Chapter 9: Willow finds out the truth
Xander had arrived at Giles later than expected, almost 2 in the afternoon and Willow had aparently began to make some serious progress with finding a good couple of interdimensional locater spells for Buffy and Faith, she was still having trouble with the correct portal summoning spells though. after 50 minutes of non stop research she had almost believed a breakthrough was soon to come until she realised the spell she was looking over would only teleport something the size of a penny one way and not back.
Oz was also perusing a few tomes and actually managed to come across a very promising spell but knew they most certainly didn't have the ingredients on them and Giles considered that maybe he should visit the new magic shop in town as he had heard some very good things. he double checked the portal spell and grabbed his wallet and car keys after writing down a small but exotic list of spell ingredients and disapeared out the door in a flash.
Willow sighed as she chucked her newly finished book onto the coffee table and almost knocked her coffee cup over but it was saved at the last moment by Xander who himself was feeling quite useless in the research department.
"We can try your spell after i locate them, i have all the ingredients here anyway... how come the portal spells are so hard to open. why isn't there a portal deluxe, push a button here to open" Willow mimed and sounded out the process and the portal opening which elicited a wry grin from Oz who was still reading thoroughly but found time to retort anyway.
"Probably too many big bads trying to set up base, conquer a new realm, fhis book says here it is extremly rare for a portal to open to anywhere, let alone safe."
Xander didn't like the sound of that but Willow butted in and set his mind at ease.
"I did a spell and they are both alive and well... Buffys gonna be mad i burnt her favourite sweater though. why does magic always get so burny?" her response made Xander let out a held breath of air he hadn't really realised he was holding in.
"I had to change the bed sheets too... you really need an area to do magic... more stoney, less flammable". Willow stood up and walked over to her boyfriend and held him with her chin resting upon his short ginger hair, her hand rubbing his shoulder.
"Mum won't let me build a stone henge in the garden... something about idol worship and Jews don't do that cause it's evil pagan nonsense. she gets pretty passionate during the short moments she is actually home from her job". Willow righted herself and walked off towards the kitchen, leaving the boys alone to talk.
"So we might have a chance at finding the Buff meister, alive and well is good... they must be getting along, fighting otherworldly monsters and stuff is kinda their whole deal" Xander kicked himself back into the comfy chair and picked up a book to help research again as Oz responded.
"Yeah but the longer we wait the more chance we have of finding an ancient, old pair of Slayers or maybe barely any time has passed at all, dimensions get complex... it's why Will is panicking, there isn't really a spell to check their current ages through dimensions". Oz dropped the truth bomb on Xander and he spent a few long moments sorting it out in his head before responding.
"Maybe we could just magically de age them if they return all wrinkly..." Xander thought he was helping until Willow returned with cookies and hot drinks in hand.
"We'll need gallons of fresh virgjn blood for that Xand... easier to just get em home fast and then find out who the hell opened two portals to get rid of em both" the not so jolly red head was dishing out the treats and drinks and Xander was not having any luck as he delved into his chosen tome and the words began to give him a migraine, learning latin and reading latin were definetly two different things and yet he managed to suck at both it seemed.
Rather unexpectedly this morning he had received a phone call from Anya who said to him she was coming back since the mayor had been defeated and was up for maybe getting together sometime. this was playing on his mind quite a bit as Willow began to gather her magical ingredients together as she was finally going to try one of her stronger locater spells as she needed to know magically where they were by creating a window into their dimension so that when she opened a portal she could focus on those energies and strengthen the connection through her feeling out the subtle energies and latching on to them for a better magical foundation.
"Quaere amissae terram, quae proelia tenebras, fenestram crepusculi ad rubras osculumque calendasque iubet aperire!" Willows eyes shone with unrestrained magic as a blue window opened up in tbe air, a minimum of 30 inches vertically and horizontally. it shone perfectly in the air and showed the scene of a bloody battle in a mining quarry between 4 cowboys and over 50 tough looking demon thugs. that was when they spied Buffy behind a mining cart with a long green rifle which fired green bolts of impossibly destructive magic bolts into her enemies and quite a few exploded upon impact and sent limbs flying everywhere.
Faith on the other hand was making light work of her enemies as her long red rifle shot darkened hastily fired shotgun balls which caused wide spread destruction and left too many large craters in enemy and earth. the other two who were with them were also dressed up in cowboy gear but instead of being brown leather they wore black and covered Faith with their own rifles which also fired ice and earthen magics which were leaving their enemies completly at a loss as to what to do.
"Holy hell Buffs a full blown magical cowboy, and is Faith taller... she looks taller!?" Xander had quickly sprung behind Willow in seconds flat and was now scanning the scene with a new found interest that their cinstant research just could not inspire within him.
The scene suddenly changed to a snake demon bandit creature sneaking up behind Buffy and Willow was screaming at the window to no avail but that ended as she saw Buffy pull out a german pistol and fire it behind her shoulder without even looking and another bolt of slightly less powerful lightning struck the snake demon and tore through his head like a hot knife through butter and it silenced Willow instantly as Buffy went back fo sniping the demons left and right with minimal effort. Faith had suddenly conjured a black fireball and threw it before the feet of what looked like the leader, a purple king cobra looking demon whose neck was way too long to be placed upon a humanoid frame.
The black ball exploded into a gargantuan plume of completly black smoke which blinded the few remaining henchmen and left their boss completly defenceless and Faith was already across the quarry and taking his head off with an axe in one hand and her 1911 in the other. all that could be seen were light flashes of red, like from a laser beam behind the smoke and screams could be heard as the others had stopped firing but waited patiently to spy the outcomeand act accordingly.
Willow was shocked that Faith had learned such powerful magic and their weapons were also magically enchanted as well, the dimension they lived in was obviously dangerous but they had managed to adapt quickly. the smoke cleared and the only one left standjng was Faith herself with the head of the snake demons leader and his long neck raised high in the sky as she claimed her victory and her team mates cheered.
Buffy also cheered as she ran towards Faith with open arms and flung herself into them with reckless abandon and hugged her tight and Faith chucked the demons head back on the floor and hugged the blonde slayer back with a warm gleam to her eyes. Willow was confused and a little angry that Faith and Buffy were being so close and friendly, no it wasn't anger, it was jealousy. she always did have a connection with Buffy, the dark Slayer was her exact opposite at times, her shadow self and it showed.
"Man Buffs forgiven Faifh pretty quickly for killing angel? how long have they been hunting bad guys, Faiths hairs alot longer too and she's taller!" Xander noticed and pointed out that she was two full heads above Buffy now and seemed more muscular from what they could see through the blue window.
Oz stood up and walked over to the mirror and spied it closely and was shocked to see that Faith did look older by maybe a year or two and she was most certainly taller than she used to be, "Food must be good over there, they both look alot stronger!" Oz grinned as he met eyes with his beautiful redheaded girlfriend who did not look entirely happy at the sight playing out before them.
Buffy had let Faith go and was taking a picture of them both posing with their quarry holding an odd looking polaroid style camera and as Faith was talking to the giant Rhino demon all in black the tall barbarian also posed with the snake demons head and Buffy took another picture with the giantess standing atop his detached body and cheering, his head raised high as the flash went off suddenly. the mirror was abiut to fade it seemed but Willow had worked out the energy and would continue feeling it out as it faded, now she had a template to work from it seemed and this new energy would help her lay the foundations of the future portal.
Buffy strutted over to Faith as she gathered everything she needed for what seemed like a job they were all working together and grabbed hold of her hand and giddily began to drag the girl away from the quarry as fhey both shone calmly under the noon day sun.
"They must be like old fashioned bounty hunters, Buffys a lawman in another dimension it seems... they got the rifles and everything!" Oz was hapoy as pie they were both healthy and still slaying, but now they seemed to be making money out of it and obviously they got along again but this time like a house on fire.
"Man we gotta tell Giles, he's gonna be over the moon when he finds out Buffys ok and Faith too... guess they worked out their problems together" Xander walked off towards the kitchen and Oz sat back down in his seat away from the window as he didn't think there was anything more to see and continued researching portals. Willow was the last to watch as the window began to fade and what she saw shocked her to her very core and as the portal faded away entirely she was graced with the image of her best friend merrily pulling her enemy in for a deep, lengthy and passionately loving kiss that Buffy herself had pulled her in for and Faith had absoloutly no objections obviously.
Willow stood there dumbfounded and didn't know how to react except for to sit down and munch on a triple chocolate chip cookie and question everything she knew about her best friend and her darker halfs secret relationship. She knew Faith had a thing for Buffy but this Faith was older, more beautiful too and now knew magic and was heavily armed more than any Slayer had ever been before.
'She wasn't under a spell' Willow mused as she remembered her own spell she cast the night before to make sure Buffy and Faith were both ok and it would have told her if either were under the influence of undesirable magicks.
'Were they always gay? was this why she was so angry with Faith over Angel? or is there some information i haven't been privy too' Willow was happy that both girls were fine and they even looked stronger even though she was sure Faith had been in the world much longer, she came to the conclusion from fhe nearly three days Faith had left that it had been nearly 2 years or more for Faith and months for Buffy most likely and that was just what she could work out from context clues.
Willow was now adamant she had to get them both back as soon as possible, within the next day or two at least. she would be years removed from her own dimension if they took up to a week and of course Buffy would come back even stronger but she looked happy with Faith.
'What if Buffy doesn't want to come home? there's no evil the new Buffy and Faith obviously couldn't handle with just their new weapons, let alone hand to hand'. Willows mind was racing now she was thoroughly aware that her best friend was secretly a gay woman, she just couldn't work out for how long. she had considered mayne it was from the moment Faith had arrived in Sunnydale, there was so much flirting and Buffy didn't exactly hate it and she also dished out so many gay innuendos.
She was remembering that time in the bronze 'Really, we're just good friends!'... 'Oh my god Buffy was secretly gay this entire time and i bashed the girl she liked constantly... man i suck as a best friend' Willow sighed and looked over the portal spell that Giles was collecting the ingredients for.
"Maybe i can make the window a two way communications device if i combine the Archon window spell with the Locota whispers communications magic?" Willow said out loud but was now considering doing the spell in complete privacy just in case by the time she figures out the combination of spells it could become a distinct possibility that the two Slayer could be caught in a 'very private' moment and Willow didn't want to explain her way out of that one.
"Oh, ya wanna warn em you're doing a spell so they don't get all panicky and confused... plus they might think it's not a back home portal and refuse to go through it in case they end up somewhere worse" Xander chimed in as he began chowing down on a small bag of cheesy doritos.
"Umm, yeah of course... but it's probably better i do the spell in private and give them all the info they need, i dunno how long the spell would last or even how strong it would be. might get a minute or maybe just a few seconds?" Willow tried to hide her nerves but thankfully both Oz and Xander didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary since she was always kinda gittery when she was filled with nervs before a big spell.
The door swung open and Giles returned with a large brown paper bag under arm and slammed the door bac, into place as he ran over to the table and began preparing the ingredients as the book told him too and Willow excused herself to the bathroom while the ex watcher hastily began to piece everything for the spell together. Willow was about to cast her own spell as she hastily built the new spell in her mind and worked it out how quickly she could cast and get out without anyone knowing she had spoken to the Slayers and gave them a heads up as to what was happening.
~~*
Buffy had just exited the shower with Faith and was now covered in fruity skin oils she knew Faith loved to apply all over her petite lovers body and now she smelt much like a sweet mango and Faith herself was smelling of fine tasting cherries. Buffy had become so accustomed to their daily routines that she was quickly forgetting what life had been like without them, they bathed together, ate together and read together.
They both had jobs they loved in the bounty hunting field and it was almost their 8 months together anniversary and in 10 Faith would have been here in Al-Kafur for two years and her strength had already become something to behold as a fellow warrior. her skin had become almost immune to shotgun rounds which is something they had unfortunatly found out in their last bounty but it also turned into a pleasent suprise when a point blank blast to her leg had only left light bruises and that demon unloaded something fierce.
Thankfully Ruby also does equipment repairs and that gave Buffy a sense of ease if she ever needed to also repair her enchanted clothing, but today they had no more Bounties and were rolling in a stupid amount of money to the point that yesterday both women had taken up voluntary shifts on the town watch and today she was taking a trip to Rubys house again so the Slayers could practice new magic spells and Faith was killing it where as Buffy had only just learned how to throw a fireball.
She was dreading learning the illusion magic that Faith was now on but everytime she worried Faith did remind her that she'd been learning magic alot longer and Buffy was learning faster than she was. but for some reason the blonde Slayer had a feeling that Faith was being kind and trying to shield her feelings from the sjmple truth that her cute blonde lover sucked at magic casting and was much better with the punchy punching.
Buffy had begun to dress less in her normal clothing and had decided to wear her enchanted clothing almost 24/7 as she was sure the benefits would almost double but then Faith had lain some ground rules as she didn't want the cute golden haired cowgirl wonder wearing her dirty bounty gear to bed but promises they would pick up more night watches so they could both spend day and night in their gear and grow naturally stronger in all aspects of their enchanments.
Buffy reluctantly agreed the moment Faith pushed her against the bedroom wall and began making out with her furiously which is what had just led to their impromptu shower and alot more fun in the bathroom than she had ever expected as Faith had came up with some new moves and was excited to try them. Buffy was quite hapoy to let her take the lead sexually whenever as it meant they both learnt new things and the next time would be even better than the last.
Buffy put on a new pair of bra and panties and Faith followed suit as the more vertically challenged Slayer sat on the edge of their bed as Faith came over and sat on the floor so her lover could continue drying her hair with a cordless electric hairdryer which the girl had fallen in love with. when her hair was dry Faith handed her the enchanted red ribbon and closed her eyes as her kind lover went over their personal morning ritual and tied a symbol of their connection within Faiths hair but lately Buffy had taken her time more and always ended up massaging her brunette muses tired shoulders and it was very much appreciated. they had both been extremly sore after so much work and Bounty hunting really took it out of you even though both girls were super powered and extremly well armed. Buffy decided to just begin talking and Faiths eyes remained closed in comforts as they spoke together.
"Almost 8 months together baby, I want you to know i've never been this happy Faith... you bring out the best in me ya know" Buffy began to really lay the massage on thick and Faith could only moan in response as she was very much in her lovers tender thrall.
"It feels like we've built an actual life here... i can't even remember Sunnyhell half the time anymore. hell we're going on holiday in a few weeks when Sina finishes up her planning and Rhinos dating that snake demon girl who just moved to town" Faiths head had slumped downwards a bit as she allowed Buffy to really get in and give her a very deep tissue massage that she didn't want to admit was really sorting out her neck pain, she just wanted Buffy to keep going and soothe her aching muscles with her super grip strength. her slender digits had really become well accustomed to working out Faiths aches and knotted muscle and it had come to the point where Faith had last night admitted to her she couldn't go a single day without Buffy working her muscles.
"Normally when life's going this well something would explode in my face and some big evil would come out of the wood work and annoy me to no end...but not this time. Now i'm in my first real relationship, gayer then a christmas tree and happier than ever! if i had known this is how great life could be i would of thrown you into bed the first chance i got" Buffy cheerily giggled and began working her way up Faiths necks and she moaned pleasently and responded.
"Poor Joyce... she would be traumatised if she heard how hard you scream when i make you cum!" Faith gave ner a cheeky grin and Buffy lowered her mouth to the girls right ear and nibbled it before retorting with a sly grin.
"And who taught me how? but you're right we'd have to gag each other hmmm... that gives me some ideas" Buffy whispered the last past and sent sensual shivers up Faiths spine as she groaned in anticapation of something that wasn't coming as they only had two hours before their next magic lesson and it wouldn't be worth bathings and applying oils all over again just to spend the day sucking at spell casting.
"Tell me you love me Buffy..." Faith leaned her head back into Buffys lap and stare quietly into her deep green eyes.
"I love you Faith, all my life, i've never loved anything more" Buffy was glowing in the light that came through the window and it gave her a golden halo which almost blinded Faith so she closed her eyes as her illuminated goddess massaged her jaw with expertise she had attained from alot of practice she had only recently aquired in this very house.
"I had them made you know... like i promised, they're in the top draw of the beside table" Buffy whispered and without opening her eyes as they were sitting pretty damn close to it and she felt for anything and Found a small box and brought it closer to her face. Buffy was still massaging Faith as she opened her eyes and saw the box was flat and black, made of some kind of darkened wood and she flicked it open to reveal two handcrafted rings made of Ruby and Emerald stones completly.
Both rings we styled the same, two fierce looking dragons eating their own tails as the red dragon wrapped around a slender ring of gold and the shiny green dragon was wrapped around another slender ring of brilliant silver. both Dragons dwarfed the bands inside but as Faith looked inside the rings she noticed hers was obviously the red one and had an inscription placed inside that read.
"You are my one true love and my enduring Faith, my heart and soul are forever yours" the inscription was small and the letters were beautiful to look over and Faith quickly looked into the green ring and read aloud as she had with the first.
"My world had no color before your loving light graced my life with it's warmth" Faith smiled and placed her ring on her finger and enjoyed the moment and she noticed how well the ring fit upon her long slender fingers. "So you wanna marry me that badly huh? even quoted me from when we held each other tight by that waterfall during the Slanesh bounty".
Buffy held out her hand without saying a word and Faith turned and stood on her knees. "We can do this the old fashioned way ya know or we can just consider ourselves married and fall even deeper in love with each other ever day... atleast the latter is what i plan to do" Faith gave her a cocky look and Buffy rolled her eyes in a playful manner.
"Faith, we can do it legally if we end up going home to Sunnydale... but a piece of paper doesn't mean anything compared to a loving and deeply trusting bond shared between us ya know. You are the love of my life dummy, so put the emerald ring on my finger and call me you wife already!" Buffy pouted but she still waited patiently for Faith to place the ring upon her finger.
"Buffy Summers... will you be mine forever as i intend to be yours? in this world or the next... will you be my wife?" Faith waited for her to say 'yes' before placing the brand new emerald ring on Buffys finger and placing a soft kiss upon it before she waited a few seconds and then pinned her to the bed and began to indulge herself in a rather enjoyable make out session which was quickly going to turn into full blown passionate sex again until both girls heard a coughing sound and turned to greet a large blue window in the air which reflected Willow in Giles's bathroom and both girls panicked and hastily hid under the bed covers and held onto each other for dear life.
Willow was obviously shocked to see what they were both up to and as they both slowly began to peek out from behind the covers Willow put her hands out and told them both not to panic which didn't really help as they both continued to do so anyway.
"Don't worry guys I'm alone... and it's ok, i understand and im very un-judgy and totally cool with whatever you're both into!" Willow tried to sound convincing and she definetly seemed to believe what she was saying but Buffy and Faith still barely poked their heads out long enough for Faith to ask.
"How long have you been watching us Red?". Willow responded quickly "Long enough to see you put a ring on Buffys fingers and both of you going at each other like horny rabbits, but that doesnt matter... we found a spell to open a portal and bring you both home!" Willow had obviously laced her words with a lot of pride as she always did like being praised for a job well done but Buffy suddenly sprung out from underneath the covers and scream in loud defiance.
"NO! we're staying here don't you dare open a portal!" Buffys sudden defiance took Willow by suprise and she was taken aback by her best friends shap and panicked words.
She looked confused but Buffy was planning for this speech to Willow for a long time and wouldn't let her take them away from a new life they've built together here.
"I'm finally happy and you want to drag me back to that hell hole! what's happening this time another apocalyspe I have to avert? I worked out the time difference when i got here, there is no way something bad has happened in 24 hours or less Will..." Buffy was angry and it didn't help that Willow was obviously just looking out for her, it just made her angrier.
"I have a great job, more money than i know what to do with, a women who loves me after all i've done to her in the past and you want to drag me kicking and screaming back to that tormentuous hellhole!" Willow had remained silent as Buffy laid the cold hard truth down on the young witch but she had to respond somehow and she did.
She blurted out, "But we thought you were in a hell dimension or something... don't you miss us? the red haired witch asked from behind the magical blue mirror with a saddened look washed across her pale visage. Buffy sighed and Faith placed the bed covers over her more as she rose to her knees and adressed Willow more properly.
"Of course i miss you all, But haven't i saved the world enough? hell maybe some evil did this too us but i tell you one thing for certain, i'm gonna thank em for it Will... I have never been happier so please, unless something big happens! just leave us be ok" Buffy gave her a worried look but it was the kind that had a unmistakable seriousness behind it and Willow knew she wasn't playing around.
"Look... nothing's stopping you all from visiting us ya know, but if you try and drag me or Faith back against our will... i will fight and i will win... make it clear to Giles and Xander ok!" Buffy gave her a soft smile before Faith spoke up as she knew the Witch would most likely blame her for Buffys words and actions or well... inaction, as in refusing to go home.
"Ya got any questions Red? anything you wanna know that'll put your mind at ease?" Faiths voice was softer than usual but filled with understanding. Willow looked around nervously before asking her questions and it was obvious she hadn't prepared for this.
"How long have you two been together... obviously it started in Sunnydale... Is that why you killed Angel? I mean, I thought about it myself sometimes too but...". Buffy gave Faith a look and that was the go ahead to say whatever she wanted too, she was over the whole Angel mistake, she realised why she was so obsessed and Faith was about to vocalise why.
"Red, Angel was what over 200 years old give or take his trip to that hell dimension and don't forget he was 26 when he was turned... yh, I've read the watchers diaries..." Faith was still under the covers with Buffy but she looked back and made sure Buffy was ok with her telling Willow why she did what she did and the red headed witch had noticed the look and slight nod allowing Faith to continue.
"I killed him because he was preying on Buffy, the Mayor had also made it clear that the gypsy curse he suffered from was all manner of retarded... if Angel had wanted too he could of easily made his soul permament through the african demon trials... djinns, wishes, magicks from witches and warlocks. hell he even offered him a spell which would of made his soul a permament fixture and he said, no!" Faith had discussed this with Buffy a few times but it never got easier to hear.
"I lost my temper, i was jealous... angry so i filled him full of poisoned arrows, I made sure he could never hurt her again and he would! he would do it again and again until there was nothing left and i dunno how you and Giles let it happen in the first place... he was a god damn mass murderer!" Faith voice had risen to the point that Buffy had instinctivly placed her hand on the darker Slayers shoulders and rubbed her thumb across her shoulder blades and it calmed her somewhat.
Before Willow could retort Faith continued on. "And no Red, nothing happened in Sunnyhell. i wish it had but no everything just kinda progressed here when we were alone, free and didn't have to answer to everyone else's ideas of who we should be and the whole Slayer thing, I'm over it! i'm out and it's about time other people take over fighting evil cause us getting murdered at a young age is obviously cruel and blatantly evil and you know that".
Faith gave Willow a moment to respond and she took it as she formulated whatever question she had next to ask. " Well, i can understand why you've both had enough and if Buffys ok with giving up the whole slayer gig... that's her decision but what will you two even do? fight evil over there... and what happens when the next evil appears here? and what do we tell Buffys mother?" Willow seemed a little panicked at the whole idea but Buffy butted in as Faith rose her hands up in the air and sighed in annoyance.
"I have no reason to come back, i'm home Willow, i'm happy and strong... life here is, its magical in all the ways life should be. I'm part of a community and we have a house together!" Buffy took Faiths hand in hers and kissed the back of her strong yet slender hand.
"Tell mum... don't tell her anything, just tell her the last time you saw me i was angry and walked off somewhere and ya haven't seen me since". Buffy held onto Faiths hand tighter and continued speaking.
"And as for the next evil, tell the council they can hunt the fucker itself, the Slayers are both retired as of today and Willow...".
Buffy gave her a soft smile as she asked "Yes Buffy?". Buffy waved goodbye and softly said.
"Thank you for being my best friend... but i'm going to finally go and live my life for once ok! promise me you'll do the same and have a good life...". Willow wore an empty look on her face and noticed the magically conjured window was starting to fail and she decided to wrap it up and tell Buffy what she was going to do.
"Fine... I'll tell Giles and we might call you again in... well however long it takes due to the time descrepancy, i'll tell them everything and see what they want to do. I can't promise anything but I'll explain what i can to them ok" Willow waved goodbye herself as the window instantly dissapeared and left the two alone in the room snuggled under their bed covers just holding onto each other tightly.
"Should i ask Ruby to help set up some magical protections, i don't like the idea of anyone being able to see us do the nasty to be honest with ya..." Faith kissed Buffys cheeks softly as the smaller girl responded with a wavering voice.
"Yh... Of course plus if they try and take us back... we need to be strong enough to fight the council... maybe destroy it too!" Buffy didn't whisper, she made her point clear and Faith couldn't agree more.
"By the time they get their shit together we will be years older and vastly stronger, the big bads you beat back then will look like weaker than average humans by the time they come for us, if they come for us?". Faith Suddenly slipped out of bed and got her enchanted clothes on and found Buffys and passed them to her lovingly, placing a kiss on her forehead and she went to put on her boots.
Buffy got dressed and decided that Faith was right, Ruby could use her magic to do something, hide them from Willows and the council magics... maybe protect them from being dragged back to Sunnydale and being forced to live that life again. The golden haired Slayer knew she and her lover had to do something to protect them from forces that wanted them to live in a way they never wanted too, it was selfish but Buffy knew she had earned it for once and too many people comstantly asked too much of her. here she was a beloved member of the community, she was in lesbians with the girl of her dreams, literally the girl she had fantasized about since day one of meeting her. And now she knew more than anything, she wasn't going back, she was going to be selfish for once and actually live her life... afterall why shouldn't she.
~~*
Willow emerged from the bathroom to an exited Giles and Xander waiting foe her with book and ingredients open but the moment she emerged with a sour face they asked her, "Whats wrong? is something the matter?" Giles asked softly as he put down skme magical ingredients on the table and went over to out an arm on Willow shoulder for comfort.
"She... Buffy doesn't want to come home... her and Faith are happy" The red head sighed and asked Oz to put the ingredients away and for everyone to just forget fhe spell. Giles was confused and obviously panicked but before he could get the semblance of a sentence out Willow who was now pacing blurted out.
"I worked out a spell and managed to speak to them in the bathroom through a magical window and they both made it pretty damn clear they were not coming back and would happily fight us over it... they're done with Slaying and the council, they're done with everything here and want to be free" Willow grabbed the dimensional tome and shoved it into her handbag and hugged both Xander and Oz before telling everyone she needed some time to think.
Giles was taken aback and said that it was a good idea and they should all come back after a short rest and discuss what should be done but Xander stopped everyone from leaving and blocked the door.
"We sure this is actually what Buffy wants? what if Faith put a spell on her she can use magic now, we don't know what she's really capable of... Giles couldn't believe how powerful she was when i described it to him while Wills was away on her interdimensional phone call!". Willow looked around and noticed that Giles and Oz also considered the possibility but she shut it down instantly with the truth.
"They're dating you morons, i did a spell to make sure and there is no magics effecting either of them... turns out Buffys gay and done with Slaying... and we need to get on with our lives, we can't fight evil forever!" Willow dropped that bombshell and it almost knocked Xander off his feet, he was even dizzy and wobbly to the point that Oz had to rush over to him and help him stand true.
Giles was understandably cleaning his glasses as he was also in shock, he had actually caught Buffy once or twice looking at Faith in a way he was uncomfortable with addressing and so he never did and now he realised that maybe he should of actually said something before all of this nonsense started up and she chose to shirk her duties. Willow just stood in place trying to think of how she could diffuse the situation but she wasn't stupid, she knew Buffy had most likely found a way to block her magics and also the councils and as she sensed for the connection she had secretly established with them before the Slayers had realised she was watching she had felt the block in place and it was impenetrable in a way that made her almost double over in pain just by sensing it and she hit the floor hard.
Giles ran over and realised instantly something magical had occured and Willow wearily spoke "They... blocked us with, powerful magics... see, i told you she was serious." Willow quickly threw up as the residual magic barrier sent her for a loop and completly disoriented her and ruined Giles rug with a few uncontrolled barfing sessions she couldn't stop.
"What the hell did they block us out with... i've never seen such a thing, maybe i should contact a coven i know of in Devon... they might be able to help us!" Giles was about to run over to his telephone before Willow sent a wave through the room and it stopped everyone in their tracks for a few moments so she could recover and keep her promise to Buffy.
"Stop! she has made her decision and if i'm honest with myself she's right... the council can't get to her and Faith, not with magic like that... and only i know where they are... i can open a portal there she can't stop me... but i can't bring her back and why should I?"
Willow was now on her feet as everyone gave her a strange look as she continued speaking "the council will find a way to make another Slayer line or they'll give up when they realise they lost their finest. but don't worry maybe Giles here could give the new one a cruciamentum again! if she live till 18 that is..." Willow gave giles a look that made him recoil in both anger and a little bit of fear.
"Now Willow, that is not quite fair is it, i do not work for the council anymore and i deeply regret my actions... i just want to make sure Buffy is safe" Giles was about to turn and go for the telephone but decided against it and asked Willow a question.
"Why don't we just go, take a day trip as it were and just make sure, plus i would like to say goodbye in person... it's only proper afterall" Giles was genuine as he spoke and did truly mean the words he was uttering. Xander chimed in with his own shocking revelation.
"Buffy and Faith... are gay!? when did that go down... i mean went down... no.. damn it" Xander was panicking an oz tapped him on the shoulder to bring him back to reality and it worked as he eyed Willow giving him an annoyed look spoken by her eyes.
"Xander, c'mon... get over it, even i always thought Faith had a thing for Buffy... didn't expect it to be reciprocated but hey, that's life isn't it and she deserves a long break away from the council, fighting evil and... and us" Willow decided to leave rather abruptly and knowing she still had the book with her Giles hadn't even tried to stop her.
Before she left Willow said, "We'll discuss this all tommorow, if we go then we have to be prepared and well... she needs some time before we see her again anyway... might help us to step back and think about our own lives as well" and with that Willow slammed the door to punctuate her point and left the room in utter silence. Giles found himself agreeing with Willow but was also worried about how the council would react, considering they had both left them in the wind if both Slayers were in another dimension and Faith was still alive... they would have their best working on retrieving her.
Giles would say nothing to them apart from Faith had dissapeared and no one has seen her since the mayor was defeated. the strong magics would confuse them long enough, they had talented mages and witches but Willow would soon put them to shame and whatever Faifh and Buffy were up to may put everyone in the little leauges.
"Willow is correct, dont you think... i say we all get some rest and meet back here in the morning for a proper discussion and maybe a trip to see Buffy herself and find out if she's still adamant about staying in that dimension" Giles waved both young men off to the door and Oz went at first but it was Xander who was hesitant to leave.
"We still have no earthly idea who sent Faith, then Buffy to that dimension or if it was simply an unfortunate accident... we should atleast speak to her one last time and make sure for both of their sakes that everything is above board and we're not falling for the next big evils diabolical plan" The ex watcher gave Xander a reassuring pat on the shoulder and saw them both off with what he thought was a satisfactory idea considering all the bullshit they had gone through recently.
Giles had begun to talk to himself alot lately whsn he was alone, it was a way of sorting out the caliope of thoughts that were rushing to his minds eye all at once. "I always thought Buffy had quite a fascination with Faith compared to Kendra, but i had no idea they both... but it does put a few things under a brand new light. Giles smiled warmly as he lit up a cigarette and took a long draw and then savored the taste before exhaling.
He sat down in his armchair and continued smoking away to calm his mind as he went over a few questionable moments in his kind that he had witnessed. one day when they were training together Buffy had been uncharacteristically hands on with Faith and asserted quite a bit of dominance over the younger slayer who was flirting wildly and although his little blond Slayer had brushed it off there was a certain redness to her cheeks and a lack of eye contact that had made him consider the possibility more than once.
"That time i walked into the library and caught Buffy eyeing Faith up and down as she was going through her stretches... i thought she was a little too interested, i'm an idiot! she was checking her out the entire time, that why she almost jumped out of her skin when i made my presence felt. her focus was completly focused on Faiths backside.." Giles face palmed himself as his complacent idiocy came into full view of his internal minds eyes.
There were so many moments where Faith herself had wildly flirted with Buffy, groped her and said stuff that would make those paying attention regard the dark Slayer with an inquistive eye and yet Giles had fully ignored all the signs as he admitedly had his own problems to worry about. his mistake of going through with the Cruciamentum, his lack of hands on training and oversight with Faith which had most likely contributed to her betrayal... Wesley hadn't helped either.
"If Buffy is a lesbian i couldn't care less, but she has already officially quit the council, they don't even keep much of an eye on her anymore, but Faith holds the line, they would target her magically with a myriad of spells most likely to kill her to activate the next slayer. it's easier than making a new one..." Giles thought outloud to himself and laughed as he realised if their magic was now so strong to knock Willow for six just by sensing it, the council didn't stand a chance of standing toe to toe with Faith Lehane.
Giles walked over to a bookshelf and searched for a spell to view the past and quickly conjured a 'view of the past' spell and went over both Willows living room viewing of Buffy and Faiths demon fighting and alsp the much more private bathroom discussion and his viewpoint on everything was different. Faith looked older, stronger and she was not just physically and magically stronger, she was mentally superior to her old self in ways he had never considered possibile for the ex bostonite girl. her behavior with Buffy was also soft and understanding, their connection was strong and resillient, she took the girls feeling into consideration everytime she spoke.
"My Slayer is in love with her replacement and now her replacement had seemed to surpass her... but she also is the same age as Buffy and had obviously spent quite alot more time in this other dimension and grown from the experience. as has Buffy herself it seems, she is more confident and commanding." Giles realised his blonde powerhouse of a Slayer had made her choice and it was obvious to anyone who had seen their interactions in public and private that they were deeply, madly in love with eachother.
But if he had the chance, he wanted to say goodbye, he wanted Buffy to know she always had a home here in Sunnydale, that she always had friends who could help her if everything went south. Giles himself had decided maybe it was a chance to also move on with his beautiful girlfriend and consider what his future here in america would look like and if he was honest with himself, he really liked the idea of maybe becoming a father in the near future. to himself it seemed like a good plan.
~~*
Buffy had returned home late with Faith and was happy that not only were they both now magically protected from all manor of supernatural threats hut Ruby had also enchanted their rings for free and made sure the magical protections would take the power of several 'old ones' to even come close to breaking. it meant they were safe from death spells, voyeurs and even things they both couldn't even begin to pronounce.
Faith was shocked such long words and complex words she had never heard before had slipped out of Rubys mouth so smoothly, she wasn't a hundred percent sure they were speaking the same langauge anymore. Both girls sat down on the sofa and sighed after their long and arduous day together and Faith collapsed into Buffys warm lap and let the smaller women run her soothingly dextrous fingers languidly through her dark lengthy curls and the soothing touch really helped to calm her down to the point she started to drift off to sleep and Buffy had to talk less soothingly to keep her in the waking world.
"Thank god for Ruby eh! I can't believe you baked a cake for her too..." Buffy gave Faith a pouty face which managed to get swiftly countered when Faith yawned deeply and followed the sharp expulsion of air with; "Ya didn't notice the cheesecake i made you, did ya dumbass!" Faith felt Buffy vibrate with happiness as she obviously wanted to spring from the sofa and rummage through the refrigerator for the soft creamy cheesy goodness, but she didn't want to disturb Faith as she was actually enjoying their closeness alot more than her tired bones craved delicous cheesecake.
Faith groaned and lifted herself up with quite a bit of effort and walked over to the refrigerator where she had left the cheesecake to set since yesterday while Buffy was apologising and Faith was just ignoring her as she cut them both a piece and plated them up with a small dessert fork each and turned to see the panicking girl still panicking because she was convinced she had annoyed Faith somehow.
The dark haired Slayer stood there with a cheesecake in either hand and wasn't listening to a word Buffy was sayin as she continued on and when she finally took a breath Faith closed the gap and stole a kiss.
"Come and eat baby, i made this for you... i'm just happy you're excited about something i make you ya know" Faith walked over to the sofa with Buffy in tow and leaned into the soft pillowy cushions and dug into her fresh cheesecake as her lover scooted up next to her and kisses her on the cheek before taking her first bite of the creamy delicacy and Buffys eyes opened wide in shock with how good this alternate dimension cheesecake was.
"How did you make something that doesn't exist in this dimension taste better than our homes version... and why did you never cook for me back home, i cooked for you all the time" Buffy giggled as she knew that look which had washed upon Faiths delicate features was one of playful faux annoyance and there was no real stress behind her eyes other than the tired feelings they both felt from a long day of magic lessons and an emergency enchanting from Ruby.
"I will never let you cook in our home ever again... because they don't sell those digusting carboard flavored pop tarts in Al-kufir and i hope this whole dimesion too... plus i like the noises and faces you make when i feed you, it's cute" Faith admitted to the young blonde as she swallowed another fork filled with cheesey goodness.
"Pop tarts are great, you never complained after patrolling, you always sat down with me and we ate... and you always flirted... oh you ate them because i made them? didn't you..." Buffys own personal revelation came to her like a brisk slap to the back of the head and her reaction to the realisation had cause Faith to giggle and almost choke on her cheesecake.
She composed herself and tried to stifle her laugh, "I can't believe it's taken ya this long to figure out how whipped i am around you, you are the only person i have ever shown any interest in and yeah the price to just be near you was eating some shitty cardboard flavored treats covers in crappy icing sugar... it lead to this so i think ya can call that a Faith win this time". Faith put down the little hit of cheesecake she had left back down on the table and lay her head once again on Buffys warmed up lap.
"I can't believe you let me bathe with you and apply lotions and oils on your skin... it's really hot! and close... i've never been this close with anyone before and now we're sharing a bed and living in domestic bliss and... you have an art class tommorow..." Buffy remembered as she herself had to go help the town gaurd with the lastest tech shipment while Faith was teaching her students.
"Yh... midday for ya is gonna be a pain... for you as it's raining tommorow and everyones gonna be indoors except you and the town gaurd, maybe i should come help after my class adjourns, its only 2 hours and we all know i'm the macho man in this relationship" Faith rolled over to face her perfectly flat belly and she yawned softly this time as Buffy who had finished her cheesecake leaned over to place her plate on the table and return to run her hands through Faiths long curly locks.
"You can help if you want too, i was thinking that maybe since it's all manual labor that maybe i could get it done quickly and you could be waiting at home for me, on the bed or Sofa in that new lingerie i brought you and then you can fuck my brains out and prove just how much of a macho man you really are" Buffy grinned eagerly as Faith knew she was going to be fucked silly tonight and maybe the cheesecake wasn't going to keep her fueled as Buffy made her shoot to the stars and scream her name again.
Faith was suddenly thankful this house was sound proofed and not in a more close knit and populous area. "I'm tired B... but i'm just gonna put it out there that if you pinned me to the sofa and had your way with me... i wouldn't be totally against it, especially after you put a ring on my finger" Faiths eyes were closed but she could sense Buffys elevated emotions as her ring finger was now being toyed with by Buffys hand and she could feel the warmth and happiness radiating off the Blonde ying to her yang, it was intoxicatingly delicious.
"So what does this mean? am i your wife now? are you really mine? all mine..." Faiths eyes were still closed as Buffy responded and her eyes were tightly clamped shut as she always had that niggling feeling that one day Buffy was going to wake up and realise she was straight and they'd go back to fighting eachother again for some stupid ass reason.
But Buffy kissed her forhead and whispered "You're mine Mrs Lehane, i'll never let you go, You're my one true love ya stupidly strong dummy". Faith groaned tiredly and gave Buffy an alternative that wasn't amazingly great sex for once.
"Can you just hold me tonight, mrs big spoon... i kinda just wanna be weak and protected tonight y'know" Faith wasn't suprised when Buffy lifted her with ease and carried her to the bedroom without losing a breath or a single step.
"I love it that you're always honest with what you want, i adore just holding you too, makes me feel all manly and strong when i'm tiny and cute to boot" Buffy giggled as she placed her down on the bed and began to take the long legged brunettes socks and jeans off with expert dexterity.
"I've never been weak before with anyone you know... it's weird but also really nice to just... feel it with someone who's as strong as iam, even if you suck at magic" Faith joked and gave the blonde a smirk and a wink which was returned with a pout and she put her head down and made her voice sound soft and pathetic.
"Magics hard... you're just gifted or something, i dunno" Buffy helped take Faiths shirt off and had to take a step back and admire her lovers well toned form just laying there before her on the bed and bite her lip hard.
"You're getting better B, you've mastered the basic elements and can mold them to your purpose, it took me weeks to understand how and now i'm tired from learning illusions and augmentation spells... you are amazing with magic, impatient but amazing" Faith crawled under the covers as Buffy put her clothes in a hamper in the bathroom and returned in just her underwear and jumped into bed with glee as she enjoyed the praise she had received.
"I can't believe this is real, we are in love, safe from everything and our strength has increased to heights never thought possible and were outfitted with enchanted artifacts which make our worlds seem like kindergarten magical objects for special kids..." Buffy was filled with warmth as Faith positioned herself betwixt her arms and snuggled into her soft chest witn glee.
"Yeah but i had to save you a few times B, they'll always be stronger monsters to fight... wait till the day we cross a god or old one, Ruby told me one called Illyria can slow down time, traverse dimensions and makes us both look like average girls in terms of speed and strength..." Faith kissed Buffys collarbone and closed her eyes as she lay in her lovers arms and just enjoyed the moment.
"Man we better not cross an old one then, but i reckon we got em beat, give it a year or five and our enhancements and skills will have risen to impossible heights, and i wont have to get my nose broken by a swan demon like last month... man that sucked" Buffy twitched her nose in rememberance and was thankful Faith had learned basic healing magic from ruby... made their enhanced healing obsolete when it came to breakages.
"Man, thank god i learnt those healing spells, you would look terrible with a nose cast... but maybe we could get ya a witches hat for halloween and you can learn how to cackle cutely or something" Faith said as Buffy tried to cackle but it sounded terrible and she became self conscious and red in the face.
Faith chuckled low and pulled her in tight, "Well we should sleep maybe, i can't believe i have to teach a class of 50 tommorow for 2 hours. you made me way too social B, gotta do work and shit in our very large community" Buffy rolled her eyes and couldn't hold her smile in anymore.
"You made me fall in love with you dummy, if you were not so wonderful people wouldn't think we were married and strike up comversations with us all the time. I'm very sociable baby and people were kind of scared of you before i came and ya can't really blame em" the blonde girl closed her eyes and tried to lean into her pillow and sleep but she couldn't and continued talking for a while longer with a weary Faith basking in her soft glowing warmth.
"Yh well, i'm big and strong so sue me B, not really my fault that i fell in love with you at first sight, i still remember how hard my heart eas thumping when i saw you, i thought it would burst out of my chest. I couldn't even hear the music in the bronze, you just turned and smiled and... well ya know the rest honey" Faith said in a softer voice than usual.
"Yh, but i love when you say it. i remember how confused i was, how my head just went empty and it felt like my brain just reset and those tight leather pants... it was like you stole my breath away. i remember telling Willow once that you looked just like how i thought Elizabeth would from pride and predujice, all beautiful and classy but worldly too. she asoed wheat class? and i kinda chewed her out over it..." Buffy admitted as Faith held her head up and slowly opened her eyes to greet Buffys soft emerald orbs.
"I always thought it was cool that you hid your love of literature from everyone, made you more mysterious... well that and you like star trek and i can understand that alot more than why on earth you would read the Bushido code while we were patrolling that one time" Faith smirked and the blonde sighed and kissed her forehead lightly.
"You read just as much as i do, but you're an artist first and foremost, guess lacking a television here really improved your skills to a crazy degree, hell you've filled out 13 sketbooks with stories and poetry... i saw one study you drew on different flora and Fauna of this dimension, all i'm doing is reading some good books and you're drawing beautiful things that you punctuate with well worded prose." Buffy praised her lover and she watched as she hid her face quickly as it turned a deep shade of crimson.
"Stop it... i knew you read my sketchbooks when i was away, that poetry is private and so much of it is about us, it's embarrasing..." Faith hid her face in Buffys chest and the slayer held her tight, no longer having the strength to face her anymore out of a deep shame of her works which was obviously misplaced. Buffy on the other hand was having none of it,
"Why'd dya think i take you're art classes baby, i want to be like you, you have a talent everyone would be jealous of and... sometimes i wanna impress you ya know. that diary of all the bounties you have caught and how is amazing, the pictures that go alongside it made me feel like i was going on an adventure through your own eyes".
"Then i'll keep drawing and learning how to use watercolor... but you have to keep up the photo albums you're making... i wanna see em when we're dumb old dykes and look back at all the fun we had" Faith still hid her face but her grip had loosened just a little bit as she began to settle down and her eyes slowly became heavy again.
"I'm fading away B, stroke my hair and whisper how much you love me" and Buffy did just that as she softly guided the girl off to the land of sleep, somewhere she hoped to also be soon as they both had a Busy day ahead of them tommorow with work and teaching.
Buffy was so happy that she was finally a part of a community, basically married in all but under the eyes of the law, something that seemed to not matter here anyway and her lover who had once been nothing but a secret fantasy she told herself she could never allow herself to have and hold, well she was safe and content in her arms. yeah she kissed her mother and friends alot, even Dawn her little sister, but she needed to move on, she was happy to just live her life and Sunnydale to her was in the past and basically a distant memory at this point.