Adult-FanFiction.org : Buffy

Complicated Grief	By : PencilNeck Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 3194 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- 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
- 1-Shock
- 2-Denial
- 3-Bargaining
- 4-Guilt
- 5-Anger
- 6-Depression
- 7-Hope
- 6
- 7
Chapter 7: Hope

“Faith?” Buffy holds the gun out awkwardly. “I’m totally swelling up. Did you hafta hit me so hard?”

“Sorry! Heat of the moment.” Faith smiles at her. Then spins around to kick the bruised minion in the face.

“Need a hand?”

“Nah, B. I got it covered.” Faith shoves Squeaky back with an open hand, laughing when she lands with a clatter in the pile of dirty dishes.   “Unless you want some payback on Punky Brewster here.”

Simone raises herself up on her elbows. Watching open mouthed at the friendly exchange.

“Maybe just a little.” Buffy looks at the gun. Looks at Simone. “Get up.”

Simone stands up, dusting the plaster off her clothes. Eyes on the gun.

“The thing about guns…” Buffy inspects it. “You don’t really need to know how to use them. There’s no skill involved, right?” She sticks her tongue out, concentrating. Aims at Simone’s chest. “Like a digital camera. Point and shoot.”

“Actually, Buffy.” Giles steps out of the hallway, pressing a handkerchief to his forehead. “The use of firearms usually requires a certain amount of precision.” He walks over and gently takes the gun from Buffy’s hand. “However, at this range…”

“Where the hell did you come from?” Simone stares at him.

“From the roof, if you must know.” Giles absently answers, while emptying the gun of its bullets.

“You sure you don’t want a piece of this?” Faith smiles over at Buffy, glowing with adrenalin. Bruised Face takes the chance, and lands a high kick to Faith’s forehead.

Faith feels the cut starting just above her eyebrow. She holds it, trying to stop the blood from spilling into her eyes. “Anyone got a Band-Aid?” She turns her sights on Bruised Face, and attacks her with a speedy combination of jabs and uppercuts.

“What did you do to my crew?” Simone darts her eyes between the three intruders.

“They’re unharmed.” Giles looks at her with his stoic face. “Aside from some future difficulty sitting down.”

“I hid the bodies!” Buffy smirks at her, all self-satisfied. She turns and punches Squeaky in the gut, sending her sprawling across the floor. “I’m talking here!”

“You can’t do this to me!” Simone looks very much like a wild thing.

“It’s already done. Think of it as an intervention.” Buffy knows she’s being patronizing. But she can’t help it. “You’re all high on gunpowder and shooting things up. So you’re going to Slayer Rehab.”

“The hell I am!” Simone backs away. Looking for an exit.

“Not like you got any say.” Finally done beating the minions senseless, Faith strides over to Buffy. “There’s nowhere you can go. We made sure of that.”

“For some reason, Twilight’s gonna think you took their ill-gotten booty and high-tailed it to parts unknown.” Buffy hears Faith giggle. “What?”

“You said booty.”

“What’re you, five?” Buffy rolls her eyes.

“Nope. I’m five by five.” Faith smiles. She gets a shining grin back.

“But… But…” Simone’s confused.

“Basically?” Faith sums it up. “Gotcha!”

“Oh!” Buffy strides up to Simone. “I almost forgot.” She smiles her friendliest smile. Tilts her head.

And knocks her out with a helluva punch.

“Payback.”

**************************************************

“…so, that’s the plan…” Faith hesitates. “Whaddya think?”

“For the record?” Buffy raises her hand. “Hate the plan.”

“Giles?” Faith watches his face for a sign. But he’s too British to give anything away. “Giles!”

“I think it’s bloody brilliant.” Giles says it quietly. “But putting yourself at risk like that…”

“See? Too much risk!” Buffy waves her hands in front of her. A definitive ‘No’ gesture. “We’re looking for something risk-less.”

“Like what?” Faith’s getting agitated. “I don’t think Simone’s up for a pillow fight. We gotta strike now, while we still have a shot!”

“I already had a shot, thanks!” Buffy rolls her shoulder. “I don’t recommend it.”

“Let’s take a moment to lower our voices, perhaps.” Giles looks warily around. Starts again in a low tone. “Faith, what makes you think they’ll try to recruit you?”

“I’m the first round draft pick.” Faith smiles thinly. “I got the invite once already.”

“There has to be another way…” Buffy tries vainly to think of one.

“Twilight’s been playing us from the start. They’re tracking your cell…” Faith points at Buffy. “…and I’m sure they’ve got someone tailing us. I say we use what we know, and use what they know. Play them for a change.”

“No.” Buffy stands up. Looks at Faith. “I won’t let you do this. Not now…” She crosses her arms, and marches off to the bathroom.

“Buffy, you can’t just…” Giles reaches for her, and then his hands drop in defeat.

“Lemme get this one.” Faith smiles lightly at Giles, and then rushes to catch up to Buffy.

She pushes open the door to the bathroom. Checks every stall. Only one is locked.

“B!” Faith knocks. And waits. “Alright fine. If you want me spilling the deets on our little surprise party through a bathroom door…”

There’s a click, and the door opens an inch. Faith scoots in, locking it behind her.

Buffy’s sitting on the tank of the toilet. Her feet resting on the seat.

“What’s the deal?” Faith leans against the door.

“I don’t think I can do it.” Buffy looks down at the floor.

“Which part?”

“Any of it.” Buffy notices a roll of toilet paper unraveling down there on the linoleum. Her eyes follow it under the partition.

“C’mon Buffy! You been jabbing at me since you got here. I’m sure you can think of something…”

“But I…” Buffy looks up, her eyes running up the length of Faith’s body. “I don’t… It’s different now.”

“So what if it is?” Faith smiles a little at that. “It’s just a game. We play this right? We get Simone off the streets and we get dirt on Twilight.”

“And if we play it wrong?” Buffy shifts her feet. Turns away. “I can’t… I can’t just leave you there.”

“Nothing’s gonna happen to me.” Faith tries a little lie. “You do your part…”

“I don’t like my part.” Buffy puts on her sulky voice. “I wanna be the Princess!”

“Course you do.” Faith laughs. She’s winning this. “But in the end, Buffy? You’re always the hero. It’s just who you are.”

Buffy looks up at that. Sees the look on Faith’s face. She can’t place it, or define it. But she’s seen it before. It makes her feel strong.

“You’re right.” Buffy stands up. Wipes her hands on her jeans. “And it’s about time I remembered that.”

Faith watches the change in Buffy’s body language. She seems taller. More present.

“Three conditions. One? I’m not going to abandon you.” Buffy stops Faith’s protest with a look. “I’ll make it look good, and then circle back. Hide somewhere ‘till I know you’re safe.”

“You don’t need…”

“This isn’t a discussion.” Buffy‘s in full General mode. “Two? We go shopping. I am not fighting evil in this outfit.” But she’s still Buffy.

“You look wicked in that outfit. A little butch…”

“Who can take me seriously in this shirt? And my nails are just crying out for a buff and polish.” Buffy brushes against her, moving to the door.

“What’s three?” Faith tries to move back. Her heels hit the wall.

“Oh. Three.” Buffy smiles. She stands on her toes, and leans in. Slides her hand into Faith’s hair, massaging her neck. And lightly, softly pulls her in.

The sky doesn’t fall and the earth doesn’t tremble. It’s not the kiss to end all kisses. To them, it feels like a beginning. A soft, pliant, open-mouthed beginning.

Buffy breaks away.

“Three’s good.” Faith shows her dimples. “I can get behind three.”

“Thought you might.” Buffy unlocks the door.

“Hold up!” Faith puts her hand over Buffy’s. “I have some terms of my own, y’know.” She leans in. It’s Buffy’s turn to hit the wall.

“Well, really only one.” Faith cups her chin. Shows a rare sweet smile. Brushes her lips against Buffy’s cheek. Her forehead. Her mouth. Sucking on her lips. Tracing them with her tongue. Pushing through to taste the mocha flavoured Buffy-ness. She only pulls away to breathe.

Buffy’s eyes are still closed. Her mouth still parted slightly. Lips plumped by kissing. And a gentle innocence showing on her face. It makes Faith’s chest hurt.

“So, uh.” Faith steps away.

“Mmmm?” Buffy’s eyes flutter open.

“We should get back. Giles…” Faith pulls at the door. It’s stuck.

“I think he can wait…” Buffy flirts shamelessly. Trailing a finger down Faith’s arm.

“You keep looking at me like that?” Faith tugs harder, starting to panic. “Not sure I can.”

Buffy giggles, and takes her foot off the base of the door.

“I mean it this time.” Faith smiles, but she’s only half joking. “You’re a tease.”

“Nuh-uh!” Buffy saunters out of the stall, heading back into the cafe. “I’m the hero.” She pauses, and turns. A glittering grin on her perky face.

“And the hero always gets the girl.”

**************************************************

With a final grunt, Faith drops the last unconscious body on the gravelly rooftop. She checks the bindings. If she can’t break them, no way Simone can.

“Is that everything?” Faith looks around. Goes through her mental list. “Seven dumb-ass chicks, a computer... and oh yeah… Fifty million Euro, give or take.”

“I still vote take!” Buffy looks back over her shoulder. “Giving is for suckers!”   She turns her eyes back to the dark horizon. A black speck hovers just below the clouds. It’s the chopper. Or she’s got dirt in her eye.

“Is she still going on about it?” Giles takes of his glasses. Wipes them with his ever present handkerchief.

“Non-stop.” Faith gazes at Buffy looking out into the night. Her hair touched lightly by the moonlight, caught up in the wind. It’s like a scene from a movie. The kind of movie that Faith would never, ever admit to watching.

“Do you think she might...” Giles looks concerned.

“She’s just sulking.” Faith laughs. “She won’t do anything stupid.”

Giles looks at the bags, overflowing with riches.

“It is tempting…” Giles speaks up, as the helicopter starts to drown them out.

“Not you too!” Faith shakes her head. “It’s just wrong when I’m the upstanding citizen.”

“Terrifying, more like.” Giles allows a brief smile.

“Watch it, G.” Faith grins up at him. Ducking down instinctively as the chopper makes its landing.

Buffy walks towards it. Waving and smiling as Xander and Renee hop out.

“Hi guys!”

“Ma’am.” Renee nods to her.

“So, Buffy. I’m here, as ordered.” Xander has his angry on. “What does mistress desire?”

“Knock it off, Xander.” Buffy jumps up and gives him a big hug. “It was all for the good.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Faith strolls up to him. “Knew we could count on you, though.”

“Faith.” Xander almost smiles. “Wait… Are you evil?”

“Not so you’d notice.” Faith catches a strange look from Buffy. She ignores it, nodding over at Renee. “She yours?”

“Yep.” Xander grins, then grunts as Renee belts him in the stomach. “I mean, not mine in the sense of ownership. Because that’s unhealthy and old fashioned. But in the sense that we, as equals…”

“Quit while you’re behind.” Renee smirks. “So you’re Faith.” She gives her the once over. “You don’t look so tough.”

“She’s feisty!” Faith pats Xander on the back. “Nice catch!”

“Stop torturing the boy.” Giles struggles under the weight of one of the bags. “We need him to fly this infernal contraption.”

“Good. I was running low on stuffy and British.” Xander takes it from him. “Hey Giles.”

“Wanna start with these?” Buffy signals to Renee. She grabs one of the girls and starts dragging.

“Who are they?” Renee grabs another.

“New pop super group.” Buffy slings the girl into a seat. Does up the buckle. “We’re thinking of booking them for the Christmas party.”

“Okay. No more questions.” Renee flops hers in the seat beside.

“Good plan.” Faith picks up the last five bags, leaving Giles to carry the computer.

“What’s in there?” Xander tries to peek.

“Laundry.” Faith bounces past him.

“Secret laundry?” Xander wants to peek. “You’re not even trying. I deserve a better lie than that!”

“All right, Xander. You wore me down.” Faith drops the bags in the cargo hold. “The bags are full of money. Lots and lots of money.”

“Fine.” Xander stomps off to the cockpit. “Don’t tell me.”

**************************************************

Renee puts her hand on Xander’s knee. He jumps, but only a little.

“I wonder what’s going on…” Renee turns back to peek behind her.

“You mean with the kidnapping and big mysterious bags of Faith’s laundry?” Xander can’t look. He’s working the stick.

“No. I mean, what’s going on between those two.” Renee twists in her seat. Fully backwards now.

“Those two, who?” Xander tries to peek. The chopper swings sharply to the right. “Okay, lesson learned. Avoid fiery horrible death.”

“I mean, look at her.” Renee has a strange tone in her voice.

“Can’t.” Xander wishes there was a rearview mirror on this infernal contraption. “Fiery horrible death.”

“Oh right.” Renee tries to explain. “I’ve just… She’s always so…” She shakes her head, waiting for words to fill in her blank thoughts. “She’s always got this thing about her. Like she’s not there, you know? Like she’s already out the door and ten steps ahead.”

“That’s our Buffy.” Xander hits a little turbulence.

“But right now she looks… She looks normal or something.” Renee figures it out. “Without the weight she always carries on her shoulders… She looks happy.”

“Okay, this I’ve gotta see.” Xander puts on his best puppy dog face. “Take the control, please?”

“What’re you gonna do for me?” Renee grins. Puppy dog face is the cutest thing ever.

“I dunno.” Xander thinks. Then he gets a grin. Not the goofy boy grin. A real live sexy man grin. “What does mistress desire?”

“Damn, you’re getting good at this!” Renee takes the co-pilot position. “Go, peep at your friends.” She frowns. That came out wrong.

Xander turns around eagerly.

What he sees kinda breaks him a little. For the first time in forever, he sees his friend. Not her war face, or her lonely face, or her stoic face. Just her Buffy face. Leaning against Faith’s shoulder. Fast asleep. Her hair draped across her cheek, her hand cradling Faith’s knee. And a perfect little smile.

He turns away. Back to the big chair. He grins to cover up the lump in his throat.

“Yep. That’s our Buffy.”

**************************************************

**************************************************

FIN
Chapter 7: Hope
“Faith?” Buffy holds the gun out awkwardly. “I’m totally swelling up. Did you hafta hit me so hard?”
“Sorry! Heat of the moment.” Faith smiles at her. Then spins around to kick the bruised minion in the face.
“Need a hand?”
“Nah, B. I got it covered.” Faith shoves Squeaky back with an open hand, laughing when she lands with a clatter in the pile of dirty dishes. “Unless you want some payback on Punky Brewster here.”
Simone raises herself up on her elbows. Watching open mouthed at the friendly exchange.
“Maybe just a little.” Buffy looks at the gun. Looks at Simone. “Get up.”
Simone stands up, dusting the plaster off her clothes. Eyes on the gun.
“The thing about guns…” Buffy inspects it. “You don’t really need to know how to use them. There’s no skill involved, right?” She sticks her tongue out, concentrating. Aims at Simone’s chest. “Like a digital camera. Point and shoot.”
“Actually, Buffy.” Giles steps out of the hallway, pressing a handkerchief to his forehead. “The use of firearms usually requires a certain amount of precision.” He walks over and gently takes the gun from Buffy’s hand. “However, at this range…”
“Where the hell did you come from?” Simone stares at him.
“From the roof, if you must know.” Giles absently answers, while emptying the gun of its bullets.
“You sure you don’t want a piece of this?” Faith smiles over at Buffy, glowing with adrenalin. Bruised Face takes the chance, and lands a high kick to Faith’s forehead.
Faith feels the cut starting just above her eyebrow. She holds it, trying to stop the blood from spilling into her eyes. “Anyone got a Band-Aid?” She gives Squeaky a solid smack, and turns her sights back to Bruised Face.
“What did you do to my crew?” Simone darts her eyes between the three intruders.
“They’re unharmed.” Giles looks at her with his stoic face. “Aside from some future difficulty sitting down.”
“I hid the bodies!” Buffy smirks at her, all self-satisfied. She turns and punches Squeaky in the gut, sending her sprawling across the floor. “I’m talking here!”
“You can’t do this to me!” Simone looks very much like a wild thing.
“It’s already done. Think of it as an intervention.” Buffy knows she’s being patronizing. But she can’t help it. “You’re all high on gunpowder and shooting things up. So you’re going to Slayer Rehab.”
“The hell I am!” Simone backs away. Looking for an exit.
“Not like you got any say.” Finally done beating the minions senseless, Faith strides over to Buffy. “There’s nowhere you can go. We made sure of that.”
“For some reason, Twilight’s gonna think you took their ill-gotten booty and high-tailed it to parts unknown.” Buffy hears Faith giggle. “What?”
“You said booty.”
“What’re you, five?” Buffy rolls her eyes.
“Nope. I’m five by five.” Faith smiles. She gets a shining grin back.
“But… But…” Simone’s confused.
“Basically?” Faith sums it up. “Gotcha!”
“Oh!” Buffy strides up to Simone. “I almost forgot.” She smiles her friendliest smile. Tilts her head.
And knocks her out with a helluva punch.
“Payback.”
*****
“…so, that’s the plan…” Faith hesitates. “Whaddya think?”
“For the record?” Buffy raises her hand. “Hate the plan.”
“Giles?” Faith watches his face for a sign. But he’s too British to give anything away. “Giles!”
“I think it’s bloody brilliant.” Giles says it quietly. “But putting yourself at risk like that…”
“See? Too much risk!” Buffy waves her hands in front of her. A definitive ‘No’ gesture. “We’re looking for something risk-less.”
“Like what?” Faith’s getting agitated. “I don’t think Simone’s up for a pillow fight. We gotta strike now, while we still have a shot!”
“I already had a shot, thanks!” Buffy rolls her shoulder. “I don’t recommend it.”
“Let’s take a moment to lower our voices, perhaps.” Giles looks warily around. Starts again in a low tone. “Faith, what makes you think they’ll try to recruit you?”
“I’m the first round draft pick.” Faith smiles thinly. “I got the invite once already.”
“There has to be another way…” Buffy tries vainly to think of one.
“Twilight’s been playing us from the start. They’re tracking your cell…” Faith points at Buffy. “…and I’m sure they’ve got someone tailing us. I say we use what we know, and use what they know. Play them for a change.”
“No.” Buffy stands up. Looks at Faith. “I won’t let you do this. Not now…” She crosses her arms, and marches off to the bathroom.
“Buffy, you can’t just…” Giles reaches for her, and then his hands drop in defeat.
“Lemme get this one.” Faith smiles lightly at Giles, and then rushes to catch up to Buffy.
She pushes open the door to the bathroom. Checks every stall. Only one is locked.
“B!” Faith knocks. And waits. “Alright fine. If you want me blabbing all about our little surprise party through a bathroom door…”
There’s a click, and the door opens an inch. Faith scoots in, locking it behind her.
Buffy’s sitting on the tank of the toilet. Her feet resting on the seat.
“What’s the deal?” Faith leans against the door.
“I don’t think I can do it.” Buffy looks down at the floor.
“Which part?”
“Any of it.” Buffy notices a roll of toilet paper down there on the linoleum. Her eyes follow it under the partition.
“C’mon Buffy! You been jabbing at me since you got here. I’m sure you can think of something…”
“But I…” Buffy looks up, her eyes running up the length of Faith’s body. “I don’t… It’s different now.”
“So what if it is?” Faith smiles a little at that. “It’s just a game. We play this right? We get Simone off the streets and we get dirt on Twilight.”
“And if we play it wrong?” Buffy shifts her feet. “I can’t… I can’t just leave you there.”
“Nothing’s gonna happen to me.” Faith tries a little lie. “You do your part…”
“I don’t like my part.” Buffy puts on her sulky voice. “I wanna be the Princess!”
“Course you do.” Faith laughs. She’s winning this. “But in the end, Buffy? You’re always the hero. It’s just who you are.”
Buffy looks up at that. Sees the look on Faith’s face. She can’t place it, or define it. But she’s seen it before. It makes her feel strong.
“You’re right.” Buffy stands up. Wipes her hands on her jeans. “And it’s about time I remembered that.”
Faith watches the change in Buffy’s body language. She seems taller. More present.
“Three conditions. One? I’m not going to abandon you.” Buffy stops Faith’s protest with a look. “I’ll make it look good, and then circle back. Hide somewhere ‘till I know you’re safe.”
“You don’t need…”
“This isn’t a discussion.” Buffy’s in full General mode. “Two? We go shopping. I am not fighting evil in this outfit.” But she’s still Buffy.
“You look wicked in that outfit. A little butch…”
“Who can take me seriously in this shirt? And my nails are just crying out for a buff and polish.” Buffy brushes against her, moving to the door.
“What’s three?” Faith tries to move back. Her heels hit the wall.
“Oh. Three.” Buffy smiles. She stands on her toes, and leans in. Slides her hand under Faith’s hair, massaging her neck. And lightly, softly pulls her in.
The sky doesn’t fall and the earth doesn’t tremble. It’s not the kiss to end all kisses. To them, it feels like a beginning. A soft, pliant, open-mouthed beginning.
Buffy breaks away.
“Three’s good.” Faith shows her dimples. “I can get behind three.”
“Thought you might.” Buffy unlocks the door.
“Hold up!” Faith puts her hand over Buffy’s. “I have some terms of my own, y’know.” She leans in. It’s Buffy’s turn to hit the wall.
“Well, really only one.” Faith cups her chin. Shows a rare sweet smile. Brushes her lips against Buffy’s cheek. Her forehead. Her mouth. Sucking on her lips. Tracing them with her tongue. Pushing through to taste the mocha flavoured Buffy-ness. She only pulls away to breathe.
Buffy’s eyes are still closed. Her mouth still parted slightly. Lips plumped by kissing. And a gentle innocence showing on her face. It makes Faith’s chest hurt.
“So, uh.” Faith steps away.
“Mmmm?” Buffy’s eyes flutter open.
“We should get back. Giles…” Faith pulls at the door. It’s stuck.
“I think he can wait…” Buffy flirts shamelessly. Trailing a finger down Faith’s arm.
“You keep looking at me like that?” Faith tugs harder, starting to panic. “Not sure I can.”
Buffy giggles, and takes her foot off the base of the door.
“I mean it this time.” Faith smiles, but she’s only half joking. “You’re a tease.”
“Nuh-uh!” Buffy saunters out of the stall, heading back into the cafe. “I’m the hero.” She pauses, and turns. A glittering grin on her perky face.
“And the hero always gets the girl.”
*****
With a final grunt, Faith drops the last unconscious body on the gravelly rooftop. She checks the bindings. If she can’t break them, no way Simone can.
“Is that everything?” Faith looks around. Goes through her mental list. “Seven dumb-ass chicks, a computer... and oh yeah… Fifty million Euro, give or take.”
“I still vote take!” Buffy looks back over her shoulder. “Giving is for suckers!” She turns her eyes back to the dark horizon. A black speck hovers just below the clouds. It’s the chopper. Or she’s got dirt in her eye.
“Is she still going on about it?” Giles takes of his glasses. Wipes them with his ever present handkerchief.
“Non-stop.” Faith gazes at Buffy looking out into the night. Her hair touched lightly by the moonlight, caught up in the wind. It’s like a scene from a movie. The kind of movie that Faith would never, ever admit to watching.
“Do you think she might...” Giles looks concerned.
“She’s just sulking.” Faith laughs. “She won’t do anything stupid.”
Giles looks at the bags, overflowing with riches.
“It is tempting…” Giles speaks up, as the helicopter starts to drown them out.
“Not you too!” Faith shakes her head. “It’s just wrong when I’m the upstanding citizen.”
“Terrifying, more like.” Giles allows a brief smile.
“Watch it, G.” Faith grins up at him. Ducking down instinctively as the chopper makes its landing.
Buffy walks towards it. Waving and smiling as Xander and Renee hop out.
“Hi guys!”
“Ma’am.” Renee nods to her.
“So, Buffy. I’m here, as ordered.” Xander has his angry on. “What does mistress desire?”
“Knock it off, Xander.” Buffy jumps up and gives him a big hug. “It was all for the good.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” Faith strolls up to him. “Knew we could count on you, though.”
“Faith.” Xander almost smiles. “Wait… Are you evil?”
“Not so you’d notice.” Faith catches a strange look from Buffy. She ignores it, nodding over at Renee. “She yours?”
“Yep.” Xander grins, then grunts as Renee belts him in the stomach. “I mean, not mine in the sense of ownership. Because that’s unhealthy and old fashioned. But in the sense that we, as equals…”
“Quit while you’re behind.” Renee smirks. “So you’re Faith.” She gives her the once over. “You don’t look so tough.”
“She’s feisty!” Faith pats Xander on the back. “Nice catch!”
“Stop torturing the boy.” Giles struggles under the weight of one of the bags. “We need him to fly this infernal contraption.”
“Good. I was running low on stuffy and British.” Xander takes it from him. “Hey Giles.”
“Wanna start with these?” Buffy signals to Renee. She grabs one of the girls and starts dragging.
“Who are they?” Renee grabs another.
“New pop super group.” Buffy slings the girl into a seat. Does up the buckle. “We’re thinking of booking them for the Christmas party.”
“Okay. No more questions.” Renee flops hers in the seat beside.
“Good plan.” Faith picks up the last five bags, leaving Giles to carry the computer.
“What’s in there?” Xander tries to peek.
“Laundry.” Faith bounces past him.
“Secret laundry?” Xander looks incredulous. “You’re not even trying. I deserve a better lie than that!”
“All right, Xander. You wore me down.” Faith drops the bags in the cargo hold. “The bags are full of money. Lots and lots of money.”
“Fine.” Xander stomps off to the cockpit. “Don’t tell me.”
*****
Renee puts her hand on Xander’s knee. He jumps, but only a little.
“I wonder what’s going on…” Renee turns back to peek behind her.
“You mean with the kidnapping and big mysterious bags of Faith’s laundry?” Xander can’t look. He’s working the stick.
“No. I mean, what’s going on between those two.” Renee twists in her seat. Fully backwards now.
“Those two, who?” Xander tries to peek. The chopper swings sharply to the right. “Okay, lesson learned. Avoid fiery horrible death.”
“I mean, look at her.” Renee has a strange tone in her voice.
“Can’t.” Xander wishes there was a rearview mirror on this infernal contraption. “Fiery horrible death.”
“Oh right.” Renee tries to explain. “I’ve just… She’s always so…” She shakes her head, waiting for words to fill in her blank thoughts. “She’s always got this thing about her. Like she’s not there, you know? Like she’s already out the door and ten steps ahead.”
“That’s our Buffy.” Xander hits a little turbulence.
“But right now she looks… She looks normal or something.” Renee figures it out. “Without the weight she always carries on her shoulders… She looks happy.”
“Okay, this I’ve gotta see.” Xander puts on his best puppy dog face. “Take the control, please?”
“What’re you gonna do for me?” Renee grins. Puppy dog face is the cutest thing ever.
“I dunno.” Xander thinks. Then he gets a grin. Not the goofy boy grin. A real live sexy man grin. “What does mistress desire?”
“Damn, you’re getting good at this!” Renee takes the co-pilot position. “Go, peep at your friends.” She frowns. That came out wrong.
Xander turns around eagerly.
What he sees kinda breaks him a little. For the first time in forever, he sees his friend. Not her war face, or her lonely face, or her stoic face. Just her Buffy face. Leaning against Faith’s shoulder. Fast asleep. Her hair draped across her cheek, her hand cradling Faith’s knee. And a perfect little smile.
He turns away. Back to the big chair. He grins to cover up the lump in his throat.
“Yep. That’s our Buffy.”
- 6
- 7
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Complicated Grief