CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

"Come on, you guys! Are you coming or not?!"

"For cryin' out loud Squirt, we'll be right there!"

"You said that already…twice. Hey, you guys aren't doing it, are you?"

"Dawn!"

"I wish!"

"Hurry up, then!"

Faith came running down the stairs:

"Not my fault. Big Sis is high maintenance."

"I heard that, F!"

Buffy walked down the stairs, still fiddling with her hair:

"And I don't notice you complaining about the outcome."

Faith's eyes practically devoured her:

"No complaints. You're always worth the wait, B."

Dawn smiled:

"Awww…You guys are so…"

And then rolled her eyes:

…nauseating. Can we just go already?!"

"Geez, ya know it's not you gettin' hitched, right?"

Dawn punched her shoulder:

"Right Faith, like you're not excited."

Buffy stepped in between them:

"We're all excited. Let's get moving."

Dawn grabbed the keys:

"I'm driving!"

Faith reached around Buffy and snatched them out of her hand:

"No way! Just got my license back, I'm wheelman!"

"You wish!"

"I know!"

Buffy took the keys:

"I'm driving."

"I call `shotgun'!"

"No way, Faith. You sit in the back!"

"B, you heard me call it first!"

"Buffy, she always pulls this!"

Buffy held up her hands:

"Enough! How old are you two?"

"Old enough to know the fuckin' `shotgun' rule. Whoever calls it first gets the front seat. That'd be me, Dawn."

"Sorry, but I'm not playing by your crazy firearm rules. I'm in front."

Buffy shoved them both out onto the porch as she locked the front door.

"Well, ya better have a real firearm, ya wanna make that happen."

"Oh, I'm really scared, Faith. Get your butt in the back!"

"Make me!"

Buffy got between them again:

"Enough! I'll decide who sits in the front."

Faith's smirk made an appearance:

"Hey, sorry, Squirt. Tell ya what: promise to give ya the scoop on what us big girls did up here."

"Thanks, but the only way you'll be seeing the front seat is if you brought along a pair of binoculars."

"Aww…poor Dawnie. You're all fucked up and delusional."

"Maybe, but I'll be all delusional in the `shotgun seat'!"

"B, ya hear her bein' a smart ass and…"

After another minute of squabbling, they were finally on their way. Buffy was driving and smiling as she looked in her rearview mirror at the two nuts in the backseat. Their heads were together and they were giggling, evidently having a blast. They were crazy for sure, but they were also cute, and Buffy loved watching them.

The positive impact that Faith had on Dawn was just amazing to witness. Dawn listened to whatever she had to say, and she took any advice Faith offered like it was being delivered from on High.

Before Faith had returned, Dawn had just been coasting through school, doing the bare minimum that would keep Social Services off their backs. Now she was routinely earning straight As and leaning towards becoming a doctor.

"Cool Dawnie! Can patch me and B up all the time."

Faith, a girl who had spent about ten minutes in high school, had Dawn all fired up about education and the importance of getting good grades. Buffy wasn't clear on just how she'd done it, but she didn't really care. Dawn was back on track, and that was something Buffy hadn't been able to make happen, no matter how hard she'd tried.

Dawn had choices now, her future was wide-open, but despite the many offers that poured in because of her insanely high S.A.T. scores, Dawn had decided instead to attend U.C. Sunnydale. It was more than a little ironic.

Her entire life Dawn had been waiting for the chance to live a normal life, and now that the time had come, she found she had no desire to go. Just as Willow had realized years before, Dawn knew her place was at Buffy's side, fighting the good fight with the people she loved so dearly.

All of their lives were in constant danger, and Dawn knew all too well just how quickly someone could be taken from her. She didn't want to waste one precious second of the time they had together, and she was going to stay and do what she could to help. That was her life, it was what she wanted most, and she was just fine with it. She knew where she belonged.

Buffy was thrilled with her decision. She'd been braced for Dawn's eventually exodus, and while she would have been nothing but supportive outwardly, inside she would have felt like she was dying.

She knew it was wrong, she knew it was selfish, but she couldn't help it. She wanted Dawn to stay with her, she needed her to. Kids left home, Buffy knew it was simply a matter of growing up, but nothing else was simple on the Hellmouth, so why did Dawn's moving away have to be?

As she glanced at her sister in the rearview mirror, she could see she was no longer a little girl. She was a young woman on the verge of beginning her life, and Buffy desperately wanted to see how it was all going to unfold. She didn't want to miss any of it, and now she wouldn't have to.

She pulled into the parking lot to the sound of her passengers laughing at some ridiculous joke Faith had whispered into Dawn's ear. Buffy knew it was at least slightly off-color, because Faith couldn't quite hide the guilty look that flashed across her face when she saw she was under observation.

That look made Buffy smile; she'd long ago accepted that Faith was "Faith" and always would be. Their eyes met and held in the mirror as Dawn shot out of the jeep. Buffy continued staring at the dark-haired woman smiling back at her, and she knew all of the good things in her life were because Faith had refused to give up. Buffy knew just how lucky she was.

"Hi there."

"Hiya, B."

"So what was the joke you just told my baby sister?"

Faith's eyes drifted for a second:

"Hmm…Don't really remember."

"Really? Fine, she's got `shotgun' on the way home."

Faith's grin was huge:

"Damn, that's really low."

"Yep, I am kind of proud."

"Buffy, do you know how in love with you I am?"

Now it was Buffy's turn to grin:

"I think so, but maybe you should explain it just in case."

"Public place. Can't express myself properly."

"That's too bad. Maybe later."

"Trust me: way you look takes `maybe' right outta the picture."

"But I thought I took too long?"

"Just seems like a waste since you always look so fuckin' beautiful anyways."

Buffy could feel herself melting in her seat:

"Oh Faith, you are so sweet."

"Whoa, keep it down. Want everybody to know?"

"I'm pretty sure they already do."

"Aw B, my rep!"

Buffy laughed and twisted in her seat so she could look at her directly:

"Okay, sorry, tough girl. I guess I just lost my head with all the sweet talk."

"It's okay, you can get away with all kindsa shit `cause you're so beautiful. Leastways, ya can with me."

"You're such a charmer."

"Yeah, got a way about me."

Buffy turned to look out the windshield, searching among all of the people milling around:

"Can you see Xander?"

"I'm sure he's…"

Buffy spun back around:

"God Faith, what if he doesn't…"

"Don't say it. He's gonna show."

"But what if he…"

Faith's hand reached out to stroke her cheek:

"Stop bein' such a pessimist."

"What?"

"Ya heard me. Stop lookin' for the bad in…"

"…Oh my God! Is this ever the pot calling the kettle!"

"Hey, fuckin' pot's got a right!"

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest:

"Ooh, I just can't wait to hear this explanation."

Faith fumbled around for a comeback:

"Well…uh…see…Look, fuckin' pot's an expert, alright?"

"And?"

"…And so that makes the pot way qualified to tell the kettle to fuck right off."

Buffy began laughing:

"Calling me a pessimist. That has to be the funniest…"

"No, you runnin' your mouth, then fallin' and scrapin' your elbow like a five-year old's the…"

"Well it's lucky I did, because you sure were never going to make a move."

"`Scuse me, was me who kissed you first and…"

"Buffy, Faith, will you guys come on?! Xander's already here, he spent the night!"

Dawn ran back inside, and Buffy and Faith sat quietly for a second.

"Damn, kid sure can scream."

"I'm surprised the windshield's still in one piece."

"Let's motor, B."

They got out of the car and Buffy sighed loudly:

"That's a relief, that he's already here. Now he just has to…"

"Guy spent the night. He's really gonna do it this time."

Buffy began sniffling:

"`He spent the night'…That is so…"

"Thought you were s'posed to cry during the wedding?"

"Don't worry, I'll bawl like a girl through the whole thing."

"That mean the reception too?"

"No, I should be okay by then."

Faith wrapped her arm around Buffy's shoulders and gently kissed the top of her head.

"That's good `cause I'm plannin' to show you how much I love you, and it'd be tough to do with you snottin' all over the place."

Buffy looked over at her, shaking her head in disbelief:

"My, you do have quite a way with words."

"Makes ya crazy for me, don't it?"

"Surprisingly, yes."

Buffy reached out to open the door, but Faith pulled her back:

"B?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Snotted up or clean, you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen."

"Oh, Faith…"

"C'mon Princess, let's go watch Xander and Anya ball and chain it."

The reception was held back at the house, and the place looked beautiful. Spike had been in charge of the flowers, and Willow and Dawn had handled the decorations. They'd really gone all out, and the happy couple loved it.

Spike was having a smoke on the front porch and Xander came out for some fresh air. Spike smiled:

"And here's the lucky groom."

"That's me. Spike, the flowers are perfect. Anya just loves them."

"Glad to hear it. Wanted to make it pretty for her."

"I know it was a lot of work, we really appreciate it."

Spike took a final drag and flicked the butt into the dirt surrounding the hedges.

"Glad to do it. So where is the missus?"

"She's in the kitchen counting the money she found in the limo. The last I heard, she was up to eighty-seven cents."

"What a haul! Now that you're hitched, half her vast fortune belongs to you."

Xander laughed:

"She was so excited, I could barely talk her into getting out of the car…What's this?"

"A twenty. Slip it under a sofa cushion and let her find it. She'll be over the moon."

Xander's grin was huge:

"Man, I am ridiculously happy."

"Can see that, and it's a nice sight."

They stood quietly listening to the sounds of the night.

"Hey, Spike?"

"Yeah, Mr. Tied Down For Life?"

"Did you ever think we'd be where we are now?"

"You mean good mates?"

"Yeah."

Spike lit up another cigarette:

"Hell no, never figured there was anythin' to like about you."

"That's what I thought about you. We're not too bright."

"Should've known better, what with the Slayer likin' us both."

Xander turned to face him head on, his face totally serious:

"…I just wanted to thank you for everything. You been a good friend to me, to all of us, and I'm sorry it took me so long to see it."

Spike was visibly choked up:

"Damn, tryin' to make me cry like a bloody baby? Already got a bit of a rep as a flower lover."

"Sorry. I forgot what a nancy boy I was dealing with."

"Xander?"

"Yeah?"

"Proud to be your friend. You're a good man."

Now it was Xander's turn:

"…Gee, Spike…Um…I think we'd better do something manly."

"Hid some British beer in mine. Could grab a couple and…"

"…some of those onion blossom things. Beer and food, let's do it."

As they went back inside, Spike couldn't resist bragging:

"Made'em myself, you know."

"You did?"

"Yeah, and they're a damn sight better than the ones from `Joe's'."

"So how exactly do you do it?"

"Well first thing, you have to…"

He stopped himself and they looked at each other. Xander shrugged and led the way:

"Clear a path!"

"Two nancy boys comin' through."

"He's nancier though because he's English."

"Sod off, Harris."

"Make me, Nancy!"

They began laughing and scuffling all the way to the basement.

"B, whatcha doin' up here?"

Buffy was staring out their bedroom window and she never even turned at the sound of Faith's voice:

"Just needed a little alone time, I guess."

"Too much excitement?"

"No. Who could ever get tired of hearing Anya's squeals of delight that every gift was cold, hard cash?"

"Chick does love her money. Hard to believe she's got anything left for Xander."

"But she does."

Faith shut the door behind her.

"So what's the what, B?"

"I'm just happy."

"Yeah? And that makes ya depressed? Interesting and more than a little nuts, says the pot."

Buffy smiled slightly as she turned to glance at Faith:

"Let's talk about it later."

"C'mon B, nobdy's gonna miss us. Giles is down there dancin'. Think that'll keep'em busy."

"He's `dancing'?"

"Yep, doin' some weird ass shit from the `60s."

"Wow."

Faith walked over to her and hugged her from behind:

"So spill it, what's up?"

"It's just…well…Faith, do you ever think about us?"

"Like how do ya mean?"

"You know, like about our future."

Faith kissed the side of her neck and began chuckling:

"Sure I do. Think about us livin' to be little old ladies and fucking up the Council's charts. Be way cool for the next Slayer to see we lived into our eighties."

"…Yeah, but what about……"

"`About' what, B?"

Buffy was silent, and Faith gave her a squeeze and another kiss on the neck.

"C'mon, gimme a vowel or somethin' here. Don't get what you're…Oh fuck, ya mean about the whole married deal?"

"I know it's different for us, and I know how much you hate sappy stuff. It's just… well, sometimes I think about a beautiful ceremony with us standing up in front of everyone and saying how we feel about each other. Just something that says we're committed to each other forever. I know it's stupid, but I've always planned my wedding since I was a little girl and…I'm sorry, Faith. I don't want you to feel pressured. Forget it, I'm just being a dumb girl and…"

Faith spun her around and kissed her passionately. When they parted, she spoke up without any hesitation:

"B, definitely think we should be committed…ya know what I mean. It's not dumb, and I'd be thrilled if we did that. Be great to tell everybody how much I love you. Just gotta name the time and place, and I'll be there. Even wear a dress if ya want me to."

Buffy kissed her and the smile on her face was radiant.

"You are so sweet."

"What else did ya expect? I'm yours Buffy, and I'm happy to let the whole fuckin' world know all about it. Now when ya wanna do this thing?"

Buffy pulled her closer and snuggled into her:

"I don't want to."

"Huh? Okay, totally confused here."

"I just thought you'd think it was stupid or you wouldn't want to do it. Now that I know you would, there's no hurry. We'll get there."

"Ya really are nuts, B. Fuckin' kettle and the pot."

"I'm nuts about you."

"Yeah?"

"Oh, yeah."

Faith's hands slid down Buffy's back, pulling her as close as she could get her and swaying their hips together.

"Ya think maybe you could show me just how…"

"Faith! Buffy! Get down here. We need Faith to teach us how to sexy dance…dance sexy…you know! Hurry up!"

They heard the happy and somewhat drunken laughter from downstairs as someone cranked up the music.

"Damn B, that kid's got some lungs."

"And a big mouth."

Faith raised her hands above her head and did a sexy shimmy. She smirked at Buffy's lust filled expression:

"Sorry baby, hold that thought. I gotta go do the `sexy' thing downstairs."

"I guess it's the price I pay for being in love with the world's hottest woman."

"Appreciate the understanding."

Faith kissed her again, then oozed sexiness all the way to the door. She smiled, her dimples looking like something Buffy needed to examine up close.

"Comin'?"

Buffy was certain she already had and was well on her way to doing it again.

"Yes. God, how do you do that?"

"I just got it workin', baby. C'mon, let's go down…"

She laughed as she watched Buffy's mind go someplace else.

"…stairs. Just hope I don't gotta teach Giles."

They both stopped and went silent, doing their best to wipe away the image those words had conjured up. Buffy spoke first:

"Okay, all in favor of: ick?"

"Got my vote. Kinda scared myself."

"Yeah, I'm totally freaked too."

Faith let go of the doorknob:

"No fuckin' way we're headin' down there now."

"I'm with you on that."

Faith grinned:

"Out the window, B?"

"Right behind you, F."

Faith slid the window open silently:

"Still gonna do the sexy thing for you though."

"Oh, I'm counting on that."

Faith gestured at Buffy to go ahead:

"Ladies first, B."

"Not a chance, Faith."

"Why?"

"Because I like the view from behind."

She grinned at Buffy:

"Don't blame ya a bit. No better behind in SunnyD `cept the one that's tailin' you wherever ya go."

Buffy laughed:

"Hurry up before we get caught."

"I can get behind that!"

Faith went out the window backwards.

"What are you doing, F?"

"Sorry, B. No gettin' the milk `til ya buy the cow."

"Okay, but can ya moo-ve faster?"

"What's the matter, baby? Can't wait to sample the merchandise?"

"No, the faster you go, the more your boobs bounce."

They both laughed as they landed on the ground and took off running into the night.

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