POV: Faith.
If you sit in the same seat long enough, then it eventually moulds to your ass. It learns the contours, the shape and the size, then it wraps you up and offers endless hours of comfort. Its arms always ready to provide support, the lever on the back always ready to provide the perfect angle to kick right back. Feet up. Heels resting in their familiar spot, head laid back against the cushion of leather.
And I think it's called the easy life. Everything that I have now.
Kinda crazy when you think how I tried to make it so hard. Everything about me designed to be bad, the lip gloss and leather, the nasty snarl on my face. I relished the nasty, I was gonna be the nastiest. And now I have the world's comfiest office chair and the worlds coolest office. Shit. Mention the fresh flowers, the family photos, and then you can see just how nasty I really turned out in the en d.
It's bad.
My hands as used to doing dishes now as they are to slaying demons. I flip a mean pancake. I bake a mean muffin. And you know what..?
I fucking love it. Every minute of it. Every flour dusted, cherry glazed, sugar coated second of it. Don't get me wrong, I still thrust and thrive on the energy of slaying the evil undead, but I've learnt to appreciate the other stuff now. I've learnt to treasure it. There was a time, not so long ago, that I didn't know how to appreciate anything at all. I wanted to call bum deal on my whole deck and start the hand again. Pissed when I couldn't. My scowl only deepening in juvie, my heart hardening to everything I assumed it was never meant to feel.
I believed in destiny and I knew my destiny.
Sure, I would've tried. I would've done my best to make the change. Hanging tight to Angel's coat tails, trying to fake my way through forgiveness. I would've done the whole bit, but none of it would've mattered. I was sure of my destiny back then. I'd screwed every slot and got screwed straight back. I never saw the happy ending. That's something that I never would've believed in. Never. Asked to guess and I would've said grisly death. Probably the result of a fucked up drinking session, one bottle too many, reactions shot to shit. I expect a part of me would have welcomed it. Back then I would've welcomed anything that felt like kindness. An end to a life that was doomed from the start.
Never in a million years, not in a fucking lifetime of millions, would I have guessed that I was destined to be a source of all good. Even now, with all of this around me, it seems like I stumbled and fell into another dimension. Someone else's life.
Me. Faith. The bad ass slayer. The skanky ho. The bitch with a death wish…
If I open my eyes, if I let them stray down to the boots on my feet, then I will see the same boots. Same style. Steel capped for effect. The feet that walk in them though, they have changed beyond recognition. I'm not that girl anymore. I wonder if I ever wanted to be that girl in the first place.
My heart says no, but then, my heart's not hardened anymore.
Another of destiny's freaky little mind melts. Me and Buffy Summers.
It's a thought that still brings smiles to my face. Maybe a smirk, a hint of the naughty. Fingers itching to remember her curves, blood racing, pulse pumping, toes curling in these steel capped boots as I think about the real source of my goodness. Buffy Summers and me. Damn right I'm smiling.
Sometimes, when I'm holding her, I dunno… just chilling, sometimes she gets this look in her eyes. And it's love. And I get that. I know how much she loves me. But more than that… full of awe. Of thanks. Words all scripted in whispers.
`I'm lucky I had you to save me Faith…'
And when she says that, when I see that look in her eyes… all I can do then is thank god, thank everyone, that I had her to save me. Life was nothing without her in it. Now it's everything. It's the fresh cut flowers that Tara keeps in the vase, it's the family snaps that adorn every surface. Giles' books piled high, Red's books piled higher. It's the perfect office chair that cradles my ass. The sign above the door with my name stencilled so sweetly next to hers.
Maybe easy life wasn't quite right. Perfect life sounds so much more like the truth.
It's the words I used to console Buffy after the wish. The days that followed. Never quite believing her that everything was peachy, everything was fine. No. I caught the extra pensive twirling of the stake, the way her eyes sat woeful, staring, fixed and vacant… a girl still dreaming of vacation.
It's gonna make all of this even better. Hal-f reak not the only one who can make a dream come true, not the only one who can sweeten destiny…
A thought fragmented by the ringing of the phone. The flashing light letting me know that it's Dawn on the other end. Sat at the front desk and too lazy assed to walk to the office. I ought to dock her wages. Allowance. Whatever it's called.
"What's up Dawn?"
My feet thumping on the floor as I move myself from slouching to sitting.
"I'm starving! How much longer do we have to be here?"
A look to the clock lets me know it's nearing six. She should be here by now. We should be out of here by now.
"Hang tight kiddo, not much longer."
I hope.
I hear her blow a disgruntled breath down the phone, a teenage sigh echoing in the empty reception. "It's SO not fair. I should be out there enjoying my young life, not cooped up in here, the victim of child slavery… do you know the punishment for child slav ery Faith..?"
"I'll shoot you a bonus, okay?"
"I'm starving!"
"And a pizza?"
Man. Kids are fucking hard. When we were setting up this deal, she begged to be a part of it. Pleading not to be left out `again', to be taught how to fight, how to slay, how to be a member of our bona- fide family business. I said that once she had fully mastered the art of the filing, I would maybe consider the fighting. It's not a deal that she loves.
"Extra large pizza, with extra toppings… and a shake. Super sized."
"You drive a hard bargain."
"Is that a yes?"
And I laugh a little at the victorious tone of her voice. So sure she has me beat. Wrapped around that cute little pinky of hers. Me so sure that she's probably right.
"Yeah. I'll shout for the pizza. But Dawn..?"
"What?"
"Keep the phone free. You want something, take a walk… you never know who's trying to call."
Because you don't.
I drop the phone back into its cradle and snatch another look at the clock. I can't cope if something's fucked up. This has to all go perfect. The execution of two months planning. Getting schedules sorted, funds in place, everything the way it's supposed to be.
Makes me wonder if I should phone through now. If I should play the helpless card and cut a call to LA. `Help me Angel, I'm getting nervous…'
Sounds kinda dumb though. Like I should learn to chill out. Everything is planned to perfection and everything is going to go fine. Angel said so and I trust him. Cordy said so and I trust her too.
They couldn't wait to help of course. Damn… they practically fell over themselves trying to help me out.
`Anything you need Faith, anything. Ever. Ever, ever… you just let me know…'
Cordy's gratitude flowing fast as soon as the awkwardness had been displaced. As soon as she had proved beyond all doubts that the curse was well and truly lifted. She gave Angel his happy, a whole weekend full of happiness, and his soul had stayed firmly in place. Eight weeks on and he's still all about the smiles. The words that he used longer and a little more weighted, but the sentiment was the same…
`You did this for me Faith. You took my eternity and made it bearable… you allowed me to be a man again, to have feelings… if there's anyway I can ever repay this debt…'
And hell yeah!! It's called ten days in Hawaii.
Not that I had asked them straight away. I had to think it through first. Tara my secret ally in a plan to make Buffy's smile permanent. Trying to figure out the logistics of taking the slayers out of Sunnydale. Leaving the hellmouth unguarded. In the end there had only been one way, the obvious way…
The light on the phone breaks through my thoughts again. Dawn too lazy to use her legs again. "Now what, you forgot how to walk..?"
"No!" Her voice all full of the righteous anger. "Maybe I shouldn't bother telling you that they're here… that you can go get your honey now and whisk her off to paradise. Jeez, you try and do something right around here…"
"Chill kiddo."
"And stop calling me kiddo! Do you ever think how embarrassing it's gonna be when you're still calling me kiddo at graduation?"
"Wicked embarrassing." I guess. "So she's here?"
"THEY are here." They are? Who are? "I'll send them through."
"Right… thanks."
And now I move the comfy chair back just a little. Straightening myself, straightening my shirt. Ready to look all professional to the `they' that are walking through the door.
"Faith!"
She yelps it as she throws herself in my direction. All that same energy, all that same enthusiasm. Maybe slightly less of the touchy feely.
"Ken… uh, hey. How's things?"
I try and pull her arms from round me as I speak, my eyes drifting up from my plight to catch sight of Fred lurking by the doorway. Bumbling with her glasses, with the blush that turns her cheeks bright red.
"Fred..? What the..?"
Cos she wasn't meant to be coming, right? No point in having some kooky math genius guarding the hellmouth. Some chick who's scared of her own shadow…
"I asked her to come Faith, you don't mind, do you?"
Oh… wait…
Angel's words from before sliding fast into my mind. How Fred was keeping Kennedy grounded. How they were hanging out, getting close…
"I dunno Ken, the office only has the one bed…" My sensuous smile now making her squirm, my eyebrows holding her hypnotized. "…and what if things get rough, can she handle herself?"
"Uh… Faith?"
I break my gaze from my prey to glance across to my former buddy. The crazy girl who had kept me company when no one else wan ted to remember my name.
"What's up Fred?"
"If something happens, I'll be okay, I'll be safe… Kennedy taught me some moves…"
Oh, I bet she did. Only I don't say it. I don't increase the blushes in the room. I just wink and say okay then. I throw my arm across her shoulder and ask how's things. And most importantly of all, I thank them both for helping me out. For taking time out of their lives to let me do this thing for Buffy.
And then I'm interrupted by the god damn blinking light on the phone. Again!
"Jesus Dawn, now what!?!"
"I rang ahead for pizza, I ordered Hawaiian, we're leaving in five!"
The tone cuts through as she cuts the connection. And how the heck do you like that..? Hanging up on me. It sucks. If I wasn't so firmly wrapped around her finger I'd probably be making a stab at pissed. I am though and I know it.
Plus her call makes me check the clock. Makes me realise the ti me. My goodbyes hastily given and Dawn hastily grabbed. Only waiting the seconds it takes to make the call. To set the wheels in motion.
`Hello..?'
`B, it's me. We've got a sitch, I'm coming home…'
`What's going on..? Faith..?'
`I can't explain now, it's too big, too fucked up… I'll be back soon. Throw some shit in a bag.'
On a mission to sweeten her destiny.
And boy had it been hard going.
I should've guessed really, I mean, it's not like she likes to do things the easy way is it? No. She had to make me sweat first, had to make me think that the whole damn deal was gonna go up in smoke…
"Faith, what the heck is going on..?!"
Her words thrust at me as soon as I had stepped through the door. Foot tapping, arms crossed. A whole world of pissed obvious in her pose.
"It's major shit B. Angel called, there's a demon problem… some mass spawning…"
Her eyes on ly hardening as I launched into my unsure spiel about some fantasy demon. "…he said he wants you to deal with it. Figures you're the best for the job…"
"Me..?"
"Uh-huh."
I held her stare as she gave me the once over. Determined to stay in character. To not reach forward and ease the frown lines from her face. Sighing inside as her arms had dropped, as she leant back against the sofa to await all the details that I had.
"He only just heard about it, some distress call came in and he got straight on the phone to me… he sounded pretty worried B."
"And he can't deal with it, why?"
Cos the sun shines fucking bright in Hawaii.
"LA needs him. He can't leave right now. I guess he figured cos there's two of us here…"
"Where is it?"
Ah. That was a sticky moment. Trying to keep the smile under wraps, trying to banish the brochures from my thoughts, the idyllic pictures of idyllic islands. I nstead glancing away as if I was wounded. As if the thought of her leaving me was too much to talk about.
"It's far."
"How far?"
Biting so hard on the inside of my lip. Tasting blood. Turning from her stare just to relieve the pain of pretending to be pissed. "You have to fly."
"Faith..?"
Remembering to hunch my shoulders. To drop my voice. "Hawaii."
And fuck me, it was difficult. The way she had echoed my word in that high pitched squeal of hers… `Hawaii..?'
"Yeah. I know it sucks… I hate that you have to go…"
"No. No way! I don't HAVE to go anywhere."
The vehemence in her voice making me turn back to face her. Seeing the arms crossed again, the way she was holding herself ramrod straight. Not bending. Making it harder for me.
"B, come on… someone has to go." But she just arched her eyebrow. Cocked her hip. Made me deal the death blow. "It's our job."
Because I knew that th ere was no running from that, and I knew that she knew it. It is our job. And now Angel is our boss, he can pretty much ask us to do what needs to be done. We help the helpless. There are no boundaries to helplessness.
"Are you coming?"
"No. Can't leave the hell mouth B, one of us has to stay."
"Why can't I stay?"
And I had thought about that one. Why would Angel choose B over me? "Dunno, I guess he doesn't trust me enough. Maybe he's worried I'll go surfing instead of slaying."
"Maybe he's an ass."
Again I'd had to bite down hard. Her solemn expression killing me just as much as her jibes at Angel. He's an ass? He's my fucking hero.
I'd pulled it off though. Stayed sensible long enough to convince her that this was all real. That there really was some big kahuna demon who was spawning just off the coast of Hawaii. Thousands of little demonic tadpoles waiting to feed on the locals if she co uldn't get there and stop it.
It appealed to the super hero in her. The part that makes us strive to do the right thing even though we want to do the exact opposite. Her stance losing challenging to embrace acceptance. Wanting details, logistics…
"When do I go?"
"As soon as possible. Angel has a plane waiting at the airstrip… is your bag ready?"
"My own plane?"
And yeah. That appealed to a different part of her.
"Your own plane."
Easing her burden. Lifting her shoulders a little.
"Cooool."
Maybe a lot.
The house coming alive as everyone else had stepped up to play their part. Tara and Willow gathering around. Dawn taking dramatic to the limit, almost blowing it for me.
"Oh my god! You have to go… but… how will we cope, without you…"
The whole time shoving that thin based Hawaiian into her mouth and buzzing from the excitement of knowing a secret her sister had no cl ue to. A Cheshire cat grin splitting her cheeks, cheese flying from her lips as she attempted to pretend she was blubbering out her sadness.
And I had done the only thing I could. Stepping up close and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Really freaking tight around her shoulders. "Come on Dawnie, it'll be okay. I'm here to look after you."
"Right Dawn, she is. And I'll only be gone one night, maybe two. You'll be okay… yeah?"
And I had gripped even tighter.
Do not blow it Dawn. Do not blow it.
"I…uh… uh-huh."
It had been tempting to reach up and grab her ponytail. Force her head into a frantic gesture of compliance. I could see the wavering in Buffy's eyes. Worried about Dawn. Worried about leaving her.
"She'll be fine B, I promise. Now come on, you have to get going."
"I have to get going? I'm driving myself?"
It was the second minefield. Another slip up that nearly cost me.
" No sweetie, I'm driving you."
Such a sweet girl that Tara. Always there to help.
"You..? You know about this?"
It had sent manic glances flying for a moment. Tara freezing in front of her, me silently screaming behind her. And Red wading in to try and make it better. Only succeeding in sending it skitting somewhere close to disaster.
"Yes! Err, Cordy just rang… a vision… you have to hurry…"
Admittedly she was trying her best. Flapping her arms all around, brainless banter speeding from her lips. I wanted to duck and take cover. I could see the signs of suspicion… Buffy's eyebrows as they began to dip in the centre of her head…
"Wills, what's going on..?"
Not even asking me. Fixing her stare on Red and waiting expectantly.
"I… we… Tara?"
Her mouth pointing out in a pout. Turning to face our blonde witch.
And I was sure that was it. Really it. Busted. Shot down in flames.
"It's just like Willow said, Buffy. Cordelia rang, she told us she had a vision and you need to get going straight away. It sounded urgent…"
"It sounds fishy."
A seafood supreme. I'd known then that I had to play the only hand I had left. Calling in the big guns. My pocket ace.
"Give Angel a call. If you really think I'd lie to you, then call the boss. You do have trust in him, right..?"
Calling on all of my memories of hurt. Remembering the role to play. Slumping my shoulders down, masquerading as the girl I used to be.
"Faith…"
"No, it's cool B." Pulling the cell phone from my pocket, tossing it in her direction. "I get it."
And I didn't like doing it. Didn't want to put any sadness in her eyes, but what else could I do? This is important. Worth the few extra ounces of hurting, just to get to the point where I can give her a whole world of happiness. Concentrating that thought into my eyes… begging her to trust me…
"I don't need to call Angel. I trust you."
Superb!
Not needing to pretend at the smile which lit my face up then. Papering over any inconsistencies in our story with an embrace of goodbye. Carrying her bag for her, pulling her in close as she went to get in the car.
"I'm gonna miss you B."
My hands drifting down to nestle her ass, my cheek sliding across hers as I had whispered my sorrowful farewell. Clinging as hard as she had. Anything to stop the victorious chuckle from rising up out of my throat.
I got her. I got her good.
Unable to stop the giddiness of that feeling as she had driven out of sight, punching the air, hollering a cry of success.
"Are you gonna spend all night out there, displaying on the sidewalk, or are you gonna get a move on..?"
And I had displayed for a few minutes more. Capturing Red in my happiness, spinning her round. Slapping Dawn's hand with a neat high five…
"Is everything ready, are we good to go..?"
"Check! I packed Buffy's bag, ten days of beach wear. I don't even think she noticed anything was missing."
"Nice one. Red..?"
"All set to go. Tara's gonna get Buffy settled on the plane and then we stow you away. Though…" I had awaited her question, already known the answer. "…are you sure she won't see you?"
"Absolutely. She's got tons of fake files on a fake demon to read, and I'm gonna be sitting up front with the pilot… Angel's briefed the guys the other end. It's all taken care of."
"And you're just gonna surprise her… at the hotel?"
"Sure." I had thought again then of the brochures. The Four Seasons resort in Lanai. There was no way that Buffy was gonna believe the bullshit after seeing where she was staying. That was gonna be my moment. I explained it all to Red, laid out the final parts to my plan.
"Yikes. This is all so romantic, you do know that?"
"Just trying to make the girl happy."
And then she had explained it all to me. "You already did that Faith. This IS romantic, a whole heap of romantic, just suck it up and accept it."
So I did. Smiling again. Whooping again. My excitement threatening to boil over the whole time that I was heading to the airstrip. Waiting on Tara's signal and creeping my way into the cockpit. Not able to speak. Barely breathing the entire journey. Knowing that she was sat so close to me, that I could give it all up, there and then, and be at her side.
But I didn't.
I worked too hard to get this all right. I spent too many weeks rehearsing my line. Practising my moment.
Swallowing down my nerves now as I speak to the bell boy. Sitting with the bags and shooting shit. Waiting on the call that I know is gonna come any moment.
And here it is . I guess she found her room.
"Hello?"
"Faith, it's me. You are not gonna believe this!"
"What's up, you there yet?"
"I think there's been a mix up… you should see this place, it's crazy. The room, god… it's huge! And the balcony… I'm on the balcony right now Faith and let me tell you, the stars in Hawaii are way better than the stars in California…"
"I think they're the same stars."
"No way. You need to see these, they're…"
Shiny?
Only I know what she means. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't cast my own glance up over the sky outside. But that's not why she's here. She's here on a mission.
"So what about the demon, have you made a start on that yet?"
"That's the other thing Faith. The files on the demon read more like a travel brochure than a write up on something mean and nasty, just listen to this…"
I cover my snigger as she rustles some papers at her end. My eyes wand ering back to the bell boy and giving him a wink, a signal to say that we'd be moving in just a few. That he wouldn't have to stand idle with my bags for too much longer. My attention drifting back to the phone as she begins to read her file notes to me. But then I don't really need to listen. After all, it was me that wrote them.
"…Lana'i is home to one of the largest schools of spinner dolphins in Hawaii, and from December to April it is also the calving and breeding grounds for hundreds of migrating humpback whales. Also popular with spawning demons. Watch out for the tentacles…"
"Sounds treacherous."
"No Faith, it sounds ridiculous. And fishy."
"Fish have tentacles? I thought that was an octopus thing."
"Faith."
Her voice gets stern and I can just imagine the look on her face. Not caring about stars anymore, just wondering what the hell is happening.
"Yeah..?"
And I feel the moment coming closer. The smile already starting to raise my lips.
"What's going on?"
"What do ya mean?"
"I'm standing on the balcony in the swankiest hotel room I have ever seen, looking at stars and hearing the ocean… what's going on?"
My cue to get moving. Urging the bellboy to wheel the cases behind me as I head to the elevator, speaking my last line into the phone. The last lie.
"No idea B. I'll tell ya what, give me a few and I'll call Angel, see if he can't sort this out."
"And then you'll call me back?"
"Of course. Just sit tight. Enjoy the view or something."
"Cute."
"I try. I'll speak to you in a minute, okay?"
"Okay. Bye."
I listen as she cuts the call. Imagining her face as I ride the elevator the short journey up to the second floor. My feet sinking into the plush carpeting that leads me to her door. The Prime Ocean Front suite. Only the best for my girl.
Only the deepest of nerves for me. This is it. My hand shaking as I lift it to knock. My mouth incomprehensively dry.
"Who is it..?"
And her voice. So suspicious as she shouts through the door. Making me nudge the ever suffering bellboy, convincing him to play along with my smile.
"Room service ma'am, your complimentary champagne and hamper are here."
"Oh… okay. Just give me a minute."
I offer him my thanks and gladly accept the bags from the trolley. Ushering him away now. Just standing and awaiting entry. Trying to strike a pose as the door starts to open before me…
Seeing as her eyes do the double take, as her mouth drops even further open than when I had worn that dress to Anya's wedding.
"Hey B."
And what else can I say?
She's not saying anything. Still stood frozen in shock. Mouth moving now but no sound coming out. Makes me think I should take the initiative, should somehow get this party moving.
"Can I come in?"
"Huh..? Yeah… come in."
She pulls the door wide open to let me get through with the bags. Stepping to the side so I have somewhere to put them. And fuck me, what a room. None of the brochures did this justice, no picture came close to how amazing this looks.
"Holy shit."
And then some. My mouth gaping now as I walk through to the balcony, almost forgetting that I need to do some explaining first. That Buffy still has no clue as to what's going on.
I'm reminded by the harshness of her voice though. Cutting through my exploration of a sky that's shining with more stars than I have ever seen anywhere ever. No city lights to dampen the brightness, nothing but the waves to break the sound of tranquillity…
"You want to tell me what's going on now?"
"Sweet view B."
"I don't care about the view, just tell me what's going on… what are you doing here?" < BR>"You forgot something."
She really did. And I know this because it's bulging a soft lump inside of my jacket. Maybe the whole reason behind me bringing her here. Wanting to show her how much I care, how much I love her. Wanting her to have everything that she needs.
"I forgot something?"
"Sure ya did."
I pat the lump affectionately, in line with my heart, my eyes already drifting over her body, over the curves which lay hidden beneath clothes.
"What is it?"
And her confusion is so god damn adorable. Her voice dropping any tone other than curious, her face screwing up into all sorts of bewildered expressions.
It's beautiful. A beauty that doesn't decrease as I slide my hand inside of my jacket, reaching into my pocket and producing my prize. As good a reason as any to hoodwink my girl into taking an unexpected surprise vacation.
"My bikini?"
"Damn right your bikini."
"You followed me to Hawaii to deliver my bikini, even though I'm only supposed to be here to fight a spawning sea demon with…" She drops my gaze to glance down at the file still held in her hand. Quoting my own words to me. "…orange spotted tentacles."
"Yep."
I hold my hand up in the distance between us, offering the barely there bikini that she had been so desperate to wear. That I had been so desperate to see. "You wanna go get changed?"
And I know she's gonna beat me if I don't explain things soon, but this is so good. Just how I imagined it would be. Her stood before me looking lost, and me knowing that any minute now she is gonna be screaming out in ecstasy.
For the moment though she just looks un-amused. Reaching out and taking the bikini, tossing it to the side, slapping me with the Buffy stare. "Last chance, what's going on?"
"Last chance? Sounds dangerous."
Looks dangerous too.
"Faith."
"Okay, okay… I'll fess up."
Because I like my limbs in the position they're in. No remodelling needed.
I wait till she bridges the gap that keeps us apart, joining me in resting back against the balcony, a warm breeze blowing in from the ocean. Not a tentacled demon in sight.
"I guess you've figured out that there's no demon problem to fix?"
"I was starting to wonder."
"Right. Well, there's not. I decided, we decided, that you needed some time off."
"Huh? Who's we?"
Everyone.
I lift my ass up a little to perch up on the railing. Swinging my feet. Relaxing now that I can tell her the truth. Two months of planning finally paying off.
"All of us. It was my idea, I asked Angel, but he made it all happen. Got some friend who owed him a favour to sort out this place… the plane, it was mostly him really…"
I can see that she's still not quite there. She hasn 't figured out why she's here yet.
"But the hellmouth, who's guarding the hellmouth? Oh god, Dawn…"
"Kennedy. And Fred. It's all covered B. Nothing to worry about."
"Right… nothing to worry about." She starts a little pace now in front of me, three tiny steps forward, stop, spin, turn, and three tiny steps back. The deep green of her eyes piercing me in the moonlight. So serious. So beautiful. "What's going on?"
Her voice just a whisper above the crashing of the waves. And I have to tell her. Have to let her know how perfect this life is.
"Vacation."
Just one word. Eight little letters which join together to give her the thing that she dreams of the most. Her eyes narrowing, flying wide. Her hand rising up to cover her mouth as it gapes out her shock.
"Surprise..?"
I don't know what else to say. I've rendered her dumbstruck. She's not moving. Standing dead still as the tears form in her eyes.
"Buffy?"
Have I broken her..? I start to wonder as she continues to just stand and stare. Movement eventually coming in the form of a shaking head. Backwards and forwards. And I can't leave her standing so unsure. My perch forgotten as I slide down to join her, my arms sliding into their favourite place, holding her tight against me.
"It's the truth B, I promise you. This… all of this, it's for you. There is no demon, never was any demon, I just… I needed a way to surprise you."
She doesn't speak. Doesn't move.
My head pulling back so as I can see her. Witnessing as her tears break free, sliding a path down her cheeks. Making me lift my thumb to trace them, to wipe them away.
"B, are you okay?"
Because this wasn't meant to be sad. I wasn't meant to make her cry.
I hold my breath as she squeezes her eyes tight, letting her fingers slip between mine to pull them from her face. Down b y our sides. The corners of her mouth raising just the slightest. A hint of a smile before she speaks.
"You did this for me?"
"Yeah… is it okay, do you like it..?"
"Do I like it?"
There's disbelief wrapped around her words. Her shiny eyes looking at me as if I am crazy. So I nod. I confirm my question.
"I don't think I can believe it…" Her gaze leaves me for a moment to take in the view. The stars shining down, the waves crashing against the rocks below us. "…are you sure this is real. Am I dreaming again?"
"It's real."
"Really, really, real?"
A chuckle accompanying my nod this time. "Yes B. It's really, really, REALLY, real. You girl, are on vacation."
"Shit."
Shit..?!
"You what?"
"Good shit. I mean… holy crap. I'm on vacation?"
"Yep."
And she's not hinting at a smile now, she's hitting me full on with a Buffy Summers special. The kind of smile that c ould make you fall in love. That made me fall in love.
"How long?"
"Ten days."
Her mouth forms a wow without sound. Maybe silent at the thought of ten days peace and quiet. Ten days where we have nothing to worry about except each other. Nothing to focus upon except each other.
"Ten days..? But how… this is crazy. How did you do this?"
With a little help from my friends.
"It was easy really. We all knew how much you wanted this, how much it meant to you…"
"But…"
"No buts, just listen. You deserved this, we got together to give you it. Angel paid for everything… he said it's a bonus for all the dollar we've raked in Sunnydale. Kennedy offered to play slayer in charge and the gang are gonna all pull together to take care of Dawn…"
"Just like that?"
"Yeah. Pretty much."
"Wow." Now she does speak it. Still shaking her head, caught somewhere in a disbelieving place. Probably still expecting the bad that always accompanies the good.
"Oh no!" And I guess she found it. "Clothes! I haven't got clothes!"
Oh man.
"Clothes?"
"Yes clothes! You never said I was going away for ten days! I have clothes for two. I have one pair of jeans. One pair of SHOES! This is a disaster!"
This is fucking hilarious.
"Don't forget the bikini B, I brought your bikini."
I pick it up and hand it to her, just to illustrate the point. "And hey, not like you're gonna be needing much else."
A little lewd wink. A suggestive raise of the eyebrow.
"Faith, this is serious. Can we focus please?"
I can try. My eyes focusing on all the places that they want to focus upon. That hint of naughty rising again as I think long and hard about all the things I want to do to those focused upon places.
"I'm focused."
"Did you see any shops, any place I can buy some clothes?"
We 're still on the clothes?
I tear my gaze away from her body to marvel instead at the look in her eyes. At the completely unique way her mind seems to function.
"I brought your clothes, you dope."
As if I'd really just bring the bikini. No way. Tara ordered that I bring clothes as well.
"You did?" I point to the two suitcases I was carrying when she opened the door on me, nod my head slowly up and down. "Oh… guess that explains the baggage then."
"That explains the baggage."
She casts her eyes over the cases, drags them back to me. Out towards the view again. Slowly back to me. Getting wider on each pass. Her smile growing ever bigger. "I can't believe it."
"Believe it B."
I know what's coming. I can see it building in her. I can feel it. The excitement as it encompasses her body from the face down. The way she's starting to bounce. "I'm on vacation?"
And how many times do I have to say it?
"Yes B! You. Are. On. Vacation." Each word spoken slowly. Each syllable broken down to send the message home.
"I'm on vacation?"
Oh god. I want to nudge her. Worried that she's a record stuck on repeat. That I've somehow scrambled her brain. I don't though. I keep my smile, I nod again. "Yeah."
And I cover my ears on the loudest god damn screech I have ever heard. Ever. Peeling out and echoing back on the cliffs that surround us. Loud enough to wake all of the dead in all of the worlds in every dimension.
Just waiting till she has finished. Laughing along with her exuberance. "I guess you're happy?"
"I guess you're right." And she laughs too. Taking my hand again and facing me out towards the sea. "I can't believe you did this… I can't believe I didn't know you were doing this. It's kinda sneaky."
"It was super sneaky B. I totally got you."
Making her giggle now. A carefree soun d. Her shoulders already relaxing. "Hey, I was suspicious… I knew something was up."
"No way! I got you good."
"You really think so?"
Her voice drops down below the crashing waves and I have to lean closer to hear her. Her body turning to face me, my arms reaching round to hold her.
"I know so." Affirming my statement with the gentlest of kisses. Just my lips meeting hers. No demands. No offerings. Just a simple kiss. Making her sigh against me, her hands lifting to tangle in my hair, to pull me a little closer.
"Now that you have me Faith…" Close enough to hear the words whispered enticingly into my ear. Close enough for her to stoke the fire which is always waiting to burn for her. "…what are you planning on doing with me?"
And there's a question. With only one obvious answer.
I start with the tease, the little pull back that brings her pout, darkening my eyes, deepening my intentions. Hands reaching out to pick up the bikini again…
"I was kinda hoping you might model this for me now." The brightest grin shooting her way, the cockiest of winks. "After all, it is the reason I hauled our asses down here…"
"You're incorrigible. You know that?"
In-what-able?
"I'm also highly fuckable, that has to count for something, right?"
She just shakes her head and recovers the distance I had put between us. Her lips refinding mine, her hands remembering how they like to play in my hair. Taking my breath away. Impressing me that she can still find words after a kiss that deep.
"You're highly and totally lovable Faith. Everything else pales beside that."
Impressing me with the words that she finds. Making me breathless again. Not needing to find my own words as she seeks to rekindle the kissing. Leading me backwards, into the room, towards a bed. Hands moving to remove my jacket, fingers sli ding under my shirt to rake patterns hard across my back…
Floating. Falling. The bed breaking my landing with the softest of mattress. And her. Buffy. Stood above me. Eyes smiling but dangerous. Pinning me to the bed.
"Looks like I got you now."
And I can barely talk when her voice finds that tone. Each one of my senses sent jangling. Knowing her intentions. My body clenching in anticipation of her touch, my mouth drying. Fighting to find the words. To play the game.
"Yeah… what you planning on doing with me?"
My eyes begging her to touch me. She has to know. Has to know how desperate I am for her, how much I need her…
"Everything Faith. Everything."
Just what I wanted to hear. The last thing I hear as she joins me on the bed. Not launching herself at me in a fit of franticness, but gently, easing herself down to cover me. Her gaze steady. Her smile sure. Ready to kiss. Ready to love.
And I have to say it. I waited so long to say it.
"Happy vacation B."
"The happiest."
I watch her as she nestles in those last few minutes of
sleep. Her nose twitching. Her eyes scrunching just a little at the sudden
invasion of light. And I couldn't help it. Opening the blinds so that
the dawn breaking sun could shine steadily through. Illuminating her nakedness
as it wraps around the sheets.
Every morning I've done this. From the first morning, to this, our last morning. Ten days which seemed to stretch before us, now suddenly passed so quick. And it's true what they say about time flying and having fun. I have never known time to pass so quickly and I have never had so much fun.
Buffy wasn't the only one who hadn't been big with vacations. This was my first one too. I never even thought about them before I was with her. Why would I..? A vacation to me meant the couple of days that went m issing when I was hanging out with the whisky. Not ten days of absolute heaven spent wholly with the person who I love more than anything.
I like it. I love it. I want yearly vacations. Maybe seasonal ones. Skiing in the winter. New England in the fall.
The sound of her stirring brings me back to here and now. Watching as her eyes drift open, as she looks to find me in my place by the window. The chair I always sit in. Waiting to hear the words she says every morning.
"Come back to bed?"
Almost hidden beneath her yawn. Her yawn almost hidden beneath her smile.
"Sure thing B."
My words the same as well. Every day has started like this. Me watching her sleep, watching her wake, and then her calling me back to bed. Time spent just being together. Nowhere to rush to. No one needing us. Silly words exchanged, silly thoughts. Dreams, aspirations. The kind of things that you can only ever tell to s omeone special. The person who shares your dreams.
"What day is it Faith?"
But I know she knows. "It's Monday. Home day."
"I knew you were gonna say that."
See? She knew.
"Do we really have to go home today..? Can't you ring Angel, tell him that a lifetime of smoogles is worth more than ten days?"
"I don't think he'll go for it, I can try though, if you really want me to?"
She lets out a husky morning laugh as I wrap myself around her and the sheets. Turning her body to face mine, her hands already helping me to remove the vest I had worn when watching her. "I don't think he'd go for it either. I'm definitely demanding more vacation next year though…"
"Me too." I cut her off with my words. "This has been awesome B, totally fucking awesome."
"There has been some awesome fucking."
"Language."
Her eyes leave mine as she tinkles another laugh, fixing her gaze on the finger that' s tickling it's way up my arm, across my shoulder, teasing it's way down to a breast. Circling a nipple. "Just telling the truth Faith."
Hmmm. I like her truth. My head arching back as I let out a soft moan, my body coming alive to each of her touches. My morning ritual ready to begin…
"What time do we have to go?"
Huh?
"B…"
I know I look disappointed, I feel it. My mind already travelling to the places it wanted to go, wanted to stay. We can talk schedules later. I want her now.
"What? I only asked."
And she knows what she is doing. Her smirk making it obvious, more of her laughter making it definite.
"We're leaving later. Much later. Now if you don't mind…"
"I do mind."
The hand that I am trying to urge back into action is suddenly pulled away. Her body rolling to lay on top of me, her lips soft as they push against me. "I have something to say first."
"Shit, you can't say it after?"
"There won't be anything to be after if you don't shut up and listen."
And her serious look chastens me. Kind of. My fingers still determined in their efforts, just stroking up her back, giving her a steady rhythm to talk to. "What's up?"
"Nothing's up. I just wanted to say thank you…"
"There are better ways to say thank you, if you just…" I find the base of her spine, tickling the dip that leads to her ass. Hands travelling down.
Grunting as she grabs at those hands, holds them firm in place either side of my head. "You never learn do ya? Listen for five minutes Faith, and then you get the goodies. Come on baby… I know you can do it."
Making me fake a pout of my own. "Okay. Five minutes. Time starts now."
"You're such an ass sometimes."
Yep.
"Time's wasting B…"
"Totally infuriating."
"Is this meant to be turning me on?"
And I'm lucky she lo ves me or she might just throttle me. She does love me though, so she smiles through my infuriating moment and waits for me to stop grinning my shit eating grin. "You're always turned on. And no, this isn't that."
"Okay."
"It's thank you. Seriously… thank you. You don't know what this meant to me."
Sure I do. It meant the same to me.
"Was it like you thought it would be, was it as good as the dreams?"
My question has her pausing, using up more talk time. Making me wait on an answer, starting to wonder if I didn't deliver. "It was better."
And thank fuck for that!
"You sure?"
"Absolutely. This was real. I have the postcards to prove it."
She leans down to kiss me, but now I turn my head. Delaying her course of action.
"And you're okay about going home, you're not bummed?"
"No. I can't wait to see Dawn and the others…"
Me either. You start to miss them when they're not ar ound. "…this was great, but home is home."
I couldn't have said it better.
"Also…"
I think it's a grimace that she's pulling as she thinks to speak again. A kind of pained sigh escaping her lips, a disbelieving shake of the head. "…I kind of…"
Yes..?
"What?"
"The slaying… I kind of miss the slaying"
No way!
"You miss slaying?"
"Just a little, not too much…"
"Bullshit!" And fuck me do I laugh. "You're totally itching to kick undead ass, admit it B… you can't wait to slay!"
And that's definitely something I never would have guessed. Buffy misses slaying. No matter that her head is shaking, that she's trying to downplay it now. She's busted.
"I'm kind of looking forward to it… but only in a protect the world kind of way."
"Buffy loves slaying… Buffy loves slaying…" Sing-songing it out. Tormenting her with my tunelessness.
"Quit it Faith, I'm warning you."
She pushes hard against me as she warns me. Her body tight against mine. Distracting my thoughts…. Almost. "Just admit you love it and I'll stop."
"I don't love slaying."
Her hips starting to grind. Reminding me what I love.
"Admit it." Trying to hold my body still. Not giving in to her.
"Okay! I kind of a little bit love the slaying. Happy now?"
And am I?
Most definitely. The part of me that loves the thrill of the chase, the thrill of the kill, delighting in her words. Ecstatic that my partner is feeling the vibe like I am. Arm itching to be holding wood, hands restless to be making dust.
"It's major cool! We're gonna be kicking some serious un-dead ass when we get home."
"You wanna pull an all nighter, hunt out some nests..?"
"Now you're really turning me on."
All that sexy talk. My blood racing. My hips matching hers as they hit that rhythm again. And this rea lly is perfect. Her learning to love the slaying, me learning to love the homemaking…
Something I want to say as her grinding becomes more purposeful. Laid out underneath her and everything bare. "I love you B"
"I know you do baby… now fuck me."
And forget thoughts of language, mock shock at her curse words. I'm too busy laughing at her face, her demands, losing myself to kisses. Our bodies twisting even further in the sheets as the sun rises high outside of our window. Starting the day the proper way.
And it's an easy life. It's a perfect life. It's my life.
Hard to believe. Yet the absolute truth. I have everything I have ever wanted. Everyone I have ever needed. And I know that she feels the same. It doesn't matter what destiny dictates. What fate demands. We did it our own way. We did it together. We made our happy ending.
The End
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