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Mirror	By : norwalker Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Faith Views: 8848 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Mirror

By Norwalker

Part 13a

Disclaimer: Joss, Mutant Enemy, Inc. and Fox own the right to the characters appearing in the TV show " BtVS". The other characters are the authors, as is the story. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is coincidental. Ok, Perry Mason. Happy?

1

Faith laughs as she throws Willow on the bed. Willow is giggling, and she raises her bottom up, wiggling it.

"You really are a bad girl, aren't ya, Red?" She gives Willow's bottom a light whack, then stands to start undressing.

" Yes, I'm so very bad. I need to be spanked, " Willow says, wiggling a little more." Come on baby, spank me!"

Faith laughs, and pulls off her wife beater. God the girl is just so insane, I swear. Paddle that cute lil bottom? Sure… but the girl's about as vanilla as they come.

Faith is pulling off her boot Willow speaks up again.

" Faith? Why'd you stop?" Her voice has a plaintive note in it. " I'm bad. I need to be punished!"

" Ok, Kinky Mistress of Pain. Jokes over, " Faith says, taking off the other boot.

" I'm not joking, " Willow's voice is insistent, almost demanding. " I want to be spanked! Do it, Faith!" She growls.

Faith looks at her, surprised. " You're serious." It's not a question.

" Yes, I want to be paddled. Do it" She thrusts her ass at Faith." Paddle me. Do it! Make my ass red! Do IT!"

Faith, still in her jeans and socks, leans over and gives Willow a medium whack on the butt. Willow cries out, then moans.

" Yes, just like that, Faith. Do it again. Please, baby, do it again!"

Geeze!

Faith whacks her again. Another cry and moan.

" YES!!!"

Faith starts paddling her. Willow's hips start to rock and she cries out and moans, wriggling her hips.

" Yes, baby, yes baby oh baby that's so hot- paddle me. Paddle the bad, bad girl!"

Willow feels the twin rivers of ice and fire in her groin and tummy as Faith gets serious about paddling her. Her emotions are all over the place. Remorse, guilt, desire, lust.

I'm so bad, I'm so bad. Ooooh god, yes hurt me, I need to be hurt. Oh Tara baby I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry ohhh god YES do that… I'm a bad girl!! So bad!! Oh yes, baby hurt me more. Punish me, I'm evil I'm so bad…please, hit me again! Yes… GOD YESSS… oh god what'm I doing? Tara baby, please don't be mad at me. Don't hate me baby… Hit me Faith, harder, harder, make it HURT! Don't hate me Tara baby, please I love you but I just can't anymore daddy I'm a bad girl don't hate me Tara.. Oh yes DAMN IT HIT ME!!!!

" Harder Faith, do it HARDER!" Willow screams out, tears running down her eyes. Her cries and sobbing are hidden by her moans and groans. Her fire builds in her, wrapped in her remorse and guilt over Tara, her anger with her parents abandoning her, and her own feelings of abandoning Tara. The hurt in her ass makes her ache and feel good at the same time. So damned good.

Willow feels herself leaking as the first tendrils of her release start to knot around her stomach. Her ass is on fire, and so is her sweet, sweet sex.' YES BABY OH YESSS JUST DO IT ... IT FEELS SO GOOD FAITH I'M SO BAD I'M A BAD GIRL YES PUNISH ME BABY YEEESSSS!!!! MORE, MORE! MORE! GOD YEEEESSS OOOHH BABBBEEE YEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!"

Willow grabs the bed and her whole body rocks as wave after wave of pure pain and pleasure overwhelm her. Her tears are streaming down her face, and she gives into her emotions, sobbing and crying, laughing and groaning as her body collapses on the bed.

Faith watches, her own emotions conflicting in her. She's never seen this side of Willow before, and she's not how she feels about it. She kneels on the bed, and starts to rub Willow's ass. Trying to take some of the sting out of it. She knows she didn't hurt her. Faith knows her strength, and she knows how to slap without doing any damage but stings. God, I've never seen anyone cum from being whacked before. God, what kinds of kinks are hiding in all that vanilla?

Faith is a little freaked out. Not so much about Willow having this intense orgasm after being paddled. Whatever floats your boat, that's what I say. But what's getting her is how damp she is, how much that just turned her on. She can feel the tingles and twitches down below, and her nipples are achingly hard. God, what kind of kink do I got going?

Faith is about to crawl on the bed when Willow pushes herself off the bed. Her head turns towards Faith.

WHOA!

Willow's expression is one of pure unrestrained lust. Her eyes seem to glitter, and her mouth is twisted into a sneer. She sees Faith, and before she can move, Willow is at her, pushing her back against the wall.

" Willow what the fuck? What's wrong with you?" Faith says as Willow starts fumbling with her belt.

" I’m a slut…. I'm Bad, and you're my bitch!" Willow growls at her. " Get 'em off, get 'em off I want you naked, bitch!" She almost rips the belt open, then rips the jeans down over Faith's hips. " I need you, bitch. I need you to make me feel good. Do it, get naked. DO IT!"

Faith feels tendrils of fear gripping her stomach. What the fuck has happened to her? As quickly as she can, she gets her clothes off herself.

Willow almost leaps on her, wrapping her legs around her hips, and pulling her face in for a hot passionate kiss. Willow is in control, Faith feels herself being dominated by this redheaded fury. This kiss isn't warm, it isn't gentle, it isn't loving. It's pure raw dominance, she overwhelms Faith's resistance by forcing her tongue in Faith's mouth, using it as a weapon to hurt and beat her down.

" I'm a bad girl. I'm a whore and a slut," Willow growls into Faith's ear after the kiss is ended. She rubs her body obscenely against Faith , " fuck me, Faith. I'm a slut and I need my bitch to fuck me!" When Faith doesn't respond, she squeezes her legs tighter around Faith and uses her heels to kick Faith in the ass. " Do it you little whore!"

Faith feels her own anger rising. She pushes off the wall, towards the bed. She throws Willow down on it. She jumps on her, and kisses her as fiercely and angrily as Willow has done. Willow rakes her nails over Faith's back, and Faith growls her own growing lust.

There is nothing gentle about what the two do next. The bite, scratch, slap each other, trying to hurt, trying to make it nasty and raw and painful. Faith moves down, and grabs Willow's hips.

" That's it you bitch, lick me, bite me, fuck me, do it. Make it good, make me hot, make me wet!"

Faith attacks her with her mouth, tongue and fingers, making it raw and violent and hurtful. Willow has awakened Faith's own darkness, barely simmering below the surface. Faith looks up, and feels as if a bucket of ice has been thrown on her.

Willow's face is red and her expression is one of pain and rage. Her eyes … god, her eyes look black… are brimming with tears, and her cheeks are already wet from tears. It hits Faith like a freight train that Willow is not playing games. Something big is happening inside her, and she needs release, catharsis badly. Faith redoubles her efforts to bring her off, release her from the demons wrestling inside her.

Willow, caught in a whirlwind, feels the darkness rise up in her. She feels the fear and lust it brings, and for a tiny while gives into it, lets it out. Her hands grab Faith's hair, and shove her face deeper into her crotch.

" DO IT YOU FUCKING SLUT! MAKE ME COME! MAKE ME COME, BITCH!!! I NEED IT. HURT ME!!! I'M A WHORE, I'M A SLUT AND I NEED IT! HURT ME HURT ME GOD HURT ME !!!! YES, OH GOD YES DO THAT BITCH. DO IT…DEEPER… HARDER…FUCK ME FUCK ME FUCK ME DO IT DO IT DO IT NOWWWWW GOOOOOODDDD … OHHHH FUCCCKKKKK!!!!"

Willow feels as if her whole being shatters. Her guilt over Tara, and guilt over being with Faith while Buffy is recovering; her feelings of being abandoned, and abandoning her lover; her anger with her parents, especially her father for rejecting her being who she is; her darkness, the addiction monster that lurks within her: all of the bad stuff in her seems to fly away from her in a million pieces. A deep, warm light, one that encompasses the sweet and good things about her, seems to cleanse her deep within her soul. She feels limp and released and clean. For the first time in a long time, she feels clean.

Her body, sweaty, scratched, bitten, seemingly broken and remade, tired , lies panting on the bed. Her essence, the thing that makes Willow herself, seems to be lightly floating just underneath. She can't remember when she's felt like this. If ever.

Her eyes open, and she sees Faith looking at her from between her legs. She sees the concern and fear on her face. Willow's heart melts, and she holds out her arms.

" Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to freak you. I don't know what came over me… please, come here. Let me see you baby. Let me hold you." She sits up, putting weight on her butt. She winces." Ow, gosh, that really hurts!" She looks at her reddened butt.

Faith crawls up warily towards Willow. More afraid for her and her state, than herself. She comes near her, but doesn't touch her.

Willow, still inspecting her reddened ass , glances up and sees Faith. She looks her over, face full of concern and regret. " God, what did I do to you?" She asks, seeing the bite marks and scratches covering Faith. " I… god, Faith, I'm so sorry…"

" Aw, you should see the other guy," Faith cracks, not wanting Willow to feel so bad. Not like I haven't had worse. Of course, that usually happens with a stake in my hand.

Willow smiles, the chuckles a little. " God you always do that. You always get me to laugh, even when I do something awful." She reaches for Faith, but Faith pulls back a little. " Please, honey, I promise, it's over. I won't… " she gets a look at Faith's back, that has her nail marks running down it. " Oh god!" She turns away.

" Hey, now. Enough with the waterworks, Red," Faith comes over and gently takes the girl in her arms. Willow is almost limp, her body shaking with remorse. " Hey, don’t cry baby. It's fine, I'm fine. Shit, this was nothin'" Faith rocks her. " You just took me by surprise, is all. Damn, I really was only kidding about that Kinky Mistress of Pain crack. I didn't know she really lived here."

" I hurt you, " Willow mourns, looking at the bite marks and scratches on Faith. " You're being so sweet to me, and I hurt you. How can you being so sweet?"

" Gotta secret, Red," Faith leans close, and whispers." Hershey Kisses. I eat 'em by the bagful ." She rubs Willow's tummy. " You should try it."

Willow looks at her and starts giggling. " God, you're doing it again." She throws her arms around Faith's neck, and starts kissing her face madly.

" Hmmm. Willow kisses? Not so bad themselves, " Faith grins, laughing at her enthusiasm.

Willow stops kissing her, and just looks at her. " You're just something so special. This incredible person that just seems to know what to do to make it better. " Willow shakes her head. " God, how can you be so… so…" She touches Faith's face with her hand. " I just wish I could do something to …" She pauses. She gazes deeply into Faith's chocolate brown eyes. " I know." She says softly.

Willow scoots off the bed, making little whimpering noises as her butt rubs on the mattress. She walks over to her dresser, and fishes around in it. Finally, she comes back, carrying a small amulet.

" C'mere, honey," She says to Faith. Faith moves over, and Willow puts the amulet around her neck.

" Well, it's really nice, Red," Faith holds the amulet, looking at it. " But I don't think it's really me."

" Not the amulet, silly." Willow kneels down to get even with Faith's eyelevel." You love her a lot, don't you. Buffy makes your heart sing, doesn't she?"

Faith looks down, blushing a little.

" But you don't really know her, and that bothers you."

Faith nods.

" Let me give you something, Faith. You've given me so much lately, let me give you something back. Something personal and private, something I'd love to share with you."

" Uhhh… this doesn't involve me being whipped does it? Really not…" Willow shushes her with a finger.

" It’s a little scary, at first. But I promise, it won't hurt you." Willow says softly, " Is it ok?"

" Red, you've already done scary. Don't see how it could be scarier." Faith says, " Ok, I guess."

Willow grips the amulet in her hand, and murmurs something under her breath. Then she looks at Faith, and touches her fingers to her forehead." Know" she says aloud.

For a second, Willow's fingertips glow, but it's quickly absorbed into Faith. Faith feels a glow suffuse her, as if she's basking in the warm sun of late afternoon. Then a brightness seems to suffuse the room, and it grows brighter and brighter until everything disappears into the bright light.

When she can ' see' again, she realizes she's seeing with her mind, not her eyes. She sees Buffy… but a Buffy she's never seen before. Buffy the way she appeared the fist day she came to Sunnydale high. Slowly, more and more images of Buffy flash through her mind, and Faith realizes she's seeing Buffy as Willow has seen her over the last 8 years.

Generous Buffy and mean Buffy, Sweet Buffy and catty Buffy. Buffy brave, and Buffy afraid. She not only 'sees' Buffy, but feels her too. The thousands of times Buffy has hugged Willow. The soft kiss on the cheek, and the one time they actually kissed on the lips. She feels Willow's emotions, all of them, about Buffy. She sees Buffy in love, and Buffy brokenhearted. Buffy dancing, and Buffy still. She sees Buffy grieving over Dawn, and feels the pain Willow felt seeing it. All of it, the enormous panorama of Buffy's life as Willow has seen it flows through her, seeming to bond to her at a her very core.

The feelings, the emotions, the sights and sounds overwhelm Faith, and by the end she is crying softly.

When she's back, aware of what's happening around her, she feels her head cradled by Willow's arm. She looks up, and Willow looks down on her.

" That was so… so intense," Faith wipes her eyes, " I've never … that was so personal. God, Willow, you really love her, don't you? God… why? Why'd you do that?"

" Because you're so incredibly sweet and thoughtful, and I wanted to give you something special. Something only I could give you. You love Buffy, and I wanted you to know her better, as I know her." Willow leans down and kisses Faith's lips. "Happy?"

Faith doesn't say anything. She just reaches for willow, and pulls her on top of herself, kissing her deeply. Her tongue makes love to Willow's; caressing and intertwining . It lasts for a long time, each sharing deep personal expressions of affection. Willow finally breaks the kiss, and begins to kiss Faith's face with small, soft wet kisses.

Faith, feeling full and incredibly peaceful, settles back as Willow kisses her. She feels Willows lips trail to her neck, and she sighs her appreciation. Then the lips move over onto her shoulders, and she feels Willow gently bite her. She giggles.

" That tickles, " She says, looking at Willow. Willow smiles, and love bites her again and again. Faith gets a serious case of the giggles.

They turn to soft gasps when Willow moves over and starts to lick her swollen nipples. She reaches up and pulls Willow's head closer, and Willow opens her mouth, taking Faith's nipple in her mouth. Faith feels small tendrils of icy fire move from her breasts through her body into her tummy and down deep in her groin, swirling and twirling inside her, starting up a tiny trickle of pleasure that grows and grows.

Willow moves to her other breast, gently flicking the nipple with her tongue, knowing Faith loves that. She looks up, and sees Faith looking down at her, her eyes half closed, shining with lust. Willow nips the nipple, and hears Faith moan softly, feeling her hips jerk. She does it again, getting the same effect. She grins evilly, and hoists herself up. She start moving from nipple to nipple, biting them and hearing Faith start to moan, her butt bouncing off the bed. She slips herself between Faith's thighs, so her groin is pressing Faiths. She begins to rub against her, and bites a nipple. Faith gasps loudly, and her hips begin to buck against Willow's mound.

Willow continues doing this, and soon Faith is humping and rubbing back against her, moaning loudly. Her moans are joined by Willow's , who is succumbing to the sweet friction herself. They wrap each other in their arms, and get serious about pounding their pelvises together. Their mouths join, and soon their bodies are rubbing together as their moans and cries are muffled inside each other's mouths. Faith rolls Willow over on her back, her hips seriously humping the smaller woman. Willow pounds in time with Faith, and soon they're both covered in an intense, enormous wave of pure release. Their lips part, and they scream out their shared joy.

They roll on their sides, each kissing and cuddling the other, cooing softly and looking into each other's eyes. Then Willow wriggles out of Faith's grip, and turns her over on her back.

She begins to lick's Faith's back, especially the marks she made there. Her warm wet tongue covers every inch. Faith sighs happily, then groans deeply when Willow's tongue takes a long slow journey down her spine from her neck to where her ass starts to swell out of her back. She pauses briefly, nibbling the swell; she then moves her tongue down between the crevice splitting her cheeks. Faith lets out another deep groan. She seriously loves that lick.

Willow moves down a little more, then lifts Faith's pelvis off the bed, and attacks her soft juicy lil peach. Faith pants and moans, her hips rocking gently as the little trickles of pleasure begin to build into torrents. Willow teases her madly, caressing her and then withdrawing her tongue, listening as Faith whimpers her need. She moves closer, burying her tongue in Faith, waggling it gently within her. Faith whimpers and moans, pants and groans, her hips swaying faster now. Willow dances her tongue within Faith, driving her nearer and nearer, relentlessly pushing her. Faith pushes back against Willow, raising her hips so she can get deeper within her. Her moans turn to groans and then to cries, soft cries moving up the scale as she is hit again and again by tidal waves of emotions and pleasure.

Willow is rewarded by a flood of Faith's sweet love, which she drinks greedily. She then slides up to Faith, cuddling her as she shivers and shakes through her sweet, sweet ride.

Faith is totally devastated. After what Willow shared with her, and the rides she took her on, she feels as if her insides have turned to glass, shattered, been re-smelted and reformed. Her emotions are running all over the place, and she can only stare at Willow as she cuddles her. She's wiped. Purely, completely obliterated.

She turns to Willow, and a very strong urge rises in her to blurt out the " L" word. She knows she can't, however. If she does, she'll totally freak Willow, and that's the last thing she wants to do. Faith knows the rules. This is supposed to be casual. No ties, not commitments, no tears.

She looks over at Willow, and sighs. She's just beginning to learn that she doesn't have a clue about who this woman is sleeping next to her. Today more than proved that when you peel back a layer on her, another layer is underneath. Each is fascinating, and special. Who are you? Faith asks herself, watching Willow sleep. Will I ever know?

Somehow, she doesn't think she ever will.

2

Buffy stamps her feet and rubs her hands to keep warm.

Damn, this city is cold! She thinks as she looks around for a mark. She blows her breath over her hands to keep them warm.

Buffy hasn't been in Kent long. She's wandered down from Cleveland, hoping to find better luck here. Finding a job has been next to impossible. I guess not many jobs for an ex-slayer, ex-vampire from out of town with no real background. Damn. If she could even find just a waitressing job somewhere, anything really, just something so she wouldn't have to sleep in shelters anymore… or worse, in the streets. She's done that a few too many times, and it's been more than a little scary. She's been assaulted too many times to count, and a couple of the guys tried to rape her. Fortunately, she was stronger than she looked, and knew more than a few moves. Still, one of these nights her luck might turn sour. She didn't want to think about that.

Well, this is really going well, Buff. Isn't it? Loving your new life yet? Here's a tip, girl. Next time you run away from home? Take money! Her money had run out quickly, too quickly. She'd hoped to get some kind of job, but for some reason … homeless, maybe? No address, maybe? No prior work history, maybe? … she hadn't had any luck. She was sleeping in shelters, when she could get a spot. Or on the streets, when she couldn't. She thought she was cruising one time when she found an abandoned building, but she was chased off by three rather burly looking guys who didn't want to share their digs. At least, not unless she put out. She didn't feel like become the disease carrier of the month, so she ran. After that, she decided she'd had more than enough of Cleveland.

She managed to hitchhike down to Kent, grabbing a ride from a commuting student. It had been nice to talk to someone her own age, and made up a story about having an aunt in Kent she was staying with. She'd gotten stuck in Cleveland when she got mugged, losing her purse. That sort of helped to explain her slightly beaten-up look, too. He was an Education major at Kent state, and she talked about Willow, how she was going for her degree in education. Then, despite the fact that she looked somewhat less than a fashion model, the boy had gotten a little grabby, and she'd had to remind him gently that what was hers was hers, and was going to pretty much stay that way. God, boys, do they like never get not grabby? It had gotten somewhat quiet after that, and she found herself standing on the roadside as soon as they made Kent.

Slim as pickings had been in Cleveland, Kent turned out to be even worse. Pretty much a college town…Kent State, DUH… finding any kind of work meant having to compete with the college kids looking to work while going to school. She had really tried though. She even pulled out her dress and heels, trying to dress up a little when applying. But maybe it was the fact that she often had to clean up in gas station restrooms, or the look of desperation in her eyes, or just the neat little scar she picked up the time that wino hit her in the head with a bottle, whatever it was, she didn't get the job…any job.

So, here she is, standing out front of a convenience store, panhandling. She finds these places usually were the best, because most of the transactions, cash. And the customers usually have some change. But tonight so far hasn't been too good.

She sees a man heading for the convenience store. She moves in like a shark after chum.

" Mister, hey mister. Can you help me out here? I came over to Kent here to check out the school. And duh, dumb blonde…" She flips her hair, " I lost my purse. Man, totally stupid, right? But I don't have bus fare back home to Akron, and if you could help me out with some change…?"

The man stops, looking at her with some disdain.

" What's your problem, girl? Why don't you get a job?" He says with some disgust, disappearing through the Convenience Store's glass door.

Love to, guy. Got one for me?

" Miss, I'm sorry to disturb you. But I lost my purse, and I need bus fare home. Think you could spare a little …" Crap, that one didn't even stop!

" Mister! Sir, sorry to bug you, but I lost my purse, and I'm kinda stuck, you know? Need bus fare to get home. Think you can help me out?" Buffy smiles at him, turning on the puppy dog eyes.

The mans stops, sighs, and digs into his pocket. He pulls out some change, and hands it to her.

" Gee, thanks, Mister…" But he's gone already.

Buffy looks at her haul. Well, not a fortune, but if I get a couple more tonight, I can afford the greasy dogs that place sells. Vomit worthy, but they fill you up.

Buffy spends another hour in front of the story, cadging for spare change. Most ignore her, but she manages to snag a few more marks, turning on the charm, using the puppy eyes, and the wistful lost waif look. Finally, she moves back, and counts her haul. And sighs. Hot dogs it is. Man, getting a buck outta anyone these days? Hard as pulling hen's teeth. She moves towards the door, ready to buy 'dinner' when she sees an older woman making her way towards the store. Oooh, grandma at 6 o'clock, Buff. They usually are pushovers. Maybe I can get enough to…well, at least get dessert.

" Hi, ma'am? I'm sorry to bother you. But I'm kinda in a jam here? Dumb me, I lost my purse somewhere, and I'm stuck without any bus fare. Think you could spare a little change? So I can get home?"

Rose Weiss takes a good hard look at the young woman standing by the entrance to the convenience store. She quickly notes the scuffed boots, the tear in the jacket, and the slightly worn look on the girl's face. More, she sees the little scar on her forehead. Wonder where home is exactly? Maybe behind back in the alleyway? Or over at the shelter on Main? Goodness, where do these poor kids come from, anyway?

" How old are you?" Rose asks, not going for her purse.

" Excuse me?" Buffy asks. What, I gotta take a test for spare change? Please!

" I asked, how old you are."

" Yeah, I heard that. I just didn't understand how that's your business?"

"I'm just curious," Rose replies, looking her over again. " You're what? In your early 20's, maybe?"

" So?"

" Just I have a granddaughter about your age, I think…" she cocks her head. " Kind of surprised me, you don't look the type, really."

" Type? Look, I'm kind of confused here. What kind of type?"

" Oh, I mean a panhandler. Usually I can spot them. They eyes, mostly. Have a hard look to them. Or their mouths. Sometimes it's just the smell. " She gives Buffy another look. " So, why are you panhandling?

" Whoa, lady, I'm sorry. I lost my purse, just needed some money to get home. Forget it, sorry I bugged you." Buffy starts to take off.

Rose stops her, grabbing her arm. " Look, miss, I'm sorry. Just usually, the panhandlers? Using drugs, or alcoholics, or lazy. You don't hit me that way. I was just wondering why you're out here, in freezing weather, cadging change."

" Look, ma'am? I told you, I lost my purse, just need some money to get home. Believe me or whatever, not caring. Not up for twenty questions, so if you'd let go of my arm, I'll be on my way now." She pulls her arm away, and walks down the steps.

Geeze, what's Nosey Parker's deal, anyway? What's with the third degree for asking for some change? She coulda just said no. Cripes, I swear the people around here? Weird! Buffy strides quickly down the street, figuring she'll come back later when Jessica Fletcher's gone.

" Miss! MISS!! Please, wait. I'm sorry, " Rose says, trotting after her. " Could you slow down a little, please? I'm kinda old, and I don't run as well as I used to!"

Buffy stops, huffing to herself. Crap, she'll have a coronary on me, then there be all sorts of shit to deal with. She turns around, frowning.

Rose catches up, pausing a second to catch her breath.

" Ma'am? Look, I'm sorry I bothered you, but can't you just let me get on with my business, and you go home and have a cup of tea?"

" I'm sorry I offended you, Miss. I really didn't mean to. I just saw you, and I didn't get the panhandler vibe. So I was wondering why you were doing it. Do you have a name?"

Buffy sighs. " Again, with the questions, " She says impatiently. " Anne, my name's Anne, ok? Can I go now?"

" Hello, Anne, I'm Rose, " Rose offers her hand. Buffy stares at it. " Alright, then, " Rose says, " So, where's home, Anne? I mean, since you're so anxious to get back there."

Buffy gives her a hard look. " You know what? I've tried polite, and I'm tired of it. Go away , please. Not wanting to play this game." She turns on her heel, and strides away.

Rose watches her go, and sighs. Nice one, Rose. She turns, and starts back towards the store.

And runs right into a rather tall young man. He doesn't look very friendly.

" Hey, Lady, " the young man says, " that purse looks kind of heavy for you. Why don't you let me have it now?" He pulls out a knife.

Rose's eyes go wide, and she swallows hard. " My purse? Right. Is kind of heavy…" She swings it at the mugger, but misses. Oh, very good Rose, so very good!

The man grabs her, and takes her in a choke hold.

" Now, that wasn't very friendly, grandma," He holds the knife point under her chin. " Now, aren't you sorry you just didn't give me the purse?"

" Well, maybe because she thought you were just way too ugly, Moron," Buffy says, hands on hips.

The mugger looks at her, and starts laughing. He shoves away Rose, and raises his knife.

" And just who the hell are you? Tinker bell?" He lunges at he with the knife.

Instead of dodging away, however, Buffy steps to the side, grabs his forearm, and brings up her knee, hitting his wrist hard and causing him to lose his knife.

" Oh , oh, you dropped something," Buffy says, letting him go.

He lunges at her, but she just sidesteps him. With a swift kick to his rear, she sends him flying on his face. She recovers his knife, and backs away.

" Ummm.. Rose? Now would be a good time to run, " Buffy says. She tosses her the purse, " don’t forget this."

The mugger has gotten up, and is back. He hits Buffy with a punch, and she goes staggering back. She wipes her mouth, which is bleeding.

" So, Tink, not so cocky now, huh?" The mugger comes up to her, but she ducks under his punch, and delivers one of her own, and kicks out, hitting him in the family jewels. He cries out, and grabs his crotch, bending over.

" You fucking bitch, " he snarls, " I'm so gonna…"

But he doesn't get to finish. Buffy comes up to him, and while holding his head in place, delivers a blow with her knee to his face. He drops to his knees, and she punches him twice. It's over when he hits the pavement, unconscious.

Yeah, Buff, you still got it, girl. She congratulates herself.

" That was amazing!"

Buffy almost jumps out of her skin. She turns, seeing Rose standing there, clutching her purse.

"Are you still here? Waiting for the next one to show up?" Buffy asks sarcastically." Please, just go home."

" Ok, I'm sorry. Just, that was pretty amazing, Anne," Rose turns around, and looks down the street. She hesitates.

" Lady? What're you waiting for?" Buffy asks impatiently. Seeing the mugger stirring, she walks over, and brings her boot down on his head. He groans, and passes out. " I don't think he's going to be sleeping forever."

" Right. Just remembered, I came to get something from the store." She starts towards the store, and stops,. She looks back at Buffy.

"What?" Buffy asks, clearly irritated by now.

" I'm rather afraid now to walk alone," She says, looking somewhat worried. She looks down the street, then back to Buffy.

Oh, crap!

" Ok, ok, go get what you were getting, and I'll walk you home." Buffy says, sighing heavily. God, when did I become Mother Teresa, anyway?

" Thank you, "Rose smiles, looking more confident. She starts towards the store, then stops. She turns to Buffy.

" Now what?" Buffy is passing irritation, quickly approaching angry.

" I was just wondering, Anne. When was the last time you had a decent meal?"

That does it. Buffy walks over to Rose, and even though the older woman is taller, tries her best to look down on her.

" Listen. I've just done you one favor, and going to do you another. I'm REAALLY tired of the questions. I eat fine, ok?" But Buffy's stomach betrays her, picking that moment to make a loud growling sound.

"Ok, dear, " Rose says, patting her arm, " It's just a shame, really." She turns to go into the store.

" What's a shame?" Buffy asks, suspiciously. Also, her tummy does an encore. Shut up, dammit. I'll feed you soon enough!

" Oh, just, I have this lovely pot roast I made. Silly me, I'm not eating like I used to, and I made way too much. I just hate to let it go to waste."

Buffy almost drools. She hasn't had anything decent to eat in …well, weeks. And of course, her tummy gives its opinion, loud and clear.

" Really wasteful, I don't know what I was thinking. Guess I'll have to toss it, along with the mashed potatoes and gravy, and the peas, and the corn muffins. Just a shame." Rose shakes her head, but looks at Buffy out of the corner of her eye.

Buffy is under torture. On the one hand, she'll be damned if she'll admit she's half… Ok, forget half, fully starved. Even if her traitor of a stomach won't shut up. On the other hand. Pot roast. Yummy. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Double yummy. Peas, Corn muffins…heaven. Damn. It's just not fair! But I'm so damned hungry. And Pot Roast? She pretends to think about it.

" Well, I'm really not that hungry, "She finally says, patting her almost non-existent tummy, " Big lunch. But, it's really a shame to waste good food. I know mom always got after me about that." Buffy pauses a second, a little ache burning in her heart. "… I might be able to stuff something down… you know, to help out, of course."

" Well, Anne, isn't that just the nicest thing? I'll feel so much better that food isn't going to waste, " She gets a slightly winsome look on her face." I don't suppose there might be room for some chocolate cake?"

Buffy gets images of pieces of chocolate cake with legs, dancing on plates. She realizes she's drooling, and surreptitiously wipes her mouth.

" Dunno, we'll see, " She says. She can't get the image out of her mind, the cake having the cutest legs.

" Thanks , Anne. I really do appreciate this," Rose smiles, "I'll be right out."

Buffy goes down a few steps, and smells a small rat. Ok, who makes chocolate cake by accident? But still, her whole body is having a major happy just thinking about food. Oh, crap? What if she's a lousy cook? She thinks about her alternate dinner choice, and her stomach turns over. Ok, anything's got to be better than that. And anyway, isn't there some rule that little old grandma ladies have to be good cooks or something? Though when she thinks of Rose, she doesn't see her as being particularly little, or really old, or frail. Actually, the thing that impressed itself on Buffy was the strength she seems to casually emanate from her. I swear, if she was a little younger and faster, she'd probably have decked that mugger herself. Thinking of that, she looks over where she left the mugger, and notices he's gone. Off for easier pickings. Teach him to mess with an ex-slayer!

Her mind wanders back to food, and she gets a down low warmth that she can't remember having in ages. Not since… and she gets a real big ache in her heart. Damn, and I was doing so good today. I hadn't thought of her since this morning. Shit!!! Buffy feels the ache spread through her body, and her eyes start to burn and itch. No, I won't, I won't! It's childish and stupid. This is what I chose, and I'll be damned if I'm going to be some weepy baby about it. Then she sees Faith's dimply smile, her eyes warm and soft, she feels the way her hand feels on her, in hers, and almost smells her scent. The tear ducts rebel, and her cheeks are suddenly flooded. Damn, stupid Damn!

" Anne, are you alright, dear?" Buffy turns away from Rose, wiping her eyes. She feels a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder. "Anne?"

" I'm fine, ok? I'm fine, " Buffy almost snarls, wiping her cheek. She turns to Rose. " Can we just get this over with?"

Rose realizes that she's intruded on an important and private moment. She discreetly overlooks the tear stains on Anne's cheeks, and gently takes her arm. " This way, dear."

As they walk down the street towards their destination, Rose can't help but notice that Anne is consciously keeping her face turned from her. Poor girl, too proud to let anyone see her suffer.

Rose has a small epiphany. She realizes that this isn't the normal street urchin she is in the habit of helping. This one doesn't appear addicted, or weak, or a fool. This one has some strength. She can sense it as automatically as she breathes. But then, Rose has always had the knack of noticing the special ones.

The Weiss family has a history of 'sensitives' in it. The women, particularly, had a … well, power might be too strong, but ability to sense other's emotions and thoughts. Her own grandmother, Esther, could seem to read your mind just by looking at you. It sometimes skipped a generation, like it had in her own daughter. But her granddaughter? A wholly different story. That one is powerful. More powerful than any Weiss I know about. And that's not just Grandma's pride, either. She's going to do wonderful things, one day.

Rose looks over at Anne. This one, too. This one is suffering deeply. Something bad has really happened to her. But she's strong. I can feel it. Not just physical strength, though my, she's strong for such a tiny thing. No, there's a core in there, burning bright but obscured. And some darkness. She has to be real careful about which way she goes. But I think, with a tiny bit of help, she'll be fine. Just fine.

" Are we ever going to get there?" Buffy says impatiently, noticing the older woman seems to be lost in her own little world.

" My, my, I seem to be gather wool, don't I? Sorry Anne." She looks at the houses in front of her, and points. " There, that one." She smiles.

" Finally," Buffy mutters a bit loudly.

" Anne, dear, if you're really in a hurry, I can just pack you a little something to go. You don't have to stay, you know." Rose says quietly. " Though of course, I'd love the company."

Buffy looks at the house, and at Rose. It's true, she hadn't planned on spending more than a moment with this woman when she was trying to beg spare change from her. And it's also true that she doesn't really want her to know anything about herself. On the other hand, she can't help wanting ,for once, not to have to eat dinner out in the open, or sneak it somewhere so no one will steal it from her. She'd love to sit at a table and eat like a human again. She's a street person, and she knows she looks like one, but that doesn't mean she likes it. And anyway, where exactly did she have to go in such a hurry? The street? Gonna be there when I get back to it.

For the first time that evening, Buffy feels ashamed for being so rude.

" I'm sorry, " Buffy says, " I've just had a bad day." She smiles, and her face seems to light up. " I'm in no big hurry."

Rose notices the change, and it touches her heart. Yes, I think she'll be just fine.

" Well then, Anne, " Rose says as she guides the young woman up the stairs to the front door, " Why don't we see if we can do something about that pot roast?"

3

Buffy demolishes the last bite of the chocolate cake, then sighing happily, sits back in her chair.

She's stuffed. Full beyond full, uncomfortably full. She can't remember when she felt so good. She takes her napkin, and wipes away evidence of the cake from her lips, and burps quietly. She blushes.

From her perspective at the other end of the table, Rose Weiss has been watching the spectacle of Buffy's battle with the meal with amusement and some amazement. She consumed half a pot roast, two mounds of potatoes, enough peas to fill a field, and 3, no… 4 corn muffins. That doesn't include the two pieces, large pieces, of chocolate cake she just vaporized. She looks at Buffy and shakes her head. Where did she stuff all that in that tiny little body?

But she really doesn't care. She just feels happy the girl actually ate something. It was obvious this has been the first good meal she's had in a long time.

" Can I get you some more cake, Anne?" Rose asks, when Buffy finishes the last little bit.

Buffy looks at her with wide eyes, and blushes.

" Oh my god, no! I've already made such a pig of myself," Buffy says, looking at the plate which she nearly licked clean. " but everything was so delicious. Thank you so much." Buffy pats her slightly swollen stomach. " I feel like a camel. Don't think I'll have to eat again for a week." She burps again, and turns red. " Sorry."

Rose chuckles. " Well, not sure it's a good idea for you to skip meals, but I'm happy you enjoyed everything. Good to see a young woman with a healthy appetite. Too many try to starve themselves these days."

Buffy hauls herself out of her chair, and starts to clear her place.

" What're you doing, Anne?" Rose asks.

Buffy looks up, a little embarrassed. " Well, I thought… you made such a nice dinner and all, and I can't really pay you for it, I thought I'd clear the table and wash the dishes… if that's ok?"

Rose is truly touched. She knows most wouldn't even think of offering to do the dishes for her. That the girl felt a need to pay for her meal by doing so said a lot about her. Obviously somewhere there's a mom that would be proud of her daughter.

" Don't be silly, girl. You're a guest." Rose waves her down.

" Please. I don't want to sound rude. You've been very nice to me, " Buffy says, " but I can't accept the meal for nothing." She digs in her jeans, and pulls out her haul from the day: a collection of quarters mostly with a couple of bills and some dimes and nickels. " I can give you…" she quickly counts it up, " 5 dollars and 77 cents. The rest I'll need to get a room for the night." She looks up, " That really isn't enough, but it's yours" She puts the money on the table.

Rose makes an impatient face. "Put your money way, Anne." She says sternly. She catches Buffy's look. " Alright, very well. If you insist on being stubborn, you may wash the dishes. Just be careful. Those were a present from my late husband, Hank, and I really like them. Ok?"

" I'm sorry, I didn't know your husband had died, " Buffy says, feeling an empathetic pain.

"It was 20 years ago, Anne. I'm pretty much over it now." Rose smiles.

Buffy bustles about the table, picking up plates and glasses, handing them carefully as she carries them into the kitchen. Sipping her coffee, Rose watches her through the breakfast bar window as she fills the sink and starts to add water.

" Oh, cool. A radio. Do you mind if I listen to some tunes while I wash these?"

" No, that's fine. Just, nothing too loud and screechy, ok?" Rose can't get over how polite she is.

" Oh no. That's definitely not dish washing music… I need something like…" She spins around the dial until a peppy Salsa number comes on. " perfect!"

Humming along with the tune, a little off key, she starts to wash the dishes, her hips swaying in rhythm with the music.

Rose is utterly delighted with sight. She loves having young people around, because it makes her feel younger, just watching them with all their energy and verve. She watches as Buffy putters round, dancing to the music, humming away, and feels a warm glow inside. Even if she breaks a plate, she figures she ahead of the game with the entertainment she's getting. She's definitely a keeper. I wonder why she's so lost? Rose sighs. Don't be a Nosey Parker, Rose. Whatever it is, It's private. It's just too bad she has to …

She hears the radio snap off, and looks up to see Buffy draining the sink. The dishes are sitting in the drainer, drip drying.

" That was fast, " Rose says approvingly.

" Well, I don't like to mess around with dishes all night. I like to get it done, and move on." After she rinses the sink, Buffy goes for a dishtowel.

" Oh , that's ok. Let them air dry." Rose waves her away.

" Ok," Buffy says, just a little disappointed.

She's been stalling a little. She really isn't looking forward to going back out there. For a little while, anyway, it's been like being back home, and she misses being back home.

" Well, I guess I better be going. You know, busy, busy." Buffy shrugs." Thanks,… oh, well, aren't I the rude-o. I never got your name."

" Rose. Rose Weiss, but you can call me Rose."

" Thanks Mrs. Weiss, for the meal. Really good food." Buffy starts for the front door.

" Anne, could you wait a moment?"

Buffy stops, and sighs. " I really gotta get going. Or I'm not gonna have a place to sleep."

" Actually, this kind of concerns that. I was wondering if you could do me another favor?"

Oh, boy, here it comes.

" What is it, Mrs. Weiss?"

" Well , first, call me Rose, ok?"

" Ok…er… Rose."

" Now, I was thinking. I've lived around here for nearly 40 years, and lately, the neighborhood has been getting really bad. Especially after dark. Really hard for a woman to be living alone and feel safe these days."

Buffy shrugs.

" Anyway, I've got this big old house to myself, and I don't mind that. I like my privacy. But…" She moves closer to Buffy." I've got this small guest house in back that's just standing empty." She's beside Buffy now, " I'd really feel safer if someone were living in it. Sort of like an extra pair of eyes and ears. Like I said, you don't know what can happen these days."

Buffy stands there for a moment, undecided. On one hand, she'd love a place to stay. No matter how bad the guest house would be, it can't be worse than those dives she rents by the night downtown. Or the shelter on Main, which is probably full anyway. But she's wary, and suspicious. Her trust is way low right now.

" No thanks, Mrs. Weiss. I appreciate it, but really… no," She goes to the door, then turns. " You should advertise it for rent. I'm sure you could get a couple hundred bucks a month for it, ya know?"

" Sure. But then you have to deal with renters, and they're strangers, and you never know what you're going to get."

" Well, Mrs. …"

" Rose, please?"

" Uhhh… Rose, frankly you don't know me either. I could be a druggie or a murderer or somethin' "

" I can read people pretty well, Anne," Rose says quietly, " I don't believe you're any of that. I think you're a decent young woman."

" Yeah, right, " Buffy says. You don't have a clue… and you never will, I hope. " G'night, Mrs. …er…Rose"

Buffy exits. Rose follows her , calling from the porch. " Anne, wait a moment!"

Buffy turns around. " Yeah?"

" Look, I know you're a busy girl, but if you happen back this way, feel free to stop by for a meal, ok?"

Buffy looks a little puzzled, but then smiles briefly. " Thanks, That's real nice." She turns, and walks off into the darkness.

Rose watches her until she can't see her anymore. Then she sighs, and shakes her head sadly.

She turns, and walks back into the house.

Continued in Part 13B
- 12
- 13
- 14
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