Chapter 3- I Need You
I need you like the flower needs the rain
You know I need you, guess I'll start it all again
You know I need you like the winter needs the spring
You know I need you, I need you
Faith stood outside of Buffy's room listening to the music that filtered through her slightly ajar door. She heard Buffy sigh and immediately thought of the tortured soap opera style relationship the blonde had with Angel.
'She's probably thinkin' of him right now listenin' to that.' She thought with dread in her heart. 'I should just get the fuck outta here.'
And every day, I'd laugh the hours away
Just knowing you were thinking of me
And then it came that I was put to blame
For every story told about me
About me, about me
'Fuck it. I'm gone.'
Faith was just about to turn around when she heard the door creak slightly and suddenly she was staring at a confused looking Buffy.
"Faith?"
"Yeah…I uhhh…"
I need you like the flower needs the rain
The song seemed to have gotten louder on its own as Buffy's eyes locked with Faith's.
You know I need you, guess I'll start it all again
You know I need you, I need you
Faith found herself looking into hazel eyes that seemed to say so many things. Things she wanted to hear. Things she thought she must have mistaken.
Just when Buffy started to feel a delicious anticipation in her midsection, Faith's eyes moved away.
I need you like the winter needs the spring
You know I need you, guess I'll start it all again
You know I need you, I need you
"You listen to old stuff?" Faith said, her eyes still downcast.
Buffy looked back towards her radio and then back at Faith who looked to her like a trapped animal about to either attack or flee.
She chanced a small smile in the hopes it would put Faith at ease.
"Yeah, sometimes…" Her instinct as a Slayer told her that Faith was about to leave. The way she stood, the way she wouldn't look at her, the tension in her body. It told her she needed to act quickly. "C'mon in." She gestured towards her room and moved aside so Faith could enter.
Faith knew she needed to decide, well, she had already made her decision before Buffy had opened the door.
"I was just gonna go…"
"But you came over to eat." Buffy said quickly, stepping forward and prepared herself to grab hold of the fleeing girl.
"Yeah, 'bout that." Faith's brown eyes flicked up to Buffy's and then looked away again. "I uhh…I came to tell you that I wasn't gonna be able to make it."
Buffy's eyebrows rose in disbelief, "You came over to tell me you weren't coming over?" A silly smile spread across her lips.
Faith closed her eyes at hearing the absurdity of what she had just said being echoed back at her. She quickly recovered and opened her eyes. Her hand came up and rubbed at the back of her neck.
"Yeah…well. I just…I don't wanna…ya know..."
She looked to Buffy to help her out, hoping the blonde knew what she was trying to say.
"You don't wanna eat Mom's roast beef?"
Faith's stomach did a flip at that. She had started smelling Joyce's roast a block away from the house and had been salivating over it since the second she was let in the front door.
"Well…"
"She made roast potatoes too."
Faith's stomach betrayed her and rumbled which in turn made Buffy smile a victorious smile. She knew she had won. Well, Mom's pot roast had won this battle for her and she was grateful.
Again, Buffy stepped aside and gestured into her room, "C'mon, come in, I was just doing some homework."
"Yeah whatcha doin'?" Faith asked matter-of-factly, less nervous then she had been just a moment before.
"Calculus. You wouldn't happen to be a math genius would you?"
'I know you plus me equals fuckin' smokin' hot.' Faith mused in her head as she stepped into Buffy's room.
"Sorry, B. You're on your own with that one. Math and me aren't compadres."
Faith sat on Buffy's bed and looked up at her with an impish smile. A palpable charge passed between them. Both girls felt the intensity of it, but clearly weren't ready to process what it could mean.
At least Faith wasn't ready to process it, because she looked away again. Seemingly anywhere but at Buffy.
As Buffy was about to close her door, Joyce called up to her.
"Yeah, Mom?"
"Dinner's almost ready. Could you girls come down and finish setting the table?"
Buffy rolled her eyes, she was hoping she could have just a little bit more alone time with Faith. She wanted to talk to her about what happened with Mrs. Post the other day. She figured this was her only chance, because after Faith's hunger for her Mom's pot roast was sated, she'd probably get gone in a hurry.
"We'll be down in a minute."
We used to laugh, we used to cry
We used to bow our heads then, wonder why
And now you're gone, I guess I'll carry on
And make the best of what you've left to me
Left to me, left to me
Faith said something inaudible as the song started again and Buffy asked her what it was.
"Song started up again." She said louder and pointed at the boombox on Buffy's desk.
"Yeah, I had it on repeat."
I need you like the flower needs the rain
You know I need you, guess I'll start it all again
You know I need you
Buffy stopped the song mid-chorus, but the words still hung in the air like a fog.
'It's true. I do need you.' Faith thought.
'If you need me, tell me.' Buffy's thoughts unknowingly answered Faith's.
"M-mom…" Buffy felt suddenly nervous.
"…needs us." Faith finished the sentence for her and smiled into Buffy's eyes. She had felt her nervousness and wanted to soothe her in some way.
Buffy nodded, not trusting her voice. She didn't know why she had gotten so nervous just then.
"Should we go down?" Faith asked. It was as if knowing Buffy was rattled, she suddenly felt in control.
"If you want…but I thought..."
"What?"
Buffy looked down at the floor and blushed.
It felt like she had swallowed sand and she had to clear her throat before answering.
"I thought maybe we could talk," Buffy said and narrowed her eyes, still not daring to look at Faith.
"Maybe later, yeah? Your Mom sounded pretty serious, and I don't think we'd be finished talking in a couple of minutes."
Buffy sighed, more relieved than anything else.
"How're you the voice of reason all of a sudden?"
Faith tried not to look hurt by the question. She shrugged her shoulders.
"I have moments of…whadda they call it?"
"Clarity?"
"Somethin' like that, but I think it starts with an 'L'." Faith got up and pulled the door wider waiting for Buffy to go out before she followed her through it.
As Buffy passed by her, Faith caught a wiff of perfume and it made her heart race. She closed her eyes a moment.
'I need you so fuckin' much, B. You don't even know.'
Buffy glanced back at Faith and could see the emotions pass over her; she turned away before Faith opened her eyes again and started down the steps. She felt lighter; somehow she could tell Faith needed her. But she hoped it was for more than just sex, and she knew she'd have the almost impossible task of getting her to admit it.
"Are you hot honey?" Joyce said as Buffy walked into the kitchen.
Buffy's eyes narrowed, "No why?"
"Your face looks a little flushed," Joyce reached out and touched Buffy's forehead.
'That's because I can't believe I just thought about sex with Faith. Again. I'm a slut. Your daughter is a dirty slut.'
"I feel fine," Buffy shrugged and left Joyce staring after her as she picked up the stack of dishes from the counter and left to set the table.
Faith arrived in the kitchen a moment later.
When Joyce looked at her, Faith gave a momentary look of guilt and then explained, "Had to use the can."
'More like had to splash some water on my face. Your daughter is makin' me so fuckin' hot.'
Joyce nodded with a puzzled look. "Thanks for the heads up." She handed Faith a stack of napkins and silverware. "Can you bring these out to Buffy? She's setting the places."
"Do you need me to come back for anything else?"
"I think we're good, everything besides the roast is out there, and I'll bring that out."
"You sure?"
"Positive," Joyce said. "And Faith?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." Joyce's face broke out in a sincere smile.
"You're welcome," Faith said, slightly puzzled as to why she was being meaningfully thanked for bringing napkins and cutlery out to her daughter.
"Here, B," Faith held the things she had in her hands out to Buffy.
"Can you put the napkins next to the plates and lay the silverware out?" She put her hand on Faith's arm. "I'm gonna go get the glasses. Okay?"
Faith froze as soon as Buffy's hand descended on her forearm. She felt the heat that radiated from the soft skin of Buffy's palm and was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't cold. Faith's prior contact with small pretty girls like Buffy gave her the impression they were all cold blooded. Not only for the way they treated her, but when they touched her their hands were always freezing.
"Earth to Faith. Come in Faith."
Faith blinked at Buffy and narrowed her eyes.
"Huh?" She asked.
"Can you handle the rest of the table or do you want me to do it and you go get the glasses?" Buffy's smile was warm, not bitchy or mean.
"No, I got it." Faith said quietly and moved to the table, seemingly in a trance. The contact of Buffy's skin on hers was like a soothing balm on an angry burn and she was stunned to find she wanted more. Soon.
When the table was set and the roast was carved, they all sat down to friendly conversation and good food. As the last of the potatoes and vegetables were devoured by Faith, Joyce tried delicately to approach what was probably still a very sore subject.
"I was sorry to hear about your Watcher, Faith." Joyce said.
Faith's eyes flicked to Buffy's quickly and then moved to stare at a pea that had fallen onto the table.
"Seems like a theme with me and watchers." Faith said in an almost whisper. "If they don't get picked apart in front of my eyes, they go evil, steal some mystical glove and get disintegrated by lightning."
Buffy coughed and Joyce looked straight at her daughter in horror.
"Buffy…y-you told me she was fired by the Council and had to go back to England."
Buffy was busy trying to save herself from a likely grounding, "I uhhh…well technically she was let go by the Council…"
"But not recently…"
Joyce looked to Faith who, involuntarily, gave a small shake of her head.
"Buffy, kitchen. Now." Her mother got up from the table and marched into the kitchen.
Faith's eyes went big and she silently mouthed a "sorry" to Buffy. A lopsided smirk was not the look from Buffy she was expecting to receive back.
"Seventh slaying related lie I've told her this week. Maybe she'll tell Giles I can't be the Slayer anymore."
"B, I really am…"
"Don't sweat it, Faith. It's not your fault, you didn't know. Go make yourself comfortable in the living room. I'll be out there in a few."
"You sure I should stay?"
"Yes!" Buffy was surprised at the eagerness with which that word came out of her mouth.
Faith had to laugh, "You better get in there before your Mother has more time to stew over your punishment."
"Ew, Mom-stew of the non-meat variety…so not cool."
"Never really liked the meat stew my Mom would make…"
"Oh, but you haven't tasted Joyce Summers' stew, it's to die for." Buffy looked into Faith's face and said sincerely. "The woman's a wonder with meat."
Faith wiggled her eyebrows and her trademark smirk was firmly in place as she retorted, "I'll just bet she is."
"Ugh! Faith!" She was about to punch her in the arm when they heard another shout from the kitchen.
"Buffy!"
Despite her words to Faith, Buffy was scared about her fate in the kitchen. She let out a sigh before starting to make her way to the door. Before she had a chance to leave the room, Faith's hand was on her arm, stopping her.
"B, whatever happens in there," She gestured quickly with her head towards the door. "I got your back."
Buffy looked down at Faith's hand. She could feel the warmth of their connection and it instantly soothed her. She put her hand on top of Faith's.
"Thanks," A huge smile broke out on her face before Faith took her hand from her arm and she was left pining for the warmth it had brought. She cleared her throat and recovered. "I'll be back soon."
Faith watched her retreat into the kitchen with a spring in her step and her head held high.
She picked up her glass and hesitated before bringing it to her lips, "Yep, she fuckin' needs me."
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
Strangers making the most of the dark
Two by two their bodies become one
Faith caught sight of Buffy and her heart skipped a beat.
`Fuck she looks hot…' Faith thought.
I see you through the smokey air
Can't you feel the weight of my stare
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
I'm crazy for you
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
`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
It's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you
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
I walk over to where you are
Eye to eye we need no words at all
Buffy lowered her head slightly and blushed.
Slowly now we begin to move
Every breath I'm deeper into you
With a head nod, Faith beckoned Buffy to follow her over to the bar.
Soon we two are standing still in time
If you read my mind, you'll see
"Two cokes," Faith said to the bartender.
I'm crazy for you
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
I never wanted anyone like this
It's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss
You'll feel it in my kiss because
I'm crazy for you
"Diet," Buffy corrected.
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
I never wanted anyone like this
It's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss
"One coke, one soda water with chemicals."
I'm crazy for you,
Crazy for you
Crazy for you
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
and you know it's true, I'm crazy, crazy for you
It's all brand new, I'm crazy for you
and you know it's true, yeah, I'm crazy for you
Crazy for you baby
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
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
I never wanted anyone like this
It's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss
You'll feel it in my kiss because
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
And you know it's true, I'm crazy, crazy for you
It's all brand new, I'm crazy for you
And you know it's true, yeah, I'm crazy for you
Crazy for you baby
I'm crazy for you
