Buffy's POV

They weren't back. God they had actually gone shopping. I couldn't believe my luck. Faith had practically run all the way back. I couldn't even keep up. She pulled me along the sidewalk, threatening to carry me if need be. I can't help it, her legs are longer.

She opened the door and flung me inside. As soon as it closed she was on top of me. Pressing me against the wall. "Faith…bed." I tried to pull away.

She shook her head. I could feel the heat coming off of her in waves. She was breathing heavily, "No…I can't in there…that's where you and…" She groaned. I'd grabbed her ass. "My room."

What? She had a room? Whatever. I begin pulling her to the stairs. "Hurry," I told her.

At the second step she stopped me. I turned her around. She was standing underneath me, pulling on my hand. I fell back into her and she buried her face in my chest. "I wanna live here," She mumbled. I thought…what…did she think I didn't want her to live here? She groaned, burying her face against me. The top two buttons of my shirt were undone and I could feel her breath against my bare skin. Oh wait, she's talking about…damn I'm a little slow some time. Still I couldn't basically let her feel me up in the lobby. What if the rest of them came back? The idea of being caught by friends and family oddly not as enticing.

I pulled away from her. "Come on."

She moaned. "Uh…ok, fuck." She tried to pout.

"Faith you know better. That so doesn't work on me. I invented that look."

She rolled her eyes. I turned around and pulled her back up the stairs. She was following behind me, stopping every few seconds to lick my neck. "I want to get inside of you. Like now."

Oh fuck it. A few steps to go. Good Lord we couldn't even get up a flight of stairs. Well, some things haven't changed.

When we had made it up, she began fumbling for her key. "Fuck," she muttered, sticking her hands in her pockets. "What the fuck did I…oh," she pulled it out grinning at me. "Here it is." She smiled like she had just done something magical.

"Ahem…Buffy?" Angel. Jesus, how did I forget he was here? Why is he so fucking stealthy? He was standing behind her. Neither of us having even noticed him standing in the shadows when we walked by.

Faith stood still. And she didn't turn around. I watched her face. She was looking at me with…I don't know…a look of surprised anger. How does she do that? Go from horny to pissed off in two seconds?

I walked around her. Faith moved behind me, a scowl crossing her face. It's cute. I'm sorry, I can't help it. She's cute when she's pissed.

Angel was talking. Listen Buffy. "What are you guys doing?" He sounded bored. I don't think that was what he was feeling.

I just looked at him. Speak, I told myself. There was a voice in the back of my head telling me I was on a time schedule. A voice I did not want to tell to shut up. But Angel was putting a quick damper on my mood. "Umm…" Oh, see I could speak.

I could feel the anger coming from Faith. She growled. "What does it look like we're doing. Baking a fucking cake?" He just stared at her. This was getting bad fast. "See," she pointed to me and then her, "we were going in there," she motioned to the room, "because I've been waiting all day to bury my face between B's thighs here. And you are interrupting my good time and getting in my way."

"Faith," I chastised.

"You really have no clue do you Faith?" Angel taunted her.

What the fuck? "Angel, don't start." I said. I made sure I was standing between them. He moved a bit closer to me. I felt her at my back.

"Clue? I don't need a clue." She was moving to get passed me. I grabbed her hand. Stop, I was thinking. Sex, remember? She didn't as far as I could tell. "The only thing I need is a fucking stake. Cause you are really close to finding the wrong end of it."

"Is that a threat?" Angel said. No emotion in his voice. It was scaring me.

Faith on the other hand let her emotions drip from her like water. She was so angry her breathing had become erratic. She was standing beside me. Her body tensed and coiled. She looked like any minute she was going to jump. The only thing that I think was stopping her was my hand on her elbow.

Why was I just standing here? Why is Angel ruining my good time?

Faith seemed to get very calm. Notice I said seemed. A composed Faith is even more terrifying than an out of control Faith. "I don't make threats," she said. Her voice was too even for my liking.

I pushed myself in between them again. Fuck this. I didn't have time for a fucking pissing contest. "Both of you need to stop this." I said, looking back and forth. I was trying to choose my words carefully. I didn't want to make either of them any angrier. More importantly, I didn't want Faith to feel trapped. And I could tell that she did. "It isn't worth it," I said, looking Faith in the eye. I turned to Angel, "And you know better."

He flinched. He looked at me, ignoring Faith's stare. "I don't know why you are doing this. It causes nothing but pain Buffy. You don't need anymore of that. Think about it. Where does this get either of you?" He was completely ignoring her. Or pretending to. I noticed that he didn't put his back to her.

"Stay the fuck out of my business soul boy," Faith growled.

He turned on her quickly. I almost didn't register it. I forgot how fucking fast he was. He got incredibly close to her. She was in fighting stance, her legs slightly apart. He had his hands by his side. She was opening and closing her fists. He was mere inches from her, their faces almost touching. "It becomes my business when you fuck up."

I couldn't understand this. Why did they all of a sudden hate each other? Didn't she take the stupid trippy mind walk with him? I pulled him back, a small gesture, but one both of them noticed. She didn't take her eyes off of my hand, which was now resting on his elbow.

She looked him in the eye, ripping her head around. I could see it in her eyes. Fuck if I didn't have to get in between them for a third time. I felt like a referee. Stupid, jackasses. I should just let them fight. "Will you two knock it the fuck off?" I turned to Angel. "I am with Faith. If you don't like it, well…get over it. I'll find somewhere else to go. I don't care. I can't go through that again," I lowered my voice. "If you cared about me, like you say you do," I looked down, "like I know you do, you'd let it go. Let me by happy."

He shook his head. "She won't make you happy. She's only ever made your miserable. You know that." He backed up nonetheless. She was still against me though. I watched his face. I did know him well. Every emotion he could have been having crossed his countenance within a second, and then it was gone. "I'm not deluded. I know. I know you…" he stuttered, "you love her. But you need to ask yourself, for everyone's sake, if that is enough." He turned and walked away.

She jumped at that point. I turned quickly and wrapped my arms around her. Not to comfort her, mind you. To keep her from killing him. "Let me go B." She struggled against me. Fuck, I forgot how strong she was. I slammed her against the wall. "Ow." She moaned. "What the fuck did you do that for?"

"Faith, I can still kick your ass. I don't want to. But I can." I softened my voice. She was rubbing her elbow where it had hit the wall. She looked at me, a questioning and less than happy look crossing her face. "Please?" I tried.

She sighed. "Whatever," she said. But I knew I had won. At least this round. Her anger deflated a bit as she walked passed me. "I'm going to my room."

I nodded my head to her. What the fuck were we going to do now?

She stopped outside of her door. I stopped behind her, my face buried in her back. Why couldn't I just stay pressed against her forever? I put my arms around her waist and she interlaced my fingers with her own. She pulled me to her back. She caught her breath and tensed. She just couldn't let it alone.

"Hey Angel," She didn't move. I pressed my cheek against her back, turning to watch him. I saw him stop, but he didn't turn around, "you might want to watch yourself." She called to him, her tone barely above a whisper. She was stroking my hand with her fingers, looking into her room. She didn't even try to turn around

Neither did he. He didn't move. He spoke. His voice was just as even. Just as soft. "Give me a reason," he said.

All three of us stood still. My arms still around her waist, my face pressed against her back. I was staring at him. I could feel my heart beating in my chest. I hadn't won a goddamn thing.

It seemed to last for fifteen minutes, but was probably more like fifteen seconds. And then suddenly they moved. Faith simply opened her door, dropping my hands and moving away from me. And Angel just walked down the stairs. Both of them left me standing there. I was looking back and forth between the door and the staircase. What the hell just happened?

Faith's POV

Soul Boy. That fucking motherfucking. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I'm so sick of his little 'no one loves Buffy more than me' broody pussy-assed whiney…ok, calm down Faith. What is wrong with me?

"Faith?" Buffy quirked an eyebrow at me, and now the shit will hit the fan. She ran her hands through her hair. I loved it when she did that. I have the hardest time paying attention. She is so hot. Fuck, see?

I didn't want to think…well what I was thinking. Why was my mind in the gutter? Why was she chewing on her bottom lip? She was waiting for me to answer her. Best if I just…oh, she's doing the lip thing. Fuck, Faith, focus. "Huh?" I am such a genius.

She didn't seem as pissed as I thought she was. Still, if she was a cartoon, I bet smoke would be coming out of her ears…a least a little bit. See? There are things wrong with me. The fact that I was looking at her like I could…well eat her, was probably not helping.

"What the hell was that about?" She asked.

I scooted closer to her. "Nothing," I whispered, taking her hand. "Come here."

She shook her head. "No Faith." She pulled herself away from me. "Pay attention." Oh, she was smiling a little. "You have a severe case of ADD."

Bullshit. I always pay attention. Always. Oh, wait she's talking. "Huh?"

She looked at the ceiling. As if to say 'see?' She is so righteous sometimes. Ok, I'll be honest…that shit gets me so hot too. Hell she could fucking be baking cookies and I would get turned on. Run you hands through you hair again, B, I thought. Cause I'm gonna jump you.

She moved to the bed and sat down. She put her hands in her lap and looked to me. "You and Angel should…"

Fuck, I don't care. She looked shocked when I straddled her. "Shut up, B." I said. I pushed her to the bed. Yes, we should have this conversation. I'm not stupid. But I was way more concerned about the fact that we wouldn't be able to have sex, hey we were still on a time constraint, than whether broody boy got his panties in a knot.

She raised an eyebrow at me, but ran her hands over my back. See, she is so into this. She sighed as if to say fuck it and pulled me to her.

Seriously, I could spend days kissing her. The way she fights for dominance, the way her mouth feels…some times it's too much. But, she always breaks away first. I would kiss her forever. Everywhere. Her hands made their familiar path up to my hair. She loved my hair. Couldn't keep her fingers out of it. "Mmm," I heard her moan.

I couldn't help. I've been so worked up the whole time. Even the fight with Angel had done nothing to calm me. In fact, it probably got me more worked up. I bet that fucker was somewhere near, using his super vampire hearing to listen. Perv. Told you I couldn't focus. That changed when she rolled her hips against me. "Fuck," I mumbled against her mouth.

She kissed me harder. She moved her lips around to my ear. "I love it when you do that."

"Do what?" Fuck, B. I loved it when she whispered in my ear. I'd have loved it even more if she would just let me get a little bit of friction going. She was fucking teasing me to death.

"I love it when you moan into my mouth," She said, snaking her tongue against my ear. "But you know what I like more?" She didn't wait for an answer. Which was good, cause I couldn't talk. "I like it when you come in my mouth."

Fuck. I slammed my hips into hers. This time she let me. I was pressing my pussy between her legs. I could so come from this. I could always come from this. She continued licking my ear. I could feel the wetness seeping out of my cunt. Does she have any idea what she does to me? She grabbed my ass, encouraging me to ride her. I moaned again. God I am such a fucking girl sometimes.

And then she…stops. Fuck, what was she doing. I pull away from her and look at her. "Fuck B…stop teasing me."

She giggled. God that giggle. Okay, another gush between my legs. She wrapped her legs around me. Thank god, I thought, about to settle myself back down, when she suddenly flipped us over. Ok, didn't see that coming.

She kissed my forehead. I was lying underneath her, and she was holding my arms above my head, straddling my waist. She was barely touching me with her thighs. This shit was torture. But it was good torture. Is there such a thing as good torture? Oh, fuck, who cares? "Faith. I wanna fuck you all day long. But we can't. So if we're going to do this," she was breathing heavy, still hovering above me, "then we're going to do it right."

I swallowed. She let go of my arms and sat up. I watched her, what else could I do? She pulled her shirt off quickly, straight over her head, buttons be damned. Her bra was thrown off just as easily. Mmm, don't think I'd forgotten about how much I wanted to put those in my mouth. Cause I hadn't. I rose up suddenly and wrapped my lips around her nipple. .

Oh, god," she breathed above me.

I mumbled against her. I was running my tongue over her nipple. Pulling her to me, my hands on her back.

She was pulling at the hem of my shirt. Hey, it's tighter than hers…it doesn't always come off as easily. She pushed me away from her breasts, and I groaned. "Take it off." She popped up off the bed. Hey, where are you going? Oh, she was unbuttoning her pants. Staring me in the eyes. "Take it off." She said. Well, you don't have to tell me twice. Or ok, you do. Anyway, you get the point.

She could always wiggle out of her clothes in about two seconds. I pulled my shirt over my head and when I finished her pants and panties were gone. Glad to know she has that superhuman strength for something. She crawled, all fucking cat like, from the foot of the bed. I hope that she knows that that is the hottest shit in the world. I just sort of fell back. I threw my shirt on the floor. No bra for me, thank you very much. She was sliding up my legs like…fuck…I don't even know how to describe. She was moving so slow, just looking me in the eyes. Almost like she could devour me. She bent her head down, stopping at my crotch. I held my breath. She let out a little puff of air. Shit.

She dipped her head down and licked my stomach. Up across my abdomen, making circles, barely staying in one place. I had my head raised, watching her…cause it was wicked. Her ass was in the air. She was still crawling up my body, the only difference was she was tasting it at the same time.

When she got to my breasts she looked up at me. Her hair hid one of her eyes and I brushed it away from her face. She smiled and looked down. I was expecting her to lick them, or maybe even kiss them. But then she bit. I fell back. Fuck!!!!!!! I…that…I get so…I can't even think, much less speak.


She was nipping at my tits. Nothing hard. She moved her mouth over my left breast, still nipping. She brought her left hand up to knead the other one. And then she bit down. I fucking screamed. She had wrapped her fingers around my other nipple and squeezed at the same time. "Goddddddddd! Fuck, B. you…fuck." I wanted to hold her in place, but I couldn't move. She instantly starting kissing me…taking away the sting. I was so fucking wet that I thought 'these jeans are never coming off. They are now glued to me.' A thought I didn't voice, cause hey, she could at least try, right? She was rubbing my other breast with her fingers, soothing it as well. She move up a little and licked a trail up and around each one. A figure eight sort of thing, and then she moved up my neck.

She licked a wet trail up to my ear and whispered again. "I could fucking do this forever. Fuck…I want to…but we've got more important things to do."

I nodded. Still can't talk, can you dumbass? She grabbed my hands again and pulled them over my head. She thrust her pussy against the seam of my jeans and bent down to kiss me. Her mouth was incredibly warm. I knew she was wet. I could smell her. But I couldn't feel it. I groaned against her mouth, "Pants." Wow, a full word.

She raised her entire body off of me, still holding my arms. Her hair was spilling down into my face. I loved it. "Want me to take off your pants, Faithie?" She pressed her pussy back against them. Still looking me in the eyes.

I closed mine. I couldn't think. I just nodded. She rose up and let go of my hands. I opened my eyes, fuck where did she go?

When I looked down, she was hovering over me, one hand on the button of my jeans. She undid it with ease. I felt her shove her hand inside. "You are so wet," She said. Her voice was so gruff I moaned again. I could feel her fingers sliding around in my juices. Up and down my slit. Fuck, I thought, it wasn't going to take much. I started moving against her hand. Just a little more…"No, no, no." She chastised, and pulled her hand out.

"Fuck…" I whispered, "don't…"

She jerked my pants off. "Don't what?" She asked, her face inches from my pussy. "Don't do this?"

She put her hands on either side of my hip. And with her ass still in the air (did I mention how hot that was?) she ran her tongue across my slit. I could feel the wetness. Well, these panties were ruined. Wish I gave a flying fuck. She sucked them into her mouth. It felt…I could here her sucking the juices off of them. She was looking up at me, my panties in her mouth. Holy fuck, I couldn't take much more of this.

I thrust my pussy against her mouth. Finally, I could move. I put one hand on the back of her head. "Please." I managed to whisper.

That seemed to do the trick. She jerked at the waistband with her teeth. Like a puppy with a toy or something. Then she ripped them off. Tore them away from my legs. Like I said, wish I gave a flying fuck. She pushed her face into my cunt before I had time to breathe. I fell back, my head against the bed.

She ran her tongue up and down my slit again. It was so hot, her breath coming out in hot gasps against me. Fuck…I…fuck. Up and down she licked. Like she was cleaning me. It was too fucking much. My hips were jerking, beneath her. I needed more. She was holding them down with her hands. Fuck… "Fuck B….I need…" She raised her head and looked at me. What was I saying? I was about to finish when she shoved her tongue inside of me.

The look of blond hair between my legs was overwhelming. Her head was bobbing up and down and the feel of her tongue, all wet and hot on its on, shoving as hard as she could into me, was working me up. I was literally humping her face.

She could probably feel that I was about to come and so, tease that she is, she stopped and pulled out. I was going to really protest this time until I felt the first finger slide inside of me. She was watching herself fuck me, head above my pussy. Her face was scrunched and she seemed to be concentrating. "Want more?" she breathed.

"Yes…"I would beg. Please. She had to…I needed it so bad.

"Ok," I could hear the grin in her voice. Yeah, the girl knew what she was doing to me all right.

She moved the finger all the way out, except of the tip and moved her mouth to my clit. When she snuck out her tongue, I felt two fingers shove back inside of me. Hard. That's what I'm talking about.

Her assault on my clit was fast. Hard and determined, she sucked at it, alternately licking and pulling it between her lips. The fingers in my pussy were pumping. I could not keep my hips still. I was pumping them into her face. I grabbed her hair. I was going to hold her to me if need be. She must have liked it cause she did this throaty fucking groan against me. That was it. "Fuck…B….I'm…"

My words, or lack thereof, urged her on and she sucked as hard as she could, shoving her fingers as deep as they would go. I held onto her hair, moving her face around so that I could thrust myself against her harder. "Fuck…" I felt the contractions build. My stomach felt like it was on fire. She was letting me fuck her face. Letting me hold onto her hair. I was jerking so hard…the flames spread. "I'm…"

She raised her head up and I let go of her hair suddenly. With her fingers in my pussy, she shot up my body like a rocket, grinding her pussy into mine. "Come for me Faith. Come with my fingers in that hot little cunt."

I remember her pressing down against me. The feeling of her jerking when I came. She must have came as well. After that, though, there isn't much. I think I fucking passed out. I am such a fucking girl.

I felt her kissing my neck, and opened my eyes. "Did I…tell me I didn't?" Ok, I have a little pride.

She giggled and snuggled into my neck. "Yep…but just for a few secs. I think it was cute."

I have never ever ever done that. Was that even possible? Hey…"I'm not cute."

She smiled at me. Like she knew something I didn't. Told ya she was righteous.

Oh well, I wanted to do it again. Like right now. I put my hands on her back and ran my fingers up and down her spine. "Turnabout is fair play," I told her.

I heard a knock at the door. "Is Faith dead yet?" I heard Cordy ask, "Cause if not, you two might want to hurry the fuck up. Your daughter is bounding up the stairs. I really hope she didn't hear all the damn screaming. If I was as clueless as the rest of these people I would have thought you two were killing each other." I was screaming? Why was she still talking?

"Thanks, Cor," Buffy yelled at her. "Go away."

"Hey, screw you Buffy. You better hurry. We don't have enough money to pay for all the therapy this kid is going to need if she ever hears that." I could hear her laughing. "Get dressed you sluts."

We heard her walk away.

Buffy shook her head at me and rose up, "Tsk…tsk…" she clacked her tongue. "No more screaming for you."

I threw the pillow at her. "Well that so isn't fair."

Chapter 17

Buffy's POV

Well that was…fucking amazing. I have to concentrate.

"Get Dressed B!" Faith was frantically running around the room trying to find her clothes.

Jeez. Freak out much? "I am."

"Well move your ass."

It was kinda cute to see her so…freaked out, I guess. Not that there weren't times when her freak outs led to some…what was I talking about? I shook my head. Get dressed, right. It's just that…we just…wow…just thinking about it…ok, Buffy, don't think about it. Right, so I was getting dressed.

Faith was staring at me like I had two heads. "Why are you so calm? What if she comes in here?"

I waved her off, "She's never caught me having sex. Chill."

Her head shot around. That was really the wrong fucking thing to say. Wasn't it? Sometimes I think I need to invest in that filter that tells your mouth not to open until your brain can decipher what it is you are saying. "I'm just saying that she isn't going to catch us."

"Yeah, like she didn't catch you fucking the supermodel."

"Faith," I wasn't trying to piss her off. Why was she getting pissed off?

She raised her eyebrow at me. I gave her a weak smile and began to pout. She can't resist that. I watch as a small grin began to form. Hah, told ya.

"You cannot do that." She was shaking her head. "You know you are not supposed to stick that bottom lip out. That is so unfair. I can't believe you are trying to…ok, I can believe it."

I know. I know. I'm a little manipulative. So?

"Mommy?" I turned to the door. Annie was barreling in. "Look at the shoes Cordy bought me." She stuck her leg out, twisting her foot. "They're very pretty." She emphasized the word 'very'. "She says you have no fashion sense. And that if she wasn't here I would be a clothing disaster."

Cordelia came in behind her. "Actually I didn't say you had no fashion sense. I said you were lacking the brain function that controls your fashion sense. I mean, look at your choices over the years. God, who could forget that train wreck that was Buffy's high school wardrobe." She shuddered and looked to Annie, "the thought alone gives me nightmares."

Can we not get any privacy? I'm starting to think that they enjoy Faith's and my drama. Not that we have drama. I mean we really don't, do we? Except for Angel. I'd forgotten about that. That is gonna suck. What has gotten into him? Why are they so…so jealous of each other? And why was Cordelia insulting my taste in clothing? I so too had fashion sense. I was a clothing aficionado. People would see me and fall to their knees.

They were staring at me funny. "What?" I asked. Did I have two heads or something?

Faith picked Annie up and laughed, "Where do you go B? When you scrunch that little face, it's really cute, don't get me wrong, but where are you? You seem like you are in the twilight zone or something."

Huh? I zone out? What's she talking about? "Huh?"

Cordy smirked. "Buffy lives in a world we can only imagine. Every so often she comes to visit and grace us with her regal presence, but then she returns to Buffyland. I hear it's a nice place. She's quite worshipped there."

What the fuck is she going on about?

"Do you think that she is queen there?" Faith asked. Well, I am so glad that they find me amusing.

Cordy shrugged. "Who knows?" She looked at the bed, and quirked an eyebrow. "What did you two do when you got back? We were wondering if you would be ok."

Annie nodded. She looked at Faith. "Cordy said you were going to come home and work out. Did you do that yet? I liked to watch Mommy spar with Monica. Cordy said your sparring was even better. Way louder and scarier."

I'm gonna kill her. I have threatened in the past. And I'm thinking it's time to follow through.

Faith gave Annie a look of sheer horror. Hah. Faith gets so nervous sometimes. It's really cute. She smacked Cordy on the arm. "Ow." That probably did hurt, but she deserved it.

She walked out of the room carrying Annie, "Sorry, we already sparred. Your mom whacked me so hard I passed out."

Annie giggled. "You pass out all the time, don't ya?"

I could hear Faith down the hall, "Hey, I do not."

Annie laughed. "That's really funny. Does your head get all fuzzy?"

"No, I'm a badass."

"Faith!" I yelled from the door. God, her freakin mouth.

"Well sorry B, but I am." She was calling back down the hall. "Image is everything."

Cordy yelled after them. "Yeah, but your image has to be true. You can't just make it up. Like say you're a badass when really you are a girly girl."

I laughed. Sometimes Cordy is so funny.

Faith groaned, giving up. "Whatever twinkies. You two wish you were as cool as me and Annie here."

Annie yelled, "yeah."

Glad they're a freaking team now.

I was about to follow them, when Cordelia stopped me. "What?"

"Angel," she said.

Fuck. Did I need to go through this with her? She was looking for an answer. "Again I say what?"

"Angel," she answered, looking at me like I'm an idiot. How does she do that? "He's extra broody. Wouldn't talk to me or Willow. And I thought he was gonna kill Xander when he popped in his office to get a key to something. Tell me the two of you weren't up here fucking so loud he could hear you?"

So? What if we were? What is his problem? I didn't know what to say to her. "He can hear even if we were silent. Am I not supposed to have sex?"

Cordy rolled her eyes. "I don't care what you do Buffy. Have sex until your ears fall off for all I care," What the hell? "But he's getting weirder and weirder about all of this…" she gestured with her hand. "Faith stuff. It's like he doesn't even want her around. They weren't always like that. She took that stupid trip in his mind and all. He saved her, she saved him…blah, blah, blah. Whatever. Point is, I think that he is gonna be really hard to live with if this isn't dealt with."

I relayed the story of their encounter earlier to her. "And the worst thing about it all was that they had this whole icy indifference. Like both of them were making a promise, or a bet or something. You know how Faith is. She'll stake him, if he gives her a reason."

Cordy nodded, "And Angel doesn't like disloyalty. I think he thinks she is gonna hurt you again." She sat down on the bed. Then she made an Eww face and popped back up. "Truth be told, the rest of us, well probably besides Kennedy, I mean what was up with her and Monica anyway? Anyway, we are glad that she's back. Cause gotta say, you are freakin hard to live with when she isn't here." Thanks. She sighed, "But, I don't know Buffy…let's be honest for a moment. It's not like Faith is a member of the Sane gang."

So? Didn't see Cordy's membership hanging on a wall anywhere. "What does that mean?'

"I'm not trying to piss you off Buffy. If I were, you'd know it. So don't start getting all high and mighty with me. Faith may get off on it, but I'm not impressed." She put her hands on her hips. "What I'm saying is…you two probably need to talk. I know the fucking's all amazing and mind blowing and 'oh Faith harder…right there Faith' yada yada yada…but that is only gonna go so far. Or worse lead you back to where you were. And we are not equipped to deal with the second life-altering drama of the lesbo slayers."

Sometimes, I have no idea what the hell she is talking about. "Why would you think that? We're good. Faith and I. We are going to make this work."

"Whatever. I'm just saying that you need to talk. I bet you haven't even told her how Annie was conceived have you?"

So? "So?"

"Oh, come on Buffy. The two of you are so deviant that your main concern is 'where, when, and how long can we fuck before someone catches us?'" I raised an eyebrow at her. "Hey, I know what you two have been up to ever since she got back. You'd have to be mentally deficient not to see it. Which, by the way, everyone else is in this hotel, so your secret is safe. Anyway, you fight or you screw. Cause, well…that's what you did the last time she was here. And we all suffered the damn consequences of those incredibly intelligent actions."

She so pisses me off sometimes. "Sorry to make your lives so fucking difficult Cordy."

"Oh, please. Get over yourself and quit being so theatrical. You need to grow up. Angel is a dumbass. And he needs to stop being jealous. If he and Faith were anymore in love with you, I think I might just puke. But he does have a point. You two just combust. You don't think. You just act. And for acting to be any good it has to have substance."

"I have no idea what that means." Does she ever shut up?

"It means that these overly dramatic lesbian plays that you and Faith put on for the rest of us are getting old. Why the two of you can't just be normal I'll never know." She shook her head. "Doesn't matter. What matters is that I think everyone will agree when I say you need to talk to Faith. Really talk to her. Get all of this drama out of your system. Otherwise there will be more running and more fighting and more crying. And I, for one, do not have enough Valium to drown it out." She walked out.

I fucking hate that she gets the last word. I hate even more that she is right. I do need to talk to Faith. I was worried about it though. We can't seem to even start a conversation about what happened, about what was happening without one of us becoming angry, and more times than not, violent.

And Angel. I had to deal with him. I decided what I was going to do first. I just couldn't go to Faith yet. I wasn't ready. Fact is, I was afraid. Angel was the lesser of those two evils. I left the room and made my way down to his office.

Faith's POV

Annie was swinging on my leg. "Just show me a few moves." She was tugging on my pants. "We don't have to tell Mommy. It can't be a Faithie and Annie secret."

Heh. That's kinda funny. I looked down at her. Was she worth B kicking my ass? Do I even have to answer that? "Alright, come on." Those puppy dog eyes were going to be the death of me.

"Where are you two going?" Red. Why is she so nosey all the time?

"We are going to spar." Well, that's just great. Tell the wicked witch.

"Faith! You cannot spar with her!"

"Duh Red," I gave her my best 'you are a dumbass look.' "I'm not going to spar with her. Why would I do that? She'd probably kick my ass like her mom, anyway." And we weren't going to spar. I was just gonna show her a few moves. It wasn't like I was taking her to psychos in training class or something.

"Oh well, I'm…of course you weren't. I believe you." She tried to smile. Yeah, I bet my ass she believes me. So don't fucking give a shit though.

"Uh-huh." I nodded and grabbed Annie's hand. "We are going out back. See if Annie can pick up some Tai Chi. It's good for the soul." Hah, kill her with the spiritual crap.

Willow called after us, "Annie, please be gentle with her. You know she doesn't know. And I know what you're doing." I heard Annie giggling beside me. What the hell is she going on about? "Faith has no clue Annie." Why does everyone say that?

The day had become even warmer, and I immediately thanked myself for putting on a pair of loose pants and a tank top. There would be no way I could stand it out here otherwise. It's like a fucking oven. I'd forgotten how hot it gets. We normal people were not made to withstand this kinda weather. But hey, it explains a hell of a lot about the rest of them, doesn't it?

I got into position. Spreading my legs slightly, I stretched and looked to Annie. She was sitting on the ground, legs spread to the side, touching her face to her knees while holding her foot. She rose and moved to the other leg. What the fuck? This kid was stretching, like she was gonna work out. How did she know to do that?

I was about to ask her that very question when she popped up and into a fighting stance. She was so graceful, it took me by surprise. Which was a bad thing. Cause then she pounced. Sweeping her little leg around and taking me out of my stance and effectively causing me to fall on my ass.

She giggled at me, "Sorry." She said, looking over me. Huh? Am I the one in the twilight zone?

She moved to let me up and struck. Each movement of her arms and legs was like liquid. I couldn't even defend myself. She was attacking me with such ease that I felt retarded. Plus, what was I going to do, hit a five year old. Ow, uppercut, that fucking hurt.

I finally found the fortitude to block a few punches. If I could have talked, I would have asked her where the fuck she learned that. Well, obviously not with the word fuck. But I was pretty much putting all my energy into not getting my ass kicked by a little kid. It was kinda spooky. And, I have to admit, kinda cool, cause she was my daughter and all. Ow!!! Fuck Faith, pay attention.

She seemed to be reading my mind, "Gotta pay attention, Mom."

Oh my god. She just called me…did she just call me…she saw my shock. "Sorry." She said backing off.

"No…No…"I tried, she looked crushed. "It's ok…I mean…that's what I am, right?"

She nodded slowly, like she didn't really trust that it was ok. I tried to give her some reassurance. "That was amazing. Where did you learn to do all of that?" Did I tell you she called me Mom? Oh, she's talking. Damn Faith, pay a-freaking-ttention.

"…taught me. I just always knowed how to do it."

She always knowed…, fuck knew how to do it? "Really?"

She nodded again. Oh, I see pride. Yep, so my kid. "Yeah. I always knowed. Mommy showed me some moves. So did Kennedy. Angel showed me Tai Chi. But you can too if you want."

Well what the fuck was I gonna teach her? She already knew it all. "Why don't you teach me something instead?" Well that was humbling.

"Why don't we just spar?" She asked, shrugging her shoulders.

Why the hell not? It won't be the first time a Summer's girl kicked my ass.

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

After sparring, and I have to say, a severe ass kicking by the midget standing beside me, we went to get some water. Red rounded the corner at the same time.

She was smiling like she'd won the lotto. Fuck you, Wills. "Hah! Sorry." She shook her head, "But…haha!" She was laughing. "You know that never gets old. It is so funny to watch her kick a little ass." She was highly amused. "How does it feel?"

I was holding my side, breathing heavily. I hadn't been so worn down in a long, long time. "Like I was hit by a passenger train."

"Passenger…? Oh, never mind…" Red was shaking her head. "Anyway, you should see yourself. It's hilarious."

"Well, what would I be if not a source of constant amusement for you?" I asked her.

She walked off, still laughing, "I don't know Faith…I don't know."

Annie was pulling on my arm. Damn don't pull it out of the socket. I was already hurting. "Huh?" I asked her.

"I'll go get you some water. You stay here. I don't want you to faint again." She giggled, running off.

Well everyone is just a fucking comedian.

"Be right back Mom," she called down the hall.

Oh, she called me Mom again. That makes my chest constrict. That is the best word in the English language. …And I am such a fucking cheesy sap.

I went to sit down on the counter. I needed a few drugs and a nap more than water. And about a week to recuperate. I stopped rubbing my shoulders when I heard voices.

"…you don't understand, Buffy." Angel, undead motherfucker.

"What?" Why does she sound so weak around him?

I moved a little across the counter, leaning nearer the closed door.

"You know she is psychotic. You know that." He's lucky that he's wrong, cause the old Faith would have jumped down at that comment and beat him dust. "I don't mean it as anything bad." Oh, no that's not a 'bad' comment.

"On, no that's not a 'bad' thing to say," Buffy said. Go, sweetie. Did I just call her sweetie? I'm turning into a mush bucket or something. Fuck, focus.

"I mean…I don't judge her for it. But I love you." Make me sick. Don't fall for that shit B. "And I don't want you or Annie getting hurt." I would never, never hurt her or Annie.

"She would never hurt Annie." See why we are made for each other? Or you Buffy…say I wouldn't hurt you.

Angel spoke. "What about you?"

There was a silence. Did she answer him? Why didn't I hear her? "I don't know." What the fuck? What does she means she doesn't know? I gripped the counter harder. Don't crack it, I told myself. "She never meant…never means to."

"Oh well that makes it all better doesn't it? She doesn't mean to hurt you. She just does. And where does that leave you? Pining for her. Lying in bed for months crying over her. Ignoring everyone, including your own daughter, for her. While she made off with no obligations, no responsibilities, no anything. She left us to look after you. And to tell you the truth Buffy, we almost didn't make it." What? Bed for months? What?

"You know, I do know all of that Angel. I remember wanting to die. It's not a feeling I relish." God, she wanted to die? Why? What the fuck did I do to her? "But it's not the same this time. We are not the same. It's going to be different. Why doesn't anyone believe me?"

"Given your track record with her," Angel said. He is such a fucking stone cold dick. "we are inclined not to."

"I'm going to talk to her," Buffy sighed. I was leaning all the way over the counter now. I was trying to balance and listen at the same time. It was a difficult thing to do cause she was talking so softly now. "But I…I just don't want to fuck it up. I don't want her to run again. I don't think I can take a second time of that." She thinks I'm going to run? Why did she think that? I'm not going to run. I told her.

"Neither can we." Shut the fuck up Angel. When the fuck did this shit become about them? He just wants her all to himself. Not that he could do anything with her even if she did love him. With that spiritually impotent dick of his.

"I know." Nah, B, tell him to stay the fuck out of your business. "You're right." What!?! He's right?

"Good, I'm glad you see it my way." Oh, he is so fucking dead.

"Mom!!!!!!!!! Why are you leaning over the counter like that? What are you listening to?" Annie yelled, running back in the room. It caught by surprise.

And fuck if I didn't fall backwards. Shit. That fucking hurt. I popped up as the door to Angel's office burst open. Buffy's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head. Yeah, I fucking heard you. "Did she just call you Mom?" She asked.

And they say I don't focus. "I am, aren't I?"

She looked at me funny. "Yes, of course. It was just that…wow, Faith…I'm just…" She smiled a little.

Which would have been cute, had Angel not walked out of the office at the same time. To tell you the truth, I would have killed him where he stood if Annie hadn't been standing there. He looked so fucking smug. I scowled at him. I could see B staring at me from the corner of my eye. Yeah, be smug, I thought, cause I'm gonna wipe that fucking smirk off of your face when we get alone big boy. And that's a promise.

Annie must have sensed the tension. She looked at Angel and me. Noticed that we were staring at each other. She grabbed my hand. Handing me the water, she pulled me away. "Let's go watch TV."

I snapped out of my scowl and allowed her to pull me. "Ok."

We left them standing there. Buffy with a shocked look on her face. I couldn't figure out where that was coming from. Angel still fucking smirking. I looked over my shoulder at him and smiled. This smile was called the 'bring it the fuck on, motherfucker' smile. "See you later, Angel." I said, my voice dripping with sugar.

"Count on it," He called back.

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