Adult-FanFiction.org : Buffy

Wishing Changes Everything	By : Declan Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Faith Views: 9748 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy The Vampire Slayer Television Series. Joss Whedon does. This is done for simple fun, I'm not making any money from this.

Chapter List
- 18
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- 20
Bad Girls Part 1 (Sugar And Spice)

Buffy and Faith slammed against the grass, struggling side by side, vampires growling as they bore down on the two girls.
“So, whaddya think?” Faith grunted.
Buffy grimaced against her vampire’s strength. “Faith, just gimme a sec here, okay?”
Faith snapped a look at Buffy as she struggled. “You keep ducking me, yes or no?”
“...Not the best time!” Buffy cried as she shifted her hips and thrust the vampire off over her head, rolling with it and jerking to her feet.
Faith did the same and pulled a stake, “C’mon, it’s a simple question.”
With that she turned, grabbed her vampire’s clumsy lunge and effortlessly flipped him to the ground.
Buffy sighed as she ducked a vicious jab from her own opponent as he rose up at her, blocking a strong right cross before smashing him in the face and then spinning and jabbing a stake into his chest. The vampire snarled his last as he was dusted.
Buffy turned as Faith pounded a stake into the back of her downed opponent and then sprung to her feet again, curls bouncing. She regarded Buffy slightly exasperatedly “So, I’m guessin’ you don’t like my idea.”
Buffy paused to catch her breath and also to think as to how to reply. “It’s just...I’m not sure I want my, uh, first time to be in a motel. It’s... not exactly romantic, y’know, what with the stains and the worn mattresses and the coin slot for the ‘magic fingers’...” Judging from the indecent grin on Faith’s face Buffy probably shouldn’t have mentioned that last part.
Faith moved a little closer. “Hey, I didn’t say motel, I just said room, somewhere private. ‘Cause its gettin’ t’be a major drag dodging around your Mom all the time...”
“Well, it’s sorta her house Faith. We can’t just evict her, well...physically we could, but only if the house was actually on fire. Otherwise she’d get cranky.” Buffy gave the brunette a pointed look, “Anyway, the last time we were alone at the house you turned me down, remember?”
Faith blew out a breath. “I was being all noble and shit, okay. World in peril, seemed like the thing t’do. Guess you must be rubbing off on me...”
Buffy looked at the ground, seeing odd tracks and murmuring. “You say that like it’s a bad thing...”She held up her hand.
Faith caught Buffy’s gesture. “What’s up?”
“Uh, a bad thing. Another vamp nearby. See those tracks.”
Faith looked, tracing the footprints across the ground and to the right. “Thataway.” She pointed.
Buffy cautiously approached the trail as it wound through the cemetery as Faith followed behind her; the vampire was definitely hiding off over to the left. Buffy remembered the guy had a pair of swords, so they had to be careful. “Okay, count of three.”
Faith shook her head with a grin. “Better idea. You draw him out, I flank. And then vamp-dust.” Without waiting for an answer Faith slipped back into the shadow of a nearby tree and vanished.
Buffy squinted for a sign of her, but nothing. She wasn’t sure if this was more or less reckless that Faith’s other plan of ‘charge!’
Buffy silently counted to three and ducked around the tombstone, before suddenly finding herself face to face with a squat, snarling vampire that launched a kick at her. Buffy dodged backwards, drawing her stake as she did so, only to see the vampire draw two swords from sheaths on his back. A long and a short one. Like some kind of duellist.
Buffy sighed. “Right. Crap.”
The vampire strode forward whipping his long sword out in front to try and chop Buffy in half. Buffy pirouetted backwards, using a move that was more cheerleader than slayer, before sliding past the vampire’s arcing sword arm to grab his wrist with her free hand; she then punched at his face with the fist clenching her stake. Her opponent snarled and tried to tear his arm loose, jabbing at Buffy with his short sword dagger-thing. Buffy barely knocked the blade away with a well-placed knee block before the vamp suddenly arched his back, grimacing as he burst into ashes.
And there was Faith, standing behind him, grinning and twirling her stake like a gunfighter.
The brunette raised an eyebrow. “You okay?” She stepped forward to brush some dust of off Buffy’s sweatshirt, “Didn’t think vamps were allowed to use swords, like a union thing or somethin’.”
Buffy nodded a little breathlessly. “It’s rare, that’s for sure. But these guys didn’t look local. Uniforms and weapons, definitely something of the other.”She smiled at Faith, “Still, we getting to be quite the well oiled machine.”
Faith stepped closer and grabbed Buffy’s hips. She leaned in close and smiled sexily. “More like two well-oiled machines that work well together. See, I like that image a lot better. ‘Cause there’s you and me, and then there’s the oil makin’ us all slippy...”
Buffy blushed a little. “I, uh, got your meaning, Faith. Plus the boat-load of imagery...” She was silenced by Faith kissing her, pulling her close and moaning softly against her soft mouth. Buffy squirmed against the brunette as the girl’s tongue slithered from between her lips to gently explore Buffy’s mouth. Buffy’s hands went to the other girl’s head, fingers running through coal dark locks. Even after a week or so she’d still missing this part of patrolling most of all.
‘Okay, so there might be something so the whole hungry and horny thing...but only because of Faith. Maybe we’re rubbing off on each other and... We’re back to the imagery.’
Reluctantly Buffy pulled away from Faith, panting slightly against her mouth. “Okay, so a hotel room...could work. I’ve just got to think of an excuse for Mom and then...” She trailed off as she remembered the swords. She turned to fetch them but found that, like before, they’d vanished.
“Damn it. Is there some graveyard thief jonesing for sharp pointy things, ’cause if so...” She made a vague stabbing motion with her stake.
Faith shrugged in puzzlement. “Hey, relax, B. Those guys were toast anyways. So why worry. Just tell G about it tomorrow.”
Buffy pouted a little. “Can’t you do it? Why do I always have to give the reports? I do have classes’ y’know, plus I really need to study for this upcoming chemistry thing...”
“Listen, B. We got different talents; you’re good with the...remembering stuff. Plus, Giles gets this look on his face when I’m talkin’, like he thinks I’m yankin’ his chain.”
“It’s just all that Boston slang. Giles can barely understand my Californianisms, so you’re throwing him a curve ball.” Buffy thought about it, “And there’s the whole tea party association, he’ll always gonna see you as a rebel.”
“So that’s that. I kick ass, you give the reports...way of the world, B.”Faith smiled to herself, “Besides, tomorrow I’ll be shoppin’ for a swanky hotel suite. Somethin’ with a big-ass shower, bouncy double bed and room service with no questions asked.” She smirked as her eyes roamed over Buffy, “Don’t want neighbours complainin’ ‘bout all the noise.”
‘Oh, boy.’ Buffy swallowed a little nervously. “And I thought you were going to be all tender and loving.” She said as she shook her head in mock-disappointment, trying to hide her nerves.
Faith smirk softened into a warmer smile and she took Buffy’s hand. They started heading off towards home. “Don’t worry, B. It’ll be everythin’ you want...for the first couple of hours anyway. Then it might get a little kinky...”
Buffy gave Faith a searching look, but Faith just smiled guilelessly. Buffy couldn’t tell if she was joking, and to her mild surprise she kind of hoped she wasn’t...

*~~*

The next day and normalcy in the lounge pervaded. Buffy, Oz, Xander and Cordelia watched as Willow poured excitedly through her collection of manila envelopes. College catalogues were spread out across the table as Xander busily went through a few of them, reading as he did so.
“Harvard, Yale, Wesleyan...” He shook his head in amazement.
Buffy smiled happily at the redhead. “Wow, Willow. Looks like early admission came early this year.”
“Hence the name.” Oz observed.
Cordelia, who was perched on the arm of the couch next to Xander in a very short skirt, frowned at Willow. “I don’t think it’s fair that you got so many scholarship offers. It discriminates.”
Willow raised her eyebrows. “Against who exactly.”
“The rich and stupid.” Quipped Xander, “Those guys are always getting picked on.”
Cordelia shook her head. “All I mean is that it takes more than academic excellence to succeed in college. They don’t take into account other qualities, like school spirit or popularity. Tastes in fashion, maybe. They should want students who would look good to be in all their glossy brochures.” She picked one up and looked at some of the pictures before tossing it back on the table in annoyance.
Willow frowned as she looked at a catalogue for some college in Germany. “Doesn’t that sound, well, a little superficial?”
“Only on the face of it.” Cordelia replied, “Colleges should look for well-rounded candidates.”
Xander shifted slightly as his gaze swept up Cordelia’s form. “I should probably get some credit for not making a lame Bondian pun at this point.”
Cordelia smiled and slid onto his lap. “Then here’s some credit.” She said as she kissed him deeply.
Buffy and Willow exchanged an amused look. On campus smooching was easier to deal with than the bitter arguing the two of them had been engaging in the first time round.
Buffy handed a catalogue to Willow. “Embrace the wooing, Will. You’ve earned it. It’s a whole new world out there. Just have to graduate.” Then she remembered, “Not that I will graduate unless I pass Mrs. Taggart’s chemistry exam. Who’s ever needed Chemistry anyway?”
Willow smirked and shook her head. “Says the girl who lives on processed foodstuffs.” She put down a brochure, “Listen, I can help with all that. Chemistry’s easy. It’s like witchcraft, only not so much newt. So, what do you say? Study jam at my house? Tonight?”
Buffy smiled her thanks. “I’m there.” The bell interrupted their conversation, “Gotta check in with Giles though, and report on last night’s patrol. Faith says it my lot in life.” Buffy frowned, “I get a lot of lot. Too much actually.” She saw Willow smiling, “What?”
“You and Faith, all coupley again. It’s sweet is all.”
Buffy huffed out a laugh. “If you came patrolling with us, you’d have to redefine your definition of sweet. Like a one-eighty.” Off of Willow’s look, “I’ll explain tonight. Anyway, bye.”
Buffy left them to talk to Giles about the upcoming badness.

*~~*

Although some of the upcoming badness had clearly already arrived. Buffy walked in to see Giles looking fed up and irritated, sat on the desk, looking kinda rebellious actually, if you could get past the waistcoat.
“Hello Buffy.” Giles greeted her gently, already seeming somewhat tired.
Buffy walked over, slightly questioningly until another man walked out from behind Giles, smartly dressed in a suit. Smiling proudly with his hair all quaffed.
‘Oh, right...Wesley. That time of year again.’
Perhaps she could afford to try and treat him a little better; after all, though he was annoying, he did have a job to do. Just like Faith could be a better slayer, then maybe Wesley could be a better Watcher, with some help. Lots of help.
But she could still have some fun at his expense...
“Well, hello!” Wesley smiled at her formally.
Buffy smiled as she put on her ‘valley girl’ act. “Ooh, new Watcher. Wait; don’t tell me your name. I’m good at guessing names. It’s like a gift.” She pretended to think hard, trying not to smirk at Wesley’s bemused look as he glanced at Giles, “Well, you’re English, so it’s not gonna be anything cool like Jack or Brad or Ken...no, you look like a...Wesley!” She smiled, very pleased.
Wesley looked surprised. “Um, well...yes, indeed. Wesley Wyndam-Price, at your...oh, ha, very droll, Miss Summers. Mr. Giles must have told you of my arrival.”
Buffy put on an innocent face and tilted her head. “Nuh-uh! After the last Watcher went all evil I was like, whatever. I’m totally not fazed anymore.”
Wesley was on the back foot again. “Evil? Ah, of course. Gwendolyn Post, we all heard. A sad example of the seductive power of dark knowledge.” He cleared his throat, “No, Mr. Giles has checked my credentials rather thoroughly and phoned the council, but I’m glad to see that you’re on the ball.” He leaned in close and said, very conspiratorially, “A good slayer is a cautious slayer.”
‘What a doof.’
Buffy pursed her lips. “Oh, so how many slayers have you trained?” She asked innocently.
Wesley fidgeted a bit. “...Well, I, ahem. This is my first assignment. But fear not, I am thoroughly prepared for the task at hand. You may rely on me.”
Buffy flicked her hair and smiled as she sat down on the desk next to Giles. “Well, that’s a weight off my mind...” She said brightly. She saw Giles was struggling not to grin.
Wesley was clearly unsure of how to take her. “Well, quite. And with those pleasantries out of the way, lets get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we?” He went over to a box and picked up a book, probably a journal, and flicked it open, “Why don’t you tell me everything about last night’s patrol.”
Buffy thought hard and then said cheerfully. “Vampires!” Giles nudged her, he obviously though she was overdoing it.
Wesley looked up expectantly. “Yes?”
“Slayed ‘em...or slew. Whichever.”
Wesley tilted his head hopefully. “Anything else, ah, you can tell me?”
She decided to be serious, for Giles sake if nothing else. “Three guys all dressed in the same uniform, kind of a yellow tunic-thing. Good fighters for vamps.” She looked at Giles, “One of them had swords. He was sniffing around, up to something. The other two were just looking for a fight.”
Giles was thoughtful as Wesley straightened up and walked back to his pile of boxes, muttering about swords. He asked Buffy. “Swords? One long and one short?”
“Both sharp.” She said pointedly before turning back to Giles, “they had jewels and stuff on them.”
Giles’ brain was ticking over. “Sounds familiar.”
Wesley returned triumphant. “It should.” He showed Buffy and Giles an open book, something about old vampire societies, apparently there were lots of them.
Giles read out loud. “El Eliminati. Fift...“
Wesley continued, seemingly from memory. “Fifteenth century duellist cult. Deadly in their day, their numbers dwindled in later centuries due to increased anti-vampire activity and a lot of pointless duelling.” He clearly liked to lecture, “They eventually became the acolytes of a demon named Balthazar, who brought them to the new world. Specifically here.” He said, gesturing to the library.
Buffy pretended to be puzzled. “So there was a library here, even back then? Weird.” Giles chuckled.
Wesley sighed. “I...Ah, actually meant Sunnydale, Buffy. I’ve researched this town’s history extensively.”
“That’s very thorough of you.” Giles stated dryly.
“I didn’t get this job because of my looks.”
Buffy looked at Wesley. “So, like, where have they been all this time?”
Wesley failed to disguise his smugness. “They were driven out a hundred years ago. Happily, Balthazar was killed. I don’t know by whom.”
Buffy gave Giles a look and a small shake of the head. Giles spoke up, wondering. “In that case why have they returned?”
Wesley explained. “Balthazar had an amulet, purported to give him strength. When he was killed, it was taken by a wealthy land owner named Gleaves. It’s buried with him and I believe the few remaining Eliminati are probably looking for it. For sentimental value.”
“I see.” Giles remarked, “And you don’t believe that this amulet poses any kind if threat?”
Wesley gave a dismissive wave as he walked about. “Not at all.” Buffy gave Giles a definite nod so he understood the real sitch.
“None the less.” Wesley continued, “We may as well keep it from them. Buffy, you will go to the Gleaves family crypt tonight and fetch the amulet.” He paused before adding awkwardly, “Do you, ah, wish for me to write any of this down?”
Buffy smirked at Giles as she twirled her hair playfully. “Vamps want the amulet. I stop them from getting what they want...then I get a cookie.”
“Yes, quite.” Wesley said dryly. He was about to continue when the library doors opened and Faith swaggered in. She took in Buffy and Giles’ expressions and looked Wesley over.
“Ah, this is perhaps Faith?”
Faith asked with distaste. “New Watcher?”
Buffy and Giles answered in unison. “New Watcher.”
Faith shrugged. “Screw that.” She simply turned on her heels and exited.
‘I guess some things never change.’
Buffy sighed. “I’ll see if I can fetch her. Play nice while I’m gone.”
With that she hopped off the table and headed out after Faith, quickly finding the brunette sauntering out across the quad, hands in pockets.
“Faith! Wait up.”
Faith turned, giving Buffy an easy smile and raising her eyebrows expectantly.
“Listen, I know this new guy’s a complete dork...But, maybe we can work with him. Together; as in both of us.”
Faith wrinkled her nose in disbelief. “You’re actually gonna take orders from him?”
“That’s the job...” Buffy hesitated. “Y’know, it’s not as simple as taking orders, Faith. Giles isn’t my boss...at least not when I don’t want him to be.” She shrugged, “But I listen to his advice because he’s the guy with the knowledge. He helps me.”
Faith thought about before frowning. “You know this guy’s just gonna try and take all the fun out of it.”
“With you there, how is that going to be possible?”Buffy tilted her head and took one of Faith’s hands, giving Faith her best puppy dog look, “C’mon, just give this guy a chance...we can always ignore what he says anyway, okay?”
She could see Faith’s internal debate; she clearly didn’t want to go back. “I dunno, B. I’m not sure I even wanna take orders from G anymore, and now with this new guy...”
“Wesley.” Buffy put in.
Faith’s face twisted in disgust. “Jesus, really? Okay, so this Weakly’s gonna be in charge now. I say no way; we can do whatever we want.” Faith tugged on Buffy’s arm, “C’mon, let’s blow this off, have some fun.”
Buffy had heard this stuff before; she’d hoped that Faith had changed enough to be a bit more responsible.
She pulled her hand away and frowned, “I can’t do that, Faith. I have classes, then this assignment and then studying for a test. Now, as my girlfriend, do you want to help with any of that?”
“Aw, c’mon...” Faith whined before sighing in defeat. “Man, I am so whupped...Okay, alright, I’ll come an’ play nice.”
“Thank you.” Buffy leaned forward and gave Faith a quick kiss on the lips, oblivious to anyone who might be watching, “I appreciate it, really.”
“Can’t believe you pulled the girlfriend card.” Faith replied sulkily, “Knew you were gonna be high maintenance.”
Buffy just smiled as she led her back to the library, hand in hand. Although she didn’t care who saw them as they made their way through the school, and there were a couple of side-long glances, she decided it was best to decouple in front of Wesley.
“One wayward slayer returned.” Buffy said as she entered.
Giles was busily signing for a package but cast a smile in Faith’s direction. The brunette just grunted.
Wesley stepped forward and offered his hand. “Now, let’s try this again shall we.” He said primly.
Buffy could see Faith’s jaw tense up. But she grudgingly reached out and took Wesley’s hand, giving it a firm, jolting, shake. “Hey.” She said simply before letting her hand drop.
Buffy caught Wesley’s eye, deciding to forego her former attitude. “I told Faith about the assignment tonight. If the amulet’s there we’ll grab it, but I’ve got chem. studying with Will so Faith’ll bring it back here safe and sound. Cool?”
Wesley seemed perplexed. “Studying with...Will? Surely boys don’t come before...”
Buffy interrupted him coolly. “Willow is my best friend, and smartest girl I know, she’s helping me in not flunking my classes. That’s the way it works around here, Wes.”Buffy stepped forward and looked him in the eye, “Faith and I have non-slaying lives that you’ll have to work around. We’re not here just to be ordered about. Understand?”
Wesley cleared his throat. “Well, Buffy, that’s just not the way things are...”
“Wesley, if you expect us to respect you and listen to you, then you’ve got to respect us. It’s a two-way street, you got it? You can’t come in here and change the way we’ve been doing things for years. That’s just not gonna happen.” Buffy gestured to herself and a smirking Faith, “Now, you have two slayers, an ex-watcher that we listen to and a group of occult investigators, who happen to be my friends. What would a good watcher do with all those resources?” She smiled sweetly.
Wesley swallowed a little nervously at her forthrightness. “Um, utilize them... perhaps?”
Buffy nodded and her smile became more genuine. “Good answer. Welcome to the team, Wes.”
Wesley nodded hesitantly before giving a tentative smile. “Well, good...yes, ironing out all those rough edges, I see. And about your, ah, behaviour earlier?”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “Like, totally a prank, Wes. You’re the new guy remember? You had to expect something.”
“Yes, much joshing with the new ah, guy. Of course, naturally.” Wesley straightened his shoulders and composed himself, “Well, girls, you have you’re mission parameters. The Gleaves family crypt is located in the Ashburn cemetery, I believe. And I’ll expect to see Faith later on this evening, with said amulet.”
Faith smiled widely. “You got it boss.” And turned and walked out.
Buffy smiled as she watched her go before looking at her watch. She sighed, late for class again. Poop.

*~~*

Buffy and Faith walked along one of the wide, well-lit pathways that twisted their way through Ashburn. Looking for the big Gleaves crypt, Buffy had a vague recollection of where it was and was leading the way.
Faith was fiddling with her bow but otherwise had been pretty quiet, a small smile on her face.
“So, what are you thinking?” Buffy asked, maybe Faith had found a prospective hotel already, right before the weekend. That would be something.
“Just wondering which I dig more, take-charge Buffy or ditzy princess Buffy.” Faith chuckled, “It’s a close one.”
Buffy smiled shyly. “I was just telling Wesley how it’s going to be. I don’t usually get all bossy like that. But he needed to hear it, better now than later. And the ditzy stuff was totally an act. And I just used the word ‘totally’ didn’t I?”
Faith nodded with a smirk. “Totally.”
Buffy sighed. “Well, it’s not really me anymore either. But before I got called? ...Definitely.”
Faith shrugged like she wasn’t too disappointed. “Well, I guess I prefer bossy-pants you anyways, though I’m filin’ away ‘ditzy-cheerleader’ Buffy as a birthday present or somethin’.”
Buffy reddened a little before suddenly spotting the crypt up ahead. “There it is.” She’d thought a lot about how to play this, fighting six vampires in a confined space seemed like an unnecessary risk this time around. Maybe the two of them could still thin their numbers though, before she told Giles that Porky the demon wasn’t as dead as Wesley thought, and of his old connection to the mayor.
“Okay, I say we think this through for a few sec. Those guys with the swords were serious news, if they’re onto the amulet this could turn into a serious party-situation.”
“Here’s hopin’.”
“I’m thinking you go over there.” Buffy pointed to some nearby bushes opposite the crypt, “I’ll go in and search for the amulet. Then if you see anything, we can attack from two sides.”
Faith looked at her in disbelief. “You want me t’hide in the bushes?”
“Faith, you have the bow. As in ranged weapon? As in surprise, sniper in the bushes? It makes sense, plus after you take a couple out you can still come and... take a couple more out.”
Faith raised her eyebrows. “Just how many are you expectin’, didn’t Wes say these guys were a small-time deal?”
“Well, yeah. But they were a vampire society, and this is probably like their very own sacred relic or something. If they send anyone, they’ll send a large posse.”
Faith nodded in understanding. “Makes sense. But nobody sends a posse anymore, B. These guys aren’t the Crips, y’know?”
“Whatever. Just get.” She pointed to the bushes, smirking Faith ran on over and took cover. Buffy couldn’t see her in the gloom until she stuck out a hand and gave a ‘thumbs up’ sign. Buffy made her way to the crypt, crept down the steps with her flashlight on and saw the two tombs.
Thinking quickly Buffy went over to the second tomb and opened it with a push, revealing the desiccated skeleton with the amulet around its neck. “Bingo.”
But of course, if she took it now then the vamps would search the tomb and almost certainly find her. Better to let them take it and make them think that they’d succeeded. Then get them when their backs were turned. Classic ambush.
Buffy turned to the first tomb, opened it and switched off her flashlight. Then, hearing sounds of approach, she jumped in and pulled the tomb lid shut as quietly as possible, lifting it so it didn’t scrape against the sarcophagus.
She felt the vampires without seeing them, six vamps on a mission, just like before, as they searched and found what they were after. Buffy hoped Faith would keep her head and not attack now, the other slayer was improving but Buffy wasn’t entirely sure that her recklessness was all gone.
After a couple of moments she sensed them going and quickly pulled the lid back and stood up, glancing overhead to see the last flaming torch leaving the crypt. She jumped out and pulled her stake, only to hear cries of surprise and alarm from outside. She ran for the doorway, seeing through it the vampiric figures lit by torchlight, milling around in confusion.
She couldn’t see Faith but already there were only five men now, and one of them was on his knees with an arrow sticking out of his chest. Buffy silently stepped out and swiftly stabbed one of the other vampires in the back, smiling grimly as he disintegrated to ash. Four left.
Two vamps, one of them the leader, noticed Buffy to the back of them and went to draw swords and attack. Though the second didn’t get a chance, a dull thunk was heard as another arrow struck home, and the vampire staggered forward, collapsed and dissipated, his weapons clinking as they fell to the ground. Three now.
Then Faith appeared, leaping from the bushes with stake in hand, clearly eager to be in the midst of the fighting. Buffy struck while the groups’ attention was divided and unsure, roundhouse kicking one vampire clean off his feet and hitting another with a combination of punches to drive him back.
Faith engaged the lead vampire, ducking under a sweeping sword blade to smash him across the face with her fist, then striking low with a knee before flipping backwards to avoid a slashing blade to the gut. Buffy concentrated on her two, one of which was still grimacing from an arrow in the chest, maybe an inch or two below the heart. For a snap-shot it wasn’t bad.
Buffy ignored him as the other vamp growled and rushed her, lunging out with a powerful kick that forced Buffy to dodge to the side. She struck him high and low with a one-two combo before backing up into Faith. The brunette was reaching down to grab one of the swords on the ground.
“Y’okay?” She said breathlessly, smiling back at Buffy.
Buffy blocked another attack before swinging the guy around and hip throwing him to the ground. “Pretty good. You?”
She heard the sound of steel clashing against steel. “Five-by-five.” Before Faith muttered a curse in her opponent’s direction.
Buffy jabbed her stake down at her floored opponent but he managed to roll away as the other vampire, now free of his arrow, snapped a kick at her ducking form, catching her hard in the shoulder. But he quickly reeled back as Faith’s blade whirled back and cut him across the face.
Buffy half-leapt at her opponent, jump-kicking him high in the bleeding face before landing to deftly block and then uppercut the other vamp under the jaw, both vampires went down hard. She followed one down as he fell, burying her stake in his chest.
Buffy saw a flash of movement in her periphery as she saw the lead vampire, sword in hand; flee for an open sewer exit. She snapped her head round to see Faith, down on one knee, grimacing and clutching her side. Buffy saw blood seeping through her fingers.
“Faith!” Buffy quickly dispatched her other foe before running over to the dark-haired girl and kneeling beside her, “You’re hurt.”
“Just a scratch...damn, I guess I need a little more sword practice...” Faith took her hand away to reveal a long, shallow cut about an inch or so above her waist-line. “Not too bad. Stupid.” She muttered.
Buffy was torn, she knew she should follow. “He’s still got the amulet.”
Faith shook her head, her other hand coming up to reveal the amulet in her grip. “Nah, that’s what got me stabbed in the first place. Me grabbing it off his belt. Then he saw how many guys he had left and rabbited.”
Buffy let out a shaky breath and cupped Faith’s face. “Don’t scare me like that, okay?” She gently kissed her before pulling back and frowning at her wound, “Maybe we should both go back to Giles...”
“Buffy, we just wiped out that guys crew. He ain’t comin’ back.” She pulled her shirt up a bit and glanced at her wound, “See, it’s already stopped bleedin’. I’m good.” Faith smiled at Buffy, “Go do the study-buddy thing, and I’ll let G poke about with this.” She waved the amulet a bit.
Buffy nodded reluctantly as she stood up. “Okay. But you show him your wound first, and if he wants to patch you up...”
Faith rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll act all wimpy. Just...go.” With a grunt she pulled herself up, picking up her newly-acquired sword as she did so and looking it over, “Keeping this though, next time I see that dopey-lookin’ mouth-breather...” She trailed off before smiling at Buffy, “Don’t think I don’t ‘ppreiate you being all sweet, B. But it kinda goes with the job.”
With that she stepped closer and kissed Buffy, one hand cupping the back of her head while the other, still half holding the sword, drifted down to cup her butt. Languid kissing quickly turned heated and after a few moments Buffy had to disentangle herself.
“Get a room.” She said lightly as she pulled away.
Faith winked at her before sauntering off towards the library. “Workin’ on it.”

*~~*

“...’Name the fundamental difference between a chemical compound and a chemical mixture’.” Willow said as she read out the test question.
“...”
Willow paused to look at her blonde friend. “Okay, how about, ‘name the chemical formula for salt.’...Buffy?”
Buffy looked over from her text book. “Salt is...is it a saline alkaline? Urgh...” She lifted her book and hit herself in the forehead, much to Willow’s amusement, “I wasn’t even answering the right question, was I?”
“Well, no. But if it’s any consolation, you answered that question wrongly too...so at least you’re consistent.”
Buffy sighed and rolled onto her back on Willow’s floor. “Sorry, it’s just hard to switch off. From kicking vampire butt with Faith to,” She paused to frown and look at her chapter heading, “’The properties of molecular bonding’, my answer is that molecules shouldn’t bond or own any sort of property...ba-dam bum.”
Willow smiled knowingly. “But you’ve done it before slaying then studying, so what’s different this time?” A little guiltily Willow moved her textbook to one side, “You mentioned something this morning, about the whole patrolling thing.”
“I swear I didn’t used to get like this. When I was on my own...it was actually kind of a drag, lonely. And when I was with Angel, well it was a little more fun, but still...” Buffy rolled back onto her stomach, “But with Faith, when we’re in synch with each other, it’s like... I can feel this force taking over.”
Willow nodded. “I know what that’s like, when I’m channelling some magic or other...It’s intense.”
Buffy looked at her friend searchingly. “Okay, so now imagine this; you’re with somebody else who completely gets it, like you do. You’re both connected to this...power, it flows through you; like the night belongs to you...It’s unbelievable.”
Willow got a faraway look in her eye. “Wow. That... would be kinda cool.” She blushed a little self-consciously, “I mean, not the stuff I do with Amy and Micheal, that’s small stuff, summoning the elements, protection spells. But the more powerful stuff; transmutation, communicating with spirits, that’s intense.” Willow nodded understandingly, “No wonder you’re distracted.”
Buffy nodded to herself. “It’s not just that. Faith is...I can’t believe I’m saying this about a girl, but she’s way sexy. The way she fights, and talks, all those little insinuations, smutty stuff... “Buffy reddened, “It’s just...well, we’re getting towards the time that... when things get...”
“Get inevitable?” Willow finished.
“I was gonna go with physical but...” Buffy swallowed a little nervously and nodded, looking at Willow for a reaction.
The redhead looked a little shocked, but then smiled hesitantly. “Seize the fish?”
Buffy blinked and made a face. “Huh?”
Willow giggled. “Last year? Seventeenth birthday? You and a much, much older guy.”
Buffy finally got it, but it had been longer for her. “Right. And we all know how that turned out...”
“Will you stop with the gloom? Do you know how many people have a ‘perfect happiness’ clause in their love lives? I’ll bet it’s not many. And has Faith even been cursed, even a little bit? Hmn? I didn’t think so.”
Buffy shrugged uncomfortably. “I know. Will. But I just can’t shake the feeling that it’ll change things between us.”
Willow rolled her eyes. “Have you noticed how Cordelia hasn’t said one mean, sarcastic thing to Xander in over a week? Why do you think that is?”
Buffy frowned. “That they... Did they? Really..? When did this happen?”
“Night of the living dead meatheads.” Willow giggled, “You know, while we were saving the day...they must’ve...” Willow wrinkled her nose before continuing, “And now their closer, I guess. And me, I’m not afraid to be with Oz, I’m just waiting for the right time. And when we both want it, I know it’ll bring us closer.”
Buffy thought she should maybe bring up her real worry. “The thing is...Faith is kind of, um, experienced, with both the guy-thing and...with girls.” Buffy bit her bottom lip, “What if, after all the build up, it’s like this huge let down for her, and I’m not...” Buffy didn’t finish, just shrugged unhappily.
“Oh, Buffy. I don’t think it’s just about the whole, uh, sex thing with her. Isn’t it Faith who’s letting you take things slow? I mean, Faith is built for the one-night stand, y’know. And now the two of you have been doing the dating thing for months. That’s gotta mean something to her, it’s has to.” Willow thought about it absently, “Plus, there’s the whole ‘slayer’ thing between the two of you. With all that dexterity and endurance...” Willow suddenly looked alarmed and slightly flustered, “One could...theoretically think about something like that and come to some, um, conclusions and, hey, talking of uh, practical knowledge-y things, we should probably get back to chemistry...”
Buffy smiled. “Thanks for the pep talk, Will. I was just in Buffy-panic- mode, needed to talk some stuff out.” She flicked her textbook pages over and stared at the page, “Molecular compounds...”

*~~*

Wesley was walking back and forth, whilst Giles seemed to be deep into some dusty text. Wesley was talking. “I spent much of last night verifying the authenticity of the amulet you brought...”
Without looking up Giles coughed pointedly.
“...And, with Mr Giles’ invaluable assistance, came to the conclusion that it’s genuine,” Wesley looked pleased, and elaborated, “the Etruscan markings translate as...”
Buffy stared at him in boredom, twirling a bit of hair.
Wesley stiffened slightly. “...Well, I don’t wish to bore you with the details. I will say congratulations are in order.”
Giles spoke up and looked at Buffy. “I gather from Faith that you ran into a little trouble last night.”
“Yeah, Wesley’s nearly extinct cult had been on one hell of a recruitment drive.” She looked pointedly at Wesley, “Luckily, Faith and I were prepared. Nothing we couldn’t handle. We’re good.”
He smiled. “Glad to here it.”
Buffy sighed as the bell rang. She put on her leather jacket and left Wesley to his posturing; she just hoped her last minute study-crash with Willow had helped.
She hooked up with Xander and Willow as they entered the classroom. “Morning guys.”
Willow smiled back. “Hey.”
Xander grinned goofily. “Buff. Get any action last night?”
Buffy looked around warily before she sat at her desk. “Just some vamps. Faith and I cut a swath. Five outta six.”
Xander nodded strangely struggling not to smile. “As in five out of six vamps really prefer one slayer to two. Good going, swathing it up out there.”
Buffy narrowed her eyes. “Why are you...you’re acting weird.”
Xander’s smile turned sympathetic. “Uh, it’s just...it might’ve gotten into the rumour mill that you...were holding hands and kissing a girl at school.” He said the last part in a quick rush.
Buffy blinked as she reddened, maybe she could’ve been a bit more discreet. “What rumour mill?”
“...Uh, boy’s locker room talk. You’re quite the topic of conversation. I overheard.”
“Boy’s locker room?” Willow wondered, eyeing Xander.
Xander shrugged. “Sometimes I lurk.” Then he looked a little alarmed, “But not in a gay way.”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “I think I can cope with guys and their ‘gossip topics’, heh. Who knows, maybe it’ll make more popular.” She frowned, “Not that I care, muchly.” She turned back to her desk as the teacher entered the class.
Mrs Taggart started handing out test booklets and saying something. Buffy wasn’t really listening. She was being gossiped about? Her and Faith were? Did that even matter? And should it matter. Buffy was a little embarrassed, but, surprisingly, hardly mortified, it was just one of those things. Anyway, who wouldn’t be proud of dating somebody like Faith, all confident, beautiful and sexy?
“You have one hour.” Mrs Taggart finished.
Buffy was tapping her pencil, staring at the test, but really, she couldn’t focus. She sighed, thinking about Faith, what a surprise. In all honesty she’d rather be out slaying...come to think of it she couldn’t even remember anything about this test...
A tapping on the window got her attention; she looked up and saw Faith at the classroom window. The brunette opened a window and leaned in, smiling widely.
“Hey, girlfriend. Bad Time?”
‘I can’t believe I forgot about this.’
Buffy pouted unhappily and gestured at her test paper, she could almost feel other people in the class staring at her.
Faith nodded and went to one of the window panes, just like last time she breathed on it to steam it up. Before finger-drawing a heart on it and then finger-staked it. She grinned at Buffy and wiggled her eyebrows.
‘Oh, no... That doesn’t have a subtext at all...’
Buffy turned to Willow and Xander. “Sorry guys. Gotta go.”
Willow looked slightly dismayed. “Buffy...”
Buffy shrugged as she got round the desk, after all she didn’t do the test last time, so where was the harm. “Cover for me. Duty calls.”
Xander smirked. “More like booty calls.” He looked at Willow who was still in shock, “C’mon on, that was funny. I’ve been waiting ages to say it.”
A few classmates laughed and pointed as Buffy climbed out the window. Grist for the rumour mill or whatever. She stepped into stride with Faith as the other girl walked away from the school.
Buffy strode with her, already feeling her blood pumping. “Tell me you got something. I was beyond bored in there.”
“Vampires.” Faith stated simply.
‘Yes.’ “In the daytime? A nest?”
Faith grinned wickedly. “You bet. Good for us. Sucks to be them.”
Buffy returned the grin. “Doesn’t it always.”
- 18
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