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Chapter 3- I Need You I need you like the flower needs the rain "How're you the voice of reason all of a sudden?" Faith tried not to look hurt by the question. She shrugged her shoulders.
"Here, B," Faith held the things she had in her hands out to Buffy.
Chapter 4- Crazy For You Buffy ducked as Faith sent a demon sailing over her head and then threw an axe to her. In one clean sweep, Buffy had successfully separated his head from his shoulders. "Awesome! What a fuckin' kick, huh?!" Faith said enthusiastically as she ran up to Buffy. "It didn't suck." Buffy felt really pleased with herself, and how well she and Faith synched with the slaying. Like they had before... "Fuck no! You're great with the axe, B!" Buffy looked at the demon she just killed and shuddered. "You okay?" Faith asked. "Yeah, I wish I hadn't just seen his insides oozing out of his neck." Faith stepped up behind her and looked over her shoulder. "Gross! I see what you mean. Kinda looks like your Mom's green Jello pie." Buffy could feel her stomach turn and she abruptly swung around to get the image out of her head. Faith hadn't moved so they were standing closer than they ever had before. For a moment or two they looked into each other's eyes, and another spark passed between them. Buffy looked down at Faith's lips and licked her own. Faith wanted so much to close the small gap between them and bring their lips together. She wanted to feel Buffy's warm weight in her arms and Buffy's arms in turn encircling her waist. She knew it would be like getting what she always wanted. She also knew she could never have that, so instead of giving in to her heart, she listened to her head and stepped back; looking down at the ground she tried to find something to say to take her mind away from the look in Buffy's eyes. "Uhhh you…you wanna finish patrol?" Faith gestured towards the black expanse of cemetery. Buffy was still reeling from the feeling of being so close to Faith and the overwhelming desire of wanting to kiss her. She wondered briefly if Faith had felt it too, but she realized a question was directed towards her that she needed to answer. "W-well…I don't know. We have to bury this thing. Then report back to Giles. Willow said she and Oz might be at the at the Bronze later," Buffy lied. Faith's heart sunk. She knew it meant that she'd have to go off to her shitty motel room by herself and think of all the ways she could have done things differently to be in Buffy's inner circle. "Yeah, you got buds. Why don't you go report back to Giles, I'll take care of the Jello Monster." Buffy considered that option, and quickly dismissed it; she didn't want to leave Faith just yet. It was curious, because just a few days ago she would have taken her up on her offer without another thought. "No, I'll help get him in the ground. Then you and I can go see Giles, and head to the Bronze." Buffy smiled warmly at Faith. "Wouldn't wanna horn in on your party, B." Faith shrugged and took up a shovel that had been lying near one of the crypts. "You wouldn't be horning in on anything, F." She felt silly and tried to think if `horning' was a dirty word. She quickly pushed that thought out of her mind. "Besides, it's not really a party, just a get together, and besides, you like a party don't you?" Faith shrugged again and started digging. "Sure, red-blooded as the next girl." "So you'll come?" "Do I have a choice?" "Not really." "Guess I'm coming." Buffy did a small hop that Faith couldn't see and then looked over where Faith had gotten the shovel from. There was a pick axe and she used it to make small work of the earth so Faith could move the dirt more easily. They worked silently for the next ten minutes, but as with slaying, they worked efficiently and as a team. Soon the demon was buried and the ground covered back over. "Ugh," Buffy said as they were walking to the library. "I think I got some ooze on me." Faith looked at the underside of Buffy's arm, sure enough there was some of the demon's blood on her. "Yep, it splatted you." Buffy made a sound of displeasure and held her arm out from her body. "Gotta say, that was one of the grossest things I've ever seen." "What? The blood coming out from his neck where you separated his head from his body?" "You don't have to be so graphic, Faith." Buffy said, and took in a couple of deep breaths trying to steady her gag reflex. "I can't believe that's got you all queasy. I've seen hundreds of things more disgusting." "I guess I'm not in the mood for it lately." Faith was curious, "What's the most disgusting thing you've ever seen, B?" "Besides you sticking your finger into the bowl my mom was mixing the meatloaf in and eating a piece?" "Hey, that's steak tartar, Blondie." "Steak what what?" Buffy looked at her confused. "Tartar. It's raw ground beef. Serve it at swanky French joints and stuff." "One, ew! and two, I'm sure they do something differently or use a better grade of beef." "I thought A was the best?" "May I remind you of number one?" "What?" "'Ew'," Buffy said, the distaste plainly visible on her face. "Got a couple points of my own." "Which are?" "Don't knock it `til you try it, and we're Slayers, B. Super beings, when's the last time you got a cold?" Buffy tried to remember. "And what about the other day when Willow and Xander complained that the nachos must have been bad `cause they were running to the bathroom every five minutes, but couldn't understand why you were okay since you had eaten most of the?" Faith had started to make another point but Buffy stopped her. "I get it." "Do ya?" "Yeah, we can use our super powers for not only saving the world, but also eating raw beef and spoiled food without getting sick." "Pretty much sums it up." Buffy couldn't help but smile. "You do a lot of thinking when you're on your own, don't you?" Faith became defensive, "What's that supposed to mean?" Buffy stepped closer to Faith and looped her arm through hers. "Just that I think your theories are well thought out." Faith's defensiveness had dissipated the moment Buffy put her arm through hers. She could only bask in the warm tingles that were coursing through her body. After walking a few more minutes, they finally arrived in front of the school. "You coming in?" Buffy asked, quietly. "I…uhh…" "You don't have to, I guess I could just go give him the report…" Faith could hear the disappointment in Buffy's voice. During the last block or so, Buffy had let go of Faith's arm, thinking she might be crowding the usually stand-offish Slayer. In that short time, Faith had let some of the negativity that usually plagued her, into her head. She couldn't bring herself to look into Buffy's eyes. "Will you meet me at the Bronze in about an hour?" Faith started to shrug, but stopped herself, she wanted to have fun, and she wanted to change Buffy's view of her. At least that's what she just told herself. So she smiled and said she'd meet Buffy. Buffy couldn't help but feel like things were going in the right direction.
After she briefed Giles on the demon they killed and he advised her that it didn't appear to be part of a bigger cult, ritual, or start of the next apocalypse, Buffy went home. There she changed her clothes, convinced her mother she needed to spend more time bonding with Faith and then ran like she was in the one hundred meter at the Olympics, all the way to the Bronze. When she walked into the crowded club, the last song had just ended. She felt like all eyes were on her. It might have been the outfit she was wearing. A short, really short, red dress. Her hair was pulled up off of her neck with some of the tendrils falling down. She felt sexy. Apparently she looked sexy, because more than one or two of the girls she saw with their boyfriends had to hit them to get their attention again. It made her smile. Just a little. There was only one set of eyes that she wanted on her at the moment anyway. Another song started up and Buffy couldn't help but smile deeper, this one was perfect. Swaying room as the music starts Faith caught sight of Buffy and her heart skipped a beat. `Fuck she looks hot…' Faith thought. I see you through the smokey air As if on cue, Buffy's eyes lifted to meet Faith's. You're so close but still a world away `Don't pussy out now, Lehane.' Faith thought as she willed herself not to look away. What I'm dying to say, is that `Oh my God, does she think I'm a slut for wearing this dress? Does she know it was for her?' Buffy thought. I never wanted anyone like this Faith gave Buffy a slight wave and walked up to her. "Glad you could make it, B." She indicated to herself before turning her attention back to Buffy. "I'm feelin' a bit under-dressed here." "No! What? No, you look great. As usual." Buffy said, before her brain could censor her thoughts. Faith's eyebrows lifted and she had her ever present smirk fixed on her lips. Trying hard to control my heart Buffy lowered her head slightly and blushed. Slowly now we begin to move With a head nod, Faith beckoned Buffy to follow her over to the bar. Soon we two are standing still in time "Two cokes," Faith said to the bartender. I'm crazy for you "Diet," Buffy corrected. Touch me once and you'll know it's true "One coke, one soda water with chemicals." I'm crazy for you, Buffy narrowed her eyes at Faith. "What?" "Smoking's any different?" "Touché, B," Faith said, and looked down at the bar. While they waited for their drinks they listened to the music. Faith turned her head to the side as if she was looking off to the dance floor, but she was actually studying Buffy's profile. It's all brand new, I'm crazy for you `Fuckin' bat shit crazy for you over here, B. Can't you see that?' Faith thought. Buffy could feel Faith's stare, and she tried not to blush. That would certainly call attention to it. Besides, she loved this song, and loved to think Faith would be crazy about her. The bartender gave them their drinks and they moved over to some stools. As they settled onto their seats, Faith tried to think of a million things to talk about, but all she could do was think of Buffy's perfectly tanned skin against the red of the dress she had on. She looked like the most delicious milk chocolate wrapped up in silky red paper. Little did Faith know, Buffy was having almost the exact same thoughts about her. She couldn't help but think of Faith's humor, and her sureness. And her carefree manner. And how good she looked with the tight top and leather pants she had on. She felt things were coming together quite nicely. As the next song started, Faith was working up the courage to ask Buffy to dance; it wasn't a slow song, so they wouldn't get any weird or unwanted looks. Just a couple of friends dancing to a cool song. "Hey, B…" "Buffy," A man's voice was heard by the Slayers and they stiffened. Angel. He walked up to where they were sitting. "Angel," Buffy said, with more than a little disappointment evident in her voice. "What's up?" "Hey, Big A." "Faith," Angel said flatly in greeting. Then he turned back to Buffy. "I got your message." "Okay, good to hear it." It had only been to tell him that she had wanted to cancel their Tai Chi session tonight. Angel felt he had interrupted something when he came in. It was then that he noticed Buffy's outfit. Alarm bells rang in his head. This had all the ear markings of a date to him. "I figured you'd be here. Giles sent me, there's…." Both Slayers looked at him with raised eyebrows, waiting for his story. He proceeded nervously, though he didn't know why. "Something's come up." He said finally. They didn't answer, and he got the feeling he was close to being staked. He was more than surprised to come to the realization that he wasn't sure who wanted to stake him more. "Is it really impor…" "B, we better go. If Giles is lookin' for you, it's gotta be important." "But my dress..." "If there's any dirty work to be done, I'll do it. You don't gotta get your dress all messed up." `That's not what I meant,' Buffy thought, but instead she smiled at Faith's chivalry, then looked at Angel and frowned. "Let's go." They left their drinks and Faith tossed some bills on the table as she got ready to follow Buffy and Angel out of the club.
I can't believe Angel pulled the oldest trick in the book. I'm so not happy with him right now. We're sitting in the library going over endless piles of "not much" and "very little" on the demon we killed earlier. The one that Giles didn't seem to think was anything only about an hour ago. I know why Angel broke up our…date was it? It sure felt like one. But anyway, I understand why Angel would want to stop it, but I'm not sure why Giles would seem to be in on it. "Giles, there's nothing in these papers, nothing we can use at all and if I see another scroll…" He was just about to hand me one. "I'm gonna hurl." Good man, he took it away and went into his office. I look over at Faith and she seems to be enthralled in a scroll of her own. But then I notice her looking at Angel. Studying him. Trying to figure out his angle. Ha! Angel's angle. That's funny. I wonder if I told her that later if she'd find it cute. Wait, Faith finding something cute? She'd think I was such a kid. Oh God, I want the floor to open and swallow me up. What was I thinking? Me and Faith? Together? For what exactly? Brain, don't answer that. We're not ready to go there just yet. But those leather pants… I put my head down on the table and groan. "Buffy…" "Buffy…" I look up to both Faith and Angel looking at me concerned. Then Faith frowns at the back of Angel's head and looks back at her scroll. "Yes?" "Is something bothering you?" Yeah, a lot, as a matter of fact. Do you want to hear about it Angel? Okay, here goes. Things have been going better between Faith and I but I just realized that you're never going to accept that. For whatever reason you don't trust her, and granted she did try to stake you a few nights ago, but you don't know what it's like for a Slayer. Your kind wants to kill us, pretty badly, and kill others we put our life on the line every night to protect. So it's hard not to want to stake one of you, and of course, Faith doesn't know you like I do. And then there's the fact that you and I were so in love, and you went evil on me and killed people close to me, not to mention took my virginity and practically called me a whore afterwards. And now we can never be together like that, like ever and I'm a Slayer, Angel. With needs. Needs that, granted, I'm ashamed to admit, but they're there. They don't go away just because I don't want them to be there. And Faith is so free and wild but she's also a little bit wounded, and she knows what I go through and she needs me in a way, and I need her in others and I can't believe I'm thinking all this in such a short amount of time and you're standing there and she's sitting over there and I really wanted to maybe just kiss her to see what it would be like, but you came and interrupted our…whatever it was and now we're sitting here frustrated because this is a wild goose chase but I can't seem to call you out on it. So, yeah. Something is bothering me! He's looking at me expectantly. "Not really," I lie. Faith looks up at me again, and I'm shocked to see everything I was just thinking is written on her face. Except maybe the parts about Angel taking my virginity and about he and I being in love. I also see worry in her eyes. Worry that he's here now and I won't need her. That song from earlier starts playing in my head. I'm crazy for you "Maybe I should walk you home." Angel says. "No thanks, I'm okay." Giles comes out and suggests maybe we should call Willow. Great, she'd love to see me in this dress and know I was with Faith at the Bronze. Then she'd be all judgy and inquisitive, and she's all for Team Angel right now, and loves the idea of our fated but troubled love. Giles and Angel are discussing some research options and I look at Faith again. She's slouched in her chair, like she's the picture of not caring what's going on in the room, but I know better. The last thought I had comes back in my mind when I look at her: Fated but troubled love. I get a stab of pain in my heart and I have the overwhelming feeling that I might cry. I see her eyes scanning the page back and forth and I can see she's fighting some war inside her head. I hope she's having better luck with her skirmishes. Mine aren't going so well. Should I suggest she and I just go patrol? I mean what can they say to that? She finally gets up with what was a little more force than anyone expected and her chair falls to the floor. "Faith?" Giles asks. "Think I might go home or somethin'." He looks relieved. Angel looks suspicious. And I must look happy about her escaping this sitch, because Angel's suspicious look just turned on me. "Wait, Faith…" "Buffy, you really should wait for Willow. She may be able to give you something that'll be useful in your patrol." Oh my God I just want to slay him. Why is he being like this? "B, don't worry, I got this one. Giles," She points at him. "You find anything out, send your boy to let me know." "I'm not his bo…" "Angel," Giles warns. "I will, Faith. Thanks." He smiles at her politely and she nods. She's hesitant in leaving and just when I think she's not going to give me a sign, a smile comes across her face as she looks at my outfit. I smile back at her, knowing that she feels the same way about me that I feel about her. Knowing this thing between us is more than just mixed signals. At least I hope so. I watch her walk out and Angel touches my arm, and I get that "need to slay" feeling back. "Okay, what's with the…the…set up here?" I turn to face him pulling my arm away. "What set up?" He's playing innocent. "Why did you bring us here for this?" "Buffy, just because the research didn't go as we had hoped, doesn't mean this was fruitless…" Giles says. "Oh yeah?!" I turn to him. "Show me the fruit!" He flinches and I think maybe I was a bit too harsh. "Angel…" Giles looks for help. "We thought…" "We…" They're trying to cover their behinds but it's not gonna work. I laugh, and it sounds scary. "I'm going home." I don't even look at them when I leave. I feel sick. Angel must have felt threatened, and he got Giles to go along with some hare-brained idea. Probably thinks Faith is trying to turn me against him. He did plenty of that all by himself just now. As I walk in the balmy night air, I can't help but think of how promising it all was just an hour ago. Somehow a smile manages to work itself onto my face and I'm feeling hopeful again. I so loved listening to that song and watching her eyes pop out of her head when she saw me in this dress. I hope she knows how upset I am that our date, I've decided it was a date, was ruined. And I hope she likes late night visits. It's all brand new, I'm crazy for you
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