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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
- 23
- 24
- 25
A change of seasons, Chapter 23

1

Faith pulls the motorcycle into the parking lot of Sunnydale High, maneuvering carefully amongst the cars to avoid being hit by departing vehicles. It's lunch time, and those leaving campus for lunch are making their getaway. Most don't bother to look for potential accidents, and Faith has to make some sharp turns to avoid becoming a statistic.
She guides the Harley the last few feet to the parking lot gate, and stopping near it, cuts the engine. As soon as they stop, Buffy, who's been holding on with her arms around Faith's waist, lets go and seems to slump back and away from her.
They sit there for a few moments, neither saying a word. The silence itself speaks volumes; there's obviously not been a word passed between them on the ride from the doctor's office to school. As the moment drags on, and neither speaks nor moves, a cold, silent tension grows between them.
"We're here," Faith finally says, her tone neutral and distant.
"Yeah," Buffy says without enthusiasm. She doesn't move to get off the bike, and stares at the back of Faith's head. "You're mad at me."
The tension knots in Faith's shoulders almost seem to undulate as Faith lets out a sigh. It's a sigh of patience from someone who's not naturally so.
"I'm not mad," Faith says, curtly. "I just don't get you. I don't understand why you're acting like this."
"I gotta go," Buffy says, hopping off the bike. "I'll seeya later�" She starts to walk away.
"Running away isn't gonna make it go away, Buff," Faith calls out to her.
Buffy stops, and tightens up. She turns and walks back to Faith's bike, a slightly angry expression on her face.
"Gee, just yell louder, why don't you, Faith?" Buffy purses her lips. "I'm sure the whole school would like to hear."
"Hear what, Buff?" Faith says, lowering her voice. "but you gotta face it, Buffy. You're almost 3 months pregnant. You're not gonna be able to hide it much longer�" she reaches out, slipping a finger under Buffy's waistband. "You can't barely get a finger in there� you're already starting to get bigger, girl."
"God, get away from me!" Buffy pulls away, stepping back a few paces. "What's your deal? Just leave me alone, ok?"
"Just trying to make you face reality, Buffy," Faith stares at her stomach. "You're mom's not gonna buy you've been pigging out on Twinkies and Ho-Ho's either, you know�"
"Look Faith, not your business, ok? I appreciate the ride to the doctor and all, but butt out."
"You made it my business. You asked for my help. Well, part of that means you gotta own up to it, and dealing with it."
"I'm dealing with it, ok?" Buffy says, angrily. "God damn it, I'm doing the best I can, so just back off!"
"You're not doing shit," Faith says, "this aint Barbies, you know. You can't just stop playing when it's not fun anymore. This is real, very real, and you gotta start seeing that, and deciding what you're going to do about it. That includes telling your mom."
"I know that!" Buffy almost explodes. "Don't you think I know that? I know I gotta tell her, and I will. I will, so just leave it alone!"
"When, Buffy?" Faith pushes her. "When you're in the delivery room at Sunnydale General? This can't wait, you know. And the longer you delay it, the worse it'll be!"
"God, how do you know that?" Buffy retorts. "What do you know about it, anyway? I'm tired of being the one everyone looks at and can't stand to be around, you know? I'm tired of feeling like no one wants me around. How could you even know how that feels, huh? Maybe I just want some time where my mom doesn't think I� aw, shit, why am I even talking to you? You don't get it and you never will!"
Faith bites back the urge to yell at her, to tell her she knows exactly how that feels, and Buffy knows she knows how that feels. She knows Buffy's upset, and not thinking clearly.
"Yeah, ok, maybe I don't know how you feel, exactly, Buffy. But I know what you're feeling and I know you're scared, ok?"
Buffy feels as if the winds have been knocked out of her sails. She rolls her eyes at her own stupidity.
"Yeah, ok, duh. I'm blonde, I gotta an excuse, ok?" All her fight seems to drain into the ground. "I'm sorry, I know I gotta tell mom, I do. And� I will, but I'm just not you, Faith. I'm not strong like you. I can't take the rejection. I don't know if she'll � what she'll do. Maybe she'll be so disgusted with me, she'll boot me out. I just� I just don't want to be the bad one anymore, don't you get it? I just� I just want her to not be ashamed of me anymore� I � tired of messing up all the time�"
"Then stop it. Stop messing up all the time," Faith says firmly.
"Yeah, well, great. Easy for you to say, Ms. Perfect. But some of us aren't perfect like you�"
"Buffy, shut up."
"What?"
"Which part of shut up didn't you get?" Faith shakes her head. "I'm not perfect, you're mom's not perfect, NO ONE'S PERFECT. Ok? We all mess up. No one expects you to be perfect, don't you get that?"
Buffy stands there, looking at her blankly.
"What I'm saying is Buffy, everyone fucks up. It's life, that's how it goes. It's how you deal with the fuck up that counts. Stop being a baby, stop trying to pretend what happened didn't happen, and act like the adult you nearly are and own up to it."
She sees Buffy mouth open to protest and she cuts her off.
"Don't say you can't. You can; you're a lot stronger than you think you are�" Faith's voice and expression softens. "Look, it's not gonna be easy. Not gonna lie to you. I know there's gonna be tears, and your mom's not gonna be happy. But you'll live through it, and on the other side? You're gonna be a lot happier. Cuz, then you're gonna discover something you should already know."
"Like what?" But Buffy's tone isn't sarcastic. It's almost like a student asking her mentor for guidance.
"Like, you're mom would never, EVER, kick you to the curb cuz you turned up pregnant. She might not do back-flips about it, but she'll take care of you, make sure you're ok, and she'll help you. God, she'd do anything for you and your sister."
She notices the tears rolling down Buffy's cheeks, but she doesn't say anything about it.
"She loves ya, babe, you and Dawnie, more than anything in this world. Like she should. She's your mom, after all�"
Buffy's face seems to collapse, and suddenly she's crying full tilt. She stands there, separate from Faith, fists balled up, crying her heart out.
"I�I'm so� ashamed�" Buffy cries softly, shaking a little. "I'm� always doing this� making her ashamed of me� doing crap � I just� I just� want for once for her to be � to be � proud of me� be happy I'm her�"
"Buffy� don't�" Faith gets off her bike, going to her. But Buffy backs off, putting up her hands.
"No� don't� I don't� please� leave me alone�" She starts to back away.
"Buffy�"
"Just go, would you Faith?"
"Buffy? Hey, Buffy!"
Both women turn to see Willow rapidly approaching.
"Where've you been? I asked Dawn, but she only mumbled something about the doctor�" Willow gets a good look at Buffy. "Hey ,what's up? Why're you crying?" She turns to Faith, frowning a little. "What's going on here?"
"Nothing's going on here," Faith says, irritated. "We were just talking�"
"Really?" Willow isn't liking Faith's tone very much. "Then why is Buffy crying? What did you say to her?"
"Willow, it's nothing," Buffy says, grabbing her arm. "Let's just go, ok?"
"Ok, Buff," Willow gives Faith a hard look, then turns and starts off with Buffy.
Oh, no, we don't end it like this.
"Buffy! Wait, we still need to talk�" Faith starts to follow them.
"I think we're done talking," Willow answers for Buffy. "Maybe you should go now!"
"Look, Red� this isn't any of your business, you know? Me and Buffy gotta talk some more�"
"I don't want to talk anymore, Faith," Buffy says, "I get it already, ok? I'll see you later."
"Buffy, we're not done here�"
"Oh yeah, you are," Willow says, breaking away from Buffy. "Leave. Now."
Faith stops, cocks her head, and grins. "And, if I don't want to leave? Now?"
"Look, Faith, I don't wanna fight�"
"Good, me either," Faith retains her grin. "Just move outta the way so I can talk to Buffy� alone would be nice, too."
"Will? Never mind� I'll talk to her� just � maybe wait over there�" Buffy points towards the school.
"Look, Buffy. You don't have to talk to her if you don't want. She's not supposed to be on campus anyway�"
"It's ok� just wait here�"
"Buffy? I can get Snyder�"
"No! Just wait here for me, ok?"
"You're sure?"
Buffy nods.
"Ok, whatever."
Buffy walks over to Faith, and leads her back to the parking lot. Willow stands there, torn between trying to move closer, and listen in, or staying here and hoping Buffy will tell her what's going on. Naw, that'll never happen� she starts towards the parking lot.
"Hey, Will!"
Willow turns to see Oz coming towards her.
"Hey, Oz," Willow turns back towards the lot.
"What's up?" Oz follows Willow's line of sight, and sees Buffy and Faith, both gesticulating, over in the parking lot. "What's going on? Who's that with Buffy?"
"That's Faith."
"Oh," Oz nods. They watch for a few moments. "Who's Faith?"
Willow gives him such a strange look, that Oz realizes that perhaps Willow isn't the best source of information about this Faith. Certainly not unbiased, anyway.
"Buffy didn't mention Faith to you?" Willow finally asked. Her lips seem to tighten mentioning the name.
"No," Oz said quietly, watching her face work.
"Well, all I know is she's� a friend of the family. Other than that, not a clue," Willow says with uncharacteristic shortness.
"Ok, then," Oz figures he'll try Buffy. Maybe he'll get a more complete picture there.
They turn back to watch Buffy and Faith, only to see both are looking at them. Then they turn to each other, talking to each other. Faith shakes her head, and Buffy just puts up her hands. Faith frowns, then turns and walks to her bike. Without any ceremony, she starts it up and rides off.
Buffy watches her go, then turns and starts to stride quickly towards the school. Her face looks set and determined.
"Hey, Buff, you ok?" Willow asks as Buffy joins them. "Did she�?"
"Don't ask, ok?" Buffy cuts off any line of inquiry into that topic. "Can we just go and have lunch now? I didn't eat much at breakfast, and I'm starved."
Not really waiting for an answer, she starts off towards the cafeteria. Willow and Oz exchange a significant look, then follow behind.

* * *

Faith pauses at the exit to the parking lot, looking both ways before making her left turn into traffic. She also has a determined look on her face.
"So, Willow knows about Buffy's pregnancy. Now, aint that interesting?" She mutters to herself as she waits for the signal to change. "Well, well. Since Buffy won't give up who the daddy to her baby might be, maybe old Red might have a clue or two�"
She looks in her mirror, and sees Sunnydale High school reflected there.
"Looks like me and Red are gonna have to have a little chat�" She mutters, as she roars off down the street.

2

"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!"
Buffy, Willow and Oz are just reaching the cafeteria when they see a huge crowd in the quad, standing around chanting.
"What the heck's going on over there?" Willow murmurs, starting towards the crowd.
"Hey, no�" Buffy grabs her arm, holding her back. "You don�t wanna get caught in the middle of that crowd. It's just some idiots having a fight�"
"We should check it out," Willow says, not stopping. She pulls Buffy along with, and Oz, looking vaguely amused, follows up the rear. "Somebody might get hurt�"
"Yeah, well, what're you gonna do?" Buffy asks, a little resentful of getting mixed up in this. God, don't I gotta enough trouble, without going looking for it. " Except maybe get hurt yourself?"
"Buff, we can't just stand by and not do�"
"TAKE IT BACK!" One of the combatants in the center yells out.
Willow freezes. She looks at Buffy, whose eyes have gone wide. Oz looks puzzled.
"What?" He asks, not getting it.
"Dawn!" Buffy and Willow say together.
Buffy, concerned, pushes through the crowd. Despite getting her foot stomped on a couple of times, and being bumped and elbowed, she manages to break through to the front of the crowd.
Dawn is barely being held back by Xander, who is trying to keep her from attacking the other combatant, who is blocked from Buffy's view by Xander. The crowd starts chanting again.
"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!"
"I SAID, TAKE IT BACK!" Dawn yells, trying to duck around Xander, who manages to block her.
"Dawn, calm down! She's not worth it. Just ignore her!"

"I won't!" Dawn, red faced, weaves back and forth, trying to feint Xander and duck around him. "Get out of the way, Xander! Move it!" She yells at him.
"DAWN!" Buffy yells, pushing through the crowd and into the ring. "What the HELL are you doing?"
"Shut up, Buffy!" Dawn, turning to her sister, growls. "Go away, this doesn't concern you!"
"The heck it doesn't!" Buffy strides up to her, grabbing her. "What do you think you're doing, anyway? You wanna get expelled for fighting? Snyder said next time he'd expel us. Get outta here!"
"NO, I won't," Dawn pushes her sister away, turning back towards the fight. "Not until that bitch apologizes!" She yells around Xander. "TAKE IT BACK, YOU BITCH!" She starts trying to push Xander out of the way.
"Xander, grab her and get her out of here!" Buffy snaps at Xander, who so far has just been trying to block Dawn. "Go on, do it!"
"Apologize for what?" A voice comes from behind Xander, full of sarcasm and some anger. "I just wanted to know if you're as big a whore as your sister!"
Willow, who's been standing on the sidelines with Oz, pales. She recognizes the voice. She starts in towards Buffy, knowing trouble's coming.
Buffy freezes. Her face goes grim, her eyes slitting and her hands fisting.
"Get her the hell out of here now, Xander," Buffy barks at Xander, who's still struggling with Dawn.
"Let me GO!" Dawn wriggles and punches out, trying to get Xander to release her. "I'm gonna pull that bitch's hair out!"
Buffy, in furious mode, goes over and pushes both of them out of the way. She turns and faces Dawn's tormentor.
"Well, look who showed up, finally," Harmony Kendall, smirking, gives Buffy the once over. "What happened, munchkin? Too afraid to show up at school?"
"Well, Harmony, another brilliant observation from the mentally challenged. Idiot, if I were too afraid to show up, how would I be right in front of you?" Buffy gives her a shove. "What the hell are you saying to my sister, bitch?"
"Buffy, no!" Willow tries to grab her arm.
"Hit her, Buffy!" Dawn yells from the sidelines. "She called you a � MMMMPPHH!"
Dawn is cut off by Xander, who places his hand over her mouth.
"Xander!" Buffy turns toward them. "I told you to get her the hell out of here!"
Harmony, seeing Buffy turn away, sees her chance. Moving fast, she comes over, trips and shoves Buffy to the ground.
"Aw, what happened, Bleach blonde? You fall down and go.. HEY!"
Willow, losing it seeing Buffy attacked, rushes over and grabs Harmony by the hair, pulling on it hard.
"HEY,YOU LESBO FREAK! LET GO OF ME!" Harmony screams, windmilling her arms trying to hit Willow.
Oz, usually laid back, comes into the ring, trying to grab Willow and pull her away.
Buffy scrambles to her feet, and squares off against Harmony.
"Let her go, Will. I've got this," She says, glaring at the blonde cheerleader.
"Yeah, let go of me, you stupid bitch. I'll punch your lights out!" Harmony yells, still not able to land a blow on Willow.
"But, Buffy, she�"
"Let her go!" Buffy comes over and inserts herself between Harmony and Willow. "Oz, get her out of here! This isn't her fight, it's mine!"
"Buffy, no! I �"
"Oz, get her OUT OF HERE!"
"Yeah, get outta here, Queer-o Rosenberg. You might miss Ellen!" Harmony sneers, "stupid hair puller! That's so cheating!"
"Shut up, Cow brain," Buffy turns on her, her face red and angry. "You started this, you stupid Guernsey!" She shoves Harmony, hard. "What's your problem, anyway?" She shoves her again. "Why're you picking on my sister, you stupid cunt!" She hooks her foot around Harmony's ankle, and shoves her hard.
Harmony falls flat on her butt. She glares at Buffy, and starts to get up. Buffy pushes her back with her foot.
"Stay down, butthead!" Buffy glares down at her. " You didn't answer my question."
"Look what you did to my sweater!" Harmony moans, trying to brush Buffy's footprint off her chest. "What is your trauma, anyway?"
"I don't like buffalo butts attacking my sister, moron!" Buffy grabs her hair, giving it a yank. "Maybe you haven't gotten it through that pimple you call a head yet!"
"Quit pulling my HAIR!" Harmony yells, lashing out and hitting Buffy hard on the thigh.
Buffy releases her, grabbing her leg. Harmony scrambles to her feet.
"I wasn't attacking your sister, slutty, if you'd bothered to find out. She was making cracks about Cordelia, and I just asked her if she was as big a slut as her sister!" Harmony smirks at her. "So, is she?"

"You dumb ass bimbo! I'm gonna wipe that sneer of your ugly dogface�"
"Bring it on, Slutty!"
"HARMONY!"
Harmony stops, and getting a guilty look on her face, looks over her shoulder to see Cordelia standing behind her, hands on hips.
Buffy grins tightly, and turns towards Cordelia.
"Can't you keep Bowser here on a short leash, Cordelia? I'm getting tired of having to kick her bubble butt."
"Shut up, Buffy," Cordelia dismisses her. "What's going on here, Harm?"
"She was insulting you�" Harmony whines.

"I so was not, you big fat liar! God already did that. All I'm doing is keeping you from attacking my sister, fido."
"God, Summers. Wherever you go, trouble follows. Why don't you do everyone a favor, and just leave? Nobody wants you around here�"
"You gonna make me, Chase?" Buffy turns on her, "Who do you think you are, anyway? You're nothing without your daddy's money, bitch. All you can do is hide behind your guard dog here, making everybody's life miserable. Why don't you do everyone a favor and die?"
Cordelia's face goes white. To blotches of red appear on her cheeks. Her mouth is a gash across her face. She pushes Harmony to the side, and confronts Buffy.
"Hey!" Harmony protests.
"Get lost, Harmony. I'll take care of this."
"But�"
"GET OUTTA HERE!" Cordelia roars at her.
Harmony almost withers in front of her. She turns and retreats, tail planted firmly between her legs.
"Ok, Buffy," Cordelia turns back to Buffy, her tone ice. "So, you wanna throw down with me? You've been looking for this since you came here. C'mon, Slutty." She shoves Buffy, hard. "Here I am. Take me on, bitch."
"It'll be a pleasure, bitch," Buffy squares off, ready to fight.
"Back off, Buffy." A quiet, firm voice comes from behind her. "Get outta here."
"No way," Buffy says over her shoulder. "This is something that I've been needing to do."
"I said, move, Buffy," Willow pushes her aside, going nose to nose with Cordelia. Or maybe, nose to chin, since she's a couple of inches taller.
"Get lost, Rosenberg," Cordelia bumps her, trying to bully her. "This aint your fight."
"Oh, I think it's very much my fight, Cor," Willow stares into her eyes. "I think we've been coming to this place for a long time, don't you? So, Chase, wanna take me on?"
The two young women stand toe to toe, implacable and immovable. The tension between them is thick; both stand rigid, not giving an inch. Both are waiting, watching for the other to blink. Time has no meaning here, a second is like a lifetime. The seconds drag on.
Cordelia blinks.
Backing off an inch, she hawks and spits, right in Willow's face.
"I won't lower myself to deal with trash," She says, her words braver than her demeanor. Turning, she walks away, throwing a parting shot over her shoulder. "Get bent, queer bait."
Holding herself rigidly, she pushes through the crowd and disappears.
Willow stands tall and straight for a moment, savoring her victory. Then her arm comes up, and she wipes Cordelia's spittle off her face. She turns to see the crowd staring at her, silently and in awe.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" She yells at them, furiously. "Don't you have anywhere else to be?"
The crowd shifts silently, almost embarrassedly. Then slowly, it breaks up, moving off in small groups and singly.
They all sense something has changed. Something has shifted. They need time to figure it out, process it.
Finally, only Buffy, Oz, Dawn and Xander are left. They stand apart, each looking at her with new eyes.
"What?" Willow says, nervous under their intense gaze. "Did I like grow a third eye or something?" She starts towards them, when suddenly she feels lightheaded. Dangerously lightheaded. And breathing is definitely an issue. She can't seem to get a breath.
"Oh, crap," She mutters, as her legs give out and she sits down hard on her butt.

* * *

Harmony stands by her locker, fuming.
She feels angry and humiliated. The longer she waits for Cordelia, the more her anger winds up.
What is her problem? Why can't she ever just � just respect me? I had it under control, I knew what I was doing! God, for once, just for once, I wish she'd treat me like something other than the mat to wipe her feet on. What does she want? I do everything she asks, I stand by her, I comfort her when she's down, what more can I do? But it's not enough, it's NEVER enough! She just keeps treating me like dirt!
Well, that's over! As of now, I'm not being treated like some second class dog! No way! NO WAY! I've� I've got rights too, you know! I deserve to be treated like � well, better than SHE treats me, anyway! Yeah, oh yeah! That's it! I'm telling her. Oh yeah, you can count on it. Watch out, Cordelia Chase, Harmony's coming into her own, and you're gonna start treating me right or�
"HARMONY!"
Harmony almost jumps out of her skin as she sees Cordelia bearing down on her like a guided missile. Her defiance, her bravado melts like the morning dew as she realizes that Cordelia is furious. A chill down her spine causes her to shudder, and freezes her into place.
"Cor! Hey did you� OWWWW!"
Cordelia, not even stopping, grabs Harmony by the ear, and drags her along into the girls' restroom.
"Cordelia! Cor! Stop! Please, your hurting me!" Harmony whines, trying to free herself from Cordelia's grip. "Please, baby, please� "
Cordelia, furious, releases Harmony's ear and grabbing her, slams her into a wall. She pins her to the wall, and presses against her, shoving her face just inches from her lackey's.
"Cor�" Harmony whimpers, scared out of her wits.
"You stupid bitch! What is your problem?" Cordelia, red faced, yells at the quivering girl. "Answer me! WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM!"
"Cor� w-what d-did I d-do?" Harmony stutters, her heart hammering in her chest. She can't ever remember Cordelia being this angry before.
"W-What d-did I d-do!" Cordelia mocks her, slamming her thigh hard between Harmony's legs. "God, you're so retarded you can't even see the trouble you've caused!" She slams Harmony again.
Harmony moans in pain, and starts to shudder visibly. All of a sudden, she's realizing that she may not make it out of this bathroom on her feet. She just stares at Cordelia like a scared rabbit, afraid to breathe, much less speak.
"You � why did you do it? Why did you pick a fight with Buffy today, of all days? Goddamn you! Are you congenitally stupid? Is this a genetic thing with you? After all the work we put into humiliating her? You couldn't just lay back and let it happen? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO FIGHT WITH HER TODAY, YOU SPINELESS TOADY?"
Harmony, never very good at defending herself, can't think straight.
"I� I� she� they were� "
"BITCH!" Cordelia hauls back, and slaps her hard across the face.
Harmony is in shock. Cordelia has never slapped her before, ever. Never across the face. It's not the pain that hurts so much, though that is pretty bad. It's the utter contempt and disgust she reads on Cordelia's face.
Harmony stares at her stupidly. Tears roll down her face. She doesn't make a sound.
"Idiot!" Cordelia slaps her again. "Moron!" And again. "Do you know what you've done?" she hits her again. "You've ruined everything, everything!" She slaps her a couple more times.
Harmony, speechless, just stares as slap after slap crosses her face. She is beyond speech, beyond feeling. She simply leans on the wall, taking the punishment. Her knees give out on her, and she starts to slide down, moaning softly.
Cordelia is beyond reason, beyond sanity. Seeing Harmony, all she sees is her lifetime of frustrations, pain and rejection bundled into one neat little package. She starts slapping and kicking at the girl, not thinking, not doing anything but letting out all the years of pent up rage.
Harmony rolls into a ball, instinctively, to protect herself. She shivers and moans, unable to defend herself against the onslaught.
"Cor�please� stop�" Harmony finally gasps, her whole body aching from the abuse. "Please�I'm sorry� I'm sooo sorry�"
Something snaps inside Cordelia, and suddenly she sees herself, in her father's office, withering under his abuse.
"Please, daddy," she cries, rolling to a ball as Avery Chase beats and kicks at her. "I'm sorry, daddy. I didn't mean to do it, daddy� please�"
And as suddenly as it came on, the insanity passes. Cordelia stops, and looks at Harmony, rolled in a ball on the floor, moaning and babbling over and over "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry�"
Cordelia backs away, horrified. One step back; then another and yet another. She hears a low, gut wrenching moan. It takes a second to realize it's coming from her.
"Harm� Harmony. Oh � god� Oh god�I� I'm so.. I'm sooo�"
A wave of self loathing and disgust washes over her, followed by a stronger wave of nausea. Clutching her stomach, she turns and runs into one of the stalls, throwing up the contents of her stomach.
Retching, her stomach trying to come out of her via her throat, Cordelia has a bone chilling epiphany.
She's no better than her Father. Not one bit better.
Worse, she's become her father, abusing the one person that's never, ever hurt her.
At that moment, Cordelia Chase wishes she could die.
Harmony, slowly realizing the kicking has stopped, slowly, painfully pushes herself up, leaning heavily on her arms. She hears Cordelia vomiting in the stall not far away.
Shivering and shaking, she pushes herself onto her feet. Everything hurts, but she somehow manages to make her way to the toilet. She looks down, seeing Cordelia kneeling there, hanging over the bowl.
"Cor�" Harmony whispers. Even talking hurts.
Cordelia turns and looks up at Harmony, and realizing how badly she's hurt her, how insane she's become, starts to cry. A cry that comes from the deepest part of her soul.
"Oh� god, Harmony� what � what did I do to you? What have I done? Oh god�." She scrambles back, afraid of herself and the retribution from Harmony she knows she deserves. She huddles in a corner by the toilet, her knees to her chest, vomit coating her lips and chin. She stares, wide eyed and frightened, shaking and shivering. Her eyes are flooding tears, and she lets out a low, sorrowful moan.
"Harm�I'm so sorry�I'm a monster� I'm a MONSTER� Just like� him� a monster� so sorry�so sorry�" She babbles. She starts to keen, the pain in her heart so fierce, she feels she's going to die. "Forgive me, I'm so, so sorry� so sorry�" She lowers her head, her whole body shaking as she gives into her grief.
Harmony stands there, looking down at her. She holds onto the doorjamb, so shaky she's afraid she'll fall down. She shakes her head.
She should walk away. She's seen a side of Cordelia she's never seen before. A side that frightens her, scares her beyond anything that's scared her before. She knows if she stays here, she might be exposed to it again.
She should walk away. Leave Cordelia in her tears and vomit, Queen of nothing at all. That's what she should do.
Instead, she lowers herself down, slowly because she really, really hurts. She crawls over to Cordelia, and does her best to comfort her. Not able to take her in her arms, she settles for wrapping her arms around her legs, laying her head on her knees. She hurts; the smell of Cordelia's vomit makes her sick, and she doesn't care.
Cordelia's hurt, and all she can think of is comforting her. Making it better.
"It's ok now, Cor," Harmony croaks, "it's gonna be ok. I won't let him hurt you no more. I promise, baby. I promise."
* * *

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"
Dawn fusses around Willow, kneeling by her and feeling her forehead. The look on her face is priceless; worry mixed with remorse.
"Are you ok?" Dawn fusses, looking at her eyes and taking her pulse. "Oh god, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! This is all my fault� all my fault!"
Willow doesn't answer. She puts up her hand, warding off talking. She's finding it hard to get her breath. She squats there, panting and looking weak.
"Dawn," Xander tries to drag her away, "Willow will be fine. She's tough. Believe me!"
Unfortunately, she doesn't. She pulls away from Xander and starts to rub Willow's back.
"Stupid, stupid, I'm so stupid!" Dawn moans, "I shouldn't have done it. I should've ignored her!" Dawn says, still beating herself with the guilty stick. "but she was just saying such mean things, I couldn't. I'm an idiot, a dope! I shouldn't have picked a fight with her�"
"Aw, it's ok, Dawnie," Willow croaks, still a little breathless. But her breathing is getting back to normal, like the beating of her heart. She looks around at the four worried faces staring at her. "hey, I'm ok, really guys. I just� I dunno, guess I got an anxiety attack or something. Not everyday I do that, you know." She grins to reassure her friends.
"We thought you were gonna faint," Oz says, getting right to the point.
"Naw� I'm ok" Willow says, trying to stand up. She gets halfway up, then changes her mind. "No, wait, I think I'll sit here a little longer." She puts her head in her hands. "Still a little woozy."
"Hey, you ok?" Xander ask, worriedly. "I can go get the nurse if you want�"
"Xander, don't be an idiot. I just had a panic attack. No big, really. Geeze �" Willow shakes her head. "So, did I win?" She feels a bit of wetness on her face, and realizes that shed didn't quite get all of Cordelia's spittle off. She wipes her face again. "Eeew. Whoever figured Cordelia was part camel. Yuck!"
"Oh man, you were�" Xander begins.
"Awesome, totally awesome." Dawn finishes.
"So cute," She says to no one in particular. "They even finish each other sentences. I think I could be sick."
Everyone chuckles, with Xander and Dawn blushing a little.

"Hey� you were�" Oz gives her the thumbs up.
"High praise indeed," Willow grins.
"You crushed her," Buffy says. "You were� magnificent!"
Before Willow can stop her, she leans in and pecks Willow on the lips. She mouths "Thank you" to her.
"Wow!" Willow beams. "I musta done good. I even got a kiss from the princess!"
More laughter, with Buffy blushing this time.
"So, can I get a help up, you think?" Willow puts out her arms.
Xander and Oz help Willow to her feet, and she brushes herself off.
"Well, that was embarrassing," She comments, slapping loose grass from her jeans. "Slay the Queen, and faint. I don't think they'll be writing heroic poetry about that."
"You did it, Will," Xander says, a new note of respect in his voice. "you stood up to her, and made her back down. You're�"
"Awesome," Again, Dawn finishes, to more laughter.
Willow stands for a moment, basking in the praise. Then she remembers looking into Cordelia's eyes. She remembers not seeing hate in there, or even dislike. She remembers pain. Lots of pain� and fear. Suddenly, she doesn't feel so strong anymore.
Xander in his exuberance, raises his arms over his head. He starts to do the Rocky dance.
"The queen bitch is dead! Long live Willow! New queen of Sunnydale high!"
The others applaud and cheer. Willow, however, frowns.
"Hey guys, knock it off, ok?" Willow shrugs, and starts towards the cafeteria. "Let's just forget it, ok? I hope they're still open, I'm starved!"
"C'mon, Will," Xander catches up with her, followed by Dawn. "You bested her. You put her in her place. Enjoy your reign, ok? I could be your prince consort!"
"Yeah, oh yeah!" Dawn crows, following along. "And I'll be like your lady in waiting, ok?"
"Guys, leave it alone. Let her be," Buffy says, starting to glimmer on the truth. "Let's do lunch before there isn't any lunch to do."
"Well said, milady," Oz flashes a rare grin. He's getting it too.
"No, no way. Willow earned this. She stood up to the wicked old bitch, and she should be able to bask in her Royal Willowness." Xander looks at the others.
"Oh, for god's sake, Xander," Willow turns around. Her expression is far from happy. "It hurts to be humiliated, you know? I thought you'd get that!"
Shaking her head, disgusted, she turns and bolts into the cafeteria.
"What's with her?" Xander says, totally confused.
"Who knows?" Dawn shrugs.
"You guys just don't get it, do you?" Buffy looks at them and shakes her head. She runs in after Willow.
"Ok, what's with her now?" Xander is growing more and more confused. "I swear, I'll never figure them out. The womens, I mean � well, not you," He adds, seeing Dawn's expression.
"Uh� I'm with her�" Oz points at where Buffy disappears, and follows.
"Ok, that's it. They're all nuts," Xander says, shaking his head. "I swear, I just don't get it. Will did something good. No, she did something great. And everyone's acting like it's a tragedy. I just don't get it," He repeats, sighing.
"Oh, well� who can figure them out, anyway?" Dawn says, leaning in. "I'll be your queen, my prince."
Xander smiles. "You know? I kinda like that better, anyway." He waves at the cafeteria. "Lunch, your majesty?"
"Absolutely, my prince," Dawn beams.
Laughing, they enter the cafeteria.
* * *

Buffy and Oz find Willow sitting alone in a corner table. There is no food in front of her, only an empty table that seems to be fascinating her. She doesn't take her eyes off it, anyway.
"I didn't want to do it," Willow says, sensing rather than seeing them. "I didn't want to do that to her. I didn't mean for it to go down like that. Not really�" She looks up, and her eyes are blinking rapidly. "But I couldn't let her keep doing that, could I? I had to stop it, didn't I?"
"Will, you didn't do anything wrong," Oz says, sitting down beside her. "She had it coming."
Buffy doesn't say anything. She just sits next to Willow, holding her hand.
"She'll be ok," Willow sounds like she's trying to convince herself, more than Buffy or Oz. "She's tough. She'll be ok." She nods to herself.
But somehow, she can't quite make herself believe that.

3

"Bastard!"
Hank Summers stares at the financial section of the Sunnydale Herald. The headline reads:
Chase Holdings, Inc. Makes bid on Tech Firm Summerland Holdings.
Bid, my ass, Hank thinks, staring at the story. As he reads on, he grows angrier and angrier. That fucking prick stole my company, and now he's gone to my erstwhile partners and made an offer. A nice, juicy offer that should belong to me! Goddamn him!
"Bastard," Hank repeats, throwing the paper across the room. It hits a vase on the table, knocking it off. It crashes to the floor.
"Hey, what happened?" A tallish dark haired woman emerges from the kitchen, carrying a drink. "You ok?"
Jenny Calendar, substitute teacher, Vassar graduate and ex-party girl, walks into the living room of Hank's apartment. She's only wearing a robe she borrowed from Hank. She sits on the sofa.
"Yeah, I fine," Hank growls, going over and trying to pick up chards scattered on the floor. "Just really, really pissed off right now!"
"Hey, chill out, Hank," Jenny teases him. "I think you killed it pretty good. I don't think that vase'll be bugging you or anyone else ever again."
"The bastard stole my company!" Hank complains, not getting the joke. He squats and picks up the piece. "Just stole it from me, easy as you please! Prick!"
Jenny catches a glimpse of Hanks formerly athletic body gone to seed, and shakes her head. What the fuck was I thinking, anyway? Geeze, musta been a really slow night last night. I didn't come here for the ambience, that's for sure. She looks around at the nondescript, messy room. I really gotta watch what I'm drinking.
She's been teaching the computer science class at Buffy's school, substituting for the regular teacher who was out on extended leave. She'd seen Hank come by a number of times and pick up Buffy after school, and really thought nothing of it.
But she'd found him last night, drowning his sorrows in one of her regular haunts, and she'd sat down. They'd talked, the drinks kept coming, and finally she'd gotten tipsy enough that Hank had looked pretty good.
The sex had been ok, but nothing special. In the light of day, she realized that Hank certainly wasn't her usual type. Not even close. God, I really gotta get the drinking under control!
"What're you talking about?" Jenny asks, not really caring, but trying to figure a graceful way to get the hell out of here.
"The bastard� this bastard!" Hank, retrieving the paper, brings it over and flings it at her on the sofa. " Avery Chase, prick deluxe. Stole my company from me!"
Jenny looks at the paper with bloodshot and slightly bleary eyes, and seeing the picture of Avery, grins slightly. Oh yeah, I remember him. The Kinkmaster General. A little too ready with the whip for my tastes, though man, could he� mmmm� maybe I should look him up. I didn't realize he was loaded�
"Never seen him before," Jenny lies, looking at Hank. "So, you own a company?"
"Owned. That prick stole it. Went behind my back to my partners, and those pricks sold me out. Dammit, they cheated me out of my fair share of all my fucking hard work."
"Can they do that?" Jenny asks, " is that legal?"
"Oh, they did it. The made up some phony charges about me, making me look bad. I wanted to fight them, but I couldn't afford lawyers fees. Damned sharks. Now I'm out, and they cheated me. God, I'd like to get my hands on them�"
"Yeah, I know that is. I've had some problems with that kinda crap in the past," Jenny thinks back about her own checkered past, and some scandals involving some of her students. Which is why she's in Sunnydale, as a substitute teacher. Rather the last resort for someone like her�
She takes a healthy swallow of the Jack Daniels in her glass, and gives Hank an appraising look. Obviously he was fine at one time, but that's long past� still, he's probably a player� who would've figured that? Looks like a suburban jock gone to seed. Guess he figures he's got something to prove� just like guys� She shakes her head. Still, it takes all kinds.
Jenny gets up, and starts towards the bedroom. Hank follows her with his eyes.
"Like you're thinking," he says, standing up. "Ready for another go 'round, babe?" He grins lasciviously.
"Sorry, but I've really got to go. Got to go home and change before school. Doesn't look good if the teacher's late, you know." She disappears through the doorway.
Hank follows her in, and sees her standing, back to him. She's shed the robe and is pulling on her underwear. He sneaks up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He presses up against her, moving his hands up to cup her breasts.
"Hey, what're you doing?" Jenny chuckles, pulling away a little. "I told you I have to go."
"Mmm. You gotta nice ass," Hank breathes in her ear. "Nice tits, too." He squeezes them for emphasis.
"Aw, you're such a sweet talker, aren't you?" Jenny says, mockingly. She firmly grabs his hands, and removes them from her breasts. "Sorry, but I gotta run. Got stuff to do this morning." She pulls away, walking around the bed and picking up more of her clothing.
"Aw, c'mon," Hank says, all sweetness and light. "don't go yet. Can't it wait for awhile?" He moves over to her, grabbing her arm. "Just a quickie. Whattya say?"
"Sorry, love, I don't do quickies. I only like slowies. Nice and long and slow." She starts to wiggle into her jeans. "Maybe another time." If I'm dead drunk, maybe. Or just dead.
"Don't be that way," He says, his voice getting a slight edge. He grabs her arm again. "You got me all hot and horny now. Don't go� stay."

"I said no, Hank," Jenny's voice grows firm as she shrugs him off and, moving around him, struggles to get into her jeans. "Look, we had fun last night, but that was last night. Now, I really gotta go." She shrugs into her bra, fastens it, and then slips on her blouse.
"You're gonna go? Just leave me like this?" His voice grows low. Very low.
"Pretty much. Sorry, but hey�" She shrugs. "That's life, bud." She buttons up her blouse.
"No way, bitch!" Hank suddenly crosses to her, grabbing her arm hard. "You'll go when I say you go� not before. I'm not done with you yet!" turning her around, he starts shoving her towards the bed. "I'm tired of you bitches always deciding when and where stuff's gonna happen. Real tired." He pushes her down on the bed. "Now, let�s get these pants off, cuz daddy isn't done with you yet!" He lets go of her arm, and starts to pull at her jeans.
Jenny, having been here before, deliberately relaxes herself, knowing that he's going to have to let her go sometime, because she's not going to undo her jeans. As soon as her arm is free, she kicks out, hitting him in the most vulnerable of places.
"FUUUUCKKK!" Hanks screams, staggering back and grabbing his balls. He bends over in pain. "You fucking�"
"Shut up, you old fat bastard!" Jenny yells at him. Grabbing her purse, she pulls out what looks like a gun. She goes over, and pushes the Taser into his neck. Triggering it, 10,000 volts go through Hank, causing him to drop to the ground and flop around like a fish out of water.
"You think you're the first guy to fuck with me, fatso?" She kicks him in the ribs. " Get real. Hope your dick swells up and falls off!"
Grabbing her coat and shoes, she heads for the door. She stops, and turns around.
"By the way, Hank? You stink in bed!"
She exits the apartment, slamming the door after her.
Fucking cunt! Just like all of them. Use you, spend your money, and then throw you away like garbage� owww fuck my nuts hurt!
Still wriggling from the Taser, he carefully cups the family jewels, to prevent further damage.
Stupid lousy bitches. All of them, the fucking lot of them! He groans, his body feeling like it went 20 rounds with a rabid Mike Tyson. Especially my so called wife. What a fucking ice queen! If she'd been any kind of woman, I wouldn't have had to go out looking for a little loving� aw, shit� he starts convulsing again. Bitch. Stupid lesbo bitch! I shoulda known it, she's such a fucking FrigidAire! Now that slut wants child support, too! 5000 bucks a month! What the fuck does she think I'm made of?
He thinks about the 'settlement' check Avery gave him, and his mood turns even sourer.
I know she had something to do with that. I know it. She must've. How'd he get a clue, otherwise. Nope. Joycie, good old hag bitch ex-wife of mine sure as shit had something to do with good old Avery getting that dirt on me. She screwed me! Bitch, can't screw me in bed, but can screw me every fucking other place! Screwed me out of my rightful share of the business� that cunt sucking carpet munching hag!
Hank, his anger rising and his tremors decreasing, sits up, staring out the window.
Well, bitch, better enjoy it while you can. Cuz old Hank? He's done playing your games. Yessiree, Hank's getting a whole new attitude, baby, and then you better watch out. Cuz, Daddy's coming home, and when he does�?
Hank smiles grimly, and stands up.
"Daddy's gonna straighten everything out to his liking."

4

"It was HUGE!"
Buffy and Willow are walking along the path towards the school gate. School is out, and both, for different reasons are anxious to be anywhere but here.
Still, at least on Buffy's part, there's a reluctance to go. She's worried about her friend. Ever since the incident at lunch, she's been quiet and moody. Even in the computer lab, her favorite class, she only participated half heartedly.
I knew she had a thing for Cordelia, but I never realized it was this serious�
Buffy has made it her mission to cheer her up, telling her funny stories, usually with herself as the butt of the joke, trying to keep things light. She's in the middle of one right now.
"Huge?" Willow looks skeptical. "C'mon Buffy, how big can it be?"
" I swear, it was this long�" Buffy holds her hands about 12 inches apart, "� and this wide." She makes a circle using both hands, finger tip to finger tip.
"Ok, Buffy, now I know you're lying. There's no way!" Willow shakes her head.
"Way! So way!" Buffy insists. "I had to use both hands to hold it!"
"You're making this up!" Willow makes a noise.
"Ok, if you don't believe me, ask Dawn. She was there!"
"You know I can't ask Dawn. She and Xander are off making out or something."
"Well, not now, silly. When you see her," Buffy makes a face. "Geeze, do you have to gross me out? Thinking about Dawn and Xander� breeding?�"
Both look at each other.
"EEEWWW!"
They both laugh.
"I still don't believe you, Buffy," Willow insists. "You're telling fibs now."
"So am not. I told you, ask Dawn."
"I really don't believe Dawn was there. I mean, she'd be too young�"
"Tell me about it! I didn't want her there, but she insisted�"
"Ok, for a moment, let's say I believe you. He said you had to eat it?"
"Oh yeah, the whole thing. If I didn't, I couldn't have it."
"Couldn't you and Dawn share?"
"No WAY! I wanted it all for myself. Dawn could go and get her own, if she wanted it!"
"Buffy, that's just selfish!"
"Hey, never claimed to be Mother Teresa, you know!"
"No kidding!" Willow half grins. "So, what happened? Did you eat it?"
"Well, no�" Buffy blushes a little. "C'mon, I was like 6 years old. Who could eat a quadruple ice cream cone, much less a 6 year old kid?"
"I dunno, piglet. I mean, you're eating for two now, you know�" Willow pats Buffy's belly, and giggles.
"Gee, Will, " Buffy grouses. "Why not just shout it out? Then everyone'll know I'm a total slut."
"Hey� Sorry?" Willow shrugs and looks apologetic.
"It's ok, just� really kinda keeping it QT as long as we can, ok?"
" 'K, Buff."
"Though, now that you mention it, a big old chocolate ice cream cone sounds mighty fine�"
"Oh my god, she's started the cravings!"
"Hey, you said it yourself, I'm eating for two now�"
"Ok, never mind about that� " Willow leans in closer. "What about that ice cream cone?"
"Well, anyway, my daddy buys it for me after I have a major fit. Mom of course accuses him of spoiling me, but I didn't care. I got the cone!"
"You are a brat, I gotta say�" Willow teases her.
"Brattiest of brats!" Buffy agrees. "So, anyway, I got the cone. I'm walking along, and licking it of course, because well, that's what you do. And the squirt, aka Dawn, is bugging me for a lick. Bugging me and bugging me. I mean, when Dawn sets her mind to it? She can drive you crazy bugging you�"
"I'll have to take your word on that�" Willow nods. "Though, I gotta admit, when she wants something, she can be pretty darned determined�" Kind of like you, Buffy.
"Or ask Xander� no, wait. He wouldn't tell the truth� not if he ever wanted any peace."
Again, they share a laugh.
"So, anyway, Dawn is bugging me about giving her a lick, and of course, I don't want her cooties on my cone, so I'm holding it away from her. And it's so big, I'm really having to keep a good eye on it. And of course, I'm not watching where I'm going, and somehow, my foot got tangled in a wire crossing the path� and its at that moment Dawn makes a lunge for my cone, and I'm holding it away from her and I'm all unbalanced, and so � Boom, over I go."
"Aw, poor Buffy�" Willow mocks sympathy.
"It gets worse. I don't drop it like any normal kid, of course, in front of me and away, where it won't do any damage. Oh, no, not Buffy. I manage to trip and fall right smack square in the middle of it."
"Oh, no�" Willow starts to giggle, imagining it.
"Oh, yeah. Good old Buffy, in her best dress because we�d come straight from church to the fair, and boom, I'm covered with chocolate ice cream from my hair to my navel. That dress� well, it was ruined. And of course, my favorite at the time�"
"Ok, Buff. You convinced me. You're the all time klutz champion. I cede my title to you!"
Willow, almost despite herself, starts laughing. Buffy joins her, and they make their way to the school gate, both laughing their heads off.
"Hey, guys. What's so funny?" Oz is standing by the gate, waiting for Buffy and Willow. He smiles, a little confused at their hilarity.
They look at him, then at each other, and start laughing harder.
Oz, in his typical 'everything's cool' manner, just waits for them to be finished.
"Buffy�" Willow gasps out

"I was�" Buffy gasps out.
"Talking� about eating�"
"� an ice cream cone!"
They go off on another round of laughter. Oz, infected by it, smiles� for him, nearest he comes to a belly laugh.
"An ice cream cone?" he asks, a little confused.
"You� you had to .. .be there�" Buffy giggles, starting to settle down.
"Yeah� it's not that funny�" Willow agrees, also settling down.
"Hey, you liked it!"
"I just liked the image of you covered in chocolate ice cream!" Willow starts to laugh again, and Buffy joins her.
Oz, ever cool and patient, just arches a brow and waits for the giggle twins to subside.
"Hey, guys, I gotta go," Willow says, her tummy hurting from laughing. "I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"
"Hey, we'll come with," Buffy says, "Won't we, Oz?"
"Oh yeah. I mean, when do I get to be with both my favorite women at the same time?"
"Ok, guys," Willow gives them a look. "I know what this is. You're worried about me, and that's sweet. But I'm fine, ok? I don't need to be walked home like a kid."
"Hey, you're not liking our company?" Buffy says, pretending to be offended. "Gee, now that's she's totally popular, she doesn't want to be seen with us anymore, I guess."
"Popular?"
"Oh yeah, I swear. At least� what? 20, 30 kids came up to her, just wanting to touch the hem of her coat. Some even spoke, in hushed tones." Buffy teases.
"Really?" Oz looks amused. Well, for him, anyway.
"Buffy, you're such a liar. A couple of kids came up and said good work on putting Cordelia in her place. Really, it's not a big."
"Don't believe her, she's lying. We had crowds following us. They all wanted to be near the anointed one that faced down Cordelia and lived. I wanted to charge admission, and get rich, but Ms. Popularity here wouldn't hear of it!"
"Buffy, stop it!" Willow's tone is abrupt and edgy. "I really don't want to think about it anymore, ok?"
"Ok," Buffy says quietly. "Sorry."
"No, I'm sorry," Willow softens. "I know you're just trying to make things better, Buffy. But really, I'm fine. I don't need an escort home, ok?"
"You're sure?" Buffy asks.
"We'd love to walk with a living legend," Oz deadpans.
"More funny Buffy stories. I got a ton of them!"
"You goofs, I'm fine, really, ok?" Willow gives them each a kiss on the cheek. "Now, scoot. You know you want to be alone together, making with the heavy petting and kissage and stuff�"
"Willow!" Buffy blushes, a nice shade of pink. "We're just friends�"
"We are?" Oz looks confused. "Who was that blond I was kissing backstage the other day then?"
"Stop it!" Buffy squeals, but then gives him a little kiss. "Ok, maybe kissing friends."
"Uh-huh� now get lost, ok?"
"Ok, your loss�" Buffy turns to Oz. "She kissed us, on the cheek. You know what that means, don't you?" She asks, as they start off.
"Means?"
"Oh yeah. We've been blessed by the anointed one. We can never, ever wash those cheeks again."
"Ohhhh."
"You two," Willow mutters to herself, but she can't help smiling. She smiles even broader when a little ways down the block, their hands reach out and seem to find each other without either looking. "Just friends. Oh yeah�"
"Aint they too sweet? I know I need an insulin shot."
Willow almost jumps out of her skin, and turns to see Faith looking at her, smirking.
"Geeze! Stalker, much? God, are you trying to kill me? Make some noise when you're sneaking up on someone!" Willow scolds her, frowning.
"Well, if that's all it takes�" Faith snaps back.
"What're you doing here, anyway? Buffy�" Willow points down the block. "Is there. If you run, you might catch up with them�" She looks at Faith's outfit. "Well, if you can run in that."
"Ha! You're funny, real funny," Faith doesn't sound amused. "I'm not here to see Buffy, anyway. I'm here to see you�"
"Oh, is that right?" Willow holds up her hands. "Well, you saw me. So, I'd love to say it was nice seeing you, but my mom told me never to lie� so, seeya�not�" Willow walks around Faith, and starts up the street.
"God, whatta �" Faith turns, and follows her. "Wait, wait up, ok?"
"And why would I want to do that?" Willow continues on, not stopping.
"Geeze, don�t' be such a�"
"What?"
"�witch, ok? I'm just wanting to talk to you!"
Willow stops, and turns around. She's smirking now. "Why didn't you say you wanted to talk? Ok, let's talk." She leans against the school fence, looking at Faith. "So whatcha wanna talk about? Global Warming? The deficit? Hey, how about those 49'ers, eh?"
"Damn!" Faith growls, "Are you always this nasty, or is it just me?"
"It's just you!" Willow says, " So, nice chatting with you. Gotta do this again, not!" Turning, she starts to walk away.
"Dammit, stop it!" Faith, losing patience, passes her and blocks her way.
"Move, please," Willow says, not at all politely.
"No, I won't. I need to talk to you, and I need you to talk to me, so stop acting like you got a board up your ass and talk to me!"
"And if I don't, what? You'll punch me?"
Faith closes her eyes, trying to keep her temper. She moves out of the way, gesturing broadly.
"Fine, go ahead and go."
"Thank you!" Willow passes her, trying to ignore her.
"I just thought you were Buffy's friend, and would want to help. My bad. Sorry."
"Buffy?" Willow stops, and looks over her shoulder. "What's this got to do with Buffy?"
"Just, I'm trying to help her, and I thought you'd want to help her too."
"Help her? Help her what? Drop outta school, become a moron�?"
"Listen, bright eyes. I graduated High school, ok? I'm going to college, so can it!"
"Well, good for you!" Willow frowns. "What does this got to do with Buffy?"
"Well, maybe if you'd dial down the sarcasm, I could tell you!"
Willow sighs. "I'm sorry. Ok, how can I help?"
Faith lets out a breath. "Look, Buffy told me you know. About her�condition."
"Condition?" Willow looks at Faith warily. "What condition?"
"C'mon, don't play dumb�" Faith lowers her voice. "Buffy. She's pregnant. She told you, right?" She looks at Willow funny. "She said she told you. Did she?"

Willow seems to slump a little, the tension draining out of her. "She told you?"
"Yeah she did. That's why she was late. I took her to the doctor to confirm it."
"Oh"
"Yeah, though she's not gonna be able to keep it a secret much longer. She's 10 weeks pregnant."
"10 weeks! That much? She� she didn't tell me that!"
"She's not real forthcoming with the info, I agree. I only know because I was there when the doctor asked her how long it's been since she had a visit from her Aunt Flo �"
Willow makes a face. "Her Aunt flo? Oh geeze, just say it. Since she had her last period!"
"Yeah, whatever. Anyway, Buffy told her it was over 10 weeks. God�"
"Damn," Willow shakes her head. She looks at Faith. "So, what can I do?"
"Well the thing is? I've almost got her convinced to tell her mom�"

"Really? Oh thank god! I've been trying to get her to do that�"
"Yeah, well, she's not gonna be able to not tell her a lot longer. But, she's also not naming names. Know what I mean?"
"You mean the creep who knocked her up? Oh yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I've been trying to get her to talk, dropping hints� damn, I've been dropping anvils. But she just dances around them like a pixie." Willow lets out a huge sigh, "God, she's not going to fool anyone into thinking it's a virgin birth. That supposedly only happened once, and frankly, I don't even believe in that one!"
"Look, you her pal. You hang with her a lot, right? Maybe you know who's she's been seeing� I mean�there's that guy she's with�"

"Oz? No, no way! They've only known each other a couple of weeks. No way he could've made her pregnant. Anyway, he's a stand up guy. He wouldn't�"
"Ok, ok. I get it. No way he could be daddy, anyway� no, it's gotta be a ten weeks ago, at least�"
"Whoa� whoa!" Willow exclaims. "That party�at the frat house� do you think maybe�?"
"No, I don't think so. I mean, I got there before anything happened, I'm pretty sure. And anyway, still not long enough� No, it's gotta be before that. Was she hanging around with anyone before that?"
"I don't think so, I mean� Oh crap!"
"Huh? Oh crap?"

"Brad Johnson!"

Who? Who's Brad Johnson?"
"Brad Johnson. Star basketball player, all around jock. Total jerk! "
"Ok, sounds promising�"
"Well, they were 'together' kinda, for a couple of weeks. And this would be just about the right time� but Buffy said they never�"
"Yeah, well, Buffy might be lying, you know? To protect him�"
"Don't know why. He was only using Buffy to get close to another girl on the cheerleading squad."
"Well, he's a guy. They're known for that. And frankly, that's doesn't disqualify him. They might have done it, and Buffy doesn't want to admit it because well� she's embarrassed about it. Wouldn't be the first girl to get pregnant with a guy and claim she never slept with him."
"It's gotta be him. I mean, I haven't even seen her with a guy before Oz�"
"Ok, then. It's gotta be Brad. So, where can we get ahold of this jerk?"
"Well, it's basketball season. He might be at practice..."
"Oh, yeah? Well, where's practice?"
"Ummm� in the gym�" Willow hesitates.
"What?"
"You're not planning on confronting him, are you?"
"Well, duh. Yeah. Hoping you'd come along with."
"That might not be a good idea�"
"Hey, if Jerk boy is the father of Buffy's baby, well, damn, he's gonna own up and take responsibility. I mean, I'm not gonna let him get away with ruining Buffy's life for some quickie behind the gym�"
"Hey, on your side here. Just, it's Brad Johnson�"
"So what? I don't care if it's Brad Pitt. If that asshole is responsible�"
"Faith, have you ever seen Brad Johnson?"
"Oh yeah, I hang out at high school, drooling over the jocks. Please, give me a break�"
Willow sighs. "What I mean is, Brad Johnson's not your typical high school jock. He's as tall as a redwood, and nearly as thick. He's lean, being a basketball player, but it's all muscle. Solid muscle. Some say he can bench press 350 pounds. You really want to go up against that with �well, face it, no proof?"
"Proof? What do I need, pictures?"
"No, but maybe, if you can get Buffy to tell her mom�"
"Hold up right there. I'm hoping she will, and she's close to, but as for naming the father? She's stubborn as granite on that one!"
"Still, maybe Joyce can�"
"Look, Willow. She's not gonna give it up, ok? We gotta get this bozo to confess �"
"Faith, what if he denies it�?"
"Well, duh, I expect that� "
"Yeah, but remember? Mountain of muscles here� what you gonna do to get him to confess it? What if he gets tough�?"
"Oh�" Faith frowns. "Well hell, I don't give a rat's ass. If he did it, I'll get him to talk. He aint met tough until he's met Faith McKerrigan. I had four linebacker sized brothers I had to keep in line. How tough can one b-baller be?" Faith starts towards the school gate. Noticing she's alone, she stops. "you coming?" She calls over her shoulder.
"You mean now?" Willow isn't liking this one bit.
"Well, yeah. Coming?"
Willow sighs.
"Coming," She starts to follow Faith.
"I'm gonna regret this. I just know I'm gonna regret this�" She mutters under her breath.
"C'mon, hurry up!" Faith calls out. "I wanna get this over with!"
"I'm coming! Geeze I'm coming!"
Willow runs to catch up with her.

TBC.
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