Chapter 9: I Remember (You)

"So when did you learn how to cook?"

Faith finished chewing the bite of sausage she'd just taken and swallowed it. She shrugged and reached for her juice glass.

"It's somethin' they made us learn in prison."

"Oh," Buffy muttered uncomfortably.

The dark haired Slayer looked at her knowingly. That was another subject they'd have to discuss. They'd somehow managed to avoid any real conversations about their past over the years. The most serious subjects they ever brought up with each other were the ones revolving around work and what was going on with their friends.

Might as well get that out of the way. She gulped down the rest of her juice and set it down on the breakfast bar with a thump. Leaning forward, Faith caught her gaze.

"Listen, B. I've never seriously held that against you, even though there were times that I blamed ya 'cause I was in a bad mood or somethin'. But prison was a good thing for me. I had no choice but to actually think about my actions for once, 'cause there wasn't anywhere to hide from it."

"But I should have been in there with you." Buffy argued.

Faith blinked, surprised at the words. What? She shook her head and leaned her elbows on the breakfast bar.

"B, that's bullshit."

"No, it isn't," She countered, refusing to meet the other woman's eyes. "I touched him, Faith. I should've known Finch was human."

It was unbelievable, just how good it felt to finally have the blonde admit it. It reached inside and wrapped itself around her heart, flooding her with warmth. She smirked inwardly at herself. God, I'm such a fuckin' chump.

She caught sight of the guilty, haunted look on Buffy's face and sighed. I gotta put a stop to this shit, right fuckin' now. Beatin' herself up for it ain't gonna do any good. She shook her head. There had been a time this situation would've thrilled her.

The younger Slayer stood up and moved around to Buffy's side of the breakfast bar. She settled on the stool next to her and reached up, grabbing the blonde's chin. She forced her to face her, giving her a sad grin.

"B, he was an accident. It took me for fuckin' ever to finally convince myself of that, but ya really shouldn't let the guilt eat ya up. Maybe ya should've been in there with me, but fuck that. The world needed a Slayer and at the time, you were the better one."

She wanted to argue, but couldn't. The resolute look on Faith's face told her it wouldn't do her any good. She could all ready feel the words serving their purpose though, as some of the tension drained from her. It was something they'd have to discuss later.

She wasn't ready for another emotional conversation just yet. She needed a little more time to get her head on straight before they could get to their more complicated stuff. But it was nice to know that they could do it without any bloodshed. She gave Faith a tentative smile as the other woman released her chin.

"Only at the time, huh?"

"Yup," She replied, with a knowing grin.

Her eyes narrowed. "Care to test that theory?"

"Nah," The brunette replied. "It'd be takin' advantage of ya right now, 'cause you're all broken up over short-shit."

"If that's what you need to think to get past the fact that you and I both know I could totally kick your ass, that's fine with me," She returned.

"Uh-huh," Faith snickered. "But anyway, I learned a lot of shit in prison that I never had a chance to when I was a kid. Some of it was actually kinda interestin'."

"Like what?"

Faith shrugged sheepishly and muttered, "Just a little of this, little of that."

"Come on, tell me. I promise I won't laugh," She cajoled.

"I'll tell ya later, aight?" She replied as she stood and turned to leave. "Let's just go watch a movie in the den."

Buffy sighed and stood to follow her from the room. "I will find out sometime."

"Uh-huh, but not right now," Faith called back as she disappeared into the den.

"Oh my God, that move so wouldn't work in real life."

Faith couldn't help but smile at the blurted comment as she kept her gaze pinned to the two men fighting on the large flat screen TV. She'd forgotten that it could sometimes be just as entertaining listening to the blonde's commentary as watching the movie. She shifted on the couch, laying back against the couch arm, and settled her feet on the middle cushion next to Buffy's.

"Fuck, dude's gonna be singin' soprano for a while."

"Definitely," Buffy muttered and reached for the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table.

"Remind me again why we chose an action flick?" The brunette asked in confusion.

"'Cause they're extremely ridiculous and amusing," She replied around a mouthful of popcorn.

The younger woman shrugged in agreement as the movie came to an end. She turned her head and looked down the length of her body to the other end of the couch. Buffy was in a similar position, except she'd stolen Faith's pillow when they'd first entered the room. She'd thought about stealing it back, but then she'd decided against it.

Damn pillow thief, She grumbled internally even as a reluctant grin creased her lips.

Sensing eyes on her, Buffy turned to look at Faith. She arched an eyebrow in response to the expression she was receiving.

"What caused that goofy look?" She asked in amusement.

The brunette blinked and shook her head, suddenly smirking. "Oh, just thinkin'. Wanna watch another movie?"

"Sure," The older woman answered immediately. "Maybe this time we can watch something different, though?"

Faith retrieved the remote from the floor by the couch and then paused to look at her warily. "Like what?"

"Maybe a romantic comedy," Buffy replied with a shrug.

"You sure you wanna do that, B?" She asked, more than a little surprised.

It had taken her at least a year to be able to watch those types of movies after Robin had left. She winced briefly at the memory and then shook it off. Though it didn't hurt nearly as bad now, it still wasn't a good idea to dwell on that. Not when she was doing her best to help Buffy get through her problems.

The blonde bit her bottom lip, taking a deep breath through her nose. The scent from Faith's pillow filled her, relaxing her further. The only tension left was a delicious one building in the pit of her stomach, making her smile slightly at its' warmth. She released her lip with another shrug.

"Yeah, I am. Maybe it'll help remind me that relationships do have their good points."

"Aight," Faith said skeptically, raising her eyebrows slightly.

She pressed a button, calling up the TV guide. Searching through the channels, she dismissed several of the movies simply because they were almost over. She rejected a few more out of objection to the sappiness. She was about to pass another one when Buffy stopped her.

"Wait a sec, Faith."

She reluctantly paused, giving Buffy the chance to read the information. 'French Kiss' hadn't ever been on the list of movies she was dying to see. But she'd watch it if she had to.

"How's that one?" She asked.

"Sounds good," Buffy answered.

Faith realized half-way through the movie that it hadn't been a great idea. How she had come to that conclusion? The presence of the crying blonde curled up in her arms once more was a very big clue. She wasn't sure what had set off the waterworks this time.

It hadn't even been a particularly sappy scene. In fact, it had seemed to her that Luc was about to get smacked. She shook her head and gently rubbed Buffy's back, feeling her sobs finally start to lessen.

Buffy sniffled and pulled away slightly, looking at the wet spot on the shoulder of Faith's white t-shirt in chagrin. "Sorry," She muttered.

Faith frowned and pulled her back against her. "Stop it with the badass Slayer routine, B. I ain't gonna think any less of ya if ya cry a little."

The blonde was tense for a moment and then she slumped against Faith's side. She returned her head to the brunette's shoulder and sighed.

"Okay, I'll try," She muttered.

"Aight, now tell me what this was about, 'cause ya got me a little confused."

The older woman blew out a tense breath and shook her head. "It was stupid."

"Hey," She objected and tightened her arm around her waist. "It ain't stupid if it made ya bawl like that, B."

Keeping her eyes on her hand which was resting just above the other woman's blue jean clad knee, she swallowed hard. "It just reminded me of something Satsu said once and it kind of hit me hard."

She gently grabbed Buffy's chin and forced her to look up at her. Their eyes locked and she paused, momentarily distracted. There was so much trust looking back at her, and honest to God affection, too. She shook her head and sighed.

"That stuff's gonna happen occasionally, B. You got a lot of memories of her and you're gonna hurt 'cause of the loss. Ya just can't let it completely derail ya like it did before, y'know?"

The blonde's reply was interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. She sighed.

"You should probably answer that."

"Why do I gotta do it?" Faith asked, disgruntled.

"'Cause you're a regular guest here and I'm not," She answered, smirking.

"But she's your sister," She grumbled, all ready reaching for the tiny black annoyance.

"Just answer it all ready."

Buffy watched Faith answer the call, smiling slightly. Despite the emotional rollercoaster she was on, one thing was clear. Something good would come out of this. She was finally going to get the friendship that had been offered so tentatively once before.

Chapter 10: The Next Contestant

Faith shut the cab door and started up the path towards the three story brick house in front of her. She hadn't wanted to leave Dawn's, but she hadn't had any choice. Dawn had called to ask her to stop in at the Council's headquarters for a meeting with Willow. Much to her disappointment, she couldn't tell Dawn to fuck off since she was a watcher—at least not with business matters, anyway.

She was amused that she'd been more annoyed at having to let go of Buffy than at having to attend a meeting, though. While she'd never been a fan of meetings, she hadn't ever been a fan of cuddling either. And no matter which way she tried to look at it, or whatever the reason for it was, she couldn't convince herself that it had been anything other than that.

Fuckin' A, She snickered and shook her head as she stepped up onto the porch.

She let herself into the house and glanced around, pausing as she tried to remember the location of Willow's office. She let her gaze move from the door of Giles's office on her left to the stairs across the foyer from her. Ah, right. Red was babblin' about 'em movin' her to the second floor last time I seen her.

She headed for the stairs, ignoring the gaggle of younger Slayers that were coming down them. It wasn't too hard to find the other woman's office once she reached the second floor. She could all ready hear Dawn's voice coming from the open doorway. She paused outside the room and looked in, smirking.

The youngest Summers was perched on a corner of the redhead's desk, while Willow herself was seated behind it. Kennedy was sprawled across the dark brown leather couch to the left and Xander was leaning against the wall by the filing cabinets on the right. She shook her head and sauntered into the room, immediately drawing their attention.

"What's the what?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow at Willow.

"Just a Scooby meeting," She answered easily.

"So where's Buff?" Xander asked, turning his attention back to the redhead.

"Couldn't get a hold of her," Willow answered, looking a little concerned.

Faith bit her lip and exchanged a look with Dawn. It was Buffy's place to tell them what had happened with Satsu, but what were they supposed to do in the meantime? She sighed and shrugged. Fuck it, it ain't my business.

"Did ya try her cell?" She asked nonchalantly.

"Yes and all I got was her voicemail," The redhead replied.

"Maybe she's just busy?" Dawn asked nervously.

The dark haired Slayer looked away and caught Kennedy looking at her strangely. She lifted a questioning eyebrow. What's that about?

"Whatever," Kennedy interrupted in a bored tone, sitting up. "Why don't we just get to the point of this? I'm sure somebody can fill Buffy in when they see her."

Faith tried to ignore the meaningful glance she was given. She took a deep breath and suddenly realized exactly what it was that had garnered that reaction from the younger Slayer. Since she hadn't changed clothes before coming here, Buffy's scent was all over her. Anyone else would've put it off to a change in perfume or something, but Kennedy was one of the ones who swore there was something going on between them.

She gave the younger woman a warning look and settled down in one of the guest chairs in front of Willow's desk. She could only hope Kennedy would keep her mouth shut. The last thing Buffy needed at that point was more rumors about them going around.

'Don't even,' Faith discreetly mouthed to Kennedy.

'What?' The younger Slayer mouthed back, trying to appear innocent.

Fuck, Faith grumbled internally. This is gonna be all over HQ 'fore I can even get the fuck outta here to warn B.

"I guess Ken's right," Willow started, immediately launching into a detailed explanation of Faith's last case.

After listening for a moment, Faith decided this part of the meeting was more for the benefit of the other Scoobies. Then she came to the conclusion that she didn't need, or want, to hear her own words from the report she'd turned in. Tuning the redhead out, she let her thoughts run rampant. Then she realized exactly what it was her mind wanted to focus on and, rolling her eyes, she reluctantly gave in.

Aight, so we're tryin' to do the friend thing. And it ain't goin' so bad, She mused with a faint smirk which quickly faded. Thing is, it ain't just the friend thing that's happenin'.

B's always made me feel a lot, and most of it has always either confused the fuck out of me or scared me shitless, but it's so much stronger now. Seein' her cry's got me stuck between wantin' to slam Satsu's head into the nearest wall and just wantin' to pull B into my arms. And holdin' her makes my heart do some fucked up thing that feels like it's caught in a motherfuckin' vise-grip. Makes me all kindsa horny too, but that's my natural state of bein' anyway.

I think I know what it is, but I don't like it at all. This is B, for fuck's sake. I can't want that with her. It was bad enough with Robin, but her?

Willow's voice jerked her out of her thoughts, "Did you even hear a word I just said, Faith?"

Damn it. She winced at the irritation in the redhead's tone and sighed. "Sorry, was thinkin' 'bout somethin'. Mind tellin' me again?"

Gotta be more careful, Faith warned herself. Gettin' lost in those thoughts like that's bound to get my ass in trouble.

"Aight, so we'll be puttin' the more problematic chicks through this extra trainin' as of August," Faith said as they made their way downstairs after the meeting was over.

"Yup, that's what Giles decided," Willow said. "That way we'll have a better chance at catching the ones that really aren't suited for being a Slayer."

She nodded. "Who's the unlucky bitch that's gotta deal with that?"

"Well, we were thinking about having Satsu handle the classes," The redhead replied.

The younger woman stiffened in response and looked at her in disbelief. Say what?

She caught the look and sighed. "Listen, I know you and Satsu really don't get along—"

Faith laughed humorlessly and stopped on the bottom step, turning to catch Willow's arm and gently pull her to a halt next to her. She caught her gaze and shook her head.

"That's a fuckin' understatement, Red. But that ain't why I'm thinkin' you're nuts for wantin' to put her in charge of those trainin' sessions."

Exasperated, Willow asked, "Then what's the problem?"

Shaking her head, she replied, "Most of those girls are a lot like me, attitude wise. Not only will they not wanna deal with her shit, Satsu ain't gonna wanna put up with them."

"She's a mature adult, Faith. I think she can put aside her personal issues with you to do her job."

Not liking the emphasis the redhead placed on that phrase, Faith winced. She took her gaze from Willow's and glanced around, clenching her jaw when a familiar sight caught her attention. Oh, fuck. This ain't gonna end well.

Satsu stood in front of the door across the room, anger evident in her stance. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides, her knuckles turning bone white. She was taking deep breaths, obviously trying to stay calm. Even more obvious was that it wasn't working.

Their gazes locked and Faith smirked, unable to stop it. If Kennedy had been able to recognize Buffy's scent, then Satsu wouldn't have a problem doing it as well. It didn't take long for the younger Slayer to finally lose it and Faith's expression took on a predatory edge as Satsu approached.

"I don't think you're right about that, Red. Not anymore," Faith muttered as she stepped off the stairs to meet the other Slayer.

"What?" Willow asked, confused.

"You fucking bitch!" Satsu growled as she stopped within Faith's personal space.

"Yes?" She drawled in amusement.

That only seemed to make her angrier. She poked Faith sharply in her upper chest and snarled, "It isn't enough that you're fucking her, but now you have to come in here like this when you know everyone else can smell her on you?"

Faith grabbed her hand and twisted her wrist painfully as she brought her face closer to the other woman's. She answered as calmly as she could, "I'm just gonna warn ya this once, 'cause I know B don't want me fuckin' ya up, but don't fuckin' touch me."

Then she released Satsu's wrist, shoving her back a few steps with the force. She shrugged off the hand that grabbed her shoulder from behind and crossed her arms over her chest. She just watched the other woman, waiting for her reaction.

Rubbing her wrist, Satsu laughed bitterly, "At least one of you isn't denying it anymore. I knew Buffy was lying when she said she hadn't fucked you."

Faith chuckled and shook her head. "You have to be the stupidest bitch in the Goddamn world. I've told ya before, and I'll tell ya one last time, I ain't ever fucked her."

"I'm supposed to believe you?" The younger Slayer asked disdainfully.

"Nah, ya should've believed B when she first fuckin' told ya that," She snarled, closing the distance between them again. "Instead ya let your fucked up imagination twist ya 'til ya fucked up the best thing that's ever fuckin' happened to ya."

"You're the reason my marriage is fucked up," Satsu hissed. "I tried, but I just couldn't love her anymore, not with knowing that the little whore had let you touch her."

The older Slayer closed her eyes, struggling to contain the sudden surge of anger. She tried counting to ten, then she tried deep breathing, and she even tried visualizations. Unfortunately, the only image she could find was one of Buffy kneeling on Dawn's living room floor in tears. She acted without thought, her fist catching Satsu's jaw at full strength and making her stumble backwards until she fell to the floor.

Faith lunged forward to go after her and several hands clamped down on her arms and shoulders, jerking her to a halt. She struggled to get free, her eyes never leaving Satsu's. Another set of Slayers went to restrain Satsu, making a sneer crease Faith's lips as she reluctantly stopped moving.

"Faith," Willow said tensely, trying to draw her attention from the other Slayer.

"What?" She snapped, forcing herself to look at the redhead as she moved around in front of her.

"What's going on here? I know you two fight, and I've definitely heard Satsu's thoughts on your relationship with Buffy before, but this is a bit much."

"It ain't my place to tell ya," Faith said quietly as she forced herself to relax.

"Let her go," The redhead said, gesturing to the three Slayers behind Faith.

Kennedy asked uncertainly, "You sure?"

"Yeah," She answered.

"Thanks," Faith grunted as they released her and then she rolled her shoulders, ignoring the other two Slayers as they walked off.

"Please tell me what's going on," Willow muttered, only loud enough for Faith and Kennedy to catch it.

Faith's dark brown eyes darted to Satsu who was still being restrained and then back to the redhead. Red ain't gonna let me leave 'til I tell her. She sighed, giving into the inevitable. B's gonna fuckin' kill me.

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