Chapter 13

FLASHBACK-POV None

"What are we going to do?" Willow whispered.

Xander shook his head, he put his hand on the baby's back and rubbed. Willow switched her from on shoulder to the other. "I don't know," he answered.

The baby was still crying, Willow tried switching her again. She handed her to Kennedy who tried the same thing. Kennedy began bouncing her a little, walking around. "We've got to do something. She won't even look at her." She sat down when the baby started fussing, but jumped back up as she started crying again, "Shh," She whispered rubbing her back.

Cordelia walked in rubbing her eyes, "What time is it?"

Kennedy sighed, "Two a.m."

"Jesus, what is wrong with the kid?" She rolled her eyes. "Give her here." Kennedy hesitated a moment, but handed the baby over. Cordelia began to rub her back. The baby instantly quieted. "It would be easier if she liked someone besides me," she sighed.

Xander rolled his eyes at her. "You eat that up." He laughed. "She just gets quiet so you'll think she's asleep and shut up."

"God jealously is so unbecoming on all of you," Cordy said. She moved the baby away from her, to look her in the eye, "She's asleep." She sat down, but didn't put the baby down, instead shifting her to her lap.

Willow sat opposite her. "That's why she likes you. You hold her all the time. She's spoiled."

Cordy smirked. "So what if she is spoiled? Her mother ignores her, and her other mother, well, who the hell knows where she is?" Cordy shifted the baby under her chin. "Speaking of which, what the fuck are we going to do about Buffy? I mean, we can't even leave her alone. Somebody having to sleep in there with her the whole time. It's ridiculous."

"Giles is looking into it," Kennedy offered.

"Oh Giles is looking into it," Cordy said, "I feel much better now."

Xander began to pace, "Well, what are we going to do? We can't just go in there and tell her to snap out of it."

"Bullshit," Cordy said. "I think we can. Somebody needs to tell her to get over herself. We're raising her kid." She quieted for a moment, "Not that I don't like…oh, you know what I mean."

Willow teased her, "Cordy? Do you actually care about someone other than yourself?"

Cordy looked at her, "I'm not cold and heartless." She looked at the baby snuggled against her, "Besides, how cute is she? I would have to be a monster not to love her."

Kennedy laughed, "Yeah. I feel…I don't know, attached to this kid somehow."

"It's because we're raising her," Willow said, rubbing her girlfriend's neck.

Angel came into the room. "Rough night?"

Xander answered. "Yeah, until Cordy. She seems to have the magic touch."

Angel smiled at her, "Don't let her fool you. She has a gift."

Cordy rolled her eyes at them again, "Whatever. You guys just suck at being parents is all."

Willow ignored her. "Is Buffy asleep?"

Angel sighed and sat down next to Cordelia. He rubbed the baby's back. "She hasn't been out of bed all day."

"Do you think it's postpartum?" Kennedy asked.

Angel shook his head, "Not really. Do you?"

The other shook their heads as well. Xander spoke, "I think it's more like the absence of Faith."

Angel nodded. "I spoke to Giles. They are trying to locate her. The coven says that she has just about dropped of the face of the earth. Either she's not slaying or she's masking herself somehow."

Willow screwed up her face and turned to look at him, "How would she do that?"

Angel shrugged, "Magic? Drugs? The pure effort of not wanting to be found? Who knows?"

Cordy stood, still rubbing the baby's back. "Well, she needs to get over herself as well. Those two slayers act like they are the only two people in the world. Life sucks sometimes, they both need to get over it. I, for one, am about sick of their melodrama. Faith, storming out of here like some soap opera queen. Jesus, it's so stupid."

Xander shook his head, "Don't think they care what you think."

"Well a big fat so the fuck what. I'm not surprised. All they care about are themselves. Faith walked out of here with nothing but a dumbass case of pride following her. What do you think she's got now? I'm willing to bet anyone of you here it's nothing but fucking misery" No one said anything. "Not to mention Buffy, miss 'I'm going to lay in bed and pine all fucking day' Summers. The story is starting to get old. I don't care if they want me involved or not. I am. We all are." She gestured to the baby with her head, "All of us. Giles, Dawn, hell even Andrew. Everyone is putting in more than their share. Dawn hasn't had a decent night sleep since Faith left. We have all been up at least once this week passed three o'clock. Kennedy does all the slaying. Willow," she looked at her, "You have done all the shopping for Annie. And I have fed her almost every meal. I don't think that Buffy even knows how to make a bottle."

Angel sighed. He looked to Cordelia. "So what do we do?"

She shrugged, "I don't have all the answers. I'm just saying. Annie's two months old. She thinks I'm her mother. Hell, Buffy wouldn't take a fucking bath if Dawn didn't force her too. And make her eat. I believe Giles is staying in England cause he doesn't want to see Buffy like this."

Willow nodded, "me too. I thought the same thing." Xander and Kennedy nodded as well.

Kennedy spoke up, "Maybe we should stage an intervention."

Cordy shook her head. "Yeah, we could all be like 'Hey Buffy. You're a big fucking fuck up. So get the fuck over yourself and help out around here. Cause contrary to what the fuck you think, the world so does not revolve around you.'" She turned to Kennedy, "Think she'll take kindly to that?"

Kennedy laughed, "I doubt it."

They all stopped talking when they noticed the door open. Dawn walked in. "I'm so tired."

Willow rubbed her on the back, "I know Dawnie. We all are."

She smiled at Cordy holding the baby. "Who would've thought you'd ever see that?" She pointed, watching as Cordelia snuggled the baby in her neck.

Cordy looked at them. "What? She thinks I smell good."

Angel looked at Dawn. "Is Buffy asleep?"

Dawn nodded. "Yes. She's been sleeping all day. I don't know how she could possibly still be tired. But she is. Or at least, she seems to be. I can't even talk to her anymore. She just mumbles and nods or shakes her head. It's like I'm not even in there." She sat down. "I don't know what else to do."

Willow looked a little hurt. "At least she'll acknowledge you. She won't even speak to me or Xander."

Xander looked down at the ground. "I'm at a loss."

Cordy made her way to the door, "Well someone is going to have to do something. My advice is that we stop acting like she is made of some precious breakable material and go in there and give her a piece of our mind."

Angel shook his head, "You think she'll listen?"

"I don't rightly give a damn if she does. At least we can say we tried." No one said anything. "Look, she's being a spoiled brat." Everyone looked at Cordelia surprised. "Please," she scoffed, "She is. You all know it. She is being a self-centered, spoiled, little child. She needs a good ass kicking."

Willow looked aghast. "We can't beat her."

"Of for fuck's sake, I was speaking metaphorically," She sighed. "You people are so dense sometimes."

Kennedy looked at Willow. Willow shrugged, "You get used to her."

"That's just it," Cordy said, "You guys wouldn't let me do that. You would never let me get away with what Buffy is doing. She's got everyone, including me I'm ashamed to say, falling over ourselves to help her. I say we stop."

Kennedy jumped up suddenly, "That may just work. What if we left Annie in there with her for a while? I don't think she could hurt her."

Cordy began backing up, "Whoa, that isn't what I meant."

Angel stood, "No, I agree. That could be a good idea. She's never been alone with her, has she?"

Xander shook his head, "Nope. Not that I can recall."

Kennedy shook her head. Willow agreed, "Never as far as I know. Why didn't we think of this sooner?"

"Because it's stupid," Cordelia answered. "I'm not leaving Annie in there with her. What if she…what if she…oh, I don't know…what if she does something?"

Dawn rubbed the baby on the head, "What's she gonna do? We'll all be right there. Kennedy and Angel have super hearing. Nothing will happen."

"You say that now," Cordy said, "But what are you people going to say when something does happen."

"This was your idea," Xander told her.

"Nuh-uh," she shook her head, "This was not my idea at all. My idea was to not do this. Remember that. I wanted to kick her ass. That was my idea."

Willow smiled, "Too bad Cordy, you're overruled."

Angel smiled as well, "We'll try it tomorrow."

Cordy began walking down the hall, "Bad idea. Bad idea. I don't like this at all."

Buffy's POV

When Annie came running in the room, Faith froze. So did everyone else actually.

"Why is she still here?" She asked me.

"Annie, you shouldn't say things like that," Cordelia said. "It isn't nice to point out the obvious."

She turned to look at her, "Why?"

Kennedy picked her up, "Because it's just not nice." She smoothed her hair down. "I don't think those shoes are ugly." She smiled.

Willow nodded agreeing with her girlfriend. She looked at me to back them up.

I shook my head, knocking myself out of my reverie. "You have to learn that Faith is here to stay." I said walking over to her, "Right Faith?" I looked to Faith.

Deer in the headlights look, Faith wears it well. She looked like she was gonna bolt. Please don't. I kept thinking. If she leaves now…I don't know what we'll do.

She finally spoke, "Yeah."

Annie made a face. "She made Monnie leave."

Cordy shook her head, "No she didn't."

Annie stuck her lip out, "Yes she did."

Faith looked like she was going to vomit, "I'm sorry," she whispered meekly.

Annie ignored her. She turned to Dawn, "Are we getting pancakes?"

Dawn shook her head, "You're not being very nice."

Annie jumped out of Kennedy's arms and ran to the door, "You're not being very nice, " she yelled.

"Anna Jackson Summers," my voice was firm. I watched Faith's eyebrow. She seemed surprised. Yes, did you think I didn't know your name? I wondered. I looked back to my daughter. "You stop this instant." She froze, "You will stop behaving this way." She turned around and looked at me, a look of fiery indignation on her face. "No mam." I said, as she turned to go to the door, "Stay put." She froze again, "You will not treat other people like that. Especially your mother."

She stomped her foot. "She. Is. Not. My. Mom." She said. Her voice was even. It scared me.

No one else moved. Oh well, this was my damn job, wasn't it? "Watch your tone. She is your mother."

"No she's not," she shouted, "she has never taken care of me. She doesn't love me. And neither do you. You love yourself. You love her. You don't love me. Everybody else takes care of me." She was crying now. It was breaking my heart. I did love her…Jesus, does she think that?

Faith finally spoke, "You know that isn't true, Annie." She whispered.

Annie spun on her. I said she was fast, didn't I? I didn't like the way she looked, she was feeling cornered, I could tell it in her eyes. Apparently everyone else could too, cause they all backed up, giving us some space. "You Don't Know," She screamed at her. She got quieter, sobs wracking her body, "You don't know. You don't know. You don't know." She repeated to herself. She looked so small. I had to make myself stand still. Don't go to her, I thought.

I could hear Willow and Cordy move behind me. I held up my hand. "No," I said,
turning to look at them.

Willow nodded and Cordy looked at me like she could kill me where I stood. But she relented.

Annie bent over, she was crying so hard. I tried to will Faith to move. Go get her, I thought. Go get her.

Maybe she read my mind, I don't know. Maybe her heart was breaking too. I don't know how it couldn't have been. Regardless she moved over to her.

"No. Go away," Annie tried weakly.

Faith didn't say anything. She just bent down and picked her up. Annie struggled against her, but Faith held her to her. "Shh," she said, rubbing her hair.

Annie still struggled, but only halfheartedly. "No," she whispered, but her body betrayed her as she leaned into Faith. She put her head in the crook of her neck. Faith held her to her and slid down the wall. The sight alone made me lightheaded.

"No," Annie whispered, her arms wrapped tightly around Faith's neck. Faith was rocking her back and forth, her face buried in her hair.

"I love you," she whispered. "I love you. I love you."

Annie cried harder, "No." I think she was just saying it now to be saying something. She didn't let go of Faith.

I could barely hear them. They were both speaking so softly, "Yes," Faith said. "I do." She sniffed, not moving, "I'm not leaving. I don't care what you say. I'm not going anywhere. Ever. I love you. I can't leave you. I promise. I promise. I promise."

Annie finally conceded, still crying. "Ok. I believe you." She leaned back and looked at Faith, wiping her tears from her face. "Please don't cry. I believe you."

Faith couldn't stop sobbing. She nodded her head, trying to answer her.

Annie smoothed her hair. She wrapped her arms around her neck again. "I promise. I believe you. I feel it. I know you won't leave." She grabbed Faith's hand and put it on Faith's chest. She covered it with her own. "I can feel how you feel here. Did you know that?"

Faith sniffled and shook her head.

Annie nodded, "I can. It's because I'm special."

Faith nodded, "You are special," she said, squeezing her hand.

Annie giggled. "I know silly. Everyone tells me all the time. Born of two slayers. Meant to save the world. All that kinda stuff."

Faith laughed, "well at least you know now. It took me years to figure it out."

Annie laughed, "Aunt Cordy said you were slow."

I hadn't heard the others leave the room. No one was in there but the three of us. I don't think they even noticed that I was there. I cleared my throat.

Annie looked at me through hooded lashes, "Sorry Mommy."

I shook my head. I couldn't move. "It's ok."

Faith hugged her to her. "Wow B," she said, "We didn't even know you were standing there."

No kidding, I thought. "You guys gonna sit there all day, or are we gonna eat breakfast?" I couldn't form any more thought than that.

Faith stood up effortlessly, Annie still clinging to her neck. "Pancakes?"

Annie nodded, "With strawberries..and not blue…"

Faith interrupted her, "blueberries."

"Cause they suck," they said at the same time, breaking into an immediate dual course of giggles.

Oh fuck, I thought. I've created a couple of monsters. Two of them. Just alike. Boy, did we have our hands full.

Chapter 14

Faith's POV

I couldn't eat if I had wanted to. I didn't. I don't know when it happened, but I think it was like being hit with a truck. Everything came crashing down, all at once. And when she said that we didn't love her. I don't think I've ever loved anyone so much. Not even B. Truth is, I realized in that instance, no one would ever be as special to me. Here's hoping I don't have any more kids, cause boy would they be left out. God, listen to me spewing all this sentimental crap out. I can't help it. I'd gladly have died right there. Nothing has ever felt as good as those little hands on my face. Wiping my tears. That smile. She's mine. Oh, and don't forget the eyes. I love the eyes. B's eyes. They're perfect.

Ok, I'm turning into a sap but I so don't care. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Carry me," Annie said, tugging on my shirt. Umm, ok. I picked her up.

I looked to Buffy, "Coming B?"

She shook her head. She seems to be zoning out a lot lately, "You can walk, Anna, you are not a baby." Whoa, where did that come from?

I quirked an eyebrow at her, and picked Annie up. I'd carry her the rest of her life if she'd let me. I don't want to think about everything I missed. It was too much.

"Everything ok, Buff?" I asked.

She nodded slowly, like she was thinking of something else. She seemed to be staring passed me. I have to admit, the whole thing was kinda heavy. Maybe it upset her. "Are you sure?"

She nodded again. "Yep," she said, seeming to snap out of it. "Let's go eat."

We walked out of the kitchen only to bump into the others. All of them. Literally.

Annie giggled, "Hey sillies, were you easy dropping?"

Kennedy voiced what I was thinking, "Huh?"

"You know, when you listen when you're not supposed to. Cause 'member when you said that was wrong Aunt Cordy?"

Queen C blushed. Imagine that. "Nope don't recall," she said. "Want me to fix you some pancakes or do you wanna go out?" Way to change the subject. Do as I say, not as I do, I guess.

Annie clapped her hands, "Can we all go?"

Everyone shrugged. Dawn nodded, "I don't see why not."

Willow piped in, " Except Angel. Sorry," she said rubbing his arm.

"S'okay. Don't feel like burning to a crisp this early in the day." Well I have to say, that is a-ok with me big dude. Hate to say it, but you can stay here.

"Where's Poppa Giles?" Annie suddenly asked. What the fuck? Poppa Giles? That is too much.

I chuckled. Everyone looked at me strangely. Jesus people, lighten up. "Sorry," I said, twisting Annie from one side to the other, "that's just…" I couldn't help it. Poppa Giles. Hah. "Sorry." I mumbled, still smiling.

Annie hugged me, "It's ok. You're too funny."

Buffy cleared her throat beside me. "Still in London." She turned to us, "You guys go ahead. I've got a few things I need to do this morning."

I turned to look at her. Was she fucking joking? Obviously not.

Everyone else was looking at her the same way. Dawn spoke first. "Come on Buffy, we never all go out for breakfast. It's like a celebration or something."

Buff was totally freakin me out. She seemed to zone out again. Looking passed all of us. "No really. Go on. I have to…it's nothing big. There are just some things I've got to take care of. I'll see you all in a bit." She came up and kissed Annie on the cheek, "Promise, pumpkin."

Annie seemed to accept her excuse. Glad someone was buying it. I cocked an eyebrow at her. She gave me a weak smile back.

"It's nothing. Really." Whatever B. Play the drama queen if you want.

"Whatever," I heard myself say. I turned to the others, "Everybody ready?"

We all filed out of the room. I saw Willow stay behind. I slowed down to listen. I can easy drop too. Hehe.

"It's nothing Wills. Really. Please go. Please." God she sounded like she was pleading with her.

Cordy smacked me on the arm. "Don't fret. She's just being Buffy." She took Annie from me. Wait she's mine. Give her back. Course I couldn't say that so I just smiled. "Oh, now you get all possessive with the kid, Faith." She snuggled Annie to her. "Well you can't. She's a community child."

"What does that mean?"

Annie answered, "Means everybody loves me."

Good answer. And true. I still couldn't shake the feeling that B was up to something. It left me feeling all wiggy.

Cordy whispered in my ear, "Who is Buffy if not a drama queen?" I shook my head like I didn't understand her. "Oh, come on. We know it's true, don't we Ann?"

Annie nodded, "Mommy's ok. She just needs to think sometimes." Cordy nodded agreeing, skipping off with my child in her hands. "Dip me. Dip me." She cried.

Cordelia swung her to the ground only to pull her up at the last minute. What's she trying to do, kill her? "Again! Again!"

Oh, how cute is that? Lord, I'm turning into a sucker.

"Hey guys, hold on a minute, would ya?"

Kennedy nodded, "Yeah. I'll pull the car around." The rest of them went outside to wait.

I walked back into the kitchen.

And there was Buffy. Crying into Angel's chest. He was holding her.

I couldn't breathe.

"Faith," he jumped back when he saw me.

"Fang," I said.

And B, what did she do? Not a goddamn thing. She stayed with her back to me. She didn't even acknowledge me.

Was she fucking serious? Fuck it. "Forgot my jacket," I said grabbing it off the chair. It was like eighty-five degrees outside. "See ya later."

Stop me B, please, I thought. No such luck. Well fuck you too, I thought, and turned to leave.

Fuck it. She was not bringing me down. She was not.

Oh, who the hell am I kidding?

FLASHBACK-POV None

Buffy knew what they were doing. Slayer hearing comes in handy for a lot of things. She rolled over and looked at the door.

"This is never going to work," Cordy was whispering.

Xander answered, "Hey Cordy, have a little faith."

Buffy could sense her smirk before she heard it, "If I'd had a little Faith instead of Buffy, we wouldn't be in this mess to start with."

"Cordy I'm thinking about doing a spell to bind your lips together." Willow said.

"Please. You wouldn't be able to lust after me if you did that."

"Hey," Kennedy spoke up, "She lusts after me."

"Yeah," Willow agreed, with surprised indignation.

"Whatever you need to tell yourselves." The baby had cried, "Oh, I know sweetheart. They are crazy. But I'll be right here. Promise."

Buffy raised an eyebrow, still staring at the door.

Just then it opened slowly. All of them were standing there staring at her. She decided not to pretend like she was asleep.

"What do you want?" She evened her tone, looking at Dawn.

"Buffy," Willow said, "We think it's time you spent a little time with your daughter." She looked to Cordelia, who was holding the baby. "Cordy?" Cordy shook her head, "Cordy!" She yelled. Cordy handed the baby to Willow and grumbled something about damn witches. "Good." Annie cooed in her arms, "Here's your Mommy, sweetie." She said, handing the baby to Buffy.

Buffy recoiled on instinct. "No," she said, backing up, and off the bed.

Dawn moved to stand by Willow, "Buffy, we are not going to take no for an answer here."

Everyone but Cordy nodded.

"So you are going to have to do this. I'm sorry if you don't like it." Willow said. She turned to Angel, "Get her carrier and her things." She was in scary mode. They all jumped at her voice. Angel bolted from the room to fulfill her request. He brought the things in and sat them on Buffy's bed. He wouldn't look at her. "Thanks," Willow smiled brightly. Her face changed when she turned to Buffy, "I'm leaving her here. I'm not going to pretend that we are all going to leave, cause frankly Buff, we don't trust you."

Buffy made a move to say something but changed her mind.

Willow continued, "And we know that you can feel when we leave anyway. But we are not coming into this room until I say we can."

Cordy piped up, "What!?! When was that part of the fucking deal?"

Willow snapped at her. "I know you people forget that I'm an all powerful witch and stuff, but you need to focus. I can sense when Annie's in trouble." She softened her voice when she looked to Buffy, "which I know she won't be." She put Annie in the carrier and strapped her in. "She's been fed, right?" She asked, looking to Cordelia. Cordy nodded, a look of pure murderous rage crossing her face. Willow smiled brightly. "Right. So she will need changing in a few. She'll let you know when she's hungry. You'll have to bring her down and heat the bottle. Not too hot or she'll get burned, but not cold. Let me think…ok, she'll be fine otherwise. I trust you."

Buffy spoke, "You said a minute ago you didn't."

Willow giggled, "just trying to get your attention."

Buffy looked to Dawn, an obvious plea crossing her face. Dawn just shook her head and followed Kennedy and Xander out of the room.

Cordy wasn't as intent on leaving. "Listen here slayer," she said, walking over to the baby. She was rubbing her face with her fingertips. "If you do anything to fuck this up. I'm finished with you. You better think long and hard about that. I take care of her. And I don't," she looked to "I will not…you are not gonna just," Cordy composed herself. "All right, listen. I don't care how fucking sad you are. I don't care how bad everything 'feels' to you. I don't give a fuck about you right now Buffy Summers."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "that's not really surprising, is it Cor? When have you ever cared about me?"

"Please," Cordy said, "Don't try that shit with me. Whining, 'oh nobody loves me,' may work with the rest of these people, but not me. You have saved my life more time than is feasible. It endears a girl."

Buffy scoffed, "Whatever."

Cordy raised her voice, "Goddamn it Buffy," She looked at the baby and lowered it, "Fuck. Get the hell over yourself. I care about you. We all do. Why the fuck do you think we take care of your baby? Why do you think I haven't forced Angel to kick you to the curb?" She did a small swagger, "Cause let me tell you, I do have that kind of power." She stepped closer to her, "They wanted to leave Annie with you. I'm against it. Not that I think you'll hurt her. I just think you are so wrapped up in your fucking lesbo drama that you will do what you have done the whole time, ignore her."

Buffy's eyes were flaming, "Fuck you sweetie."

Cordy taunted her, "Please. You wish." She sneered at her, "Like I said, get a clue and get over yourself." She bent down and kissed Annie. Standing up, she walked to the door, "Oh, and Buffy," Buffy looked to her, "Prove me wrong." She said, and walked out.

Angel followed.

Willow hesitated for a moment. Turning back from the door, she looked to Buffy, "Don't make us regret this. I know you are pissed, but that may be of the good. Anything is better than nothing."

Buffy wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't exactly come. She just watched Willow walk out instead.

She looked down at the baby they had left. She was staring up at her. She caught her breath. She looked so much like Faith it scared her. As if on cue, she started crying.

"Let go of me witch," she heard Cordy outside the door.

"No, you've go to let her do this," Willow shouted.

Buffy tuned them out. She looked at the baby. Could she tune her out as well? "What's wrong?" Ok, she thought. That was stupid, she's not going to answer me. She made no move to get closer.

The baby continued to cry. Fuck, she thought. She could still hear Cordy and Willow scuffling outside.

"Babies don't cry unless they need something," Willow was saying to the door.

"She's not fucking retarded Willow. She knows that." Cordy's voice could be heard on the other side. "Just pick her up Buffy. She stops crying when you snuggle her. I kinda spoiled her."

Buffy couldn't help herself, she smiled. How weird was all of this, she thought.

She answered them meakly, "Ok," she said.

She walked over to the carrier and looked down at Annie. She tried the harness. It took her a moment to open it. "Wow, they kinda strap you in tight, don't they?"

The baby stopped crying when she heard Buffy's voice. It startled Buffy for a moment and she backed away. Instantly the crying was back. Ok, I can do this, she repeated to herself again.

She picked her up slowly. She could feel how strong she was. Or more importantly how strong she was going to be.

She nuzzled into Buffy's neck with her face. And fell instantly asleep. Buffy sat on the bed, stunned. She didn't move, afraid she would wake her. Afraid she would do something, anything wrong. Finally, she scooted to the headboard, holding the baby. She laid her own her knees. She was still sleeping. Buffy propped her legs up so she could look at her, and Annie woke. "Hey there."

Annie opened her eyes and looked at her mother. She saw a small smile on her face.

She knew they were still outside the door. "Hey Wills," she called softly, "I think she just smiled at me."

"No Doofus," Cordy answered, "that's just gas." She heard a smack, "ow, that hurt."

"Good," she heard Willow say to Cordy. "I'm glad Buffy," she heard. "We'll be downstairs."

Buffy looked back to the baby, who was busy studying her with her eyes. "What are we gonna do now? Huh?"

Chapter 15

Buffy's POV

"Forgot my jacket. See ya later," Faith said, as she stormed out.

Turn around, Buffy. What the fuck had I done? She couldn't think…? I mean seriously, she didn't think that I was with Angel? Who am I kidding? This is Faith I'm talking about. Of course she did.

"Faith, wait," I called to the door. I turned and chased her out.

She spun on me, "What?" Her voice was venomous.

I looked outside; everyone including Annie was watching us. I motioned to the corner with my eyes.

"Damn it," I heard Cordelia say. "I am not waiting all day on those two. I'm telling you right now."

Xander sighed, "Give 'em a minute." Thank you Xand.

Faith followed me, still staring. "What?" She was looking me in the eyes.

"You have to know that wasn't…Come on Faith. You do know that, right?"

"What, I know that you're not fucking Angel? Yes, Buffy, I am not an idiot. It's kind of easy to tell when he gets a happy."

I was relieved, "So why are you mad?"

"Why am I mad?" She shook her head at me. "Are you serious?" I nodded to her. She looked like I was speaking another language. "I can't believe you are even asking that. Why do you have to act like suck a spoiled little two year old?"

Excuse me? "What?"

She sneered. "Please. You know what I'm talking about. I thought you would be happy that I got Annie to talk to me. That she's not mad at me anymore. That would be the logical thing to believe. But boy do you do nothing but surprise. As soon as she and I can get on some plane of understanding, you swell up like somebody forgot your birthday." She scoffed, "Do you not want me to be in her life? Could you be jealous? That's a question I can answer. Yes. I think you are jealous. I think you don't like the fact that I might just have some connection with," she stressed her words here, "my child. Isn't that what you wanted? Or are you afraid that I will worship someone besides you?"

I couldn't believe her. "I'm not jealous of either one of you. That's stupid. What do you think of me?"

Faith sighed. Her voice was growing softer. "I think that I love you so much it fucking hurts. It rips me apart, because we can't…we can never just leave things alone. We always have to do this. It is too much." She looked down to the ground, "It's half the reason I left. It was emotional overload. Fucking or fighting, those were the only two things we were ever any good at."

I shook my head. "That isn't true."

She stared at me a moment. "Isn't it? What else have we ever done successfully? I am so jealous of anyone that looks at you that I can't see straight. I spent fucking years trying to forget about you. Trying to will you out of my mind. I couldn't go one day, fuck I couldn't go an hour, without thinking about you."

I smiled at her. I couldn't help it.

She shook her head again. "See that's my point. We get off on it. Both of us. You think it's fucking hot that I am that fucking crazy. And I want to viciously murder anyone who even thinks about looking at you. I could go in there right now and stake Angel just for touching you. I don't care. The thought of that blond bimbo in your bed eats me alive. I can't even," she put her fingers on her temples, "I can't even imagine. I won't." She moved a piece of hair behind her ear. "I am so scared I will lose it all one day, B. That I'll go back to that place. In fact," she paused, "there are times when I wish…" she was actually stuttering, "when I wish that I would have never showed up in Sunnydale."

Why would she say that? "Why?" I couldn't speak.

She cocked an eyebrow at me. "Why? I don't even exist outside of you B. You fucking define everything about me. Everything. I am nothing but your lesser half. Fuck, I killed people to get your attention. I let you stab me and throw me off a roof. I'd let you do it everyday for the rest of my life if I thought you'd be happy." God that hurt. She looked so tiny, whispering to me, "I don't even have a purpose outside of you."

Please, she can't actually think this. This has to be a nightmare. She can't think… doesn't she know? I touched her face. She flinched, "God, Faith, that is no where near the truth. I would live everyday for the rest of my life in hell if I could take that one night back. You have to…I love you."

She turned away from me. "I fucking know that. Don't you just…come on B. Aren't there times when you wish…when you wish," She seemed like she was going to cry, but she held it in. She swallowed, "tell me I'm not crazy. I know you wish that you'd never met me. I would have never fucked your life up. You could be getting it on with Beefstick or Farrah, or who ever."

I shook my head. Back and forth. I couldn't stop. "No. No. No. I can't even…"I tried to touch her again. This time she let my hand linger. "You are the only one. The only one." I whispered.

"You existed without me. It was never the same for me."

"I am scared. I am terrified. I am terrified of you." I said.

She looked down, "I see."

I jumped in, "No god. Not in that way." I slowed my voice a bit, "I'm terrified of you because you make me feel something. You make me think that I can be someone other than the fucking slayer. You understood me. I've gone years…years Faith, without feeling anything other than empty and you show up and my stomach flips like I'm a giddy teenager. I constantly have that around you. It's like a drug. It is a drug."

She looked deflated, but nodded, as if to say I know. "So what do we do about it? You know I can't leave. I won't." She seemed shy, "I love her," she whispered.

There! My stomach flipped again. "I have never wanted anything but that."

She was crying. Soft tears falling down her face. "So we're ok?"

I kissed her. Just a peck. Nothing heavy, god knows we can't do that right here. Right now. "Let's go. They're all waiting on us."

She smiled at me. I love her smile. I love Annie's smile. "k," she whispered. I kinda like the shy Faith. But I want my ballsy one back too.

We walked to the door. "Faith," I turned to her before we walked out. "We are going to work on this. I promise. It's just overwhelming right now. I say we just go with it. Let's try to be happy. I want that. I want a lot more than that."

She put her hand on my ass. "I say we work on some things later," she whispered in my ear.

I felt chills go down my spine. There's my girl.

Faith's POV

Ok, breakfast – no big explosion. Everything seemed to be going well. I didn't kill Angel. I wanted to, but I have self-control now. It's a thing I'm working on. I know he wants her though. I can feel it on him. But…I trust her. I do. And she wants me. Right now, for instance, she was demonstrating that fact by oh so softly running her foot up my leg.

"Faith, are you listening?" Huh? Who was talking to me?

"Faith!" Xander snapped his fingers in my face. "Way to zone out."

I shook my head, "Nuh-uh. I was listening."

"Fine," he stated. "What's you answer then?"

My answer to what? What is this fool talking about? I looked at Buffy, she was helping Annie with a picture on the back of the kids' menu. Fuck she is hot when she colors. Ok, see that is where the craziness comes into play. I think she's hot when she's holding a Crayola. How seriously fucked up is that? Oh, fuck it she is smiling at me. I so don't care.

"Faith!?!"

"Jesus Xander, I'm right here."

Cordelia looked at Dawn and smiled. "She's on the planet when can I get into Buffy's…"

"Cordy!" Buffy practically yelled.

Willow nodded. "You're going to have to work on that Cordelia. You are seriously gonna scar our baby here." She reached out and ruffled Annie's hair.

Annie continued coloring. Not looking up, she spoke, "She won't scar me."

Kennedy laughed. "Well good to know you are listening."

Annie giggled, "I hear everything, 'member. I hear you and Wills all the time. You guys make really funny noises at night. It was kinda funny. I'm used to it now."

Buffy looked ready to puke. Have to say, felt close to doing so myself. "Wow, her hearing is even better than a slayer's isn't it?"

Cordy rolled her eyes, "Please. Everyone hears those scary noises. We just turn the TV up don't we?" Annie smiled at her and nodded. Cordy made a move, as if she were dismissing us to Ann. "Freaks." She said.

Annie nodded her head. "Yep," she said, continuing to color.

Well it is good to know that the sex antics of the witch and the slayer are fodder for amusement for my five year old. Jesus, what the hell do they think they're doing?

B raised her hands in the air, "I give up."

And we ate. Not in silence, but it felt good. I still didn't like the idea of my child being that close to the porn stars down the hall, but she seemed to understand. Or not understand, cause she is five. More like she seemed to not care. That is the one good influence Cordy has on her. Indifference.

Buffy took my hand as we were getting ready to leave. It was a small gesture but it felt good. She turned to the others, "We're walking back?" Whoa, are we? Oh, she meant me and her. Ok.

Cordelia and Annie both shook their heads. "I beg to differ," Cordy said. "It's sweltering outside." Her face lit up, "oh, you mean you and Faith. By all means, walk away. We're going shopping. Those shoes Annie's got on are hideous."

We watched the rest of them get in the car, Kennedy and Xander were arguing over who was going to drive. Kennedy won cause Xander only has one eye. I have to say, good call on their part. Don't won't my baby in a traffic accident cause he feels the need to assert his masculinity. Wonder what he was asking me earlier?

"Huh?" I asked. Buffy has said something to me.

She smiled, "I said I have to go to the bathroom. Wait here."

I shook my head, "Nope. I'm coming with."

She shrugged and I followed her. I was on her before the door closed. "Faith? What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" I asked, pulling her to me.

"Eww. This is a public restroom. That's kinda gross."

"And kinda hot," I pressed my body against her. "Think about it. All of those people out there. They have no fucking clue that those two super hot chicks are," I licked her neck, "fucking in the restroom."

She moaned, but pulled away. "That's cause we're not…fucking in the restroom that is."

I put my hands on her ass and nuzzled my face in her neck. I bit her collarbone. I felt her breath hitch and she put her arms around me. "I want you." I said.

"Fuck…no…we can't do this…you do know we can't do this…it's the middle of the morning." I was still licking her neck. I don't give a goddamn what time it is. "People are out there eating. We can't…what if we get caught?"

I pulled back and looked at her. I thrust my lower half against her. "So the fuck what?"

She closed her eyes and immediately thrust back. "Mmm…uh…fuck. Cause they'll…they'll know what were doing." I kept pulling away from her, so that she would have to force her hips closer to mine each time. "Stop," she whispered, when I wouldn't relent.

I looked at her. I played my best innocent face. "Stop what?"

"Stop teasing me." She whined.

I kissed her. Crashing our mouths together. I could still taste the strawberries on her tongue. It was becoming increasingly hot in this room and I was becoming increasingly wet. "You were teasing me earlier. Running your foot up my leg. You know better."

I kissed her again. She pulled away after a minute, a look that was pure…well Buffy, crossed her face. "I was not. I was just saying hello," she pouted.

I shook my head at her. I pulled her shirt loose with one hand and ran it inside and up. Fuck I missed her tits. She moaned. I pinched her nipple. Her face was enough to make me come. "You are such a cock tease, B."

She moaned. "You don't…oh god…you don't have a…you don't have a cock."

I rubbed her breasts harder. Pushing her shirt up, I moved her bra out of the way and bent down. I puffed air out over her exposed nipple. She gasped. "Yes I do. It's just back at the hotel." I snuck my tongue out and snaked it around her breasts. Her hands were in my hair.

I wish I could see the way it looked. Her holding me to her why I sucked her tit. Her shirt pushed up around her throat. It was wicked hot, I bet.

"Fuck…Faith…fuck…we have to…we have to…come on Faith," she was pulling me to her. I could die of suffocation right her. With her in my mouth, moaning. Speaking of which, my mouth could be other places as well.

"What?" I somewhat mumbled. My mouth was full, what was I going to do?

"Mmm… we can't…fuck…you're getting me so wet…you have to stop…we can't…" She was pressing so hard against me I was getting heady.

I jerked up suddenly. "What blondie? You don't want this?" I asked, unzipping her jeans. I shoved my hand inside. Fuck it. We had time for softness later.

"God," she put her head on my shoulder. I pulled her to me with my free arm and cupped my other hand over her panties. It was an odd angle but she was so fucking wet I would have twisted myself into a pretzel to get to her.

"You are so wet, B…fuck." Her breathing against my neck was intoxicating.

She was starting to press her pussy into my hand. Trying to get some sort of friction going. "Come on Faith. Hurry. I need…" She stopped her pleas when I rubbed. "Oh there. More. Please."

I smiled against her hair. Can do. I slipped her panties to the side. I began to slide my fingers up and down her slit. She was panting against my neck. Biting me. I could faint just from the feeling. "What do you want?" I asked her.

She was literally humping my hand now. She wrapped one leg around me. Both arms were around my neck. Her pants slipped down a little more. I looked over and saw the mirror on the wall. I didn't know that was there. Fuck. This is new. Her back to it, her head on my shoulder. Her ass hanging out of her jeans. She was fucking unbelievable. "Please. My clit Faith, please." Jesus and she was loud.

"God B," I said, rubbing harder, closer and closer to her clit. "I can see you. Humping my hand in the mirror. Fuck that is hot." I touched her clit.

"There…there…"she was breathing heavy. She was already close. Fuck I was close from just watching it. We needed to invest in a mirror when we got back to the hotel.

I began to press as hard as I could against her. "Come for me baby."

She shuddered underneath me. I watched it in the mirror. Her body convulsed once and then got still. Then she went mad. Humping my hand like crazy. Pulling me to her. Her naked tits were rubbing against mine. I watched myself in the mirror." Fuck...fuck….oh god Faith…oh, oh, oh…."I felt her pussy contract while she screamed. Guess those people outside know what we're doing now. She came so hard, rubbing against me like…fuck I don't even know what it was like. It was just insane. Did I say we needed a mirror?

She dropped her leg to the ground. I pulled out my hand. Gonna fuck her so good when we get home, I thought. Fuck I can't even think about it. I grabbed her ass and pulled her closer. "That was so damn insane B. I watched the whole thing. It was like high quality porn. I'm hot…" I noted as an afterthought.

She mumbled against me, "So damn conceited."

"What?" I asked. "I am. You are too."

She shook her head and buttoned her pants. She kissed me on the lips and then the cheek. "I know…I really am aren't I?"

She winked at me and straightened her shirt. God, can I fuck you again please?

We heard a knock on the door, we both jumped.

"Is everything ok in there?" A woman, I'm assuming the waitress, asked.

B turned scarlet. I answered for us, "Couldn't be better."

The woman stuttered, "Well we just thought…we heard…um, ok then."

Buffy shook her head. "I'm not leaving."

I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the door. "What you gonna live in this bathroom the rest of your life?"

She shook her head but followed me. We walked out of the room. I was beaming. Hey, I was the luckiest chick in there. Buffy was quick on my heels, her face buried in my back. "Hurry up," she said. When we got outside I stopped. "Are we out yet?"

Huh? I turned around and looked at her. She had her eyes closed. Pussy. "Yeah baby," I pulled her to me, "but we've got to hurry. There are things I want to do to you that would probably get me arrested."

She giggled, but then stopped. "Exactly how do you think we are gonna do those things at the hotel? With little miss super hearing in the vicinity."

I smirked. "Shopping remember?" She was incredulous. Why we're we sitting her talking? We didn't have time.

I was pulling her along. "Faith," she said, stopping.

What the fuck? Come on!!! Jesus we didn't have time for this. Be patient. "What?" I asked.

She smiled shyly at me, "I've missed you."

Oh, ok. I kissed her. Fuck all of these people. I would get naked here and now if she would let me. I'm doubting that would go over well though. "I love you," I said.

She began pulling. "Well come on. Hurry the fuck up, slowpoke." Oh, now she wants to hurry.

Next