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Change of Season	By : wright99 Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 8857 -:- 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
- 21
- 22
- 23
A Change of Seasons, Chapter 21

Primary pairing: Joyce/Faith

Disclaimer: Joss owns all. I'm just playin'

A/N: Squick warning, Incest rears it's ugly head again. if that's not your thing. don't read.

1

"C'mon, Buffy. You can do it. It's fun!"
"No way. There's no way I can do that!"
"Sure you can! I told you! It's easy!"
Hank and Buffy are on The King Cliffs, outside Sunnydale. They overlook the town, and the bay beyond, and give a panoramic view of both. They are standing on one of the scenic turnouts along the road leading to the apex of the cliffs.
Well, Buffy is standing on the overlook, anyway. Hank on the other hand, is on the other side of the railing, standing in mid air, looking back at her. He's stretching out his hand for her.
"Come on, Honey. All you gotta do is believe," Hank offers his hand. "Just take my hand. You won't fall."
Buffy looks down over the edge of the turnout. Her eyes go wide, and she blanches a little, seeing just how far down the valley floor is below them.
"I'm scared, daddy!" Buffy says, looking down. "I really don't want to do this."
"There's nothing to be afraid of, Buffy. I wouldn�t let anything happen to you!"
"Hank, leave her alone. Maybe she's just not ready yet."
A young girl, who looks vaguely familiar to Buffy, is standing out in mid air, just like Hank. She flashes a smile at Buffy.
"Don't sweat it, sugar. It's ok, he can wait." She turns on Hank. "She's just a kid, you know."
"Excuse me, who are you?" Buffy asks, a little perturbed at her being there.
"Just your dad's last lover. Before he started taking up with you�"
"You're really not helping, Susan," Hank turns to her. "She's never going to do it if we don't encourage her." He makes a face at her. "Anyway, why are you here, anyway? I told you we're through!"
"Great. Now my dad's old girlfriends are showing up. What next?"
"Aw, c'mon, Hank. Don't be an old bear�" Susan floats over to Hank, "We can still have fun. I'm sure I could teach Buffy a few tricks how to please you�" She gives Buffy the once over. "She might be fun to play with�"
"Oh god, Daddy! Did you have to bring her along?"
"Susan, get lost!" Hank turns on her, and shoves her away.
Susan seems to lose her balance, her arms pinwheeling crazily. She starts to fall, and then suddenly disappears.
"There, she's gone," Hank turns back to Buffy, smiling. "Now, c'mon sweetie. Don't be scared. Don't you trust me? I bet that's it. You don't trust me," Hank frowns, sounding hurt.
"That's so not true! I trust you�" Buffy looks down. "I just don't trust me."
"Hey� butthead! Leave her alone!"
Buffy turns around to see Faith standing behind her, arms crossed over her chest.
"Faith, what're you doing here?"
"Watchin' out for you, kiddo. Isn't that what you wanted?" She goes over to the edge of the cliff. "What're you trying to get her to do, moron?"
"Hey, back off, Faith!" Buffy yells at her, "He's my dad! He wouldn't hurt me� like you care, anyway. You never cared before!"
"That's not true, Babe. It's just been� complicated, is all."
"Who're you calling a moron?" Hank floats over, closer to the edge. "Who do you think you are?"
"I'm not the idiot trying to get Buffy killed, that's who!"
"She's my daughter, bitch. So, you wanna fight? Fight me?"
Faith looks at him, and laughs. "Geeze, fat boy, when did you grow a pair? You'd be good for what? Half a round before I pounded you in the ground?"
"Hey, leave him alone!" Buffy comes over, and shoves Faith back. "No one asked you to interfere!"
"Buffy, babe, I'm just lookin' out for ya!" Faith looks a little hurt.
"Well, I don't need you to be my watchdog, get it? I'm ok all by myself!" Buffy turns to Hank, and holds out her hand. There's a bead of sweat on her forehead, and she looks very nervous, but she leans out. "I'm ready. Let's do this!"
"Buffy! Don't, it's not safe!" Faith tries to stop her.
"I don't care. I wanna do this!"
"Oh, great. And if your daddy told you to jump off a bridge, you'd do that too?"
"What are you? Nuts?" Hank protests. "I'd never do that� at least not until next week!"
"Buff, c'mon! Don't be an idiot," Faith tries to grab at her. "Just stop this crap and come home!"
"I told you, leave me alone! You don't care about anyone but yourself! " Buffy shoves her hard, knocking her back.
Faith, off balance, trips over a stone behind her heel, and falls hard on her butt.
"You sure I won't fall?" Buffy looks very unsure, now that it's show time. "Do you promise?"
"Of course, baby." Hank offers his hand. "All you gotta do is believe."
This is nuts. What am I doing? Ok, believe. I believe, I believe, I believe�
"Ok, then�" Buffy says, closing her eyes tightly

She steps over the edge, holding tightly onto Hank's hand. She stands, mid air with him, shaking nervously, eyes shut.
"Am I doing it? Am I doing it?" She asks, afraid to open her eyes.
"Yes, baby, you are. Open up! Look around."
Slowly, hesitantly, Buffy opens her eyes. She looks down, realizing she's floating in midair!
"Oh my god! I'm flying, I'm so flying!" She howls, clapping her hands.
"So, how do you like it, sweetie?"
"This is sooo cool!" Buffy exclaims. "I can't believe�."
And just as suddenly, gravity kicks in, and Buffy starts to fall.
"Dad! Daaaddddyyyy!!" Buffy screams, falling.
Hank watches her fall
"Ooops!" He says, seemingly unconcerned.
"What're you doing, jackass? Go after her!" Faith yells from the edge, seeing Buffy fall.
"And risk falling, too? I don't know how." Hank whines.
"Oh, for god's sake!" Faith explodes at them. "Idiot!"
Without another thought, Faith jumps off the edge after Buffy.

Buffy, falling, sees the valley floor getting closer and closer. She closes her eyes, because she doesn't want to see anymore.
Gonna die! So gonna die! Why didn't I listen! Why was I such an idiot! Oh god, now I lay me down to sleep� crap, no time. Gonna die! I'm sorry, Faith�.
Suddenly, her fall stops abruptly. And she realizes she's not falling anymore, but rather, going up. Her eyes pop open.
"FAITH!"
"Hey, cutie," Faith grins at her.
"You saved me!"
"Well, somebody had to," She looks up at the pair floating by the edge of the cliff. "He sure wasn't gonna."
Buffy puts her arms around Faith's shoulders.
"I knew you'd save me!"
They continue to fly upwards, closer and closer and closer to the cliff.
"Faith, shouldn't you slow down? I mean, we're gonna�" Buffy sees the cliff, along with Hank, pass by beneath them. "� we passed the cliff!"
"Yeah, problem. I'm kinda new at this. Don't really know how to stop."
They keep flying higher and higher. Soon, it starts to get warmer. Buffy looks up, and sees the sun has gotten larger. A lot larger.
"Faith! We're getting too close to the sun� we're gonna�"
"I know," Faith says, her face covered with sweat. "I can't stop� I'm gotta drop you, kiddo. You can do it. Just float back down. Just trust me �"
"No, Faith, don't! You'll�"
But suddenly, she's falling again. Even as she's falling, she looks up, to see Faith keep rising, rising and rising, getting closer and closer to the sun.
"FAAAAAAAAAIIIIITTTTHHHH!!!"
Buffy screams, as Faith seems to disappear into the sun.
As she watches, the sun grows larger and larger, then explodes!
The light is blinding, the heat searing. Even as she's falling faster and faster towards the earth, her body is growing hotter and hotter. She can see the shock wave of the sun catching up with her, and then she's covered in a fiery bright light�.
Why do I smell bacon?
* * *

Buffy gasps, and bolts upright out of her bed. Her eyes fly open, and almost immediately squeeze shut in the bright light of the morning sun. She's covered with sweat.
�What the hell?" She mutters, looking at herself, touching her skin. "I'm alive? I'm not burned up?"
She looks around, and realizes she's in her own bed, in her own room. Safe and sound.
Weird!
Buffy gets up, tossing off the blanket to reveal her nakedness. She�s been sleeping nude since � she and Hank started sleeping together. Stretching, she realizes the room is warm. Very warm. She walks over, and opens a window.
"It was so� real!" She shudders, despite the heat.
Still touching and pinching herself, not believing she's alive, she pads around the room, opening another window in the process. A light cross breeze hits her, and she shivers. She's covered in sweat.
"God, why's it so hot in here?" She realizes the room is very warm, and very stuffy. She walks over and checks the thermostat. She quickly turns it way down.
Damn! It was cold last night. I musta forgotten to set it back down when I went to bed. No wonder I'm sweating!

Yeah, and nearly falling to my death isn't scary? God, it was just a dream, Buff. Get over it. But � so real� just like the others. The ones in the dark where I feel him touching me, and I can smell his aftershave and hear him breathing in my ear�
"Need a shower, now. I'm all sweaty�" She can't help feeling very dirty, somehow.
Walking over, she grabs some clothes, and makes for the door when she pauses . She looks at herself in the full length mirror hanging on her closet door. Turning this way and that, she looks for signs that she�s beginning to show. So far, so good.
Her stomach grumbles, and she looks down at it.
"Well, good morning," She said softly, smiling faintly. "So, you're awake now? I hope you're not planning on making mommy sick today�"
She rubs the palm of her hand over her belly, feeling a little giddy and suddenly silly.
"I bet you're hungry, aren't you? Well of course you are. Little piglet. Gonna make mommy a big old fat sow, right? This is all your fault, you know. I won't be able to fit in anything cute once you start showing, piglet. You'll love that though, won't you? Mommy having her clothes made by Omar the tent maker. You little �" She pats her belly lovingly, then pushes it out as far as she can, while puffing out her cheeks. "Big old fat mommy, right? Think that's funny, don't you?" She pretends to waddle around the room, holding her belly as if it's huge and bulging. "Mrs. Puffball, that's who I am, right piglet?" She giggles, and then looks at herself in the mirror.
And just as quickly as it came, the goofy happy mood deserts her, leaving her in the middle of the room, feeling alone and stupid.
What am I doing? I can't have this baby. My daddy's baby� oh god, this is so, so, so wrong� everything is just wrong� what we did is wrong. How could we sleep together so long, and not know this might happen? Two years? No closer to three, and we never�and what? I figured I'd never get caught? Nice, really nice. Crap!
One tiny little light shines in the darkness she feels. At least, I'm not all alone now. Maybe Faith can help me figure out what to do� god, I hope so�
Reaching the door, she pulls it open, to have her nose assaulted by the bacon odor she smelled before.
It's a pleasant assault.
Buffy licks her lips, greedily. She loves bacon. C'mon piglet Mom must be cooking breakfast. Totally cool! Hmmm� bacon� so� bacon, or shower? Bacon or shower� She catches a whiff of her own odor. Ok, don't kill the cook. Shower first, then yummy bacon!
She reaches the bathroom, and locks the door behind her, chortling.
Hah! Beat Dawnie before she could hog all the hot water. She's sooo greedy sometimes!
Quickly hanging her robe, she turns on the shower and steps in. She yelps when she realizes the spray is cold
Dammit! I thought I beat her for once. God, it's so unfair!
Shivering miserably, she reaches for the soap, scrubbing herself down. Despite the icy water needles, she really needs to shower. Now.
So unfair, She repeats, shivering.
All she wanted was a nice long warm shower. To feel clean again.

* * *

Downstairs in the kitchen, Joyce is moving about, cooking breakfast.
She is wearing a Nightgown and slippers, and her hair is still damp from the shower. She is humming a little tune, obviously in a very good mood.
She grabs some eggs, and is standing by the stove , cracking them and dumping the contents into a frying pan when Faith comes up behind her and , encircling her waist with her arms, kisses her on the neck.
"FAITH!" Joyce protests, almost dropping the eggs. "What're you doing!"
"Mmmm� dunno�" Faith, dressed in a borrowed robe, her hair also still damp, presses up against her. "Wanna guess?" She nibbles on Joyce's ear.
"Goodness, what's with you?" Joyce giggles, starting to get those squirmy tingly feelings in her core only Faith seems to bring out in her. "Didn't you get enough last night? We hardly slept as it is�" Joyce sighs as Faith's tongue touches her ear. "I� gotta get breakfast ready."
"Who's stopping you, baby?" Faith licks Joyce's neck. "I'm just hungry�"
Joyce, startled, and shivering, drops an eggshell into the pan.
"Look what you made me do!" She uses the spatula to dig the shell out of the pan. "Behave! I � ohhhh� gotta get this done. I mean, you just said you were� mmmm� hungry, right?" Joyce starts to pant a little.
"Not for food, lover," Faith whispers. "You�hmmmm� let's see�" She licks Joyce's neck again, eliciting a soft sigh from Joyce. "Tasty neck�" She tugs at Joyce's robe, revealing her shoulder. She kisses Joyce's shoulder, getting another sigh. "Tasty shoulder�" Her hands come up, and start to tug at the lapels of Joyce's robe, pulling it open." Oooo� tasty ti�"
"Stop that!" Joyce reaches behind, and slaps her hand across Faith's bottom. "Behave yourself." I've got to get breakfast done!"
"Hmmm� why? I can think of a lot of tastier things for breakfast�" Faith slips her hand into the pocket of Joyce's robe, and starts to rub it against her thigh. "Can't you?" She starts to rub herself against Joyce's back.
Oh� god� Joyce pants heavily, feeling a definite dampness forming between her thighs.
"You don't have two very voracious teenage daughters about to descend� uhhhh� what was I saying? Oh yes� daughters� about to descend� demanding to be � ohhhh� fed� mmmm�"
"Mmmm� let 'em get their own girl," Faith breathes in her ear. "Got mine."
"C'mon, Faith, behave�" Joyce whimpers softly. "You're such a perv�"
"Oh, is that right? And who bought that little toy you almost floored me with when you pulled it out of your dresser drawer? Talk about kinky�" Faith's hand, still in Joyce's pocket, moves towards her center. " So tell me, baby�" She starts to rub over Joyce's freshly barbered mound. "Was I stud enough for you?" She feels Joyce's slickness through the robe pocket, and chuckles.
"Faith, please stop�" Joyce is almost moaning now, and turns, to confront her.
Bad tactical mistake.
Faith, as soon as Joyce is turning around, frees her hand, and pulls her into a very passionate kiss.
Her tongue presses against Joyce's lips, demanding entrance. At first, Joyce resists, trying to keep a lid on this little passionate tryst. But her will weakens, and her desire strengthens, and her mouth opens, eagerly sucking in Faiths' warm, wet tongue. Soon, hers and Faith's are caressing lovingly, as Faith's hands, and her own, find their way under each other's robes.
"Oh. My. God!"

* * *

Joyce looks up, startled, to see her youngest standing in the doorway. Faith turns, smirking at both Joyce's and Dawn's obvious discomfort.
"Oh�My� GOD!" Dawn backs out of the kitchen, hitting her butt against doorknob and yelping. Covering her face with her hands, she stumbles to the table and sits down.
Joyce looks at Faith. Faith just shrugs, and grabbing a cup of coffee, exits the kitchen.
"Oh, quit being the drama queen," Faith chides her, following her into the room. She sits down next to her, shaking her head. "Never mind a total mood killer."
"I saw my mom� having sex� in the kitchen. Where the food comes from! I'm scarred for life. Grossed out, and scarred for life."
"Don't be an idiot, Dawnie. We weren't having sex�" Faith gives her a playful little shove. "We were just making out."
"Well, it could've been sex. God, haven't you heard of privacy? Get a room, any room � anywhere where I'm not likely to trip over you while you're doing the horizontal mambo. Geeze�" Dawn visibly shudders. "I so don't need to see my mom naked�"
"She wasn't naked! She's wearing a dressing gown� really hard to get to the good parts�" Faith grumbles.
"Cripes! I don't need to hear that!" Dawn covers her ears. "What about you� you're almost naked!"
"I'm wearing a robe� what? I need to go formal around here?"
"Yeah, well robes are notorious for slipping off and winding up on the floor�" Dawn suddenly blushes under the look Faith throws her.
"And, how would you know that, oh virginally one?" Faith leans in, giving her a smirk. "Where have you been dropping robes and getting naked, huh? Sure your mom would love to hear about that�"
"Hear about what?" Joyce, having straightened up a little, comes in, bearing a plate of food. She sets it before Dawn. "What do I want to hear?"
"NOTHING!" Dawn bursts out. "nothing important�" she gives her plate a slightly appalled look.
It takes a moment for Joyce to understand Dawn's reaction, and another to blush. But not from embarrassment.
"Oh for goodness sake, Dawn. We weren't doing anything nasty. We were just kissing�" Well, I wasn't, anyway�" I mean, you better get used to it, young lady, because you're going to� ok, what're you grinning at?"
"Just happy you two made it up," Dawn says, picking up a fork. "And, yanking your chain, mom. You're sooo cute when you get defensive�" Giggling, Dawn starts on her breakfast.
Joyce stares at her daughter with a rueful grin, and goes back in the kitchen.
"So, you're not scarred for life then," Faith gently teases her as she sips her coffee.
"Oh, you bet I am. Mom and sex? � not a pretty thought. Is there some kind of law against it or something� but, I'm glad you made it up�" Dawn takes a bite of food, "I knew if you guys just talked it out�"
"Wasn't much talkin' involved, Dawnie."
Dawn almost spits the food back onto the plate. As is, she gets that horrified look back on her face.
"Eating here, ok? That image is really not helping my appetite."
"Look, babe, you're gonna have to get used to the idea. People have sex� even parent type people�"
Joyce returns from the kitchen, with another plate for Faith. She sets it down in front of her.
"Thanks baby, I'm starved," Faith, without thinking, reaches up and pulls Joyce into another kiss.
"Aw, geeze�"
Dawn, Faith and Joyce all look up to see Buffy framed in the doorway, staring at Joyce and Faith. There is a nervous silence.
Oh, god, here it comes, Joyce thinks, feeling her stomach start to twist up in knots.
"Buffy, there's something I have to tell you�"
"Something other than grossing me out in the morning? Why don't you guys get a room, or something�" She walks towards the kitchen. "Any grub left?"
You could've knocked Joyce and Dawn over with a feather. Faith, in the know, gives Buffy a subtle thumbs up.

Buffy stops at the kitchen door when she sees her sister's and her mother's eyes glued on her.
"Ok, what? Is something hanging out? Just tell me for Christ's sake!"
"Buffy, I �well, gosh, this is even harder than I thought it would be." Joyce pauses a moment, collecting her thoughts. "Buffy, Faith and I are�"
"Lovers? Yeah, ok, I get that�" She sees the surprised look on their faces. "What? What kind of stupid do you think I am? The girl brings me home from a party, and suddenly she's moving in? And those lame excuses to get out of the house? I can do better than that unconscious." She shrugs, and pushes open the door. "I'm not dumb, ya know!" With that, she disappears into the kitchen.
Joyce sinks into a chair, looking befuddled. Dawn for her part, stares at the kitchen door. Faith just shrugs, and takes a sip of coffee.
"Did I miss something?" Joyce finally says, looking at Dawn. "Did you tell her?"
"No mom, not me! Geeze, I want to be the one to take the wrath of Mt. Buffy? Heck no!"
"Oh, cuz I thought maybe that's what you two fought about�"
"No, trust me, it wasn't that!" She stares at the kitchen door. "I personally think she's a pod person, and right now Buffy is being transported�"
"Yeah, well, who really cares what you think, squirt?" Buffy comes through the door, carrying a plate of food. "Good grub, mom. I'm totally starving."
Buffy rounds the table, sitting next to Dawn.
"Buffy, I don't understand. You're ok with me and Faith?" Joyce is still confused, still awaiting the eruption.
"Ok with it?" Buffy shrugs, taking a bite of her breakfast. "Dunno. Does it really matter? I mean� look, would I rather dad were sitting there, and you and he were like together and in love and all that junk? Oh yeah, believe me, I want my family as it was. But� let's get real. Dad's pretty much gone. You're divorcing him, and well� he's not around a lot�" Buffy makes a rueful face. "And well, it's your life, you know? Not my choice, particularly� no offense, Faith�"
"None taken, babe."
"� but if Faith makes you happy, well, damn, I'm cool with it�" She looks at Joyce, and her face softens. "Mom, like I said last night. I know I've been a total bitch around here. But I love you, I really do. I want you to be happy, ya know? I mean, there are stranger things in life�" She looks over at Dawn, and smirks. "Like Dawn and Xander� now, that's just plain weird!"
"HEY!" Dawn gives her a dirty look.
"Hey, back at ya, squirt. But if he floats your boat, well, I'm happy for you, too�"
Dawn sits there, surprised and suspicious. Still, she just shakes her head, figuring big sis has finally gone totally around the bend.
Joyce, on the other hand, gets up and goes over to Buffy, giving her a hug. She leans in, and gives her a kiss on the head.
"Whoa, mom, no need to get mushy� anyway, Faith might get jealous, ya know?" She smirks at the dark haired girl across the room.
"Ok, that was just� sick," Dawn makes a gagging noise.
"Shut up, pinhead. No one asked you!"
"That's ok, munchkin. That was on the house," Dawn retorts, deciding to ignore her older, crazy sister. She turns to Faith. "So, when you moving back in? Cuz I so want you to teach me to ride a motorcycle�"
"Yeah, when you getting your sorry butt back where you belong?" Buffy chimes in. "Cuz I'm expecting rides to school, ya know!"
"You're so not! She's taking me to school!"
Faith and Joyce look at each other.
"About that�" Joyce says, sitting back down by Faith. "For right now? We both agree it's best we don't live together�"
"Huh?"
"What? Why not?!"
"Well, there's still the matter of your father�"
Two blank faces confront her.
"Custody issues. He's still trying to get custody, and if Faith is living here, and we're openly a couple� and that's the only way it's going to be�" She takes Faith's hand. " � it's best we wait until everything is settled before Faith lives here full time. I don't want to give him anything he can use to take you girls from me."
"Well, that blows!" Dawn says, frowning.
"He wouldn't do that," Buffy sounds offended. "Why do you always got to make him out as the monster, mom? Maybe he's moved on too, you know�"
"Buffy, he already tried it�"
"What?" She looks at Faith, questioningly.
Joyce catches the look, and suddenly understands Buffy's apparent calm.
"I'm guessing that Faith didn't tell you�"
"Tell me? What're you talking about?"
"Give it up, Buff. Your mom's not dumb," She turns to Joyce, grinning ruefully. "I thought she should know�"
"I wish you had talked with me about it�"
"Well, we weren't exactly talking at the time�"
"Mom, ok, she told me. But I kinda had a clue before. But what's this about Dad ?"
Joyce briefly explains what Hank did in Boston, and Faith corroborates her story.
Buffy shakes her head, as if trying to dislodge the words.
"No� he wouldn't do that! He's my dad� he wouldn't pull something like�" but she trails off, remembering what Hank had asked her to do. "Well, if he did it, it's because he wanted to keep us together. As a family!"
"Yes, he did," Joyce admits, but then frowns. "I just wish it were for the right reasons�"
"What do you mean?"
"Buffy, the only reason he wanted us to be a family was because he was dealing with a very conservative client in Boston that was strong on family and family values� whatever that's supposed to mean. And he knew if we were divorced, he'd lose the deal."
This is the first time Faith's hearing this, and she feels the Irish temper in her rising. That's why he wrecked our lives? Put us through hell�for some fucking business deal? That fucking�
"No. I'm sorry, but no. I don't believe it!"
"Buffy�"
"I'm sorry mom. I love you, but you're wrong. He's my dad, mom, and I know� he couldn't � wouldn't do something like that� not for a business deal� " She's wrong. She has to be wrong! He's my dad! He wouldn't do anything so cold�
"Look, Buff. Your mom wouldn't lie to you�"
"Faith, no offense, but this is my dad. I know him, and you don't. He wouldn't do something like that. He's my dad!"
"Mom, maybe you're wrong?" Dawn interjects. "I hate to agree with Buffy on anything, but I can't believe dad would do that�"
Joyce looks at both of them, and sighs.
"I don't want to hurt you, or argue with you. But he told me that, and threatened if I didn't play along, he'd take you away, and make my relationship with Faith into some kind of scandal. Make it dirty and wrong� and it wasn't� but I couldn't lose you� either of you� so I �" She turns to Faith, taking her hand again, a mournful look in her eyes. "I hurt Faith � I abandoned her, without telling her why, because he said he'd make trouble for her if I didn't�" A tear rolls down her cheek. "I'm so sorry honey, but I couldn't lose my babies� and you too�"
"It's ok, Joyce," Faith reaches out, brushing the tears from Joyce's cheek. "It's ok now�"
Buffy and Dawn sit stunned, the revelation too much for them to process.
Dawn feels betrayed. For herself and her mom. She knows her mom, and she couldn't be lying. Not seeing her so hurt by even the memory. But accepting that her father, her own father, could do this, is beyond painful.
Buffy for her part, feels as if she's been cut off at the knees. She can't believe this. If she does, then everything else could be a lie. Would be a lie� and she can't face that reality. She withdraws into herself, not able to deal.
At that moment, the doorbell rings.
Everyone is startled, but grateful for the distraction.
"Who could that be?" Joyce looks at her watch. "Kind of early for visitors�"
"Oh gosh. I forgot! That must be Xander and Willow. They�well, we're going to the beach. First day off restriction� we're going to celebrate�"
"Yeah�" Buffy chimes in, not sounding particularly enthused. She's still somewhat in shock. "I guess we better get ready to go�"
The doorbell rings again� a few times, actually.
"Well, you better get that before someone punches a hole in the doorbell�" Joyce says, recovering. "Lunch? What about lunches? Do you need money?"
"No, we're�"
Buffy cuts her off.
"If you could spare� 20?" She looks at her mom.
"Where do you plan on eating? Spago's?"
"Mom�"
"Ok, ok� let me get my purse."
The doorbell rings again.
"Gonna get that today, squirt?" Buffy asks, "or are you tired of your boyfriend already?"
"What about you? Maybe it's your girlfriend. After all, she's coming along, too, you know."
Buffy reddens. "I wish you'd stop saying that. I'm not gay!"
"You know what they say about homophobes, Buffy�" Seeing Buffy's expression, Dawn quickly gets up to answer the door.
"What about that thing we talked about, Buffy?" Faith says obliquely. "We're going to do that soon, right?"
"Faith!" Buffy looks around nervously. "Yeah, ok, but not today."
"But soon�"
"Ok!"
"Hey, Buff. Hey sexy woman I seem to remember but can't remember her name�" Xander walks in with Dawn on his arm. "Ready to fly?" He asks Buffy.
Dawn punches him on the arm.
"Hey!" Xander protests, rubbing his arm. "What was that for?"
" 'Sexy woman I seem to remember but can't remember her name?' Flirt much, Mr. Harris?"
"Faith," Faith stands, offering her hand. "So, you must be the infamous Xander�?" She smirks at Dawn.
"Infamous? Me?"
"Oh yeah, Dawn goes on and on and on about you�" Buffy makes a face. "Trust me, it gets old, really fast."
"Don't listen to either of them. They're on drugs."
"Where's Willow?" Buffy asks, noting the redhead's absence.
"What's wrong, Buffy? Miss your girlfriend already?" Dawn teases her.
"No, just nice to have someone around to make fun of you and Xander with." She arches a brow. "Not that I need it."
"Willow said she had something to do this morning. Said she'd meet us at the Espresso Pump."
Joyce enters with her purse. She hands Buffy some money.
"Good morning, Mrs. S. You look nice�"
"Thank you, Xander. Here's some money, Buffy." She looks at the group. "Where's your little friend, Willow?"
Xander, Dawn and even Faith burst out laughing at that. Buffy looks consternated.
"Would EVERYBODY just stop that!!!" Buffy, in a snit, walks out, grabbing the bill out of Joyce's hand on the way.
"What did I say?" She turns to Faith. "What did I say?"
"Nothing," Faith, still chuckling, waves at her to sit down. "You guys better hurry or she'll leave without you!"
"That would be bad� why?" Dawn asks.
"Dawn. That's enough!" She stands up, and gives her daughter a hug. "Have a nice time, ok?"
"Aw mom!"
"Nice seeing you all again," Xander waves, and grabbing Dawn's hand, starts towards the door.
"What time will you be home?" Joyce calls out.
"Dunno yet. Later�"
"Bye, Mrs. S, Faith. Nice seeing you again� OW! Stop that!"
They exit through the front door.
Joyce stands staring at the front door, a slightly nostalgic look on her face.
"What's up, babe?" Faith asks after a moment.
"Oh nothing. Just, they're growing up so fast. I mean, Buffy will probably going to college next year, and Dawn� just two more years and she's gone�" Joyce shrugs, turning towards the table. She catches Faith's smile. "What?"
"Missing them already, and they're not even gone yet," Faith says, standing up. "Someone's got an Empty nest thing going�"
"I dunno�" Joyce says. "Maybe."
"Well�" Faith walks over, and slips her arms around Joyce. "Guess it's my job to �" her hands slip up, cupping Joyce's breasts through her housecoat. "� to help you with that." She kisses Joyce's neck. "You, me, empty house. Got any ideas?" She squeezes Joyce's breasts meaningfully.
"Faith� dishes�" Joyce sighs, her body already responding. "I should�"
"Trust me, they're not going nowhere. They'll be here later�"
"Don't you ever get tired?" Joyce complains, weakly, as she feels the tingles getting stronger.
"Uh-uh�" Faith's hand slips down, under Joyce's Nightgown. "You tired of me already?"
"Fuck no," Joyce growls, really getting heated.
"JOY!" Faith is startled. She can't remember Joyce ever dropping the F-Bomb outside the bedroom before.
"You started it!" Joyce says, turning and grabbing her hand. "C'mon. it's my turn to wear that toy�" She starts to pull Faith along after her.
Oh, my god! Faith thinks, stumbling along quickly after Joyce. I've created a monster�
She grins as she feels her nipples rub against the rough cloth of the terry robe she's wearing.
I like it!

2

Willow waits nervously on the large verandah, staring at the door.
God, this place always gives me the creeps. How can anyone actually live here? She looks around at the columned porch, feeling like she's waiting at a museum, rather than someone's actual house. Well, I guess if you're rolling in it, this is just a regular house. Still, it's � Willow shudders.
Willow's finger is just going for the doorbell again, when the large front door opens and a man in his mid forties, dressed formally in a suit, answers.
"Yes? Oh, Miss Willow. Well, I must say, this is a surprise. It's been awhile since you've been here." Even his smile reflects his station, being rather formal. "Are you well?" He looks doubtful.
"Hello, Charles," Willow says politely, ignoring the rest. "I'm here to see Cordelia. She here?"
"Miss Cordelia didn't mention you were coming," Charles steps back, inviting her in. "I suppose you should come in�"
Willow steps across the threshold, and follows Charles as he leads her to one of the sitting rooms downstairs.
"If you'll wait here, I'll see if Miss Cordelia is receiving." Charles hurriedly makes a retreat through the doorway.
Receiving? What, is this like a coronation or something? Ok, that was dumb. She's the queen of Sunnydale. What was I thinking?
Willow wanders into the room, and the museum vibe she had earlier is even stronger. The room looks like a museum, with the artwork and period furniture and rugs that cost more than her parent's house. Everything is original, expensive, artfully arranged� and has the appearance of never actually being used. Willow refrains from sitting, not exactly sure if she's allowed to.
Did I say museum? I'm thinking, monument. To all the chase wealth. Creepy doesn't even begin to explain it� wait, Cordelia lives here� maybe it does�
She walks over, and picks up a small ivory statuette. It's exquisitely carved, depicting an old man sitting with a basket of fish in front of him.
"You might want to put that down. It's from the late Sung dynasty, nearly a 1000 years old and well, let's just say it would take you a long time to replace it."
"I was just looking at it," Willow quickly replaces the statuette. "I wasn't gonna steal it�" She turns, and her words die away.
Cordelia is standing at the doorway in a red silk wrapper, her hair 'casually' up, framing her face nicely. Her makeup is demure and perfect, and her body is evident in the thin robe. Despite her anger, Willow can't help feeling some major tingles, looking at her.
She enters the room, taking possession of everything in it. Including Willow.
"So, what did I do to deserve a visit from Saint Willow? Coming to tell me what a horrible bitch I am? Or did somebody die? Surely this isn't a social call�" She walks over, her hips undulating sexily as she approaches Willow. "� or is it?" Her fingertip casually finds it's way onto Willow's arm, causing her to tingle. "Don't you got elsewhere to be?" She frowns, withdrawing her finger and putting her hands on her hips. "Or maybe your idea of fun is making my life miserable."
Willow can't fail to notice that Cordelia's wrapper tightened when her hands went to her hips, emphasizing her bust just a little more. Damn her, she did that deliberately. She knows I'm looking at her. Damn her!
"Never mind, if you're gonna be snarky with me, I'll just�" Willow starts to go around her, but Cordelia blocks her path. "I'd like to go now."
"Naw, what's the rush? I mean, you must've come here for some reason, right? I hardly think you were 'just in the neighborhood' and dropped by. As if!" Cordelia chuckles at her own little joke. "So, what's the sitch, girl? Why did you come here?"
I'm here, might as well try�
"Look, Cor, I know you're mad at me, but couldn't you back off on Buffy?" Willow, nervous under Cordelia's gaze, rushes on. "I know you hate me. I get that. I didn't mean for our secret to come out. That was an accident, you know? You must've had accidents. Ok? So, if you wanna be all pissed and angry with me, cool. You can get as nasty as you want with me, I don't care. But Buffy's going through a rough patch, and you being nasty with her, is only hurting her. Not me, her. So, how about just letting it go, ok?"
Cordelia stands there, as Willow babbles on. There is something hungry and predatory in her look. She then turns, and pulling her wrapper just a bit tighter, walks over to a settee, her hips swaying with just a little deliberation. She settles on a settee as Willow winds up her speech.
"Well, come over and sit. I'm not going to yell at you across the room, you know." Cordelia waves for her to sit across from her.
Willow, despite the images of parlors and spiders and flies flashing through her brain, walks over and sits down primly across from Cordelia. Her body is tense, alert. Ready to run at a moment's notice.
"So, that's what this is all about. Willow is on one of her 'save the girl' crusades again? Hmmm� I guess I can see that. Because, you always had a soft spot in your heart for lost puppies, didn't you, Will?" Cordelia pouts her lips at Willow. "Poor Buffy. That's what she is, isn't she? Some poor little wiggly puppy, lost in the big bad of Sunnydale." She bursts out laughing, unable to keep a straight face. "Gimme a break, would you? Buffy's a big girl. She crossed me, and she knows it. If she can't take the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen. She's no lost puppy. She's a total bitch. Just like me!"
"That's not true. She's not a bitch at all�"
"But I am, because I'm trying to protect what's mine?" Cordelia arches a brow. " Get real, Willow. Buffy's just like me, whether you wanna admit it or not. It's been a power play since day one. I saw it, pegged it, and warned her to back off. But she wouldn't. She just had to try to be top dog, you know? And when I squashed her, she goes running to her protector, Willow, with her tail between her legs, crying foul. Never mind she trashed me around school. Never mind she was all eager to please until I busted her for being what she is. She wanted the power, and when she couldn't handle the simple little initiation, she gets all snotty and gets you against me. Well, excuse me if I don't feel sorry for 'Poor little puppy Buffy'. Gotta watch out for puppies, Will. They got teeth, and they'll use them."
"You don't know Buffy. You don't know anything!" Willow says, flushing angrily. "You never even wanted to know her. You saw her, and you saw another toy to play with and discard when you got tired of it. You come off as all offended because of her trampling your territory. Get real, Cordelia. Your dad practically owns Sunnydale. Who is gonna be a real threat to you? No one, that's who. No, it wasn't about 'protecting your own'. It was about power. Having it, using it on her, and when you got bored, throwing her back to the sharks around you. Just like �" Willow cuts off, slamming her fist on her thigh.
"You?" Cordelia says, suddenly off her settee, and nearly overwhelming Willow on hers. "Was that what you were going to say? I did that to you?"
Cordelia's face, body and voice take on big changes. The look of contempt is gone, replaced by a big hurt. Her body is suddenly soft and compliant, and nearly pressing on Willows'. Her voice goes soft, almost demure.
"You think I used you, don't you? You still think that?" Cordelia's eyes are wide and bright, the tears threatening. "God, you don't even have the faintest clue, do you? What you mean to me? How much I � how much I need you!" She reaches out, cupping Willow's face. "God I love you so much. I wanted everything for you. For YOU! I would've made you my queen, lover. No one would dare mess with you, because I would've crushed them like bugs, if they even looked cross eyed at you! All you had to do was go along, trust me, not freak out like you did, and you would've had it all�"
Willow is on sensory overload. Cordelia so close, so soft� the smell of her perfume, mixed with her own unique scent. She can feel her warmth washing over her like waves on a barren shore. The fact that her wrapper has loosened, and her breasts are threatening to fall out. Her lips, so soft, so close, so�
"No�" Willow scoots away, her body wanting to go in the other direction. "No, you hurt me! You betrayed me! How can you say you loved me when you got me raped?"
"That wasn't what it was about. I told you� I had to do it. If I didn't, you'd never be a part of it. There would always be talk. That you were just favored, just a toy to be disposed of. You had to go through that so the others would accept you as one of us. All the way. I knew I couldn't talk you into it. You'd balk, or run away, and I'd lose you. And I didn't want to lose you! It had to be that way. If you'd just waited for me, I would've explained it all to you. I would've taken the hurt away. But you didn't�"
"How could I, after that? You used me, like a piece of meat. You drugged me, and passed me around to your friends to use� what if I got pregnant? What if I got a disease? Would you care? I don't think so! You would've just dropped me like� garbage� that's all I was, wasn't it? Garbage!" Willow has started to cry. "I loved you so much, if you'd only asked me, I would've done anything for you� even that, if you asked. But you didn't�"
"Baby, don't. Don't!" Cordelia wraps her arms around the crying girl, pulling her close. She holds her head to her breast, smoothing her hair, caressing her. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I had to test you, don't you see? Life is cruel and harsh. It eats the weak; only the strong survive. I had to see if you were strong, and baby you're strong. You could've hurt me back, bad, but you didn't. You protected me. God, I love you so much, I just want to prove it to you. Let me prove it to you�" She kisses Willow on the top of her head. "Let me love you, please, let me love you�"
"Test me?" Willow stiffens, and pulls away. "You had to test me? You didn't believe me all those times I said I love you? What about the times when we made love up in your room, in our own little world� just you and me, and it was so sweet and right. I adored you, worshiped you. Did you think I was kidding around? Did you think I was using you? How could you think that? I gave everything I had to you, and you needed to test me�" Her face softens, and she reaches out, her hand touching Cordelia's. "What did they do to you, Cor, that you couldn't hear what my heart was singing to you?" She shakes her head sadly. She stands up, looking down on Cordelia. "I feel so bad for you right now�"
Cordelia's defenses come up like a steel wall.
"I don't need your pity�" She says, her tone harsh. "You have no idea what my life is about, what I have to do to keep it like it is. All I did was test you, to see if you were for real, and you failed. Hear me? YOU failed! Not me!"

"Maybe I did," Willow says softly, moving away. "Maybe I should've seen what was right in front of me�" She turns to Cordelia, her face reflecting her deep hurt. "We never could be, could we? It �we� you and me� never could be. You could never trust me. Even now, after all that�s happened between us. You'd always have to test me, again and again, and I'd fail, over and over. Not a lot, not enough for you to kick me to the curb, but I'd never be perfect � not in your eyes. It must be lonely to be you. Really lonely."
"Shut up! Feeling all superior, aren't you? Think you are better than me? Well, you're not. You've got your own tests. You're no better than me. At least, I'm not a hypocrite, like you!" Cordelia sweeps up off the settee, coming over to Willow, pulling her wrapper tightly around herself. "I'm not good enough for you? Is that it? Well, get a clue, girl. You're no where near good enough for me!"
Willow appraises her calmly. The need to hurt her back, sting her is gone. She finally sees Cordelia Chase for what she is. A lonely, miserable girl who never will be able to let anyone in. Despite what she's done to her, Willow can't help but feel sorry for her. At least, someday, I know I'll love somebody more than myself.
"I know," Willow says softly, "Goodbye, Cordelia." She turns to go.
"Get out! You don't walk out on me! I'm throwing you out!" She rushes over, blocking Willow. "You came to me! I didn't come to you! Remember that!"
"I know," Willow repeats, walking through the doorway.
"I don't need you!" Cordelia yells at her retreating back. "I never needed you! I don't need ANYONE! I'm strong! A lot stronger than you. ANY OF YOU! I didn't come crawling to you! You came to ME! HEAR ME! YOU CAME TO ME!! I WIN! Loser, I WIN!"
She keeps yelling at her until Willow walks through the front door, closing it behind her.
"I WIN! DO YOU HEAR ME! I WIN! I ALWAYS WIN!"
Cordelia stands in the cavernous hall, surrounded by more things than anyone would ever need.
In the end, she has nothing. Nothing at all.
"I win!"
She mutters it to herself repeatedly, as she turns and walks down the hall. Suddenly, everything is too big, she fells too small. She needs her room, somewhere where she feels safe.
"I always win."

3

"C'mon, Dad. Answer the door, please," Buffy mutters to herself.
She raps her knuckles sharply on the small apartment door impatiently. She's already knocked a few times, and is despairing of getting to see her father. And she needs to see her father.
Sighing, she hunkers down, squatting in the hallway by the door. If she has to wait all day, she plans on waiting. After all, she doesn't have anywhere else to be. Not now.
Not after she broke her plans for today.
* * *
"Hey, guys!" Willow entered the shop, and walked over to the three of them sitting at one of the small tables. "Sorry I'm so late. Got hung up."
"We were about to call out the National Guard, Will," Xander teased her, "figured you'd been kidnapped or something�"
"You don't call the National Guard for that, Xander," Willow retorted. "That would be the FBI."
"Yeah, well, when I turn up missing, you call who you want. Me, I'm going with the guys who are looking for a few good men."
"Ok, well, first thing? Not a man, if you hadn't noticed," Willow arched a brow, "And secondly? That�s the Marine's slogan, not the National Guard."
"Do they always do this?" Buffy asked.
"Pretty much. I think it's a thing with them."
"What?" Xander looked at them innocently. "What thing."
Dawn and Buffy just look heavenward.
"Anyway, we better be getting if we're going to catch any good rays, you know?" Xander stood up. "Hate to have my women pale�"
"Your women?" Dawn and Willow say at the same time.
"Can you believe that? He thinks we�re like, his property or something!" Dawn says, shaking her head.
"So typical," Willow said, "and, anyway, you know I don't tan, Xander. Burn like a lobster, but no tan."
"Help, Buffy! They're ganging up on me�" Xander threw up his hands in surrender.
"No help here. I'm with them," Buffy said, "Anyway, uhhh� guys, kinda feeling punk�" She stood up. "Think I'm gonna pass and go back home�"
"Buffy� what's wrong?" Willow came over. "You still got that flu?" She gives Buffy a look.
"Yeah, something like that� feeling a little queasy, you know?"
"Do you want me to come with? I mean, you know�"
"NO! I � thanks, but I'll be fine. I think I just need to lie down�"
"What's going on?" Dawn asked, suspiciously, "You were fine an hour ago� you were looking forward to this. What's the deal."
"Don't you listen? I'm feeling punk. It just kinda came on. No doubt due to having to be with you waiting around for an hour�" Buffy snapped. God, why does she do that, anyway?
"Well, gee, don't have a Guernsey, Buff. I was just asking�"
"Sorry, just not feeling good�" Buffy shrugged. "I really don't wanna spoil your guys' fun, you know?"
"That�s a switch," Dawn grumbled, subsiding.
"Hey, Buff. No big. We'll do it again. Just get well, ok?" Xander came over to Dawn.
"Buffy, you sure you're ok? I mean, I don't mind skipping�"
"Oh, man, not you too!" Dawn complained. "This is totally starting to suck."
"Hey, I'll be there!" Xander interjected.
"No, really, Will. I'll be fine, ok? Just� gotta go. See you in school Monday, ok?"
"Ok, Buff� " She came over, and gave Buffy a hug. "If you need anything, even to just talk, you call me, hear?" She whispered in Buffy's ear.
"Ok, thanks Will," Buffy quickly broke the hug. "Gotta go, guys. Seeya later�"
She quickly ducked out of the Espresso Pump before any more questions come her way.
Get a clue, guys. Geeze� Buffy thinks, as she starts down the street, away from home.
Willow, watching her go, noted the wrong direction. She's not heading home. Something's up� then she sighed. Well, whatever it is, not your biz until she lets you in on it�
"So, guys� ready to motor?" Willow turned back to the others.
"We've been ready, for awhile," Xander complained just a little.
"I told you I'm sorry, Xander�"
"Yeah, let it go and lets went�" Dawn is up, heading for the door. Willow catches up with her, distracting her so she can't see Buffy. "Hey, Dawn, is Buffy ok? I mean, has she been acting weird?"
"You're kidding, right? Who can tell. I mean, look up weird in the dictionary, and there's Buffy's picture next to it."
"Ok�" Willow sounded unsure.
"Let's just forget my bratty sister, and have a good time, ok?"
"I second that. Well, except the bratty and forgetting part. But I'm down with the good time," Xander says.
"Yeah, ok, you're right�" Willow led the way out. "Let's motor."
Xander followed out after Dawn. He paused for a moment, watching Willow and Dawn chatter away ahead of him. Something's up with Will. I know it. Why the mystery errand, and all� not like she didn't know our plans for today. And, not even talking about it. Trying to avoid it, actually� hmmm�
He left, still puzzling over it.
* * *

"Buffy?"
Buffy, lost in her thought, looks up to see Hank Summer standing over her.
"Dad!" Buffy smiles, standing up. She winces. "Tingles, sorry." She rubs her leg.
"You ok?" he asks, coming over. "I can do that for you�"
"No, no, I'm ok, Dad." Buffy moves just a little away, rubbing her calf.
"Honey, what're you doing here?" Hank asks, pulling his keys out of his pocket. "I mean, I'm glad you came, but maybe you should've called first. I would've been here to meet you."
"I've been trying to call, Dad. But all I ever get is your voicemail. Except lately. Now it's saying your voicemail is full�" She shakes her leg, trying to get the blood flowing.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that Buffy. Been real busy, trying to get a client onboard. Been hectic," He opens the door. "C'mon in hon," he gestures to her, holding the door for her.
Buffy squeezes past him, brushing against him in the process. She walks into the small living room, looking for a place to sit.
The apartment is neater than the motel room he stayed in, but all in all, it's still very impersonal. Nothing says anyone in particular lives here. No pictures, no knick-knacks, nothing that you wouldn't find in a mid priced hotel room. Even the furniture seems impersonal, picked for function and not form. The only way you can tell someone is living here is some clothing tossed on the couch, and some food containers that haven�t made the trash quite yet.
"Love what you've done with the place, " Buffy says politely.
"I'm not here much� gonna get better stuff later," Hank apologizes. He walks towards the kitchen. "Can I get you something? I think I've got some coke�"
"Water's good," Buffy says, moving some clothes and sitting on the couch.
"I can do that," Hank jokes, opening the fridge and grabbing a bottle. "Did you want a glass?"
"No, bottle's ok."
"Ok doke, then," Hank grabs a beer for himself, and makes his way back to the living room. He hands her the water, then sits in the chair across from her. "So, how are you, Buffy?"
"I'm ok," Buffy sets the water, unopened, down on the table.
"Good, good," Hank nods, popping the tab on the beer. He takes a sip. "How's school?"
"School's school," Buffy twists the cap off the water. She takes a swallow. "I mean, I'm doing ok, I guess."
"You guess?"
"Well, Math's hard. But that's not news� and I really hate physics. Who's going to use that in real life, I wanna know, you know?" She shrugs, taking a sip of water. "But I'm doing ok�"
"You sure? I mean, you'll be going to college next year. I don't want you to flunk out or get bad grades. Maybe we should arrange for a tutor?"
"No, that's ok. I got Willow. She helps� she's really smart and stuff."
"Oh, this a friend? I don't know your friends this year�"
Me either, come to think about it. "Well yeah, new school and all. Like I said, she's cool, and smart. If I need help, she'll help�"
"That's good." There's a pause while Hank takes another swallow of beer. "Friends are good to have. Who else is your friend, these days?"
"Dad, I didn't come here to talk about school or my friends or stuff."
"Oh, right. Of course. So, Buffy, what can I do for you?"
Buffy sits for a moment, drinking water to stall. Now that she's here, bringing up what she wants to talk about is a lot harder than she thought it was going to be. Come on, don't chicken out. I gotta know!
"Dad, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, honey, anything," Hank leans forward. "What is it?"
"Ummm� it's about you and mom� and the divorce�"
"Ok, Buffy," Hank leans back in his chair. His eyes grow a little distant. "What do you want to know?" He sweeps his eyes over her. "What did your mom say about me?"
"No, it's not like that� well, not really�" Buffy plunges in. "Ok, here's the thing. I was talking with mom, and she admitted to me that she� well, she was with someone in Boston� I mean, intimately�"

"What?" Hank comes forward. "What're you talking about?"
"You didn't know?" Buffy sounds and feels confused.
"Nooo�" Hank draws it out, sounding surprised and puzzled.
"Mom said you did. She said, you found out about it, and came to Boston. She said you threatened her � that you would go to court, and like prove it and take us away from her�. She said it had something to do with business or something�" Buffy cocks her head. "You didn't know about it�?"
"No� I didn't�" Hank sounds puzzled and a little hurt. "I guess I had it coming though� considering how I � but� no, I didn't know �" God, how much has Joyce told her? Damn her!
Buffy sits back, trying to figure this out. He didn't know? But she said he knew� why would she lie� especially about this? I mean, it doesn't make her look good�
"I don't get it. Why would she lie about this?"
"Honey�" Hank lowers his head for a moment, as if thinking. "Look, sweetie. I'll admit. I did go to Boston. I had business there. And, frankly, I wanted to talk to her. Try to get her to change her mind about the divorce�" Hank stands up, and comes over to Buffy, sitting next to her. "Look, honey. I know I've screwed up in the past� and I guess I made my bed, and gotta lie in it now. That doesn't mean I want to get a divorce, though. It doesn't mean I've stopped caring about your mom. I just�" Hank puts a hand on her leg. "I didn't want to lose her, or you guys. I� I went there to beg her to take me back, that's the truth, hon. I did some bad things� going outside our marriage, cheating on her�" He looks at her with some softness. "A guy� well, it's not like with a woman. He has some needs� and you're mom� well, she hasn't wanted to be with me for awhile� so I strayed� and�" He hangs his head. "I'm so ashamed of it, Buffy. I really am. I hurt your mom. And you kids, too. Can you forgive me?"
"Dad, don't. don't beat yourself up. I know you wouldn't hurt us�" Buffy puts her hand on his. "I love you, daddy."
"Thanks, pumpkin," Hank grins boyishly. "I love you too� thing is, Buffy, when I got those divorce papers, it really hit me. This was real, it was happening. And I didn't want it to happen. I didn't want to lose you or your sister or your mom� so, I went east to Boston, and well, I begged her to see me, to talk to me. But her mind was set, and I guess I can see I caused her to feel that way�"
"She was just upset, dad. I mean� she doesn't hate you�"
"Really? I don't know sometimes. But that helps. To know that�" Hank looks away. "I was about to give up, come home and just accept this was going to happen� when out of the blue, she calls me. She wants to talk. Well, I met with her, and she says she wants to try again. I was so happy, I can't tell you. I really thought she had forgiven me� so we got back together, and came home. And for awhile it worked� but� well, you know the rest�" He smiles a sad smile. "I guess it just wasn't meant to work out�" He looks at her. "You believe me, right?"
"Yes, of course, dad�"
But Buffy is more confused than ever. They're stories kind of seem like the same story, but totally different, too. She doesn't know who to believe now. She wants to believe her dad� he's her dad, after all. But what he's saying is so different from what her mom told her.
God, I just don't know� I just don't KNOW!
"I really miss you guys. All of you guys, and especially you, pumpkin�" He begins to massage her thigh with his hand. "Do you miss me? Even a little?"
"Of course I miss you," Buffy says, her feelings all tied up in a knot inside her. "I miss you loads� I love you, daddy�" her heart starts to beat faster.
"Can I have a hug? Please?"
"OF course, Dad. Do you even have to ask?"
She throws her arms around him, hugging him tight. She feels his arms encircle her, and she sighs softly. Laying her head on his chest, she suddenly feels everything is ok, again. That her daddy will protect her, keep things nice and straight and simple for her.
"You're so beautiful, sweetheart, " Hank says softly, caressing her hair. "you're my sweet, beautiful, special daughter." His hand wanders down to her back. "I've missed having you around, honey."
"Really?" Buffy says, almost into his chest. "Cuz it seemed like, lately, you haven't had any time for me at all�" Buffy pouts a little.
"I know. It's work, honey. It's been crazy, you know? But I promise. I'll make more time for you� for us. Just us, ok?" His hand wanders lower, caressing the small of her back.
" 'K, I'd like that�" Buffy nuzzles his neck. " You really think I'm beautiful, daddy?"
"Of course, baby. You've grown into a sweet, loving and very sexy young woman. Any man would be proud to have you as a daughter�"
"Really?" She leans back, looking into his face. His eyes. "Do you love me, daddy?"
"Of course, honey. I love you sooo much," Hank smiles softly at her. "How could I ever think of not loving you?"
Buffy seem to melt, her emotions and hormones and everything going into overdrive.
"Show me, daddy?"
Hank pulls her close, kissing her deeply.
Buffy sighs, melting against him. Her mouth opens, accepting his demanding tongue. Their tongues play together, back and forth between their mouths, each teasing and wrestling for control. Buffy runs her hands through his hair.
Hank slips a hand under her blouse, bringing it up and gently cupping her breast.
Buffy sighs into his mouth, pressing her lace covered breast into his hand. She moves up and over, straddling his lap. She begins to rub against him.
"I love you so much," Buffy murmurs into his mouth, their kiss deepening and become more passionate. "Please love me�"
Hank breaks the kiss, and he gently pushes her back a little. Buffy grabs the ends of her pull over blouse, and pulls it over her head, tossing it away. She thrusts her breasts at him in invitation.
Hank reaches around, and unhooks her bra. He helps her remove it, and then, sighing, lowers his mouth to her nipple.
She whimpers softly as she feels her nipple harden in his warm, wet mouth. She tangles her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, encouraging him on.
"More, daddy, please! Harder� oh yes.. bite it � yessss" Buffy sighs, throwing her head back.
Hank slips his hands under her ass, and supporting her, stands up.
Buffy wraps her legs around him, pressing close to him, not wanting him to let go of her breast. She presses her mound against him, rubbing against his growing interest.
"Please, daddy, love me nice," Buffy says, leaning in against him.

Hank carries her out of the living room.

To be continued.
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