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

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
“Well, so that...happened.”
Revelations Part 1 (Evil Is The Watcher-word)

Buffy sat on a couch in the Bronze, watching the world go by, people dancing, laughing and generally being happy. Normal stuff.
The club was crowded tonight; Dingos were playing and they were proving as popular as ever. Buffy was here with her friends and, having managed to snag a table from the masses, Buffy told them she was getting a drink. But in reality she really wasn’t in the right frame of mind to party and she didn’t want her moping killing the mood. The only thing she was killing tonight was time until her patrol with Giles. And also vampires.
Patrolling with Giles, it didn’t really have the same ring to it as patrolling with Faith. That was something she was missing very much.
‘See Buffy. See Buffy mope. See Buffy act like a crazy person just because she hadn’t seen a certain slayer in almost two weeks.’
11 days to be exact. 11 days that had involved torching sewer monsters, battling vampires, watching her Mom devolve into brat pack mode again and sitting her SAT’s, also again.
And still no sign of Faith.
Buffy had come home early from the Homecoming dance to find a concerned Mom asking about the ‘secret slayer mission’ that Faith was being sent on by Giles and whether Buffy was also going. She then went on to criticize Giles teaching methods and how she just didn’t understand the whole Watcher/Slayer dynamic.
Buffy had tiredly pled ignorance and went upstairs to discover one of Faith’s bags and some of her clothes were missing. Her dress just left discarded on the bed, she’d been and gone. Faith had left to go walkabout, as she’d often done in the past, although before Buffy had never known any particular reason why she’d taken off.
This time she did, one ill-advised kiss and a freak-out later Faith had decided that the mature thing to do was take off and play truant- she was a rebel after all.
Buffy sighed and took a sip of her drink; she knew that her heart wasn’t going to be in tonight’s slaying at all. She didn’t even know what her heart was doing these days; it wasn’t really reliable.
But Buffy knew that somehow this was all Faith’s fault, going and kissing her without even asking, there was an etiquette to these things, involving long looks and first dates and witty...
‘Just substitute patrolling for dating and maybe some misread signals and bam, Faith kissage.’
Buffy looked up, suddenly aware of her Willow and Xander standing there.
“That’s some deep thinking, right there.” Xander said to Willow as he looked down at Buffy.
“Very statue-like,” mused Willow, “Hey, maybe she’s keenly scanning the Bronze, y’know, for vampires.”
“I doubt it, Will. Vamps couldn’t breathe in here it’s so crowded.”
Willow smirked. “They don’t actually breathe.”
Xander waved his hand dismissively. “You know what I mean. Hey, maybe she’s wondering why ‘fat chance’ and ‘slim chance’ mean the same thing.”
Buffy rolled her eyes at them. “Stop it, you guys. I was just...hey, actually why is that?”
Willow sat down across from Buffy and regarded her. “So, what were you doing?”
“I was...getting a drink, like I said, and then I sat down. Then I spaced out. That’s the story so far.” Buffy shrugged her shoulders. “No drama here, really.”
“So, you wanna strut your stuff on the dance floor?” Xander glanced over his shoulder, “Or, well you could at least bob your head to the music, it’s kind of poky over there at the moment.”
“Ooh, we could pretend it’s like a mosh pit,” Willow said brightly, “except I’m not exactly sure what you do in a mosh pit...”
Cordelia made her way through the crowd, frowning in annoyance as she joined them. “Can I just say I liked this place before it got popular.”
Willow looked at her. “You can, you have and I’m sure you will again in the future.”
Xander put his arm around Cordelia. “It’s a burden being a trend-setter, hon.”
“Don’t I know it,” Cordelia looked around at everybody. “What are we doing anyway, is Buffy still moping?”
Buffy protested. “I’m not moping, I’m just...reflective. Reflective Buffy.”
Cordelia wasn’t buying it. “Just because your bestest new slaying pal goes off and decides to get a life of her own, your nose gets all out of joint.”
Willow was a bit more sympathetic. “Its okay, Buffy. I miss her too.”
Buffy put down her drink and sat up. “Guys, for the record, I’m fine. So Faith takes off when she feels like it, sure it’d be nice if I could do anything like that but I can’t. I get to be the responsible chosen one.”
“Yeah, we have responsible chosen one and tough, rebellious chosen one. Now all we need is there to be three other slayers and you can all wear matching outfits, in different colours. And you can all have unique and easily identifiable character traits.” Xander quipped.
Willow frowned at Xander. “How is that helping?”
“Heh, sorry...but we know she’s gonna come back right, I mean we’ve all made her feel sort of welcome.” Xander gave Buffy a searching look, “Why’d she even take off anyway?”
“Maybe Faith killed her boyfriend too.” Everyone looked at Cordelia, “What, it happened once already, right? Could totally happen again.”
Just then Oz came over and took Willow’s hands. “Hey.”
Willow smiled up at him. “You made it through the groupies okay?”
“Well I won’t lie, it was harsh. I might’ve left a couple of layers of skin behind - those girls are hazardous.” He bent nuzzled her hair, “Worth it though.”
Buffy looked at her friends, back and forth between her two groups of friends. Two couples actually, all looking at Buffy and her lonely group of one with pity. And with that Buffy suddenly found her motivation to hit things, Giles was going to be so impressed by the amount of violence she was going to inflict, he might even clean his glasses in some sort of sympathetic gesture towards the vampires who were going to die tonight. She wouldn’t even need...
“Faith.” Willow said in surprise as she spotted the brunette swaggering over to them.
Faith just grunted. “Yeah, what’s up?” She looked at Buffy and gestured over her shoulder, “Time to motivate.”
Buffy tried not to gawp at the sudden appearance of the other slayer. “Huh?”
Faith looked exasperated. “Come on, G’s expectin’ us.”
“Have fun on your travels?” Xander asked.
Willow looked between Buffy and Faith curiously. “Yeah, Faith, where did you get to anyway?”
“Tell ya later,” Faith watched as Buffy hurriedly grabbed her jacket and hat before walking back the way she came.
“See you guys later.” Buffy said as she followed Faith through the crowd. “Faith, wait up!”
Buffy made her way out into the alley in time to see Faith pausing to put on her jacket. A denim one over a white t-shirt, plus tight leather pants, her slaying outfit.
“How did you find me?”
“Went to your place to drop off some stuff and said hi to your Mom, then I rang Giles to tell him I was back. He said you were probably here,” Faith smirked at her, “not exactly a head scratcher, B.”
“Okay, next question, where the hell have you been for the past two weeks?” Buffy gave her her very best scowl, the one she’d been practising with a lot.
“I took off for a while, so what? After all the fighting at Homecoming I needed to get some, y’know. And this guy at the Fish Tank knew about a party in L.A so I went.” Faith shrugged. “Hellmouth isn’t the only place that things needed killing, B. I did my thing, birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim, slayers’ gotta slay. I figure you had things covered here so...L.A had plenty of targets.”
Buffy felt her anger deflate a little. “But, you just took off without saying anything. I was worried.” Faith snorted in disbelief. “I was.”
“Buffy, you took off for three months and didn’t tell anybody where you were goin’; don’t think you should be getting on my case about this.”
Buffy couldn’t believe her. “That was different. The whole thing with Angel...I had to get away.”
“Right, away from your friends, your Mom, your Watcher, everyone who gives a damn about you, fallin’ over each other to help you.” Faith rolled her eyes as she walked a way, “Musta been real rough.”
Buffy ran after her. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Having to kill someone you love isn’t in the same league as...what happened between us.”
Faith frowned and stopped to look at her. “Huh?”
Buffy folded her arms. “Nice try, Faith. You ran off because we...you kissed me.”
Faith shook her head as she turned away. “Just horny, is all. You were too, but being a tight-ass you got all freaked out ‘cause you were kissing a chick. Bet you’ve spent all this time stewing in your own juices, still can’t admit that slaying makes you...”
Buffy made a face. “It does not! God, would you just stop with the imagery...” Buffy touched Faith’s shoulder so she faced her again. “I’m trying to talk about something that happened, okay? I...handled it badly, and I didn’t want to leave things that way. If you hadn’t run off...”
Faith looked bemused. “Wow, Buffy. I hate to burst your bubble, but kissing you didn’t exactly linger in the memory, ‘kay. Too busy actually having fun to wring my hands over some dumb-fuck thing you blurted out. I came back here to slay, that’s it. So, you wanna keep Giles waiting go ahead. Me, I’m done.”
With that Faith turned and sauntered off towards the cemetery, leaving Buffy more than a little hurt.
That’s not exactly how Buffy imagined their reunion happening, she’d pictured some apologising, a hug maybe, then they’d go and get ice cream.
‘And the sun would always shine, and the birds would sing, and everything would be great forever and ever. Stupid brain.’
She exhaled heavily and tried to calm down. This was just Faith being defensive, lashing out and acting like nothing happened, shutting Buffy down when she tried to talk about it.
Well, if she wanted to play things that way, fine. Buffy could wait; be patient, get her to open up again. Then they could kiss and make-out. Damn it, what was wrong with her? Make-up, just the make-up part.
Hesitantly, she put on her ski-cap and hurried after the other slayer.

*~~*

“Good evening, Faith, so nice of you to join us.” Giles paused as he saw Buffy lagging behind. “Buffy.”
Giles was dressed appropriately for the surprisingly chilly evening, and had armed himself with a thermos of tea.
“Okay, G. Just point us at the vamps and we’ll get dusting.” Faith seemed as eager as Buffy had been to dish out some violence.
“I though we’d start over at Restfield, see if we can’t work on your co-ordination.”
Buffy nodded. “Lead the way.” Giles did just that and Buffy walked into step next to the other slayer. “So, apart from oodles of sex, what else did you do in L.A?”
Faith seemed to relax a little at Buffy’s conciliatory tone and smiled a little. “Just killing evil things y’know, some vamps, a Vahrall demon, and a mime over on South Beach- nothin’ special.”
“Sounds fun.” Buffy said, allowing a smile of her own, “Well, you missed the return of Ethan Rayne; guess it sucks to be you.”
Faith looked bummed for a second. “Aw damn, he come back for Halloween?”
“Nope, this time is was cursed candy. All the grown-ups suddenly started acting like teens. Scariest. Thing. Ever.”
Faith smirked at the thought. “All the grown ups, huh? Even...” She gestured at Giles as he walked in front of them.
“No, thank god. I made sure he didn’t get any of it. Back in his youth Giles was kind of...wild. It would’ve been ugly.” Buffy was very thankful she’d managed to stop Giles and her Mom...reuniting, a definite improvement on before.
“Wild, huh?” Buffy saw Faith look Giles over speculatively before grinning. “Yeah, I could see that.”
Buffy’s eyes widened. “You did not just check out Giles.” She hissed.
Faith nodded. “Sure did.”
‘This again.’ Buffy shuddered slightly. “But he’s...old and he’s our Watcher, which adds an extra layer of icky.”
Faith sneered a little at the other girl. “Geez, lighten up, princess. I’ve banged guys older than him ‘fore, plus he’s your Watcher, not mine.” Her voice was uncharacteristically tinged with bitterness.
Buffy didn’t know how to respond to Faith’s sudden change in tone or what she’d just said, a knot formed in her stomach. “I, uh, didn’t know you felt that way...”
Faith just shrugged like it was nothing and fell silent.
“Faith...”
Giles interrupted. “Right, here we are girls; there’s been an unusual amount of vampire activity in this area making it entirely suitable for our purposes.” He turned to regard them both. “Two active slayers will give us a rare opportunity to hone and perfect both your techniques...”
Faith interrupted. “Got one, this sucker’s mine!” Faith ran passed Giles as a vampire appeared around a nearby mausoleum. Buffy spotted another one, growling as he flanked them to the right.
“Watch and learn, Giles.” Buffy quipped as she raced over to the vamp. She saw Faith slam full tilt into hers, knocking him to the ground before grabbing him and throwing him bodily over a nearby stone bench.
Meanwhile Buffy dodged a couple of aggressive punches from her opponent, countering with a low kick to the leg followed by a fiercer roundhouse to the side, keeping the vamp on his toes. The vampire spun and managed to catch her across the face with a lucky punch before moving in close to grab her shoulder. Buffy let him try, before seizing and wrenching his wrist one way and then the other, using the momentum to fling him to the ground.
She snatched a look at Giles to see him sitting and watching; content to pour tea from his flask, a few metres away Faith grabbed her vampire’s leg as he tried to kick her before flipping him over, she sure didn’t lack for strength.
Buffy saw her vampire rise and barrel towards her, she ducked and used his momentum to drive an elbow into his stomach and then another into his face, spinning into a double roundhouse to finish him off, leaving him in a daze.
Relieved, Buffy pulled a stake, pushed her opponent so he was back to back with his fellow vamp. Just like last time, she jammed her stake in as Faith did the same and the two vamps were gone.
Buffy smiled in triumph and raised her hand to high-five Faith “Synchronised slaying.” but the other girl ignored it and turned away.
“You’re gonna leave me hanging?” She protested.
Faith shrugged as she walked over to Giles. “Whatever. So, G how was that?”
“Sloppy.” Another voice spoke from the darkness. ‘Oh, no. Not now. This just redefined sucky timing.’
From behind the bushes stepped Gwendolyn Post. Mrs. Holding a stopwatch as she regarded the two slayers. Giles looked on, slightly baffled.
She looked at Faith and spoke in clipped tones. “You telegraph punches.” Then at Buffy. “Leave blind sides open and, for a school night’s slaying take entirely too much time. Which one of you is Faith?”
Faith just stared at her defiantly. “Depends. Who the hell are you?”
‘Bad news. Really bad news.’

*~~*

They had all made their way from the cemetery to the school in relative silence, the two Watchers walking ahead of them and Faith staring antagonistically at the back of Mrs. Post. Who in turn had spoken in hushed tones to Giles so that the two girls couldn’t hear what was being said.
That knot that had formed in her stomach since Faith had come back seemed to have doubled in size; the friendship between her and Faith was really shaky at the moment and didn’t need interference by some primping witch. Buffy would have to stop this, just tell Giles to check her credentials or references or whatever and then Faith and her can get to fight over who gets to kick Her Majesty’s ass on the way out of town.
Although for now Buffy just sat in the library watching the evil Mrs. Post sweep about like she owned the place, running an evil, critical eye over Giles prized book collection. Giles was leaning and nervously cleaning his glasses. Faith stood by the table, arms crossed as she glared at the older woman.
“I’m telling you I don’t need a new Watcher! No offence, lady, I just have this problem with authority figures. They end up kinda dead.” That said she then sat down next to Buffy and slouched.
Buffy vaguely wondered why Faith was so anti-Watcher when she’d just told Buffy how much she resented the fact that Buffy had Giles, did she really think he was that cute? The girl made no sense.
Mrs. Post turned to face Faith as she finished poking about. “Duly noted, and fortunately, it’s not up to you.” She then looked at Giles, “Mr. Giles- where do you keep the rest of your books?”
Giles seemed nonplussed as he put on his glasses. “I’m sorry, the rest?”
“Yes, the actual library.” She paused for a moment. “Oh, I see.”
Giles got defensive. “I assure you, Mrs. Post, this is the finest occult reference collection...”
“...this side of the Atlantic.” Mrs Post finished, “I’m sure. Do you have Hume’s Paranormal Encyclopaedia?” She gazed coolly at Giles who just looked down at the desk.
Mrs. Post walked back and forth behind the two slayers before she continued dryly. “The Labyrinth Maps of Malta?”
Buffy looked pleadingly at Giles. ‘Slap this bitch down.’
“It’s on order.” He muttered.
Mrs. Post mercilessly continued. “Well, I suppose you have Sir Robert Kane’s Twilight Compendium?”
“Oh, uh, yes.” Giles flailed around looking for it, “Yes, yes I do.” He eagerly showed it to the woman, Buffy had never seen him lose his dignity so fast. This lady was good, scary good.
Mrs. Post smiled condescendingly. “Well of course you do.” She walked stiffly past him. “I have been sent by the council for a very important reason. Faith needs a Watcher. I am to act in that capacity, and report back.”
Faith leaned forward. “Excuse me, Mary Poppins; you don’t seem to be listening...”
Giles interrupted her, trying to regain some authority. “Now, Faith, if the council feels you need closer observation, then we’ll all, of course, cooperate.”
Mrs Post regarded him coolly. “The council wishes a report on the entire situation here, including you.”
“Why, is the council suddenly worried about Giles’ tiny library? We’ve managed fine so far.” Buffy said, trying not to sound too mocking.
Even so, Giles seemed surprised by her outburst. “Buffy...”
But Mrs. Post wasn’t finished. “Yes, I supposed ‘managed’ is an apt description, as would be ‘muddled through somehow’. The council is concerned that operations here seem somewhat haphazard. Sloppy even.” Post regarded Faith, “Faith, sit up and pay attention.”
To Buffy’s surprise Faith did so, looking a little chastised. Giles subtly gestured for Buffy to do the same but she just ignored him.
Post continued. “And we cannot afford to be careless, especially now. A demon named Lagos is coming here, to the Hellmouth.” She gestured at Giles, “Mr. Giles, an illustration of Lagos, if you please.”
“Oh, ah, yes...” Giles hesitantly started to search amongst his books, Buffy almost winced.
Post allowed a small smile. “Perhaps later. Lagos seeks the glove of Myhnegon. No record of this glove’s full power exists. We do know that it is highly dangerous, and cannot fall into the hands of the demon. Lagos must be stopped.”
Giles looked up from his books. “What do you propose?”
Post gave him a withering smile. “Well, if its not too radical suggestion, I thought we might kill him.”
‘Ouch, another intellectual bitch slap.’ Post continued, “I suggest two slayers for a coordinated hunt. We believe the glove to be buried in a tomb somewhere, so Lagos will be headed for the cemetery.”
“There is more than one in Sunnydale.” Giles commented.
“I see. How many?”
“Twelve,” Buffy piped up. “But Giles makes sure we know them all like the back of our hands. So patrolling them shouldn’t be a problem, right Faith?”
The other slayer just scowled at her and Giles looked a little puzzled.
Mrs Post gave them that infuriating unflappable smile. “Very well, we shall just have to take them one at a time.” She spoke directly to Giles, “Anything in your books that might pinpoint the exact location of the tomb would be useful, but then we cannot ask for miracles.”
By now Giles just looked exasperated.
“We’ll begin tomorrow at sunset,” She nodded her head in the direction of the library doors, “Faith, with me please.”
Buffy watched Faith meekly follow Mrs. Post as she left. And since Faith never went anywhere meekly Buffy decided that Post must be using magic. Or some strange British mind-control device they use for...pacifying the natives or whatever.
Giles took off his glasses, he looked a little dazed. “Well. That was bracing.”
Buffy nodded. “Like a hurricane or a bomb blast is bracing. Can I kill her?”
Giles smiled slightly. “Best not. The council might take a dim view of that.”
“But I bet we’d get points for initiative, right?” Buffy leaned forward, “Seriously, we should get the council on the phone and check her out.”
Giles seemed perplexed by that suggestion. “I don’t see any reason why that’s necessary. After all she came here to warn us. Unless you’re suggesting that this is some kind of unorthodox test.” Giles shook his head. “No Buffy, we mustn’t waste any time with formalities.”
“But maybe she’s lying about something else? Maybe she has an agenda or an interior motive?”
Giles regarded her dryly. “I think you mean ulterior motive.”
Buffy frowned. “Whatever, we just need...”
Giles interrupted her sharply. “Really, that’s enough Buffy. Mrs. Post is here to act as Faith’s Watcher, and has also delivered us a warning we would be foolish not to heed.” He stood up and scratched his forehead, “You should go on home, I clearly have a long night ahead of me.”
Buffy knew that she was being dismissed and she couldn’t push Giles any harder without making him suspicious. She decided to change the subject, “Hey, uh, anything on the whole wish thing, Angel coming back and stuff, it’s been a couple of weeks...”
Giles nodded distractedly. “Yes, quite. Well, let’s see, I’ve, uh, I’ve narrowed down the search quite extensively, ruled out several cursed objects that cast powerful glamour’s, dream imps or vengeance demons- they don’t work through dreams and their motives are quite different.” He hesitated, “If you can remember anything else that could help...”
“I’ll rack my brain, see if anything pops loose.” Buffy decided this wasn’t the best time to mention her body art, but since her own fumbling research into the subject had led her to a book about remote tribes of pigmies, she probably did need Giles’ help.
She said goodnight and left him to his books.

*~~*

Faith was sitting on the front step when Buffy got home.
“Your Mom’s gone to bed and I don’t have a key.” She shrugged as she explained.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I forgot how late it was.” Buffy stepped up to the front door and got her keys out. She felt Faith get up and move behind her.
“So, how didja sneak in and out all those times without your Mom knowing ‘bout it.” Faith’s husky voice made Buffy’s stomach flip-flop a little, she’d missed her more than she thought.
“Oh, just snuck out of my bedroom window and across the porch roof. Very ninja.” Buffy make a shushing motion as they entered, “You hungry? We could probably grab something in the kitchen.”
“Sure.” Faith followed Buffy down the dark hallway and into the kitchen, she then slid onto on a stool while Buffy slapped on a light and opened the fridge.
Buffy took out a pot of vanilla yoghurt and a big bowl of leftover carbonara and pushed the latter towards Faith. “Pour in half a cup of water, stir and nuke for two minutes, and voilà, pasta goodness.”
Faith took the bowl with a grin. “You’re a regular iron chef.”
Buffy sat on one of the stools and watched the other slayer move about as she ate her yoghurt. Yum, it did tend to taste nicer after slaying, no denying it.
‘That’s just because of the brush with death thing; last meals on death row probably taste nice too. No way Faith is on the money about the whole slaying sitch.’
The microwave hummed quietly in the dark as the pasta rotated, Faith impatiently tapped the counter with her fingers.
Buffy found herself thinking about all the times she snuck in here alone, past midnight after an evening of slaying. Sitting in the dark as she quickly ate something before bed. It was always so lonely, so quiet. The rest of the world, her Mom, friends, everybody, switched off all their worries and got a few blissful hours of sleep while she sat in the dark, thinking that her life would always be like this. Sitting there alone, doing her slayer duty in secret, Buffy felt left behind as the rest of the world moved on oblivious.
But now, with Faith, it was the two of them, like they were sharing something secret, eating and talking and laughing and it was the world that was missing out, because they weren’t here to see it.
Faith sat across from Buffy and dug into the bowl with a fork, smiling widely like it was some big luxury and not just leftovers. Pursing her lips Faith lightly blew on the steaming pasta before popping some into her mouth and chewing with delight, moaning softly.
Before she could stop herself Buffy blurted, “I missed you.”
Faith stopped chewing and stared at Buffy with an unreadable expression.
Buffy swallowed a little nervously. “About what I said, I...wasn’t worried about you; I know you can take care of yourself. But I missed you, like, all the time you were gone. I guess that’s why I was mad at you. I mean, um, I just wish...actually no, I just wanted us to argue and shout and then be friends again. I didn’t want you to go away, and I’m really sorry about what I said. Every day I felt bad about it. So, um, sorry, again.”
Buffy stopped and stared down at her yoghurt. Great, instead of joking and banter and fun, now Faith was gonna run off again or sneer at Buffy and tell her to grow up, or loosen up, or do something upwards.
Moments ticked by, was the kitchen clock always that loud?
Buffy heard Faith shift a little. “Listen B, I’m gonna finish this upstairs, ‘kay. Maybe I’ll see you in the morning.” She heard the other girl get up and head for the kitchen door.
‘Well, that was pretty humiliating. No wonder I’m so limber, I spend a lot of time sticking my foot in my...’
“I missed you too, B.” Faith had stopped at the doorway and had turned to look at her, “It just...hurt, what’cha said, even if you didn’t mean it.”
Buffy met her eyes. “I didn’t. I promise.”
“Anyways, I didn’t like being gone so long. Kept missing you and your dopey friends...”
Buffy smiled. “Their the dopiest, but they do grow on you.”
Faith blew out a breath and shook her head like she was going crazy. “I’m gonna go, try out my new bed. ‘Night.”
Buffy watched her go, a bubble of happiness forming in her chest. She actually felt better now than at any time since Homecoming night, Faith was back, they were okay. Not great but okay. And tomorrow, Buffy would try a different approach; if Giles wouldn’t help her then she was sure Angel would. After all he fetched the glove last time, and Buffy was pretty sure he even knew how to destroy it. Mrs. Post wasn’t getting her hands on the glove of...the magic mitten any time soon.

*~~*

Buffy carefully parted the curtains and stepped into the mansion interior, pausing slightly to let her eyes adjust from afternoon sun to the gloom of Angel’s home. A flicker of movement from the fireplace caught her attention as she moved forward.
She stopped as she saw a bare-chested Angel, moving slowly, purposefully and gracefully as he trained. Firelight played across his pale skin, his motions smooth and steady as he slowly came to a stop. He bent his head as if exhausted but then stiffened and looked up at her.
‘Busted.’ “Um, hey,” Buffy said with an awkward wave, “That looked...you’re looking good. I-I mean...”
“I’m getting stronger,” Angel finished, walking over to the sofa and hurriedly putting on a shirt. “It helps...with the pain, lets me focus.” He turned towards her, shirt still open, “How have you been, Buffy?”
‘Mainly...sexually frustrated. But I guess you’d know something about that.’
Buffy shook those thoughts from her head. “Fine, I, um, brought you some liquid lunch.” She shrugged off her backpack and took out a paper bag. “See, Sunnydale has a delivery service for everything...”
She finished lamely as she walked over and offered up the bag.
Angel reached over and took it before sitting down on the couch. “So, how are things... in general? Your boyfriend?”
Buffy frowned. “My boyfriend? Oh, um, that...it’s kind of over, actually. Turns out he wasn’t so solid, he dumped me.”
Angel nodded in sympathy. “I’m sorry.” He said it softly, like he meant it. He put the bag of blood to one side and stared into the flickering light of the fireplace, to Buffy it seemed that he was trying to avoid looking at her.
Buffy looked at him curiously. “Are you? Sorry, I mean?”
He didn’t look at her. “I want you to be happy, that’s all.”
Buffy stopped herself getting drawn in to all this again, so close but yet always separated, no matter what she did.
She sighed as she sat on the sofa next to him, being near him was still a comfort if nothing else. “Well, I am happy, in general. Took my SAT’s last week, think I aced them. They underestimated me and that was their fatal mistake.”
Angel glanced over questioningly. “SAT’s?”
“School exams, see what college I’m going to get into, or if I tumble spiralling down into the fast food job category.”
Angel’s lips curled slightly. “But you did well?”
“Yeah.” Buffy decided to get to the reason she visited, “Listen, I have news of a slay-ey variety and I might need your help, so...”
Angel looked at her steadily. “Anything I can do, I will.”
She met his gaze. ‘Oh, boy...’ “So, the last few weeks there’s been a new Slayer in town. She was called after Kendra...after what happened. She’s American, from Boston.”
Angel nodded softly. “Why did she come here?”
“Well her Watcher died and she heard about me, I guess she got curious. She turned up and became my new patrolling buddy.”
“That’s good.” Angel’s eyes seemed to look right into her, “I worry about you. About not being there to help, I’m glad someone is.”
Buffy found herself smiling happily. “Yeah, Faith has been a big help for a while now. She’s kind of complicated but fun, in an unstable kind of way.”
Angel was watching her closely, his face expressionless. “Faith? That’s her name.”
Buffy smiled. “I know. What is it with Slayers and unique first names? She’s nice though.”
“Does she...Have you told her about me? I understand if you haven’t...”
“I did tell her.” Buffy reassured him, “She doesn’t get it...I’m not sure she gets relationships in general and having one with a vampire...” Buffy shook her head, “And I’m pretty sure she won’t like you. But she’s not going to accidently slay you if you pop out for snacks or... you know what I mean, whatever you go into town for.”
“That’s...reassuring.” Angel said straight-faced, “Oh, and doughnuts. Jelly ones. Hell doesn’t have them.”
Buffy laughed a little. “That’s something priests should mention in their sermons more often.” This was nice; she was having a conversation, an actual conversation with Angel. Minimal tension and very few longing glances.
“So, how can I help?”
“Oh, right. We got told by Faith’s new Watcher about a demon coming to town looking for an all-powerful artefact, like something out of D&D. The demon’s called a...Lagos, or his name is Lagos, some confusion there.”
The name caught Angel’s attention, as Buffy knew it would. “Lagos. I remember them from...a long time ago, used to be a lot more of them around in those days. Pretty rare now, they don’t crop up in civilized areas much, too caught up in their own feudal wars.” He looked in concern at Buffy, “If it’s here then that means this artefact must be powerful, Buffy. Be careful.”
“Two slayers, double the fun, remember? Or maybe it’s half the fun...Not that there is much fun to be had by killing a demonathing.” Buffy refocused, “Anyway, he’s looking for the Glove of...I wanna say mini-golf, but that probably isn’t right. Could you ask around? See if you can turn up anything?”
Angel nodded grimly. “As soon as the sun goes down I’ll go, I might have a few ideas where to start.”
They stood up together from the couch, suddenly a lot nearer than they’d been sitting. Buffy felt how close Angel was, how tall and solid and...She looked up at him; he was gazing into her eyes.
Still staring she said. “I really have to go.”
Angel nodded and raised his hand to her face, brushing away a strand of hair. “You’ll be careful?”
Buffy nodded and took a step back. “I’m very cautious nowadays.” She tried to keep her voice firm.
Angel stepped away, picked up the container of blood and moved over to the dying fire. Embers cast shadows on his sombre face. “You should go.”
Buffy turned to go before stopping. “And another thing...Faith’s Watcher, her name’s Gwendolyn Post. I don’t like her and I don’t trust her.” She looked at Angel who gave her his patented penetrating look, “If she comes near you... just don’t turn your back on her, okay.”
Angel gave her a small, sad smile that made Buffy feel like her heart was breaking and melting at the same time. “I’m very cautious nowadays.”
Buffy smiled sadly before leaving.
‘Girl with a purpose, channel all this frustration into killing a big, stupid demon and then burn the glove as Little Miss Stuffy looks on, horrified. Then, maybe I’ll feel better.’

*~~*

A bored Buffy and Faith walked lazily through cemetery number six, but Maple Wood was as dead as Buffy remembered it; Lagos must be at the next one.
Faith cracked her knuckles. “Man, wish this guy would show himself already. I’m gettin’ kinda antsy, y’know?”
Buffy was staring at her hand thinking about using a different nail varnish; this stuff came off too easily. “Not really, he’ll show eventually. Angel said that these guys aren’t big on subtle, I’ll save my strength ‘til then.”
Faith looked at the other girl speculatively. “So you and Angel just talk shop now, huh? Must be weird, chatting with your ex.”
Buffy nodded absentmindedly. “It’s a little weird, granted. But he does have info, he can help. And I can’t let personal stuff get in the way.”
“Gotta say, I’m a little curious ‘bout him, I mean I haven’t even seen the guy.” Faith smirked, “He lives in that big mansion over on Crawford, right? Maybe I’ll stop by sometime, just to sneak a peak, y’know?”
Buffy didn’t rise to the bait. “Go ahead. I’ve told him about you so I don’t think he’ll mind.” She looked at Faith, “Anyway, how did you treat your exe’s?”
“Dropped ‘em to the curb and ran, B.” Faith said scornfully. “I tell ya I’ve had a few shockers.” She counted off on her fingers, “Ronnie. Deadbeat. Steve. Klepto. Kenny. Drummer. Eventually I had to face up to my destiny as a loser magnet. Now it’s strictly get some and get gone. You can’t trust guys.”
Buffy smiled at the other girl’s cynicism. “Well, Faith, guys are kind of everywhere. You can’t have dated all of them. And I’ve even read about some nice ones.”
“Yeah, that’s why they call it fiction, Buffy. It ain’t real.”
Buffy persisted. “But still, girl like you has a lot of options.”
Faith stopped and looked at her. “What d’ya mean, ‘a girl like me’.”
Buffy came to a stop and shrugged awkwardly. “I mean, you’re smart, funny, and beautiful. Guys would probably throw themselves to the vampires, hoping you’d rescue them. If they knew vampires existed, of course.”
Faith frowned at that and started walking again, not saying anything for a while. “You really think I’m smart.” She sounded unsure.
Buffy decided not to poke fun. “Yes Faith, I think you’re smart, when you want to be. I think you have lots of good points, some of them not so obvious.”
Faith smiled and wiggled her eyebrows.”And some pretty obvious ones too.” She pulled back her jacket and gestured to her tight top and pants, the vulnerability having vanished.
Buffy looked her over and shook her head. “You’re impossible.”
Faith laughed a little huskily. “Hey, that’s pretty good. Nobody ever said my tits were impossible before.”
Buffy reddened. “That’s not what I meant.”
Faith grinned at Buffy’s discomfort as they made their way on to Main Street, and nudged her shoulder. “Hey, thanks anyways, just as long as you ain’t bigging me up so we can go on some double date thing. ‘Cause like I said I don’t date anymore.”
Buffy sighed. “Nope, they are plenty of couples around already. All my friends for example, thanks to me they’re problem free.” Buffy decided to change the subject onto something a little less depressing, “So, what did you and Miss Post talk about last night?”
Faith shrugged. “She wanted to know a little about what I did back in Boston, what I’d killed, how much training I had and stuff.” Faith stepped off the sidewalk to swing round a tree. “Plus, y’know, she wanted the skinny on what was going on here. You, your buds and Angel.”
Buffy froze and her eyes widened. “You told her about Angel? What did you say?”
Faith looked a little confused. “Just the basics, y’know, vamp cursed by gypsies, got all guilt ridden. Went bad again and now he’s back ‘cause of somethin’ you did. What’s the prob?”
“So, pretty much everything.” She scowled at Faith, “You shouldn’t have done that, Faith. The stuff with Angel is private; I don’t like strangers knowing about any of it.”
Faith gave Buffy a bemused look. “What’s the big deal; she’s a Watcher, Buffy. They like to know stuff, it gives them their jollies. Anyway, she’s heard of Angel, he’s, like, famous, or somethin’.”
Buffy cursed inwardly, if Post knew Angel was a vampire and tried to take the glove then who knows what could happen, what might change. Okay, she just wouldn’t leave her alone. Kill demon guy, take glove, what could Mrs. Post do? Apart from fill Faith’s head with lies...
“Faith, listen. You shouldn’t trust her, okay? She kinda gives me the wiggins, it’s...hard to explain.”
Faith stood there and crossed her arms, she raised an expectant eyebrow. “Try.”
Buffy tried to find a way to explain that sounded sane and that wasn’t a total lie. She gestured helplessly. “Just instinct, I guess.”
Faith looked suspicious. “Whatever. It’s not like I dig her either, you wanna keep secrets, fine.” The brunette looked around, seemingly annoyed, “Look, we’re oh for six tonight. Let’s blow this off.”
Buffy shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Shady Hill’s pretty close. C’mon, you haven’t even hit anything yet...”
Faith sighed heavily. “Fine, one more and then I’m leavin’ your ass and goin’ for some ribs, understand?”
Buffy smiled happily, “You won’t be disappointed.”
“Yeah, yeah.”

*~~*

Buffy couldn’t tell if Faith’s sulking was for real or if she just didn’t feel like talking anymore. The brunette walked next to her, kicking the occasional pile of leaves and punching her fist into her palm, Faith just grunted at any attempt that Buffy made to start another conversation.
Buffy gave up after a while, deciding to concentrate on looking out for Lagos, pretending that a seven-foot tall demon in medieval garb would sneak up on her in the dark. Shady Hill was pretty opulent as cemeteries went; lots of gabled mausoleums, wrought iron fences and stone statues. Buffy more often that not found herself admiring a creepy piece of gothic architecture rather than talking to the pretty girl next to her.
‘I hate my life.’
Suddenly the sound of stone grating on stone cut through the night and an impossibly large stone lid slammed to the ground in front of the two girls. Faith, startled, looked up ahead to see Lagos a few metres away. His back was to the two of them as he busily ransacked and ripped through a tomb, looking for something.
Buffy touched Faith’s arm and whispered quietly. “See what a little patience gets you? We’ll come at him from two sides, try and keep him off balance...”
“Screw that.” Faith said before rushing forward before Buffy could stop her and leaping up to fly kick the demon in the back.
Lagos grunted and turned in confusion; Faith grabbed his shoulder and laid into him with a heavy backhand- forehand smash, before punching him in the gut and slugging him in the face, finishing off by kicking him in the side, seeming to pour all her frustrations into pounding him.
Lagos didn’t even seem to react to the strikes, simply grabbing Faith by the throat and hurled her back into the wall of a nearby mausoleum. Buffy rushed passed the downed slayer at Lagos, drawing his focus. She kicked low, slamming her heel against his knee and punched him in the jaw, then ducking a clumsy grab.
To her left she saw Faith struggle to her feet, her face contorted in anger. Buffy kicked low again, aiming for Lagos’ groin, but instead caught his leg. His sweeping arm came down and managed to glance against her thigh, the power of it still enough to send her tumbling to the ground.
Still confused Lagos turned his attention to Faith as she rushed him again. Drawing back an arm to haymaker him, she ran straight into a massive fist on an upswing that caught her in the gut. Faith was lifted off her feet and hurled to the ground in pain.
Buffy came up and at Lagos again, going low once more and kicking him in the leg before booting him between the legs. She watched as the demon doubled over, exposing the large axe strapped to his back, with a grin of triumph Buffy quickly reached to grab it.
That proved to be a mistake.
Lagos, still doubled over, turned towards Buffy, moving so the axe managed to elude her grasp. Realising she was too close, Buffy tried to back off but an elbow from the demon crashed against the back of her neck. She dropped to the ground and tried to scramble away but before she could he swung an arm down that slammed against her face. Pain pierced her skull and bursts of light formed behind Buffy’s eyes as she felt him grasp her by her coat and neck, pick her up and hurl her through the air.
Buffy saw flashes of the moon overhead, grass, and the wall of the mausoleum as she hurtled towards it. Buffy threw up her arms to cushion the blow but something smashed into her legs, knocking them skyward. She heard Faith grunt and then she went cart-wheeling to the ground, her head slammed awkwardly into something hard.
Buffy dimly heard Faith call her name in alarm before the world fell away and blackness swept in.
Buffy arose from unconsciousness to sounds of combat, she could hear Faith screaming. “You don’t touch her! You hear me you bastard!” Buffy managed to lift her head up, feeling an incredible weight dragging her down, like her skull was tied to the ground.
She saw Faith and Lagos fighting, the dark-haired slayer punching and dodging the demon, her fists flailing against him. Buffy saw Lagos briefly on the defensive before blocking and grabbing Faith’s arm, hauling her into the air, twirling her around like she weighed nothing before smashing her down into the empty tomb with a bone-jarring crunch. Roaring in frustration the demon then stalked away from the two of them, seeming oblivious to its victory.
Buffy lay there, her arm reached out and touched rough stone; the tomb lid which she’d landed on.
One hand came up to feel her head, touching wetness which she assumed was dew from the grass before pulling her fingers back. Blood. Ow.
Buffy managed to sit up, ignoring the throbbing pain that spread across the side of her head.
‘That...could’ve gone better.’
“Buffy!” The blonde slayer looked towards the tomb as Faith stood up, one hand pressed to her side. “Buffy, shit are you alright?”
Not waiting for an answer she swung her leg over and hopped out of tomb, leaning for a moment against a tombstone before making her way over.
Buffy got onto her hands and knees, making enormous effort to ignore the fun spinning effect that it had, before pushing herself upright.
“Jeez, Buffy, take it easy. You had a bad landing.” Faith put an arm around her and helped her to her feet.
Buffy groaned. “We need to work on our...not getting hit. Plus we need more weapons, more than none at any rate. Like grenades, grenades are under-rated...”
She and Faith made their way a short distance before leaning Buffy against a solid tombstone, Buffy gave it an appreciative pat.
Faith took a step back, a little out of breath. “Just rest a minute, okay?”
“I’m fine...but be honest, is there a huge dent in my head? Is it big? Could I maybe hide it with a comb over or a hair pin?” Buffy gingerly fingered her head, “Or is it so bad I’ll need to wear hats all the time? I have some nice hats.”
Faith looked at her speculatively. “I sure hope you ain’t concussed, babbling away like this.”
“Your bedside...graveside manner is impressively bad, Faith. You’re like the anti-Patch Adams.”
Faith smirked uneasily before turning away and holding her side. “I’m guessin’ you’re fine.”
Buffy gently grabbed the other girl and turned her closer. “Hey, you’re hurt...”
“Just got the wind knocked out, nothin’ broke. No big.” Faith said, squirming a little as Buffy put a hand gently against the other girl’s side.
“What’s wrong?”
Faith grimaced, almost embarrassed. “Nothin’...just a fight like that, uh, gets me goin’, y’know.”
Buffy, realising what the other girl was saying and how close they were quickly dropped her hand away. “Oh! Um, sorry, I didn’t mean to touch...I mean, I’m glad your okay.”
Faith was staring at Buffy, seemingly trying to gauge her reaction, eyes drifting searchingly over her face, eyes, then lips before her gaze roamed downwards, taking in her red coat that had parted just enough to show off her clingy purple top. Faith’s eyes stayed there for a moment, her expression changing a little, her lips, suddenly dark and inviting to Buffy’s eyes, curled into a smile. Her mouth opened slightly so Buffy could see her tongue press against her top teeth. Faith’s dark eye’s lifted to meet Buffy’s, they seemed larger than before and hadn’t seemed as dark or torrid or gorgeous.
Buffy was aware of how close they were to each other, Faith’s taut body inches from her own. That scent from Homecoming drifted into her senses, with it the smell of leather and some vague flowery aroma.
She felt flushed, almost feverish. Her head, still throbbing, seemed to dull as her senses concentrated on the girl in front of her. Faith’s long, dark hair that Buffy had the urge to run her hands through, the slim band of skin visible between Faith’s jeans and top, Faith’s shoulders, bare of any bra strap, which meant only in thin tight top between Buffy’s hands and Faith’s...
“Faith...” Buffy murmured, her hands going to the other girl’s hips, sliding along the pockets before digging into her belt.
“B...” Faith’s voice was part lust part uncertainty as one of her hands cupped Buffy’s chin and tilted her face upwards.
And then they were kissing, Buffy pulled the dark-haired girl closer and met Faith’s eager mouth. This wasn’t Homecoming, a sweet romantic kiss that came from a moment of tenderness. This was frantic, hard, almost bruising. Clashing tongues and roaming hands as they wrapped around her other. Buffy moaned, her body seemed to hum with need, she was already wet with desire and when Faith’s thigh pushed firmly against her centre she gasped loudly in appreciation.
Faith’s hands spread open her coat and cupped Buffy’s breasts with surprising softness, her thumbs tracing a pattern over the material, rasping against the stiff sports bra underneath. Buffy’s hands went to the other girl’s hair and pulled back, her mouth moving forward to suck the silky softness of Faith’s neck. Faith moaned in pleasure, her own hands leaving Buffy’s chest and reaching round to cup her ass.
“Fuck...B.”
“Uh-huh...” Was all Buffy could respond with, she seemed to have lost all reason. All that mattered was touching Faith, letting her know how she’d missed her and wanted her so she wouldn’t dare go away again. Her hands ran down Faith’s body, fingernails scratching over cloth and hands trembling slightly as she put them on Faith’s chest. Buffy cupped a little hesitantly, feeling warm, firm flesh under her palms and finding the sensation incredibly erotic.
Faith murmured appreciation into Buffy’s hair, her mouth lowering to kiss and nibble exposed neck, sucking on her pulse point, teeth scraping sensitive flesh and making Buffy feel light-headed.
Faith grunted as she lifted Buffy up sat her heavily down on the tombstone, leaving her mouth level with the blonde girl’s heaving chest. She nuzzled Buffy, her mouth kissing through the material of her top, teeth occasionally nipping through the material.
Faith’s hands went to Buffy’s hips and drifted under her shirt, nimble fingers glided against hot skin as they travelling slowly upwards.
But Buffy was having trouble; her head hadn’t really stopped hurting, just fading in and out with the pleasure of the moment. She wanted to continue, in this moment the clarity was stark, she wanted this, Faith, now. But not this way, not while she was sore and possibly concussed.
Buffy cupped the sides of Faith’s head and gently pulled her away. “Faith, wait, just stop. I can’t...”
Faith paused and then pulled away suddenly, her face angry. “’Dammit, Buffy!” Without looking at her Faith tore her hands loose from Buffy and turned away.
But by doing that Buffy lost her precarious balance on the tombstone and toppled backwards with a quiet gasp, she grunted as she landed hard on the ground. The jarring impact made waves of pain and dizziness course through her head; she rolled onto her side and huffed out a groan.
“Faith...Ow...you didn’t need to...”
But the graveyard was quiet all of a sudden; Buffy only heard the soft thump of boots running off.
...go and run off, again.”
Slowly Buffy sat up again, trying to spot which way the other slayer had run off, but she saw nothing.
“Well, so that...happened.”
- 8
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