Chapter Eight

Faith was so happy, she could barely stand it. Angel had agreed to move, and the plan was already in motion. He only needed to wrap-up the case he was working on, and then he was "Slayer Central" bound.

The lunch two months ago had gone well, both of them sorry and shrugging off the other's apology as unnecessary. Buffy had been on guard, but just minutes into it, she was able to relax. They were clearly not going to come to blows.

The only tenuous moment came when they discussed Angel's living quarters.

"I'm thinking the basement will be just fine."

Faith snorted:

"No. No basement."

"I am a vampire, Faith. Exposure to sunlight's not exactly an option."

"You're gonna be in the suite at the end of the hall. Giles already called to get that fancy vamp-proof glass ya had at Wolfram's."

He looked uncomfortable:

"That stuff's really expensive and I don't want to throw anyone out of their room."

"Nice try, Soulboy. Council's footin' the bill, and nobody was in there anyway. Was just Giles' little mini-library, and he's moving some of it into his room and the rest back into the main bookworm headquarters."

"Yeah, but..."

"Not haulin' your ass outta one hole just to see you jam it back into another. We need you up here, involved and helping out. ‘Sides, can always stick a ‘Do Not Disturb' sign up when ya gotta. Never know, somebody might pay it some attention."

He laughed and sat back:

"Somehow I sense I don't have much say on this issue."

"Nope, but I'll let ya win on somethin' else somewhere down the line."

So it was settled and now his personal belongings had finally begun arriving. Faith, Buffy, Willow, and Kennedy had spent the morning moving boxes up to his room, unpacking and arranging his things how they thought he might like them.

Buffy placed the ugliest vase Faith had ever seen on top of the bookcase, then stood back to admire it:

"How's that look?"

"Like we oughta smash it to bits."

"It's not that bad. The color is kind of pretty."

"B, looks like somebody puked it up. It sucks."

Buffy laughed:

"Well he must like it, otherwise he wouldn't have packed it."

"See what I was sayin' about him bein' alone? Guy's lost all sense of taste. Is this one still full?"

She bent down to look in the unflattened box, and grinned when she discovered it was already empty. When she straightened up, Buffy was right behind her, wrapping her arms around Faith's waist and kissing her neck as she snuggled into her back:

"Hope you're not getting worn out. I have plans for us tonight."

"Not even close, B. Just bored outta my fuckin' mind."

Kennedy entered the room, carrying four boxes stacked high. Willow was instructing her where to go since she couldn't see a thing in front of her:

"Straight ahead, honey. I'll go see what's left."

Buffy and Faith stood watching, and Kennedy finally spoke up:

"Hello? Little help here."

"Looks like ya got it under control, Trust Fund."

"Ha, ha. Buffy?"

"I'm here, Kennedy."

Kennedy rolled her eyes:

"Would one of you grab a couple?"

"Why, they heavy?"

"They're books, Faith. What do you think?"

"Try not to, that's why I steer clear of reading. Better ask Red about it when she gets back."

Buffy's smile was apparent in her voice:

"And I'd love to help, Ken, but I've got my hands full."

Kennedy slowly and carefully turned until she could see them:

"Full of Faith."

"Well, can you blame me?"

"Yeah, you sayin' something's wrong with her coppin' a feel?"

"Would one of you please take a couple of boxes?"

Buffy seemed to be pondering things intensely:

"Hmm...What do you think, F? I mean, she did say ‘please'."

"Fuck, I don't know. Read somewhere ya coddle kids, they grow up to be spoiled brats."

"Well I don't think we have to worry about that..."

"Thank you, Buffy."

"...since she's already the biggest brat we know."

"Guys, come on!"

Buffy lifted the top two, and Faith grabbed the remaining ones.

"There ya go, Silver Spoon. You just relax while the little people do all the dirty work."

They headed over to the built-in bookshelves and stacked the boxes on the floor. Faith whipped out the knife she was using as a box cutter, and sliced them open with a few practiced flicks of her wrist. Kennedy sprawled in a nearby chair, casually looking around:

"Wow, he's sure got a lot of books."

"Yeah, Soulboy likes to read. Guess it comes from being cooped up all day."

"So Willow gave me a general idea, but what's he really like?"

Faith was cursing as Buffy handed her some more irregular-sized books from the nearest box:

"Damn, gotta rearrange this whole shelf again."

Buffy glanced at Kennedy and smiled:

"Angel is...Well, he's Angel. He's kind of hard to describe."

"Try."

Buffy handed Faith some more books, but she wasn't taking them.

"Look, how ‘bout a break? I'll run down, grab us some drinks and see what's takin' Red all damn day to get her ass back up here."

She didn't wait for a response, kissing the top of Buffy's head as she made her escape.

"How long

Kennedy laughed:

"Hard to say. It doesn't look good since we've already lost Willow."

"Well, let's hope for the best."

She started unpacking another box, and Kennedy moved to help her.

"So?"

"'So' what?"

"You were going to tell me about Angel."

Buffy smiled:

"Yes, I was. Let's see...You'll like him, eventually. Faith adores him and..."

"Yeah, she told me what he did for her."

Buffy's smile faded as she thought back:

"He saved her when no one else gave a damn...not even me."

Kennedy patted her arm sympathetically:

"Hey, from what Faith says, that wasn't your fault."

"That's because Faith loves me and takes everything on herself. It was my fault, at least a big part of it was. I was such an idiot back then."

"But the past is the past, Buffy. You love her now, so none of that really matters anymore. I know for a fact it doesn't to Faith, so you should just try and let it go. You guys are so right together, whatever you went through was worth it to get to where you are now."

Buffy's smile was back and she gave Kennedy a hug:

"Thanks, Ken."

"Besides, you're still an idiot in general, so..."

They both laughed and began unpacking the books again.

"Anyway, Angel's a good man. He's hard to get to know at first, he doesn't talk that much, but he's the best friend you can have. You'll see."

"So he's not too much like Spike then?"

"No, not at all and trust me, they'd both be the first to tell you that."

They worked silently for a while, placing the books on the shelves at random because they knew that Faith would sort them out properly, if and when she came back.

"Buffy?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Don't answer if I'm out of line, but aren't you even a little worried?"

"About?"

"About Angel and you, and you and Faith, and Faith and Angel?"

"'Worried'? No, not at all. Why?"

"It's just that...well, you know."

Buffy slid the last group of books onto the shelf and stood up:

"What Angel and I had was so long ago, I'm completely over it and so is he. I mean, I love him, I always will, but what I feel for Faith is so far past anything I ever felt for him. He was my first love, but she's my soul mate, and he knows that. So does she. We're all okay with everything."

"Cool. It's weird, but cool."

"Well, that's what happens when you start relationships on top of a Hellmouth."

"I have to agree with you on that one. I mean, I did meet my wife there, so..."

"You bitches ever gonna take a hint? We're hangin' on the patio!"

Faith's voice came booming in from the top of the stairs.

"Boy, your soul mate's sure a charmer."

"She does have a way about her."

Faith came sauntering in:

"C'mon! Red's got a huge spread ready, and I'm starvin'."

Her arm wrapped around Buffy's waist, pulling her close while Kennedy looked excited at the thought of food:

"I could definitely eat. Hey, did Will make..."

"Got all your faves, Ken. Go check it out."

Kennedy took the hint, winking at Buffy as she headed for the stairs. Faith barely waited for her to clear the doorway before she asked:

"So, what were you guys talkin' about?"

"This and that."

Faith waited, but when it was obvious no more was forthcoming, she turned Buffy to face her. Her other arm went around her waist as well, her hands locking at the small of Buffy's back.

"That's all you're gonna tell me, ‘this and that'?"

"Well, and that and this."

"You're such a little shit."

Faith pulled her into a kiss, her tongue exploring and probing until Buffy sighed and moved closer. She nibbled slowly down her neck until she hit one of Buffy's hotspots, and it took only a second before she was clinging tightly to Faith, causing them to brush together at some very interesting points.

"Damn Blondie, wish we had more time."

"Don't we?"

Faith shook her head and carefully kept her hands on Buffy's shoulders as she painfully steered them towards the door.

"No. Gotta eat, then Giles wants a meeting. Some boring shit about something."

"Wow, you've really got a handle on it."

"Well fuck, B, he went on about it for like twenty hours. Let me put it this way, he's all excited, okay?"

"Enough said."

The stairs loomed in front of them, and they hesitated.

"Can always eat during the meeting."

"Uh-huh."

"No sense lettin' opportunities just fly by us."

"None at all."

They headed to their room, kissing and groping and laughing all the way.

"You're such a tease, B."

"Me? I didn't even do anything!"

They stumbled through the door and Faith locked it behind her without looking.

"You're being you, guess that's enough."

"Mmm...flattery will get you everywhere."

"Only one place I wanna get, least for now."

They quickly stripped off their clothes, leaving a trail leading straight into their bedroom. Buffy tossed her bra aside and shoved Faith backwards onto the bed.

"Sorry, but you're going to have to wait your turn."

"No way! Was my idea, so I..."

The girlish squeak eeked its way out of her as Buffy's mouth latched on and her fingers thrust in.

"Jesus B, ever heard of foreplay?"

Buffy looked up, the grin on her face nothing but sexy:

"What do you call unpacking boxes? Now shhh...I'm eating out for lunch."

*********************************************************

They were late for the meeting, and Giles was not pleased. They were also each carrying a plate loaded with food into his office, another non-happy Giles event.

"Pardon me, might I ask why you're bringing food into my office?"

"Didn't get lunch, G-Man."

"Gee, I wonder why that is?"

Kennedy's cocky grin turned into a wince of pain when Willow's elbow found its target, and she decided to keep the rest of her comments to herself.

Buffy ignored her and concentrated on giving Giles her most winning smile. Just as it had from the very beginning, it made him soften, and she brought the deal home by saying:

"We didn't want to be any later, so we thought we'd eat while we met."

"All right, Buffy, if you must. But do be careful, I've some irreplaceable documents spread about and..."

Faith plopped down, her mouth already full of her sandwich:

"Geez, not like we're pigs or somethin'."

"The fact that I can barely decipher what you're saying seems to belie the veracity of that statement."

Faith grinned and took a huge swig of her beer:

"Could say the same about you, and you don't even got food in your mouth."

His face didn't change expression, but his eyes revealed his amusement:

"Yes, quite. And do not even consider placing that bottle down on any surface in this room."

"What about on those scrolls over there?"

"Perhaps I should warn you, I've yet to finalize next week's assignments."

She sat up straight and turned on the charm:

"Hey G-Man, maybe we oughta get this meeting started. I was just tellin' B how fascinating it was gonna be."

"Oh yes, I'm sure you were."

Buffy nodded vigorously:

"She was, Giles. And boy, I can hardly wait."

He sat down behind his desk with a smile and began the meeting.

"It seems we've somewhat of a problem. I'll be asking for input from each of you after I've finished my summary, so please pay attention."

Faith zoned out almost immediately. Buffy was sitting in a chair with her leg flung over one of the arms, and she was slowly swinging it back and forth.

It was mesmerizing, at least to Faith, and she kept remembering what it felt like to have that soft, delicate, yet powerful leg wrapped around her waist as she...

"Faith!"

"What?!"

"Did I or did I not ask you to pay attention?"

"I was."

He stared at her, clearly not believing a word she said:

"Really?"

"Yeah, just not to you."

"Well that's just splendid, truly."

Buffy broke in before they could really get going:

"I'm with Will on this. We can try it the easy way first and if that doesn't work, we'll just have to get our hands dirty."

Giles shuffled some papers around on his desk until he found what he was looking for:

"According to Xander's report, we've nearly three weeks before action must be taken."

Kennedy piped up:

"Then let's go the easy route, it might work. If it doesn't, I'm volunteering to do the hard part. Rona and Vi will be home by then, and I know they'll help out."

Willow chipped in, all enthusiastic and upbeat:

"And I'll help too, Giles. I don't think with the four of us on the job, it'll be too tough to get it done either way."

He smiled with relief:

"Thank you, girls. I must say this puts my mind at ease. Xander has indicated that he can be done on his end in a day or two, so perhaps you could discuss the particulars with him."

The phone rang, and he excused himself to answer it. Faith leaned over and whispered to Buffy:

"So B, what the hell are we talkin' about?"

"Some plumbing problem. There was some structural damage, and the repairs are expensive."

"Oh. Fuck, am I glad I didn't volunteer. Thought it was a demon thing."

Giles was trying to get their attention as he scribbled some notes:

"No, of course it's no bother at all, and I'm certain Willow will assist me with the research."

He glanced at her, and she was already nodding excitedly.

"Yes, they're both here. I understand. Hold one moment, please."

He turned to Buffy and Faith:

"It's Angel. He needs to speak with one of you."

Buffy was closer, so she took the phone from his hand.

"Hi, Angel. What's going on?"

They all listened intently to Buffy's side of the conversation:

"Uh-huh...uh-huh. Don't be silly. So which one of us do you prefer, and keep in mind I've been a Slayer the longest and...Oh...Right, sure. We'll leave within the hour. Okay, see you soon."

She handed the phone back to the Giles and said nothing until he'd placed it in the cradle.

"What's the sitch, B?"

"He's got a problem, a big problem, and he needs back-up."

Willow said what they were all thinking:

"It's so big, he needs both of you?"

"Apparently. He said he was just being careful, but he sounded pretty worried."

Faith rose to her feet:

"Okay then, let's motor and you can fill me in on the way."

Kennedy stood as well:

"Guys, why don't I come with you? The more Slayers, the merrier."

Buffy smiled gratefully at her:

"Thanks Ken, but it's one of those deals where the less people involved, the better. Even if they are Slayers."

"Willow, if you wouldn't mind, would you please..."

She was already headed for the computer across the room:

"I'm on it, Giles...Well, I am as soon as you tell me what it is I'm looking for."

He spun around to the bookshelves behind his desk, looking intently for the volumes he needed.

"Buffy, Faith, check in before you leave on the off chance we miraculously have something useful to impart. In any case, I believe we'll have something before you arrive at Angel's, so please make sure you each have a fully charged phone."

Buffy was in total Slayer mode:

"Will do. Kennedy, would you make sure we've got a full tank?"

"Sure. The bike or the car."

"The car. We're going to be taking some weapons."

"On my way."

"Thanks."

She headed for the garage and Buffy turned back to Giles:

"Faith and I will get packed, then stop by before we take off."

He barely glanced up from the book he was busy thumbing through as he walked over to where Willow sat waiting:

"Willow and I shall be here."

The Slayers headed up the stairs without talking. When they entered their room, Buffy pulled down two large duffel bags, and Faith flung open their weapons chest.

"So what do we need, B?"

"He's not sure, so I guess we need to take a little bit of everything."

Buffy tossed her the larger bag, and Faith began packing a deadly assortment of weapons while Buffy busied herself with collecting enough clothes for both of them.

"You gonna give me the skinny here?"

"He was pretty vague, and that in itself scares me. He's been dealing with this gang of demons, but he's not sure what kind. They're trying to raise some dead guy to cause an apocalypse and take over the world, and they need to sacrifice Angel's client to make that dream a reality. He's been protecting him, but they finally found them two days ago."

"'Two days ago'? Why didn't he call us before? He okay?""

Buffy flung a wrinkled shirt aside with a look of irritation:

"He says he is, but he sounded kind of shook up. He was out of it for almost a day, as in ‘unconscious' out of it, but he thinks he found them this morning. The word on the street is that the ritual is supposed to take place tomorrow night, and there are way too many of them for him to handle alone."

Faith closed the bag and carried it over to the bed.

"So that's where we come in."

"Yes. The goal is to snatch the guy and hide him out for a few days. They can only do the ritual within a certain time period and once that passes, the world is safe and secure again...at least until next time."

"Why can't we just kill the fuckers? Not much for running and hiding."

Buffy zipped up her bag and tossed it next to the weapons, then wrapped her arms around Faith.

"Well tough girl, Angel thinks there are about fifty of them."

"Fuck it, I can take'em."

Buffy kissed her:

"Sorry, this is strictly a ‘rescue, flee for our lives, and guard' mission only."

Faith looked sad:

"...Can we maybe kill a few during the ‘rescue' part?"

"Maybe if you do it quietly, you'll have to ask Angel."

"How ‘bout during the ‘hauling ass' part?"

Buffy smiled and kissed the tip of her nose:

"You know if it were up to me, you could kill them at will."

"Well for sure some of'em during the ‘guarding' part."

Buffy laughed at the hopeful look on her girlfriend's face:

"Angel's counting on them not finding us. He says they're really tough."

"Aw, c'mon, B. Ya know what a big pussy Soulboy is. I say we can take'em."

"Faith, are you going to behave?"

She grinned at Buffy, placing one hand between the blonde girl's legs while the other found the back of her neck to pull her closer:

"Hell, no."

"Mmm...Good."

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