvaged. Thank God. She then realised it was a vulnerability thing, and he was trusting her with it, all chill and like this was a normal thing they were doing.
Light poured through the window and the cage bars, fading into the wood of the library floor. The sun would be done setting any minute. "Right. I'll be not looking now." She turned to face her bag on the table. Her latest fashion magazine had to be read some time, and she needed something to keep her from thinking of the boy she was meant to be watching over. The rustle of clothing reached her ear, and then the faint sound of it being placed on the other side of the cage. Her breath quickened, and the pencil she'd just taken out snapped in her hand. Oz couldn't have noticed that from over there, not with human hearing. She hoped. He said nothing, and then she heard the grunts, the growls, the cracking of bone. She looked then, lips parted, eyes slightly wider. The transformation had to be hurting every step of the way.
He was huge, muscles rippling through the shaggy fur as he paced within the cage, snarling; the other side of the soft-spoken Oz who'd been so patient with her minutes before. His golden eyes caught her watching him and he stilled, going silent. Cordelia didn't know how long it lasted before she broke away, turning back to the table. Behind her, Oz growled. "Hey none of that Mr Growly!" She called out from her seat. "We are going to be civil here and simply chill. There be no growling, drooling, biting, clawing, and eating of Cordelia Chase do we understand each other?" At his whine she took that as a yes.
In the morning, he had awoken to the smell of coffee and doughnuts. He looked up see Cordelia standing there behind in the cage in the middle of the library holding a cup and a bag from a local shop. "Morning sleepyhead," she said in all her dazzling Cordelia Chaseness. "You changed back an hour ago but wouldn't wake up so I figured I could leave you to go to get breakfast." She put down the coffee and breakfast on the table. He could tell she was trying to sound upbeat and figured that it must have been a difficult werewolf sitting.
"How was last night?" he asked her directly. No point beating around the bush. He noticed that she stiffened slightly.
"Fine!" she said quickly. "You growled a little and mainly moved back and forth. I swear my aunt's pet Chihuahua is more active. Like that thing is like a little ball of energy," Cordelia babbled but then saw Oz staring at her. Dating Oz, she realised that he tended to think rather than say. His eyes were capable of delivering monologues. "You were a little crazy," she admitted. "You scratched at the cage all claws and fangs. For a moment or two I thought about calling Giles as back up but then you seemed to calm down after you… realised it was me that was here with you. At first, I thought that you were acting wild because it was me here and not say Willow but then I stood right in front of the cage like right close," she said walking up to same spot she stood last night. "But then you seemed to recognise it was me. You calmed down then still a little grrr but less howl."
Oz nodded shifting a little uncomfortable and not just because of his nudity. "Sorry I understand it can't be… easy to see me like that. I'm just grateful I didn't get out."
"Me too you think I want to get humped by some hairy Chewbacca!" Cordelia said causing him to frown at her. "Come on Oz I have seen those looks on guys and trust me werewolf you has the hots for me. I am not the kind of dinner you think I will be," she said with a smirk. Oz was a little stunned at hearing that. He didn't realise that he and his werewolf other half had similar tastes. It was a little concerning to say the least as he began to wonder where he ended, and the wolf began. All thoughts were stopped when Cordelia unlocked the cage and stepped in. Giving him a grin of promise she pulled up her top leaving her in just her bra.
"Umm Cordy anyone could just walk in here," he pointed out from his position on the floor. Although he suspected it was too early for teachers and students.
"Wolves aren't supposed to be shy," Cordelia said winking at him stepping out of her shoes unzipping her skirt letting it drop to the ground. She stood there posing in just her underwear. He couldn't help but admire the view. The girl was crazy, sexy, and hypnotic. She was very beautiful, bold and a true force of nature. "I guess it's true what they say about animal magnetism," she said in a soft coy voice while she undid her bra. "You still feeling any urges I should know about?" she says lascivious and seductive. She is self-confident. A femme fatal in her element.
Oz feels his pragmatism being shaken. Slowly crumbling away like plaster on a house ready for demolition. The girl is pushing his every button, and she knows it. In truth he can feel the wolf lurking in the background. Urges and wants that are not his own are floating inside of him. It is after all day one of the change, so he is not too surprised at that. The wolf inside him will be at its strongest in the next few days. He feels betrayed by his primitive desires; it makes him doubt his personality. It awakens something animalistic, without feelings or love, but no less intense for that. The normally stoic guitarist watched as she leaned down to him his hands found her sides. While she wasn't about to get it on with a werewolf she had a weakness for the short guitarists. She pressed her sexy body against his as she felt his unrestrained erection against her belly as his nose gently brushed against her chin and neck subtly tilting her face away allowing him to breathe in her scent. She closed her eyes and smiled as she felt his lips against her skin and his hands began massaging her curvy body, beginning with her lower back and hips. He had discovered how sensitive her lower back and hips were. She loved when he massaged the dimples just above her ass. "You really want to do it here?" he asked her between kisses. The cage floor in the library was hardly the Ritz nor her soft large bed she had in her house.
"Maybe I just want to tame the wolf a little," Cordelia muttered as he nibbled at the sensitive spot on her neck as her arms wrapped possessively around him. She could feel his fiery lust for the release. He was so good her head lulled and rested on his shoulder. The usually silent man said nothing merely gripped her with a stronger grip and moving his mouth to hers kissing her deeply and intently. "Mmm," she moaned as his tongue danced inside her mouth gripping his head and massaging his scalp. The need and desire for each other had taken over consequences be damned. Grunting a little Oz flipped them over with Cordelia gasping at the coldness of the tiles beneath them. She was under him, but she didn't mind that. He was warm against her skin, and he was hot where his cock touched her belly. His hands moved down to her panties, slipping them down her legs and sighing softly as she presented herself in front of him. Oz is usually a minimalist and he likes that trait about him, so he liked seeing Cordelia naked in all her glory.
"Fuck me, Oz," she commanded. He did so, moving back and spreading her legs. He slipped a finger into her, feeling how warm and slick she was, the anticipation leading to her harsh lust. He tasted her and felt emboldened, rocking back, and pushing his cock inside her waiting pussy, the soft moan she made making them move towards each other for a long and breathless kiss, Oz's hips moving slowly at first, then finding his rhythm and sticking to it, hot puffs of breath with each thrust. He barely seemed to blink, transfixed with his prey, sometimes making quick sniffs of the air as he began to be driven by his pleasure and nothing more. Cordelia was holding on to his shoulders as he grabbed her by her very tiny waist, keeping her still as he fucked her quickly. She had to grab the bars of the cage to hold on as she looked at him seeing Oz looking determined. He looked determined to have her, as she was determined to take him, and the noises echoing around the library were proof of that. Even on the Hellmouth one would expect the local school library to be quiet at this time, not so today, as the grunts and groans of intense pleasure filtered around.
Oz moving over her, holding her as he made short, sharp thrusts, his breath hot, almost guttural. He wrapped his hands around her, kissing her neck softly as he pounded her. He fell over a cliff causing his motions to become jerky, then he came, the orgasm making him shudder and grip her firmly, pushing him deep into her pussy and keeping himself there until his body weakened. Cordelia came as well clutching his back muscles as they tensed, squeezing his cock for its juices and groaning out an intense orgasm.
Breathing out a deep breath of exhaustion he pulled out of her slick pussy, dripping some seed onto the floor before moving off her. Cordelia returned to the present as she realised, he was staring at her. "Sorry zoned out there for a second," she admitted. Rehearsal was over, she'd turned down the offer of a beer from the guys – as did Oz, much to her surprise and relief – and now everyone was dispersing.
"Doesn't sound fun," Oz commented.
"Oh, it was," she offered a sly grin. The brunette watched Oz put his guitar back in its case and then he took her hand and led her out of the garage and back to where he'd parked the van.
"What did you think?" he asked.
"You guys sounded great," she offered enthusiastically. Okay, so she was exaggerating, but what did she know about music anyway?
Oz snorted. "You don't lie well."
"It's why I prefer to be blunt and honest," she admitted. "That I can do but hey! Quality is… subjective. And anyway, that's why you rehearse, right?" That made him smile and she was happy. They fell into a comfortable silence. One thing she had learnt about Oz is that the man liked the silence. She often felt the need to fill it but one time while they were walking in the park during the day while she was ranting about some schoolwork, he asked her to stop and just listen. She gave it a shot and she heard it. Little kids playing in the background enjoying themselves. It was cute. Nice almost… kind insulting as it meant that he hadn't been paying attention to her but still it was something she picked up on. She had figured out many things in the last few weeks. There was something about him that mesmerized her. She had found dating him that he wasn't overtly cool just a remarkably detached, ironic approach to life. He had a smooth sense of humour but was a little too short for her. More than anything he was just Oz, and it was fascinating. Nothing matters not the past, nor the future when he is around. Was it for forever? Who knows. She had learned that since being exposed to the supernatural forever was a big word. It was good enough for now.
Better than the current state of her family fortunes anyway.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Willow, what are these?" Xander asked he came up to the couches in the school where his best friend Willow and girlfriend Buffy were sitting giving them both a smile.
"They're early admission packets," Willow clarified as he took his seat across from them. The table between them was piled up with college acceptance letters and application forms.
Xander leaned in and went through a stack of them and read off the university names. "Harvard... Yale... Wesleyan... Some German Polytechnical Institute whose name I, uh..." he frowned as he tried to read it. "I can't pronounce," he gave up and dropped the packets, leaned back. "Is anyone else intimidated?" He glanced to Buffy. "Cause I'm just expecting thin slips of paper with the words 'No Way' written in crayon," he quipped.
Willow and Buffy are paging through some of the brochures. "I'm so overwhelmed!" Willow smiled excited. "I-I got in! To actual colleges! And a-and they're wooing me! They're pitching woo!"
"The wooing stage is always fun," Buffy remarked enjoying Willow's moment. It was good to see her friend happy as she knew that things hadn't been easy for Willow and while it was mostly because of some of her actions and decisions she didn't deserve to be unhappy. To seem her excited and engaged in something was a welcome look for her.
"But it's weird. Now, rejection I can handle because of the years of training, but this..." Willow sighed a little.
"I feel your pain, Will," Xander spoke up. "Like right now, I'm torn between the fast-growing fields of appliance repair and motel management. Of course, I'm still waiting to hear back from the, uh, Corndog Emporium, so..." He crosses his fingers and then holds his hands together in a sarcastic gesture of prayer.
Buffy gave him a giggle. Her boyfriend was such a goofball at times. He can't really think that this was his future… right? "Well, I think it's great. Early admission. Now there's nothing standing between you and a brilliant future," Buffy told Willow. The red head agreed and when the bell rung, she set off for her next class. Neither Xander nor Buffy made a move to go anywhere as they both had a free period.
Her boyfriend did take a seat next to her giving her a quick kiss. "You think she's going to be, okay?" He asked Buffy nodding in the direction that Willow headed in.
Slipping in a little closer, Buffy leaned her body back into his. "Yeah," she expressed hopefully following his view at Willow's direction. "Wills has had a very tough year and she's just trying to figure out what she wants and how she wants it. I can relate. She's just trying to find her bearings again."
Xander rested his chin on her shoulder. "We'll be there to help her."
"She's strong and she'll be fine," Buffy confirmed. "We have to support whatever she wants to do, and we shall. Willow knows she's not alone."
"Except when she's trying to cast another lust spell," Xander commented.
"Okay, except then," Buffy agreed.
"And no dating vampires," Xander quipped earning a groan from the blonde.
"Why am I not surprised you added that one in," she said shaking her head before turning back to face him. "You don't really think about that stuff, do you?"
"What stuff?" Xander asked her frowning.
"The future stuff?" she asked him. "I mean I know schoolwork doesn't come easy to you, but you can't really think you will that bad off. Maybe you just need to focus more and try harder?" she offered gently knowing that this was a sore spot from him.
"Hey! They don't make it easy for me!" He protested before fishing out a book from his bag. "Like look at this 'World History 101', Xander held up the colourful 390-page book, tilting his head sideways, yet again in an attempt to understand why it was so big and heavy. "I'm sure they could have summed you up in 35 pages or less, thus saving my poor shoulder from leaning to one side as I chug it down the hall! Or even better Trigonometry!" He picked up that book. "Utterly useless math unless I wanted to be a rocket scientist, which I don't!"
She smiled but only thinly. It was an old habit, using humour to hide his feelings, and she was glad that it no longer fooled her. "It's just if I can achieve the grades I get while slaying and such why can't you push yourself to do a little better? Nothing is holding you back but yourself. If you can summon the courage to head down to the Master's lair to save me or figure out a way to stop a bunch of zombies from blowing up the school, then I'm sure you can try harder with school and get better grades."
Xander grimaced a slid away from her slightly as he considered her words. This school held many bad memories for him. His insecurities were amplified daily here, and as a teenagers rite of passage, he ate crap more times than not. Was talked about, disrespected, passed over, judged, and generally labelled a dork by both the student body and more than a handful of teachers. "It's a little late for a come from behind victory," he told her before adding. "And what if I can't do it?"
"Willow can always help, and the school year isn't over yet so there is plenty of time to get your grades up to woo a college or two?" Buffy told him.
"But what if I simply can't do it?" he asked her quietly.
Buffy frowned knowing that she would at some stage have to battle his insecurity demons. She decided that he was too far from her and shifted so she was hugging him. "People's opinions and beliefs about you never stopped you from being who you are before. I've always admired that about you." He turned to face her with a surprised look, and she smiled gently before leaning in and kissing him. She kissed away all those bad thoughts and feelings, swiping her tongue slowly over his before breaking apart as oxygen became a factor. "I got to go check in with Giles about last night's patrol," she said giving him one last peck before standing up. Giving him one last look she smiled. "Just think about it."
With that she left and Xander was on his own on the couch. Sighing he picked up one of his books again and opened it.
Might as well at least try.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Later that morning the slayers met Wesley Wyndam-Pryce the walking, talking representation of English manners and their new Watcher. While Buffy had fired a couple of cheap shots at the man's expense Faith had simply taken one look at the man and stormed off. Buffy was now catching up with Faith as they come walking around a corner outside in the school grounds. "Faith, wait!" she said, and the other slayer finally did stop turning to face her. "Look, I know this new guy's a dork, but..." she paused frowning searching for something else to say. "Well, I have nothing to follow that. He's pretty much just a dork."
"You're actually gonna take orders from him?" Faith snorted in disbelief. The very idea of taking an instruction or a mandate from someone like him made her sick. One look at the man and she could tell he was a stuck up, stiff, arrogant wannabe general that reminded her… of her former lover Principal Synder. She shivered at the very thought of the man touching her, whispering what he wanted from her in her ear and pushing his cock inside her. What made it worse was that despite the loathing she felt part of her enjoyed it. She had been engaging and more than willing during their time together… God she hated that redhead for ever casting such a spell.
Buffy shrugged almost in defeat. "That's the job. What else can we do?"
"Whatever we want!" Faith declared. "We're Slayers, girlfriend, the Chosen Two. Why should we let him take all the fun out of it?" The other night had been awesome in her mind. The two of them were both in primal fight mode, taking out vampires the way they were born to. No instructions or plans to slow them down. They were wild and untamed just like how Faith wanted to be.
"Oh, that would be tragic, taking the fun out of slaying, stabbing, beheading," Buffy summarised in sarcasm.
Faith grinned and rolled her eyes at the blonde slayer. "Oh, like you don't dig it," she pushed.
"I don't," Buffy shrugged.
"You're a liar. I've *seen* you," she reminded her friend. "Tell me staking a vamp doesn't get you a little bit juiced. Come on, say it." She stopped and folded her arms, waiting for Buffy's answer. Buffy can't help but smile and looked down to hide it. Faith just laughed. "You can't fool me. The look in your eyes right after a kill? You just get hungry for more."
Buffy shook her head. "You're way off base," she denied all of it. Figures! She knew that the pastel-wearing, butter-wouldn't- melt homecoming queen Buffy would play innocent.
"Tell me that if you don't get in a good slaying, after a while, you just start itching for some vamp to show up so you can give him a good!" Faith didn't finish her point but merely grunted and punched the air.
"Again, with the grunting," Buffy said her face a little red. "You realize I'm not comfortable with this."
The other slayer just gave her an incredulous look. God, B still needed to find the fun a whole lot. Whatever Faith mused deciding that she had enough of pushing Buffy's buttons for the moment. She just hated how Buffy seemed ashamed by giving into those primal urges. "Hey, slaying's what we were built for. If you're not enjoying it, you're doing something wrong." She turned around again and started to leave.
Buffy sighed and called out after her. "What about the assignment?"
Faith made a face to herself. The word assignment sounded school and school reminded her of a certain Principal which she was very much wanting not to be reminded of. Even coming to the high school was even difficult at times, everyone seemed to get a good deal out of that god awful spell and yet she looked back at Buffy grinning and looking carefree. "Tell you what," she pointed to Buffy. "You do the homework, and I'll copy yours." Then she grinned and left Buffy to her own thoughts.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Well, maybe we should all talk to Faith together," Willow suggested in the cafeteria. She, Buffy, Xander and Giles were sitting among the tables, which have the chairs inverted on them for the night. Buffy had just finished explaining to them the situation with Faith and what she had seen between the mayor and the vampire Mr Trick. During the events involving the demon Balthazar a reckless Faith had stabbed the Deputy Mayor Allan Flinch in his heart killing the man. While Buffy was haunted by her involvement Faith was displaying a worrying lack of remorse. She had gathered a meeting with her closest friends to gain an understanding on what to do with the matter.
"You mean, like that intervention thing that you guys did on me?" Buffy questioned. "As I recall, Xander and I nearly came to blows," she stated awkwardly glancing at her boyfriend.
"Uh, *you* nearly came to blows Buffy. I nearly came to loss of limbs." The male teen pointed out giving his girlfriend a smile by way of apologising.
Giles shook his head as he chewed his glasses. "No, Faith is too defensive for a confrontation like that. She'll respond better to a one-on-one approach."
"Well, *I* can be the one... on her one," Xander offered only to receive some confused looks from the others. "Let's rephrase. I think she might listen to me. We kind of have, um, a connection."
"A connection?" Buffy asked arching her eyebrows at her boyfriend. "Why would you think that..." He had better watch his words if he knew what good for him.
"I'm just saying it's worth a shot," Xander said interrupting holding up his hands in defence. "That's all." Buffy and Willow exchanged a look, but it seemed neither knew what Xander was referring to.
"No, I don't, I don't see it, Xander." Giles dismissed. "I mean, of, of all of us, you're the one person arguably that Faith has had the least contact with."
"Yeah, but I might have seen something... recently," Xander said struggled over his words. "And it was something that is… personal to her."
Willow really frowned at her oldest friend. What was he talking about? "Well, what was it?" she asked him.
"Something very personal… it happened during the lust spell," Xander explained looking a little swifty.
"Okay so she hooked up with someone," Buffy summarised. "It can't have been any worse that what I got involved with," she snorted referring her actions during the spell.
"Oh, that would depends on your definition," Xander replied shaking his head. "I was to suggest… a certain menace in our lives… a certain Principal."
Buffy blinked for a second and then got it with her eyes widening in surprise. "What? Did you just say...?" Her face changed to disgust. "Oh eww! Synder and Faith!?" Giles also made a face of distaste and stopped chewing his glasses while Willow likewise looked shocked.
"Oh!" Giles said getting it.
"Faith and Synder!?" Buffy repeated.
Willow didn't know if she should be hugging herself or washing herself clean. "I just...I can't believe this," she muttered mostly to herself.
"Faith and Synder!?" Buffy repeated in a loop. Willow gave the slayer a little nudge. "Sorry I just can't… process that nor get the image out of my mind," she declared before adding. "I guess that's enough to make anyone crazy." Suddenly she is genuinely sorry that the brunette slayer had to endure such a horror. She wouldn't wish anything like that on her worst enemy.
A long silence followed as the group tried desperate not to have such a scary image in their heads. Willow herself felt guilty as once again she was reminded that the spell, she had cast had once again messed up. The tension in the air is very thick. Giles finally broke it. "Fine, fine, let's, let's, let's move on," he told the group clearing his throat. "I will also need some help with research. There's still the business of the Mayor and Mr. Trick to attend to."
"Yeah, they seemed pretty cozy the other night," Buffy confirmed. She was finally getting over her heartbreak, and she would be damned if she let Mayor McCreepy rain on her happy day.
"Yes," Giles said cleared his throat. "Uh, Willow, c-c-can you, um, access the mayor's files?"
Willow nodded coming back to earth. She had listened to Xander's pronouncement with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it was hard to hear about yet another hook up as a result of a spell she had been trying to cast; but on the other hand, she was a little amazed at its power. The spell had truly managed to warp people's control and actions. There was no telling just how many different combinations they might have been and not for the first time she felt guilty for all the mess she had caused. "Oh, uh, sure. I can try."
"Good," Giles nodded as he stood up. "Yes, because clearly we, uh," he picked up his chair as he addressed the group turning it over and setting it on the table. "We need to take a harder look at him. He's, he's, um, he's obviously up to something."
"What about Faith?" Buffy asked him.
Giles sighed. "I don't know. I need time."
"She needs help now," Buffy told him. "I owe her that." She was worried about Faith. She had dismissed any of Buffy's attempts to talk about any of the stuff that had happened around the deputy mayor's death. She wondered if it could all really be resolved. She just had to believe that it could.
With that the group separating and going their various ways Xander choose that moment to head after Giles and went to his office. "Umm… Giles do you have a moment?" he asked the older man who nodded and gestured to him to close the door. "I was ummm wondering if you had given any thought about what we discussed… the other night?"
"Ah yes," Giles replied taking a seat. "I have been giving it a little thought. Certainly, at first it was concerning. Let me summarise your theory… you believe that Buffy is still affected by Willow's spell and that is the only reason why she is dating you?"
Xander shifted a little uneasy. "Well, that is 'post it' version of it but… in a way yes. Ever since that spell there have been weird happenings and couplings. Like Oz and Cordy or Harmony and Jonathon! I'm just thinking something bizarre is going on."
"Yes, it does feel that people have become some what more promiscuous or liberal since the spell," Giles considered. "But in my research, I have seen no evidence that the spell has long term affects. Buffy's reaction to the death of the Deputy Mayor proves that she is of sound mind and judgement. Believe me if Buffy was under the influence of some mystical influence, I would be deeply concerned but however I do not think this be the case." He noted Xander's lack of agreement on the face. "You don't look convinced," he remarked.
"It's because I'm not really," Xander shifted his weight.
"Is it because of your relationship with Buffy?" Giles enquired causing the young man's head to shoot up. It had been the first time the older man had discussed the subject matter with the young man.
"Well, yes," Xander admitted. "Before the spell she would never see me as anything beyond Xander, the guy who was just one of the girls, a title she had bestowed on my unlucky head and well now she's interested in me like as her boyfriend and wants to do boyfriend things with me Xander!" he shook his head a little in disbelief. Determining what he felt for Buffy was simple… he felt everything. Every time he looked at her, he felt like never wanting to look away, but determining what she felt for him was far harder.
"My advice to you is Xander is stop worrying about why Buffy has chosen to pursue a relationship with you and simply enjoy it," Giles told him. "I've always wanted the best for Buffy, and I hope you know I've always wanted the best for you too."
"Do I hear a but coming?" Xander winced.
"No," Giles laughed quietly, sharing a smile with Xander. "Actually, I've very happy for you both. I have to utmost respect for you, Xander. Every bit as much as I have for Buffy, and I realize you haven't always known that because I haven't said it."
It's nice to hear, nonetheless. "Thanks Giles… I think you're a swell guy too." With that the boy nodded and left but couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he was having thinking about Buffy.
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"Mmmm…." Joyce's moan was like music and her skin tasted like sunshine. Angel's mouth caressed her shoulder, close to the tempting column of her neck. "I need you," she said softly as his hands pushed up her top, the front hook of her bra undoing easily. His fingers found her breasts and…
Angel awoke with a start: hard, aching, and disoriented. It took him a moment to realise he was alone in his bed. No warm, willing Joyce Summers beside him. It took an even longer moment to decide that was a good thing, remembering at last just what horror would be unleashed if his dream came true. Not for the first time, a large part of him railed at the mistaken lust spell and the encounter he had found himself with Buffy's mother. He had been at the mercy of his desires and lusts, and she had been there. All eager, wild, and naked, spurring him on and giving him as good as he got, needing him just as much as he needed her. He had more than his fill of sex with the woman and he it caused him to feel as terrible as his soul's curse. The suffering that the curse placed upon him was now mixed with the feelings and urges swirled up inside him. There were no answers to his questions, and he never expected to find them.
With a sigh, he took himself in hand. There was no chance that solitary relief would bring him happiness, perfect or otherwise. Stroking himself his mind wandered back to Joyce. Sprawled on her back, open to him, her eyes squeezing shut, her face contorted, her back arching in yet another orgasm shared between them. His tongue tricking down between her breasts. On her hands and knees, her mouth open in an 'O' as he penetrated her… Angel's own hand roughly abusing himself as his mind formed an image of the woman. She was so perfect. His perfect victim. Clutching him hard as he thrusted into hard, she gripped him as tight as she could urging him on. Her bed had been their playground and had creaking and complaining underneath them.
Angel closed his eyes and focused on his body as he felt himself become close. Moments later, he found release. That meant it was time for a shower, didn't it? With a sigh, he got out of bed. It was a long while till sundown when he could take out his frustrations out on some vampires or nightlife that the city of angels could provide.
He sighed again. He could almost taste her.
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She recalled the moment at the docks when she had a chance to escape. B was being knocked down by that vampire Trick and Faith could have easily taken off. But then an idea had come inside her head. A good one. So, she had saved the blonde by staking Trick. She even sweetened the deal by giving the blonde a flash of her big brown doe eyes and Buffy had crumbled. She saw in that instant that she was forgiven. B had always been a sucker for that 'I was bad, but I want to be good, please help me' routine. Angel had it down to a T. She knew that Buffy would defend her to the gang, and they would follow. It was all about Buffy in this town, everything. She resented Buffy for everything that she had: the perfect mother, the perfect love, the perfect friends. Faith had nothing except that, the envy, envy so deep and intense it might overwhelm her.
However, if there was one person who Faith hated as much as Buffy it would be that little witch Willow. Her spell which she had messed up had put Faith in a very, very compromising position with a little dwarf like Principal Synder. She shivered as she recalled it, him sucking on her breasts, crying out as she rode him, sucking him off, doing all sorts with him and all she could think about was how hot it had been. God, she knew it was wicked sick, but it had really turned her on… even now God she wanted to beat Willow senseless. And typical Faith was stuck giving someone like Synder a blow job while from what little she had managed to pry out from Buffy, she had lived it up in an orgy at the Bronze. B was too darn lucky sometimes.
And what was the response from the group to Willow. The redhead messes up all of them with some stupid lust spell and they all just forgive and forget?! She couldn't believe that the girl was allowed back in the club, a club that it seemed didn't have space for Faith. Her teeth grinded at the mere thought. Her feelings were to go directly up to the redhead and rip the witch limb from limb. Naturally that was not allowed in the Scooby circle. Well paybacks are a bitch, and this bitch was after revenge of the sweetest kind. See, Faith had a plan here. She was going to beat Buffy Summers. She was going to make Buffy pay, beg for her mercy and then, when she did, that would be Faith's victory as Faith would kill her. She grinned at the thought of it. To see Buffy's self-righteous face moments from dying, defeated and helpless. It would be too good. She waited for the door in front of her to be open and it did with Mayor Wilkins appearing behind it looking somewhat surprised to see her standing there. "You sent your boy to kill me," the brunette slayer said accusingly at his doorway arms crossed and all business.
"That's right, I did," Wilkins said unfazed.
"He's dust," Faith told him.
"I thought he might be," the mayor replied nodding still uncaring and unconcerned about the powerful and deadly girl that stood before him. She was impressed that he wasn't running for cover or crying for help. He must be very powerful. "What with you standing here and all."
Faith stepped forward brazenly into the doorway. "I guess that means you have a job opening." The Mayor stepped back to let her enter and closed the door.
Somehow Faith just knew things would be five by five.